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Top Current Affairs of the Week (18 April – 24 April 2021)

World Heritage Day: 18th April

• World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites is observed every year on April 18 to recognizing sites of historical importance, raising awareness regarding them, and stressing the need to restore and preserve them. • Theme 2021: Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures. • UNESCO’s General Conference established 18 April as World Heritage Day in 1982. • The day is promoted by International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) globally.

NASA awards contract to SpaceX to build commercial moon lander

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded Elon Musk’s SpaceX a contract to develop the first commercial moon, under its Artemis programme. • Total value of contract: $2.89 billion. • Under this, SpaceX will develop a spacecraft ‘ SpaceX Starship’ to land next two US astronauts, including a women astronaut at the lunar south pole region, by 2024. • NASA also aims to bring the first person of colour to the moon’s surface as part of the Artemis programme.

Additional Office of Labour Bureau opened at Salt Lake City, Kolkata

• Chairman of Expert Group on five All-India Surveys, S.P. Mukherjee has inaugurated an additional office of Labour Bureau in the Salt Lake City, Kolkata. • This new office will become a hub of important survey related activities for the entire Eastern Region. • It will serve the purpose of coordinating/ monitoring the progress of the field work through a dedicated team of Young Professionals/ Subject Matter Experts and officers of the Labour Bureau.

Renowned Radiologist Kakarla Subba Rao passes away in Secundarabad

• Renowned radiologist, Dr. Kakarla Subba Rao (96 years) passed away while undergoing treatment at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad • He was a well-known radiologist both in India and overseas as well and served as the first director of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad • Award: Padma Shri in 2000 • He was the founder president of Telugu Association of North America (TANA), an umbrella organisation for Telugu speaking people in US

Suresh Raina’s Autobiography to release in May 2021

• Suresh Raina’s much-awaited autobiography titled as ‘Believe – What Life and Cricket Taught Me’, is set to hit the bookstands in May 2021 • It has been co-authored by Suresh Raina and sports author Bharat Sundaresan • It will be published by Penguin India publishing house. • The book talks about the story of Raina’s early days as a budding cricketer in UP, and the challenges he faced as a young cricketer and on the way to becoming a record-breaking batsman

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Rare lunar occultation of Mars visible

• Skygazers watched a rare celestial event, known as occultation, when the moon came between Earth and Mars • Occultation (term used in astronomy): An event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer • If the closer body does not entirely conceal the farther one, it is called a transit • Both transit and occultation may be referred to generally as occlusion; and if a shadow is cast onto the observer, it is called an eclipse

Max Verstappen wins Emilia Romagna F1 Grand Prix 2021

• Red Bull’s racer Max Verstappen (Netherlands) has won Emilia Romagna F1 Grand Prix 2021, in Imola, Italy. • This is Max Verstappen first victory of the F1 season. • The race was the second round of 2021 Formula One World Championship. • The seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) finished second, following a crash and sustaining damage involving Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas • Lando Norris (McLaren – Great Britain) took third place.

NASA set to launch SpaceX Crew-2 Mission with 4 astronauts onboard

• NASA has planned to launch ‘SpaceX Crew-2 mission’ to International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida on April 22. • It will have 4 astronauts on board SpaceX Crew Dragon: o Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur of NASA (who will serve as mission’s spacecraft commander and pilot) o JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshidea and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomasa Pesquet will serve as mission specialists

Tourism Minister inaugurates first-ever online exhibition on Ramayana

• Tourism and Culture Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel has inaugurated first-ever online exhibition on Ramayana. • Weblink for this online exhibition is www.nmvirtual.in/Virtual_Tour/Ramayan. • The online exhibition showcases 49 miniature paintings collections of National Museum, New Delhi from different art schools of India. • Prior to this, Culture Minister also addressed webinar ‘India’s Heritage: Powering Tourism’ on World Heritage Day 2021

Gallantry Awards portal organises Innovative Tributes to Bravehearts

• Gallantry Awards portal has organised an Innovative Tributes to Bravehearts competition for inviting participants from all over India to recommend unique and innovative tributes to salute the Bravehearts of the nation. • Aim: To find a series of befitting tribute messages for the Gallantry Awardees. • Competition is being held from 15th April to 15th May 2021.

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• These winners will also be given an opportunity to witness the Republic Day Parade 2022 in New Delhi.

TEF and FIPI to organise Hydrogen Roundtable

• The Energy Forum (TEF) and Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have virtually organized Hydrogen Roundtable • Aim: To discuss emerging hydrogen ecosystems and exploring opportunities for collaboration, cooperation and coalition. • It will comprise a High-level Ministerial Session, followed by five Panel Discussions by eminent policymakers, experts and industry leaders • It will be having 25 panelists from 15 countries

Piyush Goyal launches Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

• Union Minister Piyush Goyal has launched Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) • Aim: To provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization • Govt has approved Rs. 945 Crore for SISFS, that will be divided over next 4 years for providing seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators across India • It is expected to support an estimated 3,600 startups through 300 incubators

Italy launches first-ever mega food park & food processing unit in India

• Italy has virtually launched first ever mega food park project named as ‘The Mega Food Park’ in India, comprising of food processing facilities. • The Food Park was launched at Fanidhar Mega Food Park, in Gujarat. • The project will develop a synergy between agriculture and industry of both countries, besides focusing on the research and development of newer, efficient technologies in the sector • It will further strengthen ties between the two nations

RBI constitutes 6-member panel headed by Sudarshan Sen to review ARCs

• RBI has constituted 6-member panel for comprehensive review of the working of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) in the financial sector ecosystem • Panel will be headed by former Executive Director of RBI, Sudarshan Sen. • Other members: o Vishakha Mulye o P N Prasad o Rohit Prasad o Abizer Diwanji o R Anand • The panel will review existing legal and regulatory framework applicable to ARCs and recommend measures to improve efficacy of ARCs, among others.

DRDO develops SpO2 supplemental Oxygen Delivery System

• DRDO has developed SpO2 (Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen) supplemental Oxygen Delivery System for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas.

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• SpO2: Measure of the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen and can be measured by oximetry or through blood tests. • With SpO2 availability and simple to use facility by a common person, it shall greatly reduce the workload and exposure time of doctors and paramedics to monitor the SpO2 levels of the patient.

Marathi filmmaker Sumitra Bhave passes away

• Famous Marathi filmmaker Sumitra Bhave (78 years) passed away due to lung infection at Pune’s Sahyadri Hospital • She was popular as duo with filmmaker Sunil Sukthankar in Marathi cinema and Marathi theatre like , Dahavi Fa, Vastupurush, , Badha, Ek Cup Chya, Samhita, , , among others. • They have won National Film Awards in Best Non-Feature Film on Family Welfare, Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film, Best Feature Film, etc

India Clinches 14 medal at 2021 Senior Asian Wrestling Championship

• India stood at 3rd place at 2021 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships, that was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan • India bagged 14 medals including 5 Gold, 3 Silver & 6 Bronze Medals at the championship • The event was 34th edition of Asian Wrestling Championships. • Iran and Kazakhstan topped the medal tally with 17 medals each • Gold Winners from India: o Ravi Kumar Dahiya o Vinesh Phogat o Anshu Malik o Sarita Mor • Silver Medal o Bajrang Punia o Deepak Punia o Sakshi Malik

India, Germany signed agreement for combating plastic waste

• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), India and German Federal Ministry of Environment signed an agreement on Technical Cooperation titled as ‘Cities Combating Plastic Entering the Marine Environment’ • It is in line with Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban focusing on sustainable solid waste management by 2022 • It will be undertaken at national level (at MoHUA), states (UP, Kerala and A&N Islands) and cities of Kanpur, Kochi and Port Blair for 3.5 years

National Civil Services Day: 21 April

• National Civil Services Day is observed every year on April 21 in India as a thanks giving day to all the Civil Servants for their service • It is also an occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizen, public service • The day has been chosen to commemorate the day when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1st Home Minister of Independent India) addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi

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India ranks 142 in World Press Freedom Index 2021

• India has been ranked 142nd among 180 countries in World Press Freedom Index 2021. • India was at 142nd rank in 2020 as well. • It is published every year by international journalism not-for profit body, ‘Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’ to evaluate the press freedom situation in 180 countries and territories. • Norway has retained its top spot for 5th year followed by Finland and Denmark. • Eritrea is at the bottom of the index at 180th place and China is placed at 177th

Stefanos Tsitsipas wins 2021 Monte Carlo Masters

• Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) has won 2021 Rolex Monte Carlo Masters after beating Andrey Rublev (Russia) in a straight-sets 6-3 6-3. • With this win, he has claimed the first ATP Masters 1000 trophy of his career. • Monte Carlo Masters: Tennis tournament for male professional players and part of Masters 1000 event on the ATP Tour • Winner of Men’s Double Event: Nikola Mektić /Mate Pavic (Croatia) beat Dan Evans / Neal Skupski, (United Kingdom).

Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval for Govt amendments to Finance Bill

• Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval for Govt amendments to Finance Bill, 2021 enacted on 28th March 2021 as the Finance Act, 2021 • Amendments were essential to clarify and rationalize the proposals further and address stakeholders’ concerns arising out of amendments proposed in Finance Bill • It will provide equity and inclusiveness to all the taxpayers by addressing stakeholders concerns arising out of amendments proposed in the Bill.

J.K. Rowling book titled ‘The Christmas Pig’ to be released by October 2021

• Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling (55 years) is all set to release a new children’s book titled as ‘The Christmas Pig' on 12th October, 2021. • It will be released simultaneously in 20 countries and multiple languages. • The book will tell the story of a young boy named Jack, and his love for his beloved stuffed toy (Dur Pig) which goes missing and how Jack goes to extreme lengths to find his stuffed toy pig. • The book is aimed at children of eight years and above

Railway Minister announces award for Mayur Shelke for bravery

• Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has announced Rs 50,000 award for Mayur Shelke for exemplary act of bravery • Mayur showed exceptional courage in saving a precious life by rescuing a child who had slipped and fallen on the tracks • He is in absolute disregard of his own life rescued the child by running in front of the oncoming train and lifted the child to safety by placing him • Mayur Shelke works as Pointsman at Vangni Railway station in Mumbai Division of Central Railway

Priyanka Mohite becomes 1st Indian Woman to scale Mt Annapurna 5

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• Priyanka Mohite (26 years) became 1st Indian woman to scale Mt Annapurna, which is the 10th highest mountain in the world. • She hails from Satara district in Maharashtra. • She also holds the record for being 1st woman in India to scale Mt Makalu in 2019 (5th highest mountain in the world) • She has previously climbed Mt Everest in 2013 and Mt Lhotse in 2018 • Mt Annapurna: Massif in the Himalayas in north-central Nepal situated 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) above sea level.

Russia to launch its own space station in 2025

• Russia’s space agency Roscosmos will be launching its own orbital station in 2025 as Moscow considers withdrawing from International Space Station (ISS) programme amid tensions soaring with the West • Russia lost its monopoly for manned flights to ISS last year after the first successful mission of U.S. company Space X • ISS: o Modular space station in low Earth orbit o It is a multinational collaborative project involving NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA o Launched: 1998

ISRO to support eight joint research projects of IIT-Delhi

• ISRO will support eight joint research projects mooted by Space Technology Cell (STC), IIT- Delhi under its RESPOND programme • STC was set up at IIT, Delhi under an MoU signed between ISRO and IIT-D in November 2019 to strengthen the research collaboration between the two organizations and for research projects in the space technology domain with specific deliverables • RESPOND Programme: It is launched to establish strong links with premiere academic institutions

India elected by acclamation to 3 bodies of UN Economic and Social Council

• India has been elected to three bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) by acclamation, for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022. • The 3 UN Bodies are: o Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice o Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) o Executive Board of the World Food Programme • ECOSOC coordinates economic, social, and related work of UN specialized agencies and 5 regional commissions.

NASA’s Ingenuity successfully makes historic first flight on Mars

• NASA has successfully flew its tiny robotic helicopter ‘Ingenuity’ on Mars becoming the first human- made powered controlled flight machine to take flight on another planet • It rose 3 m (9.8 ft), hovered there for about 30 seconds, before returning to the surface of Mars with a total flight time of 39.1 seconds. • After this, engineers have named the take-off and landing area in Jezero Crater of Mars as ‘Wright Brothers Field’.

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Chad President Idriss Deby passes away after clashes with rebels

• President of the Republic of Chad, Idriss Deby Into (68 years) passed away, following a confrontation with rebels after which he suffered wounds on battlefield. • He had ruled central African nation for more than three decades, and was even declared winner of 2021 presidential election of Chad • He first won elections in 1996 and 2001. • After this he continued to win in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021. • Chad Capital: N’Djamena • Currency of Chad: Central African CFA franc.

India ranks 87th in Global Energy Transition Index

• India has been placed at 87th position among 115 countries in the 10th edition of Global Energy Transition Index (ETI) • ETI tracks nations on the current performance of their energy systems across various aspects. • Published by: World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with Accenture • India was ranked 74th previous year. • Sweden has topped the index, followed by Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria. • Zimbabwe is the last ranked country in the index.

PM Modi addresses Leaders’ Summit on Climate virtually

• PM Narendra Modi addressed ‘Leaders’ Summit on Climate’ virtually, unveiling a new partnership with the US for investments and collaborations to tackle climate change • The two day summit was hosted by President of U.S.A. Joe Biden • Theme: Our Collective Sprint to 2030. • 40 national leaders have been invited by Biden to attend this summit. • It is being held in the run up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) that will take place in November 2021 in Glasglow.

J&K constitutes STF for identifying and scrutinizing govt employees

• J&K govt has constituted Special Task Force (STF) for identifying and scrutinizing govt employees who are involved in cases related to posing threat to the security or anti-national activities. • STF will have ADGP, (CID), J&K, as its chairman and the IGP, representatives of Home Department, Dept of Law, Justice Member and Parliamentary Affairs and the concerned dept as its members. • STF will scrutinise cases of employees under Article 311(2)(C) of Constitution

UN English Language Day: 23 April

• UN English Language Day is observed every year on 23 April to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity by exploring the language • 23 April has been chosen to mark the birth as well as death anniversary of William Shakespeare • English Language is the most popular spoken language in the world with more than 983 million speakers • English is one of the 6 official languages used by UN • Six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Important Dates

UP govt to invoke National Security Act against black marketing 7

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• Uttar Pradesh govt will invoke National Security Act and Gangster Act on those persons who are involved in black marketing and holding of necessary medicines, oxygen and injections required for covid treatment. • Apart from this, all hospitals whether private or government will have to provide real time data of the bed occupancy to the government daily in morning and evening and also put it on the notice board at their institution

National Panchayati Raj Day: 24th April

• National Panchayati Raj Day (National Local Self-Government day) is observed every year on April 24 In India. • April 24 is the historic day on which Panchayati Raj had come into force through 73rd Amendment Act 1992 marking a defining moment in the history of decentralization of power to the grassroots in the country. • National Panchayati Raj Day was declared on 24 April 2010 by the then PM Manmohan Singh • On this occasion, SVAMITVA scheme will be launched this year

PM Modi launches distribution of e-property cards under SVAMITVA scheme

• PM Modi has virtually launched distribution of e-property cards under SVAMITVA scheme • 4.09 lakh property owners were given their e-property cards, along with rolling out of SVAMITVA scheme for implementation across the country on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day • SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas Scheme): It was launched by in April 2020 on a pilot basis in 6 states for using technical tools of mapping and surveying.

Justice N V Ramana takes oath as 48th CJI

• Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana took oath as the 48th Chief Justice of India. • The oath has been administered by President Ram Nath Kovind at a brief ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. • He succeeded Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde. • He will have a tenure of nearly 16 months as the Chief Justice and is due to retire on 26th August 2021 • He served as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in 2013 and was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on February 2014.

India bags 11 medals at 2021 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships

• India bagged 11 medals comprising of 8 gold and 3 bronze to finish top in the medal table in 2021 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships that was held in Kielce, Poland • The championship was a 10-day biennial event that witnessed 414 boxers from 52 countries. • Gold Winners: Gitika, Naorem Babyrojisana Chanu, Poonam Pinia, Vinka, Arundhati Choudhary, Thokchom Sanamacha Chanu, Alfiya Pathan, Sachin • Bronze Winners: Bishwamitra Chongtham, Ankit Narwal, Vishal Gupta

Important Dates

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Aakash Ranison launches e-book Climate Change Explained-For One And All

• Climate activist-author Aakash Ranison has released e-book titled ‘Climate Change Explained – for one and all’, on the occasion of Earth Day (April 22) • The book explains the impact of climate change and aims to motivate readers to reduce its outcome with the help of simple sustainable solutions. • It is a mix of facts, data, and information about climate change, having topics like Greenhouse effect, global warming, Carbon footprint and their effects on earth

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