Current Affairs Today 23rd April 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 23rd April 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April.
2. World Book and Copyright Day is observed globally on 23 April every year.
3. International Girls in information and communication technologies (ICT) Day is observed on the fourth Thursday of the month of April.
4. The Union Cabinet led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved significant investments to the tune of Rs.15,000 crore for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’.
5. National Highways Authority of India’s centralized call number 1033 enabled to answer calls and help drivers/cleaners.
6. Human Resources and Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today launched national program VidyaDaan 2.0 for inviting e-learning Content contributions in New Delhi.
7. The Karnataka State government launched the “Apthamitra” helpline on 22 April.
8. Unique and first of its kind facility in the country, a Mobile Virology Diagnostics and Research Laboratory has been inaugurated in Hyderabad at the ESI medical college.
9. Himachal Pradesh government has started eSanjeevaniOPD through which free online medical consultation & general health advice will be provided to the people at their residence throughout the state from doctors of different medical colleges from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on all working days.
10. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) launched a “Lockdown Learners’ series of online dialogues with students and educators” in India.
11. International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) has elected Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto as its President for a 2-year tenure.
12. World Badminton Champion, P V Sindhu has been selected as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s “I am badminton” awareness campaign.
13. Scientists from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) have developed ‘Feluda’, a low-cost coronavirus test for detection of the pathogen. It will not require any expensive machines.
14. Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi) has developed a mobile app named ‘WashKaro’.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April

• English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April.
• The day aims to create awareness to people about the culture, history, and achievements associated with the language.

English Language Day:

• The origins of the English Language was found in medieval England. The name ‘English’ its name from the Angles. The Angles were a West Germanic tribe who were from the Anglia peninsula that juts out into the Baltic Sea. The language has taken on grammar, tones, and words from every language it has come into contact with. The language slowly developed and spread across the world. English became the official language of nearly 60 countries and the language of commerce in countries all over the world

History:

• The day is celebrated on 23 April to honour the birth anniversary of William Shakespeare who the greatest writer in the English language. Language is referred to as the world language. The UN celebrated the first English Language Day on 23 April 2010.

World Book and Copyright Day: 23 April

• World Book and Copyright Day is observed globally on 23 April every year.
• The purpose of this day to pay tribute to all those writers and authors who have respectable contributed to the social and cultural progress of humanity.
• World Book Capital for 2020: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Every year UNESCO and other international organisations representing the books publishing and books seller industries select a World Book Capital for a period of 1 year effective from 23 April and for 2020 its Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• The slogan for 2020- “KL Baca – caring through reading”

Extra Shots:

UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at contributing “to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Head: Audrey Azoulay
• Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom
• Formation: 4 November 1946; 73 years ago
• Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council

International Girls in ICT day is observed on 23 April

• International Girls in information and communication technologies (ICT) Day is observed on the fourth Thursday of the month of April.
• The day is observed on 23rd April in the year 2020.
• The day aims to encourage the girls to consider a future in the technology sector.
• More than 111,000 girls and young women have taken part in more than 3,500 events held in 140 countries, related to technology, around the world.

History:

• The International Girls in ICT Day initiative is being backed by the ITU Member States in Plenipotentiary Resolution 70. The day aimed to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT. Resolution 70 calls for all International Telecommunication Union (ITU) members to celebrate the International Girls in ICT Day.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Cabinet approves Rs.15,000 crore for India COVID-19 Emergency Response

• The Union Cabinet led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved significant investments to the tune of Rs.15,000 crore for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’.

Objective:

• The main objectives of the package will support the mounting emergency response to slow and limit COVID-19 in India through the development of diagnostics and COV1D-19 dedicated treatment facilities.
• It will also provide aid to the centralized procurement of essential medical equipment and drugs required for the treatment of infected patients, strengthen and build resilient National and State health systems to support prevention and preparedness for future disease outbreaks

Highlights:

• The funds will be utilized in 3 Phases. Out of the total amount, an amount of Rs.7,774 crore will be used for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response and the rest of the amount for medium-term support, of around 1-4 years, will be provided under mission mode approach.
• Under this, the Centre will set up laboratories and bolster surveillance activities, biosecurity preparedness, pandemic research and proactively engage communities and conduct risk communication activities.
• The interventions and proactive initiatives would be implemented under the overall umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Phase I aims to strengthen existing health facilities as COVID Dedicated Hospitals, Dedicated COVID Health Center, and Dedicated COVID Care Centers.
• It will also provide detailed guidelines, protocols, and advisory for quarantine, isolation, testing, treatment, disease containment, decontamination, social distancing, and surveillance.

Road Ministry Launches Dashboard With Dhabas List

• National Highways Authority of India’s centralized call number 1033 enabled to answer calls and help drivers/cleaners.
• The road transport ministry launched a dashboard containing a list of dhabas and truck repair shops.
• India centralized call number 1033 enabled to answer calls and help drivers/cleaners to find information about the dhabas and repair shops along National Highways.
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) created a dashboard link on its website for providing lists and details of dhabas and truck repair shops available across the country by various organizations like NHAI, states, oil marketing companies.
• The main aim is to facilitate truck/cargo drivers and cleaners in their movement amid lockdown announced to curb Covid-19 pandemic.
• A regular contact maintained with various stakeholders particularly states/UTs, oil marketing companies.

Extra Shots:

NHAI: The National Highways Authority of India is an autonomous agency of the Government of India, set up in 1988 and is responsible for management of a network of over 50,000 km of National Highways out of 1,15,000 km in India. It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

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

HRD Minister launches VidyaDaan 2.0 for inviting e-learning content contributions

• Human Resources and Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today launched national program VidyaDaan 2.0 for inviting e-learning Content contributions in New Delhi.
• The programme has been launched due to the increasing requirement for e-learning content for students in both school and higher education especially in the backdrop of situation arising out of COVID-19.
• VidyaDaan is a common national programme to develop and contribute e-learning content and a chance to be recognized nationally.
• VidyaDaan is conceptualised as a common national program for individuals and organizations across the country to contribute e-learning resources for both school and higher education to ensure continuity of quality learning.

Extra Shots:

MHRD: The Ministry of Human Resource Development, formerly Ministry of Education, is responsible for the development of human resources in India.

• Ministry executives: R. Subrahmanyam, (IAS Officer); Rina Ray, (IAS Officer)
• Founded: 26 September 1985
• Officeholder: Ramesh Pokhriyal (Union Minister)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Jurisdiction: India
• Departments: Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Karnataka launched Apthamitra helpline and app to fight against coronavirus

• The Karnataka State government launched the “Apthamitra” helpline on 22 April.
• It was aimed to empower people in the state’s fight against coronavirus.
• It was launched by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

Developed by:

• The system and website are owned by Health and Family Welfare Department and State Disaster Management Authority.
• The system functions under the aegis of NASSCOM, Bengaluru.
• Also, the Digital Mobile app was developed by Infosys BPM.

Apthamitra:

• Apthamitra is provided with an exclusive toll-free number and a mobile app. It was aimed to provide required medical advice and guidance for those in need during the lockdown.
• Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus can call the helpline from their home, get medical advice or assistance, and get their doubts cleared.
• Based on the symptoms said by the customer, an expert team of doctors will provide suggestions and guidance.
• The ‘Apthamitra’ helpline will function from 8 am to 8 pm. The helpline Centers are located at six locations in Bengaluru (4 centers), Mysore and Mangalore (Bantwal) with a total of 300 seat capacity.
• It is a 2-tier system. Tier I is manned by AYUSH or nursing or pharma final year volunteer students and tier-II is manned by MBBS or Integrated Medicine or AYUSH volunteer doctors.
• It will connect the people from their respective locations for risk assessment, counselling, telemedicine, and referral for testing and treatment.
• The helpline “14410” will cover residents in all parts of the state.
• The ‘Apthamitra’ App will help smartphone users to seek advice for telemedicine from doctors directly.
• The initiative will help people to identify the people who have Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SERI), coronavirus like symptoms, or having a high risk of getting infected.
• It will identify people with low risk, but having some symptoms similar to those of coronavirus and provide them telemedicine support with OTC medicines, and counsel them for self-quarantine.

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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.

India’s first Mobile Virology Diagnostics and Research Laboratory inaugurated in Hyderabad

• Unique and first of its kind facility in the country, a Mobile Virology Diagnostics and Research Laboratory has been inaugurated in Hyderabad at the ESI medical college.
• Developed by the DRDO, the Bio safety level-3 laboratory can test thousand samples for Corona virus daily and can scale up to 2000 in future.
• The laboratory also has a facility to trial drugs and conduct research on Corona virus.
• The laboratory has been developed in less than two weeks.

Extra Shots:

Telangana

• Capital: Hyderabad
• Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
• Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan

Himachal Pradesh starts to use eSanjeevaniOPD

• Himachal Pradesh government has started eSanjeevaniOPD through which free online medical consultation & general health advice will be provided to the people at their residence throughout the state from doctors of different medical colleges from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on all working days.
• It can be accessed by logging into ‘esanjeevaniopd.in‘ & soon this facility will be available on mobile phones in the state.

Extra Shots:

Himachal Pradesh:

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

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

UNODC launched a series of online dialogues with students

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) launched a “Lockdown Learners’ series of online dialogues with students and educators” in India.
• The series includes COVID-19 and its impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), peace, and rule of law.
• The dialogues have been launched by the United Nations body under its flagship program “Education for Justice”.

Aim:

• The aim of the initiative is to teach the students on concerns of vulnerable groups and emerging issues like cybercrime, misinformation, gender-based violence, discrimination, corruption among others.

Highlights:

• The Lockdown Learners series will provide a platform for students to receive mentorship and knowledge support through activity-based learning, and use their talent and skills.
• The day also promotes awareness and shares their ideas and solutions to address some of these problems.
• Under the initiative, Educational resources have been shared with partner schools in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
• It also focuses on conducting interactions convened with hundreds of students and educators, Samarth Pathak, UNODC’s Communications Officer for South Asia.
• The initiative invited schools to join UNODC’s efforts to create a positive framework for students to be productive and engaged during the period of lockdown, reduce stress through positive messaging, and empower young people.
• The products of the initiative include free-to-use educational material, comics, board, and online games, The Zorbs cartoon series, and other modules and videos. It can be used by teachers and students at home to develop an understanding of peace and the rule of law.

Extra Shots:

UNODC: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is a United Nations office that was established in 1997 as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in the United Nations Office at Vienna.

• Headquarters location: Vienna, Austria
• Founded: 1997
• Parent organization: United Nations Secretariat

APPOINTMENT

Bajaj Auto’s Rakesh Sharma becomes new President of IMMA

• International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) has elected Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto as its President for a 2-year tenure.
• He had been holding office as vice-president in IMMA, since May 2019.
• Sharma will replace Johannes Loman, Director of PT Astra International Tbk and Executive Vice President Director PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Indonesia.

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Bajaj Auto Limited:

• Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra.
• Chairman: Rahul Bajaj

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

BWF selects Sindhu as ambassador for ‘i am badminton’ campaign

• World Badminton Champion, P V Sindhu has been selected as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s “I am badminton” awareness campaign.
• The campaign gives a platform for those players, who express their love and respect for badminton by advocating and committing to clean and honest play.
• Other ambassadors of the “I am badminton” awareness campaign: the Chinese duo of Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, Canada’s Michelle Li, England’s Jack Shephard,  Hong Kong’s Chan Ho Yuen, Germany’s Valeska Knoblauch and Germany’s Marc Zwiebler, who is Athletes’ Commission Chair.

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BWF: The Badminton World Federation is the international governing body for the sport of badminton recognised by the International Olympic Committee. Founded in 1934 as the International Badminton Federation with nine member nations, the BWF has since expanded to 176 member nations around the world.

• Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Founded: 5 July 1934
• President: Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen
• Type of business: Sports governing body

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CSIR-IGIB develops FELUDA, a low-cost coronavirus test for detection of the pathogen

• Scientists from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) have developed ‘Feluda’, a low-cost coronavirus test for detection of the pathogen. It will not require any expensive machines.

Feluda:

• The device ‘Feluda’ was named after the detective character in legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s stories.
• The test was developed by Debojyoti Chakraborty and Souvik Maiti. It is expected that this test will be a simpler way of detecting SARS-coV2 presence in clinical samples.
• The start of the test method is similar to the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), where the ribonucleic acid (RNA) is extracted and converted into DNA.
• But the newly developed method differs by using a specifically designed PCR reaction to amplify a part of the viral nucleic acid sequence. After this, a highly specific CRISPR, FnCAS9 binds to that sequence which can be visualized as a positive band. CRISPR, FnCAS9 were developed at IGIB.
• The method uses fluorescent reporters, to amplify and detect viral nucleic acid presence.
• The total time required for the test is less than one hour.

Extra Shots:

CSIR-IGIB: CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology is a scientific research institute devoted primarily to biological research. It is a part of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India.

• Director: Anurag Agrawal
• Founded: 1977
• Parent organization: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

IIIT-Delhi develops ‘WashKaro’ app to warn about COVID-19

• Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi) has developed a mobile app named ‘WashKaro’.
• This mobile app helps to warn the people about a coronavirus containment zone nearby and helps them check whether a news item about the pandemic is genuine or fake.
• The app was developed by professor Ponnurangam Kumaraguru and Dr Tavpritesh Sethi of the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi) along with five students. The research team had also presented the app at the World Health Conference in Geneva through video conferencing.
• WashKaro aims to provide the right information to people in the right format at the right time.
• It uses Bluetooth technology for communication and does not need internet or location services.

Extra Shots:

IIIT: Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi is a state university located in Delhi, India. It is research-oriented with a focus on Computer Science and allied areas. The institute began with its first batch of 60 B.Tech students in 2008. As of 2019, the approved batch intake for B.Tech is 426.

• Campus: Okhla
• Director: Ranjan Bose
• Founded: 10 June 2008

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