Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
Researchers at CSIR’s Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) have developed solar based spray systems to tackle water crisis in agriculture.
Two variants of the equipment have been developed – one for “marginal famers” and other for “small farmers”. These sprayers are equipped with two separate tanks, flow control and pressure regulator to handle different water requirements of the crops.

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently announced that the release of prisoners on Parole and Furlough is not an absolute right.
It also said that these measures are to be undertaken on the basis of well-defined norms of eligibility. It also directed the states not to allow those involved in terrorism and other heinous crimes, to go out of jails under these provisions.

Notes:
Kerala, Goa, Tripura and Tamil Nadu are the top performers in child health development as per the ranking named “Young Child Outcome Index – YCOI”.
The ranking has been prepared by “Mobile Creches” which is an not-for-profit organisation working for the development of underprivileged children across India. The report has been released by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu

Notes:
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Indian Railways has disrupted the operation of illegal software called “Real Mango”, in a nationwide investigation.
The investigation was made on account of increase in touting activity after restart of the passenger train services. RPF have been able to arrest 50 criminals so far including the King pin (system developer) and key managers involved in operation of this illegal software.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot has recently released a book containing 33 Action Plans 2020-21 of all the schemes of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.
This is the first time that the Department has released comprehensive Annual Action Plan 2020-21. The aim is to provide specific targets for the Ministry, State Governments and NGOs.

Notes:
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is representing India at the Foreign ministers Meet of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) to be held at Moscow.
The meeting is hosted by Russian Foreign Minister. The foreign ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) would hold a luncheon meeting on the side-lines of the SCO. India has been the fulltime member of SCO since 2017.

Notes:
Union Minster of Petroleum has stated that Five state run oil and natural gas PSUs will become corporate partners of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
These PSUs would make financials contribution to ISA’s corpus fund. This announcement was made during the 1st World Solar Technology Summit organized by ISA. ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and GAIL are the 5 PSUs.

Notes:
The US-based Aerospace and Defence company Northrop Grumman has named its spacecraft named after Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian descent to go to space.
The company’s next space station resupply ship, which is a NG-14 Cygnus spacecraft has been named as ‘S.S. Kalpana Chawla’. The company has a tradition of naming each of its Cygnus ship after an individual achiever in Human spaceflight.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to measure the extent of digital payment in India by devising Digital Payment Index.
The index would also assess innovation in existing modes and will help bridge digital divide. The development of the Digital Payment Index is based on the recommendations made by Nandan Nilekani Committee on Digital Payments.

Notes:
September 9 of every year is observed as International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
United Nations General Assembly decided to observe this day to create awareness about the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. Children’s right to education cannot be safeguarded in conflict areas without education being protected. UNESCO and UNICEF will facilitate to observe this day.