Current Affairs Daily Digest – June 27 2020
1. KVIC launched Sandalwood and Bamboo plantation to stir up monetization of its assets
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched Sandalwood and Bamboo plantation to spur monetization of its assets. The first of its kind initiative began with a drive with plantation of 500 saplings each of sandalwood and bamboo at its Nashik training center spread over 262 acres of land. The plantation ceremony was launched through video-conference by KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena.
2. 27th June: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day
The United Nations on 6th April 2017 has adopted a resolution as per which 27th June to be observed every year as the day of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The day was first observed in 2017, this year marks the 4th MSME Day.
As per the International Council for Small Business data, MSMEs on average contribute 50 percent in the GDP and generate 70 percent employment in an economy.
3. NASA’s headquarter building named after ‘Mary W.Jackson’
NASA has named it’s headquarter building at Washington D.C after its first African American Female Engineer Mary W.Jackson. The announcement was made on 24th June 2020 by the Administrator of NASA. The story of success of Mary W.Jackson was shown in the 2016 biographical drama Hidden Figures.
Mary W.Jackson
Mary W. Jackson started her professional career as a research mathematician at the Langley Research Centre of NASA. Later she was promoted to become the first African American female engineer at NASA.
4. Vini Mahajan become the First Woman Chief Secretary of Punjab
1987 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) batch officer Vini Mahajan became the Chief Secretary of Punjab on 26th June 2020. With this, she became the First Woman to hold the position of Chief Secretary in Punjab. She replaced Karan Avtar Singh who took over as Special Chief Secretary for Governance Reforms.
5. Indigenously Developed Torpedo Decoy System Inducted by Indian Navy
The Indian Navy has inducted an Indigenously developed Maareech capable Advanced Torpedo Decoy System on 26th June 2020. The induction has provided a huge boost to the Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities.
What is Torpedo Defence System? A Torpedo is a self-propelled underwater missile that can be launched from a surface vessel, submarine, and airplane. During a Torpedo attack, the Torpedo Defence System helps in detecting a torpedo and further applying countermeasures that are required for the protection of the naval platform.
6. Cleared of Doping Charges, K. Sanjita Chanu to receive Arjuna Award
Secretary of Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) has informed on 25th June 2020 that K. Sanjita Chanu will receive the Arjuna Award for 2018. The two time Commonwealth Games Gold medalist was cleared of doping charges earlier this month by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). The Secretary of IWF has also informed that the Sports Ministry has confirmed that K. Sanjita Chanu will be awarded Arjuna Award for 2018.
7. ‘At One Click’ Initiative launched by Gujarat Government for MSMEs & Other Bigger Industries
For 12,247 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and bigger industrial units (including the textile industry) in the state, the Gujarat Government on 26th June 2020 has launched an online cash aid initiative. The initiative is named as ‘At One Click’. The initiative was launched by the Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani.
8. Clare Connor set to become first female MCC president
Former England captain Clare Connor is set to become the first-ever female president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in its 233-year history.
The announcement was made following an annual general meeting, 24 June, held online. The former England all-rounder featured in 111 internationals, scoring 1,604 runs and taking 104 wickets across formats. She was named the captain of her side in 2000 and held the position until her retirement from international cricket in 2006. She also led her side to a historic Ashes win in 2005.
9. Delhi govt starts Sero Survey of 20,000 people
The Serological Survey in Delhi starts from June 27, 2020. The survey will be conducted on as many as 20,000 households in Delhi on a random basis. It will also include individuals below 18 years of age.
10. Max Life at Rank 24 is the only life insurance company to be amongst India’s top 100 great places to work
Max Life Insurance Company Ltd, announced that it has been ranked 24th amongst India’s Top 100 Great Places to Work. The annual survey is the benchmark when it comes to ranking India’s best employers with participation from over 1000 companies. Of this, 83 companies were from the BFSI sector this year by Great Place to Work Institute (“GPTW”) in its 2020 study.
11. Sansad Ratna Award for Srikakulam MP K Ram Mohan Naidu
Srikakulam TDP MP K Ram Mohan Naidu has created a record as he is the youngest MP to be honoured with Sansad Ratna Award 2020. Ram Mohan Naidu has been nominated for the ‘Jury Committee Special Award’ for his overall qualitative performance and individual efforts.
12. BLR becomes India’s 1st airport to install AWMS technology on runway
The Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL), which operated the Kempegowda International Airport becomes the 1st airport in India, who installed an indigenously-developed Aviation Weather Monitoring System at its new runway on both ends. This new AWMS technology developed by Bengaluru-based CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
13. India slips down at 77th place in accounting money in Swiss banks
Swiss National Bank (SNB) has released ‘Annual banking statistics, 2019’. According to the latest SNB data, India has moved down three places to 77th rank in terms of money parked by its citizens. However, many neighbouring countries are below India in the list. Among them, Pakistan is ranked 99th, Bangladesh 85th, Nepal 118th, Sri Lanka 148th, Myanmar 186th and Bhutan 196th.
14. Jitendra Singh inaugurates Devika and Puneja Bridges in J&K
Union Minister Jitendra Singh has inaugurated two bridges Devika and Puneja at Udhampur and Doda districts respectively in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bridge on River Devika in Udhampur has been completed by Border Roads Organisation within fifteen months time. The Puneja Bridge was also constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 36 months.
