Current Affairs 10 & 11 January 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 10 & 11 January 2021, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2021 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

EESL, NHAI sign MoU to Establish Clean & Energy Efficient Interventions at NHAI EstablishmentsOn January 8, 2021, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Clean & Energy Efficient Interventions at NHAI Establishments.
i.EESL will set up Solar Power Projects, energy efficient LED lighting and EV Charging stations at NHAI establishments.
ii.The MoU was signed in the presence of Rajeev Sharma, Chairman, EESL & RK Pandey, Member-Projects, NHAI.
iii.It will also construct EV charging infrastructure works at toll plazas & buildings. It will also take up the task of supplying electric vehicles to NHAI.
Objective:
To meet targets of increasing environment friendly clean initiatives through implementation of e-mobility services, energy efficiency & renewable energy projects.
About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):
Chairman – Rajeev Sharma
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Union MoE Ramesh Pokhriyal Inaugurated Virtual International Akhand Conference ‘EDUCON-2020’
i.On January 7-8 2021, the two-day Virtual International Akhand Conference ‘EDUCON 2020’ held which was inaugurated by Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Ministry of Education (MoE). The Chief Guest of Valedictory Ceremony was Prof Dhirendra Pal Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi.
ii.This 31-hour long marathon International Conference was the first of its kind conference in India where global scholars continuously explored the possibilities of use of ICT (Information and communications technology) in the higher education to promote quality education in India.
iii.Its theme was Envisioning Education for Transforming Youth to Restore Global Peace.
About Ministry of Education (MoE):
The Ministry of Education was formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD).
Minister of State (MoS)– Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre
<<Read Full News>>

Overview of Significant Milestones achieved by MoES in 2020The Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), Government of India addresses aspects relating to Earth System Science and provides weather, climate, ocean, coastal state, hydrological & seismological services.  The services provided by MoES are essential for various agencies & state governments to save human lives & minimise damages due to natural disaster.
One major milestone achieved by MoES in 2020 was the release of Flash Flood Guidance Services (FFGS), which is the 1st of its kind for South Asian countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Some of its significant achievements
MoES has listed out its significant milestones accomplished in 2020 under 5 major schemes –

• ACROSS – Atmospheric and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services
• O-SMART – Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology
• PACER – Polar and Cryosphere Research
• SAGE – Seismology and Geoscience Research
• REACHOUT

Click Here to read the full news
About Ministry of Earth Science:
Union Minister – Harsh Vardhan
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Govt Plans to Launch Seaplane Services with Airline Operators

The government is in process to launch seaplane services  in collaboration with the airline operators on several routes, including Delhi-Ayodhya. This process was initiated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). The services will be launched under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework. The project will be executed and implemented through Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL), which is under the administrative control of MoPSW. It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a seaplane service between Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on October 31, 2020.

GoI sanctions INR 37.8 Crores for Developing Parashuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh

Government of India (GoI) has sanctioned INR 37.8 Crores for the Developing Parashuram Kund Pilgrimage Site at Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the most sacred places in India and is visited by a large number of pilgrims during Makar Sankranti.
i.Thousands of Devotees take holy dip in the Lohit River.
ii.It is expected to boost the livelihood of the locals & socio-economic development of the area.
iii.Using the funds, the steps leading to the Kund, better services & suitable accommodation for visitors will be developed.
About Arunachal Pradesh:
Capital – Itanagar
National Park (NP) – Mouling, Namdapha

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India and France Strategic Dialogue 2021 held in New Delhi; Ajit Doval Represented Indiai.On January 7, 2021, the annual India and France Strategic Dialogue 2021 to discuss regional and global issues was held at New Delhi where Indian delegation was led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and French delegation was represented by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.
ii.The key focus areas of discussions were Covid-19 vaccines, cooperation within the Indo-Pacific area, nuclear, space, maritime safety, environment, digital economy, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and defence sectors.
iii.The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was held in February 2020 in Paris, France. It is held with the two countries as alternating as hosts.
iv.Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ addressed the ‘International Monolithic conference’ organised by CUPB.
About France:
Capital– Paris
Currencies– Euro, CFP franc
President– Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron
<<Read Full News>>

BANKING & FINANCE

Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Limited ties-up with Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Finance Corporation
On January 7, 2021, Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Limited has joined hands with Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Finance Corporation (JKIDFC) to initiate comprehensive insurance covers for the customers of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

• JKIDFC is operational in the entire territory of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and works towards enhancing industrial growth in this area by providing financial assistance to various Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) besides others.
• Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd is a joint venture (JV) of Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Karnataka Bank Ltd, Dabur Investment Corporation and a leading general insurer from Japan, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.

About Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Finance Corporation (JKIDFC)
Managing Director (MD) – Rajesh Kumar Shavan
About Universal Sompo General Insurance Co:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Sharad Mathur
Headquarter– Mumbai, Maharashtra

Japan Commits Rs 2,113 cr Loan Pact to India to Support COVID-19 Relief Effortsi.On January 8, 2021, a loan agreement was signed between India and Japan for JPY (Japanese yen) 30 billion (Rs 2,113 crore) to support India’s efforts at providing social assistance to the poor and vulnerable households severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
ii.It is named as Covid-19 Crisis Response Support Loan for Social Protection.
iii.The agreement was signed by CS Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, and Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan to India and Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) New Delhi.
About Japan:
Capital– Tokyo
Currency– Japanese yen
Prime Minister– Yoshihide Suga
<<Read Full News>>

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

7th Trade Policy Review of India at WTO acknowledges India’s strong economic growth at 7.4%
i.On January 6, 2021, India’s seventh Trade Policy Review (TPR) initiated at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. India’s official delegation for the TPR is headed by the Commerce Secretary, Dr. Anup Wadhawan. India’s 6th TPR took place in 2015.
ii.The TPR is an important mechanism under the WTO’s monitoring function, and involves a comprehensive peer-review of the Member’s national trade policies.
iii.During the TPR, a comprehensive Report issued by the WTO Secretariat which acknowledged India’s strong economic growth at 7.4% during in the last five years i.e. 2015-20.
About World Trade Organization (WTO):
Director-General– To be Appointed (Roberto Azevedo stepped down on 31 August 2020)
Members– 164 Nations
<<Read Full News>>

ACQUISITION & MERGERS

CCI Approves Acquisition of 100% Shareholding of Columbia Asia Hospitals by Manipal Health Enterprisesi.On January 8, 2021 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) gave approval to the  acquisition of 100% shareholding of Columbia Asia Hospitals Private Limited(CAHPL) by Manipal Health Enterprises Private Limited(MHEPL).
ii.After this acquisition MHEPL will become India’s 2nd  largest healthcare chain, after Apollo Hospitals.
iii.In regard to the acquisition MHEPL has entered into a share purchase agreement with CAHPL in November 2020.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Established by– The Central Government with effect from 14th October 2003
Headquarters– New Delhi, India
Chairman– Ashok Kumar Gupta( a 1981 Batch IAS officer)
<<Read Full News>>

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Harsh Vardhan Inaugurates Coastal Research Vessel ‘Sagar Anveshika’ at Chennai Port 
On January 9, 2021, Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan launched Coastal Research Vehicle (CRV) ‘Sagar Anveshika’ at the Chennai Port. The vehicle will be used to carry out environment indexing and bathymetric (mapping underwater features) in both coastal and offshore waters.  It will be used for research purposes by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and has been built by Titagarh Wagons, Kolkata, West Bengal.
i.Anveshika has been built under Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) and is a DP (Dynamic Positioning)-Capable vessel.
ii.NIOT already has 6 Research Vessels – Sagar Kanya, Sagar Sampada, Sagar Nidhi, Sagar Manusha, & Sagar Tara.
iii.Utilizing the Research Vehicle, Marine Scientists can travel six kilometers below the sea.
iv.The scientists can also stay underwater for more than 16 hours to conduct research activities.
About National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT):
Director – Dr G A Ramadass
Location – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
<<Read Full News>>

OBITUARY

Neil Sheehan, an American Journalist and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Passed Away at 84On January 7, 2021 Cornelius Mahoney ‘Neil’ Sheehan, an American journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author passed away at the age of 84 in Washington D.C., United States(US) due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was born on October 27, 1936 in Massachusetts, US.
i.He gained popularity when he obtained Pentagon Papers for New York Times and became the first to do so.
ii.Military analyst Daniel Ellsberg granted Sheehan the access to the critical documents in 1971.
About Neil Sheehan:
i.He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1962.
ii.He worked as a war correspondent in Vietnam for United Press International (UPI) and The New York Times.
Books Authored
i.He authored many books including ‘A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam’(1988) an account of the Vietnam War. It was edited by Robert Loomis and published byRandom House. It took him 15 years to write this book.
ii.His last book was ‘A Fiery Peace in a Cold War: Bernard Schriever and the Ultimate Weapon’.
Awards
He received many awards including National Book Award for Nonfiction in 1988 and the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1989 for his book ‘A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam’.
About Pentagon Papers:
It is officially titled as, ‘Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force’, is a United States Department of Defense history of the United States’ political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
It is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.

Madhavsinh Solanki, Former Union Minister & 3 time CM of Gujarat Passed Away at 94
On January 9, 2021 Madhavsinh Solanki, a former Chief Minister(CM) of Gujarat who served for 3 terms passed away at the age of 94 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He held portfolios as union minister of Planning (1988-89) and external affairs (1991-92), while being a member of Rajya Sabha from 1988 to 1994. He belongs to Indian National Congress(INC) party. He was born on 30 July 1927 in Gujarat.

• He was the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat before Narendra Modi, who is the current PM of India.

About Madhavsinh Solanki:
i.He was known for KHAM(Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) theory.
ii.He served as the CM of Gujarat from 24 December 1976 to 10 April 1977 later from 7 June 1980 to 6 July 1985 and 10 December 1989 – 4 March 1990.
iii.He played a vital role in Gujarat politics for decades.
iv.He led Congress to its greatest victory in the legislative assembly in 1985, by winning  149 of 182 seats. The record remains till date.
v.He has thrice served as the president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Lt. Gen. Konsam Himalay Singh Authored a Book Titled ‘Making of a General – A Himalayan Echo’ On January 8, 2021 Dr Najma Heptulla, Governor of Manipur released a book titled ‘Making of a General – A Himalayan Echo’ through a virtual mode at Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal, Manipur. The book is authored by (Redt) Lt. Gen. Konsam Himalay Singh and is published by Konark Publishers Pvt Ltd.
Essence of the Book:
i.It is a memoir of Lt Gen (Dr) Konsam Himalay Singh who discovered his journey from a small village in Manipur to becoming the 1st Lieutenant general(Three Star General of the Indian Army) from North East India.

• He is also the first military officer from Manipur to reach the ranks of Brigadier and Major General.

ii.The book captures the history and beauty of Manipur and mentions the state as the “Land of Emeralds”. On the other hand, this State is known as “Unexplored Paradise”.
iii.It also describes about the Kargil War(3 May – 26 July 1999) and the author’s tour of duty in the Siachen Glacier, Himalayas, the highest battlefield in the world.
iv.It also reveals many challenges faced by commanding officers while carrying out their duties.
About Lt Gen (Dr) Konsam Himalay Singh:
i.He was commissioned in the2nd battalion, Rajput Regiment in June 1978.
ii.He commanded the 27th battalion, Rajput Regiment(between 1998 and 2000) on the Siachen Glacier and also commanded his battalion during the battle of Point 5770 in the Kargil War.
iii.He was the Chairman of Manipur Public Service Commission.
iv.Currently, he is a member of the Consultative Committee of Manipur Government on Naga Peace Talks.
v.In addition to this, he also serves as a visiting faculty member of Manipur University in the Dept of National Security Studies.
vi.He had earlier written a book titled ‘Romancing the LOC’.
Medals
i.He received many medals including the Yudh Seva Medal for commanding during the Kargil War.
ii.He is also the recipient of  Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal among others

IMPORTANT DAYS

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021 & 16th PBD Convention 2021 held on January 9, 2021

i.Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2021 was celebrated on January 9, 2021.
ii.The Day is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the participation of the overseas Indian community with the government of India and reconnect them with their roots.
iii.During this day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated PBD Convention 2021 virtually in New Delhi, a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
iv.This year(2021) marks the 16th PBD convention. Earlier PBD was celebrated in the year 2019.Theme of the 16th PBD Convention 2021– “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
v.President Santokhi of Suriname was the chief guest of the PBD Convention 2021.
vi.In the  valedictory session of the PBD celebrations, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2021 was conferred by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.
About Ministry of External Affairs:
Union Minister– Dr. Subrahmanyam(S.) Jaishankar
Minister of State– V. Muraleedharan.
<<Read Full News>>

STATE NEWS

Manipur launches ‘COSFOM’ website for Community Forest Management On January 8, 2021, Awangbow Newbai, Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Manipur launched a website for Community-based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resource Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM) – www.cosfom.mn.gov.in at the Forest Headquarters, Sanjenthong, Manipur.
i.COSFOM is a component under Indo-German Programme ‘Climate Change Adaption in the Himalaya’.
ii.It is a project of the Government of India supported by the Federal Government of Germany through KfW, a German development bank.
iii.Manipur Forest Department is the implementing agency and it is managed by Community Forestry and Water Conservation Society-Manipur (CF & WCS).
Gist of the Project:
i.The Indo-German Project focuses on sustainable community forestry, soil & Water conservation.
ii.Initially the project will cover 2 districts – Ukhrul & Kangpokpi divisions.
iii.The project employs a community-based & holistic approach to improve and conserve water resources.
About Manipur:
Capital – Imphal
Chief Minister – N. Biren Singh
About KfW Bank:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Gunther Braunig
Headquarters – Frankfurt, Germany
<<Read Full News>>

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