Table of Contents
Here is the daily GK update of 19th May 2020 covering the following news headlines: Charan Paduka, NAREDCO, SoftBank, Canara Bank, Indian Navy.
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 update of 19th May 2020 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
State News
1. Madhya Pradesh launches Charan Paduka campaign for migrant labourers
“Charan Paduka” campaign has been launched by the Madhya Pradesh for the migrant labourers moving through the state. Under this campaign, shoes and slippers will be offered to those labourers going barefoot in order to reduce their pain. The “Charan Paduka” campaign is being conducted by the police at most of the places in the state, starting from the Rau Police Station of Indore.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Lal Ji Tandon.
Appointments News
2. Rajesh Goel becomes new DG of NAREDCO
Rajesh Goel becomes new director-general (DG) of the Realtors body National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO). Prior to this, he was serving as the chairman and managing director, Hindustan Prefab Ltd. He is a professional with over 37 years of experience in leading PSUs under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- National Real Estate Development Council Established: 1998.
- National Real Estate Development Council Headquarters: New Delhi.
3. Alibaba’s Jack Ma resigns from SoftBank board
Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma will be resigning from SoftBank board of directors. Jack Ma serving for nearly 13 years in the board. Ma is expected to resign from the Group’s board on June 25. The news comes as the group posted record financial loss of USD 13 billion. Jack Ma had retired as the Executive Chairman of Alibaba in September 2019.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- SoftBank CEO: Masayoshi Son.
- SoftBank Headquarters: Minato City, Tokyo, Japan.
- SoftBank established: 3 September 1981.
Banking News
4. Canara Bank starts gold loan business vertical
Canara Bank has started a special business vertical dedicated to gold loans. This business vertical for gold loans to meet the financial needs of its customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank has launched a gold loan campaign till 30th June 2020 with an interest rate as low as 7.85% per annum.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Canara Bank Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka.
- Canara Bank Chairman: T.N. Manoharan.
- Canara Bank MD and CEO: L.V. Prabhakar.
5. Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes 1st bank in India to allow video KYC
Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes 1st bank in India to allow video Know your customer (KYC) facility for customers opening savings accounts on Kotak 811 – the banks digital banking platform. The initiative is presently being launched on a pilot basis for savings accounts, Kotak Mahindra. With Video KYC, verification of documents, signature are completed via a video call with a representative from the bank without any physical interface.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Kotak Mahindra Bank Establishment: 2003.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer: Uday Kotak.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank Tagline: Lets make money simple.
Defence News
6. 7th LCU Ship ‘INLCU L57’ commissioned into Indian Navy
Landing Craft Utility Ship ‘INLCU L57’ commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair. This warship was built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE). The “INLCU L57” is the seventh LCU Mark IV class warship.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.
Science and Technology
7. CSIR-CMERI develops disinfection sprayers to combat COVID-19
Two mobile indoor Disinfection Sprayer units namely Pneumatically Operated Mobile Indoor Disinfection (POMID), and Battery Powered Disinfectant Sprayer (BPDS) have been developed by the scientists at CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur. The application of these units includes effective cleaning and disinfecting pathogenic micro-organism, especially in hospitals.
8. CySecK launches programme “H.A.C.K” for Cyber Security Start-ups
An accelerator programme branded as “H.A.C.K” has been launched by the Karnataka’s Centre of Excellence in cyber security (CySecK). H.A.C.K is the Karnataka’s first cybersecurity-specific accelerator programme comprising of 21 start-ups on board across three cohorts: 10x cohort, 0-1 cohort and virtual cohort.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Karnataka: B.S. Yediyurappa; Governor: Vajubhai Vala.
9. ARCI & SCTIMST jointly develops biodegradable metal implants
International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram have jointly developed new generation Iron-Manganese based alloys for biodegradable metal implants for use in humans.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- ARCI Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana.
- ARCI Chairperson: Dr Anil Kakodkar.
- ARCI Director: Dr G. Padmanabham.
- SCTIMST Headquarters: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- SCTIMST President: Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat.
- SCTIMST Director: Dr Asha Kishore.
Summits and Conferences
10. 73rd session of World Health Assembly held via video conferencing
The 73rd session of World Health Assembly was held via video conferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 73rd session of the assembly featured the participation of the delegations from all WHO Member States and focused on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. During the session, India was represented by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. During the session, the minister highlighted the timely, graded and proactive steps taken by the Indian government towards COVID-19 management.
Sports News
11. ICC cricket committee set to ban the use of saliva to shine ball
The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket Committee has recommended banning on the use of saliva to shine the ball. The practice meant for swing bowling is now primarily held as health risk due to the threats of COVID-19 and protect the safety of players and match officials. This committee is chaired by former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chairman of ICC: Shashank Manohar; Chief Executive: Manu Sahney; Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
12. Bundesliga becomes 1st major sports event to resume post COVID-19 lockdown
The Bundesliga primary football league of Germany becomes the world’s first major sports event to resume after COVID-19 lockdown. The Bundesliga games began with empty stadium though the stadium had the capacity to hold more than 80,000 players. Bundesliga means “Federal League”.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- The Bundesliga is the primary football league in Germany.
- The game was begun in 1963.
Obituaries
13. Marathi writer, playwright Ratnakar Matkari passes away
Veteran Marathi writer and playwright, Ratnakar Matkari passed away after being diagnosed with COVID-19. He was considered a pioneer of the children’s drama movement in Marathi. His immense contribution in various forms such as plays, short stories, the novel has enriched the world of Marathi literature.
Miscellaneous
14. India Post exhibits Special Postal Cover dedicated to Migrant Workers
India Post has released a Special Postal Cover dedicated to the migrant workers with an objective of paying tribute to them. Five migrant workers were called upon from different sectors to release the Special Postal Cover which was released during an event at the Bicentennial Hall of the historic Mumbai GPO building. The release of Special Cover was an attempt made by India Post to keep the struggles and contributions of migrant workers, recorded in the history of India.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Director General of India Post: Arundhaty Ghosh.
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