Current Affairs Today 5th and 6th April 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 5th and 6th April 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. International Day of Conscience is observed on 5 April.
2. National Maritime Day is celebrated on 5 April in India.
3. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on 6 April every year.
4. The United Nations celebrates 6th of April every year as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
5. India is seeking as much as $6 billion of loans from multilateral institutions such as the Asian Development Bank to bolster its efforts to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
6. Fitch Ratings has trimmed the Indian growth forecast for fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021 to 2% from 5.1% following the economic recession caused due to lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Food Corporation of India (FCI) has set a record by moving 70 rakes carrying 1.93 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) continuously in single-day movement during the lockdown.
8. Indian Railways have begun preparing to resume all its services from April 15 after a 21-day suspension of its passenger trains in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a joint meeting of the Empowered Groups.
10. All major ports and Public Sector Undertakings under Shipping Ministry have decided to contribute 52 crore rupees to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund(PM-CARES fund).
11. NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant chairs Empowered Committee to review coordination between various stakeholders for COVID-19 related response activities.
12. ‘V Safe Tunnel’ has been installed in Telangana to sanitize people.
13. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced that all school students from class 1 to 8 in the state will be promoted to the next academic session without final examination as the schools are closed due to Coronavirus lockdown.
14. Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad committed to donate 30 per cent of his salary over the next one year to PM CARES Fund in view of the country’s collective battle against COVID-19.
15. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party’s newly-elected Leader, named Indian-origin MP Lisa Nandy as his shadow foreign secretary on 5 April.
16. World Food Programme (WFP) conveyed the rapidly growing novel Coronavirus pandemic so far, having little impact on the global food supply chain, but that could change for the worse if major food importers remain anxious.
17. The US government has announced a grant of $2.9 million to India.
18. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today announced an economic package of Tk 72750 crore to provide stimulus to the economy reeling under the impact of Corona virus.
19. Global pandemic COVID-19 has not even left animal kindgdom untouched.
20. Vice-Chairperson Infosys’ chief operating officer, UB Pravin Rao, has been appointed as the new chairman of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) for the year 2020-21. He was appointed Rekha Menon of Accenture.
21. The term of Madhabi Puri Buch as a Whole Time Member (WTM) at Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been extended by 6 months.
22. Senior diplomat Anurag Srivastava today took charge as the Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, succeeding Mr Raveesh Kumar.
23. UEFA has postponed all the international matches that had been pushed back to June to further notice.
24. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that 29 June 2021 has been set as the new deadline for the qualification period of the Tokyo Olympics.
25. FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup was scheduled to be played in India between November 2nd and 21st postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
26. Hockey India donated an additional Rs 75 lakhs towards the PM-CARES Fund to take its total contribution to Rs 1 crore to tackle worsening COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
27. The late Kobe Bryant has been selected as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
28. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched ‘Operation Sanjeevani’ and air-lifted 6.2 tonnes of essential medical supplies to the Maldives via transport aircraft C-130J as assistance in the fight against the COVID 19.
29. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is to provide COVID-19 protective gear and healthcare paraphernalia for its over 40,000 personnel.
30. Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has been conferred with ‘Hero to Animals Award’ by animal rights body PETA India.
31. MSME Technology Centres in India have provided masks, medical gowns, ventilators, sanitizers, components of Corona Testing Kits, etc. to combat Coronavirus.
32. A scientist from the Pune-based Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) has developed a low-cost indigenous prototype of polymer swab.
33. IIT-Roorkee has developed a low-cost portable ventilator called ‘Prana-Vayu’ in association with AIIMS-Rishikesh, which can be manufactured for just Rs25,000.
34. Bengaluru based startup Bione, a genetic and microbiome testing firm has launched India’s 1st home screening test kit for COVID-19 & is approved by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
35. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all universities and colleges to set up mental health helplines to address psychosocial concerns of students during the lockdown imposed to combat Corona virus.
36. American songwriter, soulful singer, guitarist & 3 time Grammy award winner Bill Withers passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Day of Conscience is observed on 5 April

• International Day of Conscience is observed on 5 April.
• The day aims to promote a culture of peace with love and conscience.
• The day reminds the people to self-reflect, follow their conscience, and do the right things.

History:

• In July 1989, the concept of the culture of peace was introduced at the International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men which was organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Côte d’Ivoire.
• The day was aimed to construct a culture of peace that requires cultural, social, comprehensive educational, and civic action, in which each person has something to learn and something to give and share.
• With a concern to create peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms to race, sex, language or religion, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated 5 April as the International Day of Conscience.
• On 25 July 2019, UNGA adopted a draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, titled “Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience”. UNGA then declared 5 April as the International Day of Conscience.
• The day is first observed on 5 April 2020.

Extra Shots:

UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris, France. Headquarters: Paris, France

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

National Maritime Day is celebrated on 5 April in India

• National Maritime Day is celebrated on 5 April in India.

Aim:

• The day creates awareness to support intercontinental commerce and the global economy as the most well-organized, safe and sound, environmentally responsive approach of transporting goods from one place to another of the world.

Theme:

• The theme for the 57th National Maritime Day is “Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet.”
• The theme aims to raise awareness of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The theme also showcases the work that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States are taking various measures to achieve the targets.

History:

• National Maritime Day is being observed since 1964. On 5 April 1919, navigation history was created in India, when SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd travelled to the United Kingdom from Mumbai.
• The move was very important to Indian shipping history when sea routes were controlled by the British.
• The transaction marked a red-letter day in the maritime history of India.
• This day is celebrated to spread awareness in supporting intercontinental commerce and the global economy.

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on 6 April

• Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on 6 April every year.
• It is one of the most auspicious festivals in the Jain community.
• Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated on the 13th day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra.

Mahavir Jayanti:

• Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak or the Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavira.
• Jainism was founded by Mahavir Jayanti.
• The festival is celebrated widely by the Jain community in memory of the last spiritual teacher of the religion.
• A procession with the idol of Lord Mahavira called the Rath Yatra is held on a special day.
• On this day, the Jains recites stavans (Jain prayers) and give a ceremonial bath called “abhisheka” to the statues of the Lord Mahavira.

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Mahavir:

• Mahavir was born to King Siddhartha of Kundagrama and Queen Trishala and belonged to Ikshvaku dynasty.
• He was named as Vardhamana (meaning “one who grows”).
• At the age of 30, he abandoned worldly life. He attained “kaivalya” or omniscience at the age of 42.
• He was the 24th and the last Tirthankara who succeeded the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha.

6 April observed as International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

• The United Nations celebrates 6th of April every year as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
• Sport has historically played an important role in all societies, be it in the form of competitive sport, physical activity or play.
• Sports also presents a natural partnership for the United Nations (UN) system.
• To celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2020, the United Nations requests people around the world to be active, stay healthy and exhibit solidarity during this period of physical and social distancing as this team spirit is going to help us all in getting through the current challenges together.
• In year 2020, responding to global developments concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN is stressing on the health benefits of participating in sporting and physical activity, especially in the present time of uncertainty and social distancing.
• For the International Day of Sport 2020, the UN has appealed to people to #BeActive and healthy to beat #COVID19.

Extra Shots:

UN: The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.

• Secretary General: António Guterres Trending
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
• Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

India seeks $6 billion of loans from ADB, AIIB to fight coronavirus pandemic

• India is seeking as much as $6 billion of loans from multilateral institutions such as the Asian Development Bank to bolster its efforts to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

World Bank & ADB:

• The World Bank already committed $1 billion. At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is in talks with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and ADB, the people said, asking not to be identified because the details haven’t been finalized.

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WB: 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
• Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
• Parent organization: World Bank Group
• Founded: 1944
• Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White

ADB: The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966, which is headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. The company also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia.

• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
• President: Masatsugu Asakawa
• Membership: 68 countries
• Founded: 19 December 1966
• Purpose: Economic development

Fitch declined India growth forecast to 2% for FY21 from 5.1%

• Fitch Ratings has trimmed the Indian growth forecast for fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021 to 2% from 5.1% following the economic recession caused due to lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic.
• This would be the slowest growth in India over the past 30 years.
• On the global front, Fitch has predicted a contraction of 1.9% in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth for FY 20-21.

Extra Shots:

ADB – 4.0% (Previous 5%)

S&P – 3.5% (Previous 5.2%)

Moody – 2.5% (Previous 5.3%)

Fitch: Fitch Ratings Inc. is an American credit rating agency and is one of the “Big Three credit rating agencies”, the other two being Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. It is one of the three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 1975.

• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• CEO: Paul Taylor (2 Apr 2012–)
• Revenue: 170 crores USD
• Founder: John Knowles Fitch

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

FCI sets record in transportation of food grains amid lockdown

• Food Corporation of India (FCI) has set a record by moving 70 rakes carrying 1.93 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) continuously in single-day movement during the lockdown.
• FCI aims to ensure that enough food grain stocks are made available in every part of the country during the countrywide lockdown.
• It also works to fulfill the regular requirements of food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

FCI’s measures:

• Under PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), FCI provided wheat and rice directly at Open Market sale rates to ensure a continuous supply of food grains in the open market, earlier it used an e-auction route.
• So far, Punjab accounted for about 46% of total food grain movement at 7.73 LMT, Haryana accounted 3.02 LMT, Telangana accounted 2.04 LMT, Chhattisgarh accounted 1.15 LMT, Uttar Pradesh accounted 2.07 LMT followed by Bihar accounted 1.96 LMT, West Bengal accounted 1.65 LMT and Karnataka accounted 1.57 LMT and North Eastern inducted 1.4 LMT food grains during the lockdown.
• So far, FCI has allotted 1.38 LMT Wheat in 13 states and 1.32 LMT Rice in 8 states for further distribution through their channels.

Extra Shots:

FCI: FCI was established by the Government of India under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It is located throughout India. GoI executes policy through FCI and ensures the Food Security of the Nation.

• Founded on: 14 January 1965
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Chairman & Managing Director: D. V. Prasad

Indian Railways issues restoration plan to prepare for resumption of services

• Indian Railways have begun preparing to resume all its services from April 15 after a 21-day suspension of its passenger trains in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
• All railway safety personnel, running staff, guards, TTE and other officials have told to be ready to join their posts from April 15.
• The operations only after a green signal from the government which had formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) on the issue.
• The Indian Railways has issued a restoration plan to all its railway zones with a schedule of trains to be run, their frequency and the availability of rakes.
• All 17 zones have been sent a missive to be prepared to run their respective services.

PM Narendra Modi chairs joint meeting of empowered groups on COVID-19

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a joint meeting of the Empowered Groups.

Highlights:

• The main aim is to plan and ensure the implementation of COVID-19 response activities in the country.
• He reviewed countrywide preparedness against coronavirus and also regarding the factors such as the availability of hospitals, isolation, and quarantine facilities as well as disease surveillance, testing, and critical care training.
• Prime Minister directed the concerned groups and officials to ensure sufficient production, procurement, and availability of all essential medical equipment such as PPEs, masks, gloves, and ventilators.

All major ports, PSUs under Shipping Ministry decide to contribute Rs 52 crore to PM-CARES fund

• All major ports and Public Sector Undertakings under Shipping Ministry have decided to contribute 52 crore rupees to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund(PM-CARES fund).
• Employees of all the major ports and PSUs have also came forward to donate a day’s salary amounting to seven crore rupees to PM-CARES for providing assistance to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amitabh Kant chairs Empowered Committee to review coordination between various stakeholders for COVID-19-related response activities

• NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant chairs Empowered Committee to review coordination between various stakeholders for COVID-19 related response activities.
• The committee constituted of members namely Vikram Doraiswami, (AS, MEA); Dr. Vijayaraghavan, PSA; Kamal Kishore (Member, NDMA); Sandeep Mohan Bhatnagar (Member, CBIC); Anil Malik (AS, MHA); P. Harish (AS, MEA); Gopal Baglay (JS, PMO); Aishvarya Singh (DS, PMO); Tina Soni (DS, Cabinet Secretariat); and the work of EG6 is serviced by Sanyukta Samaddar (Adviser, SDG, NITI Aayog).

Highlights:

• The meeting discussed the issues faced and the expectations of the government.
• It aimed to formulated plans with three groups of stakeholders namely:

1) The UN agencies, World Bank, Asian Development Bank

2) Civil Society Organisations and development partners

3) Industry associations namely Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India  (ASSOCHAM), NASSCOM

• The committee appealed to over 92000 NGOs/ CSOs registered on the Darpan portal of NITI Aayog. The committee directed them to provide assistance to the government in identifying hotspots and deputing volunteers and caregivers to deliver services to the elderly, persons with disabilities (PwDs), children, transgender persons, and other vulnerable groups. It also directed them to create awareness about social distancing, prevention, isolation, and combating COVID-19 and provide shelter to homeless, daily wage workers, and urban poor families.
• It discussed all the proactive measures taken by the government to combat COVID-19.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

‘V Safe Tunnel’ installed in Telangana to sanitize people

• ‘V Safe Tunnel’ has been installed in Telangana to sanitize people.
• The sanitising tunnel has been installed at the state Director General of Police’s office.
• A unique disinfectant named ‘V Safe Tunnel’ sanitizes people from any possible bacteria and other microbes within 20 seconds.
• The ‘V Safe Tunnel’ aims to minimise the local transmission of Coronavirus in the state by providing maximum protection to people passing through the tunnel in around 20 seconds.
• It includes a combination of a water-soluble polymer and iodine in a form of spray and is known to be effective against virus such as SARS and Ebola.

Extra Shots:

Telangana

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

Haryana govt to promote all students till class 8th without exams due to lockdown

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced that all school students from class 1 to 8 in the state will be promoted to the next academic session without final examination as the schools are closed due to Coronavirus lockdown.
• The Chief Minister said that students of these classes will be able to enroll in the next class as soon as the school opens.
• Mr Khattar said the examination for the science subject for class 10 has not been conducted due to the lockdown, so the government has decided that students of class 10 will be promoted to class 11 on the basis of the average marks obtained in other subjects.
• Similarly, class 11 students will be promoted to the next class without appearing for the examination of the math subject, on the basis of the marks obtained in other subjects.

Extra Shots:

Haryana:

• State formed on: 1 November 1966
• Capital: Chandigarh
• Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya
• Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
• Official language: Hindi
• National Park: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park

Sikkim Governor to donate 30% of his salary over next 1 year to PM-CARES fund

• Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad committed to donate 30 per cent of his salary over the next one year to PM CARES Fund in view of the country’s collective battle against COVID-19.
• The Governor has desired to get his salary deducted for 30 per cent over the next one year and the amount be credited to PM CARES Fund as his personal contribution for the cause.

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Sikkim:

• State formed on: 16 May 1975
• Chief Minister: Pawan Kumar Chamling
• Capital: Gangtok
• Governor: Ganga Prasad
• Literacy Rate: 81.42%

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Indian-origin MP Lisa Nandy appointed as shadow foreign minister

• Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party’s newly-elected Leader, named Indian-origin MP Lisa Nandy as his shadow foreign secretary on 5 April.
• Starmer’s new committee will be responsible for coordinating Labour’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lisa Nandy:

• Lisa Eva Nandy served as the Member of Parliament for Wigan since 2010.
• From 2010-12 she served as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tessa Jowell.
• From 2012-15, she served as the Shadow Charities Minister.
• Nandy came in third in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.
• She secured 16.3% of the vote and came behind Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey.

World Food Programme COVID-19 has little impact on global food supply chain

• World Food Programme (WFP) conveyed the rapidly growing novel Coronavirus pandemic so far, having little impact on the global food supply chain, but that could change for the worse if major food importers remain anxious.
• The UN agency’s global markets for basic cereals are well-supplied, and prices are generally low.
• However, given the highly globalized nature of food production and supply, commodities need to move from the world’s breadbaskets to where they are consumed, and the novel Coronavirus-related containment measures are starting to make this more challenging.

Extra Shots:

WFP: The World Food Programme is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world’s largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. According to the WFP, it provides food assistance to an average of 91.4 million people in 83 countries each year.

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Head: David Beasley
• Abbreviation: WFP
• Founded: 1961
• Founders: Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations General Assembly
• Video game: Food Force

US announced USD 2.9 million to India to combat COVID-19 outbreak

• The US government has announced a grant of $2.9 million to India.
• The fund was released by the US government through its aid agency United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Highlights:

• The aim is to help India in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. It is expected that the assistance will further support India’s response to COVID- 19.
• The US government is working closely with India through USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other relevant agencies to support India’s response to the pandemic.
• The new grant is added to the $1.4 billion which was provided by the US in health assistance, and nearly $3 billion in total assistance, that the US has provided to India over the last 20 years.
• The new funds will support the USAID’s health strengthening project which was implemented by Jhpiego, an international non-profit health organization, which is affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.

PM Sheikh Hasina announces Tk 72750 crore economic package for Bangladesh

• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today announced an economic package of Tk 72750 crore to provide stimulus to the economy reeling under the impact of Corona virus.

Highlights:

• Earlier, the government had announced a package of Tk 5000 crore for paying salaries and wages of workers in the export oriented industries which has now been topped up with an additional Tk 67,500 crore incentive.
• The package consists of four programmes including increased public expenditure, stimulus package for industry, widening of social safety net and increasing money supply in the economy.
• The major share of the package is intended for the industries and service sector affected by the Corona outbreak in the world.
• It will get Tk 30,000 crore as working capital on concessional interest rate from banks.
• Prime Minister announced that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will get Tk. 20,000 crore as working capital on reduced interest rate of 4 percent against the current rate of 9 percent.
• The government will bear the difference between the commercial and the concessional rate of interest being given out in the package.
• The Export Development Fund (EDF) will get an additional Tk 12,750 crore at a lower interest rate.

Extra Shots:

Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka/Taka

• Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina

US: Tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19

• Global pandemic COVID-19 has not even left animal kindgdom untouched.
• A tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19.
• The Wildlife Conservation Society that runs the city’s zoos said that the four-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia along with her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions all developed dry coughs and are expected to fully recover.
• All the four zoos and the aquarium in New York have been closed since March 16.

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

• President: Donald Trump

APPOINTMENT

Pravin Rao is appointed as the new chairman of Nasscom

• Vice-Chairperson Infosys’ chief operating officer, UB Pravin Rao, has been appointed as the new chairman of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) for the year 2020-21. He was appointed Rekha Menon of Accenture.
• Rekha M Menon is the Chairman and Senior Managing Director, Accenture in India. Menon will be the Vice-Chairperson for Nasscom. Pravin Rao, along with President Debjani Ghosh, will help Nasscom to achieve its 2025 vision for the industry.

Extra Shots:

Nasscom:

• Formed on: 1 March 1988
• Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Members: over 2,000 companies
• NASSCOM is a non-profit organization which is a trade association of Indian Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. It is affiliated with the NASSCOM Foundation, National Institute for Smart Government (NISG), Data Security Council of India (DSCI).

Madhabi Puri Buch gets 6-month extension as WTM at SEBI

• The term of Madhabi Puri Buch as a Whole Time Member (WTM) at Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been extended by 6 months.
• Madhabi Puri Buch is the first woman Whole Time Member (WTM) of SEBI and also the first from the private sector to be appointed as a board member in SEBI.
• Madhabi Puri Buch was appointed as the Whole Time Member (WTM) at Securities and Exchange Board of India in 2017 with a three-year tenure, while other WTMs of SEBI were appointed for the duration of five years.

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SEBI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India is the regulator of the securities and commodity market in India owned by the Government of India. It was established in 1988 and given Statutory Powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.

• Founded: 12 April 1992
• Sector: Securities market
• Jurisdiction: India
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Type: Statutory corporation
• Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

Anurag Srivastava takes charge as MEA Spokesman

• Senior diplomat Anurag Srivastava today took charge as the Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, succeeding Mr Raveesh Kumar.
• Mr Srivastava, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service Officer, was serving as India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia brfore this appointment.

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

UEFA postpones all the international matches

• UEFA has postponed all the international matches that had been pushed back to June to further notice.
• The decision was made after Europe’s 55 member federations discussions on how to adapt the fixture calendar in the face of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

UEFA’s announcement:

• The postponed matches include the play-off matches for UEFA Euro 2020 and qualifying matches for UEFA Women’s Euro 2021.
• It has also postponed all the UEFA competition matches, including the centralized international friendly matches.
• The matches will be held when the countries return to normality. Friendly matches that were postponed include England’s matches in Austria, Champions League final, Europa League final.

Extra Shots:

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA):

• Formed on: 15 June 1954
• Founded at: Basel, Switzerland
• Headquarters: Nyon, Switzerland
• President: Aleksander Čeferin
• First vice-president: Karl-Erik Nilsson
• Membership: 55 full member associations

IOC sets new deadline for the qualification period of Tokyo Olympics

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that 29 June 2021 has been set as the new deadline for the qualification period of the Tokyo Olympics.
• The decision was made after discussion with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Presidents, Secretary Generals and Chef de Missions, IOC Director of Solidarity and NOC relations.
• Tokyo Olympics was rescheduled to be held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The revised sport entries deadline has now been set for 5 July 2021.
• The committee also announced that the revision of the qualifications systems will be finalized soon to give certainty to athletes and NOCs.

Extra Shots:

International Olympic Committee:

• Type: Sports Federation
• Formed on: 23 June 1894
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• Honorary President: Jacques Rogge
• President: Germany Thomas Bach

FIFA Under-17 Women World Cup scheduled in November postponed

• FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup was scheduled to be played in India between November 2nd and 21st postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
• The FIFA-Confederations working group decided in its first meeting held yesterday.
• The working group postponed FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup which was scheduled between August and September in Panama and Costa Rica.
• The working group has been recently established by the FIFA Council to address the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Under-17 Women’s World Cup was scheduled to be played in India across five host cities – Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bhubaneswar.

Extra Shots:

FIFA: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football. President: Gianni Infantino

• Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
• Founded at: Paris, France
• Founded: 21 May 1904, Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
• Senior Vice-President: Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC)
• Subsidiaries: Confederation of African Football, United States Soccer Federation, Early Warning System GmbH

Hockey India donates additional 75 lakh rupees towards PM-CARES Fund

• Hockey India donated an additional Rs 75 lakhs towards the PM-CARES Fund to take its total contribution to Rs 1 crore to tackle worsening COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
• Hockey India earlier donated Rs 25 lakhs towards the cause in April. Hockey India secretary general Rajinder Singh agreed with Mushtaq’s views.
• Hockey India has always believed in helping those in need, and I am proud the Executive Board took this unanimous decision to contribute a total of Rs 1.00 crore towards the PM Cares Fund.
• The millions of Indian lives affected because of this pandemic, it was important for us to step up, keeping in mind the interest of the nation.
• All sportspersons of the country with ace golfer Anirban Lahiri being the latest to donate a sum of Rs 7 lakhs PM-CARES

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Hockey India: Hockey India is now the governing body with exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.

• President: Mr. Md. Mustaque Ahmad
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: 20 May 2009
• Chairperson: Mr. Jaideep yadav
• Sport: Field hockey
• Coach: Sarthak bansal

Kobe Bryant inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

• The late Kobe Bryant has been selected as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
• He has been selected as the member of the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
• The late Kobe Bryant has been selected as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
• He has been selected as the member of the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Extra Shots:

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball’s most complete library, in addition to promoting and preserving the history of basketball.

• Founded: 1959
• President: John Doleva

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

IAF airlifts essential drugs to Maldives under ‘Operation Sanjeevani’

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched ‘Operation Sanjeevani’ and air-lifted 6.2 tonnes of essential medical supplies to the Maldives via transport aircraft C-130J as assistance in the fight against the COVID 19.
• India has supplied 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines to the Maldives as assistance in the fight.
• The medicines were procured from various cities and delivered by a Hercules aircraft of Indian Air Force.
• India has also supplied essential food grains and edibles despite logistical challenges in the wake of lockdown.
• The neighbouring country is mostly dependent on imports from India for such supplies.

Extra Shots:

IAF: The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict.

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 8 October 1932, India
• Role: Aerial warfare
• Attack: Jaguar, Harpy
• Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
• Fighters: Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Mirage 2000, Mikoyan MiG-29, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, HAL Tejas

CSIF to provide COVID-19 protective gear and healthcare paraphernalia to its personnel

• The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is to provide COVID-19 protective gear and healthcare paraphernalia for its over 40,000 personnel.
• The CISF personnel will be having close physical interaction with lakhs of passengers once airports and the Delhi Metro re-start operations.

CSIF measures:

• The CISF take several measures on anti-coronavirus protection for its troops.
• The move comes after 2 of the CSIF personnel in Mumbai have tested positive for the COVID-19 infection.
• CSIF has enhanced beds in 349 units of isolation wards so that more personnel can be accommodated in case of requirement.

Extra Shots:

CSIF:

• Formed on: 10 March 1969
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
• Director-General of CISF: Rajesh Ranjan

AWARDS

CM Naveen Patnaik honoured by Peta India for feeding animals

• Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has been conferred with ‘Hero to Animals Award’ by animal rights body PETA India.
• He has been awarded by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for allocating funds to feed community animals in Odisha during the lockdown over the novel coronavirus pandemic.
• The lockdown has not only affected people but animals as well.
• In the concern that the animals do not go starving in such conditions, CM approved of Rs 54 lakhs from a relief fund to feed animals of the community.
• The initiative undertaken to feed animals are conducted in five municipal corporations and all 48 municipalities of Odisha.

Extra Shots:

Odisha:

• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
• Governor: Ganeshi Lal
• National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

MSME Technology Centres contributed to combat COVID-19 outbreak

• MSME Technology Centres in India have provided masks, medical gowns, ventilators, sanitizers, components of Corona Testing Kits, etc. to combat Coronavirus.
• 18 operational Technology centres of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are playing a major role in the fight with COVID-19.

Measures taken by MSME sector:

• Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI) Chennai provided masks and medical gowns.
• MSME Technology Centre, Hyderabad is developing a prototype of an electro-mechanical ventilator which is based on sensors. The first prototype will be ready soon.
• SME TC, Aurangabad developed and supplied a 3D prototype of Face mask.
• Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC), Kolkata developed a simple and low-cost ventilator system in consultation with Sagar Datta Super specialty hospital. It has also developed a Face shield prototype.
• MSME Technology Centre, Kannauj is manufacturing Alcohol-based sanitizers and is supplied to DM, Farrukhabad, Railways and other organizations.
• Institute for Design of Electrical Measuring Instruments (IDEMI) is developing an ion-based sanitizer.
• MSME Technology Centre, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, and Jamshedpur have manufactured components for 650 Corona Testing Kits.
• GM, TC Bhubaneswar is making tools and components through its various TCs namely CTR, Ludhiana; IDEMI, Indo German Tool Room (IGTR), Aurangabad, Kolkotta and IDTR, Jamshedpur.
• ESTC Ramnagar has designed Intravenous (IV) Stand.
• ESTC hostels have been converted as Shelter home for 80 migrant labours.
• MSME Technology Center, Bhiwadi, and TC, Jamshedpur offered vacant rooms for establishing isolation centres.
• Process and Product Development Center (PPDC) AGRA and IGTR Indore jointly manufacture hospital furniture.
• PPDC, Meerut has fabricated Face masks and distributed free of cost.
• CFTI Agra has fabricated Medical Gowns for M/s Ramsons, Agra and fabricate triple-layered Face masks.

C-MET develops a low-cost indigenous prototype of polymer swab

• A scientist from the Pune-based Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) has developed a low-cost indigenous prototype of polymer swab.
• It can be used to collect the samples for coronavirus testing.
• If the product gets approved for production, the country will not need to depend on imported swabs.

Implemented by:

• The indigenous prototype of polymer swab is produced jointly by C-MET, which functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; SRI Research for Tissue Engineering Private; Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; Rangadore Hospital; and Additive Manufacturing Society of India.

Polymer swabs:

• India has been importing testing kits and polymer swabs primarily from Italy, Germany and the United States. Because of the import restrictions and international lockdown, a shortage of these kits might occur.
• The swad satisfies the guidelines of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).
• The polymer swab is used to collect a sample from the upper respiratory tract of a patient.
• A specialty polymer from the polyester family and a rod made up of Polypropylene has been used to develop the prototype of the swab.
• The Prototype will be forwarded for clinical trial and testing.

IIT-Roorkee develops low-cost ventilator “Prana-Vayu”

• IIT-Roorkee has developed a low-cost portable ventilator called ‘Prana-Vayu’ in association with AIIMS-Rishikesh, which can be manufactured for just Rs25,000.
• The ventilator will be useful for a wide degree of congestions in the respiratory tract and is applicable for all age group patients, especially the elderly.
• This closed-loop ventilator equipped with state-of-the-art facilities & can prove useful in ensuring the safety of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.
• The research began at the Tinkering Laboratory in IIT-Roorkee by a team of IIT Roorkee consists of Prof. Akshay Dvivedi and Prof. Arup Kumar Das who received online support from Debendra Tripathi from AIIMS, Rishikesh.

Working Procedure ‘Prana-Vayu’ Ventilator:

• The ventilator is based on the controlled operation of the prime mover to deliver the required amount of air to the patient.
• Its automatic process regulates the pressure and flow rate according to breathing and release.
• The ventilator also has an arrangement that can control the tidal volume and breath per minute.

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IIT Roorkee:

• Founded: 1847
• Headquarters location: Roorkee

Bione launches India’s 1st home screening test kit for COVID-19

• Bengaluru based startup Bione, a genetic and microbiome testing firm has launched India’s 1st home screening test kit for COVID-19 & is approved by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Highlights:

• To take the test using the kit one has to clean the finger with an alcohol swab and use the lancet provided to finger-prick & the provided cartridge reads the results within 5-10 minutes.
• The prices of the kit ranges from Rs 2,000 to 3,000 & it will be delivered within 2-3 days of ordering.
• The easy-to-use kit will be deployed in the market after quality checks & approvals from the regulatory authority.
• Regardless of the results in the screening kit, the company advises people to undergo laboratory testing if someone shows signs of coronavirus.
• Earlier the company had also developed a Microbiome test kit to check gut dysbiosis and also genetic tests to predict susceptibility to contagious diseases.

Extra Shots:

ICMR:

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Director General: Balram Bhargava

Bione:

• It is founded by a world-renowned genomicist, and the 1st person to bring Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in India. It is 1st & only organisation to offer personalised Genetic and Microbiome testing services in India
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka

UGC directs Universities to set up mental health helplines to address psychosocial concerns of students

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all universities and colleges to set up mental health helplines to address psychosocial concerns of students during the lockdown imposed to combat Corona virus.
• It is equally important to address any kind of mental health and psychosocial concerns of student community during and after COVID-19 situation issue.
• The helpline should be regularly monitored and managed by counsellors and identified faculty members.

Extra Shots:

UGC: The University Grants Commission of India is a statutory body set up by the Government of India in accordance to the UGC Act 1956 under Ministry of Human Resource Development, and is charged with coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education.

• Founded: 1956
• Objectives: Coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education. It provides recognition to universities in India, and disburses funds to such recognized universities and college
• Sector: Higher Education
• Jurisdiction: India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• First executive: Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar

OBITUARIES

Grammy award winner Bill Withers passes away

• American songwriter, soulful singer, guitarist & 3 time Grammy award winner Bill Withers passed away.
• He was born on July 4, 1938, in the coal-mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, United States.
• He has produced 9 albums, his debut album is Just As I Am(1971) & the last album was Watching You Watching Me(1985).
• In 2006 he was awarded the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, in 2007- Inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame & in 2015- Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Before his music career, he served in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic.

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