Daily Current Affairs, 31st August 2020

1) International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: 30 August

•United Nations observes International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances globally on 30th of August every year. The day is being observed to express deep concern about the rise in enforced or involuntary disappearances in different regions of the world including the incidents of arrest, detention and abduction. All of the above incidents results in increasing number of reports pertaining to harassment, ill-treatment and intimidation of witnesses of disappearances or relatives of persons who have disappeared.

•UN General Assembly declared 30th of August as International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances and the day was observed for the first time in year 2011.

2) UAE’s DMCC launches “Agriota E-Marketplace”

•Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has rolled out a technology-driven agri-commodity trading and sourcing platform “Agriota E-Marketplace”. The platform which uses blockchain will help in bridging the gap between millions of rural farmers in India and the UAE’s food industry.

•The Agriota platform will connect Indian farmers directly with the entire food industry in the UAE, including food processing companies, traders as well as wholesalers. The E-Marketplace will enable them to bypass intermediaries and optimise the supply chain. It will also ensure end-to-end traceability and transparency in order to create value for all stakeholders. This will result in empowerment of local communities and provide better quality farm-to-shelf products, simultaneously expanding the UAE’s long-term food security.

3) Ministry of Home Affairs issues Guidelines for “Unlock 4”

•The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued “Unlock 4” guidelines for the phased re-opening of activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. The “Unlock 4” guidelines will be effective from September 1, 2020. These guidelines have been framed on the basis of feedback obtained from States and Union Territories, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments.

4) India’s 1st International Women’s Trade Centre to be set up in Kerala

•Kerala will establish the first international women’s trade centre (IWTC) of India at Angamaly. The IWTC would be set by Kerala in consonance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The IWTC seeks to accelerate the women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity. It will also offer a safe place away from home to women to start new businesses, set up or expand, and get their products marketed globally.

•IWTC will also enable women entrepreneurs to participate in international trade, and enhance their competitiveness to tap market opportunities. Hence, it will enable women to enjoy greater economic benefits.

5) CISF develops in-house mobile app “Pensioners Corner”

•The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has made an in-house mobile app “Pensioners Corner”. The mobile app has been created by CISF to reach to the pensioners and to bring them on to the digital platform as a one stop solution.

•Through the mobile app “Pensioners Corner”, CISF will reach out to the Ex-Force personnel, who devoted their life for the country, in order to increase their self esteem. The mobile app comprises of inbuilt grievance redressal mechanism and will also contain information about all important circulars such as job opportunities and benefits pertaining to pensioners.

6) UP Government launches “Major Dhyan Chand Vijaypath Yojana”

•“Major Dhyan Chand Vijaypath Yojana” has been launched by the Uttar Pradesh government. Under this scheme, 19 international players from the state of Uttar Pradesh will get road connectivity to their houses.

•The 19 international players who will be benefited from the scheme includes Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, former pacer Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla and Mohammad Kaif. The initial list of the beneficiaries includes 19 players, and more players will be added to the scheme in the coming future.

7) Gujarat to commence Seaplane service from 31 October 2020

•The first-ever “seaplane services in Gujarat” will be commenced from 31 October 2020. The seaplane service will offer seamless and affordable air connectivity from Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to Statue of Unity in Kevadia in Gujarat. Spicejet Airline will operate the seaplane service to be commenced on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

•To start Seaplane services in the state, the Gujarat government has signed a tripartite agreement with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), and Airports Authority of India.