Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 31 2020
1. World No-Tobacco Day is observed on 31 May every year
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed on 31 May across the world. The World No Tobacco Day is observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners every year. The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure.
It encourages a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe. It draws attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects.
2020 Theme:
The theme for 2020 Anti-tobacco Day “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use”.
2. Kerala to launch free internet project K-FON in December
The Kerala State government has announced the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project will be commissioned by December 2020. The project aims to provide free internet access to the poor in the State. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the decision after a meeting with the heads of companies of the consortium.
3. Meeting of the Heads of Tax Authorities of the BRICS countries was held on 29 May
Meeting of the Heads of Tax Authorities of the BRICS countries was held on 29 May 2020. The BRICS Countries that participated in the meeting are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. The meeting was hosted by the Federal Tax Service of Russia, which currently holds the BRICS Presidency. Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Finance Secretary, Government of India, represented India at the meeting.
4. 29 May: International Everest Day observed
The International Everest Day is observed every year on 29 May. The day is celebrated with processions, memorial events, and special events in Kathmandu, Nepal and the Everest region.
The day is observed every year in memory of the first summit of Mt. Everest on 29 May 1953 undertaken by Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal who became first humans to achieve the feat.
5. Goa celebrates Statehood Day
Goa celebrated its Statehood Day. Goa was the 25th state to join the union of India. As India gained independence on August 15, 1947, India requested the Portugese to cede their territories. However, Portuguese refused. In 1961, Indian Government launched Operation Vijay and annexed Daman and Diu, islands and Goa with the Indian mainland.
6. India invites bid for One Sun One World One Grid to take on China’s Belt and Road Initiative
India has moved ahead with threading-the-needle for an ambitious global electricity grid, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government calling for bids to roll-out the “One Sun One World One Grid” (OSOWOG) plan.
The pre-bid meeting called on 5 June by ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), comes at a time of the coronavirus pandemic giving India the opportunity to be seen as taking a lead in evolving global strategies.
7. BBB recommends Ashwini Bhatia for post of State Bank of India MD
The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) recommended names of Ashwini Bhatia, M V Rao and P P Sengupta for the post of managing director of three state-owned lenders — State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, and Indian Overseas Bank, respectively.
Bhatia is currently serving as deputy managing director (DMD) at SBI, while Rao is executive director with Canara Bank.
8. Stefan Manegold wins 2020 SIGMOD Contributions Award
CWI researcher Stefan Manegold has been awarded the 2020 SIGMOD Contributions Award. The award recognizes his innovative work in the data management community to encourage scientific reproducibility. Manegold was one of the leading pioneers in encouraging reproducibility in data management.
9. Delhi-based NGO wins WHO award
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the WHO selects organisations and individuals from its six regions every year for their exceptional contribution in the field of tobacco control. The SEEDS is among the three awardees selected from the South-East Asia Region.
10. GoI approves Rs 445 crores for Chhattisgarh under Jal Jeevan Mission
On May 29, 2020, the Union Government approved Rs 445 crores under Jal Jeevan Mission for Chhattisgarh for the year 2020-21. The Funds will be used to help Chhattisgarh achieve its mission of providing tap water connection to all the households in the state by 2023-24.
