19 and 20 April 2020 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

Table of Contents

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about the banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK Jupdate of 19th and 20th April 2020 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

National News

1. GoI launches dashboard for combating and containing Covid-19

Government of India has launched a dashboard containing information of human resources for combating and containing Covid-19. This dashbaord has been created as an online portal on the website “covidwarriors.gov.in”.

2. “National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India” launched

The “National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India” has been launched by the Union Minister for Culture (I/C) Prahlad Singh Patel. The “National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India”, which is a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture, raises awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different parts of India at national as well as international level. It also recognizes the diversity of Indian culture instilled in its intangible heritage and aims to ensure its protection.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Director General of UNESCO: Audrey Azoulay.

State News

3. UP govt join hands with Google to geotag community kitchens

Uttar Pradesh Government joined hands with tech giant Google to formed geotag community kitchens in the state. The kitchens produce 12 lakh food packets on a daily basis. Now, Uttar Pradesh became the 1st state to geotag community kitchens. Around 7,368 community kitchens located in 75 districts were geotagged.

Most Important takeaways for upcoming competitive exams-

Anandiben Patel is the current Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state.

Banking

4. HDFC Bank starts #HDFCBankSafetyGrid campaign for social distancing

HDFC Bank has started #HDFCBankSafetyGrid campaign to encourage social distancing in Public places. The bank has created physical markers of HDFC Bank logo on the ground using the outer grid logo. This campaign helps people waiting in the queue at a shop or an establishment.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Headquarters of HDFC Bank: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Managing Director of HDFC Bank: Aditya Puri.

Economy

5. Fitch slashes India’s GDP growth forecast to 1.8%

Fitch Solutions has slashed India’s economic growth forecast to 1.8% for the financial year 2020-21. Fitch Solutions has lowered India’s economic growth forecast from 4.6% stating large-scale loss of income across the economy due to domestic outbreak of COVID-19, causing contracted private consumption. It has also predicted the contraction in fixed investments as capital expenditure has been reduced by businesses to conserve cash amid elevated economic uncertainty.

Defence

6. Indian Navy formed “Air Evacuation Pod” for Covid-19 patients

The Indian Navy’s Naval Aircraft Yard (Kochi) has formed “Air Evacuation Pod (AEP)” for the safe evacuation of COVID-19 patients from remote areas. The pod is made up of aluminium, nitrile rubber and perspex. It weighs only 32 kg and has incurred a manufacturing cost of Rs 50,000 which is only 0.1 per cent of the cost of an imported equivalent (Rs 59 lakh).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

Science and Technology

7. ARI Pune develops “bug sniffer” for detection of pathogens

For the rapid detection of pathogens, a device named “bug sniffer” has been developed by the researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune. Bug Sniffer is a sensitive and low-cost sensor which has been developed with the purpose of rapid detection of pathogens. The newly developed portable device has the capability to detect as low as ten bacterial cells from a sample size of one milliliter in time duration of just 30 minutes.

8. IIT Ropar develops ‘WardBot’ for COVID-19 patients

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar (Punjab) has developed & designed a ‘WardBot’ to deliver medicines and food to COVID-19 patients in isolation wards without human intervention. WardBot also has a feature of self-sanitising on the return path and could be used for sanitising walls of the hospitals.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, Director: Sarit Kumar Das.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar Founded: 2008.

Books and Authors

9. A book titled “Shuttling to the Top: The Story of P.V. Sindhu”, released

Sports journalist, V. Krishnaswamy, authored a book titled “Shuttling to the Top: The Story of P.V. Sindhu”, released. The book narrates the journey of badminton player PV Sindhu, from her early life to becoming a world champion and what lies ahead.

Important Days

10. UN Chinese Language Day observed globally on 20 April

UN Chinese Language Day is observed globally on April 20 every year. The day has been chosen to pay tribute to Cangjie, who is a mythical figure who is presumed to have invented Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Secretary-General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.
The United Nations (UN) is an organization between countries established on 24 October 1945 to promote international cooperation.

11. World Liver Day observed globally on 19 April

World Liver day is observed on 19 April every year. The day is observed to spread awareness about the liver-related disease. The liver is the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, with the exception of the brain.

Obituaries

12. Oscar-winning animator and filmmaker Gene Deitch passes away

Oscar-winning animator, film director and producer, Gene Deitch passed away. His movie “Munro” won the Oscar award in the animated short film category in 1960. He directed some episodes of “Tom and Jerry” and also some episodes of “Popeye the Sailor” series. He received the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation in 2004.

Miscellaneous

13. Digital directory titled “Covid FYI” launched

“Covid FYI” is a one-stop digital directory containing information of all COVID-19 related services and helplines released by official sources. This platform has been made by an international team of 16 members led by Simran Soni, a student of Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode. Covid FYI a one-stop COVID-19 platform for accessing emergency services from official government sources.

14. Facebook launches 3rd party fact check system in Bangladesh

Social media platform, Facebook has announced to launch a third party fact checking system in Bangladesh. Facebook has partnered with an Indian fact checking website “Boom” for a third party fact checking system in Bangladesh. The fact checking system will focus on discouraging the spread of fake news in the country by reviewing and rating the stories, including photos and videos.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Chief Executive Officer of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg.
Facebook Headquarters: California, US.

15. BCCI creates ‘Team Mask Force’ to spread awareness against COVID-19

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has created a video to promote wearing masks in public places and help the country to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The ‘Team Mask Force’ has been formed to spread awareness about wearing masks in public places.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: