Current Affairs Daily Digest – July 21 2020
1. Hope: UAE launched first Mars Mission
The United Arab Emirates launched the first ever mission to the red planet, Mars. The spacecraft is to arrive Mars in February 2021.
The satellite “Hope” is to be placed in orbit between 20,000 and 43,000 kilometres above the surface of mars. The satellite will complete its orbit once in 55 hours inclined at an angle of 25 degrees.
2. July 20: Space Exploration Day
Every year on July 20, the Space Exploration Day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of man’s first historic landing on the moon.
Neil Armstrong and Edwin Buzz became the first humans to land on moon’s surface. The Armstrong-Aldrin duo spent 21.5 hours on the surface of the moon. Also, they spent 2.5 hours outside of their capsules. The day is mainly celebrated in the United States.
3. International Trade Union Confederation: India ranked among 10 worst countries for working people
The International Trade Union Confederation released it ranking of 144 countries on degree of respect for workers’ rights Unfortunately, India was among the least performing 10 countries in the list.
The other least performing countries include Brazil, Bangladesh, Columbia, Kazakhstan, Honduras, Philippines, Egypt, Zimbabwe and Turkey.
4. Tamil Nadu Government signs 8 MoUs of Rs 10,399 crores
The Tamil Nadu State Government signed eight new Memorandum of Understanding of Rs 10,399 crores. The MoUs will bring investments in the areas of solar cells, agrotech, iron foundry and module manufacturing.
In order to monitor the projects, the state government is to setup a Special Investment Promotion Task Force. The chief Secretary of the state is to chair the task force.
5. A book titled “Suraj Kade Marda Nahi” authored by Baldev Singh Sadaknama
Sahitya Akademi Award winner, Baldev Singh Sadaknama has authored a book ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (sun never dies). The book portrays many aspects of freedom fighter Udham Singh.
The book is published by Unistarbooks. The book has been released and will be formally launched on July 31, 2020. Udham Singh 80th death anniversary will fall on July 31, 2020.
6. Delhi Cabinet approves “Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana”
Delhi Cabinet has approved ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana’, which will be launched in six to seven months and will be linked to Centre’s ‘one nation, one ration card’ scheme. The scheme will help the beneficiaries get ration delivered at home. They will not have to come to the ration shops.
7. Veteran Odia Actor Bijay Mohanty passes away
Veteran Odia Actor, Bijay Mohanty passed away. He started his career with theatre as a performer and directed many plays before venturing into movies. His performance in his debut film, Chilika Tire, earned him several accolades including the National Film Award.
8. India’s first public EV Charging Plaza inaugurated in Delhi
India’s first public EV (Electric Vehicle) charging plaza has been inaugurated by the Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy, R.K Singh at Chelmsford Club in New Delhi.
The public EV Charging Plaza has been established by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in collaboration with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to make e-mobility ubiquitous and convenient in India.
9. Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon dies at 85
Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon passed away at the age of 85. His son, Ashutosh Tandon, announced his death on Twitter with the message “babuji nahi rahe (my father has passed away)”.
10. Zoram Mega food park launched in Mizoram, 5,000 jobs to be created
The Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated a mega food park in Mizoram on July 21, 2020 that will benefit around 25,000 farmers and generate around 5,000 job opportunities.
The Minister virtually inaugurated the park in the presence of Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Rameswar Tel and DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh and other senior Ministers of Mizoram.
