DAILY GK: 16,17 MAR 2021

 DAILY GK: 16,17 MAR 2021

1.INDIA’S 1ST CENTRALIZED AC TERMINAL

•      ‘Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal’ – India’s 1st Centralized Air-Conditioned Railway Terminal at Baiyappanahalli in Bengaluru, Karnataka is set to become operational soon.

•      It is being developed by the Indian Railways at a cost INR 314 Crore and has been named after one of India’s 1st Civil Engineers, Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya.

 

2.INDIA’S 1ST DEDICATED EXPRESS CARGO TERMINAL

•      India’s 1st dedicated Express Cargo Terminal, exclusively for export and import of international couriers was inaugurated in Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore.

•      The 2,00,000 sq.ft Export Cargo Terminal will also accommodate international courier organisations like DHL Express & FedEx Express, under the Common-User Express Terminal that will be operated by Express Industry Council of India (EICI).

 

3. ‘KALANAMAK RICE FESTIVAL’

•      Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched a three-day-long ‘Kalanamak rice festival’ in Siddharth Nagar under one district – one product scheme of the state government.

•      It is one of the finest varieties of aromatic rice that are grown in India, Kalanamak is also called Buddha Rice.

•      Earlier Uttar Pradesh government was the first state of India to launch the concept of ODOP in 2018

 

4.WOMEN OFFICERS ON WARSHIP AFTER 23 YEARS

•      International Women’s Day, For the first time in 23 years since 1998, the Indian Navy has deployed 4 women officers onboard its warships.

•      2 of the 4 officers were posted on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and the other 2 were deployed on the tanker ship INS Shakti.

 

5. SWEDISH DEMOCRACY REPORT 2021

•      According to the ‘Autocratization Turns Viral: Democracy Report 2021’ released by Swedish-based V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute states that India’s regime type has turned into ‘Electoral Autocracy’ in 2020 from ‘Electoral Democracy’ in 2010.

•      Hungary & Turkey have also been demoted as ‘Electoral Autocracy’.

•      India has registered a 23%-point drop on the Liberal Democracy Index (LDI) scale marking one of the most dramatic shifts among all countries in the world over the past 10 years.

•      Based on the LDI Index, the top 3 democratic countries in the world are Denmark, Sweden & Norway.

 

6.JLL HPI INDEX

•      According to JLL’s (Jones Lang LaSalle)’s Human Performance Indicator (HPI) Index, India ranked highest in workplace satisfaction at 98 percent followed by China at 97 percent.

•      Technology workers (53%) and young professionals aged 25 to 34 (37%) make up the majority of High Performers.

•      As much as High Performers were champions of flexible work, they felt that the office was a critical factor to performance.

 

7.US BECOMES INDIA’S 2ND BIGGEST OIL SUPPLIER

•      According to trade data released by Reuters, the United States surpassed Saudi Arabia as India’s 2nd Biggest Oil Supply in February, 2021.

•      Iraq continues to be India’s Largest supplier despite a 23% decline in purchases to a five-month low of 867, 500 BPD (Barrels Per Day).

•      India’s imports from America increased to 48% to a record 545, 300 BPD in February, 2021 accounting for 14% of India’s overall imports last month

•      India is World’s Third Largest Oil Importer & Consumer (after USA, China)

Position                                                         Country

1                                                                      Iraq

2                                                                      USA

3                                                                      Nigeria

       

8.INDIA SURPASSED RUSSIA’S FOREX RESERVE

•      As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India’s Foreign exchange (Forex) reserves to become the world’s fourth-largest by surpassing Russia.

•      India’s foreign currency holdings fell by $4.3 billion to $580.3 billion and Russia’s forex holdings were $580.1 billion.

•      As of March 2021, International Monetary Fund(IMF)table, China has the largest reserves, followed by Japan, Switzerland, India, and Russia.

 

9.DEEPAK MISHRA APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF ICRIER

•      Deepak Mishra the lead Economist and Practice Manager at the World Bank was appointed as the new Director and Chief Executive of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations(ICRIER), the economic think Tank of India.

 

10.ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR STUDYING SARASVATI RIVER

•      The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) released a notification stating that it has reconstituted an Advisory Committee for Multidisciplinary Study of the River Sarasvati (also known as Ghaggar-Hakra River).

 

11. SUPERCOMPUTER “FUGAKU” BY JAPAN, NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL

•      “Fugaku” the Japanese supercomputer that topped the Top500 list for 2 consecutive years is now fully operational.

•      The supercomputer that was developed for 6 years by Japanese scientific research institute RIKEN and Fujitsu was used in projects to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

•      Japan’s Research Organization for Information Science and Technology (RIST) has selected 74 projects that will use the supercomputer in FY2021.

•      This will work towards the Japanese government’s vision of an ultra-smart Society 5.0.

 

12.WORLD FIRST PCS WITH PLASTIC WASTE IN OCEAN

•      HP(Hewlett-Packard) has made the World’s first PC using plastic waste from the ocean.

•      To build on HP’s sustainability commitment, The HP Pavilion line-up (HP Pavilion 13, HP Pavilion 14, and HP Pavilion 15 laptops) uses the post-consumer recycled and plastic waste in Ocean in the construction of speaker housing.

•      The Pavilion series is set to keep around 92000 plastic bottles out of the ocean and landfills.

 

13.1ST INDIAN FENCER TO QUALIFY FOR OLYMPICS

•      Bhavani Devi who hails from Tamil Nadu became the 1st ever Indian Fencer to qualify for an Olympics.

•      She was assured of qualification for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after Hungary lost to South Korea in the Quarter-finals of Team event of 2021 Fencing Sabre World Cup being held at Budapest, Hungary.

 

14.INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MATHEMATICS

•      International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is annually observed across the globe on 14th March to celebrate the beauty and importance of mathematics and its essential role in everyone’s life.

•      The day also marks the birth anniversary of renowned mathematician and physicist Albert Einstein and death anniversary of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.

•      The theme of the International Day of Mathematics 2021 is “Mathematics for a Better World”.

 

15.INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR RIVERS

•      The International Day of Action for Rivers which was formerly known as “International Day against Dams, for Rivers, Water, and Life” is annually observed across the globe on 14th March to create awareness about the importance of rivers.

•      The theme of International Day of Action for Rivers 2021 is “Rights of Rivers”.

 

16.WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY 2021

•      World Consumer Rights Day is annually celebrated across the globe on 15th March to highlight the power of consumers and their rights for a fair, safe and sustainable marketplace for everyone.

•      The theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2021 is “Tackling Plastic Pollution”.

 

17.MIZORAM PAIRED WITH BIHAR THROUGH EK BHARAT SHRESTHA BHARAT CAMPAIGN

•      A country wide Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat campaign, which highlights the age-old tradition of our country – unity in diversity.

•      Exchange of different languages, food habits, and similarly paying respect to others’ culture, music, dances and customs are in fact the mantra of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.

•      Under this Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat campaign, each state is paired with another state and highlights the milieu of mutual exchange of cultures.

•      Mizoram is paired with Bihar on Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat campaign.

 

18.MISSION SAGAR-IV

•      Indian Naval Ship(INS) Jalashwa, the largest amphibious ship of Indian Navy reached Port Anjouan, Comoros to deliver 1,000 Metric Tonnes of rice as part of Mission Sagar-IV.

•      Mission Sagar was India’s initiative to deliver Covid-19 related assistance to the countries in the Indian Ocean region, which was launched on 10 May 2020.

 

19.INDIA’S IMPORT OF ARMS DECREASED BY 33%

•      According to a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s import of arms decreased by 33% between 2011-15 and 2016-20 due to its increased push for ‘Make-in-India’ initiative and other measures to boost the domestic defence industry.

•      The most affected countries due to decline in India’s imports were Russia & USA.

•      India’s Top 3 Arms suppliers during 2016-20 were Russia (49% imports), France (18%) & Israel (13%).

 

20.RBI INSISTED ALL BANKS IMPLEMENT THE IMAGE-BASED CTS

•      Reserve Bank of India (RBI) the apex monetary institution asked all the banks in India to implement the image-based Cheque Truncation System (CTS) under respective grids in all its branches by September 30, 2021, to faster the settlement of cheques resulting in better customer service.

•      About 18,000 bank branches are still outside any formal clearing arrangement hence, it is proposed to bring all such branches under the CTS image-based clearing mechanism by September 2021.

 

21.63RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2020)

•      The 2021 GRAMMY Awards officially known as the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Award (2020) was presented over the hybrid ceremony.

•      The award recognised the recordings released between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020. 

•      American Singer and Songwriter Taylor Swift won the award for the Best Album of the year for her album “Folklore”.

•      American pop star, Billie Eilish O’Connell won the record of the year award for her song “Everything I Wanted”.

•      Beyonce won 4 awards and broke the record of most ever Grammy wins by female artists with 28 Grammys.

 

22.HIGH-LEVEL TEAM TO REVIEW MEDICAL CARE AT KUMBH MELA

•      A 3-member high-level team led by Dr S K Singh, Director of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been appointed by the Government of India to review the Medical care and public health arrangements for the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, Uttarakhand which will start on 1st April 2021.

 

23.INDIA TO HOST 2021’S ASIAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP

•      International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced that 2021’s Edition of Asian Boxing Championship will be held between May 21-31 at New Delhi, India.

•      This will be the 1st boxing tournament in Asia in 2021, acting towards evaluating boxers’ readiness for the Olympic games.

 

24.INDRA NOOYI’S MEMOIR TITLED “MY LIFE IN FULL: WORK, FAMILY AND OUR FUTURE”

•      Padma Bhushan awardee Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo is set to publish her memoir titled “My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future”.

•      The book is set to be published by Portfolio books on September 28.

•      The book will feature both the personal and professional life of Indra Nooyi.

 

25.NATIONAL VACCINATION DAY 2021

•      The National Vaccination Day, also known as National Immunisation Day, is annually observed across India on 16th March to create awareness about the importance of vaccination.

•      The government of India aims to raise awareness about the vaccination against poliovirus and other deadly viruses.

•      The National Vaccination day 2020 aims to eradicate both polio and the COVID-19.

 

26.NMCG, UPJN & GA INFRA PRIVATE LIMITED SIGN TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STPS IN MORADABAD, UP

•      National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (UPJN) & GA Infra Private Limited-Lahoti Buildcon Limited have signed an Tripartite Agreement for development of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at  Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.

•      Aim – To eliminate flow of untreated sewage from Moradabad city into River Ganga.

•      Total Cost of the project – INR 99.68 Crore rupees.

•      Lending for these projects will be provided by SBI Capital.

•      NMCG also approved other projects for addressing Sewage Problems in Moradabad.

River Ramganga

•      NMCG also approved the project for ‘Pollution Abatement Works for River Ram ganga at Bareilly’ for construction of STP of 65 MLD which are now under tender evaluation stage.

•      River Ramganga is a critical polluting tributary of river Ganga.

About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

·         Director General – Rajiv Ranjan Mishra

·         Headquarters – New Delhi