Current Affairs 21 July 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 21 July 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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Top 15 Current Affairs of 21 July 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Indian Railways to launch 1st set of private trains by 2023, all 151 by 2027

i.In accordance with the initial timeline drawn by the railways, it has planned to roll out 151 private train services by 2027 on 109 pairs of routes across the country. In this regard, Indian Railways is ready to introduce 12 trains in 2022-23, 45 in 2023-2024, 50 in 2025-26 and 44 more in the next fiscal, taking the total number of trains to 151 by the end of FY 2026-2027. 
ii.There would be Rs 30,000 crore private sector investment in this project.
iii.The operation and maintenance of these trains would be governed by standards and specifications specified by Indian Railways.
iv.Also, these trains will be operated by the driver and guard of Indian Railways.
About Indian Railways:
Headquarter– New Delhi
Operated by – Ministry of Railways
Railway Board Chairman– Vinod Kumar Yadav
<< Read Full News >>

Maharashtra becomes the 1st State to use drones to inspect power lines and transmission towers

Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited(MSETCL) has started to use drones for aerial surveillance and inspection of extra high voltage(EHV) power transmission lines and towers. Maharashtra becomes the 1st state to do so. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Director General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) gave approval for this purpose. 

• MSETCL becomes the 1st power utility to get approval from DGCA for powerline inspections with drones in the country
• MSETCL will use 16 drones that will fly at a maximum height of 50 metre.

About Drones
Equipped With– They are equipped with ultra HD cameras which can take high-resolution close-up photographs and videos of the towers and their components. 
Benefits:
i.Reduce risk-These drones will reduce the risk posed to its staff, as the workers earlier must use ladders and chairs to inspect transformers.
ii.Better assessment-The constant video recording will help for better assessment in faults of the existing lines
iii.Cut cost & Efficiency-It can cut maintenance costs and losses from outages and is more efficient than manual survey.
iv.Monitoring– Each zone will be given a drone. The zonal office, the head office in Mumbai will be monitoring the drones
v.Survey for new projects-The drone camera will also be used for survey work in new projects.
About MSETCL:
MSETCL has 660 EHV substations, 46217.90 circuit kilometers(Ckt kms) of transmission lines that are capable of handling over 21,000 megawatt(mw) of power.
Chairman and Managing Director– Dinesh Waghmare
About Maharashtra
Capital– Mumbai
Governor– Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Chief Minister– Uddhav Thackeray
Recent Related News 
i.Maharashtra cabinet approves to rename its Environment Ministry as Environment and Climate Change Ministry.
ii.Maharashtra declared the 29.53 square kilometre Tillari forest area in Dodamarg and Sawantwadi range in coastal Sindhudurg district as a conservation reserve area. 

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting virtually

i.As a part of Finance Track for the G20 Leaders Summit 2020, which is to be hosted by Saudi Arabia at the end of 2020, the 3rd G20 (Group of Twenty) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting was held virtually on July 18, 2020. It was organized under the Saudi Arabian Presidency where Indian side was represented by Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
ii.The objective of the meet was to discuss the global economic outlook amid evolving COVID-19 pandemic crisis along with other G20 Finance Track priorities for the year 2020.
About G-20 or Group of Twenty:
Composition– 19 countries and the European Union (EU)
The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
2020 Presidency– Saudi Arabia
2020 theme– Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century For All
Chairman– Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2020)
<< Read Full News >>

Indian direct selling industry records USD 2.477 bn sales in 2019, ranked 15th globally: WFDSA‘s report 

i.In accordance with the report of “The Global Direct Selling – 2019 Retail Sales” by the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA), India was ranked 15th in global direct selling industry with sales of USD 2.477 billion in 2019. 
ii.This has shown a growth of 12.1% in comparison to the 19th rank in 2018. The ranking has been topped by the United States (US) which contributed 20% of the global direct selling industry with sales of USD 35.21 billion, followed by China with 13% contribution at 2nd rank, and Korea and Germany with 10% contribution each at 3rd position.
iii.In terms of the number of direct sellers, India has been ranked at 6th position, providing employment to 57.50 lakh people.
About World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA):
Headquarter– Washington DC, United States (US)
WFDSA Advocacy Chair– Ms. Kim Drabik
<< Read Full News >>

     APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS     

Ashwini Kumar Tewari was appointed as MD & CEO of SBI Cards and payment services

SBI (State Bank of India) cards and payment services appointed, Mr. Ashwini Kumar Tewari as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive officer (CEO) who is intended to be in charge from August 1, 2020. His new appointment will be valid for 2 years.
Highlights: 
i.Tewari replaces Mr. Hardayal Prasad, the MD and CEO who will quit the directorship of the company on July 31, 2020 due to voluntary retirement. 
ii.Prasad succeeds Mr. Vijay Jasuja who retired on January 31, 2018.
iii.Tewari was Country Head of SBI’s US (United States operation) at New York. 
iv.He will hold all the necessary approvals of the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting which was decided by the Board meeting on 15 July 2020. 
About State Bank of India(SBI):
SBI is the Largest bank in India with 23% market share asset. 
SBI Cards and payment services are the country’s second-largest credit card issuer. 
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman– Rajnish Kumar (25th Chairman, appointed on 7th October 2017) 
About SBI cards:
Headquarter – Gurgaon, Haryana.

     SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Hope Mission: UAE became 1st West Asian & Arab Nation to Launch Space Mission to Mars; Took off from Japan

i.On July 19, 2020, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the first West Asian and Arab nation to embark on a first-ever interplanetary space mission to Mars (Red Planet) namely “Hope Probe mission” from Tanegashima Space Centre, off the coast of Kyushu, Japan atop a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA rocket. 
ii.Also known as Al-Amal or Emirates Mars Mission, this $200 million mission will be the first to study both Martian climate viz. diurnal (daily) and seasonal cycles.
iii.Notably, the mission arrival, which is expected to reach Mars’s orbit by February 2021 (7 months from now), is designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE, an alliance of seven emirates.
iv.It will orbit Mars for one full Martian year of 687 days or nearly two Earth years to provide the first truly global picture of the Martian atmosphere. 
About United Arab Emirates (UAE):
Capital– Abu Dhabi
Currency– UAE Dirham
<< Read Full News >>

CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur Introduced COVID Protection System(COPS) with IntelliMAST, TouF & 360° Car Flusher for Workplace

On 17th July 2020, Dr. Harish Hirani, Director of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute(CSIR-CMERI), Durgapur introduced the COVID Protection System(COPS), a collection of technologies for workplace, which includes, contactless Solar Based Intelligent Mask Automated Dispensing Unit cum Thermal Scanner (IntelliMAST), Touchless Faucet (TouF) and 360° Car Flusher.
About CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute(CMERI):
Director– Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani
Location– Durgapur, West Bengal 
<< Read Full News >>

Prakash Javadekar hails KURMA mobile app as unique tool for conservation of Indian Turtles

On 19th July 2020, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Information & Broadcasting hailed KURMA, a mobile based application contributing towards conservation of Indian turtles, as a unique tool for tracking and reporting Indian turtles and tortoises.
He also appreciated the initiative of ITCAN which enhances the contribution of the citizens in the conservation of fauna and flora of the country.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:
Union Minister– Prakash Javadekar
Minister of State(MoS)– Babul Supriyo
About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
Union Minister– Prakash Javadekar
<< Read Full News >>

SPORTS

Formula One Champion, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton Won the Hungarian Grand Prix 2020; won this Title for 8th Time

Formula One Champion Mercedes Lewis Hamilton(British) won the Hungarian Grand Prix(GP) 2020 held at the Hungaroring in Mogyoród, Hungary. This is his 8th time to win this title. With this victory he equalled Michael Schumacher‘s single-venue record, ie., 
winning a grand prix eight times.
Key Info
i.Red Bull’s Max Verstappen(Dutch) came second and was awarded ‘drive of the day’. Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas  finished third and Racing Point’s Lance Stroll finished in fourth spot.
ii.With this victory, Lewis Hamilton won 86 GP & remained behind the German great Schumacher’s F1 record of 91. 
iii.He also won the Styrian Grand Prix 2020 and is a six-time Formula One World Champion.
iv.Michael Schumacher won the French GP 8 times at Magny-Cours.
About Hungary:
Capital– Budapest
Currency– Hungarian Forint(HUF)
Prime Minister– Viktor Orbán
Recent Related News
US born Swedish based Pole vaulter Armand Duplantis sets new world record(6.17m) by clearing 6.18 m at the Indoor Grand Prix in Glasgow, Scotland.

OBITUARY

CS Seshadri, Padma Bhushan Awardee & Renowned Mathematician Passed Away at 88

Padma Bhushan Awardee & Renowned Mathematician, Conjeevaram Srirangachari(C.S.) Seshadri passed away at 88 in Chennai, TamilNadu. He was the founder of the Chennai Mathematical Institute(CMI). He is known for his work in algebraic geometry.  He was born on February 29th, 1932, in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

• He was also a director-emeritus(a former member of a company’s board of directors, who completed his service as director but continues as an adviser) of CMI till his demise.

• The Seshadri constant is named after him.

About C S Seshadri:
Work
i.He worked in the School of Mathematics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research(TIFR) in Bombay from 1953 to 1984. 
ii.He worked in The Institute of Mathematical Sciences(IMSc) in Chennai from 1984 to 1989. He served as the founding director of CMI from 1989 to 2010.
iii.He was also a visiting professor at the University of Paris, Harvard University among others.
Few Achievements
i.He collaborated with fellow mathematician M.S. Narasimhan on vector bundles, which led to the Narasimhan-Seshadri theorem.
ii.He also initiated a programme called standard monomial theory.
Few Honours
Fellowship– He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1988 among others
Award– He received Padma Bhushan in 2009. He has received Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and Srinivasa Ramanujan Medal from the Indian Academy of Sciences.
About Tamil Nadu:
Capital– Chennai
Chief Minister– Edappadi K. Palaniswami

John Lewis, Civil Rights Movement Pioneer and Longtime Congressman of U.S, Dies at 80

On 18 July, The US lawmaker John Lewis (80), civil rights movement pioneer and long-time member of the US House of Representatives died of advanced pancreatic cancer in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.John Lewis is one of the nation’s most powerful voices of justice and equality. 
About John Lewis:

• John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940 in Troy, Alabama, United States.
• He was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six Civil rights activists, led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  
• He is well known for leading 600 protestors in the Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
• He continued to fight for civil rights till the end of his life.
• He made his last public appearance for racial justice in the US and the World in June.

Posts held:

• Lewis served for 17 terms in the US House of Representatives, for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020.
• He served as Chairman of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee(SNCC) from 1963 – 1966

Awards and Honours:

• John Lewis was honored by President Barack Obama with the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.
• He is also the recipient of numerous awards like Golden Plate award, Preservation Hero award, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize, the President’s Medal of Georgetown University, the ‘profile in courage award’ a lifetime achievement award etc.
• He has been awarded over 50 honorary degrees from various prestigious colleges and universities in the United States.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Sahitya Akademi Awardee Baldev Singh Sadaknama Authored a book ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (sun never dies)

Sahitya Akademi Awardee 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 through a webinar, which will be attended by some writers and historians from London. 

Note– Udham Singh 80th death anniversary will fall on July 31, 2020
Essence of the Book
i.The book portrays some facts pertaining to Colonel Reginald Dyer, also known as butcher of Jallianwala bagh.
ii.It also covers how Udham Singh killed Michael O’ Dwyer, former lieutenant governor of Punjab on  March 13, 1940, at Caxton Hall, London for which he was  hanged on July 31, 1940
iii.It also states about how bravely he faced trial.
About Baldev Singh Sadaknama 
Baldev Singh Sadaknama was born in the village Chand Nawaan in Moga district, Punjab in 1942. He began his career as a teacher.
Books & Awards:
i.His novel ‘Suraj Di Aakh’, which was about the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh won Dhahan Prize, which carries a cash award of 25,000 Canadian dollars (over Rs 13 lakh
ii.He received the Sahitya Akademi Award 2011 for his novel Dhaahwan Dilli De Kingre.
iii.His other novels include  Sadaknaama, Laal Batti among others.
About Punjab:
Capital– Chandigarh
Chief Minister– Amarinder Singh.
Governor– Vijayender Pal(VP)Singh Badnore.

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu Released the Book Tangams: An Ethnolinguistic Study Of The Critically Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh

The book titled The Tangams: An Ethnolinguistic Study of the Critically Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh was released by Prema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. The book is published by Centre for Endangered Languages(CFEL), Rajiv Gandhi University and Himalayan Publishers, New Delhi.

As per the UNESCO World Atlas of Endangered Languages (2009), Tangam – an oral language that belongs to the Tani group, under the greater Tibeto-Burman language family is marked ‘critically endangered’.
About Tangams:

• The Tangams community lives in the Kugging Village, Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. 
• They are ethnolinguistic groups within the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.
• CFEL of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh released a report stating: The total population of the community is 253 and they reside only in that village.

Highlights: 

• The CEFL has been functioning since 2016 with a research team comprising scholars from linguistics, anthropology, folklore, tribal studies and mass communication.
• The book will help future generations of Tangam community, Linguists along with Anthropologists, educators and policymakers.
• The co-authors of the book are Kaling Dabi, Kombong Darang, Rejhoney Borang, Chera Devi, Rumi Deuri and jointly edited by Lisa Lomdak and Rejhoney Borang. 
• The executive editor of the book is Prof S Simon John, Coordinator of the CFEL.

About Arunachal Pradesh:
Capital: Itanagar
Governor: B.D. Mishra

IMPORTANT DAYS

1st World Chess Day celebrated on July 20, 2020

i.United Nations’(UN) First World Chess Day is celebrated on 20th July, 2020 all over the world to acknowledge the importance of chess in building harmony among countries, breaking the racial, political and social barriers.
ii.This day also marks the 96th Anniversary of the International Chess Federation (FIDE – Fédération Internationale des Échecs).
iii.The United Nation General Assembly(UNGA), passed a resolution on 12th December 2019, proclaiming 20th July as World Chess day.
About International Chess Federation (FIDE – Fédération Internationale des Échecs):
President– Arkady Dvorkovich
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
About United Nations:
Secretary-General– António Guterres
Headquarters– New York, United States
<< Read Full News >>

STATE NEWS

Tamil Nadu Government Signed 8 MoUs worth Rs 10,399 crore with Industrial Groups for Employment Creation

i.The Tamil Nadu government signed 8 Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) worth Rs 10,399 crore with companies to create employment opportunities for over 13,507 people. 
ii.The MoUs were signed in the presence of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in the Secretariat at Fort St George in Chennai.
iii.Out of these 8 projects, MoUs were signed for 5 projects directly and for 3 projects through video display.  
About Tamil Nadu:
Governor– Banwarilal Purohit
National Parks(NP)– Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Guindy NP, Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP, Indira Gandhi NP.
<< Read Full News >>

Harsimrat Kaur Badal E-Inagurates First Operationalized Mega Food Park of Mizoram: Zoram Mega Food Park

On 20th July 2020, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries(MoFPI) e-inaugurated the First operationalized mega food park of Mizoram, Zoram Mega Food Park, in Khamrang Village in Kolasib District, Mizoram, promoted by M/s Zoram Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd, which will provide direct and indirect employment to more than 5000 people.
About Ministry of Food Processing Industries:
Union Minister– Harsimrat Kaur Badal
Minister of State(MoS)– Rameswar Teli
<< Read Full News >>

Odisha Government included Transgender Community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana

i.The official notification of The Department of Social security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities(SSEPD) informed that, Odisha Government has included the transgender community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana(MBPY), a social security scheme by amending to Rule 6 of the Madhu Babu Pension Rules 2008. 
ii.In addition to transgenders women, those who are fighting divorce cases in courts are also included.
iii.Under this scheme, about 6,000 transgenders will receive Rs 500, Rs 700 and 900 per month as a pension under various categories depending on their age.
About MBPY:
i.MBPY is initiated under SSEPD. It was launched in Odisha in 2008 by merging the two pension schemes: Revised Old Age Pension Rules, 1989 and Disability Pension Rules, 1985.
ii.It aims to provide financial assistance to destitute elderly, differently-abled persons and widows in the state.
<< Read Full News >>

Yogi Adityanath launched “Navin Rojgar Chhatri Yojana” for Scheduled Castes

On 18th July 2020, Yogi Adiytyanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh over a video conference launched “Navin Rojgar Chhatri Yojana”, an all-round development scheme for the Scheduled Castes(SC) and to provide financial assistant to support people to become self-dependent.
About Uttar Pradesh:
Chief Minister– Yogi Adityanath
Governor– Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel
Capital– Lucknow
<< Read Full News >>

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