Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2020

Notes:
The Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched VidyaDaan 2.0 program virtually in New Delhi.
The scheme is aimed at inviting people and organisations to contribute resources for e-learning, for both school and higher education. During the prevailing Covid-19 crisis, there is a need to integrate the content of e-learning with schools. The content will be used on the DIKSHA learning application of the HRD Ministry.

Notes:
The state government of Karnataka has recently launched a helpline in the name of “Apthamitra”, which aims at providing medical advice and guidance for the needy people.
The helpline comprises of both a toll-free number and a mobile application and was launched by the Chief Minister of the state. The helpline could be contacted, if anyone has symptoms of coronavirus. An expert medical team would provide medical advice to the user, based on their symptoms.

Notes:
Vienna-based UN office, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) has launched a mentorship series named ‘Lockdown Learners’.
The online dialogues are to be conducted with students and educators in India on the impact of COVID-19 on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), peace and law. This program has been launched under the Education for Justice initiative of UNODC.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet recently approved ₹15,000 crore for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’.
An amount of ₹7,774 crore has been kept as provision for immediate COVID-19 emergency response. The package is launched with an aim of developing diagnostics and COVID-dedicated treatment facilities, thereby slowing down the spread of coronavirus. The initiatives would be implemented under the overall umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Notes:
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has planned and constructed a Class-70 all-weather permanent bridge on the river Ravi.
The bridge is 484-meter long and was built by the 49 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) of Project Chetak. The project of the Kasowal bridge entails a cost of Rs.17.89 crore. It connects the Kasowal enclave of Punjab with the rest of the places of the country.

Notes:
An e-office application called ‘e-karyalay’ has been launched by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to prevent coronavirus infection.
The e-office application enables digital movement of files in offices, which is similar to the physical and traditional file movement in CISF offices. The application has been developed by the in-house technical team and they have also created the data recovery site.

Notes:
The Rohtang pass, is located at an altitude of 13,500 ft on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. The pass which is strategically located to link Kullu valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh, has been opened to the general public by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The BRO completed the snow-clearance process and opened the pass ahead of the target time. This will enable better transportation of essential supplies and relief materials to the remote areas.

Notes:
As per the latest data from the US Treasury Department, Japan was the largest holder of US securities worth over $1.268 trillion at February end.
It was followed by China with securities worth 1.092 trillion. India is at the 13th position in terms of holding securities. India’s holding of US government securities rose by 13 billion in a month to record high of 177.5 billion at February end. The overall holding of India increased by 33.2 billion in the last year.

Notes:
The chemical exports of India increased by 7.43 per cent to 2.68 lakh crore rupees during April-January period of the last fiscal.
The chemical industry became the top exporting sector of the country for the first time. The export of chemicals in the said period constitutes 14.35 per cent of the total exports. This was announced by the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Finance has established the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), which will be headquartered in Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
This body will regulate all financial products and financial services in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in the country against multiple regulators including RBI, SEBI, IRDA and PFRDA. The IFSCA will have a chairperson and one member each nominated by the regulators. It will also include two members from the central government and full-time or part-time members.