Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th April 2020 September 2018
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th April 2020 September 2018
Table of Contents
Awards & Honours ...... 3 Mergers and Acquisitions ...... 3 Days and Events ...... 6 MOU and Agreements...... 12 Appointments ...... 16 Obituaries ...... 23 International Affairs ...... 31 Person In News ...... 38 Government Policies and Schemes ...... 41 Science and Technology ...... 43 Business and Economy ...... 52 Sports...... 61 Defence...... 64 Books and Authors ...... 65 Commitees & Recommendations ...... 66 National Affairs ...... 66
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
Awards & Honours CSS Corp won an award • CSS Corp has won the Outsource Partner of the year 2020 award by the Business Intelligence Group at their Excellence in Customer Service Awards. • The company was named as the winner at Philadelphia on April 20, 2020. • CSS Corp was awarded for emerging as the premier outsourcing partner of the year. • CSS Corp is a new-age IT services and technology company. J&K bagged three national awards • Jammu and Kashmir UT has bagged 3 national awards under separate categories. • The awards were given under three different categories -Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP), Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) Award, Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt of India. • The awards are aimed to strengthen the institution of Gram Sabhas. Adam Higginbotham won William E. Colby Award • Adam Higginbotham's "Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster" has won a $5,000 prize. • Higginbotham has received the William E. Colby Award, given for an outstanding book on military or intelligence history. • The Colby award was established in 1999. • Previous winners include Karl Marlantes' novel "Matterhorn" and Dexter Filkins' "The Forever War." Algerian novel won a prize • The Spartan Court by Abdelouahab Aissaoui has won the 13th International Prize for Arabic Fiction. • Aissaoui is the first Algerian to win the prize. • He won USD $50,000 (£39,950), as well as funding for the English translation of the novel. • The prize is sponsored by the Dept of Culture and Tourism for Abu Dhabi and is run with support from the Booker Prize Foundation in London. Naveen Patnaik honoured by Peta India • Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has been honoured by Peta India for his exemplary nobility in allocating funds to feed animals. • CM Patnaik will be awarded ‘Hero To Animals Award’ for showing compassion towards animals. • He approved of Rs 54 lakhs from a relief fund to feed animals of the community. • The initiative undertaken to feed animals is being conducted in five municipal corporations. Winners of the Adhunik Gram program • Indigram Labs Foundation has announced the winners of its smart village program - 'Adhunik Gram', an initiative to empower agribusiness in rural India. • The winner, IndusTill FarmeTech Pvt. Ltd., won a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh. • The 1st runner up, Urdhvam Environmental Technologies Pvt. Ltd., won Rs. 50,000 and the 2nd runner up, Impagro farming solutions Pvt. Ltd. won Rs. 30,000. Mergers and Acquisitions RIL raises stake in US-based SkyTran to 26.3% 3 | P a g e
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
• Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has increased its stake in US-based SkyTran Inc, a venture-funded technology company that develops pod car transport systems. • RIL has raised its holding in SkyTran to 26.31% from 17.37% on a fully-diluted basis. • In Nov 2019, RIL had raised its stake to 17.37% in SkyTran through its subsidiary, Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Ltd. Axis Bank to acquire stake in Max Life • The board of Axis Bank has approved the purchase of an additional 29% stake in Max Life Insurance which will take the private lender's total stake in the insurer to 30%. • Max Financial Services presently holds a 72.5% stake in Max Life and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI) owns 25.5% stake. • Axis Bank is the 3rd-largest private bank and Max Life is the 4th-largest private life insurer in India. HDFC to acquire stake in Reliance Capital • HDFC has acquired 6.43% stake in debt-trapped Reliance Capital by invoking pledged shares. • Following this, the company acquired 252.7 million shares of Rs 10 each saying that the total value of these shares is Rs 252 crore. • The requisite disclosure had already been made on March 27, 2020, and the shares have now been credited to the account of the corporation. Ashok Leyland acquired share in Hinduja • Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland Ltd has acquired 1.57 crore shares of Rs 10 each constituting 3.36 per cent of the equity of its subsidiary Hinduja Leyland Finance Ltd (HLFL). • The cost of acquisition was done at a price of Rs 119 per equity share. • The acquisition is part of the 6.99 per cent acquisition approved by the board of directors at a meeting held on March 21, 2020. Federal Bank to buy 4% stake in IFLIC • The board of directors of Federal Bank gave in-principle nod to acquire additional stake of up to 4% in the equity capital of IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co Ltd (IFLIC) from the IDBI Bank. • Federal Bank currently holds a 26% stake in the insurance company. • The move follows IDBI Bank's plans to sell between 23-27% in the life insurance company. • IDBI Bank owns a 48% stake in the company. Facebook buys 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio • Facebook will invest Rs 43,574 crore in Jio Platforms, a unit of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), for a 9.99% stake. • It is an all-cash deal that will help Reliance strengthen Facebook's presence in its largest market, especially for its WhatsApp unit. • Facebook will get a seat on the board of Jio Platforms, along with that of an observer. TVS Motor Company acquired Britain's 'Norton' • TVS Motor Company has acquired Britain’s iconic sporting motorcycle, “Norton”, in an all-cash deal. • The brand is renowned for its classic models and eclectic range of luxury motorcycles. • The brand, which was founded by James Lansdowne Norton, in Birmingham, in 1898 will retain its distinctive identity with dedicated and specific business plans.
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
ORIX acquired IL&FS’s 100% stake in IWPSL • Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has sold its 100% stake in IL&FS Wind Power Services Ltd (IWPSL) to ORIX Corporation, Japan, for Rs 6.05 crore. • IWPSL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IL&FS Energy Development Company (IEDSL), is engaged in providing supervisory and management support services to seven operating wind power generating special purpose vehicles (SPVs). GP Global acquires lubricants assets • GP Global, an energy-to-agriculture conglomerate, has acquired Nigeria-based Grand Petroleum’s lubricants assets. • It has done so to strengthen its presence in Nigeria and West Africa. • Grand Petroleum is a part of Nigeria’s Nosak Group. • The acquisition includes assets such as a lubricants brand (HiSpeed) and a blending plant with annual capacity of about 50,000 tonnes in Lagos. IndiGrid to acquire GTPL • IndiGrid will acquire Gurgaon Palwal Transmission Limited (GPTL) for Rs 1,080 crore. • The Board of the Investment Manager of IndiGrid, India’s first InvIT in the power sector, has approved the acquisition of GPTL from Sterlite Power, at a value of up to ₹1,080 crore. • GPTL is part of Inter State Transmission Scheme (ISTS) network and consists of three gas insulated substations. JSW Energy Limited to acquire GMR Limited • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited by JSW Energy Limited. • CCI gave its approval under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, in its meeting held on 7 April 2020 via video conferencing. • The proposed combination envisages the acquisition of the entire shareholding of GMR Kamalanga Energy by JSW Energy Limited. Hindustan Unilever merged with GSKCH India • Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has completed the merger of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Limited (GSKCH) with itself. • The company has additionally paid Rs 3,045 crore to acquire the Horlicks brand for India from GSK after seeking approval from the board of directors of HUL. • GSKCH’s brands such as Horlicks will now be part of the company’s food and refreshments business. JV between Adani Energy Ltd and Total S.A • A joint venture has been approved between Adani Green Energy Ltd and Total S.A. • Firstly, a joint venture will be incorporated by Adani Green Energy and, subsequently, the direct and indirect subsidiaries of Adani Green will be transferred to the joint venture. • The 2nd step involves direct or indirect acquisition of 50 per cent of the equity share capital of the joint venture by Total S.A. Trishikhar to acquire stake in Religare
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
• Fair trade regulator Competition Commission has approved the acquisition of 18.95% stake in Religare Health Insurance Company by Trishikhar Ventures under the green channel route. • Trishikhar is a part of Kedaara Group, which invests in a variety of companies through acquisitions and corporate restructurings. • Religare provides general insurance products relating to health segment. Days and Events International Dance Day: 29 April • International Dance Day is celebrated every year on 29 April. • It marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, the creator of modern ballet. • The day was created in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute, partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. • This day also engages in encouraging participation and education in dance. Day for Safety and Health at Work: 28 April • World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed on 28 April every year. • The day emphasises on the prevention of accidents and diseases at the workplace. • It was first observed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2003. • The theme of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2020 is 'stop the pandemic'. Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day: 26 April • The United Nations (UN) has proclaimed April 26 as the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. • The day was first observed in 2016, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the 1986 nuclear disaster. • It is observed every year to raise awareness of the consequences of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the risks of nuclear energy in general. World Intellectual Property Day: 26 April • April 26 is observed as World Intellectual Property Day. • This day is celebrated to learn about the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in promoting creativity and innovation. • As per reports, World Intellectual Property Day 2020 places creativity at the centre of attempts to build a green world. • The theme for the year 2020 is ‘Innovate for a Green Future.’ International Girls in ICT Day: 23 April • April 23, 2020 commemorated the 4th International Girls in ICT Day (Information and Communications Technology). • The day is a global initiative that seeks to inspire, empower and encourage girls to not only take up studies and careers but to take leadership positions in ICT. • The theme for the year 2020 is ‘Expand horizons, change attitudes’. World Day of Laboratory Animals: April 24 • World Day for Laboratory Animals, also known as World Day for Animals in Laboratories is observed on April 24 every year. • It was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) based in the United Kingdom.
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
• The date April 24 was chosen because it marked the birthday of Hugh Dowding, British Air Chief Marshal who was an avid anti-vivisectionist. International Delegate’s Day: 25 April • International Delegate’s Day is observed on 25 April every year. • It is observed to raise awareness of the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations. • The day marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference which is also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organization. World Malaria Day: 25 April • World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise awareness of the global effort to control and ultimately eradicate malaria. • It was first observed in 2008, developed from Africa Malaria Day, an event that had been observed since 2001 by African governments. • Malaria exists in more than 100 countries worldwide, and some 900,000 people die from the disease each year. Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace • On April 24 2020, the second official International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is being celebrated. • The day was officially approved on 12 December, 2018 by United Nations General Assembly through a resolution. • The day aims at disseminating the advantages of multilateralism and diplomacy for peace through educational and public awareness-raising activities. Manipur govt commemorated ‘Khongjom Day’ • In Manipur, state government commemorated ‘ Khongjom Day’ at Khongjom War Memorial Complex, Thoubal on 23 April 2020. • The day remembers the people who valiantly fought in the Anglo-Manipuri War in 1891. • The site is about 35 km south of Imphal in Thoubal district where the battle was fought between Manipuri and British. World Immunisation Week 2020 • The annual World Immunisation Week launched by the World Health Organisation, WHO is observed in the last week of April, i.e. from 24-30 April. • This is annually observed to help vaccinate approximately 20 million children around the world, who are totally or partially deprived of vaccinations. • The theme for the year 2020 is #VaccinesWork for All. National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April • National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on 24 April 2020. • PM Narendra Modi will address village Panchayats across the country to mark the National Panchayati Raj Day. • He will launch a unified e-GramSwaraj Portal and Mobile App on the occasion. • Through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act-1992, the Panchayati Raj had come into force on 24th April 1993. 7 | P a g e
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
English Language Day: 23 April • English Language Day is a United Nations (UN) observance that people celebrate on April 23 each year. • The day aims to entertain and inform people about the history, culture and achievements associated with the language. • The UN first celebrated English Language Day on April 23, 2010. • English is one of the two working languages of the UN Secretariat. World Book and Copyright Day: 23 April • The World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated on April 23 every year. • Started by UNESCO in 1995, the day marks the contribution of books, authors, publishers, and libraries across the globe. • Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is chosen to be the World Book Capital for 2020. • The idea to celebrate it was first conceived by Vicente Clavel Andres to pay tribute to renowned author Miguel de Cervantes. Administrative Professionals Day: 22 April • Administrative Professionals Day, also known as secretaries day – is a day that is celebrated on Wednesday in the last week of April. • It is celebrated to recognize the contributions of secretaries and administrative assistants. • The day was created by the president of the National Secretaries Association – Mary Barrett – in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Earth Day: 22 April • Earth Day is celebrated worldwide on 22 April to demonstrate support for environmental protection. • It was proposed at the UNESCO conference in 1969 and the 1st Earth Day celebrations took place in 1970. • The day was proposed to be observed on March 21, as it marked the time of equinox. • The Day was limited to the US until 1990, when Denis Hayes promoted it internationally across 141 nations. Civil Services Day: April 21 • Civil Services Day is observed every year on 21 April. • It was on this day in 1947 that the country's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi. • He rightly described the civil servants the ‘steel frame of India’. World Creativity and Innovation Day: 21 April • World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed on 21 April to encourage people to generate new ideas to make the world a better place to live in. • The main objective is to encourage people to use new ideas, make new decisions, and do creative thinking. • The day was founded on 25 May 2001 in Toronto, Canada. • The founder of the day was Marci Segal. Chinese Language Day: 20 April • The United Nations (UN) observes the UN Chinese Language Day every year on or around April 20. • The contribution of Chinese literature, poetry and language in world culture is highlighted on this day. • The first UN Chinese Language Day was observed on November 12, 2010. • In 2011, the date was moved to April 20.
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
World Liver Day: 19 April • World liver day is observed every year on 19 April, to spread awareness about liver-related disease. • The liver is the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, with the exception of the brain. • It is a key player in your body’s digestive system. • Liver diseases can be caused by hepatitis A, B, C, alcohol and drugs. World Heritage Day: 18 April • World Heritage Day also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites is observed annually on April 18. • The significance of the day is to promote cultural heritage through activities undertaken by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). • The first World Heritage Day was organised by the ICOMOS in 1982. World Voice Day 2020: April 16 • WVD (World Voice Day) is a global annual event held on 16 April dedicated to the phenomenon of voice celebration. • The aim is to show the enormous value of the voice in the people’s daily lives. • The idea to dedicate a special day, annually on 16 April to the voice was first launched in the year 1999 by the Society of Laryngology & Voice in Brazil. World Haemophilia Day: 17 April • World Haemophilia Day is observed on 17 April to raise awareness regarding the disease and other hereditary bleeding disorders. • 17 April is also the birthday of Frank Schnabel, a businessman born with severe haemophilia who was the founder of the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH). • The theme for World Haemophilia Day 2020 is ‘Get + involved’. World Art day celebrated on 15 April • Every year World Art Day is celebrated on April 15. • According to UNESCO, it is celebrated to promote the development, diffusion, and enjoyment of art. • April 15 was marked as a day to celebrate art and performance art since it is also the birthday of the great painter Leonardo Da Vinci. World Art was first celebrated in 2012. World Chagas Disease Day: 14 April • World Chagas Disease Day is observed every year on 14 April. • The 72nd World Health Assembly approved the designation of a World Chagas Disease Day on 24 May 2019. • The day aims at raising public awareness of this neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects mainly poor people. • It was on this date in 1909 that the first patient, a Brazilian girl, was diagnosed for this disease. 129th birth anniversary of Dr B.R Ambedkar • The nation is remembering Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 129th birth anniversary on 14 April 2020. • Dr. Ambedkar is known as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. • He was bestowed with the country’s highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna in 1990 posthumously.
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
• He became the 1st Law and Justice Minister after independence and played an important role in drafting the Indian Constitution. 101st anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre • Jallianwala Bagh Massacre also called the Massacre of Amritsar marked its 101st anniversary on 13 April 2020. • On this day in 1919, the British troops, under General Dyer, fired on a large crowd of unarmed Indians in an open space - Jallianwala Bagh in Amristar in the Punjab region. • This killed most of the people gathered there. Baisakhi celebrated on 13 April • Baisakhi or Vaisakhi, the harvest festival, is being celebrated on 13 April 2020. • It is celebrated with great enthusiasm to mark the beginning of the new spring and is celebrated in most of India as the new year by Hindus. • It signifies the end of the harvest season in India, marking a time of prosperity for the farmers. National Pet Day: 11 April • National Pet Day is celebrated on April 11 every year in the USA. • The day is dedicated to the pets and people on this day take time off their busy schedules to give love to their pets. • The day was founded by Colleen Paige in 2006. • She is a renowned animal welfare advocate and lifestyle expert. • The day was created to highlight the situation of animals based in shelters all across the globe. International day Day of Human Space Flight • The United Nations (UN) celebrates the International Day of Human Space Flight on April 12 each year. • The day remembers the first human space flight on April 12, 1961. • The day celebrates the start of the space era for humankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in today’s world. Easter festival celebrated on 12 April • According to Christian society, the festival of ‘Easter’ is celebrated on the third Sunday of the Paschal lunar month. • This time i.e. in the year 2020, this Sunday is falling on 12 April 2020 as per the date of Gregorian calendar. • Jesus Christ was crucified on the day of Good Friday, thousands of years ago. • But it is said that on the third day, he was revived. WADA celebrated Play True Day 2020: 9 April • The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) celebrated the Play True Day on 9 April 2020. • The day is dedicated to clean sport and is aimed at raising awareness among athletes, the sporting public and others about the importance of protecting it. • Since 2014, WADA and the anti-doping community worldwide have celebrated 'Play True Day'. • The theme for the year 2020 is 'Play Safe on Play True Day 2020'. National Safe Motherhood Day: 11 April • National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed annually on 11 April.
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
• It is observed to raise awareness about the proper healthcare of women and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women. • The Government of India had declared 11 April as National Safe Motherhood Day which is the anniversary day of Kasturba Gandhi's birth. • She was the wife of Gandhi. World Homoeopathy Day: 10 April • The World Homoeopathy Day (WHD) is observed every year on April 10 to pay tribute to Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, founder and father of Homeopathy system of medicine. • Samuel Hahnemann was a physician, a great researcher, linguist and applauded scientist. • The theme for the year 2020 is “Linking research with education and clinical practice: Advancing scientific collaborations”. Good Friday being observed on 10 April • Good Friday is being observed on 10 April 2020 by Christians all over the world. • The day marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. • It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday, that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. • It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday and Easter Friday. Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide • On 7 April, UNESCO commemorates the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. • The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (link is external)in 2003. • The date marks the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government. World Health Day observed globally on 7 April • World Health Day is celebrated each year on 7th April globally. • The day marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) and aims to draw attention to important health issues facing the world each year. • WHO, or the World Health Organization, is a working body under the UN which aims to address issues and emergencies pertaining to health on a global scale. National Maritime Day: 5 April • The National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 5 April. • The National Maritime Day was first celebrated on April 5, 1964. • On this day an award called "Varuna" is conferred to those who made an outstanding contribution to Indian maritime sector. • World Maritime Day is celebrated on 24 September every year. Int. 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. • The day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 23 August 2013, and is supported by the International Olympic Committee since 6 April 2014. • This date commemorates the inauguration, in 1896, of the first Olympic games of the modern era, in Athens, (Greece). 11 | P a g e
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
Mahavir Jayanti celebrated on 6 April • Mahavir Jayanti is being celebrated across the country on 6 April 2020. • It is the birth anniversary of the 24th and last Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir. • Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated annually on the 13th day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. • Born in 599 BC as prince Vardhamana in Bihar, India, Mahavir left his worldly comforts and possessions at the age of 30 and became a monk. International Mine Awareness Day: 4 April • The United Nations' International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed on April 4 each year. • This day aims to raise awareness about landmines and progress toward their eradication. • The General Assembly on 8 Dec 2005 declared that each year on 4 April would be officially proclaimed and observed as this day. • The day was first observed on 4 April 2006. Odisha Day celebrated on 1 April • Odisha Day, also known as Utkala Divas, is celebrated every year on the 1st of April. • The day is remembered for the formation of the state of Odisha as a separate province. • Odisha got its own identity as a separate state in the year 1936, after disassociating itself from Bihar and Bengal. • It is believed that the struggle to regain Odisha’s lost identity was initiated by Utkala Sammilani. World Autism Awareness Day: 2 April • World Autism Awareness Day is observed globally on 2 April every year. • This day is observed to highlight the need to improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. • The first World Autism Day was observed in 2008 on April 2. • The theme for the year 2020 is ‘The Transition to Adulthood’. Int Transgender Day of Visibility: 31 March • International Transgender Day of Visibility observed globally on 31st March every year. • The day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. • The day was founded by US-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall of Michigan in 2009. MOU and Agreements IIT Guwahati collaborated with Hester Biosc. • IIT Guwahati, is collaborating with Ahmedabad-based animal healthcare company Hester Biosciences to develop a vaccine against Covid-19. • It expects the vaccine to be ready for animal studies by the end of 2020. • The vaccine is planned to be based on the recombinant avian paramyxovirus-based vector platform. India signed $1.5 bn loan agreement with ADB • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to give a $1.5 billion loan to India to support its immediate response to Covid-19 pandemic.
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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
• ADB is also in dialogue with the government for further possible support for stimulating the economy, support strong growth recovery, and to build resilience to future shocks. Airtel signed ₹7,636 crore deal with Nokia • Bharti Airtel has inked a $1 billion (nearly ₹7,636 crore), multi-year deal with Nokia to deploy the Finnish majors 5G-ready solutions across nine circles in the country. • Nokia will help lay the foundation for providing 5G connectivity in the future by deploying 300,000 radio units across several spectrum bands in those circles expected to be completed by 2022. CSIR-IICT tied up with LAXAI Life Sciences • Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad is collaborating with LAXAI Life Sciences to jointly develop and manufacture Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and key intermediates. • The tie-up with Hyderabad company is to reduce the dependency of Indian pharmaceutical sector on Chinese imports. • Both are working for synthesis of drugs being used in the fight against the Covid-19. Vodafone Idea tied up with Paytm • Vodafone Idea and Paytm have launched ‘Recharge Saathi’ programme which helps individuals and small businesses to earn an additional income. • The programme will enable any Paytm customers (following a registration) to start selling Vodafone and Idea recharges on Paytm app. • Vodafone Idea will also give an assured cashback to merchant partners for multiple recharges. NIIT signed agreement with an EdTech company • NIIT's wholly owned subsidiary NIIT (USA) Inc has signed a managed services agreement with a US-based EdTech company to provide virtual services to education providers. • The term of the agreement is 5 years. • Both companies see this as a significant partnership where two market leaders go-to-market jointly to provide innovative solutions in the testing and certification marketplace. Tech Mahindra, IBM tied up • Tech Mahindra has decided to set up innovation centres in collaboration with IBM. • This will boost digital transformation and encourage adoption of more cloud-based technologies among its global customers. • The centres will showcase IBM’s digital transformation solutions built with Cloud Paks running on Red Hat OpenShift. Gujarat hospital tied up with ICMR • The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hospital has signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Medical Research. • It will carry out study on the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit coronavirus-associated complications in a patient. • Transfusion of plasma collected from a recovered person into a coronavirus patient will be the first subject to be studied at the centre. Rajasthan Government partnered with 'Aayu' app • Rajasthan government has partnered with healthcare startup MedCords to provide 24x7 online consultation and medicine delivery to the people of Rajasthan. 13 | P a g e
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th April 2020 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018
• Through its integrated solution -Aayu & Sehat Sathi app, MedCords will help over 68 Million of people in Rajasthan through this collaboration. • The app is currently helping 10,000+ patients per day. Volvo & Daimler Truck set up Joint Venture • Volvo and the truck division of Daimler have agreed to set up a joint venture to develop and produce fuel cell systems for heavy vehicles. • The two firms said that they will be equal partners in the new enterprise. • Daimler Truck will put all its current fuel cell activities into the joint venture, and the Volvo Group will buy a 50% stake in the venture for around 600 million euros. UP government joined hands with Google • Uttar Pradesh has become the first state to use geo-tagging to abate the food crisis. • The state government has tied up with Google to ‘geo-map’ the locations of community kitchens and shelters. • The use of Google maps will immensely help the common man. • It has Geotagged its 7,368 community kitchens and community shelters across 75 districts which produce 12 lakh food packets a day. Paytm Payments Bank partnered with Mastercard • Paytm Payments Bank will now issue Mastercard debit cards to its account holders to enable them perform online transactions, make payment in stores as well as withdraw cash from ATMs. • Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) has partnered with Mastercard for the issuance of virtual and physical debit cards. • It will issue Mastercard virtual debit cards to its new customers. Hyundai joined hands with Air Liquide • Hyundai Motor India has tied up with French company Air Liquide Medical Systems (ALMS) for production and supply of ventilators in Tamil Nadu and other states. • France-based ALMS is present in India through a subsidiary which is based out of Chennai. • As part of the partnership, Hyundai and ALMS are looking to produce 1,000 ventilators in the first phase, and to scale up subsequently. Sanofi and GSK joined hands • Pharma majors Sanofi and GSK have joined hands to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. • The companies have signed a letter of intent to develop an adjuvanted vaccine for COVID-19, using innovative technology from both firms, to help address the ongoing pandemic. • As per the partnership, France-based Sanofi will contribute its S-protein COVID-19 antigen, which is based on recombinant DNA technology. THSTI: 1st testing facility in Faridabad • Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, THSTI will now function as an extension of diagnostic facility of ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad for COVID-19 testing. • It will be the first and only COVID-19 testing facility in the Faridabad region. • A MoU was signed between the two institutes in this regard. CSIR-NCL Pune tied up with BEL
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• Councils of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) and National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) at Pune have tied up with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). • It will produce medical devices in view of COVID19 outbreak. • Under the joint venture, the CSIR-NCL’s Venture Centre’s incubatee BMEK has developed hand held digital Infra Red (IR) thermometer. Bharat Biotech tied-up with FluGen • Bharat Biotech has partnered with the University of Wisconsin Madison and US-based company FluGen to develop a vaccine, Coro-Flu, against Covid-19. • The company will manufacture the vaccine and prepare to produce almost 300 million doses of vaccine for global distribution. • Under the collaboration agreement, FluGen will transfer its existing manufacturing processes to Bharat Biotech. Apple, Google joined hand • Apple and Google are joining hands to create technology that leverages smartphones for contact tracing activities for Covid-19. • This was announced by Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, CEOs of Apple and Google, respectively via a press release. • The plan is to implement this solution in two steps while maintaining strong protections around user privacy. Hindustan Unilever partnered with UNICEF • Hindustan Unilever has collaborated with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for a mass communication campaign to inform and empower the general public against the COVID-19 pandemic. • The campaign brings together the marketing expertise and scale of HUL and the technical knowledge of UNICEF to create engaging communication tools that can help people stay safe during the pandemic. Indian Immunologicals started a research • Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals (IIL) has commenced research in partnership with Australia’s Griffith University to develop a vaccine for Covid-19. • Scientists from India and Australia will develop a ‘live attenuated SARS – CoV-2 vaccine’ using the latest codon deoptimisation technology. • The two entities have signed a pact for this. PNB Housing Finance tied-up with JICA • PNB Housing Finance has signed an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). • It has been signed to raise 75 million dollars with co-financing of 25 million dollars by Citibank to finance mortgage loans in the affordable housing segment. • This will provide affordable housing to low-income households in India based on the Facility for Accelerating Financial Inclusion in Asia. Britannia Industries tied up with Dunzo • Britannia Industries has partnered with Dunzo to deliver its range of biscuits, croissants, ghee, and dairy whitener, among others to its consumers. • It has launched a Britannia Essentials store that will be available for users of the Dunzo app. • The first batch of deliveries commenced in Bengaluru from 7 April 2020.
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Airtel Payments Bank partnered with Bharti AXA • In partnership with Bharti AXA General Insurance, Airtel Payments Bank has launched health insurance plans which offer financial protection against coronavirus as well. • Under the partnership, they have rolled out two different health insurance plans. • Bharti AXA Group Health Assure offers lump sum benefit of ₹25,000 and Group Hospital Cash provides daily benefit starting Rs500/day. Domino's Pizza partnered with ITC • Domino's Pizza in partnership with ITC Foods has launched Domino's Essentials. • The delivery infrastructure of Domino's will be leveraged to help customers order everyday grocery essentials offered by ITC Foods. • A combo pack of Aashirvaad Atta and Spices including chili, coriander and turmeric powder will be available on Domino's app starting 3 April 2020. IIM-B & ICICI Securities launched a program • ICICI Securities (I-Sec) as a part of its CSR initiative is partnering with IIM Bangalore's startup hub N S Raghavan Centre of Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL). • It will support startups in the fintech space through a structured program. • The 15-month program is meant for startups working in the fields of insurance, trading, personal finance, banking, wealth advisory, lending, payments, etc. SCTIMST tied up with Wipro 3D • Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology has joined hands with Wipro 3D to build a prototype of an emergency ventilator system. • The ventilator system is going to be based on an artificial manual breathing unit (AMBU), developed by the institute. • AMBU bag is a hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to a patient who is not breathing. BhartPe & ICICI lombard tied up • Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic BharatPe has partnered with ICICI Lombard to roll out 'COVID-19 Protection Insurance Cover' for shopkeepers. • On diagnosis of COVID-19 (positive) this policy will pay 100 per cent of the sum insured, irrespective of hospitalisation expenses. • It is also a ‘first of its kind’ sachet product by ICICI Lombard that will cover merchants. Appointments Rajiv Kumar appointed PESB chief • Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as the chairperson of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved his appointment to the post for a period of three years. • He has been appointed in place of Kapil Dev Tripathi who has recently taken over as the Secretary to the President. Suresh N Patel became Vigilance Commissioner
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• Suresh N. Patel took oath as Vigilance Commissioner on 29 April 2020. • He was administered the oath of office by Shri Sanjay Kothari, Central Vigilance Commissioner on video link. • He was a member of the Advisory Board for Banking and Financial Frauds (ABBFF) prior to his appointment as Vigilance Commissioner. T. S. Tirumurti: Representative of India to UN • T S Tirumurti has been appointed as India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. • The government also appointed Jaideep Mazumdar as India's ambassador to Austria. • Joint Secretary Deepak Mittal was appointed as India's Ambassador to Qatar. • Piyush Srivastava has been named India's next Ambassador to Bahrain. J Arunkumar: USA national team coach • Former Karnataka batsman J Arun Kumar has been appointed coach of the USA cricket team. • Jak, as he is known in the cricketing circles, has worked with the Karnataka team for several years and as batting coach with IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab. • Arun Kumar had guided Karnataka to a treble for two successive seasons -- Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Irani Cup -- in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Dipankar Datta sworn in as CJ of Bombay HC • Justice Dipankar Datta was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on 28 April 2020. • He was a senior judge in Calcutta High Court, earlier. • Justice Dipankar Datta is succeeding Justice Bhushan Pradyumna Dharmadhikari whose term as Chief Justice ended on April 27, 2020. Shibli Faraz new Information Minister: Pak • Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has changed his media team for the second time since coming to power in 2018 amid mounting criticism of his government. • He appointed Senator Shibli Faraz as the new information minister of the country. • Former military spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa has been appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for information and broadcasting. Shailesh Haribhakti: Chairman of IBSFINtech • Fintech company IBSFINtech has announced that Shailesh Haribhakti has been appointed as its Chairman. • C M Grover is the MD and CEO of the company. • T.M Manjunath is the ED and CTO of the company. • The company is headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka. • IBSFINtech is playing the leadership role in preparing the corporates for the after-COVID-19 new world order. Manisha Singh as America's next envoy to OECD • US President Donald Trump has nominated senior Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as America's next envoy to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD. • Manisha Singh is currently Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department. • OECD is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 36 member countries.
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Government appointed new Secretaries • Union Govt on 26 April 2020 appointed new Secretaries, Special Secretaries and Additional Secretaries in different Ministries and Departments. • Information and Broadcasting Secretary Ravi Mittal has been appointed as the Sports Secretary. • Secretary, Higher Education Amit Khare will hold additional charge of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Sanjay Kothari: Central Vigilance Commissioner • Sanjay Kothari has been appointed as the Central Vigilance Commissioner. • He is the secretary to the President, • The post of the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had been lying vacant since June 2019 after completion of K V Chowdary's tenure. • The name of Kothari was recommended by a high-level selection panel headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2020. Shiv Das Meena took charge as HUDCO's CMD • Shiv Das Meena has been appointed as chairman and MD of Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO). • He has been appointed for a period of 6 months with immediate effect. • He is presently holding the position of additional Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and simultaneously holding the additional charge of CMD, HUDCO. Rakesh Sharma: New President of IMMA • The International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) has appointed Bajaj Auto Executive Director (ED) Rakesh Sharma as its President. • Sharma had been previously holding office as vice-president in IMMA, elected in May 2019. • He succeeds Johannes Loman, Director of PT Astra International Tbk and Executive Vice President Director PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Indonesia. PV Sindhu: Ambassador for awareness campaign • P V Sindhu has been unveiled as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation (BWF)'s 'i am badminton' awareness campaign. • The campaign provides a platform for players to express their love and respect for badminton by advocating and committing to clean and honest play. • Besides Sindhu, other ambassadors include Michelle Li, Zheng Si Wei, Huang Ya Qiong, Jack Shephard, to name a few. Uri Levine appointed as Infosys Director • Infosys has appointed Israeli serial entrepreneur Uri Levine as an independent director. • The board has appointed Uri Levine as additional and independent director, effective from April 20, 2020 for a period of three years. • Levine was one of the co-founders of Waze, a traffic navigation app which was acquired by Google in June 2013 for $1.1 billion. David Li to be Huawei India CEO
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• Huawei Telecommunications India has announced the appointment of David Li as the Chief Executive Officer of its India operations. • Li will succeed Jay Chen, who moves on to take up a leadership role within Huawei Asia Pacific Region. • Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. N Kamakodi reappointed MD, CEO of CUB • The Reserve Bank of India has given its approval for the re-appointment of N Kamakodi as MD & CEO of City Union Bank (CUB) for three years with effect from May 1, 2020. • Kamakodi has been associated with the Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu)-headquartered City Union Bank since 2003. • He was elevated as MD and CEO in 2011. Bombay, Meghalaya, Orissa HCs to get new CJs • The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the appointment of new chief justices to 3 high courts – Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya. • Calcutta high court judge, Justice Dipankar Datta was recommended for elevation as chief justice of Bombay high court. • Justice Datta will take over from the current chief justice of Bombay, Justice BP Dharmadhikari who will retire from office on April 27, 2020. Sudarsanam Babu appointed to science board: US • US President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Sudarsanam Babu to country's top science board. • Babu has been appointed as a member of the National Science Board for a six-year term. • He would be the third Indian American in this prestigious board. • The other two being Sethuraman Panchanathan from the Arizona State University and Suresh V Garimella from University of Vermont. Kapil Dev Tripathi: New Secretary to President • Former IAS officer Kapil Dev Tripathi has been appointed as the Secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind. • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment on contract basis, for a term co- terminus with the tenure of the President. • Mr Tripathi, a 1980 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is at present the Chairman of Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). Graeme Smith: Cricket South Africa's Director • Former South African skipper Graeme Smith has been named as Cricket South Africa's permanent director for a two-year period. • He will serve as the director until April 2022. • Earlier, Smith had assumed an interim role following a rejig of the Cricket South Africa administration following which Mark Boucher was roped in as the coach. Ro Khanna appointed in an advisory council • Indian-American Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has been appointed to the White House coronavirus advisory council to combat the disease in the U.S.
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• Mr. Khanna is the only Indian-American lawmaker to be named to the White House’s Opening Up America Again Congressional Group which comprises Congressmen from both the Republican and the Democratic parties. Rohit Sharma: CricKingdom's brand ambassador • Rohit Sharma has become brand ambassador of ‘CricKingdom’. • It is a cricket academy based in Dubai which will also facilitate coaching through its online platform after the global COVID-19 pandemic subsides. • CricKingdom’s online platform will connect student, coaches, academies and facilities into an integrated ecosystem. Viswanathan Anand joined WWF India • Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand has joined WWF (World Wide Fund) India as its ambassador for environment education programme. • WWF India is celebrating its 50 years of conservation in India. • WWF India's environment education programme is as old as the organisation itself, starting way back in 1976 with the Nature Clubs of India (NCI) initiative. BSNL CMD P K Purwar took charge of MTNL • BSNL chairman and MD P K Purwar has taken over additional charge of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited. • This is the third time Purwar has been given charge of MTNL CMD in the last six years. • Purwar has taken over charge of CMD MTNL from April 15, 2020. • The appointment comes at a time when both the PSU are reeling under heavy debt despite the government offering them a relief package. MS Dhoni: Brand ambassador of PokerStars India • PokerStars India has appointed MS Dhoni as its new brand ambassador. • The announcement of the endorsement deal was delayed due to the COVID-19’s impact on the world and postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other sporting events. • Prior to MS Dhoni's appointment, popular Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui was the brand ambassador of the company. Ajay Mahajan: MD & CEO of Care Ratings • Ajay Mahajan has been appointed as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of CARE Ratings for five years commencing from April 15, 2020. • The Board of Directors of the credit rating agency, at its meeting on 15 April 2020, made the appointment. • Mahajan started his career with Bank of America in 1990 and went on to become MD & Country Head of Global Markets Group. Vineet Arora: MD of Paytm Gen Insurance Ltd • Paytm has named Vineet Arora as the MD and CEO of Paytm General Insurance Ltd. • Previously, Arora served as the managing director and chief executive officer of Aegon Life Insurance Company and was part of the India Leadership team. • Before that, he was senior general manager and head Product, Distribution, Marketing and Wealth Management at ICICI Securities Ltd.
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Birupaksha Mishra: Exec Director of Union Bank • Birupaksha Mishra has assumed charge as the Executive Director of Union Bank of India. • Prior to this, Birupaksha Mishra was appointed as the Executive Director at Corporation Bank. • He began his banking career as a Probationary Officer in the year 1984 and has a dense experience of more than 35 years in various administrative and functional capacities. Karnataka Bank: Mahabaleshwara M S reappointed • Board of Directors of Karnataka Bank reappointed Mahabaleshwara M S as managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the bank. • He has been reappointed for a further period of three years, with effect from 15 April 2020. • P Jayarama Bhat was reappointed as part-time (non-executive) chairman up to November 13, 2021. R V Verma: Part-time chairman of AU Bank • AU Small Finance Bank has appointed RV Verma as a non-executive chairman from April 8, 2020 for one year. • Reserve Bank of India has given approval for it. • He is the former chairman and managing director of National Housing Bank. • RBI has also approved the re-appointment of managing director Sanjay Agarwal and whole time director Uttam Tibrewal for three years. Anamika Roy: MD & CEO of IFFCO Tokio • IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Company has appointed Anamika Roy Rashtrawar as its managing director and chief executive officer. • The appointment is effective from March 27, 2020. • Rashtrawar, who takes over from Warendra Sinha after his retirement, is the first woman MD and CEO of a large private sector general insurance company in India. Parag Raja: MD & CEO of Bharti AXA • Bharti AXA Life Insurance announced the appointment of Parag Raja as Managing Director and CEO of the company. • The insurance company is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and multinational insurance firm AXA. • Raja will succeed Vikas Seth, who led Bharti AXA Life Insurance for the past two-and-a-half years, after April 30, 2020. 3 HC judges administered oath by Chief Justice • Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Puneet Gupta were sworn in as a permanent Judges of the common High Court for the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on 7 Apr 2020. • The newly appointed Judges were administered oath of office by Chief Justice J&K High Court, Justice Gita Mittal. • The Judges of the High Court of J&K joined the oath ceremony through video Conference. Madhabi Puri Buch got extension as WTM at SEBI • The government has extended the appointment of Madhabi Puri Buch as a whole time member (WTM) of SEBI by a period of six months. • With this notification, the sole female member of the board will stay on till October 4, 2020.
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• She was not only the first woman to be appointed as a WTM of SEBI but also the first person from the private sector to do so. Pravin Rao is Nasscom chairman • 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 2020-21. • Rekha M Menon, Chairman and Senior Managing Director, Accenture in India, will be the Vice-Chairperson. • The newly appointed leaders will help the industry body achieve its 2025 vision for the industry. Anurag Srivastava: MEA Spokesman • Anurag Srivastava on 6 April 2020 took charge as the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, succeeding Raveesh Kumar. • Srivastava, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was serving as India's Ambassador to Ethiopia. • Srivastava served at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. • He also served in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division of the ministry. Neeraj Bassi joined Havas Group India • Havas Group India has announced the appointment of Neeraj Bassi as its chief strategy officer with immediate effect. • In his new role, Bassi will lead strategy and drive the next phase of growth across Havas Creative and Media. • Bassi was formerly with Publicis India, where he headed strategy and was the managing partner. NTPC appoints Dilip Kumar Patel as director HR • NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd) has appointed Dilip Kumar Patel as its Director Human resources. • Patel has been the HR Head in various NTPC projects like NSPCL Bhilai, Sipat, and Tanda for around 12 years. • He was also the Regional Head of HR in the Eastern Region-2 before he was appointed as the Director (HR). • NTPC is headquartered in New Delhi. Justice Rajnesh Oswal: Judge of HC of J&K • Justice Rajnesh Oswal was sworn in as a permanent Judge of the common High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on 2 April 2020. • He was administered oath of office by Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal. • He is the first Judge of the High Court to take oath under the Indian Constitution. L. Duraiswamy: New MD of Sundaram Home Finance • D. Lakshminarayanan, whole-time director of Sundaram Finance Ltd., has been elevated as the MD of Sundaram Home Finance. • He will take charge on April 1, 2020. • Mr. Lakshminarayanan will replace Srinivas Acharya who retired on Tuesday. • Mr. Acharya had been the company’s MD since 2010 and had been a part of the Sundaram Finance Group for almost four decades. BP Kaunungo reappointed as RBI deputy governor • BP Kaunungo has been reappointed as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor. 22 | P a g e
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• The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the extension of Kanungo's term as RBI deputy Governor by one year with effect from 3 April 2020 when his three year tenure comes to an end. • Kanungo was executive director of the RBI before being elevated to the post of deputy governor in April 2017. Obituaries
Actor Rishi Kapoor passed away • Actor Rishi Kapoor passed away in April 2020. • He made his film debut with Bobby opposite Dimple Kapadia in 1973 and was also seen as a child actor in films such as Shree 420 and Mera Naam Joker. • He was a part of hit films such as Amar Akbar Anthony, Rafoo Chakkar, Sargam, Karz, Bol Radha Bol and others. CRPF man dies due to COVID-19 • A 55-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel died on 28 April 2020 due to coronavirus infection. • This is the first death due to the pandemic among the about 10 lakh personnel strong Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) or the paramilitary forces. • At least 45 other personnel from this battalion have been admitted with coronavirus infection. Actor Irrfan Khan passed away • Actor Irrfan Khan passed away in April 2020. • Irrfan made his screen debut in the 1988 Mira Nair directorial Salaam Bombay. • In a career spanning over three decades, Irrfan Khan acted in over 50 Indian films and even won a National award and four Filmfare awards. • In 2011, Irrfan was honoured with the Padma Shri by the government of India for his significant contribution to arts and cinema. Michael Robinson passed away • Former Liverpool striker Michael Robinson passed away in April 2020. • He won a league, League Cup and European Cup treble with Liverpool in the 1983-84 season. • He also played for Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers before ending his career with Spain's Osasuna. • He later became a respected television commentator, pundit and presenter. James M. Beggs passed away • Former NASA administrator James M. Beggs passed away in April 2020. • He led the agency during the early years of the space shuttle program and resigned after the Challenger disaster killed seven astronauts in 1986. • President Ronald Reagan nominated Beggs to become the sixth administrator of NASA. • He served in the agency's top position from July 1981 to December 1985. Noted Odia dramatist Bijay Mishra passed away • Noted playwright and lyricist of Odisha Bijay Mishra passed away in April 2020.
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• A pioneer of modern theatre movement in Odisha, Mishra was the recipient of many awards at the State as well as national level. • He won the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi award for his play ‘Vanaprastha’. • Besides, he won Odisha Sahitya Akademi and other State-level awards. Artist Zarina Hashmi passed away • Artist Zarina Hashmi, best known for creating simple, minimalist, yet powerful works, passed away in April 2020. • Zarina was one of the foremost artists of her generation. • She won several accolades including the Residency Award at the New York University’s Asian/Pacific/American Institute in 2007. • She also received the President’s Award for Printmaking, India in 1969. Devanand Konwar passed away • Veteran politician Devanand Konwar, who has served as Governor of several states including Bihar, West Bengal, Tripura, passed away in April 2020. • He had served as the Governor of West Bengal from December 14, 2009 to January 23, 2010 and Governor of Bihar from June 29, 2009 to March 21, 2013. • He joined Indian National Congress in 1955 as a student leader. Photojournalist Ronny Roy passed away • Veteran sports photojournalist Ronojoy 'Ronny' Roy passed away in April 2020. • Popularly known as 'Ronny', he was associated with Bengali daily Aajkaal since 1990s and covered the ICC World Cup in England in 2019. • Having started from the entertainment section, Roy switched to sports and became a well-known face, establishing a good rapport with both players and officials of all disciplines. Badruddin Sheikh passed away • Senior Congress leader and councillor in Amdavad Municipal Corporation Badruddin Sheikh passed away in April 2020 following COVID-19 infection. • He had also served as State Congress spokesperson and Leader of opposition in AMC in past. • He had also held many positions in the past including the Vice President of Khawaja Saheb Dargah Committee - Ajmer Sharif. Graeme Watson passed away • Former Australian all-rounder Graeme Watson passed away in April 2020. • Watson featured for Australia in five Tests and two ODIs. • He was primarily a middle-order batsman and a medium pace bowler, who represented the side between 1967-1972. • He was the first Australian cricketer to play for three sides in the Sheffield Shield - the country's premier domestic tournament. Former Rajya Sabha MP Basanta Das passed away • Former Rajya Sabha member from Odisha Basanta Das passed away in April 2020. • Das was Rajya Sabha member from 1990 to 1996 as Janata Dal nominee. • He was also chairman of Bhawanipatna Municipality from 1985 to 1990. • He is survived by his wife, two daughters and three sons. 24 | P a g e
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Renowned thespian Usha Ganguly passed away • Renowned South Asian thespian and founder of Rangakarmee, Usha Ganguly passed away in April 2020. • The veteran director was known for her non-conformist productions. • She is credited for developing Hindi plays in Kolkata. • In 1976, she founded the group Rangakarmee, which worked on bold productions like Mahabhoj, Rudali, Court Martial and Antaryatra. Actress Shirley Knight passed away • Actress Shirley Knight passed away in April 2020. • She appeared in films from a role in 1955's Picnic to playing Kevin James's mother in the two Paul Blart: Mall Cop films. • On stage, she won a Tony Award in 1976 for her role in Kennedy's Children. • On TV, she appeared in episodes of classic early TV series Rawhide, Maverick, The Outer Limits, and many more. Former Fiji Prime Minister Qarase died • Former Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, passed away in April 2020. • He was the founder of the Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua Party, who served as Fiji’s sixth Prime Minister from 2000 to 2006. • In 2006, he was removed from power in a military coup led by Frank Bainimarama and later imprisoned on corruption charges. BMW India CEO Rudratej Singh passed away • BMW Group President and CEO Rudratej Singh passed away in April 2020. • He had joined BMW Group in August 2019. • He had more than 25 years of experience and held multiple leadership positions both in the automotive and non-automotive industries. • In his last assignment, he was the Global President at Royal Enfield and before that he worked with Unilever in India. Oscar-winning animator Gene Deitch passed away • Gene Deitch, an American Oscar-winning illustrator, animator, and film director passed away in April 2020. • Deitch’s movie “Munro” won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960. • He was also nominated for the same award twice in 1964 for “Here’s Nudnik” and “How to Avoid Friendship.” • In 2004, he received the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation. Norman Hunter passed away • Leeds United great Norman Hunter died in April 2020 after contracting coronavirus. • Nicknamed 'Bites Yer Legs', he was a key player in Leeds' most successful era. • He won two league titles during a 14-year first-team career at Elland Road, and was a non-playing member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad. Former Odisha Minister Saharai Oram died • Veteran tribal leader and former Odisha Minister Saharai Oram passed away in April 2020.
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• In 1977, he was elected from the same constituency as a Janata Party candidate, in 1980 as Janata-S candidate, 1990 as Janata Dal candidate and in 2000 as an Independent. • Oram was first elected to the Odisha Assembly from Champua constituency in 1971 as an Utkal Congress candidate. Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President died • Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has died from Covid-19 after a nearly month-long infection. • Kyari was in his 70s and had underlying health problems including diabetes. • He was the top official aide to 77-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari. • The late chief of staff was said to have contracted the coronavirus on an official trip in March 2020. NFL Hall of Famer Willie Davis passed away • NFL Hall of Famer Willie Davis passed away in April 2020. • Davis, who became the first black captain for the Packers in 1965 -- spent 10 years with the Wisconsin team, from 1960 to 1969. • In his 138 games with the Packers, Davis never missed a single one. • Davis was a 5-time Pro Bowl choice and 5-time Associated Press All-Pro. • He also led the Packers to two Super Bowl wins, in 1966 and 1967. Freedom fighter R V Bhuskute died • Freedom fighter R V Bhuskute, who had participated in the Quit India Movement, died in Maharashtra's Raigadh district in April 2020. • Bhuskute wrote several books on land laws and worked for the release and rehabilitation of bonded labourers in tribal areas of the state. • He is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters. Zafar Sarfraz passed away due to Coronavirus • Former Pakistani first-class cricketer Zafar Sarfraz became the first professional player of Pakistan to die after contracting the novel coronavirus. • He passed away in April 2020. • Sarfraz, a middle-order batsman, played 15 first-class games in Peshawar and retired in 1994. • He was the elder brother of Akhtar Sarfaraz who passed away in 2019. Roger Chappot passed away • Former ice hockey player Roger Chappot, who played more than 100 games for Switzerland's national team including at the 1964 Winter Olympics, died due to COVID-19, in April 2020. • He was the Swiss league's leading scorer in the 1964 season. • Chappot was a legend in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and one of the best centers in the country in the '60s. Veteran actor Ranjit Chowdhry passed away • Actor Ranjit Chowdhry passed away in April 2020. • He was best known for playing small roles in films such as Khatta Meetha, Baton Baton Mein and Khubsoorat. • Ranjit Chowdhry was the son of well known theatre personality Pearl Padamsee.
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• He was last seen in 2011 movie Breakaway and has also starred in eighties and nineties movies like Chakra, Kaalia and Bandit Queen. Rifat Chadirji passed away • The Aga Khan Award-winning architect Rifat Chadirji, who helped shaped Iraq’s contemporary architectural style, has died from COVID-19, in April 2020. • Chadirji was known for mixing traditional forms with contemporary elements. • He completed several iconic projects in Baghdad – including The Tobacco Monopoly Headquarters and the now-demolished Monument to the Unknown Soldier. Former pro golfer Doug Sanders passed away • Former pro golfer Doug Sanders passed away in April 2020. • He was known as the “Peacock of the Fairways” for his Easter-egg collection of colors he wore on the golf course. • He won 20 titles on the PGA Tour, the last of which was the 1972 Kemper Open. • His best year was in 1961 when he won five PGA Tour events and finished third on the PGA Tour money list. Filmmaker Obayashi passed away • Nobuhiko Obayashi, one of Japan's most prolific filmmakers who devoted his works to depicting war's horrors, passed away in April 2020. • His popular films include his 1977 “House,” and “Hanagatami,” released in 2017. • The last film directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi is “Labyrinth of Cinema”, which had been scheduled to be released in Japan on the day of his death. Former Union Minister Rajasekharan passed away • Veteran Congress leader and former Union minister M V Rajasekharan passed away in April 2020. • An agriculturist and rural development consultant, the Congress leader was born on September 12, 1928, at Maralawadi in Ramanagara district. • He represented Kanakapura constituency in Lok Sabha. • He had served as an MLC, MP and Union minister. British Comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor passed away • Tim Brooke-Taylor, famed British comedian and performer, passed away in April 2020 from COVID-19. • Brooke-Taylor was part of Cambridge University’s Footlights revue, the breeding ground of several generations of British comic talent. • For more than 40 years, Brooke-Taylor was also a panelist on BBC radio’s much loved comic quiz show “I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.” Ashok Desai passed away • Former Attorney General and Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India Ashok Desai passed away in April 2020. • He held office as the Attorney General for India from 9 July 1996 to 6 May 1998. • He was the Solicitor General of India from 18 December 1989 to 2 December 1990. • As a Senior Advocate, he appeared in a large number of cases involving issues of Constitutional Law and Competition Law. Legendary driver Stirling Moss passed away
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• Stirling Moss passed away in April 2020. • He is the great motor-racing driver and one of the most lionised figures in the history of British sport. • Moss rose to fame after the Second World War and went on to be acclaimed as the greatest all-round racer ever. • Moss' first Grand Prix victory came in the 1955 British Grand Prix at Aintree as he became the first British driver to win the event. Peter Bonetti passed away • Peter Bonetti, the former Chelsea and England goalkeeper, passed away in April 2020. • He was nicknamed “The Cat” for his outstanding reflexes and agility. • Bonetti was twice promoted to the First Division with Chelsea and won the 1964-65 League Cup, 1970 FA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971. Donato Sabia passed away • Twice Olympic 800 metres finalist Donato Sabia died from COVID-19 in April 2020. • Sabia finished fifth in the 800 metres at Los Angeles in 1984 and seventh in Seoul four years later. • He won the gold medal in the same event at the European Indoor Championships in 1984. • He is the first Olympic finalist in the world to die from the virus. Jackie du Preez passed away • Former South Africa spinner and Zimbabwe selector, John Harcourt du Preez passed away in April 2020. • He was fondly known as Jackie. • In a first-class career that lasted nearly 20 years, he made more than 4,000 first-class runs, including a century, and took 296 wickets, including 11 fifers. • He also took 80 catches. Ramkrishna Dwivedi passed away • Ramkrishna Dwivedi, a veteran leader who fought for the Congress and Congressmen passed away in April 2020. • Ramkrishna was expelled from the Congress for voicing his neglectful treatment of elderly Congressmen in the state. • He was the state Home Minister in Pandit Kamalapati Tripathi’s government in Uttar Pradesh. • He was also very close to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. American folk singer John Prine passed away • John Prine, an American folk legend, died following complications of coronavirus in April 2020. • In a career spanning over half a century, he won two Grammy awards for best contemporary folk albums “The Missing Years (1991)” and “Fair & Square (2005)”. • He was bestowed with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away • Renowned Hindustani classical singer and Padma Shri awardee Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away in April 2020. • The singer was trained in thumri, dadra and ghazal singing by Begum Akhtar, and was world renowned for keeping the legendary ghazal singer’s style alive in her performances. • During her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2007. 28 | P a g e
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Radomir Antic passed away • Former Serbia and Atletico Madrid coach Radomir Antic passed away in April 2020. • Antic had a varied playing career as a defender spanning 17 years in which he played for Partizan Belgrade in his home country, Fenerbahce in Turkey, Real Zaragoza in Spain before ending his career in England with Luton Town. • He coached a host of Spanish sides including Zaragoza, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passed away • Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passed away in April 2020. • Raghuwanshi was a five-time MLA from the Assembly constituency and also served as a minister in various Congress-led governments in the state • The senior leader was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1977 and he also served as a deputy speaker in the state Assembly from 2003-2008. Honor Blackman passed away • British actress Honor Blackman passed away in April 2020. • Honor Blackman first became a household name with the 1960s spy TV series The Avengers. • She joined the show in the second season as Cathy Gale, the leather-wearing anthropologist with martial arts skills. • But Blackman’s most famous role was as Pussy Galore in 1964s Goldfinger, the third James Bond movie. Kannada actor 'Bullet' Prakash passed away • Kannada actor “Bullet” Prakash passed away in April 2020. • He was known for his comic roles and performances in films like Aithalakkadi and Aryan. • He had been a part of more than 300 films and had recently signed a couple of projects in Kannada. • He was also a member of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2015. Veteran actor Forrest Compton passed away • Forrest Compton, best known for playing the role of district attorney Mike Karr in the long-running soap opera "The Edge of Night", has passed away due to coronavirus complications at the age of 94. • The actor served with the 103rd Infantry Division in France during World War II. • He also has a few popular soap operas to his credit such as "As the World Turns", and "One Lie to Live". Malayalam actor Kalinga Sasi passed away • Veteran Malayalam actor Sasi Kalinga, who has acted in more than 250 films, passed away in April 2020. • Sasi Kalinga started off his career as a theatre actor and later shot to fame with films like Pranchiyettan, The Saint, Amen, and Vellimoonga. • The actor made his movie debut in 1998 with Thakarachenda. • His official name is Chandra Kumar, but later changed it to Sasi. Jock Edwards passed away • Jock Edwards, who represented New Zealand in six Tests and eight ODIs, passed away in April 2020. • In his international career, Jock scored 377 runs in Tests and 138 runs in ODIs which he played against Australia, England and India. • He had made his Test debut in the home Test series against Australia in 1976-77 as a specialist batsman.
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Former Libya Prime Minister passed away • Mahmoud Jibril, the former head of the Libyan rebel government that overthrew longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, has died from the coronavirus. • He was an economic advisor to the Gaddafi government in its final years, before joining the revolution in 2011. • Jibril headed the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC), the interim govt during the NATO-backed rebellion that killed Gaddafi. M.K. Arjunan passed away • Veteran Malayalam music composer MK Arjunan, popularly known as Arjunan master, passed away in Kochi in April 2020. • He is known to have composed over 800 songs for plays in Malayalam. • He won his first-ever Kerala state award for composing songs in director Jayaraj’s film Bhayanakam, which was released in 2018. Grammy award winner Bill Withers passed away • Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s, including Lean On Me, Lovely Day, passed away in April 2020. • The three-time Grammy Award winner, who withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s, passed away in Los Angeles. • He has produced 9 albums, his debut album being 'Just As I Am' (1971) & the last album 'Watching You Watching Me' (1985). Gita Ramjee died from coronavirus • World-renowned virologist Gita Ramjee has become the first Indian-origin South African to have died after contracting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that has killed five people in the country. • In 2018, Ramjee was presented with the Outstanding Female Scientist Award in Lisbon by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnerships (EDCTP). Singer Adam Schlesinger passed away • Emmy winner Adam Schlesinger, best known as the co-founder of the 2000s pop-rock band 'Fountains of Wayne', has succumbed to coronavirus complications. • He is also known for co-writing the band's 2003 hit 'Stacy's Mom'. • Schlesinger also worked as an executive music producer on the musical show at The CW 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' and composed songs for 'A Colbert Christmas', etc. Gurbani maestro Nirmal Singh Khalsa died • Nirmal Singh Khalsa, a noted singer of Sikh Gurbani hymns, died of the novel coronavirus in Amritsar in April 2020. • It is the first death due to Covid-19 in Amritsar and the fifth death in the state. • He was the former Hazoori Raagi at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. • Nirmal Singh Khalsa received the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contribution to Gurbani music. • He was found positive on 1 Apr '20. Tony Lewis passed away
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• Tony Lewis, one of the men behind the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method used in weather-affected limited overs cricket matches passed away in April 2020. • Tony, alongside fellow mathematician Frank Duckworth, devised the Duckworth-Lewis method. • It was introduced in 1997 and adopted officially by the ICC (International Cricket Council) in 1999. Nobel laureate Phillip Anderson passed away • Philip Anderson, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who expanded the world's understanding of magnetism and superconductivity passed away in March 2020. • He researched the electronic behaviour of solid materials such as glass and alloys. • Anderson graduated from Harvard in 1949 and then worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories until he began teaching at Princeton and the University of Cambridge. Pape Diouf passed away • Former Marseille President Pape Diouf passed away due to complications from Covid-19. • Diouf served as president of Ligue 1 club Marseille between 2005 and 2009, before he was succeeded by Jean-Claude Dassier. • Diouf represented some major names in the football world as an agent, including Joseph-Antoine Bell, Marcel Desailly, Basile Boli, William Gallas, Samir Nasri and Didier Drogba. Legendary historian Arjun Dev passed away • Professor Arjun Dev, the legendary educationist and historian passed away in March 2020. • Prof. Arjun spent the better part of his academic life working as a historian at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). • He wrote a number of extremely popular textbooks for the NCERT on Modern and Contemporary India and the World. Maria Teresa: 1st royal to die from COVID-19 • Spanish Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma has become the first royal to pass away due to Covid-19 complications. • She was a cousin of Spain's King Felipe VI. • Her brother Prince Sixto Enrique de Borbon, the Duke of Aranjuez, announced her death. • Meanwhile, Prince Charles became the first British royal to be tested positive for the coronavirus in the last week of March 2020. International Affairs Shibli Faraz new Information Minister: Pak • Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has changed his media team for the second time since coming to power in 2018 amid mounting criticism of his government. • He appointed Senator Shibli Faraz as the new information minister of the country. • Former military spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa has been appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for information and broadcasting. UK: FM unveiled 'Bounce Back Loan Scheme • United Kingdom's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has unveiled a 100 per cent state-backed 'Bounce Back Loan Scheme'. • It will help small businesses to help them tide through the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
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• Under the scheme, qualifying small businesses can apply online to borrow between 2,000 pounds and 50,000 pounds as interest-free loans for the first 12 months. Saudi Arabia ends death penalty for minors • Saudi Arabia will no longer impose the death penalty on minors who committed crimes. • The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - which Riyadh has signed - says capital punishment should not be used for offences carried out by minors. • A record 184 people were executed in the kingdom in 2019, according to human rights group Amnesty International. China approved its third coronavirus vaccine • China has approved its third coronavirus vaccine for the second phase of clinical trials. • An inactivated vaccine developed by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products has started its clinical trials. • An inactivated vaccine consists of virus particles, bacteria, or other pathogens that have been grown in culture and then lose disease producing capacity. Animals tested positive for COVID-19 • Animals at two mink farms in the Netherlands have tested positive for COVID-19. • The minks are not the first animals infected with the coronavirus. • The findings come after positive tests in two pet cats in New York state and in some tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo, adding to a small number of confirmed cases of the virus in animals worldwide. SpaceX launched 60 Starlink satellites • SpaceX successfully launched a new batch of 60 Starlink satellites into orbit on 22 April 2020 and nailed a rocket landing at sea to cap the mission. • The launch marked the 84th Falcon 9 flight, making SpaceX's workhorse rocket the most flown U.S. rocket in use. • In addition, it is also the 7th Starlink launch for an internet project & aims to put over 420 planned satellites into orbit. Prince Charles launched emergency fund • Prince Charles on April 24, 2020 launched a new COVID-19 emergency appeal fund for South Asian nations- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in his role as the founding patron of the British Asian Trust. • He had recently recovered from coronavirus. • He has urged the Asian diaspora to donate with an open heart to help vulnerable people. Human trials of vaccine began in UK • Human trials of a vaccine, developed by the Oxford University, against the novel coronavirus began in the UK on 23 April 2020. • Scientists have given the vaccine an 80 per cent chance of success. • The UK government has pledged 20 million pounds to support the coronavirus vaccine trial programme. • The vaccine is made from a harmless chimpanzee virus. First at-home COVID-19 test kit approved • The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first at-home COVID-19 test kit. • It is expected to bring coronavirus testing to the doorsteps of every household.
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• The test kit, costing 119 dollars in the US, has been developed by LabCorp, an American company with a network of medical laboratories across the country. China named its Mars mission Tianwen-1 • China has named its first Mars exploration mission to be launched later in 2020 as Tianwen-1. • Aiming to catch up with India, US, Russia and the European Union to reach the red planet, China's Mars mission plans to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one mission. • 'Tianwen' means Heavenly Questions or Questions to Heaven, a poem written by China's well-known poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). NASA developed a new ventilator • NASA engineers have developed a new, easy-to-build high-pressure ventilator tailored specifically to treat COVID-19 patients. • The device is called VITAL (Ventilator Intervention Technology Accessible Locally). • VITAL is designed to treat patients with milder symptoms, thereby keeping country's limited supply of traditional ventilators available for patients with more severe COVID-19 symptoms. World Games unveiled new logo for 2022 edition • The World Games to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, have unveiled a new logo and a new title. • The event has been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. • With the announcement of The Games shift to July 7-17, 2022, organisers have decided that the international multi-sport event will officially become ‘The World Games 2022'. China announced USD 30 mn grant for WHO • China has announced an additional 30 million US Dollar grant to WHO. • Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang made the announcement at a media briefing in Beijing. • The grant will be in addition to the 20 million US Dollars provided by China earlier to the WHO. • US President Donald Trump has decided to freeze the funding for WHO over its handling of the COVID-19 crisis. Abu Dhabi Sheikh invests $1 bn: LuLu Group • An investment firm backed by a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family agreed to buy a stake worth just over $1 billion in LuLu Group International. • The company led by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan acquired an almost 20% holding in the Abu Dhabi-based supermarket group founded by Indian entrepreneur Yusuff Ali. Lebanon legalized cannabis farming • Lebanese legislators have approved a law legalising the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial use. • The decision, which makes Lebanon the 1st Arab country to legalise marijuana growing, offers economic incentives for the debt-ridden state. • It makes the state the sole proprietor for trading cannabis, which has been grown illicitly for decades in Bekaa. Iran put first military satellite into orbit • Iran has successfully launched the country’s first military satellite into orbit. • The satellite “Noor”, or “Light”, was orbiting 425 km (264 miles) above the earth’s surface. 33 | P a g e
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• Qased or “Messenger” carrier was used to launch Noor. • The three-stage Qased satellite launcher uses a combination of solid and liquid fuels. Spain's bull running festival cancelled • Spain's best-known bull running festival in the northern town of Pamplona has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. • Hundreds of thousands of people typically attend the centuries-old San Fermin celebration, which sees half- a tonne fighting bulls chase hundreds of daredevils. • The event is held each year between July 6 and 14. Microsoft to launch plasmabot • Microsoft is launching a plasmabot to explore the possibility of treatment for COVID-19. • It is encouraging patients who were once infected and now have been completely cured to come forward and donate plasma. • A plasmabot is a chatbot that will answer people's queries related to the virus. • Plasma is a component of blood that has been used as a treatment for years. Instagram launched COVID-19 spread tracker • Instagram founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger have come together to launch Rt.Live, an up-to-date tracker of how fast the coronavirus is spreading each day. • It will measure the average number of people who become infected by an affected person. • It works using an effective reproduction number, which tracks the average number of people who catch the virus from a single infected person Trump to temporarily suspend immigration to US • US President Donald Trump will suspend all immigration into the United States temporarily through an executive order in response to the coronavirus outbreak and to protect American jobs. • Millions of Americans are suffering unemployment after companies shed employees amid nationwide lockdowns to stop the contagion. Facebook Gaming app launched • Facebook has finally stepped into the gaming world officially by launching its first game streaming app, Facebook Gaming. • The app has been under development in South American countries since 18 months. • The app is currently available on Android and is in the works for iOS users. • The app is a focused, gaming-only experience where you can watch your favorite streamers, and play instant games. Rare turtle nests spotted in Thailand • A large number of nests of rare leatherback sea turtles were spotted in the now-empty beaches of Thailand amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. • The number is the highest in two decades. • Leatherbacks, the world's largest sea turtles, are considered endangered in Thailand. • The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed leatherbacks as vulnerable species all across the world. Alembic gets USFDA nod
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• Alembic Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the US health regulator to market Alcaftadine ophthalmic solution, in the American market. • The company has received tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) Alcaftadine Ophthalmic Solution. Facebook launched third party fact checking • Facebook has announced the launch of its third party fact checking system in Bangladesh to discourage the spread of fake news in the country. • Facebook in partnership with Boom Fact check will review and rate the stories, including photos and videos. • The fact checking will build a more informed community in the region. • It will debunk misinformation on topics of health and medicine. WHO released guidelines for Ramadan practices • WHO has released guidelines for Ramadan practices in the context of COVID-19 and advised social distancing and virtual prayer meets. • It has advised people to practise physical distancing by maintaining a distance of at least one metre at all times. • Any gathering occurring due to Ramadan must preferably be held outdoors and the length of such event must be shortened to limit exposure. Donald Trump unveiled a three phase plan • US President Donald Trump unveiled a three-phase plan on 17 April 2020 to reopen country's economy following the COVID-19 outbreak. • The new plan allows governors to gradually ease the lockdown in their states. • His administration is issuing new federal guidelines that will allow governors to take a phased approach to reopen their individual states. Mobile World Congress to be held in Barcelona • The Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecoms industry’s biggest annual gathering, will be held in Barcelona until 2024. • It is extending its current contract by one year. • The MWC, which draws more than 100,000 people to Barcelona, became one of the first business casualties of the coronavirus pandemic when this year’s event was cancelled in February 2020. US-Russian space crew landed safely • A U.S.-Russian crew landed safely on 17 April 2020 in the steppes of Kazakhstan following a stint on the International Space Station and was greeted with extra precautions due to the coronavirus. • The crew comprised of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka. • Morgan wrapped up a 272-day mission on his first flight into space. Pakistan plans to bid for ICC events • The Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to launch a joint bid for five to six ICC events along with its counterpart from the UAE. • The PCB is going to bid for events in the cycle that runs from 2023 to 2031. • Since becoming an affiliated member of the ICC in 1952, Pakistan has hosted two global cricket events: the 1987 and 1996 World Cups. 35 | P a g e
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Online ASEAN Special Summit held • The online ASEAN Special Summit and ASEAN+3 Special Summit on Covid-19 response took place in Hà Nội on 14 April 2020. • It was chaired by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, chairman of ASEAN and of ASEAN+3. • Leaders of the 10-nation bloc and their partners from three ASEAN partners, discussed measures and initiatives to strengthen co-operation in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. 44th session of WHC postponed • China's Ministry of Education on 15 April'20 announced that the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO has been postponed due to COVID-19. • It was initially scheduled from 29 June to 9 July 2020 in Fuzhou of eastern China's Fujian Province. • The decision was made by the committee's bureau members and consultations are currently underway to determine the dates of the session. WHO launched interactive coronavirus service • WHO has launched an interactive experience on Facebook Messenger to provide people with accurate and timely information about the coronavirus pandemic. • WHO will leverage Messenger's reach to more than 1.3 billion monthly active users who will now be able to ask questions and get quick answers from the WHO's "Health Alert" interactive service on Messenger, • The service is free to use. China approved human trials of 2 vaccines • China has approved human testing of two vaccines to combat the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. • The two vaccines have been developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products and Sinovac Research and Development Co., Ltd. • These are first vaccines in the world cleared for clinical trials. • Sinopharm has produced over 50,000 doses for the initial clinical trials. University of Houston re-launched fund • In the US, University of Houston has re-launched its emergency fund. • It will assist students facing unexpected financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • The Cougar Emergency Fund is designed to offer as much as 1,500 US Dollars in support to eligible students for school-related costs to keep them enrolled and on track despite financial hardship caused by the pandemic. Krakatau volcano witnessed longest eruption • Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano spewed a column of ash 500 meters into the sky in the longest eruption since its explosive collapse in 2018. • No casulaties were reported. • Anak Krakatau, which means child of Kratakau, is the offspring of the famous Krakatau volcano, whose monumental eruption in 1883 triggered a period of global cooling. China: Top filer of international patents • China in 2019 surpassed the US as the top source of international patent applications. • With 58,990 applications filed in 2019 via WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) System, China ended the U.S. (57,840 applications in 2019) reign as the biggest user of the PCT System.
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• International patent applications filed via the PCT grew by 5.2% (265,800 applications) in 2019. Amazon making testing lab for workforce • Amazon has started building a lab that will enable it to test employees for the Covid-19 virus. • It is taking this step to protect its warehouse workers and delivery drivers who are getting essential products to customers sheltering at home. • The lab will let the company start testing small numbers of its front line employees soon. UNSC to hold its first meeting on COVD-19 • The UN Security Council will hold its first meeting on the coronavirus pandemic on 9 April 2020, after weeks of divisions among its five permanent members. • Nine of the 10 non-permanent members formally requested a meeting featuring a presentation by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. • The meeting will be held through videoconference. US President Trump signed an executive order • US President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order. • It is aimed at encouraging international support for its policy allowing private industry for recovery and use of space resources from the Moon, Mars and other celestial bodies. • It is titled 'Encouraging International Support For The Recovery And Use Of Space Resources'. Tiger at a zoo tested positive for COVID-19 • A tiger at New York's Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19 and is believed to have contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at the time. • 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. UNGA adopted a resolution • The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution on COVID-19, calling for intensified international cooperation to defeat the pandemic. • Co-sponsored by 188 nations including India, the resolution is titled 'Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)'. • It is first such document on the global pandemic to be adopted by the world organization. Bangladesh to use AI for Corona management • The government of Bangladesh will utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the management of Coronavirus spread in the country. • The AI-powered insights will help the government to set its next course of action to fight Coronavirus. • PM Sheikh Hasina has ordered that at least 2 samples from each Upzila may be tested from 3 Apr '20 to get a better picture of the spread of Corona in the country. NASA to launch 'SunRISE' mission • NASA has selected the proposed Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) mission to study how the Sun creates and releases Giant Solar Particle Storms. • This mission will further aid scientists to understand how the Solar System works. • It will also help protect future astronauts from Solar Storms while going to the Moon or Mars.
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China recommended bear bile to treat COVID-19 • China has recommended bear bile for COVID-19 treatment. • The Chinese authorities reportedly began promoting the use of Tan Re Qing – an injection that contains bear bile - to treat patients infected by the novel coronavirus. • The bile of various species of bears has traditionally been used to make Chinese medicine since the 18th century. Johnson & Johnson to test a Covid-19 vaccine • American company Johnson & Johnson has selected a lead COVID19 vaccine that will move to human trials by September 2020. • The vaccine could be ready for emergency use by early 2021. • The pharmaceutical company has signed an agreement with the US government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to invest one billion dollars in the effort. Person In News PNB Housing Finance CEO resigned • PNB Housing Finance's Managing Director and CEO Sanjaya Gupta has resigned from his post, less than a week before his term was scheduled to end on May 4, 2020. • During the search period, the board has appointed Neeraj Vyas to assume the role of interim Managing Director and CEO until a successor is appointed. • Vyas was inducted into the PNB Housing Finance Board in 2019. Kiran Mazumdar: Top 20 inspirational leaders • Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been recognized as one of the world’s top 20 inspirational leaders in biopharmaceuticals in The Medicine Maker ‘Power List 2020’. • She has been recognised for her contribution to the world of medicine as an entrepreneur. • The list presents the top 20 inspirational medicine makers from the world of small molecules, biopharmaceuticals, and advanced medicine. PCB banned Umar Akmal • Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has been banned from all forms of cricket for three years for failing to report corrupt approaches. • The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had charged him with two breaches of its anti-corruption code for not reporting two unrelated approaches. • Akmal has played in 16 Tests, 121 one-day internationals and 84 T20 internationals. Jhuma Khatun banned for 4 years • Middle-distance runner Jhuma Khatun has been banned for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics. • She was tested positive for dehydrochloromethyl testosterone, a steroid. • Khatun had won a bronze medal each in 1,500m and 5,000m at the Championships in Guwahati. • Khatun’s results from June 29, 2018 to November 21, 2018 will now be annulled. Sana Mir announced retirement • Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir has announced her retirement, bringing to an end a 15-year career. • She played 226 internationals, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017. 38 | P a g e
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• She had announced a break from international cricket in November 2019 to recalibrate her future objectives and targets. • She made her T20I debut against Ireland in Dublin in May 2009. Seema Nanda to step down as CEO • Seema Nanda has announced her decision to step down as the CEO of the Democratic National Committee, ahead of the presidential elections in November 2020. • She became the first Indian-American to be appointed as the CEO of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in June 2018. • She would be replaced by Mary Beth Cahill, who had previously managed John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign. Arnab Goswami resigned from Editors' Guild • Arnab Goswami has resigned from the Editors' Guild of India. • He accused the organisation of hypocrisy in the aftermath of the Palghar incident, where two Hindu seers were mob lynched. • He is the founder and most popular face of the news channel Republic TV. • He has also been the editor-in-chief and a news anchor of Times Now and ET Now, from 2006 to 2016. SAP co-CEO Jennifer Morgan stepped down • SAP SE Co-CEO Jennifer Morgan, appointed in October 2019 to the top executive post alongside Christian Klein, will abruptly leave the company at the end of April 2020. • Klein will remain in the CEO role. • He joined the company as a student in 1999 and had been COO since April 2016. • Klein has been a member of SAP’s executive board since 2018. IWF President Tamas Ajan resigned • Tamas Ajan has resigned as the President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). • Ajan, from Hungary, had been at the IWF since 1976, serving 24 years as general secretary and 20 years as President. • American Ursula Papandrea will continue to lead the sport’s governing body as Acting President. Raghuram Rajan in External Advisory Group: IMF • Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of IMF, has named a group of prominent individuals to serve as her new External Advisory Group which includes Raghuram Rajan. • He is the former RBI governor. • The group will provide perspectives from around the globe on key developments and policy issues including policy responses to the exceptional challenges the world is facing due to COVID-19. 129th birth anniversary of Dr B.R Ambedkar • The nation is remembering Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 129th birth anniversary on 14 April 2020. • Dr. Ambedkar is known as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. • He was bestowed with the country’s highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna in 1990 posthumously. • He became the 1st Law and Justice Minister after independence and played an important role in drafting the Indian Constitution. Ben Stokes named Wisden’s Leading Cricketer
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• Ben Stokes has been named as the leading Cricketer in the World in the 2020 edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. • Stokes succeeds India's Virat Kohli, who had been honoured by Wisden for three years running. • He has also become the first English player since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to be considered the best contemporary player in the world. Radhakishan Damani got richer under lockdown • The net worth of Radhakishan Damani, who controls Avenue Supermarts Ltd., has surged 5% this year to $10.2 billion. • This has made him the only billionaire with gains among the 12 richest Indians. • Shares of Avenue Supermarts, which contribute nearly all of the wealth to Damani’s net worth, have advanced 18% in 2020. Madhabi Puri Buch got extension as WTM at SEBI • The government has extended the appointment of Madhabi Puri Buch as a whole time member (WTM) of SEBI by a period of six months. • With this notification, the sole female member of the board will stay on till October 4, 2020. • She was not only the first woman to be appointed as a WTM of SEBI but also the first person from the private sector to do so. Two nurses lauded in Ladakh • In Ladakh, senior nurse Tsering Yangzom and a trainee nurse Angmo Liker, the first two covid 19 front liners have got overwhelming appreciations for boosting the morale of frontline warriors in the fight against Covid-19. • These two nurses were the first rapid response warriors of Ladakh for the first two reported patients at isolation wards. Kobe Bryant to be in Basketball Hall of Fame • Kobe Bryant was selected to be inducted into the 2020 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. • Tim Duncan, the longtime San Antonio Spurs forward, and ex-Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett will also be inducted. • Honorees will be officially enshrined on 29 August 2020 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Bob Weighton confirmed as world’s oldest man • A British pensioner has just been the crowned the world's oldest man after he celebrated his 112th birthday. • Born on March 29, 1908, Robert Weighton has officially been confirmed as the new title holder by Guinness World Records (GWR). • He won the title after Chitetsu Watanabe, from Japan, passed away on February 23, 2020. • Born on March 5, 1907, he was 112 years and 355 days old. Pravin Jadhav resigned as MD of Paytm Money • Pravin Jadhav, MD and CEO of Paytm Money, has resigned from the company. • Jadhav had put in his papers in last week of March 2020 and is likely to be relieved by the end of April 2020. • Paytm Money had elevated Jadhav as MD and CEO in September 2019. • Jadhav served Paytm for about 33 months in the capacity of consultant, wholesome director and MD.
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Sudhir Rajkumar resigned from UN Pension Fund • A senior official from India has resigned from his position of Representative of the UN Secretary-General. • Sudhir Rajkumar had been appointed to the role by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in October 2017. • He resigned from his role as the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. Government Policies and Schemes Mid-day meal scheme update • Govt has announced around 11% increase in annual central allocation of cooking cost under Mid-day meal scheme to Rs 8,100 crore in view of the situation arising out of COVID-19. • The mid-day meal Scheme is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme, aimed at increasing enrolment, retention and attendance of students in schools. • The scheme covers more than 12 crore children studying in over 11 lakh schools. Indian Overseas Bank launched a special scheme • Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has introduced a special borrowing programme for self help groups to help them tide over the challenges inflicted by COVID-19. • The maximum loan amount is Rs 5,000 per member of a self help group (SHG) with a cap of Rs 1 lakh for the group. • SHGs with a good track record and a history of minimum two loans from IOB will be eligible for this loan facility. Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme in Andhra P. • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y. S.Jaganmohan Reddy has launched the ‘Jagananna Vidya Deevena’ Scheme. • Under this scheme, full fee reimbursement will be provided to the students. • The government is also planning to introduce this scheme to make poor students pursue higher studies. • About 12 lakh students would be benefitted from this scheme. Andhra CM launched zero-interest loan scheme • Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the YSR Zero Interest Loan scheme. • Under this, Rs 1,400 crore has been credited to the bank accounts of 8.78 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs). • Under the scheme, women SHG members can avail loans of Rs 20,000-40,000 a year. • It will benefit over 91 lakh women SHG members across the state. • Of the 8.78 lakh SHGs, 6.95 are in rural areas. MP CM launched Jeevan Shakti Yojana • Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan launched the Jeevan Shakti Yojana on 25 April 2020. • Under this scheme, women in urban areas can earn by making masks at home. • The government will pay them Rs 11 per mask. • Women wishing to make masks will have to register themselves by calling on the Call Centre number through their telephone or mobile. Assam govt launched new scheme 'Dhanwantari'
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• Assam govt has launched a new scheme Dhanwantari under which locally unavailable medicines are provided to patients at home. • Medicines below 200 rupees will be provided free of cost to patients. • Health workers are delivering medicines for patients who cannot get it within 10 km of their radius. • 260 calls had already been received within 4 hours of launching the scheme. SIDBI launched liquidity support scheme • SIDBI has launched a liquidity support scheme for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. • Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) had received Rs 15,000 crore from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide financial aid to MSMEs. • The central bank provided the capital through a Special Liquidity Facility (SLF). e-Gram Swaraj, Swamitva Yojana launched • PM Narendra Modi on 24 April 2020 launched e-Gram Swaraj & Swamitva Yojana, two web portals for accelerating the pace of development in India's villages. • The eGram app will help in accelerating projects in villages from planning to completion. • Swamitva yojana will use drones in mapping of properties in villages. • This will help in reducing disputes over property. Gujarat govt's water conservation scheme began • Gujarat CM has given the green signal for the third edition of 'Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan'. • It is a conservation plan to deepen water bodies in the state before the monsoon. • The scheme, which will continue till June 10, 2020, will see the deepening of lakes, check dams and rivers by removing silt, and it will be done with people's participation as well as under MNREGA. CM COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojana: MP • In Madhya Pradesh, around one lakh Anganwadi workers and Assistants of the state will get the benefit of Chief Minister COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojana. • Under this initiative, they will also get a special health insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs. • Meanwhile, the state government has given one year exemption to the private schools for renewal of accreditation due to COVID-19 infection. Tamil Nadu govt introduced a scheme • The Tamil Nadu state govt has introduced a scheme of distributing essential food kits to frontline workers in the toil against COVID-19. • Under the scheme, kits that include rice, cereals, condiments, spices etc are being distributed among sanitary workers, electricity board workers etc. • As a first phase, 290 kits were distributed to sanitary workers. 32 crore people receive benefits under PMGKP • Government has provided over Rs 28,000 crore support through Direct Benefit Transfer to around 32 crore beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan relief package announced in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. • Around Rs 14,000 crore have been directly transferred to approximately 7 cr farmers under PM - KISAN scheme and Rs 10,000 crore to over 19 crore PMJDY women account holders till now.
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Special scheme for manufacturing face masks • The Central and Special Women's prisons in Madurai, Tamil Nadu have embarked upon a special scheme for manufacturing face masks. • Under the scheme, a target of one lakh face masks has been fixed. • Till date 34000 masks have been made. • Of these 17000 have been distributed among government departments like health and police. 50 cr poor eligible for free COVID- 19 testing • More than 50 crore poor will be eligible for free COVID-19 testing and treatment under Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana- PMJAY. • Testing at private labs and treatment in designated hospitals is now free for Ayushman beneficiaries. • The scheme aims to provide free health coverage at the secondary and tertiary level to its bottom 40% poor and vulnerable population. Government notified three schemes • The Ministry of Electronics and IT has notified 3 schemes to boost electronics manufacturing with incentives worth more than Rs 48,000 cr. • The largest scheme, with an outlay of Rs 40,000 cr, will give incentives of 4-6% on incremental sales on mobile phones and specified electronic components. • The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme will be applicable from August 1, 2020. Science and Technology JNCASR scientists develop Alzheimer inhibitor • Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre For Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have modified the structure of Berberine, a natural and cheap product similar to curcumin, available commercially, into Ber-D to use as a Alzheimer’s inhibitor. • Their research work has been published in the scientific journal iSceince. • Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device • CSIR lab, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute has developed Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device, HCARD. • It can help frontline health care workers in maintaining physical distance from those infected by coronavirus. • The device is equipped with various state-of-the-art technologies and works both in automatic as well as manual modes of navigation. Largest hole in ozone layer is closed now • The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), confirmed that the largest hole in the Ozone layer above the Arctic has closed. • The ozone layer is a protective layer of gas in the stratosphere. • It shields the planet from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. MIT team developed 'microneedles'
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• Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists have developed a method to deliver life-saving treatments to plants with diseases that affect their circulatory systems and cannot be treated with pesticides. • It uses microneedles made of silk-based biomaterial to deliver nutrients or drugs to specific parts of the plant. • The findings are described in the journal Advanced Science. IIT Bhubaneswar designed a sanitizer • IIT Bhubaneswar has designed a safe and multi-surface sanitizer using UVC light for the disinfection of devices. • You can place an infected object into the chamber and once it gets exposed to ultraviolet light, the device would be disinfected within 15 minutes. • The university has developed the chamber for the disinfection of masks, PPEs as they cannot be disinfected with soap water easily. Hubble telescope's 30th anniversary • In 2020, the Hubble Space Telescope achieved its 30th year in orbit. • Hubble’s unique design, allowing it to be repaired and upgraded with advanced technology by astronauts, has made it one of NASA’s longest-living and most valuable observatories. • Throughout the year, NASA will celebrate the many ways that Hubble has brought the universe home to Earth, with special events. Low-cost mechanical ventilator developed • A team of engineering students from IIT Bombay, NIT Srinagar and Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST), Awantipora, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir has come up with a low-cost ventilator using locally available materials. • It is named 'Ruhdaar' ventilator. • Ruhdaar provides necessary functionalities which can provide adequate breathing support. IIITM-K developed an AI-based search engine • Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management - Kerala (IIITM-K) has developed an AI Semantic search engine to enable researchers to get deeper insights into scientific studies. • It is named 'www.vilokana.in', which in Sanskrit means 'finding out'. • The search engine will guide the researchers to the right information very fast. Scientists working on anti-Covid drugs • Dept of Biotechnology’s Centre of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing at Mohali has planned a few research projects. • Under the Drug discovery platform, the research will explore the separation of therapeutic and valuable medicinal components from the peel and seeds of fruits and utilization of natural garlic essential oil as an ACE 2 protein inhibitor for preventing SARS-CoV-2 invasion. Researchers at CIMAP develop 2 herbal products • Researchers at Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Lucknow have developed two scientifically proven herbal products, which can boost the immunity of the persons. • They also help in alleviating the dry cough symptom generally associated with the Coronavirus infection. • These are named ‘CIM-Paushak’ and ‘Herbal Cough Syrup’.
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COVID-19 may affect central nervous system • Study has shown that COVID-19 may affect the Central Nervous System causing loss of smell and taste. • Scientists of IIT Jodhpur have explored the neuroinvasive nature of the COVID-19 virus highlighting that loss of smell and taste of infected patients makes their entire Central Nervous System and the underlying structures in the brain more prone to viral infection with devastating effects. ICMR nods for coronavirus detection assay • IIT Delhi has got the approval from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for a probe-free coronavirus detection assay developed by it. • The assay had been validated at ICMR with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. • IIT-D is the first academic institute to have obtained ICMR approval for a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assay. Scientists to develop virucidal coating • A team of researchers at Regional Centre for Biotechnology has initiated a study to engineer virucidal coatings to prevent the COVID-19 Transmission. • The team is led by Dr. Avinash Bajaj. • The study is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Milan Surjit from Translational Health Science and Technology Institute and Dr. Samrat Mukhopadhay from Department of Textile Technology, IIT, Delhi. App developed by IIIT-Delhi • Researchers at IIIT-Delhi have developed an app which warns people about a coronavirus containment zone nearby and helps them check whether a news item about the pandemic is genuine or fake. • The WashKaro app has been developed by professor Ponnurangam Kumaraguru and Dr Tavpritesh Sethi of the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi) along with five students. Tool for mapping nano-mechanical properties • Scientists from International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) in collaboration with Nanomechanics Inc., Oak Ridge, USA have jointly developed an advanced tool. • It can map the nano-mechanical properties of materials like multi-phase alloys, composites, and multi- layered coatings. • The tool is called NanoBlitz 3D. A woman developed ten varieties of Anthurium • D Vasini Bai, a woman innovator from Thiruvananthapuram, has developed ten varieties of Anthurium, a flower with high market value, by cross-pollination. • Anthurium is a vast group of beautiful blooming plants available in a wide range of colours. • Anthurium is one of the best domestic flowering plants in the world. • They also purify the surrounding air and remove harmful airborne chemicals. Air pollution levels at "20-Year Low": NASA • Air pollution over northern India has plummeted to a 20-year-low for this time of 2020, according to satellite data published by NASA. • The data published with maps show aerosol optical depth (AOD) in 2020 compared to the average for 2016- 2019.
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• Aerosol optical depth is a measure of how light is absorbed or reflected by airborne particles as it travels through the atmosphere. Indian scientists build a model • Scientists from Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi and Goa have come together to build a model that can help predict outcomes of COVID-19 under different scenarios. • This model, named INDSCI-SIM, is the first detailed, State-specific, epidemiological, compartmental model for COVID-19 made in India. • The model can compare effects of multiple non-pharmaceutical interventions. IIT-Mandi developing magnetic RAM • Researchers at IIT Mandi are developing magnetic Random Access Memory (RAM). • It is faster, more energy-efficient and capable of storing more information in a smaller volume than existing data storage technologies. • The team claims that the Spin-transfer torque (STT) based nano spintronic devices will also put an end to computer data loss due to interruptions of power supply. ARI Pune developed “bug sniffer” • Researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, have developed a sensitive and low-cost sensor to rapidly detect bacteria. • The portable device can detect as low as ten bacterial cells from a sample size of one millilitre in just 30 minutes. • At present, they are working on a method for simultaneous separation and detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Researchers developed a global model • Researchers from Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Navi Mumbai have developed a global model to predict the ionospheric electron density with larger data coverage. • The new Artificial Neural Networks based global Ionospheric Model has been developed using long-term ionospheric observations to predict the ionospheric electron density and the peak parameters. Fish gills used to develop electro-catalysts • Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, have recently come up with an efficient, low-cost electro-catalyst from fish gills. • It can help develop environmentally friendly energy conversion devices. • It could be utilized as next-generation nonprecious carbon-based electrocatalyst for energy conversion and storage applications. Lithium abundance in interstellar space • Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have discovered hundreds of Lithium-rich giant stars indicating that Li is being produced in the stars and accounts for its abundance in the interstellar medium. • They have also associated such Li enhancement with central Helium-burning stars, also known as red clump giants. IIT Ropar to develop a ‘WardBot’ • A team of researchers at IIT Ropar is aiming to develop a wardbot that will deliver food and medicine to COVID-19 patients in their isolation wards. 46 | P a g e
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• The conceptual design is of a bot that can be instructed to receive and deliver food and medicines to every room from a remotely-located control room. • The bot will have at least twelve shelves and a carrying capacity of 4 to 5 kg. Scientists observed biggest star explosion • Astronomers have spotted a record-breaking supernova, the largest ever observed. • The spectacular stellar explosion released enough light to cover its entire galaxy, outshining normal supernovae by 500 times. • The supernova was first observed in February 2016 by the Panoramic Survey Telescopes and Rapid Response System observatory in Hawaii. New pit viper discovered in Arunachal Pradesh • A group of researchers have recorded a new serpent and named it Salazar’s pit viper. • The new species, Trimeresurus Salazar is the fifth variety of reptile to have been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh in a little more than a year. • The name was inspired by Salazar Slytherin, the co-founder of J.K. Rowlings’ fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Nasa discovered hidden 'Earth-like' planet • Astronomers have found an Earth-size planet in its star’s habitable zone. • A team of transatlantic scientists discovered this exoplanet while they were scanning through old observations data from NASA's Kepler space telescope, which the space agency retired in 2018. • The planet called Kepler-1649c, located 300 light-years from Earth, is most similar to Earth in size and estimated temperature. Stable material for pseudocapacitors • Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali have developed a stable material for pseudocapacitors or supercapacitors which store electrical energy by electron charge transfer. • The material can offer a low-cost scalable energy storage solution as an alternative to batteries. • Pseudocapacitors store electrical energy by electron charge transfer. DRDO introduced two new products • DRDO has introduced two products which can enhance the operations at public places during the pandemic. • One is Automatic Mist based Sanitiser Dispensing Unit and UV Sanitisation Box and Hand-held UV device. • Automatic Mist based sanitiser dispensing unit is based on water mist aerator technology, which was developed for water conservation. Diagnostic test developed in Kerala • A research institute in Kerala has developed a new, faster and cheaper diagnostic test for COVID-19. • Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram has developed the innovative kit named Chitra Gene LAMP-N for the diagnosis of COVID-19. • This new kit is considered as one of the first few confirmatory diagnostic test for N-gene of COVID-19 virus. CeNS developed a compact solid-state sensor • Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) has developed a compact solid-state sensor to detect the heavy metal ions in water. 47 | P a g e
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• It is a portable device which can help onsite detection in remote areas. • A team of researchers led by Dr. Pralay K. Santra have developed the sensor to detect ions such as lead ions (Pb2) down to 0.4 parts per billion (ppb) for efficient onsite detection. Professor developed 'ZERO-COV' • National Institute of Technology Karnataka Surathkal's professor Arun M Isloor and his research scholar Ibrahim Sayeed have developed a disinfectant chamber from an old fridge. • They named the disinfected chamber as 'ZERO-COV.' • The aim is to provide the disinfection technology used in laboratories and hospitals to the doorstep of the common man. Coronavirus in 2 Indian Bat species • Researchers have found the presence of a different kind of coronavirus, bat coronavirus (BtCoV) --in two bat species from Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. • A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found this. • There is no evidence or research to claim that these bat coronaviruses can cause disease in humans. Antimicrobial spray-based coating developed • A team of researchers of IIT Guwahati has developed an affordable antimicrobial spray-based coating for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and 3D printed Ear Guard for comfortable use of face masks by healthcare workers. • The concepts have been developed by Dr. Biman B. Mandal, along with his PhD scholars, Bibhas K. Bhunia and Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay. Jharkhand hospitals employ ‘COBOT-Robotics’ • Robots will serve food and give medicine to COVID-19 patients in 2 hospitals in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district. • This is a step to protect doctors and health workers from getting infected with coronavirus. • Developed by District Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) Aditya Ranjan, the remote-controlled COBOT-Robotics will provide food and medicine to patients without human intervention. Researchers developed a ‘digital stethoscope’ • A team at the Indian Institute of Technology of Bombay (IIT-B) has developed a "digital stethoscope". • It can listen to heart beats from a distance and record them, minimising the risk of healthcare professionals contracting the novel coronavirus from patients. • This can help doctors and medical professionals practice social distancing with ease. CCMB undertook Genome Sequencing • Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology of the CSIR has undertaken the Genome Sequencing of Coronavirus jointly with the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB). • In next 3-4 weeks the CCMB will be completing several hundreds of isolates and able to reach at some conclusions which will be relevant in practical applications to tackle Coronavirus. Funding approved for making Nasal passage gel • Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is supporting a technology by the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (DBB), IIT Bombay for capturing and inactivation of coronavirus.
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• The funding will help the team to develop a gel that can be applied to the nasal passage, which is a major entry point of the coronavirus. Google launched new virtual Braille Keyboard • Google has launched a new braille keyboard named TalkBack to simplify smartphone typing for those who are suffering from visual impairment. • TalkBack braille keyboard is a new virtual braille keyboard integrated directly into Android. • The keyboard uses a standard 6-key layout and each key represents one of six Braille dots which, when tapped, make any letter or symbol. Computer based nano materials by INST Mohali • Researchers from Mohali-based Institute of Nano Science and Technology, have made computer-based designs of nano-materials with superhigh piezoelectricity. • The research will help development of nano devices like transistors which are used in the mother board of Computers and Laptops. • This will help in further minimizing the size of electronic devices making them lighter and easy to carry. 'Membrane oxygenator equipment' developed • A Pune based company Genrich Membranes funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed a membrane oxygenator equipment to treat COVID-19 patients. • The device is slated to be used to treat breathlessness, one of the critical symptoms of COVID-19. • This equipment can also be used to treat patients who have been discharged from Intensive Care Units (ICU). Kerala scientists developed a new equipment • Scientists in Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala have developed few new equipment for the treatments of COVID 19. • One of the main inventions is the Acrylosorb, which collects body fluids of patients and dispose it safely. • Under the system, suction canisters are used to collect liquid respiratory secretions from patients. Scientists developed a mathematical model • Scientists from the Savitribai Phule Pune University have been working on solutions to the coronavirus epidemic. • In March 2020, Dr. Bhalchandra Pujari and Dr. Snehal Shekatkar of Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CMS) - developed a mathematical model to predict the spread of the disease by investigating transport links between cities. Disinfected barrier-examination booth • Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology have designed and developed a disinfected barrier-examination booth for examining COVID-19 patients. • It is closed like a telephone booth for examining the patient without direct contact with the doctor to prevent transmission of infection. • It is equipped with a lamp, table fan, rack, and Ultraviolet (UV) light. Rapid diagnostic kit being developed • FastSense Diagnostics is developing two modules for detection of COVID 19. • The company plans to roll out two products. 49 | P a g e
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• These are - a modified Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection kit for confirmatory analysis in lesser time compared to existing detection methods and a portable chip based module for rapid screening of target population based on the on-chip sensing technology. NASA unveils plan to setup 'Artemis' • NASA is working on the Artemis program that aims to land humans on the moon by 2024. • It has put forward a plan showing what a US lunar presence may look like after the milestone. • NASA submitted a 13-page report to the National Space Council. • The report titled NASA’s Plan for Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development offers a summary of NASA will accomplish the 2024 moon landing mission. Mass bleaching of Great Barrier Reef • Australia's Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most widespread coral bleaching on record. • A comprehensive survey in March 2020 found record sea temperatures had caused the third mass bleaching of the 2,300-kilometre reef system in just five years. • Bleaching occurs when healthy corals become stressed by changes in ocean temperatures. BCG vaccination linked with coronavirus cases • The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, administered to millions of Indian children soon after birth to protect against tuberculosis, could be a "game-changer" in the fight against the deadly coronavirus. • The severity of coronavirus impact may be linked to national policies on BCG childhood vaccination. • However, this study is yet to be published from the New York Institute of Technology. IBM offering its AI platform for free • IBM is offering its AI platform ‘Watson Assistant for Citizens’ free of cost for at least 90 days. • It will provide reliable information on COVID-19 related queries. • The platform brings together Watson Assistant, Natural Language Processing, and AI search capabilities, that help in understanding and responding to common questions about coronavirus. IIT Roorkee developed low-cost face shields • IIT Roorkee has developed low-cost face shields for first-line healthcare professionals at AIIMS Rishikesh for protection from COVID-19. • The frame of the face shield is 3D printed. • The shield can be used along with the protective gear by healthcare personnel while entering the wards housing COVID-19 patients. • The cost of the sheet is as low as Rs 5. JNCASR developed a coating • Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has developed a one-step curable anti- microbial coating. • The coating, when coated on different surfaces such as textile, plastic and so on could kill a range of virus types including COVID 19. • This covalent coating has been found to completely kill influenza virus as well as resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Naval Dockyard designed a temperature sensor
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• The Naval Dockyard in Mumbai has developed a low-cost handheld temperature sensor to screen its personnel in light of the coronavirus outbreak. • As many as 20,000 personnel enter the 285-year-old naval dock and Western Naval Command in South Mumbai every day. • The infrared-technology-based sensor is manufactured using in-house resources under Rs 1,000. Naval dockyard manufactured oxygen manifold • Personnel from Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam have designed an innovative 'Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)'. • It has been designed using a six-way radial header fitted to a single cylinder. • This innovation would enable one oxygen bottle to supply 6 patients concurrently thus enabling critical care management to a larger number of patients with the existing limited resources. DRDO developed bio suit • DRDO has developed a bio suit to keep the medical, paramedical and other personnel engaged in combating COVID-19 safe from the virus. • The suit is subjected to rigorous testing for textile parameters as well as protection against synthetic blood. • The current production capacity is 7,000 suits per day. • However, efforts are on to ramp up the capacity to 15,000 suits per day. NASA to launch 'SunRISE' mission • NASA has selected the proposed Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) mission to study how the Sun creates and releases Giant Solar Particle Storms. • This mission will further aid scientists to understand how the Solar System works. • It will also help protect future astronauts from Solar Storms while going to the Moon or Mars. IISc Bengaluru developed ventilator prototype • The Scientists and Students in Indian Institute of Science have developed a prototype of an indigenous ventilator under project Praana. • The project is a voluntary effort to help the nation at the time of crisis. • The team in the Electrical Communication Engineering Department of Indian Institute of Science, led by Associate Professor Gaurab Banerjee has designed the ventilator. Pune start-up created a technology • JClean Weather Technologies, a company in Pune's Scitech Park has developed a new technology to disinfect closed spaces and rooms. • The technology, named Scitech Airon, was developed under the Nidhi Prayas program initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). • It reduces the viral load of a closed space by 99.7 per cent within an hour, depending on the room size. IIT Kanpur working on portable ventilator • IIT Kanpur is working on a portable ventilator to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. • The prototype of this ventilator will be ready soon and just after assembling, it can be used as a life support system. • Bio Science and Bio Engineering department of IIT Kanpur has prepared a design of live saver portable ventilator.
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Business and Economy CRISIL cut India's FY21 economic growth rate • CRISIL has cut its projections for India’s economic growth rate to 1.8 per cent, from 3.5 per cent it had earlier predicted for 2020-21. • Its parent Standard & Poor’s has (S&P) forecast the world economy to contract 2.4 per cent, against its earlier estimates of 0.4 per cent growth. • The agency projected total losses of Rs 10 trillion or Rs 7,000 per person due to the lockdowns. India Ratings lowered GDP growth rate to 1.9% • India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra), a Fitch group company, has further slashed its estimate for India’s GDP growth rate to 1.9 per cent for 2020-21. • This will be the lowest after India recorded growth rate at 1.1 per cent in 1991-92. • The agency’s estimate suggests that GDP may come back to the 4QFY20 (January-March, 2020) level only by 3QFY21 (October-December, 2020). Transcorp got RBI nod • Transcorp International Ltd has received RBI nod for entering into co-branding arrangements for Prepaid Instruments that can be used in over 35 lakh stores and online gateways. • With this, Transcorp has become one of the first non-bank companies to obtain this authorization from RBI. • Transcorp will be launching API based co-branded partnerships for digital, physical and contactless cards. RBI announced special liquidity facility • The Reserve Bank of India announced a Rs 50,000 crore special liquidity facility for mutual fund, days after Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund decided to close six debt schemes. • Heightened volatility in capital markets in reaction to COVID-19 has imposed liquidity strains on mutual funds (MFs). • The stress is, however, confined to the high-risk debt MF segment at this stage. KKR to buy five solar assets from SP Group • KKR has agreed to buy 5 solar assets of 317 MW from the cash strapped Shapoorji Pallonji Group for $200 million. • The divestment will help the group in its deleveraging exercise. • The portfolio comprises of assets with a capacity of 169MWp in Maharashtra and assets with a capacity of 148 MWp in Tamil Nadu. ‘BAGIC GOQii Co-pay Option’ launched • Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, along with GOQii has launched a new add-on health cover called ‘BAGIC GOQii Co-pay Option’. • It has been launched under regulatory sandbox approval received from the IRDAI. • It would reward customers with a healthy lifestyle. • It can be opted by the holders of company’s existing health insurance policy — Health Ensure. Govt puts on hold DA hike for employees • The Centre on 23 April 2020 froze the dearness allowance (DA) for its 4.8 million employees and 6.5 million pensioners at 17 per cent till July 1, 2021.
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• This will save the Centre over Rs 37,000 crore, and if states follow suit, the combined savings will be Rs 1.2 trillion. • The move comes after the Union Cabinet approved an increase in DA to 21% in March 2020. Coal India Ltd to produce 710 MT coal • Coal India Limited will produce 710 million tonnes of coal in the current financial year. • The company’s coal offtake target will also remain at 710 million tonnes for this fiscal. • This was announced by Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi. • The demand of coal will pick up again after coronavirus lockdown. Franklin Mutual Fund wind up 6 debt schemes • Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has voluntarily decided to wind up six of its fixed-income debt schemes effective April 23, 2020. • The fund house has taken this step as it believes that the market will not return to normalcy soon because of Covid-19 disruption. • The six schemes cumulatively manage assets worth ₹26,000 crores. IOB unveiled working capital loans • Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched an exclusive credit facility for agriculture and allied activities. • Titled WCDL-Agri (working capital demand loan – agriculture), these loans will be available to all existing borrowers enjoying cash credit/OD facilities, from sectors such as agriculture, poultry, dairy, fisheries and allied activities. • This scheme is valid up to June 30, 2020. CII pegs GDP growth between -0.9% & 1.5% • India's GDP could marginally expand 1.5% or even contract 0.9% in this financial year, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said in a report. • It also suggested several measures to address the economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. • It sought urgent stimulus including creation of a fund to be used for subscribing to corporate bonds and credit protection scheme for MSMEs. India's economic growth projections slashed • Fitch Ratings on 23 April 2020 has slashed India's economic growth projections to 0.8 per cent in the current fiscal. • In its Global Economic Outlook, Fitch Ratings said India's GDP growth will slip to 0.8 per cent for the year April 2020 to March 2021 as compared to an estimated 4.9 per cent growth in the previous fiscal. • Growth is, however, expected to rebound to 6.7 per cent in 2021-22 Abu Dhabi Sheikh invests $1 bn: LuLu Group • An investment firm backed by a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family agreed to buy a stake worth just over $1 billion in LuLu Group International. • The company led by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan acquired an almost 20% holding in the Abu Dhabi-based supermarket group founded by Indian entrepreneur Yusuff Ali. TCS to power Israel’s 1st fully Digital Bank • Tata Consultancy Services will launch Israel's first fully digital bank.
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• TCS was selected by Israel's Ministry of Finance to transform its banking sector by building a banking service bureau that would serve as a shared, plug-and-play, digital banking operations platform. • This initiative is seen as a bid to boost competition in the financial services sector and enhance customer experience. Pulses, Oilseeds worth Rs 1,313 cr procured • NAFED and Food Corporation of India (FCI) have procured Pulses and Oilseeds worth Rs 1,313 cr benefiting more than 1,74,000 farmers. • The Dept of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare is taking several measures to facilitate the farmers and farming activities at field level. • Procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds on MSP is currently in progress in twenty States during Rabi season 2020. White paper to strategize revival of economy • The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) is preparing a white paper to strategize revival of post-COVID 19 Indian economy. • This document would mainly focus on strengthening Make in India initiatives, commercialization of Indigenous technology, efficient rural health care delivery, etc. • It will be soon submitted to the decision-making authorities of the Govt. RBI increased WMA limit for States/UTs • RBI has revised the limit for Ways and Means Advances (WMA) for the remaining part of the first half of FY21 to ₹2-lakh crore. • On March 31, 2020, the WMA limit for the first half of FY21 was upped to ₹1.20-lakh crore against ₹75,000 crore in the year-ago period. • This has been done to tide over the situation arising from the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic Caladium Inv. hiked stake in Bandhan Bank • Caladium Investments, an affiliate of Singapore’s GIC, has increased its stake in Bandhan Bank to 4.49 per cent as on March 31, 2020. • Caladium Investments held 7.22 crore shares in Bandhan Bank at the end of the fourth quarter of last fiscal. • It had a stake of 3.39 per cent in the bank at the end of the third quarter as on December 31, 2019. Fitch slashed India’s GDP growth forecast • Fitch Solutions has cut India's economic growth forecast for the financial year 2020-21 to 1.8 per cent. • For China, it revised downwards its 2020 real GDP forecast to 1.1 per cent from 2.6 per cent previously. • Fitch Solutions also anticipated a deeper contraction in fixed investments as businesses choose to cut back on capital expenditure. ICICI Bank launched voice banking services • ICICI Bank has launched voice assistance-based banking services for its customers. • They can check balance, seek credit card details as well as ask other queries among others through this application. • It has integrated its AI-powered multi-channel chatbot iPal with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through which its customers can undertake host of banking services through voice commands. Business optimism fell to record low
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• Business optimism for the ongoing April-June quarter has slumped to its record low level, according to a report. • The Dun & Bradstreet Composite Business Optimism Index stood at 49.40 per cent for Q2 2020 (April-June), a record low and worse than during the 2009 financial crisis. • The index registered a decrease of 37 per cent as compared to the year-ago period. CBDT revised return forms for FY 2019-20 • Central Board of Direct Taxes is revising the return forms for Financial Year 2019-20 which shall be notified by the end of April 2020. • This is being done in order to enable income tax payers to avail full benefit of various timeline extensions upto 30 June 2020 granted by Centre due to COVID-19 pandemic. Tata AIA: 1st to announce additional benefits • Tata AIA Life Insurance on 15 April 2020 announced additional benefits for its Policyholders and Agents. • As part of Tata AIA Life's initiative, its individual policyholders will get COVID-19 related additional benefit up to Rs 500,000 at no additional cost. • This is a first of its kind initiative in India. RBI launched latest round of quarterly survey • The Reserve Bank of India on 16 April 2020 launched latest round of quarterly order books, inventories and capacity utilisation survey (OBICUS) of manufacturing sector. • The survey provides valuable input for monetary policy formulation. • RBI launched the 49th round of survey for the reference period January-March 2020. • The RBI has been conducting the survey on a quarterly basis since 2008. RBI cancelled Mapusa urban bank’s licence • The RBI on 17 April 2020, cancelled the Mapusa Urban Co-operative Bank’s license and set up the course for liquidation. • Mapusa Urban is barred from carrying out any banking business during the liquidation process, as per the RBI order which is effective from the close of business on April 16, 2020. • Mapusa Urban is been struggling under RBI directions since 2015. RBI cuts reverse repo rate by 25 bps • The RBI on 17 April 2020 cut the reverse repo rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%. • It announced a fresh Rs 50,000 cr targeted long-term repo operation (LTRO 2.0) • RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das unveiled fresh measures aimed at maintaining adequate liquidity in the system, facilitating and incentivising banks to ensure better credit flow and enabling normal functioning of the financial markets. SBI waived charges for ATM transactions • State Bank of India (SBI) will waive service charges for all ATM transactions made on SBI ATMs. • This will also be applicable to other bank ATMs on account of exceeding the free number of transactions up to 30th June 2020. • SBI offers eight free transactions to regular savings bank account holders, including five transactions at SBI ATMs and three at other bank ATMs. Foodgrains production increased the target
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• The agriculture ministry aims to increase foodgrain production by 6.35 million tonnes, to record 298.3 million tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year. • The ministry has set a target of 149.9 million tonnes of foodgrain production in the kharif or summer season and 148.4 million tonnes in the rabi or winter season. • Rice production target has been fixed at 117.5 million tonnes in 2020-21. Centre released Rs 7,300 crore under MGNREGS • Centre has released Rs 7,300 cr to the States and Union Territories under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). • It has been done to liquidate pending dues of last financial year but also the wage dues for the first fortnight of 2020-21. • Also, under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin), over 800 crore rupees has been released to the States. BSNL launched a payment platform • BSNL in partnership with SBI has launched a UPI-based payment platform, Bharat InstaPay. • The new payment facility developed by the company will enable its partners, especially prepaid sellers, to buy service immediately for sale. • Bharat InstaPay will help its partners do digital transactions on a real-time basis. Asia's growth to halt for 1st time in 60 years • Asia's economic growth in 2020 will grind to a halt for the first time in 60 years because of the coronavirus crisis. • This was announced by the International Monetary Fund. • Asia's economy is likely to suffer zero growth in 2020. • While Asia is set to fare better than other regions, the projection is worse than the 4.7% average growth rates throughout the global financial crisis. CBDT issues over 10 lakh refunds in a week • Central Board of Direct taxes, CBDT has issued over 10 lakh refunds worth Rs 4,250 crore in a week. • These refunds are over and above the 2 cr 50 lakh refunds already issued in 2019 -20 till 31 March 2020 totalling to 1,84,000 crore rupees. • These refunds would get credited directly to the taxpayer bank account in 5 to 7 business days from issuance. Yes Bank extended bancassurance tie-up • Yes Bank has extended the bancassurance partnership with Max Life Insurance for the next 5 years. • Under the partnership, the products of the Max Life would be sold through the branches of Yes Bank. • To commemorate the extension of the partnership for another 5 years, the companies will dedicate the current financial year as the ‘Year of the Customer'. India will register positive growth rate: IMF • International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said India and China are the only two major countries, which will register a positive growth rate despite Coronavirus pandemic. • In its latest edition of World Economy report, IMF has projected India's GDP growth to be 1.9 per cent in 2020. • For China, it has projected a growth rate of 1.2 per cent. 56 | P a g e
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• India is expected to grow at 7.4 per cent. PBOC buys 1.1% HDFC shares • China's central bank, People's Bank of China (PBOC), has bought a 1.1% stake in HDFC Ltd on behalf of the Chinese sovereign wealth fund SAFE. • Similarly, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) has also picked up a 0.7% stake in HDFC on behalf of Saudi sovereign wealth fund. • SAMA’s name isn’t reflected in the names of major shareholders as the holding in the company is less than 1%. Retail inflation eases to 5.91% in March • India's retail inflation eased to 5.91% in March 2020 from 6.58% in February 2020. • Food inflation at 8.76% in March was lower from 10.81% in February, data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) showed. • This is the first time since November 2019 that retail inflation has fallen below the Reserve Bank of India Monetary Policy Committee's targeted upper band of 6%. Fintech lender Capital Float gets $15 million • Fintech lender Capital Float has received an investment of $15 million collectively from its existing investors Amazon.com, Ribbit Capital, SAIF Partners and Sequoia Capital. • It plans to use the funds to bolster its capital base and expand its lending operations to SMEs. • With the latest investment, Capital Float has so far raised equity capital worth $125 Million ( ₹800 crore). Major Oil producers agree to output cuts • Major oil producers except Mexico have agreed to cut output in May and June 2020 by 10 million barrels per day. • The agreement, which reduces production to eight million barrels per day from July to December, depends on Mexico's support for it to take effect. • Global fuel demand has plunged by around 30 million barrels per day, or 30 percent of global supplies. Goldman Sachs lowered India’s growth forecast • India’s GDP growth is estimated to plunge to 1.6% for the fiscal year 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, down from the earlier projection of 3.3%. • This was informed by Goldman Sachs economists. • This is the sharpest downgrade in growth estimates after Fitch and SBI lowered their estimates to 30-year lows. CPI inflation likely to ease to 4.4% in Q2 • Consumer price index based inflation which stayed elevated in the last few months is expected to soften during the course of the financial year. • The Reserve Bank of India said this in its monetary policy report. • CPI inflation is tentatively projected to ease from 4.8% in Q1:2020-21 to 4.4% in Q2, 2.7% in Q3 and 2.4% in Q4. India to export wheat to Afghanistan • India will be exporting around 1 lakh tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan and Lebanon under government to government (G2G) arrangement. 57 | P a g e
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• Nafed has been asked to export 50,000 tonnes to Afghanistan and 40,000 tonnes to Lebanon through diplomatic route. • India has been producing more than 100 million tonnes for last three years and there is surplus wheat in granaries to feed the country. RBI launched a Twitter campaign • The RBI has launched a twitter campaign urging bank customers to adopt digital modes of payment that are convenient and safe. • RBI emphasised on transacting digitally as it gives the convenience of making payments anytime and anywhere. • The face of the campaign is Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. ADB assured India of 2.2 bn US dollar support • President of Asian Development Bank, Masatsugu Asakawa on 10 April 2020 assured Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of 2.2 billion dollars support to India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. • ADB assistance for India will be further increased if needed. • All financing options available with ADB will be considered to meet India's needs, including emergency assistance. UN ESCAP forcast India’s GDP for FY21 at 4.8% • India's GDP growth for the current fiscal is expected to slow down to 4.8 per cent, a UN report has said. • It has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to result in significant adverse economic impacts globally. • The report is titled 'Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable economies'. French economy shrunk 6% in first quarter • The French economy shrank around 6% in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic decimated business activity. • The Bank of France said that it was the worst performance since 1945. • Official figures showed that the economy shrank 0.1% in the last three months of 2019. • It meant that with two consecutive quarters of negative growth, the country is now technically in recession. Edible oil imports declined to 32.44% in March • India's edible oil imports declined 32.44% to 9,41,219 tonne in March 2020 due to government restrictions on purchase of refined palm oil from the overseas market. • India, the world's leading vegetable oil buyer, had imported 13,93,255 tonne in March 2019. • The share of palm oil is more than 60 per cent of the country's total vegetable oil imports. Jobless rate in India rose to 23.4% • Early estimates of jobs data indicate that the coronavirus effect may have left a devastating impact on the economy, sending urban unemployment rate soaring to 30.9%. • Overall unemployment rose to 23.4%. • The figures, based on the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy’s weekly tracker survey, have held steady for two weeks now. SIDBI to provide working capital to MSMEs
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• The Small Industries Development Bank of India - SIDBI will provide emergency working capital of up to Rs 1 crore to small and medium enterprises(MSMEs) against their confirmed government orders. • The SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency response against Corona virus - SAFE PLUS will be offered collateral free and disbursed within 48 hours. Export curbs relaxed on 24 pharma ingredients • Government has relaxed export curbs on 24 pharma ingredients and medicines including vitamin B1 and B12. • Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification in this regard on 6 April 2020. • DGFT had imposed export restrictions on 26 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations in March 2020, under which exporter has to obtain a licence or permission from the DGFT. Little impact on global food supply chain • The World Food Programme (WFP) has said that rapidly growing novel Coronavirus pandemic is so far having little impact on the global food supply chain. • However, it could change for the worse if major food importers remain anxious. • Disruptions are so far minimal; food supply is adequate, and markets are relatively stable, and global cereal stocks are at comfortable levels. India’s 8 core industries growth: 5.5% • India's eight infrastructure sectors grew at an 11-month high of 5.5 per cent in February 2020 from a rise of 1.4 per cent reported in January 2020. • The output pace of core industries growth was also higher than 2.2 per cent growth rate reported in February 2019. • This was the fourth consecutive month when the index of eight core industries reported growth after three months of contraction. India to borrow Rs 4.88 lakh crore • The central government plans to borrow Rs 4.88 lakh crore in the first half of the financial year 2020-21 (FY21) to mitigate the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the economy. • This amounts to 62.56 per cent of the total proposed borrowing of Rs 7.8 lakh crore for FY21. • The WMA (Ways and means advances) limit at Rs 1.2 lakh crore would be reviewed on a need basis. India’s fiscal deficit likely to reach 6.2 % • India's fiscal deficit in 2020-21 may shoot up to 6.2% of the GDP from 3.5 per cent government estimate as a fallout of the Covid-19 economic stimulus package. • This was announced by Fitch Solutions. • It has revised the FY2020/21 real GDP growth forecast to 4.6 per cent, from 5.4 per cent previously. World Bank approved emergency funds for India • The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a fast-track $1 billion India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project. • It will help India prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness. • This is the largest ever health sector support from the Bank to India. India’s economic growth decelerated to 4%
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• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected India’ growth to slow down to 4% in the current fiscal year. • This was stated in the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2020 released on 3 April 2020. • The ADO is its annual flagship economic publication. • The bank expects the country’s gross domestic product growth to strengthen to 6.2% in FY22, boosted by government reforms. Arogya Sanjeevani to cover COVID-19 treatment • IRDAI has clarified that the standard health insurance plan Arogya Sanjeevani will also cover the hospitalisation treatment costs of COVID-19. • It has issued clearance to 29 general and health Insurance companies to market Arogya Sanjeevani. • It has also clarified that indemnity-based health insurance products cover the costs of hospitalisation treatment on account of COVID -19. RBI reduced timings of currency markets • In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, RBI has notified a change in market timings. • Beginning April 7, 2020, markets dealing with government securities, call/notice/term money, corporate bonds, foreign currency, Indian Rupee Trades, commercial paper and Certificates of Deposit will be working from 10 AM to 2 PM. • These revised timings will remain in effect till 17th April 2020. PhonePe launched ‘Corona Care’ policy • PhonePe has announced the launch of a unique coronavirus hospitalisation insurance policy called “Corona Care.” • For this, it has partnered with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. • This coronavirus insurance policy is priced at Rs 156 with an insurance cover of Rs 50,000 for a person aged under 55 years and the cover is applicable at any hospital offering coronavirus treatment. SBI listed $100 mn green bonds on India INX • SBI has listed green bonds of USD 100 million (about Rs 750 crore) on its debt listing platform. • The bank has listed green bonds of USD 100 million under its USD 10 billion global medium term note programme on India INX’s Global Securities Market Green Platform (GSM). • The State Bank of India (SBI) has earlier also listed its maiden green bond issuance on India INX of USD 650 million. Non-subsidized LPG prices slashed • The price of non-subsidized 14.2 Kg LPG was slashed by 61 rupees and 50 paise per cylinder in line with a fall in benchmark international rates. • With this, the new rate of non-subsidized LPG cylinder will be 744 rupees in Delhi. • This is the second reduction in the rates since March 2020 as per the price notification issued by Indian Oil Corporation. Govt extended existing foreign trade policy • The Govt on 31 March 2020 extended the existing foreign trade policy (2015-20) for 1 year till March 2021 amid coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown to contain the virus spread. • The existing foreign trade policy 2015-20 which is valid up to March 31, 2020, this year is extended up to March 31, 2021. 60 | P a g e
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• Exports during April-February this fiscal dipped by 1.5 per cent to 292.91 billion dollars. Deferment of EMI payments on loans announced • Public sector banks have announced deferment of EMI payments on loans to customers for 3 months in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. • The RBI had earlier issued directions asking lending institutions to allow 3-month moratorium on loan payments. • Banks like SBI, Punjab and Sind Bank, Canara Bank, UCO Bank, Syndicate Bank and Bank of Baroda have announced the offer of the moratorium to customers. Govt ordinance extended various time limits • Govt has brought in an ordinance to give effect to various relief measures related to income tax and GST compliance in view of COVID-19 outbreak. • It provides for extension of various time limits under the Taxation and Benami Acts. • The ordinance also provides for extension of last date for filing of original as well as revised income-tax returns for the financial year 2018-19 to 30th June. Sports Online chess tournament to raise funds • The Karnataka Youth Empowerment and Sports Department and United Karnataka Chess Association will host an online chess tournament to raise funds for CM Covid-19 relief fund. • The Chess players across the country can register on Mobile Premier League gaming platform by donating Rs 50. • The tournament will be held on May 2nd and 3rd, 2020. • The total prize pool is 10 lakh rupees. J Arunkumar: USA national team coach • Former Karnataka batsman J Arun Kumar has been appointed coach of the USA cricket team. • Jak, as he is known in the cricketing circles, has worked with the Karnataka team for several years and as batting coach with IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab. • Arun Kumar had guided Karnataka to a treble for two successive seasons -- Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Irani Cup -- in 2013-14 and 2014-15. PCB banned Umar Akmal • Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has been banned from all forms of cricket for three years for failing to report corrupt approaches. • The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had charged him with two breaches of its anti-corruption code for not reporting two unrelated approaches. • Akmal has played in 16 Tests, 121 one-day internationals and 84 T20 internationals. Jhuma Khatun banned for 4 years • Middle-distance runner Jhuma Khatun has been banned for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics. • She was tested positive for dehydrochloromethyl testosterone, a steroid. • Khatun had won a bronze medal each in 1,500m and 5,000m at the Championships in Guwahati. • Khatun’s results from June 29, 2018 to November 21, 2018 will now be annulled.
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Sana Mir announced retirement • Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir has announced her retirement, bringing to an end a 15-year career. • She played 226 internationals, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017. • She had announced a break from international cricket in November 2019 to recalibrate her future objectives and targets. • She made her T20I debut against Ireland in Dublin in May 2009. Charles Leclerc won Chinese Virtual Grand Prix • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed a second victory in the Formula One Esports Virtual Grand Prix championship. • Charles Leclerc started on pole and finished ahead of Red Bull's Alex Albon and Guanyu Zhou, who races in Formula 2. • Leclerc also has two wins in the real F1 world championship. • The F1 world championship has yet to get underway this season due to the spread of the coronavirus. BCCI created 'Team Mask Force' • Featuring India's most revered cricketers, the BCCI on 18 April 2020 uploaded a video to promote wearing masks in public places and help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. • The 'Team Mask Force' has been created to spread awareness about wearing masks in public places. • The video has messages from Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Smriti Mandhana to name a few. Graeme Smith: Cricket South Africa's Director • Former South African skipper Graeme Smith has been named as Cricket South Africa's permanent director for a two-year period. • He will serve as the director until April 2022. • Earlier, Smith had assumed an interim role following a rejig of the Cricket South Africa administration following which Mark Boucher was roped in as the coach. Mascot for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games • The mascot for the 4th Asian Para Games was unveiled on 16 April 2020. • The design of ‘Feifei’ is inspired by the motif of the ‘Divine Bird’ in the Liangzhu Culture. • The mascot is the fusion of Hangzhou’s heritage and its drive for technological innovation. • The 4th Asian Para Games will be held from October 9-15, 2022, featuring 22 sports with Taekwondo and Para-Canoe to make their debuts. IPL 2020 suspended indefinitely • Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the Indian Premier League 2020 indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • The IPL Governing Council of the BCCI has decided that the IPL 2020 Season will be suspended till further notice. • The IPL 2020, was suspended until April 15, 2020 after the country went on a 21-day lockdown. Pakistan plans to bid for ICC events • The Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to launch a joint bid for five to six ICC events along with its counterpart from the UAE.
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• The PCB is going to bid for events in the cycle that runs from 2023 to 2031. • Since becoming an affiliated member of the ICC in 1952, Pakistan has hosted two global cricket events: the 1987 and 1996 World Cups. SAI's 21-day online workshop for coaches began • Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on 16 March 2020 attended the first session of the 21-day long online workshop for coaches. • It is being organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in partnership with the National Sports Federations (NSFs). • This is the first-ever online initiative by SAI and NSFs to upgrade knowledge of coaches. Tour de France postponed • The world's most famous cycling race Tour de France has been postponed in the wake of Corona virus pandemic. • The three-week race was set to start on 27 June 2020 in the Riviera city of Nice. • It has now been set for August 2020. • This year's event has 21 stages, with the longest of them stretching 218 kilometres (135 miles). Hockey India postponed all national c'ships • Hockey India postponed all its rescheduled national championships indefinitely after the national lockdown was extended till May 3, 2020. • These tournaments were rescheduled to start on April 29 and continue till July 3, 2020 but have been suspended for now. • New dates will be announced based on the evolution of the COVID-19 situation in India. India to host Asian Boxing Championship • India will host the Asian Boxing Championships for men and women in November-December 2020. • India last hosted the men's Asian meet back in 1980 in Mumbai, while it conducted the women's event in 2003 in Hisar. • The tournament became a combined event for men and women in 2019. • The formal announcement by the Asian Boxing Confederation will be made once the COVID-19 situation improves a bit. Ben Stokes named Wisden’s Leading Cricketer • Ben Stokes has been named as the leading Cricketer in the World in the 2020 edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. • Stokes succeeds India's Virat Kohli, who had been honoured by Wisden for three years running. • He has also become the first English player since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to be considered the best contemporary player in the world. Thailand & Malaysia weightlifters banned • The Independent Member Federation Sanctions Panel (IMFSP) of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has imposed disciplinary sanctions on Thailand and Malaysia. • It has banned both the countries from participating in weightlifting events at the Tokyo Olympics. • The IMFPS also suspended the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) for 3 years. Official mascots of 19th Asian Games unveiled
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• The official mascots of the 19th Asian Games were unveiled at a digital launch ceremony in Hangzhou, China on 3 Apr'20. • The 3 robots, which are going to be the mascots for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games are collectively known as the smart triplets. • The 3 Mascots are Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen. • The Olympic Council of Asia's 19th Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou from 10-25 Sept 2022. FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup postponed • The FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, which was scheduled to be played in India between 2-21 Nov 2020, has been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. • The new dates for the tournament will be identified later. • The decision was taken by the FIFA-Confederations working group in its first meeting held 3 April 2020. • The working group also postponed FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. China to host 2021 Asian Youth Games • The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that China will host the third edition of the Asian Youth Games in Shantou from November 20-28, 2021. • The 2021 Asian Youth Games will have 18 sports including athletics, aquatics, badminton, 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, etc. • The Asian Youth Games were first held in Singapore in 2011 and then in Nanjing in China in 2013. World Athletics C'ships rescheduled to 2022 • The World Athletics Championship of 2021 has now been postponed to 2022 to accommodate the change in the schedule of Tokyo Olympics 2020. • The championship was originally scheduled to held in Eugene, Oregon from August 6-15, 2021. • The decision has come due to the change in Tokyo Olympics dates, which was earlier scheduled to be held from July 24- August 9, 2020. Wimbledon Tennis tournament cancelled • Wimbledon, the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament, has been cancelled for the first time since World War-II because of the Coronavirus pandemic. • The tournament was due to be played between 29 June and 12 July 2020. • The entire grass-court season has been abandoned, and there will be no professional tennis anywhere in the world until at least 13 July 2020. Defence Australia cancelled “Pitch Black 2020” • Australia has informed India that the exercise Pitch Black 2020, scheduled to be held from 27th July to 14th August 2020 has been cancelled due to Covid-19. • The next edition will be held in 2022. • Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial three-week multilateral air combat training exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). • Its last edition was held in 2018. Army developed COVID-19 helpline app for J-K
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• The Army has developed a mobile app to strengthen the efforts of Jammu and Kashmir administration to contain the spread of coronavirus. • Covid-19 Helpline J&K app will provide useful real-time information to people about the location and contact number of hospitals, control rooms and rapid response teams in their vicinity. • It is based on integrated information available on Google maps. Naval Dockyard designed a temperature sensor • The Naval Dockyard in Mumbai has developed a low-cost handheld temperature sensor to screen its personnel in light of the coronavirus outbreak. • As many as 20,000 personnel enter the 285-year-old naval dock and Western Naval Command in South Mumbai every day. • The infrared-technology-based sensor is manufactured using in-house resources under Rs 1,000. Naval dockyard manufactured oxygen manifold • Personnel from Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam have designed an innovative 'Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)'. • It has been designed using a six-way radial header fitted to a single cylinder. • This innovation would enable one oxygen bottle to supply 6 patients concurrently thus enabling critical care management to a larger number of patients with the existing limited resources. Books and Authors Sudha Murty's book out in audio format • Sudha Murty's book will be out in an audio format for the first time, for children. • "How the Onion Got Its Layers" seeks to answer several questions related to onion, like its many layers and why it brings tears to the eyes when cut. • This is the second book of the chapter series by Murty, the first being "How the Sea Became Salty". Shuttling to the Top: The Story of P.V. Sindhu • A book titled “Shuttling to the Top: The Story of P V Sindhu” authored by Krishnaswamy V has been published by HarperCollins on Amazon digital platform. • It conveys the story of one of the finest badminton players in the world. • It tells her life from the time when, while living in Secunderabad, she travelled over 40 km every day by train to get to P Gopichand’s academy and train. Kobe Bryant's book given posthumous release • Kobe Bryant's latest book, The Wizenard Series: Season One, was given a posthumous release on 9 April 2020. • It was a follow-up to the New York Times bestseller The Wizenard Series: Training Camp. • The fantasy novel follows Reggie, a basketball player who must overcome magical obstacles. • Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among the nine people who died in a helicopter crash in California. Mary Jordan wrote a book on Melania Trump • A Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The Washington Post has written an unauthorized biography of first lady Melania Trump. • Mary Jordan’s “The Art of Her Deal,” will come out on 16 June 2020.
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• Jordan began working on the book in 2015, well before Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the presidential election. Commitees & Recommendations UP government constituted a committee • UP government has constituted a committee to provide employment to the 5 lakh migrated labourers who reached during last 45 days in the state. • CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed to constitute a committee headed by Agriculture Production Commissioner APC in this regard. • Principal Secretaries of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, MSME and Skill development will be the member of this committee. UGC constituted a committee • University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted a committee to promote online learning. • It has also formed a committee to look after the examinations and academic calendar in the present circumstances. • On the basis of the committee's recommendations, which will be submitted next week, UGC will issue guidelines for universities in consultation with Union HRD Ministry. National Affairs Kerala to launch massive agriculture project • Kerala is set to launch a massive agriculture project, in barren land immediately, to overcome the economic crisis being faced due to Covid-19 in the State. • Large scale cultivation of food grains, fruits and vegetables will be undertaken in the barren land across the State soon. • The Government plans to launch the project in 1,80,000 hectares of barren land in the State. Tripura to start ‘neighborhood classes’ • In Tripura, state cabinet has decided to start ‘neighborhood classes’ in addition to the ongoing online and televised/aired classes to ensure every student get an education during lockdown period. • In these, one teacher will be teaching a maximum of 5 students until school classes resume. • The state Education Department has started distribution of free textbooks under SAMAGRA SHIKSHA Abhiyan. MP govt to set up Deendayal committees • Madhya Pradesh government has decided to set up Deendayal committees at the ward and Panchayat levels. • These will ensure that benefits of welfare schemes reach people during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. • This was announced by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during an audio conference with state BJP MLAs, district party presidents and mandal chiefs. UGC released guidelines • University Grants Commission, UGC has released guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for the Universities in view of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. • The academic session 2020-21 may commence from the 1st of August for old students and from the 1st of September for fresh students. 66 | P a g e
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• For Terminal Semester Students, exams will be held in July 2020. Rs 2,000 to every recovered patient: Andhra P. • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed officials to provide Rs 2,000 each to recovered Covid-19 patients. • So far, 231 Covid-19 patients have been discharged across the State. • The Chief Minister has directed the officials to resume tobacco auction to make sure farmers do not suffer losses. Delhi govt launched a one-stop website • The Delhi govt has launched a dedicated website to provide information on all the COVID-19 related initiatives and updates in a seamless manner. • The website -- delhifightscorona.in -- has 5 broad sections which include containment zones, testing facilities, key locations, e-pass, press release and FAQs. • It also lists all COVID-19 Testing Centers (CTCs) set up by the Delhi government. Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device • CSIR lab, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute has developed Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device, HCARD. • It can help frontline health care workers in maintaining physical distance from those infected by coronavirus. • The device is equipped with various state-of-the-art technologies and works both in automatic as well as manual modes of navigation. Tripura developed a kiosk • In Tripura, Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) with Agartala Smart City has designed a three-wheeler heavy-duty auto rickshaw into mobile COVID-19 sample collection kiosk. • Medical staffs can collect swab samples from here without physical contact with patients. • Glass encasement will ease the requirement of wearing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Government notified IFSCA • The finance ministry has established the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) through a notification. • The body will be headquartered in Gandhinagar in Gujarat, as per the notification. • With this, the government has established a unified authority to regulate all financial services in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in the country. Blue Dart Express launched a service • Blue Dart Express has launched a service through which customers can send medicines to relatives living abroad. • To avail the medicine delivery service, customers need to visit any Blue Dart/DHL counter across India. • They need to provide valid medical prescription for sending medicines overseas to their family/ friends through the Blue Dart-DHL's door-to-door express service. Mid-day meal scheme update • Govt has announced around 11% increase in annual central allocation of cooking cost under Mid-day meal scheme to Rs 8,100 crore in view of the situation arising out of COVID-19. 67 | P a g e
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• The mid-day meal Scheme is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme, aimed at increasing enrolment, retention and attendance of students in schools. • The scheme covers more than 12 crore children studying in over 11 lakh schools. Assam govt announced an insurance cover • The Assam govt has announced life insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs each for all journalists in the state who are reporting during the Covid-19 outbreak. • Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal made the announcement. • As of April 27, 2020, Assam has reported 35 confirmed cases of the Covid-19. • This includes 27 patients who have recovered. • The state now has only 5 active cases of Covid-19. Indian Overseas Bank launched a special scheme • Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has introduced a special borrowing programme for self help groups to help them tide over the challenges inflicted by COVID-19. • The maximum loan amount is Rs 5,000 per member of a self help group (SHG) with a cap of Rs 1 lakh for the group. • SHGs with a good track record and a history of minimum two loans from IOB will be eligible for this loan facility. PM Modi introduced a website • The Indian Govt has introduced yet another website -- COVID Warriors -- for Coronavirus-related information and to help people get relevant information. • The new website will connect volunteers of the social organisations, representatives of civil society and local administration. • COVID Warriors was announced by PM Narendra Modi during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program. NMC launched mobile dispensary • Nagpur Municipal Corporation has launched mobile dispensary for pregnant women in containment zones of the city. • The civic body has cobbled up mobile medical unit to screen all ladies so that they can be checked and provided medical aid in time. • Maharashtra, the worst-hit state by COVID-19, has registered 8,068 cases and 342 deaths till now. Kerala started 'Ayur Raksha' clinics • The Kerala government has set up Ayurveda bodies at the state, regional and district levels for a COVID-19 prevention programme and started 'Ayur Raksha' clinics at government hospitals. • "Ayur Raksha' clinics provide preventive medicines and other health support. • Four projects have been started to promote non-drug therapy and distribution of preventive medicines to improve people's immunity. Ayurvedic telemedicine service launched • Ayurveda company Total Ayurveda Care has launched a novel telemedicine platform. • It will give patients face-to-face interactions with Ayurvedic doctors. • Through the website, patients can book an appointment with a doctor and receive a consultation. • Following this consultation, the doctor will prescribe Ayurvedic medicines and provide nutritional advice.
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UIDAI allowed Aadhaar updation facility • The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has allowed the Common Service Centre to begin the Aadhaar updation facility at their 20,000 CSCs. • Around 20,000 CSCs will now be able to offer this service to citizens. • This facility will help a large no of rural citizens to get Aadhar services closer to their place of residence. Varanasi using drones to sanitize areas • Varanasi Smart City has engaged ‘Garuda Aerospace Private Limited for spraying of sanitizer in the selected areas of Varanasi City under Smart Cities Mission. • A total of seven-member team with two drones was made operational and trial runs were completed on 17th April 2020. • The Drone team first visits the area planned to be sanitized and makes a quick visual survey of the terrain. KGMU: 1st hospital to launch plasma therapy • A 58-year-old doctor became the first coronavirus patient at the King George Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow to receive plasma therapy as an experimental treatment for the disease. • Convalescent Plasma Therapy is an experimental procedure for COVID-19 patients. • In this treatment plasma, a blood component, from a cured COVID-19 patient is transfused to a critically ill patient. West Bengal govt constituted Cabinet Committee • The West Bengal Government has constituted a Cabinet Committee on COVID Management. • The State Finance Minister Dr. Amit Mitra will head the four-member Cabinet Committee. • Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded a special financial package from the Centre for the Unorganized Sector and MSMEs. • She also announced Home delivery of non-essential services in the State with immediate effect. Odisha CM announced ex gratia of Rs 15 lakh • Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has announced an ex gratia of Rs 15 lakh to the family members of the working journalists who die of COVID-19. • Earlier, he had announced an assistance of Rs 50 lakh for the family members of medical/healthcare officials and members of support services who die during the battle against COVID-19. • The state will treat them as martyrs and accord a state funeral. SOP for e-Gram Swaraj Yojana platform launched • Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar has issued a detailed guideline of the SVAMITVA Scheme. • The scheme is aimed at providing people residing in Rural parts with the right to document their residential properties. • He also released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding the e-Gram Swaraj Yojana platform and mobile App, on this occasion. Coal mining in Assam elephant reserve • The National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has recommended coal mining in a part of an elephant reserve in Assam.
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• The NBWL’s Standing Committee had on April 7, 2020 discussed a proposal for use of 98.59 hectares of land from the Saleki proposed reserve forest land for a coal mining project by North-Easter Coal Field (NECF). • The decision has been criticised by many environmentalists. ‘Sampark Baithak’ app launched in Haryana • Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal has launched the 'Sampark Baithak' mobile application. • It is a dedicated platform to facilitate study at home for primary students of the state. • Sampark Baithak has over 500 videos and audios for different concepts from each subject. • The app will help the students especially those from the Hindi medium. Yogi Adityanath banned public gathering in UP • The Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has banned all public gatherings in the state till June 30, 2020 amid (Covid-19) outbreak. • CM has directed officers that no public gathering be allowed till 30th June 2020. • According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are 1,621 coronavirus cases in Uttar Pradesh till now including 247 cured/discharged and 25 deaths. A start up bagged funding for Covid-19 project • A start-up incubated at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has been selected for Covid-19 funding by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). • OncoSeek Bio Pvt Ltd will receive funding support for developing an in vitro Lung Organoid model. • BIRAC comes under the Union Science and Technology Ministry's Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Kerala government hospital deployed a robot • A govt hospital in Ernakulam has deployed a robot to serve food and medicines to coronavirus patients. • The aim is to reduce risk of infections for doctors and health workers. • Malayalam star Mohanlal's Viswasanthi Foundation donated the autonomous robot to the COVID-19 ward of the Ernakulam government medical college hospital. • The robot named 'KARMI-Bot' will be used to assist patients. Maruti Suzuki producing low cost ventilators • Maruti Suzuki is now spearheading the production of low-cost ventilators in the country. • The production is going on in Gautam Buddha Nagar of UP where it is supporting Agva Healthcare, a start- up to scale-up ventilator production. • Maruti Suzuki is enhancing the production by pouring in the vendors and doing the quality control. Technology Dev. Centre prepared PPE kits • Technology Development Centre under MSME Ministry of the union government is engaged in preparing PPE kits and Masks for COVID-19 warriors. • The standard quality PPE kits and masks prepared at this centre are made available to the Corona warriors. • As of now more than 80,000 masks and more than 4,000 PPE kits have been prepared here. Kerala using Robots • Kerala is using robots to minimise human interaction in COVID-19 treatment. • A Robot named "Nightingale-19" is being used to provide food and medicines to COVID-19 patients at the district COVID centre in Ancharakandi in Kannur district in Kerala.
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• The robot also has a special display facility, attached to it, that allows patients to communicate with health workers and their relatives. NTPC to provide 10 electric cars in Delhi • NTPC has invited Global Expression of Interest (EoI) to provide 10 Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FC) based electric buses and electric cars in Leh and Delhi. • The EoI has been issued by NTPC's wholly-owned subsidiary, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. • The move is first of its kind project in the country, wherein a complete solution from green energy to the fuel cell vehicle will be developed. IITs and IIITs will not hike tuition fee • Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) will not hike tuition fee for any course for the academic year 2020-21. • This was stated by HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in New Delhi on 26 April 2020. • The decision was taken after consultation with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the IIT Council and Directors of IITs. UP: 1st with a facility of virtual courts • Uttar Pradesh has become the first State to have the requisite infrastructure in all its courts for hearing cases through video conferencing. • The Allahabad High Court and all district courts of Uttar Pradesh can now conduct multiple court proceedings through virtual courts within the court premises without any internet connectivity. • This facility is completely secure. Govt reconstituted National Shipping Board • The government has approved the reconstitution of the National Shipping Board to be headed by former Director General of Shipping Malini Shankar. • The National Shipping Board (NSB) is the highest advisory body on matters related to Indian shipping. • The members of the Board include DG Shipping Amitabh Kumar, Joint Secretary Shipping Satinder Pal Singh, to name a few. An anticancer drug 'DASASHIL' launched • Shilpa Medicare announced the launch of Indian branded generic of Dasatinib, an anticancer drug with a brand name DASASHIL. • DASASHIL is first branded generic anticancer drug which is used for the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML). • The Drug Substance patent on Dasatinib was owned by Bristol-Myers-Squibb and had expired on 12 April 2020. USDMA launched coronavirus portal 'Drishti' • The Uttarakhand State District Management Authority (USDMA) has launched COVID-19 Drishti portal. • It has been launched in a bid to provide a common platform to the state administration and the citizens for the accurate information on coronavirus. • Under this portal, all the data pertaining to the patients and the suspected cases will be shown. Tata Trusts commenced pan India campaign
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• Tata Trusts has started a nationwide community outreach campaign to induce adoption of health practices, as promoted by the government, in rural areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19. • Beginning March 31, 2020, the exercise is expected to have already reached about 1.2 crore people across 21 states. • The campaign is named '5 Kadam, Corona Mukt Jeevan'. Alternative Academic Calendar launched • The Alternative Academic Calendars at primary and upper primary stage (Classes VI to VIII) have been developed by the NCERT under the guidance of the MHRD. • The Calendar for upper primary stage was released by Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in New Delhi on 23 April 2020. • It has been launched to engage students meaningfully during their stay at home due to COVID-19. CISF launched 'e-karyalaya' app • An e-office application, that enables movement of files and documents without physical touch, has been launched for usage in CISF to prevent coronavirus infection. • The application called 'e-karyalay' (electronic office) has been designed by the in-house technical team of the force. • This application has been hosted at CISF cloud with all security arrangements in place to safeguard the data. Punjab Govt commenced telemedicine services • The Punjab Government has started telemedicine services in 300 Health and Wellness Centres to provide ‘Comprehensive Primary Health Services’ on doorsteps of people in rural areas. • The telemedicine services are being given in the state through hub and spoke model. • A ‘Telemedicine Hub’ has been established at Civil Hospital, Mohali with 4 Medical officers and 1 Telemedicine Executive. World Bank organised a virtual workshop • A virtual workshop on “Contract Management during Emergency situations” was organized by World Bank in collaboration with AIMA (All India Management Association) for Project Management Unit of Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project. • The objective of the workshop was to educate participants about the likely adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the bank-funded projects. Ayush Ministry announced a mechanism • The Ministry of AYUSH has announced a mechanism to support short-term research projects. • These will help in evaluating the impact of AYUSH interventions and medicines in the prophylaxis and clinical management of COVID-19. • Hospitals and institutions involved in the management of COVID-19 cases have been invited to participate in this scheme. Banking industry as a public utility service • Government has declared banking industry as a public utility service for 6 months till October 21, 2020 under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act. • Bringing banking services under the provisions of this Act means that the banking sector would not see any strikes by employees or officers during the operation of the law starting from April 21.
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Karnataka govt launched "Apthamitra" helpline • Aimed at empowering people in its fight against coronavirus, the Karnataka govt has launched "Apthamitra" helpline with an exclusive toll-free number and a mobile app. • The app and number are aimed at providing required medical advice and guidance for those in need. • The Apthamitra helpline will work from 8 AM to 8 PM, with helpline Centers at six locations in Bengaluru, Mysore and Mangalore. Mizoram: Mobile app 'mCOVID19' launched • In Mizoram, the information and communication technology department has launched a mobile app. • The app is for the truck drivers and handymen carrying essential goods from outside the state to ensure easy and safe transport during the lockdown period of COVID19 pandemic. • The mobile app, mCOVID19 will act as the online pass for the drivers and handymen. World Bank approved Rs 585 cr for HPSRTP • The World Bank has approved Rs 585 cr for the Himachal Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project (HPSRTP). • Under the project, road construction work of Barotiwala-Baddi-Sain-Ramshehar with length of 45 kms, Dadol-Ladraurr Road with length of 14.5 kms, Mandi- Riwalsar-Kalkhar of length 28 kms and Raghunathpura-Mandi- Harpura-Bharari road would be undertaken in tranche -one. Himachal Govt to adopt three-pronged strategy • In order to deal with COVID-19 pandemic effectively the Himachal Pradesh Government will adopt three- pronged strategy in the state. • For this, the State Government has decided to increase testing capacity, identifying three types of institutions for treatment of COVID patients having different symptoms. • The people with asymptomatic condition would be kept in COVID Care Centres. Rajnath Singh inaugurated MVRDL • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 23 April 2020 inaugurated a Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL) through video conference to test COVID-19 samples. • It has been developed by DRDO in association with ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad and Private industry. • The Mobile Viral Research Lab is the combination of a BSL 3 lab and a BSL 2 lab. Uttarakhand: Mobile App 'Sampark Didi' started • The Uttarakhand education department has now started a new mobile application called 'Sampark Didi’. • It will ensure that the education of the students is not hampered during the COVID-19 lockdown. • Through 'Sampark Didi’, students can access animated lectures’ while they are confined to their homes during the pandemic. BRO built a permanent bridge • The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed and opened a new permanent bridge on the Ravi river that connects the Kasowal enclave in Punjab with the rest of the country. • The permanent bridge was completed much ahead of its schedule. • The enclave of around 35 sq km had been connected through a pontoon bridge of limited load capacity till now. Coronavirus testing kit named after 'Feluda' 73 | P a g e
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• Scientists at the CSIR's Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology have come up with a low-cost coronavirus test. • It will not require any expensive machines for detection of the pathogen. • Named after ''Feluda'', the detective character in filmmaker Satyajit Ray's stories, the test has been developed by Debojyoti Chakraborty and Souvik Maiti. UNODC launched a series of online dialogues • The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) has launched a ‘Lockdown Learners' series of online dialogues with students and educators in India. • The dialogue is on COVID-19 and its impact on Sustainable Development Goals, peace and rule of law. • The aim is to sensitise students on concerns of vulnerable groups and emerging issues such as cybercrime, misinformation, etc. JKSLSA launched a helpline • Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority (JKSLSA) has launched a helpline under 'Serve-the- Seniors Initiative'. • The objective of starting this helpline is to help and facilitate the senior citizens who live alone and are unable to step out to get medicines, groceries and other essentials. • For Jammu, one can contact - Naushad Ahmad Khan on 9622283677 or Sandeep Kour on 9419223000. Government sanctioned Rs15,000 cr investment • The Union Cabinet gave its post-facto approval for significant investments of Rs 15,000 cr for 'India COVID- 19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package'. • The funds sanctioned will be utilized in 3 Phases. • Out of the total amount, Rs 7,774 cr has been provisioned for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response. Fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy rates • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA gave its approval for fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy, NBS rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P and K) Fertilizers for the year 2020-21. • The approved rates for NBS will be 18 rupees 78 paise per kg for Nitrogen, 14 rupees 88 paise per kg for Phosphorus, 10 rupees 11 paise per kg for Potash and 2 rupees 37 paise per kg for Sulphur. HRD Minister launched VidyaDaan 2.0 • HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has launched national program VidyaDaan 2.0 for inviting e- learning Content contributions in New Delhi. • It has been launched due to the increasing requirement for e-learning content for students in both school and higher education. • It is a common national programme to develop and contribute e-learning content and a chance to be recognized nationally. Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 to be amended • President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent for promulgation of the Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 to protect the health care service personnel. • The ordinance provides for making acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences and for compensation for injury to health care service personnel. • Violence will include harassment and physical injury and damage to property.
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Production of COVID-19 Testing kits started • A South Korean firm has started production of the COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Testing kits in its Indian subsidiary plant. • It will meet the growing demand of the medical equipment in India and other parts of the world. • Its Indian subsidiary is located in Manesar, Gurgaon. • It is producing test kits with a capacity of 5,00,000 tests per week and the first batch was rolled out on April 19, 2020. White paper to strategize revival of economy • The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) is preparing a white paper to strategize revival of post-COVID 19 Indian economy. • This document would mainly focus on strengthening Make in India initiatives, commercialization of Indigenous technology, efficient rural health care delivery, etc. • It will be soon submitted to the decision-making authorities of the Govt. MHA issued SOPs for seafarers • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has specified a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sign in and sign off of seafarers on ships. • MHA in its measure of graded relaxations allowed movement of Indian seafarers at Indian ports. • The latest relaxations will allow Goan seafarers stranded on the high seas to return home. IREDA to handle CPSU Scheme Phase-II: MNRE • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has appointed the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) as the implementing agency to handle the Central Public Sector Undertaking Scheme Phase-II. • All issues regarding time-extension and dispute resolution will also be dealt with by IREDA. • In the existing clause, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) handled the scheme. 'Saiyam' app tracks home quarantined citizens • A mobile app named Saiyam has been developed by the Pune Municipal Corporation to effectively track the home-quarantined people and ensure that they are staying in the home. • The city administration has appointed dedicated teams for 5 zones to conduct a follow-up with people under home quarantine on a daily basis. • They will check on people who have recently returned from international trips. Central govt to conduct telephonic survey • The Central government will conduct a telephonic survey to gather feedback from people on the prevalence and distribution of COVID-19 symptoms. • The Health Ministry has informed the people that it is a genuine survey and requested them to participate to enable proper feedback on COVID-19 symptoms. • Citizens will get calls on their mobile phones by NIC and number 1921. Financial support to MyLab Discovery Solutions • The Technology Development Board (TDB) has approved financial support to MyLab Discovery Solutions, Pune, for ramping up production of COVID-19 diagnostic kits.
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• Mylab Discovery Solutions is the first indigenous company to develop real-time PCR based molecular diagnostic kit which screens and detects COVID 19 from samples. • The kit has been approved by ICMR and CDSCO. Tiranga vehicle launched in Kerala • Tiranga initiative has been launched by the Pathanamthitta district administration, to make it easier to screen people for COVID-19, without the risk of exposure. • Under this, 3 people sit behind the closed doors and windows of a van, two of them ask questions to a person standing outside. • Questions on fever symptoms and travel history are asked, and temperature is also checked. Online coaching platform launched: Karnataka • Karnataka Higher Education Department has launched a new application and website called ‘GetCETGo’. • It will provide online coaching during lockdown to students appearing for KCET, NEET exam in the year 2020. • Students who have registered for CET 2020 will get comprehensive study material in the form of Synopsis, Practice Questions, Chapter-wise Tests, Mock Tests and Revision Videos for free. ‘COVID India Seva’ launched • Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan on 21 April 2020 launched the COVID India Seva. • It is an interactive platform to establish a direct channel of communication with millions of Indians amid the pandemic. • Through this, people can pose queries @CovidIndiaSeva and get them responded to in almost real-time. Rs. 17,793 crores released under PM-KISAN • Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, about 8.89 cr farmer families have been benefitted and an amount of Rs. 17,793 cr has been released so far, since the lockdown. • In order to provide food security during the prevailing situation, the Government has decided to distribute pulses to the eligible households under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PM-GKY). 'Mission Anna Seva': Biggest free meal program • Reliance Foundation's 'Mission Anna Seva' is the largest free meal programme by any corporate foundation globally. • It aims to provide over 3 crore meals to marginalised communities and frontline workers facing hardships during the lockdown. • Reliance Foundation has pledged free meals, build country's first COVID-19 hospital and is supplying PPEs and masks. 3 Karnataka districts to be part of ICMR study • 3 districts in Karnataka will be included in a survey by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). • The survey will study the extent of community spread, if any, of the Covid-19 virus outbreak in the Indian population. • ICMR will take up random sampling of people in 82 select districts across the country, with Bengaluru, Kalaburagi and Chitradurga part of the endeavour. ICICI Bank launched voice banking services
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• ICICI Bank has launched voice assistance-based banking services for its customers. • They can check balance, seek credit card details as well as ask other queries among others through this application. • It has integrated its AI-powered multi-channel chatbot iPal with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through which its customers can undertake host of banking services through voice commands. Bombay, Meghalaya, Orissa HCs to get new CJs • The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the appointment of new chief justices to 3 high courts – Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya. • Calcutta high court judge, Justice Dipankar Datta was recommended for elevation as chief justice of Bombay high court. • Justice Datta will take over from the current chief justice of Bombay, Justice BP Dharmadhikari who will retire from office on April 27, 2020. Odisha CM inaugurates five COVID Hospitals • In Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated five standalone COVID Hospitals through video conferencing on 20 April 2020. • These hospitals will provide specialised treatment to COVID-19 patients. • Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated five COVID-19 hospitals in the districts of Sundargarh, Bargarh, Anugul, Jagatsinghpur, and Nabragnpur with a combined capacity of 825 beds. Chhattisgarh CM sanctioned Rs 25 lakh • Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has sanctioned Rs 25 lakh each to all the 28 districts of the state for prevention of COVID-19 infection. • Total of Rs 7 crores has been sanctioned from Chief Minister Relief Fund. • These funds will be spent on necessary resources, essential goods and relief work for prevention of corona infection. Nagaland CM announced cash assistance • Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio has announced immediate relief to the distressed and stranded citizens presently outside Nagaland because of the lockdown. • The scale of cash assistance will be Rs 20,000 for a patient, 4000 for a professional or working person and 3000 for a Student. • Any stranded citizen of the State can go to the portal iamstranded.nagaland.gov.in and apply for assistance directly. Online medical consultation to sick people • The Himachal Pradesh Health Department has come up with a unique idea of providing free online medical consultation to sick people at their residence through e-sanjeevani-opd. • This free online health service has been started throughout the state. • People can consult to take health advice from the doctors of different medical colleges from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on all working days. Ladakh to organise an online competition • In Ladakh, Director School Education Ladakh in collaboration with J&K State Legal Service is organizing online Competition in various activities for the children between age group 3 years to 15 years. • It is being organised under the theme “Activity Karo Na”. 77 | P a g e
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• It aims to engage children in constructive activities during the lockdown period and to encourage them to maintain positive thinking. NALCO, MCL decide to fund 2 hospitals • National Aluminum Company (NALCO) and Coal India subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) have decided to fund two dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in Odisha. • NALCO will fully fund a 200-bedded hospital set up at Nabarangpur district of Odisha. • Whereas MCL will fund the 150-bedded hospital started at Talcher in Angul district of the state. DCGI approved trial of a drug • The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the trial of a drug for reducing the mortality rate in critically ill COVID-19 patients. • The trial is likely to begin at multiple hospitals. • The drug which has been developed by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is meant to treat critically ill patients suffering from Gram-negative bacterial sepsis. MoRTH launched a dashboard on its website • Road Transport and Highways Ministry has launched a dashboard on its website to provide details of Dhabas and Truck. • The list can be accessed at www.morth.nic.in. • This is intended to facilitate travel of truck and cargo drivers and cleaners. • National Highway Authority of India's centralized call number 1033 has also been activated to answer calls and provide information about them. BRO constructed a bridge over Subansiri river • Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed a bridge over Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh in a record span of just 27 days. • CM Khandu inaugurated the bridge on 20 April 2020 over video conferencing and opened it for public use. • The bridge is of utmost importance in strategic connectivity as it links roads leading upto the LAC between India and China. PIB sets up dedicated unit to bust rumours • In order to check the spread of fake news on social media, Press Information Bureau has set up a dedicated unit to bust rumours getting viral on social media. • ‘PIBFactCheck’ is a verified handle on Twitter that continuously monitors trending messages on social media platforms and conducts comprehensive review of its contents to bust fake news. FCI to use surplus rice to make sanitizers • Surplus rice available with Food Corporation of India (FCI) would be converted to ethanol to ensure adequate availability of alcohol-based sanitizers in the country. • The ethanol produced from surplus rice would also be used in production of Ethanol Blended Petrol. • The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, allows such conversions of surplus food grains. IIT Ropar to develop a ‘WardBot’ • A team of researchers at IIT Ropar is aiming to develop a wardbot that will deliver food and medicine to COVID-19 patients in their isolation wards.
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• The conceptual design is of a bot that can be instructed to receive and deliver food and medicines to every room from a remotely-located control room. • The bot will have at least twelve shelves and a carrying capacity of 4 to 5 kg. CSIR-CFTRI provided high-protein biscuits • CSIR unit, Central Food Technological Research Institute- CFTRI has made available high-protein biscuits to the COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at AIIMS New Delhi. • These biscuits contain 14 per cent of protein while usual biscuits contain around 8 to 9 per cent protein. • The enriched biscuits will provide protein needed for recuperating patients. IIM-Kozhikode team developed a platform • An international team led by an IIM Kozhikode student has developed a one-stop COVID-19 platform for accessing emergency services from official government sources. • The website - covidfyi.in - is a one-stop digital directory for all COVID19 related services and help. • The website aims to bring the right information to the right people. Government launched an online data pool • Government has launched an online data pool of critical human resource for combating and containing COVID-19. • Health Ministry has created an online data pool on www.covidwarriors.gov.in of doctors including nurses and other health care professionals. • It contains state wise and district wise availability of the large pool of human resources from various groups. Lockdown relaxations came into force • Central Government will allow certain relaxations from 20 April 2020 in the notified services in areas without Hotspots. • In the wake of Extention of national lockdown till 3rd May, a series of directives have been put in place to ensure strict compliance of lockdown. • The government will allow a few more services to function in areas that are not COVID-19 containment zones. Home Ministry extended visa of foreigners • The Home Ministry has extended regular and e-visas of all foreigners who are stranded in India due to the coronavirus lockdown till May 3, 2020 on gratis basis. • The visa granted to those foreigners will remain suspended till May 3. • Exit to such foreign nationals will also be granted up to 14 days beyond May 3, i.e. May 17, without levy of overstay penalty. Army developed COVID-19 helpline app for J-K • The Army has developed a mobile app to strengthen the efforts of Jammu and Kashmir administration to contain the spread of coronavirus. • Covid-19 Helpline J&K app will provide useful real-time information to people about the location and contact number of hospitals, control rooms and rapid response teams in their vicinity. • It is based on integrated information available on Google maps. MP govt to give Rs 10,000 to corona patients
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• MP govt has decided that the health workers who are directly engaged in the treatment of Corona patients will be given a service amount of Rs 10 thousand every month as honorarium. • If employees of other departments engaged in the service of Corona patients are also be infected then they will also be given Rs 10 thousand as service amount. Postal employees to get Rs10 lakh compensation • All postal employees, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, will get Rs 10 lakh compensation in case they succumb to COVID-19. • The guidelines will come into effect immediately and continue for the entire period till the crisis of COVID- 19 is over. • The postal services come under essential services and apart from regular services, the post offices are also delivering food packets and medicines. A panel proposed institutional framework • A government-appointed committee of experts has proposed an institutional framework for valuers by way of setting up the National Institute of Valuers. • The panel, headed by IBBI (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India) Chairperson M S Sahoo, has also submitted the 'Draft Valuers Bill, 2020'. • The panel was constituted by the ministry on August 30, 2019. MHA issued advisory on secure use of ZOOM • The Cyber Coordination Centre, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued an advisory on secure use of ZOOM Meeting Platform by private individuals. • This advisory states that the platform is not for use by Government officers/officials for official purposes. • The guidelines have been issued to safeguard private individuals who would still like to use the platform for private purposes. NIRDPR and UNICEF training community leaders • More than 28.33 lakh community leaders are being trained through online programmes to practise social behaviours required to control the transmission of COVID-19 cases in villages. • The programme is being conducted by National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) in collaboration with UNICEF Hyderabad Field Office. Kisan Rath Mobile App launched • Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on 17 April 2020 launched Kisan Rath Mobile App to facilitate transportation of foodgrains and perishables during lockdown. • It is developed by the National Informatics Centre to ensure farmers and traders are able to find transport for Agriculture and Horticulture produce. • Kisan Rath’ App will greatly facilitate farmers, FPOs and Cooperatives. Uttar Pradesh set a record • UP has set a record of food grain distribution under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and has reached to a new high now. • More than three crore beneficiaries of 71.62 lakh families in the state have been distributed 1.5 lakh metric tonnes of free rice on 16 April 2020. • It is 21.46% of total targeted distribution in a single day. • This is the highest single-day distribution in the country. 80 | P a g e
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Diagnostic test developed in Kerala • A research institute in Kerala has developed a new, faster and cheaper diagnostic test for COVID-19. • Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram has developed the innovative kit named Chitra Gene LAMP-N for the diagnosis of COVID-19. • This new kit is considered as one of the first few confirmatory diagnostic test for N-gene of COVID-19 virus. Rajasthan: 1st to carry out Rapid Testing • In Rajasthan, Health minister Raghu Sharma has claimed that the state became the first in the country to carry out Rapid Testing for Covid-19. • This test will be done at a large scale to assess the prevalence of Covid-19 in hotspots. • PCR based testing will also continue to be done in an aggressive manner in the containment zones all over Rajasthan. Rajasthan Govt launched ‘SMILE’ for e-learning • Rajasthan's education department has launched a project ‘SMILE’ in order to ensure that the continuity of teaching and learning is not hampered due to the lockdown. • The project SMILE stands for Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement. • It is a digital platform to provide online courses and classes through various platforms of social media in all the government schools of the state. Pusa Decontamination & Sanitizing Tunnel • Pusa Decontamination and Sanitizing Tunnel was inaugurated on 16 April 2020. • It is developed by Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. • The sanitization protocol includes hand washing with foot-operated soap and water dispenser and fogging in a sanitizing tunnel for 20 seconds. 3 new mutations of coronavirus identified • Researchers at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) have succeeded in decoding the entire genome sequence of the novel coronavirus and identified its three new mutations. • The findings will help in developing medicines or vaccines needed to stop the spread. • It has become the 2nd institute in India after NIV, Pune to decode the entire genome sequence of the virus. DRDO testing facility shifted to Delhi • DRDO has shifted its testing facility from Gwalior to Delhi. • It has been shifted from the Defence Research Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior to the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS) in Delhi. • The INMAS is a premier life science laboratory of the DRDO. • The facility at INMAS is fully operational for testing and evaluation of bodysuits and masks. Maharashtra govt launched ‘COVID-Madat' • The Pune Platform for COVID-19 Response (PPCR) with the support of Maharashtra State Innovation Society has launched 'COVID-Madat’. • It is a telemedicine helpline for people to tele-screen themselves for COVID-related symptoms. • Through ‘COVID-Madat’, people who suspect they might have COVID-19 symptoms can call on the helpline 09513615550.
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Jharkhand CM launched App for stranded people • Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on 16 April 2020 launched an App to help the people of the state who are stranded across the country due to the lockdown. • The special assistance yojana mobile can be downloaded from https://covid19help.jharkhand.gov.in. • The app is designed in such a way that even if one person has a smartphone then the entire group could register their names using the single mobile. Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated online website • Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel on 16 April 2020 inaugurated the online delivery website 'Cghaat' at his residence. • The portal, cghaat.in, has been developed by Chhattisgarh government's agency Chips. • This service is available free of charge to vendors. • Customers interested in purchasing from the portal can also register free of charge and choose the vendor of their choice. HDFC Bank launched Safety Grid campaign • HDFC Bank has launched a campaign to encourage and reinforce social distancing while waiting at shops. • Using the outer grid of HDFC Bank logo, it has created physical markers on the ground to help people maintain the WHO prescribed social distance while waiting in the queue. • It will be implemented at over 4,000 essential services stores across the eight cities. POGO collaborated with DD • WarnerMedia-owned kids television channel POGO has partnered with public service broadcaster Doordarshan to simulcast its popular animation show Chhota Bheem on DD National. • First premiered in 2008, the show revolves around a young boy called Bheem in a small town in India. • It will be available for a half-hour telecast every afternoon on DD till the end of the Covid-19 lockdown on 3 May. Delhi to start plasma transfusion trials • The plasma transfusion trials for treating Corona patients will be started in Delhi soon. • The Central government has given approval in this regard. • If tests will be successful, the lives of serious COVID-19 patients can be saved. • Delhi government has also extended its list of cluster containment zones to 57 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Foodgrains production increased the target • The agriculture ministry aims to increase foodgrain production by 6.35 million tonnes, to record 298.3 million tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year. • The ministry has set a target of 149.9 million tonnes of foodgrain production in the kharif or summer season and 148.4 million tonnes in the rabi or winter season. • Rice production target has been fixed at 117.5 million tonnes in 2020-21. 4 month rental of small IT units waived off • Government has taken a major decision to provide relief from payment of four month rental to the small IT units operating out of the Software Technology Parks of India. • Most of these units are either Tech MSMEs or startups.
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• It will provide rental waiver to these units from 1st March till 30th of June 2020. • This initiative will provide benefit to nearly 200 IT and ITeS MSMEs. EPFO settled 3.31 lakh claims in 15 days • Employees' Provident Fund Organization, EPFO has processed 3,31,000 claims disbursing an amount of over Rs 946 cr in just 15 days. • The provision for a special withdrawal from the EPF Scheme as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana package, has provided timely relief to the working class. • In addition, 284 crore rupees have been distributed by the exempted PF Trusts under this scheme. Centre released Rs 7,300 crore under MGNREGS • Centre has released Rs 7,300 cr to the States and Union Territories under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). • It has been done to liquidate pending dues of last financial year but also the wage dues for the first fortnight of 2020-21. • Also, under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin), over 800 crore rupees has been released to the States. Online campaign launched in Kerala • A college in Kerala has launched an online campaign to get people talk about the positive aspects of coronavirus-induced country-wide lockdown. • St. Teresa's College in the Ernakulam district started the campaign 'Covid-Kurripukal' on social media. • It is aimed at reaching out to people across all 14 districts of Kerala. • A team of over 200 students will manage the campaign. Rs 3,500 to each Arunachali stranded outside • Arunachal Pradesh government will provide Rs 3,500 to each Arunachali person stranded outside the state amid nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. • Arunachali people stranded outside the state have to register themselves at a portal. • The state government has also provided Rs 1,000 to all farmers registered under the PM-KISAN scheme. SAI's 21-day online workshop for coaches began • Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on 16 March 2020 attended the first session of the 21-day long online workshop for coaches. • It is being organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in partnership with the National Sports Federations (NSFs). • This is the first-ever online initiative by SAI and NSFs to upgrade knowledge of coaches. 22 cancer treatment centres in Kerala • The Kerala government is setting up 22 cancer treatment centres across all the 14 districts. • The initiative, being undertaken in association with Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), would enable cancer patients to continue their treatment during this COVID-19 period. • This is for the first time such an initiative was being taken in the country. BSNL launched a payment platform • BSNL in partnership with SBI has launched a UPI-based payment platform, Bharat InstaPay.
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• The new payment facility developed by the company will enable its partners, especially prepaid sellers, to buy service immediately for sale. • Bharat InstaPay will help its partners do digital transactions on a real-time basis. Jim Corbett built isolation wards for animals • India's oldest National Park Jim Corbett, situated in Uttarakhand, has built isolation wards for animals. • At least 10 quarantine centres are being prepared within the premises to contain animals. • Any animal with symptoms will be quarantined, the cameras installed in the vicinity of the national park will record the cold and cough symptoms of animals. MEA announced Covid-19 Training Program • The External Affairs Ministry has announced a training programme on Covid-19 from April 17, 2020 for healthcare professionals from SAARC countries. • It will be carried out by the Central government's Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. • India had also proposed setting up of a common electronic platform for all SAARC nations to share their expertise and best practices. 6 Indian companies working on COVID-19 vaccine • Six Indian companies are working on a vaccine for COVID-19. • Nearly 70 ‘vaccine candidates’ are being tested and at least three have moved to the human clinical trial stage. • While Zydus Cadila is working on two vaccines, Serum Institute, Biological E, Bharat Biotech, Indian Immunologicals, and Mynvax are developing one vaccine each. Goa: 1st to use Ayurveda to COVID-19 patients • Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant has declared that Goa would be the first state to treat COVID-19 positive patients with allopathy and Ayurveda to boost their immunity. • Goa will be the first state to use both these streams of medicine. • The treatment will be administered in consultation with doctors who are dealing with COVID-19 patients, said the CM, who is also an Ayurveda practitioner. Mobile testing Kiosk for COVID 19 in Bengaluru • Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa inaugurated a mobile testing Kiosk for COVID19 in Bengaluru on 16 April 2020. • The mobile kiosk is developed by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. • It can be deployed in Corona Virus hotspots and clusters to procure the throat swabs according to the guidelines issued by ICMR. Truenat beta CoV test for COVID-19 • Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR has issued guidance on the use of Truenat beta CoV test. • The test has been validated by the research body for undertaking a screening test for COVID-19. • The states can appoint a core team of experts for assessing facilities with the Truelab Workstation for feasibility of initiating COVID-19 testing in the existing setup. All India Agri Transport Call Centre launched
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• Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on 15 April 2020 launched the All India Agri Transport Call Centre at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi. • This will facilitate inter-state movement of perishables in the current situation of lockdown. • The Call Centre numbers are 18001804200 and 14488. • These numbers can be called from any mobile or landline phones any time of the day or night. DST created Integrated geospatial platform • Department of Science and Technology has created an Integrated Geospatial Platform to help decision making during the current COVID-19 outbreak. • It will help in devising area-specific strategies to handle the socio-economic impact in the recovery phase. • The platform is initially expected to strengthen the public health delivery system of the State and Central Governments. UP: 1st to start Pool Testing of Covid-19 • Uttar Pradesh govt has decided to start pool testing of the coronavirus samples. • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) gave permission for pool testing to the state in order to help maximise the testing of samples on a daily basis. • During testing, if 10 samples are mixed and tested for Covid-19 and if they test negative, then it will be an indicator that all samples are negative. Google Pay launched ‘Nearby Spot’ • Google has launched 'Nearby Spot' under Google Pay using which users in Bengaluru can see local stores selling essentials like groceries that are open, amid the lockdown. • The Nearby Spot will be launched in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi soon. • The company has launched the COVID-19 Spot on Google Pay that aggregates all pertinent information on the topic. Jharkhand hospitals employ ‘COBOT-Robotics’ • Robots will serve food and give medicine to COVID-19 patients in 2 hospitals in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district. • This is a step to protect doctors and health workers from getting infected with coronavirus. • Developed by District Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) Aditya Ranjan, the remote-controlled COBOT-Robotics will provide food and medicine to patients without human intervention. DRDL developed a kiosk “COVSACK” • Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad has developed COVID Sample Collection Kiosk (COVSACK). • The unit has been developed by DRDL in consultation with the doctors of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Hyderabad. • The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by healthcare workers for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients. Tourism Ministry launched a webinar series • Tourism Ministry has launched "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series from 14 April 2020 to provide information on the many destinations and the culture and heritage of Incredible India. • The first webinar touched upon the long history of Delhi with its unique character. • The webinar was titled "City of Cities- Delhi's Personal Diary'. 85 | P a g e
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• The next webinar will take visitors to the City of Kolkata. Sikkim education dept partnered with AIR • Sikkim’s education dept has partnered with All India Radio to impart online lessons to school students during the lockdown. • The sessions, of 1 hour each from 1pm to 2 pm, will be imparted on a daily basis beginning 16th April 2020 through AIR’s Gangtok station. • The live educational sessions will be targeted at elementary, secondary and senior secondary standards. Door to door screening in 8000 villages: Bihar • Bihar government has decided to undertake door to door screening in 8000 villages to detect suspected cases of Coronavirus. • Villages, where people have come from foreign countries between 1-23 March 2020, will be screened. • The screening will be launched on 16 April 2020 and will be completed on April 24, 2020. • The survey will be on the lines of pulse polio immunization campaign. e-comic Textbooks launched in Manipur • Manipur State Education (School) Department has launched electronic format comic textbooks for class III to V for Mathematics, Environmental Studies and English Language. • The motive is to make up the gaps for the academic situation arising due to lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. • Electronic format textbooks for other classes will be soon made available. Bihar govt permits to restart industrial units • Bihar government has given permission to restart over 27,000 industrial units in the state to restore employment generation during lockdown. • DMs have been authorised to issue permission letter in this regard to units. • Industrial units of essential commodities including food processing units will be started soon. e-gate passes to importers and custom brokers • Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Custom, CBIC has decided to enable electronic communication of PDF- based final electronic out of charge copy of bill of entry and e-gate passes to the importers and custom brokers. • This came into effect from 15 April 2020. • Electronic communication would reduce direct interface between the Custom authorities and the importers or custom brokers. Labour Ministry sets up 20 control rooms • Labour and Employment Ministry has set up 20 control rooms across India to resolve the grievances of the workers amid lockdown. • These control rooms will address the wage-related grievances of workers and mitigate the problems of migrant workers through coordination with various state governments. • These call centers can be accessed by the workers through phone, Whatsapp and emails. Agriculture department took several measure • Dept of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare has taken several measures to facilitate the farmers and farming activities during the lockdown period. 86 | P a g e
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• During Rabi season 2020, NAFED has procured over 1,21,000 tonnes Pulses and Oilseeds on MSP. • Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, about 5,516 tonnes of pulses has been dispatched for delivery to the States and UTs. Fit India, CBSE to organise fitness sessions • Fit India and CBSE will organise first-ever live fitness sessions for school students in the second phase of lockdown. • Live sessions commenced from 15 April 2020 and students can get access to these live sessions on Facebook and Instagram handles of Fit India Movement and CBSE. • During the programme, guidelines of Ministry of AYUSH to stay healthy will be shared with students. NIF developed herbal dewormer “Wormivet” • National Innovation Foundation India (NIF) has brought out an indigenous herbal medication (dewormer) 'Wormivet' in the form of commercial product for livestock owners. • It is an alternative to chemical method of treatment of worm. • NIF worked on medication in the treatment of endoparasite (worm) infestation among livestock sent by Harshadbhai Patel, Gujarat, which was found to be unique. IFFCO running awareness campaigns • IFFCO is leading efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by organizing “Break the Corona Chain Social Awareness Campaign” on ‘Ground zero’ in different states across the country. • Under the banner of this social awareness campaign over 60 camps were organized. • Under this campaign, aspects like Social distancing; sanitization; covering of face by masks / ‘Gamchha’ are being emphasized. Ahmedabad station:1st to get sanitizing tunnel • Ahmedabad station of Western Railway has become the first station on Indian Railways to install a walkthrough mass sanitising tunnel. • It has been installed to ensure the safety of staff and passengers in the view of the COVID-19. • The tunnel uses WHO approved sanitizer and is fitted with a sensor so that when a passenger approaches the tunnel entrance it starts fogging automatically. Lockdown extended till May 3, 2020 • PM Narendra Modi on 14 April 2020 extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3, 2020. • The government will come out with extensive guidelines on 15 April 2020. • In some areas where no Covid-19 cases have been reported, some conditional relaxations could be given after April 20, 2020. • Some state govts like Punjab, Odisha, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have already extended the lockdown on their own. e-NAM completed four years • The pan-India Agriculture trading portal e-NAM completed four years of implementation on 14 April 2020. • e-NAM helped in realising the vision of One Nation One Market for agri produce. • It is being expanded to cover additional 415 mandis which will take the total number of e-NAM mandis to 1000 soon. • It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 21 mandis on 14th April in 2016.
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Bihar to restart employment generation scheme • Bihar government has decided to restart employment generation scheme in rural areas during the lockdown period. • Flood protection work will also be started to provide job opportunity to labourers. • Chief Minister Nitish Kumar instructed DMs to personally monitor the harvesting operation and ensure that the farmers and farm labourers harvest their crops without hassles. Jammu: E-pass service for red zone • Jammu district administration has launched e-pass service for people in the coronavirus ‘red zone' to obtain online permission for emergency movement during the lockdown period. • The service will facilitate emergency movement of public from the ‘red zone areas' who are otherwise not allowed to move out of the restricted area. NITI Aayog launched CollabCAD • Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre have jointly launched CollabCAD. • It is a computer-enabled software system providing a total engineering solution from 2D drafting and detailing to 3D product design. • The aim is to provide a platform to students of Atal Tinkering Labs across country to create and modify 3d designs with free flow of creativity and imagination. Core Strategy Group formed in CSIR • A core Strategy Group has been formed in CSIR based on a detailed review of COVID -19 research. • The Strategy Group is working on digital and molecular surveillance, rapid and economical diagnostics, and new drugs and associated production processes. • 78,000 Self Help Group members of 27 states have produced 1.96 crore masks under State Rural Livelihood Missions. Prasar Bharti launched DD Retro • Public service broadcaster Prasar Bharti has launched a new channel specifically dedicated to old classics called DD Retro. • For now, DD Retro is airing the same shows that DD National had brought back in the wake of the covid-19 outbreak to keep viewers engaged. • Apart from mythological epic Ramayana, the classics revived on the network are Chanakya, Shaktimaan, Shriman Shrimati, etc. GMR to develop Bhogapuram Int. Airport • GMR Airports Ltd has received "Letter of Award" (LoA) for the development and operations of Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh. • In Feb 2019, GMR Airports had emerged as the highest bidder for project on a public–private partnership basis. • The project involves design, finance, construction, development, modernization, operation of Bhogapuram International Airport for 40 years. Manipur govt starts new initiative ‘Food Bank’ • In Manipur, a new initiative titled ‘Food Bank’ has introduced by Imphal East District Administration.
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• It will provide immediate aid in the form of free food to the poor and needy who are facing scarcity of essential commodities due to the lockdown. • Distribution of food items, hand sanitizers and face masks has already started to Drug Rehabilitation Centres. UPSCGuide e-learning portal launched • UPSCGuide e-learning portal has been launched to help UPSC aspirants to study from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. • It will provide extremely affordable preparatory courses for coming session of UPSC prelims and mains examinations. • It has made all the courses available free of cost to the BPL category students and ward of armed forces belonging to J&K region and North Eastern states. Dept of Horticulture launched Helpline numbers • In Jammu and Kashmir, Department of Horticulture has launched Helpline numbers in Kashmir. • Senior officers of the Department have been designated to provide guidance pertaining to the horticultural activities during COVID-19 lockdown. • The main focus of launching the Helpline is to make sure that every farmer/grower can access credible and accurate information regarding different field crops. Himachal P. govt plans a phase-wise exit plan • The Himachal Pradesh state government is planning a phase-wise exit plan to bring back normalcy after the COVID-19 outbreak. • The exit plan would be prepared to keep in view health and economic variables. • According to the plan, the state would be divided into six zones as part of the strategy. • These zones will include red zone, 4 orange zones and green zone. COVID-19 helpline launched in Bengaluru • A COVID-19 home delivery helpline was launched in Bengaluru on 12 April 2020. • This helpline facility will be available to the people living in Padmanaba Nagara, Basavanagudi, Chikpet and Jayanagara areas. • People can order essential commodities like groceries, medicines, fruits and vegetables, by using this helpline. Pune Rural Police came up with an app • Pune Rural Police has teamed up with Baramati Pattern Team for COVID-19 and came up with an app, Home Delivery, to send daily needs to the doorstep of the residents on a click. • The app is sent via a link on social media and can be downloaded within five minutes. • The residents can send order of the essentials through the app to the nearby mall or a grocery shop. THSTI: 1st testing facility in Faridabad • Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, THSTI will now function as an extension of diagnostic facility of ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad for COVID-19 testing. • It will be the first and only COVID-19 testing facility in the Faridabad region. • A MoU was signed between the two institutes in this regard. Around 78,000 SHG members made 2 crore masks
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• About 2 crore masks have been produced by around 78,000 Self Help Group members of 27 State Rural Livelihood Missions. • Around 5,000 Personal Protective Equipment, PPE kits have been manufactured by these groups in various states including Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka. • The masks have been supplied to the state health departments, Local Self Government, etc. Rs 5,000 Cr to beneficiaries of PMUY • As on date, oil marketing companies have initiated transfer of Rs 5,606 crore to 7.15 Crore Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana beneficiary accounts. • This has been done for availing free delivery of LPG cylinder under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package. • There are 27.87 Crore active LPG consumers in the country, with the PMUY beneficiaries accounting for over 8 crore. HRD Minister launched web portal 'YUKTI' • Minister for HRD Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has launched a web-portal YUKTI (Young India Combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) in New Delhi. • The portal and dashboard will monitor and record the efforts and initiatives of Ministry of HRD. • It intends to cover different dimensions of COVID-19 challenges in a holistic and comprehensive way. KVIC successfully developed Khadi mask • Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has successfully developed a double layered Khadi mask and has procured orders for supplying it in large quantities. • The Commission is specifically using double twisted Khadi fabric for manufacturing of these masks as it helps retain 70 per cent of the moisture content inside, while providing an easy passage for the air to pass through. 32 crore people receive benefits under PMGKP • Government has provided over Rs 28,000 crore support through Direct Benefit Transfer to around 32 crore beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan relief package announced in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. • Around Rs 14,000 crore have been directly transferred to approximately 7 cr farmers under PM - KISAN scheme and Rs 10,000 crore to over 19 crore PMJDY women account holders till now. Flipkart partnered with ICICI Lombard • Flipkart, in partnership with ICICI Lombard and Go Digit General Insurance, has launched health insurance policies on its platform. • The two policies come with instant claim benefits and do not require any medical tests at the time of purchase. • The COVID-19 Protection Cover by ICICI Lombard provides an instant ₹25,000 benefit plan paid to the customer on positive diagnosis of COVID-19. TRIFED launched a digital campaign • TRIFED has collaborated with UNICEF for developing a digital communication strategy. • It will promote a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in this work, highlighting the importance of Social Distancing. • UNICEF would provide the necessary support to be circulated to the SHG centers. 90 | P a g e
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Govt launched express empanelment process • The govt on 10 April 2020 launched express empanelment process aiming to bring large number of private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. • With the launch of express empanelment called Hospital Empanelment Module Lite, patients suffering from serious illnesses will be able to continue getting inpatient services without the fear of contracting the infection. Jana Small Finance Bank launched “DigiGen” • Jana Small Finance Bank has launched DIGIGEN, a digital banking platform. • Customers can digitally open a savings account and fixed deposit instantly here. • DIGIGEN also offers a host of other features, including online bill payment, instant money transfer and airport lounge access on debit card, to name a few. Pune-based company to make natural sanitizer • Central Government is funding a Pune-based company for manufacturing natural, alcohol-free sanitizer for hands and surfaces with long-lasting antibacterial and antiviral effect. • This sanitizer formulation is developed by Green Pyramid Biotech company whose Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient is a biosurfactant. • It has been tested against a wide array of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Computer based nano materials by INST Mohali • Researchers from Mohali-based Institute of Nano Science and Technology, have made computer-based designs of nano-materials with superhigh piezoelectricity. • The research will help development of nano devices like transistors which are used in the mother board of Computers and Laptops. • This will help in further minimizing the size of electronic devices making them lighter and easy to carry. IIT Kanpur developed a PPE • IIT Kanpur has developed a very low cost personal protective equipment, PPE which can be produced for less than Rs 100. • A team of IIT Kanpur researchers and industry partners has designed the Kit based on thin cylindrical rolls of polythene. • The design and the production process of this Kit is open-source which means any small scale factory can start manufacturing them in large quantities. Andhra P.: 133 places as COVID-19 Red Zones • In Andhra Pradesh, at least 133 places in 13 Districts have been declared as Red Zones. • The places of Corona positive have been first identified as Containment Clusters and later declared as Red Alert Zones so as to control the COVID-19 and thus putting all efforts to stop the spread of the Pandemic. • The number of COVID-19 Positive cases have gone up to 381 in the state so far. NCW launched a WhatsApp number • The National Commission for Women, NCW has launched a WhatsApp number 7217735372 to report cases of domestic violence, which have seen a rise during the lockdown period. • The number has only been launched for the period of COVID-19 lockdown till normal offices resume.
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• Domestic violence complaints have been increasing since the nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 25, 2020. Marine Industry exempted from restrictions • The Centre has exempted the operations of the fishing or marine aquaculture industry, including harvesting, sale and marketing activities, from the purview of the ongoing nationwide lockdown. • The decision has been taken by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in his capacity as chairperson of the National Executive Committee constituted under the Disaster Management Act. Bharat Padhe Online campaign launched • HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on 10 April 2020 launched a week long Bharat Padhe Online campaign. • This has been launched for crowd sourcing of ideas in New Delhi for improving online education ecosystem of India. • The campaign aims to invite all the best brains in India to share suggestions or solutions directly with HRD Ministry to overcome constraints of online education. ICMR approved diagnostic machines • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the use of diagnostic machines used for testing drug-resistant tuberculosis for conducting coronavirus tests. • The ICMR has validated 'TruenatTM beta CoV test on TruelabTM workstation' and has recommended it as a screening test. • ICMR has also issued guidance on the use of Truenat beta CoV. Delhi Govt launched 'Operation SHIELD' • Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced 'Operation SHIELD' in 21 containment zones to curb the spread of COVID-19. • He also warned of strict action against those misbehaving with healthcare personnel in the city. • In the first stage of the operation, the government will seal the area immediately and its surroundings after geographical marking following positive cases there. L&T won a contract from Indian Army • Larsen & Toubro has won a 'large' contract from the Indian Army for setting up an advanced IT-enabled system to operate the Armed Forces network under the Network of Spectrum (NFS). • The value of a large order ranges between Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. • The project involves the creation of a resilient Cloud-based IT infrastructure on Infrastructure as a service (IAAS) model. Odisha: 1st to extend lockdown till 30 April • The Odisha govt has decided to extend the ongoing lockdown in the state till April 30, 2020 to effectively contain the spread of coronavirus. • This was announced by Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik through video conferencing. • The state has also urged the Centre to stop train and flight services to Odisha till April 30, 2020. Centre introduced Arogya Setu IVRS facility • The Centre has introduced the Arogya Setu IVRS facility on a test basis in Tamil Nadu. • As the “Arogya Setu” mobile app works in smartphones, the IVRS facility works in feature-phones as well. 92 | P a g e
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• Using the facility, one can track about the Covid-19 situation and avail help by giving a missed call or an sms to the number 94999-12345. • The technology has been developed by IIT Madras. Ladakh LG launched IT based applications • Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur launched IT-based applications and web-based dashboards on 9 April 2020, in Leh. • These platforms are connect.ladakh.gov.in , covid.ladakh.gov.in and National Analytical platform for Dealing with Intelligent Training, Tracking, NAADI App. • NAADI App customized for Ladakh will help the public in quarantine with health tips and advisories. Special scheme for manufacturing face masks • The Central and Special Women's prisons in Madurai, Tamil Nadu have embarked upon a special scheme for manufacturing face masks. • Under the scheme, a target of one lakh face masks has been fixed. • Till date 34000 masks have been made. • Of these 17000 have been distributed among government departments like health and police. 24X7 Health Channel dedicated to COVID-19 • A 24X7 Health Channel dedicated to COVID-19 has been introduced for localites in Nicobar district. • The channel is available in 3 languages Hindi, English and Nicobari. • The channel provides information covering the basic preventive measures like cleanliness and sanitation, maintaining social distancing and health advisory by doctors. Haryana govt doubles salary of Doctors, Nurses • Haryana govt has decided to double the salary of Doctors, Nurses and other medical professionals dealing with Coronavirus patients. • This will be applicable until the Coronavirus period ends. • These professionals will get ex-gratia benefits between 50 Lakh rupees and 10 Lakh rupees, if they are not covered under the new insurance cover announced by the Centre. Rs 15000 cr for COVID-19 Emergency response • The Centre has sanctioned Rs 15,000 crore for India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package. • Out of it, Rs 7,774 crore will be utilized for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response. • The aim of the package is to strengthen and build resilient National and State health systems to support prevention and preparedness for future disease outbreak. DoPPW organised a webinar • Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) on 9 April 2020 organised a webinar for awareness and related issues on COVID-19. • In the webinar, around 100 pensioners from 22 cities interacted with Dr.Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS and Dr Prasun Chatterjee, Associate Professor Geriatric Medicine, AIIMS. • These experts deliberated in detail on spread of novel Coronavirus. 8 ESIC hospitals declared COVID 19 centres
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• 8 Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals with over 1,000 isolation bed have been declared as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, in India. • These are situated in Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. • In addition to this, around 1,112 isolation beds have been made available in most of the remaining ESIC Hospitals across the country. ICMR creates new strategy for Covid-19 testing • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has devised a new strategy for Covid-19 testing in India. • It includes all symptomatic individuals who have undertaken international travel in the last 14 days and all symptomatic contacts of lab-confirmed cases. • It also include all symptomatic health care workers and all patients with severe acute respiratory illness like fever and cough. Mobile provision stores in Chennai • In Tamil Nadu, the city civic body in Chennai has organised mobile provision stores, while its planning authority has arranged mobile vegetable and fruit shops. • The move is aimed at helping people to get the essential things easily during the curfew that is in force. • 5000 three-wheelers and 2000 mini-trucks will be used to sell them. HP govt started telemedicine facilities • The Himachal Pradesh government has started telemedicine consultancy facilities in Health and Wellness centers to facilitate people in getting treatment advice from specialists remotely. • The State government also notified ESI Hospital Katha in the Baddi area of Solan district for the treatment of COVID 19 patients. • Patients from Solan and Sirmaur districts would be treated in this hospital. Two centres for training to be set up in J&K • J&K Administration has accorded sanction for establishment of two Centres for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT) in the UT. • The Centre in Kashmir division shall be established at Government Polytechnic, Baramulla. • The move is aimed at providing skill training to students of Engineering Colleges, Polytechnic Colleges, ITIs and others. Bihar govt to deduct 15% of monthly salaries • Bihar government has taken a decision to deduct 15 percent of the monthly salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers and all MLAs for one year. • The deducted amount will be deposited in the Corona eradication fund. • This decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. • The deducted fund will be utilized for treatment of COVID- 19 and other services related to it. Ahmedabad declared as buffer zone: Gujarat • In Gujarat, the entire wall city of Ahmedabad has been declared as a buffer zone to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19. • The decision was taken in view of the dense dwellings within the walled city which are more vulnerable for Covid 19. • All the markets have been closed and 30 checkpoints have been created in the city to check the entry and exit of vehicles and people. 94 | P a g e
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Arunachal Pradesh govt launched COVIDCARE app • Arunachal Pradesh government has launched a newly developed app called COVIDCARE, in an effort to fight COVID-19. • This app has been developed for those people who are quarantined, asymptomatic or COVID-19 patients to self-report their health status, including body temperature and vital symptoms. • In case of emergency, the patient will be able to call for help through the app itself. MP government invoked ESMA • MP government on 8 April 2020 invoked the Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) with immediate effect to tackle the coronavirus spread. • Bhopal and Indore are among the most affected districts in the state. • The state government has constituted a 4-member committee to give suggestions in dealing with the economic crisis arising due to Coronavirus outbreak. JKSLSA offering services at doorsteps • Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority (JKSLSA) through its innovative and empathetic measures is offering services at doorsteps. • It has initiated a series of awareness programmes, where Retainer Lawyers and Para Legal Volunteer (PLVs) will be sensitized about the Pandemic and the precautions required to be taken to avoid its infection and spread. • It has organised 354 camps in J&K. Maharashtra reported 11 SARI deaths • In Maharashtra, 11 patients suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Illness -SARI died in the last 10 days at Government Medical College hospital in Aurangabad. • Currently, 23 patients suffering from SARI are undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital. • The symptoms of SARI and COVID-19 are similar. Jammu and Kashmir: KVIB supplies 21000 masks • Jammu and Kashmir Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB), has supplied 21000 masks to the district administration, Army, BSF and local populace. • KVIB has mobilized its unit holders and Khadi institutions to ensure production of cotton masks as per the laid down specifications. • Meanwhile, 30 KVIB unit holders have received supply order for production of more than six lakh masks. ICCR launched unique Art competition • Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) has come up with a unique Art initiative amidst the global battle against novel Coronavirus. • The Art competition entitled 'United against COVID' is open for participants from worldwide. • The initiative provides people a unique opportunity to express themselves in these uneasy times of a global contagion. 3 levels of health care facility to be set up • 3 types of health-care facilities will be set up for various categories of COVID-19 cases as a mechanism to provide care to COVID-19 patients.
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• These three types are covid care centres, dedicated covid health centres and dedicated covid hospitals. • All three types of COVID-19 dedicated facilities will have separate earmarked areas for the suspect and confirmed cases. Center launched a learning platform • The Center has announced the launch of a learning platform to combat COVID-19 for all front-line workers. • The platform delivers curated, role-specific content, to each learner at his place of work or home and to any device of his choice. • iGOT platform is designed to population scale, and will provide training to around 1.50 crore workers and volunteers in the coming weeks. NGOs to buy food grains directly from FCI • Govt has allowed Non-govt organisations to buy food grains directly from Food Corporation of India -FCI. • NGOs and Charitable Organizations are playing important role in providing cooked food to thousands of poor during the lockdown. • FCI has been directed to provide Wheat and Rice to such organizations at the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) rates without going through the e-auction process. Andhra P. to procure 3 lakh rapid testing kits • Andhra Pradesh has announced placing an order for 3 lakh rapid testing kits for Covid-19. • The government has identified and designated 13 hospitals in 13 districts as Covid hospitals. • No other patients will be treated in these hospitals to avoid further transmission. • Authorities will undertake extensive testing in containment zones established across the state. Rapid diagnostic kit being developed • FastSense Diagnostics is developing two modules for detection of COVID 19. • The company plans to roll out two products. • These are - a modified Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection kit for confirmatory analysis in lesser time compared to existing detection methods and a portable chip based module for rapid screening of target population based on the on-chip sensing technology. MP police starts 'home delivery' of FIRs • Madhya Pradesh police have started home-delivery of FIRs. • Those booked for violating the lockdown are now getting the challans at their doorstep. • Seoni district, which borders Nagpur, launched this initiative on 6 April 2020. • Police in UP’s Muzaffarnagar were the first to start this ‘doorstep delivery’ in the first week of April 2020. CM Arvind Kejriwal announced a 5T plan • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a 5T plan to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. • The 5T plan includes testing, tracing, treatment, teamwork and tracking. • The govt is planning to conduct 1 lakh rapid tests among people in the city’s COVID-19 hotspots. • The tests will start from 10 April 2020 after the rapid test kits arrive. Commerce Ministry launched online platform • The commerce ministry has designed an online platform for issuance of a key document required for exports to those countries with which India has trade agreements. • The aim is to facilitate shipments during the COVID-19 crisis. 96 | P a g e
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• An exporter has to submit a 'certificate of origin' at the landing port of the importing country. • This certificate is essential to prove where their goods come from. MHRD launched “Samadhan” challenge • The Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Human Resource has launched an online challenge ‘Samadhan’. • Through this, it has invited ideas and innovations that can help fight against the novel coronavirus that has infected over 4,700 people in India. • The challenge is open for student innovators, researchers, educators and startups to participate. • The last date for applications is April 14, 2020. Chhattisgarh Police create app ‘Rakhsa Sarv’ • Police in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa district have created a mobile app to keep tabs on those violating the home quarantine order. • The police, with the help of a startup Mobcoder, developed the app 'Rakhsa Sarv', which enables them to track the quarantined people through Google Map. • The quarantined person will have to upload a selfie in the app every hour which will specify his location. WhatsApp: New limits on message forwarding • WhatsApp has placed new limits on message forwarding as part of an effort to curb the spread of misinformation about the Coronavirus pandemic. • The new policy limits users to forwarding certain messages to one chat at a time. • The aim is to limit the rapid propagation of content which is provocative but likely to be false. Testing labs in hq of all divisions: UP govt • UP government will establish Corona testing labs in Headquarter of each and every division in the state. • The government has managed to start collection centres in all 75 districts of the state. • The coronavirus cases have increased rapidly over the past few days. • 308 Covid-19 cases have been found in the state as of now. Rs 2,000 to stranded Manipuris outside • Manipur CM N. Biren Singh has announced to provide Rs 2,000 each to those Manipuris who are stranded outside due to the nationwide lockdown. • Govt has appealed those who have been stranded due to lockdown to contact the Secretariat or visit www.tengbang.in, a website launched especially for COVID-19 by the State Government. Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for police: MP • In Madhya Pradesh, the State Government announced an insurance cover of 50 lakh rupees for police personnel and other government employees engaged in the fight against Coronavirus. • Many health workers and police personnel and their family members have tested positive for Coronavirus in Bhopal. • Around 300 people have been infected with the Coronavirus in the state so far. Surat Municipal Corp took unique initiatives • In Gujarat, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is using the Integrated Command and Control Centre set up under Smart City Mission as a war room to fight COVID-19. • SMC has published an online dashboard on its website to provide regular updates of COVID-19 to the citizens. 97 | P a g e
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• They include overall statistics on tested, confirmed, active, recovered and death cases. VRDE designed full-body disinfection chamber • Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar, a DRDO lab, has designed a full- body disinfection chamber called Personnel Sanitization Enclosure. • This walkthrough enclosure is designed for personnel decontamination, one person at a time. • It is a portable system equipped with sanitizers and soap dispenser. • It was developed in 3 days using available resources with VRDE. Dashboard with real time data inaugurated • A dashboard giving real-time data on COVID 19 cases was inaugurated in Bengaluru on 7 April 2020. • The dashboard set up in the Command and Control Centre will provide real time data of COVID 19 positive cases, persons in quarantine, hospital infrastructure details and human resources available there. • The dashboard will give date wise, zone wise, hospital wise, patient wise day to day details. Rs 1,000 each to 1 lakh migrant workers: Bihar • Bihar govt has transferred Rs 1000 each to the bank accounts of over one lakh migrant workers stranded in other parts of the country due to nationwide lockdown. • Rs 1000 per person was transferred in the bank accounts of migrant workers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. • Bihar has become the first state in the country to reach out to its migrant workforce. Tamil Nadu: Testing labs more than doubled • In Tamil Nadu, the number of novel coronavirus testing laboratories is being more than doubled in its efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic. • In addition to the 17 facilities that are currently operational including eleven in Government Hospitals, 21 more are being installed across the state. • In addition, orders have been placed for one lakh rapid testing kits as well. Kerala installed Walk-in Sample Kiosks • Kerala has installed Walk-in Sample Kiosks (WISK) for mass collection of samples for Covid-19 testing in Ernakulam district. • It is based on South Korean model. • A Walk-in Sample Kiosk or WISK is a mobile cubicle with a sealed glass front, and have extended gloves attached in the front, through which a medical practitioner standing in the cubicle can collect samples. Two nurses lauded in Ladakh • In Ladakh, senior nurse Tsering Yangzom and a trainee nurse Angmo Liker, the first two covid 19 front liners have got overwhelming appreciations for boosting the morale of frontline warriors in the fight against Covid-19. • These two nurses were the first rapid response warriors of Ladakh for the first two reported patients at isolation wards. Govt to cut salary of MPs by 30% for one year • Union Cabinet has approved an Ordinance amending the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 for reducing salary by 30% for 1 year. • It will come into effect from 1 April,20. 98 | P a g e
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• Cabinet has decided to suspend MPLAD fund for 2 years from 2020-2021 to 2021-2022. • An amount of Rs 7900 cr will be accumulated and deposited in the consolidated Fund of India to fight COVID-19. NHAI achieved highest construction of Highways • National Highway Authority of India, NHAI has achieved highest ever construction of National Highways in FY 2019-20. • It has accomplished the construction of 3,979 km of national highways and this is the highest ever highway construction achieved in a financial year by NHAI. • In 2018-19, NHAI had constructed 3,380 kilometres. OFB to roll out tents as isolation units • The Ordnance Factory Board under the Ministry of Defence is ready to roll out modified tents in the form of low-cost isolation units to check the Covid-19 pandemic. • These tents are being assembled at Ordnance Factory Kanpur and are 30% cheaper than tents used for military purposes. • The Ordnance Factory tents measuring 9.55 sq meters can accommodate two patients each. HCL Tech set up COVID-19 control centre • HCL Technologies has set up a control centre in Noida to help respond to citizens' queries about coronavirus. • The Integrated Control Centre has been set up by HCL at one of its facilities in Noida with support from the district administration, police, health department and Noida as well as Greater Noida Authority. • The "all-in-one" control room can be reached on toll-free number 18004192211. Wockhardt Hospital declared a containment zone • The Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai has been declared a containment zone by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). • 30 doctors and nurses are suspected to have been infected with the novel coronavirus here. • These Covid-19 suspected cases have been shifted to the Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai, where further tests will be carried out. Measures for smooth harvesting of Rabi Crop • The Dept of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare is taking several measures for smooth harvesting of Rabi Crop and sowing of the summer crop. • This is being done to ensure that farmers do not suffer from any adverse fallout during the lockdown. • A video conference was conducted with all States and Insurance companies to review the status of Conduct of CCEs for Rabi 2019-20 crops. Enhanced protective gear to CISF troops • The CISF is augmenting COVID-19 protective gear and healthcare paraphernalia for its over 40,000 personnel. • The troops will begin having close physical interaction with lakhs of passengers once airports and the Delhi Metro re-start operations. • The CISF has 63 civil airports of the country under its security cover at present along with the Delhi Metro. Empowered group set up
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• The govt has notified the empowered group set up for coordination with the private sector, NGOs and international organisations for COVID-19 related response activities. • It has been constituted to address the issues pertaining to identification of problems, effective solutions and formulation of plans. • The empowered group is led by Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog. ‘Challenge COVID-19 Competition’ • National Innovation Foundation - (NIF) under the Department of Science and Technology has come up with a call inviting innovative citizens to participate in its Challenge COVID-19 Competition (C3). • The selected technological ideas and innovations will be supported for incubation and dissemination. • The details of ideas and innovations may be sent to [email protected]. Food Corporation of India sets a new record • Food Corporation of India (FCI) has set a new record in single day movement by moving 70 rakes carrying one lakh 93,000 metric tonnes food grains continuously for 2 days. • FCI is ensuring that enough food grain stocks are made available in every part of the country during countrywide lockdown. • FCI has done average movement of one lakh 41,000 tonnes food grain per day since the lockdown began. ‘V Safe Tunnel’ installed in Telangana • In Telangana, a unique disinfectant named ‘V Safe Tunnel’ has been installed at the state Director General of Police’s office to sanitize people within 20 seconds from any possible bacteria and other microbes. • It has been installed with the help of a private company two days ago. • The tunnel is designed to provide maximum protection to people passing through the tunnel in around 20 seconds. AIIMS Jhajjar to function as COVID-19 hospital • All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jhajjar will function as dedicated COVID-19 hospital consisting of 300 bed isolation wards. • Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 5 April 2020 visited AIIMS, Jhajjar and took stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19. • AIIMS, Jhajjar is ensuring 24X7 monitoring of the wellbeing of COVID-19 patients using digital platforms and video call technologies. Joint meeting of empowered groups on COVID-19 • PM Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of various empowered groups set up to respond to the coronavirus threat, on 4 Apr 2020. • He directed officials to ensure sufficient availability of all essential medical equipment such as personal protective equipment, masks, gloves and ventilators. • He reviewed the countrywide preparedness regarding the availability of hospitals, quarantine facilities, etc. Chittaranjan locomotive works created a record • Indian Railways’ Chittaranjan Locomotive Works has set a new world record amidst nationwide Coronavirus lockdown. • Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) has created a record in making the highest number of locomotives. • In the financial year 2019-20, the CLW produced a total of 431 locomotives. • It surpassed its own record of manufacturing 402 locomotives in the financial year 2018-19. 100 | P a g e
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Lifeline Udan flights supply medical cargo • Under 'Lifeline Udan initiative', 107 flights have been operated till April 3, 2020 for transporting over 138.81 tonnes of medical cargo across the country amid the lockdown. • The Lifeline Udan cargo includes COVID-19 related reagents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), masks, gloves and other accessories required. Odisha Govt, UNICEF launched "Mo Prativa” • Odisha government in collaboration with the UNICEF has launched an online competition programme ‘Mo Prativa'. • It has been launched to engage the children and youth who are staying at home during the lockdown. • Entries will be invited on two themes, ‘Being at home during lockdown’ and ‘My responsibility as a young citizen during Covid-19’. Geo-fencing app to locate quarantine violators • The government has tested an application that triggers e-mails and SMS alerts to an authorised government agency if a person has jumped quarantine or escaped from isolation, based on the person’s mobile phone’s cell tower location. • The “geo-fencing” is accurate by up to 300 m. • Kerala was one of the first States to use geo-fencing to track COVID-19 cases. National Corona Survey released • Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh released the National Preparedness Survey on COVID 19 - Responses of District Collectors and IAS Officers. • The survey was conducted in 410 Districts in the country within 3 working days beginning 25 Mar'20. • The objective is to develop a comparative analysis of COVID 19 preparedness across States. ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’ • National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered a helping hand to civilian authorities in the country’s fight against COVID-19 by extending the services of cadets under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’. • It has issued guidelines for temporary employment of its cadets to augment relief efforts and functioning of various agencies involved in battling the pandemic. DST sets up rapid response centre “CAWACH” • Department of Science & Technology has approved setting up of a Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID- 19 Health Crisis (CAWACH). • It has been set up at a total cost of Rs 56 cr to scout, evaluate and support the innovations and start-ups that address COVID-19 challenges. • The Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) has been identified as the Implementing Agency of the CAWACH. RBI reduced timings of currency markets • In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, RBI has notified a change in market timings. • Beginning April 7, 2020, markets dealing with government securities, call/notice/term money, corporate bonds, foreign currency, Indian Rupee Trades, commercial paper and Certificates of Deposit will be working from 10 AM to 2 PM. • These revised timings will remain in effect till 17th April 2020.
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Bihar to screen 1,80,000 people again • Bihar Govt has taken decision to undertake screening of over 1,80,000 people again who had come from outside after 22 March 2020. • The screening started on 4 April 2020 and will be completed in 6 days. • During the first phase of screening, people who had come to Bihar from Maharashtra will be screened. • Then, there will be a screening of those who had come from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. 2 configurations of sanitising equipment ready • DRDO is ready with technologies for sanitising areas of different sizes. • The Centre for Fire Explosive & Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi has developed 2 configurations of sanitising equipment. • These are spinoffs from technologies developed for fire suppression applications. • The portable system can be mounted as a backpack and can be carried by the operations personnel. ARCI produced hand sanitizer • International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, ARCI, Hyderabad has produced hand sanitizer as per the WHO standards. • It has distributed it among police personnel in Hyderabad, students and staff of the institution. • The complete idea of production, packaging and distribution was completed in just 6 hours. IIT Roorkee developed low-cost face shields • IIT Roorkee has developed low-cost face shields for first-line healthcare professionals at AIIMS Rishikesh for protection from COVID-19. • The frame of the face shield is 3D printed. • The shield can be used along with the protective gear by healthcare personnel while entering the wards housing COVID-19 patients. • The cost of the sheet is as low as Rs 5. 'Hack the Crisis-India' hackathon launched • Minister of State HRD and IT Sanjay Dhotre launched Hack the Crisis - India, on 3 April 2020. • It is an Online Hackathon to find working solutions for overcoming COVID-19 pandemic. • This hackathon is part of a global initiative and is being organised by ‘Hack A Cause - India’ and ‘FICCI Ladies Organization Pune’. • The aim of this hackathon is to strengthen the fight against COVID-19. AICTE launched a unique helpline portal • All India Council for Technical Education, AICTE has come out with a unique MHRD AICTE COVID-19 Student Helpline Portal. • The portal has been launched in order to provide help and support students during the lockdown period, • The website with URL https://helpline.aicte-india.org was on 3 April 2020 launched by Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Release of Rs 11,092 cr under SDRMF to states • Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the release of Rs 11,092 crore under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund, SDRMF to all States.
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• The Centre has released in advance its share of first installment of State Disaster Risk Management Fund for the year 2020-21. • Centre on 14 March 2020 had already made a special dispensation for utilization of State Disaster Response Fund, SDRF. Govt ordered hydroxychloroquine tablets • Health Ministry has placed an order of about 10 crore hydroxychloroquine tablets from various pharmaceutical companies for health care workers. • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has suggested the use of hydroxychloroquine tablets only for health care workers and caregivers. • For COVID-19 patients, the Ministry has suggested the use of hydroxychloroquine tablets with Azithromycin. IAS, IPS officers' associations form 'Caruna' • Associations representing officers of IAS and IPS have formed an initiative called 'Caruna'. • It will support and supplement the government's efforts in fighting coronavirus, an official said yesterday. • The acronym 'Caruna' stands for Civil Services Associations Reach to Support in Natural Disasters and represents a collaborative platform. Medical devices to be treated as Drugs • The central government has notified that all medical devices sold in the country will be treated as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act with effect from April 1, 2020. • All medical devices will be regulated by the government as drugs for quality control and price monitoring. • Currently, 24 medical devices are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. JNCASR developed a coating • Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has developed a one-step curable anti- microbial coating. • The coating, when coated on different surfaces such as textile, plastic and so on could kill a range of virus types including COVID 19. • This covalent coating has been found to completely kill influenza virus as well as resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Freightwalla launched an app • Digital freight forwarding startup Freightwalla recently launched their Android application on the Google Play store. • The app makes it possible for logistics managers and business owners to plan, manage and track their shipments right on their mobile screens. • The user can now get all his shipment-related information 24x7, whether he is in his office or on the field. PhonePe launched ‘Corona Care’ policy • PhonePe has announced the launch of a unique coronavirus hospitalisation insurance policy called “Corona Care.” • For this, it has partnered with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. • This coronavirus insurance policy is priced at Rs 156 with an insurance cover of Rs 50,000 for a person aged under 55 years and the cover is applicable at any hospital offering coronavirus treatment.
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NBT India released On-line Questionnaire • National Book Trust has released On-line Questionnaire to Assess Community Perception about the Psycho- Social Impact of COVID-19. • The Questionnaires set in Hindi-English of 7 segments aims at assessing Psycho-Social Impact of COVID-19 and the Lockdown and How to Cope. • It is intended to create a conducive environment for community participation and sharing of emotions in the lockdown period. Rs 25/day for each animal for April: Gujarat • Gujarat govt has announced financial assistance of Rs 25 per day for each animal for April 2020 for all registered Gau Shalas in the state. • CM Vijay Rupani announced this to save the animal live stocks and taking care of financial crunches being faced by the administrators of registered Gau Shalas. • The decision will put additional burden of approximately Rs 35 crore on state exchequer. Assistance worth Rs 5,000 to rickshaw drivers • Delhi govt will provide financial assistance worth Rs 5,000 each to all auto-rickshaw, Gramin-sewa, E- rickshaw and taxi drivers in wake of difficulties faced by them amid lockdown situations. • The amount will be transferred into their bank account. • This was stated by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a digital press conference in the national capital on 2 April 2020. DRDO developed bio suit • DRDO has developed a bio suit to keep the medical, paramedical and other personnel engaged in combating COVID-19 safe from the virus. • The suit is subjected to rigorous testing for textile parameters as well as protection against synthetic blood. • The current production capacity is 7,000 suits per day. • However, efforts are on to ramp up the capacity to 15,000 suits per day. COVID Quarantine Alert System developed • The Department of Telecommunication and C-DOT in coordination with Telecom Service Providers have developed and tested an application. • It automatically triggers an email or SMS if any identified corona positive person moves away from their quarantine location. • Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has encouraged state government agencies to use the COVID Quarantine Alert system. COVID-19 Fact Check Unit becomes operational • The COVID-19 Fact Check Unit has come into Operation from 2 April 2020. • The govt had decided to constitute a COVID-19 Fact Check Unit (FCU) in the Press Information Bureau (PIB) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. • It will receive messages by email at [email protected] to send a response in a defined time-frame. • The unit is headed by DG, PIB Nitin Wakankar. New features of e-NAM Platform launched
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• Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on 2 April 2020 launched new features of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Platform. • It will help strengthen agriculture marketing by farmers which will reduce their need to come to wholesale mandis for selling their harvested produce. • e-NAM was launched in 2016 as a pan-India electronic trade portal linking Agricultural Produce Market Committee. Action COVID-19 Team to start 50 initiatives • Action COVID-19 Team is starting a Rs 100 crore programme, aimed to seed over 50 initiatives through grants to combat the economic fallout of COVID-19 in the country. • Many of the ventures are in the final stage of launch and others will require some more time to take shape. • These ventures will require access, funding, validation, scaling-up, and support, Govt launched app called Aarogya Setu • Indian government has launched a dedicated coronavirus tracking app called Aarogya Setu. • The app will use the smartphone’s location data and Bluetooth to check if you have been near a COVID-19 infected person or not. • The app determines if you are at risk by looking through a database of known cases across India. • It also suggests tips on how to prevent yourself from getting coronavirus. Price Monitoring and Resource Unit in JK • The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has set up price monitoring and resource unit (PMRU) in J&K. • PMRUs have already been set up by the drug price regulator NPPA in 11 states such as Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram. • PMRU shall function under the direct control of State Drug Controller of J&K. Dedicated Twitter handle for COVID-19 • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched a dedicated Twitter handle for COVID-19 updates. • This dedicated twitter handle has been set up to share news and updates about the novel coronavirus. • The account is named as #IndiaFightsCorona and it uses the handle @CovidnewsbyMIB. • It would be responsible for sharing authentic information and all updates on Novel Coronavirus. Karnataka govt launched ‘Corona Watch’ app • The Karnataka govt has launched the Corona Watch app, which can be downloaded from www.karnataka.gov.in. • It allows the user to track the spots visited by patients up to 14 days prior to testing positive. • Also, it shows the nearest 1st respondent hospitals and helpline numbers. • The govt has also devised a GPS coordinate-based mechanism that tracks persons under the order of home quarantine Non-subsidized LPG prices slashed • The price of non-subsidized 14.2 Kg LPG was slashed by 61 rupees and 50 paise per cylinder in line with a fall in benchmark international rates. • With this, the new rate of non-subsidized LPG cylinder will be 744 rupees in Delhi.
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• This is the second reduction in the rates since March 2020 as per the price notification issued by Indian Oil Corporation. 24x7 Control Room set up in J&K • Jammu and Kashmir Administration has set up a 24x7 Control Room at Lakhanpur for hassle-free movement of trucks carrying essential supplies. • The centre will ensure that the waiting time of truck is minimized and trucks are cleared within 30 minutes of reporting. • The Control Room can be contacted on phone numbers: 01922- 285329, 01922- 285330 and email [email protected]. Guwahati to start Radio Classes for students • Guwahati will start a new programme Pragya from 6 April 2020. • The Radio Class will help students during the lockdown period. • The topics pertaining to English, Assamese, Social Studies and General Science will be discussed during the programme for Standard 1 to 8 students. • The radio learning programme will be broadcast at 5.45 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Rs 1 Cr to families of healthcare personnel • Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on 1 April 2020 announced Rs 1 crore for the families of healthcare personnel if they lose their lives while dealing with COVID-19 cases. • The personnel include all sanitation workers, doctors and nurses from private or government sector, be it temporary or permanent. • He said every precaution will be taken to protect medical staff dealing with COVID-19 patients. Gujarat announced farmer-centric decisions • The Gujarat government has announced various farmer-centric decisions in view of the Covid-19 outbreak in the state. • The government announced to extend the last date for the repayment of short term agriculture loans from 31st March to 31st May 2020. • Around 24 lakhs 21 thousand farmers will be benefited from the decision. UN's COP 26 climate change summit postponed • United Nation's COP 26 climate change summit due to take place in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November 2020 has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. • Dates for a rescheduled conference in 2021 would be announced later. • Some 30,000 people, including 200 world leaders, had been due to attend the 10-day conference for crucial talks to halt rising global temperatures. DARPG’s National Monitoring Dashboard launched • Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched DARPG’s National Monitoring Dashboard on COVID-19 Grievances. • The National Monitoring Dashboard was developed and implemented at https://darpg.gov.in. • COVID-19 related grievances are monitored on a priority basis by a technical team of DARPG. Class 10, 12 exams only for 29 subjects
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• In view of COVID-19 outbreak, CBSE will conduct class 10 and 12 examinations only for 29 main subjects which are crucial for promotion and admission to higher educational institutions. • HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has advised the board in this regard. • For rest of the subjects, CBSE will not hold board exams and instructions for their marking, assessment will be issued soon. Sections 269 & 270 IPC invoked • Sections 269 & 270 IPC are being invoked against persons who malignantly do any act which is likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life. • While Section 269 provides for a jail term of six months and/or fine, Section 270 provides for a jail term of two years and/or fine. • In Section 270, the word ‘malignantly’ indicates a deliberate intention on the part of the accused. Pune start-up created a technology • JClean Weather Technologies, a company in Pune's Scitech Park has developed a new technology to disinfect closed spaces and rooms. • The technology, named Scitech Airon, was developed under the Nidhi Prayas program initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). • It reduces the viral load of a closed space by 99.7 per cent within an hour, depending on the room size. Amid Covid-19, Encephalitis returned in Bihar • A three-year-old boy, who had symptoms akin to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), died at Sri Krishna Memorial College and Hospital in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on 30 March 2020. • This was the first death of a child due to AES in 2020. • In 2019, more than 200 children had died with AES symptoms in Muzaffarpur based SKMCH and other hospitals. Active Case Finding Campaign in Himachal P. • Active Case Finding Campaign has been launched in Himachal Pradesh to provide information regarding symptoms of COVID-19 to the people at their doorsteps. • It has been launched on 1 April 2020. • Under this campaign, every ASHA worker with a two-person team will visit every house in village and gather health information of every person and would share it with the department through Google form. Ministry of Tourism launched a portal • The Ministry of Tourism has launched a portal ‘Stranded in India’ to help foreign tourists who are stuck in various parts of the country. • The aim is to extend support to the foreign tourists who are stranded in India. • The portal strandedinindia.com consists of information around Covid-19 helpline numbers and call centres that foreign tourists can reach out for help. NPPA revised ceiling price of 883 formulations • National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, NPPA has revised the ceiling price of 883 scheduled formulations. • The WPI increase has been based on the data published by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. • Increase in ceiling price is based on Wholesale Price Index (WPI) which is 1.88468 percent. 107 | P a g e
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Unique Radio School in Madhya Pradesh • In Madhya Pradesh, a unique radio school has been started to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus outbreak. • Under Radio School, all the centers of All India Radio in Madhya Pradesh will be broadcasting programs from Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 12 pm. • The Radio School is being started by the State Education Center with the help of AIR. Principal Scientific Adviser issued manual • The Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt. of India has issued a detailed manual on homemade masks for curbing the spread of Coronavirus. • Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. • The proposed guide is meant to provide a simple outline of best practices to make, use and reuse masks. Validity of health organisations extended • Center has extended the validity of health organisations already empanelled under Central Government Health Scheme, CGHS. • The extension will be valid till 30th June 2020 or the next date of empanelment whichever is earlier on the same terms and conditions and rates. • For all other investigations, non-NABL rates may be claimed. Over 21,000 relief camps set up • Over 21 thousand relief camps have been set up in various States and Union Territories. • The camps will provide shelter to over 6 lakh people during the lockdown in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. • Facilities have been set up to feed over 23 lakh people and these are available to the poor, stranded migrant workers, quarantined workers and other needy persons. Govt ordinance extended various time limits • Govt has brought in an ordinance to give effect to various relief measures related to income tax and GST compliance in view of COVID-19 outbreak. • It provides for extension of various time limits under the Taxation and Benami Acts. • The ordinance also provides for extension of last date for filing of original as well as revised income-tax returns for the financial year 2018-19 to 30th June.
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