Daily Current Affairs and GK | 28 August 2020

1. Financial Inclusion Program, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, completes six years.

• On 28 August 2020, the financial inclusion program Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PM-JAY) has completed six years.
• Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana (PM-JAY):
  • The scheme was launched on 28 August 2014.
  • The objective of this program is to provide universal access to banking facilities to the people in the country.
  • More than 40 crore 35 lakh bank accounts have been opened under this scheme and one lakh 31 thousand crore has been deposited in these accounts.
  • Around eight crore PMJDY account holders are receiving direct benefit transfer from the government under various schemes.

(Source: News on AIR)

2. ASEAN-India Business Council meeting concluded through virtual mode.

• Recently the ASEAN-India Business Council meeting was concluded through virtual channels.
• Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on behalf of India addressed the meeting.
• He emphasized cooperation, commitment and strategic partnership between India and ASEAN countries.
• Piyush Goyal called for cooperation and friendship for the ASEAN region.
• Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN):
  • There is a regional intergovernmental organization, which promotes intergovernmental and economic cooperation.
  • It includes 10 countries in Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos.
  • It is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • It was established on 8 August 1967.

(Source: News on AIR)

3. Government approved 78 new routes under the UDAN scheme.

• Recently, the government has approved 78 new routes under the regional connectivity scheme- UDAN.
• These new routes give priority to the mountainous regions of the North-East, the hill states and the islands.
• Of these 29 approved airports, eight are closed and two are under-served.
• So far, a total of 766 routes have been approved by the Ministry under this scheme.
• Out of them, 274 flight routes have been commissioned, involving 45 airports and three heliports.
• UDAN Scheme:
  • Full form of UDAN is Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.
  • The scheme was launched in April 2017 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  • It is a flagship scheme of the central government, which was launched with the objective of connecting regional routes, promoting balanced regional development and making flights affordable for the common people.
  • The Udan scheme is a major component of the National Civil Aviation Policy, which was launched in June 2016.

(Source: News on AIR)

4. Minister of State in the PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, reviewed the comprehensive Mansar Rejuvenation and Development Plan.

• Recently in the PMO, Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the comprehensive Mansar Rejuvenation and Development Plan.
• Processes were initiated for the development, rejuvenation and beautification of Mansar Wetlands.
• The objective of this scheme is to increase the number of tourists and promote the socio-economic development of the Jammu region.
• The plan includes the goal of increasing the annual tourist footfall to twenty lakhs with the upgrade of existing facilities and the development of new projects.
• After the project is completed, the local economy will get a boost, opening up employment opportunities for local youth, especially in the tourism and hospitality sector.
• The proposed plan in the area also includes a Birds Galary and Birds Watchers Lodge.
• Mansar Lake:
  • The official name of Mansar Lake is Surinsar-Mansar Lake.
  • It is located at a distance of 62 km from Jammu.
  • Surinsar-Mansar Lake was designated as Ramsar Convention in November 2005.

(Source: News on AIR)

5. 18^th meeting of the Executive Mechanism was held to discuss and coordinate the boundary matters between India and China.

• Recently India and China held the 18^th meeting of the Executive Mechanism to discuss and coordinate the border matters of the two countries.
• Discussion held during this meeting-
  • An open mind and in-depth thoughts about the current situation on the border were exchanged.
  • Both sides reiterated their commitment to work honestly to repel their troops completely along the Line of Actual Control.
  • Both sides said that they would have to redeploy troops at regular checkpoints in their respective areas to withdraw troops completely.
  • In the last meeting, both sides had agreed to expeditiously resolve other issues in line with the existing agreements and protocols.
• The violent confrontation between the army of India and China in the middle of June this year has further deepened the dispute of border matters of both countries.
• However, discussions on the boundary dispute have been going on between the two countries for a long time.

(Source: News on AIR)

6. Hurricane Laura collides with the Louisiana state of USA.

• Hurricane Laura has recently collided with the Louisiana state of USA.
• It is one of the most powerful storms in the United States.
• Due to this, at least six people have died and heavy losses have occurred in Louisiana.
• Hurricane:
  • It is a tropical cyclone that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
  • These originate on the warm sea surface (25-27°C) near the equator.
  • The storm usually occurs between 5° and 15° latitude north and south of the equator.
  • Tropical cyclones are called willy-willy in Australia and cyclones in India, typhoons in China and Japan.

(Source: News on AIR)

7. 300-bed COVID Hospital inaugurated in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Recently Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated the 300-bed COVID Hospital in Gonda district.
• Gonda’s hospital will benefit millions of people in the eastern region of the state.
• It is the second such dedicated COVID dedicated hospital in the state after COVID Hospital with 400 beds in Noida, which has ultra-modern facilities.
• Noida COVID Hospital is providing health facilities to the people in the western part of the state.
• The government has directed the officials to ensure that 48 hours of oxygen backup is compulsorily maintained in COVID hospitals.

(Source: News on AIR)

8. Assam Skill Development University Bill approved.

• Recently the Assam Council of Ministers approved the Assam Skill Development University Bill.
• Through this bill, a skilled university will be established in Mangaldoi at a cost of Rs 900 crore.
• Also, at the meeting, the maximum age limit of 40 years for applying for Group 3 and Group 4 in state government jobs has been set.
• Recently, the Government of Assam has also approved the Financial Assistance scheme-  Arunodoi Scheme.
• Assam:
  • It is a northeastern state of India.
  • It is known for wildlife, archaeological sites and tea gardens.
  • The state capital is Dispur.
  • Chief Minister is Sarbananda Sonowal and Governor is Jagdish Mukhi.
  • The state of Assam has 14 Lok Sabha and 126 Vidhan Sabha seats.

(Source: News on AIR)

9. Veteran Assamese singer Archana Mahanta passed away.

• Recently Veteran Assamese singer Archana Mahanta passed away.
• Archana was the widow of the famous singer Khagen Mahanta, who was known as the king of Bihu.
• She was the mother of popular Bollywood singer Papon Mahanta.
• Along with her husband, Mahanta has played an important role in popularizing Assamese folk music.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah, State Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal have mourned her death.

(Source: Indian Express)

10. Grape cultivation and food processing are being adopted in Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu under the One district One crop scheme.

• Under the One District One crop scheme, grape cultivation and food processing are being adopted in the Ariyalur district near Trichy in Tamil Nadu.
• Presently, more than 25,000 acres of land is being used in various panchayats of the district for grape cultivation and planting of vineyards.
• One district One crop scheme:
  • One district One crop scheme or one district one product scheme (ODOP) is part of the self-reliance initiative of the central government.
  • The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
  • The objective of ODOP is to help farmers to cope with market conditions, including extreme price fluctuations.
  • The scheme is applicable to processing industries in food parks set up by both the central and state governments.

(Source: News on AIR)

11. Inauguration of Kerala’s first marine ambulance Pratheeksha.

• Recently Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated Pratheeksha, the first marine ambulance acquired by the fisheries department of the state.
• Along with this, two other ambulances Prathyasha and Karunya, were also launched.
• Pratheeksha will be stationed at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, Prathyasha and Karunya will be stationed at Wipen and Bypore in Kozhikode.
• The waiting sea ambulance, which is 23 meters in length and 5.5 meters in width, can move at a speed of 14 knots per hour.
• It will be used to save fishermen stranded in the sea.
• These boats have the facility to provide medical assistance to 10 people at a time.
• It will also help in providing first aid to rescued fishermen and transfer them to shore as soon as possible.
• The Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation will appoint trained technical staff in the boats.

(Source: News on AIR)

12. Two-day World Urdu Conference inaugurated in New Delhi.

• The two-day World Urdu Conference was inaugurated on 27 August in New Delhi.
• The Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank addressed this inaugural session.
• The conference is organized by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL).
• Urdu is not only the language of the overall culture and interpersonal bonds but also of humanity, heart and soul.
• The Education Minister also made an important announcement on the occasion that from next year Prizes and honors will be awarded in the name of important Urdu personalities like Amir Khusro, Mirza Ghalib, Aga Hashar, Ram Babu Saxena and Daya Shankar to promote Urdu.
•  These awards will be given by Urdu Council to Urdu writers and litterateurs.
• National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL):
  • There is an autonomous regulatory body in the Government of India.
  • It is an institution functioning under the Ministry of Education, Department of Secondary and Higher Education, Government of India.
  • It is the institution responsible for the upgrading of the Urdu language in India.
  • It was established on 1 April 1996.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.