Current Affairs - May 5, 2020 Current Affairs

Kashmiri saffron received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The Certificate was granted to the Department of Agriculture Kashmir. Kashmir saffron has a unique identity and superior quality as compared to saffron grown across the world. It is famous and unique as it is grown at an altitude of 1,600 m.

The British Journal of Dermatology Researchers have so far observed 5 clinical patterns of the COVID-19 cases. One such is COVID Toe. COVID Toe is a kind of rash that is being developed in COVID-19 patients.According to the study, COVID Toe was observed in 19% of patients infected with COVID-19.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressed the Bamboo Conclave through Video Conference. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders from different sectors participated in the conference.

IHS Markit India stated that the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of the manufacturing sector activity of the country has slipped into contraction mode, after remaining in the growth territory for 32 consecutive months. Manufacturing sector activity in India hits record low in April amid lockdown. The PMI fell to 27.4 in April, from 51.8 in March. It reflected the sharpest deterioration in business conditions across the sector since data collection began over 15 years ago.

The Congress on Monday said its state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy home-bound migrants stranded at various places across the country due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Under the public-private partnership, the initiative called Arogya Setu Mitr was launched. The feature is to be available in the Arogya Setu application. In partnership with the Tech Mahindra, Tata Group and Swasth the Arogya Setu Mitr was launched. It will offer free online consultation to COVID-19 with the data provided by the three private sector firms and government entities.The initiative includes free tele-consultation to those who have COVID-19 like symptoms. It will also provide ancillary services at market rates. This includes home collection of samples, medicine delivery, etc.

The government of India has constituted 20 Central Public Health Teams from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The move comes as per the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The teams have been constituted to support the States in the implementation of containment measures for COVID-19 in the affected areas within these districts/cities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to participate in a virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on 4 May. The summit aims to enhance the coordination of the member states in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also participate in the summit.The summit will be conducted under the Presidency of Azerbaijan, who is the president of the NAM till 2022.

Researchers from Hyderabad-based National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) developed a portable device 'eCovSens'. It can be used as a diagnostic tool for the detection of COVID-19 antigens. eCoVSens will detect novel coronavirus antigens in human saliva within 30 seconds.

Uttar Pradesh state government has made it compulsory to download the Arogya Setu app for those living in hotspot areas of the state. The State government has issued instructions regarding the opening of offices and resuming work in industrial areas.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to valiant soldiers and security personnel martyred in Handwara in Jammu & Kashmir. Five security personnel, including a Colonel, a Major and a sub-inspector, and two unidentified militants were killed in the anti-militancy operation in north Kashmir's Handwara area.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed 'UV blaster,' an Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical-free disinfection of high infection-prone areas. UV blaster is a UV based area sanitizer designed and developed by Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi based premier laboratory of DRDO with the help of M/s New Age Instruments and Materials Private Limited, Gurugram.

The Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar launched "The Saras Collection" on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi on 4 May 2020. It is a unique initiative of GeM and the DeenDayalAntyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development. The Saras Collection will showcase daily utility products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs).

West Bengal has the highest mortality rate in the country at 12.8 per cent, according to Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) leader Apoorva Chandra. This extremely high mortality rate is a clear indication of low testing, weak surveillance and tracking.

The National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS), Department of Science and Technology (DST), has conducted a survey on Research and Development (R&D) Statistics and Indicators 2019-20. As per the survey, India ranks 3rd among countries in a scientific publication.

On May 3, 2020, the Assam Government confirmed that more than 2,500 pigs in 306 villages were killed due to African Swine Flu in Assam. There was no relevance brought with COVID-19.

On 2 May 2020, the National Mission for Clean Ganga operating (NMCG) under Ministry of Jal Shakti and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) launched "IDEAthon" titled "The future of River Management" to explore how the COVID-19 crisis can shape River Management strategies for the future. The move focuses on creating awareness about the ecological importance and economic potential of the rivers to help the cities.Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is an Indian politician from Rajasthan who is currently serving as Union Cabinet Minister in Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The International Fire Fighters Day is celebrated on May 4. The day is commemorated to recognize the sacrifices of firefighters. Also, the day creates awareness to make sure the environment and communities are as safe as possible.

International Astronomy Day is celebrated on 2 May. The day is celebrated twice a year, one in autumn and another in spring. The next Astronomy Day will be observed on 26 September 2020. The day is celebrated by enthusiasts and professionals to share their knowledge and love of outer space with the general public.

Former Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi (retd) passed away on 2 May. He was 62 years old. He died after suffering cardiac arrest at AIIMS in Delhi. He was tested positive for coronavirus on 2 April.