February 3rd Week 2021 Current Affairs Online Test in English

Explanation

World Pangolin Day is observed annually on the third Saturday in February. This day is observed to create awareness about Pangolin and to protect these unique creatures from extinction. The 10th World Pangolin Day will be observed on Feb.20, 2021.

Explanation

• In India, every year February 10 and August 10 are observed as the National Deworming Day (NDD). The day aims to eradicate intestinal worms within the age bracket of 1–19 years, which are also referred to as Soil–Transmitted Helminths (STH).
• As per the World Health Organisation, about 241 million children in India between 1–14 years are at risk of parasitic intestinal worms.

Explanation

• ‘BioAsia’ is a flagship summit hosted by the state of Telangana. It is a global summit which unites the scientists and businesses in various fields with special focus on Life Science.

The 18th edition of BioAsia is scheduled to be held during February 22–23, 2021. The theme of the summit is ‘Move the Needle’, with focus on Covid–19, global health, pharma and medtech.

Explanation

• Karnataka recently launched the office of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM). It aims to increase the digital economy contribution to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to 30 percent. 
• The state also launched the “Beyond Bengaluru” to achieve this target. 51 percent stakes of the mission are given to industry associations and the remaining is kept by the state government.

Explanation

• The Government has approved inclusion of ‘Specialty Steel’ under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.
• A financial outlay of Rs 6322 Cr has been made to promote the domestic manufacturing of ‘Specialty Steel’. It aims to attract capital investment, generate employment and enhance technology up–gradation in the steel sector.

Explanation

• The Government has set up a Nodal Authority to frame Approved Standardised Deep–Sea Fishing Vessels Design and Specifications (ASDDS).
• This step aims to help state fisheries departments to fast track the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Those vessels constructed in compliance with Shipping Ministry shall be eligible for subsidy under PMSSY scheme.

Explanation

• The UN General Assembly adopted 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa proposed the observance of World Pulses Day.
• February 10 was announced as the World Pulses Day in 2019. It aims to increase awareness and access to pulses across the world and to recognise Pulses as a global food. The theme of the year is I love pulses.

Explanation

• As per the data given by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, as many as 66,692 manual scavengers have been identified across the country. As of February 2021, the highest number of manual scavengers have been identified in Uttar Pradesh at 37,379. It is followed by Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Assam. It was also announced that 340 people have died while cleaning sewers and tanks in the last five years.

Explanation

• Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX–21) is the Indian Navy’s largest exercise. It is being held in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This month–long drill also includes joint exercises by ships and aircraft and other assets of the Indian Air Force, Army and the Indian Coast Guard in the IOR and the waters in the adjacent regions.

Explanation

• Denmark has recently approved a plan to build the world’s first energy island in the North Sea. The artificial island will be linked to offshore wind turbines. The island would provide power to households and green hydrogen to shipping and aviation industries.
• It is claimed that the park can produce and store green energy to cover the electricity needs of 3 million households.

Explanation

• ‘World Radio Day’ is celebrated on Feb.13 every year, across the world. It was first proclaimed by the member states of UNESCO in 2011. The UN General Assembly adopted the proposal in 2012.
• The 2021 edition of World Radio Day is based on 3 main sub–themes namely Evolution, Innovation and Connection. UNESCO released a video named “New World; New Radio”.

Explanation

Chittaura Lake is situated in Uttar Pradesh. A river named Teri Nadi originates from this lake. It is known for many migratory birds during August – October months. It is also an important Hindu Pilgrimage site in the state. Prime Minster Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the development works of the Chittaura Lake.

Explanation

• India records the highest number of Road crash deaths, across the world. The World Bank recently released a report titled “Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society”.
• Union Transport minister Nitin Gadkari released the report. Over 75% of the poor households in India reported a decline in their income after a road traffic crash.

Explanation

• Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). As per the recent edition of the data, the IIP measure grew 1 per cent for December 2020. The Consumer Price Index inflation (CPI) decreased to 4.06 per cent in January 2021, due to the decline in vegetable prices.

Explanation

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the upper ceiling has been raised from Rs 45,000 to Rs 1.25 lakh per month.
• This increase is in accordance with the increase of salary as per the recommendations of the seventh pay commission. This step will ensure that the family members of the deceased employees get access to adequate financial security.

Explanation

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently unveiled the draft “Humans in space policy 2021”.
• The policy will be sent to the government for approval. The policy seeks to facilitate start–ups and the local industry to build technologies for its human space programme. ISRO has also set up a two–member team to study the technologies needed for the mission.

Explanation

• Punjab National Bank (PNB) has signed an agreement with Indian Oil Corporation to provide up to Rs 2 crore to the dealers of the Oil company. Under the MoU, the bank would provide credit facilities at lower interest rates, nil margin, and with minimum or zero collateral requirements. These measures are to be undertaken under the PNB e–Dealer scheme.

Explanation

• The Indian Navy and IIT Delhi has recently signed an MoU on research in underwater domain of Naval Electronic Systems. The key technologies for Navy in underwater electronics have been developed by the Centre for Applied Research in Electronics (CARE) at IIT Delhi since 1970s.

Explanation

• Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited, previously the Namrup Fertilizer Complex, is located on the bank of Dilli river, Assam. 
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for Grant–in–aid of Rs.100 crore to BVFCL, Namrup (Assam) for smooth operations of its urea manufacturing units.

Explanation

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), in partnership with the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India (COWE), has launched the ‘Swavalamban Sashakt – Mega Campaign’. It is a webinar series to promote the ‘Stand Up India’ scheme.
• Loan between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to at least 1 SC or ST borrower and at least 1 woman borrower is provided per bank per branch, to set up a new enterprise.

Explanation

• The Uttarakhand government has decided to limit Kumbh Mela 2021 to just 30 days from earlier three months. This was informed by Chief Secretary Om Prakash. This time the Kumbh, which is one of the most sacred events for Hindus, will be held from April 1 to April 30.

Explanation

• PM Narendra Modi launched the ‘Mahabahu–Brahmaputra’ initiative in Assam with an aim to provide seamless connectivity to Eastern Parts of the country. The initiative was launched with the inauguration of Ro–Pax vessel operations between Neamatighat–Majuli, North–South Guwahati and Dhubri–Hatsingimari.

Explanation

• The Union Cabinet approved the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between India and Mauritius. The Agreement will cover trade in Goods & Services, Telecom, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Rules of Origin, Dispute Settlement, Financial services, and cooperation in other areas.

Explanation

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) to launch the World Solar Bank. The launch will likely be announced at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021.

Explanation

• Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrated its 43rd raising day on Feb.1. The ICG was raised on 1977 February 1, with the enactment of Coast Guard Act 1978, as a full–fledged independent Armed Force of the Union under the Ministry of Defence. Its primary task is to protect the country’s vast maritime zones.

Explanation

• World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2nd February to create awareness on the importance of wetlands and its role played in the planet. This year, the theme of the World Wetlands Day is ‘Wetlands and Water’. This year’s theme highlights the importance of wetlands as a source of freshwater.

Explanation

• The World Cancer Day is observed every year on 4th February to raise awareness about cancer, its treatment and to encourage methods of its prevention. The theme of the 2021 Cancer Day is ‘I Am and I Will’, which is being continued since 2019.

Explanation

• World Unani Day is observed every year on 11th February, to mark the birth anniversary of the Unani scholar and social reformer Hakim Ajmal Khan. He was the founder of scientific research in Unani System of Medicine. The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece and its foundation was laid by Hippocrates.

Explanation

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed annually on Feb.6, across the world. Genital Mutilation, or altering the female genitalia for non–medical reasons is prevalent in 30 countries in Africa the Middle East and other parts of the world.

In 2012, the UN General Assembly designated Feb.6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and the UN works for the complete eradication of the practice by 2030.

Explanation

• ‘World Radio Day’ is celebrated on Feb.13 every year, across the world. It was first proclaimed by the member states of UNESCO in 2011. The UN General Assembly adopted the proposal in 2012.
• The 2021 edition of World Radio Day is based on 3 main sub–themes namely Evolution, Innovation and Connection. UNESCO released a video named “New World; New Radio”.

Explanation

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank Mk–1A to the Indian Army, at a function held at Chennai. The battle tank has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by the DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai.

Explanation

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Bharat Petroleum’s Propylene Derivatives petrochemical complex at Kochi Refinery.
• The Rs 6,000 crore worth Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP) will produce Acrylic Acid, Oxo–Alcohol and Acrylates, which are mainly imported in India. He also inaugurated the Ro–Ro vessels of Inland Waterways Authority in Kochi, Kerala

Explanation

• Grand Anicut Canal, also called as ‘Kallanai’ is said to be the oldest water regulating structure in the world, constructed in the 2nd century A.D by the Chola King Karikal Cholan.
• Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System. The project is to be taken up at a cost of Rs 2,640 crores.

Explanation

• Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system present in the planet of Mars. It is a large shield volcano, which is over two times the height of Mount Everest above sea level.
• The UAE’s “Hope” Mars probe sent back its first image of Mars, after the spacecraft successfully entered the planet’s orbit. The probe recently captured the Olympus Mons volcano, taken from an altitude of 24,700 kilometres above the Martian surface.

Explanation

• Germany based professional football club Bayern Munich beat Mexico’s Tigres UANL in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. This is the 6th title won by the club in less than nine months. Benjamin Pavard of the German team scored the only goal of the final match in the 59th minute.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship programme. This nation–wide programme has been launched in partnership with nine Indian Institutes of Management across India.
• It has been launched under the SANKALP (Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion) scheme.

Explanation

• As per the recent report released by Tracxn, a company which tracks investments and financials, the number of start–ups founded in Bengaluru has been higher than in San Francisco, United States in the past five years. In 2015, 3,080 firms were founded in the Indian city, as against 2,040 companies in San Francisco.
• Similarly, in 2020, 805 firms were founded in Bengaluru, whereas the US city’s count was 619. Bengaluru has around 13,000 active start–ups, at present.

Explanation

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has virtually launched the ‘Maa’ scheme under which the state government would provide meal at Rs 5 to poor people. A platter of food including vegetable and egg curry is to provided at Rs 5.

Explanation

Theodore Baskaran, a leading Writer, historian, naturalist, and activist has been awarded with the Sanctuary Nature Foundation’s “Sanctuary Lifetime Service Award 2020”. This award has been conferred upon him for his dedicated works in wildlife conservation and for his writings in Tamil – English regarding the same

Explanation

• A group of six black storks (Ciconia nigra), were spotted recently in the Sigur plateau in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. The species is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the “Least Concern” category. The sighting of the black stork in this region is considered to be extremely rare.

Explanation

• Pi Beam– an IIT Madras incubated start–up has recently launched a 2–wheeler named PiMo. This vehicle can be charged faster than a smart mobile phone. It has a range of 50 km and is priced at Rs.30,000/–. This vehicle does not require registration and is targeted at personal and commercial users.

Explanation

Nigerian American economist Ngozi Okonjo–Iweala has been appointed as the new director–general of World Trade Organization (WTO).

With this appointment, she becomes the 1st African women to be the Chief of WTO. WTO is an intergovernmental organization that is regulates the trade between nations. It is headquartered at Geneva.

Explanation

• The Jagannath Temple Management Committee, has recently approved a Rs 800–crore heritage corridor project. This project aims to revamp and redevelop the temple and its surrounding areas.
• The Lord Jagannath Temple is an important twelfth century temple located in Puri, Odisha. The temple was built by the King Anantavarman Chodaganga of Ganga dynasty.

Explanation

• The Tata Electronics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government in order to establish a facility to manufacture the mobile components.
• The project by the Tata Electronics will cost Rs 4684 crores. It will be established in Krishnagiri. The project can help in creating jobs for 18,250 people. Tamil Nadu has also signed a MoU with the Grasim Industries in order to establish a paint manufacturing unit at Cheyyar. It will be established with an investment of Rs 750 crore. In total, the Tamil Nadu states has signed 28 MoUs for the projects for which the budget outlay is Rs 28,000 crore.

Explanation

• ‘Arribada’ is a term used to describe the mass migration of sea turtles, where large groups of females assemble at a nesting site on the beach. Recently, the Olive Ridley turtles have started laying eggs in the beach in this nesting season.
• The nesting season which usually begins in November was delayed by a few weeks this year, due to changes in climate conditions due to the cyclones Nivar and Burevi.

Explanation

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it will provide Rs 100 crore loan to Gurgaon–based hospital chain Medanta.
• The financial assistance would aid the multi–speciality hospital chain in enhancing healthcare services and medical equipment to fight the COVID–19 pandemic. It also includes staff training programmes on infection control.

Explanation

• The final production batch of Long–Range Surface–to–Air Missile (LRSAM) was recently flagged off at DRDL, A P J Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad. The missiles have been designed and developed by DRDO in collaboration with various industry partners.
• The missile system provides defence against aerial targets including fighter aircrafts and missiles.

Explanation

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted an eight–member expert panel to lay down a regulatory road map for urban co–operative banks. The committee will be headed by former deputy governor of RBI, N. S. Vishwanathan. The group will also study the consolidation prospects in the sector. The expert committee has been asked to submit its report within three months.

Explanation

• Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the ‘Abhyudaya’ scheme. It aims to provide coaching facilities to the interested candidates for competitive exams like NEET and IIT–JEE.  Over 50,000 students are selected under the scheme.

Explanation

• The Indian Navy got its third Scorpene submarine, which will be commissioned in Mumbai as ‘INS Karanj’. This is a part of the six submarines, which are being constructed under Project 75. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has delivered three Scorpene submarines to the Indian Navy named Khanderi, Kalvari and Karanj.