DAYS AND EVENTS
1. International Yoga Day-21 June
• In his 2014 address at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed that a day to celebrate and practice yoga must be globally recognised.
• PM Modi’s reasoning for picking 21 June as the day for celebrating yoga was on account of the fact that this day marks the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere, is the longest day of the year, and has special significance in several parts of the world.
• This year will mark the sixth edition of International Yoga Day, and in light on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the theme this year is, ‘Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family’.
2. UN Public Service Day-23 June
• On 20 December 2002, the General Assembly designated 23 June as Public Service Day by adopting resolution 57/277.
• UN Public Service Day celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
• To bolster recognition of the Day and the value of public service, the United Nations established the UN Public Service Awards (UNPSA) programme in 2003, which was reviewed in 2016 to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
3. International Olympics Day-23 June
• International Olympic Day is celebrated across the world on June 23 every year to mark the importance of games and sports in our lives and to promote participation in games and sports across the world, irrespective of age, gender, cast or religion.
• The International Olympic Committee was founded on June 23 in 1894 and the first Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948.
• WHO and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) work together to improve health through sport. On Olympic Day 2020 WHO together with IOC advocates for everyone to #BeActive in their daily routines.
4. Day of Seafarer-25 June
• The Day of the Seafarer was first celebrated in 2011, following its establishment by a resolution adopted by the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, held in Manila, Philippines, in June 2010, which adopted major revisions to the STCW Convention and Code.
• 2020 campaign – Seafarers are Key Workers
• Seafarers are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, playing an essential role in maintaining the flow of vital goods, such as food, medicines and medical supplies. However, the crisis has led to difficult working conditions for seafarers, including uncertainties and difficulties about port access, re-supply, crew changeovers and repatriation.
5. United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture-26 June
• On 12 December 1997, by resolution 52/149, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
• The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, administered by the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva is a unique victim-focused mechanism that channels funding for the assistance to victims of torture and their families.
6. International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit trafficking-26 June
• By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
• The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was established by Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution 9(I) in 1946, to assist ECOSOC in supervising the application of the international drug control treaties.
• Theme 2020- “Better Knowledge for Better Care”
7. Prakash Javadekar virtually inaugurates India Pavilion at Cannes Films Market 2020
• Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar virtually inaugurated the India Pavilion at the Cannes Film Market.
• The film market includes virtual pavilions for institutions such as film funds and filming boards from across the globe as well as virtual booths for sales companies to screen their projects-in-work and connect with buyers.
• From India, Ananth Mahadevan’s Marathi film Mai Ghat: Crime No 103/2005, starring actor Usha Jadhav, and National Award-winning Gujarati film Hellaro will be screened at the film market. The Pavilion is set up jointly by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and FICCI.
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Low cost COVID-19 Kits developed by IIT-Guwahati.
• In order to boost testing capabilities, Indian Institute of Technology- Guwahati (IIT-G) has developed several low-cost and high-quality ‘Made in Assam’ Covid-19 kits.
• The institute has developed viral transport media (VTM) kits, RT-PCR kits and RNA isolation kits. The first lot of 20,000 VTM kits, used to keep the collected nasal and throat swab samples, was handed over to the Assam government.
• VTM kit is suitable for collection, transport and long term freezer storage of the swab samples. The formulation of the transport medium helps in preserving viability of viruses for up to 72 hours (at refrigerated temperatures).
2. MHA committee recommends reduction of Covid treatment costs in pvt hospitals in Delhi
• In an official statement, the MEA said that India and China have agreed to resolve the standoff in accordance with various bilateral agreements. It also mentioned that peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential for the development of bilateral relations.
• Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral agreements and keeping in view the agreement between the leaders that peace and tranquility in the India-China border regions is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.
• India and China also agreed that an early resolution would contribute to the further development of the relationship between the two countries.
• Accordingly, the two sides will continue the military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation and to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas.
• India had sought restoration of status quo as on April 2020 end, before the faceoff at Pangong Lake triggered an escalation in Ladakh leading to a massive build-up by both sides in Ladakh.
• India also asked China to reduce their mobilisation near the Galwan valley and that the troops must be sent to their original location.
3. India’s 1st ever Climate Change Assessment – Climate Change Tracker
• India’s first national report on the state of the climate crisis titled “Assessment of climate change over the Indian region” was released.
• It was prepared under the aegis of the ministry of earth sciences (MoES) and edited by the scientists of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology(IITM), Pune.
• India’s average temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius between 1901-2018, and that is purely due to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG).
• India’s temperature will still rise by 2.7 degrees Celsius by 2099. The worst-case scenario sees a rise of 4.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
• The sea level near Mumbai is rising at the rate of 3cm per decade and off the Bengal coast, it’s 5cm per decade.
• Surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean (including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea) have risen by 1 degree Celsius between 1951-2015, higher than the global average.
• Precipitation over north India has decreased by 6% (1951-2015) due to the polluting aerosol “brown cloud". Overall, the monsoon is expected to become more extreme over the coming decades, with longer dry spells alternating with very heavy rain.
4. UP provided highest employment under MGNREGA
• Uttar Pradesh has become the top state in the country to provide employment to the workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme MGNREGA.
• 57 lakh 12975 workers got employment in around 57 thousand village panchayats of the state which is 18% of the total work generated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the country.
• The state has generated 7.93 crore man-days and the government will provide jobs to 10 lakh more workers in the coming days. More than 30 lakh migrant labourers have returned from other states to UP.
5. Agri Dept of J&K Changed its Name to Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department
• The Jammu and Kashmir Administration approved the proposal of the Agriculture Production Department to change its nomenclature to 'Agriculture Production and Farmer Welfare Department' with a greater focus on farmers' welfare.
• The decision to change the nomenclature is in line with the Centre renaming the Agriculture Ministry as 'Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare’.
• The department has expanded its role beyond arrangement of inputs, extension activities and on-farm activities.
6. Maharashtra Renames Its Environment Department As 'Environment And Climate Change Ministry'
• Maharashtra has renamed its Environment Department as Environment and Climate Change Department.
• The department is handled by Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray.
• This move will help the department to play an active role in climate change mitigation.
7. Mumbai has launched ‘Anti Venti’ mobile application
• In Maharashtra, amid the COVID-19 crisis, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has launched a mobile application “Air-Venti” to help residents in the city to know about the availability of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and Ventilators in both government and private hospitals around them.
• Octaware Technologies Limited, in partnership with Probity Soft Pvt Ltd, has developed this mobile application for MCGM and the data regarding the ICU beds and Ventilators vacant status is continuously being updated.
8. PM Modi launches Rs 50,000-crore Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, a Rs 50,000 crore dedicated programme to create jobs for millions of migrant workers who returned home during the coronavirus-induced lockdown across the country.
• It started from Telihar village of Bihar’s Khagaria district
• The programme will cover 116 districts across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha.
• All these districts have received more than 25,000 migrant workers during the lockdown.
• It will involve intensified and focused implementation of 25 different types of works to provide jobs and create infrastructure in the rural regions of the country with a resource envelope of Rs 50,000 crore.
• The move will not involve new budgetary allocation—the 25 schemes will be front-loaded, utilising in 125 days the allocation meant for the year.
• The programme, aimed at boosting livelihood opportunities in rural India, will “create durable infrastructure along with boosting employment opportunities.
• The scheme will be a coordinated effort between 12 different ministries or departments—rural development, panchayati raj, road transport and highways, mines, drinking water and sanitation, environment, railways, petroleum and natural gas, new and renewable energy, border roads, telecom and agriculture.
• Laying of fibre optics cable, railway works, rurban mission jobs, sanitation works, waste management, poultry, farm ponds and training through Krishi Vigyan Kendras will be given to the migrant workers under the programme.
9. Glenmark launches Favipiravir for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients
• Glenmark’s Fabiflu is the first oral Favipiravir-approved medication for the treatment of COVID-19 and has been launched in a few centers.
• The Drug Controller General of India approved the antiviral for 'restricted emergency use' for treatment of mild to moderate cases, which accounts for a majority of COVID-19 infections.
• Fabiflu, available as a 200 mg tablet, has been priced at Rs 103 per tablet. A strip of 34 tablets will cost Rs 3,500 to the patients. The recommended dosage duration has been fixed for 14 days. On day 1, a dose of 1,800 mg twice a day is recommended, followed by 800 mg twice a day from day 2 up to 14th day. The full 14 day treatment cycle will cost Rs 14,000 to patients.
10. France commits 200 million Euros for India's COVID-19 response
• France and India signed a credit financing agreement promising 200 million euros (Rs. 1709 crore) to support the social welfare system and India’s covid response.
• The programme design, developed by the World Bank in collaboration with Indian authorities.
• The programme focuses on the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana” to benefit the low income families and to ensure their social, health and economic wellbeing and their contribution towards the nation’s economic growth amid covid pandemic.
11. Telangana Govt to promote all 10th class students without holding board exams due to COVID-19 situation
• Telangana state Government decided to promote all tenth class students without holding board examinations due to current situation in the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic.
• This was decided at a high level meeting held by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhra Rao in Hyderabad.
• Over 5.34 lakh students will now be promoted based on the grades decided through the internal assessment marks given by their respective schools earlier.
• The decision was taken following the state High Court directing the government that it can hold examinations for tenth class except in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, GHMC purview due to high incidence of COVID cases.
• Tenth class is the most crucial board exam in Higher Secondary School level education in Telangana state as the students will be given optional subjects from Intermediate education, the next level.
• It may be recalled that the examinations for three out of 11 papers have already been held before the lockdown commenced.
12. CBSE celebrates 25th National Reading Day virtually
• The 25th National Reading day was celebrated on 19th June 2020, the following week as Reading Week and Reading Month will be celebrated from 19th June to 18th July 2020.
• The National Reading Day is commemorated to honour the father of the Library Movement, Late P.N. Panicker whose death anniversary also falls on June 19.
• The PN Panicker Foundation in collaboration with the government has initiated and designed different online reading-related activities due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
13. SC calls for uniform fee for COVID-19 testing in India
• The Supreme Court directed the Centre to ensure uniform rates and asked the states to set up a panel of experts for inspection of hospitals to ensure proper care of patients.
• This was given by a bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah.
• National Capital New Delhi has set a price cap of Rs 2400 in New Delhi. Uttar Pradesh has set a price cap of Rs 2500 for RT PCR tests. Maharashtra has a price cap of Rs 2,200 for private laboratories. In Telangana as well the price cap for RT PCR test has been set at Rs 2,200.
14. India to become UNSC President for August, 2021
• India will assume the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August 2021.
• India, Norway, Ireland, Kenya and Mexico were recently elected as the non-permanent members of the council.
• These countries have been elected for a two-year term which will begin from 1st January, 2021.
• The presidency of the United Nations Security Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month as per the English alphabetical order of names of the member states.
15. Twitter launches dedicated tool to curb domestic violence in India
• In a bid to help tackle rise in domestic violence during the social distancing times in India, Twitter launched a dedicated search prompt to serve information and updates from authoritative sources around domestic violence.
• Twitter has partnered with the Ministry of Women and Child Development the National Commission for Women in India to expand its efforts towards women.
• Every time someone searches for certain keywords associated with the issue of domestic violence, a prompt will direct them to the relevant information and sources of help available on Twitter.
• This is an expansion of Twitter’s #ThereIsHelp prompt, which was specifically put in place for the public to find clear, credible information on critical issues.
16. India deploys specialised mountain forces to check China’s LAC transgressions
• India has deployed its specialised high altitude warfare forces along the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC) to repel any transgression by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in either western, middle or eastern sectors.
• Specialised forces trained over the past decades for fighting on the northern front have been pushed up to the frontier to impose military costs if the red flag goes up.
• The Indian mountain troops are trained in guerrilla warfare and fighting in high altitude as shown by them in Kargil War.
17. ‘NavRakshak’ PPE approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
• User-friendly personal protective equipment (PPEs) approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are expected to hit the market within a month as the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has issued licence to five MSMEs for commercial production of the safety gears.
• Navrakshak which translates to a “novel protector”, has two distinctive factors; optimal protectiveness and optimal breathability.
• The PPE could be provided at ₹450 to ₹500 per piece as the technology and quality of fabric is of superior quality and they need no sealing around the seam of the suit, ruling out the import of costly sealing machines and tapes.
• The PPE fabric does not require lamination with polymer or plastic. This makes the PPE permeate heat and moisture from the skin of the user.
• NavRakshak uses a non-woven advanced quality fabric of specific GSM with a certain stitching technique. The unique character of the fabric used is its strong uniform structure which can act as an excellent barrier for liquids, particles, blood and body fluids.
• Intellectual Property Facilitation Cell (IPFC) of the Ministry of Defence has already filed a patent for the innovative cost-effective PPE developed by Indian Navy, to enable rapid mass production of NavRakshak PPE.
18. International Project to Develop Pathway to Low-CO2 Mobility for India
• NITI Aayog in collaboration with International Transport Forum (ITF) will launch the “Decarbonising Transport in India” project on 24 June, with the intention to develop a pathway towards a low-carbon transport system for India.
• India has been a member of ITF, an intergovernmental organisation for transport policy, since 2008.
• The India project is carried out in the wider context of the International Transport Forum’s “Decarbonising Transport” initiative. It is part of the “Decarbonising Transport in Emerging Economies” (DTEE) family of projects, which supports transport decarbonisation across different world regions.
• India, Argentina, Azerbaijan, and Morocco are current participants.
• The DTEE is a collaboration between the ITF and the Wuppertal Institute, supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
• It will also offer the opportunity to provide inputs regarding India’s transport challenges and how they relate to CO2 reduction ambitions. The discussion will help to focus the project further on India’s specific needs and circumstances.
19. Hetero, Cipla get DCGI nod to manufacture remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients in India
• The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has also allowed Hetero and Cipla to manufacture and market Gilead Sciences' anti-viral drug remdesivir for "restricted emergency use" on hospitalised patients.
• It will be launched by the name Cipremi by Cipla and Covifor by Hetero.
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Affairs had also approved the use of remdesivir for patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms under the 'Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19' guidelines issued recently.
• However, it is not recommended for those with severe renal impairment and high level of liver enzymes, pregnant and lactating women, and those below 12 years, the document on 'Clinical Management Protocols for COVID-19' stated.
• The drug, administered in the form of injection, should be given at a dose of 200 mg on day one followed by 100 mg daily for five days, says the guidelines.
• To administer remdesivir in COVID-19 patients, hospitals need to take consent from them.
• Results of additional clinical trials, active post-marketing surveillance data and reporting of serious adverse events also need to be submitted.
20. Tripura to start ‘ Play little, Study little’ scheme for school students
• The Tripura government has decided to start a scheme called ‘Ektu Khelo, Ektu Padho’ which means ‘Play little, Study little’, from June 25.
• As per the scheme, the students would be getting audio and video contents on learning activities , projects along with fun and gaming activities via SMS or WhatsApp services.
• The Education state headquarters would share the learning contents to different district academic coordinators and they would share the same to headmasters of the schools in their concerned areas.
• The headmasters would give the responsibility to the teachers to share the contents among the students.
21. Union HRD Minister virtually launches ‘YUKTI 2.0’ platform
• Union HRD Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, launched an initiative ‘YUKTI 2.0’ to help systematically assimilate technologies having commercial potential and information related to incubated startups in our higher education institutions.
• Earlier, the Minister had launched the YUKTI (Young India combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) web portal on 11 April, 2020.
• Through this portal, the HRD ministry will ensure that students, teachers and researchers in higher educational institutions are getting appropriate support to meet the requirements needed to advance their technologies and innovations.
• This will also help the government to identify bottlenecks and formulate appropriate policies to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the country.
22. 50,000 Made in India Ventilators under PM CARES Fund to fight COVID-19
• PM CARES Fund Trust has allocated Rs. 2000 crore for supply of 50000 ‘Made-in-India’ ventilators to government run COVID hospitals in all States/UTs.
• The Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund was created on 28 March 2020.
• Further, a sum of Rs. 1000 crore has been allocated for the welfare of migrant labourers.
• Out of the 50000 ventilators, 30000 ventilators are being manufactured by M/s Bharat Electronics Limited. The remaining 20000 ventilators are being manufactured by AgVa Healthcare (10000), AMTZ Basic (5650), AMTZ High End (4000) and Allied Medical (350).
23. India downgrades its diplomatic ties with Pakistan
• India asked Pakistan to reduce its staff strength in the country by half, a decision that came weeks after the police expelled two staffers at the high commission in Delhi on charges of spying.
• In the tit-for-tat action that followed, Pakistani security agencies picked two Indian high commission staffers in Islamabad, tortured them and framed them in a false case of a road accident and possession of fake currency.
• The behaviour of Pakistan and its officials is not in conformity with the Vienna Convention and bilateral agreements on the treatment of diplomatic and consular officials.
• The external affairs ministry summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’ Affaires Syed Haider Shah and told them about India’s continuing concern about the activities of officials of his mission who have been engaged in acts of espionage and dealing with terrorist organisations.
• The last time India downgraded diplomatic ties by asking Pakistan to reduce the staff strength in its high commission was after the Parliament attack in December 2001.
• Pakistan had downgraded diplomatic ties by expelling the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad following India''s decision to withdraw special status to Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. “
24. AYUSH Ministry asks Ramdev to explain Covid-19 medicine claim
• Yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved Ltd launched ‘Coronil tablet’, ‘Swasari Vati’. These were claimed to be the first Ayurvedic medicine to cure Covid-19.
• However, the AYUSH Ministry has sought details about the medicine and has directed Patanjali and Ramdev to stop advertising such claims under Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
• He claimed that medicines had shown “100 percent favourable results” during clinical trials on Covid-19 patients.
• The Ministry of AYUSH asked yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved Ltd to stop advertising and publicising claims that it has found a cure for Covid-19 till the issue is duly examined and sought details of the medicines.
25. IIT Mumbai develops DHURUVA
• IIT-Mumbai has developed a homegrown receiver chip - Dhruva – that can be used in smartphones and navigation devices to find locations and routes within the country.
• Dhruva will receive signals from India’s NAVIC group of navigation satellites as well as the US Global Positioning System-based satellites to determine these accurately under all weather conditions.
• NAVIC is Navigation with Indian Constellation is India’s geo-positioning system designed by ISRO to provide accurate positioning within the country.
• The radio frequency receiver chip was designed in 18 months by students and researchers at IIT Mumbai. It can receive in multiple frequency bands and handle weak signals.
26. Adani Power to acquire US-based AES’ stake in Odisha power plant
• Adani Power had signed definitive agreements with US-based AES Corporation to acquire the latter’s 49% stake in the 1,740-MW Banharpalli thermal power plant in Odisha. The remaining 51% of the plant is owned by the Odisha government.
• The plant had recently increased its capacity by 1,320 MW through a Rs 11,000-crore expansion project.
• It has a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) valid for 25 years with the host state, and sources fuel from a nearby captive mine. The acquisition marks Adani Power’s foray into Odisha.
27. Rs 1500 crores Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund set-up
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) worth Rs. 15000 crore.
• The eligible beneficiaries under the Scheme would be Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), MSMEs, Section 8 Companies, Private Companies and individual entrepreneurs with minimum 10% margin money contribution by them. The balance 90% would be the loan component to be made available by scheduled banks.
• The Government of India will provide 3% interest subvention to eligible beneficiaries.
• There will be a 2 years moratorium period for principal loan amount and 6 years repayment period thereafter.
• Government of India would also set up a Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs. 750 crore to be managed by NABARD. Credit guarantee would be provided to those sanctioned projects which are covered under MSME defined ceilings. Guarantee Coverage would be upto 25% of the Credit facility of the borrower.
• It would facilitate much needed incentivisation of investments in establishment of such infrastructure for dairy and meat processing and value addition infrastructure and establishment of animal feed plants in the private sector.
28. Ministry of HRD releases roadmap for NCERT for the year 2020-21
• The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has initiated a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for school education. It will serve as the roadmap for the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for 2020-21.
• A statement on the issue, released by the ministry on Wednesday, also said that NCERT will make the changes in the textbooks in accordance with the new NCF. Subject experts will give an interim report by December 2020.
• The NCERT roadmap has been framed in view of the decision of setting up of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission under AtmaNirbhar Bharat, and also in view of the focus of Samagra Shiksha towards learning outcome centric approach.
• The NCERT has been asked to develop the required resources for implementing these in an effective and timely manner, leading to an overall improvement in the learning levels of students.
29. Haryana govt, Reliance Jio TV enter agreement to educate 52 lakh students
• Haryana government and Reliance Jio TV have entered an agreement that is expected to benefit around 52 lakh school children in rural areas.
• This new agreement is done under the Chief Minister's Distance Education Programme in order to expand education in rural areas without jeopardizing social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Under the agreement, all four channels of Eduset will now be available on the Jio platform free of cost. It will help students to watch all four channels of Eduset through television, laptop, desktop, tablet and smartphone.
30. Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company starts Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for women empowerment
• In Madhya Pradesh, the Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company has started the Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for women empowerment in one of its kind of initiatives. In this scheme, women Self-Help Groups at Gram Panchayat level will work as Nishtha Vidyut Mitra. This scheme will increase the revenue collection of the company as well as women will also earn extra.
• Under the Nishtha Vidyut Mitra scheme, women Self-Help Groups will motivate consumers to pay bills online or through the UPAY App. The company will pay an incentive to Nishtha Vidyut Mitra for recovery of dues and new connections.
31. Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Indian Red Cross Society’s ‘eBloodServices’ Mobile App
• Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare launched the ‘eBloodServices’ mobile App. The Union Health Minister is also the Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society.
• This application is developed by the E-Raktkosh team of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) under the Digital India scheme launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015.
• Once the request is placed through the app, the requisite units become visible to IRCS, NHQ blood bank in its E-Raktkosh dashboard and this allows assured delivery within the specified time.
32. NITI Aayog Launches Behaviour Change Campaign, ‘Navigating the New Normal’,and Website
• NITI Aayog, in partnership with Bill andMelinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and WCD, launched a behaviour change campaign called ‘Navigating the New Normal’, and its website.
• The campaign focuses on Covid-safe behaviours, especially wearing masks, during the ‘Unlock’ phase of the ongoing pandemic.
• Developed under the guidance of Empowered Group 6 on covid-19 constituted by centre, the campaign has two parts-- a web portal, containing resources informed by behavioural science and the use of nudge and social norms theory, related to Covid-safe behavioural norms during the ongoing Unlock phase, and the second is a media campaign focused on the wearing of masks.
• The portal focuses on easy implementation of four key behaviours in the unlock phase-- mask-wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene and not spitting in public. The website will have sector-specific collaterals and guidelines for health, nutrition, and public transport (in metro cities).
33. Assam launches Monon to help Covid-19 patients, those in quarantine
• The Assam government has started a mental health support programme, Monon for Covid patients and quarantined persons in the state to provide emotional support, counselling and treatment.
• The team behind it comprises 220 psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and trained voluntary counsellors. It is led by Dr Mythili Hazarika, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology At Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.
• This is a unique kind of a programme, where the mental health professionals are calling those who might need help rather than just waiting for them to call them.
34. Andhra CM Jagan Reddy launches scheme to benefit 15,000 women of Kapu community
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the Kapu Nestham scheme which was one of his pre-poll promises.
• The scheme will now provide financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to women belonging to Kapu community and those who are in the age group of 45-60.
• In a period of five years, eligible women will be getting a total of Rs 75,000. About Rs 354 crore is distributed to over 2.36 lakh women having rice cards and belonging to Kapu, Balija, Telaga and Ontari communities.
35. Tripura announces Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme
• In an effort to combat infant and maternal mortality and malnutrition, Tripura announced Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar, an ambitious scheme to provide nutrition kits to pregnant and lactating women.
• Pregnant women would be tested four times in nearby Primary Health Centers (PHC), and be given a nutrition kit after each test as per the Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme.
• The kit, costing Rs500, would have food items and grocery supplies, such as peanuts, soybeans, mixed pulses, jaggery and ghee.
• It will be in addition to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Bandana Yojana.
36. Vivekananda Yoga University: World’s first yoga university outside India launched in Los Angeles
• As part of the 6th International Yoga Day commemorations, the world’s first yoga university outside India has been launched in Los Angeles, offering programmes that combine scientific principles and modern research approaches to the ancient Indian practice.
• Eminent Indian yoga guru Dr H R Nagendra, Chancellor of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), is the first Chairman of VaYU.
37. Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21)
• “Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts’ was e-launched by Shri Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment on the occasion of “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”- 26 June.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction which coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, dissemination of information and public awareness.
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21 would focus on 272 most affected districts and launch a three-pronged attack combining efforts of the Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice and Treatment through the Health Dept.
• The Action Plan has the following components: Awareness generation programmes; Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and Schools; Community outreach and identification of dependent population; Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings; and Capacity Building Programmes for Service Providers.
ECONOMY, BUSINESS AND DEFENCE NEWS
1. IAF to urgently procure 21MIG 29s, 12 Su 30s
• India is to fast track the purchase of an additional 21 MiG 29 fighter jets and 12 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft from Russia. This comes amid spiraling tensions between India and China.
• The new fighter jets will be bought in a government-to-government deal with Russia with the approximate cost estimated to be ₹6,000 crore.
• Russian company Mikoyan is the manufacturer of MiG 29 aircraft.
• Russian Company Sukhoi designed Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is under license manufactured for the Indian Air Force in India by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
2. MNRE sets up a project development cell
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an order for setting up a Project Development Cell (PDC) within the Ministry.
• The cell would be established under the authority of the Ministry's joint secretary Amitesh Kumar Sinha.
• This cell will offer for investment those renewable energy projects where all the necessary works like detailed project report, land availability etc. have been completed.
• It will identify the issues that need to be resolved to attract investment and to finalize it. The cell will refer those issues to the empowered group.
3. SATYABHAMA Portal for Mining and Mineral Sector launched
• Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi launched SATYABHAMA (Science and Technology Yojana for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement) Portal for Science and Technology Programme Scheme of Ministry of Mines.
• It has been designed, developed and implemented by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Mines Informatics Division.
• The portal is integrated with NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog and will increase efficiency and effectiveness in the implementation of the scheme.
4. Bank of Baroda to completely digitise its lending operations
• India’s third-largest lender Bank of Baroda is set to completely digitize its lending operations including home, agriculture, MSME, personal and auto loans.
• The bank is looking to completely do away with paper-based lending.
• The bank has recently completed its merger with Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank.
5. RIL becomes first Indian Company to be valued at USD 150 Billion
• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on 19th June 2020 was valued at USD 150 billion following a rise in the share market.
• It is the first-ever Indian company to achieve a market value of above Rs 11 lakh crore.
• Reliance Industries is among the most valued energy companies in the world.
6. RBI lays down rules for HFCs
• The RBI took over the powers to regulate HFCs from the National Housing Bank (NHB) in August 2019.
• Housing finance would now mean “financing, for purchase/ construction/ reconstruction/ renovation/ repairs of residential dwelling units” for a whole host of functions that would include giving loans to companies and government agencies for employee housing finance projects.
• It has proposed that 50 percent of net assets of a housing finance company (HFC) should be qualifying assets or housing finance, and at least 75 percent of qualifying assets should be towards individual housing loans.
• HFCs will be given a phased timeline of up to four years to comply with the new RBI guidelines. They should achieve 60 per cent individual loans by 2022, 70 per cent by 2023 and 75 per cent by 2024.
• If an HFC does not fulfil the criterion, it will be treated as NBFC-investment and credit company (NBFC-ICC) and required to approach the RBI for conversion of its certificate of registration from HFCs to NBFC-ICC.
• HFCs will be treated as one of the categories of NBFCs for regulatory purposes and it will come under its direct oversight.
• The RBI also classified HFCs as systemically important and non-systemically important.
• Non-deposit taking HFCs with asset size of Rs 500 crore and above; and all deposit taking HFCs, irrespective of asset size, will be treated as systemically important HFCs. HFCs with asset size below Rs 500 crore will be treated as non-systemically important HFCs.
7. SIDBI and MoHUA sign pact to implement PM SVANidhi for 50 lakh street vendors
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has signed a pact with Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) to implement PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) - a Special Micro-Credit Facility for Street Vendors.
• PM SVANidhi is a central scheme fully funded by the ministry.
• Under the Scheme, the vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs 10,000 which is repayable in monthly installments in tenure of one year.
8. Exim Bank extends USD 20.1 mn credit line to Nicaragua govt
• Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has extended a line of credit (LOC) of USD 20.10 million to the government of Nicaragua for reconstruction of Aldo Chavarria Hospital.
• With signing of this agreement, Exim Bank, so far, has extended four LOCs to Nicaragua, on behalf of the Indian government, taking the total value to USD 87.63 million.
• Post the signing of this LOC agreement, Exim Bank has now in place 261 LOCs, covering 62 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the CIS, with credit commitments of around USD 25.70 billion, available for financing exports from India.
9. Hyundai ties up with HDFC Bank for retail financing
• Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) announced its partnership with HDFC Bank, offering industry first online auto retail financing solutions to the customers on its end-to-end online automotive retail platform ‘Click to Buy’.
• Under the ambit of this partnership, Hyundai India will offer its customers customised car financing solutions from HDFC Bank directly on the ‘Click to Buy’ online car buying platform.
• Through this partnership, customers can opt for loans and get the requisite funding to complete life goals of buying their favourite Hyundai car.
10. Atal Innovation Mission partners with Coal India Ltd
• Coal India Limited (CIL) has agreed to partner with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog to proactively support the flagship mission’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives across the country.
• AIM has various innovation programs and entrepreneurial ecosystem building initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs ( ATL) at a school level, Atal Incubation Centres ( AIC) at institutional levels, Atal Community Innovation Centres ( ACIC) for Tier-2, Tier3 cities and rural India, Atal New India Challenges ( ANIC) at industry level and Applied Research and Innovation ( ARISE) for stimulating innovations in the MSME industry.
11. Twitter launches a new feature-Fleet
• Microblogging platform Twitter has rolled out a new feature –Fleets –in India that will make tweets disappear after 24 hours and will have no retweets, likes or public comments.
• The feature has been rolled out in India in testing phase while Twitter has sought comments and feedback on the same.
• Fleets are similar to tweets. Though they are primarily text, people can include videos, GIFs or photos in them.
12. PSU banks sanction Rs 40,416 crore to MSME sector, highest in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu
• Twelve public sector undertaking (PSU) banks have sanctioned Rs 40,416 crore in favour of 12.43 lakh accounts and disbursed Rs 21,029 crore among 5.81 lakh accounts in the MSME sector under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) scheme as on June 18.
• Gujarat and Tamil Nadu received the highest sanctions of Rs 4,156 crore and Rs 4,012 crore, respectively, till June 18.
• State Bank of India (SBI) has recorded the maximum cumulative sanctions and disbursements of Rs 15,950 crore and Rs 10,667 crore, respectively.
13. Karnataka Bank launches KBL Micro Mitra for micro enterprises
• Karnataka Bank has launched a new product KBL Micro Mitra, wherein financial assistance up to Rs.10 lakhs can be provided to the Micro manufacturing and service enterprises either for working capital or for investment purposes.
• The facility comes with a simplified procedure and competitive rate of interest.
14. RBI extends Rs 50,000-crore special liquidity facility to Yes Bank for 3 more months
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has agreed to extend the special liquidity facility for the lender for another three months.
• Yes Bank had requested the RBI to extend the facility for a year. On March 13, 2020, the government notified the "Yes Bank Ltd. Reconstruction Scheme, 2020".
• As per the scheme, authorised capital was increased from Rs 1,100 crore to Rs 6,200 crore.
• The State Bank of India (SBI) and others invested in 1,000 crore shares at a price of Rs 10 per equity share.
• The bank has received capital amounting to Rs 10,000 crore as of March 14, 2020 from a consortium of banks and financial institutions led by State Bank of India.
• SBI is required to hold up to 49 percent with a minimum holding of 26 percent in the bank subject to a three-year lock in.
• Other investors are subject to a three-year lock-in for 75 percent of the investments they make in the bank.
15. Kushinagar Airport declared as an 'International Airport’
• In a bid to boost domestic and international tourism, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to declare the Kushinagar airport in Uttar Pradesh as an international airport.
• Kushinagar is located in the north-eastern part of Uttar Pradesh about 50 km east of Gorakhpur and is one of the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
• It is in the vicinity of several Buddhist Cultural Sites like Sravasti, Kapilvastu, Lumbini (Kushinagar itself is a Buddhist cultural site) and declaration as an “International Airport” will offer improved connectivity, wider choice of competitive costs to the air-travellers.
• It will result in boosting of domestic/international tourism and economic development of the regions.
16. Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) created
• In the first the Centre created an Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to provide private players to use Indian space infrastructure.
• IN-SPACe will help private players through encouraging policies, through a regulatory environment that is friendly as well as guiding private players in space activities.
• ISRO will remain the basic body that decides what missions are to be undertaken but this new body will help fill the gaps.
• The existing body New Space India Limited (NSIL) and the new body IN-SPACe would only supplement ISRO’s functions and not work at cross purposes.
17. CCI approves acquisition of 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms by Jaadhu Holdings LLC
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms by Jaadhu Holdings LLC.
• Jaadhu is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Facebook. Jaadhu is a newly incorporated company formed in March 2020 under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States. Facebook is a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ, with headquarters in California, United States of America.
• Facebook was founded in 2004.
18. World's First Gold-backed Digital Gold Currency Launched in India
• IBMC Financial Professionals Group, an internationally recognized financial services institution and business consultants, has joined hands with US Gold Currency Inc and Blockfills to bring the world's first monetary gold-backed digital gold currency to India.
• The currency is also being simultaneously introduced in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle East and Africa.
• It was launched from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Each US Gold digital currency is backed by a US American Eagle one ounce (33.931 gram) gold coin, minted by the US Federal Agency, US Mint. The holders of the currency can redeem their digital assets as physical gold coins or in US dollars anywhere in the world.
19. MSME launches “Distressed Assets Fund–Sub-ordinate Debt for MSMEs”.
• Minister of MSME, Shri Nitin Gadkari launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Subordinated Debt (CGSSD) which is also called “Distressed Assets Fund–Sub-ordinate Debt for MSMEs”.
• As per the Scheme, the guarantee cover worth Rs. 20,000 crores will be provided to the promoters who can take debt from the banks to further invest in their stressed MSMEs as equity.
• This Scheme seeks to extend support to the promoter(s) of the operational MSMEs which are stressed and have become NPA as on 30th April, 2020;
• Promoter(s) of the MSMEs will be given credit equal to 15% of their stake (equity plus debt) or Rs. 75 lakh whichever is lower;
• Promoter(s) in turn will infuse this amount in the MSME unit as equity and thereby enhance the liquidity and maintain debt-equity ratio;
• 90% guarantee coverage for this sub-debt will be given under the Scheme and 10% would come from the concerned promoters;
• There will be a moratorium of 7 years on payment of principal whereas maximum tenure for repayment will be 10 years.
• Promoter(s) of MSMEs meeting the eligibility criteria may approach any scheduled commercial banks to avail benefit under the scheme. The scheme will be operationalised through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for MSEs (CGTMSE)
20. MSDE-IBM Partnership Unveils Free Digital Learning Platform “Skills Build Reignite”
• In its effort to address the current skills gap in the country, IBM and its partners launched the SkillsBuild Reignite and the SkillsBuild Innovation Camp.
• It tends to provide job seekers and entrepreneurs, with access to free online coursework and mentoring support designed to help them reinvent their careers and businesses.
• In November 2019, IBM India, in partnership with Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and its implementation partners, made the SkillsBuild online learning platform available to Indian students through Bharatskills (https://bharatskills.gov.in) of DGT.
21. KVIC launches Sandalwood and Bamboo plantation
• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), in a first of its kind initiative has begun exploring the untapped but highly profitable venture of sandalwood and bamboo tree plantation for monetization of its assets.
• It has begun a drive with a plantation of 500 saplings each of sandalwood and bamboo at its Nashik training center spread over 262 acres of land.
• It has procured sandalwood saplings from Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) Kannauj, a unit of the Ministry of MSME, in Uttar Pradesh and Bamboo saplings from Assam.
• Likewise, a special variety of bamboo, Bambusa Tulda, used for making Agarbatti sticks, brought from Assam has been planted in Maharashtra with an aim to support the local Agarbatti industry and to create regular income for the training center.
22. Devika and Puneja Bridges inaugurated in J&K.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh has inaugurated two bridges Devika and Puneja at Udhampur and Doda districts respectively
in Jammu and Kashmir. Both the bridges were completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• The Devika Bridge is 10 m long, was completed in 15 months and constructed to resolve the traffic issues of the region and this will also help in smooth passage of army convoys and vehicles.
• The Puneja Bridge is 50 m long, was completed in 36 months. It will provide a vital alternate link to the Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts beside Kashmir valley from Pathankot (Punjab) without entering Jammu and Udhampur via Lakhanpur.
• Doda is the only district in the country where not one but three big tunnels are being built.
23. Govt brings co-op banks under RBI supervision for better
• In order to protect depositors’ interests, the government approved plans to bring all urban and multi-state cooperative banks under the direct supervision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), empowering the central bank to regulate these on the lines of commercial banks.
• The decision comes in the backdrop of the RBI imposing restrictions on deposit withdrawal at the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Banks and many other cooperative banks failing in recent period.
• Currently, these banks come under dual regulation of the RBI and the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, resulting in regulatory and supervisory lapses at many of these banks.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. US’s Supreme Court rules LGBTQ workers are protected from job discrimination
• The US’s Supreme Court ruled that existing federal law forbids job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status.
• The court said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate because of a person's sex, among other factors, also covers sexual orientation and transgender status. It upheld rulings from lower courts that said sexual orientation discrimination was a form of sex discrimination.
• The ruling means federal law now provides similar protection for LGBTQ employees in the rest of the country.
2. Sweden has officially closed world’s longest police investigation
• Sweden has officially closed among the world’s longest police investigations, into the assassination of its former Prime Minister Olof Palme. The prosecutor in charge said there was “reasonable evidence” against a suspect, but there could be no prosecution, as the man was now dead. The suspected assassin was Stig Engstrom, a graphic artist with an insurance company.
• The assassination of Palme shook Sweden, and has been described as a defining moment in how the country saw itself, and its place in the world. It was Sweden’s first political killing in nearly 200 years.
3. Germany Launches Coronavirus App as EU Eyes Travel Revival
• Germany has launched Corona-Warn-App, which is a new smartphone app to help break the chain of coronavirus infections.
• It is based on technologies with a decentralised approach and notifies users if they have been exposed to the virus.
• It is one of several such apps that European governments hope will revive travel and tourism safely.
4. China provides tariff exemption for 97% of exports from Dhaka
• In a bid to woo Bangladesh, China has provided a huge trade boost to the country by announcing tariff exemption for 97 percent of Bangladeshi products effective from July 1, 2020.
• A total of 8,256 Bangladeshi products will come under the 97 percent of products that would be exempted from tariff. Currently, 3095 Bangladeshi products enjoy duty-free access to Chinese market under Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).
• With the new announcement, 97 percent of Bangladeshi products will join this zero-tariff club from July 1 that raised the numbers of Bangladeshi products with zero duty access to Chinese market to 8,256.
5. China launches final satellite in GPS-like Beidou system
• China launched the final satellite in its Beidou constellation that emulates and may seek to compete with the U.S. Global Positioning System, marking a further step in the country's advance as a major space power.
• The new satellite will complete the Beidou navigation and positioning system, consisting of 27 satellites in medium Earth orbit, five in geostationary orbit and three more in inclined geosynchronous orbits.
• The first Beidou satellite was launched in 2000 for testing and domestic services.
• The third generation Beidou satellites are designed to provide positioning, navigation and timing services globally. It joins the U.S. GPS, Russia’s GLONASS and the European Galileo systems in providing global PNT coverage.
6. Foundation stone for first Hindu temple in Pakistan capital laid
• Pakistan has started the construction process of a Rs 10 crore Hindu temple — the first in Islamabad. The Krishna temple will come up in a 20,000 sq ft plot at the capital’s H-9 area.
• The Islamabad Hindu Panchayat has named the temple as Shri Krishna Mandir. The plot for the temple was allotted to the Hindu Panchayat by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in 2017. However, the construction work was delayed due to some formalities, including the approval of the site map and documents from the CDA and other relevant authorities.
• The temple complex will also have a cremation site, apart from the space for separate structures for other religious rites.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
1. Kazuo Ishiguro’s new novel ‘Klara’ to be out in March 2021
• Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro is all set to come out with his new novel, his first since receiving the honour in 2017.
• Klara and the Sun will be out on March 2, 2021 and it will be about an artificial being called ‘Klara’ and her desire to find a human owner.
• The author is among the most celebrated contemporary writers. One of his other enduring works is Never Let Me Go. The other is Remains of the Day for which he won a Man Booker Prize in 1989 after being nominated four times in the past. Both of them were adapted into films.
• His last work, The Buried Giant, which was published in 2015 centres around an aged couple in a journey to find their son. Memory and time are recurring themes in his novels.
2. ‘A Burning’ by Megha MajumdarReleased
• The Penguin Hamish Hamilton released the “A Burning”, debut novel of Megha Majumdar. She was born and raised in Kolkata.
• The book is about the lives of three characters, Tommy Orange, Yaa Gyasi and Jhumpa Lahiri who want to rise to the middle class, to political power, to gain fame in the film industry and how their lives changed in Indian society.
AWARDS
1. Indian economist Amartya Sen wins Peace Prize of the German Book Trade
• Nobel prize-winning economist and philosopher Amartya Sen has won the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for his "decades-long work on the questions of global justice.”
• The award ceremony traditionally takes place at the end of the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 18 and is broadcast live on television.
• The Peace Prize of the German Book Trade has been awarded annually since 1950. It comes with a cash prize of €25,000 euros ($28,000).
• Its aim is to honor individuals "who have made an outstanding contribution to the realization of the idea of peace primarily through his activities in the fields of literature, science and art."
EVENTS
1. India’s 1st Virtual Healthcare & Hygiene EXPO 2020
• The Minister of State for Shipping (Independent charge) and Chemicals & Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya has introduced India’s largest 1st Virtual Healthcare & Hygiene EXPO 2020.
• This Expo has been organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICI).
• This unique exhibition aims to give a boost to such health and hygiene endeavours. This is the first-ever largest virtual exhibition in India making a new beginning.
PEOPLE IN NEWS
1. JSW Cement Signs Sourav Ganguly & Sunil Chhetri as Brand Ambassadors
• Cement brand, JSW Cement has roped in former cricketer and current president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly as well as captain of the Indian national football team and Bengaluru FC, Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassadors.
• The company is also rolling out its new multi-media marketing campaign ‘Leader’s Choice’ featuring both these sports icons across West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.
2. Kubatbek Boronov Appointed as Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister
• Kubatbek Boronov was appointed as Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister. He succeeded Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziyev who resigned on June 15 following accusations of corruption.
• Kyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbai Jeenbekov signed an order to appoint him.
3. DK Jain given as extension for 1 year
• Former Supreme Court judge D K Jain will continue as BCCI's ethics officer and ombudsman after getting a one-year extension from the cricket Board.Jain was appointed by the Supreme Court in February 2019 as BCCI's first ever ombudsman. He was later given the additional role of ethics officer.
4. Urjit Patel, former RBI governor, appointed chairman of NIPFP
• Former governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Urjit Patel who resigned from his post in December 2018 has been appointed as the chairman of the New Delhi Based economic think tank National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) for a period of four years.
• The governing body of NIPFP comprises of three representatives of the Ministry of Finance, one representative of the Niti Aayog, one representative of the Reserve Bank of India, three representatives of sponsoring state governments, three distinguished economists, three heads of sister research institutions, and members of other sponsoring agencies and invitees.
5. Mukesh Ambani joins club of world’s top 10 richest people
• Mukesh Ambani has jumped into the exclusive club of the world’s top 10 richest people, as per Forbes Real-Time Billionaire list. He is currently ranked 9th on the list of World’s top billionaires.
• He is the Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director and has a net worth of USD 64.5 billion.
• His net worth has increased by almost 12 times from USD 5.3 billion to USD 64.6 billion within just two months.
• Ambani’s rise in the billionaires' list comes as the world and India together head for one of its worst recession. Ambani owns 42% of Reliance Industries Ltd and the company recently declared itself net-debt free, following a rapid flow of investments into Reliance’s digital platform- Jio.
6. Rishi Sunak appoints Nikhil Rathi as the CEO of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Chancellor of Exchequer, Rishi Sunak appointed Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of London stock exchange, as the new chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates UK financial markets and 59,000 financial services firms.
• Rathi, who will succeed Christopher Woolard, has been appointed for a five-year term.
• The FCA is the conduct regulator for the UK’s financial markets, over 59,000 financial services firms, and the prudential supervisor for 49,000 firms, setting specific standards for 19,000 firms.
7. IFTAS Appoints T.Tabi Sankar as Chairman and N. Rajendran as CEO
• The Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS) appointed T Rabi Sankar as the Chairman and Dr. N Rajendran as the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) effective.
• IFTAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Reserve Bank of India.
• It is mandated to design, deploy & support IT-related services to the Reserve Bank of India, and all Banks and Financial Institutions in the country.
• It was established to facilitate the smooth functioning of banks, supporting them to innovate, and to craft unique digital banking experiences.
8. Anushka Sharma roped in by Ministry of Ayush to promote yoga
• The Ministry of Ayush has roped in Bollywood actress-producer Anushka Sharma to promote yoga among the masses ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21.
• They also shared a video where the actress, a yoga enthusiast, talks of the benefits of yoga.
• The first International Day of Yoga (IDY) was observed all over the world on June 21, 2015.
REPORTS AND INDEX
1. Dr. Harsh Vardhan releases Annual TB report 2020
• Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare released the annual TB Report 2020 through a virtual event.
• It was prepared by Central TB Division (CTD), MoHFW, and for the first time it has introduced a quarterly ranking on TB elimination efforts by all the states and UTs.
• To align with the ambitious goal, the programme has been renamed from Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) to National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) in which India aims to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the Global Target.
• There were around 24.04 lakh TB patients in 2019, a 14% increase as compared to the year 2018.
• In the categories of larger states with more than 50 lakh population, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh were awarded as best performing States.
In the category of smaller states with less than 50 lakh population, Tripura and Nagaland were awarded.
• In the category of Union Territory, Dadara and Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu were chosen as the best performers.
