Current Affairs Today 29th and 30th March 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 29th and 30th March 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that the schemes for the merger of 10 state-run banks into four lenders will come into force from 1 April.
• The Punjab National Bank (PNB) has unveiled a new logo before its merger with the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and the United Bank of India (UBI).
• ICICI Bank has rolled out the banking services on WhatsApp.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 10th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat 2.0’ on 29 March.
• The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) constituted 10 different high-level committees on 29 March.
• The Central Government approved the launch of insurance scheme for health workers, who are fighting the COVID-19 outbreak, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Prime Ministers’ Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) fund on 28 March to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan launched the 24×7 National Teleconsultation Centre to answer COVID-19 related queries.
• The first prototype of hospital isolation coach have been created successfully by the Northern Railways.
• The Government of India has launched a coronavirus risk-tracking app called ‘Corona Kavach.’
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transferred Rs.611 crore in the accounts of 27.15 lakh Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) labourers of the state.
• In Jammu, two hospitals Psychiatry Hospital and Chest Diseases hospital have been exclusively dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients.
• Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio launched the Self Declaration COVID-19 Nagaland App at Kohima on 28 March.
• UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set up “Team-11” comprising of as many inter-departmental committees to fight the coronavirus spread.
• The Union Minister of Oil Dharmendra Pradhan said that Saudi Arabia has announced to provide uninterrupted liquid petroleum gas (LPG) supplies to India.
• The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has postponed the 49th edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF)-Delhi Fair Spring 2020.
• Indian shot-putter Navin Chikara was suspended for four years by World athletics body’s (formerly known as International Association of Athletics Federations-IAAF), Athletics Integrity Unit for failing an out-of-competition dope test in 2018.
• National Book Trust will launch a publishing series titled ‘Corona Studies Series’ to document and to provide relevant reading materials for all age-groups for the post-Corona readership needs.
• Tech giant Apple has released a new dedicated app and website for users across the US.
• A new space capsule from SpaceX has been picked up by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to ferry cargo and supplies to the agency’s planned lunar space station.
• Air Vice-Marshal (Retd.) Chandan Singh Rathore passed away on 29 March.
• Veteran US civil rights leader Joseph Lowery passed away.
• Former Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that the schemes for the merger of banks

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that the schemes for the merger of 10 state-run banks into four lenders will come into force from 1 April.
• RBI also stated that the branches of merging banks will operate as of the banks in which the banks have been amalgamated.
• The banks sought to defer the merger schemes of lenders due to the lockdown triggered by coronavirus outbreak.
• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the megabank consolidation plan would take effect from 1 April 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extra Shots:

Background:

• On 4 March, the government of India notified the amalgamation schemes for 10 state-owned banks into four as part of its consolidation plan.
• The move aimed to create bigger size stronger banks in the public sector.

The amalgamation of 10 PSBs into four Banks include:

• Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and United Bank of India into Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank
• Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank into Union Bank of India
• Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank

Extra Shots:

RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central banking institution, which controls the issuance and supply of the Indian rupee.

• Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, N S Vishwanathan

Punjab National Bank reveals new logo ahead of merger

• The Punjab National Bank (PNB) has unveiled a new logo before its merger with the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and the United Bank of India (UBI).
• The new logo bears the distinct signages of all the three PSU banks i.e. the Punjab National Bank, the United Bank of India (UBI) and the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC).
• The merger of the Punjab National Bank with the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and the United Bank of India will be effective from 1st April 2020.
• After the merger of three banks, all branches of Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India will operate as branches of Punjab National Bank.
• Also the customers, including depositors of Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India, will be treated as customers of Punjab National Bank.
• In the amalgamation process, the Punjab National Bank (PNB) will be the transferee while the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and the United Bank of India (UBI) will be the transferor banks.

ICICI Bank rolls out banking services on WhatsApp

• ICICI Bank has rolled out the banking services on WhatsApp.
• The facility will enable the banks’ retail customers to undertake a slew of banking requirements from their home.
• This facility is expected to provide a relief for the banks customers as they can reap the benefit of various banking services from their home amid lockdown in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• To avail the services on Whatsapp, customers can message ‘Hi’ from their registered mobile number to the Bank’s verified profile number in order to start instantly.

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ICICI Bank:

• Founded: 5 January 1994
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director & CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi
• Tagline: Hum Hai Na, Khayal Apka

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

PM addressed 10th Episode of Mann Ki Baat

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 10th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat 2.0’ on 29 March.
• The Prime Minister for the tough decisions the government took to combat against COVID-19.
• He stated that the move was aimed to keep the people of India safe.
• He expressed confidence that together India will defeat COVID-19.
• He also clarified that complying with the lockdown is not for helping others but a means to protect oneself.
• He urged people to protect oneself and their family for the next many days.

Extra Shots:

Mann Ki Baat:

• Mann Ki Baat, an Indian radio program, is hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Through the program, he addresses the people of the nation on All India Radio, DD National and DD News. The show was originally released on 3 October 2014.
• The program aims to deliver the PM’s voice to the general masses of India. It also aims to positivity, spread joy, and celebrate the strength of 130 crore Indians. People can share their queries and questions on the NaMo App Open Forum. To record the messages, people can dial the toll-free number 1800-11-7800.

PMO sets up high-level panels to deal with situation post lockdown

• The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) constituted 10 different high-level committees on 29 March.
• The committee will suggest measures to ramp up healthcare, put the economy back on track, reduce the problems faced by the people post 21-day lockdown imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Highlights:

• These committees are looking after various aspects that will work under the overall guidance of PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
• The pro-active initiative is taken by the government to deal with multiple challenges, which coronavirus has posed and made the country to deal with an emergency situation.
• These committees will also work on a strategy to restore normalcy in their respective sectors in the shortest possible time frame.
• The panel on the ‘Economy and Welfare’ is headed by Economic Affairs Secretary Atanu Chakraborty. The team has been tasked to address the concerns of various sectors, including both formal and informal segments of the economy.
• Two other working groups are constituted under the leadership of NITI Aayog member V K Paul and Environment Secretary C K Mishra. The committee will work on preparedness for a medical emergency, seamless supply of medicine, medical equipment, and hospital availability.
• The committee will also focus on research and development in the medical field.
• The committee has been directed to submit the result in a weeks time.

GoI approves insurance scheme for health workers

• The Central Government approved the launch of insurance scheme for health workers, who are fighting the COVID-19 outbreak, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package.

Insurance Scheme:

• Under the scheme, GoI is to provide insurance, to a person who meets with an accident, that covers Rs.50 lakhs for 90 days to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers including community health workers who are under the contact and care of COVID-19 patients.
• The announcement came after the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’swho ordered a 21-day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of the coronavirus.

GOI sets up PM-CARES fund to deal with COVID-19 pandemic

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Prime Ministers’ Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) fund on 28 March to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Prime Minister will be the Chairman of the trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.

PM-CARES Highlight:

• The dedicated national fund aims to deal with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Citizens and organizations can visit the website pmindia.gov.in and donate to PM-CARES Fund. The fund will enable micro-donations that allow a large number of people to contribute with the smallest of denominations.
• Donations to this fund will be exempted from income tax (IT) under section 80(G).
• Details to fund PM-CARES:

1. Account number: 2121PM20202
2. IFSC code: SBIN0000691
3. SWIFT code: SBININBB104
4. UPI id: pmcares@sbi

• Citizens can also donate to the fund on pmindia.gov.in using UPI, Net Banking, Real-time gross settlement (RTGS), National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and debit and credit cards.

Harsh Vardhan launches 24×7 National Teleconsultation Centre

• Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan launched the 24×7 National Teleconsultation Centre to answer COVID-19 related queries.
• The Centre is a telemedicine hub, through which, expert doctors from various clinical domains will be available 24×7 to answer questions related to COVID-19 all.
• This is a multi-modal telecommunication hub through which two-way audio-video and text communications can be exchanged from any part of the country as well as the from the world.
• The modes of communication will include simple mobile telephony as well as two-way video communications using WhatsApp, Skype and Google Duo.

Extra Shots:

• Union Health and Family Welfare Minister :Harsh Vardhan

Northern Railways makes 1st prototype of hospital isolation coach

• The first prototype of hospital isolation coach have been created successfully by the Northern Railways.
• The hospital isolation coach have been created in order to fight against the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
• There are 10 isolation wards in each coach.

Prototype of Hospital Isolation Coach:

• The Northern Railways has removed the middle berth from one side of the coach while all three berths have been removed in front of the patient berth to build an isolation cabin prototype.
• These Isolation Coaches are being sanitized properly before and after the completion of work.

Extra Shots:

The Northern Railway is one of the 18 Railway zones of India and the northernmost zone of the Indian Railways. Its headquarter is New Delhi Baroda House near India Gate.

• HQ: New Delhi railway station
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: 14 April 1952
• Date of operation: 14 April 1952

GoI launches coronavirus tracking app “Corona Kavach”

• The Government of India has launched a coronavirus risk-tracking app called ‘Corona Kavach.’
• Jointly developed by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The app uses a person’s location to assess whether they are in the high-risk geographical zone or not.
• This app is being developed in the public interest to give information and capture the outbreak of Coronavirus.
• The data will be used to conduct analysis and provide information about the active COVID 19 cases in India.
• It will track the data of the users every one hour to alert them of whether they have crossed paths with any person who has tested positive for the infection.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

UP govt transferred Rs.611 crore to the beneficiaries under MNREGA

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transferred Rs.611 crore in the accounts of 27.15 lakh Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) labourers of the state.
• The move comes in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Highlights:

• The amount was electronically transferred to help the labourers in the situation of lockdown due to CoronaVirus. The state government informed the beneficiaries of the money transferred under the scheme.
• CM Yogi Adityanath directed private enterprises and organizations to compulsorily give one month’s salary to their employees without any deduction.
• It also ordered the landlords not to charge one month’s rent from any worker or labourer. Strict action will be taken on the violators.
• The Uttar Pradesh State Government has reported that there are no signs of community spread of the virus in the state, so far.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• State formed in: 24 January 1950
• Literacy Rate: 67.68%
• Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

JK exclusively dedicated 2 hospitals for treating COVID-19 patients

• In Jammu, two hospitals Psychiatry Hospital and Chest Diseases hospital have been exclusively dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients.
• The move is the part of the state’s efforts in the fight against the COVID-19.
• The State government stated that any additional manpower, if required, in the two hospitals will be provided by the National Health Mission (NHM).
• The Union Territory J&K has already dedicated Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar entirely for treating COVID-19 patients.
• The hospital provides 200 isolation beds in addition to the 90 beds in place.

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

Nagaland CM launches Self Declaration COVID-19 App

• Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio launched the Self Declaration COVID-19 Nagaland App at Kohima on 28 March.
• The app is aimed to trace the person who entered the state, as a measure to tackle the spread of Coronavirus.

Self Declaration COVID-19 Nagaland App:

• The app will be mandatory for any person who entered Nagaland after 6th March. The app is available for Android and iOS users.
• The app is crucial for tracking and surveillance of high-risk cases.
• People can download the app from the website nagalandhealthproject.org.
• Users will be directed to click the menu button and select the nCOVID-19 App.
• Upon successful registration, a person will be instructed to fill up all the details under the visitor checklist and submit. Also, the fields with an asterisk sign (*) are mandatory.

Extra Shots:

Nagaland:

• Capital: Kohima
• Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
• Governor: RN Ravi
• National Park: Intanki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar  Wildlife Sanctuary

CM Yogi Adityanath constitutes ‘Team-11’ to beat corona

• UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set up “Team-11” comprising of as many inter-departmental committees to fight the coronavirus spread.
• He has formed 11 inter-departmental committees with over two dozen senior government officials working at crucial levels under the CM’s supervision.
• Each of the committees will be headed by a senior bureaucrat of the state while the CM will be the head of the Team-11.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• State formed in: 24 January 1950
• Literacy Rate: 67.68%
• Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Saudi Arabia to provide uninterrupted LPG supply to India

• The Union Minister of Oil Dharmendra Pradhan said that Saudi Arabia has announced to provide uninterrupted liquid petroleum gas (LPG) supplies to India.
• On 29 March, he discussed global oil market developments with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Aramco’s Chief Executive Amin Nasser.
• Saudi Arabia the LPG supplies to support the domestic requirement in India.
• On 27 March, two Indian refiners were declared force majeure on crude purchases from the Middle East as the fuel demand dived due to the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Extra Shots:

Saudi Arabia (Capital/Currency): Riyadh/ Saudi riyal (SR)

• King: Salman
• Crown Prince: Mohammad bin Salman

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

The 49th edition of IHGF-Delhi Fair Spring has been postponed

• The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has postponed the 49th edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF)-Delhi Fair Spring 2020.
• The fair was scheduled to held from 15-19 April 2020.
• The cancellation was in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The announcement was made by the Director-General of EPCH.
• The fair could is expected to be organized in June or July.

IHGF-Delhi Fair Spring 2020:

• The fair will host over 3200 exhibitors displaying the best of the Indian handicrafts from all across the country.
• Handicraft will be showcased from major craft clusters like Agra, Saharanpur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Moradabad, Narsapur, Firozabad, North-eastern region, and many others.
• More than 10,000 visitors, including 7000 overseas buyers and their representatives are expected to participate in the event.
• The 50th edition of the IHGF-Delhi Fair is to be organized from 14-18 October 2020 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida in Delhi NCR.

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Indian shot putter Navin Chikara banned for four years by IAAF

• Indian shot-putter Navin Chikara was suspended for four years by World athletics body’s (formerly known as International Association of Athletics Federations-IAAF), Athletics Integrity Unit for failing an out-of-competition dope test in 2018.
• He has been banned for use of a prohibited substance and his four-year suspension starts from July 27, 2018.
• Chikara won the silver medal in the 2018 Federation Cup.
• At the same year, he was runner up in the Inter-State Championship.

Extra Shots:

World Athletics, formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation and International Association of Athletics Federations, is the international governing body for the sport of athletics, covering track and field, cross country running, road running, racewalking, mountain running and ultrarunning.

• Headquarters: Monaco
• President: Sebastian Coe
• Founded: 17 July 1912, Stockholm, Sweden
• Membership: 214 member federations
• Nominations: Shorty Industry Award for Best Use of Emojis
• Type of business: Sports governing body

BOOKS & AUTHORS

National Book Trust to launch “Corona Studies Series”

• National Book Trust will launch a publishing series titled ‘Corona Studies Series’ to document and to provide relevant reading materials for all age-groups for the post-Corona readership needs.
• The ‘Corona Studies Series’ seeks to be our long-term contribution to prepare and engage readers with the various aspects of the Corona times by bringing out affordable books in various Indian languages in the identified subject areas.
• It will also provide a suitable platform for authors and researchers willing to contribute to this genre.

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NBT: National Book Trust is an Indian publishing house, founded in 1957 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education of the Government of India. NBT now functions under aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India India’s first Prime Minister Pt.

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• President: Govind prasad sharma
• Publication: NBT Newsletter
• Parent organisation: Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Abbreviation: NBT

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Apple launched app for COVID-19 information

• Tech giant Apple has released a new dedicated app and website for users across the US.
• The app provides accurate and credible information to users about the COVID-19 pandemic.

App features:

• The new COVID-19 app and website provide the needed guidance and latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The app has been made available on the App Store.
• The users can also use the new tools to answer questions around risk factors, recent exposure, and symptoms.
• The tool will provide guidance on social distancing and self-isolating based on risk level.
• Apple has also enabled Siri to provide guidance and resources from the CDC.

Extra Shots:

Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. It is considered one of the Big Four technology companies, alongside Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.

• CEO: Tim Cook
• Founders: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne

SpaceX wins NASA award for planned lunar space station

• A new space capsule from SpaceX has been picked up by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to ferry cargo and supplies to the agency’s planned lunar space station.
• Hence, with a $7 billion NASA contract, SpaceX will use its biggest rocket, Falcon Heavy to send spacecraft named as “Dragon XL” to the Lunar Gateway.
• This is an outpost that NASA is planning to build and that will orbit the moon sometime within the next decade.
• The Dragon XL spacecraft will be tasked to carry out research supplies to help future astronauts on the surface of the moon in collecting lunar samples.
• It would be docked at the orbital station for the duration of 6 to 12 months per mission.
• It will be enabled to carry more than 5 metric tons of cargo to the Lunar Gateway in the lunar orbit.

Extra Shots:

NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA was established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
• Preceding agency: NACA (1915–1958);
• Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Founded: 29 July 1958, United States
• Employees: 17,219 (2019)

OBITUARIES

IAF veteran Chandan Singh Rathore passed away

• Air Vice-Marshal (Retd.) Chandan Singh Rathore passed away on 29 March.
• He was 95-years old. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of Chandan Singh Rathore.

Chandan Singh Rathore:

• Rathore was at the forefront of air operations conducted for the liberation of Bangladesh, during the war with Pakistan.
• He was responsible for the planning and execution of the special helicopter operations to airlift two companies of troops of the Sylhet area.

Veteran US civil rights leader Joseph Lowery passes away

• Veteran US civil rights leader Joseph Lowery passed away.
• Joseph Lowery helped establish the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an African-American civil rights organisation set up to promote racial equality.
• He also served as an American minister in the United Methodist Church.
• He was born on October 6, 1921, in Huntsville, Alabama, US. Joseph Lowery was the key ally of Martin Luther King in the US civil rights movement of the 1960s. Joseph Lowery was awarded the “Presidential Medal of Freedom”, the nation’s highest civilian honour, by former President Barack Obama in 2009.

Former Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma passes away

• Former Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma passed away.
• He has served as the telecom minister, steel minister and was also a Lok Sabha member from 1996 to 2014.
• He also served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs during is career.
• Beni Prasad Verma was born on 11th February, 1941 in Sirauli in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh and was a founding member of the Samajwadi Party.

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