September 3rd Week 2021 Current Affairs Online Test English

Explanation

• Tamil Nadu and Denmark have planned to create an energy island in Gulf of Mannar that lies between the west coast of Sri Lanka and south–eastern tip of India. This plan was made as Tamil Nadu is looking to expand its footprint in the green energy sector.
• To achieve this target, Denmark is likely to invest $5–10 billion in the renewable energy sector in the state. It also includes investment for an energy island in the Gulf of Mannar. With this investment, island would be able to produce 4–10 GW of energy.

Explanation

• The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India has signed a $300 million loan as additional financing to scale up improvement of rural connectivity to help boost rural economy in the state of Maharashtra. The additional financing for the ongoing Maharashtra Rural Connectivity Improvement Project will help improve an additional 1,100 rural roads and 230 bridges.

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• Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has won the prestigious awards of CII ‘National Energy Leader’ and ‘Excellent Energy Efficient Unit’ at the 22nd National Award ceremony for ‘Excellence in Energy Management’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Explanation

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has signed a MoU with Tamil Nadu Generation & Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO).
• Under the MoU, IREDA will extend technical expertise & support to TANGEDCO for Renewable energy project development, to bid process management, and provide implementation support. IREDA will also assist TANGEDCO in debt raising by developing financial models, assistance in the understanding market instrument, underwriting services for the proposed debt requirement, conducting pre–market surveys, and road shows to evoke interest amongst potential investors.

Explanation

• The National Mission for Clean Ganga organised Himalayan Diwas in association with Naula Foundation on September 9, 2021. This year’s theme is ‘Contribution of Himalayas and our responsibilities’. Himalaya Diwas is celebrated every year on 9th September in the state of Uttarakhand. It is celebrated with the aim to conserve Himalayan ecosystem and region. It was officially declared as Himalaya Day in 2015 by the then Chief Minister.

Explanation

• Minister of State of Jal Shakti Ministry, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, launched the “Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021” under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase–II.
• It was launched at an event organized by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) on September 9, 2021. Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021 will be undertaken by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) across the country.

Explanation

British writer Susanna Clarke won the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction for her mind–tweaking fantasy novel ‘Piranesi’.  Clarke, 61, was awarded the 30,000 pounds ($41,000) prize for her novel.

Explanation

• World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10. The theme this year is “Creating hope through action.” World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. World Suicide Prevention Day is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

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• Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya resigned on September 8, 2021, two years before completing her tenure. She tendered her resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind. She was sworn in as the governor of Uttarakhand on August 26, 2018.

Explanation

• Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Russia on cooperation in the field of Geosciences. MoU was signed between the Joint Stock Company Rosgeologia (State holding Company) of Russia and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines.

Explanation

• Reserve Bank of India has taken public sector lender UCO Bank out of Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework (PCA) on improvement in financial and credit profile. This decision gives the bank more freedom for lending, especially to corporations and grows the network, subject to prescribed norms.

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• Tata AIA Life Insurance has announced Indian athlete and Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, as its brand ambassador. This association also marks the very first brand partnership to be signed with the gold medallist javelin thrower.

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• India and Japan held their sixth Maritime Affairs Dialogue in a virtual format on September 9, 2021. The consultations involved exchanges on developments in the maritime security environment, regional cooperation activities and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the Indo–Pacific region.

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• Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurated and presided over the Seminar on Population, Human Capital and Sustainable Development in New Delhi on September 10, 2021.
• She also inaugurated a digital population clock at the Institute for Economic Growth nestled inside the University of Delhi. She also launched a book titled “Infant and Child Mortality in Assam – Demographic and Socio–Economic Interrelations” on the occasion. The book was written by Dr Dipanjali Haloi and Dr Suresh Sharma. During the event, a HMIS Brochure was also launched.

Explanation

• President Ram Nath Govind has appointed Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit as the new Governor of Punjab.

Explanation

• Bhupendra Patel has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was sworn in by Governor Acharya Devvrat at the Raj Bhavan, Gandhinagar. He is also a member of Gujarat Legislative Assembly and represents Ghatlodia constituency. Bhupendra Patel became chief minister of Gujarat on September 13 after Vijay Rupani resigned from the post.

Explanation

• A new government has been announced in Lebanon over a year after the previous administration quit following the devastating Beirut port explosion. Najib Mikati – Lebanon’s richest man – becomes Prime Minister, a position he has held twice before.

Explanation

• King Mohammed VI of Morocco has appointed Aziz Akhannouch of the liberal National Rally of Independents (RNI) party as Prime Minister and asked him to form a government.
• RNI emerged as the biggest party in Parliamentary election held on September 8. Elected politicians in Morocco have only limited powers, as key decisions remain in the hands of the monarch.

Explanation

• A new government has been announced in Lebanon over a year after the previous administration quit following the devastating Beirut port explosion. Najib Mikati – Lebanon’s richest man – becomes Prime Minister, a position he has held twice before.

Explanation

• The release of three dreaded terrorists in exchange of hijacked Indian Airlines passengers in Afghanistan’s Kandahar in 1999 is the “worst capitulation” to terrorists in India’s modern history, says BJP MP Subramanian Swamy.
• He has come out with a book ‘Human Rights and Terrorism in India’ which traces how the combating of terrorism can be harmonised with human and fundamental rights within reasonable restrictions that is permitted by the Constitution and upheld by the Supreme Court.

Explanation

• Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh, who retired as the Deputy Chief of Army, was appointed the Governor of Uttarakhand, a post which fell vacant after Baby Rani Maurya resigned from the post.

Explanation

• Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, chaired the 13th BRICS Summit virtually on September 9, 2021. India chose the theme of the Summit as “BRICS@15: Intra–BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus”.
• The Summit was participated by all other BRICS Leaders namely, President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, President of Russia Vladimir Putin President of China Xi Jinping and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. Under India’s chair ship, BRICS took several new initiatives, which includes First BRICS Digital Health Summit, First BRICS Ministerial Joint Statement on multilateral reforms, BRICS Counter–Terrorism Action Plan, Agreement on cooperation in field of remote–sensing satellites, Virtual BRICS vaccine Research & Development Centre, BRICS Alliance on Green Tourism etc.

Explanation

• Bank of Baroda has launched its digital banking platform ‘bob World’, aimed at providing all banking services under one roof. bob World’ will offer a wide gamut of banking products and services, to be rolled out in phases, under four key pillars – Save, Invest, Borrow and Shop.

Explanation

• The government has appointed Harsha Bhupendra Bangari as the managing director of Export–Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). Bangari, who is presently the deputy managing director at EXIM Bank, would be at the helm for a period of three years or until further orders of the government.

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• Australian Daniel Ricciardo has won the Italian Grand Prix with Lando Norris coming second at Monza while Formula One title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton took each other out of the race. Valtteri Bottas finished third.

Explanation

• The United Kingdom’s state–run National Health Service (NHS) has commenced the world’s biggest trial of a blood test where they will detect more than 50 types of cancer. The world’s largest trial of blood test will find out different types of cancer even before the symptoms appear.

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• India and Japan held their sixth Maritime Affairs Dialogue in a virtual format on September 9, 2021. The consultations involved exchanges on developments in the maritime security environment, regional cooperation activities and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the Indo–Pacific region.

Explanation

• Veteran India sports administrator Randhir Singh has been appointed as acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) after incumbent Sheikh Ahmad al–Fahad al–Sabah had to step aside after being found guilty of forgery by a Geneva Court. He had served as Secretary General of the OCA for 24 years from 1991 to 2015.
• He also served as the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association from 1987 to 2012 and was a full member of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2014 before becoming its honorary member.

Explanation

• The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT–M) has been adjudged the best higher educational institution in 2021 followed by Indian Institute of Science Bangalore (IISc) and IIT Bombay. The rankings were announced by education minister Dharmendra Pradhan as part of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), an initiative of the government to rank top Indian institutions.

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• 4–time winner on the European Tour, Jeev Milkha Singh has become the first professional golfer in the world to get the prestigious 10–year Dubai Golden Visa in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the sport.

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• Arun Kumar Singh appointed new Chairman and MD of BPCL Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a ‘Maharatna’ and a Fortune Global 500 Company has announced the appointment of Arun Kumar Singh as the Chairman and Managing Director of the company and consequently he has taken charge on September.7, 2021.

Explanation

• Fourteen districts of Chhattisgarh have signed MoUs with the Hyderabad–based Indian Institute of Millets Research to boost production of millets in their respective areas.
• These millets will be procured through Van Dhan societies of the Chhattisgarh Minor Forest Produce Co–operative Federation, and after processing, will be used in mid–day meal schemes, public distribution system and nutrition programmes.

Explanation

• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry have launched Climate Action and Finance Mobilisation Dialogue under India–US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership. This partnership will provide both countries an opportunity to renew collaborations on climate change while addressing the financing aspects.

Explanation

• Every year, September 2 is observed as World Coconut Day across the world. It is celebrated to create awareness about the importance of the coconut and its benefits. It also commemorates the foundation day of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community. This year, the theme is “Building a Safe Inclusive Resilient and Sustainable Coconut Community Amid COVID–19 Pandemic & Beyond”.

Explanation

• The International Day of Charity is observed every year on September 5, across the world. The day aims to sensitize people and NGOs to engage in volunteer and philanthropic activities. This date of 5 September marks the day of the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa. She was honoured as a Saint was known for her missionary work in Kolkata. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Explanation

• World Ozone Day or ‘International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer’ is observed on September.16 all over the world. Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985. The theme of this year is “Montreal Protocol – Keeping us, our food and vaccines cool”.

Explanation

• September 18 is observed as the International Equal Pay Day by the United Nations. It has been celebrated for the first time this year. The day is observed by the United Nations to throw light and end discrimination against women and girls.

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• Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease which leads to memory loss. The condition worsens with time and makes it difficult to perform day to day functions. Since 1994, each year 21st September is observed as the World Alzheimer’s Day. September is the month which is observed each year as the World Alzheimer’s Month in order to enable national and local Alzheimer associations worldwide to extend their reach of awareness programmes over a longer period of time.

Explanation

• World First Aid Day is observed on the second Saturday of September annually. So, this year the day was celebrated on 11 September across the globe. The special day is marked to encourage people in first aid training which helps in preventing injuries and saving lives in critical situations. The theme for World First Aid Day 2021 is ‘First aid and road safety,’ according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Explanation

• Former IPS officer Iqbal Singh Lalpura, has been chosen as chairman of National Commission for Minorities. The awards he has won include President’s police medal, police medal for meritorious services, Shiromani Sikh Sahitkar award, Sikh scholar award, etc. He hails from Punjab.

Explanation

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University in Aligarh. The university is being established by the Uttar Pradesh government in the memory and honour of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, freedom fighter, educationist and social reformer. The university will provide affiliation to 395 colleges of the Aligarh division.

Explanation

• Engineers Day 2021 was observed on September 15, to mark the birthday of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. This day marks the contributions of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya in the field of engineering and education. He played a significant role in constructing dams, reservoirs and hydro–power projects across India.

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• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has declared Kushinagar Airport as a Customs notified airport. This would also facilitate international passenger movements including that of Buddhist pilgrims.

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• IIT–Bombay launched its “Project Udaan” on the occasion of Hindi Diwas on September 14, 2021. Project Udaan was launched with the aim of breaking the language barrier that many students face while joining the institutes of higher education. Project Udaan enables the translation of textbooks and other study material of the engineering and other streams from English to Hindi & other Indian Languages.

Explanation

• Mathematician Anand Kumar was conferred with the Swami Brahmanand Award 2021 for his contribution in the field of education through his ”Super 30” initiative, which prepares underprivileged students for the IIT entrance exam.

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• Samantha Stosur of Australia and Zhang Shuai of China won their 11th straight match to triumph in the US Open women’s doubles final over American teenagers Coco Gauff and Caty McNally at Flushing Meadows.

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• Indian Navy and Sudanese Navy carried out a bilateral maritime exercise in the Red Sea off the Sudanese. INS Tabar and two Sudanese Navy ships– Almazz and Nimer– participated in this maiden exercise with the Indian Navy.

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• North Korea was formally suspended from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as punishment for refusing to send a team to the Tokyo Games citing the COVID–19 pandemic.  

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• Tamil Nadu assembly has passed a bill seeking a permanent exemption to the state from NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). With the passing of this bill, students would get admissions to UG Medical degree courses based on the qualifying HSC or class 12 marks, just like it used to happen before NEET was implemented.

Explanation

• India has handed over Dornier Aircraft to Mauritius as part of Vision SAGAR for enhanced maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. Through this India seeks to enhance security and economic cooperation with its maritime neighbours.

விளக்கம்

• 2021 செப்.9 அன்று நௌலா அறக்கட்டளையுடன் இணைந்து தேசிய தூய்மை கங்கை திட்டம், இமயமலை வெற்றி நாளை ஏற்பாடு செய்தது. “Contribution of Himalayas and our responsibilities” என்பது நடப்பு (2021) ஆண்டில் வரும் இந்நாளுக்கானக் கருப்பொருளாகும். இமயமலை வெற்றி நாளானது ஆண்டுதோறும் செப்டம்பர்.9ஆம் தேதி உத்தரகண்ட் மாநிலத்தில் கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது. இமயமலை சுற்றுச்சூழல் மற்றும் பிராந்தியத்தை பாதுகாக்கும் நோக்கத்துடன் இது கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது. கடந்த 2015ஆம் ஆண்டில் அப்போதைய முதல்வரால் அதிகாரப்பூர்வமாக இமயமலை வெற்றி நாள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது.