Current Affairs 10 February 2021

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

GoI approves Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger Reserve in TN;set to become 5th Tiger Reserve in TN The Government of India (GoI) has approved the Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR) in Tamil Nadu (TN), it will be TN’s 5th Tiger Reserve and the Largest ever Tiger Reserve in the state. It is also India’s 51st Tiger Reserve. SMTR is spread over an area of 1 Lakh Hectares and encloses lands which fall under the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary & Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS).

• The approval for setting up SMTR was given by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under Section 38 V(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Meghamalai WLS covers the district of Theni & Madurai and Srivilliputhur WLS lies along the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala.
• Forest Officials have identified around 14 Tigers in Meghamalai and Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuaries.

i.SMTR will serve as a link between Meghamalai WLS and Srivilliputhur WLS and further connect it with Tirunelveli WLS & Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve making it a continuous corridor for conservation of tigers.
ii.Apart from helping in conservation of Tigers, SMTR will also help in rejuvenation of Vaigai river by protecting its origin in the Forests.
iii.Tiger Reserves are declared by NTCA via Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 under the scheme ‘Project Tiger’.
About Tamil Nadu:
Lakes – Kaliveli Lake (Recently in News), Veeranam Lake, Berijam Lake
Tiger Reserves – Anamalai, Kalakad Mundanthurai, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam
<<Read Full News>>

Siemens Ltd signs 2 separate MoUs with IISc, CMTI to set up 1st of its kind Digital Transformation labsOn February 8, 2021, Siemens Ltd (India) signed 2 separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Smart Factory, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru & Smart Manufacturing Demo and Development Cell (SMDDC) at Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru for the establishment of 1st of its kind Digital Transformation labs. The Agreements were signed for a period of 3 years.
With these agreements, Siemens Ltd aims to support the Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub (SAMARTH) Udyog initiative of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India.
Objective:

• To increase the expertise of researchers at IISc & technical skills of professionals in the machine tool industry.
• Particular focus will be given to development of industrial Internet of Things (IoT) & Industry 4.0 enabled products and technologies.
• To encourage MSMEs of Manufacturing sector to adopt smart digital technologies.

Beneficiaries – Research Scholars, Students & Industry Professionals across the machine tool industry in Bengaluru.

• The labs will be equipped with Technologies, products & prototypes of latest digital technologies like digital twin, blockchain technology & automatic guided vehicle.

SAMARTH:
SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0 is an Industry 4.0 Initiative of Department of Heavy Industry (DHI), Ministry of Heavy Industry & Public Enterprises, Government of India as part of the scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in Indian Capital Goods Sector.
About Siemens Ltd (India):
It is an Indian subsidiary of Germany Company Siemens AG headquarters at Munich, Germany
Managing Director & CEO – Sunil Mathur
Head Office – Mumbai, Maharashtra
<<Read Full News>>

MoD and BEL Signed Contract for Procurement of DR-Tac worth over Rs 1,000 crorei.On February 8, 2021, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have signed a contract for procurement of Software Defined Radio Tactical (SDR-Tac) worth over Rs 1,000 crore in New Delhi
ii.As per the contract, the delivery will take place within 3 years.
iii.BEL is already supplying SDR-Naval Combat (NC) and SDR-Air is under user evaluation trial.
About Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL):
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)– M V Gowtama
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

DRDO & IISc Bengaluru signed a MoU to create JATP-CoEi.On 8th February 2021, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science(IISc) to create Joint Advanced Technology Program- Center of Excellence(JATP-CoE) in the premises of IISc.
ii.The MoU was signed by Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary of Directorate for Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) & Chairman DRDO and Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director IISc at a virtual event held in DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi
iii.Under the MoU, DRDO will support JATP to equip it with advanced and unique research facilities which will enable the faculties and scholars of IISc to conduct advanced research.
About IISc:
Director– Govindan Rangarajan
Location– Bengaluru, Karnataka
About DRDO:
Chairman– G Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters– New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Indo-US 16^th Joint Military Exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas 20’ begins in Rajasthani.The 16th edition of an annual joint military exercise between India and the United States (US), “Yudh Abhyas 20” was initiated as a part of defence cooperation at the Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR), near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan on February 8, 2021. This 12 days long exercise will culminate on February 21, 2021.
ii.The Indian side is represented by the 11th Battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, part of the South Western Command while U.S. Army delegation will be represented by the troops of 2nd battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment of 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team along with respective brigade headquarters.
iii.The US contingent was welcomed by Brigadier Mukesh Bhanwala, Commander of the 170 Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army.
About United States (US):
President– Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– United States Dollar
<<Read Full News>>

Market Size of Indian Pharma Industry is Expected to Reach US $130 Billion By 2030 On February 8, 2021 Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, D V Sadananda Gowda while addressing the Press Conference on the 6th Edition of ‘India Pharma & India Medical Device 2021’ mentioned that the total market size of the Indian Pharma Industry is expected to reach the US $ 130 billion(approximately Rs 9.47 lakh crore) by 2030. He also mentioned that the medical devices industry in India is expected to reach $ 50 billion(approximately Rs 3.67 Lakh crore)  by 2025.
In addition to him, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya also addressed the press conference.
6th Edition of ‘India Pharma & India Medical Device 2021’
General Info: It is  annual program on Pharmaceuticals & Medical Device sector
Scheduled on:  25-26 February & 1-2 March 2021.
Organised by:  The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, jointly with The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry(FICCI) & Invest India
Theme: 

• India Pharma- ‘Indian Pharma Industry: “Future is Now”
• India Medical Device- “India MedTech Future: Innovate & Make in India through Global Alliance”

Constituencies:
D V Sadananda Gowda– Bangalore North, Karnataka
Mansukh Mandaviya– Rajya Sabha, Gujarat

Wipro 3D Collaborates with HAL to Manufacture Metal 3D Printed Aircraft Engine Componenti.Wipro 3D has collaborated with Engine Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to Manufacture Aero Engine Component, Nozzle Guide Vane (also called the Inner Ring), 3D Printed in a high temperature resilient steel A286 operating in the hot zone using Metal 3D Printing.
ii.The Inner Ring has also received Airworthiness Certifications from Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC).
About Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL):
Chairman and Managing Director–  R Madhavan
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
About Wipro 3D:
It is the metal Additive Manufacturing-AM(3D) business of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN)
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Vice President and Business Head– Ajay Parikh
<<Read Full News>>

Overview of 13th Edition of Aero India 2021The 13th Edition of the Biennial Military Exercise – ‘Aero India 2021: A Big Step Towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ took place at the Yelahanka Air Force Base, Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 3-5, 2021. It was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

• The event was organized by the Defence Ministry of India, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force, Department of Space & Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
• Aero India 2021 was centered on the theme ‘Conceive, Indigenize, Collaborate’
• It is the World’s 1st ever Hybrid Aero and Defence Exhibition (show with both physical and virtual elements)
• It is Asia’s Largest defence and aerospace exhibition.
• Around 601 Exhibitors – 523 Indian & 78 Foreign & 14 Countries participated in the Aero India 2021.

Agreements & Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs):
During the Aero India Show 2021, Signing of 128 MoUs, 19 ToT (Transfer of Technology), 4 Handing Overs, 18 Product Launches & 32 Major Announcements, totally 201 business events took place.
Other Notable Events:

• INR 48, 000 Crore Contract for 83 LCA Tejas handed over to HAL
• HAL delivers 5 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH Mk-III) to Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard
• ‘HAVAI’ e-Portal launched by IAF & HAL

Targets:
During the Aero India Show 2021, India has set various targets. Some major ones are

• To bring down Defence Equipment Import Bill by $2 billion by 2022
• To Achieve USD 25 Billion in Defence Production & USD 5 Billion Exports by 2025
• Aero components sector expected to grow to INR 60,000 crores by 2024
• India to spend USD 130 billion on Defence modernisation by boosting Indigenization

<<Read Full News>>

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Denmark is set to Build the World’s First Energy Island in North SeaOn 4th February 2021, the Government of Denmark approved the plan to build the world’s first energy island (Artificial island) in the North Sea which will produce and store green energy enough to cover the electricity requirement of 3 million households in Europe.
The construction of the island will cost around 210 billion Danish krone (around Rs.2.4 lakh crore).
Energy target of Denmark:
Denmark aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 from 1990 levels.
Green Energy Island:
i.This is the biggest construction project in the history of Denmark.
ii.The government will hold 51% stake of this island and the remaining 49% will be held by the private sector.
iii.The island will be constructed about 80 kilometers away from the west coast of Denmark and the initial capacity of the surrounding wind turbines will be 3 gigawatts (GW).
iv.The island is expected to commence operation by 2033.
v.The potential of the offshore wind in the North Sea is 180 GW which equals all the coal-fired power plants of Europe.
vi.The Artificial Island will increase offshore wind energy capacity by over 25-fold by the year 2050.
Features:
i.The initial phase of the artificial island will be the size of 18 football fields, which will be linked to the 100’s of offshore wind turbines.
ii.This will provide power to the households and green hydrogen for shipping, aviation, industry and heavy transport.
Benefit:
This green energy island will help the green transition and the reduction of Danish CO2 emissions.
About Denmark:
Prime Minister- Mette Frederiksen
Capital- Copenhagen
Currency- Danish krone

BANKING & FINANCE

Bank of Maharashtra Entered into a Co-Lending Agreement with LoanTap Credit Products for MSME Loansi.On February 8, 2021 Bank of Maharashtra(BoM) entered into a co-lending agreement with Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), LoanTap Credit Products to extend credit to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise(MSME) loans.
ii.Under this agreement, 80% of the loan will be  braced by the bank and the remaining 20% by the Loan Tap.
About Bank of Maharashtra(BoM):
HeadOffice– Pune, Maharashtra
Incorporated on– September 16, 1935
Commenced Operations– February 8, 1936
MD & CEO– A.S Rajeev
About LoanTap:
Headquarters– Pune, Maharashtra
CEO and Co-Founder– Satyam Kumar
<<Read Full News>>

RBI sees 387% rise in complaints against NBFCs, 57.54% rise against banks: Banking Ombudsman Annual Reporti.On February 9, 2021, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Annual Report of the “Ombudsman Schemes of the Reserve Bank for the year 2019-20” i.e. the period covering July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. In accordance to the report, the complaints received at Office of Banking Ombudsman (OBOs) recorded an increase of 57.54% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) in FY19-20. There were a total of 308,630 complaints in the FY20 as against 195,901 in FY19.
ii.Of these, 85.65% were received electronically i.e. through the online portal CMS and through email, as against 72.19% in the previous year.
iii.Complaints against NBFCs increased by 387%. The ombudsman for NBFCs received a total of 19,432 complaints in the same FY20 as against 3,991 a year earlier.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Formation– 1 April 1935
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Deputy Governors– 4 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, and M Rajeswar Rao)
<<Read Full News>>

PhonePe Partnered with Axis Bank on UPI Multi-Banki.The digital payment platform PhonePe has partnered with India’s third largest bank, Axis Bank on a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) multi-bank model. It will enable the PhonePe users to create and use multiple UPI IDs with Axis Bank’s “@axl” handle.
ii.Until now, the PhonePe’s key banking partner was Yes Bank.
iii.This collaboration will also give PhonePe access to the Axis bank’s merchant base.
About Axis Bank:
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Amitabh Chaudhry
Headquarter– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline– Badhti ka Naam Zindagi
About PhonePe:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Sameer Nigam
Headquarter– Bengaluru, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS          

Govt Appoints Expert Committee Headed by TP Rajendran to Review Proposal to Ban 27 Pesticides i.The government has  appointed an expert panel to review the objections of industry to the proposed ban on 27 pesticides, that are mentioned as harmful to animals and humans by the government.
ii.The committee is headed by TP Rajendran, former assistant director general of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
iii.These 27 pesticides that are widely used are part of 66 contentious pesticides that are being reviewed for their toxicity.  Already, in 2018, the government had banned 18 of them.
<<Read Full News>>

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SpaceX announced World’s First All Civilian Mission to Space

SpaceX announced its plan for the World’s first all civilian mission to space, the mission is named Inspiration4 in recognition of the 4-person crew to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The mission commanded by Jared Isaacman, a 37-year-old entrepreneur the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments and accomplished pilot will be launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

• Every step of the mission will be monitored by SpaceX mission control.
• The spacecraft will orbit the planet every 90 minutes along a customized flight path
• Jared Issaacman has donated the 3 mission seats alongside him, the members will be selected to represent the missions pillar (Leadership, Hope, Generosity, and prosperity.

OBITUARY

Former West Indies Fast Bowler Ezra Moseley Died In Road AccidentOn 6th February 2021, the former West Indies cricketer and fast bowler, Ezra Moseley, the current coach of the Barbados Women’s team passed away at the age of 63 in Barbados after a road accident.  He was born on 5th January 1958 in Barbados.
About Moseley:
i.Moseley made his first class debut in England for Glamorgan and later he joined Barbados.
ii.He played 2 tests in the home series against England in 1990 and has played 9 ODI between 1990 and 1991.
iii.He has played around 76 matches and taken 279 wickets.
Rebel tour to South Africa:
i.Moseley signed on for the controversial West Indies “rebel tour” of South Africa in 1982, earning him a life ban from West Indies cricket.
ii.The life bans on the rebel tourists were lifted in 1989 and Moseley returned to Barbados and became the first and only member of the touring parties to play for the West Indies afterwards.
iii.He played two Tests against England during their 1989–90 tour of the West Indies.
iv.He played for the Eastern Province in South Africa and became a professional in the Lancashire leagues and remained at Glamorgan till 1986.
Coaching career:
i.He became a coach at a school in Bridgetown and contributed to the development of Jason Holder, the Test Captain of West Indies.
ii.He was the assistant coach of the West Indies Women’s team which won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India in 2016.

Former Heavyweight Champion & Olympic Gold Medalist Leon Spinks passed away at 76On 5th February 2021, American professional boxer, Leon Spinks, Former heavyweight champion who won the Gold Medal at 1976 Olympics passed away at the age of 67 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. He was born on 11th July 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
About Leon Spinks:
i.Leon Spinks won the bronze at the 1974 world championship, silver in the 1975 Pan American Games.
ii.He won the gold medal in the light heavyweight at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal against Sixto Soria.
iii.In his 8th professional fight he won the heavyweight championship against Muhmmad Ali in 1978. He later lost the title to Ali in an unapproved rematch.
iv.He won the Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling world title in 1992 and became the second man after Primo Carnera, to hold the titles in both boxing and wrestling.
v.He has appeared in the 2009 documentary “Facing Ali” by Pete McCormack and shared his experience on fighting against Ali.
vi.He was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Hunter Biden’s New Book A Memoir Titled “Beautiful Things” Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden has authored the memoir titled “Beautiful Things” which is set to be released in April 2021. The book is published by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
About the Book:
i.The book focuses on the life of Hunter Biden’s struggle with substance abuse.
ii.The book aims to provide hope to the people who can relate to the life events of Hunter Biden.
iii.The financial terms of the book, written in collaboration with Hunter and journalist Drew Jubera were not disclosed.
About Hunter Biden:
i.Hunter Biden is a lawyer and former lobbyist who helped in the first impeachment of former President Donald Trump.
ii.He joined the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma in 2014, his term on the board expired in 2019.
iii.He has also served in the United States Department of Commerce till 2001.

STATE NEWS

West Bengal Budget: Mamata Banerjee Presented Rs 2,99,688 cr Budget for FY22i.On February 5, 2021, West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee presented the state’s annual budget worth Rs 2,99,688 crore (net) for FY2022 stating an increase of 17.21% over 2020. She has presented the budget in place of Finance Minister Amit Mitra who is unwell. The state tax revenue is projected to increase to Rs 75,415.74 crore in FY22.
ii.As per the Budget, Gross state domestic product (GSDP) has increased by 2.7 times, state revenue has increased 2.9 times, state plan expenditure has increased by 7.2 times, social sector expenditure by 5.6 times, agri and allied sector expenditure by 6.1 times and physical infrastructure expenditure by 3.9 times.
iii.West Bengal’s debt to GSDP ratio is estimated to reduce to 34.81 in 2021-22.
iv.It should be noted that the state has allocated the maximum amount (highest) towards panchayat and rural development at Rs 23,983.27 crore.
About West Bengal:
In 2020, West Bengal was impacted by Amphan Cyclone.
Capital– Kolkata
Governor – Jagdeep Dhankhar
<<Read Full News>>

Vijayanagara district Becomes 31st District of Karnataka On February 8, 2021 Karnataka government in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 has given approval to bifurcate Vijayanagara from Ballari(Bellary) district. With this, Vijayanagara becomes the 31st district of the state.
Key Info:
Vijayanagara district
i.Under Vijayanagara district, 6 taluks will be there namely, Hosapete, Kudligi, Hagaribommanahalli, Kotturu, Hoovina Hadagali, and Harapanahalli.
ii.Hosapete is the headquarters of the new district.
Ballari district 
i.Ballari district will have 5 taluks namely, Ballari, Kurugodu, Siraguppa, Kampli, and Sanduru.
ii.Ballari will be the headquarters of the district.
Note– In November 2020, the state cabinet gave in principle approval  to create Vijayanagara district.
About Karnataka:
Dam– Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam(Kaveri),  Tungabhadra Dam(Tungabhadra river), Vani Vilasa Sagar- known as Mari Kanive(Vedavathi river), Supa Dam(Kali river), Almatti dam(Krishna river)
Fort– Chitradurga Fort, Bellary Fort, Kittur Chennamma Fort, Gulbarga Fort Savadatti Fort

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