Daily GK Update - 21st March, 2021

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. GoI launched “Gram Ujala Scheme” for Rural Areas: The government of India has launched the “Gram Ujala Scheme” to provide the cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas. The scheme was launched by the Union power and new and renewable energy minister, Raj Kumar Singh. In the first phase, the scheme was launched from Arrah district in Bihar. In this phase, around 15 million LED bulbs will be distributed in the villages of Arrah (Bihar), Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), and western Gujarat.

About the ‘Gram Ujala Scheme’: The Gram Ujala Scheme is an ambitious scheme that offers the world’s cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas. This is the first such scheme in India. It provides the LED Bulbs in these areas at a mere ₹10. This scheme also furthers its climate change strategy and strengthen the self-reliance credentials. The scheme does not come with the government’s support or subsidy.

 2. Kuldiep Singh appointed as Chief of Central Reserve Police Force: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed senior IPS officer Kuldiep Singh as the Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Singh, a 1986 batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, is presently the Special DG, CRPF. The appointment of Singh as DG of CRPF will be effective from March 01, 2021, up to September 30, 2022 i.e. date of his superannuation. Singh replaces Dr. A P Maheshwari, who superannuated on February 28, 2021.

 3. Union Cabinet clears setting up of Development Finance Institution: Nirmala Sitharaman: The cabinet has approved a detailed proposal for setting up the developmental finance institution (DFI) that was announced in the budget last month, clearing the decks for a dedicated government-owned infrastructure financier. The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) will be set up with a corpus of ₹20,000 crore and an initial grant of ₹5,000 crore from the government. Initially, it will be wholly owned but the government stake will be lowered to a quarter.

 INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. Italy signs International Solar Alliance amended Framework Agreement: Italy has signed the amended Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with India. The framework agreement was signed by the Italian Ambassador to India Vincenzo De Luca. ISA is an alliance of over 121 nations that have been initiated by India. The European country signed the ISA framework agreement after an amendment to the Framework Agreement of the ISA entered into force on January 08, 2021, opening its membership to all member states of the UN. The amendments of the ISA framework agreement allows all the member states of the United Nations to join the ISA grouping, including those lying beyond the tropics.

About the International Solar Alliance: The International Solar Alliance was launched jointly by the Indian Prime Minister and the French President during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP21, in Paris. It aims to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement through rapid and massive deployment of solar energy.

Note: President of Italy: Sergio Mattarella; Capital of Italy: Rome; Currency of Italy: Euro; Prime Minister of Italy: Mario Draghi.

 2. World Frog Day: 20th March: The World Frog Day is observed annually on March 20 to raise awareness about the tailless amphibian frogs: found on land and water both. The day was created in 2009 with the intention to save many different species of frogs from going extinct.

 3. World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People: 20th March: The World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People is celebrated all over the world on March 20 every year since 2001, by the international community of theatre practitioners for children and young people. Purpose: to attract the attention of a wider public to the art of theatre for children and young people. The event is basically organised by the ASSITEJ International, an international alliance of professionals involved in theatre for children and young people.

 4. International Day of Forests: 21 March: The International Day of Forests (also known as World Forestry Day) is celebrated every year on March 21. The day is to celebrate to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations as well as to increase the public awareness among communities about the values, significance and contributions of the forests to balance the life cycle on the earth. The theme for International Day of Forests 2020 is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”. This year’s theme fits into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world.

History of the day: The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns.

 5. World Down syndrome Day: 21st March: The World Down Syndrome Day is observed globally on 21 March each year, to raise public awareness for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome. This year, the theme for World Down Syndrome Day is “We Decide.” This day was first observed in the United Nation in the year 2012. The 21st day of March (the 3rd month of the year) has been selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

What is down syndrome: Down Syndrome is a condition in which the child is born with an extra 21st chromosome. It comes in the category of a genetic disorder, and it also causes developmental disabilities. The child born with this condition is likely to suffer thyroid or heart-related problems.

6. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: 21st March: The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March to remind people about the negative consequences of racial discrimination. This year theme is “Youth standing up against racism”. It engages the public through #FightRacism, which aims to foster a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination and calls on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes.

History of the day: The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. In 1979, the General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.

 OTHER UPDATES:

 SPORTS

1. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and IPU President Duarte Pacheco holds meeting in New Delhi: The Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju held a meeting with the President of Inter Parliamentary Union, (IPU) Mr Duarte Pacheco in New Delhi.

Key areas of discussions included: Discussion about corporation among the international parliamentarians especially in the field of Youth Affairs and Sports. India’s Fit India Movement, Yoga and how we have been able to start certain sports-related activities in the country in a controlled manner despite COVID 19. Proposed to arrange a World Youth Parliamentarian meeting where the younger Parliamentarians can come together and promote some fitness activities during the youth exchange of different countries.

Note: IPU headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland

2. India to host Asian Boxing Championships 2021 in May: International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced that Asian Boxing Championships 2021 will be hosted by New Delhi, India from May 21-31. It will be the first boxing tournament in Asia to be held in 2021. In the AIBA Asian Forum which took place virtually, 32 countries participated, Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) president Anas Al Otaiba delivered a report about the upcoming Asian Elite Men & Women Boxing Championships 2021.

 BANKING AND FINANCE

 1. Govt collects Rs 26,457 crore by decreasing stakes in six DPSUs in last 5 years: The government has collected Rs 26,457 crore by decreasing its shareholding in six defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) in the last five years, according to details provided by Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik in Rajya Sabha. A total of Rs 14,184.70 crore was collected by decreasing stakes in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) while the amount was Rs 8,073.29 crore from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Rs 2,371.19 crore from Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Similarly, Rs 434.14 was fetched from Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), Rs 420.52 crore from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRESE) and Rs 974.15 crore was collected from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

2. SBI, Paytm Payments Bank, PhonePe lead in UPI transactions in Feb: SBI was the top remitter on the UPI platform in February, while Paytm Payments Bank led the chart in the beneficiary segment, as per data published by the National Payments Corporation of India. PhonePe topped the app category on the UPI platform in terms of volume and amount involved in the transactions that it facilitated. According to the data published by NPCI, State Bank of India (SBI) recorded 656.92 million remittance transactions in February, that is money was sent out from the bank using the UPI platform. It was followed by HDFC Bank with 207.27 million remittance transactions, Axis Bank (164.27 million), Paytm Payments Bank (149.32 million) and ICICI Bank (148.98 million).

 DEFENCE

 1. KRAS releases First batch of MRSAM Missiles: The Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS), which is a joint venture between the Kalyani Group of India and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems of Israel, have released the first batch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) kits. The missile was released for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The release of the MRSAM Missile also marked the KRAS’ commitment to delivering more than 1000 MRSAM missile kits to India in near future. These missile sections will then be sent for further and future integration to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The Kalyani Group has infused the “State-of-the-art technology with engineering excellence in the company.

About KRAS: It is the private sector MSME of India comprising of advanced manufacturing capabilities and facilities which is specially dedicated to addressing the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of the state-of-the-art weapon systems which are being inducted in India’s defence forces. KRAS also address the Maintenance and Repair Operations (MRO) of the major in-service Air Defence Missile System in the Indian Air Force.

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

Daily GK Update - 20th March, 2021

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. J&K LG Manoj Sinha inaugurates project “Awaam Ki Baat”: Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, initiated the project “Awaam Ki Baat” – a Radio program by launching its website at Raj Bhavan, Jammu. The half-an-hour long Radio program to be aired every third Sunday of the month (to start from April), is one of the many sequential steps of a broader program aimed at disseminating the progressive steps taken by the government and providing the public with a platform to speak, write and interact with the administration, thereby voicing their suggestions, ideas and creative proposals.

About Awaam Ki Baat: Awaam Ki Baat is the novel initiative of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir which aims at disseminating the progressive steps taken by the administration and seeks public feedback to make the process interactive, participative and people-centric. The platform appreciates the heterogeneity of our Union Territory.

2. India’s arms imports down by 33%, says Sipri report: India’s arms imports fell 33% between 2011-15 and 2016-20, said a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). The report on international arms transfers attributed the drop in India’s arms imports mainly to an attempt to reduce its dependence on Russian arms and complex procurement processes. Russia was the most affected supplier, although India’s imports of US arms also fell by 46%. India’s top three arms suppliers during 2016-20 were Russia (accounting for 49% of India’s imports), France (18%) and Israel (13%), the report. Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mauritius were the top recipients of Indian military hardware, the report. According to Sipri, India accounted for 0.2% of the share of global arms exports during 2016-20, making the country the world’s 24th largest exporter of major arms. This represents an increase of 228% over India’s export share of 0.1 % during the previous five-year period of 2011-15.

Note: Sipri Headquarters: Oslo, Norway; Sipri Founded: 6 May 1966; Sipri Director: Dan Smith.

3. New Delhi Ranked as World’s most polluted capital city: New Delhi has been adjudged as the world’s most polluted capital city for the third straight year in the 2020 World Air Quality Report by Swiss organisation, IQAir. Globally, New Delhi is ranked as the 10th most polluted city in the world. The topmost polluted city in the world is Xinjiang in China. This is followed by nine Indian cities as the most polluted cities in the world, which are Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Bisrakh Jalalpur, Noida, Greater Noida, Kanpur, Lucknow and Bhiwari.

IQAir report: The IQAir report measures air quality levels based on the concentration of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM 2.5, which is measured by ground-based monitoring stations. As per the report, India was home to 35 of the world’s 50 most polluted cities, spanning 106 countries, which means India continues to feature prominently at the top of the most polluted cities ranking. The IQAir report seeks to empower individuals, organizations and communities to breathe cleaner air through information, collaboration and technology solutions.

4. Lt Gen DP Pandey takes over as new commander of 15-Corps: Lt General DP Pandey has taken over the command of strategic Kashmir-based 15 Corps from Lt Gen BS Raju, who has been appointed as the new Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, General Pandey was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in December 1985 from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

5. A Book ‘Battle Ready for 21st Century’ released: A book titled “Battle Ready for 21st Century” co-edited by Lt Gen AK Singh, Distinguished Fellow CLAWS and Brig Narender Kumar, Visiting Fellow CLAWS was released by Gen Bipin Rawat. The book lays down the conceptual framework for the strategic management of future conflicts.

The essence of the book: The book “Battle Ready for the 21st Century” has endeavoured to postulate and define emerging areas of conflict, desired capabilities and doctrinal issues that need careful examination. The authors with hands-on experience and domain specialisation have endeavoured to define and suggest the ways and means necessary to secure India from emerging security challenges on land, air, sea, space, cyber domain and even cognitive domain. The book is dwelling on future conflicts that India may face and need to build capabilities to dissuade and prevent accidental wars. The foreword is written by former Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash. Former Chief of the Army Staff Gen NC Vij and Prof Gautam Sen have commented on the book for empirically identifying future security challenges and the need for building capabilities.

 INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World’s Largest Floating Solar Farms being built in Singapore: The largest floating solar farm in the world is being built in Singapore. The country has resorted to set up energy plants off the coasts and reservoirs across it. This floating solar farm is being set up in the light that despite being one of the smallest countries across the world, it is one of the biggest per capita carbon dioxide emitters in India. Thus, to cater to the issue of climate change and to cut the greenhouse gas emission it is building the floating solar farm. This project is being built by Sembcorp Industries.

Renewable Energy in Singapore: Renewable energy is a challenge for Singapore because the country has no rivers for hydro-electricity. The wind is also not that strong to power the turbines. Thus, with the setting up of the floating solar farms, the authorities seek to change that notion. So, this tropical country has turned to solar power. Since, it has little land space, equal to half the size of Los Angeles, the country has decided to set up energy plants off its coasts and on reservoirs.

Note: Singapore Currency: Singapore dollar; Capital of Singapore: Singapore; PM of Singapore: Lee Hsien Loong.

2. 6th India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Women’s Forum held Virtually: The Sixth India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Women’s Forum meeting was held virtually. The Forum discussed key issues that contribute towards the transformation of women’s lives. At the end of the conference, a joint declaration was also issued highlighting the shared IBSA goals and commitments for achieving gender equality in all spheres of life.

About IBSA Women’s Forum:

(1) The India-Brazil-South Africa Trilateral Cooperation Forum is a unique platform that brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large democracies and major economies from three different continents.

(2) The meeting was led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.

IBSA is committed to inclusive sustainable development, in pursuit of the well-being of its citizens and those from other developing nations.

(3) The principles, norms and values underpinning the IBSA Dialogue Forum are participatory democracy, respect for human rights, the Rule of Law and the strengthening of multilateralism. IBSA lays efforts in South-South cooperation beyond the conventional areas of exchange of experts and training.

Note: Minister of Women and Child Development: Smriti Zubin Irani.

3. UN French Language Day: 20th March: The UN French Language Day is observed annually on 20 March. The day was established by the UN’s Department of Public Information in 2010, to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization. March 20 was chosen as the date for the French language since it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the International Organization of La Francophonie, representing countries and regions where French is a customary language.

History of the day: The date of French Language Day was chosen symbolically in reference to March 20, 1970, which marks the creation of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT), which became the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

Note: France Prime minister: Jean Castex; France Capital: Paris; France President: Emmanuel Macron.

4. World Oral Health Day: 20th March: World Oral Health Day is observed every year on 20th March. It focuses on highlighting the benefits of good oral health, spreads awareness about oral diseases and promotes maintenance of oral hygiene. The theme for the next three years, 2021-2023 is: Be Proud Of Your Mouth. The day is an initiative of FDI World Dental Federation; an organization that brings together the world of dentistry with the aim of achieving optimal oral health for everyone.

5. International Day of Happiness: 20th March: International Day of Happiness is celebrated on March 20 to promote happiness as a fundamental human right for all human beings across the world. The 2021 International Day of Happiness campaign theme is ‘Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind’. Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 June 2012.

6. World Sparrow Day: 20 March: World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20 to raise awareness about the House Sparrow and other common birds to urban environments, and of threats to their populations. The theme of 2021 World Sparrow Day “I LOVE Sparrows”. The day was initiated by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world. The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated in 2010.

 OTHER UPDATES:

 SPORTS

1. Hashmatullah Shahidi becomes 1st afghan player to score Test double century: Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi became the first batsman from the country to register a double hundred in Test cricket. He got his first double century on Day Two of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. He made 200 not out off 443 balls with 21 fours and one six as Afghanistan put up a mammoth 545 for 4 in their first innings.

Career of Hashmatullah Shahidi: Shahidi has played five Tests and 42 ODIs for Afghanistan since making his international debut in an ODI against Kenya. He made his Test debut in Afghanistan’s first-ever Test, against India in Bengaluru in 2018. The 26-year-old left-handed batsman has 347 runs from five Tests and 1155 runs from 42 ODIs to his name thus far.

 BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SBI and IOCL to ink India’s First Libor Alternative Rate Deal: The State Bank of India (SBI) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) will sign the first Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) linked external commercial borrowing (ECB) deal. The deal will be signed because the de facto international benchmark reference rate called the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) will no longer work as the benchmark after December 2021.

About the agreement: The state bank of India highlighted that it will be arranging $100 million linked to SOFR for 5 years. The LIBOR will no longer work as the benchmark after December 2021. Thus, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) and Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate (SONIA) are the most potential alternatives. But only a few swap deals are linked to these alternatives at the international level. Libor is still used extensively especially for loans that are getting matured within the year.

Note: SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara; SBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.

 DEFENCE

1. INS Jalashwa Arrives at Port Anjouan as part of Mission Sagar-IV: As part of Mission Sagar-IV, Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa arrived at Port Anjouan, Comoros to deliver 1,000 Metric Tonnes of rice. An official ceremony for handing over the food aid from the Government of India to the Government of Comoros. INS Jalashwa, the largest amphibious ship of the Indian Navy, has been specially sent to Comoros due to its large carrying capacity.

This consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice as food assistance was flagged off to Comoros in the light of a promise made by the Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu during his brief visit to Comoros in the month of October 2019. This is the second visit of an Indian Navy ship to the island country within a span of one year. Earlier, as part of Mission Sagar-I, in May-June 2020, the Indian Navy had delivered essential medicines to the nation and had also deployed a specialist medical team to work alongside their counterparts and to render assistance for dengue fever-related emergencies.

About the Mission Sagar: ‘Mission Sagar’, builds on the excellent relations existing between the two countries and deployment also resonates with the vision of our Prime Minister of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with the countries of the IOR. The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministries of External Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh; Indian Navy Founded: 26 January 1950.

OBITUARIES

1. Tanzanian President John Magufuli passes away: The President of Tanzania, John Magufuli has passed away following a heart ailment. Popularly nicknamed the “Bulldozer”, Magufuli served as the fifth President of Tanzania from 2015 until his death in 2021. He first won the presidential election in October 2015 and was sworn in on 5 November 2015. He was re-elected in 2020.

Note: Tanzania President: Samia Suluhu; Tanzania Capital: Dodoma; Tanzania Currency: Tanzanian shilling.

Daily GK Update - 19th March, 2021

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. J&K Govt approves setting up of JVC “Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation”: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved the incorporation of a joint venture company (JVC) under the name “Ratle Hydro-electric Power Corporation”. To implement the 850 MW Ratle Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) on river Chenab in the Kishtwar district of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). The JV company has been incorporated between the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and J&K State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC).

About the project: The equity contributions of NHPC will be 51 per cent and for JKSPDC will be 49 per cent. The proposed JVC will have an authorised capital of Rs 1,600 crore with initial paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore. The 850 MW Ratle HEP will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,281.94 crore.

Note: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir: Manoj Sinha.

2. GoI Forms Experts Committee For Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: The government has constituted an experts advisory committee for the overall execution and monitoring of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme. The committee would be chaired by H K Mittal from the Department of Science and Technology. The other representatives of the committee would include members from DPIIT, the department of biotechnology, science and technology, electronics and IT, Niti Aayog, and expert members from the startup ecosystem. The committee will evaluate and select incubators for allotment of funds under the scheme, monitor progress and take all necessary measures for efficient utilisation of funds towards the fulfilment of objectives of the scheme.

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS): The scheme has been approved for the period of the next four years starting from 2021-22, beginning from April 1, 2021. The government has earmarked Rs 945 crore corpus for the scheme, which will be divided over the next four years for providing seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators across India.

3. M. A. Ganapathy appointed Director General of National Security Guard: Senior IPS officer, M. A. Ganapathy was on March 16, 2021 appointed Director General of National Security Guard. Ganapathy, a 1986 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, is currently Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). He has been appointed the Director-General, National Security Guard (NSG), from the date of joining the post and up to February 29, 2024 i.e. date of his superannuation.

Note: National Security Guard Headquarters: New Delhi; The motto of the National Security Guard: Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha.

 4. Maharashtra Governor releases e-book titled Dawn under the Dome: The Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari released a digital e-book titled Dawn under the Dome. The digital book depicts the history of the Mumbai General Post Office building. It has been authored by Post Master General of Mumbai Swati Pandey in collaboration with Orchida Mukherjee. The book says that three types of Indian stones were used in the construction of the building: the grey basalt with buff trachyte and the Yellowstone from Mumbai’s Kurla and Malad respectively and the white stone from Dharandhra.

 INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. Dr Harsh Vardhan appointed as chairman of ‘Stop TB Partnership Board’: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan has been appointed as the Chairman of the international body Stop TB Partnership Board. He was appointed in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the movement to eradicate Tuberculosis from India by 2025. He will serve a three-year term, commencing from July this year.

About stop TB partnership:

(1) The Stop TB Partnership is a unique international body with the power to align actors all over the world in the fight against TB.

(2) The participation of a wide range of constituencies gives this global body the credibility and the broad range of medical, social and financial expertise needed to defeat TB.

(3) The Partnership’s vision is a TB-free world.

(4) The appointment of Dr Harsh Vardhan as the Chair of this prestigious global body is a proud recognition of India’s political commitment to the eradication of TB.

(5) Established in the year 2000, the ‘Stop TB Partnership’ is mandated to eliminate Tuberculosis as a public health problem.

Note: World Tuberculosis Day, observed on 24 March.

 2. Ajay Mathur takes over as Director General of International Solar Alliance: Dr Ajay Mathur has assumed office as the Director-General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with effect from March 15, 2021. He has been appointed for a period of four years which can be renewed for an additional term. Dr Ajay Mathur has replaced Upendra Tripathy, who completed his term on March 15, after serving as the Director-General since 2017.

About Ajay Mathur: Mathur brings a wealth of leadership and expertise across all key areas of the energy transition, from policy, research, and technology commercialisation to financing, international cooperation and institutional development. He is a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on climate change. He had also served as the Director-General of TERI and also a key Indian climate-change negotiator. He was also the spokesperson for India during the 2015 climate negotiations in Paris.

Note: ISA Headquarters Location: Gurgram, Haryana; ISA Established: 2015.

 3. WEF honours ReNew Power named as Global Lighthouse Network: ReNew Power has been named to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Lighthouse Network, which recognises companies using new technologies to achieve environmentally sustainable, community supportive, profitable growth. ReNew Power is an Indian renewable energy company. It has an asset base of over 8 GW, with around 5 GW operational. ReNew Power is one of the two Indian companies to be recognised by the Global Lighthouse Network this year.

The WEF Global Lighthouse Network is a group of 69 factories that serve as a platform to develop, replicate, and scale innovations, creating opportunities for cross-company learning and collaboration while setting new benchmarks for the global manufacturing community.

Note: World Economic Forum Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland; World Economic Forum Founder: Klaus Schwab; World Economic Forum Founded: January 1971.

 OTHER UPDATES:

 SPORTS

1. Dhanalakshmi beats Dutee Chand to win Federation Cup gold: Sprinter S Dhanalakshmi beat national record holder Dutee Chand to win women’s 100m sprint final in the Federation Cup Senior National Athletics Championships in Patiala. The 22-year-old Dhanalakshmi of Tamil Nadu clocked 11.39 seconds to become the fastest woman of the championships. Odisha-based Dutee clocked 11.58 seconds to be placed in second place. Another Tamil Nadu runner Archana Suseendran was third in 11.76 seconds. Hima Das was disqualified after a false start. In men’s 100m final category, Gurindervir Singh of Punjab won gold in 10.32 seconds, while Elakkiyadasan Kannada of Tamil Nadu (10.43) and Maharashtra’s Satish Krishnakumar (10.56) were second and third respectively.

 BANKING AND FINANCE

 1. RBI Imposes Rs 2 Crore Fine on State Bank of India: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of 2 crores on the State Bank of India (SBI) for contravention of certain provisions of Section 10 of the Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949. The central bank’s specific directions issued to the bank on payment of remuneration to employees in the form of commission. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested with RBI under the provisions of the BR Act. The penalty is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. RBI said the statutory inspection of the bank with reference to its financial position as of March 31, 2017, and March 31, 2018, and the Risk Assessment Reports (RARs) pertaining thereto, and examination of the correspondence with the bank regarding payment of remuneration to its employees in the form of commission, revealed, inter alia, contravention of the provisions of the Act and aforesaid specific directions issued by RBI.

Note: RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara; SBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.

 BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 1. Nokia to Develop New 5G Radio Solutions: The Finnish telecom equipment maker, Nokia has announced on March 16 that it has partnered with Microsoft, Amazon web services and Google so as to develop a new cloud-based 5G radio solution. This solution will be developed with its radio access network (RNA) technology. This partnership was gone with the objective of developing new business cases.

About Radio Access Network (RAN): RAN is part of a mobile telecommunication system. This system implements radio access technology. RAN resides between a device like a computer, mobile phone or any remotely controlled machine. It also provides a connection with the core network. Based on the standard mobile phones and other wireless connected devices are called user equipment, terminal equipment or mobile station etc. The functionality of RAN is typically provided by the silicon chip which resides in both the core network and the user equipment.

Features of RAN: The single handset or phone can be connected to multiple radio access networks simultaneously. The Handsets which are capable of this feature are called dual-mode handsets. For example, a handset can commonly support both GSM and UMTS or “3G” radio access technologies. Such devices also transfer the ongoing call across different radio access networks without any disruption to users.

Note: Nokia CEO: Pekka Lundmark; Nokia Founded: 12 May 1865; Nokia Headquarters: Espoo, Finland.

 AWARDS AND HONOURS

 1. Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 announced: Sahitya Akademi announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 20 languages. Seven books of poetry, four of the novel, Five short stories, two plays, and one each of memoirs and epic poetry in 20 Indian languages. The awards for Malayalam, Nepali, Odia and Rajasthani will be announced later. Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India. It is a dream for all Indian writers to look forward to one of the prestigious literary awards. The political-writer M Veerappa Moily, poet Arundhathi Subramaniam will be bestowed with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2020. The Akademi is known for holding the largest library of multi-lingual books in India. The Sahitya Akademi is autonomous. It comes under the Ministry of Culture. Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 winners will be bestowed with the award in the form of a casket, containing the engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cash amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- at the Sahitya Akademi Award Presentation function.

The complete list of winners in different language and genre categories is given in the table below.

S.No	Language	Title and Genre	Name of the Author
1	Assamese	Bengsata (Short stories)	Apurba Kumar Saikia
2	Bengali	Eka Eka Ekashi (Memoirs)	Mani Shankar Mukhopadhyay
3	Bodo	Gwthenay Lamayao Gwdan Agan (Short stories)	Dharanidhar Owari
4	Dogri	Baba Jitmal (Play)	Gian Singh
5	English	When God Is a Traveller (Poetry)	Arundhathi Subramaniam
6	Gujarati	Banaras Diary (Poetry)	Harish Meenakshru
7	Hindi	Tokeri Mein Digant ‘ Their Gatha” (Poetry)	Anamika
8	Kannada	Sri Bahubali Ahimsadigvijayam (EPIC POETRY)	M. Veerappa Moily
9	Kashmiri	Tilasm-e-Khanabadosh (Short stories)	Hiday Koul Bharti
10	Konkani	Yugaparivarathanancho Yatri  (Poetry)	RS Bhaskar
11	Maithili	Gachh Roosal Achhi (Short Stories)	Kamalkant Jha
12	Manipuri	Malangbana Kari Hai (Poetry)	Irungbam Deven
13	Marathi	Udya (Novel)	Nanda Khare
14	Punjabi	Aam Khass (Short stories)	Gurdev Singh Rupana
15	Sanskrit	Vaishali (Novel)	Mahesh Chandra Sharma Gautam
16	Santali	Gur Dak Kasa Dak(Poetry)	Rupchand Hansdah
17	Sindhi	Jehad (Plays)	Jetho Lalwani
18	Tamil	Sellaatha Panam (Novel)	Imaiyam
19	Telugu	Agniswaasa(2015-17) Poetry	Nikhileswar
20	Urdu	Amawas Mein Khwab (Novel)	Hussain-ul-Haque

 OBITUARIES

 1. Former Bangladesh PM Moudud Ahmed passes away: Barrister Moudud Ahmed, who held various political offices for short stints in the Government of Bangladesh, has passed away. He had served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (1988–1989), Vice President of Bangladesh (1989–1990), Deputy Prime Minister (1976–1978 and 1987–1988), and Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (2001–2006). He was also a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

2. Former Union Minister Dilip Gandhi passes away: Former Union Minister and BJP leader, Dilip Gandhi passed away, due to coronavirus. He had served as the Union Minister of State, Ministry of Shipping from 29 January 2003 to 15 March 2004. He won the Lok Sabha elections three times since 1999 from Ahmednagar South constituency in Maharashtra. First in 1999 in 13th Lok Sabha, followed by 15th Lok Sabha in 2009 and then 16th Lok Sabha in 2014.