Daily Current Affairs and GK | 11 July 2020

1. IRDAI allowed various insurers to launch short-term Corona Kavach health insurance.

• Recently the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has allowed various insurers to launch short-term corona Kavach health insurance.
• It includes 30 general and health insurance companies.
• This policy will cover medical expenses due to Covid-19 disease.
• The sum insured amount of the policy will be between Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 Lakh.
• This policy can be availed by persons between 18 and 65 years of age.
• People can take advantage of the Corona Kavach Policy for themselves, spouses, parents, and dependent children up to 25 years old.
• This policy will provide insurance cover for any co-morbid condition arising due to Covid-19 during the period of hospitalization.
• Home care expenses for a period of 14 days will also be included in the policy on the advice of a medical practitioner.
• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI):
  • The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority is an autonomous, statutory body of India.
  • It aims to regulate and promote the insurance and re-insurance industries in India.
  • It was established in 1999.
  • It is headquartered in Hyderabad.

(Source: News on AIR)

2. National Fish Farmer's Day: 10 July.

• Every year on July 10, National Fish Farmers Day is celebrated in the memory of scientists, Dr. K. H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhary.
• Dr. Hiralal successfully induced breeding on Major Carps on 10 July 1957.
• On this occasion, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Giriraj Singh announced the establishment of fish cryobanks in different parts of the country.
• This will be the first time in the world that Fish Cryobank will be established.
• Cryobanks will ensure the availability of fish sperm of the desired species to fish farmers at all times.
• Fish Cryobanks will be set up by National Fisheries Development Board in collaboration with the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources.

(Source: News on AIR)

3. Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Facebook organized webinar for sensitization on GOAL Project.

• Recently the Ministry of Tribal Affairs organized a webinar along with Facebook India in New Delhi.
• The purpose of this webinar was to sensitize the MPs from Scheduled Tribes Constituencies on the GOAL project.
• The webinar was attended by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta, senior officials of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, MyGov and Facebook India.
• GOAL Project:
  • Recently Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda launched the GOAL program in New Delhi.
  • The full form of the GOAL program is Going Online As Leaders.
  • It was started in collaboration with Facebook.
  • It aims to provide education and counseling to the tribal youth through digital medium.

(Source: News on AIR)

4. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued a new advisory against fraudulent websites.

• Recently the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued a new advisory against fraudulent websites.
• This advisory is against fake websites claiming registration of PM-KUSUM scheme.
• Recently it has been observed that two new websites have illegally claimed registration portal for PM-Kusum scheme.
• Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan – PM Kusum Yojana:
  • It was announced in the 2019-20 budget.
  • It aims to promote the use of solar energy among farmers.
  • Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • Under this, 1.4 lakh crores will be spent to promote decentralized solar power generation up to 28,250 MW to help farmers.
  • The plan provides for the installation of solar pumps, solarisation of existing grid connected agricultural pumps and installation of grid connected renewable power plants.

(Source: News on AIR)

5. Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched ASEEM Portal.

• Recently, Aatamanirbhar Skilled Employee-Employer Mapping (ASEEM) portal has been launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• ASEEM Portal aims to help skilled people explore livelihood opportunities.
• This portal will record the detailed information of the employees according to the demand of the region and local industries.
• It will act as a bridge between the demand and supply of skilled workforce across various sectors.
• Through this portal, the employer will have access to a skilled workforce and can plan to hire them.
• Under this portal and app, there is provision for registration and data upload for workers across job roles, sectors and geographies.

(Source: News on AIR)

6. The World Health Organization has formed an independent panel.

• Recently, the World Health Organization has formed an independent panel.
  • This panel will review the role of the World Health Organization in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and the response of governments.
  • Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will lead the panel. They will select the other members.
  • The panel will provide an interim report at an annual meeting of health ministers in November and present a concrete report next May.
• Recently US President Donald Trump strongly criticized the World Health Organization and was accused of being China-centric.
• The US has also given formal notice to the United Nations of its exit from WHO.
• World Health Organization (WHO):
  • It is a specialized UN agency responsible for international public health.
  • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • It was founded on 7 April 1948.
  • The Director General of WHO is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

(Source: News on AIR)

7. Bangladesh Government announced that it will not remove the Rohingyas settled on the Bhashan char islands.

• Recently the Bangladesh government has announced that it will not remove the Rohingyas settled on the Bhashan char islands.
• Bangladesh in April displaced Rohingyas from the crowded camps of Cox's Bazar on Bhashan char Island due to the Corona pandemic.
• Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh in 2017 after a military devastation in Rakhine province of Myanmar.
• Bhashan char Islands:
  • It is an uninhabited island where the government of Bangladesh has built shelters for 1 lakh Rohingya refugees.
  • However, Bhashan Char is ecologically fragile region, which is prone to floods, erosion and cyclones.
  • It is also known as Char Piya. It is an island of Bangladesh which is located in the Bay of Bengal.
  • The island was formed in 2006 by Himalayan silt.

8. An eye gaze controlled computer was developed in Bengaluru.

• Recently, the Center for Product Design and Manufacturing of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has developed an eye gaze controlled computer.
• This computer will prove useful for physically and mentally challenged people.
• This computer is specially designed for people with Severe Speech and Motor Impairment (SSMI), a condition caused by disorders like cerebral palsy i.e. people who are unable to control their organs and are not able to speak.
• This computer has been attached to the robotic arm, through which such people can do many tasks independently through the eyes only.
• This robotic arm can be used for e-learning, automated and aeronautical applications.

9. IAF receives 5 Apache helicopters from Boeing.

• Recently, the Indian Air Force received 5 AH-64E Apache helicopters from Boeing.
• They were stationed at Leh Air Base in Ladakh amid the standoff with China.
• Boeing has completed its 22 Apache helicopters contract by handing over remaining five AH-64E Apache helicopters.
• India signed a $ 3 billion deal for 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook helicopters from Boeing through a US government foreign military sales program in September 2015.
• During President Donald Trump's visit to India in February 2020, India and the United States had also signed an agreement for six additional Apaches for the military.
• AH-64 Apache Helicopter:
  • It is the most advanced multi-role combat helicopter for the US Army.
  • It has a sensor site for target acquisition and night vision systems.
  • It was launched in April 1986.
  • It has a top speed of 365 km/h and a range of 476 km.

(Source: The Hindu)

10. World Population Day: 11 July.

• World Population Day is celebrated every year on 11 July to raise awareness on various population issues.
• This day, amid the Covid-19 pandemic this year, focuses on protecting the health and rights of women and girls.
• World Population Day was established in 1989 by the then Governing Council of the United Nations Development Program, on 11 July 1987, the world population had grown to five billion.