Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2020

Notes:
The Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe recently declared a state of emergency in the country, due to the rise in the coronavirus cases.
A month-long state of emergency starting from April 7 has been declared in the capital city Tokyo and six other parts of the country. This move gives powers to local governments to contain the spread of the coronavirus, by urging residents to stay at home and calling for businesses to close.

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with Wipro, has developed a unique shield for doctors and medical staff treating COVID-19 patients.
This full-face shield will protect the healthcare personnel from directly contracting the coronavirus infection. DRDO has also developed bio-suit to protect the front-line health workers and has supplied masks, full-body suits and personal protection equipment (PPE) for the medical staff

Notes:
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has launched an online portal named ‘Integrated Government Online Training Portal’ for frontline workers fighting coronavirus outbreak.
This training module has been launched in the DIKSHA platform of the HRD Ministry for capacity building of frontline workers including doctors, nurses, hygiene workers, State Government officers, police organisations and other volunteers to efficiently handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notes:
On April 9th, 1965 a small contingent of CRPF successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a Pakistani Brigade at Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
That was the first time in the history of military battles, two companies of policemen fought back a whole infantry Brigade. Six CRPF men attained martyrdom during this attack. As a tribute to the martyrs of CRPF, April 9 is celebrated by the CRPF as ‘Valour Day’.

Notes:
Chris Cassidy, an astronaut of NASA, along with two cosmonauts of Russia- Roscosmos, Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner docked at the International Space Station.
The three-man crew docked successfully aboard the Soyuz MS-16 capsule, which was launched from the Russia’s space hub, Baikonur, in its neighbouring country Kazakhstan. The crew reached the ISS at 1413 GMT, over six hours after blasting off. The next crew to return to Earth from the ISS will fly to their home countries on April 17.

Notes:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved using diagnostic machines that are used for testing drug-resistant Tuberculosis for conducting coronavirus tests.
The ICMR has recommended this as a screening test. As per the guidance issued, throat or nasal swabs are to be collected in the viral transport medium with the ‘virus lysis buffer’, which is provided along with the kit. ICMR-NIV, Pune will inform about the effects of the viral RNA after neutralization of this novel coronavirus by the lysis buffer.

Notes:
Jim Corbett, the oldest National Park of India, has set up the country’s first quarantine facility for animals. The national park is situated in Paurhi Garhwal region in the state of Uttarakhand.
After a Malayan tiger was tested positive for COVID-19 in Bronx zoo in the United States, the Indian park has started to set up about 10 quarantine centres within its premises to isolate animals. The cages built for wild animals are also to be converted into quarantine facility.

Notes:
Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre (NIC) jointly launched a collaborative software system called ‘CollabCAD’.
The system provided a comprehensive engineering solution from two-dimensional drafting to three-dimensional product design. This software is aimed at enabling the students of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) to create 3D designs, models and printing.

Notes:
The veteran Army officer and former Director General of Rashtriya Rifles, Lt Gen KP Dhal Samanta has recently passed away at the age of 70.
He played a very crucial role in the 1971 India-Pakistan War, 1984 Operation Blue Star and 1999 Kargil War. After retirement, he served as a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal at Kolkata. He received many prestigious awards including Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Tourism has launched a webinar series named ‘DekhoApnaDesh’. The webinar will have information about the important destinations of the country.
The webinar series was aimed at highlighting the history and diverse culture of various Indian destinations. Several features like monuments, cuisine, art, dance forms and festivals are being focussed. The first webinar in the series was about the city of Delhi and was titled ‘City of Cities – Delhi’s Personal Diary’.