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Current Affairs Today – 30th June 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The International Day of the Tropics is a United Nations designated day, observed on 29 June every year.
  2. International Day of Parliamentarism is observed on 30th June every year.
  3. The International Asteroid Day, also known as Asteroid Day is a United Nations proclaimed day observed globally on June 30 ever year to raise awareness about asteroids and what can be done to protect the Earth, its families, communities, and future generations from a catastrophic event.
  4. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will be conducting a special Open Market Operations (OMOs) on 2nd July 2020.
  5. The World Bank has approved a $500 million loan to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states.
  6. Instamojo, has launched ‘InstaCash’ to enable merchants to gain access to working capital. Merchants can avail loans for upto Rs 1 lakh, for a period of 7–14 days.
  7. S&P Global Ratings said Indian economy is in deep trouble with growth expected to contract by 5 per cent this fiscal.
  8. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) will set up a new technology development center focused on clean and alternative energy solutions.
  9. Enterprise software firm, SAP India on Monday launched the Global Bharat initiative for Indian MSMEs by providing them access to global marketplace, digital skilling for the workforce and transforming business processes.
  10. Centre launched the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) scheme as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
  11. On 25th June 2020, a webinar was conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to mark the 5 years of successful completion of the 3 Schemes.
  12. The Government of India has launched an ambitious project of ‘one nation and one ration card’ for migrant workers.
  13. The government has approved an additional Rs 1,691 crore for highway works by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand for 2020-21.
  14. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a new road project Chambal Expressway to facilitate traffic between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
  15. The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has announced that “Government of India Bans 59 Chinese mobile apps”, which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, the security of the state and public order”.
  16. The Union Ministry of Culture has announced on 27th June 2020 that on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Ministry has decided to celebrate a 2-week long tree plantation campaign called ‘Sankalp Parva’ from 28th June to 12th July 2020.
  17. Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi laid the foundation stone for “Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap” at Numaish Ground in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
  18. The central government is planning to launch an Aadhar-based database in order to digitize all its farm-oriented schemes and to ensure that farmers are paid procurement prices directly.
  19. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched the world’s largest plasma therapy trials for the COVID-19 “Project Platina”.
  20. In a bid to attract fresh industrial investments in Maharashtra, the state government announced a new plan called ‘Maha Parwana’, which will offer several incentives and offer a single-window clearance system for project execution7
  21. The Delhi government is all set to establish India’s first plasma bank in the national capital to fight the novel coronavirus.
  22. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh will take up the construction of 3 Million (30 lakh) houses under the YSR Jagananna Colonies project after distributing the house sites to the beneficiaries on 8th July 2020.
  23. Uttarakhand forest department has developed India’s first lichen park in Kumaon’s Munsiyari, Pithoragarh district. Lichens are found in the Himalayas up to 5000 meters are important species as they are the best bio indicators of the pollution levels.
  24. Ethiopia’s Water Minister has stated that a consensus had been reached between the three countries (Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt) over the USD 4.5 billion worth Giant Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the dam will not be filled unilaterally by Ethiopia.
  25. A Tripartite Power Purchase Agreement (TPPA) was signed for the construction of the 1124 MW Kohala Hydro Power Project on 25th June 2020.
  26. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) has unanimously passed the National Security Law for Hong Kong on 30th June 2020.
  27. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on 26th June 2020 has stated that amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, around 2.4 million (24 lakh) children who are below the age of 5 are facing hunger and malnutrition in Yemen.
  28. A new virus has been discovered by scientists in China that is quite similar to the 2009 Swine Flu that caused a global pandemic.
  29. Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu and the World Bank signed an agreement to help low-income groups in Tamil Nadu State to get access to affordable housing.
  30. India and Bhutan signed the first Indo-Bhutan joint venture hydroelectric project on 29 June 2020.
  31. Popstar Beyonce has been honored with the BET 2020 Humanitarian Award for her longstanding philanthropic work with her BeyGOOD Foundation, including her recent COVID-19 relief efforts such as #IDIDMYPART, a mobile testing initiative.
  32. The current President of Iceland, Gudni Johannesson has been re-elected as the head of the state.
  33. Lazarus Chakwera becomes the new President of Malawi.
  34. President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel to assume the additional charge as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh on 28 June 2020.
  35. The President of India has reappointed Senior Advocate K.K. Venugopal as the Attorney General for India.
  36. The presence of Grandmaster P. Harikrishna is sure to see a major spike in Indian interest in the million-dollar Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour that continues with the $150,000 Chessable Masters.
  37. Former Germany footballer Mario Gomez has announced his retirement from the sport.
  38. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released an updated Clinical Management Protocol under Dexamethasone was advised as an alternative to Methylprednisolone.
  39. The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has given its approval to the Indian vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech’s COVID vaccine.
  40. To promote balanced use of fertilizers, state-owned (NFL) launched five mobile soil testing labs for providing free services at doorsteps of farmers.
  41. Sqn Ldr Parvez Jamasji (retd), who was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, has died. He was 77.
  42. Veteran Kannada writer Geetha Nagabhushan passed away. She was born on 25th March 1942 in Savalagi village, Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
  43. Amazon India announced on Monday it has eliminated all single-use plastic in packaging originating from its 50-plus fulfillment centers in the country.
  44. Global health technology major Royal Philips has introduced mobile intensive care units (ICUs) for India to address the challenging needs of critical-care services in the country.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Day of the Tropics observed on 29 June

  • The International Day of the Tropics is a United Nations designated day, observed on 29 June every year.
  • The main purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the specific challenges faced by tropical areas, the far-reaching implications of the issues affecting the world’s tropical zone and the need, at all levels, to raise awareness and to underline the important role that countries in the tropics will play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • It was on this day in 2014, that Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi launched inaugural State of Tropics Report which is the culmination of collaboration between 12 leading tropical research institutions, and offers unique perspective on Tropics.

International Day of Parliamentarism is observed on 30 June

  • International Day of Parliamentarism is observed on 30th June every year.
  • The day is aimed to honor the Parliamentarian for their service amid the pandemic. During the COVID-19 crisis, Parliaments and other government institutions are subject to the same social distancing measures as other public and private organizations.
  • But the parliament plays a more vital role than ever to pass emergency laws, allocate resources, and scrutinize government action.

Parliament:

  • Parliaments are the cornerstone of democracy.
  • It represents the voice of the people, passed laws, allocate funds to implement laws and policies, and hold governments to account. Parliaments work to make sure that policies benefit all people, especially the most vulnerable.
  • Parliaments link international and national agendas and ensure that governments implement international treaties and agreements.
  • Parliaments in the countries play a vital role in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • Also, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is working closely to help build their capacity in doing so.

History:

  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed resolution A/RES/72/278 and designated June 30 to celebrate the International Day of Parliamentarism. The day was chosen as IPU, the global organization of parliaments, was established on 30 June 1889. The day aims to recognize the role of parliaments in national plans and strategies. The day will also ensure greater transparency and accountability at the national and global levels.

International Asteroid Day observed on 30 June

  • The International Asteroid Day, also known as Asteroid Day is a United Nations proclaimed day observed globally on June 30 ever year to raise awareness about asteroids and what can be done to protect the Earth, its families, communities, and future generations from a catastrophic event.
  • The event marks the anniversary of the Siberian Tunguska event that took place on June 30, 1908, and was the most harmful known asteroid-related event on Earth in recent history.
  • The first International Asteroid Day was held in 2015.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI to conduct Special OMOs on 2nd July to Pump up Liquidity

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will be conducting a special Open Market Operations (OMOs) on 2nd July 2020.
  • The Open Market Operations was announced after reviewing the market conditions and evolving liquidity situations in banks.
  • Through this special Open Market Operations, the aim will be to pump up liquidity in the financial system of the country.

Special Open Market Operations

  • Government Securities worth Rs 10,000 crore will be purchased and sold simultaneously during the special Open Market Operations.
  • At first, the Reserve Bank of India will be selling short term government securities worth Rs 10,000 crore that is maturing in between 15th October 2020 to 29th April 2021.
  • Then it will be purchasing new long term government securities worth Rs 10,000 crore that will have a maturity period between May 2027 to 5th December
  • Such operations were simultaneous selling and purchases of government securities are conducted by the Central Bank of the country are known as Operation Operation Twist.
  • This will be the second such operation in this financial year to be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India.
  • The first Operation of this financial year was conducted on 27th April 2020 of Rs 10,000 crore.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

World Bank approved USD 500 million loans to improve quality of school education

  • The World Bank has approved a $500 million loan to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states.
  • The approval is given by the Board of Executive Directors.
  • The board approved a loan for Strengthening the Teaching-Learning and Results for States Program (STARS).

Highlights:

  • It is expected that around 250 million students, between the age of 6 and 17, in 1.5 million schools, and over 10 million teachers will benefit from the program.
  • The STARS program has built a long partnership between India and the World Bank, since 1994.
  • STARS aims to support India’s response to the challenges by strengthening implementation at the local level, investing in teacher capacity.
  • It also aims to ensure that no child of any background is left behind from the right to education.
  • STARS will enhance the learning assessment systems and strengthen classroom instruction and remediation in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
  • It will also facilitate school-to-work transition, and strengthen governance and decentralized management.

Instamojo launches InstaCash to solve the liquidity challenge for MSMEs

  • Instamojo, has launched ‘InstaCash’ to enable merchants to gain access to working capital. Merchants can avail loans for upto Rs 1 lakh, for a period of 7–14 days.
  • Instamojo will transfer the amount to the customer once the request has been placed.
  • The company has also introduced mojoPlus which enables merchants to earn points on transactions and redeem it to avail discounts on Instamojo fees.

Extra Shots:

Instamojo

  • Founded: 2012
  • Headquarters location: Bengaluru
  • Subsidiary: Get Me A Shop
  • Founders: Sampad Swain, Aditya Sengupta, Akash Gehani, Harshad Sharma

Indian Economy in Deep Trouble as Growth Expected to Shrink by 5 Percent, Says S&P

  • S&P Global Ratings said Indian economy is in deep trouble with growth expected to contract by 5 per cent this fiscal.
  • In its report titled ‘Asia-Pacific losses near USD 3 trillion as balance sheet recession looms’, S&P projected the region’s economy to shrink by 1.3 per cent in 2020, but grow by 6.9 per cent in 2021.
  • This implies a loss nearing USD 3 trillion output over these two years

Extra Shots:

S&P Global

  • CEO: Douglas L. Peterson
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Founder: James H. McGraw

Indian Oil Corp to set up technology development centre at Faridabad

  • Indian Oil Corp (IOC) will set up a new technology development centre focused on clean and alternative energy solutions.
  • The new centre at Faridabad on the outskirts of the national capital will be the second R&D campus of IOC.
  • Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal laid the foundation stone of the Technology Development and Development Centre.
  • The new campus, coming up on a 60-acre plot at a cost of Rs 2,200 crores, would focus on demonstration and deployment of a wide range of technologies developed by IOC R&D and will work in tandem with the existing campus at Sector-13, Faridabad.

Extra Shots:

IOC

  • Chairperson: Sanjiv Singh
  • Headquarters: New Delhi

SAP launches program to digitise MSMEs

  • Enterprise software firm, SAP India on Monday launched the Global Bharat initiative for Indian MSMEs by providing them access to global marketplace, digital skilling for the workforce and transforming business processes.
  • SAP has partnered with IT apex body, Nasscom, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Parham InfoTech Foundation for a three-pronged initiative.
  • The global firm said that its efforts are in line with various measures announced by the government to revive the MSME sector which has been badly hit by the pandemic.
  • MSMEs will have a free access to its Ariba Discovery network until the end of the year. MSMEs can directly procure goods with nearly four million suppliers in the B2B marketplace with $3.3 trillion annual commerce.
  • Besides, the MSMEs will be provided accessibility to 240 courses on Digital Financial, Soft Skills, and Productivity Technologies.
  • It will offer cloud services at Rs 3,999 per pack to five members of an enterprises.

Extra Shots:

SAP

  • CEO: Christian Klein
  • Founded: 1 April 1972, Weinheim, Germany
  • Founders: Dietmar Hopp, Hasso Plattner, Claus Wellenreuther, Klaus Tschira, Hans-Werner Hector

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Centre launched PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises scheme

  • Centre launched the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) scheme as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
  • It was launched by Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal on 29 June.

PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME):

  • Centrally Sponsored PM Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises scheme was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
  • The scheme aims to provide financial, technical, and business support for the upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises.
  • The PM FME Scheme will generate a total investment of Rs.35,000 crore.
  • It will also generate 9 lakh skilled and semi-skilled employment and benefit 8 lakh units through access to information, training, better exposure, and formalization.
  • The scheme will be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs.10, 000 crore.
  • The expenditure for the scheme will share a 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in 90:10 ratio with North Eastern and the Himalayan States, 60:40 ratio with UTs with the legislature, and 100% by Centre for other UTs.

3.5 Million Houses Handed Over to Beneficiaries under PMAY-U and highlights from 5 Years of PMAY-U, SCM, and AMRUT

  • On 25th June 2020, a webinar was conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to mark the 5 years of successful completion of the 3 Schemes.
  • The Progress, Achievements, and Outcomes from the 3 schemes in the 5 years are:

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

  • The Mission covers more than 60 percent of the urban population of the country.
  • Rs 77, 640 crores has been approved for projects under the State Annua
  • Drinking-Water Supply Projects- Rs 39,011 crore allocated for providing water to 1.39 crore households
  • Sewerage and Septage Projects- Rs 32,546 crore allocated for providing the service to 1.45 crore households
  • Energy-efficient LED Streetlights have replaced 76 lakh conventional streetlights (reduction in 13 lakh tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emission per annum)
  • Online Building Permission System (OBPS) implemented

Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

  • Rs 1, 66,000 crores of tender for projects have been issued to date out of which Rs 1, 25,000 crores of work orders have been issued. Additional 1000 projects worth Rs 32,500 have been tendered.
  • Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC) developed
  • In last one year, 1000 additional projects at a cost of RS 36000 have been completed
  • Start-up culture in Smart Cities under Smart Cities Mission started with joint efforts from Invest India and AGNI
  • Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP) developed

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban (PMAY-U)

  • Validated demand for 1.12 Crore houses in 5 years of the scheme
  • 35 lakh (3.5 million) houses have been delivered to beneficiaries to date
  • 65 lakh houses are under construction at the moment, this will generate 3.65 crore jobs as the government has set a target to deliver 1.12 Crore houses under the scheme by 2022.

One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme

  • The Government of India has launched an ambitious project of ‘one nation and one ration card’ for migrant workers.
  • The central government has prepared a standard format for ration cards which has been named as ‘One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme’.
  • Under this scheme, any citizen residing in the country will be able to get cheaper food grains from the public distribution system shops (PDS shops) throughout the country.
  • After its implementation, there will be only one type of ration card in the entire country.

Background:

  • Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had earlier implemented the pilot project of ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme in four states in the year 2019.
  • From 01 January 2020, One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme was implemented in 12 states across India.
  • These include; Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tripura, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Objective:

  • The basic objective of this scheme is to provide adequate food grains to the poor sections of the country across the country at very meager rates.

Eligibility:

  • The worker, who is declared as the Below Poverty Line (BPL) in the respective states/UTs will be eligible to get the benefit of this scheme across the country.

Benefits:

  • This scheme will ensure availability of the sufficient food grains to those poor workers who migrate from their home district.
  • It will reduce the practice of black marketing at the PDS shops. Currently, the PDS shop owner sells these food grains in the market in the absence of the actual beneficiaries.
  • It will reduce the incidence of hunger death in the country which will further improve the Indian rank in the Global Hunger Index ranking.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Govt Approves Additional Rs 1,691 Crore for Highway Works in J&K, Uttarakhand for 2020-21

  • The government has approved an additional Rs 1,691 crore for highway works by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand for 2020-21.
  • Of this, Rs 1,351.10 crore has been sanctioned to BRO for road works in Jammu & Kashmir and Rs 340 crore ceiling has been approved for Uttarakhand for national highways.
  • In addition, it has also given nod for additional sanction of Rs 71 crore for highway works by the state’s Public Works Department in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu.
  • Besides, it has also enhanced the total ceiling to Rs 1,955 crore for highways work for under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) from the existing Rs 1,081 crore.

Extra Shots:

BRO:

  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Director General: Lt. Gen.Harpal Singh
  • Motto: Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam; (everything is achievable through hardwork)
  • Founder: Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Founded: 7 May 1960

Gadkari Announces 280-km-long Chambal Expressway between Rajasthan and MP

  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a new road project Chambal Expressway to facilitate traffic between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
  • The 280-km-long expressway, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore, will go parallel to the Chambal River via Shivpuri, Bhind, and Moreno to Kota (Rajasthan).

Govt of India bans 59 Chinese apps

  • The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has announced that “Government of India Bans 59 Chinese mobile apps”, which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, the security of the state and public order”.
  • The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking its power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps.

‘Sankalp Parva’ on the call of Prime Minister by Ministry of Culture from 28th June to 12th July 2020

  • The Union Ministry of Culture has announced on 27th June 2020 that on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Ministry has decided to celebrate a 2-week long tree plantation campaign called ‘Sankalp Parva’ from 28th June to 12th July 2020.
  • This was informed by the Union Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) Prahlad Joshi.
  • Under the Sankalp Parva, the Ministry of Culture has recommended planting 5tress: Bargad, Awla, Pepal, Ashok and Bel.
  • These 5 trees represent the herbal heritage of the country.
  • The Ministry has asked for the participation of all and has urged the organization to ensure that each employee must plant at least one sapling of his/her choice.
  • If the saplings of the above five trees are not available, people can do plantation of any other sapling that is available.
  • Sankalp Parva will be celebrated across all the Subordinate Offices, Institutions affiliated & attached to the Ministry and academies.
  • For the success of the campaign, the Ministry has urged Institutions to ensure that employees must take care of the sapling that they have planted until it survives and flourishes.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Culture is the Indian government ministry charged with preservation and promotion of art and culture of India. Prahlad Singh Patel is the current Minister of Culture. Recently the government has established the National Mission on Libraries India under this ministry.

  • Headquarters: C Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
  • Annual budget: 3,042.05 crores INR (US$430 million, 2019-20 EST.)
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Minister responsible: Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge)

Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi laid foundation stone for Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap at Rampur, UP

  • Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi laid the foundation stone for “Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap” at Numaish Ground in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
  • It aims for a “Self-reliant India” which is the guarantee of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat”.

Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap:

  • The Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap will be constructed with the cost of Rs.92 crore by Union Minority Affairs Ministry under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karykram (PMJVK).
  • The community centre will be utilized for various socio-economic-cultural activities, skill development training, coaching, relief activities during disasters such as Corona and different sports activities.
  • The move by the Centre is to develop socio-economic-educational and employment-oriented infrastructure across India in backward areas under PMJVK.

These projects include:

  • 1512 New School Buildings
  • 22514 Additional Class Rooms
  • 630 Hostels
  • 152 Residential Schools
  • 8820 Smart Class Rooms, including those in Kendriya Vidyalayas
  • 32 Colleges
  • 94 ITIs
  • 13 Polytechnics
  • 2 Navodaya Vidyalayas
  • 403 Multi-purpose community centre “Sadbhav Mandap”
  • 598 Market Sheds
  • 2842 toilet and water facilities
  • 135 Common Service Centres
  • 22 Working Women Hostels
  • 1717 Health Projects
  • 5 Hospitals
  • 8 Hunar Hub
  • 10 various sports facilities
  • 5956 Anganwadi Centres etc
  • So far, a total of around 13,276 projects with a total cost of more than Rs.350 crore have been constructed in Rampur, UP.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Minority Affairs is a ministry of the Government of India which was carved out of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and created on 29 January 2006.

  • Officeholder: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (MOS independent charge)
  • Founded: 29 January 2006
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Annual budget: 4,700 crores INR (2018-19 est.)
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Child agency: National Commission for Minorities

Centre plans to bring Aadhar-based farmer database

  • The central government is planning to launch an Aadhar-based database in order to digitize all its farm-oriented schemes and to ensure that farmers are paid procurement prices directly.
  • The database will also map landholdings of the beneficiaries and it will have the details of 50 million farmers across the nine states in the country.
  • The database will have a satellite imaging of individual farmland so that the farmers can be provided advisories that will be based on the kind of land they possess and the crop they grow.
  • The database will also help in ensuring direct benefit transfer (DBT) in the bank accounts of authentic farmers.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Maharashtra launches Project Platina, World’s Largest Plasma Therapy Trial

  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched the world’s largest plasma therapy trials for the COVID-19 “Project Platina”.
  • The project is aimed at creating robust data for treating the disease for which no specific line of treatment exists.

Highlights:

  • The project will help the country’s worst-hit state create infrastructure for this line of treatment.
  • The project will be free of cost
  • Plasma therapy or Convalescent Plasma Therapy (CPT) has been proved to be useful in fighting other coronavirus diseases, such as SARS and MERS.
  • Plasma therapy against COVID-19 has shown encouraging results on patients across the country and the world.
  • The plasma therapy trials will be conducted in 17 medical colleges across the Maharashtra state. It will account for 1.64 lakh coronavirus cases out of the national total of 5.48 lakh.
  • The entire funding to support this plasma therapy trial will be spent through the CM Relief fund.
  • So far, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) had first approved only 21 state-run hospitals to conduct plasma therapy.

Extra Shots:

Maharashtra:

  • Capital: Mumbai
  • Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
  • Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
  • National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,

Lonar WLS,  Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.

Maharashtra government announces Maha Parwana plan to attract fresh investments in industries

  • In a bid to attract fresh industrial investments in Maharashtra, the state government announced a new plan called ‘Maha Parwana’, which will offer several incentives and offer a single-window clearance system for project execution7
  • In a cabinet decision, the government has decided that henceforth companies investing in a project costing Rs 50 crore or more would not be burdened with getting clearances from several departments.
  • Such companies would be given an assurance letter (Maha Parwana).

Extra Shots:

Maharashtra:

  • Capital: Mumbai
  • Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
  • Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
  • National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,

Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.

India’s first Plasma Bank to be set up in Delhi to treat COVID-19 patients

  • The Delhi government is all set to establish India’s first plasma bank in the national capital to fight the novel coronavirus.
  • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that the plasma bank will be set up at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj.
  • It will serve the purpose of coordination between plasma donors and recipients.
  • The Minister has also requested those who have recovered from the infection to donate plasma to help other patients.

Extra Shots:

Delhi

  • Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
  • Governor: Anil Baijal

3 Million Houses will be Built under YSR Jagananna Colonies

  • The State Government of Andhra Pradesh will take up the construction of 3 Million (30 lakh) houses under the YSR Jagananna Colonies project after distributing the house sites to the beneficiaries on 8th July 2020.
  • Jagananna Colonies is part of the State Government’s Navratnalu- Pedalandariki Illu (houses for all the poor) Program.

Highlights:

  • For the land acquisition of the colonies, the state government will bear around Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 crore.
  • The house sites will be provided at Rs 1 to the selected white Ration Card beneficiaries.
  • The total expenditure for the project including the share of the Central Government is estimated at RS 50,000 crore.
  • The project will be implemented in two phases with 15 lakh houses being constructed in each phase.
  • Construction for the first phase will begin on 28th August this year while the second phase construction will begin from August 2021.
  • All necessary facilities will be provided in the colonies such as water, connecting roads, electricity, etc.
  • Each house will have a carpet area of 230 square feet.
  • The cost of each house is estimated to be around Rs 1.80 lakh.
  • The State Government has set a target for completion of the project by 2024.

Extra Shots:

Andhra Pradesh:

  • Capital: Amravati
  • Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
  • Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
  • Literacy rate: 67.4%
  • National Park: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park

Uttarakhand forest department develops India’s 1st lichen park

  • Uttarakhand forest department has developed India’s first lichen park in Kumaon’s Munsiyari, Pithoragarh district. Lichens are found in the Himalayas up to 5000 metres are important species as they are the best bioindicators of the pollution levels.
  • The project aims to study the distribution of different lichen species, their habitat, their morphological and physiological aspects, surveying and literature review, the establishment of species, current threats to their habitat including anthropological and climatic factors, and coming up with suitable conservation strategies and protection strategies.
  • These Jurassic-era lichen species are used in food, perfumes, dyes and traditional medicines.
  • Uttarakhand has more than 600 species of lichens followed by Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir with 503 and 386 species respectively.

Lichen

  • Lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship. They come in many colors, sizes and forms.
  • The properties are sometimes plant-like but lichens are not plants. Lichens may have tiny, leafless branches, flat leaf-like structures.

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Uttarkhand

  • Capital- Dehradun
  • Governor- Baby Rani maurya
  • CM-Trivendra Singh Rawat
  • National Park -Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Nine-year-long dispute between Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt likely to end in Upcoming Weeks

  • Ethiopia’s Water Minister has stated that a consensus had been reached between the three countries(Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt) over the USD 4.5 billion worth Giant Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the dam will not be filled unilaterally by Ethiopia.
  • Three countries have been involved in continuous negotiations over the years to reach an agreement.
  • Over the last couple of months, there were serious clashes and unprecedented escalations reported for the border between Ethiopia and Sudan.
  • Now with the tripartite agreement likely to be signed in upcoming weeks, regional stability at the Horn of Africa might improve significantly in upcoming years

Background

  • In 2011 when Ethiopia started construction for the dam on the Blue Nile, Egypt immediately protested.
  • As the Blue Nile which originated from Lake Tana in Ethiopia flows downstream through Sudan to Egypt.
  • Egypt is dependent on the Nile River for freshwater estimated that the dam might block its annual share of water resources of 55.5 billion cubic meter

Nile River

  • The Nile River is the longest river in the African continent. There are two major tributaries of the river- the White Nile and the Blue Nile. These two tributaries of the Nile River meet near the capital of Sudan, Khartoum. The White Nile and the Blue Nile enter Sudan from South Sudan and Ethiopia respectively before converging to the north of Khartoum. From Khartoum, the river flows downstream to enter Egypt.

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Sudan (Capital/Currency): Khartoum/ Sudanese pound

  • Prime Minister: Abdalla Hamdok

Ethiopia (Capital/Currency): Addis Ababa/ Ethiopian birr

  • President: Sahle-Work Zewde

Egypt (Capital/Currency): Cairo/ Egyptian pound

  • President: Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi

TPPA of USD 2.4 Billion Signed by Pakistan with China for Hydro Power Project in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

  • A Tripartite Power Purchase Agreement (TPPA) was signed for the construction of the 1124 MW Kohala Hydro Power Project on 25th June 2020.
  • The agreement was signed in between the Government of Pakistan, Chinese Company- China Three Gorges Corporation (State-owned company of Chinese Government), and Government of Azad Kashmir (Part of Pakistan occupied Kashmir).

Kohala Hydro Power Project

  • The Hydropower project is located near the villages of Siran and Barsala in Muzaffarabad district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The Hydro Power Project is located on the river Jhelum.
  • The project is part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The estimated cost of the project is USD 2,364 million and is expected to be completed by 2026.
  • The Hydro Power Plant will be constructed by Kohala Hydropower Company Limited (KHCL). KHCL is a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

  • CPEC was established on 22nd May 2013 with the intent to developed Pakistan’s infrastructure for strengthening its economy
  • CPEC has been a Chinese debt trap for Pakistan. This was proven when the Pakistan government was negotiating for a USD 6 billion bailout package for for their economy with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2018.
  • The documents submitted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning and Development to the IMF have revealed that in the shape of debt and dividends Pakistan
  • The documents submitted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning and Development to the IMF have revealed that in the shape of debt and dividends Pakistan will pay China USD 40 billion for USD 26.5 Billion investment under the CPEC.
  • The original value of the CPEC project was estimated at USD 46 billion at the initial stages, but the total value of CPEC projects as per the last updated on 2017 has reached USD 62 billion (more than double of the USD 26.5 billion).

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China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Official Language: Mandarin

Pakistan (Capital/Currency): Islamabad/Pakis7tani Rupee

  • Prime Minister: Imran Khan
  • President: Arif Alvi
  • Official Languages: Urdu,English

China passes Hong Kong National Security Law

  • The National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) has unanimously passed the National Security Law for Hong Kong on 30th June 2020.
  • The three-day meeting of the Standing Committee began on 28th June, on the first day itself the controversial Bill was fast-tracked for approval, on the last day of the meet all 162 members of the Standing Committee approved the Bill7
  • The National Security Law of Hong Kong is expected to come into effect from 1st July 2020 onwards.
  • Back in 1997, on 1st July, the Hong Kong City was handed over to China as a Special Administrative Region from the British rule.
  • Earlier in the month, under the National Security Law, the establishment of a National Security Bureau in Hong Kong was confirmed after a three day (from 18th June to 20th June) meeting of the Legislative Affairs Commission (Top lawmaking committee in China).
  • On 19th June 2020, it was also reported in Chinese media that all departments under the Hong Kong government will be directly answerable to Beijing once the legislation is implemented.
  • Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China since 1997 when the former colony was returned by Britain to China. Matters related to foreign affairs and defence of Hong Kong are controlled by China, rest it has its own- Executive, Legislative, and Independent Judicial Power.

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China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Official Language: Mandarin

Approx 2.4 Million Children Below the Age of 5 are facing Hunger and Malnutrition in Yemen

  • The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on 26th June 2020 has stated that amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, around 2.4 million (24 lakh) children who are below the age of 5 are facing hunger and malnutrition in Yemen.
  • The global pandemic has further added to a shortage of humanitarian aid in the war-torn nation that is has been struggling with a widespread shortage of essential services, medicines, etc since the beginning of the civil war back in 2015.
  • UNICEF has further stated that within the next 5-6 months, 30,000 children below the age of 5 could suffer from life-threatening acute malnutrition.
  • More than 90 lakh (9 million) Yemeni children do not have access to hygienic factors such as safe water, food, and sanitation.
  • During this pandemic, only half of the health facilities are operating in Yemen that too is struggling to cope due to lack of infrastructure, equipment, staff and other facilities.

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Yemen (Capital/Currency): Sana’a/ Yemeni rial

  • Prime Minister: Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed

New Strain of Swine Flu Virus having Human Pandemic Potential Discovered in China

  • A new virus has been discovered by scientists in China that is quite similar to the 2009 Swine Flu that caused a global pandemic.
  • The new strain of the virus is named as ‘G4 EA H1N1 (commonly called G4 virus)’, it has human pandemic potential.

G4 Virus

  • The G4 virus was detected by scientists at several institutions of China including the National Influenza Centre of China during a pig surveillance program.
  • The surveillance program was conducted in between 2011 to 2018 by collecting above 30,000 nasal swab samples from pigs across 10 provinces of China.
  • A total of 179 swine influence viruses were identified during the program, mostly didn’t pose such concern for human transmission.
  • The new strain of the G4 Virus has sharply increased among the pigs since 2016 after which tests were conducted on the strain of the virus.

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China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Official Language: Mandarin

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

GoI, World Bank signed agreements to increase access to affordable Housing for Urban Poor in TN

  • Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu and the World Bank signed an agreement to help low-income groups in Tamil Nadu State to get access to affordable housing.

Highlights:

 The agreement was signed for two projects:

  • First Tamil Nadu Housing Sector Strengthening Program for $200 million
  • Tamil Nadu Housing and Habitat Development Project for $50 million
  • The project aims to strengthen the state’s housing sector policies, institutions, and regulations.
  • The first operation will support the government’s ongoing efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing by gradually shifting the role of the state from being the main provider to an enabler.
  • It will aim to unlock regulatory barriers and incentivize private sector participation in affordable housing for low-income families.
  • The second operation aims to deepen these measures to make the affordable housing sector more efficient and inclusive.

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World Bank:

  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
  • Parent organization: World Bank Group
  • Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
  • Founded: July 1944
  • Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White

India Bhutan signs agreement for joint venture hydroelectric project

  • India and Bhutan signed the first Indo-Bhutan joint venture hydroelectric project on 29 June 2020.
  • The agreement will pave the way for the commencement of its construction and other related works.
  • The agreement was signed by the Bhutanese government and the Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited in the virtual presence of the Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and his Bhutanese counterpart Tandi Dorji.

Highlights:

  • The concession agreement is for the 600 MW Kholongchhu project.
  • The agreement will lead to the commencement of construction and other works of this first Joint Venture (JV) Hydroelectric Project between India and Bhutan.
  • The project will be completed in the second half of the year 2025.
  • The 600 MW run-of-the-river project is located on the Kholongchhu River in the Trashiyangtse district in eastern Bhutan.
  • The main objective of the project to build an underground powerhouse of four 150 MW turbines with water impounded by a concrete gravity dam of 95 metres height.
  • It will be implemented by Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited, a JV company formed between Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) of Bhutan and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) of India.

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Bhutan (Capital/Currency): Thimphu/ Bhutanese ngultrum, Indian rupee

  • President: Lotay Tshering

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Popstar Beyonce honored with BET 2020 Humanitarian Award

  • Popstar Beyonce has been honored with the BET 2020 Humanitarian Award for her longstanding philanthropic work with her BeyGOOD Foundation, including her recent COVID-19 relief efforts such as #IDIDMYPART, a mobile testing initiative.
  • The award was presented by the former First Lady Michelle Obama. “BET Awards” is an American award show which celebrates African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment over the past year.
  • “BET Awards” was established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Gudni Johannesson Re-elected as President of Iceland for second 4-year term

  • The current President of Iceland, Gudni Johannesson has been re-elected as the head of the state.
  • The former history professor won his second four-year term on 28 June 2020, with 92.2 percent of the 168,821 votes cast.
  • It is the second-highest margin of victory in the history of Iceland’s presidential elections.
  • Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the first woman in the world to be democratically elected as head Extra Shots:

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 Iceland (Capital/Currency): Reykjavík/ Icelandic króna

  • President: Gudni Johannesson

Lazarus Chakwera wins President Election in Malawi’s

  • Lazarus Chakwera becomes the new President of Malawi.
  • He defeated incumbent Peter Mutharika with 58.57% of votes.
  • Chakwera won with 2.6 million votes against 1.75 million for Mutharika.
  • He is the head of the Malawi Congress Party(MCP).

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 Malawi (Capital/Currency): Lilongwe/Malawian Kwacha.

  • President: Lazarus Chakwera

UP Governor Anandiben Patel gets additional charge as Governor of Madhya Pradesh

  • President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel to assume the additional charge as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh on 28 June 2020.
  • The incumbent Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Lal Ji Tandon, is on medical leave due to the poor health conditions.

K.K.Venugopal reappointed as Attorney General for India

  • The President of India has reappointed Senior Advocate K.K. Venugopal as the Attorney General for India.
  • The current tenure of K.K. Venugopal was up to 30th June 2020, his tenure was extended for a period of one year effective from 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021.
  • On 30th June 2017, K.K. Venugopal succeeded Mukul Rohatgi to become the 15th Attorney General of India.7

K.K. Venugopal

  • K. Venugopal has been conferred with the second highest ( Padma Vibhushan) and the third-highest (Padma Bhushan) civilian honour by the Indian Government.
  • In 2002, he was conferred with Padma Bhushan while in 2015 he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
  • When Bhutan’s Constitution was drafted, he served as the Constitutional Adviser for the Royal Government of Bhutan.

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Attorney General for India

  • On advice with the Union Cabinet, the President of India appoints the Attorney General of India under Article 76 (1) of the Indian Constitution. The term of the Attorney General is decided by the President of India. The Attorney General is the Chief Legal Advisor for the Government of India.
  • C Setalvad served as the first Attorney General for India from 1950 to 1963.

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Grandmaster P. Harikrishna joins world elite in Chessable Masters

  • The presence of Grandmaster P. Harikrishna is sure to see a major spike in Indian interest in the million-dollar Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour that continues with the $150,000 Chessable Masters.
  • Hari, the first Indian on the Tour, is part of a 12-player field that includes the world’s top six – Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Ling Diren (China), Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) and Alexander Grishcuk (Russia) – on the classical format ranking list.

Former Germany footballer Mario Gomez retires from sport

  • Former Germany footballer Mario Gomez has announced his retirement from the sport.
  • The german striker scored 31 goals in 78 appearances for the national team.
  • He is considered as one of the best German forwards of his time.
  • Mario Gomez played for different clubs in his soccer career.
  • He won the Bundesliga title in 2007 while playing for Stuttgart, and two more titles while playing for Bayern Munich.
  • He also won the Champions League in Bayern’s treble-winning season in 2013.
  • He has 170 goals in 328 Bundesliga games under his name.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS

Dexamethasone added in Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19 Patients by Health Ministry

  • The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released an updated Clinical Management Protocol under Dexamethasone was advised as an alternative to Methylprednisolone.
  • Further, the Ministry has also stated that the Dexamethasone drug to be only used for COVID-19 positive patients who require oxygen support or those with an excessive inflammatory response.

Dexamethasone

  • It is a type of corticosteroid medication that is being used for the treatment of a wide range of conductions such as eye pain after eye surgery, asthma, skin diseases, etc.
  • The steroid has immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects.

How COVID-19 Patients were responded to Dexamethasone:

  • As Dexamethasone has immunosuppressant effects, the COVID-19 patients whose immune system rapidly produces proteins called cytokines in response to the coronavirus infection, Dexamethasone serves to dampen the too aggressive response of the immune system.
  • This overdrive reaction from the immune system is called ‘cytokine storm’.
  • These cytokines when overproduced by the immune system damages cells and tissues in the body.

Background

  • The United Kingdom7’s University of Oxford has published its report on 16th June 2020 after conducting trials on 2104 patients with 6 mg of Dexamethasone per day for a period of 10 days.
  • As per which, it was found that Dexamethasone has reduced mortality in COVID-19 patients who had severe respiratory complications.
  • The drug has reduced deaths among ventilated patients by one-third.
  • The report also stated that for patients who were not on respiratory support, the drug has shown no signs of benefit.

DGCI approves Bharat Biotech’s COVID vaccine for clinical trials

  • The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has given its approval to the Indian vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech’s COVID vaccine.
  • Bharat Biotech can now initiate phase-I and Phase-II human clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
  • The vaccine has been developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology which is a part of the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
  • DGCI granted permission for the human clinical trials after the vaccine make headquartered in Hyderabad submitted results that were generated from the preclinical studies which demonstrated immune response and safety.

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DGCA: Drugs Controller General of India is a department of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of the Government of India responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in India.

  • Headquarters location: New Delhi

National Fertilisers Ltd unveils five mobile soil testing labs to provide free services

  • To promote balanced use of fertilisers, state-owned (NFL) launched five mobile soil testing labs for providing free services at doorsteps of farmers.
  • NFL Chairman and Managing Director V N Datt and senior officials flagged off such a mobile testing lab from the company’s corporate office located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
  • These mobile labs, loaded with latest soil testing equipment, shall be used for macro and micro nutrient analysis of soil, the fertiliser ministry said in a statement.
  • In addition to this, these mobile labs are also equipped with audio-video systems to educate farmers on various agricultural topics.
  • Beside mobile testing labs, the company is also serving the farming community through six static soil testing labs located in different parts of the country.
  • All these labs tested around 25,000 soil samples free of cost in the year 2019-20.

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National Fertilisers Ltd

  • Headquarters: Noida
  • Owner: Government of India
  • Founder: Government of India
  • Founded: 1 September 1979
  • Subsidiary: Urvarak Videsh Ltd

OBITUARY

1971 war hero Sqn. Ldr. Parvez Jamasji passes away

  • Sqn Ldr Parvez Jamasji (retd), who was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, has died. He was 77.
  • During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Parvez Rustom Jamasji was serving with a helicopter unit.
  • The former pilot was commissioned in 1965 and retired in 1985.

Kannada writer Geetha Nagabhushan passes away

  • Veteran Kannada writer Geetha Nagabhushan passed away. She was born on 25th March 1942 in Savalagi village, Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
  • She served as the Chairperson of Karnataka Sahitya Academy.
  • She chaired the 76th Akhil Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, at Gadag in 2010. She got an honorary doctorate from the Gulbarga University.
  • Geetha Nagabhushan wrote around 50 short stories including Avva Mattu Itara Kathegalu and Jwalantha, 27 novels including Baduku, Hasimamsa Mattu Haddugalu, 12 plays, collection of poems and research works.
  • The honours and awards she received include Karnataka Rajotsava Award (1998), Danachintamani Attimabbe Award (2002), Nadoja award (2004), Kendra Sahitya Academy award (2004), Bhasha Parishat Award from Kolkata (2012).

MISCELLANEOUS

Amazon India gets rid of single-use plastic in packaging

  • Amazon India announced on Monday it has eliminated all single-use plastic in packaging originating from its 50-plus fulfilment centres in the country.
  • In September 2019, the company had pledged to meet this goal in an accelerated time frame by June this year
  • The first milestone towards this goal was achieved in December 2019 when the company replaced plastic packaging material, such as bubble wraps and air pillows, with paper cushion’ in its packaging.
  • The company then introduced 100 per cent plastic-free and biodegradable paper tape earlier this year, which is used to seal and secure customer shipments.
  • Additionally, the company has replaced thin cling films for customer deliveries among other material with packaging options that are not single-use plastic in nature.
  • All other plastic packaging material originating from the Amazon Fulfilment Centres is 100 per cent recyclable through available collection, segregation and recycling channels

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Amazon:

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

Philips introduces mobile ICUs for India

  • Global health technology major Royal Philips has introduced mobile intensive care units (ICUs) for India to address the challenging needs of critical-care services in the country.

Highlights:

  • Designed to meet the critical-care requirements of patients, each pre-fabricated ICU has a capacity for nine beds and will be locally manufactured by Philips in India.
  • Each ICU unit can be assembled in one day at the chosen site.
  • These portable ICUs will be helpful to government agencies and organisations looking to enhance community outreach and to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and pandemics like the ongoing COVID-19
  • Price of a pre-fabricated 9-bed ICU begins from 1 crore approximately and can be customized further depending upon the requirement from the customer Spread over an area of 1,380 square feet, these self-sufficient units require only electricity and water connection at site to become operational.

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Philips:

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