Daily Current Affairs and GK | 01 May 2020

1. Portal for small industries related to bank of plans, innovation and research

• Recently, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, has released the bank of schemes, ideas, innovation and research portal.
• The information about all schemes of the state government and central government has been provided on this portal.
• It is also an open platform for innovation and research for medium, small and micro industries.
• The portal also facilitates the flow of capital and foreign business alliance.
• The Government of India has enacted the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, which defines Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as follows:
• Manufacturing sector:
  • Micro Enterprises - Where the investment in plant and machinery does not exceed Rs 25 lakh.
  • Small enterprises - where investment in plant and machinery is between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 5 crore.
  • Medium Enterprises - Where the investment in plant and machinery is between Rs 5 crores to 10 crores.
• Service sector:
  • Micro-enterprise investment not exceeding ten lakh rupees.
  • Small enterprise investment between ten lakh to two crore rupees.
  • Medium enterprise-investment between two crores to five crore rupees.

2. Monitoring Project Unit has been commissioned for the quick operation of coal mines

• Recently, the Ministry of Coal has started a monitoring project unit for quick operation of coal mines allotted by the Central Government.
• This is an important step to promote the Ease of Doing Business.
• Timely approval and permission will be granted by this unit to operate the allotted mines.
• Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana are the main coal-producing states of India.

3. CSIR is providing food, sanitizer and mask to the needy people

• Laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) located across the country are providing food items, sanitizers and masks to the needy.
• The Central Food Technology Research Institute of Mysore has provided 10 tonnes of protein-rich biscuits, one ton of spirulina chikki, ten tonnes of cardamom flavoured water and five tonnes of fruit bars.
• The material distributed contains nutrients, which increase immunity.
• The fruit bar contains nutrients like vitamin C and Zinc.
• Spirulina is non-toxic blue-green algae that is consumed by humans in various forms as a source of protein.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):
  • It is India's largest research and development organization and an autonomous body.
  • Its current Director-General is Shekhar C Mande.
  • It was established on September 26, 1942.

4. Microwave sterilizer "Atulya" developed to eliminate infection of COVID-19

• Recently the microwave "Atulya" has been developed to eliminate the infection of COVID-19.
• The microwave called 'Atulya' has been developed by the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune.
• This microwave is economical and can be carried anywhere.
• It is safe to use and operate.
• It is available in various sizes and within thirty seconds to one minute, it destroys the virus at 56 °C to 60 °C.

5. Free movement of trucks and other freight vehicles will be ensured

• The central government has asked the states to ensure the free movement of trucks and other freight vehicles.
• Local authorities have been asked not to ask for separate passes to cross the borders of states across the country.
• A separate pass is not required for the movement of the truck.

6. Indian Mission announced e-registration for citizens returning home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai

• Recently the Indian Mission has announced e-registration for citizens returning home from Abu Dhabi and Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
• This will create a database for those who want to return home due to the unprecedented state of coronavirus pandemic.
• The purpose of this e-registration of the Indian Mission is to collect information and estimate the number of people.
• For this, people will need to fill a separate form for each member of the family.
• Companies that want to send their employees back will have to fill in a separate form for each employee.

7. U.S. Navy will also conduct a Naval Exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii this year

• The U.S. Navy will also host the world's largest naval exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii this year.
• In view of the novel coronavirus, the practice will be limited to the sea only.
• There will be no social programs on the beach during the naval exercise.
• RIMPAC:
  • The Rim of the Pacific Exercise is the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise.
  • It is held biennially during June and July in even years.
  • It has been held on the island of Honolulu, Hawaii, since 1970.

8. Remdesivir in the U.S. cured 50% of COVID-19 patients

• In the U.S., the third phase of a clinical trial of Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients has yielded positive results.
• A team led by scientists including Indian-American doctor Aruna Subramanian has tested the drug.
• Approximately 50% of COVID-19 patients recovered after the use of Remdesivir.
• The results of this medicine are considered encouraging.
• This drug is not yet approved for treatment anywhere around the world.
• Remdesivir:
  • It is an anti-viral medicine.
  • It is developed by the American biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences.

9. Launch of ‘Ayuraksha’ initiative in Delhi

• Recently Delhi Police Commissioner SN Srivastava has launched the initiative "Ayuraksha-Corona Se Jung, Delhi Police ke Sang".
• This initiative has been started jointly by Delhi Police and All India Institute of Ayurveda and Ministry of AYUSH.
• The Ayurveda Institute will keep the health of COVID-19 front line warriors like Delhi Police personnel through Ayurveda immunity boosting measures.
• It will be implemented in a phased manner.
• It will be distributed to about 80 thousand Delhi Police personnel in 15 districts, so that they can develop protective deterrence in them towards COVID-19.

10. Black rice of Chak-Hao, Manipur and Gorakhpur Terracotta have been awarded G.I. tag

• Recently, G.I. tag has been awarded to Black Rice of Chak-Hao, Manipur and Gorakhpur Terracotta.
• Both products have been in circulation for centuries and are important sources of income.
• Chak-hao, fragrant glutinous rice that has been grown in Manipur for centuries, has a special aroma. It is usually eaten during community feasts and is served as chalk-hao kheer.
• Traditional practitioners have also used it as part of traditional medicine.
• The terracotta work of Gorakhpur is a centuries-old traditional art form, where the potter hand-carves various animal figures such as horses, elephants, camels, goats, bulls, etc.
• The artisans use natural colors in it, which remain glossy for a long time. There are over 1,000 varieties of terracotta work designed by local artisans.

11. May 1: International Workers' Day

• May 1 is observed every year as International Workers' Day.
• It is celebrated every year to pay tribute to the contribution of workers around the world.
• It was on May 1, 1886 that the working class of America came together and rebelled against the unjust system. That is why May Day or International Workers' Day is celebrated every year.
• It is also celebrated as May Day. May Day has different origin stories in different countries. However, the common theme in all countries is exploitation against the working class.
• In India, the first May Day was celebrated in Madras on 1 May 1923 by the Labor Farmers Party of Hindustan. It was also the first time a red flag was used in India as a symbol of Labor Day.