Current Affairs Today 12th June 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 12th June 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The World Day Against Child Labour is held every year on June 12 to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour.
  2. Long-term package motor insurance products that offer third party (TP) and own damage (OD) for two-wheelers (five year policies) and four wheelers (three years) will be withdrawn from August 1, 2020.
  3. The State Bank of India (SBI) relaunched its Aadhaar-based instant digital savings account facility for customers who want to open an online account using the Yono platform.
  4. US based tech-giant Apple Inc’s market capitalization surpassed $1.5 trillion, making it the first U.S. company to reach that mark.
  5. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in its OECD Economic Outlook, has projected India’s economy to contract 7.3 percent in the current fiscal year 2020-21 if there is a second wave of the coronavirus (Covid-19) later this year.
  6. The Department of Science & Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, has constituted a joint Science Communication Forum to promote common policy & best practices.
  7. The Tamil Nadu government has issued a notification as per the recommendation of an experts committee for changing the names of 1,018 places, including of many important places, in accordance with how they are exactly pronounced in Tamil.
  8. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has become the first of its kind in the construction sector to go fully digital.
  9. Centre approved Maharashtra’s Annual Action Plan for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the State.
  10. The Uttarakhand forest department has opened state’s biggest biodiversity park in Haldwani on 5 June 2020, on the occasion of World Environment Day, to encourage conservation of flora, especially medicinal plants.
  11. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme to provide financial assistance to tailors, barbers and washermen, who had lost their livelihood due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  12. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched “Panchvati Yojana” for the senior citizens of rural areas of the state.
  13. In Gujarat, Gujarat Council on Science and Technology GUJCOST has started a unique initiative of Digital learning classes for teachers to help them use digital technology in a better way.
  14. The Government of Bangladesh has launched an initiative named ‘Shohojodha’, which is an online network to facilitate plasma exchange between recovered patients of COVID 19 and those undergoing treatment for Corona infection in the country.
  15. Three institutions of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India have found places in the Nature Index 2020.
  16. The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, virtually released ‘India NIRF Rankings 2020’ of Institutions of Higher Education on 11 June 2020 in New Delhi.
  17. None of the Indian institutions have featured in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021.
  18. India has been ranked 56th out of 200 countries in a comprehensive report on safety and risk assessment of nations tackling Covid-19.
  19. Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has partnered with the Common Service Centre to provide the facility to submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan for EPS pensioners.
  20. Indian-American soil scientist Dr. Rattan Lal has won the prestigious 2020 World Food Prize, which is considered to be equivalent to a Nobel Prize in the field of agriculture.
  21. Indian Musician & founder of Kalakruthi music organisation in Australia, Shobha Sekhar will be conferred the “Medal of the Order of Australia”.
  22. The Indian Navy has inducted the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Complex to provide rescue cover to submarines on the east and west coast of India.
  23. The 33-year-old Ukrainian lightweight boxing champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk also known as “The Nail” announced his retirement.
  24. Cochin-based startup VST Mobility Solutions has launched an automated mask disposal machine, named BIN-19, as part of efforts to develop products helping to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
  25. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU) have developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask.
  26. A new study stated that Saturn’s largest moon Titan is now expanding from Saturn at a rate 100 times faster than scientists had previously predicted.
  27. Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have developed a new low-cost and low-tech required test for the COVID-19 testing.
  28. The former member of the Planning Commission, A. Vaidyanathan passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Day Against Child Labour observed on 12 June

  • The World Day Against Child Labour is held every year on June 12 to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour.
  • The theme for 2020 is “COVID-19 – Protect children from child labour now, more than ever”.
  • This year, the World Day will be conducted as a virtual campaign and is being organized jointly with the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Partnership for Cooperation on Child Labour in Agriculture (IPCCLA) .

Background:

  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) initiated the World Day Against Child Labour in the year 2002.
  • The aim was to focus attention on child labour and take efforts needed to eliminate it. On this day, the world governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, and millions of people from around the world get together to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.
  • The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted by world leaders in 2015 includes a commitment to end child labour. SDG targets to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour.
  • It also aims to end modern slavery, human trafficking, secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

Extra Shots:

 ILO: International Labour Organization

  • Formed on: 29 October 1919
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Director-General: Guy Ryder

BANKING & FINANCE 

IRDAI withdraws long-term package third-party motor insurance

  • Long-term package motor insurance products that offer third party (TP) and own damage (OD) for two-wheelers (five year policies) and four wheelers (three years) will be withdrawn from August 1, 2020.
  • The insurance regulator (IRDAI) said in an order that the distribution of package policies has its challenges due to affordability factors for a large section of vehicle owners.
  • This means that customers won’t be given an option to buy OD covers for a long-term basis.
  • This is an extension of an earlier order by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) order where it had asked insurers to give customers an option to choose between one year and multi-year OD plans.

Extra Shots:

IRDAI:

  • Website: irdai.gov.in
  • Founded: 1999
  • Sector: Insurance
  • Headquarters: Hyderabad
  • Type: Statutory corporation
  • Chairperson: Subhash Chandra Khuntia

SBI relaunches Aadhaar-based online savings account opening facility

  • The State Bank of India (SBI) relaunched its Aadhaar-based instant digital savings account facility for customers who want to open an online account using the Yono platform.

Highlights:

  • Yono is the lender’s integrated banking and lifestyle platform. The ‘insta savings bank account’ will offer a complete paperless and instant digital savings account opening with just PAN and Aadhaar number, the bank said in a release.

Account Features:

  • This account has all the features that would provide our potential customers a convenient, hassle-free and paperless banking experience without visiting the bank branch.
  • The bank will issue basic personalised RuPay ATM-cum-debit card to all the new account holders of insta saving bank accounts.
  • To open account, customers need to download the Yono app, enter their PAN and Aadhaar details, submit one-time password, and fill other relevant details
  • Nomination facility is also available for account holders along with SMS alerts and SBI’s missed call service.

Other Details:

  • Once the process is completed, the account holder will get his/her account activated instantly and can start transacting immediately.
  • Customers will have the flexibility to upgrade to full KYC (Know Your Customer) account by visiting their nearest SBI branch within one year’s time.

Extra Shots:

SBI:

  • Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founded: 1 July 1955
  • Tagline: “Pure banking, nothing else” “With you- all the way” “A bank of the common man” “The banker to every Indian”

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Apple becomes first US company to hit $1.5 trillion market cap

  • US based tech-giant Apple Inc’s market capitalization surpassed $1.5 trillion, making it the first U.S. company to reach that mark.
  • Market capitalization is the share price multiplied by the number of outstanding shares of the company’s stock, yielding the company’s overall stock market value.
  • At a current price of around $352 per share and with roughly 4.3 billion shares outstanding, Apple’s market capitalization is now at around $1.53 trillion.

Extra Shots:

Apple:

  • Founded: 1 April 1976, Cupertino, California, United States
  • CEO: Tim Cook
  • Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States
  • Founders: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne

OECD Projects India’s GDP at -7.3% for FY21 if coronavirus strikes again

  • The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in its OECD Economic Outlook, has projected India’s economy to contract 7.3 percent in the current fiscal year 2020-21 if there is a second wave of the coronavirus (Covid-19) later this year.
  • However, OECD expects the economy to contract 3.7 percent during the year 2020 if there is no second wave.
  • Further, for the fiscal year 2021-22, GDP is estimated at 8.1 percent in case of a second wave and at 7.9 percent in other case, i.e no second wave.

Extra Shots:

OECD:

  • Secretary-General: Jose Angel Gurria Trevino
  • Chief economist: Laurence Boon
  • Headquarters: Paris, France

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

DST constitutes joint Science Communication Forum to promote common policy and best practices

  • The Department of Science & Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, has constituted a joint Science Communication Forum to promote common policy & best practices.
  • The aim is to facilitate interaction, cooperation, and coordination amongst various public sector science communication institutions and agencies.

Highlights:

  • The Forum aims to bring together the science communication efforts spread across various institutions.
  • It will help the adoption of a common policy and best practices at a wider scale, ultimately aiming towards a national science communication framework.
  • The forum will be represented by senior officials from various central ministries and departments, including Health, Culture, Defense, Agriculture, Space, Atomic Energy, and Information & Broadcasting, along with Science & Technology.
  • The Forum will be served by a Secretariat at the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST which is mandated for coordination with different organizations, programmes and activities focused on science communication in the country.
  • It will be mandated to formulate countrywide programmes, policies, and activities in the domain of science communication and popularization in the country.

Extra shots:

DST: The Department of Science and Technology is a department within the Ministry of Science and Technology in India.

  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Founded: May 1971
  • Subsidiary: National Innovation Foundation – India

Coimbatore becomes Koyampuththoor as TN changes English names of 1,018 places

  • The Tamil Nadu government has issued a notification as per the recommendation of an experts committee for changing the names of 1,018 places, including of many important places, in accordance with how they are exactly pronounced in Tamil.
  • For instance Coimbatore will be called Koyampuththoor and Ambattur has been re-christened as Ambaththoor. Vellore will be known as Veeloor.

Extra Shots;

Tamilnadu

  • Capital: Chennai
  • Chief Minister: Edappadi K.Palanisamy
  • Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
  • Chief Justice of Madras High Court: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
  • National Park: Guindy NP,Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP,             Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP.

NHAI becomes first construction sector organisation to go fully digital

  • The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has become the first of its kind in the construction sector to go fully digital.
  • With the launch of cloud-based and artificial intelligence-powered big data analytics platform Data Lake and Project Management Software, the entire project management workflow of NHAI has been transformed from manual to online portal based.
  • The complete project execution operations including ‘workflow with timelines’ and ‘alert mechanism’ have been configured.
  • All project documentation, contractual decisions and approvals are now being done through the portal only.

Extra Shots:

NHAI:

  • Founded: 1988
  • Sector: Indian National Highway System
  • Purpose: Development and maintenance of national highways
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Agency executive: Sanjeev Ranjan (Chairperson)

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Centre approved Rs.1,829 crore for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Maharashtra in 2020-21

  • Centre approved Maharashtra’s Annual Action Plan for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the State.
  • The State government has planned to provide 100% tap connections to all the households in the State by 2023-24.
  • In Maharashtra, out of 1.42 crore rural households, 53.11 lakh households have already got tap connections.
  • The government of India has approved Rs.1,828.92 crore for the implementation of JJM in the State during 2020-21.

Highlights:

  • The State is planning to provide tap connections to 31.30 lakh households in 2020-21.
  • Maharashtra State has planned for retrofitting and augmentation of existing 8,268 piped water supply schemes, it aims to make provision of 22.35 lakh household tap connections during 2020 and the remaining 9 lakhs from new schemes.
  • State has been directed to take up all these works in campaign mode, that the remaining households belonging to poor and marginalized sections of the society get tap connections immediately.
  • The State has prepared a roadmap to cover 100% of its quality-affected habitations by 31 December 2020.
  • The plan includes an universal coverage of households, priority is given to water scarce areas, quality-affected areas, SC/ ST dominated habitations/ villages, aspirational districts, Sansad Adarsh Gramin Yojana villages, particularly vulnerable tribal groups.

Extra shots:

Maharashtra:

  • Capital: Mumbai
  • Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
  • Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
  • National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.

Uttarakhand opens its biggest biodiversity park in Haldwani

  • The Uttarakhand forest department has opened state’s biggest biodiversity park in Haldwani on 5 June 2020, on the occasion of World Environment Day, to encourage conservation of flora, especially medicinal plants.
  • The Uttarakhand Forest Research Wing Biodiversity Park is spread across 18 acres and has 40 thematic sections with around 500 species of plants.
  • The plant species in the biodiversity park is divided into spiritual & religious, scientific, human health, and aesthetic value sections.
  • The objective of the park is to showcase the importance of each plant in human lives.

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

  • Capital- Dehradun
  • Governor- Baby Rani maurya
  • CM-Trivendra Singh Rawat
  • National Park -Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

Andhra CM launches ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme

  • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme to provide financial assistance to tailors, barbers and washermen, who had lost their livelihood due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Benefits of the scheme:

  • The scheme provides one-time financial assistance of Rs10,000 each to the 2.47 lakh beneficiaries less than 60 years of age.
  • Under the scheme, 82,347 Rajakas (dhobis), 38,767 Nayee Brahmins (barbers) and 1.25 lakh tailors were provided with the financial assistance.

School kits for Students:

  • Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also provide school kits would be given to all the students on the reopening day on August 3.
  • Each kit consists of books, notebooks, shoes, socks and three pairs of uniform. The State government ordered for 1.20 crore uniforms for 40 lakh students.

Extra Shots:

Andhra Pradesh:

  • Capital: Amravati
  • Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
  • Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
  • State Formed in: 1 November 1956
  • Literacy Rate: 67.4 %
  • National Park: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park

“Panchvati Yojna” launched in Himachal Pradesh

  • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched “Panchvati Yojana” for the senior citizens of rural areas of the state.
  • Under the “Panchvati Yojana”, state government of Himachal Pradesh will set up parks and gardens in every development block with all the necessary amenities.
  • State government is eying to develop 100 such parks in the state in the current financial year.
  • “Panchvati Yojana” seeks to provide an opportunity for elderly people to spend their leisure time while strolling in these parks and gardens.
  • It also aims to improve the life expectancy of the elder people by keeping in view their health requirements.
  • This will be executed under the MNREGA scheme of rural development.

Extra Shots:

Himachal Pradesh:

  • State formed on: 25 January 1971
  • Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
  • Chief Justice: Lingappa Narayana Swamy
  • Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
  • Official language: Hindi

Gujarat: GUJCOST begins initiative of Digital learning classes to train teachers

  • In Gujarat, Gujarat Council on Science and Technology GUJCOST has started a unique initiative of Digital learning classes for teachers to help them use digital technology in a better way.
  • In view of COVID 19, when online media being widely used for imparting education, the initiative aims to train as many as 250 master teachers across 33 districts through GSWAN’s adobe connect platform.
  • GUJCOST has tied hands with an NGO Learning Links Foundation to impart digital training to the teachers of secondary and higher secondary schools.

Highlights:

  • Senior scientist and adviser of GUJCOST Narottam Sahoo said four weekly sessions of Digital learning classes will be organised.
  • In the first session which was organised on 10th of this month as many as 70 teachers participated.
  • The training includes introduction to various digital tools, constructive use of smart phones, digital wellbeing as well as cyber security.
  • Apart from this, GUJCOST has also started online Summer camps for students between 6th to 12th standard to teach them various gaming tools.
  • The students will be given training in game designing as well.

Extra Shots:

Gujarat:

  • Capital: Gandhinagar
  • Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
  • Governor: Acharya Devvrat
  • State formed on: 1 May 1960
  • Literacy Rate: 79.31%
  • National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Bangladesh launches online plasma exchange network ‘Shohojodha’ for COVID-19 treatment

  • The Government of Bangladesh has launched an initiative named ‘Shohojodha’, which is an online network to facilitate plasma exchange between recovered patients of COVID 19 and those undergoing treatment for Corona infection in the country.
  • The initiative has been launched by the ICT division of the government of Bangladesh in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a2i innovation lab and eGeneration to facilitate collection and distribution of plasma from patients who have recovered from Coronavirus.

Extra Shots:

Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka/Taka

  • Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
  • Official Language: Bengali

RANKS AND INDICES

Three DST institutes among top 30 Indian Institutions in 2020 Nature Index

  • Three institutions of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India have found places in the Nature Index 2020.
  • The annual tables highlight the institutions and countries that dominated high-quality research in the natural sciences in 2019 as tracked by Nature Index.
  • It features not only the Nature Index Global Top 50 institutions across all sectors but also the Top 25 Rising institutions that had the strongest growth in output since 2015.
  • The country or institution is ranked based on its share of articles published in the 82 scientific journals selected by an independent panel of experts and tracked by the Nature Index database.

Highlights:

The three institutions that are placed among the top 30 ranks in the list are:

  • IACS (Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science), Kolkata – 7th position,
  • JNCASR (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research), Bangalore – 14th position
  • Kolkata’s S.N.Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences – 30th position

Other Indian institutions that are on the list are:

  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at 160th position
  • Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore at 184th position

Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Virtually releases “India Rankings 2020” for Higher Educational Institutions

  • The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, virtually released ‘India NIRF Rankings 2020’ of Institutions of Higher Education on 11 June 2020 in New Delhi.
  • The India NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) Rankings 2020 is the fifth consecutive edition of India Rankings of the institutions of higher education in India.
  • The 2020 ranking has been released in 10 categories subject domains.
  • The ranking framework evaluates institutions based on five broad groups of parameters: which are: Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcomes (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) and Perception (PR).

These rankings acts as:

  • Guide to students for selection of universities based on a set of criteria,
  • Helps universities to improve their performance on various ranking parameters and identify gaps in research and areas of improvement.
  • Instill a competitive spirit amongst institutions to perform better and secure higher rank in international ranking.

List of top Institutes in each category

  • Overall – Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • University – Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
  • Engineering – Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • Management – Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
  • Colleges – Miranda House, Delhi
  • Pharmacy – Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
  • Medical – All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
  • Architecture – Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
  • Law – National Law School of India University, Bengaluru
  • Dental – Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi

Only three Indian institutes make it to the top 200 in QS World University Rankings 2021; MIT Tops

  • None of the Indian institutions have featured in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021.

Highlights:

  • Only three educational institutes from India managed to find place in the top 200 list of the ranking which includes 1000 universities.
  • These are Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and IIT Delhi.
  • IIT Bombay grabbed the top spot among Indian institutes with global rank of 172 followed by IISc, Bengaluru (185) and IIT Delhi (193).
  • Also, only 21 Indian institutes have been listed in the overall ranking of 1,000 universities. Last edition of the ranking had 25 Indian institutions from India.
  • The list also includes at least 10 institutions marked by the government under the Institution of Eminence (IoE) scheme.
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of the United States has achieved the top spot.
  • Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology and UK’s Oxford University took the first 5 positions respectively.
  • The QS World University Rankings evaluates the institutes on six metrics.
  • These include academic reputation (40 percent weightage), employer reputation (10 percent), faculty/student ratio (20 percent), citations per faculty (20 percent), international faculty ratio/student ratio (5 percent each).

India ranks 56th among 200 countries on Covid-19 safety assessment, Switzerland tops

  • India has been ranked 56th out of 200 countries in a comprehensive report on safety and risk assessment of nations tackling Covid-19.
  • According to the 250-page-long report, Switzerland is the safest country in the world for Covid-19, followed by Germany and Israel.
  • The report has been published by a firm, Deep Knowledge Group, which specialises in regenerative medicine.
  • It assessed the safety and risk factors for the Coronavirus in 200 countries before rolling out the conclusive study.

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has partnered with the Common Service Centre

  • Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has partnered with the Common Service Centre to provide the facility to submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan for EPS pensioners.
  • 65 lakh pensioners can submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan closer to their residence.
  • EPS pensioners are required to submit Jeevan Pramaan or Life certificate each year to continue to draw pension.
  • In addition to Common Service Centres, EPS pensioners can also submit life certificate through 135 Regional Offices and 117 District Offices and Pension Disbursing Banks.
  • EPS pensioners can submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan at any time during the year as per their convenience.
  • The life certificate will remain valid for one year from date of submission.
  • Earlier, the pensioners were required to submit the Jeevan Pramaan in the month of November.
  • This pro- pensioner step has been taken to provide hassle free social security cover to EPS pensioners.

Extra Shots:

EPFO: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation

  • Founded: 4 March 1952, New Delhi
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Type of business: Central-Owned

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL  AWARDS

Indian-American soil scientist wins 2020 World Food Prize

  • Indian-American soil scientist Dr. Rattan Lal has won the prestigious 2020 World Food Prize, which is considered to be equivalent to a Nobel Prize in the field of agriculture.
  • The award recognized his contribution to increasing the global food supply by helping small farmers improve the health of the soil.
  • The award also highlights the importance of managing & restoring soil health.

Dr.Rattan Lal:

  • Rattan Lal was awarded for his role in developing and mainstreaming a soil-centric approach to increase food production that restores and conserves natural resources and mitigates climate change.

World Food Prize:

  • World Food Prize was first awarded in 1987. The award is presented by the World Food Prize Foundation, with various sponsor companies. The award recognizes contributions that are made in the various field involved in the world food supply including Animal Science/Aqua Culture, Food Technology/Food Safety, Nutrition/Health, Plant Science/Seed Science, Plant Pathology/Crop Protection, Soil Science/Water/Conservation, Policy/Research/Extension, Infrastructure/Emergency Relief, and Poverty and Hunger Alleviation.
  • The first awardee of the award is an Indian agricultural scientist Dr. M S Swaminathan, who is the father of the Green Revolution in India.

Shobha Sekhar conferred with “Medal of the Order of Australia”

  • Indian Musician & founder of Kalakruthi music organisation in Australia, Shobha Sekhar will be conferred the “Medal of the Order of Australia”.
  • The Montreal-based artiste and lecturer, University of Melbourne, figures in the Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List.
  • She has been chosen for the Medal of the Order for her service to the community and the country.
  • The medal of the order of Australia is awarded to the individuals contributing to their community or to Australia globally or domestically.
  • The recipients are nominated and assessed independently as worthy of recognition.

Extra Shots:

Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian Dollar

  • Prime Minister: Scott Morrison
  • Official Language: English

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Complex inaugurated in Vizag

  • The Indian Navy has inducted the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Complex to provide rescue cover to submarines on the east and west coast of India.
  • The DSRV complex was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam on 10 June.

Highlights:

  • DSRV Complex was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
  • It has been designed to accommodate the newly inducted submarine rescue system and store the DSRV assets in the rescue-ready state.
  • The system consists of a submarine rescue vessel, a remote operations vehicle, and side-scan sonar and associated equipment.
  • It has hyperbaric medical equipment and diver decompression chambers to decompress submariners after the submarines are rescued from sunken submarines.
  • DSRV complex can be mobilized by air or road to facilitate submarine rescue operations even at distant locations.
  • The Indian Navy has inducted two such systems to provide rescue cover to submarines.
  • At present, there are about 40 nations that operate submarines.
  • The 3rd generation submarine rescue capability of the Indian Navy can be sought by the other navies for assistance during contingencies in the Indian Ocean Region.

SPORT CURRENT AFFAIRS

Ukrainian boxing champion and Olympic medalist Oleksandr Gvozdyk retires

  • The 33-year-old Ukrainian lightweight boxing champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk also known as “The Nail” announced his retirement.
  • He was born on 15th April 1987 in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
  • He won the Bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic games.
  • He won the 2018 World Boxing Council’s(WBCs) light heavyweight world title against Adonis Stevenson in Quebec.
  • He lost the 2019 championship against Artur Beterbiev, Russian fighter which was the only loss in his pro career (17-1).
  • He was the Former light heavyweight champion of North American Boxing Federation(NABF).

Extra Shots:

WBC: World Boxing Council

  • President: Mauricio Sulaimán
  • Headquarters location: Mexico City, Mexico
  • Founder: Adolfo López Mateos
  • Founded: 14 February 1963
  • Purpose: Boxing sanctioning organization
  • Abbreviation: WBC

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Kerala Startup partners with SCTIMST to launch IoT based used mask disposal smart bin and UV light-based disinfection device

  • Cochin-based startup VST Mobility Solutions has launched an automated mask disposal machine, named BIN-19, as part of efforts to develop products helping to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The disposal device developed using Chitra UV based face mask disposal bin technology from the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) was formally launched.
  • VST Mobility Solutions also launched UV SPOT, a UV light-based multipurpose disinfector, to combat the COVID-19.

About BIN-19:

  • The Internet of Things (IoT)-based BIN-19 can be used to collect and disinfect Used Face-Mask.
  • The device has been successfully tested under microbiological tests by Sree Chitra Lab.
  • The used masks will be dropped inside a container of the bin will be first disinfected by a process.
  • The disinfected masks which are dropped in the BIN-19 will be transferred to another container inside the Bin.
  • The person dropping the mask can sanitize their hands with the help of the automatic sanitizer dispenser attached to the Bin-19.
  • The user does not need to touch/operate any switches in the Bin. The functions of the BIN-19 are automated in the hands-free equipment for the safety of users and health workers.

The IoT Features of BIN-19 are:

  • Auto Sanitizer Dispenser
  • Mobile Application to navigate/find Bin-19
  • Web Portal for Status Alerts
  • Power ON/OFF alerts
  • Box open alerts

Extra shots:

Kerala:

  • Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
  • Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
  • Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
  • Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
  • National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc

IIT-BHU researchers develops face mask to annihilate pathogenic microorganisms

  • Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU) have developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask.
  • The face mask was aimed to address a few issues to combat novel coronavirus.

Disadvantage of common facemask:

  • The common face mask that is available in the market currently acts as a filter to stop the entry of microbes to oral and nasal airways but does not have any effect on the microbe stuck to the mask surface.
  • This disadvantage of masks could be dangerous for medical and paramedical staff due to the presence of higher viral or bacterial load on their outer surface.

Highlight:

  • This newly designed face mask can annihilate pathogenic microorganisms that are stuck to its outer surface. It will also limit the spread of secondary infections.
  • The new face mask is stacked by different layers of nanometal conjugated with a protonated amine matrix.
  • Copper and silver are de-transition elements that can degrade coronavirus and all the other members of the SARS virus.
  • The mask is made with a combination of copper, copper oxides, silver, and activated charged silver, which can help degrade RNA.
  • The mask has a hydrophobic surface on the outer layer to deflect water droplets containing the viruses.

The anti-microbial face mask has 5 layers:

  • The first layer of the mask can degrade any type of Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
  • the second layer is anti-microbial
  • the third one is for air filtration
  • the fourth and fifth layers are comfortable layers, which will remain close to the nose and mouth.

Titan drifts away from Saturn 100 times faster than expected

  • A new study stated that Saturn’s largest moon Titan is now expanding from Saturn at a rate 100 times faster than scientists had previously predicted.
  • This speed of drifting is about 4 inches every year.

Highlights:

  • Titan was born close to the planet. But over the course of 4.5 billion years, Titan has migrated out to where it orbits currently, approximately 746,000 miles (1.2 million km) away from the planet.
  • The reason for the moon to drift away from their host planets is because as the moon’s orbit, their gravitational pull on the planet creates a temporary bulge on the planet.
  • This will increase the energy exerted by the planet on its moon.
  • Saturn has a total of 82 moons and the planet has the biggest moon ‘Titan’.

CCMB researchers develop new low-cost novel coronavirus

  • Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have developed a new low-cost and low-tech required test for the COVID-19 testing.
  • This test is known as Reverse Transcription nested PCR (RT-nPCR) test.

Highlights:

  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended only a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) test for novel coronavirus testing.
  • The newly developed RT-nPCR test does not require real-time quantitative RT-qPCR.
  • The researchers reported that the RT-nPCR test has shown comparable performance to the standard RT-qPCR test.
  • The nested PCR (RT-nPCR) approach does not depend on RT-qPCR but uses standard RT-PCR as part of an endpoint assay.
  • During the trial, the RT-nPCR test was able to identify 90% of the detected samples as positive by RT-qPCR.

OBITUARY

Former member of Planning Commission, A. Vaidyanathan passes away

  • The former member of the Planning Commission, A. Vaidyanathan passed away.
  • He was a member of the perspective planning division of the Planning Commission from 1962 to 1972.
  • He was also a professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies and Centre for Development Studies. Vaidyanathan had chaired the govt of India Task Force on Revival of Cooperative Credit Institutions in 2004 and was a member of the K.N. Raj Committee on Taxation of Agricultural Income (1969-70).
  • He was also actively involved in developing India’s statistical system and therefore the national sample survey.
  • Dr Vaidyanathan was a member of the central board of the Reserve Bank of India, during which period he was one among the survivors of the terrorist attack on Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Hotel in November 2008.

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