Daily CurrentTitle Affairs Capsule th Title 9 February 2021

Safer Internet Day: 09 February

Safer Internet Day is celebrated every year on February 9.

 The day aims to promote the safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones.  In this era of technology, the current generation relies on the internet for almost everything and thus, it has become a breeding ground for cybercriminals.  Last year, cyber-attacks had increased due to work from home and several other factors and it is expected to rise further at an unprecedented rate in 2021.  In a report published by OLX on the Internet usage habits of Indians, the internet usage of Indians spiked by 50% due to the pandemic and has also led to the increase in cyber frauds across 61% of Indian households.

Defence Ministry inks pact with BEL to procure ship-borne modern radio system

The defence ministry has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure a software-defined radio tactical (SDR-Tac) ship-borne system worth over Rs 1,000 crore.

 The procurement of SDR-Tac (software-defined radio tactical) “will bring strategic depth to the armed forces.  The SDR-Tac is a four-channel multi-mode, multi-band, 19-inch rack-mountable, ship-borne software- defined radio system to serve ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore and ship-to-air voice and data communication for network-centric operations.

Prime Minister to inaugurate World Sustainable Development Summit 2021

Prime Minister will inaugurate the World Sustainable Development Summit 2021 via video conferencing.

 The theme of the summit is ‘Redefining Our Common Future: Safe and Secure Environment for All’.  The 20th edition of The Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) flagship event- the World Sustainable Development Summit, will be held online from 10th to 12th February.

41.75 crore accounts opened so far under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

A total of 41.75 crore accounts have been opened so far under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) out of which 35.96 crore accounts are operative.

 This was stated by Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.  Under PMJDY, a bank account can be opened with any bank branch or Business Correspondent (BC) including those of Private Sector Banks.  PM Modi had announced this scheme on his first Independence Day speech on 15 August 2014.

FSSAI Caps Trans Fatty Acids In Food To 2 Per Cent By 2022

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of (FSSAI) has restricted the permissible amount of industrial Trans Fatty Acid (TFA) in food products to 2 per cent from 2022.

 The latest amendment of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011 will come into effect from January 1, 2022.  The permissible limit for trans fats in food products in 2021 is 3 percent, cut down from the previous limit of 5 per cent.  Trans fats are a form of unsaturated fat associated with a number of negative health effects.

President Kovind pays homage to former President Dr Zakir Hussain on his birth anniversary

President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to former President Dr Zakir Hussain on the occasion of his birth anniversary at .

 Zakir Husain Khan was an Indian economist and politician who served as the third , from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969.  He was also the co-founder of Jamia Milia Islamia, serving as its Vice-chancellor from 1928.  He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 1963.  He was the first Muslim president of India and the first Indian president to die in office.

3 Assam youth launch TikTok-like video app TipTeapi

Saswati Kotoky, Amarjyoti Gautam and Himanga Madhukalya, three computer engineers from Assam, launched a video playing and sharing app called TipTeapi in Jorhat.

 They hope would be India’s answer to the banned Chinese TikTok.  The app has 12 categories and people can upload their videos that others can view.  TipTeapi allows users to make friends, follow, like, comment and share videos through social media.  The free app could be downloaded from Google Playstore.

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival starts in Mumbai

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2021 is a 9-day event starting from February 6 and ending on February 14.

 Kala Ghoda Arts Festivals started in 1999, since then it has become the largest multicultural festival in Mumbai.  The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is one of the most awaited festivals each year for art form lovers.  Kala Ghoda is an annual exhibition that celebrates theatre, music, films, comedy, world and modern art.  This year, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival has gone digital keeping in mind the situation of the pandemic.

Rishabh Pant wins inaugural ICC Player of the Month January 2021

The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has won the inaugural ICC Player of the Month award 2021.

 Pant has been honoured for his superlative performances in the two Tests against in January 2021, wherein he scored a 97 at and an unbeaten 89 at Brisbane, leading India to an incredible series win.  Apart from this, Shabnim Ismail of South Africa has been named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month.

Former India Davis Cup tennis team coach Akhtar Ali dies at 81

Former India tennis coach Akhtar Ali died at the age of 81 in Kolkata.

 He represented India in Davis Cup between 1958 and 1964.  Akhtar also won the National squash championship in 1968.  He was National tennis team coach from 1966 to 1993. Under his guidance, the Indian team — comprising Krishnan, Mukerjea, Premjit Lall and S.P. Misra — reached the Davis Cup final in 1966.