Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 12th May 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 – 12th May 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- International Nurses Day (IND) is observed around the world on 12 May of each year.
- the Government of India has announced an increase in its gross market borrowing estimate to Rs 12 lakh crore for the current financial year 2020-21 to deal with the expected shortfall in revenue due to the impact of COVID-19 crisis on the economy.
- Bank of America has revised down their GDP growth estimate for India to 0.5 percent for the current fiscal year, 2020-21, from its earlier estimate of 1.5 percent.
- Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman launched the INR-USD Futures and Options contracts in the BSE and NSE platforms.
- Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched Central University of Odisha Helpline “Bharosa” and its Helpline Number 08046801010 through a virtual platform in New Delhi on 11 May.
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Potters are using innovative methods to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
- The government released Rs.6,195.08 crore to 14 states as the second equated monthly installment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant on 11 May.
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY) completed five years of its implementation on 9 May 2020. The scheme has achieved the milestone of 2.23 subscribers so far.
- The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar launched the integration of 177 new mandis with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) on 11 May.
- The Department of Consumer Affairs has launched the Suraksha Store initiative.
- Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched the CHAMPIONS portal, a Technology-driven Control Room-Cum-Management Information System.
- The Union Health Ministry announced that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has initiated a population-based serosurvey to monitor the trend in the prevalence of the infection at the district level.
- In Tamil Nadu, the popular and efficient Anganwadi scheme under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) of the Government of India has devised novel solutions to overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown.
- Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the charge of the finance portfolio, presented a state budget of Rs. 21049.87 crore for the fiscal 2020-21.
- The Bengaluru city corporation, Karnataka has launched Pranavayu programme to create awareness on the need to self examine the respiratory health for the city people.
- Madhya Pradesh state government launched FIR Aapke Dwar Yojana 11 May in Bhopal.
- Tamil Nadu becomes the first state in India to announce a large-scale state-wide partnership with the learning platform.
- Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Alo Libang today inaugurated the second COVID-19 testing lab at Intermediate Reference Laboratory at Naharlagun, near Itanagar.
- In a major relief to patients facing difficulties in routine medical checkups, the OPD services in Government Medical College and its associated hospitals in Jammu resumed today after 48 days.
- Israel has named a street in Tel Aviv after celebrated Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as a tribute on his 159th birthday on 08 May.
- World Health Organization and the United Nations Postal Agency released a commemorative stamp to mark 40th anniversary of eradication of small pox.
- The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has been ranked among the Top 50 global schools providing executive education (open plus custom programmes), in the Financial Times (FT) Executive Education 2020 Rankings released on 11 May 2020.
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras Civil Engineering Department has collaborated with Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in Tamil Nadu to design and develop ‘Doffing Unit’ to enable healthcare professionals to safely and effectively remove their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Para-athlete Deepa Malik has announced her retirement from Paralympics games to hold her post as the president of the Paralympic Committee of India.
- As part of Samudtrasetu mission, INS Magar of Indian navy will reach Kochi today bringing back 202 Indian nationals from Maldives.
- The biography of Britain’s Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle “Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family” by royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand has been scheduled to be released worldwide on 11 August.
- The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has won this year’s SKYTRAX Award for Best Regional Airport in India and Central Asia.
- Technology Centres, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur and Kolkata of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are now manufacturing critical parts of Real-Time Quantitative Micro PCR System for AMTZ, Visakhapatnam.
- CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) Bangalore has developed SwasthVayu, a Non-Invasive Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Ventilator in a record time of 36 days to treat COVID-19 patients.
- Founding father of Rock ‘n’ roll, Little Richard passed away.
- Former Lok Sabha MP and senior Janta Dal(S) leader Raja Rangappa Naik passed away.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
International Nurses Day is observed on 12 May
- International Nurses Day (IND) is observed around the world on 12 May of each year.
- The international day marks the contributions that nurses make to society.
- The day assumes more significance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Over the past several months, nurses and other medical professionals have put their lives on the line to save lives and defeat this menace.
Theme:
- The theme for 2020 International Nurses Day is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health.”
- The theme aims to demonstrate how nurses are central to addressing a wide range of health challenges.
- The theme aims to inspire nurses and make the public aware of their contribution to healthcare and health management.
History:
- International Nurses Day was initiated by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in 1974. The day marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who was born in 1820. She is revered as the founder of modern nursing. The International Nurses Day 2020 marks her 200th birth anniversary. The day highlights the important role nurses fulfill in health care.
Extra Shots:
International Council of Nurses (ICN):
- Founded on: 1899
- Members: 135 nurses associations
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Government Raises Market Borrowing Limit for 2020-21 to Rs 12 Lakh Crore Amid COVID-19
- the Government of India has announced an increase in its gross market borrowing estimate to Rs 12 lakh crore for the current financial year 2020-21 to deal with the expected shortfall in revenue due to the impact of COVID-19 crisis on the economy.
- This is an increase of Rs 4.2 lakh crore over Rs 7.8 lakh crore announced in the Budget Estimates for FY21.
- The government has also increased the weekly borrowing target to Rs 30,000 crore from Rs 21,000 crore planned earlier.
Bank of America Downgrades India GDP Estimate for FY’21 to 0.5%
- Bank of America has revised down their GDP growth estimate for India to 0.5 percent for the current fiscal year, 2020-21, from its earlier estimate of 1.5 percent.
- The foreign brokerage has also estimated the fiscal deficit to come at 5.8 percent of the GDP in FY21 as against the budget target of 3.5 per cent, after the government’s move to raise its market borrowing programme for the current financial year by Rs 4.2 lakh crore.
Extra Shots:
The Bank of America Corporation is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, with central hubs in New York City, London, Hong Kong, Dallas, and Toronto.
- Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
- CEO: Brian Moynihan
INR-USD Futures and Options Contracts launched by Finance Minister
- Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman launched the INR-USD Futures and Options contracts in the BSE and NSE platforms.
- They were launched at at the GIFT International Financial Service Centre (IFSC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat through video conference.
Significance:
- The contracts have been launched to increase economic activity and employment in the country.
- A significant market share of India has moved to other International financial Centres in the last decade.
- The move will help to bring back those businesses back to India.
- In Addition, the world-class business environment at the GIFT IFSC will help to bring in larger global participation.
Future and Option:
- Future and Options are financial products that allow investors to buy or sell shares at specific price by a specific date.
- Options contract give the right to buy or sell the shares at any time till the validity of the contract exists.
- Under Futures contract, a buyer and seller can buy or sell only on specific future date.
- Types of Option :There are two types of Option, The Call Option is used to buy a stock at the strike price and put option is used to sell a stock at a specific price.
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
HRD Minister launched Helpline Bharosa on Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services for University Students of Odisha
- Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched Central University of Odisha Helpline “Bharosa” and its Helpline Number 08046801010 through a virtual platform in New Delhi on 11 May.
Highlights:
- The aim is to relieve the distress of the student community during the troubled time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the helpline aims to provide Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services to all University Students of Odisha.
- The Centre has taken several measures to safeguard the future of students.
- The Ministry also emphasized the steps taken with regard to the new academic calendar and virtual mode of education.
- The Helpline will benefit the students and their parents, amongst others.
- The Central and State Universities and other Institutions of Higher Education across the country tis o emulate the Bharosa initiative.
- The major features and services of the CUOs Helpline Bharosa that seeks to address the problems of distressed students in the wake of COVID-19. In the pilot phase, over 400 calls have been received in the Pilot Phase of the CUO Helpline. The move by the Central University of Odisha aims to help the students in distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Extra Shots:
The Ministry of Human Resource Development, formerly Ministry of Education, is responsible for the development of human resources in India.
- Founded: 26 September 1985
- Officeholder: Ramesh Pokhriyal (Union Minister)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Jurisdiction: India
- Annual budget: 99,312 crores INR (US$14 billion, 2020-21 est.)
- Departments: Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy
KVIC Potters using innovative methods to prevent spread of Coronavirus
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Potters are using innovative methods to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
- Every earthen pot made by the KVIC potters in Kishanganj village of Baran district in Rajasthan carries a message on ways to fight Coronavirus.
- The aim is to ensure that the message reaches every household and members of the family come across the message every time they drink water from it.
Highlights:
- The potters have printed messages like, “Use Mask”, “Stay Home, Stay Safe”, “Prevention is Cure” and “Beware of Corona”, on the pitchers whose sale has gone up with a rise in temperature.
- This will ensure that every member of a household reads the messages at least 4-5 times a day.
- The move by the potters saying such a distinctive way of communicating with masses will leave a great impact in the fight against Coronavirus.
Sashaktikaran Program:
- The potters of KVIC benefit under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Program. The program is an initiative aimed at strengthening the potters’ community across the country. The program has been launched in several remote areas in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, and Bihar. In Rajasthan, many districts including Jaipur, Kota, Jhalawar, and Sri Ganganagar have been benefited by the program.
- Under the scheme, the KVIC also provides equipment like blunger and pug mills for mixing clay for making pottery products. The machines have eliminated drudgery from the process of pottery making and resulted in higher income of potters by 7-8 times.
Extra Shots:
KVIC: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is a statutory body formed in April 1957 by the Government of India, under the Act of Parliament, ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’.
- Founded: 1956
- Purpose: To plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Agency executive: Vinai Kumar Saxena (Chairperson)
- Parent agency: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- Type: Statutory corporation
Centre releases Rs.6,195 crore fund to 14 states to fight COVID-19 pandemic
- The government released Rs.6,195.08 crore to 14 states as the second equated monthly installment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant on 11 May.
- The move by the GoI aims to provide additional resources during the COVID-19 crisis.
Highlights:
- The grant was recommended by the 15th Finance Commission (XVFC), and an equal first installment of the grant was issued by the Centre to states on 14 March.
- The Centre released advance payments of over Rs.1,276 crore to Kerala state, around Rs.952 crore to Himachal Pradesh and over Rs.638 crore to Punjab. Assam was given a fund of Rs.631 crore, Andhra Pradesh received Rs.491 crore, Uttarakhand received 423 crore, and West Bengal got Rs.417 crore.
- The grant will help state governments to take preventive and mitigation measures for containment of the COVID-19.
- The states are asked to set up quarantine facilities, sample collection, and screening, and setting up additional testing laboratories.
- The fund can be used to cover the cost of consumables, and purchase of personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare, municipal, police, and fire authorities. Also, it will be used for the purchase of thermal scanners, ventilators, air purifiers, and consumables for government hospitals.
Atal Pension Yojana completes five years
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY) completed five years of its implementation on 9 May 2020. The scheme has achieved the milestone of 2.23 subscribers so far.
Atal Pension Yojana:
- Atal Pension Yojana is the government’s flagship social security scheme.
- APY was launched on 9 May 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The aim of the scheme is to deliver old age income security, particularly to the workers in the unorganized sector.
- The scheme still remains relevant for addressing the challenges of the rapidly increasing aging population of India.
- The scheme provides the guarantee of minimum pension after 60 years of age.
- The scheme covers all the states and Union Territories (UTs) with male to female subscription ratio of 57:43.
- APY can be subscribed by any Indian citizen in the age group of 18-40 years having a bank account.
- The scheme provides a minimum guaranteed pension ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.5,000 on attaining 60 years of age.
- The amount of pension is guaranteed for a lifetime to the spouse on the death of the subscriber.
- In the event of the death of both the subscriber and the spouse, the entire pension corpus is paid to the nominee.
Extra Shots:
APY: Atal Pension Yojana is a government-backed pension scheme in India, primarily targeted at the unorganised sector. It was mentioned in the 2015 Budget speech by the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May in Kolkata.
- Launch year: 2015
- Sector: Pension
- Status: Active
- Eligibility: jansuraksha.gov.in/Files/APY/English/About-APY.pdf
- Launched by (prime minister): Narendra Modi
- Ministry: Ministry of Finance
New 177 mandis integrated with e-NAM platform
- The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar launched the integration of 177 new mandis with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) on 11 May.
- The move is to strengthen agriculture marketing and facilitate farmers to sell their harvested produce through the online portal.
e-NAM platform:
- The 177 new mandis are from 10 States and Union Territories (UTs).
- The mandis integrated are as follows: Gujarat (17), Haryana (26), J&K (1), Kerala (5), Maharashtra (54), Odisha (15), Punjab (17), Rajasthan (25), Tamil Nadu (13) and West Bengal (1).
- With the launch of 177 additional mandis, the total number of eNAM mandis across the country is 962.
- Earlier, 785 mandis were integrated with eNAM across 17 States and 2 UTs, with a user base of 1.66 crore Farmers, 1.30 lakh traders, and 71,911 Commission Agents.
- Currently, 150 commodities, including food grains, oilseeds, fibers, vegetables, and fruits, are being traded on e-NAM.
- More than 1,005 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have been registered on the e-NAM platform and have traded 2900 MT of agri-produce worth Rs.7.92 Crores.
Extra Shots:
e-NAM: National Agriculture Market or eNAM is an online trading platform for agricultural commodities in India. The market facilitate farmers, traders and buyers with online trading in commodities. The market is helping in better price discovery and provide facilities for smooth marketing of their produce.
- Commodities: 90 agro products
- Founded: 14 April 2016
- Location: India
- Owner: Ministry of Agriculture; Government of India
- Key people: Narendra Singh Tomar; Union Agriculture Minister
Department of Consumer Affairs partners with Safejob, Seekify for Suraksha Store initiative
- The Department of Consumer Affairs has launched the Suraksha Store initiative.
- Under the initiative, the department has partnered with tech startups Safejob and Seekify to use technology to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the local Kirana store level.
Suraksha Store initiative:
- The primary objective of the project is to educate Kirana store owners across the country about the COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols that are to be followed while running their businesses.
- The protocols were prepared by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It included norms around social distancing and hygiene at all retail outlets.
- The main objective of the initiative was to allow consumers to use the Aarogya Setu app to find a Suraksha Store near them and shop.
- Currently, more than 7 lakh retailers have enrolled for this training and over 70K Kirana employees have completed the awareness training.
Ministry of MSME launches CHAMPIONS Portal
- Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched the CHAMPIONS portal, a Technology-driven Control Room-Cum-Management Information System.
- The CHAMPIONS stands here for the Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.
CHAMPIONS:
- CHAMPIONS portal aims to make the smaller units big by solving their grievances, encouraging, supporting, helping, and handholding.
- It has been developed as a real one-stop-shop solution of MSME Ministry. It is a technology-packed control room-cum-management information system.
- The system is enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and Machine Learning in addition to ICT tools including telephone, internet, and video conference.
- As part of the system, a network of control rooms is created in a Hub & Spoke Model. So far, 66 state-level control rooms are created as part of the system.
Extra Shots:
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex executive body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium enterprises in India.
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: New Delhi Jurisdiction: India
- Annual budget: 6,552.61 crores INR (2018-19 est., US$920 million)
- Departments: National Small Industries Corporation, National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- Officeholders: Giriraj Singh (MOS independent charge), Nitin Gadkari (Union Minister)
ICMR, NCDC to begin serosurvey to monitor COVID-19 prevalence at district level
- The Union Health Ministry announced that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has initiated a population-based serosurvey to monitor the trend in the prevalence of the infection at the district level.
Highlights:
- The two government research bodies will collaborate with key stakeholders for the survey at 10 health facilities, of which 6 are public and 4 are private.
- The serosurvey involves testing of blood serum of a group of individuals to determine the presence of antibodies against that infection.
- It is also planning to establish systematic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 infection in all districts of the country.
- The surveillance will be in addition to the routine testing as per current testing guidelines. The survey will include 200 samples per week and 800 samples per month.
- A minimum of 100 samples per week and 400 per month of healthcare workers from selected districts would be tested.
- Among the high-risk population, outpatient attendees (non-ILI patients) and pregnant women among the low-risk group, and health care workers will be tested.
- Data on demographic characteristics will be collected on a specifically designed standard data collection form.
- The collected data will be analyzed locally for action using standard indicator formats. Indicators will be made for person, place, time, and trend analysis.
Extra Shots:
NCDC: National Centre for Disease Control is an institute under the Indian Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was established in July 1963 for research in epidemiology and control of communicable diseases and to reorganize the activities of the Malaria Institute of India.
- Founded: 1909
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Jurisdiction: India
- Parent agency: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
- Total enrollment: 20 (2020)
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Anganwadi workers distributing rice and other materials at doorsteps in Tamil Nadu
- In Tamil Nadu, the popular and efficient Anganwadi scheme under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) of the Government of India has devised novel solutions to overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown.
- The Anganwadis in various districts of the state have started distributing rice and other materials at the doorsteps of the houses of children aged between two and five years.
- This is expected to ensure to a very large extent that the children will be receiving nutritious food even though they may not be able to visit the Anganwadi because of lockdown.
- The availability of food grains at door steps have been welcomed by women folk especially in the rural areas.
History:
- The Anganwadi scheme was started in 1975 as a pilot scheme to ensure the balanced growth and development of small children, especially in rural areas. Of late, the Anganwadis are playing a key role in the ambitious Poshan Abhiyan Mission of the Government of India. Under the mission targeted children are ensured enough rice, cereal and eggs to make sure of the availability of balanced nutrition.
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.
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio presented Rs. 21049.87 crore state budget for FY 20-21
- Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the charge of the finance portfolio, presented a state budget of Rs. 21049.87 crore for the fiscal 2020-21.
- The state’s total Receipt Budget for the year 2020-21 was estimated at Rs 20826.02 crore.
- The negative opening balance of Rs 2234.35 crore, FY21 is estimated to close with a negative balance of Rs 2358.81 Crore.
- To enhance efficiency and transparency to increase the revenue, the govt proposed new taxes viz.
- Levy a one-time tax of 3% of the original cost of the vehicle for the first 10 years on heavy machinery and non-transport vehicles and equipments purchased within the State as well as brought into the State for commercial activities.
- For the next five (5)years the rate of tax shall be reduced to 1.5%.
- Those declared to be for exclusive personal use and agricultural tractors are exempted.
Extra Shots:
Nagaland:
- Capital: Kohima
- Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
- Governor: RN Ravi
- National Park: Intanki National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuary: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary
Bengaluru launched Pranavayu programme to create awareness about examining respiratory health
- The Bengaluru city corporation, Karnataka has launched Pranavayu programme to create awareness on the need to self examine the respiratory health for the city people.
Pranavayu programme:
- Pranavayu programme aims to create awareness through advertisements in media about the need to carry out self examination for early detection of any ailment that could aggravate the situation if contracted with the viral infection.
- The initiative will allow them to monitor blood oxygen levels and heart rates of patients showing influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in fever clinics.
- Several deaths due to COVID-19 are reported due to Severe Acute Respiratory illness (SARI).
- Pranavayu awareness programme is an attempt to help people with low oxygen level in their blood to get themselves checked early before their ailments become fatal.
- So far, Bengaluru Urban district in Karnataka reported 175 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases and 6 people have died due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 84 persons have recovered and discharged. There are 21 containment zones in the city.
Extra Shots:
Karnataka:
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
- Governor: Vajubhai Vala
- National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP.
Madhya Pradesh launched first-ever FIR Aapke Dwar Yojana
- Madhya Pradesh state government launched FIR Aapke Dwar Yojana 11 May in Bhopal.
- With this, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to implement such an innovative scheme.
- It was launched by the Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra.
FIR Aapke Dwar Scheme:
- Under the scheme, the people would not be required to visit the police station to lodge an FIR.
- The scheme has been started as a pilot project in 23 Police Stations including one urban and one rural Police Station at 11 Divisional Headquarters.
- Under the scheme, the Dial 100 vehicle will have trained Head Constables to lodge FIR.
- FIRs in complaints of general nature will be lodged on the spot. In case of serious complaints, guidance will be sought from senior officers.
- The Minister also launched helpline ‘Dial 112’. It will facilitate the immediate availability of ambulance, police, and fire fighting services wherever needed.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- Chief Minister: Kamal Nath
- Governor: Lalji Tandon
- National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP
Tamil Nadu becomes the first state to implement Australian e-learning platform Matific across government schools
- Tamil Nadu becomes the first state in India to announce a large-scale state-wide partnership with the learning platform.
- The deal marks the company’s first-ever pilot run in the Indian market.
- Over 1.5 million students across Tamil Nadu will now have access to the Matific platform, featuring thousands of gamified activities and worksheets covering skills aligned to the curriculum.
- Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) and rightfully, maths is at the core of all these functions.
- With the growing number of careers in STEM fields, the importance of mathematics education needs to be the centre of focus.
- To build upon these skills among students, the state implemented Matific across government schools with the aim of increasing engagement in mathematics and in turn increasing academic achievement.
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.
Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister inaugurates second COVID-19 testing lab
- Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Alo Libang today inaugurated the second COVID-19 testing lab at Intermediate Reference Laboratory at Naharlagun, near Itanagar.
- Testing at this lab will be carried out by TRUENAT machines, capable of screening 20 samples per day.
- It will lessen the burden of the lone Testing Centre at TRIHMS Naharlagun during this pandemic situation in the state.
- The first COVID-19 testing lab in the state was made functional on 30th of April, which has a capacity of testing 100 samples per day.
- As of now, 2,061 samples have been collected so far in the state for COVID-19 testing, of which 1,477 tested negative, 61 have tested negative on repeat tests and results of 521 are yet to come.
- The lone COVID-19 patient was discharged from the hospital last month after full recovery.
- There is no active case of COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh as of now.
Extra Shots:
Arunachal Pradesh:
- Statehood day: 20 February 1987
- Governor: Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.)
- Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
- Capital: Itanagar
- Districts: 25
- Official languages: English
- Literacy: 66.95%
OPD services resume in Govt Medical College and its associated hospitals in Jammu
- In a major relief to patients facing difficulties in routine medical checkups, the OPD services in Government Medical College and its associated hospitals in Jammu resumed today after 48 days.
- The OPD services would run between 10 am and 2 pm.
- A maximum 20 patients are being checked daily provided they have prior appointments.
- Each patient has been advised to be accompanied by not more than one attendant in case of emergency and wear proper face masks.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Israel names street after Rabindranath Tagore on his 159th anniversary
- Israel has named a street in Tel Aviv after celebrated Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as a tribute on his 159th birthday on 08 May.
- Israel named it ‘Tagore Street’ to commemorate the poet’s birth anniversary.
- Tagore, who wrote his poetry, novels, stories and plays in Bengali, In 1913 he won the prestigious Nobel prize in literature and till now, he is the only poet from India to have done so.
Extra Shots:
Israel(Capital/Currency): Jerusalem/ Israeli Shekel
- President: Reuven Rivlin
UN released commemorative stamp on 40th anniversary of Small Pox Eradication
- World Health Organization and the United Nations Postal Agency released a commemorative stamp to mark 40th anniversary of eradication of small pox.
- The World Health Organization small pox eradication campaign was initiated in 1967.
- In 1980, the organization officially declared that the world is free from small pox.
Small Pox in India
- Small pox was is now an eradicated disease in India. India eradicated small pox due to the small pox eradication programme of the WHO.
- In 1974, India was one of the highly affected countries of small pox in the world. It had over 86% of world small pox cases.
- With the help of WHO, India started “TARGET ZERO”.
- The programme was established in 1958.
- However, due disagreements between Indian Government and WHO, it was implemented in 1974.
Extra Shots:
UN: The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
- Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
- Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish;
- Secretary general: António Guterres
RANKS AND INDICES
IIM Bangalore, Only Indian Institute to Feature Among top 50 Global B-schools in FT Executive Education Rankings 2020
- The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has been ranked among the Top 50 global schools providing executive education (open plus custom programmes), in the Financial Times (FT) Executive Education 2020 Rankings released on 11 May 2020.
- IIMB is ranked at 45th position in this list. This is the second time in row that IIMB is featuring in the list.
- IIMB is the only Indian management school to feature in this prestigious global list of executive education providers.
- The annual list comprised of top 85 B-schools for custom programmes, top 75 B- schools for open programmes and a combined ranking for the Top 50 providers of executive education (open plus custom programmes).
- IIMB has been ranked at 52nd spot in the custom list, and 55th in the open programmes.
- Iese business school, Barcelona (Spain), has topped the combined table for the sixth consecutive year.
- Participating schools are rated on several parameters which include course design, faculty, teaching methods and facilities.
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
IIT Madras Collaborates with Chengalpattu Government Hospital for Design & Rapid construction of Modular ‘Doffing Unit’ for safe removal of PPE
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras Civil Engineering Department has collaborated with Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in Tamil Nadu to design and develop ‘Doffing Unit’ to enable healthcare professionals to safely and effectively remove their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- This project was undertaken with financial support from corporates under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
- ‘Donning’ is the procedure of assembling PPE on the healthcare providers and ‘doffing’ is the procedure for removal of PPE.
- Such procedures will have to adhere to certain standard protocols to prevent of further spread of infections.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Para-athlete Deepa Malik announces retirement, to head India’s Paralympic Committee
- Para-athlete Deepa Malik has announced her retirement from Paralympics games to hold her post as the president of the Paralympic Committee of India.
- As per the National Sports Code, an active athlete cannot hold an official post in any federation.
- She is the first Indian woman to earn a medal at the Paralympic Games and has won 58 national and 23 international medals.
Extra Shots:
The Paralympic Committee of India is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Paralympic Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at the events. The organisation was founded in 1992 as the Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India.
- Founded: 1992
- Continental Association: APC
- Secretary General: Shri. Chandrashekar.J
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
INS Magar leaves for Kochi from Maldives with 202 Indian nationals
- As part of Samudtrasetu mission, INS Magar of Indian navy will reach Kochi today bringing back 202 Indian nationals from Maldives.
- The ship had left Male on Sunday evening and among the returnees are 24 women and a patient suffering leg fracture.
- “INS Magar is the second ship to carry Indian nationals from Maldives to Kochi as part of Vande Bharat mission in wake of COVID crisis.
- The first ship INS Jalashwa had reached Kochi on Sunday carrying 698 people, who are under quarantine before they can go back to their respective places.
- Both ships are scheduled to return to Maldives for repatriating more passengers to Indian and Indina high commission in Male is busy making final arrangements to it.
- Meanwhile, INS Kesari, set out for mission Sagar to deliver assistance, to five Indian Ocean nations, is likely to reach Maldives today.
- The ship will deliver 580 tons of food aid to Maldives including rice, wheat flour, sugar and vegetables.
Extra Shots:
Maldives (Capital/Currency): Male/ Maldivian rufiyaa
- President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Finding Freedom Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family to be released in 2020 August
- The biography of Britain’s Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle “Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family” by royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand has been scheduled to be released worldwide on 11 August.
Highlights:
- The book reveals details of the couple who stepped back as frontline royals to settle down in the US in April 2020.
- The book provides a glimpse into the lesser-known aspects of their romance and decision to go their separate way from Buckingham Palace.
- The book aims to portray the real Harry and Meghan, a couple who continue to inspire many around the world through their humanitarian and charitable work but are often inaccurately portrayed.
- Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, quit as senior members of the royal family earlier 2020. They are now living with their one-year-old son Archie in a Los Angeles mansion.
AWARDS
Bengaluru Airport awarded ‘SKYTRAX Award’
- The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has won this year’s SKYTRAX Award for Best Regional Airport in India and Central Asia.
- The airport was voted by customers because of the Best Regional Airport in India & Central Asia for the third time in four years at the 2020 World Airport Awards.
- The Awards have supported the planet Airport Survey questionnaires completed by over 100 nationalities of airport customers during the 6-month survey period.
- The survey evaluated the customer experience across airport service and merchandise key performance indicators from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through to departure at the gate.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Technology Centres to manufacture critical parts of Real-Time Quantitative Micro PCR System
- Technology Centres, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur and Kolkata of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are now manufacturing critical parts of Real-Time Quantitative Micro PCR System for AMTZ, Visakhapatnam.
Highlights:
- The machine can give the COVID-19 Test result in less than one hour. Generally, the normal test result takes a minimum of 24 hours.
- These machines are compact and may be taken for testing anywhere, anytime, in real-time.
- The teams of the Technology Centers are working in 2/3 shifts to supply components for 600 Testing machines.
- 150 Testing Machine components have already been supplied to AMTZ.
- The stainless steel components with an accuracy of 5 microns are being manufactured on the best machines of the world.
- The Corona Testing Device will be helpful to carry out testing at an affordable cost. The manufacture of the machine was made possible with active collaboration and support by the Technology Centres of the Ministry of MSME located at Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur, and Kolkata.
NAL develops BiPAP Non-Invasive Ventilator SwasthVayu in 36 days for coronavirus
- CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) Bangalore has developed SwasthVayu, a Non-Invasive Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Ventilator in a record time of 36 days to treat COVID-19 patients.
SwasthVayu:
- BiPAP Non-Invasive ventilator is a microcontroller-based precise closed-loop adaptive control system with a built-in biocompatible 3D printed manifold & coupler with Highly Efficient Particulate Air Filter (HEPA Filter).
- The system has been developed with unique features help to alleviate the fear of the virus spread. It has features like Spontaneous, CPAP, Timed, AUTO BIPAP modes with provision to connect Oxygen concentrator or Enrichment unit externally.
- The system has been certified for safety and performance by NABL accredited agencies.
- The system has undergone stringent biomedical tests and beta clinical trials at NAL Health Centre.
- SwasthVayu machine is simple to use without any specialized nursing, cost-effective, compact and configured with a majority of indigenous components.
- BIPAP Non-Invasive Ventilator has been developed with an externally connected Oxygen concentrator which will be ideal to treat moderate or mid-stage severe COVID-19 patients who do not require intubation and invasive ventilation.
Extra Shot:
NAL: National Aerospace Laboratories, is India’s first largest aerospace firm. It was established by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research at Delhi in 1959 and its headquarters was later moved to Bangalore in 1960.
- Director: Jitendra J Jadhav
- Headquarters location: Bengaluru
- Founded: 1 June 1959
- Campus: Urban
- Operating agency: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- Jurisdiction: India
OBITUARIES
Founding father of Rock ‘n’ roll Little Richard passes away
- Founding father of Rock ‘n’ roll, Little Richard passed away.
- His full name Richard Wayne Pennima, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first group of inductees in 1986 and he picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993 from the Recording Academy.
- Tutti Frutti was Little Richard’s debut single released in November 1955.
- The record was an instant hit, climbing in the charts in both the US and the UK and is still known as one of his most iconic songs to date.
Former Lok Sabha MP Raja Rangappa Naik passes away
- Former Lok Sabha MP and senior Janta Dal(S) leader Raja Rangappa Naik passed away.
- He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996.
- He had represented the Raichur Lok Sabha constituency in the Indian state of Karnataka.
