Facts - June

Goa plans to bring back collector-approved travel pass system:

With Goa witnessing a huge influx of people in the last couple of days, the state government is planning to go back to its previous system of issuing travel passes that require approval by authorities, in place of the self-generated e-passes introduced earlier this week.

As per the previous system, district collectors would issue travel passes to people if they wanted to enter the state. Once the travel pass system is introduced, the health authorities will know how many people are going to arrive on a particular day.

Rule 266 and 267 of the Lok Sabha:

Rajya Sabha secretariat has denied permission for members of the standing committee on Home Affairs to join a meeting of the panel through videoconference.

Why? The reason videoconference meetings were not being allowed was because it violated the principle of confidentiality, as there was no guarantee of a member sitting alone at such events.

What do rules say?

Rule 267 states that committee meetings have to be held in the Parliament building. However, the Speaker has the powers to change the venue.

Rule 266 mandates that all committee meetings have to be held in private.

Nepal’s Constitution Second Amendment Bill:

• The government of Nepal has tabled the crucial Constitution Amendment Bill to formalise the country’s new map, which claims parts of India as its territory.
• The Bill will change the Schedule 3 of the Nepalese Constitution and replace the existing map with the map that was unveiled on May 20.
• The new map depicts the sliver of strategically important land covering Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani as part of Nepal.

Band-tail Scorpionfish:

Scientific name- Scorpaenospsis neglecta.

It is well-known for its stinging venomous spines and ability to change colour.

The fish is called ‘scorpionfish’ because its spines contain neurotoxic venom.

Why in News?

Researchers have found a rare fish from Sethukarai coast in the Gulf of Mannar. This was the first time that the particular species was found alive in Indian waters.

National Career Service (NCS) project:

Ministry of Labour and Employment under its National Career Service (NCS) project has now started offering free online Career Skills Training for its registered job-seekers.

• This course on soft skills assists the learners in enhancing personality development with modules on corporate etiquette, improving inter personal skills, making impactful presentation including other necessary soft skills demanded by the industry at present.
• The Ministry is implementing the NCS Project for transformation of the National Employment Service to provide a variety of employment related services like job search, career counselling, information on skill development courses, apprenticeship and internships through an on-line portal of NCS.

Missile Park ‘Agneeprastha’ to be set up at INS Kalinga:

It aims to capture glimpses of missile history of INS Kalinga from its establishment in 1981 till date.

• It will be dedicated to all the officers, sailors and support staff of INS Kalinga.
• It will also commemorate the award of the prestigious Unit Citation to INS Kalinga for the year 2018-19.
• P-70 ‘Ametist’, an underwater launched anti-ship missile from the arsenal of the old ‘Chakra’ (Charlie-1 submarine) which was in service with Indian Navy during 1988-91 is the main attraction point in the Park.
• INS Kalinga is a premier Naval Establishment located on the Visakhapatnam– Bheemunipatnam beach road under the Eastern Naval Command.

Mahesh Navmi:

It is an auspicious Hindu festival that is celebrated by the devotees of Lord Shiva– also known as Lord ‘Mahesh’.

• The festival is primarily celebrated by people of Maheshwari community, who are usually known for their family business.
• The festival is observed on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha (Waxing moon) in the month of Jyeshta according to the Hindu Calendar.
• This year, Mahesh Navami is being observed on May 31.
• The festival is mainly celebrated by the people of Rajasthan.

“My Life – My Yoga” contest:

Also called “Jeevan Yoga” contest.

• It is a Video Blogging Contest.
• It is a joint effort by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
• Announced by PM during the course of his monthly Mann Ki Baat address to the nation.
• The contest focuses on the transformative impact of Yoga on the lives of individuals, and comes as one of the activities related to the observation of the sixth International Day of Yoga (IDY) coming up on 21st June 2020.
• For the India contestants, prizes worth Rs. 1 lakh, 50K and 25K for 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranking within each of the categories have been announced within the first leg.
• It is held both at the national level and global level.

 What Is Antifa?

• Short for “anti-fascists,” antifa is not a single organization but rather an umbrella term for far-left-leaning movements that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations.
• Anti-fascists of the movement tend to be grouped on the leftward fringes of the US political spectrum, many describing themselves as socialists, anarchists, communists or anti-capitalists.
• The origin is traced as far back as Nazi Germany.
• While the movement has had a presence in several European countries and has come into focus in the United States in recent years, Antifa does not have a formal organisational structure. The movement has been known to have a presence in the US in the 1980s. 
• Antifa members typically dress in black and often wear a mask at their demonstrations, and follow far-left ideologies such as anti-capitalism. They take up causes such as LGBTQ and indigenous rights. What makes them stand out is the violence.

Why in News?

As massive protests following the death of George Floyd continued to rock the United States, President Donald Trump has announced that the far-left group Antifa would be designated as a terrorist organisation by his government.

Tiananmen square massacre:

 For the first time in 30 years, Hong Kong will not hold a mass vigil commemorating the Tiananmen square massacre.

What happened?

On June 4, 1989 Chinese troops cracked down on pro-democracy protesters around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. No official death toll has ever been released, but rights groups estimate hundreds, if not thousands were killed. The massacre made headlines around the world but it particularly resonated in Hong Kong, which was then eight years away from being handed over from British to Chinese control.

SPIC MACAY:

• Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY) is a voluntary youth movement which promotes intangible aspects of Indian cultural heritage.
• It does this by promoting Indian classical music, classical dance, folk music, yoga, meditation, crafts and other aspects of Indian culture.
• It is a movement with chapters in over 300 towns all over the world.
• It was established by Dr. Kiran Seth in 1977 at IIT Delhi.

Why in News?

PM addresses SPIC MACAY’s International Convention.

CHAMPIONS: Technology Platform to empower MSMEs:

PM launched the technology platform CHAMPIONS which stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.

Objectives: Grievance Redressal, To help them capture new opportunities and To identify and encourage the sparks.

The platform also aims to identify the sparks, i.e., the bright MSMEs who can withstand at present and become national and international champions.

Ultra Swachh:

It is a disinfection unit to disinfect a wide range of materials, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), electronics items, fabrics, etc.

Developed by DRDO.

The system uses an advanced oxidative process comprising of multiple barrier disruption approach using Ozonated Space Technology for disinfection. 

National Productivity Council (NPC):

NPC is national level organization to promote productivity culture in India.

Established by the Ministry of Industry, Government of India in 1958.

• It is an autonomous, multipartite, non-profit organizationwith equal representation from employers’ & workers’ organizations and Government, apart from technical & professional institutions and other interests.
• NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organisation (APO),an Inter Governmental Body, of which the Government of India is a founder member.
• Functions: NPC teams up with its clients to work out solutions towards accelerating productivity, enhancing competitiveness, increasing profits, augmenting safety and reliability and ensuring better quality. It provides reliable database for decision-making, improved systems and procedures, work culture as well as customer satisfaction both internal & external.

National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC):

For effective implementation of relief measures in the wake of natural calamities, the Government of India has set up a Standing National Crisis Management Committee with Cabinet Secretary as Chairman.

Key functions:

• Oversee the Command, Control and Coordination of the disaster response.
• Give direction to the Crisis Management Group (CMG) as deemed necessary.

Depsang:

It is an area at a crucial dip (called the Bulge) on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

• The Chinese Army occupied most of the plains in 1962.
• India controls the western portion of the plains as part of Ladakh, whereas the eastern portion is part of the Aksai Chin region, which is controlled by China and claimed by India.

Why in News?

There have been reports of a heavy Chinese presence at Depsang.

The “Depsang plain” is one of the few places in the Western Sector where light armour (vehicles) would have ease of manoeuvre, so any Chinese buildup there is a cause for concern.

Global Economic Prospects:

• It is the World Bank’s semi-annual flagship publication on the state of the world economy.
• It examines global economic developments and prospects, with a special focus on emerging market and developing economies.
• It is issued twice a year, in January and June. The January edition includes in-depth analyses of topical policy challenges while the June edition contains shorter analytical pieces.

Changpa community:

Why in News?

The Chinese Army’s intrusion in Chumur and Demchok since January has left Ladakh’s nomadic herding Changpa community cut off from large parts of summer pastures.

This has also resulted in a sharp rise in deaths of young Pashmina goats this year in the Korzok-Chumur belt of Changthang plateau in Ladakh.

About Changthangi or Pashmina goat:

1. It is a special breed of goat indigenous to the high-altitude regions of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.
2. They are raised for ultra-fine cashmere wool, known as Pashmina once woven.
3. These goats are generally domesticated and reared by nomadic communities called the Changpa in the Changthang region of Greater Ladakh.
4. The Changthangi goats have revitalized the economy of Changthang, Leh and Ladakh region.

SaalBhar60:

A new campaign on air pollution unveiled by Haridwar-based Ridhima Pandey.

It demands that the government put in place measures to ensure that the PM 2.5 levels in cities is 60 micrograms per cubic metre, which is the safe limit for 24 hours as prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 

Tripoli:

Tripoli is the capital city and the largest city of Libya.

It is located in the northwest of Libya on the edge of the desert, on a point of rocky land projecting into the Mediterranean Sea and forming a bay.

Why in News?

Libya’s UN-backed gov’t announces taking over Tripoli from the militias of Haftar.

World Environment Day:

Observed on June 5, 2020.

Why June 5? To mark the first day of The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment which was held in Stockholm, Sweden from June 5–16 in 1972.

This year’s host is Colombia in partnership with Germany.

Theme: In 2020, the theme is biodiversity–a concern that is both urgent and existential.

Deccan Queen:

It runs between Mumbai and Pune.

• Its birthday was celebrated on June 1^st. It began operations on 1st June 1930.
• This train holds many a record, including that of being India’s first superfast train, first long-distance electric-hauled train, first vestibuled train, the first train to have a ‘women-only’ car, and the first train to feature a dining car.
• It was started by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), the forerunner of the Central Railway. This was the first deluxe train introduced to serve the two important cities of the region, and was named after Pune – also known as the “Queen of Deccan’’ (“Dakkhan ki Rani’’ in Hindi).

World Oceans Day:

Celebrated on June 8, 2020.

Theme: “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.”

The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

World Oceans Day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008.

Jaya Jaitly task force:

Constituted by Women and Child Development Ministry.

To examine issues related to age of motherhood, lowering Maternal Mortality Rate and improvement of nutritional levels.

• Headed by Jaya Jaitly and it will submit its report by 31st July of next month.
• The mandate of the task force involves examining the correlation of age of marriage and motherhood with health, medical well-being and nutritional status of mother and neonate/infant/child, during pregnancy, birth and thereafter.

World Food Safety Day (WFSD):

Second World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was celebrated on 7 June 2020.

Theme: “Food safety, everyone’s business”.

WFSD was first celebrated in 2019, to strengthen commitment to scale up food safety made by the Addis Ababa Conference and the Geneva Forum in 2019 under the umbrella of “The Future of Food Safety”.

Through the World Food Safety Day, WHO in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) pursues its efforts to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally.

Coro-bot- World’s first ‘Internet-controlled’ robot:

Engineer from Thane has made a first-of-its kind ‘Internet-controlled’ robot specifically to address the needs of hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

• The gizmo, aptly called ‘Coro-bot’ independently dispenses food, water, beverages, medicines – and even some good advice – to Corona patients without the needs for nurses, ward staff or other care-givers.
• It eliminates the need of physical presence or contact of nurses or ward boys with the patient.
• Designed and created by Pratik Tirodkar, founder of a start-up PNT Solutions, Dombivali.

Spandan Campaign:

Chhattisgarh government has launched the Spandan Campaign to contain incidents of suicide and fratricide involving police personnel.

• Under the campaign, the superintendents of police associated with the Chhattisgarh Government will start a parade in their districts every Friday. After the event, the grievances of the personnel are to be addressed. Also, the campaign has made medical treatment and counselling of depressed officers mandatory.
• The campaign will also make arrangements for yoga classes for the police personnel at all the district head quarters. Cooperation of local yoga teachers have been sought to conduct these classes.
• Also, the police officers have been instructed to the redress grievances of police personnel in regular intervals. The superintendents have been instructed to visit police stations regularly and make arrangements for recreational activities.

Magnetocaloric materials:

They are certain materials in which application and removal of a magnetic field causes the materials to become warmer or cooler.

Why in News?

Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed a rare-earth-based magnetocaloric material that can be effectively used for cancer treatment.

Indian Gaur:

The first population estimation exercise of Indian gaur carried out in the Nilgiris forest division in February has revealed that more than an estimated 2,000 Indian gaurs inhabit the 300 sq. km range.

Threats: On an average, a total of 60 gaurs die each year in the Nilgiris forest division, many due to accidents, owing to their proximity to human habitations.

About Indian Gaur:

• The gaur, Bos gaurus, also called the Indian bison, is one of the largest extant bovines.
• It is native to South and Southeast Asia and has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986.
• Distribution: In India, the population was estimated to be 12,000–22,000 in the mid-1990s. The Western Ghats and their outflanking hills in southern India constitute one of the most extensive extant strongholds of gaur, in particular in the Wayanad – Nagarhole – Mudumalai – Bandipur complex.

Anti-viral Viroblock textile technology:

Textile major Arvind Limited has announced the launch of an anti-viral textile technology for its fabric and garment products.

Significance:

Research shows that viruses and bacteria, can remain active on textile surfaces for up to two days. Arvind claims that garments treated with HeiQ Viroblock actively inhibit viruses and kill them upon contact, helping to minimize the potential for re-transmission of pathogens through clothing.

What is HeiQ Viroblock?

HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is an intelligent Swiss textile technology that is added to the fabric during the final stage of the textile manufacturing process. It is a special combination of advanced silver and vesicle technology.

• It has proven effective against SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 causing virus
• Suitable for all fiber types, from medical nonwovens (e.g. face masks) to fabrics for clothing and home textiles.

Important places and events from Chhattisgarh in News:

Ministry of Tourism brings out the “Hidden Treasures of Chhattisgarh” through 30th webinar under Dekho Apna Desh series.
Places:

1. Karkabhat – Megalithic burial site.
2. Dipadih – Temple complex dating back to the 7th Century.

Others:

Ghotul – It is both an ancient tribal system of education as well as the campus with its own system of hierarchs.

Sonabai– Famous bas relief ornamentation works of Chhattisgarh got its roots when Sonabai made little toys for her son Daroga Ram to lull him to sleep.

World Accreditation Day (WAD):

Celebrated on 9th June every year to highlight as well as promote the role of accreditation in trade & economy.

Theme: “Accreditation: Improving Food Safety”.

The day was jointly established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

 Daulat Beg Oldie:

• DBO is the northernmost corner of Indian territory in Ladakh, in the area better known in Army parlance as Sub-Sector North.
• It has the world’s highest airstrip, originally built during the 1962 war but abandoned until 2008, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) revived it as one of its many Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) along the LAC.
• DBO is less than 10 km west of the LAC at Aksai Chin. 
• To the west of DBO is the region where China abuts Pakistan in the Gilgit-Baltistan area, once a part of the erstwhile Kashmir principality.

Why in News?

The construction of the 255-km long Darbuk-Shyokh-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) all-weather road is said to be the immediate reason behind the standoff between Indian Army and a Chinese Army along LAC.

Built by BRO, the road runs almost parallel to the LAC and connects Leh to DBO.

Operation Desert Chase:

It was the name of the Anti-espionage operation started by Military Intelligence (MI) in early 2019. It successfully culminated in June 2020 with the arrest of two men. Both were arrested under relevant sections of Official Secrets Act, 1923. 

Context:

Under this operation, Rajasthan Police arrested two civil defence employees in Jaipur based on Military Intelligence (MI) inputs that they had been passing on sensitive information to Pakistan’s spy agency ISI.

Athirappilly hydroelectric project:

The Kerala government has issued a fresh no-objection certificate (NOC) for the state electricity board to proceed with the implementation of the proposed Athirapally hydro-electric project, which had been shelved several times in the past due to protests by green activists.

Key facts:

• The project will have an installed capacity of 163 mw.
• Under the project, a dam is proposed to be constructed on the Chalakudy River.
• The Chalakudy River is a tributary of the Periyar River and originates in the Anamalai region of Tamil Nadu.

CPCB to classify railway stations based on waste water generation:

Central Pollution Control Board will classify railway stations under the red, orange and green categories based on the quantity of waste water generated.

Red:  railway stations generating waste water equal to or more than 100 Kilo Litres per Day.

Orange: those greater than 10 KLD but less than 100 KLD.

Green: less than 10 KLD waste water generation.

Locations of North Korea and South Korea:

 North Korea has cut off all inter-Korean communication lines with the South, including a hotline between the two nations’ leaders.

The North said this was the first in a series of actions, describing South Korea as “the enemy”.

This move was triggered by South Korean activists who sent anti-Pyongyang messages in balloons across the border.

Key facts:

• It is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
• The country is bordered to the north by China and by Russia along the Amnok and Tumen rivers, and to the south by South Korea, with the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two.

What is the Coral Triangle Day?

• Held every year on June 9.
• It is a massive celebration of the Coral Triangle, the world’s epicentre of marine biodiversity, which encompasses the seas of 6 countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.
• Objective: The event brings together individuals, organizations, and establishments on one special day of the year to shed light on ocean conservation and the numerous ways to protect and conserve the Coral Triangle.
• Coral Triangle is considered as one of the 3 mega ecological complexes on Earth, together with Congo Basin and the Amazon Rainforest. The region contains 76% of all known coral species, 37% of all known coral reef fish species and 53% of the world’s coral reefs.
• The first Coral Triangle Day was celebrated on June 9, 2012 in conjunction with World Oceans Day which is celebrated every year on June 8.

Turant Customs:

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, CBIC has launched its flagship programme Turant Customs, at Bengaluru and Chennai.
Under this, Importers will now get their goods cleared from Customs after a faceless assessment is done remotely by the Customs officers located outside the port of import.

Now, the goods imported at Chennai may be assessed by the Customs officers located at Bengaluru and vice versa, as assigned by the Customs’ automated system.

Ramon Magsaysay Award:

Cancelled this year due to COVID 19 pandemic.

About the Award:

• It is Asia’s highest honour and is often regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
• It was established in 1957 by trustees of the New York City based Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Philippine government in the memory of Philippines’ third President Ramon Magsaysay.
• It is awarded annually to individuals or organizations from Asia region for their altruistic and philanthropic service.
• It carries Medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, cash prize and a certificate.

Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT):

Designed, developed and manufactured by Indian Air Force.

The pod is used for the evacuation of critical patients with infectious diseases from the high altitude, remote and isolated areas across the country.

• It has a transparent and durable cast Perspex for enhanced patient visibility which is larger, higher, and wider than the existing models.
• The ARPIT uses High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) H-13 class filters and supports invasive ventilation using Transport Ventilator.

About CAT:

The Central Administrative Tribunal was established by an Act of Parliament namely Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 as sequel to the 42nd amendment of the Constitution of India inserting Article 323 A.

Functions: The tribunal adjudicates disputes and complaints with respect to Recruitment and Conditions of Service of the persons appointed to the Public Services and Posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or any State or of any other Local Authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.

Composition: The Tribunal is headed by the Chairman and 65 Members, 33 from Judicial (including Chairman) and 33 from the Administrative stream. The Chairman is normally a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.

Why in News?

18th Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh inaugurated recently.

“COVID BEEP” App:

It is country’s first indigenous wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for the COVID 19 affected patients.

Developed by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical college, Hyderabad in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and the Department of Atomic Energy.

COVID BEEP stands for Continuous Oxygenation and Vital Information Detection Biomed ECIL ESIC Pod.

NAIMISHA 2020:

It is an initiative to provide a chance to participants and art enthusiasts to create and learn from practising artists.

• The programme includes online workshops sessions on painting, sculpture, printmaking and indrajaal (an interdisciplinary creative workshop).
• Organised by National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).
• The exhibition of selected artworks from the program will be displayed on So’ham, the cultural media platform of NGMA.

Gairsain becomes Uttarakhand’s summer capital:

Gairsain in Chamoli district was formally declared as the summer capital of Uttarakhand.

• It would be developed as an ideal seat of the administration.
• The Legislative Assembly of the state is located at Dehradun, the winter capital city.

India’s first online waste exchange platform:

• Launched by the Andhra Pradesh Government.
• It will help the authorities monitor the movement of hazardous waste real-time using the tools incorporated in the platform.
• The platform will be handled by the AP Environment Management Corporation (APEMC).
• The APEMC will streamline collection of the waste from industries, sort and streamline the waste as hazardous or non-hazardous or e-waste according to category, and scientifically dispose it off at various waste disposal centres.

Malabar gliding frog:

Why in News?

It was recently spotted at Pullad, near Kozhencherry.

Key facts:

Scientific name: Rhacophorus malabaricus.

Features: It is a green frog with slender body, webbed feet, unusual body positions, very well camouflaged and gliding in the air.

It is endemic to the rain forests of Western Ghats.

Males are smaller than females.

Threats: Deforestation, climate change, developmental activities, toxic chemicals.

IUCN Conservation status: Least Concern.

Monkey Park in Karnataka:

• The state government is planning to establish a monkey park on the uninhabited islands in the Sharavathi backwaters region.
• Need for: The idea came up following a spike in the cases of monkeys raiding agricultural and plantation crops in Malnad region in recent times and several protests by farmers.
• As a solution to the menace, the State government took a decision to establish the park and in the 2020-21 budget, ₹6.25 crore was allocated for the purpose.

In Himachal Pradesh, there are state-of-the-art monkey sterilisation and rehabilitation centres to address the monkey menace.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is the portmanteau of June and nineteenth and while it is not a federal holiday, it is recognised as a state holiday in over 45 US states.

The day is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US and is observed on June 19.

It is also known as Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day.

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of both the Civil War and slavery. Since then, Juneteenth has become a largely symbolic date representing freedom for African Americans.

AarogyaPath:

It is CSIR National Healthcare Supply Chain Portal that aims to provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies.

It was launched recently to serve manufacturers, suppliers and customers to effectively deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Captain Arjun:

Railway Protection Force, Pune, under the Central Railways, has launched a Robotic ‘CAPTAIN ARJUN’ to intensify the screening and surveillance.

The robot will screen passengers while they board trains and keep a watch on anti-social elements.

It is equipped with a motion sensor, one PTZ camera and one Dome Camera. The Cameras use Artificial Intelligence algorithms to track suspicious and antisocial activity.

PK Mohanty panel:

Constituted by RBI.

To review guidelines of ownership of private sector banks.

Terms of reference:

1. examine the existing regulation and guidelines on ownership of private sector banks.
2. suggest appropriate norms to address the issue of concentration of control and ownership of banks.
3. review the eligibility criteria of the individuals to apply for banking license.

International Albinism Awareness Day:

Observed every year on June 13 to highlight the rights of those born with albinism and increase awareness of the genetic condition.

Theme this year: ‘Made To Shine’.

Albinism — a rare disease, according to the National Institutes of Health — is characterised by a lack of melanin pigment in skin, hair and eyes. Those with albinism are vulnerable to sun exposure, something that increases chances of skin cancer and severe visual impairment.

Albinism is also widespread among animals as well and is caused by the absence of melanin in their bodies.

Malathion:

It is a pesticide that is widely used in agriculture, residential landscaping, public recreation areas, and in public health pest control programs such as mosquito eradication.

Why in News?

HIL India Ltd. supplies 25 MT Malathion 95% ULV Insecticides to Iran for Locust Control Programme.

Need for:

As per the reports of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the hopper stage population of locust is building up in Sistan-Baluchistan Region of Iran, which shall migrate to India in coming months leading to further crop devastation. Government of India has taken an initiative to counter the locust menace at its breeding ground itself and approached Iran for coordinated efforts.

(For more details on desert locusts: click here.)

Places in News:

Context: Mentioned as part of 32nd session of the DekhoApnaDesh webinar series of Ministry of Tourism titled “Trekking in the Himalayas- Magical Experiences”.

Places:

1. Kuari Pass (Uttrakhand): This trek was explored by Lord Curzon and is also knows as the Curzon trail.
2. Brahma Taal (Uttrakhand): It is a hidden and secluded lake amidst the ridge, where Lord Brahma meditated according to the mythology.
3. Fotoksaris a picturesque village in Ladakh. It is the part of the Lingshed- Padum trek (also known as The Great Zanskar trek).
4. Roopkhund (Uttarakhand): It is a high altitude glacial lake. It lies in the lap of Trishul massif.

Magallanodon baikashkenke:

Context: Researchers from Chile and Argentine have discovered teeth of an extinct species of the lineage of Gondwanatheria.
It was unearthed in Patagonia.

The species is named Magallanodon baikashkenke.

Key facts:

• The animal is the oldest mammal ever discovered in Chile.
• The name Magallanodon is due to the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Hernando de Magallanes and Baikashkenke’s first round the world tribute to the Tehuelches, in whose language it means “grandfather’s valley”.
• The small mammal would have lived in southern Patagonia during the late Cretaceous era, alongside dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles and birds.

PNGRB:

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was constituted under The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006.

• It seeks to protect the interests of consumers and entities engaged in specified activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas and to promote competitive markets and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• The board has also been mandated to regulate the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas excluding production of crude oil and natural gas so as and to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas in all parts of the country.

Schizothorax sikusirumensis:

It is a new species of fish discovered in Arunachal Pradesh recently.

• The fish species belongs to genus Schizothorax.
• The name of this fish species has been derived from the name of the rivers where it was found- junction of River Siku and Sirum near Gakang area under Mebo circle of East Siang District.

Pangolin:

China has accorded the pangolin the highest level of protection and removed the scales of the endangered mammal from its list of approved traditional medicines.

Key facts:

Pangolin is only scaly mammal on the planet.

According to CITES, it is also the most illegally traded vertebrate within its class (Mammalia).

Of the eight species of pangolin worldwide, two are found in India. They are Chinese pangolin, mostly found in northeast India and Indian pangolin.

Protection Status:

1. Chinese pangolin has been listed as “critically endangered”.
2. Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) has been listed as “endangered”.

It is also a Schedule I category protected animal, under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).

What is dexamethasone?

• It is an anti-inflammatory drug, commonly used to treat conditions in which the body’s immune system does not function properly, and causes inflammation and tissue damage.
• Dexamethasone reduces the production of the chemicals that cause inflammation and also reduces the activity of the immune system by affecting the way white blood cells function.
• It falls in a category called corticosteroids, which closely mimic cortisol, the hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands in humans.

Why in News?

It has become the subject of discussion after researchers from the Recovery Trial reported that it helps reduce death rates in certain Covid-19 patients.

Jagannath Rath Yatra:

• Popularly known as the ‘Festival of Chariots’, Rath Yatra festival in honour of Puri’s Lord Jagannath is grand celebration.
• The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Goddess Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra.
• All the three deities of the temple – Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra – travel in three different chariots during this festival. The chariots are called Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Devadalana respectively.
• New chariots for all the three deities are constructed every year using wood even if the architect of the chariots remain similar. Four wooden horses are attached to each chariot.

Why in News?

Supreme Court of India has stayed annual Rath Yatra at Puri’s Jagannath Temple in Odisha which was scheduled from June 23. The apex court said that ‘Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow this year’s Rath Yatra’.

Kodumanal:

• Kodumanal is a village located in the Erode district in Tamil Nadu. It is located on the northern banks of Noyyal River, a tributary of the Cauvery.
• It was once a flourishing ancient trade city known as Kodumanam, as inscribed in Patittrupathu of Sangam Literature.
• It served as a trade-cum-industrial centre from 5^th century BCE to 1^st century BCE.
• The place is an important archaeological site, under the control of State Archaeological Department of Tamil Nadu.

Why in News?

The following things have been found during the ongoing excavation at the site:

10 Pots and bowls placed outside three-chambered burial cists and inside the cairn-circle. This has thrown light on burial rituals and the concept of afterlife in megalithic culture.

Other findings: Animal skull, possibly of a wolf or a dog; precious stones; copper smelting units; potteries.

Govt to revise criteria for medium units:

Days after changing the definition of MSMEs, the government has decided to further revise the criteria for medium units by enhancing the investment and turnover limits to up to Rs 50 crore and Rs 200 crore respectively.

According to the revised definition:

• Any firm with investment up to Rs 1 crore and turnover under Rs 5 crore will be classified as “micro”.
• A company with investment up to Rs 10 crore and turnover up to Rs 50 crore will be classified as “small”.

National Test Abhyas:

The AI-powered mobile App has been developed by National Testing Agency (NTA) to enable candidates to take mock tests for upcoming exams such as JEE Main, NEET under the NTA’s purview.

Launched by Human Resources Development Ministry recently.

International Tea Day (ITD):

1^st International Tea Day (ITD) is being celebrated by United Nations on 21^st May.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will lead the observance of the Day.

The aim is to raise awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world.

Agappe Chitra Magna:

It is a magnetic nanoparticle-based RNA extraction kit for use during testing for the detection of COVID-19.

Developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) along with Agappe Diagnostics Ltd, an in vitro diagnostics manufacturing company based in Cochin.

The kit can be used for RNA extraction for RT-LAMP, RT-qPCR, RT-PCR and other isothermal and PCR based protocols for the detection of SARS-COV-2.

Significance: Agappe Chitra Magna RNA Isolation Kit priced at around Rs. 150 per kit is expected to reduce the cost of testing and the country’s dependence on imported kits which cost around Rs 300.

What is China’s May Fourth Movement?

It is an intellectual revolution and sociopolitical reform movement that occurred in China on May 4th in 1919.

The Movement unfolded sparked by the refusal of delegates at the Paris Peace Conference to return former German colonies in China to Chinese sovereignty at the conclusion of World War I.

The students protested not only Western imperialism but their own government’s weakness.

What is ‘Sonic Boom’?

A sonic boom is said to occur when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound and creates shock waves. This can lead to a huge emission in energy, usually in the form of sound, which can be similar to an explosion of thunderclap.

Effects: The sonic boom is a continuous sound which is emitted by the aircraft all the while it is travelling at a supersonic speed. If the aircraft is flying at a low altitude, the sonic boom may also lead to tremors similar to earthquakes and shattering of glass.

Skills Build Reignite:

MSDE-IBM partnership unveils Free Digital Learning Platform “Skills Build Reignite” to reach more job seekers & provide new resources to business owners in India.

• The free digital learning platform provides job seekers and entrepreneurs, with access to free online coursework and mentoring support designed to help them reinvent their careers and businesses.
• Job seekers, individual business owners, entrepreneurs and any individual with learning aspirations can access content on topics including Artificial intelligence, Cloud, Data analytics and security to reskill and upskill themselves, at no cost.
• There is also personalized coaching for entrepreneurs, seeking advice to help establish or restart their small businesses as they begin to focus on recovery to emerge out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year:

• Ashadhi Bij/Beej is the 2nd day of Shukla paksha of Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar (June – July).
• The Kutchi people of Gujarat celebrate their Kutchi New Year on this day.
• This day is associated with the beginning of rains in Kutch, Gujarat.

Kushinagar airport declared as international airport:

It is in Uttar Pradesh.

• Kushinagar is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvan
• Kushinagar is dotted with several  other Buddhist sites in the nearby surroundings like Sravasti (238 km), Kapilvastu (190 km) and Lumbini (195 km).

Shwe oil & gas project in Myanmar:

CCEA has approved additional investment of US$ 121.27 million by ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) towards further development of Shwe oil & gas project in Myanmar.

• ONGC Videsh (OVL) has been associated with exploration and development of Shwe gas project in Myanmar since 2002.

Significance:

The participation of Indian PSUs in oil & gas exploration and development projects in neighbouring countries is aligned with India’s Act East Policy, and also part of India’s strategy to develop Energy Bridges with its neighbours in addition to further strengthening India’s energy security needs.

What is the Order of the Nine Angles?

O9A is considered to be a satanic, anarchist group founded in the UK in the 1970s that now operates around the world, including in the US.

The group describes itself as “a diverse, and world-wide, collective of diverse groups, tribes, and individuals, who share and who pursue similar sinister, subversive, interests, aims and life-styles, and who cooperate when necessary for their mutual benefit and in pursuit of their shared aims and objectives…”

Why in News?

A US Army private has confessed to plotting an attack on his own unit by sharing secret information with this obscure satanic neo-Nazi group.

Nation’s top wheat contributor:

Madhya Pradesh (MP) this year surpassed Punjab to become the number one contributor of wheat.

Punjab, however, is still a way ahead from MP as far as per hectare productivity of wheat is concerned, which is around 52 per cent more (per hectare) than MP.

• This year wheat was sown on 2 LH across the country against 296.98 LH last year.
• Of the total wheat area in the country, MP’s share was 31 per cent, while Punjab cultivated wheat on 10.6 per cent of the total national area.

World’s first yoga university outside India has been launched in Los Angeles:

It is named Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU).

• VaYU will offer online graduate programmes based on scientific principles and modern research approaches to yoga.
• Eminent Indian yoga guru Dr. H R Nagendra, Chancellor of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) is the first Chairman of VaYU.

Navigating the New Normal:

• It is a campaign launched by NITI Aayog, in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and WCD.
• It focusses on COVID-safe behaviours, especially wearing masks, during the ‘Unlock’ phase of the ongoing pandemic.

What are Placebos?

Placebos are substances that are made to resemble drugs but do not contain an active drug.

A placebo is made to look exactly like a real drug but is made of an inactive substance, such as a starch or sugar.

Maareech:

It is an advanced anti-torpedo decoy system that is capable of being fired from all frontline ships.

• It was recently inducted by the Indian Navy.
• Designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• It is capable of detecting, locating and neutralizing incoming torpedo.

Sankalp Parva:

Ministry of Culture is celebrating the “Sankalp Parva” from 28th June to 12 July 2020.

This initiative has been launched following the call of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to plant at least five trees either in Office campus or wherever it is possible in order to ensure clean and healthy environment of the country.

Ministry of Culture has recommended planting 5 tress: Bargad, Awla, Pepal, Ashok and Bel. These 5 trees represent the herbal heritage of the country.

Fishing cats:

Why in News?

The Odisha Government has started a two-year conservation project for Fishing Cats in Bhitarkanika National Park.

Key facts:

The fishing cat is nocturnal (active at night).

State animal of West Bengal.

Habitats: In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys and in the Western Ghats.

Protection:

1. Vulnerable— IUCN Red List.
2. CITES: Appendix II
3. Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Fishing Cat Project, launched in 2010 started raising awareness about the Cat in West Bengal.

Gynandromorphs:

They are chimeric individuals having both male and female tissues, and are viewed by the scientific community as a genetic aberration. 

It is common in some arthropod taxa such as Crustacea and Arachnida.

Why in News?

Researchers have Gynandromorphism in the Libellulid Dragonfly Crocothemis Servilia from India.

Covaxin:

• It is India’s first COVID vaccine candidate approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
• Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine created from a strain of the infectious SARS COV-2 virus.
• It is the first vaccine that has got approval of the drug controller for phase 1 and II human clinical trials.
• The vaccine has been developed by Hyderabad Major Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).

The company is also involved in the development of CoroFlu, a nasal vaccine for COVID-19, as part of an international collaboration of virologists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and vaccine firm FluGen.

What is Covifor?

It is an antiviral Remdesivir for treatment of COVID 19.

Drug Controller General of India has recently given its nod to Drugmaker Hetero to launch this new drug.

It is the second such drug to enter the Indian market after Fabiflu by Glenmark, which came a day earlier.

Golden Langurs:

Primatologists have observed that the Gee’s golden langur induce stillbirth of babies killed inside the womb of females, besides practising infanticide.

Forced abortion and infanticide happen when a new male takes over. He often kills the baby of a lactating female or hits the abdomen of a female impregnated by the deposed male till the point of abortion.

Other Concerns:

Obstructions such as wires, and gaps in the forest due to felling, have increased the threat of inbreeding among golden langurs.

Facts:

• Habitat: semi evergreen and mixed deciduous forests.
• Found in Small regions of western Assam and in the neighbouring foothills of the black mountains of Bhutan.

Protection status:

• Schedule I species in the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
• CITES Appendix I.
• Endangered in IUCN Red List.

Population:

In 2019, Bhutan recorded a drop of 62% in the population of golden langurs over the 2009 census. The recorded estimation in Assam in 2009 was 5,140.

This year’s census could not be completed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

International Yoga Day:

Observed on June 21^st every year.

Theme for 2020: “Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home”.

The World Health Organization mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030: More active people for a healthier world.

Background:

The UN proclaimed June 21 as International Day of Yoga by passing a resolution on December 11, 2014, during the 69th session of the General Assembly.

Swabhiman Anchal:

• Swabhiman Anchal, formerly known as Cut-off area, in Malkangiri district of Odisha has been a Maoist stronghold.
• The area was covered by water from three sides and inhospitable terrain by another. It had long been a stronghold of naxalites.
• The Maoists from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh used to slip into Swabhiman Anchal to take refuge.

Why in News?

The Odisha police has been strengthening security infrastructure in the area.

UNICEF Kid Power:

UNICEF Kid Power’ has listed 13 Yoga stretches and poses for children.

What is it?

• UNICEF Kid Power is a program of UNICEF USA that gives kids the power to save lives by connecting their everyday activity to real-world impact.
• Launched in 2015, the initiative, in collaboration with technology firms, develops activity tracker bands for kids.
• These bands act as a kids’ fitness tracker bracelet that connects to a smartphone app. The app lets users complete missions, which counts total steps and awards points.
• The points then unlock funding from partners, which is then used by UNICEF to deliver packets of therapeutic food (Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)) to severely malnourished children around the globe.

Macaws:

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a wildlife smuggling syndicate with seizure of a consignment of exotic macaws which had been smuggled from Bangladesh to Kolkata.

• The birds were identified as Hyacinth Macaw, Pesquet’s Parrot, Severe Macaw and Hahn’s Macaw.
• All the birds were seized under provisions of the Customs Act and Wild Life Protection Act, 1972. Offences under these laws are punishable with a sentence of up to seven years of imprisonment.

Protection status:

They are all protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with Hyacinth Macaw being accorded the highest protection and listed under Appendix I.

Protection under CITES implies ban in global and domestic trade of the species.

Pokhran potteries:

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has launched its flagship “Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana” in Rajasthan’s Pokhran, to restore the lost glory of the pottery site.

Under this, KVIC distributed 80 electric potter wheels to 80 potter families in Pokhran which has a rich heritage in terracotta products.

Key facts:

• Pokhran is one of the aspirational districts identified by the Niti Ayog.
• Pokhran served as the test site for India’s first underground nuclear weapon, ballistic missiles.

Kumhar Sashaktikaran Program:

It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for empowerment of potters’ community in the remotest of locations in the country.

The program reaches out to the potters in many states including U.P., M.P., Maharashtra, J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana and Bihar.

This program provides the following support to potters.

1. Training for advanced pottery products
2. Latest, new technology pottery equipments like the electric Chaak
3. Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions

YUKTI 2.0:

It is an initiative to help systematically assimilate technologies having commercial potential and information related to incubated startups in our higher education institutions.

YUKTI stands for Young India combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation.

Ministry of HRD prepared the portal in view of Coronavirus.

• Through this portal, the Ministry of Human Resource Development will endeavor to ensure that students, teachers and researchers in higher educational institutions are getting appropriate support to meet the requirements needed to advance their technologies and innovations.

Gaia hypothesis:

Gaia hypothesis put forth by James Lovelock is an ecological theory proposing that living creatures and the physical world are in a complex interacting system that maintains equilibrium. 

Blazars:

Blazars are among the brightest objects in the universe thanks to emissions powered by supersized black holes.

• The most distant of the newly discovered blazars started to emit their light when the universe was just 1.4 billion years old.
• Blazars are similar to all active galaxies, acquiring energy from matter falling toward a central supermassive black hole. A small part of this infalling material becomes redirected into a pair of particle jets, which blast outward in opposite directions at nearly the speed of light.