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Monthly Current Affair Digest: February 2021 www.gradeup.co Important News: State

Prime Minister inaugurates and lays Kerala Governor inaugurates India’s first foundation stone of key projects of power Digital University and urban sector in Kerala • The Governor of Kerala Arif • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Mohammed Khan has inaugurated the inaugurated Pugalur - Thrissur Power country’s first Digital University in the Transmission Project, Kasaragod Solar state which has been set up in Kerala’s Power Project and Water Treatment Technocity, Mangalapuram. Plant at Aruvikkara in Kerala. • Kerala University of Digital Sciences, • 2000 Megawatt state of the art Pugalur - Innovation and Technology Thrissur High Voltage Direct (KUDSIT-Digital University) is Current system inaugurated, is the first established by upgrading the two- HVDC interconnection of Kerala with decade old state government’s Indian National Grid. Institute of Information Technology and • He also laid the foundation stone of Management Kerala (IIITM-K). Integrated Command and Control Centre and Smart Roads Project in Puducherry Chief Minister V Thiruvananthapuram. Narayanasamy resigns • Puducherry Lt Governor Dr. Tamilisai Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh to be Soundararajan has forwarded the renamed as Narmadapuram resignation letter of Chief Minister V • Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Narayanasamy to the Union Home Singh Chouhan has announced that Ministry for consideration. Hoshangabad city in the state would be • V Narayanasamy and his cabinet renamed as Narmadapuram. colleagues resigned, after the • He made the announcement during the government lost the confidence vote Narmada Jayanti programme held in sought by him in the Legislative Hoshangabad. Assembly. • Famous attractions in Hoshangabad: • Note: With the collapse of the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Hill station- government, the Congress now is not a Pachmarhi , Satpura Tiger Reserve part of the government in any southern (STR) also known as Satpura National state or Union Territory. Park. • Since 2019, the Congress has lost power similarly in Karnataka and Madhya Mamata Banerjee launches 'MAA' scheme Pradesh. • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched the ''Maa'' scheme President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates under which her government would 'Narendra Modi Stadium', world's largest provide a meal at a nominal cost of ₹ 5 cricket stadium, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to poor people. • The Motera Stadium (Sardar Patel • They will get a platter of rice, dal, a Stadium), world's largest cricket vegetable and egg curry for ₹ 5 and the stadium, was inaugurated by President state government will bear a subsidy Ram Nath Kovind, and was renamed the of ₹ 15 per plate. ‘Narendra Modi Stadium’. • Self-help groups will operate the • The President also performed ‘Bhoomi kitchens from 1 pm to 3 pm every day Pujan’ (ground breaking ceremony) of and such kitchens will be set up the 'Sardar Vallabhbhai Sports everywhere in the state gradually. Enclave'. www.gradeup.co • Note: 1.32 lakh spectators will be able • Facts about Tamil Nadu’s UNESCO to witness matches at this stadium. The World Heritage Sites: Nilgiri stadium has 11 pitches, unrivalled by Mountain Railway, Brihadishwara any stadium in the world. Temple, Thanjavur, Gangaikonda • It hosted its first ever pink ball Test Cholapuram, Jayakondam, match on 24 February 2021 between Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, India and England. Shore Temple along with the collection • Facts about Gujarat: of other monuments, Mamallapuram State Bird: Greater flamingo State Animal: Asiatic lion Uttar Pradesh receives award for fastest State Flower: Marigold implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan State Tree: Banyan Samman Nidhi Yojana • Union Minister for Agriculture and Odisha hosts 17th India International Mega Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Trade Fair 2021 Tomar awarded the top-performing • The 11 days long International Trade States and Districts for their exemplary Fair from February 19 to March 1 has work with respect to the implementation been organised by the Confederation of of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Real Estate Developers' Associations of Nidhi Scheme. India (CREDAI) in collaboration with • Uttar Pradesh has been awarded in the the Odisha Chamber of Commerce and category of fastest take off in year 2020- West Bengal Chamber of Commerce. 21. Nearly 1.53 crore farmers were • Odisha Law Minister Pratap Jena registered during the period of Dec 2018 inaugurated the 17th India International to Mar 2019 in state. Mega Trade Fair at Janata Maidan in • Note: The Union Minister distributed Bhubaneswar. the awards during an event in New Delhi • Note: Around 9 countries and 19 states organized to celebrate the 2nd-year of India are participating with a total completion of the PM-KISAN number of 250 stalls in the trade fair. scheme. • The countries participating included • PM-KISAN Scheme:This flagship Bangladesh, Dubai, Iran, Thailand, scheme of the Narendra Modi Afghanistan, Malaysia, Lebanon and government was launched on February Tunisia. 24, 2019. Under this initiative, ₹6,000 is disbursed to farmers with cultivable Asia’s largest Livestock Research Centre in landholdings. Salem • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the Palaniswami inaugurated the Advanced foundation stones of several developmental Institute of Integrated Research in projects worth over 8000 crore rupees in Livestock and Animal Science Tamil Nadu (AIIRLAS), the largest in Asia, near Thalaivasal in Salem district. • The Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation, state-of-the-art • The AIIRLAS, which also Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A which accommodates the State’s fifth has been indigenously designed and veterinary college, was constructed at a manufactured by the Combat Vehicles cost of Rs 1,023 crore on 1,100 acres. Research and Development • He also announced a frozen semen Establishment of Defence Research and station that would be established at Development Organisation. Karumandurai, in Salem, at a cost of Rs 100 crore soon. www.gradeup.co • Among the projects inaugurated by the State Flower: Kachnar Prime Minister in Tamil Nadu include, State Fruit: Mango the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I State Tree: Peepal tree extension. The Central Government has accepted their long-standing demand of Mandu Festival DevendrakulaVelalar community to be • In Madhya Pradesh, the three-day (13- known as DevendrakulaVelalar. They 15 February) Mandu Festival was will now be known by their heritage celebrated at Mandu in the historic town name and not the six to seven names of Dhar district. listed in the Schedule to the • Handicrafts related to handmade art Constitution. have been displayed in the Mandu • Facts about Tamil Nadu: Utsav. Capital: Chennai • Mandu is an ancient fort city in the Governor: Banwarilal Purohit central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister: Edappadi K. It's also known for its Afghan Palaniswami architectural heritage. • Note: Dino Adventure Park & Fossils Prime Minister unveils several development Museum was also inaugurated by the projects worth Rs 6100 crore in Kerala state culture and tourism minister. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled • The State Minister informed that the several key development projects worth Dinosaur Park is the country's first 6,100 crore rupees at INS Garuda Naval modern fossil park which has 24 eggs Air Station at Kochi in Kerala. and other fossils of dinosaurs on display. • The Prime Minister also inaugurated The park also provides information country's first full-fledged international related to the life of the dinosaurs. cruise terminal, Sagarika at Cochin Port and Marine Engineering Training Odisha government to construct ‘COVID Institute of Cochin Shipyard Ltd., the Warrior Memorial' Propylene Derivative Petrochemical • Odisha is set to inaugurate the Covid Project of Bharat Petroleum warrior memorial in Bhubaneswar on Corporation, the Ro-Ro Vessels at Independence Day this year. The Willingdon Islands in Kochi. memorial will be established at the Biju Patnaik Park in the Capital city. Bihar signs MoU with UNEP for climate • Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on resilience and low carbon development January 1 announced the decision to • The Bihar government has signed a construct the memorial to honour and memorandum of understanding (MoU) recognise the sacrifice and selfless with the United Nations Environment service of the frontline workers, who Programme (UNEP) for climate lost their lives fighting the pandemic. resilience and low carbon development • Note: The Odisha government also had strategy formulation. announced Rs. 50 lakh ex-gratia to all • UNEP will provide technical assistance the health personnel (public and private) to Bihar to prepare its greenhouse gas as well as members of all the support inventory and carry out climate impact services who died of the pandemic. scenario and vulnerability assessments. • It will also suggest revisions to the State Bhuri Bai of Madhya Pradesh invited as Action Plans on Climate Change. Chief Guest at Foundation Day celebrations • Facts about State symbols of Bihar: of Bharat Bhavan State Bird: House Sparrow • The tribal painter Bhuri Bai of Madhya State Animal: Gaur Pradesh was invited as the Chief Guest www.gradeup.co at the Foundation Day celebrations of • Note: The Prime Minister also Bharat Bhavan. dedicated to the nation the LPG import • When the construction of this building terminal, 348 km Dobhi – Durgapur started, she used to work here as a Natural Gas Pipeline section, which is labourer on a daily wage of Rs six. part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga • Bhuri Bai’s award: Shikhar Samman- project. Government of Madhya Pradesh in • He also laid the foundation stone of the 1986, Ahalya Samman in 1998, Rani second Catalytic-Isodewaxing unit of Durgavati Award in 2009, Padma Shri Haldia Refinery. Award in 2021 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches Sitharaman attends third phase of Chah ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’ in Assam Bagicha Dhan Puraskar mela in Guwahati • To mark the launch of ‘Mahabahu- • In the event, the Assam government Brahmaputra’, he inaugurated the Ro- distributed financial assistance of 3000 Pax vessel operations between Neamati- rupees each to nearly 7.5 lakh people Majuli Island, North Guwahati-South belonging to tea garden areas. Guwahati and Dhubri-Hatsingimari. • About Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar • He laid the foundation stone of Inland Mela Scheme: The scheme was Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at launched by the Assam government in Jogighopa and various tourist jetties on Financial Year 2017-18. River Brahmaputra and launched digital • The main objective of the scheme is to solutions for Ease-of-Doing-Business. incentivize and strengthen the efforts of • Note: ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’ financial inclusion of the tea tribe programme will strengthen water community. connectivity by Brahampurta water • A sum of Rs 2,500 was transferred to 6.3 through port-led development. lakh bank accounts in the first phase of • Facts about Assam: the Assam Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar World Heritage Sites: Manas Wildlife Mela Scheme in 2017-18. An additional Sanctuary and Kaziranga Wildlife Rs 2,500 was deposited in 7.15 lakh Sanctuary accounts in the second phase in 2018- 19.

Prime Minister launches ‘Asom Mala’ and Himachal Pradesh becomes first State in the lays Foundation Stone of two Hospitals in country to implement e-cabinet Assam • The new system will bring greater • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra efficiency in the overall process of Modi laid the Foundation Stone of two conducting a cabinet meeting by hospitals in Biswanath and Charaideo removing dependencies which arise due and launched ‘Asom Mala’, a to the physical movement of cabinet programme for state highways and memos. major district roads, at Dhekiajuli in • Note: On April 23, 2020, Uttar Pradesh Sonitpur District, Assam. ‘Asom Mala’ became the first state to have the has been started in line with ‘Bharat requisite infrastructure in all its courts Mala Project”. for hearing cases through video • About Bharatmala Pariyojana: It is a conferencing. centrally-sponsored and funded Road and Highways project of the Madhya Pradesh launches 'SAANS' Government of India. It was established campaign to reduce infant mortality on 31 July 2015. www.gradeup.co • The health department in Madhya for mobile phones and for Pradesh has launched the Social thermonuclear reactions. Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) Uttar Pradesh announces 16-Digit Unicode campaign with the aim of reducing to Identify Landholdings infant mortality due to pneumonia. • The revenue department will be issuing • About SAANS campaign: It was the Unicode for marking all kinds of launched by Union Health Minister agricultural, residential and commercial Harsh Vardhan in 2019 to child land and a person will now be able to mortality due to pneumonia. know the details of the land with a single • Under SAANS, the government is click. targeting a reduction in pneumonia- • Unicode numbers: The Unicode caused deaths by 2025 to less than 3 number of the land will be 16 digits with deaths out of 1000 live births. the first six digits based on the population of the land, the next 4 digits Arvind Kejriwal launches ‘Switch Delhi’ determining the unique identity of the campaign land. The digits from 11 to 14 will be the • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind number of the division of the land. The Kejriwal launched the ‘Switch Delhi’ last 2 digits will have the details of the campaign to promote electric vehicles category, through which, the and appealed to people to buy such agricultural, residential and commercial vehicles to combat pollution in the city. land will be identified. • Under its electric vehicle policy, the Delhi government has planned Delhi government approves 'Mukhyamantri extensive subsidies on purchase of Vigyan Pratibha Pariksha'' scholarship electric two-wheelers and four- scheme wheelers, besides waiving road tax and • The Delhi cabinet approved registration charges. ''Mukhyamantri Vigyan Pratibha • Note: More than 6,000 electric vehicles Pariksha'' in which Rs 5,000 will be have been purchased since the policy provided to 1,000 meritorious students launch in August 2020. of Class 9 in schools of Delhi as a • The government has fixed an ambitious science scholarship. target of 25 percent electric vehicles • The scholarship will provide a boost to among total vehicle registrations in science education in secondary classes Delhi by 2024. at the school level. • Note: Another decision that has been Preliminary survey shows deposits of taken by the Delhi Cabinet is to digitise Lithium in Mandya district of Karnataka the education department. • Preliminary surveys on surface and • Facts about Delhi: 3 UNESCO World limited subsurface by Atomic Minerals Heritage Sites in Delhi - Qutb Directorate for Exploration and Complex, Red Fort and Humayun's Research (AMD) have shown presence Tomb. of Lithium resources of 1,600 tonnes in the pegmatites of Marlagalla – Vijayanagara becomes 31st district of Allapatna area, Mandya district, Karnataka Karnataka. • The Karnataka state Cabinet formally • About Lithium: The well-known uses approved the borders for the newly of Lithium are in Lithium ion batteries, carved out Vijayanagara district from lubricating grease, high energy additive the existing Ballary district. to rocket propellants, optical modulators www.gradeup.co • Vijayanagara will now be the 31st • The remote operated equipment also district in the state and will comprise six reduces the cost by 40 times less than taluks -Hospet, Harapanahalli, Hoovina what comes in sanitizing the coach by Hadagali, Hagari Bommanahalli, sodium hypochlorite. Kotturu and Kudligi. • Facts about Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail • Facts about Karnataka: Corporation (UPMRC): Capital: Bengaluru Founded: 25 November 2013 Governor: Vajubhai Vala Headquarters: Lucknow Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa Managing Director: Kumar Keshav

Kerala's first Human Milk Bank (HMB) to India's First 'Gender Park' in Kerala's be opened on February 5 Kozhikode • The HMB shall open at the Ernakulam • The Kerala government is all set to general hospital in the city by Health launch Rs 300 crore three-tower 'Gender Minister KK Shailaja. Park' in Kozhikode. • The milk bank will be set up to ensure • This launch will coincide with the breast milk for newborn babies whose second edition of the International mothers cannot breastfeed them. Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE- • Note: Rotary Club of Cochin Global II). took the lead to bring the project to the • Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will state with two such breast milk banks - inaugurate the February 11-13 IGCE-II one at Ernakulam and the other at and the Gender Park. Jubilee Medical Mission Hospital at • He will also lay the foundation of the Thrissur. International Women's Trade and • The collected milk can be stored up to 6 Research Centre (IWTRC), a Gender months safely in the bank. Museum, Gender Library, Convention Centre and an Amphitheatre will also be PGIMER, Chandigarh launches India’s launched at the event. first ‘Amputee Clinic’ • India's first amputee clinic has been Justice Sunil Kumar Awasthi tenders his launched by the Postgraduate Institute resignation from office of Judge of MP High of Medical Education and Research Court (PGIMER), Chandigarh. It was • Shri Justice Sunil Kumar Awasthi has inaugurated by the PGIMER Director tendered his resignation from the office Prof. Jagat Ram. of Judge, Madhya Pradesh High Court, • It has been set up to improve the care of in pursuance of proviso (a) to clause (1) amputee patients by providing a wide of Article 217 of the Constitution. range of services under one roof and • He was appointed as an Additional with significant coordination. Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High • It will comprise specialists from various Court on October 13, 2016 and as departments including orthopaedics, Permanent Judge on March 17, 2018. prosthetists, PMR (physical and medical rehabilitation), psychologists, Lucknow Metro becomes the first metro in occupational physiotherapy and nursing the country to use ultraviolet (UV) rays to departments. sanitise train coaches • Note: PGIMER has also stated that it • UPMRC got the idea from the New will run amputee schools based on the York Metro's experiment to sanitise successful knee school being run at PGI. trains with UV lamp rays. www.gradeup.co Punjab CM launches 'Har Ghar Pani, Har • He also inaugurated one Mega Surface Ghar Safai' Mission Water Supply Scheme covering 85 • Punjab Chief Minister Captain villages in the Moga district, 144 new Amarinder Singh launched the ‘Har water supply schemes for 172 villages, Ghar Pani, Har Ghar Safai’ mission as 121 Arsenic, and Iron removal plants. part of the state government's campaign • Facts about Punjab: to accomplish the goal of 100 percent Capital: Chandigarh potable piped water supply in all rural Governor: V. P. Singh Badnore households by 2022. Chief Minister: Captain Amarinder • The scheme is being funded by the Singh World Bank, Jal Jeewan Mission of GoI, NABARD, and State Budget. Important News: India

Transport Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Neighbourhoods Challenge’ cohort, in launches ‘Go Electric’ Campaign collaboration with the Bernard van Leer • Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister Foundation (BvLF) and technical for Road Transport & Highways, Micro, partner WRI India. Small & Medium Enterprises launched • The Challenge is a 3-year initiative the “Go Electric” Campaign to spread aimed at supporting early childhood- awareness on the benefits of e-mobility friendly neighbourhoods under the and EV Charging Infrastructure as well government’s Smart Cities Mission. as electric cooking in India. • About the Challenge: The Nurturing • Note: Electric fuel is a major alternative Neighbourhoods Challenge, launched for fossil fuels which have an import bill on November 4th, 2020, invited of Rs. 8 lakh Crore. participation from all Smart Cities, • When compared to conventional fuels capitals of States and UTs, and other the electric fuel has low cost, reduced cities with population above 5 lakhs emissions and it is also indigenous. were eligible to participate.

Centre reconstitutes NITI Aayog governing 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival begins council • The week-long (20th -26th February) • The Centre has reconstituted the 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival began in governing council of the NITI Aayog Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh which is with Prime Minister Narendra Modi based on the Indian classical dance as its chairperson. tradition. • According to a notification of the • The festival is being organized by the Cabinet Secretariat, chief ministers of Culture Department through Ustad all states and those of the Union Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Academy Bhopal. Delhi and Puducherry are full time • Note: The ceremony is being held once members of the council. again in the temple premises after a gap • The Lieutenant Governors of Andaman of 44 years. and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, and the administrators of Chandigarh, Dadra Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and cohort announced Lakshadweep will be special invitees of • The Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of the governing council. Housing and Urban Affairs, announced 25 shortlisted cities for the ‘Nurturing www.gradeup.co • Note: Recently, Prime Minister the Ministry of Electronics and Narendra Modi chaired the sixth Information Technology. meeting of the Governing Council of • Several other digital initiatives of NITI Aayog. MoHUA vis. India Urban Data • The sixth meeting witnessed the entry of Exchange (IUDX), SmartCode, Ladakh for the first time, in addition to Smart Cities 2.0 website, and the participation of Jammu and Kashmir Geospatial Management Information as a UT. System (GMIS) were also launched. • Facts about NITI (National • The National Urban Digital Mission Institution for Transforming India) (NUDM): It will institutionalise a Aayog: citizen-centric and ecosystem-driven Formed: 1 January 2015 approach to urban governance and Headquarters: New Delhi service delivery in 2022 cities by 2022, Chairperson: Narendra Modi and across all cities and towns in India Vice Chairperson: Rajiv Kumar by 2024. CEO: Amitabh Kant

Government of India and World Bank sign 11th ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ project to improve quality of India’s inaugurated at Cooch Behar, West Bengal Education in Nagaland • The Governor of West Bengal Shri The Government of India, Government of Jagdeep Dhankhar in the presence of Nagaland and the World Bank signed a $68 Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and million project to enhance the governance of Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel th schools across Nagaland as well as to improve inaugurated the 11 Rashtriya Sanskriti th teaching practices and learning environments Mahotsav on 14 February, 2021 at in select schools. Cooch Behar Palace at Cooch Behar in • The “Nagaland: Enhancing West Bengal. Classroom Teaching and Resources • The eleventh edition of Rashtriya Project” will improve classroom Sanskriti Mahotsav is being held th th instruction; create opportunities for the between 14 to 28 February, 2021 in professional development of teachers; West Bengal. and build technology systems to provide • Note: Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, the students and teachers. flagship festival of this Ministry • Facts about World Bank: organized since 2015 with the active Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United participation of Seven Zonal Culture Centres has been playing a pivotal role States to take the vibrant culture of India out to Founded: July 1944 the masses instead of confining to President: David Malpass auditoria and galleries. MD and CFO: Anshula Kant Membership: 189 countries Ministry of Skill Development and (IBRD), 173 countries (IDA) Entrepreneurship launches MGNF with nine IIMs as academic partners National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) & • The Union Minister of Skill several digital initiatives launched for Development and Entrepreneurship transforming Urban Governance Mahendra Nath Pandey chaired a • The National Urban Digital Mission has function ‘Transforming skilling through been launched by the Ministry of strategic partnerships under Housing and Urban Affairs along with SANKALP’ and rolling out of the www.gradeup.co Mahatma Gandhi National development work of Chittaura Lake at Fellowship (MGNF). Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh via video • The fellows under MGNF will acquire conference. academic expertise and technical • The Prime Minister also inaugurated the competency in understanding the medical College building named after overall skill ecosystem along with being Maharaja Suheldev. attached to DSCs (District Skill • About Maharaja Suheldev: He was an Committees) and help them manage the Indian king from Shravasti, popularly skill development planning at district known to have defeated and killed level through the mechanism of the Ghaznavid general Ghazi Saiyyad formulating District Skill Development Salar Masud at Bahraich in 11th Plans (DSDPs). century. • SANKALP (Skills Acquisition and • He is mentioned in the 17th Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood century Persian-language historical Promotion) is a World Bank loan romance Mirat-i-Masudi. Since the 20th assisted programme to strengthen the century, various Hindu district skill administration and the nationalist groups have characterized District Skill Committees. him as a Hindu King who defeated a Muslim invader. Major Port Authorities Bill 2020 passed by Rajya Sabha Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches • A bill that seeks to provide greater E-Chhawani portal & mobile app autonomy in decision-making to 12 • The portal has been created to provide major ports in the country and online civic services to over 20 lakh professionalise their governance by residents of 62 Cantonment Boards setting up boards was introduced in the across the country. Rajya Sabha. • Through the portal, the residents of • The Bill 2020 will replace the Major cantonment areas will be able to avail Port Trusts Act of 1963. basic services like renewal of leases, • Note: India has 12 major ports -- application for birth & death Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, certificates, water & sewerage JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, connections, trade licences, mobile Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier toilet locators and payment of different Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, types of taxes and fees, with just a click Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata of a button. (including Haldia). • The portal, jointly developed by eGov • Lok Sabha gives nod to Arbitration Foundation, Bharat Electronics and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill Limited (BEL), Directorate General 2021. Defence Estates (DGDE) and • Government introduces Jammu and National Informatics Centre (NIC), Kashmir Reorganisation provides a platform to the residents to (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha. avail these services from the comfort of their home.

Prime Minister lays the foundation stone of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Maharaja Suheldev Memorial and launches Pilot Pey Jal Survekshan development work of Chittaura Lake • Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra has launched a Pilot Pey Jal Survekshan Modi laid the foundation stone of under Jal Jeevan Mission- Urban (JJM- Maharaja Suheldev Memorial and U). www.gradeup.co • It will be conducted in cities to ascertain (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice equitable distribution of water, reuse of & Empowerment. wastewater and mapping of water • The 1st Edition of the ISL Dictionary bodies with respect to quantity and was launched on 23rd March, 2018 with quality of water. 3000 terms and the 2nd Edition with • As a first step, the Ministry has decided 6000 terms (including earlier 3000 to launch the Survekshan in 10 cities- terms) was launched on 27th February, Agra, Badlapur, Bhubaneswar, Churu, 2019. Kochi, Madurai, Patiala, Rohtak, Surat and Tumkur. Sandes, the government’s new Instant • Note: Jal Jeevan Mission Urban is Messaging platform designed to provide water supply to all • The National Informatics Centre has households through taps in all 4,378 launched an instant messaging platform statutory towns in accordance with called Sandes on the lines of WhatsApp. Sustainable Development Goal - 6. • Like WhatsApp, the new NIC platform • The total outlay proposed for JJM-U is can be used for all kinds of 2 lakh 87 thousand crore rupees which communications by anyone with a includes 10 thousand crore rupees for mobile number or email id. continuing financial support to AMRUT • Although there is no option to transfer Mission. the chat history between two platforms, • Facts about AMRUT (Atal Mission the chats on Government Instant for Rejuvenation and Urban Messaging Systems (GIMS) can be Transformation): backed up to a users’ email. Launch year: 2015 • Note: In August 2020, the NIC released Sector: Urban planning the first version of the app, which said Launched by (Prime Minister): that the app could be used by both Narendra Modi central and state government officials Ministry: Ministry of Housing and for intra and inter-organisation Urban Affairs communication.

3rd edition of Indian Sign Language Dictionary with 10,000 terms Union Minister launches Software • Union Minister for Social Justice and Applications and instruction manuals with Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand questionnaire for five All India Surveys Gehlot virtually released the 3rd edition • Union Minister of State (Independent of the Indian Sign Language (ISL) Charge) for Labour & Employment Shri Dictionary with 10,000 terms (including Santosh Kumar Gangwar launched the 6,000 earlier terms). trainers’ training programme for the All • The 3rd Edition contains a total of India Surveys being conducted by 10,000 terms of everyday use, academic Labour Bureau, an attached office of terms, legal & administrative terms, Ministry of Labour & Employment by medical terms, technical terms and releasing the Instruction Manuals & agricultural terms. Questionnaires for the surveys and the • Note: The Dictionary has been brought software application developed. out by the Indian Sign Language • The Labour Bureau is entrusted with Research and Training Centre five All India surveys: All India Survey (ISLRTC), an autonomous Institute of Migrant workers, Domestic Workers, under the Department of Empowerment Employment generated by of Persons with Disabilities Professionals, Employment generated in www.gradeup.co Transport Sector and Quarterly Bahrain held on February 4, 2021 in Establishment based Employment virtual format. • Note: The surveys are significant in • H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, terms of the path-breaking initiative President of Sustainable Energy being taken by the Bureau in terms of Authority led the Bahraini delegation. use of Information Technology (IT) in The Indian delegation was led by H.E. the entire chain of data collection to Mr. Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale, Joint report generation. Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. Cabinet approves Amendments to the • Both sides agreed to forging deeper Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of engagement in capacity building and Children) Act, 2015 focused cooperation between concerned • The Union Cabinet, chaired by the agencies as well as the private sector of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has the two countries in this sector, approved the proposal of the Ministry of particularly in the field of solar, wind Women and Child Development to and clean hydrogen. amend the Juvenile Justice (Care and • Note: A Memorandum of Protection of Children) Act, 2015 to Understanding between India and introduce measures for strengthening Bahrain was signed in July 2018 for Child Protection set-up to ensure best promoting bilateral cooperation in the interest of children. field of Renewable Energy. • The amendments include authorizing • Prime Minister Narendra Modi District Magistrate including Additional visited Bahrain in August 2019. This District Magistrate to issue adoption was the first ever Prime Ministerial visit orders under Section 61 of the JJ Act, in from India to Bahrain. order to ensure speedy disposal of cases and enhance accountability. Shri Prahlad Singh Patel virtually attends • Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection the 8th Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism of Children) Act, 2015 has been passed Ministers' meeting by Parliament of India amidst intense • The Union Minister of State for Culture controversy, debate and protest on many & Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel co- of its provisions by Child Rights chaired the 8th Meeting of ASEAN- fraternity. It replaced the India Tourism Ministers meeting with Indian juvenile Minister of Tourism of Cambodia H.E. delinquency law, Juvenile Justice (Care Dr. Thong Khon on February 05, 2021. and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, • The Meeting was in conjunction with and allows for juveniles in conflict with the 24th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Law in the age group of 16–18, involved Ministers (M-ATM). in Heinous Offences, to be tried as • Initiatives taken by Government of adults. India to revive Tourism activities: • To organise the International Buddhist Conclave (IBC) to create 1st India-Bahrain Joint Working Group awareness about India’s Buddhist (JWG) meeting in the field of Renewable Heritage and to increase foreign tourist Energy traffic to Buddhist sites. • SAATHI (System for Assessment,

• The 1st meeting of the Joint Working Awareness & Training for Hospitality Group in the field of Renewable Energy Industry) and the Incredible India between India and the Kingdom of Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme, an online learning platform www.gradeup.co with the objective of creating a pool of subsumes the three erstwhile Schemes well trained and professional Tourist of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Facilitators across the country. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha • To organize a series of webinars under Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher the theme Dekho Apna Desh Education (TE). • Note: A total of 1063 residential Cabinet Secretary Chairs review meeting of facilities which include 383 residential the National Crisis Management Committee Schools and 680 Hostels have been (NCMC) to take stock of the Glacial Burst in sanctioned to States and UTs so far. Uttarakhand and the actions taken • The National Crisis Management National Horticulture Fair 2021 begins in Committee (NCMC) under the Bengaluru chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, Shri • The country’s largest horticulture event, Rajiv Gauba met to review the situation the five days National Horticulture Fair arising out of the natural disaster in 2021, has been organized by the Indian Uttarakhand caused by glacial burst. Institute of Horticulture Research • The glacial burst led to the rising of (IIHR) from February 8 to February 12 water levels in the river Rishiganga, at its IIHR campus situated in which washed away the Rishiganga Hessarghatta, Bengaluru. small hydro project of 13.2 MW. • The theme of the event is ‘Horticulture • The flash flood also affected the for Start-up and Stand-up India’. downstream hydro project of NTPC at • Cutting edge technologies, crop Tapovan on the river Dhauliganga, varieties, pest and disease management which is a tributary of the river practices, and processing methods will Alaknanda. be demonstrated. • As per the information given by the • Note: IIHR is a subsidiary of Indian Central Water Commission (CWC), Council of Agricultural there is no danger of downstream Research (ICAR). flooding and the rise in water level has • Facts about the Indian Council of been contained. Agricultural Research (ICAR): Founded: 16 July 1929 Headquarters: New Delhi Schools under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to Director: Trilochan Mohapatra be renamed after Subhas Chandra Bose First ever India Toy Fair-2021 to be • The Ministry of Education has organised decided to name residential schools and hostels funded under Samagra • The Government is organising the first Shiksha of the Ministry as Netaji ever India Toy Fair from 27th February Subhas Chandra Bose residential to 2nd March. schools or hostels. • Women and Child Development • About Samagra Shiksha: Samagra Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, Education Shiksha - an overarching programme for Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank the school education sector extending and Commerce and Industry Minister from pre-school to class 12 has been, Piyush Goyal jointly inaugurated the therefore, prepared with the broader website of The India Toy Fair-2021 in goal of improving school effectiveness New Delhi. measured in terms of equal • Note: According to a Quality Council opportunities for schooling and report in February last year, many of the equitable learning outcomes. It toys imported from abroad were failing the safety standards. Thereafter import www.gradeup.co duty on foreign toys was increased from • As a global partner, BYJU's will have 20 per cent to 60 per cent and a Quality extensive in-venue, broadcast, and Control Order was issued. digital rights across all ICC events. • Recently, the Government has • Note: In August 2019, the company organized the 1st Toycathon. became the official jersey partners of the Indian cricket team. NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission • Facts about BYJU'S: Byju’s is an (AIM) & Commonwealth Scientific and Indian educational technology and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) online tutoring firm. kick-start the India-Australia Circular Founder: Byju Raveendran Economy (I-ACE) Hackathon, 2021 Founded: 2011, Bengaluru • I-ACE is supported by the Australian CEO: Byju Raveendran Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER), AIM Atal Incubation Centre network, and Prime Minister addresses 125th anniversary various domain experts. celebrations of 'Prabuddha Bharata' • Between 8th to 11th February 2021, the • Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi shortlisted teams were scheduled to be addressed the 125th anniversary working on creating ingenious celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ solutions. organised by the Advaita Ashrama, • About Atal Innovation Mission Mayavati in Uttarakhand. (AIM): The Atal Innovation Mission, • 'Prabuddha Bharata' is a monthly NITI Aayog, is the Government of journal of the Ramakrishna Order which India’s flagship initiative to promote a was started by Swami Vivekananda. It culture of innovation and has been in publication since 1896 and entrepreneurship in the country. carries articles on social sciences and • About Commonwealth Scientific and humanities comprising historical, Industrial Research Organisation psychological, cultural and social (CSIRO): The Commonwealth sciences themes. Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia’s national Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh science agency and innovation catalyst, Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ addresses the solving the greatest challenges through inaugural ceremony of the ASEAN-India innovative science and technology. Hackathon • Note: The concept of I-ACE joint • The ASEAN-India Hackathon is being Hackathon originated in the virtual organized online from 1st -3rd February bilateral summit between the Hon. 2021. Prime Minister of India and the Hon. • Hackathon will provide a unique Prime Minister of Australia, held on opportunity to India and ASEAN June 4th, 2020. countries to solve their common identified challenges under two broad ICC announces BYJU'S as global partner themes of “Blue Economy” and until 2023 “Education”. • The three-year agreement will see • About ASEAN- India Hackathon: It BYJU'S partner all ICC (International is an initiative taken by the Ministry of Cricket Council) events over the period, Education. This unique hackathon offers including the forthcoming men's T20 opportunities for all the 10 ASEAN World Cup in India and the women's countries and India to forward their World Cup in New Zealand. economic and cultural ties through www.gradeup.co collaboration in education, science and • Bhagyashree Sahu belonging to technology. Odisha's Rourkela found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 73rd 8th India International Silk Fair "Mann ki Baat" for her artwork to • Union Minister for Women & Child promote cloth-based scroll paintings Development and Textiles, Smt Smriti "Pattachitra". Zubin Irani inaugurated the 8th edition • About Pattachitra: It is a general term of India International Silk Fair on for traditional, cloth-based scroll Virtual Portal from 31st January to 4th painting, based in the eastern Indian February. states of Odisha and West Bengal. • India International Silk Fair is the • Geographical Indication (GI) of Sourcing Fair for silk and silk blend Pattachitra: Geographical indication of products organised by the Indian Silk Patachitra is registered under to Export Promotion Council under the different state of India as the style and aegis of Ministry of Textiles and motif of Odisha and West Bengal sponsored by Department of Commerce. Patachitra are so different. The • Note: India has a long history of silk Patachitra of Odisha is registered as production and is the 2nd largest Orissa Pattachitra. The Patachitra of producer of Silk after China. West Bengal is registered as Bengal • India is the only country in the world Patachitra. which produces all the four major varieties of silk i.e. Mulberry, Eri, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President, Tassar, and Muga. inaugurated the tribal festival ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ at Dilli Haat in New Delhi • The Festival ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ at Dilli Prime Minister to inaugurate ‘Chauri Haat, New Delhi is being held from Chaura’ Centenary Celebrations on 4th February 01-15, 2021. February • The theme of the festival is “A • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal inaugurate the Chauri Chaura Centenary Crafts, Culture and Commerce”, which Celebrations at Chauri Chaura, represents the basic ethos of tribal life. Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on 4th • Note: The Aadi Mahotsav is an annual February 2021. event that was started in 2017. The • The day marks 100 years of the ‘Chauri festival is being organized by TRIFED Chaura’ incident, a landmark event in (Tribal Co-operative Marketing the country’s fight for independence. Federation of India), under the Ministry • Prime Minister will also release a postal of Tribal Affiars. stamp dedicated to the Chauri Chaura centenary during the event. Union Ministers jointly launch unified web • About Chauri Chaura incident: portal for monitoring progress of It took place on 4 February 1922 GOBARDHAN activities at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur • Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh district of the United Tomar, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Province (modern Uttar Pradesh) Pradhan, Animal Husbandry Minister in British India, when a large group of Giriraj Singh, Jal Shakti Minister protesters participating in the Non- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister cooperation movement, clashed with of State for Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria police who opened fire. jointly launched a unified web portal for monitoring the progress of Pattachitra Artform www.gradeup.co GOBARDHAN activities across the nation. Year-long birth centenary celebrations of • Gobardhan is an important component legendary classical singer Pandit Bhimsen of Swachh Bharat Mission Phase-2 for Joshi begins organic solid waste management. • Different events have been organised • About GOBARDHAN Scheme: including SwarBhaskar 100 by Ministry for Drinking Water and Jayateerth Mevundi, 'Abhivadan' by Sanitation on April 30, 2018 launched Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal. the GOBAR - DHAN (Galvanising • Note: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (February Organic Bio-Agro Resources Fund) 4, 1922 - January 24, 2011) was a Scheme. vocalist from Karnataka. • Under GOBAR-DHAN scheme, solid • He received the Bharat Ratna in 2008. waste of dung and fields will be changed into compost and fuels such as biogas and bio-CNG. Important News: World

Bangladesh Supreme Court launches • The theme for India’s Chairship for Artificial Intelligence (AI) based translation 2021 would be ‘BRICS @ 15: Intra- software ‘Amar Vasha’ BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, • The software will translate orders and Consolidation, and Consensus’. judgements of the Supreme Court from • Facts about BRICS: English to Bangla. Formation: 2009 • Note: The Software has been developed Countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, with ‘EkStep’ foundation of India. It and South Africa is based on their ‘Anuvaad’ translation software used in India to translate from India to gift 2 lakh coronavirus vaccine to English to Indian languages including UN peacekeepers Bangla. • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar • Anuvaad was deployed by the Supreme made the announcement at the United Court of India as SUVAS (Supreme Nations Security Council open debate Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) on Implementation of Resolution 2532. from November 2019. • 25 nations across the world have already received Made in India vaccines and 49 External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar more countries will be supplied in the launches the BRICS-2021 website coming days under 'Vaccine Maitri' • The website will provide initiatives. comprehensive information about • Facts about UN (United Nations): events and activities during the BRICS Formation: 24 October 1945 under the Chairship of India. . Headquarter: New York, USA • He also launched the upgraded facilities Secretary General: Antonio Guterres at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan that will serve as the Secretariat for BRICS World Bank report, “Traffic Crash Injuries Summit. and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian • Note: The 13th BRICS Summit will be Society” held under India’s Chairship in 2021, • The report titled “Traffic Crash Injuries and it will be the third time India will and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian host the BRICS Summit after 2012 and Society”, was released by Union 2016. transport minister Nitin Gadkari. www.gradeup.co • The report highlights the • The treaty had been set to lapse on 5 disproportionate impact of a road crash February, as the Trump administration on poor households that pushes them had refused to approve the extension. into a vicious cycle of poverty and debt. Now the pact has been extended to 5th • It sheds light on the links between road February 2026. crashes, poverty and inequality in India. • Note: The treaty, which first went into • Post-crash impact among Low Income effect in 2011, limits the United States Households is more severe compared to and Russia to deploying no more than High Income Households with 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads each incidence of fatality among poor and imposes restrictions on the land- households as high as 44% in rural areas and submarine-based missiles and compared to 11.6% in urban areas, the bombers to deliver them. report by the World Bank and Save Life Foundation. • Note: India is also a signatory to the 14th International Children’s Film festival United Nation’s Brasilia Declaration concludes in Bangladesh (ICFFB) with the target of reducing road fatalities • 179 films from 37 countries were shown by 50% by 2020. Union transport at various venues during the 7-day long minister Nitin Gadkari also said the festival organised by the Children’s government aims to bring down road Film Society (CFS) of Bangladesh. accidents and its related deaths down by • Apart from Bangladesh, films from 50 percent before 2025. India, Armenia, US, UK, Ireland, Japan and China among others were shown in Indian-origin Preeti Sinha to lead United the course of the festival. Nations Capital Development Fund • Dutch Film Jackie and Oopjen was • The United Nations Capital awarded the Best International Feature Development Fund has appointed Film Award. The Best Director award Indian-origin investment and went to Ani Oganesyan for his film development banker Preeti Sinha as its Stork’s Nest from Armenia. A total of Executive Secretary. 12 awards were presented to the winners • Sinha succeeds Judith Karl, who retired at the concluding ceremony. in February. Bangldeshi film Maati got The Young Talent • About The United Nations Capital Award while Lottery won the Special mention Development Fund (UNCDF): It under the Young Talent Award. makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world's 47 least India, Afghanistan sign MoU to build developed countries. Shahtoot Dam in Kabul Headquarters: New York, United • External affairs minister S Jaishankar States and his Afghan counterpart Haneef Founded: 1966 Atmar signed the memorandum of Parent organizations: United Nations understanding (MoU) for building General Assembly, United Nations Lalandar or Shatoot dam, which will Economic and Social Council meet the drinking water needs of two million people in Kabul, provide US extends New START Nuclear Arms irrigation water to nearby areas and Control Treaty with Russia for five years rejuvenate irrigation and drainage • United States has extended the New networks. START (Strategic Arms Reduction • Note: Shahtoot dam is the second Treaty) nuclear arms control treaty with major dam being built by India in Russia for five years. Afghanistan, after the Friendship Dam www.gradeup.co or Salma dam, inaugurated by Modi • Nepal has decided to award the contract and Ghani in June 2016. for construction of 679 megawatt Lower • As a part of our Development Arun Hydropower Project to India's Cooperation with Afghanistan, India Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). has completed more than 400 projects • This was decided at a meeting of the covering all 34 provinces of Investment Board Nepal (IBN), chaired Afghanistan. by Prime Minister of Nepal. • The project was awarded to the SJVN US government moves to rejoin UN Human under the Build, Own, Operate and Rights Council Transfer (BOOT) delivery method. • President Joe Biden has moved to rejoin • Facts about Nepal: the United Nations Human Rights Capital: Kathmandu Council- UNHRC three years after the President: Bidya Devi Bhandari former US President Donald Trump Prime minister: K. P. Sharma Oli withdrew from the global body. Currency: Nepalese Rupee • Note: Reversing other decisions of former US President, Joe Biden has also joined the World Health Organisation The Myanmar Military Tatmadaw has and Paris Climate Accord which the announced a one year state of emergency in Trump administration withdrew from the country while he was in office. • The Vice President Myint Swe has been • Facts about UNHRC (United Nations made the acting President and all Human Rights Council): powers have been transferred to the Founded: 15 March 2006 Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing. President: Nazhat Shameem • The development follows detention of Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior The UAE's Hope Probe has successfully leaders from the ruling party National entered orbit around Mars League for Democracy (NLD) by the • The United Arab Emirates' first mission military. to Mars arrived at the red planet and • Note: Aung San Suu Kyi took over as successfully entered orbit on its first the head of the civilian government in attempt. 2015 after a long period of military rule • The Emirates Mars Mission, known as in Myanmar. The National Elections the Hope Probe, marked the UAE as held on November last year saw a only the fifth country (after US, massive victory for NLD with the the Soviet Union, Europe and India) in military supported USDP performing history to reach the red planet and the poorly. Arab nation's first interplanetary • Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace mission. Prize in 1991. • Facts about the United Arab Emirates (UAE): Oxford names "Aatmanirbharta" as Hindi Capital: Abu Dhabi word of the year 2020 Currency: United Arab Emirates • The word was chosen by an advisory dirham panel of language experts Kritika President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Agrawal, Poonam Nigam Sahay and Nahyan Imogen Foxell. • Note: Previous Hindi words of the year Nepal decides to award hydropower project are Aadhaar (2017), Nari Shakti (2018) to India's Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Samvidhaan (2019). www.gradeup.co

Economy

Government approves eight toy manufacturing clusters worth Rs 2,300 crore to boost India’s traditional toys RBI sets up panel to suggest steps for industry strengthening urban co-operative banks • The Department for Promotion of • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and constituted an expert committee on the Ministry of Micro, Small and Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) to Medium Enterprises (MSME) are strengthen and examine the issues looking to develop toy clusters under within the sector. existing schemes such as the Scheme of • Former RBI Deputy Governor NS Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Vishwanathan will be the chairman of Industries (SFURTI). the eight-member committee. • The government has approved three • The committee has been directed to clusters in Madhya Pradesh, two in submit its report within three months Rajasthan, and one each in Karnataka, from the date of its first meeting. Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. • The committee will also "review the • Note: The first virtual India Toy Fair- current regulatory/supervisory approach 2021 will be held from February 27 to and recommend suitable March 2, which will offer opportunities measures/changes to strengthen the to buy toys from over 1,000 exhibitors sector, taking into account recent across the country. amendments to the Banking Regulation • Recently, Union Minister, Shri Nitin Act, 1949." Gadkari inaugurated 50 SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Amazon to set up its first device Traditional Industries) clusters in 18 manufacturing line in India States, which will support over 42,000 • Amazon is setting up its first device artisans in traditional crafts. manufacturing line in India to make Fire TV sticks locally and has partnered with China returns as top India’s trade partner Cloud Network Technology, a • China regained its position as India’s subsidiary of Foxconn, to begin top trade partner in 2020 because producing the device at its Chennai India was still dependent on the import plant later this year. of heavy machines, home appliances • It reiterated its commitment to invest $1 and telecom equipment. billion into the country to digitise 10 • Two-way trade between India and million small and medium businesses by China stood at $77.7 billion in 2020, 2025 and create 1 million additional according to provisional data from jobs by then. India’s commerce ministry. Note: Amazon Fire TV stick is one of the best- • As a result, the bilateral trade gap with selling devices. It is powered by a 1.7 GHz China was at almost $40 billion in 2020, quad-core processor that enables faster making it India’s largest. streaming in 1080p at 60fps with HDR • Note: Total imports from China at $58.7 compatibility. billion were more than India’s combined purchases from the U.S. and the U.A.E, Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s latest news which are its second- and third-largest • RBI projects GDP at 10.5 percent in trade partners, respectively. the Financial Year 2021-22. www.gradeup.co • RBI keeps Key Rates Unchanged: The PM SVANidhi scheme: Zomato sign MoU to monetary policy review has decided to take street food vendors' businesses online continue with an accommodative stance • The Ministry of Housing and Urban of monetary policy to maintain status Affairs (MoHUA) has signed a quo on key policy rates. The repo rate is memorandum of understanding (MoU) kept unchanged at 4 percent and the with Zomato for empowering street food reverse repo rate at 3.35 percent. vendors with new digital technology and • RBI introduced a risk-based internal to provide greater income-earning audit (RBIA) system for select non- opportunities on the food delivery bank lenders and urban co-operative platform. banks (UCBs): All deposit-taking non- • Note: Recently, MoHUA has signed a banking financial companies MoU with Swiggy to take street food (NBFCs), NBFCs with an asset size of vendors online under the PM SVANidhi Rs 5,000 crore, and UCBs with an asset scheme. size of Rs 500 crore will have to • About PM SVANidhi (Pradhan implement the system by March 31, Mantri Street Vendor's Atmanirbhar 2022. Nidhi) scheme: It was launched on • RBI to set up a 24x7 helpline for June 1, 2020, to help the street vendors digital payment services resume their livelihood activities that • RBI has decided to implement, ‘One were impacted by COVID-19. Nation One Ombudsman’ approach for grievance redressal. The “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” of Integrated Ombudsman Scheme will Rs. 6865 crore be rolled out in June 2021. • Government of India has launched a new Central Sector Scheme titled MCA21 Version 3.0 to be launched in Fiscal "Formation and Promotion of 10,000 2021-22 Farmer Produce Organizations" with a • During the fiscal 2021-22, the Ministry clear strategy and committed resources of Corporate Affairs (MCA) will launch to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs data analytics driven MCA21 Version in the country with budgetary provision 3.0. of Rs 6865 crore. • MCA21 system is the first Mission • NAFED would form the specialized Mode e-Governance project of the FPOs which should necessarily be Government of India. forwardly linked to the market, agri- • MCA21 Version 3.0 Project is a value chain, etc. NAFED will provide technology-driven forward looking market and value chain linkages to the project, envisioned to strengthen FPOs formed by other Implementing enforcement, promote Ease of Doing Agencies. Business, enhance user experience, • Note: Recently, during 2020-21, a total facilitate seamless integration and data of 2200 FPO produce clusters have been exchange among Regulators. allocated for formation of FPOs. • Note: The key components of MCA21 • Recently, NAFED has formed & to be launched during Fiscal Year 2021- registered 05 Honey FPOs during 22 are: e-Scrutiny, e-Adjudication, e- current year in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Consultation, Compliance Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar & West Management System (CMS), MCA Bengal. Lab. • About NAFED (National

Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India): It is an apex www.gradeup.co organization of marketing cooperatives of 2022, on the 75th year of our for agricultural produce in India. It was Independence. established on the auspicious day of • The Budget proposals for 2021-22 rest Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October 1958. on 6 pillars: Health and Wellbeing, Physical & Financial Capital and Infrastructure, Economic Survey 2021 Inclusive Development for Aspirational • Union finance minister Nirmala India, Reinvigorating Human Capital, Sitharaman presented the Economic Innovation and R&D, Minimum Survey that details the state of the Government and Maximum economy ahead of the Governance government's budget for the fiscal year • The key highlights of the Union beginning April 1, 2021. Budget 2021-22 are as follows: • The Economic Survey 2020-2021, • Total spend of around Rs 2 lakh crore on authored by a team led by chief healthcare, Rs 35,000 crore for the economic adviser (CEA) Covid-19 vaccine, Rs 1.10 lakh crore Krishnamurthy V Subramanian, focused outlay for railways. To impose Rs 2.5 on the state of different sectors of the per litre agri infra cess on petrol and Rs economy. 4 on diesel. • The Economic Survey has • The forthcoming Census could be been dedicated to all the COVID-19 India’s first digital Census, allocating warriors, who have really helped in Rs 3,768 crore for FY21. upholding India. • Mega Investment Textiles Parks • Key highlights: India’s GDP is (MITRA), Mission Poshan 2.0, PM estimated to contract by 7.7% in Aatmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana FY2020-21. will be launched. • The survey expects the Indian • Government has increased the FDI limit economy to grow by 11 percent during from 49 to 74 per cent in Insurance 2021-22 which is close to the growth Companies. forecast of 11.5 percent made by the • No change in the Income Tax International Monetary Fund (IMF). Slabs.Senior citizens who are of 75 • V-shaped economic recovery due to years of age and above, having an only mega vaccination drive, robust recovery pension and interest income will be in the services sector and robust growth exempted from filing their income tax in consumption and investment. return. • Set up of an asset reconstruction Union Budget 2021-22 company and an asset management • The Union Minister for Finance & company to clean up non-performing Corporate Affairs, Smt Nirmala assets in the banking sector. Sitharaman presented the Union Budget • A voluntary vehicle scrappage 2021-22 in Parliament on 01 February, policy has been introduced. which is the first budget of this new • Note: 15th Finance Commission’s decade and also a digital one in the final report: The 15th Finance backdrop of unprecedented COVID-19 Commission (Chairman: Mr N. K. crisis. Singh) was required to submit two • Additionally, also on the path to fast- reports. The first report, consisting of implementation are the 13 promises of recommendations for the financial year Budget 2015-16-which were to 2020-21, was tabled in Parliament on materialize during the AmrutMahotsav February 1, 2020. www.gradeup.co • The final report with recommendations • Newly included items are Tasar for 2021-22 to 2025-26 was tabled along Cocoon, elephant apple dry, bamboo with Budget 2021-22. shoot, malkangani seed and wild dry mushroom among others. CCI approves acquisition of Indo Gulf • About MFP (Minor Forest Produce): Fertilisers by Indorama India Private The Central government had introduced Limited a minimum support price for a selected • The Competition Commission of India list of minor produce items through (CCI) approves acquisition of Indo Gulf mechanism for marketing of Minor Fertilisers by Indorama India Private Forest Produce through Minimum Limited (IIPL) under Section 31(1) of Support Price and development of Value the Competition Act, 2002. Chain of MFP Scheme in 2011. • IIPL is principally engaged in manufacture, trading and sale of RBI cancels license of Kolhapur's Shivam fertilisers, primarily, phosphatic Sahakari Bank fertilisers and speciality plant nutrients. • According to the RBI, the licence of • Grasim’s fertiliser division, Indo Gulf Maharashtra-based Shivam Sahakari Fertilisers (IGF) is a leading agri- Bank has been cancelled as it does not solutions provider. Indo Gulf have adequate capital and earning Fertilisers is an Indian company (a unit prospects. of Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.) based • Consequently, the bank ceases to carry in Mumbai and is part of the Aditya on banking business, with effect from Birla Group of companies. the close of business on January 29, 2021. • With the cancellation of licence and 14 new Minor Forest Produce (MFP) items commencement of liquidation included under Minimum Support Price proceedings, the process of paying the (MSP) scheme to provide fair prices to tribal depositors of Shivam Sahakari Bank as gatherers per the Deposit Insurance and Credit • The government has decided to include Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Act, 14 new minor forest produce items 1961 will be set in motion. under the mechanism for marketing of • Note: Recently, RBI cancelled the minor forest produce through a licence of Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari minimum support price scheme to Bank Ltd., Osmanabad, Maharashtra. provide remunerative and fair prices to tribal gatherers of forest produces. Awards and Honors

Team TRIFED bags the award for • TRIFED won a collective award of excellence in PSU for Investment in Start- Excellence in PSU – for investment in ups in the Organisational Awards category start-ups in the Organisational Award of the Business Leader of the Year awards Category. • Team TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative • Shri Pravir Krishna, Managing Director Marketing Federation of India), led won three awards in the Individual by Shri Pravir Krishna, Managing Category for his exemplary and Director, TRIFED, has won 4 awards in inspirational leadership – CEO of the the 19th Global edition and the 4th India year; Brand Builder of the Year and Edition of World Leadership Congress Entrepreneur of the Year. and Awards. www.gradeup.co 12 companies selected for the prestigious Tanhaji: The Unsung Best Film National Technology Awards 2020 for Warrior commercialization of innovative indigenous Best International Parasite technologies Feature Film • The companies have been selected Best Director Anurag Basu (Ludo) under three categories --indigenous technologies, MSME, and startups. Best Actor (Web Bobby Deol Series) (Aashram) • The awards were given by the Best Actress (Web Technology Development Board Sushmita Sen (Aarya) (TDB), a statutory body of the Series) Government of India functioning under Best Web Series Scam: 1992 Department of Science of Technology for the year 2019-20. • Note: This year's awards also included the • About TDB (Technology OTT (over-the-top) category. Development Board): It was • Dadasaheb Phalke International Film established in 1996 with a novel aim of Festival Awards were introduced by the providing financial assistance to Indian Government of India in 1969 to commemorate the Father of the Indian companies for commercialization of Cinema Dadasaheb Phalke. innovative indigenous technologies. SERB announces Women Excellence Award US announces anti-corruption award for 2021 social activist Anjali Bhardwaj • Four young women fellows of National • India’s Anjali Bhardwaj was among 12 Science Academies have been awarded anti-corruption activists from around the for excelling in science and engineering world named by US secretary of state on the International Day of Women and Antony Blinken as the first recipients of Girls in Science 2021. the new ‘International Anti- • The SERB Women Excellence Award corruption Champions Award’. that has been conferred on them • Bhardwaj established a foundation by provides a grant of Rs. 15 lakhs for a the name of Stark Nagrik Sangathan period of three years to the awardees to (SNS) that encouraged citizens with a pursue their research ideas. mandate of promoting accountability in • The four women scientists selected for the public and government institutions. the awards include Dr. Shobhna • For over two decades, she has remained Kapoor, Dr. Antara Banerjee, Dr. an active member of the right to Sonu Gandhi and Dr. Ritu Gupta. information (RTI) movement in India. • About Women Excellence Award 2021: The award given by the Science Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2021 and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the • Important winner list: Department of Science and Technology (DST) supporting basic research in the Deepika Padukone frontier areas of science and Best Actress (Chhapaak) engineering, was launched in the year 2013. It is a one-time award given to Akshay Kumar Best Actor women scientists below 40 years of age. (Laxmii)

Sushant Singh Rajput Critic’s Best Actor Ministry of Tribal Affairs bags Award of (Dil Bechara) Appreciation in the 18th CSI SIG e- Critic’s Best Actress Kiara Advani (Guilty) Governance Awards 2020 www.gradeup.co • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs bags the Foundation’s Sanctuary Wildlife prestigious Award of Appreciation in Service Awards in the year 2000 to the Project Category-Central recognise and draw national attention to Government Entity – in the 18th CSI the contribution of individuals working SIG eGov Awards 2020 for their for the protection of wildlife and natural Performance Dashboard Empowering habitats in India. Tribals Transforming India through various ICT initiatives. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) • About the award: The Computer awards dedicated for Animal Welfare and Society of India (CSI) has instituted a Protection-2021 series of awards for recognizing the • Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister for contributions made in the field of e- Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Governance in the country. These Dairying, Govt. of India distributed the awards have been conducted by CSI- awards on the auspicious day of Vasant SIGegov. Panchami. • Note: The Ministry also recently • The Animal Welfare Board of India received the prestigious 5 SKOCH (AWBI), the apex body in the country awards for different project, for the welfare and protection of including the prestigious SKOCH animals, established under Section 4 of Challenger Award for its “Best the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Performance in eGovernance”. Act, 1960 conferred 14 Prani Mitra awards and JeevDaya awards 2021 to Tamil film Koozhangal wins Tiger award at the individuals, organizations and Rotterdam film festival 2021 corporates for their outstanding • Koozhangal (Pebbles) became the first performance in the field of animal Tamil film to win the coveted Tiger welfare. Award at the 50th Rotterdam Film Festival 2021. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan • Directed by debutant P S Vinothraj, the Mohan Reddy conferred Skoch Chief film has been produced by actor Minister of the Year Award Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivn. • The Award has been presented to the • Note: Koozhangal has become the CM by Chairman, Skoch group, Sameer second Indian film ever to have won the Kochhar personally at Tadepalli in award. Andhra Pradesh. • The first Indian film to have won the • About SKOCH Award: SKOCH honour was Malayalam filmmaker Award, independently instituted in Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Durga in 2003, is India’s honest civilian honour 2017. conferred by an independent organisation as a third party assessment. Theodore Baskaran wins Sanctuary It is the only award in the country that is Lifetime Service Award 2020 based on felt-needs assessment and • Sanctuary Nature Foundation honours outcome evaluation based on evidence. conservation hero S Theodore Baskaran It recognises people, projects and with Sanctuary Lifetime Service Award institutions. 2020 for his role in wildlife conservation and his continuing legacy WCCB receives Asia Environmental of writings in Tamil and English to the Enforcement Award-2020 conservation discourse. • The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau • Sanctuary Lifetime Service Award (WCCB) has received the Asia was instituted by the Sanctuary Nature Environmental Enforcement Award- www.gradeup.co 2020 awarded by the United Nations Manasa Varanasi crowned Miss India Environment Programme (UNEP). World 2020 • Union Environment Minister Prakash • Manasa Varanasi, an engineer from Javadekar said that WCCB getting the Telangana, emerged as the winner of award twice in three years is a testimony VLCC Femina Miss India World 2020. of India's commitment towards ending • While Haryana’s Manika Sheokand was wildlife crime. declared VLCC Femina Miss Grand • Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been India 2020, Uttar Pradesh’s Manya awarded this year under the Innovation Singh was crowned VLCC Femina Miss category. India 2020 - runner-up. • Note: Earlier, the Bureau had received • Note: Manasa Varanasi will represent the award in 2018 under the same India at the 70th Miss World pageant in category. December 2021. Rishabh Pant wins the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for January 2021 Robert Irwin wins Wildlife Photographer of • India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh the Year Pant became the first winner of the • Famous wildlife Australian zookeeper inaugural ICC Player of the and wildlife expert Steve Irwin's son, Month award. Robert Irwin has won the first prize in • Pant won the award for his spectacular the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife performances in the two Tests against Photographer of the Year People’s Australia. Choice Award. • South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail was • The image was titled 'bushfire' and was named the ICC Women’s Player of the captured through a drone that shows a Month for January 2021. line of fire burning in between the • She was rewarded for her incredible bushes, dividing it into parts. performances across three ODIs and two • Robert captured this image near the T20Is against Pakistan. Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Queensland. Bengaluru airport achieves ACI World's 'Voice of the Customer' recognition A.R. Rahman presented ‘Alert Being Icon • The Bangalore International Airport Award’ Limited's (BIAL) or Kempegowda • Oscar Award-winning music director International Airport Bengaluru has A.R. Rahman and social activist from bagged global recognition from the Saidapet Hari Krishnan were among Airports Council International (ACI) the 14 people who were presented the World's 'Voice of the Customer' award. 4th edition of the Alert Being • The 'Voice of the Customer' recognises Awards 2020 by the NGO ALERT. airports that continued to prioritise their • The equivalent award for organisations customers and remained committed to was given to Biocon Foundation ensuring that their voice was heard founded by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. • Note: This year, a special category, • Note: Bengaluru Airport has made Alert Being Covid Warriors, was significant efforts in gathering added, and 30 Covid warriors received passenger feedback through ACI's the Alert Being Covid Frontline Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Warrior Award for their contribution programme. amid the pandemic.

Defense www.gradeup.co Successful user trials of DRDO-developed • The first of its kind in India, SDC has Anti-Tank Guided Missile Systems ‘Helina’ been created by Delhi based DRDO and ‘Dhruvastra’ laboratory Centre for Fire, Explosive • Joint User Trials for Helina (Army and Environment Safety (CFEES). Version) and Dhruvastra (Air Force • It will provide fire prevention and fire- Version) Missile Systems have been fighting training to Defence Fire Service carried out from Advanced Light Personnel and combatants from the Helicopter (ALH) platform in desert Armed Forces. ranges. • Facts about DRDO (Defence • The missile systems have been designed Research and Development and developed indigenously by Defence Organisation): Research and Development Formed: 1958 Organisation (DRDO). Headquarter: New Delhi • Note: The Helina and Dhruvastra are Chairman: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy third generation, Lock on Before Parent Organization: Ministry of Launch (LOBL) fire and forget Anti- Defence Tank Guided Missiles that can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as Successful launches of VL-SRSAM missile top attack mode. system • Defence Research & Development Indian Navy Ship Pralaya arrives in Abu Organisation (DRDO) conducted two Dhabi, UAE to participate in NAVDEX 21 successful launches of Vertical Launch and IDEX 21 Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL- • Indian Naval Ship Pralaya arrived at SRSAM). Abu Dhabi, UAE to participate in the • The launches were carried out from a NAVDEX 21 (Naval Defence static vertical launcher from Integrated Exhibition) and IDEX 21 (International Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the Defence Exhibition), scheduled from 20 coast of Odisha. to 25 February 2021. • Indigenously designed and developed • INS Pralaya, the second ship of the by DRDO for Indian Navy, VL- indigenously built Prabal Class Missile SRSAM is meant for neutralizing Vessels, was commissioned in the various aerial threats at close ranges Indian Navy on 18 December 2002. including sea-skimming targets. • Note: Towards enhancing interactions between the two navies, the inaugural Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) edition of Indian Navy – UAE Navy approves proposals worth Rs 13,700 crore bilateral exercise GULF STAR - 1 was • Defence Acquisition Council, under the conducted in March 2018. chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri • The next edition of the exercise is likely Rajnath Singh, has approved capital to be conducted in 2021. acquisition proposals of various weapons/platforms/equipment/systems, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh including 118 Arjun Mk-1A tanks inaugurates DRDO Skill Development required by the Indian Army, Indian Centre for Fire Safety Training Navy and Indian Air Force. • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has • Three Acceptance of Necessities inaugurated Skill Development Centre (AoNs) for an overall cost of Rs 13,700 (SDC) for Fire Safety Training of crore were accorded. Defence Research and Development • All these AoNs are in the highest Organisation (DRDO) at Pilkhuwa in priority category of Defence Uttar Pradesh. Acquisition viz 'Buy [Indian-IDDM www.gradeup.co (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)]. • Note: Recently, the state-of-the-art India joins "Iran-Russia Maritime Security indigenously developed Arjun Main Belt 2021" Battle Tank (Mk-1A) was formally • India has joined Iran and Russia in a handed over by Prime Minister two-day navy exercise dubbed "Iran- Narendra Modi to the Army in Chennai. Russia Maritime Security Belt 2021" in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. • Forces and vessels from the navy Defence Minister Rajnath Singh divisions of both the Iranian army and inaugurates more than 57,000 water the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps structures in Madhya Pradesh under (IRGC) participated in the drill 'Jalabhishekam' campaign alongside several vessels from the • The 'Jalabhishekam' Campaign is Russian navy. fulfilling the intention of 'water for • Note: This is the second such joint every farm and work for every hand'. Russia-Iran exercise since 2019, when • These water structures were created the two nations plus China held a four- during COVID era by linking the work day exercise. with the MNREGA scheme. • Facts about State symbols of Madhya Pradesh: Indo-US joint military exercise 'Yudh State animal: Barasingha Abhyas' begins in Rajasthan State bird: Paradise flycatcher • The 16th edition of the Indo-US joint State tree: Banyan tree military training exercise 'Yudh Abhyas' State Flower: Madonna lily commenced at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in the western sector of Indian Navy undertaking mega Exercise Rajasthan. ‘TROPEX 21’ in the Indian Ocean Region • Around 250 soldiers from each side will • Indian Navy's largest war game, the participate in the exercise from February biennial ''Theatre Level Operational 8-21 at Mahajan field firing range. Readiness Exercise” (TROPEX) 21, • Note: The previous version of the joint which commenced in early January is exercise was held at Seattle in the currently underway with participation of United States. all operational units of Indian Navy • Earlier in January 2021, a five-day including ships, submarines, aircraft as exercise was also organized in well as units of the Indian Army, Indian Rajasthan between the Air Forces of Air Force and Coast Guard. India and France. • The exercise will culminate by the third • In the end of 2020, India conducted week of February. Malabar Naval Exercise with US, • TROPEX is being progressed over Japan and Australia. distinct phases: • 3 Phases of the Exercise: First women team inducted into CRPF's Phase I: India's largest coastal defence CoBRA commando unit drill ''Sea Vigil'' exercise from January • Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 12-13 inducted 34 women commandos in its Phase II: Tri-Service Joint Amphibious anti-Naxal Commando Battalion for Exercise “AMPHEX-21” from January Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit which 21-25. will undergo training and then will be Phase III: "The weapon workup phase, sent to Naxal hit areas. which concluded recently. www.gradeup.co • According to the CRPF, on the occasion • India will host Indian Ocean Region of the 88th all-women battalion Raising Defence Ministers’ Conclave on Day, these women commandos have February 04, 2021 during Aero India been inducted along with the 2021. introduction of all Mahila brass band. • Note: Bengaluru has hosted all 13 • Facts about COBRA: editions of the show. Founded: 2008 • Aero India is a biennial air show and Agency executive: Anand Prakash aviation exhibition. Maheshwari, Director General • It is organised by the Defence Primary governing body: Central Exhibition Organisation, Ministry of Reserve Police Force Defence. The first edition of the air show was held Supreme Court stays dismantling of in 1996. decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Viraat • A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Bobde issued notice to the Centre and inaugurates HAL’s second LCA production others seeking their responses on a plea line filed by a firm which seeks preservation • The Union Defence Minister Rajnath of the ship from being dismantled and Singh on February 2, 2021, inaugurated for creating it as a museum. the second Light Combat Aircraft- LCA • Note: The centaur-class aircraft carrier, production line of Hindustan INS Viraat, was inducted into the Indian Aeronautics Limited. Navy in 1987 and decommissioned in • The Cabinet Committee of Security 2017. chaired by PM Modi on January 13, • INS Viraat holds the world record, as 2021, had given its approval to the mentioned in the Guinness Book of massive deal for indigenous defence records, for being the longest-serving procurement. The deal is worth Rs. warship of the world. 48,000 crores for the purchase of 83 LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets. • Facts about HAL (Hindustan Asia’s biggest Aero show ‘Aero India 2021’ Aeronautics Limited): Public Sector begins at Bengaluru in Karnataka Undertaking (Aerospace and Defence) • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Founded: 1940 (As Hindustan inaugurated the three-day (03-05 Aircraft), 1964 (Renamed Hindustan February 2021) mega event that is Aeronautics) taking place for the first time in a hybrid Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka mode due to Covid Pandemic. The 13th Chairman & MD: R Madhavan edition of Aero India show will see participants in both physical and virtual mode. New Appointments

Ajai Malhotra becomes first Indian • Facts about the United Nations Chairperson of Advisory Committee at Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Human Rights Council Founded: 15 March 2006 • Malhotra has previously served as President: Nazhat Shameem ambassador to Russia, Kuwait, Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Parent organization: United Nations Representative to the United Nations, General Assembly New York and Romania. www.gradeup.co Asian Development Bank (ADB) appoints • He will lead a new national unity Woochong Um as Managing Director government to replace Giuseppe Conte's General centre-left coalition that collapsed one • Um will support Asakawa to institute month ago. bank-wide coherence on key initiatives • Facts about Italy: and issues. President: Sergio Mattarella • Um joined ADB in 1993. Since June Capital: Rome 2018, he served as Director General and Currency: Euro concurrently Chief Compliance Officer of ADB's sustainable development and Puligoru Venkata Sanjay Kumar appointed climate change department. chief justice of Manipur High Court • Facts about ADB (Asian Development • President Ram Nath Kovind has Bank): appointed Justice Puligoru Venkata Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Sanjay Kumar as the Chief Justice of the Philippines Manipur High Court. Membership : 68 countries (49 from • Kumar is presently the Judge of the Asia-Pacific region and 19 from Outside Punjab and Haryana High Court. regions) • Facts about Manipur: President: Masatsugu Asakawa Capital: Imphal Founded: 19 December 1966 Governor: Najma Heptulla Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh Shri Vijay Sampla assumes charge of Chairman National Commission for Tata Motors appoints Marc Llistosella as Scheduled Castes (NCSC) CEO & MD • Shri Vijay Sampla has been the former • Tata Motors Limited has Union Minister of State for Social announced Marc Llistosella as the new Justice & Empowerment from 2014-19. CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and MD • The National Commission for (Managing Director) of the company Scheduled Castes (NCSC): It is an effective July 1, 2021. He will take over Indian constitutional body established to from the current incumbent Guenter provide safeguards against the Butschek. exploitation of Scheduled Castes to • Facts about Tata Motors Limited: promote and protect their social, Formerly Known: Tata Engineering educational, economic and cultural and Locomotive Company Ltd. (TELCO) interests, special provisions were made Founded: 1945 in the Constitution. It was formed in Founder: J. R. D. TATA 2004. Headquarters: Mumbai • Note: Article 338 of the Indian Chairman: Natarajan constitution deals with the National Chandrasekaran Commission for Scheduled Castes. • Article 338 A deals with the National ISA announces Dr Ajay Mathur as its new Commission for Scheduled tribes. Director-General • International Solar Alliance (ISA) has announced Dr. Ajay Mathur as its new Mario Draghi sworn in as Italy's new prime Director General following his election minister at the first special assembly of ISA • The ex-head of the European Central members. Bank, Mario Draghi, has been sworn-in • Dr Mathur replaces Mr Upendra as Italy's next prime minister. Tripathy, who has served as Director General since the inception of the ISA. www.gradeup.co • Note: International Solar • Ayesha Aziz, the 25 -year-old from Alliance (ISA) is an association of 121 Kashmir, is the youngest female pilot in countries initiated by India. It aims to the country. work for efficient consumption of solar • Note: In the year 2011, Aziz became the energy to reduce dependence on fossil youngest student pilot to get a license at fuels. the age of 15 and underwent training to Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, fly a MIG-29 jet at Russia's Sokol India airbase the following year. Founded: 30 November 2015 • She later graduated in aviation from the Bombay Flying Club (BFC) and Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai obtained a commercial license in 2017. Soundararajan sworn-in as the new Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory S. N. Subrahmanyan appointed as of Puducherry Chairman of National Safety Council (NSC) • Chief Justice of Madras High Court • The Ministry of Labour & Employment Justice Sanjib Banerjee administered the has appointed the CEO and Managing oath of office to the LG. Director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) • Note: Soundararajan is the fifth woman Ltd, S. N. Subrahmanyan, as the new to hold the post of Lt Governor of Chairman of the National Safety Puducherry, after Chandrawati, Council. Rajendra Kumari Bajpai, Rajani Rai and • Note: National Safety Council plays a Kiran Bedi. major role to ensure safety in work • Recently, Lieutenant Governor of places under new Occupational Safety, Puducherry Kiran Bedi was removed Health and Working Conditions Code, from her post when the Union Territory 2020 (OSH Code, 2020). was witnessing a political crisis. Praveen Sinha takes over as CBI interim N. Venudhar Reddy takes over as Principal Chief (Director) DG, AIR News • The Department of Personnel and • Senior officer of Indian Information Training (DoPT) issued a notification Service N. Venudhar Reddy took over appointing Mr. Sinha, a 1988 batch as Principal Director General of AIR Gujarat cadre IPS, to take over as the (All India Radio) News. CBI’s interim chief till the appointment • Note: Mr. Reddy replaces Jaideep of a regulator director. Bhatnagar who is now posted as Officer • Praveen Sinha, currently Additional on Special Duty to the Press Information Director of the CBI, was appointed as its Bureau, PIB. Mr. Bhatnagar will take interim chief as current chief R.K over as Principal Director General of Shukla’s two-year tenure ended. PIB from 1st March. • Facts about CBI (Central Bureau of • All India Radio (AIR), officially Investigation): known since 1957 Formed: 1941 as the Special Police as Akashvani ("Voice from the Sky"), Establishment is the national public radio broadcaster Headquarter: New Delhi of India and is a division of Prasar Bharati. It was established in 1936. Padma Shri awardee and Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu appointed to the National Ayesha Aziz becomes India's youngest Security Advisory Board (NSAB) female pilot • Vembu is one of the Padma Shri awardees announced by the government of India this year. www.gradeup.co • The members of NSAB typically have • Note: Mr. Bloomberg will support the two-year terms. Other new members in work of the secretary-general in this term include former ISRO growing and strengthening the coalition Chairman K Radhakrishnan, Anshuman of governments, companies, cities and Tripathy, faculty at IIM Bangalore, and financial institutions committing to net- Arun K Singh, former ambassador to zero before 2050 in line with the goals France and the United States. of the Paris Agreement. Note: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is the key advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Cabinet Lt General Chandi Prasad Mohanty next Committee on Security (CCS) on six Vice Chief of Army Staff sensitive verticals including defence, • Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad internal security, strategic (nuclear) Mohanty will take over as the new vice- affairs, space, external affairs and chief of Army staff on February 1. intelligence and receives consultations • He is presently the Southern Army from the NSAB. Commander and will be succeeding Lt General SK Saini on his superannuation. Google Cloud appoints Bikram Singh Bedi • Facts about Indian Army: as Managing Director for India business Founded: 1 April 1895 • Bedi succeeds Karan Bajwa, who was Headquarters: New Delhi elevated as Vice President for Asia Commander-in-Chief: President Pacific region last month. Ram Nath Kovind • Bedi will be responsible for leading Chief of the Army Staff: General Google Cloud's sales and operations Manoj Mukund Naravane teams. • Bedi joins Google Cloud from Grofers R S Sharma appointed as new CEO of where he served as President Strategy Ayushman Bharat and New Initiatives. • R S Sharma has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala first woman, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (Pradhan African to head (Director-General) WTO Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) by the • Nigerian economist, Ngozi Okonjo- National Health Authority (NHA). Iweala has worked previously as the • RS Sharma was former chairman of the Managing Director of the World Bank. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India In her home country Nigeria, she was (TRAI). He will replace Indu Bhushan. the first female Foreign Minister as well • Note: AB PM-JAY (Ayushman as held the position of Finance Minister Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan twice. Aarogya Yojana): It is the world’s • Facts about WTO (World Trade largest health assurance scheme which Organization): aims to provide a health cover of Rs. 5 Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland lakhs per family per year for secondary Founded: 1 January 1995 and tertiary care hospitalization. PM- Membership: 164 member states JAY was launched on 23 September 2018 at Ranchi, Jharkhand. Michael Bloomberg re-appointed as United Nations Climate Envoy Kaja Kallas becomes first female Prime • United Nations Secretary-General Minister of Estonia Antonio Guterres re-appointed Michael • The former Member of the European Bloomberg as his Special Envoy on Parliament, Kaja Kallas has become the Climate Ambition and Solutions. first female Prime Minister of Estonia as www.gradeup.co the new two-party coalition government program, as well as aeronautics and was sworn in on January 26, 2021. space research. Founded: 1 October 1958 Jay Shah takes over as Asian Cricket Headquarters: Washington, D.C., Council (ACC) President United States • BCCI secretary Jay Shah was unanimously elected as the President of Ajay Singh re-elected as president of Boxing the Asian Cricket Council following its Federation of India AGM held virtually. • Spicejet airlines chairman Ajay Singh • He replaces Nazmul Hassan, President, defeated Ashish Shelar in a contest to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). get re-elected as president of Boxing • Facts about the Asian Cricket Council Federation India for a second term at the (ACC): general elections held in Gurugram. Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka • About Indian Boxing Federation: It is Founded: 19 September 1983 the Indian national governing body for Parent organization: International Olympic boxing and is India's member Cricket Council organization of the International • Note: ACC is responsible for organizing Amateur Boxing Association. It is the Asia Cup tournaments. headquartered in New Delhi. Indian Boxing Federation is also known as all Bhavya Lal, the Indian-American scientist, India boxing association. has been appointed as the Acting Chief of Staff of the US space agency (NASA) Andy Jassy to replace Jeff Bezos as Amazon • Lal brings "extensive experience" in CEO engineering and space technology, • Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has serving as a member of the research staff announced to step down from his at the Institute for Defence Analyses position later this year as chief executive Science and Technology Policy Institute of the company he built from a startup (STPI) from 2005 to 2020. into one of the world’s most valuable • Lal served as a member of the Biden firms. Presidential Transition Agency Review • Andy Jassy is currently serving as CEO Team for the agency and oversaw the of Amazon Web Services (AWS). agency's transition under the • Facts about Amazon: administration of President Biden. CEO: Jeff Bezos • Facts about NASA (National Founder: Jeff Bezos Aeronautics and Space Founded: 5 July 1994 Administration): It is an independent Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, agency of the U.S. Federal Government United States responsible for the civilian space Science and Technology

American space agency NASA lands its back to Earth sometime in the 2030s for rover 'Perseverance' on Mars successfully lab analysis. • The American space agency NASA successfully landed its fifth rover 'Perseverance' on Mars in a deep crater TIFAC unveils two new initiatives of near the planet's equator called Jezero. Technology —SAKSHAM and a Seaweed • It will attempt to collect around 30 rock Mission and soil samples, to be eventually sent www.gradeup.co • Two new initiatives of Technology Jammu and Kashmir to get 1st impact- Information, Forecasting and based flood forecasting system Assessment Council (TIFAC): • Jammu and Kashmir is likely to get the • (i) SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti country’s first impact-based flood Manch)- a dynamic job portal for forecasting system in collaboration with mapping the skills of Shramiks vis-à-vis the UK space agency, enabling the requirements of MSMEs to directly prediction of the impact impending connect Shramiks with MSMEs and floods may have on people's lives facilitate placement of 10 lakh blue- including, houses, crops, livestock, and collar jobs and (ii) Seaweed Mission for transport routes, thereby helping in commercial farming of seaweeds and its mitigating several of these challenges. processing for value addition towards • Note: A recent report has put India boosting national economy were among the 10 most disaster prone launched on the occasion of the countries in the world and ranked floods 34th Foundation Day celebrations. as one of the greatest climate-related • About Technology Information, hazards. Forecasting and Assessment Council • J&K falls in seismic zone IV and V, (TIFAC): It is an autonomous making it prone to quakes as well. technology think tank under the • Facts about Jammu and Kashmir: Department of Science & Technology Union territory established: 31 (DST), Government of India. October 2019 Executive Director: Pradeep Capital: Srinagar (May–October), Srivastava Jammu (Nov-April) Headquarters: New Delhi Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Founded: 1988 Sinha

ISRO tests satellites developed by private MapmyIndia ties up with ISRO to build an sector for the first time alternative to Google Maps • Two satellites by Indian startups— • The Indian Space Research SpaceKidz India and Pixxel Organisation (ISRO) has entered into an (incorporated as Sygyzy)—were tested agreement with MapmyIndia to develop at the UR Rao Satellite Centre of the mapping and other location-based Indian Space Research Organisation services in India, which MapmyIndia (ISRO) in Bengaluru. suggested could become an alternative • Earlier ISRO had only provided launch to widely-used Google maps and facilities to private firms at a cost. similar products. • Note: In June 2020, ISRO chairman K • About MapmyIndia: It is an Indian Sivan had announced that the agency technology company that builds digital will open its labs, testing facilities and map data, telematics services, location- quality facilities to private companies so based SaaS and GIS AI services. The they don’t have to invest in company was founded in 1992 and is infrastructure. headquartered at New Delhi. • An independent body, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Indian astronomers detect huge optical flare Centre (IN-SPACe), was set up to not from super massive black hole only to oversee the space activity of the • According to the Department of Science private sector, but also to share ISRO and Technology, Indian astronomers facilities. have reported one of the strongest flares from a feeding super massive black hole or blazar called BL Lacertae. www.gradeup.co • The analysis can help to trace the mass has a mass of roughly 250 kg. The of the black hole and the source of this rocket can carry a maximum payload emission and can provide a lead to probe mass of 8 kg and during its first launch mysteries and trace events at different carried three payloads. stages of evolution of the Universe. • The rocket is manufactured by bluShift, • BL Lacertae blazar is 10 million light- an aerospace company based in Maine. years away and is among the 50 most prominent blazars that can be observed with the help of a relatively small India's first geothermal power project to be telescope. established at Puga village of eastern • It was among the 3 to 4 blazars that was Ladakh predicted to be experiencing flares by • India's first ever geothermal power the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope project, known as Geothermal Field (WEBT), an international consortium of Development Project is planned to astronomers. commission by the end of 2022. • The tripartite MoU was signed between IIT Madras-incubated startup Pi Beam has ONGC Energy, LAHDC, Leh and the launched an electric two-wheeler, PiMo, for Power Department of UT Ladakh. Rs 30,000 • The project will work in different • PiMo is a vehicle that’s between an stages. In the first phase of the pilot electric bicycle and entry-level electric project, one megawatt (MW) power scooter. generation capacity will be generated. • PiMo, having 90% of components • Note: Puga has been identified as the manufactured in India, is a stylishly hotspot of geothermal energy in the designed two-wheeler offering a range country by the scientists. Puga is a place of 50 km on a single charge with a top where it is uncovered with a potential of speed of 25 kmph. more than 100 mw of geothermal • The company aims to sell 10,000 units energies. by the end of next financial year (2021- 22). Odisha's Balasore to get Country's first • About Pi Beam: “Pi Beam is an Thunderstorm Research Testbed incubated company at IIT-M to bring • The India Meteorological Department electric mobility in India. They have (IMD) is all set to establish the been working on vehicles which country’s first thunderstorm research essentially enable carrying of goods and testbed at Balasore. passengers. • The objective of setting up the thunderstorm testbed is to minimalise Stardust 1.0, the first rocket to run on human fatalities and loss of property due biofuel to lightning strikes. • Recently, Stardust 1.0 was launched • The thunderstorm testbed will be from Loring Commerce Centre in established in collaboration between the Maine, US, a former military base, Ministry of Earth Sciences, IMD, becoming the first commercial space Defence Research and Development launch powered by biofuel, which is Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space non-toxic for the environment as Research Organisation (ISRO). opposed to traditionally used rocket • Note: IMD Director-General Dr fuels. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra also revealed • About Stardust 1.0: It is a launch that a first-of-its-kind monsoon testbed vehicle suited for student and budget is also being planned near Bhopal. payloads. The rocket is 20 feet tall and www.gradeup.co Square Kilometre Array Observatory • It is part of Waste to Wealth as stubble launched (Parali) can be used as a raw material for • Square Kilometre Array Observatory producing Bio-CNG which will help the (SKAO) Council held its maiden farmers to earn money by selling it to the meeting and approved the establishment Bio-CNG production units in their of the world’s largest radio telescope. locality • SKAO is a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to radio astronomy and is headquartered in the Visual intelligence tool TEJAS, e-Auction UK. India, 'Work from AnyWhere' portal • The Square Kilometre Array launched on silver jubilee of NICSI Observatory Council aims to build and • On the occasion of silver jubilee operate two radio telescope networks, of National Informatics Centre Services which would be the largest and most Incorporated (NICSI), a public sector complex ones ever conceived. enterprise under National Informatics • With these two networks, the Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics & intergovernmental organisation hopes to Information Technology (MeitY), answer some of the fundamental Union Minister Ravi Shankar questions regarding the universe. The Prasad has launched visual intelligence two networks will be based in South tool TEJAS, e-Auction India, ‘Work Africa and Australia. from AnyWhere’ and NIC products • Around 16 countries are currently a part portfolio. of the project either at a government or • Facts about National Informatics national-coordination level or as Centre (NIC): observers. Founded: 1976 • India is participating in the Square Director General: Neeta Verma Headquarters: New Delhi Kilometre Array Observatory at a national-coordination level, led by the Parent organisation: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology National Centre for Radio Astrophysics

of the Tata Institute of Fundamental The Department of Space has entered into a Research. Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with

India’s first CNG Tractor Skyroot Aerospace Pvt. Ltd.

• India’s first-ever diesel Tractor, • The NDA will enable the company to converted to CNG (Compressed access the facilities and technical expertise available in ISRO centers to Natural Gas), will be formally launched by the Union Minister for proceed with their launch vehicle development program. Road Transport and Highways, Sh. Nitin Gadkari. • About Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited: It is • The conversion, carried out jointly by Rawmatt Techno Solutions an Indian private aerospace manufacturer and commercial launch & Tomasetto Achille India, will help service provider located farmers increase their income, by in Hyderabad, Telangana. lowering costs, and help to create job opportunities in rural India. • The company was founded by former engineers and scientists • Important benefits of conversion from ISRO, DRDO, and various to CNG are: aerospace companies. • It is a Clean Fuel as it has the lowest • Note: The company has been content of carbon and other pollutants. developing its first launch vehicle, the www.gradeup.co “Vikram-I,” which is on track for its initial launch around December 2021. Health

Over 1.2 lakh died due to air pollution in India in 2020: Greenpeace Report India becomes 1st country in world to • According to the report by Greenpeace, identify need for action for Non-Alcoholic a global climate activist group, titled Fatty Liver Disease 'Greenpeace: Cost to Economy Due to • Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Air Pollution Analysis 2021’, around Health & Family Welfare, launched the 1.2 lakh lives were lost due to air operational guidelines for Integration of pollution in six Indian cities and that the NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver economic losses on account of bad air Disease) with NPCDCS. amounted to over ₹2 lakh crore. • About NPCDCS (National • According to the study, there were Programme for Prevention & Control 54,000 air pollution-related deaths in of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Delhi, 25,000 in Mumbai, 12,000 in Diseases and Stroke): In order to Bengaluru, 11,000 each in Hyderabad prevent and control major NCDs (Non- and Chennai and around 6,700 in communicable diseases), the NPCDCS Lucknow. was launched in 2010. • Note: Globally, approximate 160,000 deaths have been attributed to PM2.5 air pollution in the five most populous Food regulator FSSAI notifies regulations to cities (Delhi, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, limit trans fat in food items Shanghai and Tokyo). • Under the regulation notified on December 29 last year, FSSAI said it Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and CSIR, has limited industrial TFA (trans fatty India sign MoU to promote health research acids) to not more than 3 per cent in all • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and fats and oils by January 2021 and not Council of Scientific and Industrial more than 2 per cent by January 2022. Research (CSIR), India have signed a • The Food Safety and Standards Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) to support the development, conduct and Second Amendment Regulations, 2021, promotion of health research in India. has been notified. • Gates Foundation and CSIR will work • This regulation states that all food together to identify opportunities to products in which edible oils and fats are initiate scientific and technological used as an ingredient should not contain collaborations. industrial trans fatty acids more than 2 • Note: Council of Scientific & per cent by mass of the total oils/fats Industrial Research (CSIR) is India’s present in the product, on and from premier S&T organization comprising January 1, 2022. 37 research laboratories focused on • Note: In 2018, the WHO called for diverse scientific and industrial research elimination of industrially-produced areas. trans fat from the food supply by 2023 • Facts about the Bill & Melinda Gates and released an action package Foundation: 'REPLACE' for the same. Founded: 2000 • Facts about FSSAI (Food Safety and Headquarters: Washington, USA Standards Authority of India): It has been established under the Food Safety Founders: Melinda Gates, Bill Gates and Standards Act, 2006. www.gradeup.co Founded: August 2011 Headquarters: New Delhi Agency executive: Rita Teaotia (Chairperson) Environment and Ecology

Hyderabad gets recognition as ‘2020 Tree a blowout and inferno at a natural gas City of the World’ well in May-June, 2020. • The United Nations Food and • The duck, whose primary habitat is in Agriculture Organization and the eastern China and southern Japan, had Arbor Day Foundation have landed in Assam by accident too. recognized Hyderabad as a ‘2020 Tree • Its scientific name is Aix galericulata. City of the World’. • The mandarin duck is a perching • Hyderabad earned recognition in the duck species native to the Foundation’s second year of the East Palearctic. It is medium-sized, at programme along with 51 other cities 41–49 cm long with a 65–75 cm globally and the only city in India to get wingspan. It is closely related to the this recognition so far. North American wood duck. • Most of the cities were from the US, UK, Canada, Australia among other First highway with wildlife protection countries. corridor • According to Ministry of Road New alpine plant species discovered in Transport and Highways, The Delhi- Arunachal Pradesh Saharanpur-Dehradun Economic • A new species of alpine plant in corridor will be India's first highway Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district has where there will be a 12-kilometer long been discovered by a group of scientists elevated corridor for protection of of three institutes of the country. wildlife. • The discovery of the species was • The highway project is being developed published in 'Biodiversitas: Journal of between Delhi's Akshardham and Biological Diversity'. Dehradun in four sections. • The new species belongs to the family • The ministry has decided to execute the of Himalayan sunflower. Delhi-Dehradun Expressway project • It is named as 'Cremanthodium under Engineering, Procurement, and indicum' and the plant species, which Construction (EPC) mode. generally flowers from July to August, • This highway project, once completed, is endemic to Penga-Teng Tso Lake of will reduce the distance between the two Tawang district. cities from 235 km to 210 km, and travel • Note: The alpine plant species is time from the current 6.5 hours to just assessed as critically endangered, 2.5 hours. according to the IUCN guidelines.

Reliance gets world's first 'carbon-neutral' Mandarin duck sighted after 118 years in oil from US Assam • This transaction is a first step in the • A colourful duck from eastern creation of a new market for climate- Asia spotted in Assam after 118 differentiated crude oil. years has raised hopes for • Reliance Industries Ltd has sourced the a wetland that was affected by world's first consignment of 'carbon- neutral oil' from the US as it looks to www.gradeup.co become a net zero-carbon company by • South Korea plans to build an 8.2 GW 2035. offshore wind farm in Jeonnam • Reliance got 2 million barrels of province by 2030. consignment. The Oxy Low Carbon • The offshore wind farm project is Ventures (OLCV), which is a division of expected to boost South Korea's wind US oil major Occidental, had delivered power capacity to 16.5 GW by 2030 the carbon-neutral oil to Reliance. from 1.67 GW now. • Occidental is the first US-based • Note: Currently, the world’s largest international energy company to offshore wind farm is Hornsea 1 in announce an ambition to achieve net- Britain, which has 1.12 GM capacity. zero GHG emissions associated with the • Facts about South Korea: use of its products by 2050. Capital: Seoul • Note: Mukesh Ambani's Reliance President: Moon Jae-in operates the world's largest single- Currency: South Korean won location oil refining complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat with a capacity of Denmark to create world's first energy 68.2 million tonnes a year. island in the North Sea • Denmark approved a plan to build the Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve world's first energy island in the North (SMTR) becomes the fifth tiger reserve in Sea that will produce and store enough Tamil Nadu green energy to cover the electricity • Tamil Nadu is set to get its fifth tiger needs of 3 million European reserve spread over one lakh hectares of households. land under the Meghamalai Wildlife • The energy island, which will cost Sanctuary and Srivilliputhur Grizzled around 210 billion Danish crowns Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary. ($33.9 billion) to build, is an important • The National Tiger Conservation part of Denmark's legally binding target Authority (NTCA) has approved the to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70% new tiger reserve. by 2030 from 1990 levels, one of the • The proposal states that the new tiger world's most ambitious. reserve will not only lead to wildlife • Note: Denmark also has plans for an protection of the country’s flagship energy island in the Baltic Sea. species but will also result in the rejuvenation of the Vaigai River by protecting the river’s origins in these National Marine Turtle Action Plan forests. launched • Note: The first tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu – Kalakkad Mundanthurai – • The Ministry of Environment Forest and was formed around 1988-89, which was Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has followed by Anamalai and Mudumalai released ‘Marine Mega Fauna Stranding in 2008 and 2009. The fourth reserve – Guidelines’ and ‘National Marine Turtle Sathyamangalam – was created around Action Plan’. 2013-14. • India has rich marine biodiversity along • This will be the 51st tiger reserve in the a vast coastline of over 7,500 km. country. India’s coastal waters and beaches provide foraging and nesting sites for a South Korea plans to construct world’s variety of marine species, including sea largest offshore wind farm turtles. • Five species of sea turtles are known to inhabit Indian coastal waters and www.gradeup.co islands. These are the Olive Ridley Change, Babul Supriyo announced the (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green establishment of a Centre for Wetland (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Conservation and Management, as a (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead part of the National Centre for (Caretta caretta) and the Leatherback Sustainable Coastal Management (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles. Except (NCSCM), Chennai, an institution the Loggerhead, the remaining four under the Ministry. species nest along the Indian coast. • Note: India has nearly 4.6% of its land • They are protected in Indian Wildlife as wetlands, covering an area of 15.26 Protection Act, 1972. million hectares and has 42 sites designated as Wetlands of International 2021: Year of Indo-French alliance towards Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a a Greener Planet surface area of 1.08 million hectares. • Minister for Environment, Forest and • NamamiGange is the first of its kind Climate Change, Shri Prakash program where Wetland Conservation is Javadekar and Ms Barbara Pompili, the integrated with Basin Management French Minister for Ecological Plan. Transition launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment. Uttarakhand sets up first arboretum for • The Indo-French Year of the Shivalik range Environment over the period 2021-2022 • A first of its kind arboretum conserving would be based on five main themes: over 210 species of trees found in the environmental protection, climate Shivalik range of Himalayas was change, biodiversity conservation, inaugurated in Uttarakhand's Nainital sustainable urban development, and the district. development of renewable energies and • The arboretum was inaugurated by Ajay energy efficiency. Singh Rawat, a noted environmentalist • Note: India has made significant from Uttarakhand. progress towards climate change action • The Shivalik Arboretum has over 210 & has already achieved 26% of tree and shrub species, making it one of reduction of emission intensity. As of the biggest arboretum in the state. Some 2020 the renewable capacity in India of the trees preserved include Kafal, stands at 90 GW which includes 36 GW Buransh, Tejpat and Sanjeevani. of solar energy & 38 GW of wind • Note: Shivalik range or Outer energy. Himalayas spreads across states and union territories like Jammu and India gets its first Centre for Wetland Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Conservation and Management (CWCM) Uttarakhand, and seven states in the • On the occasion of the World Wetland country’s northeast. Day, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Summits and Conferences

Third Quad Ministerial Meeting • External Affairs Minister Dr S. • Foreign Ministers of Quad countries - Jaishankar represented India at the Third India, Australia, Japan and US - Quad Ministerial Meeting. discussed the necessity to promote • Note: The Ist meeting of Quad was freedom of navigation in the Indo- organized in New York in the year 2019 Pacific region. and the IInd meeting in Tokyo in the year 2020. www.gradeup.co Prime Minister addresses NASSCOM India hosts first meeting of BRICS Finance Technology and Leadership Forum and Central Bank Deputies • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra • India hosted a meeting of BRICS Modi addressed the NASSCOM Finance and Central Bank Deputies Technology and Leadership Forum virtually and was co-Chaired by Shri. (NTLF) via video conferencing. Tarun Bajaj, Secretary Economic • It is the flagship event of the National Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Dr. Association of Software and Service Michael Patra, Deputy Governor, Companies (NASSCOM). Reserve Bank of India. • The theme of this year's event is • Other participants included BRICS 'Shaping the future towards a better Finance and Central Bank Deputies of normal'. Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa. • Note: The Prime Minister listed the • Note: India assumed the BRICS steps taken in recent times such as Chairship in 2021, at a time when National Communication Policy, policy BRICS is celebrating its to make India Global Software Product 15th anniversary. Hub and Other Service Provider (OSP) • This was the first meeting on the BRICS guidelines which were issued during Financial Cooperation under India Corona period. Chairship in 2021. • Facts about NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Union Minister of Education Shri Ramesh Companies): It is a non-profit Pokhriyal ‘Nishank,’ delivers inaugural organisation. address at the 16th FICCI Higher Education Chairperson: U. B. Pravin Rao Summit 2021 Founded: 1 March 1988 • The 16th edition of FICCI higher Headquarters: New Delhi Education Summit (25th - 27th February 2021) is being organised India hosts SAARC virtual meet virtually by FICCI in collaboration with • India hosted a virtual health secretary- the Ministry of Education and Ministry level meeting with South Asian of Commerce and Industry. Association for Regional Cooperation • The theme of the summit is ‘Higher countries on February 18, 2021 to Education @ 2030: R.I.S.E. – discuss the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, Pakistan has been also invited to attend Enterprise.’ the workshop. • The Inaugural session also witnessed the • The virtual workshop was held on release of FICCI- EY report ‘Higher COVID-19 management and response Education in India: Vision 2040. to the pandemic and exchange of best • Facts about FICCI (Federation of practices amid the pandemic. Indian Chambers of Commerce & • Note: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Industry): It is a non-governmental trade had proposed a Coronavirus Emergency association and advocacy group based in Fund for the SAARC region during a India. video conference of the SAARC Heads Founded: 1927 of State on March 15, 2020. Headquarters: New Delhi • Facts about SAARC: The South Asian President: Uday Shankar Association for Regional Cooperation is Founders: Purshottamdas Thakurdas, the regional intergovernmental Ghanshyam Das Birla organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, www.gradeup.co India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Development Summit, is being organize Sri Lanka. online from 10-12 February in New Founded: 8 December 1985, Dhaka, Delhi and will bring together a wide Bangladesh number of governments, business Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal leaders, academicians, climate Secretary General: Esala Weerakoon scientists, youth, and the civil society in the fight against climate change.

1st India-EU High Level Dialogue on Trade 2nd Maritime India Summit (MIS) - 2021 and Investment held • Around 20,000 delegates will • The 1st High Level Dialogue (HLD), participate, 24 partner countries will co-chaired by the Minister of Commerce join and more than 400 Projects are set and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and the to be showcased in the 2nd edition European Union Executive Vice- of Maritime India Summit (MIS) 2021 President & Trade Commissioner Mr. to be held virtually from 2nd March to Valdis Dombrovskis, was held on 4th March. th 5 February 2021. • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will • The Ministers also agreed to meet inaugurate the Maritime India Summit- within the next three months, with an 2021 on 2nd March. objective for reaching consensus on a • The event is being organised by the host of bilateral trade & investment Ministry of Ports, Shipping and cooperation issues- a bilateral Waterways (MoPSW) jointly with Regulatory Dialogue; an India-EU FICCI as Industrial Partner and EY as Multilateral Dialogue. Knowledge Partner. • Note: Commitment to the establishment • MIS-2021 is going to provide a of this Dialogue was a major outcome of powerful platform for international the 15th India-EU Leader’s Summit collaboration and bring in partner held in July 2020. countries for mutual exchange of • Facts about the European Union knowledge and opportunities. (EU): Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium 5th Joint Meeting of the India-Japan Act Founded: 1 November 1993 East Forum Members Countries: 27 • India and Japan held the fifth joint • The United Kingdom became the first meeting of the India-Japan Act East member state to leave the EU on 31 Forum (AEF) on 28 January 2021 in January 2020. New Delhi. • In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel • The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Peace Prize. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, and H.E. Mr. Suzuki Satoshi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Ambassador of Japan to India. World Sustainable Development Summit- • About Act East Forum (AEF): It was 2021 established in 2017 to provide a • The theme of the summit is ‘Redefining platform for India-Japan collaboration Our Common Future: Safe and in the North Eastern Region under Secure Environment for All’. India’s "Act East Policy” and Japan’s • Note: The 20th edition of The Energy vision for a "Free and Open Indo- and Resources Institute's (TERI) Pacific”. flagship event, the World Sustainable

Ranking and Index www.gradeup.co Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad, Parent organization: Economist five Indian-origin persons, feature in TIME Group magazine's list of 100 emerging leaders Founded: 1946 • Bhim Army is an Ambedkarite and dalit rights organisation in India. It was India to be largest source of energy demand founded by Satish Kumar, Vijay Ratan growth to 2040: IEA’s India Energy Outlook Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad in 2021 2015. • India will make up the biggest share of • Five Indian-origin persons featured energy demand growth at 25 % over the in Time: Twitter lawyer Vijaya Gadde, next two decades, as it overtakes the UK’s Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, European Union as the world’s third- Instacart founder and CEO Apoorva biggest energy consumer by 2030. Mehta, Get Us PPE executive director • India’s energy consumption is expected and doctor Shikha Gupta and founder of to nearly double as the nation’s gross nonprofit Upsolve’s Rohan Pavuluri domestic product expands to an • Note: The 2021 TIME100 Next is an estimated $8.6 trillion by 2040 under its expansion of TIME’s flagship TIME100 current national policy scenario. franchise of the most influential people • Facts about International Energy in the world and highlights 100 Agency (IEA): emerging leaders who are shaping the Headquarters: Paris, France future. Member Countries: 30 member countries and 8 association countries Executive Director: Fatih Birol India falls to 53rd position in EIU's Establishment: November 1974 Democracy Index • India slipped two places to 53rd position in the 2020 Democracy Index's global India ranked 86th in Corruption Perception ranking as India was ranked 51st in the Index 2020 2019 Democracy Index. • India’s rank is 86 out of 180 nations • Norway topped The EIU's latest with a score of 40 released by Democracy Index report titled Transparency International (TI). "Democracy in sickness and in health?" • India’s rank has slipped six places in with Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand and 2020 as India was ranked at 80th Canada making up the top five. position out of 180 countries in 2019. • Out of 167 countries, the Democracy • New Zealand and Denmark were ranked Index classifies 23 countries as full at first position with scores of 88. democracies, 52 as flawed democracies, • Somalia and South Sudan were ranked 35 as hybrid regimes and 57 as lowest at 179th position. authoritarian regimes. • Facts about Transparency • India has been classified as a 'flawed International (TI): democracy' along with countries such as Headquarters: Berlin, Germany the U.S., France, Belgium and Brazil. Chairperson: Delia Ferreira Rubio • Facts about the Economist Founded: 4 May 1993 Intelligence Unit (EIU): It is the world's leading resource for economic India ranks 86th on Covid-19 Response and business research, forecasting and Index analysis. • India has ranked 86th in a coronavirus Headquarters: London, United performance index comprising 98 Kingdom countries, according to the performance www.gradeup.co index compiled by the Sydney-based index to measure the progress towards Lowy Institute. personalised healthcare. • Top three countries are New Zealand, • Singapore ranked 1st, Taiwan 2nd and Vietnam, Taiwan respectively and Japan 3rd in the index. Brazil was ranked at the bottom in the • Note: The Economist Intelligence Unit list. (EIU) report 'Asia-Pacific Personalised • The study measured a number of key Health Index', developed by the indicators, including confirmed cases, Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies deaths, cases per million people and in partnership with Roche, measures the deaths per million people. readiness of 11 health systems across the region — Australia, China, Japan, Reliance Jio ranked fifth strongest brand India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, globally South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and • Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s four- New Zealand — in adopting year-old telecom venture Reliance Jio personalised healthcare. has been ranked the fifth strongest brand globally. Maharashtra ranks first in justice delivery • Jio has entered the ranking for the first in India time and claimed fifth position with a • In the second edition of the India BSI score of 91.7 out of 100 and the elite Justice Report (IJR) 2020, AAA+ brand strength rating. Maharashtra has retained the top spot on • Acccording to the Brand Finance’s delivering justice to people among 18 Global 500, 2021, Chinese mobile app large and medium sized states, followed WeChat was at the top position. by Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab and Kerala. UN World Tourism Organization confirms • Only 29 % of Judges in High Courts 2020 as 'Worst Year on Record' across the country are women. • Global tourism suffered its worst year • Bihar, Uttarakhand, Tripura and on record in 2020, with international Meghalaya have no woman judges in arrivals dropping by 74 percent their High Courts. according to the latest data from the • About the India Justice Report: It is World Tourism Organization an initiative of Tata Trusts in (UNWTO). collaboration with Centre for Social • Destinations worldwide welcomed 1 Justice, Common Cause, billion fewer international arrivals in Commonwealth Human Rights 2020 than in the previous year (2019), Initiative, DAKSH, TISS–Prayas, Vidhi due to an unprecedented fall in demand Centre for Legal Policy, and How India and widespread travel restrictions. Lives. • Facts about the World Tourism Organization: It is the United Nations specialized agency. PHDCCI: India 2nd most resilient economy Headquarters: Madrid, Spain among the top 10 leading economies in 2021 Formation: 1 November 1974 • Germany ranks 1st in the PHDCCI Head: Zurab Pololikashvili International Economic Resilience (IER) Rank followed by India and India ranks 10th in Asia-Pacific South Korea at 2nd and 3rd positions Personalised Health Index respectively. • India ranked 10th out of 11 Asia Pacific • The analysis of the leading economies countries in a newly-launched health conducted on the basis of the five leading macroeconomic parameters. www.gradeup.co • India's Real GDP growth rate is Apex Chamber working as a catalyst in projected to be the highest at 11.5% in the promotion of industry, trade and the year 2021 among the top 10 leading entrepreneurship. economies in the world. Establishment: 1905 • About PHD Chamber of Commerce President: Sanjay Aggarwal and Industry: It is a proactive National Headquarters: New Delhi

Important Days

21 February, International Mother • About Sarojini Naidu: Sarojini Naidu Language Day was not only a freedom fighter, but she • International Mother Language Day is a also became the first woman governor worldwide annual observance held on of the United Provinces, the present 21 February to Uttar Pradesh. promote awareness of linguistic and cul • She was famous for her nickname tural diversity and to ‘Nightingale of India’ or ‘Bharat promote multilingualism. Kokila’ because of her poems. • The theme of the 2021 International Mother Language Day is “Fostering February 13, World Radio Day multilingualism for inclusion in • The Day was decided by UNESCO on 3 education and society.” November 2011 during its 36th • Note: The idea to celebrate International conference and subsequently adopted by Mother Language Day was the initiative the United Nations General Assembly in of Bangladesh. It was approved at 2012 as an International Day. the 1999 UNESCO General • The theme of World Radio Day 2021 Conference and has been observed was "New World, New Radio". throughout the world since 2000. • Note: Radio has remained the most resilient and effective mode of 20 February, World Day of Social Justice communication, which is, till date, used • World Day of Social Justice is by the majority for receiving an international day recognizing the information. Even after 110 years, need to promote social justice, which Radio still reaches difficult terrains to includes efforts to tackle issues such connect people. as poverty, exclusion, gender equality, unemployment, human rights, February 12, National Productivity Day and social protections. • The formation of the National • The theme of the day is ‘A Call for Social Productivity Council is being celebrated Justice in the Digital Economy’ every year all over the country by • Note: The United Nations General commemorating 12th February as Assembly has decided to observe 20 Productivity Day. February annually, approved on 26 • About National Productivity Council November 2007 and starting in 2009, as (NPC): It, established in the year the World Day of Social Justice. 1958, is an autonomous organization under Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry February 13, National Women’s Day of Commerce and Industry, • India celebrates Sarojini Naidu’s Government of India. birthday as National Women’s Day The NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based every year on February 13. APO (Asian Productivity Organization), an www.gradeup.co intergovernmental body, of which the This day marks the death anniversary of Government of India is a founding member. Mahatma Gandhi. • On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi First Ever International Day of Human was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in Fraternity Birla House. • In December 2019, the UN General • Note: March 23 is also celebrated as Assembly adopted a resolution to Martyr's Day to pay tribute to three declare 4 February as International Day extraordinary revolutionaries of India of Human Fraternity. who were hanged to death by the British • International Day of Human Fraternity namely Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and aims to underline the importance of Sukhdev. raising awareness about different cultures and religions, or beliefs, and the World Leprosy Day 2021 promotion of tolerance. • World Leprosy Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of January every year all International Day of Zero Tolerance for over the world to increase knowledge Female Genital Mutilation about it and propagate the need and • International Day of Zero Tolerance for importance of eradicating the disease. Female Genital Mutilation is a United • This year World Leprosy Day took Nations-sponsored annual awareness place on 31 January. day that takes place on February 6 as • In India, the day is celebrated on part of the UN's efforts to eradicate January 30, which is also remembered female genital mutilation. It was first as the death anniversary of Mahatma introduced in 2003. Gandhi, father of the nation. • The theme of the Day was "No Time for • National Leprosy Eradication Global Inaction, Unite, Fund, and Act to Program is a health scheme of the End Female Genital Mutilation." Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India to eradicate leprosy in India. It was February 11, International Day of Women launched in 1983 as a continuation of and Girls in Science the National Leprosy Control Program • The International Day of Women and of 1955. Girls in Science is the 11th day of February, by resolution of the United February 2, World Wetlands Day Nations General Assembly on 22 • 2 February each year is World Wetlands December, 2015. Day to raise global awareness about the • The theme is "Women Scientists at the vital role of wetlands for people and our forefront of the fight against COVID- planet. 19". • This day also marks the date of the • Note: The 6th International Day of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands Women and Girls in Science Assembly on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city is organized by the Royal Academy of of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Science International Trust (RASIT). Sea. The theme is "Beyond the Borders: • The theme is Wetlands and Water. Equality in Science for Society". • Note: There are 42 Ramsar sites in India. These are wetlands deemed to be January 30, Martyrs' Day (Shaheed Diwas) of "international importance" under the • Every year, Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Ramsar Convention. Day is observed on 30 January in India. February 4, World Cancer Day www.gradeup.co • World Cancer Day is an international • Recent studies estimate about one out of day marked on February 4 to raise six people worldwide died from cancer awareness of cancer and to encourage that’s more than HIV/AIDS, its prevention, detection, and treatment. tuberculosis, and malaria combined. • The theme for World Cancer Day 2021 • According to the World Health is 'I Am and I Will.' Organization, India contributes to • Note: World Cancer Day was originated nearly 60% of head and neck cancer at the first World Summit against patients worldwide and this number is Cancer in 2000. It was held in Paris and expected to double by 2030. was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Books and Authors

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu releases a book “Maveric Messiah”, a political Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk's art book, biography on N.T. Rama Rao ‘The Lost Soul’ • The book was authored by senior • Olga Tokarczuk translates The Lost journalist, Ramesh Kandula. Soul, from Polish to English and merged • Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, with illustrations to produce a picture popularly known as NTR, was an book. Indian actor, producer, director, film • First published in Poland in 2017 editor and politician who served as as Zgubiona dusza. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for • The illustrations were done by Joanna seven years over three terms. Concejo and translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Home Minister Amit Shah releases book • It is published by Seven Stories Press. 'Rashtra Pratham - 82 varshon ki Swarnim • Note: Tokarczuk was awarded the 2018 Gatha' Man Booker International Prize for • This book depicts the dignified history novel 'Flights'. of CRPF, its entire journey, challenges, • She was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize successes and dedication. in Literature. Note: CRPF celebrated its first-ever Veterans Day. Kabir Bedi’s autobiography, 'Stories I Must • The third Friday of February will be Tell: The Emotional Journey of an Actor' celebrated every year as the Veterans • Veteran actor Kabir Bedi will tell the Day of the force. story of his life in his memoir which will be published this April. Award-winning author Irwin Allan Sealy’s • This is the story of a middle-class boy new novel ASOCA: A Sutra from Delhi who met with extraordinary • The novel will be presented as an successes. The book is published by imagined memoir of Ashoka The Great. Westland Publications. • It will be published by Penguin Random House India. • Note: Allan has won the Priyanka Chopra releases her memoir Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Best ‘Unfinished’ First Book, Europe and South Asia, the • The former Miss World, Actor-producer Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991, the Priyanka Chopra Jonas officially turned Crossword Book Award and the Padma author with the release of her first book, Shri by the President of India in 2012. "Unfinished: A Memoir". www.gradeup.co • The end result is a book, published by Thadagam Publishers for the Tamil the Michael Joseph imprint, which translation of the book, authored by covers her dual-continent 20-year-long Tahar Ben Jelloun. career as an actor and producer and her • Note: Romain Rolland Book Prize, work as a Unicef Goodwill started in 2017, aims at awarding the Ambassador. best translation of a French title into any Indian language, including English. Mohammad Hamid Ansari authors a book titled ‘By Many a Happy Accident: Dalai Lama's new book 'The Little Book of Recollections of a Life’ Encouragement' • The book is published by Rupa • Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Publications. Lama shares quotes and words of • Note: Mohammad Hamid Ansari was wisdom to deal with the new realities of the vice president of India and chairman the panic-stricken world along with how of the Rajya Sabha for two consecutive to combat rising extremism, polarity and terms from 2007 to 2017. climate change besides his views on Tibet in his new book. Hunter Biden's memoir titled 'Beautiful • "The Little Book of Encouragement", Things' which has 130 quotes, is edited by • Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Renuka Singh and published by Penguin Biden, plans to publish his memoir Random House. titled "Beautiful Things" on April 6 • Note: Dalai Lama is a title given by the through Gallery Books, an imprint of Tibetan people to the foremost spiritual Simon & Schuster. leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" • The book focuses on the life of Hunter school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest Biden's struggles with substance abuse. of the classical schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who lives as a Tamil translation of French novel 'Le refugee in India. mariage de plaisir' won the Romain Rolland Book Prize at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2021 in Kolkata • The winners of the prize are translator Dr S A Vengada Soupraya Nayagar and publisher Amutharasan Paulraj of Obituaries

Former Governor and High Court Chief • Akhtar played eight Davis Cup ties Justice (Retd.) M Rama Jois passes away between 1958 and 1964 and also • M Rama Jois was the Chief Justice of captained the Indian team. Punjab and Haryana High Court. • Akhtar was conferred the Arjuna Award • He had also served as the Governor of in 2000 for his lifetime contribution to Jharkhand and Bihar and as a member of tennis. the Rajya Sabha. Actor-director Rajiv Kapoor passes away • Bollywood actor and Raj Kapoor’s son India tennis legend Akhtar Ali, a former Rajiv Kapoor passed away. Davis Cup coach, passes away • Rajiv Kapoor, who made his debut in Bollywood with the 1983 film Ek Jaan www.gradeup.co Hain Hum, was best known for the 1985 Paul J. Crutzen, Nobel laureate passes away blockbuster Ram Teri Ganga Maili. • He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his work on atmospheric chemistry and specifically Oscar-winning actress Cloris Leachman for his efforts in studying the formation passes away at 94 and decomposition of atmospheric • Cloris Leachman was known as one of ozone. In addition to studying the ozone Hollywood's most prolific performers layer and climate change, he having won an Academy Award, a popularized the term Anthropocene. Golden Globe, and eight Primetime Emmy Awards.

Sports

IPL Auction 2021: Chris Morris becomes Kings XI Punjab renamed as 'Punjab Kings' most expensive player in auction history • Kings XI Punjab has been renamed as • South-African all-rounder Chris 'Punjab Kings' as a part of the franchise's Morris became the costliest player in the rebranding strategy ahead of the history of Indian Premier League (IPL) IPL 2021 auction in Chennai. auction when Rajasthan Royals snapped • The Punjab side has been a part of the him up for Rs 16.25 crore. Indian Premier League since its • Note: Earlier, Yuvraj Singh was the inaugural season in 2008, and is co- costliest-ever buy in auction history as owned by Bollywood actor Preity Zinta, he was bought for Rs 16 crore by Delhi along with businessman Ness Wadia, Daredevils in IPL 2015. Mohit Burman and Karn Paul.

Australian Open 2021 • Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (8–21 February 2021) • List of winners: Women's Men's singles Men's doubles Women's doubles Mixed doubles singles Winner- Winner- Winner- Winner- Winner- Novak Naomi Osaka Ivan Dodig Elise Mertens (Belgium), Barbora Djokovic (Japan) (Croatia), Filip Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) Krejcikova (Serbia) Polasek (Czech Runner-up- (Slovakia) Runner-up- Republic), Runner-up- Jennifer Runner-up- Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Rajeev Ram Daniil Brady Rajeev Ram Republic), Katerina (America) Medvedev (America) (America), Joe Siniakova (Czech (Russia) Salisbury (UK) Republic) Runner-up- Samantha Stosur (Australia), Matthew Ebden (Australia) • Note: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) has won his ninth Australian Open title. He has now won 18 Grand Slam men's singles titles. • Naomi Osaka (Japan) has now won two Australian Open and the two US Open. Karnataka to host second Khelo India University Games in 2021 www.gradeup.co • Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has Japan Olympics Minister Hashimoto to announced that the second Khelo India accept role as head of Tokyo 2020 University Games (KIUG) will be • Japanese Olympics Minister Seiko hosted by Karnataka in 2021. Hashimoto, a woman who has competed • The Games will be held in Bengaluru’s in seven Olympic Games, intends to Jain University and other venues in the accept the job of Head of the Tokyo state, in partnership with the 2020 Organising Committee. Association of Indian Universities • Former chairman of the committee (AIU). Yoshiro Mori had resigned from the • Note: In the second edition of the post last week over indecent remarks on games, Yogasana and Mallakhamb women. have been added. • Note: Originally scheduled to take place • The first edition of University games between 24 July and 9 August 2020, the was held in Bhubaneswar in 2020. Olympic Games are now rescheduled for 23 July to 8 August 2021 as a result India’s women’s contingent finishes at top in of the COVID-19 pandemic. 30th ‘Adriatic Pearl’ tournament in Budva, Montenegro • In Boxing, Arundhati Choudhary, Joe Root becomes first batsman to score 200 Naorem Babyrojisana Chanu, Alfiya in 100th Test Pathan, Vinka and T Sanamacha Chanu • England skipper Joe Root became the won gold medals, with five gold, three first cricketer to notch up a double silver and two bronze medals. century in his 100th Test, touching the • India’s women’s contingent thus milestone on the second day of the first finished top at the tournament. Test against India, at the M.A. Uzbekistan (2 gold) and Czech Republic Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. (1 gold) ended at second and third • Note: Former Pakistan skipper position respectively. Inzamam ul Haq, who hit 184 against India in Bengaluru in 2005, held the • Vinka received the best women’s boxer th of the tournament award. previous best score in the 100 Test.

• With two medals in the men's category, Drass Red wins 13th CEC Cup Ice Hockey the 19-member Indian team concluded Championship its campaign with an overall second position (12 medals) with Uzbekistan • In Kargil Ladakh, Drass Red has won first and Ukraine third. the 13th CEC Cup Ice Hockey Championship beating Hockey Club

Chiktan team in the Final match. Naman Ojha announces retirement from all • The 1st Women CEC Ice Hockey Cup forms of Cricket 2021 was lifted by Shakar Chiktan • India wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Team defeating Wakha Mulbekh Team. Ojha has announced his retirement from Note: 32 Men teams and 5 Women Teams all forms of cricket on February 15, participated in the tournament which was 2021. organized by the District Youth Services & • He made his first-class debut for Sports. Madhya Pradesh in 2000-01. • He holds the record for the most Ishant Sharma becomes 3rd Indian pacer to dismissals by a wicketkeeper in the take 300 Test wickets Ranji Trophy, featured in one Test, one • Fast bowler Ishant Sharma became the ODI and two T20 Internationals. 6th Indian and the 3rd pacer from the www.gradeup.co country to take 300 wickets in Test five bronze medals, for a total of 11 cricket. podium finishes. • Note: Besides Kumble (619) and Kapil • India's gold winners were Saurabh (434), Ravichandran Ashwin (377 Chaudhary in the men's 10m air pistol, before this game), Harbhajan Singh Divyansh Singh Panwar in the men's (417), and Zaheer Khan (311) are the 10m air rifle, Kynan Chenai in men's other bowlers from the country who trap and Rajeshwari Kumari in women's have reached the landmark. trap. • Note: The two-day competition was Tamil Nadu beat Baroda to lift Syed organised by the Kuwait Shooting Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy Federation and saw 274 shooters from • In Cricket, Tamil Nadu lifted the 22 Asian countries take part. coveted Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy after defeating Baroda by seven wickets Indian Cricketer Ashok Dinda announces in the final at the Sardar Patel Stadium retirement from all forms of cricket in Ahmedabad. • Fast bowler, Dinda, who has 420 first- • This was Tamil Nadu’s second Syed class wickets in his bag, has also played Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph, after 13 ODIs and nine T20s for India, taking winning their first title way back in 12 and 17 wickets respectively. 2006-07. • Dinda made his T20 international Debut • Baroda had won the title twice in the for India in December 2009 against Sri past (in 2011-12 and 2013-14). Lanka and his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in May 2010.

No Ranji Trophy for first time in 87 years • For the first time in 87 years, the BCCI decided that it won't be conducting country's premier first-class domestic tournament Ranji Trophy 2020-21. • The cricket body decided to conduct the Vijay Hazare Trophy, instead of having a truncated Ranji Trophy. BCCI has also decided to host the U-19 National One Day tournament for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and the Women's national 50- over tournament. • About Ranji Trophy: The first edition

of the Ranji Trophy was held in 1934 and it was the only national cricket championship that was played even during the World War 2.

India top medals tally at first Asian Online Shooting Championship • India's 24-member shooting contingent topped the medals tally in the first Asian Online Shooting Championship.

• The squad won four out of the eight gold medals on offer, besides two silver and www.gradeup.co