Daily GK Updates – 26th Feb, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Rajnath Singh inaugurates 26th edition of ‘HunarHaat’:Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the 26th edition of ‘HunarHaat’ in New Delhi. The “HunarHaat” will be held from February 21 to March 01, 2021, with the theme of “Vocal for Local”. More than 600 artisans and craftsmen from more than 31 states and UTs are participating. Through HunarHaat, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs aims to provide employment and employment opportunities to 7,50,000 artisans by organising 75 HunarHaats by 2022, when India will celebrate its 75 years of Independence.

About the HunarHaat: The HunarHaat is also available online at hunarhaat.org and on the Government e-Marketplace portal. Indians living abroad can buy products online as well. HunarHaat is a beautiful exhibition of India’s traditional art and craft and brings together indigenous artisans and craftsmen from across the country for the display and sale of their exquisite indigenous handmade products.

Note: Minister of Minority Affairs: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

 

2. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Renames Hoshangabad as Narmadapuram: Hoshangabad city in the state of Madhya Pradesh will be renamed Narmadapuram. This was announced by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the Narmada Jayanti programme held in Hoshangabad. Hoshangabad was earlier named after an attacker Hoshang Shah, the first ruler of Malwa. However, the city will now be called Narmadapuram, after the river Narmada, the lifeline of the state. The state government will now send a proposal to the Centre to change the name of Hoshangabad to Narmadapuram. The city is famous for its beautiful ghats along the banks of the Narmada River.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.

 

3. Prime Minister Modi inaugurates several railway projects in West Bengal: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated several railway projects in Hooghly, West Bengal, on February 22, 2021, that will ensure better operational fluidity, less journey time and enhanced safety of train operations, as well as boost the overall economic growth of the region. The several projects inaugurated are as follows:

(1) Metro Railway Extension: PM inaugurated the 4.1 km extension of Metro Railway from Noapara to Dakshineswar, and flagged off the first service on this stretch. The Rs. 464 crore project is fully funded by the Central Government.

(2) Inauguration of Railway Lines:  (a) Third line between Kalaikunda and Jhargram over a stretch of 30 km of the 132 km long Kharagpur-Adityapur Third Line Project of South Eastern Railway – Rs. 1312 crores.

(b) Fourth line between Dankuni and Baruipara (11.28 kms) of Howrah – Bardhaman Chord Line – Rs. 195 crores.

© Third line between Rasulpur and Magra (42.42 kms) of Howrah – Bardhaman Main Line – Rs. 759 crores.

(3) Doubling of Azimganj – Khargraghat Road: Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the doubling of Azimganj to Khargraghat Road section, which is a part of Howrah – Bandel – Azimganj section of Eastern Railway– Rs 240 crore.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Israel launches “green pass” for people with vaccination certificate: Israel has launched a coronavirus “green pass” system, which allows people who have been vaccinated to access public facilities that would otherwise be off-limits. As of Sunday COVID-19 inoculation is a sort of status symbol in Israel. Israelis who have gotten both Pfizer vaccine shots and those who have recovered from the virus get a “Green Pass” certificate in the form of a QR code or printout for people without smart phones. The pass allows entry to gyms, swimming pools, hotels, entertainment venues and sporting events. Green Pass privileges and restrictions are raising legal and moral questions.

Note: Prime Minister of Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu; Israel Capital: Jerusalem; Israel Currency: Israeli Shekel.

 

2. Jasmine Harrison from UK becomes youngest woman to row Atlantic Ocean: A British woman, Jasmine Harrison of England has become the youngest woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The 21-year-old from Thirsk, North Yorkshire in the UK, achieved the feat by finishing top in the 2020 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, organized by Atlantic Campaigns. Harrison, who is a swim instructor and bartender by profession, travelled 3,000 miles (4,828km) across the Atlantic Ocean in 70 days, 3 hours and 48 minutes. Harrison began her journey in Spain’s Canary Islands on December 12, 2020, and arrived in Antigua on February 20, 2021.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Karnataka to Host 2nd Khelo India University Games 2021: The second edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2021, is scheduled to be held in Karnataka. This announcement was made by the Karnataka Chief Minister, Shri BS Yediyurappa and Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, KirenRijiju. The KIUG-2021 will be hosted by JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, in partnership with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). In 2021, Yogasana and Mallakhamb have been added to the University Games, in an effort to preserve and promote the century-old sporting disciplines of the country.

About the Khelo India University Games: The games will be conducted in the U-25 age category in accordance with the World University Games norms. KIUG is the largest University Games in India and is aimed at tapping sporting talent who can represent India in international events, including the Olympics. The first edition of KIUG was held in Bhubaneswar in February 2020, and saw a total participation of 3182 athletes in the U-25 age group, across 158 universities and colleges from all states.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI ropes in Punjabi rapper for awareness campaign on cyber fraud: The RBI has roped in Punjabi singer-rapper Viruss in its public awareness campaign. The campaign also includes Viruss’ popular 2017 Indie hit ‘Bam Bhole’ that was recreated for Akshay Kumar-Kiara Advani starrer Laxmii. As cyber frauds continue to increase, the Reserve Bank of India has undertaken an unusual measure to spread awareness.

About the awareness campaign: The apex bank that has been very active on social media since the lockdown urges tech-savvy netizens to stay alert or ‘satark’ against common fraudsters and cybersecurity threats, including in UPI. The RBI has been running the campaign ‘RBI Kehta Hai’ on social media accounts since 2016 but has never been accompanied by peppy music. Since 2016 when it created the tagline RBI Kehta Hai, the central bank’s communication has been centred on financial literacy and public awareness towards frauds, etc. The bank uses social media to talk about the facilities it offers for senior citizens, cybersecurity, digital banking, and setting limits on card transactions.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. HSBC Raises India’s GDP Forecast for FY22 to 11.2%: HSBC has raised its growth forecasts for India in the coming fiscal year 2021-22 (FY22), from 9 per cent to 11.2 per cent, following a pick up in business activity and a steady fall in COVID cases. The 2020-21 GDP forecast of India by HSBC remains -6.3 per cent, as projected earlier.

Note: HSBC CEO: Noel Quinn; HSBC Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; HSBC Founder: Thomas Sutherland; HSBC Founded: 3 March 1865, Hong Kong.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Union Bank of India wins World HRD Congress Awards: Union Bank of India was awarded “Best Service Provider” in Human Resources and also the best institution for “Excellence in Learning & Development” at the 29th Global HRD Congress awards. Kalyan Kumar, Chief General Manager, HR was named as “Chief Human Resources Officer of the Year”.

About the Global HRD Congress Awards: Global HRD Congress Awards are given to institutions annually for the best HR practices under different categories. The eminent jury which consists of the best in the industry will select the organizations taking into account their remarkable achievements in HR.

Note: Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai; Union Bank of India CEO: Rajkiran Rai G; Union Bank of India Founded: 11 November 1919.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. ICGS C-453 Interceptor boat commissioned into services in Chennai: The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICG) named C-453 was commissioned into services in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This was the 17th interceptor boats out of the 18 which are being indigenously built by Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

About the C-453: It is a 27.80-m-long interceptor boat. The boat has a displacement of 105 tonnes. It can attain a maximum speed of 45 knots (85 kmph). It is capable to undertake multifarious tasks such as surveillance, close-coast patrol, interdiction, and search & rescue. It will also provide assistance to the boats and craft in case of distress at sea.

Functions of the interceptor boat: The ship will be deployed to do surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone and other duties in accordance with the Coast Guard Charter. This will help in safeguarding the maritime interests of India.

Note: Larsen & Toubro Ltd CEO: S. N. Subrahmanyan; Larsen & Toubro Ltd Founded: 7 February 1938, Mumbai; Larsen & Toubro Ltd Headquarters: Mumbai.

 

2. DRDO Conducts Two Successful Launches of VL-SRSAM Missile System: Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted two successful launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). DRDO carried out the launch from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The launches were monitored by senior scientists from various DRDO labs involved in the design and development of the system. During the test launches, flight path and vehicle performance parameters were monitored using flight data, captured by various Range instruments.

About the VL-SRSAM: The VL-SRSAM is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO for the Indian Navy, VL-SRSAM aims to neutralize various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. The missiles intercepted the simulated targets with pinpoint accuracy. The missiles were tested for minimum and maximum range. VL-SRSAM with Weapon Control System was deployed during the trials.

 

3. Rajnath Singh inaugurates DRDO skill centre for fire safety training: Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Skill Development Centre (SDC) for Fire Safety Training of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through virtual mode at Pilkhuwa in Uttar Pradesh. The first of its kind in India facility has been created by Delhi based DRDO laboratory ‘Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES)’.

About SDC DRDO facility: The SDC DRDO facility will help in developing trained human resources, fire safety technology and products to save precious human lives and valued assets. The facility would be utilised for imparting fire prevention and fire-fighting training to the Fire Service personnel of Indian Armed Forces, DRDO, Ordnance Factories, Coast Guard and defence undertakings.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former TRAI Chairman Rahul Khullar passes away: Rahul Khullar, the former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has passed away. He was a 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who was appointed as TRAI chief in May 2012. He served at TRAI for three years. Prior to being appointed as TRAI chief, he was a secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Trade.