DAILY GK: 18,19 APRIL 2021

 DAILY GK: 18,19 APRIL 2021

1.‘THE HYDROGEN ECONOMY – NEW DELHI DIALOGUE 2021’

•      The Inauguration Edition of Hydrogen Roundtable titled ‘The Hydrogen Economy-New Delhi Dialogue 2021’ took place virtually.

•      The Hydrogen Roundtable is the first of its kind conference on Hydrogen Ecosystem.

•      Organized by The Energy Forum (TEF), an Independent Think-Tank and the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Government of India.

•      India is set to spend USD 200 Million over the next 5-7 years for promoting the use of Hydrogen in India.

•      India and the US are set to launch a Hydrogen Task Force under the US-India Strategy Energy Partnership.

 

2. UN FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT 2021

•      The United Nations Secretary General has called for the 1st ever United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021 to be held in September 2021 in New York, USA.

•      The Summit is a part of the Decade of Action (2020-30) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

•      “food system” refers to the activities involved in producing, processing, transporting and consuming food.

 

3. 6TH RAISINA DIALOGUE 2021

•      The 6th edition of the Raisina dialogue 2021 which is India’s annual global conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics was organized in a fully digital form for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

•      Theme:”Viral world:Outbreaks,Outliers and Out of Control”

 

4. ITALY LAUNCHED THE FIRST EVER FOOD PARK IN INDIA

•      Italy launched the first ever Mega Food Park project, including food processing facilities in India.

•      The pilot project “The Mega Food Park” was launched over a virtual platform.

•      A Letter of Intent Between the ICE Office in Mumbai and Fanidhar Mega Food Park, in Gujarat was also signed during the launch event.

 

5.2021 GLOBAL FOOD POLICY REPORT

•      The ‘2021 Global Food Policy Report: Transforming Food Systems After COVID-19’ of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) stated that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions has affected around half of India’s poor people from being deprived from nutritious food.

 

6.HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX 2021

•      According to ‘Henley Passport Index : Q2 2021 Global Ranking’ released by Henley & Partners, India has been ranked as 84th Most Powerful Passport (visa-free score – 58).

•      The Index has been topped by Japan, Singapore while Germany & South Korea together took the 3rd spot.

•      India shares its ranking with Gabon & Tajikistan.

•      Indian passport holders have access to 58 Visa-Free destinations.

 

7.LT FOODS CERTIFIED BY UN-BACKED SUSTAINABLE RICE PLATFORM

•      India-based LT Foods Limited became the 1st company at the global level to be certified with the highest level of verification – L3, by UN-backed Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) ecolabel.

•      It will enable the company to use the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) verified logo on packs of Rice produced by verified 1, 000+ farmers growing sustainable rice.

 

8.DUTEE CHAND CONFERRED WITH CHHATTISGARH VEERNI AWARDS

•      Odisha Sprinter Dutee Chand conferred with Chhattisgarh Veerni Awards.

•      The award, instituted by the Chhattisgarh state government, recognises contribution of Indian women in different fields, including sports.

•      The inaugural edition of the award ceremony was held virtually and presented by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.       

 

9.NASA’S ARTEMIS MISSION

•      The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aims to land the first woman and first person of colour to the surface of the Moon by 2024 as a part of its international spaceflight programme, ‘Artemis’.

•      The mission is named after Artemis the Greek goddess of the moon and the twin sister of Apollo, the inspiration of NASA’s first moon landing mission.

 

10.CHILDREN’S NOVEL ‘THE CHRISTMAS PIG’

•      JK Rowling, the British author who is well known for the Harry potter fantasy series set to release her children’s novel called “The Christmas Pig”.

•      ‘The Christmas Pig‘ is a standalone book and it is aimed at kids aged 8 years and above.

•      The book is illustrated by Jim Field.

•      She has won many awards and some of them include Legion of Honor in 2009 and Tony Award for Best play in 2008

 

11. WORLD HEMOPHILIA DAY 2021

•      World Hemophilia Day is annually observed across the globe on 17th April to create awareness about Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

•      The day is an effort to provide better diagnosis and access to care for the people with Hemophilia.

•      The theme of World Hemophilia Day 2021 is “Adapting to change: sustaining care in a new world”.

Read More

DAILY GK:17 APRIL 2021

 DAILY GK:17 APRIL 2021

1. EATSMART CITIES CHALLENGE

•      Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing & Urban Affairs virtually launched 2 Challenges during an online event.

•      They are EatSmart Cities Challenge & Transport 4 All Challenge (T4All).

•      It is an initiative under the ‘Eat Right India’ Movement (of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)).

 

2. TRIBUNAL REFORMS ORDINANCE, 2021

•      President Ram Nath Kovind promulgated ‘The Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021’.

•      The ordinance dissolves existing appellate authorities under 9 acts and transfers their functions (hearing appeals) to High Courts.

•      The Nine Laws (Replacement of Appellate Authorities/Tribunals)

•      Cinematograph Act, 1952; Trade Marks Act, 1999; Copyright Act, 1957; Customs Act, 1962; Patents Act, 1970; Airports Authority of India Act, 1994; Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002; Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999; Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001

•      Amendment to Finance Act, 2017-The ordinance also amends Section 184 of the Finance Act 2017, it introduces provisions related to the composition of Search-cum-selection committees and term of office of tribunal members in the Act itself.

 

3. CITI BANK TO WITHDRAW CONSUMER BANKING BUSINESS IN INDIA

•      The multinational investment bank, Citi bank headquartered in New York has announced to exit its consumer banking operations in India.

•      As a part its global restructuring process Citi bank has decided to close its operations in consumer banking in 13 countries which includes Australia, Bahrain, China, India,  Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

4. INDIA’S FIRST AADHAAR-BASED SIP PAYMENT

•      ETMONEY launched India’s first Aadhaar-based Systematic Investment Plan(SIP) payments feature.

•      This feature will enable anyone to start a SIP online and make automatic payments using a simple Aadhaar based OTP verification.

 

5.WISDEN ALMANCK’S ODI CRICKETER OF THE DECADE LIST

•      Famous Cricketing Magazine, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, has named 5 best cricketers for each decade, starting from 1970’s to 2010’s to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1st One-Day International (ODI) match.

•      The list featured 3 Indian cricketers – Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar & Virat Kohli.

•      Apart from them, England all-rounder Ben Stokes was declared the ‘Cricketer of the Year’ for a 2nd successive time.

 

6.GD BIRLA AWARD FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

•      Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur’s Professor Suman Chakraborty has  been selected for the 30th GD Birla Award for Scientific Research for his  outstanding contribution to engineering science and its applications in developing technologies for affordable healthcare.

 

7.UAE’S TOP CIVILIAN AWARD TO YUSUFFALI MA

•      Indian Origin Businessman Yusuffali MA along with 11 other individuals were awarded with “Abu Dhabi Award” UAE’s top Civilian Award during the 10th edition of Abu Dhabi Awards held at Abu Dhabi, UAE.

•      Yusuffali MA is the Chairman & Managing Director of Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Group that operates a chain of hypermarkets & retail companies.

 

8.ICC BANS HEATH STREAK FOR 8 YEARS

•      The International Cricket Council (ICC) banned former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak for 8-years from all forms of cricket for breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

•      During his tenure as the coach of Zimbabwe cricket team from 2016 to 2018 he leaked the team’s internal information, mainly during the 2018 Tri-Series between Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

 

9.WORLD VOICE DAY 2021

•      The World Voice Day is annually observed across the globe on 16th April.

•      The theme of the World Voice Day 2021 & the campaign is “One World Many Voices”.

Read More

DAILY GK: 15,16 APRIL 2021

 DAILY GK: 15,16 APRIL 2021

1.NATIONAL DIGITAL REPOSITORY ON HEALTH AND NUTRITION

·         NITI Aayog launched the Website ‘Poshan Gyan’ which is a National Digital Repository on Health & Nutrition. It has been developed in collaboration with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) & Centre for Social and Behaviour Change, Ashoka University.

·         Poshan Gyan repository was conceptualized as a resource, enabling search of communication materials on 14 thematic areas of health and nutrition.

 

2.NEW MISSION ‘AAHAAR KRANTI’

·         Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan launched a new mission called ‘Aahaar Kranti’.

·         The aim of the mission is to raise awareness of the importance of nutritionally balanced diet & the importance of accessibility to all local fruits & vegetables.

·         The motto of the Mission is Uttam Aahaar Uttam Vichaar or ‘Good Diet-Good Cognition’.

3.IMPLEMENTATION OF PMGSY DURING 2020-21

·         Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) UT bagged the top position at National level for successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during FY 2020-21.

·         It has constructed roads of length 560.49 km during the FY 2020-21.

·         Chhattisgarh bagged the first place among all states/UT for developing the highest road length under PMGSY. It was followed by Uttarakhand and J&K.

 

4.ACQUISITION OF 89.6% OF SHAREHOLDINGS IN GPL BY APSEZ LTD

·         Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of 89.6 per cent equity shareholding of Gangavaram Port Limited (GPL) by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) Limited.

·         The acquisition was approved under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.

·         APSEZ is the largest commercial ports operator in India present across 12 domestic ports in 7 states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha).

 

5.BOOK, ‘INDIA’S POWER ELITE: CLASS, CASTE AND A CULTURAL REVOLUTION’

·         India’s famous political commentator, Sanjaya Baru, released his new book “India’s Power Elite: Class, Caste and a Cultural Revolution”.

·         The book discusses the socio-cultural changes that happened in India after the 2014 General Elections.

·         The book analyses the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Bharatiya Janata Party, on how the party wins state elections in places where it had no footprint.

 

6.37TH SIACHEN DAY

·         The Siachen Warriors celebrated the 37th Siachen Day on 13th April.

·         On 13th April 1984, the troops of the Indian Army unfurled the national flag of India at Bilafond and launched the operation Meghdoot.

 

7.HARYANA CM APPROVES PURCHASE OF 200 ACRES OF LAND FOR AIIMS 

·         Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal has approved the purchase of 200 acres of land for the AIIMS to be set up in Rewari, as well as the purchase of land for other seven projects.

·         This approval was given after the landowners agreed on the price.

·         Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala was also present in the meeting.

 

8.ICC MEN’S PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

·         India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March for his impressive performances in India’s recently concluded series against England.

·         He was the standout bowler on either side in the white-ball series and was chosen the winner by fans and the ICC voting academy.

 

9.SIR RICHARD HADLEE MEDAL

·         New Zealand men’s captain Kane Williamson was awarded the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for the fourth time in six years, while Amelia Kerr and Devon Conway claimed double honours at the New Zealand Cricket Awards for the 2020-21

·         Williamson’s incredible home Test summer helped him claim the supreme award, along with the International Test Player of the Year and the Redpath Cup for first-class batting, after he amassed a whopping 639 runs in just four innings at an average of 159.

 

10.GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS FOR FASTEST SOLO CYCLING

·         Indian Army’s Lieutenant Colonel Bharat Pannu has earned two Guinness World Records for his fastest solo cycling.

·         The first record was created when Lt Col Pannu cycled from Leh to Manali (472 km distance) on October 10, 2020, in just 35 hours and 25 minutes.

·         He created a second record when he cycled the 5,942-km-long ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ route, which connects Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, in 14 days, 23 hours and 52 minutes.

 

11.AGRICULTURE MINISTRY SIGNS MOU WITH MICROSOFT INDIA

·         Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) signed a MoU with Microsoft India to undertake a Pilot Project in 100 villages (of 10 districts) in 6 states.

·         The pilot programme is aimed at reducing input cost and boosting the income of Farmers.

·         For the implementation of the project, Microsoft India has partnered with a local partner ‘CropData Technologies’.

·         The 6 States are Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

 

12.GOI OPERATIONALISED 75,532 AB-HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTRES

·         Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that the Government has operationalized around 75, 532 Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWCs) across India since 2018.

·         He stated that India is on track to achieve its target of operationalizing 1.5 Lakh Health and Wellness Centre (HWCs) by December 2022.

 

13.NGT FORMED AN 8-MEMBER NTF

·         The National Green Tribunal(NGT) has formed an eight-member National Task Force (NTF) to monitor the remedial steps to improve the status of air quality.

·         India has the world’s highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and 1.5 million people in India are dying annually due to air pollution

 

14.IFC INVESTS USD 100 MN IN J.C. FLOWERS INDIA OPPORTUNITIES FUND

·         International Finance Corporation (IFC),member of the World Bank Group announced to invest USD 100 million in J.C. Flowers India Opportunities Fund to help Indian financial institutions in resolving distressed assets.

·         The investment is part of IFC’s Distressed Asset Recovery Program’s (DARP) work in India.

·         Initially, IFC will invest USD 40 million

 

15.VIJAY RAGHAVAN LAUNCHES MANAS APP

·         Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India (GoI) Professor K Vijay Raghavan virtually launched the ‘MANAS’ App (Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System) to promote the Mental well-being of Indian Citizens.

·         MANAS has been jointly executed by NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences) Bengaluru, AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College) Pune & C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), Bengaluru.

 

16.UAE PLANS TO SEND ITS 1ST ROVER TO MOON BY 2022

·         The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Space Centre is planning to send its rover ‘Rashid’ to the moon on an unmanned spacecraft by 2022. 

·         The rover will be deployed on the Moon using Japan based ispace company’s Lunar lander.

·         The rover will be launched into space aboard a SpaceX rocket from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA.

 

17.BALBIR SINGH JR PASSES AWAY

·         Former Indian Hockey legend Balbir Singh Junior passed away at the age of 88 due to heart failure in Chandigarh.

·         He was a member of the Indian Hockey team which won silver medal at the 1958 Asian games.

 

18.130TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF BR AMBEDKAR

·         PM Narendra Modi virtually participated in the Association of Indian Universities’ 95th Annual Meet and National Seminar of Vice-Chancellors.

·         On the occasion he released 4 books based on Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar’s life, which were authored by Kishor Makwana.

·         4-Books: Dr. Ambedkar Jivan Darshan, Dr. Ambedkar Vyakti Darshan, Dr Ambedkar Rashtra Darshan, and Dr. Ambedkar Aayam Darshan

·         He is the 1st Law Minister of India & popularly known as the “Father of Indian Constitution”.

 

19.MEMOIR “BELIEVE — WHAT LIFE AND CRICKET TAUGHT ME”

·         Suresh Raina penned his Memoir “Believe — What Life and Cricket Taught Me” Co-authored by Bharat Sundaresan to be released by May, 2021.

·         The book will be published by Penguin Random House.

·         Note – Memoir means a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge.

 

20.WORLD ART DAY 2021

·         International Association of Art (IAA/AIAP) a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in partnership with UNESCOcelebrated the 6th edition of World Art Day across the globe with theme “You’re Not Alone”.

·         To honor “Leonardo da Vinci” a pioneer in Art, his birthday 15th April was selected as the World Art Day.

Read More