Current Affairs - April 4, 2020 Current Affairs

Internationally-renowned Indian-origin South African virologist Gita Ramjee dies due to COVID-19 aged 64.

Delhi Govt. to provide Rs 5,000 to drivers of public transport vehicles such as autos, taxis and e-rickshaws in the city.

Tony Lewis, one of the men behind the Duckworth- Lewis- Stern (DLS) method, the mathematical formula used in weather-affected limited-overs cricket matches, passed away at the age of 78. He was born on February 25, 1942 in Bolton, Lancashire, UK (United Kingdom).

Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), the manufacturing unit of Indian Railways based in Asansol, West Bengal (WB), has set the Limca Book of Records for producing record 431 locomotives in the financial year 2019-2020 (FY20) in 292 working days. It is 2.15 times its installed capacity of 200 locomotives per year. This was achieved despite novel coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that creating disruptions during the current financial year (FY20).

On April 3, 2020 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopts a resolution- 'Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)', co-sponsored by 188 nations including India. Headquarters- New York, United States.

The government has tested an application named, Geo-fencing app to trigger emails and SMS alerts to an authorised government agency, if a person has jumped quarantine or has escaped from isolation, based on the person's mobile phone's cell tower location.

Associations representing officers of Central Civil Services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), formed an initiative called Caruna to support and supplement the government's efforts in fighting coronavirus.

International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance is observed on April 4 each year. To raise awareness about landmines and progress toward their eradication. United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared that April 4 of each year would be officially proclaimed and observed as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

Rafael Gomez Nieto, the last surviving Spanish WWII liberator of Paris in November 1944, dies of coronavirus at 99.

On April 2, 2020, Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa, Padma Shri awardee and former "Hazoori Raagi" at the Golden Temple, passed away at the age of 62 in Amritsar, Punjab. He was born on April 12, 1952 in Ferozepur, Punjab.

In view of increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in India, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an institute of National Importance of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has partnered with 'Wipro 3D' to build a portable and lightweight emergency ventilator system based on Artificial Manual Breathing Unit (AMBU) to assist the breathing of the critical patients who have no access to ICU (Intensive care unit)ventilators.

On April 2, 2020 the United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) World Economic Forecasting Model estimates that the global economy could shrink by 1% in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic from an earlier forecast of 2.5%.

On April 2, 2020 the State Bank of India (SBI) has listed green bonds of USD 100 million (about Rs 750 crore) under its USD 10 billion global medium-term note programme on India International Exchange Limited's (INX) Global Securities Market Green Platform (GSM).SBI has adopted the green bond framework with the objective of creating a positive impact on the environment & this transaction is considered as part of the sustainability journey. The funds raised by green bonds are used to finance green projects that do not discharge toxic elements.

The official mascots of the 19th Asian Games released at a digital launch ceremony in Hangzhou, China. The three robots, which are going to be the mascots for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, are collectively known as the smart triplets. The Mascots - Congcong, Lianlian, and Chenchen, which reflect the internet prowess of Hangzhou city and Zhejiang province, were unveiled at a digital ceremony in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

India COVID-19 patients chart Tamil Nadu tops with 411 cases as 102 people tested positive. Chennai has the maximum caseload with 81 patients, followed by Dindigul district, with about half the number. Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy warned that those who defy the lockdown norms will be subjected to stringent actions.

The accelerated pace of coronavirus is affecting mankind adversely despite government efforts for curbing the situation. It is posing an additional financial burden on individuals or families to get hospitalization treatment for COVID-19. To provide support for such cases, Digital payments company PhonePe has launched India's first COVID-19 hospitalization insurance policy called Corona Care in collaboration with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance for people who have been infected and hospitalised for covid-19 treatment.

As a part of curbing the adverse impact of COVID 19, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched Lifeline Udan flights for movement of medical and essential supplies across India. Over a 6 days period i.e. till March 31, 2020, 74 flights have been operated which had covered an aerial distance of over 70,000 km to transport 37.63 tonnes of medical cargo, out of which more than 22 tonnes was transported on March 31, 2020.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions released the COVID- 19 National Preparedness Survey 2020. The survey will serve as a benchmark for policymakers at National and State levels. The COVID-19 National Preparedness Survey 2020 was conducted in 410 Districts in the Country within 3 working days beginning on March 25, 2020.

In order to keep children engaged in some creative work during 21-days lockdown due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the Odisha state government in collaboration with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), has launched a creative skill competition programme called "Mo Prativa" (My talent).

Just about 1/4th of the consumers in India currently pay for news but nearly 2/3rd are willing to pay: WEF study.