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Current Affairs of the Week 11-17 April 2021

Ghaziabad issues ’s first municipal green bonds

• Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) has announced successfully raising and listing India’s first Green Municipal bond issue. • GNN raised ₹150 crore at a cost of 8.1%. • This fund will be used to clean dirty water by setting up a tertiary water treatment plant and supply piped water through water-meters to places like Sahibabad • Ghaziabad is debt-free and has maintained a revenue surplus position in the last few years, according to India Ratings, which rated the paper.

Government launches Mass Vaccination Programme ‘Teeka Utsav’

• Govt has launched mass vaccination programme titled as Teeka Utsav (Vaccine Festival) in fight against COVID-19 • It will be held from April 11 (birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule) to 14 (birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule), 2021 • It is a nation-wide vaccination drive and will be observed as vaccination festival to inoculate maximum number of eligible people against the coronavirus • All eligible persons can book an appointment with CoWIN portal and Aarogya Setu App Telegram Groups

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India-Netherlands Virtual Summit held

• PM Modi and Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte, held virtual summit • During this, two leaders reviewed the existing bilateral engagements and also exchanged views on further expanding and diversifying the relationship in trade and economy, water management, agriculture sector, smart cities, science & technology, healthcare and space. • ‘Strategic Partnership on Water’ to further deepen the Indo-Dutch cooperation in the water related sector was also signed

Singapore becomes first country to ratify mega free trade agreement ‘RCEP’

• has ratified world’s largest free trade agreement, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, led by China • Singapore became 1st among 15 participating countries to ratify RCEP • RCEP: Multi-nation trade pact, comprising 10 ASEAN economies as well as , China, , New Zealand and • RCEP was signed by 15 participating countries in Nov 2020 • India had opted out of it in 2019 • RCEP will be world’s largest free trade agreement 1

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Punjab appoints Sonu Sood as state’s covid vaccination ambassador

• Renowned actor, Sonu Sood has been appointed as the Covid-19 vaccine campaign ambassador by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh • Sonu Sood has been on a mission to help the needy ever since the lockdown was announced to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic last year • Sonu Sood launched Sanjeevani A Shot of Life vaccination drive to spread awareness about the Covid-19 vaccine and get our people vaccinated

Khelo India State Centre of Excellence for Rowing discipline launched

• Union Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) for Rowing discipline at & Kashmir Sports Council Water Sports Academy at the Nehru Park in the world famous Dal Lake in • This is one of the two KISCEs from J&K • Other being Maulana Azad Stadium for Fencing discipline in Jammu. • There are currently 24 KISCEs across 23 States and Union Territories. • Each of them focuses on Olympics sports discipline.

UAE names country's first female astronaut for space program

• Noura al-Matroushi has been named as the UAE’s first woman astronaut selected for space programme. • United Arab Emirates (UAE) named two astronauts for its space programme, including country’s first woman astronaut. • Apart for her, Mohammed al-Mulla has been selected for this programme • They will undergo training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. • UAE hopes to put an unmanned spacecraft on the moon in 2024 • Earlier, UAE sends Hope mission to Mars.

Tropical cyclone Seroja rips across 1000 km stretch of Western Australia

• Tropical cyclone ‘Seroja’ has ripped across 1000 km stretch of Western Australia, leaving a trail of damage • It is 3-storm category that made landfall near the town of Kalbarri with gusts of up to 170 kilometers per hour • The storm was later downgraded to a tropical low, though strong winds continue to move south-east. • Cyclone Seroja had sustained uncommon pace and strength overnight, as it moved from Kalbarri and Geraldton on the coast, and inland across Wheat Belt

Civil Aviation Ministry finalises air-bubble agreement with

• Ministry of Civil Aviation has finalized an air bubble agreement with Sri Lanka. • Under this, all eligible passengers will be able to travel between the two countries in the near future. • Sri Lanka has become 6th country in SAARC region to enter such agreement with India. • With this, India now has such pacts with 28 countries, including , Bahrain, , , , Iraq, Japan, the Maldives, Nigeria, , UAE, UK and US.

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Education Minister presented AICTE Lilavati Awards on women empowerment

• Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has presented AICTE Lilavati Awards 2020 on women empowerment to the winners. • Aim: To create awareness about issues like sanitation, hygiene, health, nutrition, literacy, employment, technology, credit, marketing, innovation, skill development, natural resources and rights among women • Award covers multidisciplinary areas such as women's health, self-defence, sanitation, literacy, entrepreneurship and legal awareness.

Army Officer breaks 2 Guinness World Records for fastest solo cycling

• Indian Army's Lieutenant Colonel Army man Bharat Pannu has made two Guinness World Records for fastest solo cycling • He made the 1st record by cycling from Leh to Manali (472) km on Oct 10, 2020, in 35 hours, 32 min, 22 seconds • His second record saw him begin cycling 5,942-km-long ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ route, which connects Delhi, , and • He started from India Gate, , and, complete the route in 14 days, 23 hours and 52 minutes

Sushil Chandra appointed as Chief Election Commissioner

• Sushil Chandra has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) by the President Ram Nath Kovind under clause (2) of article 324 of the Constitution. • He will succeed Sunil Arora, who demitted office on 12 April 2021 • He is the senior-most election commissioner, ahead of Rajiv Kumar, in the three-member poll panel. • He will be the 24th CEC, having been appointed as an election commissioner on February 14, 2019.

Union Health Minister to launch a new mission called `Aahaar Kranti’

• Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan will launch a new mission titled as `Aahaar Kranti’ with the motto of ‘Good Diet-Good Cognition’ • Aim: To spread the message of the need for a nutritionally balanced diet and to understand the importance of accessible to all local fruits and vegetables. • Organized by: Vijnana Bharati (Vibha) and Global Indian Scientists’ and Technocrats’ Forum (GIST) • It is designed to address the problem of `hunger and diseases in abundance’.

NITI Aayog launches India Energy Dashboards Version 2.0

• NITI Aayog has launched India Energy Dashboards (IED) Version 2.0 to provide single- window access to the energy data enabling easy downloading of data in a cleaner, more intuitive way • Energy data published by Central Electricity Authority, Coal Controller’s Organisation, and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is compiled in the Dashboards • NITI Aayog launched Version 1.0 in May 2017. 3

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• Saubhagya, UJALA, PRAAPTI, and Vidyut PRAVAH has been incorporated in the portal

Airtel Payments Bank unveils ‘Rewards123’ savings account

• Airtel Payments Bank has rolled out new digital savings account called ‘Rewards123’ to offer consistent value, with assured rewards on different types of digital transactions throughout the year. • Key features: o Customers can easily open or upgrade to Rewards123 through Airtel Thanks app using Video KYC o Zero minimum balance and free Platinum Online Mastercard Debit Card o Offers regular benefits throughout the year up to Rs 960. o Annual fee: Rs 299 o Cashback per month

British Academy Film Awards 2021 announced

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced 74th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) 2021 to honour the best national and foreign films. • List of Winners: o Best Film: Nomadland o Best Director: Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) o Best Actor-Leading Role: Anthony Hopkins (The Father as Anthony) o Best Actress-Leading Role: Frances McDormand (Nomadland as Fern) o Best Original Screenplay: Promising Young Woman (Emerald Fennell) o Best Short Film: The Present

Yusuffali MA honoured with Top Civilian Award in UAE

• Indian-origin businessman Yusuffali MA (65 years) has been honoured with Abu Dhabi’s top civilian award, by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his outstanding contribution to Abu Dhabi’s business, industry and support to various philanthropic initiatives • He is Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Group which operates hypermarkets and retail companies • Apart from him, 11 other individuals received the honour

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates IAF Commanders' Conference 2021

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated 1st bi-annual Indian Air Force, IAF Commanders' Conference 2021 • Conference is aimed at addressing the issues of IAF's operational capabilities in the times to come. • It will be conducted over a period of 3 days to address strategies and policies related to capabilities that would give IAF a significant edge over its adversaries. • It is a bi-annual conference held at Subroto Hall, Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan.

DRDO to set up Covid-19 hospital with 500 beds, ICU facilities

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• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will set up a Covid-19 hospital with 500 beds equipped with ICU facilities in Delhi Cantonment. • Doctors will be provided by both military and paramilitary forces for treating patients. • Facility will help treat the serious patients in view of rising covid-19 cases in the National Capital • This will increase the bed capacity in the city. • DRDO Chairman: G Satheesh Reddy

Piyush Goyal launches “DGFT Trade Facilitation App”

• Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has launched DGFT ‘Trade Facilitation’ mobile app for promoting ease of doing business and providing quick access to information to importers/exporters • About the app: o Developed by: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) under Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) o Real-time trade policy updates, notifications, application status alert, tracking help request o AI-based 24*7 assistance for trade queries.

D. Y. Chandrachud inaugurates Judgments & Orders portal

• Supreme Court of India and Chairperson of e-Committee of the Supreme Court, Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud has inaugurated Judgments and Orders Portal and an e-Filing 3.0 module • Judgments and Orders search portal: Repository of judgments pronounced by various High Courts. It provides facility to search judgements and final orders based on multiple search • e-filing 3.0 module: It is introduced by e-Committee of the Supreme Court, allows electronic filing of court documents.

Guillermo Lasso elected as President of Ecuador

• Ecuadorian businessman and politician Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza (65 years) has been elected as the President of Ecuador. • He defeated Andrés Arauz in the 2021 general election • He previously ran for presidential election in 2013 and 2017 but was defeated • Apart from his political career, he was also a banker and previously served as CEO of Banco Guayaquil • Ecuador is situated in northwestern South America • Capital of Ecuador: Quito.

NITI Aayog launches digital repository on health, nutrition ‘Poshan Gyan’

• NITI Aayog, along with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Centre for Social and Behaviour Change, Ashoka University has launched ‘Poshan Gyan’ • It is a national digital repository on health and nutrition. • It was conceptualized as a resource on 14 thematic areas of health and nutrition across diverse languages, media types, target audiences and sources • Its content will be sourced from Ministries of Health and Women • The website provides an intuitive interface.

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PM Modi inaugurates 6th Raisina Dialogue through video-conferencing

• PM has virtually inaugurated 2021 Raisina Dialogue (6th edition). • It will be held from April 13 to 16, 2021, in fully digital form for the 1st time due to COVID-19 • Theme for 2021 conference: “#ViralWorld: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of Control" • Organised by: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Observer Research Foundation. • Raisina Dialogue: India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, organised annually since 2016.

Eminent Historian Yogesh Praveen passes away in

• Eminent Historian and an expert on Awadh Yogesh Praveen (82 years) passed away in Lucknow • He was known as living legend of Lucknow as well as Avadh, and its Culture, Literature & History. • Books: Dastan-e Avadh, Tajdar-e Avadh, Bahar-e Avadh, Gulistan-e Avadh, Doobta Avadh, Dastan-e Lucknow, Aapka Lucknow, Lucknow Monuments (English), Sahib-e Alam, etc. • Poems: Shabnam (Urdu), Peele Gulab (Urdu), Anjuman (Ghazals) and Sumanhar • Awards: Padma Shri in 2019

Udhampur bags top position for implementing PMGSY during 2020-21

• district of Jammu and Kashmir has bagged top position at National level for successfully implementing Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during 2020-21. • Udhampur has received top position for constructing roads of 560.49 km in 2020-21. • Four more districts including , Doda, and from the have also figured in the list of PMGSY top performing 30 districts in the country.

Govt launches community mental-health digital platform ‘MANAS’

• Principal Scientific Adviser to Govt of India, K Vijay Raghavan has launched a mobile app titled as ‘MANAS’ to cater mental well-being of citizens on scalable, secure and digital platforms • MANAS: Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System. • It is an initiative of Principal Scientific Adviser to Govt of India. • Executed by: NIMHANS Bengaluru, AFMC and C-DAC Bengaluru. • Developed under: Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).

Seville to be host city for Laureus World Sports Awards 2021

• Seville () will virtually host 22nd Laureus World Sports Awards on May 6 due to COVID- 19 • Among the many big names like Rafael Nadal, Lewis Hamilton, LeBron James, Naomi Osaka, Federica Brignone (Sportswoman) will be part of this • Awards show featuring presentations and related news stories will be available to world's media on Laureus social media platforms • Winners are selected by jury comprising 69 members of Laureus World Sports Academy

Agriculture Ministry signs MoU with Microsoft India for Farmers income 6

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• Union Ministry of Agriculture has inked MoU with Microsoft India for a pilot project to improve farmers income in selected 100 villages of 6 states, by creating a vibrant digital agro-ecosystem • Microsoft along with its local partner, CropData will implement the project • 6 states comprises of UP, MP, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh • The project has been approved for 1 year • It will develop farmer interface for smart and well-organized agriculture.

Law Minister launches NCSC Online Grievance Management Portal

• Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has launched Online Grievance Management Portal of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSCs) • Currently, complaints of victims, who are members of Scheduled Caste are processed manually in the commission. • This new mechanism has been introduced to handle the complaints in online mode from the victim. • NCSC: Indian constitutional body to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes.

Babar Azam replaces as World No-1 batsman in ICC Men's ODI Rank

• Captain Babar Azam has been placed at No.1 spot in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) rankings for ODI batsmen • He replaced Indian batsman Virat Kohli, who was occupying the top position for nearly three and a half years. • He is the 4th player from Pakistan to top the ODI batting rankings after Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, and Mohammad Yousuf. • He made his ODI debut in May 2015 and has scored 3808 runs at an average of 56.83 in 80 matches thus far.

Health Minister chairs ICMR’s One Health Symposium

• Union Minister for Health, Harsh Vardhan has chaired ICMR’s International Symposium titled ‘One Health in India: Research informing biosafety, preparedness and response’ • He launched a special issue of ICMR’s Indian Journal of Medical Research that discusses One Health approach, corroborating multisectoral research informing regarding biosafety, preparedness and response and has original articles, viewpoints, perspectives and reviews from the eminent experts in the field.

Infant, Toddler and Caregiver Training Programme Launched

• National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in partnership with Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF) has virtually launched ‘Infant Toddler and Caregiver-friendly Neighbourhoods (ITCN) Training and Capacity Building Programme’ • It is designed to help build capacities of city officials and young professionals for developing young children and family-friendly neighbourhoods within cities • Officials and young professionals will be skilled through certified training modules

Indian hockey player Balbir Singh Junior passes away 7

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• India's hockey legend Balbir Singh Junior (88 years) passed away in • He was the part of Indian hockey team that won silver at the • He played alongside players like Balbir Singh Donsanjh (Balbir Singh Senior), , , Balkishan and , among others. • He was also part of the Punjab state hockey team, captained Punjab University aquad and represented Indian Railways hockey team that toured European countries

UNFPA released State of World Population, 2021 report

• Population Fund (UNFPA) has released its flagship ‘State of World Population Report 2021’ titled as ‘My Body is My Own’ • This is the first time a UN report has focused on bodily autonomy, defined as the power and agency to make choices about your body • Nearly half the women from 57 developing countries do not have the right to make decisions regarding their bodies, including using contraception, seeking healthcare or even on their sexuality.

India ranks 49 in Inclusive Internet Index 2021

• Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), in partnership with Facebook has released Inclusive Internet Index 2021, that measure the extent to which internet is available and affordable by region • India has been ranked at 49th globally, among 120 nations and shares its rank with Thailand. • Index score was based on 4 parameters: Availability, Affordability, Relevance and Readiness categories. • Top 5 Countries: o o o Spain o Australia o

Puglya bags Best Foreign Language Film at Moscow Film Festival

• Marathi film ‘Puglya’ has bagged Best Foreign Language Feature award at Moscow International Film Festival, 2021. • Puglya movie has been directed and produced by Vinod Sam Peter under the banner Abraham Films. • This film has already won over 45 awards and recognitions at various international film festivals. • The film is yet to be released in India. • Puglya revolves around a Pug and two boys who are around 10-12 years; Rushab & Datta.

World Voice Day: 16 April

• World Voice Day (WVD) is observed every year on April 16 globally to demonstrate the enormous importance of the voice in the daily lives of all people. • Theme of World Voice Day 2021: One World Many Voices. 8

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• World Voice Day was first observed as the Brazilian Voice Day in 1999. Later, in 2002, American Academy of Otolaryngology acknowledged this day as World Voice Day. • It aims to bring to the notice of the world the need of preventing voice problems.

RBI to set up Regulations Review Authority from May 1

• RBI will set up a new Regulations Review Authority (RRA 2.0) from May 1, 2021, to review the regulations, circulars, reporting systems and compliance procedures of the central bank • RRA will make regulatory and supervisory instructions more effective by removing redundancies and duplications • Tenure of RRA: 1 year, unless the timeline is extended by RBI. • Head of RRA: M Rajeshwar Rao, Deputy Governor • Similar RRA was set up by RBI on April 1, 1999, for 1 year.

Amazon launches $250-million Venture Fund for Digitizing SMEs in India

• Amazon has launched $250 million (Rs 1,873 crore) venture fund titled as ‘Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund’ to invest in Indian startups and entrepreneurs, with focus on digitizing SMEs. • It will focus on three key priorities: o Digitisation of small and medium businesses (SME) in India o Drive innovation in Agri-tech innovations to empower farmer productivity and reach o Drive innovation in Health-tech to provide universal and quality health care • CEO of Amazon: Jeff Bezos

India inks MoU with France for cooperation on Gaganyaan Mission

• ISRO has signed an agreement with space agency of France CNES for cooperation in its first human space mission, Gaganyaan. • Under this, CNES will provide equipment developed by it, tested and still operating aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to Indian crews. • It will also supply fireproof carry bags made in France to shield equipment from shocks and radiation. • CNES will train Indian flight physicians and CAPCOM mission control teams at French facilities.

Secretary MeitY inaugurates new initiatives of NIXI

• Secretary of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Ajay Prakash Sawhney has inaugurated three initiatives for National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) • Three NIXI’s initiative: o IP Guru: It will support all Indian entities to migrate and adopt Internet Protocol version (IPv6) o NIXI Academy: It will educate technical and non-technical people in India about technologies o NIXI-IP-INDEX portal: It will showcase IPv6 adoption rate in India and world

Smart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All Challenge

• Housing and Urban Affairs Minister has virtually launched EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All Challenge 9

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• EatSmart Cities Challenge: It is a competition among cities to recognize their efforts in adopting and scaling up various initiatives under Eat Right India • Transport 4 All Challenge: It aims to bring together cities, citizen groups, and start-ups to develop solutions that improve public transport to better serve the needs of all citizens

AIM, NITI Aayog signs MoU with Dassault Systemes Foundation

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and NITI Aayog has signed MoU with Dassault Systemes Foundation for Innovation and digitally rich ecosystem among aspiring young minds • Dassault Systemes is dedicated to transform the future of education and research in India with 3D technologies. • Foundation will contribute to Atal Tinkering Labs program in 3 broad areas: project based, self-paced learning content, hackathons & challenges and inter-country academia collaborations

India wins a Gold and 2 Bronze medals in Asian Wrestling Championship

• Sarita Mor (25 years) bagged gold in Asian Wrestling Championships by defending the women's 59 kg title in Almaty, Kazakhstan by defeating Mongolia's Shoovdor Baatarjav by 10-7. • Asian Wrestling Championships is being held from 13 to 18 April • Besides this, two Indian women named Seema (50 kg) after defending Yung Hsun Lin of Taipei and Pooja (76 kg category) after defeating Seoyeon Jeong of Korea after also won two bronze medals.

Govt clears Rs 110 cr ROPAX jetty project on Dhamra river in Odisha

• The Center has approved the sanction of Rs 50.30 crore for developing all-weather roll- on/roll-off passenger (ROPAX) jetty and allied infrastructure connecting Kaninali (Bhadrak district) and Talachua Kendrapara district), Odisha, under the Sagarmala. • The total capital cost of the project is Rs 110.60 crore. • The government of Odisha will fund another 50 per cent cost of the project. • This project will reduce the road distance of around 200 km from Talachua to Dhamra.

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