DOWNLOAD MONTHLY CURRENT AFFAIRS – JAN 2021
Important Days
World Cancer Day: February 4
World Cancer Day is observed every year on 4 February by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The day is celebrated to raise awareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease. World Cancer Day 2019-21 theme: “I Am And I Will”.
Created in 2000, World Cancer Day has grown into a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of our greatest challenges in history.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Union for International Cancer Control Headquarters in: Geneva, Switzerland, Founded: 1933.
International Day of Human Fraternity: 4 February
International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4th February globally. International Day of Human Fraternity aims to underline the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions, or beliefs, and the promotion of tolerance.
It also aims to educate people that tolerance, pluralistic tradition, mutual respect, and the diversity of religions and beliefs promote human fraternity.
This year International Day of Human Fraternity 2021 theme: A Pathway to the Future.
The UN General Assembly on 21 December adopted a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. The day is to be observed each year, beginning in 2021.
World Wetlands Day: 02 February
World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 globally. The day aims to raise awareness about the crucial role played by wetlands for people and our planet.
The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2021 is ‘Wetlands and Water’. 2021 marks 50 years of the Convention on Wetlands.
The day is celebrated to mark the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.
Indian Coast Guard celebrates its 45th Raising Day
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is celebrating its 45th Raising Day on 01 February 2021. The ICG was formally established on February 1, 1977, by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
Beginning with just 7 surface platforms in 1978, ICG currently comprises of 156 ships and 62 aircraft in its inventory and is likely to achieve targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Director-General of Indian Coast Guard: Krishnaswamy Natarajan.
National News
GoI launches unified web portal for monitoring progress of GOBARDHAN activities
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State for Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria jointly launched a unified web portal for monitoring the progress of GOBARDHAN activities across the nation.
Gobardhan aims to positively impact village cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste.
It focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful compost, biogas and bio-CNG.
It will also help in keeping the village clean while increasing the income of farmers and cattle herders.
It will be hugely beneficial for the country as India is home to the highest cattle population in the world (around 300 million in number) which produces around 3 million tonnes of dung.
It will encourage farmers to consider dung and other waste not just as waste but as a source of income.
It will provide many benefits to rural people by keeping villages clean and sanitized, improving livestock health and increasing farm yields.
Punjab CM launches “Har Ghar Pani, Har Ghar Safai” mission
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has virtually launched the “Har Ghar Pani, Har Ghar Safai” mission as part of the government’s campaign to accomplish the goal of 100 per cent potable piped water supply in all rural households.
The scheme is being funded by the World Bank, Jal Jeevan Mission of GoI, NABARD, and State Budget.
The scheme will benefit more than 1.6 lakh residents from 155 villages in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur districts by helping replace groundwater with surface water supply for drinking, besides resolving the problem of arsenic affected habitations.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated one Mega Surface Water Supply Scheme covering 85 villages in the Moga district, 144 new water supply schemes for 172 villages, 121 Arsenic, and Iron removal plants.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Punjab CM: Captain Amarinder Singh.
- Punjab Governor: V.P.Singh Badnore.
Smriti Irani inaugurates 8th India International Silk Fair
The Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the 8th India International Silk Fair on Virtual Portal on 31st January 2021.
The five days event is being held on the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council’s virtual platform due to COVID-19 pandemic. The fair is considered to be India’s biggest silk fair.
More than 200 overseas buyers and an equal number of their representatives in India are participating to interact with more than 100 renowned and big Indian companies manufacturing and trading silk and silk blended products.
India is the only country in the world which produces all the four major varieties of silk, which are Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga.
Venkaiah Naidu Inaugurates National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav”
The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. The Aadi Mahotsav 2021 is being organized from February 1-15, 2021. The festival aims to familiarise the people with the rich and diverse craft, the culture of the tribal communities across the country, in one place.
The Aadi Mahotsav – A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Crafts, Cuisine and Commerce – is an annual initiative being organized by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs since 2017.
The festival will comprise of display and sale of tribal art and craft, medicine & healers, cuisine and folk performances, in which around 1000 tribal artisans, artists and chefs from more than 20 States of the country shall participate and provide a glimpse of their rich traditional culture.
Uttarakhand sets up Botanical Garden to conserve species of Shivalik range
In Nainital district of Uttarakhand, a first of its kind botanical garden named “Shivalik Arboretum” has been inaugurated, for conserving over 210 species of trees found in the Shivalik range of Himalayas.
Shivalik Arboretum aims to spread nature education among people so that they are able to feel an emotional connect with the trees, and make them more active towards conservation.
The facility will showcase information like scientific information about particular species, cultural significance, medicinal use, country of origin, type of habitat in which it is found and all possible uses including as timber, dyes or any other peculiar use.
Some of the trees preserved include Kafal (Myrica esculenta), Buransh, (Rhododendron arboretum), Tejpat (Cinnamomum Tamala) and Sanjeevani (Selaginella Dryopteris).
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat.
- Governor of Uttarakhand: Baby Rani Maurya.
International News
Indian-American Bhavya Lal appointed Acting Chief of Staff of NASA
Indian-American Bhavya Lal was appointed by NASA as the Acting Chief of Staff of the US space agency.
She served as a member of the Biden Presidential Transition Agency Review Team for the agency and oversaw the agency’s transition under the administration of President Joe Biden.
Lal brings extensive experience in engineering and space technology, serving as a member of the research staff at the Institute for Defence Analyses Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI) from 2005 to 2020.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States.
- NASA Founded: 1 October 1958.
Aung San Suu Kyi detained as army grabs power in Myanmar
In Myanmar, a military coup was put in place on 1st February 2021, after the country’s military detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi along with President Win Myint and other members of the ruling party.
Myanmar military (also known as the Tatmadaw), took this step because they declared the November 2020 Myanmar general election results fraudulent, in which Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory in Parliamentary election 2020 to form next Government.
The military has handed over the power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing and declared a state of emergency for one year. Apart from this, former general Myint Swe would be acting president for the next year. The 2021 coup d’état is the third in Myanmar’s political history. The first two was held in 1962 and 1990.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Myanmar Capital: Naypyitaw.
- Myanmar Currency: Kyat.
Nguyen Phu Trong re-elected as Chief of Vietnam for 3rd term
The ruling Community Party of Vietnam has re-elected its 76-year-old General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong for a third five-year term.
He is serving the post since 2011. Trong was granted an exemption to contest in the election, though he was above the age limit of 65.
The General Secretary is the highest office within the Communist Party of Vietnam. Trong also holds the position of the President of Vietnam since 2018.
Vietnam has a communist government, which means that the country does not have a single strongman at the apex.
There are four main leaders that collectively run the show which includes: The Communist Party general secretary, the prime minister, the president and the chair of the National Assembly.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Vietnam Capital: Hanoi.
- Vietnam Currency: Vietnamese dong.
- Vietnam Prime Minister: Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Appointments News
Ajay Singh re-elected Boxing Federation of India President
Spicejet chairman Ajay Singh defeated Ashish Shelar in a high-profile contest to get re-elected as president of Boxing Federation India for a second term.
As for his second tenure, Singh said the focus will be developed at the grassroots, sports science, women’s boxing and involving young administrators in the sport. He will focus on training of Tokyo Olympics-bound boxers, grassroots development and women’s boxing.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Boxing Federation India established: February 25, 1949.
Andy Jassy set to replace Jeff Bezos as Amazon CEO
Amazon.com Inc founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos has announced that he would step down as CEO of the company and become Executive Chairman in Q3 of 2021, i.e. with effect from July 01, 2021.
Andy Jassy, who is currently serving as the chief executive of Amazon Web Services (AWS), will replace Bezos as CEO of Amazon. Bezos started the company 27 years ago, on 5 July 1994, as an internet bookseller.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Amazon.com Inc Founded: 5 July 1994.
- Amazon.com Inc Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States.
Facebook appoints Henry Moniz as its First Chief Compliance Officer
Facebook Inc. has appointed Henry Moniz as its first-ever Chief Compliance Officer. He will join Facebook on February 8 to lead the company’s global compliance team, to enhance its global compliance and risk management and promote the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct at the company.
Prior to this, Henry Moniz had been the chief compliance officer and chief audit executive at media company ViacomCBS Inc.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief Executive Officer of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg.
- Facebook Headquarters: California, US.
Anish Shah appoint as new chairman of Mahindra Finance
Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services has announced the appointment of Anish Shah as the chairman of the board, effective April 2, 2021. Shah is already a director of the company.
He is the deputy managing director and group CFO of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Shah takes over from Dhananjay Mungale. He shall continue to be an Independent Director on the Board of MMFSL.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Headquarters: Mumbai.
- Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Founded: 1991.
Defence News
Rajnath Singh inaugurates HAL’s second Tejas Light Combat Aircraft’s
Defence minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) second Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas production line in Bengaluru, ahead of the upcoming Aero India 2021.
The deal to be signed in the next few days with HAL would strengthen the Indian Air Force’s fleet of homegrown fighter jet “LCA-Tejas” and overall combat capability.
Last month, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved the largest indigenous defence procurement deal worth about Rs 48,000 crores to buy 83 LCA Tejas Mark1A fighter jets.
The Aero India, which provides a platform for aerospace companies to showcase their products and services is scheduled to be held from February 3 to 5 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. During the inaugural day, 41 aircraft including Dakota, Su-30 MKI would participate in the flight display while there would be 63 aircraft on static display.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: CMD: R Madhavan;
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited HQ: Bengaluru.
Aero India 2021 Begins in Bengaluru
The Aero India 2021 event, country’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition, kick-started at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru.
The 13th edition of the international event touted as the world’s first-ever hybrid aero and defence show will see several aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army, Navy, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), and the Coast Guard participating in the show.
The three-day event will focus on India’s indigenous defence sector capabilities amid buzz around Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India campaigns.
This 13th edition will see a combination of both physical and virtual exhibition with 601 exhibitors, including 523 from India and 78 from 14 foreign countries. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would exhibit its Aatmanirbhar Formation Flight.
Banking News
PNB Restricts Withdraw of Money from non-EMV ATMs
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has decided to restrict its customers from withdrawing money from non-EMV automated teller machines (ATMs) with effect from 01 February 2021, in an attempt to check frauds, related to money transactions.
This restriction will apply to both, financial and non-financial transactions. To overcome this, PNB will introduce OTP based systems for withdrawing cash.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Punjab National Bank Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Punjab National Bank CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao (1 Oct 2019–).
- Punjab National Bank Founded: 19 May 1894, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Punjab National Bank Founders: Lala Lajpat Rai, Dyal Singh Majithia.
Sports News
Ashok Dinda announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Fast bowler Ashok Dinda, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 36-year-old right-handed pacer made his first-class debut for Bengal in 2005 and played for 15 years in Bengal cricket.
He made his international debut in 2009, in a T20I against Sri Lanka, followed by making his ODI debut in Zimbabwe in 2010. He played 13 ODIs and 9 T20I matches for India. He played 116 first-class matches for Bengal, taking 420 wickets at a bowling average of 28.28.
India top medals tally at first Asian Online Shooting Championship
The Indian shooting contingent has topped the medals tally in the first-ever Asian Online Shooting Championship, organised by Kuwait Shooting Federation.
The 24-member Indian shooting contingent won total 11 medals, which included four gold medals, two silver and five bronze medals. 274 shooters from 22 Asian countries took part in the competition.
List of Medal Winners from India:
Gold
- Saurabh Chaudhary – men’s 10m air pistol
- Divyansh Singh Panwar- men’s 10m air rifle
- Kynan Chenai – men’s trap
- Rajeshwari Kumari – women’s trap
Silver
- Arjun Babuta – men’s 10m air rifle
- Shreyasi Singh – women’s trap
Bronze
- Manu Bhaker – women’s 10m air pistol
- Sarabjot Singh – men’s 10m air pistol
- Deepak Kumar – men’s 10m air rifle
- Prithviraj Tondaiman – men’s trap
- Manish Keer – women’s trap
Tamil Nadu Beat Baroda to claim Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy
Tamil Nadu beat Baroda in the final to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2020-21. The tournament was the twelfth edition of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was played at Sardar Patel Stadium (Motera Stadium), Ahmedabad.
The Player of the match title was won by Manimaran Siddharth (Tamil Nadu) who picked 4 wickets, conceding 20 runs. They needed 121 runs to win, which they achieved in 18 overs with 7 wickets.
Tamil Nadu team was lead by Dinesh Karthik (captain). This is the second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title for Tamil Nadu and their first title in 13 years. The team claimed their first SMAT title in 2006-07, that too under Karthik’s captaincy.
Agreement News
Ford joins hand with Google to offer cloud-based data services
Ford Motor Co has joined hands with Alphabet Inc’s Google to cooperate in software, artificial intelligence and cloud computing, to develop new consumer services and modernize internal operations.
The automaker will deploy Google artificial intelligence technology to improve the efficiency of vehicle development, supply chain and manufacturing operations.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker has entered into a six-year partnership with the tech giant, under which it will incorporate the Android operating system of the Google into its Ford and Lincoln vehicles starting in 2023. The customers of Ford will get built-in Google apps, including its map and voice technology.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Ford Motor Co-Founder: Henry Ford.
- Ford Motor Co-Founded: 16 June 1903, Detroit, Michigan, United States.
- CEO of Google: Sundar Pichai; Headquarters: California, United States.
Science and Technology
Hubballi students “Maya” ready to assist you at banks
Engineering college students in Hubballi, Karnataka have come up with “Maya”, a robot that has been programmed to serve in banks and speaks in many regional languages.
The students of the Automation and Robotics department of KLE Technological University have spent nearly eight months and spent Rs 5 lakh to develop the robot.
It was developed keeping banking sectors in mind and programmed with all banking activities such as advising the customers on opening accounts, sending them to designated counters for queries.
With the help of artificial intelligence, it recognises customers’ faces and responds to them by using a chatbot. After the banking hours, it automatically goes to the docking yard and charges its batteries without the help of any human being.
Awards News
50th Kerala State Film Awards conferred
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has presented the 50th Kerala State Film Awards 2019 and the J C Daniel Award at a function here. Pinarayi Vijayan released the stamp published in connection with the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
Veteran filmmaker Hariharan, who was conferred with the J C Daniel Award, is an artist who had travelled with cinema for about half a century and made films which went on to become milestones in the annals of Malayalam tinsel town. The film awards were also distributed. Culture Minister A K Balan presided.
A.R. Rahman presented “Alert Being Icon Award”
Music composer AR Rahman and social activist from Saidapet Hari Krishnan were among the 14 people who were presented the fourth edition of the Alert Being Awards 2020 by the NGO ALERT, for their Good Samaritan work.
In his video message, Mr Rahman said ALERT had been doing a brilliant job in empowering a common man to save lives. Hari Krishnan had been appointed by the Greater Chennai Corporation as a district volunteer head for Covid-19 relief work.
The Alert Being Icon Award for an organisation was presented to the Biocon Foundation founded by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
Thirty COVID-19 warriors were honoured with Alert Being Covid Frontline Warrior for their contribution during the pandemic. Alert Being Awards 2020 received 156 nominations from 15 States and 35 districts across India.
Obituary
Pioneering US actress Cicely Tyson passes away
Pioneering US actress Cicely Tyson has passed away. Cicely Tyson, the pioneering Black actor who gained an Oscar nomination for her role as the sharecropper’s wife in ‘Sounder’ & won a Tony Award in 2013 at age 88.
She touched TV viewers’ hearts in ” The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” & won 2 Emmys for playing the 110-year-old former slave.
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