Daily GK Updates – 4th Feb, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Venkaiah Naidu Inaugurates National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav”: The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. The Aadi Mahotsav 2021 is being organized from February 1-15, 2021. The festival aims to familiarise the people with the rich and diverse craft, the culture of the tribal communities across the country, in one place.

About the Aadi Mahotsav: The Aadi Mahotsav – A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Crafts, Cuisine and Commerce – is an annual initiative being organized by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs since 2017. The festival will comprise of display and sale of tribal art and craft, medicine & healers, cuisine and folk performances, in which around 1000 tribal artisans, artists and chefs from more than 20 States of the country shall participate and provide a glimpse of their rich traditional culture.

 

2. Uttarakhand sets up Botanical Garden to conserve species of Shivalik range: In Nainital district of Uttarakhand, a first of its kind botanical garden named ‘Shivalik Arboretum’ has been inaugurated, for conserving over 210 species of trees found in the Shivalik range of Himalayas. Shivalik Arboretum aims to spread nature education among people so that they are able to feel an emotional connect with the trees, and make them more active towards conservation.

About the botanical garden: The facility will showcase information like scientific information about particular species, cultural significance, medicinal use, country of origin, type of habitat in which it is found and all possible uses including as timber, dyes or any other peculiar use. Some of the trees preserved include Kafal (Myrica esculenta), Buransh, (Rhododendron arboretum), Tejpat (Cinnamomum Tamala) and Sanjeevani (Sellaginella bryopteris).

Note: Uttarakhand Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat; Governor of Uttarakhand: Baby Rani Maurya.

 

3. Hubballi students “Maya” ready to assist you at banks: Engineering college students in Hubballi, Karnataka have come up with ‘Maya’, a robot that has been programmed to serve in banks and speaks in many regional languages. The students of the Automation and Robotics department of KLE Technological University have spent nearly eight months and spent Rs 5 lakh to develop the robot.

About the Maya: It was developed keeping banking sectors in mind and programmed with all banking activities such as advising the customers on opening accounts, sending them to designated counters for queries. With the help of artificial intelligence, it recognises customers’ faces and responds to them by using a chatbot. After the banking hours, it automatically goes to the docking yard and charges its batteries without the help of any human being.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indian-American Bhavya Lal appointed Acting Chief of Staff of NASA: Indian-American Bhavya Lal was appointed by NASA as the Acting Chief of Staff of the US space agency. She served as a member of the Biden Presidential Transition Agency Review Team for the agency and oversaw the agency’s transition under the administration of President Joe Biden. Lal brings extensive experience in engineering and space technology, serving as a member of the research staff at the Institute for Defence Analyses Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI) from 2005 to 2020.

About the Bhavya Lal:  Bhavya Lal led the analysis of space technology, strategy, and policy for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and National Space Council, as well as federal space-oriented organisations, including NASA, the Department of Defence, and the intelligence community. Lal is an active member of the space technology and policy community, having chaired, co-chaired, or served on five high-impact National Academy of Science committees. She served two consecutive terms on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing and was an External Council member of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts Program and the Technology, Innovation and Engineering Advisory Committee of the NASA Advisory Council.

Note: Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States; NASA Founded: 1 October 1958.

 

2. Aung San Suu Kyi detained as army grabs power in Myanmar: In Myanmar, a military coup was put in place on 1st February 2021, after the country’s military detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi along with President Win Myint and other members of the ruling party. Myanmar military (also known as the Tatmadaw), took this step because they declared the November 2020 Myanmar general election results fraudulent, in which Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory in Parliamentary election 2020 to form next Government.

The military has handed over the power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing and declared a state of emergency for one year. Apart from this, former general Myint Swe would be acting president for the next year. The 2021 coup d’état is the third in Myanmar’s political history. The first two was held in 1962 and 1990.

Note: Myanmar Capital: Naypyitaw; Myanmar Currency: Kyat.

 

3. UN World Tourism Organization confirms 2020 as ‘worst year on record’: In accordance with the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) “World Tourism Barometer”, the year 2020 was the “worst year on record” as global tourism suffered adversely due to international travel bans implemented to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. International arrivals dropped by 74% & worldwide destinations welcomed 1 billion fewer international arrivals than in 2019. This collapse in travel represents an estimated loss of $1.3 trillion in export revenues, more than 11 times less during the 2009 crisis. On the regional front, Asia and the Pacific aced sharpest year-on-year contraction of 84% (-84%). It was followed by the Middle East (-75%) and Europe (-70%).

Note: United Nations World Tourism Organization Secretary-General: Zurab Pololikashvili; United Nations World Tourism Organization Member States: 159; United Nations World Tourism Organization Headquarter: Madrid, Spain.

 

4. World Cancer Day: 4th February: World Cancer Day is being observed globally on 4th February. The Day aims to create awareness about cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that cancer cases will rise by 81% in low and middle-income countries by 2040 because of a lack of investment in prevention and care.

The theme of World Cancer Day 2019-2021: 2020 marks the midway point of the 3-year with the theme ‘I Am and I Will’ campaign. ‘I Am and I Will’ is an empowering call-to-action urging for personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future.

 

5. International Day of Human Fraternity: 4th February: International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4th February globally. International Day of Human Fraternity aims to underline the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions, or beliefs, and the promotion of tolerance. It also aims to educate people that tolerance,  pluralistic tradition,  mutual respect, and the diversity of religions and beliefs promote human fraternity. This year International Day of Human Fraternity 2021 theme: A Pathway to the Future. History of the day: The UN General Assembly on 21 December adopted a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. The day is to be observed each year, beginning in 2021.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India top medals tally at first Asian Online Shooting Championship: The Indian shooting contingent has topped the medals tally in the first-ever Asian Online Shooting Championship, organised by Kuwait Shooting Federation. The 24-member Indian shooting contingent won total 11 medals, which included four gold medals, two silver and five bronze medals. 274 shooters from 22 Asian countries took part in the competition. List of Medal Winners from India:

Gold:

Saurabh Chaudhary – men’s 10m air pistol

Divyansh Singh Panwar- men’s 10m air rifle

Kynan Chenai – men’s trap

Rajeshwari Kumari – women’s trap

Silver:

Arjun Babuta – men’s 10m air rifle

Shreyasi Singh – women’s trap

Bronze:

Manu Bhaker – women’s 10m air pistol

Sarabjot Singh – men’s 10m air pistol

Deepak Kumar – men’s 10m air rifle

Prithviraj Tondaiman – men’s trap

Manish Keer – women’s trap

 

2. Tamil Nadu Beat Baroda to claim Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy: Tamil Nadu beat Baroda in the final to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2020-21. The tournament was the twelfth edition of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was played at Sardar Patel Stadium (Motera Stadium), Ahmedabad. The Player of the match title was won by Manimaran Siddharth (Tamil Nadu) who picked 4 wickets, conceding 20 runs. They needed 121 runs to win, which they achieved in 18 overs with 7 wickets. Tamil Nadu team was lead by Dinesh Karthik (captain). This is the second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title for Tamil Nadu and their first title in 13 years. The team claimed their first SMAT title in 2006-07, that too under Karthik’s captaincy.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India, World Bank sign 500 million dollar Programme to improve quality of school education in India: The Government of India and the World Bank signed a 500-million US dollar Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Programme (STARS) to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states. These include Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan. Some 250 million students (between the age of six and 17) in 1.5 million schools and over 10 million teachers will benefit from the programme. The STARS programme builds on the long partnership between India and the World Bank (since 1994), for strengthening public school education and to support the country’s goal of providing Education for All.

 

2. StashFin Partners with SBM Bank India to launch contactless prepaid cards: Singapore-based neobanking startup StashFin and SBM Bank India announced the launch of their co-branded contactless prepaid cards. With this launch, the innovation and technology-led business partnership is set to bridge the growing credit gap in India. The Visa powered card comes with a contactless EMV chip, offering the cardholders 24×7 access to funds. With its enhanced safety and security features, the prepaid card acts like a personal overdraft facility, allowing the customer to take loans up to Rs 5 lakh. This card can be used for free ATM cash withdrawals and online/offline payments at all merchant platforms and PoS terminals across India.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Facebook appoints Henry Moniz as its First Chief Compliance Officer: Facebook Inc. has appointed Henry Moniz as its first-ever Chief Compliance Officer. He will join Facebook on February 8 to lead the company’s global compliance team, to enhance its global compliance and risk management and promote the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct at the company. Prior to this, Henry Moniz had been the chief compliance officer and chief audit executive at media company ViacomCBS Inc.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg; Facebook Headquarters: California, US.

 

2. Anish Shah appoint as new chairman of Mahindra Finance: Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services has announced the appointment of Anish Shah as the chairman of the board, effective April 2, 2021. Shah is already a director of the company. He is the deputy managing director and group CFO of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Shah takes over from Dhananjay Mungale. Mungale shall continue to be an Independent Director on the Board of MMFSL.

Note: Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Headquarters: Mumbai; Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Founded: 1991.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. 50th Kerala State Film Awards conferred: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has presented the 50th Kerala State Film Awards 2019 and the J C Daniel Award at a function here.  Pinarayi Vijayan released the stamp published in connection with the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). Veteran filmmaker Hariharan, who was conferred with the J C Daniel Award, is an artist who had travelled with cinema for about half a century and made films which went on to become milestones in the annals of Malayalam tinsel town. The film awards were also distributed. Culture Minister A K Balan presided.

Daily GK Updates – 3rd Feb, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Smriti Irani inaugurates 8th India International Silk Fair: The Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the 8th India International Silk Fair on Virtual Portal on 31st January 2021. The five days event is being held on the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council’s virtual platform due to COVID-19 pandemic. The fair is considered to be India’s biggest silk fair.

About the Fair: More than 200 overseas buyers and an equal number of their representatives in India are participating to interact with more than 100 renowned and big Indian companies manufacturing and trading silk and silk blended products. India is the only country in the world which produces all the four major varieties of silk, which are Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga.

 

2. Finance Ministry releases over Rs 12,000 crore to 18 States for providing grants to Rural Local Bodies: The Department of Expenditure of Ministry of Finance has released an amount of over Rs 12,351 crore to 18 States for providing grants to the Rural Local Bodies. This amount is the 2nd instalment of basic grants released in this financial year. The grant has been released to 18 States which have provided the Utilisation Certificate for the first instalment and on the recommendation of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The States are required to transfer the grants to the Rural Local Bodies within 10 working days of receipt from the Central Government. So far a total grant of Rs 45,738 crore has been released to Rural Local bodies in 2020-21.

 

3. CSIR Signs an MoU for S&T-led Development of Union Territory of Ladakh: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the union territory of Ladakh recently signed an agreement for the development of the Union Territory through Science and Technology (S&T) interventions. The MoU was signed with the aim of establishing a knowledge partnership between CSIR and the Ladakh UT. It seeks to develop the areas like exploration of natural resources, introduction of cash crops in the region and bioresource utilization which is endemic to Ladakh.

 

4. R S Sharma appointed as new CEO of Ayushman Bharat Scheme: The National Health Authority (NHA) has appointed RS Sharma as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of country’s flagship public health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat, also called Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. He would replace Indu Bhushan, who is serving as the Chief Executive of the Ayushman scheme since its inception in 2018. RS Sharma, a former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), who would take charge of the NHA from February 1.

About the Ayushman Bharat: Ayushman Bharat, a flagship scheme of Government of India, was launched as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This initiative has been designed to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlining commitment, which is to “leave no one behind.”

Ayushman Bharat is an attempt to move from sectoral and segmented approach of health service delivery to a comprehensive need-based health care service. This scheme aims to undertake path-breaking interventions to holistically address the healthcare system (covering prevention, promotion and ambulatory care) at the primary, secondary and tertiary level. Ayushman Bharat adopts a continuum of care approach.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. The Netherlands hosted Climate Adaptation Summit 2021: The online two days international Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) 2021 hosted by the Netherlands, The summit was called as “CAS Online”. The summit was organized with the aim of realizing the transitions which is required for a climate-resilient world. The summit was built on the advances of the UN Climate Action Summit.The summit also showcased the pioneering solutions of the climate emergency and sustaining momentum through UNFCCC’s COP26 which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from November 1 to 12, 2021. The United Kingdom will chair the summit. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in his addressed to the Climate Adaptation Summit 2021 said that by the year 2030, India will target 450 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity. He also said that India is promoting the LED lights and is also saving 38 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. He also highlighted that, by 2030 India will restore 26 million hectares of degraded land.

 

2. UNGA adopts resolution to safeguard religious sites across the world: The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution to promote a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites all across the world. The resolution adopted calls for strengthened international efforts to foster a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and beliefs. It condemns all acts or threats of violence, destruction, damage or endangerment, directed against religious sites and denounces any moves to obliterate or forcibly convert any religious sites.

 

3. Jayati Ghosh named by U.N. to high-level advisory board on economic, social affairs: Indian development economist Jayati Ghosh is among 20 prominent personalities appointed by the United Nations to a high-level advisory board that will provide recommendations for the U.N. Secretary-General to respond to the current and future socio-economic challenges in the post-COVID-19 world. Ms. Ghosh, 65, is a professor of economics at University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has taught economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University for nearly 35 years and has authored several books.

 

4. 17th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue hosted by Turkey virtually: The 17th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was held virtually. The meeting was hosted by the Republic of Turkey, the current chair of the ACD, under the theme “The New Normal and Safe and Healthy Tourism”. The meeting was hosted virtually by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.Ms. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs represented India at the meeting. The Ankara Declaration was adopted at the end of the 17th Ministerial Meeting. The Meeting also delegated the Senior Officials to finalize the Guiding Principles for the Functioning of the ACD Secretariat; initiate discussions on the ACD’s General Rules of Procedure and prepare the ACD Blueprint 2021-2030.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah takes over as President of ACC: Jay Shah, the incumbent Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been appointed as the new President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). He is the youngest person ever to be appointed to the office. He replaces Nazmul Hussain, Chief of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) who was the previous chief of the ACC.

About the Asian Cricket Council: The ACC is Asia’s regional administrative body and it currently consists of 24 member associations. ACC is responsible for organizing the Asia Cup tournaments. The 2020 edition of the Asia Cup was postponed to June this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan was to originally host the tournament but the tournament is now expected to be held in either Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.

Note: Asian Cricket Council Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka; Asian Cricket Council Chairman: Amitabh Choudhary; Asian Cricket Council Founded: 19 September 1983.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. PNB Restricts Withdraw of Money from non-EMV ATMs: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has decided to restrict its customers from withdrawing money from non-EMV automated teller machines (ATMs) with effect from 01 February 2021, in an attempt to check frauds, related to money transactions. This restriction will apply to both, financial and non-financial transactions. To overcome this, PNB will introduce OTP based systems for withdrawing cash.

What are non-EMV ATMs: Non-EMV ATMs are those which reads data through magnetic strips and do not hold the ATM card during the transaction.

Other major decision: PNB has also decided to replace the old IFSC and MICR codes. This means that the old codes will not work after March 31, 2021. Customers will have to get a new code from the bank. This decision has been taken due to merger of Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India on 1st April 2020.

Note: Punjab National Bank Headquarters: New Delhi; Punjab National Bank CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao (1 Oct 2019–); Punjab National Bank Founded: 19 May 1894, Lahore, Pakistan; Punjab National Bank Founders: Lala Lajpat Rai, Dyal Singh Majithia.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Wealth of Indian billionaires increased by 35% during lockdown: Oxfam: Indian billionaires increased their wealth by 35% during the lockdown to ₹ 3 trillion, ranking India after U.S., China, Germany, Russia and France. Out of these, the rise in fortunes for the top 100 billionaires since the lockdown in March is enough to give every one of the 138 million poorest Indian people a cheque for ₹94,045 each, according to Oxfam’s ‘Inequality Virus Report’ released on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Mukesh Ambani, who emerged as the richest man in India and Asia, earned ₹90 crore an hour during the pandemic when around 24% of the people in the country were earning under ₹ 3,000 a month during the lockdown.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Pioneering US actress Cicely Tyson passes away: Pioneering US actress Cicely Tyson has passed away. Cicely Tyson, the pioneering Black actor who gained an Oscar nomination for her role as the sharecropper’s wife in ‘Sounder’ & won a Tony Award in 2013 at age 88. She touched TV viewers’ hearts in ”The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” & won 2 Emmys for playing the 110-year-old former slave.

Daily GK Updates – 2nd Feb, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Centre Approves ‘Startup India Seed Fund Scheme’: The Central Government has approved the Rs 945-crore ‘Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme’ (SISFS), which aims to provide financial assistance to start-ups for the product trials, market-entry, proof of concept, prototype development and commercialization. The Rs 945 crore Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) will become operational from April 1 of this year till 2025 and this will be disbursed through selected incubators across India, according to a gazette notification by the government. The scheme will be implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DIIT). The funds under the scheme will be disbursed through the selected incubators across the country. The startup will receive seed support only once.

Eligibility criteria for startups: The incubator should be operational for at least two years on the date of application to the scheme. The incubator must have facilities to seat at least 25 individuals. The incubator must have at least five startups undergoing incubation physically on the date of application. The incubator must have a full-time Chief Executive Officer, experienced in business development and entrepreneurship.

 

2. Lucknow metro becomes first to sanitise coaches using UV rays: Lucknow Metro has become the 1st metro in the country to use ultraviolet rays to sanitise train coaches. For this, the LMRC has procured UV sanitization apparatus from M/s FB TECH, an Indian firm in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has taken inspiration from the New York Metro’s experiment to sanitise trains with UV lamp rays. The apparatus, which was certified by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in October 2020, sanitizes the entire coach in just seven minutes.  However, in order to keep the train bacteria-free, the LMRC is sanitising each coach for 15 minutes. This is the same apparatus which was also used by the medical industry to sanitise cinema halls and medical equipment at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in India. This apparatus is operated through a remote and has a switch on/off button. The radiation starts after a minute of pressing the on button. In addition, the initiative is economically cheaper than sanitization through manual mode.

Note: Uttar Pradesh Capital: Lucknow; Uttar Pradesh Governor: Anandiben Patel; Uttar Pradesh Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath.

 

3. Airtel announces 5G ready network in Hyderabad: Bharti Airtel took an edge by becoming the first telecom operator in India to demonstrate 5G services successfully. Bharti Airtel announced that it orchestrated live fifth-generation (5G) service over a commercial network in Hyderabad.

Important Point: Bharti Airtel explained that it used state of the art dynamic spectrum sharing so as to operate both 4G and 5G networks in the same spectrum block. One of India’s major telecom companies managed to do this atop the existing spectrum in the 1800 MHz band through the Non-Stand Alone (NSA) network technology. Airtel claimed that it took only a few seconds to download a full-length film during its demonstration of the 5G network. The company said that the 5G network could deliver ten times the speed and latency attained previously with 100 times the concurrency when compared to the technology in use. The government is conducting the auction of 2,251 MHz of spectrum through the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) at a reserve price of Rs 3.92 trillion from March 1, 2021. The government has not included the spectrum in the 3,300-3,600 MHz bands recommended for 5G by the telecom operators.

Note: Bharti Airtel CEO: Gopal Vittal; Bharti Airtel Founder: Sunil Bharti Mittal; Bharti Airtel Founded: 7 July 1995.

 

4. Environment Minister releases National Marine Turtle Action Plan: National Marine Turtle Action Plan has been recently released by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in New Delhi. The Ministry also released the ‘Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines’ along with the Marine Turtle Action Plan.

Important points: National Marine Turtle Action Plan and Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines have been released acknowledging the need for a conservation paradigm for marine turtles and marine megafauna. At the launch, the minister called for conserving both floral and faunal diversity including marine biodiversity. Both these documents include the ways and measures to promote inter-sectoral action for conservation. The documents also provide guidance for enhanced coordination amongst the government, all relevant stakeholders, and civil society on the response to cases of entanglement, stranding, injury, or mortality of marine mammals. All of them should also have better coordination to chalk out plans for the conservation of marine turtles.

Note: Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Prakash Javadekar.

 

5. Indian Coast Guard celebrates its 45th Raising Day: 1st February: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is celebrating its 45th Raising Day on 01 February 2021. The ICG was formally established on February 1, 1977, by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence. Beginning with just 7 surface platforms in 1978, ICG currently comprise of 156 ships and 62 aircraft in its inventory and is likely to achieve targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India ranks 10th in ‘Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index’: India ranked 10th out of 11 Asia Pacific countries in a newly-launched health index to measure the progress towards personalised healthcare. Singapore (1st), Taiwan (2nd), Japan (3rd) and Australia (4th) also performed well in overall readiness. These include Policy Context, Health Information, Personalised Technologies and Health Services.

About the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report: The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report ”Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index” measures the readiness of 11 health systems across the region–Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand–in adopting personalised healthcare, enabling the right care to be tailored to the right person at the right time. The ‘Personalised Health Index’ measures performance against 27 different indicators of personalised health across four categories called ”Vital Signs”.

 

2. Prakash Javadekar launches 2021 as Indo-French Year of the Environment: The Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment, along with Barbara Pompili, the French Minister for Ecological Transition in New Delhi. The basic objective of this partnership is to strengthen Indo-French cooperation in sustainable development, increase the effectiveness of actions in favour of global environment protection and give them greater visibility.

About the collaboration: This collaboration and the Indo-French Environment year will be held under the Ministry of Ecological Transition, in association with the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs along with the support of the Embassy of France in Delhi and its partners from the French side. The Indo-French Year of the Environment is the Indo-French partnership on Environment, Biodiversity, Climate Change and other allied areas to be undertaken throughout 2021. The Indo-French Year of the Environment will be implemented over the period 2021-2022.

Note: France Capital: Parisl France President: Emmanuel Macron; France Prime minister: Jean Castex; France Currency: Euro.

 

3. World Wetlands Day: 2nd February: The World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 globally. The day is celebrated to mark the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997. 2021 marks 50 years of the Convention on Wetlands. The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2021 is ‘Wetlands and Water’.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. BCCI cancels Ranji Trophy 2020-21 for first time: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to conduct the Ranji Trophy in 2020-21. This will be the first time in 87 years since its inception in 1934-35, that India’s premier first-class cricket national championship will not be held in 2020-21 domestic season. Instead on Ranji Trophy, BCCI has decided to conduct the Vijay Hazare Trophy 50-over tournament and Senior Women’s One Day tournament after the completion of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament.

 

2. Sports Minister Rijiju launches anti-doping reference material: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Kiren Rijiju has launched a breakthrough Reference Material for use in chemical testing in the field of anti-doping. A reference material jointly synthesised by the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDTL and NIPER Guwahati was signed in August 2020 which proposes to synthesize 20 rarely available Reference Materials (RMs) during a period of 3 years.

What is Reference Material: This Reference Material (RM), has been identified by NDTL as one of the rarely available RMs globally and would be used to strengthen anti-doping measures in all World Anti Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratories.

Note: President of WADA: Sir Craig Reedie; Headquarters: Montreal, Canada; Founded: 10 November 1999.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI Card appoints Rama Mohan Rao Amara as MD & CEO: SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd (SBI Card) has appointed Rama Mohan Rao Amara as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a period of two years. Rao is a veteran banker, with a successful career spanning over 29 years at SBI, the credit card company. Prior to taking charge at SBI Card, he was the Chief General Manager, SBI Bhopal Circle. Earlier this week, Ashwini Kumar Tewari had resigned from the post of MD and CEO of SBI Card owing to his appointment as the Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI).

Note: SBI Card Founded: October 1998; SBI Card Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. FDI into India increases 37% to $43.85 billion during Apri-Nov 2020: Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India increased by 37 per cent to USD 43.85 billion during April-November 2020, according to data by the commerce and industry ministry. Total FDI inflows (including reinvested earnings) during the eight-month period of the current fiscal grew by 22 per cent to USD 58.37 billion, the ministry said

 

2. Global public debt likely to touch 98% of GDP in 2020 amid Covid crisis: IMF: Global public debt is estimated to touch 98 per cent of GDP at the end of 2020, International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its latest fiscal monitor update, according to which India’s government debt is expected to remain elevated at 83 per cent of GDP. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a severe challenge to public finances, the report said noting that the contraction in output and ensuing fall in revenues, along with emergency lifelines, boosted government deficits and debts beyond levels recorded during the global financial crisis. Noted that global public debt is projected to edge up further from 98 per cent of GDP in 2020 to almost 100 per cent of GDP in 2021 driven by advanced and emerging market economies.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Tamil translation of French novel wins Romain Rolland Book Prize at Kolkata: The Tamil translation of French novel ‘Le mariage de plaisir’ won the Romain Rolland Book Prize at the three-day Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival in Kolkata. The winners of the prize are translator Dr S A Vengada Soupraya Nayagar and publisher Amutharasan Paulraj of Thadagam Publishers for the Tamil translation of the book, authored by Tahar Ben Jelloun. The publisher and translator will be invited by the French Institute in India to the Paris Book Fair 2021 (Livre Paris 2021) where India will be the guest of honour.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Social scientist, economist Shaibal Gupta passes away: Patna-based social scientist and popular economist Shaibal Gupta passed away. He was 67. Mr. Gupta founded the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) and was member-secretary of it since the beginning. His contribution to the field of development economics, in general, and development challenges of Bihar, in particular, had received wide attention in both India and abroad.

Daily GK Updates – 1st Feb, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Budget 2021-22 is being presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman: Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget 2021 for the 3rd time in a row. The Union Budget is the yearly financial report estimating the income and expenditure presented to outline future policies to be adopted by the government for sustainable growth and development. The Economic Survey 2020-21 was released on 29th January 2021 by the Chief Economic Advisor of India, Krishnamurthy Subramanian. According to the survey, India’s economy could contract 7.7 per cent in the financial year that ends on March 31. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman concluded her Budget speech at 12.50 pm.

Here are the key highlights from the Union Budget 2021-22:

(1) Total COVID-19 support measures amount to 13 per cent of GDP and total COVID-19 support measures by government and RBI amounts to Rs 27.1 lakh crore. The ‘Aatmanirbhar’ Packages accelerated India’s rate of reform.

(2) Rs 35,000 crore to be allocated for further funds for COVID-19 vaccines. We will provide more for COVID-19 vaccines if required. The private sector may be kept out of vaccination efforts it appears, a disappointment for them. At a blended cost of Rs255/dose (in the first phase), that will cover 2 doses of the vaccine for 68.6crore people in FY22.

(3) First of six pillars Aatmanirbhar Yojana in addition to the National Health Mission introduce the Aatmanirbhar Health Yojana with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore over six years. This will strengthen the National Centre for Disease Control. Besides this, the government will also set up 15 Health Emergency Centres.

(4) Jal Jeevan Mission with an outlay of Rs 2.87 lakh crore to cover houses and to be implemented over five years. Budget 2021 will also launch Mission Poshan 2.0. Besides this, the launch of urban ‘Swacch Bharat Mission’ 2.0 with an outlay of Rs 1.42 lakh crore has been made.

(5) Allocation to rural infra development increased to Rs 40,000 cr in next fiscal from Rs 30,000 crore in FY21.

(6) NHAI has sponsored one InVit to attract investors. Thus 5 operational roads with Rs 5,000 crore value being transferred to NHAI InVit. NHAI operational roll roads are to be monetised. More than 13,000 km of roads awarded under Bharat Mala project. Around 3,800 km have been constructed in Bharatmala so far and 8,500 km to be awarded by March 2022. Will complete additional 11,000 km of NH corridor by March 2022. More economic corridors are being planned – 3,500 km of NH works are ongoing in Tamil Nadu.

(7) The government will allot Rs 1.03 lakh crore for National Highway Projects in Tamil Nadu; Rs 65,000 core for National Highway Projects in Kerala; Rs 25,000 crore for National Highway Projects in West Bengal.

(8) In Budget 2021, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced Rs 1.1 lakh crore for Indian Railways. A record Rs 1,10,055 crore has been provided for Indian Railways. Out of the total, Rs 1,07,100 crore will be provided for capital expenditure in 2021-22, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

(9) Power transmission assets of Rs 7,000 crore is to be transferred to Power Grid InvIT. The Centre will also provide Rs 2 lakh crore to states and autonomous bodies for Capex. We will nudge states for more capital expenditure. FY22 Capex has targetted at Rs 5.54 lakh crore v/s FY21’s Rs 4.39 lakh crore. The alternatives will be worked out so that consumers could choose from more than one power distribution companies. It’s a positive for Tata Power.

(10) Rs 1,000 crore to solar energy corporation and Rs 1,500 to renewable energy development agency.

(11) The government has allocated close to Rs 3.60 lakh crore in the Budget towards launching a “revamped”, reforms-based, result-linked power distribution sector scheme.

(12) Government has committed Rs 1.97 lakh crore for Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) covering 13 sectors. Further, 7 textile parks will be launched for over three years.

(13) The FM has announced that a Bill will be introduced to set up a DFI or developmental financial institution to fund long-term infra projects with a capital of Rs 20,000 crore.  Rs 5 lakh crore will be lent by DFI in three years time.

(14) An asset monetisation dashboard will be created to provide clarity to investors.  For 2021-22; capital expenditure is seen at Rs 5.54 lakh crore which is up by 34.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY).

(15) Proposed to update the definition of small companies to be raised up to Rs 2 crore from Rs 50 lakh net worth.

(16) National Infrastructure Pipeline has been expanded to 7,400 projects. Further, projects worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore have been completed under the National Infra Pipeline. The government will also introduce a bill to set up DFI providing Rs 20,000 crore to launch the National Asset Monetisation Pipeline to fund new infra projects.

(17) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced voluntary vehicle scrapping policy. Vehicles to undergo fitness test – which is 20 years for passenger vehicles and 15 years for commercial vehicles. Further details of the scrappage policy to be announced shortly.

(18) Rs 2,217 crore for 42 urban centres with a million-plus population, to tackle the burgeoning problem of air pollution.

(19) The government plans to sell part of its holding in Life Insurance Corporation of India through an initial public offering in the coming year. An amendment to the existing Act to facilitate the public offer, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

(20) Strategic disinvestment of companies including BPCL, Air India, Pawan Hans, IDBI Bank, Container Corporation of India to be completed in 2021-22, Sitharaman has announced. The government will ask Niti Aayog to start working on identifying the next list of companies for strategic sale. FM announces further infusion of Rs 20,000 crore for public sector banks. FDI in insurance sector proposed to be hiked to 74% from 49% now.

(21) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarks Rs 1,500 crore for promoting a digital mode of payment.

(22) FM Sitharaman proposes an increase in agriculture credit target to Rs 16.5 lakh crore. “The MSP regime has undergone a change to assure price that is at least 1.5 times the cost of production across all commodities. The total amount paid to paddy farmers surged to Rs 1.72 lakh crore in 2020-21.”

(23) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an allocation of Rs 300 crore to the state of Goa for celebrating the 60th anniversary of the liberation from Portuguese rule.

(24) FM announces a special scheme for the welfare of women and children in Assam and West Bengal. Rs 1,000 crore for Bengal, Assam tea workers.

(25) Central University to be set up in Leh, Ladakh.

(26) Forthcoming Census could be India’s first digital Census, says Sitharaman allocating Rs 3,768 crore for FY-21.

(27) The government has given relief measures for senior citizens by removing the need to file income tax returns for those aged over 75 years. It has also announced a halving of the time frame for reopening of income-tax assessment cases from 6 years to 3 years. For reopening of serious tax evasion cases up to 10 years, the government has put in a monetary limit of cases involving over Rs 50 lakh in a year.

(28) The Finance minister surprised taxpayers by not announcing any change in income tax slab rates. No Covid tax, surcharges on income tax. NRIs to be spared from double taxation. New rules to be notified. Tax audit limit increased from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore.

(29) Exemption duty on steel scrap up to March 2022; customs duty on naphtha cut to 2.5 pc

(30) Rationalising customs duties on gold and silver says FM in Budget for 2021-22; Customs duty on cotton increased to 10%, silk to 15%; Customs duty on solar lanterns cut to 5%.

 

2. India’s First ‘Gender Park’ in Kerala’s Kozhikode: The Kerala government is all set to launch Rs 300 crore three-tower ‘Gender Park’ in Kozhikode. The park will become functional on the occasion of the second edition of the International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE-II). The park will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, in between February 11-13 that will also mark the inauguration of the second edition of ICGE-II. The gender park was established with the aim of creating relevant interventions so as to address a range of gender-based issues. It includes both off-campus and on-campus activities and other projects that work to empower the individuals and communities.

About the gender park: The gender park was established by the government of Kerala in 2013. It is an initiative that works towards gender equality and empowerment in Kerala. The headquartered for the initiative is in the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. However, the main campus is at Silver Hills, Kozhikode. The campus has an area of 24-acre. The park has been set with its main focus on gender justice. The platform will provide an environment for policy analysis, research, capacity development, advocacy, economic and social initiative. The park will be operational under the Department of Social Justice. This space is first of its kind across the world.

Note: Kerala CM: Pinarayi Vijayan; Kerala Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan.

 

3. ISRO to launch City College’s academic satellite: ISRO chairman K Sivan is likely to inaugurate the ‘SriShakthiSat’ ground station at Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology in Coimbatore. The station will help monitor the satellite developed by the institute, which is set to be launched by the ISRO. A satellite communication lab was established in the college in 2010. The satellite can detect fire and leaks on underground pipelines and collect info on bank thefts. ISRO is expected to launch this satellite, along with two other satellites built by JPR Institute, Chennai & GH Raisoni College of Engineering, Maharashtra.

Note: ISRO Chairman: K.Sivan; ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka; ISRO established: 15 August 1969.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 5th Joint Meeting of the India-Japan Act East Forum: The 5th joint meeting of the India-Japan Act East Forum (AEF) was held in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador of Japan to India. During the 5th meeting, the AEF reviewed the progress of ongoing projects in the North Eastern Region of India in various areas including connectivity, hydropower, sustainable development, harnessing of water resources, and skill development. They also exchanged views on cooperation in new areas such as healthcare, agro-industries and SMEs, bamboo value chain development, smart city, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

History of India-Japan Act East Forum:  The AEF was established in 2017 to provide a platform for India-Japan collaboration in the North Eastern Region under India’s “Act East Policy” and Japan’s vision for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI cancels licence of Kolhapur-based Shivam Sahakari Bank: According to RBI, the licence of Maharashtra-based Shivam Sahakari Bank has been cancelled as it does not have adequate capital and earning prospects.  The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. With the cancellation of licence the process of paying the depositors as per the DICGC Act, 1961 will be set in motion. As per the data submitted by the Kolhapur-based bank, more than 99 per cent of the depositors are fully insured by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). The bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full.

Note: DICGC Chairperson: Michael Patra; DICGC Founded: 1961; DICGC Headquarters: Mumbai.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Microsoft launches its new Taj Mahal inspired Engineering Hub: Tech major Microsoft has launched its new India Development Center (IDC) facility in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The new centre will serve as a leading hub for driving advanced engineering and innovation. The centre will build on Microsoft’s commitment to tap India’s world-class engineering talent and create solutions for a global impact. IDC NCR is the third development centre of Microsoft in India after Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The IDC NCR workspace architecture is inspired by the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

About the India Development Center: The IDC NCR facility will collaborate with Microsoft teams globally to build products and services for driving digital innovation. The centre will provide opportunities for engineering talent in the areas of Business & Productivity tools, AI, Cloud & Enterprise, Core Services, and the new Gaming division. The IDC NCR workspace architecture is inspired by the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. The structure is a unique amalgamation of the latest Microsoft technologies and locally sourced materials. The intricate artwork by local artisans and graphics inspired by India’s rich cultural heritage elevate the aesthetics of the office. Its stunning marble inlays, vaulted doorways, arches, and marble domes created by stonemasons and carpenters, are a tribute to the country’s historical and rich craftsmanship.

Note: Microsoft CEO: Satya Nadella; Microsoft Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. 1995 Nobel Chemistry Prize Winner Paul Crutzen passes away: The Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul J. Crutzen, has passed away. He was 87. Dr. Crutzen won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995, jointly with Mario J. Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland, for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone. He was known for his work on the ozone layer and climate change and for popularizing the term ‘Anthropocene’ to describe a proposed new era when human actions have a drastic effect on the Earth.