Daily news 6 june 2020

National News

1. ‘#iCommit’ initiative launched on World Environment Day

Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh has launched the "#iCommit" initiative on the occasion of World Environment Day to create a robust and resilient energy system in the future by moving towards energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) will be responsible for driving the ‘#iCommit’ initiative in order to build a new energy future for India.

Banking News

2. HDFC Bank launches "Summer Treats" campaign

HDFC Bank has launched the "Summer Treats" campaign. It has been launched by the bank with the easing of the lockdown restrictions in order to provide offers to both merchants and, salaried and self-employed customers. Under this campaign, bank will offer no cost EMI and no down payment for large appliances. It will also offer discounts and cashbacks on select brands along with 50% extra reward points on online spend using credit cards.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Managing Director of HDFC Bank: Aditya Puri.

Appointments

3. Kushal Pal Singh retires as Chairman of DLF

After nearly six decades in business, Kushal Pal Singh retired as the Chairman of property firm Delhi Land & Finance Limited (DLF). He joined the DLF company in 1946 and took over as chairman of DLF on October 1, 1995. Rajiv Singh has been appointed as the new chairman of DLF while Kushal Pal Singh was made chairman emeritus.

Sports

4. India will host 2022 Women's Asian Cup

India has been awarded the hosting rights of the 2022 Women's Asian Cup by the Asian Football Confederation. As hosts, India will get an automatic qualification to the tournament. The decision of awarding India the hosting rights of 2022 Women's Asian Cup was taken at the AFC Women's Football Committee meeting.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• President of Asian Football Confederation: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
• President of All India Football Federation: Praful Patel.

Important Days

5. Russian Language Day celebrated on June 6

United Nations celebrates Russian Language Day every year on 6 June to raise awareness of the history, culture and development of each of the six official languages ​​of the UN: Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, English and French. Russian Language Day is celebrated on the birthday of the great Russian poet A.S. Pushkin.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Secretary-General of United Nations: António Guterres.

Obituaries News

6. Bollywood producer Anil Suri passes away

Bollywood producer Anil Suri passed away due to COVID-19. He was renowned for producing bollywood films such as Raaj Kumar-Rekha starrer Karmayogi and Raaj Tilak. In 1991, he also directed a movie titled "Begunaah starring Rajesh Khanna, Farah Naaz and Jeetendra.

7. Producer and songwriter Rupert Hine passes away

British Producer and songwriter Rupert Hine passed away. He began his career as a musician in folk band Rupert & David and also worked with other bands such as Quantum Jump and Spin 1ne 2wo. He was a dominant producer in the 1980s and 1990s. His renowned works that appeared on soundtracks for the films Better Off Dead, Golden Eye, The Fifth Element, etc.

Miscellaneous News

8. Information booklet “Safe online learning in the times of COVID-19” launched

The information booklet titled “Safe online learning in the times of COVID-19” has been launched. It has been developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and UNESCO New Delhi Office. It will play an important role in keeping children, young people safe online through basic do’s, and don’ts that will help parents and educators teach their children how to use the internet safely.

Check More GK Updates Here

Daily updates 3 june 2020

National News

1. Indian Energy Exchange launches "Real-Time Electricity Market"

The "Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM)" has been launched by the Indian Energy Exchange on its platform and it will be effective from 01st June 2020. RTM will facilitate the power utilities to reduce dependency on deviation framework and save on the huge penalties. It will aid the grid operators to improve the overall safety and security of the grid. It will help the utilities and system operators to forecast and schedule green energy in an effective way.

Economy News

2. Moody's Investors Service downgrades India's sovereign rating to 'Baa3'

The sovereign rating of India has been downgraded by the Moody's Investors Service from "Baa2" to "Baa3" citing the challenges faced by India in implementing the policies in order to reduce the risks of a sustained period of low growth and deteriorating fiscal position. "Baa3" is the lowest investment grade that is just a notch above the junk status. It has also expected contraction by 4% in the India's real GDP in fiscal 2021, due to the shock from the coronavirus pandemic as well as the related lockdown measures taken by India to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appointments

3. Raveesh Kumar becomes new Ambassador of India to Finland

Raveesh Kumar has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Finland. He is presently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry. He is an IFS officer of 1995 batch. He will replace Vani Rao as the next Ambassador of India to Finland.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Prime Minister of Finland: Sanna Marin; Capital: Helsinki.

4. Sushil Singhal appointed India's next High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

Sushil Kumar Singhal has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. He is presently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. He will replace Vijay Kumar as the next High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

5. Sibi George appointed India's next Ambassador to Kuwait

Sibi George has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait. He will replace K. Jeeva Sagar as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait. K. Jeeva Sagar assumed charge as Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait in January 2018.

6. Gaitri Kumar appointed India's next High Commissioner to UK

Gaitri I. Kumar has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. She is an IFS officer of 1986 batch and will replace Ruchi Ghanashyam as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom.

Science & Technology

7. DRDO creates disinfection unit named as "Ultra Swachh"

A disinfection unit named as "Ultra Swachh" has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to disinfect a wide range of materials such as electronics items, fabrics, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) etc. It has been developed in compliance with International Standards of Industrial, Occupational, Personal and Environmental Safety. It comprises of Ozonated Space Technology and uses the advanced oxidative process for disinfection process.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation: G Satheesh Reddy.
• Headquarters of Defence Research and Development Organisation: New Delhi.

Important Days

8. World Bicycle Day celebrated on 3rd June

United Nations celebrates World Bicycle Day every year on 3rd June to advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development. The day is being observed every year to encourage member nations to give particular attention to the bicycle in cross-cutting development strategies and to improve road safety and integrate it into sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure planning and design.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Secretary-General of United Nations: António Guterres.

Obituaries News

9. Former Union Minister & social worker P Namgyal passes away

Former Union Minister and three-time Congress MP from Ladakh, P Namgyal passes away. He has served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Surface Transport and Chemicals and Petro chemicals. He was the member of the then Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council from 1960-73 and then from 1974-80, and later served as the union deputy minister in the Central Government between 1988-89.

10. Archery coach Jayantilal Nanoma passes away

Former International Archer turned coach Jayantilal Nanoma passed away. He was an Asian Cup and Asian Grand Prix medallist in compound individual and team archery in 2010. After becoming archery coach, he produced several national and international level archers from Rajasthan, and also worked as a coach of Indian team in various overseas competitions.

Daily updates 6 june 2020

National News

1. GoI starts SWADES scheme for skill mapping of overseas citizens

The government of India has launched a new initiative ‘SWADES’(Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the Indian citizens returning from overseas under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’. This initiative aims to make a database of qualified citizens supported their skillsets and knowledge to tap into and fulfil the demand of Indian and foreign companies.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Mahendra Nath Pandey.
• Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation: Hardeep Singh Puri.
• Minister of External Affairs: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Appointments

2. V N Datt becomes new CMD of National Fertilizers Limited

National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) Marketing Director, Virendra Nath Datt has taken additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director of the Company. He will replace Manoj Mishra.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Headquarters of National Fertilizers Limited: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• National Fertilizers Limited established: 1 September 1979.

3. Krishnendu Majumdar becomes new chairman of BAFTA

Emmy-winning television producer, Krishnendu Majumdar becomes the new chairman of British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). He is the first person of colour to be named as the chairperson of BAFTA in its 73 year-long histories of BAFTA. He will replace Pippa Harris. Harris will now continue as deputy chairperson.

4. Twitter appoints ex-Google CFO as new board chairman

Twitter has appointed ex-Google chief financial officer (CFO), Patrick Pichette as new board chairman. He will replace Omid Kordestani. Pichette joined Twitter’s board of directors in 2017 and had been a lead independent director since the end of 2018. Prior to this, he served as Google’s CFO from 2008 until 2015. It is the first time in Twitter’s history that an outsider will preside over the group.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Executive Officer of Twitter: Jack Dorsey.
• Twitter formed: 21 March 2006.
• Headquarters of Twitter: San Francisco, California, United States.

5. Uday Kotak takes over as President of CII

MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak has taken over as the President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the year 2020-21. He has replaced the chairman and MD of Kirloskar Systems, Vikram Kirloskar as the President of CII.

6. Subramanian Sundar's tenure as LVB CEO extended by 6 months

The tenure of Subramanian Sundar as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lakshmi Vilas Bank has been extended after the approval from the Reserve Bank of India. His tenure has been extended for a period of 6 months i.e. till 30th November 2020 or till the appointment of the new CEO, whichever is earlier.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikanta Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

Awards

7. World No Tobacco Day 2020 awards announced

World No Tobacco Day Award 2020 has announced. Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. This recognition takes the form of WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards.

To read the the complete list of winner: Click here

Schemes and Committees

8. MoHUA launches PM SVANidhi scheme

"PM SVANidhi" is a Special Micro-Credit Facility Scheme that has been launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Street vendors will be provided affordable loans under the PM Street Vendor's Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, hence enabling them to resume work and earn livelihoods. The scheme is expected to benefit over 50 lakh people including hawkers, thelewalas, vendors, rehriwala etc.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs: Hardeep Singh Puri.

9. GoI launches KCC campaign for 1.5 crore Dairy Farmers

The Government of India has launched Kisan Credit Card (KCC) campaign for 1.5 crore Dairy Farmers. Under this campaign, GoI will provide Kisan Credit Card to 1.5 crore dairy farmers within the next two months i.e. from 1st June to 31st July 2020. KCC will be provided to those Dairy Farmers who belongs to the Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies.

To read the the complete list of winner: Click here

Books and Authors

10. "One Year of Modi 2.0" e-booklet released by I&B Ministry

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has released an e-booklet called ‘One Year of Modi 2.0 – Towards A Self-Reliant India’. The e-booklet highlights the achievements of the Modi government during its second term. This marks the first anniversary of the second term of the government.

Important Days

11. International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression: 4 June

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed globally on 4th June every year. This day affirms the UN's commitment to guard the rights of children. This day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the planet who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. The main aim of celebrating today is to spread the notice about the pain and sufferings faced by the victims as children.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Secretary-General of the United Nations: António Guterres.

Obituaries

12. NBA hall of famer Wes Unseld passes away

National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Wes Unseld passed away. He was one of the greatest American professional basketball player. He led his franchise ‘Washington Wizards’ ( then Baltimore Bullets) to the NBA Championship in 1978. He played for Washington Wizards throughout his entire 13-season playing career and also worked for as a coach and general manager. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

13. Legendary Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee passes away

Legendary Filmmaker & the National Film Award winner Basu Chatterjee passed away. He was known for his middle-of-the-road cinema and films like “Chhoti Si Baat” and “Rajnigandha”. He also directed two hit TV serials namely "Byomkesh Bakshi" and "Rajani".

Miscellaneous

14. Delhi Government launches mobile application “Delhi Corona”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched a mobile application “Delhi Corona”. The mobile application will provide information to the people of Delhi about the availability of the beds and ventilators in government as well as private hospitals in Delhi. Hence, the mobile application “Delhi Corona” will enable people to check hospital-wise beds and ventilators available for COVID-19 patients.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal.
• Lieutenant Governor of Delhi: Anil Baijal.