Current Affairs Today 7th and 8th June 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 7th and 8th June 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is organised every year on 5 June by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
  2. Every year, the World Pest Day (also sometimes called World Pest Awareness Day) is observed on 06 June.
  3. The World Food Safety day is celebrated every year on June 7 to remind people of the need to have safer and healthy food for disease-free life.
  4. World Oceans Day is marked annually on the 8 June to celebrate the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources.
  5. World Tumor Day is observed on June 8 every year to spread awareness about this deadly disease, ensure its early diagnosis, as well as as pay tribute to brain tumor patients and their families.
  6. The Reserve Bank of India announced on June 5 that it has set up a Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIFD) of Rs. 500 Crore.
  7. To support multiple projects in India, the US International Development Finance Corporation (USIDFC) is planning to invest 350 million USD in sectors of finance, health infrastructure, renewable energy and food security space also look to empower smallholder dairy farmers, generate solar power increase access to education.
  8. Hero MotoCorp, the country’s largest two-wheeler maker, on Monday launched an integrated online sales platform, eSHOP, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
  9. India will soon be setting up a coal trading platform as it gears up to bring in commercial mining in the coal sector.
  10. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD) provided Rs 270 crore Special Liquidity Facility(SLF) to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic to support the agricultural activities of the farmers.
  11. The roads near the border areas are of great importance in the current situation when Indian and Chinese armies are confronting each other in the eastern Ladakh region.
  12. The Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya assented to declare Gairsain as new summer capital. The Gairsain is also called Bhararisen.
  13. Delhi Government has ordered to set up 24×7 helpdesks in all state-run hospitals to ensure smooth and hassle free admission to needy patients.
  14. The G20 countries pledged over 21 billion USD to fight against COVID-19. The countries have so far injected 5 trillion USD in March 2020 to help fight global economic crisis.
  15. India and China held high-level talks on 6 June. The talk was initiated by India and was held at the Border Personnel Meeting Point in Maldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
  16. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has shared the data related to details of tiger deaths during the eight year period between 2012 and 2019.
  17. The Yale University recently released the biennial Environment Performance Index.India scored 168th rank out of 180 countries. In 2018, India scored 27.6 out of 100 and secured 177th rank.
  18. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has released the State of India’s Environment, 2020 report.
  19. For the cooperation in the Field of Space Situational Awareness(SSA) and Astrophysic, The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO), Bengaluru signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aryabhatta Research institute of Observational Science(ARIES),Nainital.
  20. Wipro Limited on Monday announced a collaboration with IBM through which the Bengaluru- headquartered company would develop hybrid cloud offerings to help businesses migrate, manage and transform mission-critical workloads and applications, with security across public or private cloud and on-premises IT environments.
  21. Following the investment of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company in Reliance’s Jio Platforms, US(United States) private equity company Silver Lake partners announced an investment of Rs 4,546.80 crore for an additional 0.93 % stake in Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).
  22. The Government of India has constituted Jaya Jaitly Force that will work on the issues of women and child development.
  23. The Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific announced the results of the ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2020 on 5 June 2020.
  24. Keralite ,Renjith Kumar honoured by NASA with NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
  25. Popular writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has become the first Indian to win Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, advancing human progress and humanist values.
  26. Himachal Academy Shikhar Samman Award announced for the year 2017-18.
  27. Non-Banking finance company IIFL Finance has signed up India’s leading batsman, Rohit Sharma as its first-ever brand ambassador.
  28. Rahul Shrivastava has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Romania.
  29. Monika Kapil Mohta has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Switzerland.
  30. A UVC-based Cabinet has been co-developed by the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and the MEKINS Industries.
  31. An engineer from Thane has developed an internet-controlled robot.
  32. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad have developed a low cost and Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19.
  33. Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank virtually launched an information booklet titled “Safe online learning in the times of COVID-19” to raise awareness among students and teachers on staying safe online.
  34. Ved Marwah who had served as the former Governor of Mizoram, Manipur and Jharkhand has passed away
  35. Kannada actor Chiranjeevi Sarja passed away on June 7 at Apollo Hospital in Jayanagar, Bengaluru.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing observed on 5 June

  • The International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is organised every year on 5 June by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
  • Objective: to protect the fisheries sector and highlight efforts taking place globally, regionally and nationally to combat illegal fishing.
  • The day was recognised by the United Nations General Assembly on 5 June 2017.
  • The first International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing was celebrated globally on 5 June 2018.
  • UN has also declared 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, to help focus attention on the small-scale fishermen and women who comprise 90 percent of the world’s fisheries work force.

Extra Shots:

FAO:

  • Headquarters: Rome, Italy
  • Head: Qu Dongyu
  • Founded: 16 October 1945, Quebec City, Canada
  • Formation: 16 October 1945; 74 years ago
  • Area: Europe
  • Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council

World Pest Day observed on 06 June

  • Every year, the World Pest Day (also sometimes called World Pest Awareness Day) is observed on 06 June.
  • World Pest Day was initiated by the Chinese Pest Control Association, and co-sponsored by the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers’ Association (FAOPMA), the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), and the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA).
  • The first World Pest Day was marked in 2017.

Objective:

  • The main purpose of the day is to increase public, government, and media awareness of the important role pest management organization plays in protecting public health, project the professional image of the pest management industry, promote the use of professional pest management in a scientific and socially responsible way and call attention to the big threats caused by small pests.

Extra Shots:

National Pest Management Association (NPMA):

  • President: Chris Gorecki
  • Founded: 1933
  • Membership: 7,000+
  • Headquarters: Fairfax, Virginia, United States
  • Purpose: Professional association

World Food Safety Day observed on 07 June

  • The World Food Safety day is celebrated every year on June 7 to remind people of the need to have safer and healthy food for disease-free life.
  • Theme 2020: Food Safety, Everyone’s Business
  • The day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018 and the first World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was held on 7 June 2019.
  • WFSD aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

World Oceans Day observed on 08 June

  • World Oceans Day is marked annually on the 8 June to celebrate the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources.
  • The theme of UN World Oceans Day 2020 is “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.”
  • World Oceans Day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008.
  • The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Extra Shots:

UN:

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

World Brain Tumor Day observed on 08 June

  • World Tumor Day is observed on June 8 every year to spread awareness about this deadly disease, ensure its early diagnosis, as well as as pay tribute to brain tumor patients and their families.
  • The day was first initiated by the German Brain Tumor Association (GBTA) in 2000.

BANKING & FINANCE 

Reserve Bank sets up digital payments infra fund of Rs. 500 crore

  • The Reserve Bank of India announced on June 5 that it has set up a Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIFD) of Rs. 500 Crore.
  • The fund will improve and support the development of the digital payments ecosystem in the northeast and rural districts in India.

Highlights:

  • The initial contribution of Rs. 250 crore to the PIFD has been made by the central bank while the other half of the fund is expected to be contributed by all card-issuing banks and the network operators.
  • The fund set up by the central bank will be governed through an advisory council and it will be administered and managed by the Reserve Bank of India.
  • Objective: The objective of the Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIFD) as mentioned by the Reserve Bank of India has been to encourage acquirers to deploy Points of Sale (PoS) infrastructure in both the digital and physical modes in tier-3 to tier-6 centers and northeastern states.
  • The payments ecosystem in India has evolved with a wide range of options such as mobile banks, bank accounts, cards, etc.
  • To provide a boost to the digitisation of payment systems, it has become necessary to give impetus to acceptance infrastructure across the country and more importantly in underserved areas.
  • PIDF will also receive annual recurring contributions to cover the operational expenses from the card-issuing cards and bank networks, while RBI will also be making contributions from time to time to cover for yearly shortfalls.

Extra Shots:

RBI:

  • Governor: Shaktikanta Das
  • Deputy Governor: NS Vishwanathan, BP Kanungo, MK Jain and Michael Debabrata Patra
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founder: British Raj
  • Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

American DFC to invest $350 million in India firms

  • To support multiple projects in India, the US International Development Finance Corporation (USIDFC) is planning to invest 350 million USD in sectors of finance, health infrastructure, renewable energy and food security space also look to empower smallholder dairy farmers, generate solar power increase access to education.
  • It is one of the largest approvals made by the Board of Directors.

Extra Shots:

USIDFC: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is an independent agency of the U.S. Government that provides financing for private development projects.

  • Founded: 20 December 2019
  • Headquarters location: Washington, D.C., United States
  • Jurisdiction: United States
  • Motto: Investing in Development
  • Agency executive: Adam S. Boehler, Chief Executive Officer

Hero MotoCorp launches integrated online sales platform eSHOP

  • Hero MotoCorp, the country’s largest two-wheeler maker, on Monday launched an integrated online sales platform, eSHOP, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
  • The platform enables a seamless buying experience, which is completely digital.

Highlights:

  • All the purchase-related information and actions are built into the system, allowing customers to purchase their preferred motorcycle or scooter directly from the company website, in an easy and transparent manner
  • Customers will be guided through all the relevant steps of making a decision, buying the vehicle and taking delivery, including latest on-road price, live stock status, online document submission, instant dealer intimation, finance options, sales order preview and confirmation, VIN allocation, and delivery.
  • Keeping into safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders, the company said it has also launched multiple digital after-sales services through the Hero app.
  • These include digital service job card and acknowledgment receipt, app-based service booking and increased hours of workshop operations.

Extra Shots:

Hero MotoCorp

  • Owner: Munjal family (39.92%)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Founder: Brijmohan Lall Munjal
  • Founded: 19 January 1984, Dharuhera
  • Production output: 7,587,130 units (2018)

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

India to set up Coal Exchange

  • India will soon be setting up a coal trading platform as it gears up to bring in commercial mining in the coal sector.
  • Under the proposal, the entire coal produced in the country will be traded on a platform called ‘Coal Exchange’.

Highlights:

  • Coal Exchange will be an online coal trading platform where the pricing will be determined in a transparent manner on the basis of demand and supply.
  • The Coal Exchange will be set up after the government addresses all the concerns related to the coal sector.
  • Till now, the government had a monopoly on coal mining which is why, despite having abundant coal, India still imported coal.
  • The government has now decided to allow liberalised entries in the sector so India will soon have more sellers in the market besides Coal India.
  • The Government has already allotted coal blocks to state PSUs for the sale of coal.
  • Despite opening up the coal sector for market forces, Coal India Ltd is expected to remain a dominant player in the sector with its production target of one billion tonnes by 2024.
  • The government is also expecting to have multiple buyers of coal along with multiple sellers.
  • Hence, a platform like coal exchange similar to commodity exchange will facilitate better trading of coal.
  • Coal Exchange is expected to be the only trading platform for organised sale of coal in India.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

NABARD provides Rs 270 crore Special Liquidity Facility to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank

  • National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD) provided Rs 270 crore Special Liquidity Facility(SLF) to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic to support the agricultural activities of the farmers.
  • This support & separate line of credit will enable to intensify farmer’s crop production.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a Rs 50,000 crore refinance facility for 3 All-India Financial Institutions(AIFI) namely: NABARD, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and the National Housing Bank (NHB).
  • From the total of Rs 50,000 crore, NABARD received Rs 25,000 crore to refinance   Regional Rural Banks(RRBs), co-operative(co-op) banks and Microfinance Institutions(MFIs) to ensure credit flow to farmers for agricultural operations during COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Sanctions:

  • NABARD disbursed Rs 12,767 crores to State(Co-op) Banks & Regional Rural Banks(RRBs) across the country.
  • Sanctioned Rs 1,500 crores for Punjab, out of which Rs 1,000 crores is sanctioned to Punjab State Cooperative Bank and Rs 500 crores to Punjab Gramin Bank.
  • Extended Rs 1,050 crores SLF to West Bengal so far in the current fiscal year (FY 21), of the total amount, Rs 300 crore disbursed for MFIs, Rs 700 crore sanctioned for state cooperative banks and Rs 50 crore for RRBs.
  • Extended Rs 20,500 crores SLF to co-operative banks(Rs 15,200 crores) and Regional Rural Banks(Rs 5,300 crores) in various States. This is against the Rs 5,000 crores lent during the 1st quarter of 2019.

Extra Shots:

NABARD:

  • Founded: 12 July 1982
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Agency executive: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala (Chairperson)
  • Purpose: Development assistance; Poverty Reduction
  • Formation: July 12, 1982; 37 years ago
  • Subsidiaries: Nabcons, NABVENTURES Ltd., NABSAMRUDDHI Finance Limited, Nabkisan Finance Ltd.

Jharkhand approves Border Road Organization to recruit 11,800 workers

  • The roads near the border areas are of great importance in the current situation when Indian and Chinese armies are confronting each other in the eastern Ladakh region.
  • Jharkhand state will also sign Memorandum of Understanding with the BRO to ensure welfare of the workers being recruited.
  • The MoU was prepared by the Prime Minister Office and the Jharkhand state labour department.
  • In a highly tensile situation, the Jharkhand Chief Minister has approved the Border Road Organization to recruit 11,800 workers from the state to to implement critical projects including those in the China border.
  • The workers recruited are to be employed in Operation Vijayak in Ladakh, Project Beacon in Jammu and Kashmir, Project Deepak in Himachal Pradesh and and Project Shivalik in Uttarakhand

Extra Shots:

Jharkhand

  • Capital: Ranchi
  • Chief Minister: Hemant Soren
  • Governor: Draupadi Murmu

Gairsain declared Summer Capital of Uttarakhand

  • The Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya assented to declare Gairsain as new summer capital. The Gairsain is also called Bhararisen.
  • Gairsain is to have an e-vidhan Sabha.
  • This was announced on World Environment Day.
  • The Legislative Assembly of the state is located at Dehradun, the winter capital city.
  • The activists in Uttarakhand wanted Gairsain to be the capital of Uttarakhand state after it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 1998.
  • The activists suggested Gairsain as the capital as it was falling on the border of Kumaon and Garhwal regions. The town is located in the Chamoli district and is 250 km from Dehradun. It comes under the administrative limits of Garhwal division. The boundary of Kumaon starts at a distance of 15 km from Gairsain.

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

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

Delhi govt orders to set up 24×7 helpdesks in all state-run hospitals to help needy patients

  • Delhi Government has ordered to set up 24×7 helpdesks in all state-run hospitals to ensure smooth and hassle free admission to needy patients.
  • The helpdesks will function in two shifts of 12 hours each and consist of two officials of Delhi Government and one constable during night duty hours.
  • The order said, the sub-divisional magistrate SDM of the area, in which the hospital is located will be responsible for monitoring or supervision of the overall functioning of the helpdesks.

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

G20 countries pledge 21 billion USD to fight COVID-19

  • The G20 countries pledged over 21 billion USD to fight against COVID-19. The countries have so far injected 5 trillion USD in March 2020 to help fight global economic crisis.
  • The 21 billion USD commitment was made only by the invited members.
  • The G20 countries had already injected 5 trillion USD into the global economy in order to help their members take steps in targeted fiscal policies, guarantee schemes, economic measures and counteract economic, social and financial impacts of the pandemic.
  • The G20 members had also asked the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to support the countries that are in need of instruments required in the fight of COVID-19.
  • The 21 billion USD funds allocated is to be used in research and development, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
  • In April, 2020, the G20 called on the NGOs, philanthropies and private sectors and estimated that 8 billion USD is required to close the financial gap in the combat of COVID-19.

Extra Shots:

G20: The G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union.

  • Leader: Salman of Saudi Arabia (2020)
  • Chairman: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2020)
  • Founder: Group of Seven
  • Founded: 26 September 1999
  • Formation: 26 September 1999; 20 years ago; 2008 (heads-of-state/heads-of-government summits)
  • Profiles

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

India, China held high-level military talks amid stand-off in Ladakh

  • India and China held high-level talks on 6 June. The talk was initiated by India and was held at the Border Personnel Meeting Point in Maldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
  • The talks were held amid the border stand-off between the militaries of the two countries near eastern Ladakh.

Highlights:

  • The Indian delegation was led by Lt. Gen. Harinder Singh, Commander of 14 Corps, and the Chinese side was headed by the Commander of the Tibet Military District.
  • Indian and Chinese officials held talks through the established military and diplomatic channels to address the current situation in the India-China border areas.
  • Indian side reported that the Chinese military is hindering normal patrolling by its troops along the LAC in Ladakh and Sikkim.
  • It strongly refutes China’s contention that the escalating tension between both the armies was triggered by the trespassing of Indian forces across the Chinese side.
  • The trigger is due to China’s stiff opposition to India to lay a key road around the Pangong Tso Lake and the construction of another road connecting the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley.

Extra Shots:

China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Official Language: Mandarin

RANKS AND INDICES

India Loses 750 Tigers in Last Eight Years; Madhya Pradesh Reports Maximum Casualties: NTCA Survey

  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has shared the data related to details of tiger deaths during the eight year period between 2012 and 2019.

Highlights:

  • According to the official data of NTCA, as many as 750 tigers died in the country in the last eight years due to poaching and other causes.
  • Of these total tiger mortalities, 369 were due to natural causes, 168 due to poaching, 70 deaths are under scrutiny and 42 due to unnatural reasons, including accident or conflicts events and 101 seizures.
  • The data showed that Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of 526 tigers in the country.
  • However, Madhya Pradesh reported the highest tiger deaths during this eight year period at 173, of which, 38 were due to poaching, 94 natural deaths, 19 under scrutiny, six due to the unnatural causes and 16 seizures.
  • Maharashtra has reported second highest casualties at 125 during this period followed by 111 in Karnataka.
  • It is reported that the present tiger population in the country is estimated at 2967 (lower and upper limits being 2603 and 3346 respectively).

Extra Shots:

NTCA:

The National Tiger Conservation Authority was established in December 2005 following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force, constituted by the Prime Minister of India for reorganised management of Project Tiger and the many Tiger Reserves in India.

  • Founded: December 2005
  • Officeholder: Prakash Javadekar (Chairperson)

Yale University released Environment Performance Index

  • The Yale University recently released the biennial Environment Performance Index.
  • India scored 168th rank out of 180 countries. In 2018, India scored 27.6 out of 100 and secured 177th rank.
  • Around 32 indicators were considered to create the ranking. Also, the index provided 10-year observation on environmental performance at national and international level.

Key Findings:

  • According to the report, India needs to double its sustainability efforts.
  • Also, India needs to focus widely on sustainability issues with utmost priority towards air and water quality, climate change and biodiversity.
  • All the South Asian countries were ahead of India except Afghanistan. Also, India’s rank in terms of Sustainable Development Goals was also low.

CSE has released State of India’s Environment Report

  • The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has released the State of India’s Environment, 2020 report.
  • The CSE also publishes the environment magazine called Down to Earth.

Key Findings:

  • According to the report, around 19 major events have claimed 1,357 lives in 2019.
  • More than 50 lakh internal displacements have occurred in India in 2019.
  • This is the highest in the world according to the report. One on five internal displacements caused by disasters in the world were in India.
  • The floods that occurred due to South West Monsoon caused 26 lakh displacements. Cyclone Fani created 18 lakh displacements.
  • The displacements increased further due to cyclones Vayu and Bulbul.
  • The draught conditions in the states created 63,000 displacements.
  • The state wise ranking was also made on water resources management and environment. The National average on governance of environment was 5.16 on 10.
  • Punjab alone had a score greater than that of the national average.
  • Score of Punjab was 5.2.

Observations:

  • The report observed that India’s ranking in terms of Sustainable Development Goals has slipped to 114 in 2019 as compared to 115 in 2018.
  • This was achievable as India took certain measures to end poverty (SDG 1), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6).

Extra Shots:

CSE: Centre for Science and Environment is a not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi, India.

  • Founder: Anil Agarwal
  • Founded: 1980
  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Area served: India
  • Location: New Delhi, India
  • Type of business: Research

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

MoU between ISRO and ARIES for cooperation in Space Situational Awareness, Astrophysics

  • For the cooperation in the Field of Space Situational Awareness(SSA) and Astrophysic, The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO), Bengaluru signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aryabhatta Research institute of Observational Science(ARIES),Nainital.
  • Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary of ISRO from ISRO headquarters and Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Director of ARIES from ARIES headquarters signed the MoU on the virtual platform.
  • Objective: to protect the Indian Space assets from the space debris’s conjunction threats.
  • R&D of Astrophysics, solar sciences and space environment are the base for future space exploration projects and the key to progress in the Indian Space sector.
  • This MoU will allow the collaboration between ISRO and ARIES in the future such as, Establishing optical telescope observation facilities for space object tracking Studies on Space Weather, Astrophysics Near Earth Objects.
  • Similar MoU between ISRO and University of Texas, Austin, USA was signed on 5th March 2020 for Scientific Collaboration in the area of Space Situational Awareness (SSA)”.

Extra Shots:

ISRO:

  • Headquarters: Bengaluru
  • Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
  • Founded: 15 August 1969
  • Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
  • Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

ARIES:

  • The observatory was established on 20th April 1954 and reincarnated as Aryabhatta Research institute of Observational Science(ARIES) 22nd March 2004.
  • Located: Nainital

Wipro partners with IBM to offer Cloud solutions

  • Wipro Limited on Monday announced a collaboration with IBM through which the Bengaluru- headquartered company would develop hybrid cloud offerings to help businesses migrate, manage and transform mission-critical workloads and applications, with security across public or private cloud and on-premises IT environments.
  • It will offer a comprehensive suite of solutions leveraging Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Internet of Things capabilities to foster innovation for enterprises, developers and start-ups.
  • “Customers will have remote access to IBM and Red Hat solutions, designed to help them scale their technology investments for improved experience and business agility with connected insights.

Extra Shots:

IBM:

  • CEO: Arvind Krishna
  • Founder: Charles Ranlett Flint
  • Founded: 16 June 1911, Endicott, New York, United States
  • Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States

Wipro:

  • CEO: Abidali Neemuchwala
  • Owner: Azim Premji
  • Founded: 29 December 1945, India
  • Headquarters: Bengaluru
  • Founders: M.H. Hasham Premji, Sudipto Halder

ACQUISITION & MERGER

US private equity firm Silver lake to invest ₹4,546.80 cr for 0.93% additional stake in Jio platforms

  • Following the investment of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company in Reliance’s Jio Platforms, US(United States) private equity company Silver Lake partners announced an investment of Rs 4,546.80 crore for an additional 0.93 % stake in Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).
  • It is to be noted that, earlier on May 04, 2020, Silver Lake had invested Rs 5,655.75 crore ($750 million) for a 1.15 % stake. Thus, Silver Lake’s total investment in Jio platforms will increase to Rs 10,202.55 crore for 2.08 %.
  • With this investment, the equity value of Jio platform is Rs 4.91 lakh crore and the enterprise value is 5.16 lakh crore & also represents an important component of the revival of the Indian economy as severe economic crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
  • With this investment, Jio platform has raised a total of Rs 92,202.12 crore so far, from Facebook, Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR and Mubadala in the past nearly six weeks.

Extra Shots:

Silver Lake partners:

  • Headquarters: California, United States
  • Co-CEO and Managing Partner: Egon Durban

Reliance Industries Ltd:

  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Chairman and MD: Mukesh Ambani

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Jaya Jaitly Task Force Constituted

  • The Government of India has constituted Jaya Jaitly Force that will work on the issues of women and child development.

About the task force

  • The task force was constituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

 The team will work on the following

  • Lowering Maternal Mortality Rate.
  • Improve Nutritional Levels.
  • Examine issues that are related age of motherhood.
  • Apart from the above three major tasks, the force will also work on issues related to Infant Mortality Rate, Total Fertility Rate, Maternal Mortality Rate, Child Sex Ratio Rate, Sex Ratio at Birth and other issues related to health and nutrition.
  • The team will also suggest measures to promote higher education of women.
  • The task force will also suggest suitable amendments to existing laws and also suggest new legislations to achieve its recommendations.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL  AWARDS

Hyderabad airport wins ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Platinum Recognition 2020

  • The Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific announced the results of the ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2020 on 5 June 2020.
  • The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad has received the Platinum award in the 15-35 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) categories for its water management practices.

Over 35 million passengers per annum:

  • Platinum – Taoyuan International Airport
  • Gold – Indira Gandhi International Airport
  • Silver – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

Between 15 to 35 million passengers per annum:

  • Platinum – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
  • Gold – Muscat International Airport
  • Silver – Kempegowda International Airport

Less than 15 million passengers per annum:

  • Platinum – Kaohsiung International Airport
  • Gold – Adelaide Airport
  • Silver – Sharjah Airport

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ACI: Airports Council International is the only global trade representative of the world’s airport authorities.

  • Founded: 1991
  • Subsidiary: Airports Council International-North America

Renjith Kumar bestowed with NASA Distinguished Service Medal

  • Keralite ,Renjith Kumar honoured by NASA with NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
  • Renjith Kumar, 57, an aerospace entrepreneur.
  • He is the only second Indian after R K Chetty Pandipati to win the coveted award.
  • During his 30-year long association with the US space agency, Kumar had helped redesign the International Space Station(ISS), He was a member of the Class of 85 at the Central Engineering College Trivandrum and won a gold medal in mechanical engineering.
  • Kumar took a doctorate from the US.

Extra Shots:

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States. The medal may be presented to any member of the federal government, including both military astronauts and civilian employees.

  • Equivalent: NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal
  • Instituted: 1959

Javed Akhtar wins prestigious Richard Dawkins Award

  • Popular writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has become the first Indian to win Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, advancing human progress and humanist values.
  • The award has been presented since 2003, and is named after Richard Dawkins, an English evolutionary biologist who was named the world’s top thinker in a 2013 reader’s poll of the Prospect Magazine.

Extra Shots:

  • The Richard Dawkins Award is an annual award that was presented by the Atheist Alliance of America up until July 2019 when it moved to the Center for Inquiry (CFI).

Himachal Academy Shikhar Samman announced for 2017-18

  • Himachal Academy Shikhar Samman Award announced for the year 2017-18.
  • Secretary Academy Dr. Karam Singh informed that on the recommendation of the jury the winners have been announced.
  • Four Shikhar Samman would be given in the field of language, culture and literature for two years and Rs. one lakh each would be given to each awardees.

Awardees:

  • For the year 2017 Prof. Keshav Sharma would be honoured for contribution in Literature and special achievements.
  • Folk Singer Mohan Rathour would be honoured with Language and Culture Shikar Samman.
  • For the year 2018, Dr. O.C. Handa would be honoured with Sahitya Shikhar Samman and Dinesh Kumari of Kangra would be honoured in Art and Culture sector.

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Himachal Pradesh:

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

APPOINTMENT IN NEWS

IIFL Finance Ropes in Rohit Sharma as its First-ever Brand Ambassador

  • Non-Banking finance company IIFL Finance has signed up India’s leading batsman, Rohit Sharma as its first-ever brand ambassador.
  • The company has launched 30-second message titled “Rohit Sharma Ki Seedhi Baat”, under its first-ever campaign #SeedhiBaat with Rohit Sharma, which is a public service message advising people on safety guidelines and rules to follow during lockdown to fight Covid19 outbreak.

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IIFL Finance:

  • Chairman: S.Sridhar
  • Executive Director & CEO: Monu Ratra

Rahul Shrivastava appointed India’s next Ambassador to Romania

  • Rahul Shrivastava has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Romania.
  • He is presently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • He is an IFS officer of 1999 batch.
  • Rahul Shrivastava will replace Thanglura Darlong as the next Ambassador of India to Romania.

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Romania (Capital/Currency): Bucharest/Romanian leu

  • President of Romania: Klaus Iohannis
  • Prime Minister of Romania: Ludovic Orban
  • Official Language: Romanian

Monika Mohta appointed India’s next Ambassador to Switzerland

  • Monika Kapil Mohta has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Switzerland.
  • She is presently serving as the Ambassador of India to Sweden.
  • She is an IFS officer of 1985 batch.
  • Monika Kapil Mohta will replace Sibi George as the next Ambassador of India to Switzerland.
  • Sibi George has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait.

Extra Shots:

Switzerland (Capital/Currency): Bern/ Swiss Franc

  • President: Simonetta Sommaruga
  • Official Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

UVC-based disinfection cabinet developed by ARCI & Mekins

  • A UVC-based Cabinet has been co-developed by the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and the MEKINS Industries.
  • The UVC-based Cabinet will disinfect non-critical hospital items, laboratory wear, and PPEs in order to prevent surface contamination of COVID 19.
  • The cabinet will also have the capability to disinfect items that have been exhibited to customers in commercial establishments and several domestic items.
  • With relaxation of the lockdown, there is a chance of transmission through surface contamination and hence the common utilities will play a key role in such situation.
  • Therefore, the best way to tackle this transmission is by using a dry and chemical-free rapid disinfection through exposure to UVC light.

India first in world to make internet-controlled Robot

  • An engineer from Thane has developed an internet-controlled robot.
  • The bot is first of its kind. The robot addresses the needs of the hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

Coro-bot Details:

  • The robot has been named Coro-bot.
  • It can independently dispense food, beverages, water, medicines.
  • The robot also gives good advises to patients without the aid of nurses, staffs or other care givers.
  • The Coro-bot has been deployed for first time at the Holy Cross hospital in Kalyan.
  • The Coro-bot has three nozzles.
  • The first nozzle is used to provide disinfectant bath for the robot himself.
  • The second nozzle is used to spray sanitizers on both sides of the path and the third nozzle is used to disinfect the ground with UV light as the the robot moves.
  • The robot also has dispensers for tea, coffee and water.

IIT, Hyderabad researchers develops low cost and Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19

  • Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad have developed a low cost and Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19.
  • These kits can give results in about 20 minutes.
  • The test kits have already been tried at the ESIC hospital and the results are encouraging.
  • The test kits are Reverse Tranion Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)-free and get rid of many processes.
  • The cost of COVID testing with these IIT-H BioChips will be around 600 rupees and can be almost halved in case of mass production of the chips.
  • These kits can be transported to rural areas as they are very light and helpful to increase the testing for COVID-19 in the country.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal launches information booklet “Safe online learning in the times of COVID-19” to raise awareness

  • Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank virtually launched an information booklet titled “Safe online learning in the times of COVID-19” to raise awareness among students and teachers on staying safe online.
  • The book has been jointly developed by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and UNESCO New Delhi Office.
  • The booklet aims at keeping children and young people safe online through basic do’s, and don’ts.
  • It will help parents and educators to teach their children how to use the internet safely.

Extra Shots:

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

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

OBITUARY

Former Governor and Delhi Police Chief Ved Marwah passes away at 87

  • Ved Marwah who had served as the former Governor of Mizoram, Manipur and Jharkhand has passed away
  • He was 87.
  • Marwah had also served as the Delhi Police Commissioner.

Various Posts served by Marwah include:

  • Governor of Manipur (1999- 2003), Mizoram (2000-2001) and Jharkhand (2003-2004)
  • Delhi Police Commissioner from 1985-88
  • Third director general of the elite National Security Guard from 1988-90
  • Adviser to the governors in Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar
  • Member of governing council of the Asian Academy of Film and Television
  • He had also penned a book ‘Uncivil Wars: Pathology of Terrorism in India’.

Former Santosh Trophy player Hamza Koya passes away

  • Former Santosh Trophy player, Hamza Koya passed away due to COVID-19.
  • He had played for Maharashtra state in Santosh Trophy in the 1980s.
  • He started his football his career with Western Railway and went on to play for other Mumbai clubs like Union Bank, RCF, Tata Sports and Orkay Mills.

Kannada actor Chiranjeevi Sarja passes away at 39

This post was last modified on June 9, 2020 9:13 pm

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