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Friday, May 22, 2020

Daily Current Affairs, 22nd May 2020

17:49





1) International Day for Biological Diversity celebrated on 22 May
•The United Nations celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May every year to raise awareness about the issue of significant reduction in biological diversity due to certain human activities. Biological Diversity comprises of wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms including genetic differences within each species, for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock.

 •The day call upon the global community to re-valuate our relationship to the natural world as we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our medicines, clothes, water, food, fuel, shelter and energy.

 •Theme for International Day for Biological Diversity 2020 is “Our solutions are in nature”.

 •This year the theme emphasizes hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.

2) “Rajiv Gandhi Kisaan Nyay Yojana” launched in Chhattisgarh
•Chhattisgarh government has launched “Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana” on the occasion of death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The farmer centered scheme aims to stimulate the rural economy in the state, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision of the scheme was made in the Budget 2020-21. The scheme is expected to benefit over 1.87 million farmers.

 Features of “Rajiv Gandhi Kisaan Nyay Yojana”:

 •Under the “Rajiv Gandhi Kisaan Nyay Yojana”, Chhattisgarh government will inject Rs 5100 crore into the state’s rural economy. This will be done by directly transferring the grant amount into the farmers’ accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer. Amount of Rs 10,000 per acre would be paid to the farmers for paddy, corn and sugarcane crops, based on the registered and procured area for the kharif season. The state government also seeks to offer a fixed amount per acre on the basis of registered and notified areas for pulses and oilseed crops.

3) Uttar Pradesh governement launches ‘UP Start-up Fund’
•Uttar Pradesh government has set up ‘UP Start-up Fund’ under the UP Information Technology and Start-up Policy 2017. An MoU has been signed between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the fund will be managed by SIDBI. Initial contribution of Rs 15 crore has been made to the fund. The fund aims to support the registered start-up ventures present across different verticals in Uttar Pradesh.

4) HRD Minister launches IGNOU’s “Online Master’s Programme in Hindi”




•IGNOU’s Online Master’s Programme in Hindi has been launched by the Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ via Facebook Live session. During the launch session, the minister stated that this programme will strengthen “Padhe India Online” initiative and also commended the role played by IGNOU in promoting online education.

 •Along with MA in Hindi, the university has also launched programmes namely: MA in Gandhi and Peace Studies, BA in Tourism Studies, certificate course in Arabic, certificate in information technology, certificate programme in Library and Information Science. The online programme will constitute video as well as audio lectures, tutorials etc. that would be available to students at a click on the IGNOU’s website.

5) Airtel Africa & UNICEF to support children & families affected by COVID-19
•UNICEF and Airtel Africa has partnered to support children & families affected by COVID-19. The partnership between the two aims to provide children with access to remote learning and enable access to cash assistance for their families through mobile cash transfers. Mobile technology will be used by the UNICEF and Airtel Africa to benefit around 133 million school age children who are currently affected by school closures in 13 countries across sub-Saharan Africa due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 •Airtel Africa will zero-rate the selected websites which are hosting educational content and will provide children with remote access to digital content at no cost. The partnership will also enable UNICEF to offer vital cash assistance to remove financial obstacles for some of the most vulnerable families across the region. Hence it will ensure that families have additional resources to tackle with the proceeding health and economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 •The partnership will benefit the children and families in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa namely: Zambia, Congo, Nigeria, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Chad.

6) Centre launches scheme to solarise Konark sun temple & Konark town
•A scheme has been launched by the central government for complete solarization of Konark Sun Temple and Konark town in Odisha. This scheme has been launched to develop the historical Sun Temple town of Konark as Surya Nagri. As a part of scheme, 10 Mega Watt grid connected solar project along with various solar off-grid applications such as solar trees and solar drinking water kiosks would be set up in the area.

 •Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency would be responsible for the implementation of this project. This scheme will ensure meeting all the energy requirements of Konark town with solar energy. For the execution of project, Government of India will provide a 100% Central Financial Assistance (CFA) support of around Rs 25 Crores through Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

7) NTPC & ONGC to set up JVC for Renewable Energy Business
•A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by NTPC Limited, and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) to set up a Joint Venture Company for Renewable Energy business. This partnership will enable both the companies to accelerate their mark in the field of Renewable Energy.

 •With this tie-up, the two companies will explore the setting up of offshore wind and other Renewable Energy Projects in India as well as overseas. They will also seek opportunities in the area of sustainability, storage, E-mobility, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliant projects.

 •This tie-up will enhance NTPC’s Renewable Energy capacity addition program and also the presence of ONGC in the Renewable Power business. It will also help ONGC in achieving its ambition of adding 10 GW of renewable power to its portfolio by 2040.

8) Intellect Design Arena launches “iTurmeric Fincloud” platform
•“iTurmeric FinCloud” is a cloud-ready, API-first, microservices-based platform which has been launched by the Intellect Design Arena Ltd, a full spectrum banking and insurance products company. This platform has been launched through IBM public cloud. This platform will enable the new digital banks’ systems to be tested and run in isolation or in parallel with core legacy systems. The platform comprises of various facilities such as retail banking, lending, origination, and corporate banking API.

 •As most of the banks worldwide are burdened with legacy platforms and hampering them from taking part in the experience economy. For these banks the “iTurmeric FinCloud” platform will be very beneficial as it will provide banks a very unique way of progressive modernisation, using Turmeric tools without the risk of rip and replacement. Hence with the help of this platform, these banks will continue to run without interruption or compromise.
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The HINDU Notes – 22nd May 2020

13:06




📰 Finance panel flags recovery uncertainty

Members of the Committee have wide variations of opinion in nominal GDP growth projections

•India’s nominal GDP growth rate in 2020-21 could range between -6% and 1%, according to members of the 15th Finance Commission’s committee on the fiscal consolidation road map, which had a videoconference on Thursday.

•“There are high levels of uncertainty, both with regard to the course of the pandemic and the fiscal pressures on the economy and the trend of economic recovery,” the Commission’s Chairman, N.K. Singh, told presspersons after the meeting. He said participants in the meeting had wide variations of opinion in terms of nominal GDP growth projections, ranging between -6% and 1%, as well as on whether the economy would experience a V-shaped or U-shaped recovery.

•Nominal GDP growth does not take inflation into account, and is thus higher than real GDP growth.

•“In the medium term, we would like to be in the range of 8% growth, or the debt trajectory becomes very problematic,” said Dr. Singh, who felt that the Centre’s reforms as part of the Aatmanirbhar stimulus package were meant to spur such growth in the medium term, even if they did not help immediately. “The question is what is the lag with which these reforms are going to reflect in the growth rate in the medium term,” he said.

•He also endorsed the Centre’s reform conditions to allow the States to exceed their current borrowing limits, though several States have objected to this.

•The Commission’s high-level group on health, headed by AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, also met on Thursday, to review its earlier recommendations in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has now recommended an immediate beefing up of health infrastructure in areas with a cluster of positive patients, and discussed the growing needs of rural health infrastructure, especially with migrants returning from the cities, often carrying the virus.

•“There is a wide disparity between the per capita health personnel available in various States. The situation in rural Bihar and Jharkhand is dramatically different from the cities,” Dr. Singh said. The anaesthetists needed to operate ventilators are crucially missing in many rural areas, he noted, even while manufacture of the machines has increased. There were also discussions about allowing final year MBBS students to begin practising in some areas and the need for a national health service.

•In the medium term, the government’s financial outlay on the health sector must increase significantly from the current 0.9% of GDP, said Dr. Singh.

📰 ‘PLA blocking Indian patrols in Ladakh, Sikkim’
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THE HINDU NEWSPAPER IMPORTANT ARTICLES 22.05.2020

08:02
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Sociology notes by AKSHAT KAUSHAL Pdf Download

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GS SCORE Prelims 2020 Test 48 With Solution PDF

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GS SCORE Prelims 2020 Test 47 With Solution PDF

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Thursday, May 21, 2020

Daily Current Affairs, 21st May 2020

18:29





1) Anti Terrorism Day 2020: 21st May
•Anti Terrorism Day 2020 is observed on 21st May every year in India. The day marks the death anniversary of India’s seventh Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 May 1991. He was killed in Tamil Nadu in a campaign by the Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) a terrorist group. After this assassination, V.P. Singh government has decided to observe 21st May as Anti Terrorism Day.

 •The day spread awareness about the violence caused by the terrorists. Anti Terrorism Day is observed to provide knowledge to the youth about terrorism, its impact on human suffering and lives. This day also makes people aware of an anti-social act of terrorism.

2) International Tea Day observed globally on 21st May
•International Tea Day is observed globally May 21 on the recommendation of India. The purpose of International Tea Day is to try to improve the condition of tea producers and tea workers. Tea producing countries make a lot of profit but the condition of the labourers working in the tea plantations is very bad. Therefore, the purpose of International Tea Day is to encourage the status of tea workers, workers’ rights, daily wages, social security, employment security, and health.

 3) World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: 21 May
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed globally on 21 May every year. The purpose of the day is to deepen the understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions:

 •Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase the mobility of artists and cultural professionals
•Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks
•Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
•support sustainable systems of governance for culture

4) World Metrology Day observed globally on 20th May
•World Metrology Day is observed globally on 20th May every year. Many nations on this day, internationally collaborate to create awareness about metrology and its advancement in the respective field.

 •This year theme for World Metrology Day: Measurements for global trade. This theme was chosen to create awareness of the important role measurement plays in facilitating fair global trade, ensuring products meet standards and regulations, and satisfying customer quality expectations.

5) Indian Railways operationalised its 1st 12,000 hp electric Locomotive- WAG12
•Indian Railways has operationalised its 1st 12,000 hp electric Locomotive- WAG12. The loco is named WAG12 with Number 60027. This Locomotive has manufactured by Madhepura Electric Loco Factory in Bihar.

 •This locomotive has been put into operation by Indian Railways from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Now, India has become the sixth country within the world to join the elite club of manufacturing high horsepower locomotive indigenously. It is the 1st time that prime horsepower locomotive has been operationalised on railroad track within the world. The locomotive has been produced under the It is the first time.

6) “Mee Annapurna” initiative launched in Maharashtra
•“Mee Annapurna” initiative has been launched in Maharashtra by an IRDA licensed insurance intermediary “Integrated Risk Insurance”. This initiative has been launched by Integrated Risk Insurance as a part of its commitment as a Corporate Social Responsibility towards the welfare of the farmers and agriculture community in Maharashtra. This initiative is based on three commandments namely: Expertise, Engagement and Entitlement.

 •“Mee Annapurna” is a commitment of Integrated Risk Insurance to the Bhoomiputra’s of Atmanirbhar Maharashtra in order to uplift the farming community by providing them long term sustainable programme for the continuity of their income.

7) J&K launches an initiative “SUKOON – COVID-19 Beat the Stress”




•Department of Information and Public Relations, J&K has started an initiative “SUKOON – COVID-19 Beat the Stress” programme. This initiative spread awareness about the psychological impact of lockdown and measures to be adopted to overcome them.

 •The programme will be telecast on Doordarshan Kashmir Channel every Tuesday at 9.00 PM during which psychiatrists, eminent doctors and scientists will share their knowledge on psychological health. The aim of the programme is to ensure that people stay mentally fit and cope with the fears related to COVID-19 with a sound mind.

8) “Didi Vehicle Service” launched in Madhya Pradesh
•“Didi Vehicle Service” has been launched by the women of Rural Livelihood Mission in the tribal-dominated Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. Didi Vehicle Service has been launched for rural women for the safe delivery, hence proving to be a lifeline for pregnant rural women in tribal areas. The vehicle under the “Didi Vehicle Service” will also be available for other emergency services.

 •The women of Rural Livelihood Mission are providing vehicle completely free under the “Didi Vehicle Service” which has been launched in 29 villages of 10 Gram Panchayats of Petlavad development block of Jhabua. The expenses of Didi vehicle service are borne by the women through the interest they are earning on their savings.

9) Dr Harsh Vardhan to take charge as chairman of WHO Executive Board
•Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan will take charge as the chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) 34-member Executive Board. He will replace Dr Hiroki Nakatani of Japan. The WHO is governed by two decision-making bodies, the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board.

 10) Dilip Oommen becomes new President of Indian Steel Association
•Indian Steel Association (ISA) has appointed Dilip Oommen as its new President. He is presently the CEO of Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India. He was unanimously appointed as President for the next two years. He will replace Tata Steel CEO TV Narendran, who stepped down as President on May 1. Oommen is a veteran of the steel industry with more than 37 years of experience and an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-K).

11) Govinda Rajulu Chintala appointed as chairman of NABARD
•The Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet has appointed Govinda Rajulu Chintala as the Chairman of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). He is presently serving as the Chief General Manager at NABARD and will remain on the post till his superannuation in July 2022. Presently, Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala is serving as the Chairman of NABARD.

 •The appointments committee of the union cabinet has also cleared the appointment of Shaji KV as the Deputy Managing Director at NABARD for a period of five years. He is currently serving as the General Manager at Canara Bank. P.V.S. Suryakumar is also appointed as Deputy Managing Director till his superannuation in July 2023. Along with the appointments, the tenure of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary in the AYUSH ministry, has been extended on a contract basis for two years.

12) Carmen Reinhart appointed as Chief Economist of World Bank Group
•World Bank Group has appointed Carmen Reinhart as its new Vice President and Chief Economist. Her appointment will be effective from June 15, 2020. She was a Senior Policy Advisor and Deputy Director at the IMF and Vice President and Chief Economist of the investment bank Bear Stearns.

 •Carmen Reinhart has been ranked among the top Economists worldwide based on publications and scholarly citations. She was also awarded the King Juan Carlos Prize in Economics as well as NABE’s Adam Smith Award. She has been listed among Bloomberg Markets Most Influential 50 in Finance, Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers, and Thomson Reuters’ The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.

13) DGDE & eGov Foundation partners for Online Management of Cantonment Boards
•The Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE), Ministry of Defence and eGov Foundation has inked an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Online Management of Cantonment Boards. Both entities will work together to drive e-governance and enhance citizen services across all cantonment boards in the country. These services will be delivered under a cloud-based platform DIGIT (Digital Infrastructure for Governance, Impact & Transformation). These services will be provided under the program named e-Chhawani.

 •All the services will be provided through India’s Largest Open Source Platform for Urban Governance i.e. DIGIT. This platform includes Dashboards, Web Portals, Miscellaneous Collection, Trade License, Fire NoC system, Public Grievance Redressal System, Property Tax, Water & Sewerage Charges, Online Building Permission System & Finance & Accounting System. Hence, this will lead to improved delivery of services via multiple channels and ease of access of all Cantonment Board-related information online.

14) NADA provisionally suspends powerlifters Savita Kumari & Ankit Shishodia
•Two Indian Powerlifters namely Savita Kumari & Ankit Shishodia have been provisionally suspended by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA). The powerlifters have been provisionally suspended for violating the anti-doping rules.

 •Both athletes were given a chance to present themselves before the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) to explain their cases. But because of lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic, no sitting of panel could take place.
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Indian Polity and Constitution Most Important Questions Answer PDF

14:02
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