Current Affairs Daily Digest – July 11 2020
1. Exceptional Operational Efficiency from NTPC Singrauli
NTPC Singrauli Unit 1, the oldest NTPC unit has emerged as the country’s top-performing unit in the first quarter of the financial year, according to data released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The station’s first unit began generating on 13 February 1982 and continues to serve the country with exceptional results.
2. National Fish Farmers Day 2020 Obseved on 10th July
India celebrates 10th July every year as the “National Fish Farmers Day” to honor the fish farmers, aquapreneurs& fisher folks in recognition of their accomplishments in the field and their contribution in the growth of the fisheries sector in the country. This year it was 63rd National Fish Farmer’s Day.
On July 10th, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in association with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) hosted a webinar on the occasion of National Fish Farmers Day.
3. ‘Itolizumab’ Injection gets DCGI Approval for Treatment of Moderate to Serve ARDS Patients
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval to ‘Itolizumab’ injection for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with restricted emergency use only in case of moderate to severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) patients. DCGI has made it clear that written informed consent of the patient will be required by the authorities before administrating the Itolizumab injection.
4. AI-based ASEEM Digital Platform Launched To Bridge the Demand-Supply Gap of the Skilled Workforce
To bridge the demand-supply gap in the market across all the sectors in the country for the skilled workforce, on 10th July 2020, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based digital portal was launched that will address the same by improving the information flow.
The name of the digital portal is ‘Aatamanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASSEM)’. The portal is launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
5. 11th July: World Population Day
Inspired by the ‘The Day of Five Billion (observed on 11th July 1987 as an approximate day when the world population crossed 5 billion)’, the World Population Day was established in 1989 as an initiative taken by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and was observed first on 11th July 1989.
6. Indian-American Parag Chitnis appointed as top US agriculture firm’s Acting Director
Indian American scientist, Dr Parag Chitnis has been appointed as the Acting Director of top US agriculture research firm, the prestigious National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The NIFA is the main driver of all federally funded agricultural research in the United States.
Parag Chitnis was named Associate Director for Programmes earlier this year. He leads the implementation of many of NIFA’s approximately USD 1.7 billion worth research projects.
7. Indian battalion wins UNIFIL environment award
Indian battalion (INDBATT) has stationed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has won an environment award for a project that aims to decrease waste generation, reuse plastic, build greenhouses and compost pits.
The second-place award was shared by the Mission’s Sector West Headquarters for the Sector West Infrastructure Management Centre (IMC) for the generation of compost from food waste and Irish-Polish Battalion (IRISHPOLBATT) for its project in supporting the host communities by reducing the environmental hazards.
8. Himachal’s Nadaun police station among best in country
Nadaun Police Station, Himachal Pradesh has been ranked as one of the best Police Stations of the country and the best Police Station of the State. Nadaun Police Station is situated at Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh.
The Certificate of Excellence was provided to this Police Station by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The ranking of police stations is carried out by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and the same was released by the Union Home Minister in a ceremony during DGPs Conference, recently.
9. Manipur’s Gyanendro Ningombam becomes new Hockey India president
Manipur’s, Gyanendro Ningombam named as the new Officiating President of Hockey India. He will replace Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad. This was following the resignation letter of Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad received by Hockey India on 7 July 2020 due to his personal and family commitments.
Ningombam has been associated with Manipur Hockey and has impressed with his work at the grassroots level. He also served as the editor of Meeyam, an evening daily in Manipur. He had served as the Chief Executive Officer of Manipur Hockey between 2009 to 2014.
10. Google Plus relaunched by Google as “Google Currents”
“Google+” a social networking platform of internet search giant “Google” has been rebranded as “Google Currents”. Google Currents is a platform which enables its users to connect with their colleagues, exchange documents and interact with like-minded people who have similar interests. It also helps the users to track what is happening in other departments across the organisation. Presently, the app is only available for the G Suite customers.
11. ADB, IEA Renew Collaborative Agreement on Energy Sector Sustainability
ADB has renewed an MOU with IEA to scale up collaboration and advance progress on sustainability with an increased focus on energy sector resilience in APAC.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that it has renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to scale up collaboration and advance progress on sustainability with an increased focus on energy sector resilience in Asia and the Pacific.
