Current Affairs Today 20th and 21st September 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 20th and 21st September 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. The International Coastal Cleanup Day is traditionally held on the third Saturday in September.
2. The International Day of Peace (or World Peace Day) is observed annually on 21 September to spread awareness and preach peace and harmony all across the globe.
3. The World Alzheimer’s Day is observed annually on September 21 globally.
4. Fitch Solutions has revised downward its forecast for Indian economic growth and now estimates that India’s GDP will contract by 8.6% in 2020-21 (FY21)
5. Canara Bank has launched a lead management system (LMS) named as i-Lead 2.0(Inspiring Leads System version 2.0).
6. The Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) has launched a special gold loan scheme titled ‘Vikas Laghu Suvarna’ with a reduced interest rate of 7.25 percent.
7. State Bank of India has launched a programme named “Mahila Atmanirbharshil Aachani” (meaning- Women Self-Reliance programme) in order to accelerate Self Help Group (SHG) finance in the Bank.
8. IDFC Mutual Fund has launched a new campaign called SIFI or `SIP in Fixed Income’ to make investors more aware about the benefits of investing in fixed income products via Systematic Investment Plans.
9. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, eight beaches of India have been recommended for the Blue flag certification.
10. During the event, Union Minister Javadekar also announced the launch of India’s own eco-label ‘Beach Environment and Aesthetics Management Services’ (BEAMS).
11. The ministry of corporate affairs has extended the tenure of the Company Law Committee by one year to September 2021.
12. The National Education Policy aims to reorient the education system towards meeting the needs of the 21st century by achieving the twin objectives of inclusion and excellence.
13. Indian Railways is observing “Swachhta Pakhwara” from 16th to 30th September 2020.
14. The minister of state for Social justice and Empowerment Shri Ratan Lal Kataria said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha that the Ministry has launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in more than 272 districts so far.
15. Tamil Nadu has become the first state in India to launch policies on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Cybersecurity policies.
16. Former India cricketer Suresh Raina would set up a cricket academy in Jammu and Kashmir to train aspiring cricketers, particularly youngsters from remote areas of the union territory.
17. In Madhya Pradesh, Gharib Kalyan Week is being organized from 16^th to 23^rd September to mark the Birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
18. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid foundation stone for nine highway projects worth ₹14,258 crore, paving way for development in poll-bound Bihar.
19. India has extended financial assistance of USD 250 million to the Maldives to help it mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
20. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit on 2nd October’2020 through video conferencing.
21. Niti Aayog has partnered with the Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP) for mentoring, training, and capacity building of government officials and public policy scholars.
22. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Women and Child Development today in New Delhi for controlling Malnutrition as a part of POSHAN Abhiyaan.
23. Noida-based IT company HCL Technologies (HCL) announced that it would acquire DWS Limited, an Australian IT, business and management consulting group.
24. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has extended the tenure of the Company Law Committee by one year until September 2021.
25. Former Prime Minister of India, Shri H D Deve Gowda took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka on 20 September 2020.
26. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has been given the additional charge of Food Processing Industries Ministry.
27. Bandhan Bank has recreated a broader vertical called “emerging entrepreneurs’ business” which includes its microbanking division, micro home loan and micro enterprise loans.
28. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by PM Narendra Modi has approved the appointment of former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief, Anil Dhasmana, as the new Chief of National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) for a period of two years with effect from 18 September 2020.
29. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up eight advanced technology centres to carry out research on futuristic military applications.
30. Colonel Dr. Girija Shanker Mungali has been appointed a member of the Asian Football Confederation’s task force. Teh task force consists of 7 members.
31. Truck major Ashok Leyland and Hindustan Zinc have (separately) joined hands with IIT-Madras in the technology institute’s endeavour to develop a Zinc air battery.
32. The square kilometre array also called the SKA, an international initiative building the world’s largest radio telescope is to have control systems designed and built by Tata Consultancy Services, an IT company based in India.
33. Former US President Barack Obama has announced his first presidential memoir titled “A Promised Land.”
34. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an American jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, has passed away due to complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was 87.
35. Veteran Rabindra Sangeet exponent Purba Dam passed way at the age of 85 years.
36. Tamil director Babu Sivan passed away. He began his career by assisting director Dharani, who helmed films like Ghilli and Kurvi with Vijay.
37. Music composer, singer, lyricist and actor Bibhuranjan Choudhury passed away at the age of 71 years due to cancer.
38. Veteran BJP leader and former Mulund legislator Sardar Tara Singh died due to prolonged illness. He was 81.
39. India’s largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has set up 11 first-line COVID-19 isolation centres within its premises in various cities in India, including Mumbai, Indore and Nagpur.
40. Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL), a PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has been granted Bureau of Indian Standards – BIS certification for all its products.
41. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has recently approved the gene-based COVID-19 test called Feluda.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Coastal Clean-Up Day 2020 observed on 19 September

• The International Coastal Cleanup Day is traditionally held on the third Saturday in September.
• In 2020, the day is being held on 19 September.
• Theme 2020: “Achieving a trash-free Coastline “
• The first International Coastal Cleanup Day was observed in 1986.
• The day aims to increase public awareness about the accumulation and negative impacts of litter in oceans, on coastlines and on beaches.

International Day of Peace observed on 21 September

• The International Day of Peace (or World Peace Day) is observed annually on 21 September to spread awareness and preach peace and harmony all across the globe.
• The Day established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.
• The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together.”

Extra Shots:

United Nations General Assembly

• President: Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• Founder: United Nations
• Founded: 1945, New York, New York, United States

World Alzheimer’s Day observed on 21 September

• The World Alzheimer’s Day is observed annually on September 21 globally.
• The day aims to raise awareness about the stigma that runs around Alzheimer disease and related dementia.
• Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that impairs memory and other mental functions.
• The theme for World Alzheimer Day 2020 is ‘Let’s talk about dementia’.

BANKING & FINANCE

Fitch Solutions projects India’s GDP growth at -8.6% in 2020-21

• Fitch Solutions has revised downward its forecast for Indian economic growth and now estimates that India’s GDP will contract by 8.6% in 2020-21 (FY21)
• Earlier this was estimated at -4.5%.
• It has also forecasted a 5 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in 2021 and 2022.

Extra Shots:

Fitch

• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• CEO: Paul Taylor
• Founder: John Knowles Fitch

Canara Bank launches i-Lead 2.0 Initiative to improve banking penetration

• Canara Bank has launched a lead management system (LMS) named as i-Lead 2.0(Inspiring Leads System version 2.0).
• The initiative aims that each and every customer gets their banking needs covered, irrespective of where they are based, urban or rural.
• Customers can use internet banking, mobile banking, call center, SMS and missed call services to enquire and get services rendered to them.
• They can also use the CANDI mobile app of Canara Bank.

Extra Shots:

Canara Bank

• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• CEO: Lingam Venkat Prabhakar
• Founder: Ammembal Subba Rao Pai
• Founded: 1 July 1906

KVGB Launches Special Gold Loan Scheme Vikas Laghu Suvarna for Pandemic

• The Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) has launched a special gold loan scheme titled ‘Vikas Laghu Suvarna’ with a reduced interest rate of 7.25 percent.
• KVGB is offering the product at a reduced rate mainly due to the pandemic so as to provide easy and affordable credit to customers at a cheaper cost.
• Under the new gold loan scheme, the customer will get 80% of the market value of the gold, subjected to a maximum of Rs 3,200/gram.
• A customer can avail up to a maximum loan of Rs 15 lakh, which will be repayable within a period of maximum 6 months

Extra Shots:

Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank

• Headquarters location: Dharwad
• Founded: 12 September 2005
• Type of business: Publicly listed company

SBI starts “Mahila Atmanirbharshil Aachani” (Women Self-Reliance programme) in Assam

• State Bank of India has launched a programme named “Mahila Atmanirbharshil Aachani” (meaning- Women Self-Reliance programme) in order to accelerate Self Help Group (SHG) finance in the Bank.

The main objectives of “Mahila Atmanirbharshil Aachani” are:

• to create a strong bonding with the SHG member,
• For self-reliance and economic upliftment of SHG members by extending credit linkages to the women SHGs nurtured and sponsored by NRLM, Assam.

Extra Shots:

State Bank of India

• Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Parent organization: Government of India

IDFC Mutual Fund launches ‘SIP in Fixed Income’ campaign

• IDFC Mutual Fund has launched a new campaign called SIFI or `SIP in Fixed Income’ to make investors more aware about the benefits of investing in fixed income products via Systematic Investment Plans.
• IDFC Mutual Fund’s SIFI initiative aims to inform investors how a combination of equity and debt SIPs can help them navigate troubled times.
• As part of the campaign, IDFC MF is making videos in various languages explaining how SIPs in debt mutual fund will be easy to do, liquid and benefit from cost averaging in times of volatility.

Extra Shots:

IDFC Mutual Fund

• CEO: Vikram Limaye
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: 1997, Chennai

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Eight Indian beaches selected for coveted ‘Blue Flag’ eco-label

• In a first-of-its-kind initiative, eight beaches of India have been recommended for the Blue flag certification.
• The Blue Flag certificate is an internationally recognized eco-label given by ‘Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark’.
• Blue Flag beaches are considered the benchmark for clean and hygienic beaches in the world.

The eight beaches selected for Blue flag certification are

1. Shivrajpur in Gujarat,
2. Ghoghla in Daman & Diu,
3. Kasarkod in Karnataka
4. Padubidri beach in Karnataka
5. Kappad in Kerala,
6. Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,
7. Golden beach of Odisha
8. Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar

India Launches its own eco-label ‘BEAMS’

• During the event, Union Minister Javadekar also announced the launch of India’s own eco-label ‘Beach Environment and Aesthetics Management Services’ (BEAMS).
• This initiative has been launched under its Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project.
• BEAMS program aims to mitigate pollution in coastal waters, promote sustainable development of beach facilities, maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations.

Government gives one-year extension to Company Law Committee

• The ministry of corporate affairs has extended the tenure of the Company Law Committee by one year to September 2021.
• The committee, constituted in September 2019, is now chaired by corporate affairs secretary Rajesh Verma.
• It was set up to suggest measures to de-clog and improve functioning of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and make recommendations on various issues pertaining to implementation of the Companies Act as well as the Limited Liability Partnership Act.

President of India Inaugurates Visitors’ Conference on Implementation of National Education Policy 2020 in Higher Education

• The National Education Policy aims to reorient the education system towards meeting the needs of the 21st century by achieving the twin objectives of inclusion and excellence.
• It sets the vision of developing an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing quality education to all, said the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in the inaugural address of Visitors’ Conference on ‘Implementation of National Education Policy 2020 in Higher Education’ today (September 19, 2020).

Indian Railways observes “Swachhta Pakhwara”

• Indian Railways is observing “Swachhta Pakhwara” from 16th to 30th September 2020.
• During the inaugural day of Pakhwara, Swachhta pledge was administered to Railway employees at all Zonal Railway HQs, Divisional Offices and other establishments.
• During the Pakhwara, intensive cleaning and sanitization of stations, trains, tracks, colonies and other railway establishments is being carried out with special focus on plastic waste management.
• Railway Board through Northern Railway, in partnership with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), organised a webinar on “Swachhata and Environment”.
• The Webinar was held to flag off the “Swachhata Pakhwada” beginning from September 16 and ending on September 30, 2020.

Extra Shots:

Indian Railways

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 16 April 1853, India
• Parent organization: Ministry of Railways

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched in 272 districts

• The minister of state for Social justice and Empowerment Shri Ratan Lal Kataria said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha that the Ministry has launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in more than 272 districts so far.
• The National Plan for Drug Demand Reduction aims to reduce consequences of drug abuse.
• It includes awareness generation programs in schools and colleges, capacity building of service providers and provisioning of treatment facilities.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan annual Action Plan 2020-21

• To create awareness generation programs
• To focus on University campuses higher educational institutions and schools.
• To focus on treatment facilities and infrastructure in hospitals
• to strength and capacity building programs that are already being implemented by the service providers.
• To reach communities and identify dependent population.
• To setup de addiction facilities
• To promote peer led community-based outreach programs focusing on highest population. This predominantly targets the youth of the country.
• To establish integrated rehabilitation Centre for addicts. These centres will reach out to communities and help those affected by drug addiction.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Tamil Nadu becomes the first state to launch AI, blockchain, cybersecurity policies

• Tamil Nadu has become the first state in India to launch policies on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Cybersecurity policies.
• Chief minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami unveiled the Tamil Nadu Cyber Security Policy, 2020, Tamil Nadu Blockchain Policy, 2020, and Tamil Nadu Safe and Ethical Artificial Intelligence Policy, 2020 at Connect 2020.

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

Cricketer Suresh Raina to set up cricket schools in J&K

• Former India cricketer Suresh Raina would set up a cricket academy in Jammu and Kashmir to train aspiring cricketers, particularly youngsters from remote areas of the union territory.
• On the request of the Lt Governor, he agreed to set up five schools in Kashmir division and an equal number in Jammu division to train aspiring cricketers.

Extra Shots:

Jammu & Kashmir:

• Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Lt Governor- Manoj Sinha
• 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

MP celebrates 4th day of ‘Gharib Kalyan Week’ as ‘ Vanadhikar Diwas’

• In Madhya Pradesh, Gharib Kalyan Week is being organized from 16^th to 23^rd September to mark the Birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• On the fourth day of the week, ‘Vanadhikar Diwas’ was celebrated in the State.
• On the ‘Vanadhikar Diwas’, more than 23,000 forest rights pattas were distributed in 47 districts of the State.

Extra Shots:

Madhya Pradesh:

• Statehood Day: November 1, 1956
• Capital: Bhopal
• Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chauhan
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP

PM lays foundation stone for 9 highway projects worth ₹14,258 crore in Bihar

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid foundation stone for nine highway projects worth ₹14,258 crore, paving way for development in poll-bound Bihar.
• The total road length of these projects is about 350 km and will improve the state’s connectivity with the neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
• The projects include four-laning of 47.23 km Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli section of NH-31 at a cost of ₹1149 crore, four-laning of 50.89 km Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli section of NH-31 at a cost of ₹2650 crore, four-laning of 54.53 km Ara-Mohania section of NH-30 at a cost of ₹885.41 crore, construction of a new 28.93 km four-lane bridge across Kosi river on NH-106 , construction of new 4.45 km four-lane bridge across river Ganga on NH-131B at a cost of ₹1110 crore, among others.
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated the optical fibre internet services in the state.

Extra Shots:

Bihar

• Capital: Patna
• Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
• Governor: Phagu Chauhan

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

India extends USD 250 million support to the Maldives to overcome the economic impact of Covid-19

• India has extended financial assistance of USD 250 million to the Maldives to help it mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The budgetary support of USD 250 million has been extended without conditions.
• This financial assistance is being routed through the State Bank of India (SBI), Male so that it does not reflect in the external borrowings of the Maldives.
• Indian government has provided a sovereign guarantee to SBI for this financial assistance.

Extra Shots:

Maldives (Capital/Currency): Malé/ Maldivian rufiyaa

• President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

PM Modi to inaugurate VAIBHAV Summit on 2nd October 2020

• Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit on 2nd October’2020 through video conferencing.
• The VAIBHAV Summit is a joint initiative of all S&T and Academic Organisations of India (working in Research, Academic and Scientific fields) to enable deliberations on thought processes, practices and R&D culture with a problem-solving approach for well-defined objectives.
• The month-long Summit will provide a platform to leverage the expertise and knowledge of global Indian researchers for solving emerging challenges and create an ecosystem of Knowledge and Innovation in the country through global outreach.

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Niti Aayog partners with ISPP for capacity building

• Niti Aayog has partnered with the Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP) for mentoring, training, and capacity building of government officials and public policy scholars.
• A statement of intent (SOI) was signed between the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of the NITI Aayog and the ISPP regarding this.

Highlights:

• The partnership aims to build collaboration for faster intermediation of knowledge and use within the public system.
• Under the partnership, communications, and outreach, evidence building exercises, organizing joint conferences, and podcast series will be conducted.

Extra Shots:

NITI Aayog

• Formed: 1 January 2015
• Objectives: Foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process by the State Governments of India
• Jurisdiction: Government of India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairperson: Narendra Modi

MoU signed between Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Women and Child Development for Controlling Malnutrition

• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Women and Child Development today in New Delhi for controlling Malnutrition as a part of POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• The MoU will see some time-tested and scientifically proven Ayush-based solutions being adopted for controlling malnutrition in the country.

ACQUISITION & MERGER

HCL Technologies to acquire Australian IT solutions company DWS

• Noida-based IT company HCL Technologies (HCL) announced that it would acquire DWS Limited, an Australian IT, business and management consulting group.
• The acquisition of DWS will enhance HCL’s contribution to digital initiatives in Australia and New Zealand while strengthening HCL’s client portfolio across key industries.

Extra Shots:

HCL

• CEO: C Vijayakumar
• Founded: 11 August 1976
• Headquarters: Noida
• Founders: Shiv Nadar, Arjun Malhotra

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

MCA extends the tenure of Company Law Committee by 1 year

• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has extended the tenure of the Company Law Committee by one year until September 2021.
• Corporate affairs secretary Rajesh Verma is the present chairperson of the committee.
• The committee has a total of 11 members.
• It was set up to suggest measures to improve functioning of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and to make recommendations on issues pertaining to implementation of the Companies Act and Limited Liability Partnership Act.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Former PM HD Deve Gowda Takes Oath as Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka

• Former Prime Minister of India, Shri H D Deve Gowda took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka on 20 September 2020.
• The 87-year-old President of the Janata Dal (Secular) party was elected to the Rajya Sabha in June 2020.
• This is the first time that the JD(S) leader has become a member of the Upper House since 1996.
• Mr Deve Gowda was the 11th Prime Minister of India from 1 June 1996 to 21 April 1997.
• He had also served as the 14th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1994 to 1996.

Narendra Singh Tomar takes additional charge of FPI Ministry

• Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has been given the additional charge of Food Processing Industries Ministry.
• He has been given the additional charge as President Ram Nath Kovind has accepted the resignation of Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution.

Bandhan Bank appoints Kumar Ashish to head Emerging Entrepreneurs Business vertical

• Bandhan Bank has recreated a broader vertical called “emerging entrepreneurs’ business” which includes its microbanking division, micro home loan and micro enterprise loans.
• The bank announced the appointment of Kumar Ashish as the head of this new division.
• Prior to joining Bandhan Bank, Ashish was group director at Airtel Money in Africa (a division of Airtel Africa), which runs mobile money operations across 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Before that, he had spent about two decades at ICICI Bank.

Extra Shots:

Bandhan Bank

• Headquarters: Kolkata
• CEO: Chandra Shekhar Ghosh
• Founder: Chandra Shekhar Ghosh
• Founded: 2001
• Chairperson: Anup Kumar Sinha

Former RAW chief Anil Dhasmana appointed as new chief of National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO)

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by PM Narendra Modi has approved the appointment of former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief, Anil Dhasmana, as the new Chief of National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) for a period of two years with effect from 18 September 2020.
• He will replace former Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Satish Chandra Jha.
• Dhasmana, a 1981-batch officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been the chief of RAW from 31 January 2017 to 29 June 2019.
• NTRO is a technical intelligence Agency under the National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which looks after geospatial intelligence and satellite imagery.

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

DRDO set up 8 technology centres for research on Military Applications

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up eight advanced technology centres to carry out research on futuristic military applications.
• The centres will provide support to academia to undertake research on new technologies in niche areas for military use.
• DRDO aims to create an enabling infrastructure for developing futuristic military weapons.
• It formed a committee headed by Prof V Ramagopal Rao, Director of Delhi IIT, to suggest new measures to improve the efficiency of the DRDO laboratories in India. The main objective is to boost domestic defence production.

Extra Shots:

DRDO

• Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
• Founded: 1958
• Parent agency: Ministry of Defence

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Colonel Dr Girija Mungali appointed in Asian Football Confederation task-force

• Colonel Dr. Girija Shanker Mungali has been appointed a member of the Asian Football Confederation’s task force.
• The task force consists of 7 members.
• The force aims to regulate football clubs in Asia and Australia.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS

Ashok Leyland, Hindustan Zinc team up with IIT-M to develop Zinc air battery

• Truck major Ashok Leyland and Hindustan Zinc have (separately) joined hands with IIT-Madras in the technology institute’s endeavour to develop a Zinc air battery.
• The battery developed using this new anode material will have about three times the energy density as conventional Lithium-ion batteries.
• The anode will cost about the same as graphite.

Extra Shots:

Ashok Leyland

• Parent organization: Hinduja Group
• CEO: Vipin Sondhi
• Founder: Raghunandan Saran
• Founded: 7 September 1948
• Headquarters: Chennai

World Largest Telescope to have IT controls built in India

• The square kilometre array also called the SKA, an international initiative building the world’s largest radio telescope is to have control systems designed and built by Tata Consultancy Services, an IT company based in India.
• Several other multiple leading Indian scientific Institutions are also contributing to the project under the leadership of TCS.
• The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) operating under Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) is the leading manager of the project.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Barack Obama’s first presidential memoir, ‘A Promised Land,’ to hit stands in November 2020

• Former US President Barack Obama has announced his first presidential memoir titled “A Promised Land.”
• The 768-page book will be published in November 2020 by Penguin Random House and is scheduled to be released on November 17, 2020 in 25 languages.
• A Promised Land is the first of two volumes of the book.

OBITUARY

Renowned US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passes away at 87

• Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an American jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, has passed away due to complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was 87.
• She was appointed in 1993 by President Bill Clinton and served until her death in 2020.
• Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rabindra Sangeet exponent Purba Dam passes away

• Veteran Rabindra Sangeet exponent Purba Dam passed way at the age of 85 years.
• Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore Songs), are songs written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
• She was conferred with Sangeet Samman by West Bengal in 2013.

Veteran Tamil Director Babu Sivan passes away

• Tamil director Babu Sivan passed away.
• He began his career by assisting director Dharani, who helmed films like Ghilli and Kurvi with Vijay.
• Later, he made his directorial debut with Vettaikaaran in 2009.
• It was one of the highest grossing Tamil films of that year.

Assam Musician Bibhuranjan Choudhury passes away

• Music composer, singer, lyricist and actor Bibhuranjan Choudhury passed away at the age of 71 years due to cancer.
• He was from Assam.
• Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condoled the demise of Bibhuranjan Choudhury.

Former Maharashtra BJP MLA Sardar Tara Singh passes away

• Veteran BJP leader and former Mulund legislator Sardar Tara Singh died due to prolonged illness. He was 81.
• Four-time legislator from Mulund was one of the most popular and accessible legislators in Mumbai.
• He started as the corporator in the Mumbai civic body before graduating as a legislator.

MISCELLANEOUS

TCS sets up 11 COVID-19 isolation centres for staff, their dependents

• India’s largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has set up 11 first-line COVID-19 isolation centres within its premises in various cities in India, including Mumbai, Indore and Nagpur.
• These centres will provide medical support to associates and their dependents (spouse, children and parents /parents-in-law).
• All the centres will have 24/7 medical cover, along with daily monitoring by trained professionals.
• The patients can even connect with a counsellor virtually during their treatment.

Extra Shots:

TCS

• CEO: Rajesh Gopinathan
• Founded: 1 April 1968
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founders: Faquir Chand Kohli, J. R. D. Tata, Tata Sons

HOCL gets Bureau of Indian Standards Certification for all its products

• Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL), a PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has been granted Bureau of Indian Standards – BIS certification for all its products.
• HOCL has been a pioneer in the manufacturing of Chemicals since its inception.
• The company is also supporting and implementing the Make in India initiative of Government of India in one or other way.
• It is a leader in chemical industry has manufacturing unit at Kochi in Kerala.

Extra Shots:

Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited

• Headquarters: Maharashtra
• Founded: 1960
• Subsidiaries: Hindustan Flurocarbons, HOC Chematur Ltd

FELUDA: First Gene based COVID-19 test approved in India

• The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has recently approved the gene-based COVID-19 test called Feluda.
• The test was indigenously developed and uses cutting edge CRISPR gene editing technology to detect the COVID-19 virus.
• The test was developed by scientists based in Council of scientific and Industrial Research Institute of genomics and integrative Biology CSIR-IDIB along with the TATA Group.
• FELUDA is the acronym of FNCAS9 editor linked uniform detection. It is a paper strip test

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DCGI

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