Current Affairs 10 March 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 10 March 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

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurated India’s first ‘World Skill Center’ in BhubaneswarOn March 05, 2021, Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the India’s first World Skill Center(WSC), an advanced skill training institute at Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar at the budget of Rs 1342.2crore, under Odisha Skill Development Project with the assistance of Asian Development Bank and ITE Education Services (ITEES), Singapore, the knowledge partner.
World Skill Center (WSC):

• The center aims to provide advanced skill training to the youth of the state and prepare them for competing at Global level
• WSC is the 18-storey state-of-the-art building with a helipad and is now the tallest structure in the State.
• The center is built over an area of 4.5 lakh sq ft under budget of Rs 1342.2crore along with Asian Development Bank for cost sharing.
• The center seeks inspiration from Institute of Technical Education Services (ITEES), Singapore, World Skills, Russia and Global Institute for Transferring Skills, South Korea the knowledge partners.
• Serves as a center for capacity building for ITI and polytechnic teachers.
• At first the center will train 3000 students in eight trades.

About Asian Development Bank(ADB):
Headquarters – Metro Manila, Philippines
Establishment – 19th December 1966
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Country Director for India – Takeo Konishi
<<Read Full News>>

WCD Ministry, Invest India sign MoU to enhance cooperationOn March 8, 2021, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Invest India for enhancing cooperation in areas of Nutrition, Child Protection and Development, Women Empowerment & Capacity building in mission mode.

• Invest India will help the efforts of MWCD in Build Strategic and Policy support, strengthen International cooperation, Impact assessment, Sustained Behaviour Change communication

DRISHTI – Analysis Research
DRISHTI Dashboard – which monitors the actions plans of CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprises) will be utilized to design, formulate & conduct strategic research for MWCD.
Invest India

• It is India’s National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency.
• It was set up in 2009 as a Non-Profit Venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Invest India is the executive agency for the Government of India’s Start-up initiative.

About Invest India:
Managing Director & CEO – Deepak Bagla
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Indian Army Leases 4 Heron UAVs from Israel Indian Army has leased 4 Heron TP medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from Israel for 3 years. The leases were done under the emergency procurement programme of the Indian army.

• The drones made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will be delivered between August & September 2021.
• The estimated cost of Leasings is USD 200 Million; the leasing agreement can be further extended up to 2 years.
• The UAVs will be deployed along with the 3, 448 Km long India-China border.

‘Emergency Powers’
Under ‘Emergency Powers’, the Indian Armed Forces (all 3 services) can buy any weapon system under INR 500 Crore per procurement project for ‘urgent’ requirements.
About Israel:
Prime Minister- Benjamin Netanyahu
Capital– Jerusalem
Currency– Israeli Shekel
<<Read Full News>>

First Strategic & Counter-Terrorism Dialogue Between India & Nigeria: 4 – 5 March 2021The first Strategic and Counter Terrorism Dialogue between India and Nigeria was held from 4th March 2021 to 5th March 2021. The National Security Adviser of Nigeria Major General (Retd.) Babagana Monguno visited New Delhi, India at the invitation of National Security Adviser of India Ajit K Doval KC for the discussion.
Highlights:
i.The discussions were held within the framework of close and strategic partnership between India and Nigeria.
ii.The threats and challenges faced by the nations from the terrorism, extremism, radicalization through the cyberspace as well as International crime, arms and drug smuggling and piracy were discussed.
iii.India and Nigeria has identified specific areas of cooperation to enhance their fights against all forms of terrorism.
iv.Both the countries have agreed to cooperate in the international arena and to maintain regular contact in this area.
About Nigeria:
President– Muhammadu Buhari
Currency– Nigerian naira
Capital– Abuja

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India ranked 121st  & Singapore retains 1st Rank in the 2021 Economic Freedom IndexIndia with a score of 56.5 was ranked 121 (category – ‘Mostly Unfree’) in the ‘2021 Index of Economic Freedom’ (27th Annual Edition) released by The Heritage Foundation.  Singapore topped the list for the 2nd time in a row followed by New Zealand & Australia.

• This is the 1st time that the index has been published after the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Around 184 Countries have been covered in the Index; the Period of study is from July 2019 – June 2020.
• For the 1st time, The Heritage Foundation has excluded Hong Kong from its rankings. Hong Kong had topped the Index for 25 out of 27 years (1995-2019).
• Overall, the Global Economy remains ‘Moderately Free’ in the 2021 Index. The Global Average of economic freedom remained unchanged at 61.6 for the second year in a row (highest average score in Index history).

About The Heritage Foundation:
President – Kay C. James
Headquarters – Washington DC., USA
<<Read Full News>>

Ghana becomes 1st Country to receive COVAX vaccines through UN Initiative

6,00,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India, were offered to Ghana under the vaccine deployment initiative of the United Nations (UN), making it the 1st country in the world to receive COVAX vaccines. Already 92 countries in the lower & middle income group have signed to the UN backed COVAX programme. COVAX is planning to distribute 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by 2021.

BANKING & FINANCE

AckoDrive Partnered with IDFC FIRST Bank to Issue Free FASTagsOn 6th March 2021, AckoDrive, an online car sales platform, a product of ACKO Technologies and Services Private Limited partnered with IDFC FIRST Bank to issue free FASTags.  IDFC FIRST Bank, premier Indian banking company authorized by the National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) to distribute FASTags.
Benefits of AckoDrive FASTags:
i.The AckoDrive issues FASTags over the digital platform without issuance fee, paperwork or security deposit.
ii.The AckoDrive FASTags can be purchased by any private car owner by providing the personal information and vehicle details and initial wallet money of Rs.100 to recharge the FASTag.
iii.On purchase of AckoDrive a FASTag wallet for the user will be automatically created at the IDFC FIRST Bank.
iv.These fASTags can be used for the purchase of Fuels at the HPCL pumps.
What is FASTags?
i.FASTags is a tech enabled sticker, like a QR code which will be used by all the tollways in India to collect the toll payments. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is at the core of FASTag.
ii.The FASTag id will be linked with the user’s wallet or prepaid account which can be recharged, the toll amount will be deducted from this account.
iii.The NHAI has directed all the tollways to collect the e-payment through the FASTag program.
iv.The Government of India has made FASTags a mandatory for 4 wheelers from 15th February 2021. 
About IDFC FIRST Bank:
MD & CEO– V. Vaidyanathan
Incorporated as IDFC Bank Limited on 21st October 2014 under companies Act 2013.
The Bank received a universal banking license from Reserve Bank of India(RBI) in July 2015.
IDFC FIRST Bank was founded by the merger of Erstwhile IDFC Bank and Erstwhile Capital First on December 18, 2018.
About ACKO Technologies and Services Private Limited:
MD & CEO– Ruchi Deepak
Head Office– Bengaluru, Karnataka

Yes Bank launched a women centric service – ‘Yes Essence’On March 08,2021, In the event of International Women’s Day, Yes Bank launched a banking proposition YES Essence service to offer preferentially – priced loans and healthcare benefits for the women customers.
YES Essence:
It aims to encourage the women customers to fulfill their aspirations by providing different solutions covering various categories like lifestyle, wellness, education, protection and investment.
Solutions under the service: 

• Complementary healthcare benefits
• Earnings on auto sweep to Fixed Deposit(FD)
• Preferential pricing on loans
• Fee waiver on demat and trading account
• Wealth management

The bank will be celebrating the launch of the proposition with women customers throughout the Bank’s network of branches across India from March 8 to March 10, 2021.
About Yes bank
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
MD & CEO– Prashant Kumar
Incepted– 2004
Tagline– Experience our expertise
Chatbot– YES ROBOT
<<Read Full News>>

Ujjivan SFB Launched “Garima Savings Account”, Women Savings Account On 8th March 2021, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB) launched “Garima Saving Accounts”, a women Saving Account to provide the financial needs of women. The account offers various customised benefits for women which includes a maximum of 7% rate of interest on savings account.
Aim:

• To support the financially aware and economically active women.
• To support the day to day banking needs of women.

About Ujjivan Small Finance Bank:
MD & CEO– Nitin Chugh
Tagline– Build a Better Life
Headquarters– Bengaluru Karnataka
Ujjivan SFB commenced its operation as a Small finance bank on 1st February 2017.
<<Read Full News>>

KVGB launches ‘Vikas Asha’ Loan Scheme for Women EntrepreneursKarnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) has launched the ‘Vikas Asha’ Loan Scheme, under which the bank will distribute loans of up to INR 10 Lakhs to Women Entrepreneurs.

• The scheme is exclusively for women to meet their business-related needs, for purchasing machinery/equipment/vehicle.
• It shall also be utilized for meeting the working capital requirements under Micro and Small Enterprises including retail trade.

Repayment Period
The repayment period of the loan will be 84 months.
Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) 

• It was established in 2005 and is sponsored by Syndicate Bank (Syndicate Bank was amalgamated into Canara Bank w.e.f 1st April 2020)

About Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB):
Chairman – Gopi Krishna
Headquarters – Dharwad, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

PNB Housing Finance Announced the Donation of Electric Cars to Women in Jaipur & Indore, MPOn the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 08,2021 Punjab National Bank(PNB) Housing Finance company has partnered with Delhi-based NGO, Azad Foundation to donate electric cars under the initiative named ‘Women With Wheels’ for the women of Jaipur and Indore, Madhya Pradesh(MP).
Note – Azad Foundation launched Women With Wheels in 2008.
Key points of the initiative:

• It is a part of PNB’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project called ‘SHE’.
• The initiative is to facilitate underprivileged women to gain driving skills and donate electric cars to them.
• 6-8 months of technical training along with self-development and rights based awareness training also will be given.
• Training will be given to women in the age group of 18-35 years who are living in urban slums and re-settlement colonies.
• It will generate an annual income of around Rs 4.5 lakh for the women drivers and will also generate about 10,000 safe rides for women passengers, which will make the public transport safer for women.

About PNB Housing Finance:
MD & CEO: Hardayal Prasad
Headquarters: New Delhi
Tagline: Ghar Ki Baat
Azad Foundation
Executive Director:Meenu Vadera
Establishment: 2008
Headquarter: New Delhi

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Wipro Joined World Economic Forum’s Initiative To Advance Social Justice In Business Initiative

Wipro Limited, has joined the “Partnering for Racial Justice in Business initiative” launched by the World Economic Forum on 25th January 2021, to promote a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity and justice for people of all racial backgrounds in the workplace.
The initiative is a global coalition of organisations and their leaders, committed to build an equitable and just workspace for professionals with ethnic and racial identity.
Aim:
To confront racism at systemic level and address everything from structural and social mechanics of their organisation to their role in their communities.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

President Ram Nath Kovind presented a baton of honour to Kiran BediOn March 08,2021 President Ram Nath Kovind presented a baton of honour and a letter of appreciation to former Puducherry lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
Key point:
The Baton which is decorated with the emblem of the Indian Republic was given as a memento for recognizing Kiran Bedi’s service in the Union Territory of Puducherry and to appreciate her constitutional duties discharging method.
About Kiran Bedi:
The first female IPS officer who started her service in 1972.
In 2004 she received the United Nations Medal from the United Nations for her Outstanding service.
She was the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (29 May 2016 – 16 February 2021).

Tamilisai Soundararajan Honoured with the Top 20 Global Women of Excellence Award – 2021On March 7th 2021, A Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan was conferred with the Top 20 Global Women of Excellence award – 2021 through video conference from USA. The award was presented by the USA on the recommendation of a Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force, headed by US Congressman Danny K. Davis.
Note- Vice President of the USA Kamala Harris, was also one among the recipients in the 9th Edition of Top 20 Global Women of Excellence award.
i.Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan holds the portfolio of Governor of Telangana & Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (Currently under President Rule).
ii.Governors of States are appointed based on the provision of Article 153.
About Puducherry:
Total Lok Sabha Seats – 1
Total Legislative Assembly Seats – 33
<<Read Full News>>

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS          

Naureen Hassan appointed as the 1st VP & COO of Federal Bank of New York

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of United States, gave approval for the appointment of Naureen Hassan, an Indian Origin, as the 1st Vice President (VP) & Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Federal Bank of New York. She will be holding the 2nd highest post (Vice President) with effect from 15th March, 2021. Most recently she served as the Chief Digital Officer for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (MSWM). Her work focuses primarily on digital and business process transformation.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India successfully conducts Maiden flight trial of Indigenous Torpedo ‘Shyena’On March 8, 2021, the maiden flight trials of the indigenously developed ‘Advanced Light Torpedo (TAL) Shyena’ was conducted successfully, it was fired from Indian Navy’s Ilyushin Il-38 Patrol Aircraft. TAL Sheyna is an anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a lab of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

• The trial was the first of its kind in India, as ‘TAL Shyena’ was fired from a fixed-wing aircraft.
• The Indigenous torpedo has enhanced the range of quick acquisition of the target &  has been designed for launch from fixed-wing aircraft of the Navy.

TAL Sheyna

• Shyena was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2012 and is used as part of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
• It has a range of 19 Kms.

About Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL):
Director – Dr OR Nandagopan
Location – Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
<<Read Full News>>

ISRO develops ‘NISAR’ for Joint Earth Observation Satellite mission with NASAIndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed the development of an Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) called ‘NISAR’ (NASA-ISRO SAR) which is capable of producing high-resolution images. It will be used for the Joint Earth Observation Satellite Mission of ISRO & NASA (National Aeronautics & Space Administration), USA.

• The Radar penetrates clouds & darkness enabling NISAR to produce high quality images round the clock in any weather.
• NISAR is the 1st satellite mission to use 2 different radar frequencies (L-band & S-band) to measure changes in our planet’s surface.
• The agreement for  developing ‘NISAR’ was signed between NASA & ISRO in 2014.

NISAR – Earth Observation Mission
The Earth Observation Mission is targeted to be launched in early 2022 from ISRO’s Sriharikota spaceport, Andhra Pradesh.
Purpose of the Mission
To measure Earth’s changing ecosystems, dynamic surfaces & ice masses, providing information about biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise & groundwater.
About National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA):
Acting Administrator – Steve Jurczyk
Headquarters – Washington DC., USA
<<Read Full News>>

OBITUARY

Anshuman Singh, Former Governor of Rajasthan Passed Away At 86On 8th March 2021, Anshuman Singh, former governor of Rajasthan passed away at the age of 86 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He passed away due to COVID-19 related pneumonia.  He was born in 1935 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
About Anshuman Singh:
i.Anshuman Singh served as the Governor of Rajasthan from 16th January 1999 to May 2003.
ii.He started his career as an advocate in Allahabad district court in 1957.
iii.He has served as the judge of Allahabad high court from 1984 and later served as the acting chief justice of Rajasthan High Court.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar Released E-book Titled “The Green Queens of India – A Nation’s Pride”On 8th March 2021, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC) released an e-book titled “The Green Queens of India – A Nation’s Pride”, a compilation of case studies, best practices and life experience of women forest officers.  The eBook was published by Indian Forest Service Association-Central unit. New Delhi.

• He released the book at the first ever conference of Women Indian Forest Service(IFS) officers and women frontline personnel.
• Around 250 women IFS officers and 5000 women frontline personnels participated in the conference.

About the e-Book:
i.The book aims to support and motivate the young officers and will inspire the young women who aspire to become a forest officer.
ii.The book is a tribute to the small and strong cadre of Women IFS officers.
iii.This compilation of case studies highlights the diverse skill that they bring to the service
Indian Forest Service and Women:
i.Since the creation of the Imperial Forest Service in 1865, women officers were first inducted in 1980.
ii.Started with 3 women officers in 1980 the strength of women officers in the service has been increased and currently there are around 250 women officers are in service.
About Indian Forest Service:
Inspector General of Forests– Bharati
Director– Jerome Minz

STATE NEWS

J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha Launched Super-75 Scholarship Scheme for Girls Educationi.On 8th March 2021, International Women’s Day, the Lieutenant(Lt) Governor of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) launched the Super-75 scholarship scheme to support the education of the meritorious girls from poor families.  The scheme will support the girls to take up streams like engineering, medicine, Industrial Training Institute(ITI) and humanity and contribute to the development of the nation.
ii.Lt Governor also launched a new scheme “Tejaswini” under the Mission Youth to provide financial support of Rs.5 Lakhs to girls of age group 18 to 35 to start a business.
iii.The Lt Governor stated that no fees will be charged upto 12th standard from around 589000 girls from various government schools.
About Jammu and Kashmir:
Tribes– Brokpa, Drokpa, Dard, Shin, Changpa, Purigpa, Gujjar, Bakarwal, Gaddi, Sippi
National Park– Dachigam National Park, Kishtwar National Park
<<Read Full News>>

AP Became the First State to Incorporate Gender Budget in its FY 2021-22 Annual Budget i.On 8th March 2021, International women’s day, Andhra Pradesh(AP) Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that the state would become the first state of India to incorporate the Gender Budget in its annual budget of the fiscal year 2021 to 2022 with an aim to provide better service to women.
ii.He participated at the women’s day celebration at the camp office in Tadepalli, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh and virtually inaugurated the Women’s help desks in all the police stations across the state along with Cyber Kiosks.
iii.He launched the SWECHHA(freedom)Programme to create awareness about menstrual hygiene among the adolescent girls.
iv.He also flagged off the 900 Disha patrolling vehicles and 18 Disha crime scene management vehicles.
About Andhra Pradesh:
Ramsar Sites– Kolleru Lake
Zoological parks– Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
<<Read Full News>>

Maharashtra FM Ajit Pawar presents State Budget 2021-22 with an outlay of INR 4, 84, 118.19 CroreOn March 8, 2021, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister (CM) & Finance Minister Ajit Pawar presented the state budget for the year 2021-22 with an outlay of INR 4, 84, 118.19 Crore.  Infrastructure development, health, agriculture, Nari Shakti were the main areas of focus.
Fiscal Indicators

• Revenue Deficit Budget – INR 10, 226 Crore Deficit
• Estimated Revenue Expenditure – INR 3,79, 213 Crore
• Estimated Fiscal Deficit – INR 66, 641 Crore
• Expected Growth (based on 2021-22 economic survey of Maharashtra) is  -8% in 2020-21 & Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to fall by INR 1, 56, 925 Crore.

Major Announcements

• Zero-Interest loans to farmers who take crop loans up to a limit of INR 3 Lakhs & do timely repayment.
• 540 Km Marine Highway to be constructed to reduce traffic congestion on Mumbai-Goa highway.
• New ring-road costing INR 24, 000 Crore to be built in the limits of Pune Municipal Corporation (Largest Civic Body in terms of area) to ease congestion.

Rajmata Jijau Griha-Swamini Yojna
Concession of 1% in Stamp Duty if it is done in the name of a woman of the house.
About Maharashtra:
Forts – Pratapgad fort, Purandar fort, Rajgad fort
Click here to read the full budget
<<Read Full News>>

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