Current Affairs Daily Digest – July 23 2020
1. Chhattisgarh govt launches “Godhan Nyay Yojna”
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel has launched “Godhan Nyay Yojna”. The scheme will help to promote cattle rearing, ensure the safety of livestock, help cattle ranchers earn extra income, help in tackling the problem of open grazing by stray cattle and encourage the use of organic fertilizers as well as boost rural economy among other things.
2. FamPay launches ‘numberless card’ for teenagers
India’s first Neobank for teenagers, FamPay has launched India’s first numberless card, “FamCard”. Teenagers can now use FamCard like a debit card to make payments independently, without asking parents for physical cash or their debit/credit card.
3. China launches its 1st independent mission to Mars
China has successfully launched “Tianwen-1” its first independent mission to Mars. A Long March 5 rocket carrying the spacecraft ignited at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China’s tropical Hainan province.
China had launched an orbiter destined for Mars on a Russian rocket in 2011, but the mission failed because the rocket malfunctioned.
4. PC Kandpal appointed as MD & CEO of SBI General Insurance
Prakash Chandra Kandpal has been appointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of the Non-life insurer SBI General Insurance. He is serving as the deputy CEO of SBI General Insurance since June 2019. He will replace Pushan Mahapatra who has been appointed as director (strategic investments & digital initiatives).
5. Sumit Deb appointed as new CMD of NMDC
Sumit Deb has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). Deb is presently serving as Director (Personnel) in the NMDC.
His tenure as the CMD of NMDC would be applicable till 28 February, 2023. He will succeed N Baijendra Kumar as the CMD of NMDC who will retire as CMD on 31st July 2020.
6. Govt sanctions permission for grant of permanent commission to women officers in Indian Army
The Central government has given the formal sanction letter for the grant of permanent commission to the women officers in the Indian Army. The step has paved the way for empowering them to carry larger roles in the organization.
Indian Army Spokesperson, Colonel Aman Anand informed that the order by the government specifies the grant of permanent commission Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers in all the ten streams of the Indian army.
7. IAF to procure HAMMER missiles under emergency acquisition powers
The Indian Air Force has decided to procure HAMMER missiles from France to further boost its combat capabilities. The order is currently being processed by the government under the emergency financial powers given to the armed forces amid the India-China border standoff.
8. Sahil Seth appointed as honorary adviser to BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Sahil Seth has been appointed an honorary adviser to the steering committee for the BRICS Chamber of Commerce (CCI) young leaders for the period of 2020-2023. He is a deputy Commissioner of Mumbai Customs.
9. Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant 3 achieves Criticality: PM Modi calls it trailblazer, Know Station Significance & Features
The Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant 3 (KAPP-3) in Gujarat has successfully achieved its ‘criticality’ at 9.36 am on July 22, 2020, around 25 years after last unit was commissioned. PM Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) on this achievement.
PM Modi described it as a “trailblazer” for such achievements in future and called it a pure example of ” Make in India” initiative.
10. India successfully test fires “Dhruvastra” anti-guided missiles
The trials of the helicopter launched Nag Missile (HELINA) were successful. The missile has now been renamed as “Dhruvastra”. Helina is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile mounted on Advanced Light Helicopter.
The missile system can engage targets in direct hit mode and attack mode. Also, the system has all-weather day and night capability, defeat battle tanks with conventional armour and explosive reactive armour.
11. Greta Thunberg is the winner of the first Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, awarded annually, in the amount of 1 million euros, aims to recognise people, groups of people and/or organisations from all over the world whose contributions to mitigation and adaptation to climate change stand out for its novelty, innovation and impact.
