Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 11th April 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 11th April 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- National Safe Motherhood Day observed 11 April.
- National Pet Day is celebrated on 11 April every year.
- The Reserve Bank of India launched a twitter campaign urging bank customers to adopt digital modes of payment that are convenient and safe.
- Jana Small Finance Bank has launched “DigiGen” a digital banking platform where customers can digitally open a savings account and fixed deposit instantly, any time, anywhere.
- The policy think tank NITI Aayog recommended to the government that the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act be kept in suspended animation for the next 6 months in view of the COVID-19.
- The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved the funding of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay team to develop a Nasal passage gel to limit transmission of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, the causative agent of COVID-19.
- J&K government released Rs.183 crore to the beneficiaries under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, participated in the G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual Meeting on 10 April 2020.
- Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) under the Ministry of AYUSH organized an international webinar on 10 April 2020 on the occasion of World Homoeopathy Day.
- The “Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker” has identified India’s response to Covid-19 as one of the most stringent in the world.
- Flipkart Private Limited inks partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited & Go Digit General Insurance to launched two health insurance policies.
- Bharat Biotech in tie-up with the US-based company FluGen and University of Wisconsin Madison to develop a vaccine named “Coro-Flu” to fight against COVID-19.
- The Board of the Investment Manager of IndiGrid, India’s first Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in the power sector, has approved the acquisition of Gurgaon-Palwal Transmission Limited (GPTL), Sterlite power with a value of Rs 1,080 crore.
- Raj Vikash Verma was appointed as part-time Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank for the period of one year whereas Sanjay Agarwal reappointed as Managing Director (MD) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) also whole time director Uttam Tibrewal for three years.of the AU Small Finance Bank.
- The Supreme Court (SC) of India has extended the tenure of chairperson of Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) Justice Shiva Kirti Singh by 3 months who was set to retire on April 20, 2020.
- According to the FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association)/Coca-Cola World Ranking 2020, released on April 09, 2020, Indian football team retained its 108th position with 1187 points.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the Border Security Force (BSF) to enhance vigil along the Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, especially in the non-fenced areas of India.
- After the launch of Aarogya Setu app to tackle COVID-19 impact, now Central government , Department of Telecommunication(DoT) in partnership with Tamil Nadu (TN) government and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched its complementary initiative named “Aarogya Setu Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS)”.
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is to explore convalescent-plasma therapy for COVID-19.
- Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has developed a cost-effective solution for isolation wards, Fumigation Chamber, Hand sanitizers and face masks as a measure to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
- Renowned Hindustani classical singer and Padma Shri awardee Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away.
- The former Zimbabwean cricketer Jackie du Preez passed away.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
National Safe Motherhood Day observed 11 April
- National Safe Motherhood Day observed 11 April.
- The day aims to raise awareness about the proper healthcare of women and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women.
- The day also aims to spread awareness about healthcare facilities for women. India became the first country to officially declare a National Safe Motherhood Day in the world.
History:
- National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) initiative was started by the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI).
- The day was designated to provide women with various healthcare programs during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal services.
- The first NSMD was observed in 2003. The day also coincides with the birth anniversary day of Kasturba Gandhi.
Extra Shots:
White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI):
- Formed on: 1999
- Executive Director: Betsy McCallon
- WRAI aims to reduce maternal and newborn death globally. The organization upholds the right of all women to be safe and healthy before, during and after childbirth.
National Pet Day is celebrated on 11 April
- National Pet Day is celebrated on 11 April every year.
- The day encourages people to help reduce the number of animals in shelters.
- On this day, the pet owners celebrate their animal companion.
- A survey by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) determined that the animals contribute to the physical and mental benefits to overall cardiovascular health by lowering cortisol, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.
History:
- Colleen Paige founded National Pet Day was established in 2006 with an aim to celebrate the joy pets can bring to the people.
- Paige is an animal welfare advocate and pet and family lifestyle expert.
- She wanted to bring attention to the ongoing needs of many pets of all kinds waiting in shelters to be adopted.
- She encouraged people who want purebred dogs and cats to contact rescue organizations instead of going to a breeder.
BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
RBI launches Twitter campaign to promote digital modes of payment
- The Reserve Bank of India launched a twitter campaign urging bank customers to adopt digital modes of payment that are convenient and safe.
- RBI emphasised on transacting digitally as it gives the convenience of making payments anytime and anywhere.
- Through the campaign, RBI reiterated the multiple digital payment options such as NEFT, IMPS, UPI and BBPS that are available 24*7.
- The face of the campaign is Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.
- The usage of digital modes to make transactions has become all the more important as the ongoing 21-day nationwide lockdown, imposed to maintain social distancing to contain the spread of the coronavirus, has restricted the movement of people.
Extra Shots:
RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central banking institution, which controls the issuance and supply of the Indian rupee.
- Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, Michael Debaprata Patra
Jana Small Finance Bank launches “DigiGen” digital banking platform
- Jana Small Finance Bank has launched “DigiGen” a digital banking platform where customers can digitally open a savings account and fixed deposit instantly, any time, anywhere.
- DigiGen onboarding is a three-step process to open an account.
- Bank customers are eligible for 4.5 per cent interest rates on savings account with no minimum balance and up to 7.5 per cent interest on fixed deposits.
- The new digital solution also offers a host of other features, including online bill payment, instant money transfer and airport lounge access on the debit card.
Extra Shots:
Jana Small Finance Bank is a small finance bank that commenced operations on March 28, 2018. The Reserve Bank of India issued a licence to the bank under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- Headquarters location: Bengaluru
- Founded: 2006
- Subsidiary: Janaadhar Constructions
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
NITI Aayog recommended relaxing mandi norms for farmers for 6 months
- The policy think tank NITI Aayog recommended to the government that the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act be kept in suspended animation for the next 6 months in view of the COVID-19.
- The NITI Aayog recommendation was moved by member and agricultural policy expert Ramesh Chand.
- It also recommended that it should be done across states even if an ordinance is required.
- The aim of the move is to ease pressure on farmers and ensure a smooth supply of farming goods.
Highlights:
- The APMC Act will empower the state governments to specify market areas that are operated and regulated by market committees. The market area is where farmers bring their produce for sale.
- Any relaxation in the provisions of the Act will have to be done through state governments.
- The recommendation also included that the farmers be allowed to take processed or cleaned up produce directly to the warehouse. Earlier, the farmers brought the produce to the mandi.
Extra Shots:
APMC Act 2003:
- The wholesaling of agricultural produce is governed by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Acts of various State governments in India.
- The APMC Act empowers the state governments to notify the commodities, and designate markets and market areas where the regulated trade takes place.
- It provides for the formation of APMC that is responsible for the operation of the markets.
- The APMC act aims to develop the efficiency of the marketing system and promote agri-processing and agricultural exports.
The NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to achieve sustainable development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.
- Website: niti.gov.in
- Formed: 1 January 2015
- Objectives: Foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process by the State Governments of India
- Jurisdiction: Government of India
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Chairperson: Narendra Modi
DST to fund for development of Nasal passage gel for COVID-19
- The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved the funding of
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay team to develop a Nasal passage gel to limit transmission of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, the causative agent of COVID-19.
Highlights:
- This solution is not only expected to protect the safety of health workers, but also lead to reduction in community transmission,helping disease management and to provide an extra layer of defense.
- The gel is particularly designed for the front-line workers, health care workers & asymptomatic (without symptoms) persons, & will be ready in about 9 months.
- The team plans a 2 split approach
- 1st level- To inhibit the binding of viruses to host cells as the viruses replicate within host cells of the lungs. Even Though this is expected to reduce host cell infection, the viruses will be active.
- 2nd level- The trapped virus will be inactivated by incorporating the biological molecules in a similar way to that of detergents which will lead to development of Nasal passage gel.
- Professors Kiran Kondabagil, Rinti Banerjee, Ashutosh Kumar and Shamik Sen from the Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering at IIT Bombay are part of this project.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
JK government released Rs.183 crore to MGNREGA beneficiaries
- J&K government released Rs.183 crore to the beneficiaries under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- The move is to benefit poor wage seeking households.
Highlights:
- The amount was transferred electronically into the accounts of beneficiaries within a period of 5-6 days. The move benefitted around 15.50 lakh active workers under MGNREGA in J&K.
- Around 12 lakhs transactions were made by the officials of the Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, J&K.
- The release of wages is to help the needy during the 21-day lockdown to combat the deadly coronavirus that has rendered daily wagers, workers and other vulnerable households of J&K without any work and livelihood.
- The funds were directly transferred into the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) through digitally signed Fund Transfer Orders.
- The move is to help the people not to take a risk by going out to collect the payment physically.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Lt Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual Meeting
- Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, participated in the G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual Meeting on 10 April 2020.
- The meeting was hosted by Saudi Arabia, it is the President of G20 countries.
Participants:
- The meeting was chaired by Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz.
- The meeting was attended by Energy Ministers of G20 countries, guest countries and heads of international organizations including Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Energy Forum (IEF).
Meeting Highlights:
- The G20 Energy Ministers’ focused on ways and means to ensure stable energy markets, which are affected due to demand reduction in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing surplus production-related matters.
- Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted PM’s Ujjwala scheme, to provide 80.3 million poor families free LPG cylinders, as part of a 23 billion dollars relief package. He also highlighted the Government of India’s efforts to fill in our Strategic Petroleum Reserves.
- The G20 Energy Ministers’ meeting is to adopt a Joint Statement, which inter alia, proposes to establish a Task Force to advise the G20 Energy Ministers on the next steps, and agreed to remain engaged in the future.
CCRH organized an international webinar and approved Telemedicine Guidelines for Homoeopathic Practitioners
- Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) under the Ministry of AYUSH organized an international webinar on 10 April 2020 on the occasion of World Homoeopathy Day.
- Over 1000 participants attended the webinar on a digital platform which was also live-streamed.
- The webinar was addressed by Union Minister of State (I/C) AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik.
Highlights:
- During the meeting, the Ministry of AYUSH approved the Telemedicine guidelines for homeopathic practitioners.
- It emphasized on the need to mobilize the AYUSH workforce to align with the COVID-19 taskforce if the need arises.
- The delegations spoke about the potentials of Homoeopathy which can be harnessed in the containment of COVID-19.
- Presentations on the facts about the use of adjuvant homeopathy along with standard care for COVID-patients was done in the meeting.
RANKS AND INDICES
India ranks high on “Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker”
- The “Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker” has identified India’s response to Covid-19 as one of the most stringent in the world.
- This data are based on tracking 73 countries.
- This tracker is created by researchers from Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.
- The tracker is designed to systematically record government responses worldwide and aggregate the scores into a common ‘Stringency Index’.
- Some of the other countries to score a perfect 100 in the tracker are Israel, Mauritius, New Zealand and South Africa.
- Czech Republic, Itay, Lebanon and France scored in the 90s in the index. Germany and the United States have scored below these countries in the 80s, while the United Kindom scored in 70s.
- The tracker is based on 11 indicators such as school closures, travel bans as well as measures such as emergency investment in healthcare, fiscal measure and investment in vaccines by the governments.
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
Flipkart inks partnership with ICICI Lombard to offer health plan for Covid-19
- Flipkart Private Limited inks partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited & Go Digit General Insurance to launched two health insurance policies.
- Both the policies provide an easy claim, hospitalisation, room or intensive care unit (ICU) expenditure, ambulance assistance and teleconsultation and do not require any medical testing at the time of purchase.
- The name of the two policies that specifically cover coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
‘COVID-19 Protection Cover’
- COVID-19 Protection Cover’ by ICICI Lombard provides an instant Rs 25,000 benefit plan paid to the customer if he tests positive for COVID-19. It is priced at an annual premium of Rs 159.
‘Digit Illness Group Insurance’
- Digit Illness Group Insurance’ offered by Digit Insurance allows consumers to avail a hospitalization cover up to a sum assured of Rs 1 lakh with an annual premium of Rs 511. Further, there is no limit on room rent or ICU. The policy includes 30 days pre-hospitalization and 60 days post-hospitalization fee. Policyholders can also get 1% of the sum assured for ambulance assistance.
Extra Shots:
Flipkart Private Limited, d/b/a Flipkart is an Indian e-commerce company based in Bengaluru, India. It was founded by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in 2007.
- Founded: October 2007
- CEO: Kalyan Krishnamurthy (Jan 2017–)
- Founders: Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal
- Parent organization: Walmart
Bharat Biotech in tie-up with FluGen to develop ‘CoroFlu’ vaccine
- Bharat Biotech in tie-up with the US-based company FluGen and University of Wisconsin Madison to develop a vaccine named “Coro-Flu” to fight against COVID-19.
- CoroFlu will build on the backbone of FluGen’s flu vaccine candidate known as M2SR.
- The vaccine is being developed on the basis of FluGen’s flu vaccine candidate known as M2SR, a self-limited version of the influenza virus.
- It induces an immune response against the flu. The vaccine will be built by FluGen’s lab that inserts gene sequences from SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 into M2SR so that the novel vaccine will also induce immunity against the coronavirus.
IndiGrid to acquire Gurgaon-Palwal Transmission Limited
- The Board of the Investment Manager of IndiGrid, India’s first Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in the power sector, has approved the acquisition of Gurgaon-Palwal Transmission Limited (GPTL), Sterlite power with a value of Rs 1,080 crore.
Highlights:
- This acquisition is made to ensure reliable power supply in the region, which may reduce carbon emissions by reducing dependence on DG (diesel production) sets.
- IndiGrid’s AUM (assets under management) will increase by 10% to USD 1.75 billion through this acquisition, it also intends to acquire solar projects with robust power purchase agreements, operational track record and financially strong counter parties or off-takers.
- GPTL is a part of Inter State Transmission Scheme (ISTS) network, which consists of 3 Gas Insulated Substations (GIS) totaling 3,000 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) and 270 circuit kilometers of 400 KiloVolt (KV) transmission lines spread across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Extra Shots:
GPTL:
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Managing Director : Pratik Agarwal
IndiGrid:
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- CEO & Whole time director: Harsh Shah
APPOINTMENT
AU Small Finance Bank appoints R V Verma as part-time chairman and Sanjay Agarwal re-appointed as MD and CEO
- Raj Vikash Verma was appointed as part-time Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank for the period of one year whereas Sanjay Agarwal reappointed as Managing Director (MD) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) also whole time director Uttam Tibrewal for three years.of the AU Small Finance Bank.
- The appointment was approved by RBI (Reserve Bank of India).
Highlights:
About Sanjay Agarwal:
- Agarwal has been associated with this institution (AU small finance bank) since its inception in 1996 (erstwhile AU Financiers India Limited), is also its promoter.
About R V Verma:
- Verma was inducted as an Independent Director with the AU Bank in January 2018. He was the former Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of National Housing Bank (NHB). Verma was a certified Associate of the Indian Institute of the Bankers (CAIIB).
- Verma has a strong experience in the financial service sector, particularly in the field of development finance, regulatory supervision, housing finance, mortgage finance and real estate sector for nearly 37 years.
Extra Shots:
AU Small Finance Bank:
- AU Small Finance Bank is an Indian Scheduled Commercial bank that was founded as vehicle finance company AU financiers (India) Limited in 1996 and converted to a small finance bank on April 19, 2017.
- Headquarters: Jaipur, Rajasthan.
- Tagline: Chalo Aage Badhe.
SC extended tenure of TDSAT Chairperson Shiva Kirti Singh by three months
- The Supreme Court (SC) of India has extended the tenure of chairperson of Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) Justice Shiva Kirti Singh by 3 months who was set to retire on April 20, 2020.
- This decision has been taken by the bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Deepak Gupta headed by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde.
Extra Shots:
TDSAT:
- Establishment: 2000
- Composition: It consists of a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government. The Chairperson should be or should have been a Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
FIFA’s ranking 2020: Indian football team stats at 108th position; Belgium on top
- According to the FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association)/Coca-Cola World Ranking 2020, released on April 09, 2020, Indian football team retained its 108th position with 1187 points.
- While Belgium ranked first and world champion France is in 2nd place and Brazil is at 3rd spot.
Top three countries:
- Belgium
- France
- Brazil
Highlights:
- India ranks 108th
- In the wake of the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic, qualifier tournaments have been postponed for the FIFA World Cup and other major games at the international level.
- Not only this, due to Corona, the Olympic football tournament, CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) Copa America and UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) EURO also had to cancel famous events.
Extra Shots:
FIFA: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
- President: Gianni Infantino
- Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
- Founded at: Paris, France
- Founded: 21 May 1904, Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
- Senior Vice-President: Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC)
- Subsidiaries: Confederation of African Football, United States Soccer Federation, Early Warning System GmbH
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Home Minister directed BSF to tighten vigil along Pakistan, Bangladesh borders
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the Border Security Force (BSF) to enhance vigil along the Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, especially in the non-fenced areas of India.
- The security of the two borders was reviewed by the Minister.
- The move comes in the wake of coronavirus outspread.
- The BSF personnel were directed to ensure that no cross-border movement takes place at these two fronts.
- The Ministry is to ensure enforcement of the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.
Extra Shots:
BSF:
- Formed on: 1 December 1965
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs
- Director-General: V K Johri
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Centre launched Aarogya Setu IVRS for non-smart phones in collaboration with TN govt and IIT-Madras
- After the launch of Aarogya Setu app to tackle COVID-19 impact, now Central government , Department of Telecommunication(DoT) in partnership with Tamil Nadu (TN) government and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched its complementary initiative named “Aarogya Setu Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS)”.
- It is launched by TN Chief Minister (CM) Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami and Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Ravi Shankar Prasad.
- The basic difference between both apps is that Aarogya Setu is for smartphones while IVRS is its helpline version for non-smart phones.
- The Aarogya Setu IVRS or IVRS COVID-19 helpline number is 9499912345. Currently, this is available only in Tamil Nadu.
- Other states will also launch the initiative soon.
About Arogya Setu IVRS
- Arogya Setu and Arogya Setu IVRS will run in combination to help affected and those with symptoms of coronavirus.
- The IVRS facility will get activated after giving a missed call and location identification. After that the caller will be provided with options for assistance, health care and guidance like Aarogya Setu app, which connects health services with the people of the country to fight against the menace of coronavirus.
SCTIMST to explore convalescent plasma therapy on COVID-19 patients
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is to explore convalescent-plasma therapy for COVID-19.
- Indian council for medical research (ICMR) has approved to carry out the novel treatment.
About Plasma:
- Plasma is a component of blood. It is the fluid that carries the blood components throughout the body.
- It is the largest part of blood.
- It makes around 55% of its overall content.
- The liquid is light yellow in colour.
- It carries water, salts, and enzymes.
- Plasma also contains important components like antibodies, clotting factors, and the proteins albumin and fibrinogen.
Convalescent plasma:
- The method was used in the past to treat diseases such as polio, measles, mumps, 1918 flu epidemic, and in previous outbreaks of respiratory infections namely H1N1 influenza, SARS, and MERS.
- Under the Convalescent plasma method, Plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 will be collected.
- The Convalescent serum, that is the blood serum, is then administered to a COVID-19 patient. The sick will acquire passive immunization.
- It is believed that it might contain antibodies to the virus that causes the disease and might be effective against the infection.
OFB develops cost-effective solution for isolation wards
- Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has developed a cost-effective solution for isolation wards, Fumigation Chamber, Hand sanitizers and face masks as a measure to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
OFB’s measures:
Two-Bed Tents:
- The two-bed tents are fitted with medical equipment for screening, isolation, and quarantine.
- These special tents can be used for a medical emergency, medical screening, hospital triage, and quarantine purposes.
- These tents has a floor area of 9.55 square metre.
- The floor is made up of waterproof fabric, mild steel, and aluminum alloy.
- The tents can be set up in any place, terrain, and help in creating additional facilities other than those in conventional hospitals within a short period of time.
- The tents were manufactured by the Ordnance Equipment Factory, Kanpur. So far, 50 tents have been sent to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Fumigation Chamber:
- The fumigation chamber was developed by Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAJ) Nagpur.
- The chamber is created for the purpose of sanitization.
- It is fully portable and can be shifted with ease. It is installed at the main entrance of OFAJ Hospital.
Hand sanitizers and face masks:
- Opto Electronics Factory Dehradun of OFB has donated 2,500 bottles (100 ml each) of hand sanitizers and 1,000 face masks to the Governor, Uttarakhand.
- Cordite Factory Aruvankadu of OFB handed over 100 litres of sanitizers to the Nilgiris District Police authorities in Tamil Nadu.
- High Explosives Factory (HEF) in Pune despatched the first batch of 2,500 litres sanitizers to M/s HLL, Belgavi.
Handwashing System:
- Ordnance Factory Dehradun handed over indigenously made pedal-operated handwashing system fitted with a soap dispenser to the police authorities.
- Ordnance Factory Dehu Road, Pune distributed food kits amongst labourers at Dehugaon village.
Extra Shots:
OFB: Ordnance Factory Board consisting of the Indian Ordnance Factories, is an industrial organisation, functioning under the Department of Defence Production of Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- Headquarters: Kolkata
- Founded: 1712
- Number of employees: ~80,000
- Key people: Hari Mohan IOFS; (Director General Ordnance Factories & Chairman, OFB)
- Subsidiaries: Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli, Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project
- Type of business: Government
OBITUARIES
Padma Shri classical singer Shanti Hiranand Chawla passes away
- Renowned Hindustani classical singer and Padma Shri awardee Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away.
- The singer was trained in thumri, Dadra and ghazal singing by Begum Akhtar, and was world-renowned for keeping the legendary ghazal singer’s style alive in her performances, which she staged all across the world, including Lahore, Islamabad, Toronto, Boston, New York, and Washington.
- She had also penned a book titled “Begum Akhtar: The Story of My Ammi.” which depicts her journey with her music guru, Begum Akhtar.
- She has received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri, which was awarded to her in 2007.
Former Zimbabwean cricketer Jackie du Preez passes away
- The former Zimbabwean cricketer Jackie du Preez passed away.
- The leg-spinner played for South Africa in Zimbabwe’s pre-independence days. He played two Tests for South Africa in 1967. After he retired in 1979, he served his nation, Zimbabwe as a national selector in cricket.
