Daily Current Affairs and GK | 07 May 2020

1. Government of India started ‘Vande Bharat Mission’

• Recently the Government of India has started the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’.
• This is one of the largest evacuation exercise. Under this, the government will bring back about 14,800 Indian nationals trapped abroad due to the lockdown of Coronavirus.
• 64 flights will be operated between 7 and 13 May to bring them.
• These include flights to the UAE, Bangladesh, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the Philippines, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
• Under Operation Samudra Setu, the Navy has sent INS Jalashwa and INS Magar to Maldives and INS Shardul to Dubai to bring back the migrants.

2. Central Government started the Aarogya Setu IVRS service

• Recently, the Central Government has introduced Aarogya Setu IVRS service for people with normal mobile phones or landline phones.
• It is a toll free service, available across the country.
• For this service, people will have to make a missed call on the number set by the government.
• After that the person will be called and information related to his health will be sought.
• The person will be asked the same questions which are available on the Aarogya Setu App.
• The service is also available in 11 regional languages. The information provided by citizens on this service will help in creating the Aarogya Setu database.
• It will be used to ensure the safety of citizens and to send alerts.

3. Central government banned the export of alcohol-based hand sanitizers

• Recently the central government has banned the export of alcohol based hand sanitizers.
• For this, the Central Government has amended the notification of 24 March relating to the export policy of sanitizers with immediate effect.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers typically contain some combination of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or n-propanol, with alcohols ranging from 60 to 95 percent.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends consumers use at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill coronaviruses.
• Earlier, on 19 March, the central government imposed similar restrictions on the export of ventilators, disposable masks, coveralls and other essential items in the treatment of cases of coronavirus.

4. Government waived deadline for filing annual return for Goods and Services Tax

• Recently the government has announced a relaxation in the deadline for filing annual returns for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has extended the deadline for submission of annual returns and GST audit for the financial year 2018-2019 to September 30, 2020.
• Simultaneously, the government has extended deadline for all e-way bills generated on or before March 24 till 31 May, whose validity was to expire from March 20 to April 15.
• This exemption will ensure uninterrupted supply of goods through transport carriers across the country.
• Central Indirect Taxes and Customs Board (CBIC):
  • It is the nodal national agency of the Government of India.
  • It is responsible for the operation of Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax and Narcotics in India.
  • It was established on 1 January 1964.
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi.
  • It is headed by M. Ajit Kumar.

5. Government appointed Tarun Bajaj as Director on the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India

• Recently Government of India has appointed Economic Affairs Secretary Tarun Bajaj as Director on the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India.
• Tarun Bajaj will succeed Atanu Chakraborty, who retired on April 30.
• Prior to assuming the post of Secretary of Economic Affairs, Bajaj was Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office.
• He is a 1988 batch Indian Administrative Services officer.

6. Border Security Force headquarters now fully functional

• The Border Security Force (BSF) is now fully functional at the New Delhi headquarters after following all protocols.
• During the COVID-19 infection in the country, 85 personnel of the force have been infected with the virus while performing operational and essential duties.
• All standard operating protocols are strictly followed in each establishment of BSF.
• Border Security Force (BSF):
  • The Border Security Force is the Border Security Organization of India. It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of India.
  • It was founded on 1 December 1965 after the Indo-Pak 1965 war.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

7. In Madhya Pradesh, a unique vehicle Sanjeevani was developed

• A unique vehicle has been developed locally in Madhya Pradesh which is first of its kind initiative.
• This vehicle is named Sanjeevani.
• With the help of this vehicle, health workers can investigate any suspected patient without coming in contact with him.
• This vehicle is built on the initiative of Rajnagar administration of Chhatarpur district.
• PPE kits will also not be required in this vehicle.
• Madhya Pradesh:
  • Madhya Pradesh ranks second in terms of area in the country after Rajasthan.
  • The state capital is Bhopal.
  • The Chief Minister is Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Governor is Lalji Tandon.
  • The state animal of the state is Barasingha.
  • The state bird of Madhya Pradesh is the Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Dudhraj).
  • The state flower of MP is Palash.

8. Signing of agreement between CSIB's IGIB and Tata Sons for licensing of KNOW-HOW

• Recently Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and Tata Sons have signed an agreement for a license of KNOW HOW for rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19.
• IGIB is the constituent laboratory of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• It has been agreed to transfer knowledge in this license so that COVID-19 test-able kits can be developed by the end of this month.
• FNCAS9 Editor Linked Uniform Detection Assay, FELUDA for COVID-19, has been designed for preventing COVID-19 and mass testing. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) will be developed and commercialized to detect COVID-19.
• This innovative CRISPR FELUDA test used Crisper technology to detect the genomic sequence of coronaviruses.
• 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 26 September 1942.

9. Scientists have identified more than 200 genetic mutations in the virus of COVID-19

• Recently, scientists have identified more than 200 genetic mutations in the SARS-CoV-2.
• The study was published in a London journal Infection, Genetics and Evolution.
• For this, samples were collected from more than 7,500 people infected with the disease globally.
• This type of study would be helpful in the development of direct drugs and vaccines for COVID-19.
• Scientists want to detect the genome of the corona virus that has a slow mutation in order to develop a more accurate vaccine or drug.
• Researchers also believed that the COVID-19 virus was not in human circulation for a long time, it is a new type of virus.

10. Example of gender neutral parenting style X AE A-12 (X Æ A-12)

• Recently Elon Musk and Grimes named their newborn X AE A-12, adopting gender-neutral parenting style.
• Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk and Canadian singer Grimes announced the birth of their first child and did not announce the gender of the newborn under a gender neutral parenting style.
• This approach has become increasingly popular as most parents reject gender stereotypes, such as dressing girls in pink and boys in blue.
• Instead, children will be allowed to adopt lifestyle as per their choice for themselves.
• This trend has inspired toy and clothing brands to come up with new genderless products.