Current Affairs - Update of 05.04.2020

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1. RBI reduced timing of currency markets


  • In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, RBI has notified a change in market timings
  • Beginning April 7, 2020, markets dealing with government securities, call/ notice/ term money, corporate bonds, foreign currency, Indian Rupee Trades, commercial paper and Certificates of Deposit will be working from 10:00 AM TO 02:00 PM 
  • These revised timings will remain in effect till 17th April 2020.

2. Gita Ramjee died from Coronavirus

  • World-renowned virologist Gita Ramjee has become the first India-origin South African to have died after contracting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that has killed five people in the country
  • In 2018, Ramjee was presented with the Outstanding Female Scientist Award in Lisbon by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)

3. NTPC appointed Dilip Kumar Patel as director HR

  • NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) has appointed Dilip Kumar Patel as its Director Human Resources
  • Patel has been the HR Head in various NTPC projects like NSPCL, Bhilai, Sipat, and Tanda for around 12 years
  • He was also the Regional Head of HR in the Eastern Region-2 before he was appointed as the Director (HR)
  • NTPC is headquartered in New Delhi.

4. IAS, IPS officers' association for 'Caruna'

  • Association representing officers of IAS and IPS have formed an initiative called 'Caruna'
  • It will support and supplement the government's efforts in fighting coronavirus, an official said
  • The acronym 'Caruna' stands for Civil Services Association Reach to Support in National Disaster and represents a collaborative platform

5. IIT Roorkee developed low-cost face shields

  • IIT Roorkee developed low-cost face shield for first-line healthcares professional ]s at AIIMS Rishikesh for protection from COVID-19
  • Te frame of the face shield is 3D printed
  • The shield can be used along with the protective gears by healthcare personnel while entering the wards housing COVID-19 patients
  • The cost of the sheet is as low as Rs 5.00.

6. 'Hack the Crisis-India' hackathon launched

  • Minster of State HRD and IT Sanjay Dhotre launched Hack the Crisis-India, on 3 April, 2020
  • It is an Online Hackathon to find working solutions for overcoming COVID-19 pandemic
  • This hackathon is part of a global initiative and is being organised by 'Hack A Cause - India' and 'FICCI Ladies Organization Pune'.
  • The aim of this hackathon is to strengthen the fight against COVID-19.

7. Official mascots of 19th Asian Games unveiled

  • The official mascots of the 19th Asian Games were unveiled at a digital launch ceremony in Hangzhou, China on 3 April, 2020
  • The 3 Robots, which are going to be the mascots for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games are a collectively known as the Smart Triplets
  • The 3 Mascots are Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen. The Olympic Council of Asia's 19th Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou from 10-25 Sept, 2022

8. Release of Rs. 11,092 crore under SDRMF to states

  • Home Minister, Mr Amit Shah has approved the release of Rs. 11,092 crore under the State Disaster Risk Management Find, SDRMF to all states
  • The Centre has released in advance its share of first instalment of State Disaster Risk Management Fund for the year 2020-21
  • Centre on 14th March 2020 had already made a special dispensation for utilisation of State Disaster Response Fund, SDRF

9. FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup postponed

  • The FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, which was scheduled to be played in India between 2-21 Nov 2020 has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic
  • The new dates for the tournament will be identified later
  • The decision was taken bye the FIFI-Confederation working group in its first meeting held 3 April 2020
  • The working group also postponed FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.

10. IIM-B & ICICI Securities launched a program

  • ICICI Securities (I-Sec) as a part of its CSR initiative is partnering with IIM-Banglore's startup hub N S Raghavan Centre of Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL)
  • It will support startups in the fintech space through a structured program
  • The 15-month program is meant for startups working in the fields of insurance, trading, personal finance, banking, wealth advisory, lending, payments, etc.