Current Affairs Today 18th June 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 18th June 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed on 18 June.
  2. HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, the country’s third-largest non-life insurance provider has joined hands with UK based tech firm TropoGo Limited to launch India’s 1st ‘Pay as you Fly’ insurance for drone-owners in India.
  3. Jan Aushadhi Suvidhi Sanitary Napkin is made available in more than 6300 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojna, PMBJP Kendras across the country at a minimum price of Rs.1 per pad.
  4. The Delhi Government is to convert the Radha Soami Spiritua Centre into a COVID-19 care facility. The centre is as large as 22 football fields.
  5. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu formally inaugurated the Yoga Week-2020, in connection with the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st of June at a function held at Raj Bhavan in Jammu.
  6. The Tamil Nadu government’s Employment and Training department has started a new portal to assist job seekers in the post Covid 19 scenario.
  7. Violent clash broke out between the Indian and Chinese soldiers recently in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh region.
  8. Saudi national oil company Aramco has donated USD 500,000 (about Rs 3.8 crore) to the Indian Red Cross Society to support its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
  9. Infosys partnered with Amazon and Global Optimism and signed the Climate Pledge, an initiative by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and Christiana Figueres, founder of Global Optimism and former United Nations Climate chief to become net-zero carbon by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement.
  10. Beverages major Coca-Cola has partnered with CARE India to provide food and other essentials to underprivileged and vulnerable groups as part of its commitment of Rs 100 crore towards various COVID-19 relief programmes in India.
  11. The insolvency regulator ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India’ (IBBI) has reconstituted the Advisory Committee on Corporate Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation process on 12 June 2020.
  12. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recommended former Indian football team captain IM Vijayan for Padma Shri, which is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
  13. The Trustees of the Prime Minister’s Citizens Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) fund has appointed, New Delhi based Chartered Accountants, SARC & Associates, as its auditors for the next three years.
  14. Former Supreme Court judge, D K Jain gets one-year extension from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as ethics officer and ombudsman.
  15. The Ministry of Sports is to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) under the Khelo India Scheme.
  16. Grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan has won the World Stars Sharjah Online International Chess Championship.
  17. The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has announced that the 4th edition of Asian Youth Para Games to be held in Bahrain in December 2021.
  18. Nobel Prize winner(2017) Kazuo Ishiguro(Japan born british author) will release his new novel ‘Klara and the Sun’ & will be published by Faber & Faber in the United Kingdom, Alfred A. Knopf in the United States and Knopf in Canada on March 2, 2021.
  19. Former Goa minister, Achyut Kashinath Sinai Usgaonkar passed away.
  20. A new species of fish has been discovered in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
  21. The Earth is to witness an annular solar eclipse on June 21, 2020.
  22. Indian Railways’ Central Railway zone has installed an Automated Ticket Checking & Managing Access(ATMA) machine, 1st of its kind at Nagpur station.
  23. French integrated content, media and communications group, Vivendi has partnered with Grammy winner Ricky Kej for “My Earth Concert for Kids”. Ricky Kej is an Indo-American composer, music producer and environmentalist.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed on 18 June

  • Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed on 18 June.
  • The day focuses on the world’s attention on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play.
  • The day also aims to reaffirm that all cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development.

Sustainable Gastronomy:

  • Gastronomy is sometimes referred to as the art of food.
  • It refers to a style of cooking from a particular region or local food and cuisine. Sustainability is the idea that something like agriculture, fishing, or even preparation of food is done in a way that is not wasteful of our natural resources and can be continued into the future without being detrimental to our environment or health.
  • Sustainable gastronomy means cuisine that considers where the ingredients are from, how the food is grown and how it gets to markets every day, and how it lands on the plates.

History:

  • On 21 December 2016, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted its resolution A/RES/71/246 and designated 18 June as an international observance, Sustainable Gastronomy Day.
  • The aim is to acknowledge gastronomy as a cultural expression related to natural and cultural diversity.
  • Amid the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe, sustainable gastronomy aims to celebrate seasonal ingredients and producers, preserving wildlife, and the culinary traditions are more relevant than ever.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

HDFC Ergo & Tech firm Tropogo Jointly Launches India’s 1st ‘pay as you fly’ Insurance For Drones

  • HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, the country’s third-largest non-life insurance provider has joined hands with UK based tech firm TropoGo Limited to launch India’s 1st ‘Pay as you Fly’ insurance for drone-owners in India.

‘Pay as you Fly’ insurance:

  • This policy, which will be offered on-demand to commercial drone owners and operators, give life insurance for Third Party Liability Claims cover for property damage and bodily injuries that may be happened while conducting activities like survey, mapping, monitoring, disaster relief initiatives, civil administration services, use during festivals & events, property management and travel & tourism purposes among others.
  • Members of this policy can claim an insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh on TropoGo mobile app & they can opt for 4 hours, one-day, or a one-month cover to insure themselves against third-party liabilities.

Extra Shots:

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd:

  • MD & CEO: Mr. Ritesh Kumar
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

TropoGo Limited:

  • Headquarters: South glamorgan, United Kingdom
  • Founder: Sandipan Sen

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Sanitary Napkins available for Rs.1 per pad at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras

  • Jan Aushadhi Suvidhi Sanitary Napkin is made available in more than 6300 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojna, PMBJP Kendras across the country at a minimum price of Rs.1 per pad.
  • The market price of the similar Sanitary Napkins is around Rs.3 to Rs.8 per pad.
  • Over 3.43 Crore pads have been sold till 10 June 2020 at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
  • The social drive comes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background:

  • From 4 June 2018 to 10 June 2020 over 4.61 crore Sanitary Napkins has been sold at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
  • After the revision in the prices on 27 August 2019, over 3.43 Crore pads have been sold till 10 June 2020 at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
  • It should be noticed that menstruation and menstrual practices still face some social, cultural, and religious restrictions which are a big barrier in the path of the menstrual hygiene management. In rural areas, girls and women do not have access to sanitary products or they do not opt for them as most of these items available in the market are a bit costly.
  • This step has ensured ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged Women of India.
  • This step was taken by the Union Department of Pharmaceuticals to ensure “Affordable and Quality Healthcare for All.”

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Largest COVID-19 facility in Delhi

  • The Delhi Government is to convert the Radha Soami Spiritua Centre into a COVID-19 care facility. The centre is as large as 22 football fields.
  • The centres will the largest COVID-19 facility in the world.
  • It will hold more than 200 halls with 10,000 beds. This is being done to ramp up the capacity of beds in the capital region.
  • The Government of Delhi is planning to accommodate 50 patients in a hall.
  • The halls are to get adequate lighting and fans.
  • The halls will also be provided with coolers.
  • Separate tents are to be constructed.
  • It is to be ready for treatment of patients by June 30, 2020.
  • The centre will also have provisions for accommodation of doctors.

Extra Shots:

Delhi:

  • Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
  • Governor: Anil Baijal

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor inaugurates Yoga Week-2020

  • Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu formally inaugurated the Yoga Week-2020, in connection with the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st of June at a function held at Raj Bhavan in Jammu.
  • The Lt Governor also released Yoga Videos in Dogri and Kashmiri languages based on Common Yoga Protocol issued by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, which will be telecast on TV Channels and Social media.
  • The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India is observing the IDY-2020 on the theme “Yoga@Home and Yoga with Family” due to the COVID-19 situation as no mass gathering is advisable.
  • He appealed to the public to follow the Yoga Videos being telecast on TV channels and social/digital media links of Health & Medical Education Department- Directorate of ISM and avail benefits of the services provided by the Government.

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

Tamil Nadu govt’s launches new portal to assist job seekers in post Covid-19 scenario

  • The Tamil Nadu government’s Employment and Training department has started a new portal to assist job seekers in the post Covid 19 scenario.
  • The Tamilnadu Private Jobs portal is a unique venture that aims to connect job seekers with job providers digitally.
  • The portal also provides facilities for conducting interviews online.
  • The portal, which was formally launched on Wednesday, is also unique because of the fact that it takes into consideration the needs of the private sector also.
  • Job providers as well as job seekers have been asked to register their names as well as various relevant details at the website address tnprivatejobs.tn.gov.in
  • More details of the scheme is available online as well as from the district offices of the Employment and Training department.
  • The initiative assumes added significance against the background of the Prime Minister’s call for the “Vocal about Local” initiative, in which the private sector is also expected to play a significant role.

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.

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

India-China clash at Galwan Valley

  • Violent clash broke out between the Indian and Chinese soldiers recently in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh region.
  • Around 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the face-off.
  • The loss of 20 Army personnel on the Line of Actual Control is considered as the most violent face off between Indian Army and the Chinese troops in more than 5 decades.

What is the issue?

  • The Armies of India and China are currently engaged in standoff in Galwan valley, Pangong Tso, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in Ladakh.
  • The stand off between the countries has increased in recent weeks as India is building a strategic road through the Galwan valley that is close to China. The road connects the region to an airstrip.
  • This improves military access of India to the region.

External Affairs Minister:

  • The External Affairs Minister of India Shri S Jai Shankar held a telephonic conversation with his counterpart Wang Yi. The minister has conveyed the protest of the Indian Government over the stand-off in strongest terms.

Background:

  • The stand-off in the Galwan area was one of the biggest flashpoints in the 1962 war.
  • China till date opposes to Indian constitutional provisions in the area. India, in 2019, abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution ending the special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
  • China was one of the handful of countries that condemned the move.
  • China even tried to raise the issue in the international forum including United Nations Security Council.

Extra Shots:

China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Official Language: Mandarin

Saudi oil company Aramco donates USD 500,000 to Indian Red Cross Society for COVID-19 relief

  • Saudi national oil company Aramco has donated USD 500,000 (about Rs 3.8 crore) to the Indian Red Cross Society to support its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
  • The donation will be used to buy protective equipment and medical supplies for local communities in India
  • Aramco has donated more than USD 3.5 million towards the efforts to counter the virus around the world.
  • These donations are part of Aramco’s commitment to the communities in which it operates.
  • Similar donations include those made to the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Red Cross Society of China and the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association, among others.
  • It also includes a USD 500,000 donation to the Houston Methodist Hospital in the US, which will fund an experimental plasma treatment for COVID-19 patients.

Extra Shots:

Saudi Aramco

  • Owner: Politics of Saudi Arabia (98.5%)
  • CEO: Amin H. Nasser
  • Headquarters: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
  • President of Aramco Asia India Pvt Ltd: Mohammed Al Mughirah

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Infosys Signs Climate Pledge with Amazon and Global Optimism to Become Net-Zero Carbon

  • Infosys partnered with Amazon and Global Optimism and signed the Climate Pledge, an initiative by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and Christiana Figueres, founder of Global Optimism and former United Nations Climate chief to become net-zero carbon by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

Climate Pledge:

Under the Climate Pledge the companies agreed to:

  • Measure and report the emission of greenhouse gases on a regular basis.
  • Implement decarbonization strategies through changes in business and innovations through renewable energy, materials reductions etc.
  • Neutralize the remaining emissions with additional, real, permanent and socially beneficial offsets to achieve zero carbon emission by 2040.

Extra Shots:

Infosys:

  • CEO: Salil Parekh
  • Founded: 7 July 1981, Pune
  • Headquarters: Bengaluru

Amazon:

  • CEO: Jeff Bezos
  • Founder: Jeff Bezos
  • Founded: 5 July 1994, Bellevue, Washington, United States
  • Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States

Coca-Cola partners with CARE India to provide food, other essentials to vulnerable groups

  • Beverages major Coca-Cola has partnered with CARE India to provide food and other essentials to underprivileged and vulnerable groups as part of its commitment of Rs 100 crore towards various COVID-19 relief programmes in India.
  • Under the initiative, Coca-Cola and CARE India will provide dry-ration kits with curated food items to meet specific nutritional needs of various marginalised groups such as migrant workers, daily wage earners and people living with HIV/AIDS across various parts of the country.
  • The three-month-long programme starting June aims to benefit over 1.
  • 5 lakh people and will be rolled out across Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and West Bengal.

Extra Shots:

Coca-Cola

  • CEO: James Quincey
  • Founder: Asa Griggs Candler
  • Founded: 29 January 1892, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
  • Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Care India:

  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Founded: 2008

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

IBBI Reconstitutes Advisory Committee on Corporate Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation with Uday Kotak as Chairman

  • The insolvency regulator ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India’ (IBBI) has reconstituted the Advisory Committee on Corporate Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation process on 12 June 2020.
  • The 14 member reconstituted panel would be chaired by Uday Kotak, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank.
  • IBBI had earlier constituted the Advisory Committee on Corporate Insolvency and Liquidation in August 2017. Uday Kotak was the Chairman of this panel too.
  • However, at that time the panel had 12 members.
  • IBBI has inducted three new members in the reconstituted panel.
  • The committee shall advise and provide professional support on any matter relating to the corporate insolvency resolution and liquidation dealt with by the board under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Extra Shots:

IBBI: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India is the regulator for overseeing insolvency proceedings and entities like Insolvency Professional Agencies, Insolvency Professionals and Information Utilities in India.

  • Regulatory agency executive: M. S. Sahoo, Chairperson
  • Founder: Parliament of India
  • Founded: 1 October 2016
  • Key document: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
  • Headquarters: Connaught Place, Delhi, New Delhi

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL  AWARDS

Football Federation recommends former captain IM Vijayan for Padma Shri

  • The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recommended former Indian football team captain IM Vijayan for Padma Shri, which is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.

IM Vijayan:

  • IM Vijayan scored 40 goals in 79 matches for India since making his debut in the early 90s.
  • IM Vijayan has won the Arjuna award in 2003.
  • He was also awarded the Indian ‘Player of the Year’ in the year 1993, 1997 and 1999.
  • The 51-year-old former striker had scored 4 goals to emerge as the top scorer in the Afro-Asian Games which was held in India in 2003.
  • It was his last appearance for the country.

Previous awardees:

  • Six Indian footballers namely Sailen Manna in 1971, Chuni Goswami in 1983, PK Banerjee in 1990, Bhaichung Bhutia in 2008, Sunil Chhetri in 2019, and Bembem Devi in 2020, have won the Padma Shri.

Extra Shots:

Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. It is awarded by the Government of India every year on India’s Republic Day.

  • Established: 1954
  • First awarded: 1954
  • Total awarded: 3,123
  • Country: India
  • Next (higher): Padma Bhushan

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Trustees of PM CARES fund appoints SARC & Associates as its auditor

  • The Trustees of the Prime Minister’s Citizens Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) fund has appointed, New Delhi based Chartered Accountants, SARC & Associates, as its auditors for the next three years.
  • The SARC & Associates headed by Sunil Kumar Gupta is also the auditor of the PM’s National Relief Fund(PMNRF) appointed in 2019.
  • The Prime Minister, as chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the fund, has the power to nominate three trustees to the board.
  • They shall be eminent persons in the field of research, health, science, social work, law, public administration or philanthropy.
  • The fund is administered on an honorary basis by the joint secretary of administration in the Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) and assisted by an officer in a director or deputy secretary rank in the PMO.

Justice DK Jain gets 1-year extension as BCCI ombudsman

  • Former Supreme Court judge, D K Jain gets one-year extension from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as ethics officer and ombudsman.
  • Jain was appointed by the Supreme Court in February 2019 as BCCI’s first-ever ombudsman.
  • He was later given the additional role of an ethics officer.
  • His term had ended on February 29 this year but his contract was renewed.

Extra Shots:

BCCI:

  • President: Sourav Ganguly
  • Secretary: Jay Shah
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Vice president(s): Mahim Verma
  • Founded: December 1928
  • Women’s coach: W. V. Raman

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Sports Ministry to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence

  • The Ministry of Sports is to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) under the Khelo India Scheme.
  • The aim is to enhance India’s Olympic performance.

Highlights:

  • Under the move, one KISCE is to be identified in every state and Union Territory (UT), with an effort to create a robust sporting ecosystem in India.
  • In the first phase, the Ministry of Sports has identified state-owned sports facilities in eight states of India.

The 8 states are:

  • Karnataka
  • Odisha
  • Kerala
  • Telangana
  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Manipur
  • Mizoram
  • Nagaland
  • The 8 centres will be given a grant based on the actual amount finalized as per the requirement indicated after a comprehensive gap analysis study.

The sporting facilities that are to be upgraded to KISCE:

  • Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
  • Jaiprakash Narayan National Youth Center, Bangalore, Karnataka
  • GV Raja Sr. Secondary Sports School, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
  • Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal, Manipur
  • Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl, Mizoram
  • State Sports Academy, IG Stadium, Kohima, Nagaland
  • Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
  • Regional Sports School, Hakimpet, Telangana

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is a branch of the Government of India, which administers Department of youth affairs and Department of Sports in India. Kiren Rijiju is the current Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, who is in the capacity of Minister of State.

  • Officeholder: Kiren Rijiju (MOS independent charge)
  • Founded: 27 May 2000
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Annual budget: 1,943.21 crores INR (2017-18 est., US$270 million)
  • Departments: Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Department of Youth and Sports Development

Mamedyarov wins Sharjah Online International Chess Championship

  • Grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan has won the World Stars Sharjah Online International Chess Championship.
  • He won the coveted title and price of $3000 after scoring 7.5 points from 10 rounds.
  • Indian Grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna finished second in the Championship after scoring 6.5 points from 10 rounds.
  • Sharjah Online International Chess Championship was hosted by the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club.
  • The Championship was held under the patronage of Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Sports Council.

Bahrain to host 4th Asian Youth Para Games 2021

  • The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has announced that the 4th edition of Asian Youth Para Games to be held in Bahrain in December 2021.
  • Around 800 athletes under 20 years aged are expected to compete in nine sports: athletics, badminton, boccia, goalball, para taekwondo, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.
  • The event is being organised in conjunction with the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Bahrain with the support of the government.

Extra Shots:

Bahrain (Capital/Currency): Manama/Bahraini Dinar.

  • King of Bahrain: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa;
  • Chairman of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee: Shaikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro’s New Novel ‘Klara and the Sun’ to be Released in March 2021

  • Nobel Prize winner(2017) Kazuo Ishiguro(Japan born british author) will release his new novel ‘Klara and the Sun’ & will be published by Faber & Faber in the United Kingdom, Alfred A. Knopf in the United States and Knopf in Canada on March 2, 2021.
  • Kazuo Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1954.
  • His work has been translated into over 50 languages.
  • He has been nominated 4 times for the Man Booker Prize.

OBITUARY

Former Goa Minister Achyut Usgaonkar passes away

  • Former Goa minister, Achyut Kashinath Sinai Usgaonkar passed away.
  • He was represented Pale constituency in the then Goa, Daman and Diu legislative assembly.
  • He was one of the leader of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the most established local outfit in Goa.
  • He served as a cabinet minister from August 13, 1977, to April 27, 1979, in the then Shashikala Kakodkar government of Goa, Daman and Diu.

MISCELLANEOUS

Researchers discovered new fish species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

  • A new species of fish has been discovered in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It was discovered by Dr. Keshav Kumar Jha, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Zoology, Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat.

Schizothorax sikusirumensis:

  • The new species of the fish is named as Schizothorax sikusirumensis. It is from the genus Schizothorax.
  • The name of the new fish species “Schizothorax sikusirumensis” was derived from the name of the rivers where it was found.
  • The fish species were collected from the junction of River Siku and Sirum.
  • The new fish species inhabit the waterlogged area of torrential river drainage.

Solar Eclipse in India on June 21, 2020

  • The Earth is to witness an annular solar eclipse on June 21, 2020.
  • The eclipse is to be the deepest as the moon is to cover 98.8% of the sun.

Highlights:

  • There are four types of solar eclipses.
  • They are partial solar eclipse, total solar eclipse, hybrid solar eclipse and annual solar eclipse.
  • Total Eclipse: The total eclipse occurs when the moon completely obscures the sun
  • Annular Eclipse: The eclipse that occurs when the sun and moon are in line with the earth. During this eclipse, the sun appears as a bright ring or annulus.
  • Hybrid Eclipse: This type of eclipse shifts between total and annular eclipse
  • Partial Eclipse: This eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are not in line with the moon and the earth.

India

  • The eclipse to occur on June 21, 2020 will be visible in many parts of India.
  • The eclipse is to continue for 6 hours.
  • The eclipse is to be visible to states such as Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttarakhand.
  • To the rest of the country the eclipse is to be partial..

Indian Railways installs Automated Ticket Checking and Managing Access Machine, 1st of its Kind at Nagpur station

  • Indian Railways’ Central Railway zone has installed an Automated Ticket Checking & Managing Access(ATMA) machine, 1st of its kind at Nagpur station.
  • The machine has been introduced at the station under the New, Innovative Non Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme(NINFRIS) policy to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
  • This is an Innovative Earning Contract, implemented by Nagar(NGP) Central Railways(CR) for the prevention of COVID-19.
  • ATMA ensures safety for passengers & railway staff as it adheres to social distancing norms.

Note– Recently, Indian Railways also introduced a new automated face mask and hand sanitizer dispenser machine at Patna Junction to facilitate those who forgot to carry their sanitizer or mask.

Extra Shots:

Indian Railways:

  • Chairman Railway Board: V. K. Yadav
  • Union Railway Minister: Piyush Goyal

Vivendi partners with Ricky Kej for “My Earth Concert for Kids”