Daily Current Affairs and GK | 20 May 2021

Topic: Important Days

1. World Metrology Day: 20 May

• Every year World Metrology Day is celebrated on 20 May.
• On 20 May 1875, the representatives of seventeen nations had signed the Metre Convention.
• The Metre Convention has set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement.
• The World Metrology Day is celebrated jointly by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML).
• The theme for World Metrology Day 2021 is ‘Measurement for Health’. The theme has been chosen to highlight the important role of measurement in health.
• Metrology is the branch of science related to measurement.

Topic: Indian Polity

2. West Bengal government approved setting up of Legislative Council.

• The West Bengal cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has approved the formation of the Legislative Council.
• At present, only Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh have Legislative Council.
• Previously, West Bengal had a bicameral legislature but it was abolished by the United Front government in 1969.
• State Legislative Council:
  • The State Legislative Council is the Upper house of the state legislature.
  • It is established under Article 169 of the Indian Constitution.
  • The size of the State Legislative Council cannot be more than one-third of the members of the State Legislative Assembly.
  • Parliament of India can create or abolish the State Legislative Council of a state if that state's legislature passes a resolution for that with a special majority.

Topic: Miscellaneous

3. Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair inaugurated in New Delhi.

• 51^st edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair has been inaugurated in New Delhi. Chairman of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts Ravi K. Passi inaugurated this fair.
• Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair is India’s largest fair in the Home, Fashion, Lifestyle, Textiles, and Furniture sector.
• The five-day virtual fair will help in the export of handicrafts and it will also generate employment in the cottage sector.
• More than 1,500 manufacturers and exporters will participate in this fair.             Artisans and Craftsmen from different regions of the country will show their products.
• Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH):
  • It was established in 1986.
  • It is an apex body of handicraft exporters.
  • It is responsible for promoting the export of Handicrafts from India.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Space and IT

4. China successfully launched ocean observation satellite Haiyang-2D.

• China has successfully launched a new ocean-monitoring satellite, ‘Haiyang-2D’.
• It has been launched for monitoring dynamic ocean environments and provide early warnings for marine disasters.
• It was launched through a Long March-4B rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.
• The Haiyang-2D satellite will form a constellation with the HY-2B and HY-2C satellites to provide information about the ocean environment.
• It will also help in the sustainable use of Ocean resources, Ocean research, and response to global climate change.
• The Haiyang-2D satellite has been developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, and the carrier rocket by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
• Recently, China has become the second country to land a rover on Mars after US. China’s rover “Zhurong” had successfully landed on Utopia Planitia on Mars.

Topic: Government schemes and initiatives

5. Six- Month CBID Programme on Rehabilitation of Divyangjan launched by government.

• Six- Month Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Programme on Rehabilitation of Divyangjan has been launched by the government.
• Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment (SJ&E) launched a 6-month CBID programme virtually in the presence of Union Minister of State, SJ&E, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar and others.
• The course for programme has been developed in collaboration with Melbourne University.
• Rehabilitation Council of India and University of Melbourne have co-designed the programme as a joint initiative under MoU signed between Government of Australia and the Government of India on 22nd November, 2018
• The program will apprise the parents/guardians about the nearest early intervention centres, and guide them for availing Government benefits for Divyangjan.
• The Rehabilitation Council of India and University of Melbourne have been working on this program for the last two years.
• The examinations for this programme will be conducted by National Board of Examination under the Rehabilitation Council of India.
• Pass-out candidates will be awarded certificates by National Board of Examination under the Rehabilitation Council of India.
• Rehabilitation Council of India aims to launch the course initially on a pilot basis for 2 batches in 7 National Institutes of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and 7-9 voluntary organisations.
• Rehabilitation Council of India was established as a registered society in 1986. In 1992, Parliament enacted RCI Act and RCI became a statutory body in June 1993. So, RCI is a statutory body.

Topic: Personality in News

6. K Rajanarayanan, renowned Tamil writer and novelist popularly known as Ki Ra, passed away at the age of 98.

• K Rajanarayanan, renowned Tamil writer and novelist popularly known as Ki Ra, passed away in Puducherry at the age of 98.
• He was a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi award. He won Sahitya Akademi award in 1991 for his novel 'Gopallapurathu Makkal'.
• K Rajanarayanan was well known for portraying the people and culture of ‘Karisal bhoomi’. Karisal Bhoomi refers to the hot and dry land of southern Tamil Nadu.

Topic: Personality in News

7. Former NSG chief J K Dutt passed away.

• Former National Security Guard (NSG) Director-General JK Dutt died at the age of 72.
• He had headed the National Security Guard (NSG) force during the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.
• He served as the Director-General of the National Security Guard (NSG) from August 2006 to February 2009.
• He also worked in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Industrial Security Force.
• He will be remembered for his leadership during the operation Black Tornado (Mumbai terror attack).

Topic: Indian Economy

8. Government changes Custom duty rule to boost trade facilitation.

• The Government has amended the Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty (IGCR) rules, 2017, to boost trade facilitation.
• The changes in these rules have been done by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
• Earlier, the importers who did not have in-house manufacturing capability doesn’t get the benefit of importing goods at concessional customs duty.
• According to the new rule, manufacturing industries without in-house manufacturing capability can import the goods at concessional customs duty.
• The new rule has allowed trade and industry to send imported goods out for ‘job work’. It has also allowed the import of capital goods at concessional customs duty.
• However, the new rules will not apply to gold, jewellery, precious stones, and metals industries.
• Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty (IGCR) rules, 2017: These rules are meant for importers who avail the benefit of concessional Customs duty on import of goods required for domestic production of goods or providing services.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Miscellaneous

9. GI certified Gholvad Sapota (chikoo) exported to United Kingdom.

• A consignment of Dahanu Gholvad Sapota (chikoo) has been exported to the United Kingdom from the Palghar district of Maharashtra.
• Dahanu Gholvad Sapota (chikoo) is a registered GI product in Maharashtra and it is famous for its sweet and unique taste.
• It is mainly grown in the 5000 hectares of land in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. Sapota is also grown in Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Karnataka is the highest producer of Sapota. It is followed by Maharashtra.
• Recently, GI certified Banganapalli & Survarnarekha mangoes of Andhra Pradesh were also exported to South Korea.

Topic: National News

10. Jharkhand clinched first position in implementing Smart City Mission schemes.

• Jharkhand has topped among all States and Union Territories in implementing Smart City Mission schemes.
• Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has released the ranking of states on the progress of the implementation of the Smart City Mission’s schemes.
• Rajasthan is in the second position in implementing smart city projects across the country.
• Delhi is in the 11^th position among States and Union Territories and New Delhi Municipal Corporation is on the 41^st spot in the ranking of 100 cities.

Topic: Appointments

11. Martha Koome is appointed as first woman Chief Justice of Kenya.

• Martha Koome has been appointed as Kenya’s first female chief justice. She is appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
• She contributed significantly to the constitutional and legal reforms of Kenya. She was also part of the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya.
• She has assumed the charge in the place of David Maraga.
• She was selected by the Judicial Service Commission among 10 candidates in April.
• She was appointed as Judge in 2003. She was a member of the African Union Committee on the Rights and Welfare of Children between 2005 to 2010.