13th July 2019 Current Affairs
DBT 2.0 of Fertilizer Subsidy launched by D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Chemicals
- Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda launched the Phase-II of the Direct Benefit Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy (DBT 2.0) .
- Minister of State for Shipping (IC) and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya also graced the occasion.
- DBT in fertilizer subsidy is such a step in the direction of bringing ease of living in the lives of farmers through use of modern technology and plugging leakages, pilferages and black marketing.
Note:
About Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Headquarters: New Delhi
Founded: 1942
RPF launches “Operation Thirst” to curb the menace of unauthorized Packaged Drinking Water
- To curb the menace of unauthorized PDW (PACKAGED DRINKING WATER) in Railway premises, an all India drive named “Operation Thirst” was launched on 08th & 09th July 2019 on the direction of DG/RPF, Railway Board, New Delhi where all the Zonal Principal Chief Security Commissioners (PCSC) were asked to crackdown these unauthorised activities.
- Almost all major stations over Indian Railway were covered during this operation.
- During the drive, 1371 persons were arrested for selling of packaged drinking water of unauthorised brands under different sections i.e. 144 & 153 of Railway Act.
Note:
About RPF
Founded: 1872
Motto: यशो लभस्व (Sanskrit); “Attaining honor”
Zones: 18
Headquarters: New Delhi
Article 370 a temporary provision with respect to J&K in Part XXI of the Constitution: Government
- On July 10, 2019, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy informed Rajya Sabha that Article 370 is contained as a temporary provision with respect to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in Part XXI (Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions) of the Constitution.
- Article 35A, contained in the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, was added through a Constitution order issued by the President of India under Article 370.
- At present, Article 35A is contained in the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 which was added through the Constitution Order issued by the President of India under Article 370.
Note:
About Article 370
Article 370 of the Indian constitution is an article that gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ukraine inaugurates gigantic dome worth $1.7 billion over destroyed Chernobyl reactor
- On July 10, 2019, Ukraine and its European partners have inaugurated the world’s largest new metal dome encasing the destroyed reactor at the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power station.
- Branded as the world’s largest moveable metal structure, the so-called New Safe Confinement seals the remains of the fourth reactor at the nuclear plant that was the site of the massive Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
- The 1.5 billion euro ($1.7 billion) structure was paid for via a special fund launched by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and sponsored by 45 countries.
Note:
About Ukraine
President: Volodymyr Zelensky
Capital: Kyiv
Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia
Taylor Swift is the highest-paid celebrity on Forbes Celebrity 100 List 2019
- The Pop singer Taylor Swift topped the Forbes Celebrity 100 list 2019 for the second time after 2016.
- She is the highest-paid celebrity with her 2019 estimated earnings to be over $185 million.
- Her 2018 ‘Reputation’ tour became the highest-grossing tour in the history of the United States collecting over $266.1 million.
Note:
About Forbes
Editor-in-chief: Steve Forbes
First issue: September 15, 1917; 101 years ago
Editor: Randall Lane
India’s envoy to Canada Vikas Swarup appointed as the Secretary of Overseas Indian Affairs
- Author-diplomat Vikas Swarup, India’s current High Commissioner to Canada, has been appointed as Secretary in the Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs division, with effect from August 1.
- According to a circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Vikas Swarup, (Indian Foreign Service officer of 1986 batch) High Commissioner in Ottawa, as Secretary (CPV & amp;OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs with effect from 1-8-2019.”
- He takes over from Sanjiv Arora, former envoy to Lebanon, who took over as Secretary (CPV & amp; OIA) on February 25.
Note:
About Canada
Capital: Ottawa
Currency: Canadian dollar
Dinesh Bhatia concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay
- On July 10, 2019, As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Shri Dinesh Bhatia has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, with residence in Buenos Aires.
- He succeeds Shri Sanjiv Ranjan.
Note:
About Uruguay
Capital: Montevideo
Currency: Uruguayan peso
Kant appointed MD and CFO of World Bank
- Anshula Kant, managing director of the State Bank Of IndiaNSE 0.11 %, has been appointed as managing director and chief financial officer of the World Bank.
- As MD and CFO, Kant will be responsible for financial and risk management of the World Bank Group, reporting to Malpass.
- Anshula brings more than 35 years of expertise in finance, banking and innovative use of technology through her work as CFO of the State Bank of India.
Note:
About World Bank
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White
Japan spacecraft Hayabusa2 lands on asteroid Ryugu for second time
- Japanese scientists have successfully landed an unmanned spacecraft on the distant asteroid Ryugu for the second time as part of an ongoing mission to help explore the origins of the solar system.
- The state of the (Hayabusa 2) spacecraft is normal and the touchdown sequence was performed as scheduled.
- After landing, the Hayabusa 2 is expected to collect samples from beneath the surface of the asteroid, which Japanese scientists hope will shed new light on the evolution of the solar system.
Note:
About Japan
Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese yen
Emperor: Naruhito
Indian Scientists from TIFR develop ‘Black Gold’
- Indian Scientists from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai have developed a new material called ‘black gold’.
- They rearranged size and gaps of gold nanoparticles to develop the new material, It can absorb light and carbon dioxide.
- It can be used for applications that range from harvesting solar energy to desalinating seawater.
Note:
About TIFR
TIFR: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Director: Sandip Trivedi
Founded: 1 June 1945
Founders: Homi J. Bhabha, J. R. D. Tata
Rajghat coal plant to be turned into solar park
- The Delhi govt. announced that a solar park — of 5,000 KW capacity — will come up in place of the defunct Rajghat thermal power plant.
- According to Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain , a waste-to-energy plant will replace the coal-fired power plant.
- Cabinet clearance has been accorded to the decision to open a solar park in the 45-acre land of the plant, which stopped functioning in 2015 due to concerns about air pollution.
Note:
About Rajghat coal plant
It was run by the Indraprastha Power Generation Comp. Ltd.
The Brazilian singer and composer Joao Gilberto, one of the pioneers of bossa nova passed away
- Joao Gilberto, a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter &considered one of the fathers of the bossa nova passed away after battling with health issues.
- He was 88.
- Gilberto was a giant of bossa nova, and is often credited with helping develop the sound of the genre that brought Brazilian music to the world.
Note:
About Brazil
Capital: Brasilia
Currency: Brazilian real
Tamil Nadu to be the first state to manufacture electric cars: Minister
- M C Sampath, minister for industries stated that South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer Hyundai plans to launch its electric car for India and the global market from Chennai facility will help make Tamil Nadu the first state in India to manufacture electric cars.
- M C Sampath, minister for industries, said the state plans to attract companies that are moving out of China after that country’s trade dispute with the United States.
- Hyundai is working on rolling out its electric car for India and the global market from the Chennai facility.
Note:
About Tamil Nadu
Chief minister: Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Capital: Chennai
Try out the quiz ?
1. What is "DBT 2.0"?
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda launched the Phase-II of the Direct Benefit Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy (DBT 2.0) .
2. Who has launched “Operation Thirst”?
To curb the menace of unauthorized PDW (PACKAGED DRINKING WATER) in Railway premises, an all India drive named “Operation Thirst” was launched on 08th & 09th July 2019 on the direction of DG/RPF, Railway Board, New Delhi where all the Zonal Principal Chief Security Commissioners (PCSC) were asked to crackdown these unauthorised activities.
3. At present Article 35A is contained in which Constitutional Order?
Article 370 a temporary provision with respect to J&K in Part XXI of the Constitution: Government. At present, Article 35A is contained in the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 which was added through the Constitution Order issued by the President of India under Article 370.
4. Which country has inaugurated the world’s largest new metal dome encasing the destroyed reactor?
Ukraine inaugurates gigantic dome worth $1.7 billion over destroyed Chernobyl reactor. On July 10, 2019, Ukraine and its European partners have inaugurated the world’s largest new metal dome encasing the destroyed reactor at the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power station.
5. Who has become the highest-paid celebrity in Forbes Celebrity 100 List 2019?
The Pop singer Taylor Swift topped the Forbes Celebrity 100 list 2019 for the second time after 2016.
6. Who has been appointed as the Secretary of Overseas Indian Affairs?
Author-diplomat Vikas Swarup, India’s current High Commissioner to Canada, has been appointed as Secretary in the Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs division, with effect from August 1.
7. Which Indian state has become first state to manufacture electric cars?
M C Sampath, minister for industries stated that South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer Hyundai plans to launch its electric car for India and the global market from Chennai facility will help make Tamil Nadu the first state in India to manufacture electric cars.
8. Who will be the next Ambassador of India to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay?
Dinesh Bhatia concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
9. Anshula Kant has been appointed as managing director and chief financial officer of which of the following organization?
Anshula Kant, managing director of the State Bank Of IndiaNSE 0.11 %, has been appointed as managing director and chief financial officer of the World Bank.
10. 'Hayabusa2' is the spacecraft of which country?
Japanese scientists have successfully landed an unmanned spacecraft on the distant asteroid Ryugu for the second time as part of an ongoing mission to help explore the origins of the solar system.
11. Which research Institute has developed a new material called ‘black gold’?
Indian Scientists from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai have developed a new material called ‘black gold’.
12. Rajghat coal plant to be turned into solar park. In which state Rajghat coal plant is situated?
The Delhi govt. announced that a solar park — of 5,000 KW capacity — will come up in place of the defunct Rajghat thermal power plant.
13. Singer and Composer Joao Gilberto has passed away. He was from which country?
Joao Gilberto, a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter &considered one of the fathers of the bossa nova passed away after battling with health issues.