Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 June 2021

Topic: Important Days

1. World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: 19 June

• World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed every year on 19 June. It was first celebrated in the year 2008.
• It is celebrated to raise awareness about sickle cell disease at the national and international levels.
• On 22 December 2008, United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to recognize Sickle Cell Disease as a public health concern.
• According to the World Health Organization, the disease affects millions of people around the world, including both adults and children.
• Sickle Cell Disease is a group of inherited blood cell disorders. It affects a person’s red blood cells. It makes blood cells stiff and sickle-shaped.
• The disease is prevalent among tribal communities. The National Health Mission established its first sickle cell institute in Sambalpur district, Odisha.

Topic: Miscellaneous

2. Yuvraj Singh appointed as brand ambassador of PUMA Motorsport in India.

• Cricketer Yuvraj Singh was named as the brand ambassador of PUMA Motorsport in India.
• He will join the brand’s global celebrities like Thierry Henry, Boris Becker, and Usain Bolt.
• Globally, PUMA is associated with Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, BMW M Motorsport, and Porche Motorsport.
• Puma:
  • It is a German multinational company.
  • It is involved in the manufacturing of athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories.
  • Abhishek Ganguly is the Executive Director of Puma in India.

Topic: International News

3. Japan to provide vaccine passports from next month for Japanese travelers.

• Japan will provide vaccine passports from next month for Japanese travelers.
• Japan is preparing to issue a certificate of vaccination for those who want to visit foreign countries.
• The certificate will be paper based. It will be issued by local governments from next month.
• European Union (EU) is working on a digital vaccine passport, which will have information on whether a person has been vaccinated.
• Last month, US has said that it was also considering special documentation for vaccinated Americans who want to travel abroad.

Topic: Books and Authors

4. Jnanpith awardee author Amitav Ghosh's new book to release in October.

• Jnanpith awardee author Amitav Ghosh's new book will be released in October.
• The book is titled as 'The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis'.
• The book provides a history of the influence of colonialism on the world today through the story of the nutmeg.
• Ibis trilogy and 'The Great Derangement' are some of his other notable works.
• He was awarded Padma Shri in 2007 and 54^th Jnanpith award in December 2018.

Topic: Indian Economy

5. Confederation of Indian Industry forecasted India’s GDP growth of 9.5% for FY 22.

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) forecasted India’s GDP growth of 9.5% for the financial year 2021-22.
• The growth will pick up in the second-half of the financial year. The vaccination programme will foster the country’s V-shaped recovery.
• The second Covid-19 wave has impacted the economic activities in the first quarter. The rising medical expenditure has decreased income and demand.
• In the first quarter, the rural and urban unemployment rates have increased in double digits.
• CII President T V Narendra recommended decentralization of the healthcare infrastructure. He also demanded Rs 3 lakh crore fiscal stimulus to support businesses.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII):
  • It is a non-governmental trade association.
  • It was established in 1895.
  • CII National Council is the governing body of the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

6. Hiranandani Energy signed MoU with Petrobangla for supplying LNG to Bangladesh.

• Hiranandani Energy (H-Energy) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Petrobangla for supplying re-gasified LNG to Bangladesh.
• Hiranandani Energy (H-Energy) will lay down the natural gas pipeline from its LNG terminal in West Bengal to the Bangladesh border.
• H-Energy is the only company to get the authorization from Petroleum and Natural gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for laying down the pipeline.
• Kanai Chatta-Shrirampur natural gas pipeline will provide environmentally friendly, safe, and economical energy to West Bengal and Western Bangladesh.
• Hiranandani Energy:
  • It is one of the leading natural gas companies in India.
  • It was established in the year 2009.
  • It is currently involved in developing LNG re-gasification terminals and cross-country pipelines on the west and east coast of India.

Topic: Personality in News

7. Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh passes away.

• Indian sprinter legend Milkha Singh passed at the age of 91 years due to COVID-19.
• Captain Milkha Singh was the only athlete to win gold in 400 meters race at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.
• He also won the gold medal in the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games and represented India in 1956, 1960, and 1964 Summer Olympics.
• He was conferred with the Padma Shri award for his contribution to the field of sports.
• He is also known as Flying Sikh.
• He is remembered for his race in the 400 meters final at the 1960 Olympic Games.

Topic: Defense News

8. Indian Navy and European Naval Force conducting joint exercise in the Gulf of Aden.

• The Indian Navy is participating in a joint exercise with the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) in the Gulf of Aden.
• Indian Naval Ship Trikand, currently deployed for anti-piracy operations, is participating in this naval exercise.
• The two-day exercise will be organized from 18-19 June. Five warships from the four navies is taking part in this naval exercise.
• The other countries participating in the exercise are: Italy, Spain, and France.
• Italian Navy Ship ITS Carabiniere, Spanish Navy Ship ESPS Navarra, and two French Navy Ships FS Tonnerre and FS Surcouf will also participate in this naval exercise.
• It will help navies in enhancing their war-fighting skills and promote peace, security, and stability in the maritime domain.
• Advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, cross deck helicopter operations, tactical manoeuvres, boarding operations, and Search and Rescue operation are participating in this Naval exercise.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

9. Quality Council of India (QCI) launched Indian Certification of Medical Devices (ICMED) Plus Scheme.

• The Quality Council of India (QCI) has launched the Indian Certification of Medical Devices (ICMED) 13485 Plus Scheme.
• It has been launched to integrate the Quality Management System components and product- related quality validation processes through testing of products.
• It will be the only scheme for an end-to-end quality assurance scheme for the medical devices sector in India. It provides an institutional mechanism for assuring product quality and safety.
• It will help in eliminating the use of sub-standard medical products or devices of doubtful origin.
• Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) will encourage the implementation of ICMED Plus among its members and stakeholders.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

10. India and Bhutan sign MOU for cooperation in Environment.

• India and Bhutan signed an MoU for cooperation in the area of the environment.
• The MoU has been signed between Prakash Javadekar from the Indian side and Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji from the Bhutanese side.
• The MoU will help in bilateral cooperation in the field of climate change, waste management, etc.
• India and Bhutan also agreed on resolving issues related to climate change.
• The MoU will enhance the India and Bhutan partnership and exchange best practices in areas of prevention of Air Pollution, Waste Management, Chemical Management, Climate Change, etc. 
• The MoU will help in strengthening technological, scientific, and management capabilities and expand the partnership between both countries in the field of environment.
• Bhutan:
  • It is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas.
  • It is bordered by China and India.
  • Thimpu is its capital.
  • Prime Minister: Lotay Tshering
  • It is a global biodiversity hotspot.

Topic: Miscellaneous

11. ECI releases an Atlas on General Elections 2019.

• Chief Election Commissioner, Sushil Chandra, released ‘General Elections 2019 – An Atlas’ on 15 June, 2021.
• It will help academicians and researchers to explore the vast landscape of the Indian elections. It comprises all relevant data and statistical figures related to the 2019 General Elections.
• It also shares interesting facts, anecdotes, and legal provisions related to the Indian elections. It has 42 thematic maps and 90 tables.
• In the 17th General election, 61.468 crore voters participated at 10.378 lakh polling stations. The statistical reports of the atlas are based on the electoral data provided by the Returning Officers of 543 Parliamentary Constituencies.
• Atlas serves as an informative document of the Indian electoral process and empowers peoples to analyze trends and changes.
• It has also provided data on women and men’s voting percentage, and candidate’s performance of different political parties.
• It also shows trend of the Elector Gender Ratio and electors in different age categories.

Topic: Appointments

12. Montek Singh Ahluwalia named as member of high-level Advisory Group formed by World Bank and IMF.

• Former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia was named as member of high-level Advisory Group formed by World Bank and IMF.
• The group will be jointly led by Mari Pangestu, Ceyla Pazarbasioglu and Lord Nicholas Stern.
• Mari Pangestu is Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank.
• Ceyla Pazarbasioglu is Director, Strategy, Policy and Review Department, International Monetary Fund.
• The group will also include Gita Gopinath. Gita Gopinath is Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department at the IMF.
• The group was formed by World Bank and IMF in the face of dual crisis posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.