Daily Current Affairs :1st May 2020 | Daily GK update Quiz

Exp. The Centre on 1st May announced an extension of two weeks in the nationwide lockdown beyond May 4. MHA also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period, based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country in Red (hotspot), Green and Orange Zones. The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones.

Exp. India has been placed at 53rd position among 117 nations in terms of budget transparency and accountability, according to the Open Budget Survey released on 29th April. The survey, conducted by International Budget Partnership (IBP), has provided India’s Union Budget process a transparency score of 49 out of 100, which is higher than the global average of 45.

Exp. New Zealand tops the chart with a score 87. South Africa (87), Mexico (82) and Brazil (81) are among the top four countries providing extensive information to public for scrutiny. In the survey for 2019, India ranks 53rd among the 117 countries covered,” said a press release on the survey.

Exp. A programme titled AYURAKSHA “Corona Se Jung- Delhi Police Ke Sang” was organized for Delhi Police personnel at New Delhi on 30 April. The programme aims to fight against corona through simple and time tested Ayurveda immunity-boosting measures. The AYURAKSHA programme was organized by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of Ayurvedic, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) and Delhi Police.

Exp. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown, most entertainment channels decided to re-telecast their old shows on popular demand. As a result, Doordarshan won millions of hearts with the re-broadcast of its iconic serials, Ramayan, and Mahabharat. According to the latest Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) ratings, the acclaimed series has achieved another massive milestone. Ramayan now has the world record of being the most viewed entertainment program globally. It amassed a massive 7.7 crore (170 million) viewers on 16 April.

Exp. Gorakhpur terracotta bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The information was announced by Chinnaraja G. Naidu, deputy registrar, Geographical Indications. About Gorakhpur terracotta: The terracotta work of Gorakhpur is a centuries-old traditional art form. In this method, the potters make various animal figures like horses, elephants, camels, goats, ox, etc. with hand-applied ornamentation.

Exp. Chak-Hao, the black rice of Manipur bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The information was announced by Chinnaraja G. Naidu, deputy registrar, Geographical Indications. About Chak-Hao: Chak-Hao is scented glutinous rice. It has been cultivated in Manipur over centuries. It is characterized by its special aroma.

Exp. Government task force has projected total investment of Rs 111 lakh crore in infra projects over five years, the Finance Ministry said on 29th April. The final report of the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) for 2019-2025 presented to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman suggested steps like deepening bond markets, setting up of development financial institutions and land monetisation to meet the funding needs, the ministry said in a statement. The task force was set up following Prime Minister Narendra Modi Independence Day speech of 2019 where he alluded to an investment of Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure.

Exp. Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (Mahindra Finance) on 29th April announce global financial services group Manulife has acquired 49 per cent stake in its wholly-owned subsidiary Mahindra Asset Management Company. Under the agreement, which was announced in June last year, Manulife has invested $35 million or Rs 265 crore to pick up 49 per cent stake in Mahindra AMC. The Singapore arm of Manulife, Manulife Investment Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd, has bought 49 per cent stake in the joint venture where Mahindra Finance will now own the balance 51 per cent.

Exp. NTPC on 1st May announced that it has appointed Ramesh Babu V as Director (Operations). Babu graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from NIT Srinagar and completed his Masters in Thermal Engineering from IIT Delhi. He joined NTPC as Executive Trainee in 1987 and has more than 32 years’ experience in managing large Power Stations in the areas of operations & maintenance, renovation & modernisation of old units as well as in the domains of efficiency & systems improvement of thermal plants.

Exp. Labour Day or International Workers' Day is observed each year on the first day of May to celebrate achievements of the working class. The day, also called as 'May Day', is also observed as a public holiday in many countries. The first May Day celebrations focused on workers took place on May 1st 1890 after its proclamation by the first international congress of socialist parties in Europe on July 14th 1889 in Paris, France, to dedicate May 1 every year as the "Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity."

Exp. Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day is celebrated in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat on 1 May every year. The day commemorates the formation of the state on this day in 1960.

Exp. The Japanese government has conferred a Manipuri doctor to the ‘Order of Rising Sun’ for his efforts in promoting a better understanding of Japan in India and bringing the two nations closer.  The Manipuri doctor who has been conferred for the ‘Order of Rising Sun’, is Thangjam Dhabali Singh. He is an allopathic doctor and the founder of Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF).  Singh had organised the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal that was fought between the Japanese and British India troops during the Second World War. This event was attended by several Japanese citizens including the Embassy of Japan officials.  The ‘Order of Rising Sun’ was formed under the Japanese Emperor Meiji in 1875, and it is conferred on individuals with achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, environmental preservation, welfare or achievements in their fields.

Exp. A faculty member at IIT Madras Prof. T. Pradeep has been chosen for the Nikkei Asia Prize 2020 in ‘Science and Technology’ category. He has been accorded this honour in recognition of his pioneering work in nanotechnology-based water purification. The Nikkei Asia Prizes are conferred on individuals who have contributed to the region’s sustainable development and to the creation of a better future in Asia. They are awarded annually in three areas – Economic and Business Innovation, Science and Technology and Culture and Community.