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Top Current Affairs of the Week (08 Feb – 13 Feb 2021)
India-US Joint Military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ begins
• India-US exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ has commenced in Bikaner district in Rajasthan • It is the 16th edition of the annual bilateral joint exercise of both the armies and will be held till 21st February. • The 15th edition of Yudh Abhyas was held in Seattle, US • About 250 US and 250 Indian army soldiers are participating in the exercise showcasing their war- related techniques, skills, and experience with each other • It is one of the largest military training and defense cooperation efforts.
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South Korea to build World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm
• South Korea has approved a plan to build World’s largest wind power plant by 2030 • It will help to foster an environmentally friendly recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and fasten the step to achieve the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. • The estimated cost of the project: 48.5 trillion won ($43.2 billion) • It will be located in the southwestern coastal town of Sinan • It will have a maximum capacity of 8.2 gigawatts • World’s largest offshore wind farm: Hornsea 1, Britain
India's first geothermal power project to be established at Ladakh
• India's first geothermal power project named Geothermal Field Development Project will be established at Puga village of eastern Ladakh. • Puga has been identified as the hotspot of geothermal energy in India • One megawatt (MW) power generation capacity will be generated in the 1st phase. • A tripartite MoU between ONGC Energy, LAHDC, Leh, and Power Department of UT Ladakh for establishment and implementation of the first phase was signed • It is planned to commission by 2022.
Piyush Goyal co-chairs 1st India-EU High-Level Dialogue on Trade
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and European Union Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis has co- chaired India-European Union High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on trade and investment • HLD was organized in line with the 15th India-EU Leader’s Summit held in July 2020 • Ministers agreed for further deepening of bilateral trade and investment relationship through a series of regular engagements, aiming at quick deliverable for businesses in these tough times. • EU HQs: Brussels, Belgium
NASA Selects SpaceX to launch its SPHEREx Mission
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• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected SpaceX to launch its SPHEREx Mission. • SPHEREx: Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer • Through this, NASA aims to perform an all-sky survey to measure the near-infrared spectra of approximately 450 million galaxies across the universe and 100 million stars inside our Milky Way galaxy • It weighs 178 kg and will be launched by Falcon 9 rocket.
Square Kilometre Array Observatory set up World’s Largest Radio Telescope
• Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) Council has held its maiden meeting and approved the establishment of the world’s largest radio telescope. • SKAO: New intergovernmental organization dedicated to radio astronomy. • SKAO has 10 countries: Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK. • French-born Dr. Catherine Cesarsky has been appointed as the first Chair of the SKAO Council. • SKAO HQs: UK
Michael Bloomberg re-appointed as United Nations Climate Envoy
• United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has re-appointed Michael Bloomberg as his Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions. • He will work to strengthen the group of governments, companies, cities, and financial institutions that are working to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. • He will also work to mobilize stronger and more ambitious climate action for the 2021 UN Climate Change conference in Scotland in Nov 2021.
Former Australian captain Steve Smith claims third Allan Border Medal
• Former Australian captain Steve Smith has won the 3rd Allan Border Medal of his career at Australian Cricket Awards 2020-21. • Allan Border Medal recognizes the most outstanding male Australian cricketer as voted by peers, media, and umpires • Beth Mooney bagged Belinda Clarke Award • Other Awards: o Men’s ODI Player of the Year: Steve Smith o Men’s T20 Player of the Year: Ashton Agar o Women’s T20 Player of the Year award: Beth Mooney o Women’s Test player of the year award: Pat Cummins
Rishabh Pant wins inaugural ICC Player of the Month January 2021
• Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has won the inaugural ICC Player of the Month award for January 2021. • Pant has been honored for his superlative performances in two Tests against Australia in January 2020, wherein he scored a 97 at Sydney and an unbeaten 89 at Brisbane, leading India to an incredible series win. • Shabnim Ismail of South Africa has been named ICC Women’s Player of the Month following her performances across three ODIs and two T20Is in January 2021.
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Ministry of Defence inks pact with BEL for ship-borne modern radio system
• Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure a software- defined radio tactical (SDR-Tac) ship-borne system. • The cost of the SDR-Tac system is worth over Rs 1,000 crore. • SDR-Tac: It is a four-channel multi-mode, multi-band, 19-inch rack-mountable, ship-borne software- defined radio system. • It is intended to serve ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and ship-to-air voice and data communication for network-centric operations.
Uttar Pradesh announces unique 16-digit Unicode to identify landholdings
• Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a system of issuing unique Unicode to mark all kinds of landholdings • Aim: To check cases of land disputes, put an end to fake registries of disputed land • As per this, every piece of land will have its own unique identity, issued by UP revenue dept • Unicode will be 16 digits: o 1st six digits: population of land o The next 4 digits determine the unique identity of the land o 11 to 14 digits: number of land division o Last 2 digits: category details
PM launches ‘Asom Mala’ program in Assam
• PM Narendra Modi has laid the Foundation Stone of two hospitals at Biswanath and Charaideo and launched ‘Asom Mala’ at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur District, Assam. • Asom Mala: Programme for state highways and major district roads. It is launched in line with the ‘Bharat Mala Project’ • Asom Mala project will fulfill the dreams of the state to have a network of broad roads and connectivity for all villages and modern cities.
PM Modi lays the Foundation Stone of four infrastructure projects in WB
• PM Narendra Modi visited Haldia in West Bengal and dedicated 4 infrastructure projects worth Rs 4,700 crore • Four projects include: o LPG import terminal o Dobhi-Durgapur Natural Gas Pipeline section (348 km) is part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project. o 4 Lane ROB-cum-Flyover at Ranichak, Haldia on NH 41. o Second Catalytic-Isodewaxing unit of Haldia Refinery • This development will help in the emergence of Haldia as a center of immense energy for Aatma Nirbhar India.
Tennis Legend and Davis Cup Coach Akhtar Ali passes away in Kolkata
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• Former legendary Indian tennis player, Akhtar Ali (81 years) passed away in Kolkata due to Parkinson’s disease and other health issues. • Akhtar Ali was a father figure in Indian tennis. • He represented India in eight Davis Cup between 1958 and 1964 and was captain of the Indian Davis Cup in 2008. • He turned to the coach and had coached the players like Ramesh Krishnan, Vijay Amritraj, Anand Amritraj, and Leander Paes.
Govt introduces bill to regularize unauthorized colonies in Delhi
• Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri has introduced the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Rajya Sabha. • It will replace the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which was promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind on 30th December 2020. • It amended the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011.
PM Modi to inaugurates World Sustainable Development Summit 2021
• PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated World Sustainable Development Summit 2021 on 10th February. • Theme: ‘Redefining our common future: Safe and secure environment for all’. • It is the 20th edition of The Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) flagship event. • It will bring together a wide number of governments, business leaders, academicians, climate scientists, youth, and civil society in the fight against climate change.
Rajya Sabha passes Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021
• Rajya Sabha has passed Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021. • It will replace Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 that merged Jammu and Kashmir cadre of Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and Indian Forest Service with Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territory cadre, also known as AGMUT cadre. • President had promulgated the ordinance last month to amend Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
World Pulses Day: 10 February
• World Pulses Day (WPD) is observed every year on 10 February to realize the importance of pulses in human life. • UN General Assembly has decided to mark 10 February as World Pulses Day in 2018. • WPD was first held on February 10, 2019. • Theme 2021: ‘Nutritious Seeds for a Sustainable Future’. • WPD has been established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN to recognize the importance of pulses (dry beans, lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, lupins) as a global food.
Balasore to get India’s First Thunderstorm Research Testbed
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced to set up first ‘Thunderstorm Research Testbed’ of India at Odisha’s Balasore district • Aim: To minimalize human fatalities and loss of property due to lightning strikes.
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• It will be established in collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IMD, DRDO, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). • Besides this, IMD will also set up India’s first monsoon testbed near Bhopal. • IMD DG: Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
National Horticulture Fair 2021 begins in Bengaluru
• Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Kailash Choudhry has virtually inaugurated National Horticulture Fair (NHF) 2021 in Bengaluru • It was a 5-day long event • Aim: Showcase cutting edge technologies, crop varieties, pest and disease management practices, and processing method, etc • Organized by: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) • Theme: ‘Horticulture for Start-Up and Stand-Up India’ • It is being held in hybrid mode (online + offline) for the first time in 2021
Kaziranga National Park records 93,491 birds In Latest Bird Census
• Kaziranga national park, Assam has recorded a total of 93, 491 birds as per the latest Bird Census. • Bird census was conducted in 2 days and 35 teams were involved for the same. • As per the new census, there are 112 bird species and 22 families found during the enumeration. • It has also witnessed an increase of over 59,000 birds in the Kaziranga national park. • This figure stood at 34,284 last year.
Skyroot signs MoU with Bellatrix for Orbital Transfer Vehicle
• Skyroot Aerospace has signed MoU with Bellatrix Aerospace to use Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV), developed by Bellatrix Aerospace, in the upper stage of Vikram launch vehicles, developed by Skyroot • The vehicle is expected to launch to low earth orbit in 2023 on the Vikram rocket and will help operators reduce time and costs for launching communication and earth observation satellites • OTV: It is like a ‘taxi in space’ to take small satellites into their operational orbits.
GMR group inks MoU with Airbus for aircraft maintenance & services
• Indian airport operator and aviation infrastructure developer, GMR group has signed MoU with Airbus to explore collaboration opportunities across aviation services, technologies, and innovation. • This MoU was signed at Aero India 2021, which was held in Bangalore. • Aim: To explore potential synergies in several strategic areas of aviation services like maintenance, components, training, digital services both for commercial and military aircraft • GMR Group HQs: New Delhi
CRPF inducts first-ever 34 All-Women Commandos into CoBRA Unit
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has inducted 34 women commandos in its elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit for the first time in history • It took place on the occasion of the 35th Raising Day of the 88th Mahila battalion of CRPF • They will undergo strenuous CoBRA pre-induction training of 3 months, before being sent to Naxal-hit areas of India
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• CRPF has also introduced an all Mahila brass band, making CRPF the first force to have a women brass band.
FSSAI caps trans fatty acids to 2% in food products from January 2022
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has restricted the permissible amount of industrial Trans Fatty Acid in food products to 2% • FSSAI has amended FSSAI (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011 to put into effect Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2021 • It will come into effect from Jan 1, 2022 • Currently, the permissible limit for trans fats in food products is 3%, cut down from the previous limit of 5%
Telangana’s Manasa Varanasi crowned VLCC Femina Miss India World 2020
• Manasa Varanasi (23 years) has been declared as the winner of the VLCC Femina Miss India World 2020 • She hails from Telangana and is a financial information exchange analyst • Apart from her, Manika Sheokand from Haryana has been declared as VLCC Femina Miss Grand India 2020 • Manya Singh from Uttar Pradesh was crowned as VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 runner-up. • Jury panel: Neha Dhupia, Chitrangada Singh, Pulkit Samrat, and renowned designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock.
IEA releases India Energy Outlook 2021 report
• International Energy Agency (IEA) has released India Energy Outlook 2021 report that examines opportunities and challenges faced by India • The report examines pathways out of the crisis that emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as longer-term trends. • India is the world’s third-largest energy-consuming country due to rising incomes and improving standards of living. • Energy use has doubled since 2000, with 80% of demand still being met by coal, oil, and solid biomass.
Australia’s Robert Irwin wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021
• Australian wildlife photographer, Robert Irwin has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award Contest. • He won the award for the image titled ‘bushfire’, which depicts the picture of the devastating Australian Bushfire in 2020, which was captured using a drone, near the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland. • Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Largest wildlife photography competition in the world, organized by the Natural History Museum.
Vijayanagara officially declared as 31st District of Karnataka
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• Vijayanagara has been declared as the 31st district of Karnataka through an official gazette notification • Vijayanagara has been carved out of Ballari district and named after the Vijayanagara empire that ruled from this region from 1336 A.D to 1646 A.D • Newly formed Vijayanagara will have 6 taluks: Kudligi, Hagaribommana Halli, Kotturu, Hoovina Hadagali, and Harapanahalli and its headquarter will be at Hosapete • Hampi, a UNESCO world heritage site will be part of Vijaynagara
PM inaugurates World Sustainable Development Summit 2021
• PM Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated the 20th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2021 • Theme 2021: ‘Redefining our common future: Safe and secure environment for all’ • Organized by: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) • Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Ministry of Earth Sciences are key partners of Summit • It brings together governments, business leaders, academicians, climate scientists, etc
Tamil Nadu set to create state’s 5th tiger reserve
• Tamil Nadu govt has passed an order for creating the 5th tiger reserve in the state and 51st in the country. • It is named as Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve that will span the forests of Megamalai wildlife sanctuary and Srivilliputhur grizzled squirrel wildlife sanctuary. • It will spread across the districts of Theni, Virudhunagar, Madurai. • Other 4 tiger reserve: Kalakad Mundanthurai, Anamalai, Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings released
• International Cricket Council (ICC) has released MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings for batsman and bowlers. • Top Batsmen in the list: o Kane Williamson o Steve Smith o Joe Root o Marnus Labuschagne o Virat Kohli • Top Bowlers: o Pat Cummins o Stuart Broad o James Anderson o Neil Wagner o Josh Hazlewood
World Unani Day: 11 February
• World Unani Day is observed globally on February 11 to mark the birthday of ‘Hakim Ajmal Khan’ • First Unani Day was celebrated in 2017 at Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Hyderabad • Hakim Ajmal Khan: He was a great scholar, social reformer, noted freedom fighter, as well as Unani medical educationist and founder of scientific research in Unani System of Medicine. • Aim: to spread the awareness about Unani system of medicine worldwide.
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International Day of Women and Girls in Science: 11 February
• International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed every year on 11 February. • Theme 2021: Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. • This day was established by United Nations General Assembly on 22 December 2015, to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology. • The day is implemented by UNESCO and UN-Women in collaboration with institutions and civil society partners to promote women and girls in science.
Parliament passes Major Port Authorities Bill 2020
• Parliament has passed Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 and now the Bill will go to the President of India for his assent. • Bill is more compact in comparison to Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 • Features: o The number of sections has been reduced to 76 from 134 o Simplified composition of Board of Port Authority with 11 to 13 Members o The Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) role has been redefined. o Port Authority will fix tariffs o Adjudicatory Board has been proposed
M. Hamid Ansari pen down ‘By Many a Happy Accident: Recollections of a Life
• Former vice president of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari has written a book titled ‘BY MANY A HAPPY ACCIDENT: Recollections of a Life’ • Book narrates about the life and work of Mr. Ansari, from academia to professional diplomacy, and then be co-opted in public life followed by acquiring the second-highest office for two consecutive terms. • It has been published by Rupa Publications India. • Hamid Ansari was vice president and chairman of Rajya Sabha from 2007 to 2017.
India’s first-ever CNG Tractor to be launched tomorrow
• India’s First ever CNG Tractor of India will be launched tomorrow to help farmers increase their income, by lowering costs and creating job opportunities in rural India. • It will facilitate farmers to save more than one lakh rupees annually on fuel costs, improving their livelihood. • It will also help farmers to save up to 50 percent on the fuel cost as the current Diesel prices are around 77 rupees per liter whereas CNG is only 42 rupees per kilogram.
‘Hope’ probe of UAE successfully enters Mars orbit
• United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first mission to Mars, Hope Probe has successfully entered the orbit around the red planet. • It is the first-ever interplanetary mission that arrived at Mars planet on February 9 • This made UAE the fifth country in history to reach the red planet and the Arab nation’s first interplanetary mission, • Before this, United States, Soviet Union, Europe, and India have achieved this feat. • HOPE probe was launched into space in July 2020.
PM to inaugurate Maritime India Summit 2021 on 2nd March
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• PM Narendra Modi will be inaugurating Maritime India Summit-2021 on 2nd March • The summit will be participated by around 20,000 delegates, 24 partner countries, and more than 400 Projects • It is the 2nd edition of the Maritime India Summit that will be held virtually from 2nd March to 4th March. • Organized by: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways jointly with FICCI as Industrial Partner and EY as Knowledge Partner. • Registration for visitors and exhibitors has started
National Women’s Day in India: 13 February
• National Women’s Day in India is observed on 13 February every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu. • Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February 1879. • She is also known as the Nightingale of India because of her lyrical poems and contributions to the freedom struggle • She is recognized for her contribution to women’s equal rights. • She was an important figure in India’s struggle for independence from colonial rule.
Pakistan successfully test-fires enhanced version of Babur cruise missile
• Pakistan has successfully test-fired an enhanced version of indigenously-built Babur cruise missile that can deliver conventional and non-conventional weapons • It has a range of 700 kilometers. • Babur Weapon System-1: o Incorporates advanced aerodynamics and avionics o Can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy. o Equipped with Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and all-time Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC) technologies.
World Radio Day: 13 February
• World Radio Day is observed every year on 13 February to recognize radio as a powerful medium, which brings people together from every corner of the globe, to promote diversity and help build a more peaceful and inclusive world. • It was proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO, and adopted by United Nations General Assembly in 2012. • The theme for World Radio Day 2021: New World, New Radio. • The theme is further divided into three sub-themes: o Evolution o Innovation o Connection
Jual Oram launches Book ‘Turn Around India: 2020- Surmounting Past Legacy’
• Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Defence, Jual Oram has launched a book titled ‘Turn Around India: 2020- Surmounting Past Legacy’ • The book has been authored by RP Gupta and has been published by Himalaya Publishing House. • The book focuses on creating economic awareness among the masses. • It provides a practical and viable option for reviving the Indian economy for creating new jobs and enlarging public income, along with structural reforms for overcoming the economic crisis
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Agreement
World Bank signs $100 million CHIRAAG Project with Chhattisgarh
• Govt of India, Govt of Chhattisgarh has signed an agreement worth $100 million with World Bank for project CHIRAAG (Chhattisgarh Inclusive Rural and Accelerated Agriculture Growth) • CHIRAG Project will develop sustainable production systems in Chhattisgarh, that will allow tribal households in remote areas to produce diversified and nutritious food, round-the-year • It will be implemented in the southern tribal-majority region where a large population is undernourished.
ISRO tests satellites developed by the private sector for the first time
• For the first time in history, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has opened its UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru for testing satellites developed by the private sector. • Two satellites, developed by Indian startups SpaceKidz India and Pixxel (incorporated as Sygyzy) were tested at UR Rao Satellite Centre • ISRO also helped these two companies in fixing problems with solar panels on satellites • They will also test their engines at Sriharikota and Thiruvananthapuram
PM Modi addresses ‘Samarpan Diwas’
• PM Narendra Modi addressed Samarpan Diwas to commemorate the death anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (February 11, 2021) • His death anniversary is observed as Samarpan Diwas across India. • Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya: Indian politician and was the co-founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of BJP, and was the President of BJS from 1967 to 1968. • He was behind the ‘vision of building a self-reliant India’.
Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India Convention Begin in Gujarat
• Union Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the 10th Annual Convention-cum-Exhibition of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) at Statue of Unity (SOU) in Gujarat • It is a 3-day event that has been organized from Feb 12 to 14, 2021. • Theme: ‘Domestic Tourism – Hope for the revival- Dekho Apna Desh’ • It has been jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and ADTOI with support from Gujarat Tourism. • Aim: building public confidence to travel
Defence Minister inaugurates ‘Jalabhishekam’ campaign in Madhya Pradesh
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has virtually inaugurated a water conservation campaign called ‘Jalabhishekam’ • Jalabhishekam has been organized by the Madhya Pradesh govt, under which more than 57,000 water structures have been constructed
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• Water conservation work is being undertaken with public participation and will also fulfill the intention of ‘water for every farm and work for every hand’. • These water structures cost over Rs. 2,000 crore
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