Current Affairs Today 19th March 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 19th March 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

• Global Recycling Day is observed globally on 18th March every year.
• State Bank of India entered into an agreement to acquire 6.825%(6,825 equity shares) stake of Zero Mass Private Limited (Pvt Ltd)
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) signed an agreement with the National Health Authority (NHA).
• Microsoft India and NASSCOM Foundation announced an “Innovate for an Accessible India campaign” to empower persons with disabilities (PwDs).
• Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the target of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will be achieved well before 2022, its scheduled time.
• The Central government has announced that it has decided to give National Cadet Corps (NCC) Certificate holders Bonus Marks indirect entry examinations for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), as prevalent in Armed forces examinations.
• Scientists of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, has developed a new hand-sanitizer as a preventive measure against Coronavirus.
• To ensure sick leave to Americans workers who fall ill from the new coronavirus, President of the United States, Donald Trump has signed a $100-billion emergency aid package.
• A Meeting on Research in Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems was held in Delhi on 18 March.
• The 7th World Cities Summit (WCS) will be held from 5 to 9 July 2020 in Singapore.
• L&T Technology Services Limited (LLTS) signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur).
• Google appointed Karan Bajwa as Managing Director (MD) of Google Cloud in India.
• Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Uganda.
• Arundhati Bhattacharya has submitted her resignation from Crisil board.
• Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha on 19 March 2020.
• The Defence Ministry’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved for the procurement of 83 indigenous Tejas fighter jets for Indian Air Force (IAF) with the more advanced configuration on 18 March.
• Indian Navy has established a Quarantine Camp at INS Vishwakarma in Eastern Naval Command (ENC).
• The book titled “My Encounters in Parliament” authored by Bhalchandra Mungekar was released. Bhalchandra Mungekar is an Indian economist, a former member of Rajya Sabha.
• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari presented a copy of the book ‘Invincible – A Tribute to Manohar Parrikar’ to President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the first death anniversary of Manohar Parrikar.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

Global Recycling Day observed globally on 18th March

• Global Recycling Day is observed globally on 18th March every year.
• This day was first observed on March 18, 2018, by the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) and celebrated globally every year to raise awareness of the importance of recycling.
• The Global Recycling Foundation announces “Recycling Heroes” as the theme for third Global Recycling Day.
• The main aim of the day is to turn ‘waste’ into a valuable resource.

BANKING AND FINANCE

SBI acquired 6.825% stake of Zero Mass Private Limited

• State Bank of India entered into an agreement to acquire 6.825%(6,825 equity shares) stake of Zero Mass Private Limited (Pvt Ltd)
• The deal is to be completed by March 31, 2020.
• As part of the deal, the Bank sold its entire stake in A Little World Pvt Ltd to target the Zero Mass Pvt Ltd
• Zero Mass Pvt Ltd was founded by Anurag Gupta on March 20, 2007, which is the 1st ever Business Correspondent in the country & is formerly known as Zero Microfinance and Savings Support.

Extra Shots:

SBI: The State Bank of India is an Indian multinational, public sector banking and financial services statutory body. It is a government corporation statutory body.

• Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
• Headquarters: Mumbai

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

NHA ties up with Private hospitals to fight against Coronavirus

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) signed an agreement with the National Health Authority (NHA).
• The aim is to identify capacities to admit patients from among 19,840 empanelled hospitals under the scheme.
• Also, on 18 March, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan chaired a high-level review meeting with chiefs of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, RML, and Safdarjung Hospital to examine infrastructure preparedness.

Measures:

• MoHFW is consulting with the private sector and non-profit hospitals across the country to ramp up facilities.
• The Ministry is in the process of shortlisting tertiary care units that are accredited to assist in the process.
• The NHA is planning the rates to include Covid-19 packages in Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
• India has recorded 168 confirmed cases to date, of which 14 have been cured, and three have died.

Extra Shots:

NHA: The National Health Authority or the NHA is the apex body responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’. NHA has been set-up to implement the PM-JAY at the national level.

• Founded: 2018

Microsoft India, NASSCOM Foundation launch Innovate for an Accessible India campaign to empower PwDs

• Microsoft India and NASSCOM Foundation announced an “Innovate for an Accessible India campaign” to empower persons with disabilities (PwDs).

Organizing Team:

• The campaign is supported by in partnership with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology and National Research and Education Network under MeitY (ERNET).

Innovate for an Accessible India campaign:

• The campaign aims to create tools and technology that are required for better integration of PwDs into society. This is aimed to be done by giving them access to equal opportunities.
• The campaign will be an aggregator of workable technology solutions developed using Microsoft Cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other technologies that address gaps PwDs face in acquiring services and support in education, skill-building, employment, mobility, rehabilitation, and other government services.
• The program is open to students, startups, impact organizations, and NGOs who want to build customized solutions that address challenges faced by people with disabilities across the 21 officially recognized disabilities.
• The campaign focuses on addressing are e-governance and access, education, skilling and Livelihood, mobility, and health.

Extra Shots:

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services.

• Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States
• Founders: Bill Gates, Paul Allen

NASSCOM: The National Association of Software and Service Companies is a trade association of Indian Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing industry. Established in 1988, NASSCOM is a non-profit organisation. NASSCOM initiated a program called ‘10000 Startups’ in 2013.

• Chairperson: Keshav R Murugesh
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Members: over 2,000 companies
• Founded: 1 March 1988
• Founders: Dewang Mehta, Nandan Nilekani
• Affiliations: National Institute for Smart Government, Data Security Council of India

Target of PMAY to be achieved well before 2022

• Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the target of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will be achieved well before 2022, its scheduled time.
• 62 lakh houses have been grounded and 32 lakhs handed over to the beneficiaries while 6.7 lakh more houses are approved by the ministry.
• He said, before 2022 all homes will be given to the beneficiaries under the scheme.

GoI encourages NCC Certificate holders to join Paramilitary forces

• The Central government has announced that it has decided to give National Cadet Corps (NCC) Certificate holders Bonus Marks indirect entry examinations for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), as prevalent in Armed forces examinations.
• The move is to achieve the government’s vision to increase participation of India’s youth in NCC.

Highlights:

• The provision regarding this are:

1. NCC ‘C’ certificate holders will be given 5% of the maximum marks of the examination as bonus marks.
2. NCC ‘B’ certificate holders will be given 3% of the maximum marks of the examination as bonus marks.
3. NCC ‘A’ certificate holders will be given 2% of the maximum marks of the examination as bonus marks.

• The scheme awards bonus marks to NCC ‘A’ certificate. The award will be applicable in CAPF recruitment.
• Government of India urged all State governments to make similar provisions in the direct recruitment examination for their respective Police Forces in order to encourage NCC Certificate holders to join them.
• This decision aims to inspire youth to join NCC and ensure the availability of trained and disciplined youth to the CAPFs.

Extra Shots:

NCC: The National Cadet Corps is the youth wing of Armed Forces with its Headquarters at New Delhi, Delhi, India. It is open to school and college students on voluntary basis.

• Director General: Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra, AVSM
• Motto: एकता और अनुशासन; Unity and discipline
• Founder: Government of the United Kingdom
• Founded: 16 April 1948
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Role: Student Uniformed Group

CSIR-IHBT develops a new hand-sanitizer as preventive measures against Coronavirus

• Scientists of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, has developed a new hand-sanitizer as a preventive measure against Coronavirus.

New hand-sanitizer:

• The natural flavours, active tea constituents, and alcohol content in the hand-sanitizer have been used as per the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The special feature of the sanitizer is it is free of chemicals like parabens, triclosan, synthetic fragrance, and phthalates.
• The technology has been transferred to M/s A.B. Scientific Solutions for the commercial production of the hand-sanitizer as per an agreement signed between CSIR-IHBT and the company.

CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology:

• CSIR-IHBT was founded in 1983. It is a laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
• The institute is engaged in modern biology and several advanced research aspects of Himalayan Bio-resources.

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

$100 Billion coronavirus relief package signed by Donald Trump

• To ensure sick leave to Americans workers who fall ill from the new coronavirus, President of the United States, Donald Trump has signed a $100-billion emergency aid package.
• The $100 Billion coronavirus relief package aims to strengthen the protective measures against the pandemic caused by COVID-19.
• In the United States, the service sector have been hit hard after the closure of hotels, travel and entertainment sectors and the restrictions on restaurants and malls. The relief package will facilitate free coronavirus testing for those who need it, sick pay and paid family leave.
• The relief package will also bolster unemployment insurance for millions of Americans.
• It also includes the medical benefits and food aid for those affected by the pandemic.

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

Meeting on Research in Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems was held in Delhi

• A Meeting on Research in Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems was held in Delhi on 18 March.
• The meeting was chaired by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Mr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
• He reviewed the ongoing research works of different institutions on the traditional knowledge system.

Aim:

• The main objective of the meeting is to ensure the development of society by coordinating the ancient and modern genres of knowledge.

Highlights:

• The meeting highlighted the traditional Indian knowledge system, which stood out in the fields of science, technology, art, architecture, culture, mathematics, medicine, etc.
• It urged the participants to solve the present-day problems by connecting traditional knowledge to modern research and innovation.
• The meeting appealed for steps to promote research in traditional Indian knowledge and Inter-disciplinary research.
• It recommended for flexibility in education models, materials, financial assistance to invite the brightest students and professors for research.

7th World Cities Summit to be held in Singapore

• The 7th World Cities Summit (WCS) will be held from 5 to 9 July 2020 in Singapore.
• It is organized by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
• The theme for WCS 2020 is ”Livable and Sustainable Cities: Adapting to a Disrupted World”.
• The WCS 2020 is held in conjunction with the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG).

Extra Shots:

Singapore (Capital/Currency): Singapore City/ Singapore dollar‎

• President: Halimah Yacob

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

LLTS, IIT-Kanpur signed MoU to promote research in cybersecurity programs

• L&T Technology Services Limited (LLTS) signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur).
• The MoU aims to collaborate on research in industrial and infrastructure cybersecurity.
• The MoU was signed by CEO and MD of LTTS, Dr. Keshab Panda, and Deputy Director at IIT Kanpur and Professor Manindra Agarwal in the premises of IIT Kanpur.

MoU Provision:

• As per the MoU, LTTS and IIT-Kanpur will together set-up a Center of Excellence (CoE) in the IIT-Kanpur campus.
• It will conduct research in the areas of Honeypot, blockchain, intrusion detection systems, malware analysis, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing, and provide cybersecurity awareness and training programs.
• The MoU will both LTTS access to IIT-Kanpur’s cutting-edge testbed for critical infrastructure.
• The CoE will be a part of IIT-Kanpur’s C3i Center was developed to work on solutions and technologies to protect India’s Strategic and Critical Utility Infrastructure.

Extra Shots:

L&T Technology Services Limited is an engineering services company based in Vadodara, Gujarat. It operates as a subsidiary of the conglomerate Larsen & Toubro, and is listed on the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange.

• CEO: Keshab Panda
• Headquarters: Vadodara

APPOINTMENT

Google appointed Karan Bajwa as MD of Google Cloud in India

• Google appointed Karan Bajwa as Managing Director (MD) of Google Cloud in India.
• He will advise Google Cloud’s work with the local developer ecosystem and India-based Global System Integrators (GSIs).
• Google Cloud’s field sales, partner, and customer engineering organizations in India will report to Bajwa.
• He will be responsible for driving all revenue and go-to-market operations for Google Cloud’s extensive solution portfolio that includes Google Cloud Platform and G Suite in the country.

Extra Shots:

Karan Bajwa:

• Karan Bajwa is a senior leader with over three decades of leadership experience. He recently served as MD for India and South Asia for IBM.
• Before that, he worked as an MD in Microsoft for nine years. He led the company’s operations in India. He worked with Cisco Systems in India and Singapore.

Ajay Kumar becomes India’s next High Commissioner to Republic of Uganda

• Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Uganda.
• Ajay Kumar is currently posted as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Ajay Kumar is a 2001 batch IFS officer.
• Uganda is among the poorest countries on the African continent. One-third of the population here is forced to live below the international poverty line.

Extra Shots:

Uganda (Capital/Currency): Kampala/ Ugandan shilling

• Prime Minister: Ruhakana Rugunda

Arundhati Bhattacharya resigns from Crisil board

• Arundhati Bhattacharya has submitted her resignation from Crisil board.
• She was serving as the independent director of the Crisil.
• Her resignation will be effective on April 15, 2020.
• She has submitted her resignation as she will be joining as a Chairperson and CEO for the India operations of Salesforce, USA.
• Arundhati Bhattacharya was the first woman to serve as the Chairman of the State Bank of India. Presently, she is also serving as the Chairman of the international payment platform Swift India.

Extra Shots:

CRISIL: CRISIL is a global analytical company providing ratings, research, and risk and policy advisory services. CRISIL’s majority shareholder is Standard & Poor’s, a division of McGraw Hill Financial and provider of financial market intelligence.

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• CEO: Ashu Suyash
• Parent organization: Standard & Poor’s International, LLC

Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha

• Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha on 19 March 2020.
• He was nominated by President Ram Nath Kovind.
• His nomination to the upper house was made against the vacancy created due to the retirement of senior lawyer KTS Tulsi.
• There are 11 other nominated members in the Rajya Sabha.

Extra Shots:

Ranjan Gogoi:

• Ranjan Gogoi was retired on 17 November 2019. He is the first person from the northeast region to reach the top of the judiciary. He served as the Judge of Gauhati High Court from 28 February 2001 to 8 September 2010. In September 2010, he was appointed as the Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
• He then served as the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court on 12 February 2011. In 2012, he served as the Judge of the Supreme Court of India. On 3 October 2018, he replaced Justice Dipak Misra as CJI. He was appointed as CJI by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind.

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

DAC approves procurement of 83 indigenous Tejas fighter jets for IAF

• The Defence Ministry’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved for the procurement of 83 indigenous Tejas fighter jets for Indian Air Force (IAF) with the more advanced configuration on 18 March.
• The proposal will be forwarded for the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

Highlights:

• The procurement of fighter jets will be a major boost to Make in India.
• The aircraft is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by HAL and several local vendors.
• HAL’s 83 fighter jets are of the more advanced Mk1A version of the aircraft.
• The expected cost of the aircraft is Rs.39,000 crores.
• Earlier, GoI has placed an order of 40 Tejas aircraft with HAL in initial configurations.
• With this procurement, IAF aims to meet the requirements of its squadron numbers and modernize its inventory with fourth-generation plus and fifth-generation aircraft.

Indian Navy installs Quarantine Facility at Visakhapatnam

• Indian Navy has established a Quarantine Camp at INS Vishwakarma in Eastern Naval Command (ENC).
• The Quarantine Camp has been set up for Indian nationals being evacuated from COVID-19 affected countries.
• This is an effort of Indian Navy to augment India’s fight against the spread of COVID-19.
• The Quarantine Camp has the capacity to accommodate nearly 200 personnel with all appropriate facilities.
• Indian nationals being evacuated from COVID-19 affected countries will be closely monitored by a team of naval personnel and medical professionals of ENC.
• The monitoring of evacuated persons will be done in accordance with the protocols laid down by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

“My Encounters in Parliament” authored by Bhalchandra Mungekar released

• The book titled “My Encounters in Parliament” authored by Bhalchandra Mungekar was released. Bhalchandra Mungekar is an Indian economist, a former member of Rajya Sabha.
• The book released in the presence of former Vice President- Hamid Ansari, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja and CPI (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Nitin Gadkari presents ‘Invincible – A Tribute to Manohar Parrikar’ to President

• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari presented a copy of the book ‘Invincible – A Tribute to Manohar Parrikar’ to President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the first death anniversary of Manohar Parrikar.
• The “Invincible – A Tribute to Manohar Parrikar” was authored by Tarun Vijay and released by defence minister Rajnath Singh on 16th March 2020.
• Manohar Parrikar is a former Chief Minister of Goa and also as a Defence Minister of India who passed away on 17th March 2019.

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