Important Current Affairs 15th April 2020

National

Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog & National Informatics Centre (NIC) jointly launches CollabCAD

• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre (NIC) have come together to jointly launch an innovative platform called CollabCAD for ATL schools to enable students create 3D Computer Aided Designs. It will enable students to utilize indigenous, state-of-the-art made-in-India software for 3D modeling/slicing to use 3D printing.

• CollabCAD is a collaborative network, computer enabled software system to provide a total engineering solution ranging from 2D drafting and detailing to 3D product design.

• The initiative will provide a great platform for students of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country to create and modify 3d designs with free flow of creativity and imagination.

Banking and Economy

Global Economy to shrink in 2020, India to grow at 1.9%

• International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 14 has mentioned that the world economy is expected to shrink by 3.0% in 2020. 

• In its 2020 World Economic Outlook, IMF predicted the partial rebound in 2021 with the world economy growing at a rate of 5.8%. But it mentioned that the predictions are marked with uncertainty.

• While projecting the economic growth of countries, the IMF has forecasted the Indian economy to grow by 1.9% in 2020-2021. Its estimate for India is in the line with forecasts made by other International agencies.

Barclays predicts India’s GDP growth for CY2020 at 0%; For FY21 at 0.8%

• Barclays has predicted the GDP growth for India in Calendar Year 2020 at 0%. It means no economic growth.

• For FY21, Barclays has predicted GDP growth for India at 0.8%.

Appointments and Resignations

Birupaksha Mishra becomes new Executive Director of Union Bank of India

• Birupaksha Mishra becomes new Executive Director of Union Bank of India, after its amalgamation with Corporation Bank and Andhra Bank. Prior to this, Birupaksha Mishra was Executive Director at Corporation Bank.

• He started his banking career as a Probationary Officer in the year 1984. He has worked in various parts of the country and has handled Credit and Credit Monitoring Portfolio of the Bank and headed  IT vertical of the Bank.

Days

First Edition of World Chagas Disease Day Observed on 14 April 2020

• The first-ever World Chagas Disease Day is being held on 14 April 2020 and henceforth, it will be held annually.

• The aim of the day is to raise the visibility and public awareness of people with Chagas Disease (also called American trypanosomiasis) and the resources needed for the prevention, control or elimination of the disease.

• The WHO approved the designation of Chagas Disease Day on May 24, 2019 at the 72nd World Health Assembly.