Daily Current Affairs for May 16, 2020

Candidates aspiring to crack bank exams, SSC exams or UPSC exams know very well, the importance of preparing for current affairs section. It consists of atleast 15-20 questions.

The easiest way to scoop up full marks in this section, is to keep a track of the important daily events.With vast information available in newspapers, it will be really tough for you to follow everything at one go.

To help you in these preparations, we are here with the daily current affairs for May 16, 2020

Atmanirbhar Bharat Economic Stimulus Package Tranche 4 announcements by FM; Focus on structural reforms

In continuation of the economic stimulus measures being released by the finance minister, Nirmala sitharaman, here are the tranche 4 of announcements. These initiatives are part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or ‘Self Reliant India’ movement called upon by PM Narendra Modi.

• Commercial Mining introduced in Coal Sector
• Diversified Opportunities in Coal Sector
• Liberalised Regime in Coal Sector
• Enhancing Private Investments and Policy Reforms in  Mineral Sector
• Enhancing Self Reliance in Defence Production
• Policy Reforms in Defence Production
• Efficient Airspace Management for Civil Aviation
• More World-Class Airports through PPP
• India to become a global hub for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
• Tariff Policy Reform in Power Sector; Privatization of Distribution in UTs
• Boosting private sector investment through revamped Viability Gap Funding Scheme in Social Sector
• Boosting private participation in space activities
• Reforms in Atomic Energy Sector

More in-depth coverage at Atmanirbhar Bharat Economic Package Set 4: New Horizons of Growth [PDF download]

International Day of Light 2020: May 16

The International Day of Light (IDL) is celebrated every year on May 16, around the world to mark the anniversary of the first successful laser operation in 1960

• The United Nations marks the International Day of Light (IDL) to raise awareness on the important role played by light-based technologies in everyday life
• Theodore Maiman, a physicist and engineer led to the subsequent development of many other types of laser.

In 2015, to raise global awareness of the achievements of light science and its applications, the UN observed the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 (IYL 2015).

National Dengue Day: May 16

National Dengue Day is observed on the 16th of May, every year based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India

• The event is aimed to create awareness about dengue and improve prevention measures and preparedness for control of the vector-borne disease before the transmission season begins.

The dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus that is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes.

National Migrant Information System (NMIS) developed by NDMA

National Migrant Information System (NMIS) is a central online dashboard developed by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to facilitate and monitor the smooth movement of migrant workers across states

• The portal will maintain a central repository helping the sending as well as receiving state and district to ask for and give their acceptance.
• The initiatiave is also expected to help governments in contact-tracing during lockdown measures

The portal shall also help states to visualize how many people are entering and exiting the states and their numbers.

Sikkim celebrates 45th Statehood Day on May 16

May 16 is celebrated as the state day in Sikkim in remembrance of the day when sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union in 1975.

The function was attended by Governor Ganga Prasad as the chief guest, while chief minister Prem Singh Tamang was present as the Guest of Honour.

Delhi govt launches online portal for construction workers

An online portal for construction workers to register themselves with the government, was launched by the delhi development minister Gopal Rai.

With many unregistered construction labourers in delhi, this website is aimed to their registration and renewal-related issues.The portal can be accessed at http://www.edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in/

“Operation Warp Speed” announced by US president Donald Trump to develop coronavirus vaccine.

President Donald Trump revealed about  a new initiative that is aimed at developing, manufacturing and distributing a proven coronavirus vaccine – ‘Operation Warp Speed’

• The project intends to rapidly develop and distribute a vaccine by year end with help from the U.S. military and world-renowned doctors and scientists.
• Dr. Moncef Slaoui, an immunologist who has helped create five major vaccines, and Gen. Gustave Perna, who oversees 190,000 service members, civilians and contractors in the U.S. Army Materiel Command, will lead the operation.

The operation is “one of the greatest scientific and humanitarian accomplishments in history”, said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Alex Azar.