Daily GK Updates – 5th Feb, 2021

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi Inaugurates Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Chauri Chaura incident on February 4 via videoconferencing. February 4, 2021 marks 100 years of the ‘Chauri Chaura’ incident, a landmark event in the country’s fight for independence. PM Modi also released a postal stamp dedicated to the Chauri Chaura incident, to mark the beginning of the event. The state government of Uttar Pradesh has planned a year of celebrations in all 75 districts of the state in the memory of the martyrs.

What is Chauri Chaura incident: On February 4, 1922, a group of freedom fighters had set ablaze a police station at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district of the then United Province (now Uttar Pradesh) in British India, to protest against the high-handedness of the British regime. The incident claimed the lives of 22 policemen and three freedom fighters. As many as 19 freedom fighters were given capital punishment for this one incident.

 

2. India gets its first Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management: A dedicated Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM) has been established at the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management(NCSCM), Chennai, an institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This was announced by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Babul Supriyo on the occasion of the World Wetland Day on 2nd February 2021.

About the Wetland Conservation and Management: The dedicated CWCM Centre would address specific research needs and knowledge gaps, give a fillip to capacity development and cutting-edge research on wetlands of India, as well as aid in the application of integrated approaches for conservation, management and wise use of the wetlands.

 

3. Maharashtra tops 2nd India Justice Report for delivering justice to people: Maharashtra has retained its top rank in the second edition of the India Justice Report – 2020, which judges states in terms of delivery of justice to people. Maharashtra retained its number one position among 18 large and mid -sized states (where population is over one crore each). Tamil Nadu and Telangana were second and third respectively in the same category. Among the 7 small states (where the population is less than one crore each), Tripura has topped the list followed by Sikkim and Goa. The India Justice Report (IJR) is launched by Tata Trusts in collaboration with Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, DAKSH, TISS–Prayas, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and How India Lives.

 

4. UP govt to set up India’s first leather park in Kanpur: Uttar Pradesh government will establish the first leather park of the country in Kanpur district. The park will be established in 268 area of land in Ramaipur village of Kanpur district and is expected to attract an investment of more than 5850 crores. He said that the leather park will also have an effluent treatment plant of 20 million litre per day capacity so that it will not pollute the Ganga river. The leather park will have all the facilities for production as well as exhibition of leather products. It will also have fooding and lodging arrangements for the  investors who will come here from all over the world.

 

5. UP Singh assumes charge of secretary in Textiles Ministry: Upendra Prasad Singh, a 1985 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of Odisha Cadre has taken over as Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Prior to his appointment, Singh held the post of Secretary in the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, from December 1, 2017. The post of Secretary, Textiles is vacant since Ravi Capoor’s Central deputation ended on December 31, 2020. In between, AK Sharma and Pradip Kumar Tripathi were temporarily given additional charge as Secretary, Ministry of Textiles.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ministry of Education launched ASEAN India Hackathon 2021: The Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has addressed the inaugural ceremony of the ASEAN India Hackathon 2021 on February 1. The Ministry of Education has launched the ASEAN India Hackathon 2021. The ASEAN India Hackathon 2021 is being conducted virtually from February 1 to 3, 2021. The 10 ASEAN countries are- Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

About ASEAN-INDIA Hackathon: The ASEAN-INDIA Hackathon is an initiative by PM Modi and is launched by the Ministry of Education. This unique hackathon presents opportunities for India and all the 10 ASEAN countries to improve and strengthen their economic and cultural ties through cooperation in science and technology and education.

 

2. Nguyen Phu Trong re-elected as Chief of Vietnam for 3rd term: The ruling Community Party of Vietnam has re-elected its 76-year-old General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong for a third five-year term. He is serving the post since 2011. Trong was granted an exemption to contest in the election, though he was above the age limit of 65. The General Secretary is the highest office within the Communist Party of Vietnam. Trong also holds the position of the President of Vietnam since 2018. Vietnam has a communist government, which means that the country does not have a single strongman at the apex. There are four main leaders that collectively run the show which includes: The Communist Party general secretary, the prime minister, the president and the chair of the National Assembly.

Note: Vietnam Capital: Hanoi; Vietnam Currency: Vietnamese dong; Vietnam Prime Minister: Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

 

3. Dalai Lama pens new book ‘The Little Book of Encouragement’: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has come out with his new book titled ‘The Little Book of Encouragement’, in which he has shared quotes and words of wisdom to promote human happiness. The book has been edited by Renuka Singh and published by Penguin Random House.

The essence of the book: The Little Book of Encouragement contains 130 quotes related to how to deal with the new realities of the panic-stricken world, combat rising extremism, polarity and climate change besides Dalai Lama’s views on Tibet.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Former pacer Merv Hughes inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame: Former right-arm fast bowler Merv Hughes has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. The 59-year-old played 53 Tests and 33 ODIs for Australia in a career spanning from 1985 to 1994, during which he captured 212 Test wickets and 38 ODI wickets. His career-best figures of 8-87 against the West Indies at the WACA in 1988 included the final wicket of a hat-trick spread across three separate overs, two innings and two different days. In 2005, Hughes became a selector for the Australian cricket team, a role he would hold through until 2010.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI issues directions for LPCC by mutual fund houses: SEBI has released guidelines for setting up of limited purpose clearing corporation (LPCC) by asset management companies, making it obligatory for them to contribute towards the share capital of such entities. The LPCC is an entity established to undertake the activity of clearing and settlement of repo transactions. SEBI requires AMCs contribute INR 150 crore towards share capital of LPCC in proportion to the asset under management (AUM) of open ended debt oriented mutual fund schemes. The contribution must be primarily based on common AUM of debt oriented schemes for the monetary 12 months 2019-20. For this, Affiliation of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) is required to calculate contribution per AMC primarily based on the common AUM of debt oriented schemes and inform them.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Ford joins hand with Google to offer cloud-based data services: Ford Motor Co has joined hands with Alphabet Inc’s Google to cooperate in software, artificial intelligence and cloud computing, to develop new consumer services and modernize internal operations. The automaker will deploy Google artificial intelligence technology to improve the efficiency of vehicle development, supply chain and manufacturing operations. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker has entered into a six-year partnership with the tech giant, under which it will incorporate the Android operating system of the Google into its Ford and Lincoln vehicles starting in 2023. The customers of Ford will get built-in Google apps, including its map and voice technology.

Note: Ford Motor Co-Founder: Henry Ford; Ford Motor Co-Founded: 16 June 1903, Detroit, Michigan, United States.

CEO of Google: Sundar Pichai; Headquarters: California, United States.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. A.R. Rahman presented ‘Alert Being Icon Award’: Music composer AR Rahman and social activist from Saidapet Hari Krishnan were among the 14 people who were presented the fourth edition of the Alert Being Awards 2020 by the NGO ALERT, for their Good Samaritan work. In his video message, Mr Rahman said ALERT had been doing a brilliant job in empowering a common man to save lives. Hari Krishnan had been appointed by the Greater Chennai Corporation as a district volunteer head for Covid-19 relief work.

About Alert Being Awards 2020: The Alert Being Icon Award for an organisation was presented to the Biocon Foundation founded by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Thirty COVID-19 warriors were honoured with Alert Being Covid Frontline Warrior for their contribution during the pandemic. Alert Being Awards 2020 received 156 nominations from 15 States and 35 districts across India.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Rajnath Singh inaugurates HAL’s second Tejas Light Combat Aircraft’s: Defence minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) second Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas production line in Bengaluru, ahead of the upcoming Aero India 2021. The deal to be signed in the next few days with HAL would strengthen the Indian Air Force’s fleet of homegrown fighter jet ‘LCA-Tejas’ and overall combat capability.

Last month, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved the largest indigenous defence procurement deal worth about Rs 48,000 crores to buy 83 LCA Tejas Mark1A fighter jets.  The Aero India, which provides a platform for aerospace companies to showcase their products and services is scheduled to be held from February 3 to 5 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. During the inaugural day, 41 aircraft including Dakota, Su-30 MKI would participate in the flight display while there would be 63 aircraft on static display.

Note: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: CMD: R Madhavan; Hindustan Aeronautics Limited HQ: Bengaluru.