August 1st Week 2021 Current Affairs Online Test English

Explanation

• Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal introduced the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha. It seeks to provide safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo and prevention of pollution that may be caused.
• It also seeks to bring in transparency in administration of inland water transportation, strengthen procedures governing inland vessels. inland waterways of 4000 km are operational in India.

Explanation

• Gwalior and Orchha cities from Madhya Pradesh have been selected by UNESCO under ‘Historic Urban Landscape Project’. The project was started in the year 2011, for the inclusive and well–planned development of fast–growing historical cities. Six cities of South Asia, including Ajmer and Varanasi in India are already involved in this project. Orchha and Gwalior have been included as the seventh and eighth cities.

Explanation

• Bhilar, a village in Maharashtra’s Satara district, was declared a ‘village of books’ by the State government in 2017. India’s second village of books, has been set up in the small Kerala village, Perumkulam, five kilometres from the Kottarakkara town in Kollam district.
• A library has been started in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, to promote readers from the village to read more books.

Explanation

• World’s first 3D–printed steel bridge was opened to the public in Amsterdam recently. It was developed by MX3D, a Dutch robotics company, in collaboration with a team of experts. The bridge was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
• The bridge was developed for four years and was installed over one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam’s city centre – the Oudezijds Achterburgwal.

Explanation

• The Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an intergovernmental cooperation among 6 nations namely – India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It was established in the year 2000 to boost diplomatic cooperation among these countries. Recently, the 11th Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting was organized, and India was represented by the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Explanation

• The Union Government has amended the rules pertaining to incorporation of companies under the Companies Act, 2013.
• The Corporate affairs ministry, which is implementing the Companies Act, 2013, has amended the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. Changes are made with respect to allotment of a new name to an existing company under Section 16 of the Act. The changes will come into effect from September 1.

Explanation

• According to the third annual report on periodic labour force survey (PLFS), conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) between July 2019–June 2020, the unemployment rate fell to 4.8% in 2019–20.
• The unemployment rate in 2018–19 was 5.8% and in 2017–18 was 6.1%. Labour indicators recorded an increase in 2019–20, as compared to previous years.

Explanation

• The Government of India has proposed to establish 42 virology research and diagnostic laboratories across the country, at a total cost of Rs324 crore. These would be established during the 15th Finance Commission period of 2021–22 to 2025–26. These would be established through a scheme under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Explanation

• UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific, which is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand has recently released a Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. Under this evaluation 143 countries have been scored on 5 key indicators. India has scored 90.32 per cent for the year 2021 as against its score of 78.49 per cent in 2019. In terms of transparency, India scored 100 per cent in 2021.

Explanation

• National Broadcasting Day is celebrated in India on July 23 every year. On the same day in the year 1927, the first ever radio broadcast in the country was carried out from the Bombay Station. The first broadcast was done by a private organisation called the Indian Broadcasting Company. At present, Prasar Bharati is the National public service broadcasting agency.
• It comprises of Doordarshan Television Network and All India Radio. To commemorate this, the All–India Radio organized a symposium on “Creation of New India and Broadcasting Medium” in New Delhi.

• Income Tax Day is celebrated on July 24 by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and all field offices. On the same day in the year 1860, Income tax was originally introduced in India by Sir James Wilson, to compensate for the losses incurred during the first war of independence. This is the 161st anniversary of Income Tax Day.

Explanation

• India has sent a large contingent of 127 participants for the Tokyo Olympics 2021, who will be participating in 18 sport events. These include two alternate players and one reserve goalie in men’s and women’s hockey squads. In the previous Olympics of 2016, 117 athletes participated in 15 sporting events.

Explanation

• National Fish Farmers Day is celebrated in India on July 10, every year, to commemorate the two scientists: Dr K H Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury, who had invented ‘Induced breeding technology’ on this day in 1957. The Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for fish farmers. 2021 will mark 21st National Fish Farmers’ Day.

Explanation

• ‘World Day against Trafficking in Persons’ is observed every year on July 30 across the world, to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for protection of their rights.
• In the year 2013, the United Nations General Assembly held a high–level meeting to review the Global Plan of Action and designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime assists member countries in their efforts. The theme of the day is, “Victims’ Voices Lead the Way”.

Explanation

• The Quality of Life (QoL) survey, based on a WHO questionnaire and additional tools, was conducted between May and June 2021 among Indian adults in several cities. It marks the launch of fifth year of Protein Week. As per the survey, nearly 46.2 percent of adults in India lead a poor quality of life.
• While Kolkata recorded the highest percentage of adults (65 percent) with poor QoL score, Mumbai topped the list with high score. The Protein Week is celebrated annually between July 24–30, by Danone India in collaboration with CII.

Explanation

• Sohra, also known as Cherrapunjee, is a high–altitude town in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, launched the Green Sohra Afforestation Campaign at Sohra. Amit Shah also inaugurated the Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme. This afforestation campaign will be run by the Meghalaya Government with the help of Assam Rifles.

Explanation

• The Indian Space Research Organisation launched a customised space–themed merchandise programme. Recently eight companies have registered for partnership with ISRO, to undertake this programme. 
• Interested persons will be able to purchase authorised products related to ISROs missions and work, such as scale models, T–shirts, space–themed educational games, science toys, among others. This brand promotion exercise will create awareness and interest among students, children and public, in space science and technology.

Explanation

• The first ever World Drowning Prevention Day (WDPD) is observed 25 July 2021, co–ordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the resolution on global drowning prevention on 28 April 2021.
• An estimated 236,000 people drown every year, and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5–14 years.

Explanation

• Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal recently inaugurated the exhibition “Azad Ki Shaurya Gatha” based on the life of the martyr ‘Chandrasekhar Azad’.
• The exhibition was inaugurated at Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, New Delhi. This is a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, to celebrate 75 years of our country’s freedom. A series of programs are being organised by Ministry of Culture for celebrating “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

Explanation

• India’s weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has clinched the silver medal in the 49kg category and has opened the country’s medal account at the Tokyo Olympics 2021. She is the second India woman to bag a silver medal at the Olympics after PV Sindhu. Also, she became the first Indian woman weight lifter to win a silver at the Olympics.

Explanation

• A report on “Renewables Integration in India 2021” was jointly launched NITI Aayog and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
• The report is based on the outcome of three state workshops held with the Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat to understand the specific energy transition challenges faced by these renewable–rich states. The report highlights that India’s power system requires identification of resources and advance technology initiatives.

Explanation

• ARMEX–21 is a major skiing expedition launched by the Indian Army from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, covering around 1,500 km distance. This comes to close proximity with the LAC in Ladakh, Himachal, Garhwal and Kumaon sectors. The expedition comes amid border tensions between India and China.

Explanation

• The Philippines became the world’s first country to approve the commercial production of genetically modified “golden rice”, named for its bright yellow colour. The rice has been enriched with the vitamin A precursor beta–carotene to make it more nutritional. 
• Experts hope that this rice will combat childhood blindness. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), along with Philippine Rice Research Institute has developed golden rice.

Explanation

• The 12th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY, a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy was held in the Baltic Sea from 28 to 29 July 2021.
• Initiated in 2003, Ex INDRA NAVY epitomises the long–term strategic relationship between the two navies. This exercise was undertaken as part of the visit of INS Tabar to St Petersburg, Russia to participate in the 325th Navy Day celebrations of the Russian Navy. The exercise was progressed over two days and included various facets of fleet operations such as anti–air firings, underway replenishment drills, helicopter ops, boarding drills and seamanship evolutions.

Explanation

• Exercise Cutlass Express 2021, commenced on July 26 along the East Coast of Africa. It is an annual maritime exercise conducted to promote national and regional maritime security in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean.
• The 2021 edition of the exercise involves the participation of 12 Eastern African countries, US, UK, India and various international organisations, like IMO, UNODC, EUNAVFOR, CRIMARIO and EUCAP Somalia. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Talwar is participating in Exercise Cutlass Express 2021.

Explanation

• Lok Sabha has recently passed National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021. It has awarded the status of ‘Institutions of National Importance’ to NIFTEM (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management) at Kundli in Haryana and IIFPT (Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology) at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.

Explanation

• Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) is the First Green SEZ to achieve the IGBC Green Cities Platinum Rating for Existing Cities, by CII’s Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
• KASEZ was Asia’s first Export Processing Zone and it is considered as India’s largest multi–product functional SEZ. It is situated on the gulf of Kutch on the west coast of Gujarat at a distance of 9 Kms from Kandla port.

Explanation

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently conferred the ‘World Heritage Site’ status to the 13th–century Ramappa which is situated in Palampet, Telangana.
• This temple is said to be built in the year 1213 by Recharla Rudra of Kakatiya Dynasty. At the world heritage committee, a consensus of 17 countries supported this move.

Explanation

• John Abraham, a veterinary doctor turned inventor, has received the patents for inventing biodiesel from slaughtered chicken waste. The biodiesel offers mileage of over 38 km per litre at around 40 per cent of the current price of diesel. It is also expected to lower the air pollution by half. The Indian Patent Office granted the patent for inventing ‘biodiesel produced from rendered chicken oil’.

Explanation

• Skateboarding player, 13–year–old Momiji Nishiya became the youngest gold medallist from Japan as she won the women’s street skateboarding event of the 2020 Olympics. Another Japanese player Yuto Horigome had won the first ever men’s gold in the sport recently. 
• Nishiya dominated Aori Nishimura, the reigning world champion, in the final. 13–year–old Brazilian Rayssa Leal was second and Japan’s Funa Nakayama bagged the bronze.

Explanation

• Operation Vijay or more commonly called as the Kargil war, was a defence operation against Pakistan, conducted in the year 1999. July 26th of every year is celebrated as the Vijay Diwas, which marks India’s victory against Pakistan in the war.

Explanation

• The Agriculture Ministry has commenced the project of creating ‘Agristack’, which is a digital ecosystem of agriculture in the country. It aims to help the government in effective planning towards increasing the income of farmers and improving the efficiency of the agriculture sector.
• Recently, the Agriculture Ministry also announced that the Government is aiming to create a National Farmers Database using digitised land records, to provide personalised services to farmers.

Explanation

• Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs launched the ‘India Cycles4Change Challenge’ in 2020, to create cycle–friendly initiatives across the country. Recently, the Ministry awarded 11 cities with the title of ‘India’s Top 11 Cycling Pioneers’. With this, the next stage of the first season has started. The top 11 cities shall receive an award of Rs 1 crore each to scale up their cycling initiatives.

Explanation

• The Tamil Nadu government has become the first in the country to launch free Covid–19 vaccination at private hospitals. The scheme is being funded by Corporate Social Responsibility funds of various companies. Under the scheme, 130 private hospitals have been identified to provide free Covid vaccines to the people.
• The Union government procures 75% of the vaccines produced and the remaining 25 percent is available for private hospitals, which is largely under–utilised.

Explanation

• “COVID BEEP” is India’s first indigenous, wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID–19 patients, developed by ESIC Medical College Hyderabad in collaboration with Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and Department of Atomic Energy.
• A proposal has been recently submitted to Ministry of Labour & Employment for large scale deployment of the system.

Explanation

• In 1986, “All India Quota” scheme was introduced under the directions of Supreme Court. It was introduced with an aim to provide domicile–free merit–based opportunities to students from any state who aspire to study in medical college located in another state.
• The scheme comprises 15% of UG seats and 50% of PG seats in government medical colleges. The Union Health Ministry has recently announced that 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will be offered under the All–India Quota scheme for Undergraduate and Postgraduate medical and dental courses from 2021–22 onwards.

Explanation

• On the occasion of International Tiger Day, Bhupendra Yadav (Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate change) stated that 14 Tiger reserves of India have received accreditation of the Global Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS).
• The 14 accredited tiger reserves are Manas, Kaziranga and Orang in Assam; Satpura, Kanha and Panna in Madhya Pradesh; Pench in Maharashtra; Valmiki tiger reserve in Bihar; Dudhwa in Uttar Pradesh; Sunderbans in West Bengal; Parambikulam in Kerala; Bandipur in Karntaka and Mudumalai & Anamalai in Tamil Nadu.
• CA|TS is a set of criteria that sets best practice and standards to manage tigers and their conservation. It is a globally accepted conservation tool. CA|TS was launched in 2013. It was developed by tiger and protected area experts. It is an important part of T*2, the global goal to double the number of tigers by 2022. The long–term goal of CA|TS is to ensure safe heavens for Tigers.

Explanation

• Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Bhushan Selection Committee selected Asha Bhosle for the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2021. It was announced by Amit Deshmukh, the cultural affairs minister of Maharashtra. 
• Maharashtra Bhushan is the highest civilian award of Maharashtra. It is given for the outstanding achievement in the fields of literature, art, sport, science, social work, journalism and public administration. 
• It is presented annually by the Government of Maharashtra. It was first awarded in 1996. Purushottam Laxman Deshpande was the first person to won this award. Cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a memento and citation is given to the winner of the Maharashtra Bhushan Award.

Explanation

• Intel, CBSE and Ministry of Education announced the launch of the “AI For All” initiative on July 29, 2021.
• The main aim of this initiative is to create a basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for everyone in India. AI for All is a 4–hour, self–paced learning programme.

Explanation

• The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2015. UNESCO celebrates International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 26 annually.
• It aims to raise awareness about mangrove ecosystems and to promote their sustainable management and conservation. According to UNESCO, mangroves are disappearing at a rate that is 3–5 times faster than overall losses of global forest cover. The main reasons are infrastructure development, urbanisation and agricultural land conversion.

Explanation

• The Ministry of Science and Technology is setting up a first–of–its–kind Centre of Excellence in the Northeast, at Kimin in Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The project to establish the Centre for Bio–Resources and Sustainable Development as a Centre of Excellence was sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology. The construction of the new building and other infrastructure has been completed at a cost of nearly Rs 50 crore.

Explanation

• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has been implementing the Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought (BOLD) project. It was launched from a tribal village in Rajasthan in July, with plantation of 5000 saplings of special bamboo species.
• Recently, KVIC planted 1000 bamboo saplings at Tanot village in Jaisalmer, in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF). BSF will be responsible for maintaining the plants. It aims to reduce desertification and provide livelihood to the local population.

Explanation

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has taken up seven lithium exploration projects in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.
• GSI is headquartered in Kolkata. The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER) under Department Atomic Energy (DAE) has undertaken lithium exploration in Karnataka and Rajasthan. This is seen as a part of India’s energy security plans. ₹18,100 crore production–linked incentive (PLI) scheme was announced recently to make lithium–ion cells to promote e–mobility in India.

Explanation

• Dholavira, which is a Harappan City in the Rann of Kutch of Western Gujarat, has been inducted into the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. This makes it the 40th site from India to be inscribed into the list. This site was discovered in the year 1968 and is known for its unique characteristics like water management, special burial structures etc.

• The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched an integrated portal named Earth System Science Data Portal. This portal would make available various earth related data for the public. The portal was launched as a part of the 15th Foundation Day celebration of the ministry on 27th July 2021 and has been developed in tune with the Digital India initiative of the Government of India.

Explanation

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released an update to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) for the month of July 2021, under the title “Fault Lines widen in the Global Recovery”. As per the WEO update, the global economy is projected to grow 6.0 percent in 2021 and 4.9 percent in 2022. IMF also downgraded India’s Growth Projection to 9.5% from 12.5% for 2021–22.

Explanation

• Malaysia has registered the world’s first affordable drug for treatment of hepatitis C. This has paved the way for accessible treatment to millions of people affected by the disease across the globe. The drug named ‘Ravidasvir’ has been approved to be used with an existing drug sofosbuvir.
• The new drug development was initiated by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and has been developed by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (Geneva–based Nonprofit drug organization) together with Pharco, an Egyptian generic drug manufacturer.

Explanation

• Shehroze Kashif (19), a Mountaineer from Pakistan has become the youngest person to reach the summit of K2 – the world’s 2nd highest mountain peak, which is at an altitude of 8,611–metre from mean sea level. Recently in May 2021, he scaled Mount Everest and became the youngest person from Pakistan to scale the world’s highest peak.

Explanation

• The “Good Food for All” competition was conducted by the United Nations, in search of the ‘Best Small Businesses’ that are providing inspiring, diverse and impactful solutions to improve access to healthy and sustainable food.
• In the competition, 3 India–based enterprises – Edible Routes Private Limited, Oorja Development Solutions India and Taru Naturals are among the winners of the “Best Small Businesses”.

Explanation

• In 2011, the UN General assembly proclaimed July 30 as the International Day of Friendship. The decision was taken with an idea that this day will create a friendship bond between peoples of different cultures, countries and religions.
• The United Nations is an international organisation which was founded in 1945. It is headquartered in New York. The main aim of this organisation is to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation and act as a center for harmonising the actions of different nations. At present, 193 countries are the members of the United Nations (UN).