Daily Current Affairs and GK | 08 April 2020

1. Government of India launched Samadhan Challenge

• Recently, the Government of India has launched the Samadhan Challenge.
• Through participation in this challenge, the government has asked students, innovators, researchers, teachers and startups to help deal with coronavirus infection.
• The government has asked various groups to share their ideas to solve the challenges posed by the pandemic.
• The government invited various groups with a working prototype of such advanced technological solutions that could be used with immediate effect.
• The last date of application for this challenge is 14 April 2020.

2. There have been more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus infection in Maharashtra

• Recently, cases of coronavirus infection in Maharashtra have crossed 1,000.
• Therefore, the Government of Maharashtra is preparing to take strict steps to ensure lockdown.
• State Chief Minister Uddhav Thackery has decided to extend the lockdown. The current lockdown will end on 14 April.
• Maharashtra has become the first state in the country with more than 1,000 cases, with a total number of people affected by the coronavirus in the state at more than 1,018.
• In view of the pandemic, the state government has decided to extend the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme to taluka level and provide thali for the next three months at a reduced price of five rupees.
• Also, the spread of disease in Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, has become a matter of concern.
• Similarly, the participants of Tablighi Markaz in Nizamuddin are also increasing the concern.
• All zoos, national parks and sanctuaries in Maharashtra have been asked to be vigilant after testing positive for coronavirus of a tiger in the United States.

3. Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla passed away

• Recently Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla died in New York due to coronavirus infection. He was 66 years old.
• Brahm Kanchibotla was a correspondent of United News of India in America.
• Brahm Kanchibotla moved to the US in 1992 after working with several publications in India.

4. Supply of adequate stock throughout the country for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

• Recently, the Central Government has stated that adequate food stocks are being supplied by the Food Corporation of India to states across the country to implement the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
• Under this scheme, 5 kg of food grains per person per month will be distributed free of cost to all the beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act for the next three months.
• Several states like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Kerala and Mizoram are already getting food grains from FCI under this scheme. The rest of the states will soon start getting food grains.
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana:
  • This scheme is for the poor introduced by the government in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Government of India will not let anyone, especially any poor family, suffer due to non-availability of food grains due to this disaster during the next three months.
  • 80 crore persons (about two-thirds of India's population) will be covered under the scheme.
  • Each of these people will be given twice as much grain as the existing scheduled grain during the next three months.
  • This extra grain will be given for free.

5. Supreme Court extends tenure of TDSAT Chairperson

• Recently, the Supreme Court has increased the tenure of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) Chairperson by three months.
• His term was to end on April 20, 2020.
• The bench, headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, pronounced the decision in response to a petition through video conferencing.
• Also, the Supreme Court has asked the Centre to speed up the appointment process for the members of the tribunal.
• Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT):
  • It was established to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of the telecom sector.
  • It was founded in 2000.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
  • Its current Chairperson is Judge Shiva Kirti Singh.

6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with heads of various countries for cooperation against COVID-19

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with the Prime Minister of Sweden, the Sultan of Oman and the Shah of Bahrain for cooperation against COVID-19.
• It has been agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven to keep in touch with the authorities to increase the availability of medical equipment to deal with COVID-19.
• At the same time, both countries have also assured to provide all necessary help to the citizens trapped in each other countries.
• Mr. Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman are also ready to assist each other in dealing with this crisis.
• Shah Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain also agrees to cooperate with India against COVID-19.
• Sweden:
  • Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, as well as vast boreal forests and snowy mountains.
  • Its capital is Stockholm and the currency is Swedish Krona.

• Oman:
  • Oman is an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia.
  • Its capital is Muscat and the currency is Omani Riyal.

• Bahrain:
  • Bahrain is a sovereign state in the Persian Gulf.
  • Its capital is Manama and the currency is Bahrain Dinar.

7. VRDE Ahmednagar has designed a full body disinfection room

• Recently the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) Ahmednagar has designed a full body disinfection chamber.
• It is a portable system that is equipped with sanitizers and soap dispensers.
• This chamber is called the Personnel Sanitization Enclosure. This walkthrough enclosure is designed for personnel refinement.
• Only one person can use it at a time.
• This room was developed in 3 days using the resources available with VRDE.
• Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE):
  • It is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organization based in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.
  • Its primary function is to research and develop various luminous, wheeled and specialized vehicles for defence applications.
  • It was founded in 1965.
  • Its current director is Mr. Sangam Sinha.

8. A protective chemical coating against COVID-19 was developed

• The scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, have created a protective chemical coating that will be effective in fight against COVID-19.
• This coating is capable of complete destroying influenza virus. Therefore, scientists believe that this coating can also be effective in destroying the corona virus.
• This coating can be used by doctors on PPE, masks, gowns, gloves, face shield, etc. to increase safety.
• During the research it has been found that the coated surfaces completely killed various drug resistant bacteria and fungi within 30 to 45 minutes.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research Institute (JNCASR):
  • The Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research is a multidisciplinary research institute located in Bengaluru, India.
  • It was established in 1989 by C.N.R. Rao.

9. Government of India lifted ban on export of hydroxychloroquine

• Recently, the Indian government has lifted the ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) which is an anti-malarial drug.
• This decision has been taken in view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, as it is now used as a potential line of treatment for COVID-19.
• India will license a fair amount of paracetamol and HCQ in all its neighbouring countries. At the same time, India will also supply these essential medicines to some countries, which have been badly affected by the pandemic.

10. Delhi Government's 5-T Strategy against Coronavirus

• Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a 5-T plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These five Ts are-Testing, Tracing, Treatment, Teamwork and Tracking and Monitoring.
• The first T is testing, which is performed on a large scale to obtain real data of people affected by novel coronaviruses.
• The second T is tracing, which involves identifying and quarantining people exposed to infected individuals.
• The third T is treatment, under which LNJP and GB Pant hospitals have been declared primary hospitals for treatment of COVID-19 with 1,500 and 500 beds respectively.
• The fourth T is teamwork to fight the virus in which all state governments should learn from each other and work together.
• The fifth T is tracking and monitoring.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Recently which challenge has been launched by the government to call for help in combating coronavirus infection?

A. Corona

B. Samadhan

C. Samasya

D. Niptan

2. In which state the total number of people affected by Corona virus has crossed 1000?

A. Maharashtra

B. Kerala

C. Haryana

D. Assam

3. Recently Brahm Kanchibotla died of corona virus infection, which area did he belong to?

A. Acting

B. Medicine

C. Painting

D. Journalism

4. In which year was the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal established?

A. 2002

B. 2003

C. 2000

D. 2005

5. Manama is the capital of which country?

A. Oman

B. Yemen

C. Bahrain

D. Qatar

6. Where is the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment located?

A. Kerala

B. Karnataka

C. Maharashtra

D. Madhya Pradesh

7. Where is the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research Institute located?

A. New Delhi

B. Chennai

C. Kolkata

D. Bengaluru

8. Government of India has lifted the ban on export of which medicine?

A. Hydroxychloroquine

B. Doxycycline

C. Cephalexin

D. Anthracene

9. Recently Delhi government has adopted 5-T strategy against Coronavirus, which of these is included in it?

A. Testing

B. Tracing

C. Treatment

D. All of the above

Solution:

1. B

2. A

3. D

4. C

5. C

6. C

7. D

8. A

9. D