Daily GK Update- 9th Sept, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. TRIFED and MEA to set up Atmanirbhar Bharat corners: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is setting up an Atmanirbhar Bharat corner in 75 Indian Missions/ Embassies across the world in the next 3 months. The first such Atma Nirbhar Bharat corner was successfully inaugurated at Indian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand on August 15, 2021. Apart from this, TRIFED will also be establishing Atmanirbhar corners in 75 embassies of foreign countries set up in India. As India moves ahead with its strategy for India@75 and focuses on converting development into a mass movement, TRIFED is working with its roots in ground realities and emphasizing the welfare both in design and implementation. With the focus on “Vocal for Local” and building an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, TRIFED is undertaking several activities, while re-dedicating its efforts towards tribal empowerment. Key Highlights:

(1) The 75 countries include Jamaica, Ireland, Turkey, Kenya, Mongolia, Israel, Finland, France, and Canada, Singapore, Russia, the US, Indonesia, Greece and Cyprus among others.

(2) The corner will be an exclusive space to promote GI tagged tribal art and craft products besides natural and organic products.

(3) TRIFED will also be establishing Atmanirbhar corners in 75 embassies of foreign countries in India.

Note: Minister of Tribal Affairs: Arjun Munda; TRIFED was established on the 6th of August 1987.

 

2. PM Modi inaugurates Shikshak Parv-2021: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the “Shikshak Parv-2021” and addressed the inaugural conclave through a video conference. The theme of ‘Shikshak Parv-2021’ is “Quality and Sustainable Schools: Learnings from Schools in India”. The event was organised by the Ministry of Education, will continue to be celebrated from September 07 to 17, 2021. The objective of the Shikshak Parv-2021 is to encourage innovative practices to ensure not only continuity of education at all levels but to improve quality, inclusive practices and sustainability in the schools across the country as well.

As a part of the event, PM launched five key schemes under the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. These included:

(1) Indian Sign Language Dictionary (audio and text embedded sign language video for the hearing impaired, in conformity with Universal Design of Learning)

(2) Talking Books (audiobooks for the visually impaired)

(3) School Quality Assurance and Assessment Framework of CBSE

(4) NISHTHA teachers’ training programme for NIPUN Bharat

(5) Vidyanjali 2.0 portal (platform for non-teaching professionals to contribute to increasing the quality of education in government schools.)

 

3. Chandigarh Railway Station certified five-star ‘Eat Right Station’: The Chandigarh Railway Station (CRS) was awarded a 5 star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. The certification was awarded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) upon the conclusion of the FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit agency. CRS was selected to upgrade on the pattern of the World Class Railway Station.

About the certification: The certification is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement- a large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians. According to IRSDC, Eat Right India adopts a judicious mix of regulatory, capacity building, collaborative, and empowerment approaches to ensure that our food is suitable both for the people and the planet.

Note: Lt. Governors & Administrators of Chandigarh: Banwarilal Purohit.

 

4. Satish Parekh appointed as International Road Federation India president: Ashoka Buildcon Managing Director and promoter Satish Parekh has taken over as the president of the India Chapter of the International Road Federation (IRF). The governing council of the International Road Federation unanimously endorsed Satish Parakh as President, IRF-IC. He takes over from Subhmay Gangopadhyay, former director of Central Road Research Institute. The Geneva-based global road safety body IRF is working for better and safer roads worldwide.

Note: International Road Federation Founded: 1948; International Road Federation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

 

5. Food Processing Week: September 6 to 12, 2021: To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence, the Government of India is celebrating the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.’ As a part of the celebration, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is observing ‘Food Processing Week’ from 6th to 12th September 2021, under which, the Ministry is organizing various programs. The Ministry launched the ‘Food Processing Week’, 6th September 2021, through an official video on social media platforms. The success story of the beneficiary of the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, Smt. Radhika Kamat was also published on the Ministry’s website in the ‘Atmanirbhar Enterprises’ series.

Note: Union Minister of Food Processing Industries: Pashupati Kumar Paras; Minister of State for Food Processing Industries: Prahlad Singh Patel.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Yoshihide Suga to step down as Japan’s prime minister: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga would step down, setting the stage for a new premier after a one-year tenure marred by an unpopular COVID-19 response and rapidly dwindling public support. Suga, who took over after Shinzo Abe resigned last September, citing ill health, has seen his support ratings sink to below 30% as the nation struggles with its worst wave of COVID-19 infections ahead of a general election this year. Suga’s decision to not run in a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election in September means the party will choose a new leader, who will become prime minister.

Note: Japan Capital: Tokyo; Japan Currency: Japanese yen.

 

2. World EV Day: 9th September: World EV Day is observed on September 9 every year. The day marks the celebration of e-mobility. Special awareness campaigns are organised globally to educate people about the benefits of electric vehicles. World EV Day was an initiative created by the sustainability media company GreenTV. The first World EV day was observed in 2020. China is the largest EV market in the world. It was largely a social media campaign that encouraged drivers to recognise the benefits of electric vehicles and make a commitment that the next car they drive will be electric and not run on conventional fuels.

 

3. International Day to Protect Education from Attack: 9th September: International Day to Protect Education from Attack is observed globally on 9th September. In proclaiming the International Day to Protect Education from Attack to be celebrated for the first time in 2020. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness regarding the importance of safeguarding schools as places of protection and safety for students and educators and the need to keep education at the top of the public agenda.

Background of the day: The day was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly, calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. The resolution proclaiming the Day was presented by the State of Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries.

Note: UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France; UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay; UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945.

UNICEF Executive Director: Henrietta H. Fore; UNICEF Founded: 11 December 1946; UNICEF Headquarters: New York, United States.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. 130th edition of Durand Cup kicks off in Kolkata: The 130th edition of the Durand Cup kicked off at the Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan in Kolkata. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee kicked the ball and inaugurated the tournament. 16 teams are playing in this edition of the oldest club football tournament in Asia while two clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are not participating. The final match will be held on 3rd October.

About Durand Cup: The Durand Cup is a prestigious football tournament. It was first held in 1888, at Dagshai in Himachal Pradesh. This tournament has been named after Mortimer Durand. He was the then Foreign Secretary in charge of India.

 

2. Former Australian pacer Shaun Tait appointed bowling coach of Puducherry: Former Australia pacer Shaun Tait has been roped in as the bowling coach of the Puducherry cricket team, sources in the Cricket Association of Pondicherry. Tait joins a coaching team that includes head coach Dishant Yagnik and manager and strength and conditioning coach Kalpendra Jha. The former Australia player had recently been appointed bowling coach of the Afghanistan team for a period of five months.

About Shaun Tait: Tait, who featured in three Tests, 35 ODIs and 21 T20 Internationals for Australia, had also turned out for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL during his playing career. The pacer had played a significant role in Australia’s World Cup triumph in the West Indies in 2007, claiming 23 wickets.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Baroda tops the MeitY Digital Payment Scorecard for 2020-21: Bank of Baroda, announced that the bank has Ranked #1 with a total of 86% marks on the scorecard issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the month of February and March 2021. The scorecard ranks 44 banks (Public Sector Banks, Private Banks, Foreign Banks, Payments Banks, Small Finance Banks) on various parameters on the digital business. In the same period last year, BOB was rated “Average” by Meity, which has now been upgraded as “Good”.

 

2. Harsha Bhupendra Bangari becomes new MD of EXIM Bank: The government has appointed Harsha Bhupendra Bangari as the new Managing Director (MD) of the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). Before this Bangari was posted as deputy managing director at EXIM Bank. She has been appointed for a period of three years or until further orders of the government. He will replace the incumbent MD David Rasquinha, who was appointed for five years on July 20, 2014.

Note: Export-Import Bank of India Founded: 1 January 1982; Export-Import Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. IAF chief attends Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2021 in Hawaii: Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria attended a three-day-long Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2021 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. The event themed ”Enduring Cooperation towards Regional Stability” was attended by air chiefs from countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Bhadauria was nominated as the Dean for the symposium. India, the US, Australia, Japan and many other like-minded countries are working towards ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The symposium saw deliberations through panel discussions, tabletop exercises and keynote addresses on topics ranging from aspects of regional security to cooperation amongst air forces for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

 

2. Indian Navy’s aviation wing honoured with prestigious President’s Colour award: President Ram Nath Kovind has awarded the President’s Colour to the Indian Naval Aviation at a ceremonial parade held at the INS Hansa base near Panjim in Goa. The president was given the guard of honour by the Indian Navy on the occasion. The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed on a military unit in recognition of its exceptional service to the nation. The Indian Navy was the first amongst the Indian Armed Forces to be awarded the President’s Colour on 27 May 1951 by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. Subsequent recipients of the President’s Colour in the Navy include Southern Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command, Western Naval Command, Eastern Fleet, Western Fleet, Submarine Arm, INS Shivaji and the Indian Naval Academy.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Rajni Kaul, the first News Broadcaster for BBC Hindi passes away: Rajni Kaul who was the first News Broadcaster for BBC Hindi passed away in Faridabad, Haryana. She was 93. She was not only the first woman to join BBC Hindi as a staff member but she also became the first woman to read a news bulletin in Hindi on the network in 1961. She was well-known for her programme Indradhanush.

 

2. Former Union Health Secretary Keshav Desiraju Passes Away: Former Union health secretary Keshav Desiraju has passed away, due to “acute coronary syndrome”. Desiraju was the grandson of former president Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was the 1978 batch IAS officer from the Uttarakhand cadre. He was known for his contributions to mental health and community healthcare. He was the architect of India’s mental healthcare act of 2017.