September 3rd Week 2020 Current Affairs Online Test Tamil

• As per the recent statement from the India’s UN mission, India is to send two teams of specialists to support UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• This move is aimed to meet the COVID–19 challenge in two countries. One team of 15 specialists will be sent to Goma in DRC and another team of 15 specialists will be sent to Juba in South Sudan. This will strengthen the hospital facilities managed by Indian peacekeepers and will help those two countries in fighting COVID–19.

• The International Day of Charity is observed every year on September 5, across the world. The day aims to sensitize people and NGOs to engage in volunteer and philanthropic activities.
• This date of 5 September marks the day of the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa. She was honoured as a Saint was known for her missionary work in Kolkata. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

• Kesavananda Bharati, who was a petitioner of the landmark Supreme Court judgement on basic structure of the Constitution in 1973, has recently passed away. He was the head of a Mutt at Kasaragod in Kerala, and had moved the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala government’s land reforms Act of 1969. Supreme Court ruled that the basic structure of the Constitution is unbreakable and cannot be amended by Parliament.

• As per the Japan Meteorological Agency, the typhoon Haishen hit Japan and released fierce winds and rains. Haishen means Sea God in Chinese and the typhoon unleashed winds of speed over 180 kilometers per hour and damaged some parts of Okinawa, Kyushu island. The typhoon is estimated to approach some regions of South Korea.

• The Vice President has recently suggested to include Milk as a part of the Mid–day Meal scheme, in break fast or meal, to improve the nutritional levels of children. The Vice President earlier discussed this proposal with the Union Minister for Women and Child Development in this regard. He also said that the Central Government would recommend to all states to include Milk.

• The first World Solar Technology Summit (WSTS) is to be organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on September 8, 2020.
• More than 25000 participants from 149 countries and several distinguished judges are set to participate in the virtual summit. The President of the assembly and India’s New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh will be joined by Principal Scientific Adviser, K. Vijay Raghavan.

• As per the news from the Prime Minister’s Office, the first–ever cannabis medicine project will be set up at Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in Jammu. This project will be the first major foreign investment in Jammu and Kashmir after it became a Union Territory (UT). It will be established in collaboration with Canada. The medicine prepared from Cannabis are used to produce pain–relief medicine.

• The third annual Indo–Pacific Business Forum is to be held in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam on October 28 and 29, 2020. The United States Government will sponsor the forum, in collaboration with the Government of Vietnam, the US–ASEAN Business Council and others trade associations. The main focus will be on Infrastructure, Digital economy, Market connectivity, health and economic recovery.

• The programme named ‘Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission’ is implemented by the Union MSME Ministry. The programme is aimed at creating employment for the unemployed and migrant workers give handholding artisans and support the local agarbatti industry.
• To make India self–reliant in this sector, the total size of the programme, has been increased to more than ₹55 crore. This includes immediate support to 1,500 artisans and development of two centres of Excellence costing at ₹2.20 crore.

• The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced a new electronics & hardware manufacturing policy. The policy aims to increase the State’s electronics industry output to $100 billion by 2025. The policy undertakes to impart skill training for more than 1,00,000 people by 2024, to meet the state’s human resource demand in electronics sector.

The International Literacy Day was observed on September 8 every year, across the world. The first International Literacy Day was declared at the UNESCO General Conference in 1966. The day aims to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals and communities around the world. The theme of this year’s International Day focusses on “Literacy teaching and learning in the Covid–19 crisis and beyond.”

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has recently inaugurated 22 bamboo clusters in 9 States viz. Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. He also unveiled a logo for the National Bamboo Mission, selected through a contest conducted. The yellow–green logo showcases a bamboo culm with half an industrial wheel and half farmers.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has recently signed a USD 500 million loan, to build the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.
This is the first tranche of a total USD 1 billion facility extended to construct the modern, high–speed 82–kilometer RRTS corridor in India’s national capital region (NCR). A total of three priority rail corridors planned under the NCR Regional Plan 2021, to connect Delhi to other cities.

The Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) is to establish two new Centres for skilling and technical support at Bhagalpur and Varanasi. CIPET is an autonomous research and training institution under the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry. Around 1,000 youths will be trained in each centre every year through Diploma and Skill development programmes for employment in petrochemicals and allied industries.

The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2019 was conferred to the British broadcaster David Attenborough. The price was conferred to him in a virtual event by former Indian PM Manmohan Singh. The “Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development” was instituted in 1986 and is awarded to individuals / institutions who work to achieve international peace. It consists of a monetary award of Rs.25 lakh along with a citation.

UNICEF is leading in efforts to procure and supply COVID–19 vaccines. This could be the world’s largest and fastest ever procurement and supply of vaccines. In collaboration with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), UNICEF is set in its efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID–19 vaccines for 92 low and lower middle–income countries.

Recently National Statistical Office (NSO) has released a report on ‘Household Social Consumption: Education in India’ as part of 75th round of National Sample Survey. As per the report, Kerala ranks No.1 in literacy with 96.2% literacy rate. It is followed by Delhi with 88.7% and Uttarakhand with 87.6%. Andhra Pradesh featured at the bottom with a rate of 66.4%. Of these, Tamil Nadu is in eighth place. In Tamil Nadu, 82.9% are literate.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Indian Railways has disrupted the operation of illegal software called “Real Mango”, in a nationwide investigation.
The investigation was made on account of increase in touting activity after restart of the passenger train services. RPF have been able to arrest 50 criminals so far including the King pin (system developer) and key managers involved in operation of this illegal software.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently inaugurated the Patrika Gate in Jaipur through video conference. This Iconic Gate has been built by the Patrika Group of Newspapers in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Prime Minister Modi also released two books written by the Group Chairman during the virtual event. This cultural monument is expected to boost tourism in the region.________________________________________

 Bangladesh has recently launched a nation–wide campaign named ‘Asol Chini’, to curb fake information on Social Media. The ‘Asol Chini’ campaign, which means ‘real identification’, aims to create digital literacy to stop fake information and rumours. To implement this three–month long campaign, a digital platform Durbar21.org has been created.

 The Prime Minister is to launch a new platform for managing Livestock named as e–Gopala App, which will serve as a breed improvement marketplace. The portal also aims to provide information on managing livestock including buying and selling of germplasm of livestock. It also ensures Quality breeding services for livestock, Animal nutrition and traditional medical treatment. It also sends alerts to remind vaccination and calving.

 As per the recent media reports, the ruling party of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has approved a proposal to ban cow slaughter. In the country, about 99% people are meat–eaters. Whereas, the majority Hindus and Buddhists do not eat beef. Mahinda Rajapaksa–led SLPP party won a two–thirds majority in the parliamentary elections last month.

 The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot has recently released a book containing 33 Action Plans 2020–21 of all the schemes of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. This is the first time that the Department has released comprehensive Annual Action Plan 2020–21. The aim is to provide specific targets for the Ministry, State Governments and NGOs.

 The Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yediyurappa has recently launched an Integrated Air ambulance service. Being the first air ambulance from South India, it has German Isolation Pod to transport critical COVID–19 patients. It is developed by ICATT in coordination with an aviation technology firm. The service is expected to serve medical emergencies in spite of heavy road traffic.

 The Chief Minister of New Delhi Arvind Kejriwal has recently inaugurated the Delhi government’s e–filing consumer complaint system. The system is aimed at helping the people to file complaints through virtual mode. This digital service helps people maintain social distancing amidst the COVID–19 pandemic. In July, Delhi launched an e–RTI portal that will enable citizens to file online Right to Information (RTI).

 SEBI has added National Stock Exchange (NSE) to the list of entities that can carry out e–KYC Aadhaar authentication. Earlier in May 2020, SEBI had rolled out a list of 8 entities that permitted to undertake e–KYC (electronic–Know Your Customer) Aadhaar authentication. SEBI has stated that NSE can undertake Aadhaar authentication service of the UIDAI subject to compliance certain terms and conditions.

 The first Joint Commission Meeting between India and Angola was held recently. The meeting was co–chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart Tete Antonio. During the meeting, the two countries agreed to diversify their trade relationship. The leaders also discussed regarding cooperation in health, pharmaceuticals, defence, agriculture sectors.

 The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) are to collaborate in establishing over 200 supplementary nutrition production units. This is to be undertaken under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. This partnership aims to reach nearly 33 lakh beneficiaries in 18 districts, by 2023.________________________________________

India and Japan have recently signed a key agreement for Reciprocal provision of supplies and services between their Defence forces. Called as the Acquisition and Cross–Servicing Agreement (ACSA), it facilitates smooth provision of supplies and services between Japan’s Self–Defense Forces and India’s armed forces. This agreement is expected to promote military cooperation and regional security.

The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas has recently dedicated 56 Compressed natural gas (CNG) stations spread across 13 states, to the nation. He also said that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is working to launch the 11th City gas distribution (CGD) authorisation round. The regulator board gives licenses for Retail CNG to automobiles and Piped cooking gas to household kitchens.

Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya has recently launched ‘SAROD–Ports’ (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes – Ports).
SAROD–Ports is established under Societies Registration Act and aims to resolve the disputes with the panel of technical experts as arbitrators. It is expected to save legal expenditure and time. This works similar to the SAROD–Roads constituted by NHAI.

The US based Aerospace and Defence company Northrop Grumman has named its spacecraft named after Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian descent to go to space.
The company’s next space station resupply ship, which is a NG–14 Cygnus spacecraft has been named as ‘S.S. Kalpana Chawla’. The company has a tradition of naming each of its Cygnus ship after an individual achiever in Human spaceflight.

The Department of Post has launched a new scheme called Five Star Villages, to expand Universal coverage of Postal schemes in rural areas of the country. The scheme aims to create public awareness on Postal Products and services across all interior villages. The products covered include Sukanya Samridhi Accounts, PPF Accounts, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana Account, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Account and other SB and RD accounts being offered.

Serena Williams has entered the US Open 2020 semi–finals. With this, the Tennis Legend has entered semi–finals in US Open for eleven times in a row. Serena, who is 38 years old, has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles including six US Open. She was the runner–up in US Open four times.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to measure the extent of digital payment in India by devising Digital Payment Index. The index would also assess innovation in existing modes and will help bridge digital divide. The development of the Digital Payment Index is based on the recommendations made by Nandan Nilekani Committee on Digital Payments.

Jeff Bezos – the Chief Executive and co–founder of Amazon has topped Forbes’ list of richest Americans. He has been the richest American as per the Forbes’ list for 3 times in a row.
He is followed by Microsoft co–founder Bill Gates. As per the Forbes and Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Jeff Bezoz became the first person whose net worth rose to over USD 200 billion.

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has released guidelines to states and Union Territories pertaining to welfare of migrant workers returning to destination States on account of COVID–19.The States and UTs have been advised by the Ministry to conduct free COVID–19 tests for migrant labourers. Also, the ministry has directed to maintain a database of all workers moving out of their States.________________________________________

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat has stated that India’s Defence exports have grown by 700% from Rs 1521 crore in 2016–17 to Rs 10,745 crore in 2018–19.
Also, as of 2019, India is ranked 19th in the list of top Defence exporters in the world, which is an all–time high rank ever featured by India

The High Court of Kerala has issued a set of directives to the state regarding Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). The High Court has directed the state to appoint woman IPS officer in every district, to oversee the cases investigated under POSCO Act. It has also directed to establish 1–Stop Support Centres, in lines with the Supreme Court directions, to protect the victims.

Leading Private sector bank of India, ICICI Bank has launched an exclusive programme for start–ups named ‘iStartup2.0’. Under this programme, a Current Account can be created for new businesses that are up to ten years old seamlessly. The Bank has integrated its APIs with the website of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

The Naval Force of Iran has started a three–day exercise in the Sea of Oman named ‘Zolfaghar–99’, in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Navy is expected to test–fire surface–to–surface and shore–to–sea cruise missiles and rocket–launching systems fitted on warships, submarines, aircraft and drones. The exercise also aims to devise defensive strategies to safeguard the country’s territorial regions.

India and China have recently agreed on five points regarding the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). On the side lines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet in Moscow, the External affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had strategic talks which focussed on Disengagement of troops and easing of tensions.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched the website of Aero India 2021, which is claimed to be the largest aero show of Asia. The 13th edition of show is scheduled to be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru from February 3 to February 7 next year. The newly launched website will host and stream all online services related to the event.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a report titled ‘Countdown to 2023: WHO report on global trans–fat elimination 2020’. As per the report, more than 100 countries have to take actions to remove harmful substances from their food supplies. Due to consumption of trans fats, 5 lakh deaths per year is estimated due to coronary heart disease.

The Government of Gujarat has announced the state’s first Heritage Tourism Policy. The policy permits use of historic buildings (pre–1950 historical buildings) such as heritage palaces and forts, as heritage hotels, heritage museums, heritage banquet halls and heritage restaurants etc. Under the policy, the State Government will offer an aid of Rs. 5 – 10 crore for renovation of these heritage structures.

The National Fertilizers Ltd is a Mini Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It is head quartered at Noida. Recently, it is in news because, it has surpassed its productions targets by producing 16.11 Lakh MT of urea in first 5 months of 2020–21. This figure is 13% higher compared to the production made by the company during the same period of previous year.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recently released the States’ start–up Ranking Framework 2019. As per the ranking, Gujarat has been named as the best performer among states and Andaman & Nicobar Islands has been named as the best performer in the category of Union Territory. Karnataka and Kerala emerged as the Top performers. The framework is based on 7 broad reform areas.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rajasthan government to develop the MSME ecosystem in the state.
This is the initiative of the Department of Industries, Rajasthan to provide financial and technical support to MSMEs in the state. The state has also amended the MSME Act to promote industries and exempt businesses from permissions and inspections for three years.

Meghalaya government has recently launched Piggery Mission with an outlay of Rs 200 Crore. The biggest piggery project aims to reduce the annual import of pork worth Rs 150 Crore. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has launched the project. National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has partnered with Meghalaya to implement the ‘Meghalaya State Piggery Mission’.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and France’s ENGIE group have signed a long–term loan of up to Rs 466 crore to set up a 200–MW solar power project in Gujarat. The project that is to be developed in the Raghanesda Solar Park, is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2021. Electro Solaire Private Ltd (ESPL), a special purpose vehicle owned by the ENGIE group, will implement the project.