Daily Current Affairs Capsule 4th July 2019 - wifistudy

Daily Current Affairs Capsule
        4th July 2019

1. Jagannath Rath Yatra begins

The world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra began at Puri in Odisha.

   •   Lakhs of people gathered in Puri to witness Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra riding
       three giant wooden chariots which will be pulled by devotees as they travel to Gundicha temple.
   •   Jagannath Rath Yatra, also called Chariot Festival, marks the annual journey of the three deities from the
       12th century Jagannath temple to the temple of Devi Gundicha.
   •   The celebration ends nine days later with Bahuda Yatra or the return journey of the three to their temple.

2. Indo-French Joint Air Exercise Garuda-VI Begins

The Indian Air Force and French Air Force are participating in a bilateral air exercise Garuda VI at Mont de
Marsan in France.

   •   The exercise is taking place from 1 July to July 12, 2019.
   •   This is the 6th edition of the exercise which allows the air forces to exercise together and learn best
       practices each one has to offer.
   •   The previous exercise was conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Jun 2014.

•   The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent comprises of 120 air-warriors and four Sukhoi 30 MKI along with
       an IL-78 flight refuelling aircraft.
   •   French Air Force units will comprise the likes of Rafale, Alpha Jet, Mirage 2000, C135, E3F, C130, and
       Casa.

3. First UIDAI-run Aadhaar Seva Kendra operational in Delhi, Vijayawada

The UIDAI has operationalised the first 'Aadhaar Seva Kendra' in Delhi and Vijayawada.

   •   These Aadhaar centres, meant to facilitate enrolment, updation and other activities.
   •   The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is in the midst of setting up ‘Aadhaar Seva Kendras’
       (ASKs) - similar to the concept of Passport Seva Kendras - covering 53 cities across India at an estimated
       project cost of ₹300-400 crore.
   •   The UIDAI plans to complete setting up of 114 ASKs across various locations by end of 2019.

Points to Remember

   •   UIDAI Headquarters: New Delhi
   •   CEO: Ajay Bhushan Pandey

4. Govt hikes Minimum Support Price of Kharif crops for 2019-20 season

In a major boost to the farmers’ income, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the increase
in the Minimum Support Prices, MSP for all Kharif crops for 2019-20 Season.

•   The MSP of paddy has been increased by 65 rupees per quintal, Jowar by 120 rupees and Ragi by 253
       rupees per quintal.
   •   The MSP of Tur has been raised by 125 rupees, Moong by 75 rupees and Urad pulses raised by 100 rupees
       per quintal.

Points to Remember

   •   Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: Narendra Singh Tomar

5. MoU between BPR&D and Morarji Desai National Institute Yoga

Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) and Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY)
entered into a Memorandum of Understanding.

   •   The MoU has been signed for organizing Yoga education and training courses/programmes for Police
       Personnel and CAPFs at different levels and their family members across the country.
   •   Also, organised training on Yoga will be introduced in the curriculum of CAPT, CDTIs and various Police
       Training Institutes for all the Police personnel of various ranks in all the States/UTs/CAPFs.

6. IMF appoints economist David Lipton as interim chief

American economist David Lipton has been appointed as the interim leader of the International Monetary Fund.

   •   He was appointed replacing Christine Lagarde who was nominated to head the European Central Bank.

Points to Remember

   •   IMF formation: 27 December 1945
   •   Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
   •   Chief Economist: Gita Gopinath

7. Manoj Kumar Nambiar elected chairman of MFIN

Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) has elected Manoj Kumar Nambiar, managing director of Arohan
Financial Services, as its chairman.

   •   MFIN comprises 56 NBFC-MFIs and 40 associates including banks, small finance banks and NBFCs.
   •   Nambiar is also a director on boards of IntelleCash Microfinance Network Company.
   •   He will be replacing Ujjivan Financial Services CEO and MD Samit Ghosh.

8. Ambati Rayudu retires from all forms of cricket

Indian middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu retired from all forms of cricket

•   The 33-year-old Andhra Pradesh batsman was in India's official standbys list for the on-going World Cup.
   •   Rayudu played 55 ODIs for India, scoring 1694 runs at an average of 47.05. He, however, did not play
       any Test.

9. Industrialist B K Birla passed away

Businessman Basant Kumar Birla, the patriarch of the Birla group, died in Mumbai.

   •   Birla was the chairman of Century Textiles and Industries and was active in business since the age of 15.
   •   He was also a patron of nearly 25 educational institutions across the country - from BITS Pilani and Birla
       Institute of Liberal Arts and Management Science etc.