Daily GK Update: 16th May 2020

National Affairs

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda has launched “GOAL: Going Online As Leaders: programme to provide mentorship to tribal youth through digital means.
The programme is launched in partnership with Facebook at a Webinar in New Delhi.
The programme will help to provide skill and empower 5,000 tribal youths connecting them with the domestic and international markets.
The candidates who want to join can apply at “tribal.gov.in” till July 3 2020.

National Affairs

Government under the aegis of Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Promotion Development Authority (Apeda) has set up “Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF)”
REPF is framed to provide impetus to rice exports.
Rice is the largest commodity in agri-export basket of India.
REPF will facilitate, support, and provide solutions to the producers, exporters and stakeholders of rice increasing the export in the global market.

Defense

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has commissioned 105-metre-long indigenously made ICGS Sachet.
ICGS Sachet is the first in the 5 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) series built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
It will carry twin-engine helicopter, 4 high speed boats and 1 inflatable boat for swift boarding and search & rescue operations and can have a speed of 26 Knots with 6.000 nautical miles endurance.

International Affairs

Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genoa has developed a bracelet titled ‘iFeel-You’ bracelet for social distancing.
It has been developed to safeguard people against the coronavirus after lockdown is being lifted.
‘iFeel-You’ bracelet uses radio signal when another bracelet is approaching.
It does not use GPS that makes it unable to keep track of user locations.
It is exclusively built to keep a track on social distancing rules.

State Affairs

Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to provide 50% subsidy on PPE kits.
The subsidy will be given to the healthcare centre who will treat patients on the rates decided under Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Government will also extend the registration for hospitals registered under Ayushman Bharat for 6 months.

Sports

Babar Azam (25-years) has been appointed as the captain of Pakistan ODI cricket team replacing Sarfraz Ahmed by Pakistan Cricket Board.
Now, he will lead Pakistan's limited-overs side (ODI) in the 2020-21 season
However, Azhar Ali will remain the Pakistan cricket test captain.

International Affairs

Slovenia became the 1st European nation to declare an end to coronavirus outbreak.
It is all set to give relaxation for the imposed restrictions including border reopening with social distancing measures.
With 2 million people bordered with Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, Slovenia has reported 1,464 cases and 103 deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It has reported only 35 cases of COVID-19 for the past two weeks.

Obituaries

Veteran Sahitya Akademi winning Bengali author Debesh Roy (84 years) passes away.
He was Honoured with Sahitya Akademi award for his novel ‘Teesta Parer Brittanto’.
His famous works include Jajati, Borisaler Jogen Mondal, Manush Khun Kore Keno, and Samay Asamayer Brittanto.
He lives in Kolkata, West Bengal.

State Affairs

Gujarat Government has launched Atmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana to provide credits to small businessmen.
Under the scheme, all the urban & district cooperative banks and credit societies will provide Rs 1 lakh collateral free loan to small entrepreneurs and businessmen at 2% interest rate for 3 years.
The government will give Rs 5,000 crore.
Also, moratorium on payment of principal cost and interest for the first six months will be given by the govt on the loans.

National Affairs

Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launches print as well as e-editions of the set of seven books under the corona studies series published by NBT India.
The 7 set is titled as "Psycho-Social impact of pandemic & lockdown and how to Cope With".
The Corona Studies Series has been framed to document and provide relevant reading materials for all age-groups for the post-Corona readership needs.
The set has been launched to guide people for mental well-being.

National Affairs

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the 3rd tranche of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” dedicated to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing Sectors.
Under this, Rs 1 lakh crore for infrastructure to farmers; Rs 10,000 crore scheme for Micro Food Enterprises (MFE), and Rs 20,000 crore for Fishermen through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana will be infused.
Operation Green will be extended to all the fruits and vegetables from now.