Current Affairs Today 3rd and 4th May 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 3rd and 4th May 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. The day aims to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and pay tribute to journalists who have laid down their lives in the exercise of their profession.
2. International Firefighters’ Day is observed globally on May 4 every year.
3. HDFC Bank has released a song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge to keep hopes up amidst the ongoing national lockdown and Covid-19 pandemic.
4. The Reserve Bank of India has permitted the country’s payment networks — Visa, Mastercard and NPCI to allow tap-and-go functionality on card payments for all purchases at retail stores and shopping centers.
5. The World Bank has approved USD 400 million multi-year financial support to India to enhance and safeguard the coastal and marine resources of the country.
6. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of “The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai” due to non-compliance to various sections of Banking Regulation Act and RBI Act.
7. Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced to launch ‘Bharatmarket’, a national e-commerce marketplace.
8. The Expert Appraisal Committee of the Environment Ministry has approved the construction of the new Parliament building at a cost of Rs.922 crore.
9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a key meeting on the reforms in the agriculture sector and increase farmers income in India.
10. The government of India has constituted 20 Central Public Health Teams from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
11. The National Mission for Clean Ganga operating (NMCG) under Ministry of Jal Shakti and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) launched “IDEAthon” titled “The future of River Management” to explore how the COVID-19 crisis can shape River Management strategies for the future.
12. Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal in New Delhi .
13. Uttar Pradesh state government has made it compulsory to download the Arogya Setu app for those living in hotspot areas of the state.
14. Kashmiri saffron received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
15. The Maharashtra government has announced the inclusion of state’s whole population under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana.
16. The Himachal Pradesh government will launch Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna under which 120 days’ assured employment will be provided to people living in urban areas.
17. A newly developed android based mobile app named “CHDCOVID” has been launched by the Government of Chandigarh, to provide all information related to COVID-19 in Chandigarh.
18. the government of Bihar led by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar presented Rs 2,11,761 crore state budget for 2020-21 with a special emphasis on education, health and infrastructure.
19. Assam government has restricted the movement of individuals between 6 PM and 6 AM throughout the state across all zones from .
20. The United States Food and Drug Authority (USFDA) has allowed emergency use of the antiviral drug, Remdesivir for treatment of severely ill COVID-19 patients.
21. Russia will launch first Arktika-M satellite for monitoring Arctic climate this year at the end of the year, General Director of Lavochkin aerospace company Vladimir Kolmykov told sputnik news agency.
22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to participate in a virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on 4 May.
23. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressed the Bamboo Conclave through Video Conference.
24. The National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS), Department of Science and Technology (DST), has conducted a survey on Research and Development (R&D) Statistics and Indicators 2019-20.
25. Facebook has launched a home-to-home fundraiser concert, ‘I For India’. 100% proceeds from the fundraiser concert will go to the India COVID Response Fund managed by GiveIndia.
26. Yes Bank appointed Neeraj Dhawan as its Chief Risk Officer (CRO) with immediate effect. Neeraj was appointed for a period of three years.
27. NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation Limited) appointed Ramesh Babu V as director (operations).
28. Australia restricts the use of saliva & sweat to shine ball under COVID-19 guidelines. Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in consultation with doctors has come up with guidelines, restricting the utilization of saliva and sweat to shine the ball.
29. Former World Snooker Champion Peter Ebdon has announced his retirement from professional snooker.
30. New Zealand Cricket has announced the Annual New Zealand Cricket Awards.
31. Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari has been banned for 4 years by WADA’s Athletics Integrity Unit for flunking a dope test.
32. Union Culture Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel released an e-book “Prof B.B. Lal -India Rediscovered” on 2 May on the occasion of the centenary year of great archaeologist Professor B. B. Lal.
33. Researchers from Hyderabad-based National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) developed a portable device ‘eCovSens’.
34. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical free disinfection of high infection prone areas.
35. Former Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi (retd) passed away on 2 May.
36. Eminent historian, author and columnist Ronald Vivian Smith passed away.
37. Renowned Kannada poet KS Nisar Ahmed passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on 3 May every year.

• The day aims to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and pay tribute to journalists who have laid down their lives in the exercise of their profession.
• The day also focuses to assess its state around the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence.

Theme:

• The theme of 2020 World Press Freedom Day is “Journalism Without Fear or Favour.”
• The theme creates awareness on specific issues about the safety of journalists, their independence from political or commercial influence, and gender equality in all aspects of the media.

International Firefighters’ Day observed globally on May 4

• International Firefighters’ Day is observed globally on May 4 every year.
• This day is celebrated since 1999, to recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.
• The day was instituted, after the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a bushfire in Australia on 2 December 1998.

BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

HDFC Bank releases song “#HumHaarNahiMaanenge”

• HDFC Bank has released a song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge to keep hopes up amidst the ongoing national lockdown and Covid-19 pandemic.
• The lyrics of the song has been penned by Prasoon Joshi and music has been composed by AR Rahman.
• HDFC Bank has announced that it will contribute Rs 500 each time the song is shared via social media towards the PM-CARES Fund.

Extra Shots:

HDFC:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman: Deepak S. Parekh

RBI permits Visa, Mastercard and NPCI for contact-free payments for any amount

• The Reserve Bank of India has permitted the country’s payment networks — Visa, Mastercard and NPCI to allow tap-and-go functionality on card payments for all purchases at retail stores and shopping centers.
• Earlier this facility was available for card payment up to amount Rs 2000.
• Now tap-and-go functionality will be available even for purchases made above Rs 2000.
• However, the transactions with are about Rs 2,000 shall be authenticated by PIN.

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

World Bank Announces USD 400 million to enhance India’s Coastal & Marine Resources

• The World Bank has approved USD 400 million multi-year financial support to India to enhance and safeguard the coastal and marine resources of the country.
• The financial aid will help to enhance the coastal resources by focusing on the rehabilitation of coastal beaches and mangroves; protect coastal populations from pollution, erosion, and sea-level rise; and improve livelihood opportunities for coastal communities..
• In the first phase, eight coastal States and 3 coastal Union Territories.
• They are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, and Puducherry, Andaman, and Nicobar and Daman and Diu.
• These states and UTs will get USD 180 million in funding, for Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Efficiency (ENCORE).

Extra Shots:

The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of poorer countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. It comprises two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association.

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

RBI cancels the licence of The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of “The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai” due to non-compliance to various sections of Banking Regulation Act and RBI Act.
• The license has been cancelled with effect from the close of business on April 30, 2020.
• As a result “The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai” is prohibited from conducting the business of ‘banking’ which includes acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits.
• Upon liquidation of the bank, the depositors will receive repayment of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakhs from DICGC.

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

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

CAIT to launch Bharatmarket, national e-commerce marketplace for retail traders

• Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced to launch ‘Bharatmarket’, a national e-commerce marketplace.
• It will be used for all retail traders in collaboration with several technology partners.

Bharatmarket:

• Bharatmarket will integrate the capabilities of various technology companies to provide end-to-end services in the logistics and supply chains from manufacturers to end consumers, including deliveries at home.
• The e-commerce portal will include nationwide participation by retailers and aims to bring 95%of retail traders onboard the platform, who would exclusively run the portal.
• The initiative has had active support and guidance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as they see this as an effective way to get essential commodities to consumers during the lockdown period and within containment zones.
• CAIT enrolls about one crore retailers on this e-marketplace in 2020 and makes it the world’s largest and most-unique e-marketplace ever.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

New Parliament Building proposed approved

• The Expert Appraisal Committee of the Environment Ministry has approved the construction of the new Parliament building at a cost of Rs.922 crore.
• The committee cleared the controversial project in its April 22-24 meeting.
• The Central Vista committee has also approved the new plan.

Issues:

• The plan was opposed by civil society organizations.
• The expert panel of the environment ministry has said the clearance for the project to build a new Parliament is subject to the decision of the Supreme court.
• The apex court, earlier, refused to stay the Central Vista Redevelopment project.

Project Highlights:

• The project aims to build a triangular parliament building.
• It will revamp the 3-km long Raj Path from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.
• The proposed Parliament Building will carry out Legislative functions, which is separate from Executive Functions to be carried out in other office buildings.
• Hence, it will not be considered as an integrated and inter-related project vis-à-vis the other proposed central vista buildings for the simple reason that it can definitely operate independently of the other structures.

PM holds meeting to boost agriculture sector and increase farmer’s income

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a key meeting on the reforms in the agriculture sector and increase farmers income in India.
• The importance of the use of technology in the agriculture sector was emphasized in the meeting.

Highlights:

• Prime Ministers and Ministers discussed the possibilities of the uniform statutory framework in the country to facilitate new ways for farming which will infuse capital and technology in the agrarian economy.
• Discussion to make strategic interventions in the existing marketing eco-system and to bring appropriate reforms in the context of rapid agricultural development.
• Developing e-NAM into a platform of platforms to enable e-commerce was one of the important topics of discussion.
• They also discussed measures to strengthen the role of Farmer’s Produce Organization (FPOs) to bring vibrancy in the agrarian economy, transparency in agriculture trade, and enable maximum benefits to the farmers.

Centre constitutes 20 Central Public Health Teams for districts with highest number of COVID-19 cases

• The government of India has constituted 20 Central Public Health Teams from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• The move comes as per the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

10 Central Public Health Teams:

• The teams have been constituted to support the States in the implementation of containment measures for COVID-19 in the affected areas within these districts/cities.
• The teams will assist the State Governments.
• The 20 districts that are reporting the maximum number of COVID-19 are Mumbai, Maharashtra; Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Delhi (South East); Indore, Madhya Pradesh; Pune, Maharashtra; Jaipur, Rajasthan; Thane, Maharashtra; Surat, Gujarat; Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Hyderabad, Telangana; Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Jodhpur, Rajasthan; Delhi (Central); Agra, Uttar Pradesh; Kolkata, West Bengal; Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh; Vadodara, Gujarat; Guntur, Andhra Pradesh; Krishna, Andhra Pradesh; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• As of 4 May, India has 130 red zones, 284 orange zones, and 319 green zones. They will be opened up gradually as per the Home Ministry guidelines.

Jal Shakti Ministry launched IDEAthon

• The National Mission for Clean Ganga operating (NMCG) under Ministry of Jal Shakti and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) launched “IDEAthon” titled “The future of River Management” to explore how the COVID-19 crisis can shape River Management strategies for the future.
• The move focuses on creating awareness about the ecological importance and economic potential of the rivers to help the cities.

IDEAthon:

• IDEAthon had created a framework called River Management in a city’s Urban river management plan.
• It examined how the social angle of rivers can be leveraged to address other crises.
• An international webinar was to bring together close to 500 participants. The expert panelists were from different countries and international organizations.
• The IDEAthon sought to brainstorm the learnings from COVID-19 pandemic, the following lockdown, and its impact on river management.
• It also aims to mainstream River Management in a city’s Urban Planning framework. NMCG has developed a template for an Urban River Management Plan with the National Institute of Urban Affairs.

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches “The Saras Collection” on GeM portal

• Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal in New Delhi .
• The Saras Collection showcases daily utility products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs) and aims to provide SHGs in rural areas with market access to Central and State Government buyers.
• It is a unique initiative of GeM and the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
• Under this initiative, the SHG sellers will be able to list their products in 5 product categories, namely handicrafts,  handloom and textiles,  office accessories, grocery and pantry and personal care and hygiene.
• GeM will provide dashboards for functionaries at the national, state, district and block level to provide them real time information about the number of products uploaded by SHGs, and value and volume of orders received and fulfilled.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

UP makes Arogya Setu app must for those in hotspot areas

• Uttar Pradesh state government has made it compulsory to download the Arogya Setu app for those living in hotspot areas of the state.
• The State government has issued instructions regarding the opening of offices and resuming work in industrial areas.

Highlights:

• As per the move, Arogya Setu App is a must for everyone in the Hotspot area. If anyone is facing any problem in download and use of the app then teams comprising members of the administration, Medical Services, and Police personal will help them.
• Administrative and health department officials have been directed for contact mapping of every case in the hotspot area.
• The govt has strictly restricted gatherings of five or more persons at any point as part of the COVID-19 management.
• The total number of active COVID-19 positive cases in the state has reached 1838, Special instructions have been issued for surveillance management in hotspot areas and containment zones.

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

Kashmiri saffron received GI tag

• Kashmiri saffron received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• The Certificate was granted to the Department of Agriculture Kashmir.

Kashmir Saffron:

• Kashmir saffron has a unique identity and superior quality as compared to saffron grown across the world.
• It is famous and unique as it is grown at an altitude of 1,600 m.
• The spice is derived from the crocus flower. The Kashmir Saffron is long, thick, and has a natural deep red colour. The deep red colour of the saffron is due to the high quantity of crocin. It has a rich flavour because of the safranal and the bitterness is due to the presence of picrocrocin.
• The Saffron cultivated in Kashmir has a high aroma and is processed without adding any chemical.
• Saffron has been grown in the Kashmir valley for hundreds of years and it is very expensive.
• Saffron is used extensively in medicines and cooking in Kashmir with some claiming that saffron is an aphrodisiac.

Extra Shots:

Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a sign on products that have a specific geographical origin and the product may have special quality or reputation. By tagging a product will lead to the overall economic prosperity of the producers.

Maharashtra to provide free insurance cover premium to its people

• The Maharashtra government has announced the inclusion of state’s whole population under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana.
• The state will provide free health treatment to cent per cent population of the state.
• With this inclusion, Maharashtra has become India’s first state to provide free and cashless insurance premium to the people of the state.
• At present, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana is covering 85% of the state’s population.
• With the latest announcement, the benefits of the scheme have been extended towards the remaining 15% people of state.
• The latest announcement enables the state government, semi-government employees as well as the white ration card holders to apply for this scheme.
• Under the scheme, people in the state can avail the benefits of free and cashless health insurance.
• People needs documents such as ration card and domicile certificate to apply for the scheme.

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.

Himachal Pradesh govt to launch Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna

• The Himachal Pradesh government will launch Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna under which 120 days’ assured employment will be provided to people living in urban areas.
• It is being launched to revive the coronavirus-hit economy of the state.
• Adequate training will be given to the people for their skill upgrade if required.

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

Chandigarh Launches Mobile App “CHDCOVID” to Provide COVID-19 Related Information

• A newly developed android based mobile app named “CHDCOVID” has been launched by the Government of Chandigarh, to provide all information related to COVID-19 in Chandigarh.
• The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT of Chandigarh, Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore inaugurated the app on 3rd May 2020.
• Upon downloading, the app will act as a single point platform where people can access all the guidelines, orders and notifications issued by Administration and Government of India.
• The app has been developed in-house by the Society for Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC).

Sushil Kumar Modi presented Rs 2,11,761 cr Bihar’s budget for FY 20-21

• the government of Bihar led by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar presented Rs 2,11,761 crore state budget for 2020-21 with a special emphasis on education, health and infrastructure.
• It was presented by the state’s finance minister and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, which was his 11th Budget speech.
• The proposed allocations were Rs 11,260.48 crore more than the FY 2019-20.
• Importantly, Bihar’s Budget has increased eight times to Rs 2,11,761.49 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 23,885 crore in 2004- 05.
• Except for 2012-13, the state has been presenting a revenue surplus budget since 2008-09.
• Highest allocation: The state government has made the highest allocation of Rs 35,191.05 crore to the education department. Bihar has allocated 19.3% of its total budget for education in 2020-21.
• Besides, Rs 17,345 crore was allocated for road building and Rs 10,937.68 crore was earmarked for healthcare.

Assam govt restricts movement of individuals between 6 PM and 6 AM across state

• Assam government has restricted the movement of individuals between 6 PM and 6 AM throughout the state across all zones from .
• Assam Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that restriction will not be imposed in medical services, police, fire services and emergency response for restoring telecom and electricity.
• He also said that private Medical Clinics and OPDs shall be allowed to open including veterinary OPDs.
• All standalone shops shall be allowed to operate till 5 PM. Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate with one driver and two passengers maintaining social distancing.
• The minister said, constructions in urban areas shall be allowed with a maximum of 50% work force.
• City buses, intra-district and inter-district buses shall operate with 50% capacity. Also, government and private offices shall operate with 50% of employees.

Extra Shots:

Assam

• Capital: Dispur
• Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
• Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
• National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

US FDA allows use of remdesivir drug for severely ill COVID-19 patients

• The United States Food and Drug Authority (USFDA) has allowed emergency use of the antiviral drug, Remdesivir for treatment of severely ill COVID-19 patients.

Remdesivir for COVID-19 patients:

• A study by Gilead Sciences in the US showed that Remdesivir shortens the recovery time by 31% or about 4 days on average, for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
• The reports also stated that the clinical trials of Remdedivir were conducted on 1,063 patients. When the patients were given the drug, they were able to leave the hospital in 11 days on average versus 15 days for the comparison group.
• The drug has not yet tested on people with the milder illness. The medicine is currently given through an IV in a hospital.
• Remdesivir would become a new standard of care for severely ill COVID-19 patients.

Extra Shots:

FDA: The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments.

• Commissioner: Stephen Hahn
• Employees: 14,824 (2010)
• Jurisdiction: United States
• Founded: 30 June 1906
• Founders: Theodore Roosevelt, Harvey Washington Wiley

Extra Shots:

USA (Capital/Currency): Washington, D.C./ United States Dollar

• President: Donald Trump
• Official languages: English

Russia to launch first satellite to monitor Arctic climate this year

• Russia will launch first Arktika-M satellite for monitoring Arctic climate this year at the end of the year, General Director of Lavochkin aerospace company Vladimir Kolmykov told sputnik news agency.
• He said as of now first satellite is developed and the launch is planned for 2020.
• The satellite will be launched by Soyuz -2,1b carrier rocket with frigate booster.
• The remote sensing Artika-M will monitor the  meterological conditions in the polar region.

Extra Shots:

Russia (Capital/Currency):Moscow./ Russian Rouble

• President: Vladimir Putin

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

PM to attend virtual summit of Non-Aligned Movement

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to participate in a virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on 4 May.
• The summit aims to enhance the coordination of the member states in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also participate in the summit.

Highlights:

• The summit will be conducted under the Presidency of Azerbaijan, who is the president of the NAM till 2022. The summit will be convened by President Ilham Aliyev.
• The summit will identify measures for enhanced coordination among NAM members in their common fight against COVID-19.
• The online session will conclude with a political declaration of the movement “uniting against COVID-19.”
• The summit-level meeting will witness the participation from representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations Secretary-General and Director-General of WHO.
• This summit will be the first NAM meeting that the PM will attend since becoming the Prime Minister in 2014. The Prime Minister has skipped both the NAM summit in 2016 and 2019. India was represented by the Vice president Venkaiah Naidu in the last two summits in 2016 in Venezuela and 2019 in Azerbaijan.

Extra Shots:

NAM: The Non-Aligned Movement is a forum of 120 developing world states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide.

• Founded: 1961, Belgrade, Serbia
• Headquarters: Central Jakarta, Indonesia
• Chairperson: Ilham Aliyev
• Membership: 120 member states; 17 states (observers); 10 international organisations
• Coordinating Bureau: New York City, New York, U.S.
• Founders: Jawaharlal Nehru, Sukarno, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Josip Broz Tito, Kwame Nkrumah

India to boost its economy with Bamboo resources

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressed the Bamboo Conclave through Video Conference.
• The Union Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders from different sectors participated in the conference.

Bamboo Conclave:

• The Minister discussed India’s Post-COVID economy which will provide an opportunity for India to emerge as an economic power with the support of its Bamboo resources.
• Northeast consists of 60% of India’s reserve of Bamboo.
• The total requirement of “Agarbatti” in India is about 2,30,000 per annum and the market value of it is up to Rs.5000 crore. India has been importing a large bulk of it from countries like China and Vietnam. It is expected that the Post-COVID era, will provide an opportunity for the North-Eastern region to help India become world competitive and self-sufficient in the changed scenario.
• Centre also plans for the promotion of bamboo manufacturing and trade and works out the feasibility of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in this sector.
• Bamboo can be processed into multiple products, including bio-diesel and green fuel, wooden lumber, and plywood.
• It can change the entire face of the economy and create employment opportunities in multiple sectors.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is a Government of India ministry, established in September 2001.

• Officeholder: Jitendra Singh (MOS independent charge)
• Founded: September 2001
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Jurisdiction: India

RANKS AND INDICES

India ranks 3rd in scientific publication

• The National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS), Department of Science and Technology (DST), has conducted a survey on Research and Development (R&D) Statistics and Indicators 2019-20.
• As per the survey, India ranks 3rd among countries in a scientific publication.

Parameters of the Survey:

• The survey included more than 6800 S&T Institutions spread across varied sectors like central government, state governments, higher education, public sector industry, and private sector industry in the country.
• A response rate of more than 90% was achieved.

Report Highlights:

• The report on R&D indicators for the nation is an extraordinarily important document for evidence-based policymaking and planning in higher education, R&D activities and support, intellectual property, and industrial competitiveness.
• The report captured the R&D landscape of the country through various Input-Output S&T Indicators in the form of Tables and graphs.
• It pertains to Investments in national R&D, R&D investments by Government and Private sector; R&D relationship with the economy (GDP), Enrolment of S&T personnel, Manpower engaged in R&D, Outrun of S&T personnel, papers published, patents and their international S&T comparisons.
• As per the report, India spent 0.7% of its GDP on R&D in 2017-18, while the same among other developing BRICS countries were Brazil 1.3%, Russia 1.1%, China 2.1%, and South Africa 0.8%. In 2018, India was ranked 3rd, 5th, and 9th in scientific publication output as per the NSF, SCOPUS, and SCI database respectively.
• During 2011-2016, India’s growth rate of scientific publication as per the SCOPUS and SCI database was 8.4% and 6.4% as against the world average of 1.9% and 3.7%, respectively.
• The report has also highlighted that India’s share in global research publication output has increased over the years as reflected in publication databases.

Extra Shots:

DST: The Department of Science and Technology is a department within the Ministry of Science and Technology in India. Wikipedia

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: May 1971
• Subsidiary: National Innovation Foundation – India

NSTMIS: The National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS), a division of Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been entrusted with the task of building the information base on a continuous basis on resources devoted to scientific and technological activities for policy planning in the country.

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Facebook partners with Bollywood for ‘I FOR INDIA’ fundraiser concert

• Facebook has launched a home-to-home fundraiser concert, ‘I For India’. 100% proceeds from the fundraiser concert will go to the India COVID Response Fund managed by GiveIndia.
• Facebook has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in India and Bollywood for this.
• The four hour-long concert was live on Facebook on May 03, 2020 starting at 7:30 PM.
• The concert featured starts like A R Rahman, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Javed Akhtar, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, Lilly Singh, Virat Kohli, Ustad Zakhir Hussain.

Extra Shots:

Facebook:

• Founders: Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes Trending
• CEO: Mark Zuckerberg
• Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States

APPOINTMENT

Yes Bank appointed Neeraj Dhawan as its Chief Risk Officer

• Yes Bank appointed Neeraj Dhawan as its Chief Risk Officer (CRO) with immediate effect. Neeraj was appointed for a period of three years.
• He assumed charge on 2 May.
• He replaced Ashish Agarwal, the current CRO, who will be transitioning to a new role in the bank.

Neeraj Dhawan:

• Neeraj Dhawan held the position of chief risk officer for retail and business banking at Yes Bank.
• He has experience of over 29 years of financial services and banking industry.

Ramesh Babu appointed as NTPC director operations

• NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation Limited) appointed Ramesh Babu V as director (operations).
• He was the successor of Prakash Tiwari who retired on April 30, 2020.
• About Ramesh Babu: Babu graduated as a mechanical engineer from NIT (National Institutes of Technology) Srinagar and completed his Masters degree in thermal engineering from IIT (Indian Institutes of Technology) Delhi.

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NTPC:

• Founded: 1975
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Owner: Government of India
• CEO: Gurdeep Singh

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Australia restrict use of saliva to shine ball under COVID-19 guidelines

• Australia restricts the use of saliva & sweat to shine ball under COVID-19 guidelines. Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in consultation with doctors has come up with guidelines, restricting the utilization of saliva and sweat to shine the ball.
• There is speculation that the utilization of saliva to shine the ball are going to be stopped to cut down the danger of the highly contagious infection with reports suggesting that the ICC is considering the likelihood of allowing the utilization of artificial substances to shine their ball under the supervision of umpires.

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Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian Dollar

• Prime Minister: Scott Morrison

Former World Snooker champion Peter Ebdon announces retirement

• Former World Snooker Champion Peter Ebdon has announced his retirement from professional snooker.
• He has announced his retirement after suffering from various neck and back injuries.
• Peter Ebdon was the winner of 2002 World Snooker championship when he defeated Stephen Hendry in an 18-17 final thriller.
• He also ended as a runner up in the championship for the record two times in his professional career of 29 years.
• He also won the UK Championship in 2006.

New Zealand Cricket announces ANZ Cricket Awards

• New Zealand Cricket has announced the Annual New Zealand Cricket Awards.
• The ANZ Cricket Awards were presented for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• New Zealand captain Kane Willamson has been named as the men’s ODI Player of the Year.

Here is the complete list of Annual New Zealand Cricket Award winners:

• ANZ International Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Suzie Bates
• ANZ International Men’s ODI Player of the Year: Kane Williamson
• ANZ International Women’s T20 Player of the Year: Sophie Devine
• ANZ International Men’s T20 Player of the Year: Ross Taylor

Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari gets 4-year ban for dope flunk

• Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari has been banned for 4 years by WADA’s Athletics Integrity Unit for flunking a dope test.
• The sample was deemed clean by the NDTL officials during the National Inter-State Championships in June 2018 in Guwahati.
• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) then decided to test the sample of Kumari at its Montreal Laboratory in Canada.
• Her four-year ban, announced by WADA will begin from June 26, 2018 — the date of her sample collection. Kumari’s results from June 26, 2018 to November 21, 2018 will now be annulled.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Ministry of Culture released Prof B.B. Lal -India Rediscovered on the 100th birth anniversary of Prof Lal

• Union Culture Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel released an e-book “Prof B.B. Lal -India Rediscovered” on 2 May on the occasion of the centenary year of great archaeologist Professor B. B. Lal.
• The book is a tribute from the Ministry of Culture for his immense contribution to the field of archaeology.
• The book is a centenary special edition that has been prepared by the Ministry of culture in collaboration with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee.

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Prof B.B. Lal:

• Prof Lal was born on 2 May 1921 in village Baidora, District Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The living legend rediscovered civilizational India buried under the colonial past. In a career spanning over 50 years, Prof Lal made an immense contribution to the field of archaeology. He was trained by Sir Mortimer Wheeler at Taxila in 1944. He joined the Archaeological Survey of India. Lal excavated several important landmark sites including Hastinapura (Uttar Pradesh), Sisupalgarh (Orissa), Purana Qila (Delhi), Kalibangan (Rajasthan).  From 1975-76 onwards, he investigated sites like Ayodhya, Bharadvaja Ashrama, Sringaverapura, Nandigrama, and Chitrakoota under the Archaeology of Ramayana Sites.
• Prof Lal was conferred upon Padma Bhushan in 2000. He served as the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1968 to 1972. He was also the Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. Prof Lal also served on various UNESCO committees. He has authored 20 books and over 150 research articles on various national and international journals.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NIAB develops eCovSens, a tool to detect coronavirus infection

• Researchers from Hyderabad-based National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) developed a portable device ‘eCovSens’.
• It can be used as a diagnostic tool for the detection of COVID-19 antigens.

eCoVSens:

• eCoVSens will detect novel coronavirus antigens in human saliva within 30 seconds.
• The portable bio-sensor device can be connected to a computer or a cellphone via Bluetooth.
• It will help in boosting the country’s efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The biosensor device can directly detect a specific protein of the SARS-CoV-2, even when the proteins are present in low concentrations in the human saliva.
• In subsequent tests, the device has proved itself to be stable and quite efficient in detecting the virus.
• The device will do early detection of coronavirus which is crucial to help and manage the coronavirus outbreak.

DRDO develops UV Disinfection Tower

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical free disinfection of high infection prone areas.
• The equipment named UV blaster is a UV based area sanitiser designed and developed by Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi based premier laboratory of DRDO with the help of M/s New Age Instruments and Materials Private Limited, Gurugram.
• The UV Blaster is useful for high tech surfaces like electronic equipment, computers and other gadgets in laboratories and offices that are not suitable for disinfection with chemical methods.
• The product is also effective for areas with large flow of people such as airports, shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories, offices, etc.
• The UV based area sanitiser may be used by remote operation through laptop/mobile phone using wifi link.
• The equipment has six lamps each with 43 watts of UV-C power at 254 nm wavelength for 360 degree illumination.
• For a room of about 12 x 12 feet dimension, the disinfection time is about 10 minutes and 30 minutes for 400 square feet area by positioning the equipment at different places within the room.

Extra Shots:

DRDO: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in Delhi, India.

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Motto: बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम्; “Strength’s Origin is in Science” (Sanskrit)
• Founded: 1958
• Minister responsible: Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence
• Director: G. Satheesh Reddy

OBITUARIES

Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi passed away due to COVID-19 disease

• Former Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi (retd) passed away on 2 May.
• He was 62 years old.
• He died after suffering cardiac arrest at AIIMS in Delhi. He was tested positive for coronavirus on 2 April.

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Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi:

• Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi was born on 12 November 1957. He did his graduation in Economics (Hons) from Shri Ram College of Commerce and studied law at Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. He began to practice law at Patna High Court. On 9 October 2006. he was elevated as an Additional Judge Patna High Court and he took oath as Permanent Judge of the High Court on 21 November 2007. On 7 July 2018, he was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court. On 27 March 2019, he took oath as a Judicial Member of Lokpal of India. He played a vital role in setting up the Institution of Lokpal of India with his innovative ideas and inputs.

Eminent historian RV Smith passes Away

• Eminent historian, author and columnist Ronald Vivian Smith passed away.
• He was born in Agra in 1938.
• He came to Delhi in the 1950s and started working at the Press Trust of India in 1961.
• Ronald Vivian Smith has authored a dozen books, mostly on the National Capital. Two of his noted books on the national capital are ‘Delhi: Unknown Tales of a City’ and ‘The Delhi that No-one Knows’. The ‘True Chronicler of Delhi’ was the recipient of the Canon Holland Prize and the Rotary Award for general knowledge and journalism award (1997-98) from the Michael Madhusudan Academy.

Padma Shri awardee K S Nisar Ahmed passes away

• Renowned Kannada poet KS Nisar Ahmed passed away.
• He was popularly known as “Nityotsava Kavi”.
• He was born in Devanahalli, Karnataka on February 5, 1936.
• He was awarded the Pampa Award (the highest literary award in Karnataka) in 2017.
• He also a recipient of the Rajyotsava award in 1981 and Padma Shri in 2008.

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