Current Affairs July 24 2019

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launched 12th Edition of the Global Innovation Index for the year 2019
On July 24, 2019, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Piyush Goyal launched the 12^th Edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII) for the year 2019 in New Delhi. The theme of the 2019 GII is “Creating Healthy Lives – The Future of Medical Innovation”. The index tracks innovation in government policies and industry practices.

• The event was co-hosted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

• India was ranked 52^nd in 2019 with the score 36.58 out of 100 from 57^th position in 2018…………………………………..Click here to Read more

State-wise target to install solar rooftop Systems by 2022
The central government has urged all the states for rooftop solar systems installation by 2022 in order to achieve its 40,000 MW (40GW) target. In-charge for this grid-connected solar program will be the Solar Energy Corporation of India(SECI), The state distribution companies (discom) and the state nodal agencies.
SECI
♦ It is a company of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Government of India established to facilitate the implementation of the National Solar Mission
♦ Headquarters-  New Delhi
♦ Founded- 9 September 2011.

International shark meet held in Kochi, Kerala at CMFRI
Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as well as researchers on shark trade, are attending the 4-day International Shark Meet at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CFRMI).
i. The meet is jointly organised by FAO and CFRMI.
Key points
The aim of this meeting is to bring the scientific community to describe various methods being used and adopted in research work on sharks and rays.
CFRMI
♦ The main vision of CFRMI is to enhance coastal fish production through mariculture.
♦ Headquarters- Kochi
♦ Director- Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan
♦ Founded- 1947
FAO
♦ It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads International efforts to defeat hunger.
♦ Headquarters- Rome, Italy
♦ Founded– 16 October 1945, Quebec city,Canada
♦ Head- josé Graziano Da Silva.

BANKING & FINANCE

IMF lowers India’s growth forecast for 2019-20 to 7% from 7.3%
On July 23, 2019, According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s latest update on World Economic Outlook (WEO) report 2019, India’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth expected to grow by 7% in 2019 (FY-Fiscal Year 2020) and 7.2% in 2020 (FY21).Key points:
i. Scaling Down:  It cuts its forecast for FY20 to 7% from 7.3%, that had predicted in April 2019 & for FY21 to 7.2% from the previous estimate of 7.5%. It scales down its outlook for both the years due to a broad-based slowdown in consumption and investment demand in India.
ii. Similar forecasts:  The growth forecast is in line with those made by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Economic Survey of the finance ministry, and the Asian Development Bank outlook.
iii. Global growth: IMF also cuts global growth projection by 10bps (Basis point) to 3.2% for 2019 and 3.5 percent in 2020 due to US (United States) tariff sanctions, Brexit related uncertainty.
It also stated that multilateral and national policy actions are important to place global growth on a stronger footing.
iv. WB rating: World Bank(WB) projected India’s GDP growth rate remained at 7.5 percent for the next three financial year.
About IMF:
♦ Formation: 27 December 1945
♦ Headquarters: Washington, D.C. U.S
♦ Acting Managing Director (MD): David Lipton
♦ Chief Economist: Gita Gopinath

RBI launches a medium-term strategy framework “Utkarsh 2022”
On July 23, 2019, India’s central banking institution, Reserve Bank of India(RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das launched “Utkarsh 2022”, central bank’s medium-term strategy framework (2019-22), in line with evolving macroeconomic environment. Key points:
i. It has launched the framework to achieve excellence in the performance of statutory and other functions, strengthening the trust of citizens and other institutions in the RBI, enhanced relevance and significance in national and global roles, best-in-class and environment-friendly digital as well as physical infrastructure, and innovative, dynamic and skilled human resources.
ii. RBI will also periodically monitor the implementation and progress via its sub-committee.
iii. In April 2015, a formal strategic management framework was launched. The framework contains the mission of the RBI, the central purpose, the values(public interest, integrity and independence, responsiveness and innovation, diversity and inclusiveness, and introspection and pursuit of excellence) ​​and the declarations of the vision and the bank’s commitment to the nation.
About RBI:
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Founded: 1 April 1935

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Chetak helicopters by HAL delivered to the Indian Navy ahead of schedule.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) delivered one Chetak helicopter to the Indian Navy ahead of its scheduled month of august. The documents of the Chopper were handed over to Commodore Vikram Menon.
i. The HAL entered into a contract with the Indian Navy in the year 2017 to supply 8 Chetak helicopters by August 2020, with the first two by August 2019.
ii The remaining seven helicopters will be delivered by August 2020.
iii. Latest communication and navigation systems indigenously developed by HAL are fitted in this helicopter.
Key points
i. The HAL till date has produced over 350 Chetak helicopters and delivered about 80 to the Navy.
ii. The Chetak helicopters are produced by HAL under the license from Eurocopter, France.
iii. The first Chetak helicopter was delivered to the Indian Navy in February 1966
iv. Currently, there are 51 Chetak helicopters in operation by the Indian Navy.
HAL
♦ Headquarters- Bengaluru
♦ CMD- R Madhavan
♦ CEO- Shri Shekar Shrivastava.

Project compliance lab launched by Wipro in Hyderabad
The 10,000 square feet project compliance lab was launched by Wipro in Hyderabad, Telangana. This lab will serve customers in defence, consumer electronics, Aerospace, Telecom, medical energy, and the manufacturing industries.
Key point
i. The project compliance lab will be part of the Tarang labs, which is an independent product qualification lab of Wipro.
ii. The key focus of this lab is on security.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Mohun Bagan Ratna Award 2019 to be conferred to Keshav Dutt & Prasun Banerjee
Keshav Dutt, the two-time Olympic gold medallist in hockey and Prasun Banerjee, former Indian football captain, will be awarded the ‘Mohun Bagan Ratna’ for the year 2019 on Mohun Bagan Day on July 29, 2019.
Key Points:
i. Keshav Dutt, aged 94, is one of the oldest surviving hockey Olympians of India. He represented India in the 1948 London Games, where India won the first gold post Independence. He won his second Olympic gold in Helsinki, Finland 1952.
ii. Prasun Banerjee, aged 64, was a midfielder from Bengal. He played in 3 Asian Games in 1974, 1978 and 1982. He was part of an Asian All-Star XI team. He is the younger brother of iconic footballer P.K. Banerjee.
iii. Life membership was given to the distinguished personalities like Chuni Goswami, Dr.Vece Paes, Sourav Ganguly, Prasenjit Chatterjee, and Deb Shankar Halder.
iv. The first recipient of Mohun Bagan Ratna was Sailen Manna, former Indian international football team captain in 2001.
Other Awardees

About Mohun Bagan Day:
July 29 is celebrated as the ‘Mohun Bagan Day’ because on this day in 1911 the Mariners became the first club to defeat a British club, East Yorkshire Regiment, and lift the IFA (Indian Football Association), Shield.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

BP Kanungo to run monetary policy after the resignation of Viral Acharya
On July 23, 2019, India’s Central Bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has assigned Deputy Governor BP Kanungo to run the monetary policy portfolio after the resignation of fellow Deputy Governor Viral V. Acharya. Key points:
i. The monetary policy department, including forecasting and modeling unit, was earlier looked after by Acharya, who quit his role as Deputy Governor on June 2019.
ii. Kanungo will retain his currency management portfolio would become the 6^th  member of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee, which will next meet on August 5-7,2019.
iii. Now the three deputy governors N S Vishwanathan, B P Kanungo and M K Jain will be responsible for 12 departments each.
iv. M K Jain has been given additional charge of corporate strategy and budget, financial stability unit, and human resource management. He will be in charge of the right to information division.
v. Vishwanathan has been entrusted with departments dealing with financial market operations, financial market regulations and international issues in addition to his earlier portfolios he was holding since June 2018.
About RBI:
♦ Governor: Shaktikanta Das
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Founded: 1 April 1935

The Indian Army appointed Manoj Mukund Naravane as its new vice-chief
Current General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Army Command,  Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane has been appointed as the next vice chief of the army staff in the Indian Army.  He succeeds Lieutenant General D. Anbu who is retiring next month. Key points
It is expected that M.M. Naravane might succeed as the chief of the army staff after General Bipin Rawat, on his retirement by the end of December.
ii. It is expected so because Naravane will be the senior-most army officer once General Bipin Rawat retires.
Other appointments
i. Lt-Gen. R.P. Singh will take over as General officer commanding-in-chief, Western Army command, succeeding Lt-Gen. Surinder Singh.
ii. The current director-general of military operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan will replace Lt-Gen M.M. Naravane in the eastern command.
iii. The current director-general of military training Lt-Gen. A.S. Kler has been appointed as General Officer Commanding-in-chief of the South Western Command succeeding Lt-Gen. Cherish Matheson.
iv. Lt-Gen.I.S. Ghuman will take charge of Lucknow based General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command from Lt-Gen. Abhay Krishna.

Former All-India University champion boxer, Kishen Narsi appointed as ASBC’s competition commission  chairman
On July 18, 2019, India’s Kishen Mangaldas Narsi (Mumbai) has been appointed as the Chairman of Asian Boxing Confederation’s (ASBC) competitions commission. His appointment has been made under ASBC Constitution Article 38.3/F.
Key points:
i. The appointment was confirmed by the ASBC President Anas Naser Al Otaiba.
ii. Kishen, a former All-India University champion boxer was an International Referee and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
iii. Kishen, the founding interim President of the Boxing Federation of India has officiated in three Olympics.

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy submits resignation to the Governor
The Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka H D Kumaraswamy (59) of Janata Dal (Secular) submitted the resignation to the Governor Vajubhai Vala after the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government lost majority in Karnataka Assembly. The resignation was accepted with immediate effect but Kumaraswamy was asked to continue as caretaker CM till alternative arrangements are made. He served as the CM for 14 months. The confidence motion moved by Kumaraswamy was defeated with 99 voting in favour and 105 against it.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

“JATAN”, a Virtual Museum software for Digitization of Archaeological Museum
On July 23, 2019, Union Minister of State of Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel stated that digitization of Archaeological Museum across the country is being done in a phased manner through special software ‘JATAN: Virtual Museum software’, developed by Human Centres Design and Computing Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing( C-DAC), Pune, Maharashtra. It has been developed on the lines of the agreement between Human Centres Design and Computing Group, C-DAC, Pune, and Ministry of Culture.Key points:
i.  JATAN: Virtual Museum Builder, used for creating digital collections in various museums and digital archival tools that are used in the background for managing National Portal and Digital Repository for Indian Museums.
ii. Data: The portal works through the website, (http://museumsofindia.gov.in/) where all the digitized data on museums have up-loaded.
iii. Implementation: Totally 48 Archaeological Site Museums under the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) will be digitized through JATAN.
In phase I, two archaeological site museums namely, Velha Goa and Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh) have been digitized &rest of the 46 archaeological museums will be digitized in a phase-wise manner.
About C-DAC:
It is the premier Research & Development (R&D) organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas.

ISRO to launch India’s 1^st solar mission Aditya-L1 in the first half of 2020
On July 23, 2019, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that it will launch its first solar mission Aditya-L1 in the first half of 2020. It will be the first dedicated scientific mission to study Sun’s corona.
Key points:
i. Aim:  It aims to put Aditya-L1 satellite (800-kg) into a halo orbit around Lagrangian point L1 of Sun and Earth system. The L1 point is situated at a distance of about 1.5 million km from earth.
ii. Aditya L1: It will be India’s 1^st solar probe to study the magnetic field of the sun’s corona. The satellite will carry 7 payloads including the main payload Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VLEC). It will study the dynamic nature of the sun’s outer most layers, corona, and chromosphere and collect data about Coronal Mass Ejections (CME).
About ISRO:
♦ Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
♦ Headquarters: Bengaluru
♦ Founded: 15 August 1969

Bangladesh develops an alternative for plastic from jute- “Sonali”
A team of scientists working for Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) has developed a method to convert Jute fiber into low-cost Biodegradable cellulose sheets. It is named as “Sonali” – the Bengali word for “golden” bags. It is biodegradable after three months buried in soil and can also be recycled. Jute is called as the “golden fiber”.
Key Points:
i. The leader of the team that developed ‘Sonali’ was Mubarak Ahmad Khan.
ii. Commercial production of alternative plastic-like bags made from jute will begin by December 2019. In April 2019, the Bangladesh govt has approved $900,000 from its climate change fund for the large-scale production of these bags.
iii. India is the biggest producer of jute in the world, followed by Bangladesh.

SPORTS

Dejan Papic appointed as India’s table tennis head coach
The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) appointed Dejan Papicas of Canada as the head coach of the Indian table tennis team. He has signed a one-year contract which was offered by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Key Points:
i. He will be in charge through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
ii. He will be paid $7000 per month and his contract will be up for renewal after the Olympics.

ICC Test Rankings: Virat Kohli holds on to No 1 spot
In the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Batsmen’s Rankings, Indian skipper Virat Kohli retained his number one position with 922 points. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (913) stood at the second position and India’s Cheteshwar Pujara (881) held the third position in the rankings. Key Points:
i. Team Rankings: India remained in the first place followed by New Zealand (2), South Africa (3), England (4) and Australia (5).
ii. Bowlers’ Rankings: Australian pacer Pat Cummins was ranked first with 878 points followed by England’s James Anderson with 862 points. Indian bowlers Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin held the 6^th and 10^th position respectively.
iii. All-rounders list: Jadeja was the best-ranked Indian at third spot behind Jason Holder of West Indies and Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.
About ICC:
♦ Motto: Cricket for good
♦ Headquarters:  Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ Chairman: Shashank Manohar
♦ CEO: Manu Sawhney

Overview of Bengal Open Squash Titles 2019
The 6^th Edition of Bengal Open Squash Tournament for the year 2019 was held at the Calcutta Racket Club, Kolkata, West Bengal. It was held under the aegis of West Bengal Squash Rackets Association and Squash Rackets Federation of India. The total prize money for juniors were Rs. 3,00,000 and for seniors its Rs. 1,50,000.
i. In Men’s category, Abhay Singh of Tamil Nadu won the title by defeating Abhishek Pradhan of Maharashtra by 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 scores.
ii. In Women’s category, Asian Games medalist Tanvi Khanna of Delhi won the title by defeating Tamil Nadu’s Aparajitha Balamurukan by 11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 13-11 scores.
List of Winners

About Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI):
♦ It is the Indian governmental apex body for the game of squash.
Headquarters: Chennai
President: Debendranath Sarangi

Zimbabwean cricketer, Solomon Mire announces retirement
Solomon Farai Mire (29), Zimbabwe’s all-rounder has announced his retirement from cricket across all formats after the suspension of Zimbabwe Cricket by the ICC (International Cricket Council).key points:
i. Solomon played two Tests, 47 ODIs(One Day International) and nine T20Is for Zimbabwe, and scored a century and five fifties across all three formats.
ii. He also currently holds the record for the highest score for Zimbabwe in a T20I for the 94 he scored against Pakistan in 2018.
iii. In July 2019, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Zimbabwe Cricket due to government interference in their cricket board affairs.
About ICC:
♦ Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ Chairperson: Shashank Manohar
♦ CEO: Manu Sawhney
♦ Founded: 15 June 1909
About Zimbabwe:
♦ Capital: Harare
♦ Currencies: United States Dollar, Indian rupee, South African rand,
♦ President: Emmerson Mnangagwa

OBITUARY

Former Chinese premier  Li Peng, known as the “Butcher of Beijing” passed away
Former Chinese Premier Li Peng, best known for announcing martial law during the 1989 Tiananmen protests, has died of an illness. He was 90. He was referred as “Butcher of Beijing” for his role in the Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989.Key points:
i. He was born on 20 October 1928 in Sichuan province in China’s south-west.
ii. He served as China’s 4^th Premier from 1987 to 1998 and held several posts in the Communist Party.
iii. He was also the former chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.
1989 Tiananmen Square protests:
Pro-democracy protesters occupied Tiananmen Square in April 1989 and began the largest political demonstrations in communist China’s history. It lasted six weeks. On the night of 3^rd June, 1989 tanks moved in and troops opened fire, killing and injuring many unarmed people in and around Tiananmen Square.

Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev dies after suffering a brain injury during a match
On July 23, 2019, The Russian boxing federation announced that Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev has died from brain injuries sustained during a junior welterweight IBF World Title Elimination fight with Subriel Matias (Puerto Rica) in Maryland, United States. He was 28.Key points:
i. Dadashev, known as “Mad Max” was hospitalized & underwent emergency brain surgery but failed to recover.
ii. He was born on 30 September 1990, Saint Petersburg, Russia was the 2008 World Junior Championships, silver medalist. He was undefeated in 13 professional bouts, 11 of them are knockouts or technical knockouts.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Income Tax Department celebrated Aaykar Diwas 2019 on July 24
On July 24, 2019, The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and all field offices celebrated the 159^th Aaykar Diwas (Income Tax Day). The main function was held at New Delhi which was presided over by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur and other senior officials of the ministry also participated in the event. Key Points:
i. On this occasion, the department launched ‘Kardaata e-Sahyog Abhiyaan’ to assist and support taxpayers and other stakeholders to help them to e-file their returns and discharge other tax-related obligations.
ii. It also released departmental publications, e-journal, publicity kit for outreach programmes. Some offices held street plays/ nukkadnataks to promote awareness of taxes and also organized Walkathon/ Taxathon for a cause i.e. a Walk for Taxes.
iii. The day is celebrated, as the Income tax was introduced for the first time in India on July 24, 1860, by James Wilson to compensate for the losses incurred by the British regime during the first war of independence (Revolt of 1857) against British Rule.
iv. Field offices undertook a grievance redressal week or fortnight in order to redress pending grievances of the taxpayers.

STATE NEWS

Monkeys declared as ‘vermin’ in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) of Himachal Pradesh issued notification under Section 62 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 to declare monkeys (Rhesus Macaque) as ‘vermin’ in the areas of Shimla Municipal Corporation, mainly the urban town for 1 year to relieve farmers from the serious problems caused by monkeys, destroying their crops.
Key Points:
i. It is for the third time the notification was issued by the state government. Rhesus Macaque monkeys are protected species under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, but if they become a danger to human life or property, they can be hunted by declaring them ‘vermin’ for a specific period.
ii. Initially, in March 2016, MoEF had declared the monkeys ‘vermin’, for 6 months and later it was extended for 1 year.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly passes a bill raising OBC quota to 27% from 14%
On July 23, 2019, The Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed Madhya Pradesh Public Service (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) Amendment Bill 2019 for increasing reservation in government jobs and education for Other Backward Classes (OBC) to 27% from the present 14%. The bill will now go to the governor and president for assent.
Key points:
i. The state has around 52 percent of the OBC population.
ii. With this amendment, reservation in Madhya Pradesh will touch 73% (which is in breach of the 50% cap mandated by the Supreme Court) including 10 percent quota for the Economically Weaker Section from the general category. The Reservation for SC (Scheduled Caste) is 16 % and for ST (Scheduled Tribes) at 20%.
iii. Madhya Pradesh has now become the only state to offer 27% reservation to the OBCs.
About Madhya Pradesh:
♦ Capital: Bhopal
♦ Chief minister: Kamal Nath
♦ Governor: Lalji Tandon
♦ National Parks: Bandhavgarh National Park ,Fossil National Park ,Kanha National Park ,Madhav National Park, Panna National Park ,Pench (Priyadarshini) National Park ,Sanjay National Park.
♦ Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bagdara WLS, Bori WLS, Gandhi Sagar WLS, Ghatigaon WLS, Karera WLS, Ken Gharial WLS, Kheoni WLS.