Daily Current Affairs Capsule 31st July 2019 - wifistudy

Daily Current Affairs Capsule
        31st July 2019

1. India, Russia sign Rs 1500 crore deal for R-27 air-to-air missiles

Boosting its capabilities in beyond visual range warfare, India has signed a deal worth around Rs 1,500 crore to
acquire R-27 air-to-air missiles from Russia to be equipped on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft.

   •   The Russian missiles with an extended range would give an added capability to the Sukhois to take on
       enemy aircraft at long ranges.
   •   The missiles have been acquired under 10-I projects which mandate the three services to maintain critical
       weapon systems and spares for a specified minimum period.
   •   The R-27 missile is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia for its MiG and Sukhoi
       series of fighter jets.

2. Deep Ocean Mission to commence from 31 October 2019

The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) to be led by the Union Earth Sciences Ministry will commence from 31 October
2019.

   •   The mission has received a go-ahead from the government.

•   Expenditure plans will be drawn and circulated to various institutions affiliated to the Ministry for
       executing programmes.
   •   The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences had unveiled a blueprint of the programme in July 2018.
   •   A major thrust of the mission will be looking for metals and minerals.

3. IAF's Tarun Chaudhri becomes the first pilot to accomplish wingsuit skydive jump

Wing commander Tarun Chaudhri became the first pilot of Indian Armed Forces (IAF) to do a wingsuit jump.

   •   The jump was accomplished by Chaudhri from a Mi-17 helicopter from an altitude of 8500 feet.
   •   This is the first flying wingsuit jump demonstration at an organised gathering.
   •   The jump was undertaken during the Kargil Diwas celebrations at Air Force Station Jodhpur.

4. IIT Hyderabad develops low-cost, eco-friendly solar cells using 'kumkum dye'

Scientists at IIT Hyderabad have developed low-cost, environment-friendly solar cells by employing an off-the-
shelf dye used to make kumkum or vermilion in India.

   •   The dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) is based on New Fuchsin (NF) dye with aqueous electrolyte and
       platinum-free counter electrodes.
   •   The most familiar solar cells today are made up of silicon and can be seen in the various overhead panels
       and other places.
   •   This technology is limited by huge fabrication costs as silicon processing is very expensive.

5. Mamata launches a new campaign 'Didi Ke Bolo' to reach out to people

A new political campaign ‘Didi Ke Bolo’ has been initiated by the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata
Banerjee to address the public grievances and other social issues.

   •   More than 1,000 party workers will go to different villages in the next 100 days to learn about local issues.
   •   A party helpline number and a website www.didikebolo.com have been launched for people to reach out
       to Banerjee directly.

6. Reliance Jio becomes India's top telecom company

Within three years of starting its commercial operations, Reliance Jio has become the country's largest telecom
operator.

   •   Jio has a subscriber base of 331.3 million, surpassing Vodafone Idea which reported a decline in its user
       base to 320 million by June 2019.
   •   According to the financial results reported by Reliance Industries last week, its subsidiary Reliance Jio
       had a user base of 331.3 million by June 2019.
   •   Mukesh Ambani-led firm Jio had pipped Bharti Airtel in May to become the second-largest mobile
       operator with 322.9 million users and 27.80 per cent market, according to Trai data.

7. Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra announces retirement

Former France and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra have called time on his playing career.

   •   He also played 81 times for France and captained them at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
   •   He made almost 300 appearances for the club, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions
       League.

8. Jagdeep Dhankar sowrn in as West Bengal Governor

Mr. Jagdeep Dhankar has been sworn in as the State Governor of West Bengal.

   •   The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Mr T.B Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office and
       Secrecy to him.
   •   Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her cabinet colleagues and other distinguished guests were present at
       the function.
   •   Mr. Dhankhar replaced Mr Keshari Nath Tripathy.

9. Ruhan Rajput honoured with 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2019'

Ruhan Rajput, a renowned entrepreneur, co-founder and Director of Einfolge Technologies Pvt Ltd was awarded
the prestigious Entrepreneur Award 2019.

   •   He won the award in the category of 'Entrepreneur of the Year in Service Business - BPO/KPO'.
   •   His company, namely, Einfolge Technologies Pvt Ltd is one of the leading players in the knowledge
       process outsourcing (KPO) industry.

10. Tamil Nadu girl wins a gold medal in World Deaf Youth Badminton Championship

Tamil Nadu girl Jerlin Anika has won the gold medal in the World Deaf Youth Badminton Championships held
in Taipei.

   •   Anika bagged four medals in the championship, including the gold, two silver and one bronze.
   •   The 15-year-old Anika is a tenth standard student in the Ouvaiyar government school in Madurai.