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Top Current Affairs of the Week (31 Feb - 06 Jan 2021)

BCCI cancels for first time in 87 years

• Board of Control for in (BCCI) will not conduct Ranji Trophy in 2020-21. • This will happen for the first time in 87 years since its inception in 1934-35, that India’s premier first-class cricket national championship will not be held in domestic season. • Instead on Ranji Trophy, BCCI has decided to conduct Trophy 50-over tournament and Senior Women’s One Day tournament after the completion of the Trophy T20 tournament.

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5th Joint Meeting of the India-Japan Act East Forum

• Fifth joint meeting of India-Japan Act East Forum (AEF) was held in New . • It was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador of Japan to India. • AEF was established in 2017 to provide a platform for India-Japan collaboration in North Eastern Region under India’s Act East Policy and Japan’s vision for Free and Open Indo-Pacific trade • During 5th meeting, AEF reviewed progress of ongoing projects in North Eastern Region

President launches Pulse Polio Programme for 2021

• President Ram Nath Kovind has launched Pulse Polio Programme for 2021 by administering polio drops to children less than 5 years old at Rashtrapati Bhawan. • It was administered to children on the occasion of Polio National Immunization Day (31st January 2021), also popularly known as Polio Ravivar. • Around 17 crore children below 5 years age will be given polio drops as part of this programme • WHO has given Polio-free certification to entire South-East Asia in March 2014

DEA and World Bank signs agreement for STARS project

• Dept of Economic Affairs (DEA) along with Ministry of Education and World Bank has signed financial agreement for implementation of Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project • Program envisions improving overall monitoring and measurement activities in Indian school education system through interventions in 6 States (Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, MP, Kerala and Odisha) • It will be implemented as Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

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PM addresses 125th anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses 125th anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ on 31st Jan 2021. • It is being organized by Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati. • Prabuddha Bharata: It is a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order, started by Swami Vivekananda in 1896 from for spreading the message of India’s ancient spiritual wisdom. • In April 1899, its publication place was shifted to Advaita Ashrama and it has been continuously published from there since then.

Oscar and Emmy Award winning actress Cloris Leachman passes away

• Academy Award winning American actor Cloris Leachman (94 years) passed away in her sleep from natural causes, at her home in Encinitas, California. • She is one of the most decorated actors in American television history • She won eight Emmy Awards in her storied television career. • She has also won an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award for her film career.

World Economic Forum’s Common Trust Network

• Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has virtually addressed the event on Restoring Cross Border Mobility by World Economic Forum’s Common Trust Network • It was launched by Commons Project Foundation and World Economic Forum in collaboration with a broad voluntary network of public and private stakeholders. • Common Trust Network is designed to empower individuals with digital access to their health information • WEF Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland • Founder: Klaus Schwab

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah takes over as President of ACC

• Incumbent Secretary of Board of Control for (BCCI), Jay Shah has been appointed as President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) • He is the youngest person ever to be appointed to the office • He succeeded Nazmul Hassan Papon, who is Chief of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) • ACC: Asia's regional cricket administrative body and it currently consists of 24 member. It is responsible for organizing the Asia Cup tournaments • ACC HQs: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Prakash Javadekar launches 2021 as Indo-French Year of the Environment

• Union Environment Minister, Prakash Javadekar along with his French counterpart, Barbara Pompili has launched Indo-French Year of the Environment in New Delhi. • Indo-French Year of the Environment is the Indo-French partnership on Environment, Biodiversity, Climate Change and other allied areas to be undertaken throughout 2021

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• Aim: To strengthen Indo-French cooperation in sustainable development and global environment protection. • It will have 5 main themes.

Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen passes away at 87

• Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul J. Crutzen (87 years) passed away in Mainz, Germany • He was awarded with Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995, jointly with Mario J. Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone. • Apart from this, he was known for popularizing the term ‘Anthropocene’ to describe a proposed new era when human actions have a drastic effect on the Earth.

Smriti Irani inaugurates 8th India International Silk Fair

• Textiles Minister Smriti Irani has inaugurated 8th India International Silk Fair on Virtual Portal • It is India’s biggest silk fair, being held under one roof on Indian Silk Export Promotion Council • It is a 5 days event, where more than 200 overseas buyers have already registered and equal number of their representatives in India will be interacting with more than 100 renowned and big Indian companies. • India is the 2nd largest producer of Silk.

Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sports and Youth Festival 2021 concludes

• Khelo India Zanskar winter sports and youth festival has been concluded at Zanskar Valley of Ladakh. • It is a 13 day long and is a first of its kind was organized by Department of Sports & Youth Services under Khelo India banner in collaboration with Ladakh Tourism Department. • It showcased a host of outdoor activities and sporting events like ice hockey, snow skiing, yalk and horse riding, ice climbing and archery.

Cabinet approves Budget for fiscal year 2021-22

• Cabinet has chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved Budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS Finance Anurag Thakur and senior officials were present • Traditionally, copies of the Budget are brought to the Parliament complex before the Finance Minister arrives, this year no document has been printed following the COVID-19 • Budget copies will be disseminated electronically on govt website as well as being made available on special app

Govt proposes to increase FDI cap in insurance sector to 74%

• Govt has increased FDI limit from 49 to 74% in Insurance Companies and allowed foreign ownership and control with safeguards • Shares of six insurance companies added 3% to 5% after the central government proposed to amend Insurance Act to allow higher FDI in insurance companies • Under this, majority of Directors on Board and key management persons would be resident Indians, with at least 50% of Directors being Independent Directors, and specified percentage of profits

VP M Venkaiah Naidu to inaugurate National Tribal Festival ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ 3

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• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate Aadi Mahotsav, a National Tribal Festival today at Dilli Haat in INA in Delhi. • It will continue till 15th February. • Aadi Mahotsav - A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Crafts, Cuisine and Commerce is a successful annual initiative that was commenced in 2017. • It was an attempt to familiarize the people with the rich and diverse craft, culture of the tribal communities across the country, in one place.

World Wetlands Day: 02 February

• World Wetlands Day (WWD) is observed every year on February 2 across the globe. • This day is celebrated to mark the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands (February 2, 1971) in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. • World Wetlands Day was first commemorated in 1997. • WWD 2021 marks 50 years of adopting Convention on Wetlands. • Theme 2021: ‘Wetlands and Water’ • Wetlands: lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems.

Uttarakhand sets up Botanical Garden to conserve trees of Shivalik range

• sets up first of its kind botanical garden named as ‘Shivalik Arboretum’ in Nainital for conserving over 210 species of trees found in Shivalik range of Himalayas • It will showcase information like scientific information about particular species, cultural significance, medicinal use, country of origin, type of habitat in which it is found and all possible uses including as timber, dyes. • Preserved trees: Kafal, Buransh, Tejpat and Sanjeevani

Policy of Strategic Disinvestment announced

• Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting Union Budget FY 2021-22 has approved policy of strategic disinvestment of public sector enterprises • It consists of 2-fold sectors: o Strategic Sector: to be privatised or merged or subsidiarized with other CPSEs or closed. Ex: Atomic energy, Space and Defence, Transport, Banking, Insurance and financial services o Non- Strategic Sector: In this sector, CPSEs will be privatised, otherwise shall be closed

Tax holiday for start-ups extended for another year till March 2022

• Govt has extended eligibility for claiming tax holiday for start-ups by 1 more year till 31stof March 2022 to incentivise start-ups in the country • Govt has also extended capital gains exemption for investment in start-ups by one more year to incentivise funding of the start-ups. • Govt has increased FDI limit from 49 to 74% in Insurance Companies and allowed foreign ownership • Govt has proposed to infuse Rs 20,000 crore to re-capitalized Public Sector Banks

India top medals tally with 11 medals at first Asian Online Shooting

• 24-member Indian shooting contingent has topped medals tally in 1st-ever Asian Online Shooting Championship, organised by Kuwait Shooting Federation • India won total 11 medals, which included 4 gold medals, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals. 4

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• 274 shooters from 22 Asian countries took part in it • List of Winners from India: o Gold: Saurabh Chaudhary (men’s 10m air pistol), Divyansh Singh Panwar (men’s 10m air rifle), Kynan Chenai (men’s trap) and Rajeshwari Kumari (women’s trap).

Tamil Nadu beat Baroda to claim Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy

• led Tamil Nadu team beat Baroda to win Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2020-21 by 7 • It was the 12th edition of and was played at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad • This is the 2nd Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title for Tamil Nadu, and their 1st title in 13 years. • The team claimed their first SMAT title in 2006-07, that too under Karthik’s captaincy. • Player of the match: Manimaran Siddharth (Tamil Nadu) who picked 4 wickets.

Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint detained in Myanmar’s military coup

• State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi along with President Win Myint and other members of ruling party has been detained in Myanmar’s military coup • Coup (coup d’état): Removal of an existing government from power, usually through violent means • Myanmar military is also known as the Tatmadaw, took this step because they declared Myanmar general election results fraudulent, in which Aung San Suu Kyi won. • 2021 coup d’état is the third in Myanmar’s political history

India gets its first Wetland Conservation Centre in Chennai

• Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM) has been established at National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai • This was announced by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Babul Supriyo on World Wetlands Day (2nd Feb 2021) • It will address specific research needs and knowledge gaps, giving a fillip to capacity development and cutting-edge research on wetlands of India in integrated approaches.

Bengaluru hosts Asia’s biggest Aero Show 2021

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 13th edition of three-day mega Aero show event that is taking place for the first time in a hybrid mode (physical + virtual) due to Covid-19 Pandemic. • Aero show 2021 is Asia’s largest defence and aerospace air show. • It is being hosted by Bengaluru, . • It was introduced for the first time in 1996. • Over 200 MoUs will be signed between different procurement and manufacturing agencies.

Bhavya Lal appointed as Acting Chief of Staff of NASA

• Indian-American Bhavya Lal has been appointed as Acting Chief of Staff of US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) • She will also serve as the senior advisor for budget and finance at NASA • Prior to this, she served as a member of the Biden Presidential Transition Agency Review Team for the agency.

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• She is an active member of space technology and policy community having chaired, co-chaired, or served on 5 National Academy of Science committees

Dalai Lama pens down new book ‘The Little Book of Encouragement’

• Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has penned down his new book titled as ‘The Little Book of Encouragement’. • This Little Book of Encouragement has quotes and words of wisdom to promote human happiness. • The book contains 130 quotes related to how to deal with the new realities of the panic-stricken world, combat rising extremism, polarity and climate change besides Dalai Lama’s views on Tibet. • It has been edited by Renuka Singh and published by Penguin Random House.

Former pacer Merv Hughes inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

• Former right-arm fast bowler Merv Hughes (59 years) has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. • Australian cricket board has described him as the larrikin who demolished batting line-ups all over the world • He played 53 Tests and 33 ODIs for Australia in a career spanning from 1985 to 1994, during which he captured 212 Test wickets at an average of 28.38 and 38 ODI . • He became selector for Australian cricket team in 2005.

PM Modi to inaugurate Chauri Chaura centenary celebrations

• PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations at Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur, , on 4th Feb 2021 marking 100 years of ‘Chauri Chaura’ incident • PM will also release a postal stamp dedicated to the Chauri Chaura incident. • Chauri Chaura incident: o It took place on 4 February 1922 at Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur of United Province (modern Uttar Pradesh) in British India. o Mahatma Gandhi halted the non-co-operation movement after this incident.

Budget 2021-22 proposes setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools

• Union Budget 2021-22 has proposed setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools in India, in partnership with NGOs, private schools and State-owned schools • Aim: To provide schooling opportunities in ‘CBSE Plus’ educational environment envisaging enrolling existing/upcoming schools. • They will be affiliated to Sainik Schools Society and will be provided with partial financial support. • Girl candidates are also eligible for admission to Class 6th in all 33 Sainik Schools.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands becomes first Union Territory to be corona free

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands has become first Union territory/region to become Covid-19 free in India with active cases falling to zero • Last four infected persons in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been declared cured. • UT had reported a total of 4,932 cases and 62 deaths from the virus. 6

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• Kerala’s share in India’s daily cases crossed 50% for the first time • There were 11,024 fresh cases in the country out of which Kerala alone reported 5,716, 8 percent of the total.

‘Atmanirbharta’ named Oxford Hindi word of 2020

• World’s leading dictionary publisher, Oxford has named ‘Aatmanirbharta’ as the Hindi word of the year 2020. • This word was chosen as it validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic • ‘Aatmanirbharta’ means self-reliance • Oxford Hindi word of the year: word or expression that is chosen to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, and have lasting cultural significance.

India’s First Amputee Clinic launched in Chandigarh

• Premier medical institution in Chandigarh, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has launched first ‘amputee clinic’ in India • ‘PGI Amputee Clinic’ has been set up with the aim of improving amputation patient care by providing a collection of services under one roof with significant coordination. • It will provide social, mental and physical support to its patients. • It will also provide us with comprehensive patient data and documentation

Rishabh Pant nominated ICC Men’s Player of the Month

• India's wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant (23 years) has been nominated for ICC Men's Player of the Month award along with England skipper Joe Root and Ireland's Paul Stirling • International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for the inaugural Player of the Month Awards which will recognize and celebrate the best performances from both male and female cricketers across all forms of international cricket. • Pant played 2 Tests against Australia.

Union Ministers jointly launch Unified Portal of Gobardhan

• Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State for Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria has jointly launched unified web portal for monitoring the progress of GOBARDHAN activities across the nation. • Gobardhan: component of Swachh Bharat Mission Phase-2 for organic solid waste management.

Ministry of Education launched ASEAN India Hackathon

• Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has addressed the inaugural ceremony of ASEAN India Hackathon • It will provide a unique opportunity to India and ASEAN to solve their common identified challenges under broad themes of Blue Economy and Education • ASEAN-INDIA Hackathon is an initiative of Ministry of Education • It was organized online from 1 to 3rd Feb 2021 • It offers opportunities to 10 ASEAN countries and India for economic and cultural collaboration in education and technology

Ayesha Aziz becomes India's youngest female pilot 7

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• Ayesha Aziz (25 years) from Kashmir has become the youngest female pilot in India. • She was also the youngest student pilot to get a license at the age of 15 in 2011 and underwent training to fly a MIG-29 jet at Russia's Sokol airbase in 2012. • She later graduated in aviation from Bombay Flying Club (BFC) and obtained a commercial license in 2017. • She is the source of inspiration and a beacon of empowerment for numerous Kashmiri women.

India to emerge as second most resilient economy in 2021

• India will emerge as 2nd most resilient economy in 2021, as per the International Economic Resilience (IER) Rank • It is released by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) • IER rank has been topped by Germany, and South Korea stands 3rd among the top-10 leading economies • It is based on 5 indicators: o real GDP growth o Merchandise export growth o Current account balance o General govt net lending/borrowing (as percentage of GDP) and o Gross debt-to-GDP ratio.

India to host Indian Ocean Region Defence Ministers Conclave

• India to host Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers’ Conclave on the side-lines of Aero India 2021. • Theme: ‘Enhanced Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Indian Ocean’ • It will commence with welcome address by Defence Secretary and addresses by Defence Ministers of different Indian Ocean Region Countries. • It is an initiative to promote dialogue in an institutional, economic and cooperative environment fostering in Indian Ocean region.

HAL signs MoU with MIDHANI for composite raw material

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed MoU with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) for development and production of composite raw materials • This is the 1st time that an MoU has been signed for composite raw materials. • Composites raw materials, mainly in the form of prepregs used in platforms like Light Combat Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) are currently imported. • Chairman of HAL: R Madhavan

RBI releases Monetary Policy Statement 2020-21

• RBI has announced final bi-monthly monetary policy review for 2020-21 after 3 days of deliberations of monetary policy committee (MPC). • Rates fixed by MPC: o Policy Repo Rate: 4.0% o Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35% o Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 4.25% o Bank Rate: 4.25% o CRR: 3% o SLR: 18.00% • RBI forecasts India's FY22 GDP growth at 10.5%

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• CPI projection is revised to 5.2 per cent for Q4 FY21 and CPI inflation is pegged at 5.2-5 per cent in H1 FY22. • RBI Governor: Shaktikanta Das

J&K Reorganisation Amendment Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha

• Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy has introduced Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Rajya Sabha. • It will replace J&K Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 which merged J&K cadre of Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and Indian Forest Service with Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and UT cadre (AGMUT cadre) • President had promulgated ordinance last month to amend J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Centre appoints Praveen Sinha as interim Director of CBI

• Praveen Sinha (1988-batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer) has been appointed acting chief of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with immediate effect • His appointment will be valid till the appointment of a new CBI chief or until further orders, whichever is earlier • He succeeded Rishi Kumar Shukla (1983-batch IPS officer), who completed his two-year stint in CBI. • CBI director is chosen by high-powered committee of PM, Leader of the Opposition and Chief Justice of India.

India ranks 53rd in EIU’s Democracy Index

• According to The Economist Intelligence Unit(EIU), India slipped two places to 53rd position in the 2020 Democracy Index’s global ranking. • India has been classified as a ‘flawed democracy’. • The EIU report uses five criteria - electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture. • A total of 167 countries are ranked. • Norway - 1st • Iceland-2nd • Sweden-3rd • New Zealand - 4th • Canada - 5th

Madhya Pradesh launches 'SAANS' campaign to reduce infant mortality

• The health department in has launched the Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) campaign with the aim of reducing infant mortality due to pneumonia. • Around 4,000 Health and Wellness Centres have been set up in the state for this purpose. • The state government has also developed training modules in partnership with PGIMER, Chandigarh, and UNICEF.

Jammu and Kashmir govt restores 4G mobile Internet service in entire Union

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• The high-speed mobile data services have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir • The services were suspended on August 5, 2019 when the central government abrogated the special status of J&K and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories • The 2G service on mobile phones was restored across J&K in January 2020 • The pre-paid SIM cardholder will be given access to internet connectivity only after verification as per norms applicable to postpaid connections

Karnataka govt sign MoU with 34 Aerospace and Defence firms

• Karnataka Government signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 34 Aerospace and defence firms with an investment prospect of 2464 crore rupees. • Karnataka has a vibrant aerospace and defence sector manufacturing ecosystem contributing over 65 per cent of defence and aerospace exports in the country. • The state Industrial policy of 2020-25 provides several incentives and regulatory reforms related to land access and labour market regulations.

Denmark to create world's first energy island in the North Sea

• Denmark Govt has approved a project to build the world’s first energy island, in the North Sea. • It will produce and store enough green energy to meet the electricity needs of three million households in European countries. • The first-of-its-kind giant island will be as big as 18 football pitches (120,000sq m), estimated cost around 210bn kroner ($34bn). • The artificial island will be linked to hundreds of offshore wind turbines.

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