Daily GK Update - 6th March, 2021

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. World Bank plans $100-mn guarantee scheme for solar rooftop projects: The World Bank plans to introduce a $100-million credit guarantee scheme to boost India’s rooftop solar programme, which has not gained enough traction. The scheme will allow micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail concessional debt financing for setting up rooftop solar units. The World Bank scheme, along with the State Bank of India (SBI) and the MSME ministry to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar units, will help MSMEs access credit of around $1 billion. The arrangement will be beneficial for the firms that often do not meet the lending criteria of banks and other financial institutions, with their financial woes been exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic.

Note: World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States; World Bank Formation: July 1944; World Bank President: David Malpass.

 2. Indigenously developed “Spectrograph” commissioned in Nainital: Indian Scientists at Aryabhatta Research Institute of observational sciences (ARIES), Nainital, have indigenously designed and developed a low-cost optical Spectrograph named as Aries-Devasthal Faint Object Spectrograph & Camera (ADFOSC). It has been commissioned on the 3.6-m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT), in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. About the ADFOSC spectroscope:

(1) The ADFOSC spectroscope is the largest of its kind among the existing astronomical spectrographs in India.

(2) The ADFOSC spectrograph can locate sources of faint light from distant quasars and galaxies in a very young universe, regions around supermassive black-holes around the galaxies, and cosmic explosions.

(3) So far, spectroscopes were imported from abroad at high costs. The ‘Made in India’ optical spectrograph is about 2.5 times less costly compared to the imported ones and can locate sources of light with a photon-rate as low as about 1 photon per second.

(4) The ARIES is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It is the largest reflecting telescope in India, as well as in Asia.

Note: ARIES Founded: 20 April 1954.

 3. Centre to develop Goa into country’s first fisheries hub, invest Rs 400 crore: Union fisheries minister Giriraj Singh announced that Goa will be developed into the first fisheries hub of the country, and that the Centre is investing Rs 400 crore in the project. Singh also said that of this investment, Rs 41 crore has already been approved for Goa under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Besides, there are also plans to set up a seaweed and ornamental fish complex in the state, as seaweed is a 15 million dollar business across the world. The industry is currently dominated by Indonesia and China, and the Union minister said that Goa is capable of competing for a share of this market.

 4. Entire rail network in the country will be fully electrified by 2023: Piyush Goyal: The entire rail network in the country will be fully electrified by 2023 while all rail networks will run on renewable energy by 2030. This was stated by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal while addressing the Maritime India Summit-2021. He said, the government is working on multi-modal logistical solutions to bring down the cost of transportation and increase the supply chain efficiency. The Minister said, integration of Road, Rail and Waterways can truly make India ‘One Nation, One Market, One Supply’.

 5. Unacademy ropes in Sachin Tendulkar as Investor, Brand Ambassador: Bengaluru-based edtech platform Unacademy has entered into a strategic partnership with former Indian cricketer and Bharat Ratna recipient Sachin Tendulkar. According to the terms of the partnership, Tendulkar will serve as the brand ambassador for Unacademy and will also conduct a series of live interactive classes on the platform. The former cricketer has also invested in the company.

 INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. India to fund NRs 530 million for reconstruction of total 25 health posts in Nepal: Embassy of India in Nepal signed four Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) for the reconstruction of 25 health posts in the Himalayan country. Twelve health posts are located in Dhading district and 13 are located in Sindhupalchowk district and these health posts, damaged during the 2015 earthquake will be reconstructed at a cost of NR 530 million. The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI)-Roorkee, a premier institute of India in the field of earthquake-resilient reconstruction, will be providing technical assistance for the reconstruction.

 2. Indian economist Ligia Noronha appointed as Assistant Secretary-General of UN: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Ligia Noronha of India as Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the New York Office of the United Nations Environment Programme. Ms. Noronha is an economist with over 30 years of international experience in the field of sustainable development. She has worked since 2014 as Director of UNEP’s Economy Division based in Nairobi, leading UNEP’s work on climate mitigation and energy transitions on inclusive green economies, sustainable consumption and production as well as on trade and sustainable finance.

 3. ADB appoints Woochong Um as Managing Director General: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Woochong Um as its Managing Director General. He will assume office immediately and report to ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. Um will support Asakawa to institute bank-wide coherence on key initiatives and issues. He will play a key role in enhancing ADB’s internal and external communications across all activities that involve operations, knowledge, fund-raising and institutional reforms.

 OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 1. Mary Kom appointed chairperson of AIBA’s champions and veterans committee: Six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom has been appointed as the Chairperson of the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) Champions and Veterans Committee. The 37-year-old was voted to the post by AIBA’s board of directors on March 03, 2021. The Committee was formed in December 2020. It consists of the most respected worldwide boxing veterans and champions who have achieved significant results and who are ready to share their experience.

Note: AIBA Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland; AIBA President: Umar Kremlyov; AIBA Founded: 1946.

 2. Sports Ministry Restores Recognition of Gymnastics Federation of India: The Sports Ministry has restored the recognition of the faction-ridden Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) after 10 years, taking into records Sudhir Mittal’s election as president in the polls held in November 2019. The recognition has been granted for the period till 31st December 2021. The GFI was de-recognised by the ministry in 2011 because of infighting in the body, and since then it remained so till the ministry’s order to recognise it.

 BANKING AND FINANCE

 1. NBFCs in India need to plan for effective IBOR transition: EY India: Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) in India need to plan for an effective Inter Bank Offered Rate (IBOR) transition, as majority of LIBOR rates are likely to be phased out by the end of 2021. London Inter Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is one of the most common series of benchmark rates referenced by contracts measured in trillions of dollars across global currencies. About $350 trillion worth of contracts across the globe are pegged to LIBOR, which is the key interest rate benchmark for several major currencies.

 2. IRDAI forms panel to review security guidelines to deal with cyber-attacks: Insurance sector regulator IRDAI said it has formed a committee to review its information and security guidelines due to exponential increase in cyber-attacks across the globe in the wake of Covid-19. The economic situation owing to the pandemic has seen an exponential increase in cyber-attacks across the globe and in particular, the financial sector. This situation has necessitated regulators to re-look into their Cyber Security Guidelines applicable to all regulated entities in an effort to protect the financial systems.

 3. Rupee Co-operative Bank gets extension from RBI: The Rupee Co-operative Bank Ltd, Pune has been granted extension for its banking licence by the RBI for further three months. It is recognition by RBI of satisfactory performance of the Bank and that too against total restrictions on banks’ activities. Till January 2021, the bank has made total recovery of Rs 258.11 crore and aggregate operating profit of Rs 53.19 crore during the last four years. The bank is earning profit consecutively for the last four years.

 4. Aditya Birla Insurance launches new health policy: Aditya Birla Insurance has launched a health policy offering up to 100 per cent return of the premium if the customer did not make a claim in earlier years. The offering is a new version of its existing Activ Health policy that provides a comprehensive health protection with extensive wellness benefits. The offer of giving up to 100 per cent return of the premium or up to 100 per cent reload of the sum insured is based conditions that the customer has been leading a healthy lifestyle and continuously renewing the policy, and the bonus will be accumulated in the form of health returns.

 5. SBI General Insurance signs Corporate Agency Agreement with Indian Overseas Bank: Public sector Indian Overseas Bank has signed a corporate agency agreement with SBI General Insurance to retail its insurance products to bank customers. The agreement signed for distribution of non-life offerings with SBI General Insurance to offer a range of general insurance solutions and innovative products to the customers of the bank.

 BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 1. HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank to pick up 9.99% stake each in Ferbine: HDFC Bank said it executed an agreement for subscribing to 4,995 equity shares of the face value of ₹10 each fully paid up issued by Ferbine Private Limited for a consideration of ₹10 per equity share. Post investment, bank will hold 9.99 per cent of the equity shareholding of Ferbine. The acquisition for cash consideration of ₹49,950 will be completed by February end.

 2. Social Alpha, SIDBI join hands to launch a fund for startups in assistive technology space: Social Alpha and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have partnered up to set up the Swavalamban Divyangjan Assistive Tech Market Access (ATMA) fund, an inclusion fund offering financial grants to Social Alpha-incubated startups working in the Assistive Technology sector. Each startup working in this space will have access to implementation support of up to ₹20 lakh. The fund will finance up to 50 per cent of the product price for the initial users.

 3. IRCTC Partners With E-Ticketing Platform Abhibus to Offer Bus Ticket Booking Facility: Online e-ticketing platform AbhiBus announced its partnership with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to provide bus ticket facility to the latter’s customers. The move will enable IRCTC get the bus inventory across 1,00,000 bus routes and its customers the option to book AC/ non-AC tickets/ buses as per their requirement. With this collaboration, IRCTC plans to ease travel booking for its customers wherein if they find train tickets in waiting list, they can quickly refer to bus availability without hopping from one platform to another, giving the travellers a hassle-free booking experience.

 AWARDS AND HONOURS

 1. WAN-IFRA names The Hindu Group ‘Champion Publisher of the Year 2020’: The Hindu Group won two golds and two silvers at South Asian Digital Media Awards given by WAN IFRA (World Association of News Publishers), culminating in being named ‘Champion Publisher of the Year’, owing to the highest tally on the points table. The awards are presented in recognition of outstanding work done by news publishers, in digital media. The winners were honoured virtually at the Digital Media India 2021 Conference held on March 3, 2021.

 

 

Daily GK Update - 5th March, 2021

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government amends Insurance Ombudsman Rules 2017: The Government of India has notified comprehensive amendments to the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017, for better resolution of policyholders’ complaints regarding insurance service deficiencies, in a timely, cost-effective and impartial manner. This will help in facilitating the resolution of the complaints with respect to the deficiencies in insurance services in a cost-effective and impartial manner on time. Those amendments are:

(1) The Ombudsman mechanism was administered by the Executive Council of Insurers. This has now been renamed as the Council for Insurance Ombudsmen.

(2) Earlier, the scope of complaints to Ombudsmen was limited to only disputes, but now it has been enlarged to include deficiencies in service on the part of insurers, agents, brokers and other intermediaries.

(3) The insurance brokers have also been brought within the ambit of the Ombudsman mechanism. The Ombudsmen has been empowered to pass awards against insurance brokers as well.

(4) To strengthen the timeliness and cost-effectiveness of the mechanism, policyholders will now be enabled for making complaints electronically to the Ombudsman.

(5) A complaints management system will be created to enable policyholders to track the status of their complaints online.

(6) The rules also provide that, the ombudsman can use video-conferencing to hear the cases.

2. India to commemorate ‘Chabahar Day’ on 4 March: The Ministry of External Affairs India will commemorate ‘Chabahar Day’ on March 4 on the sidelines of the Maritime India Summit 2021 being held in New Delhi. The virtual event will see the participation of ministers from Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan. The Summit is being held from March 2-4, 2021. The ministerial-level opening session would be followed by two webinar sessions namely the ‘Boosting Business through Trade Promotion and Regional Connectivity’ and ‘Development of Port Infrastructure: Unleashing Opportunities’.

About the Chabahar Port: It is a seaport in Chabahar which is located in south-eastern Iran in the Gulf of Oman. The port serves as the only oceanic port of Iran. The port comprises two separate ports namely the Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari. The port was first proposed by the last shah of Iran in the year 1973. The first phase was opened in 1983.

Note: Minister of External Affairs: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

3. Thaawarchand Gehlot launches “Sugamya Bharat App”: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot has launched the “Sugamya Bharat App”, through a video conference in New Delhi. The minister also launched a handbook entitled “Access – The Photo Digest”. The App and the handbook have been developed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

About the Sugamya Bharat APP: It is a Crowdsourcing Mobile Application to enable people with disabilities and even the elderly to register accessibility-related problems. The aim of the app is to sensitising and enhancing accessibility in the 3 pillars of the Accessible India Campaign which includes the built environment, transportation sector and ICT ecosystem in India.

About the “Access – The Photo Digest”: This handbook is a collection of photographs from across different States and UTs, to act as a tool and guide for stakeholders, to sensitise them about 10 basic features of accessibility and related good-bad practices in easy to understand pictorial form.

4. Udaipur Science Centre inaugurated at Udaipur in Tripura: The Governor of Tripura, Ramesh Bais has inaugurated the Udaipur Science Centre, at Udaipur, Tripura. The Udaipur Science Centre has been developed at a cost of Rs 6 crore funded jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Tripura Government and with this; the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) has now set-up science centres in all the northeastern states.

About the centre: Science Centres play a vital role in developing a scientific temper in society and inculcating a culture of Innovation among the masses, particularly among students. The role of NCSM and the Ministry of Culture for the spread of scientific awareness. Udaipur Science Centre is the 22nd Science Centre which has been developed by NCSM and handed over to the State Governments under the Ministry of Culture’s Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science. NCSM will open 4 more new science centres in different parts of India during 2021.

Note: Chief Minister of Tripura: Biplab Kumar Deb; Governor: Ramesh Bais.

 5. Virat Kohli becomes first cricketer to have 100 million followers on Instagram: India captain Virat Kohli became the first cricketer in the world to have 100 million followers on the social media platform Instagram. The 32-year-old Kohli is also the fourth most followed sportsperson on Instagram. Portugal football star Cristiano Ronaldo tops the chart with 265 million followers, ahead of Argentina football captain and FC Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar, who are second and third in the list with 186 million and 147 million followers respectively. The others in 100 million club are Hollywood actor and former pro-wrestler Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, American singer-songwriter Beyonce, and Ariana Grande.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. Manpreet Vohra Appointed India’s High Commissioner to Australia: Senior diplomat, Manpreet Vohra has been appointed as India’s next High Commissioner to Australia. Vohra, a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is presently Ambassador of India to Mexico. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Mr Vohra’s appointment comes at a time India-Australia ties are at an upswing and the two countries are stepping up cooperation particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Note: Prime Minister of Australia: Scott Morrison; Currency of Australia: Australian dollar; Capital of Australia: Canberra.

 2. India to Send Humanitarian Assistance To Drought-Hit Madagascar on-board Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa: The Government of India is sending food and medical assistance to Madagascar, following the request from the east African country for assistance to deal with a humanitarian crisis caused by a severe drought. The humanitarian assistance is being delivered on-board Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa. The Naval ship leave with the food and medical assistance on March 3, 2021 and is expected to reach the Port of Ehoala in Madagascar between March 21 and 24, 2021. The consignment will comprise of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice and 100,000 hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets. Indian naval training team will also be deployed in Madagascar for capacity building and training of the Malagasy Special Forces for two weeks. Besides Madagascar, INS Jalashwa will also visit at Port Anjoun in the Republic of Comoros to deliver a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of Indian rice, following commitment made by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu during his visit to Comoros in October 2019. The supplies of food assistance and support for capacity building to the friendly countries of Madagascar and Comoros is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR and India’s time-tested role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.

                                                                   OTHER UPDATES:

 SPORTS 

1. Indian Boxer Deepak Kumar wins silver at Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria: In Boxing, the Asian Championship silver medallist, Deepak Kumar won the silver medal at the 72nd Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. Deepak lost in the final against Daniel Asenov of Bulgaria in the men’s 52 kg flyweight. The 23-year-old youngster belongs to Haryana’s Hisar, which is known as the ‘City of Steel’, for being India’s largest manufacturer of galvanised iron.

2. Indian men’s skeet team wins bronze in ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Cairo: In shooting, the Indian trio of Mairaj Ahmed Khan, Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Gurjoat Khangura won the bronze medal in men’s skeet team event at the International Shooting Sport Federation tournament (ISSF) Shotgun World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. The Indians defeated the Kazakhstan team of David Pochivalov, Eduard Yechshenko and Alexandr Mukhamediyev 6-2 in the bronze medal match.

3. Second ODI National Zone Cricket Championship League for Deaf begins in New Delhi: The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) has organised the second ODI National Zone Cricket Championship League for the deaf from March 1 to 5, 2021, at MCG 2 & 3, Ghevra Cricket Ground, Kanjhwala, in New Delhi. The 50-over tournament is significant for the players as it will act as the basis for selection of players for the Deaf ICC World Cup 2022. The ‘Champion Winner’ team will get a cash reward of Rs 1,00,001 while the ‘Runner-up’ team will be given a cash prize of Rs. 50,001.

Note: The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) is affiliated & recognized by the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC). President IDCA: Sumit Jain

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SBI Mutual Funds Launches First Overseas Fund: The State Bank of India (SBI) Mutual Funds has launched its first overseas offering on 1 March 2021. The fund titled SBI International Access- US Equity FOF is an open-ended fund of funds scheme investing in a mutual fund scheme/ETFs that invest in US markets, which are domiciled overseas. The scheme will invest 95-100 per cent of its net assets generally in Amundi Funds – US Pioneer Fund (including ETFs), which invest predominantly in the US markets. The main features of the scheme include:

(1) International diversification: Provides international diversification to the portfolio and provides investors with the opportunity to invest in themes not available in the Indian market.

(2) Lower correlation: Aids in mitigating overall risk by investing in a market that has a lower correlation to Indian markets.

(3) Currency depreciation: Provide investors with the opportunity to benefit from any depreciation in the Indian currency against the currency of the underlying fund.

(4) Minimum Investment Amount: The customers interested in the scheme are required to invest at least Rs 5,000 for the first time. However, for additional purchase, the minimum application amount is Rs 1,000.

Note: SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara; SBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SBI Founded: 1 July 1955; SBI Mutual Fund MD & CEO: Vinay Tonse.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Elon Musk Tops Hurun Global Rich List 2021: The 10th Edition of Hurun Global Rich List 2021 was released, which ranked 3228 billionaires from 2,402 companies and 68 countries. The report showed that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the world added 8 billionaires every week in 2020 and 421 in a year, taking their total number to a record 3,288. The total wealth of all billionaires across the globe surged 32 per cent, an addition of $3.5 trillion, to take their total wealth to $14.7 trillion, during the period under review. The wealth calculations taken into account is as of January 15, 2021.

Top three billionaires:

(1) Tesla chief Elon Musk bagged the top spot on the Hurun Global Rich List for the first time after adding a massive $151 billion during the year 2020 to take his net worth to $197 billion.

(2) Amazon.com Inc CEO Jeff Bezos ranked second with $189 billion in net worth.

(3) Bernard Arnault, the chief executive of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE, the world’s largest luxury-goods company ranked third with a net worth of $114 billion.

India in the list:

(1) Asia’s richest person and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is ranked eighth on the Hurun Global Rich List 2021. The total wealth of Ambani surged by 24% to $83 billion (approximately Rs 6.09 lakh crore).

(2) Apoorva Mehta of Instacard & Nikhil Kamath of Zerodha (both 34 years) became the youngest Indian Billionaires with a net worth of USD 1.7 Billion.

(3) Gautam Adani of Adani Group (Global Rank – 48)

(4) Shiv Nadar of HCL (Global Rank – 58)

ASIA: Zhong Shanshan (Founder of Chinese Bottle Water Maker – Nongfu Spring) with USD 85 Billion became Asia’s Richest person, followed by Mukesh Ambani. He also broke into the Hurun Global Rich List 2021 for the 1st time with a rank of 7.

Note: Hurun Report Chairman and Chief Researcher: Rupert Hoogewerf (Hu Run); Hurun Report Headquarters: Shanghai, China.

Hurun India MD and Chief Researcher: Anas Rahman; Hurun India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Daily GK Update - 4th March, 2021

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV merged into Sansad TV: The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Television channels that broadcast the proceedings of the upper and lower Houses of Parliament, respectively, have been merged into a single entity. The new channel has been named the ‘Sansad Television’. This change is effective from March 01, 2021. Ravi Capoor, a retired IAS officer of the 1986 batch, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sansad TV for one year. The decision to change the name was jointly taken by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

 2. Uttarakhand CM launches ”Gharoki Pechan, Chelik Naam” scheme: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has launched “Gharoki Paachan, Chelik Naam” (daughter”s name is a home”s identity) programme and development schemes worth Rs 42 crore in Nainital. Initially, the scheme has been launched in Nainital and later is set to be extended to the entire Uttarakhand. The government is working towards women empowerment and 32,000 women groups of the state are being linked with self-employment to make them self-reliant. The state government is also set to implement many public welfare schemes for the benefit of the youth.

As part of the development works, the catchment area of Sukha tal Lake will be revitalized & will undergo a beautification process. The works on the Sukha tal lake will serve as a recharge to Nainital Lake & also add towards tourist attraction at Nainital

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

 3. Kuldiep Singh takes additional charge as CRPF DG: IPS officer Kuldiep Singh has given an additional charge of CRPF director general (DG) after incumbent chief A P Maheshwari retires. Kuldiep Singh is working as the special DG of its central zone, will hold the additional charge of the CRPF head till “the appointment and joining of the successor or until further orders.

About the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the country’s largest paramilitary with an estimated strength of about 3.25 lakh personnel. It is designated as the lead internal security force with its main operational theatres being Left Wing Extremism affected states, counter-terrorist combat in the Kashmir valley and counter-insurgency operations in the northeast.

Note: Central Reserve Police Force Headquarters: New Delhi, India; Central Reserve Police Force Formed: 27 July 1939; Central Reserve Police Force Motto: Service and Loyalty.

4. Jaideep Bhatnagar takes over as Principal Director General of PIB: The former head of the News Services Division of All India Radio, Jaideep Bhatnagar, took over as Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau.  Prior to his current charge as head of the organisation, Bhatnagar has worked in PIB for six years in different capacities. He will take over from Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, who superannuated on February 28, 2021.

About the Jaideep Bhatnagar: Bhatnagar, a 1986-batch Indian Information Service (IIS) officer, earlier served in Doordarshan News as head of the Commercial, Sales and Marketing Division. He has also served as Prasar Bharati Special Correspondent West Asia covering 20 countries and later went on to head the News Services Division of AIR.

Note: PIB has its Headquarters in New Delhi.

 5. International Yoga festival begins in Rishikesh: The International Yoga Festival was inaugurated by the Agriculture Minister of Uttarakhand Subodh Uniyal, head of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) Narendra Giri and Patanjali Yogpeeth chairman Acharya Balakrishna in Rishikesh. The festival is being jointly organised by Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN).

About the Yoga: Yoga has played a very vital role in boosting immunity especially during the time of Covid. The regular practice of Yoga has helped in keeping the diseases away from the body. Yoga is also a cure for many diseases that are hard to treat using medical science.” The aim of Yoga is not only to keep us fit but also to end the negativity within human beings.

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

 6. National Safety Day: 04th March: The National Safety Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 4 March by the National Safety Council (NSC) of India. In 2021, we are observing the 50th National Safety Day. The purpose of the day is to instil a sense of safety awareness among people by providing them with safety, health and environment-related support services. The National Safety Day Theme 2021 is “Sadak Suraksha (Road Safety)”. The day is also celebrated to mark the foundation of the National Safety Council, which was set up on 4th March 1966 by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India. The first National Safety Day was observed in 1972. Additionally, the National Safety Week is celebrated from 4 March to 10 March by organizing week-long safety campaigns.

 7. National Security Day: 04th March: In India, March 4 is celebrated as National Security Day (Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas) every year, in the honor of the Indian Security Forces. The day aims to show gratitude to all the security forces, including policemen, para-military forces, commandos, guards, army officers, and other persons involved in security, who sacrifice their life in maintaining the peace and security of the people of the country. 4 March also marks the day when the National Security Council (NSC) of India was established, in 1966 by the Ministry of Labour under the Government of India. The first National Security Day (NSD) was held in 1972.

Note: National Security Council of India Founded: 19 November 1998; National Security Council of India Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. UN body recommends Bangladesh graduation from LDC: The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended the graduation of Bangladesh from the category of Least Developed Country (LDC). Bangladesh has fulfilled the eligibility criteria in terms of per capita income, human assets and economic and environmental vulnerability. This is the second consecutive time since 2018 that the CDP has made the recommendation for Bangladesh for graduation from the LDC category. Myanmar and Lao PDR also met the criteria for the 2nd time. Bangladesh will get time up to 2026 to prepare for the transition to the status of a developing country. Usually, countries are given three years for transition but this year due to the Corona pandemic, Bangladesh has been given five years for the process. On the other hand, enhanced confidence of international financial bodies, improved credit rating and higher FDI is expected to benefit Bangladesh after the transition period is completed.

About the United Nations Committee for Development Policy: The CDP decides on the LDC status of a country based on three criteria- per capita income, a human assets index and an economic vulnerability index. A country must achieve at least two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews to be considered for graduation.

Note: Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina; Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka; President of Bangladesh: Abdul Hamid.

2. Israel officially receives first ever UAE ambassador: Israel’s president has formally received the first-ever ambassador from the United Arab Emirates, following last year’s historic agreement between the countries to normalise ties. UAE envoy Mohamed Al Khaja, who arrived in Israel, delivered his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at a ceremony in Jerusalem. The UAE was the first country to agree to establish full diplomatic relations with the Jewish state under the Abraham Accords, a pact brokered by former US President Donald Trump. The agreement made the UAE only the third majority Arab country to form official ties with Israel, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan have subsequently joined the Abraham Accords. The agreements broke with the longstanding Arab consensus that there should be no normalisation with Israel until it reaches a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.

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

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Mumbai City FC win ISL League Football Winners Shield: Mumbai City FC has scripted a 2-0 triumph over ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) at the GMC Stadium in Goa to bag the ISL League Winners Shield and the coveted AFC Champions League spot that comes with it. Mumbai and ATKMB finished level on 40 points, but the former claimed first place with a better head-to-head record. Mumbai City FC became the second-ever Indian club to qualify to the group stages of the AFC Champions League.

 2. Indian shuttlers Varun, Malvika win Uganda International titles: India’s Varun Kapur and Malvika Bansod clinched the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the 2021 Uganda International Badminton tournament in Kampala. Varun beat compatriot Sankar Muthusamy 21-18, 16-21, 21-17 in the men’s singles final. Malvika beat compatriot Anupama Upadhyaya in the women singles summit clash 17-21, 25-23, 21-10.

Note: Uganda Capital: Kampala; Uganda Currency: Ugandan shilling; Uganda President: Yoweri Museveni.

 BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. GST collections up by 7 % to Rs 1.13 lakh cr in February: The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collected in the month of February 2021 is ₹ 1,13,143 crore of which CGST is ₹ 21,092 crore, SGST is ₹ 27,273 crore, IGST is ₹ 55,253 crore (including ₹ 24,382 crores collected on import of goods) and Cess is ₹ 9,525 crore (including ₹ 660 crores collected on import of goods). Revenues for February are 7% higher than the GST revenues of February 2019. Revenues from the import of goods were 15% higher than Feb ’19. List of GST Collection previous months:

January 2021: ₹ 1,19,847 crore (All-time Highest).

December- Rs 1,15,174 crore (All-time Highest).

November: ₹1.04 lakh crore.

October 2020: ₹ 1,05,155crore. 

DEFENCE

1. Indian Air Force to Participate in EX Desert FLAG VI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Desert Flag-VI, which has been organised from March 03 to 27, 2021 at Al-Dhafra airbase, UAE. The purpose of the exercise is to provide operational exposure to the participating forces, train them to undertake simulated air combat operations in a controlled environment, provides an opportunity to enhance their operational capabilities along with the mutual exchange of best practices.

About the Exercise: Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force. The exercise will also see the air forces of the United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain. The IAF is participating with six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft.

Note: Chiefs of Air Staff: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.

OBITUARIES

1. Lok Sabha MP Nandkumar Singh Chauhan passes away: Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, has passed away. He was a six-term MP, who was elected as the Lok Sabha MP for the first time in 1996 and got re-elected in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2014 and 2019. 

Daily GK Update - 3rd March, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. India describes Sri Lanka ‘Priority One’ partner in defence: Indian High Commission in Colombo has described the island nation of Sri Lanka as its “Priority One” partner in the defence sphere and reiterated the assurance of fullest cooperation in the field of defence and security. The assertion comes at a time when the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is gearing up for the celebration of its 70th anniversary on 2 March.

The SLAF is celebrating its 70th Anniversary on March 2 and to commemorate the historical event, a Fly Past and an Aerobatic Display are being organised for the first time in the country at a grand scale. A total of 23 Indian Air force (IAF) and Indian Navy aircraft will also partake in the event. Indian High Commission has called the participation indicative of the growing cooperation, camaraderie and friendship between the armed forces of the two nations.

Note: Sri Lanka Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; Sri Lanka President: Gotabaya Rajapaksa; Sri Lanka Currency: Sri Lankan rupee.

 

2. Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurates Global Bio India 2021: The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the second edition of Global Bio-India-2021 in New Delhi through virtual mode. The three-day event will be held from March 01 to 03, 2021, on a digital platform. The purpose of the event is to showcase the strength and opportunities of the biotechnology sector of India at the national as well as international level. The Government of India has a target of building a USD 150 billion bio-economy by 2025. The theme of Global Bio-India-2021: “Transforming lives” with the tag line “Biosciences to Bio-economy”.

The event is co-organised by the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science & Technology along with its Public Sector Undertaking, and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in partnership with industry association Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Invest India.

 

3. Indian Railways reactivates ‘UTS ON MOBILE App’ facility: The Indian Railways has decided to reactivate the facility of ‘UTS ON MOBILE App’, which allows passengers to book unreserved train tickets through app. The facility of Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) on Mobile app was discontinued by Piyush Goyal-led Indian Railways in 2020, when the novel coronavirus-triggered lockdown was imposed across India. However, the app is being reactivated by Indian Railways to decongest ticket booking counters and to ensure smooth compliance of social distancing norms.

 

4. Common Service Centres to be integrated with E-Daakhil portal: The Centre has decided to integrate the Common Service Centres (CSC) with the E-Daakhil portal for Consumer grievance redressal. The decision to integrate the Common Service Centres (CSC) with the e-daakhil portal has been taken because many consumers at Gram Panchayat level either do not have access to electronic modes of communication or are unable to use the tools, so they may avail the services of CSCs in filing their complaints in the Consumer Commission.

What is E-Daakhil portal: The E-Daakhil portal was launched by National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC), Department of Consumer Affairs on September 07, 2020. It has been developed and is maintained by the National Information Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. The portal facilitates e-filing of consumer complaints in the Consumer Commissions and also has provision of online payment of the fees from anywhere for the redressal of their complaints. It also facilitates the consumer commissions to scrutinize the complaints online to accept, reject or forward the complaint to the concerned commission for further processing. and online payment of the fees for filing a complaint. E-Daakhil portal for Consumer grievance redressal is now operational in 15 States/UTs. The portal has been launched under Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which has come into force from 20th July, 2020.

Note: National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) Headquarter: New Delhi; Head: Justice R K Agrawal

 

5. Tenure of PC Mody as CBDT Chairman extended for 3 months: The re-appointment of Pramod Chandra Mody as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has been extended for a further period of three months. He is a 1982-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, was appointed as the CBDT chief in February 2019. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved an extension for a period of three months with effect from March 1, 2021, to May 31, 2021. Earlier, Mr Mody’s tenure was last extended in August last year for six months.

Note: Central Board of Direct Taxes Established: 1924; Central Board of Direct Taxes Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

6. Land Ports Authority of India celebrates its 9th Foundation Day: The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) has celebrated its 9th Foundation Day on 01 March 2021. The Land Ports Authority of India or LPAI is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing border infrastructure in India. It manages several Integrated Check Posts all across Borders of India.

Note: Land Ports Authority of India Chairman: Aditya Mishra; Land Ports Authority of India Founded: 1 March 2012; Land Ports Authority of India Parent organization: Ministry of Home Affairs; Land Ports Authority of India Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Russia launches first Arctic-monitoring Satellite ‘Arktika-M’: The Russian space corporation Roscosmos successfully launched its first satellite to monitor the Arctic’s climate and environment. The satellite called “Arktika-M”, was launched on February 28, 2021, onboard Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This satellite will help to collect information to solve operational meteorology and hydrology problems, and monitoring the climate and environment in the Arctic region.

Note: Russia President: Vladimir Putin; Russia Capital: Moscow; Russia Currency: Russian Ruble.

 

2. Ghana becomes the world’s first nation to receive COVAX vaccines: Ghana has become the first country in the world to receive vaccines acquired through the United Nations-backed COVAX initiative with a delivery of 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India. Ghana is among 92 low-and middle-income countries that are receiving vaccines for free through COVAX. Another 90 countries and eight territories have agreed to pay if they choose to receive vaccines through COVAX. The vaccines, delivered by UNICEF, arrived at Accra’s international airport and are part of the first wave of Covid-19 vaccines being sent by COVAX, an international cooperative program formed to make sure low- and middle-income countries have fair access to COVID-19 vaccines. COVAX is led by the United Nation’s World Health Organization; Gavi, a vaccine group; and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI.

Note: Ghana President: Nana Akufo-Addo; Ghana Capital: Accra; Ghana Currency: Ghanaian cedi.

 

3. World Wildlife Day: 3rd March: World Wildlife Day is observed globally on the 3rd of March every year to celebrate the beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora present on earth. World Wildlife Day also raise awareness about the benefits that the conservation of wild fauna and flora provides to people living on earth. The day also reminds us of the need to fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species causing various wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2021 under the theme “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”, as a way to highlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystems services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally, and particularly of Indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forested and forest-adjacent areas.

Note: World Wildlife Fund Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland; World Wildlife FundFounded: 29 April 1961, Morges, Switzerland; President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund: Carter Roberts.

 

4. World Hearing Day: 3rd March: World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. The theme of World Hearing Day 2021 is Hearing care for ALL!: Screen, Rehabilitate, Communicate. World Hearing Day 2021 will mark the launch of the first-ever World Report on Hearing.

Note: Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland; Director-general of WHO: Tedros Adhanom.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Vinesh Phogat wins gold in Ukraine wrestling event: Star Indian wrestler, Vinesh Phogat has defeated 2017 world champion Vanesa Kaladzinskay of Belarus to win a gold medal at the XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament, held in Kiev, Ukraine. Haryana’s Bhiwani-based Vinesh won in the 53kg bout with a 10-8 lead. She is the only Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics Games in the 53 kg category.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Matam Venkata Rao assumes Charge as MD & CEO of Central Bank of India: Matam Venkata Rao has taken charge as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Central Bank Of India. Rao till now held the position of Executive Director at Canara Bank. His appointment is for a period of 3 years with effect from the date of assumption of office on or after March 1, 2021, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Rao is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. He is a post-graduate in agriculture from Sri Venkateshwara Agriculture College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

Note: Central Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai; Central Bank of India Founded: 21 December 1911.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Golden Globe Awards 2021 announced: The Golden Globe Awards 2021 was held to recognise excellence in film, both American and international, and American television. This was the 78th edition of the annual event, which honoured the best in American television, as well as film in 2020 and early 2021, as chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Winners in the Film category:

Best Film – Drama: Nomadland

Best Film – Musical/Comedy: Borat Subsequent Movie film

Best Director: Chloe Zhao for Nomadland

Best Actress – Drama: Andra Day for The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Best Actor – Drama: Chadwick Boseman for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Best Actress – Musical/Comedy: Rosamund Pike for I Care A Lot

Best Actor – Musical/Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen for Borat Subsequent Movie film

Best Supporting Actress: Jodie Foster for The Mauritanian

Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya for Judas And The Black Messiah

Best Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin for The Trial of the Chicago 7

Best Foreign Language Film: Minari

Best Animated Feature: Soul

Best Original Score: Soul

Best Original Song: ‘Io Si (Seen)’ from The Life Ahead

 

Winners in the Television category:

Best TV Series – Drama: The Crown

Best TV Series – Musical/Comedy: Schitt’s Creek

Best Limited Series, Anthology or TV Film: The Queen’s Gambit

Best Actress – Drama: Emma Corrin for The Crown

Best Actor – Drama: Josh O’Connor for The Crown

Best Actress – Musical/Comedy: Catherine O’Hara for Schitt’s Creek

Best Actor – Musical/Comedy: Jason Sudeikis for Ted Lasso

Best Supporting Actress: Gillian Anderson for The Crown

Best Supporting Actor: John Boyega for Small Axe

Best Actress (Limited Series, Anthology or TV Film): Anya Taylor-Joy for The Queen’s Gambit

Best Actor (Limited Series, Anthology or TV Film): Mark Ruffalo for I Know This Much Is True

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh takes over as ENC chief: Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of Eastern Naval Command (ENC).  He replaces Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain. Atul Kumar Jain has been transferred to New Delhi to assume charge as the Vice Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC). Vice Admiral A.B. Singh inspected the ceremonial guard and reviewed platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments of the ENC. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016.

Note: Eastern Naval Command Headquarter: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; Eastern Naval Command Founded: 1 March 1968.