Daily Current Affairs and GK | 14 August 2020

1. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization.

• Recently, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization (NIIO).
• The Defense Acquisition Policy Draft 2020 envisages the establishment of an innovation and indigenization organization within existing resources.
• NIIO is a three tier organization.
  • Setting up the Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC)- It will bring together the dual aspects of innovation and indigenization and provide top-level instructions.
  • Implementation of projects by a working group under N-TAC.
  • A Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has been set up to incorporate emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame.
• On this occasion, the Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with-
  • Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority
  • Raksha Shakti University of Gujarat
  • Maker Village in Kochi
  • Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM)
• Along with this, a compilation of Indigenization perspective plans of the Indian Navy, titled SWAVLAMBAN, was also released.

(Source: News on AIR)

2. An offshore patrol vessel 'Sarthak' was launched for the Indian Coast Guard.

• Recently an offshore patrol vessel 'Sarthak' was launched for the Indian Coast Guard.
• It was launched at Goa Shipyard Limited.
• The ceremony was conducted through video conferencing from Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.
• Sarthak ranks 4^th in a series of five OPVs deployed by the Coast Guard to increase maritime security.
• It has been designed and manufactured indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited under the Make in India initiative.
• The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery.

3. Pigs died in Meghalaya from African swine fever.

• Recently 73 pigs have died in Meghalaya due to African swine fever (ASF) and 24 were found to be positive.
• The state government has declared a contamination zone in Meghalaya, the four districts where it is spreading, including West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.
• It was decided to ban all kinds of imports and exports and slaughter and sale of pigs for consumption in 12 villages located in these districts.
• African Swine Fever:
  • It is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that causes hemorrhagic fever in domestic and wild pigs.
  • It is caused by a large DNA virus of the family Asfarviridae, and is transmitted by infected ticks of the genus Ornithodoros.
  • It was first found in Africa in the 1920s.
  • It has a mortality rate of almost 100% and currently has no cure.
  • It only spreads from one animal to another. Therefore, ASF is not a threat to humans unlike swine flu.

Attempt Quiz of Independence Day

 

4. In Manipur, Patriots Day was celebrated on 13 August to commemorate the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.

• Every year in Manipur, August 13 is celebrated as Patriot Day in commemoration of the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.
• During the Anglo-Manipuri of 1891, many Manipuris sacrificed their lives to protect the independence of the state.
• This day is celebrated on 13 August every year to pay tribute to those great martyrs.
• On this day in 1891, brave Manipuris including the then prince of Manipur Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hanged before the general public in the present Imphal region.
• Manipur:
  • Manipur was granted full Indian state status in January 1972.
  • Its capital is Imphal.
  • It forms the border with Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam and Myanmar.
  • The Chief Minister of the state is N. Biren Singh.

(Source: News on AIR)

5. Russia and Brazil will cooperate in the production and marketing of Sputnik V, the world's first coronavirus registered vaccine.

• Recently Russia and Brazil have agreed to cooperate in the production and marketing of Sputnik V, the world's first coronavirus registered vaccine.
• The agreement is with the Brazilian state of Paraná.
• Under this strategic cooperation agreement, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, along with pharmaceutical companies in the state of Paraná, will produce the Sputnik V vaccine.
• Also, this vaccine will be distributed in Brazil and other Latin American countries.
• The Russian Ministry of Health has recently registered Sputnik V, the world's first vaccine for the prevention of Covid-19.

(Source: News on AIR)

6. Fit India Freedom Run will be organized by the Sports Ministry.

• The largest country-wide race, the Fit India Freedom Run, will be organized by the Sports Ministry.
• The event will begin on 15^th August on the occasion of India's 74th Independence Day and will be held till 2^nd October i.e. 151^st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The aim of the Freedom Run is to encourage fitness and help citizens get rid of obesity, laziness, stress, anxiety and other diseases.
• Keeping in mind the current pandemic situation and social distancing norms, the government has decided to encourage the participants of this program to flee at their own pace, anywhere and anytime.
• The total kilometers can be tracked through the Global Positioning System, GPS Watch, or manually.
• Both individuals and organizations can register for the event on the Fit India website.

(Source: News on AIR)

7. Arunodoi Scheme will be started in the northeastern state of Assam from October 2.

• The Finance Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, recently announced that the Arunodoi scheme will be launched in the state from 2 October.
• The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to about 17 lakh families.
• Under this scheme, Rs 830 per month will be given to eligible families for purchasing essential items.
• This will be the largest direct benefit transfer scheme in the state of Assam.
• This scheme will benefit 15 to 17 thousand families in each assembly constituency.
• The Assam government will have to bear Rs 210 crore per month for this scheme.
• Assam Government will send the amount through direct benefit transfer to the bank account of the nominee of the family.

(Source: News on AIR)

8. India announced a US $500 million package for Maldives.

• Recently India has announced a package of US $ 500 million for Maldives.
• Out of this, US $100 million is in the form of grants and US $400 million in the form of a new line of credit.
• It will be used for the largest intra island connectivity project, ferry connectivity between the two countries and early flights.
• Greater Male Connectivity Project:
  • It is the largest infrastructure project in Maldives.
  • Through this 6.7 km project, several bridges will be built to connect Male to Villingili, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu islands.
• Also, India will be the first country to start a travel bubble with Maldives on August 18 to launch Air India flight from Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram-Male, with the aim of promoting tourism in the Maldives.
• Apart from this, India will also start Cochin- Kulhudhuffushi -Male cargo ferry service.
• Currently, India-aided projects in the region include water and sewerage projects on 34 islands, reclamation project for Addl Island, a port on Gulhifalhu, airport redevelopment at Hanimadhoo and a hospital and a cricket stadium at Hulhumale.

(Source: The Hindu)

9. Student Entrepreneurship Program 2.0 was launched.

• Recently the Student Entrepreneurship Program 2.0 has been launched.
• The objective of the innovation mission is to create one million new investigators and skilled employable people in the country.
• The program Atal Innovation Mission, an initiative of NITI Aayog, has launched this program for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs in partnership with Dell Technologies.
• SEP 2.0 will allow student investigators to work closely with Dell volunteers.
• Dell Technologies is using innovative technologies to empower students. So that they can develop the mindset of innovation.
• SEP 1.0 was launched in January 2019.

10. Forest cover in Arunachal Pradesh threatens the existence of hornbill.

• Based on a recent study, it has been found that due to forest cover loss in Arunachal Pradesh, the existence of hornbill is threatened.
• The illegal harvesting and ethnic conflict in a part of Assam along with the Papum Reserve Forest and Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh have led to a significant decrease in hornbill habitats.
• Papum Reserve Forest:
  • It is an important bird and biodiversity area in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It is situated between Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary in the east and Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary in the west.
  • The Papum Reserve Forest is part of the endemic bird region of the Eastern Himalayas.
  • It is home to three hornbills called Great, Wreathed and Oriental Pied.
  • A large part of the site is covered by sub-tropical dry evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, while higher areas are under subtropical broadleaf hill forest cover.
• The Pakke Tiger Reserve is located in the western part of the Namdapha Reserve in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
• There are nine species of hornbill in India. It has the status of state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.

(Source: The Hindu)

11. Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) established in Karnataka.

• Recently a price monitoring and resource unit has been established in Karnataka.
• This unit has been set up under the aegis of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
• Primary Functions of PMRU-
  • Monitoring the prices of medicines.
  • Ensuring the availability of medicines.
  • To assist NPPA in raising consumer awareness.
• At the state level, PMRU will work to increase the reach of NPPA under the direct supervision of the State Drug Controller.
• PMRU is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act which has its own rules Memorandum of Association/ by-laws.
• The governing council of PMRU consists of representatives of the Central Government and the State Government and other stakeholders.
• The NPPA has set up PMRUs in 12 states and union territories under its Central Sector Scheme named Consumer Awareness, Publicity and Price Monitoring.