Current Affairs 13 April 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 13 April 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

NITI Aayog Launched first of its kind Online Dispute Resolution Handbook in India

i.On 10th April 2021, Supreme Court Justice DY Chandrachud released the first of its kind Online Dispute Resolution(ODR) Handbook developed by Agami and Omidyar Network India. 
ii.The handbook was developed in association with (National Institution for Transforming India) NITI Aayog with the support of ICICI Bank, Ashoka Innovators for the Public, Trilegal, Dalberg, Dvara and NIPFP.
iii.ODR Handbook features the insights and learnings to equip a person to successfully adopt ODR.
iv.ODR is a mechanism to resolve disputes collaboratively outside the court.
About NITI Aayog:
The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed under the resolution of the Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015.
Chairperson– Prime Minister Narendra Modi
CEO– Amitabh Kant
Headquarters– New Delhi
>>Read Full News

India records 7.2 % Ethanol-blending in Petrol for the 1st Time 

Ethanol-blending in Petrol in India has reached more than 7.2 percent for the First Time. It has reached 7.2 per cent in the first four months of the ethanol supply year 2020-21 (December 2020 – November 2021).

• Before this, the best-ever ethanol blending in petrol achieved at all-India level was around 5.2 per cent.
• India has set a target of 10 %(10% of ethanol mixed with 90% of petrol) blending by 2022 & 20 % blending by 2025.
• The government is promoting the use of ethanol as blendstock with Petrol in line with the National Policy on Biofuels (NPB) – 2018 under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.

States nearing 2022 Target

• If Oil-Marketing Companies (OMCs) lift the ethanol that they had contracted for, then the all-India average blending could reach 8% by November 2021.
• In states like Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh & UT of Daman and Diu, 9.5-10 percent ethanol is being blended with petrol.

About Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG)
Union Minister – Dharmendra Pradhan (Member of Parliament –  Rajya Sabha, Constituency – Madhya Pradesh)
>>Read Full News

HUL, Google collaborated with MyGov India to launch AI for Agriculture Hackathon

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) & Google partners with MyGov India to jointly formulate an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven Agriculture Hackathon that was conducted from 7-9 April 2021.

Target – To encourage start-ups and institutions for finding innovative solutions to address India’s water scarcity problem through AI solutions.

About Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL):
Chairman & MD – Sanjiv Mehta
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
About Google:
Founders – Larry Page, Sergey Brin
Launched – 1998
Parent Organisation – Alphabet Inc.
>>Read Full News

DRDO opens up Missile Production to Private Sector

Under Central Govt’s Make in India initiative to prepare Indian private sector companies to develop Complex Military systems, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has extended its Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) programme to Indian Private sector companies.

• Now, Private companies can both develop and produce missile systems like the Vertically-launched Short-range Surface to Air Missile system (VL-SRSAM).

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Nirmala Sitharaman participates in 103rd Development Committee Meeting of World Bank-IMF 2021

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman virtually participated in the 103rd Development Committee Meeting of World Bank-International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2021.

• Nirmala Sitharaman represented India, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Sri Lanka in the meeting.
• Indian Government stated that it has announced Atma Nirbhar Packages of INR 27.1 Lakh Crore, amounting to more than 13% of the GDP.

i.The topics of discussion were

• World Bank Group (WBG) & IMF Support for Debt Relief Under the Common Framework & Beyond
• COVID-19 Pandemic: World Bank Group Support for Fair and Affordable Access to Vaccines by Developing Countries
• From COVID-19 Crisis Response to Resilient Recovery-Saving Lives & Livelihoods while Supporting Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID).

FM attends Plenary Meeting of IMFC of IMF 

Nirmala Sitharaman virtually attended the Plenary Meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the Board of Governors of the IMF at the Virtual Spring Meetings 2021.

• The discussions were based on IMF’s Global Policy Agenda titled ‘Bolstering the Recovery, Countering Divergence’.

About World Bank Group (WBG):
President – David Malpass
Headquarters – Washington DC., USA
Member Countries – 189
>>Read Full News

Russian President Putin signs Law paving way to rule until 2036

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a legislation which will enable him to run for two or more consecutive six-year terms, effectively permitting him to remain in office till 2036.

• The legislation formalizes changes to the Russian Constitution which were endorsed by people through a referendum held in 2020.
• Before the signing of the new legislation, a President could serve only a maximum of two consecutive six-year terms.

Key Points

• Putin completes his ongoing Fourth Term as President of Russia in 2024.
• Putin has already governed Russia either as President or as Prime Minister for more than 20 years, making it the longest period a leader has been in power since Joseph Stalin.
• Putin was first elected as Prime Minister of Russia in 1999 and as President in 2000.
• Russia’s Presidential Term was lengthened to 6 years (from 4 years) in 2008

Fact

• In countries like US, France and others the President can serve only a maximum of two consecutive terms.

About Russia:
Federal Assembly – State Duma – Lower house, Federation Council – Upper House
Seats – Total – 620 (State Duma – 450, Federation Council – 170)

BANKING & FINANCE

Mobisafar partnered with YES BANK, NPCI to launch ‘Mobisafar Virtual RuPay Prepaid Card’

On April 5, 2021, Mobisafar Services Private Limited, a Fintech start-up made a partnership with YES BANK & with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for Rupay to launch ‘Mobisafar Virtual RuPay Prepaid card’.

About the prepaid card:

• The prepaid card will provide an easier way to access the wallet through both the
  mobile app and desktop with a reloadable limit.
• Benefits: The card can be used for many common booking purposes such as booking
  of airline tickets, movie tickets, hotels, retail shopping, and groceries.
• The card was established in accordance with the Government of India’s vision for
  ‘Make in India’ and ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’.

Inauguration:

• Inauguration of the The Mobisafar Virtual RuPay Prepaid card was done by the former Cricketer Kapil Dev along with Abhishek Pandey and Ajitesh Pandey, (founders of Mobisafar).

About YES Bank:
Establishment – 2004
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
MD&CEO – Prashant Kumar
Tagline– Experience our Expertise
>>Read Full News

India’s debt-to-GDP ratio increased from 74% to 90% during Covid-19: IMF

International Monetary Fund(IMF) reported an increase in India’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio from 74 percent (at the end of 2019) to 90 percent (at the end of 2020) during the COVID-19 period.

• Based on the IMF’s baseline forecast, it expects a further drop in India’s ‘Debt to GDP ratio’ to 80 percent due to the recent Indian economy recovery.

Key points:

• IMF suggested India to support people and firms, and, in particular, the most vulnerable.
• Vitor Gaspar, Director of IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department stated a worldwide increase in the widening deficits, contraction in economic activity and debt sharply to 97 percent of GDP in 2020 and it will increase slower to 99 percent in 2021 before stabilising below but close to 100 percent of GDP.
• The IMF mentioned that it stands ready to act and has a financial capacity of about USD 1 trillion when it is necessary to restore confidence in markets.

About International Monetary Fund (IMF):
Establishment–  1944
Member Countries– 190
Headquarter – Washington, D.C., United States
Managing Director – Kristalina Georgieva
Economic Counsellor and Research Department Director – Gita Gopinath
>>Read Full News

WazirX launched an NFT marketplace for Indian Artists

WazirX, the Binance-owned cryptocurrency exchange has launched one of India’s first marketplaces for Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT), which will enable Indian artists and creators to auction their digital assets over the Blockchain-based platform and earn royalty.

Key points:

• This marketplace enables the exchange of digital assets and intellectual properties such as art pieces, audio files, videos and even tweets apart from other digital goods and services
• According to industry data, the NFT market grew by 299 per cent in 2020 as it clocked more than $250 million as the total value of transactions.
• WazirX is now aiming to hit $1 billion in trading volume per day in 2021.
• WazirX ‘s NFT initiative is being led by Canada-based entrepreneur Sandesh B Suvarna with film actor and producer Vishakha Singh as an adviser.

What is a cryptocurrency exchange?

• A cryptocurrency exchange, or a digital currency exchange (DCE), is a business that allows customers to trade cryptocurrencies or digital currencies for other assets, such as conventional fiat money or other digital currencies.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs): 

• NFTs are a class of cryptocurrency assets in which each item, or token A non-fungible token is a unit of data stored on a digital ledger, called a blockchain, that certifies a digital asset to be unique and therefore not interchangeable.
• NFTs can be used to represent items such as photos, videos, audio and other types of digital files.
• NFT is a one-of-its-kind asset that is non-fungible in nature. It means that NFT is not replaceable by another ‘identical’ item.
• Note- At the end of 2020 ‘Unicas’, the world’s first crypto bank was launched in India as a Joint Venture(JV) by Cashaa of the UK and United Multistate Credit co-operative society Ltd of India.

About WazirX:
Binance the world’s biggest crypto exchange platform has acquired WazirX by the end of 2019.
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
CEO – Nischal Shetty

SwitchON signed an MOU with PNB for Solar Pump Financing through Loss default guarantee fund

On April 10, 2021, SwitchON Foundation has partnered with Punjab National Bank(PNB) to offer finance to the marginal farmers for buying solar pumps.

• PNB will be financing solar pumps through the SwitchON Foundation’s – First Loss Default Guarantee Fund.

Objective: The basic aim of this fund is to help unbanked small marginal farmers without any collateral and to promote clean energy.
First of its kind agreement:

• It is a first of its kind agreement between a private non-profit organisation and a public sector bank to set up a Guarantee Fund (usually guarantee fund will be set up by the Government)
• PNB is offering a payback period of 7 years with a zero down payment for up to 1.6 lakhs of loan for small and marginal farmers.
• Previously, SwitchON partnered with RBL and Axis Bank to sanction loans for over 100 solar pumps, but it is the first time that along with a Nationalized Bank for the financial partnership.
• There have been zero Non-Performing Assets (NPA) to date and farmers have seen a 1.6x raise in income after the adoption of solar pumps through SwitchON.
• The First Loss Default Guarantee Fund is a mechanism whereby a third party compensates lenders if the borrower defaults. It is insurance against a loss.

About Punjab National Bank(PNB):
Founded – May 19, 1894
Commenced Operations –  April 12, 1895
MD & CEO – CH. S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao
Headquarters– New Delhi, India
Tagline– The name you can bank upon
>>Read Full News

Airtel Payments Bank Announced ‘Rewards123’ Savings Account with Benefits On Digital Transactions

On April 9, 2021, Airtel Payments Bank announced its new savings account ‘Rewards123’ which offers benefits and value to customers when they transact digitally using the bank account.
Annual Fee: ‘Rewards123’ could be availed by the customers at an annual fee of Rs.299
Benefits of ‘Rewards123’ account:

• Consistent rewards for each month along with Annual Cashback Rewards of Rs.960
• Unlimited Deposits with Auto-Sweep Facility (Sweep account opened in Partnership with Suryoday Small Finance Bank, which enables the customers to save more than 1L with Airtel Payments Bank.)
• Other benefits include zero minimum balance and free Platinum Online Mastercard Debit Card.
• Customers can easily open or upgrade to Rewards123 through the Airtel Thanks app using Video KYC.

About Airtel Payments Bank:

• 1st Payment Bank

Establishment – January 2017, by Bharti Airtel
Headquarters – New Delhi
MD and CEO – Anubrata Biswas
>>Read Full News

RXIL Becomes the 1^st TReDS Platform to Record Highest Monthly Throughput of Rs 1,000 Crore

Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL), leading invoice discounting platform for MSMEs,has become the 1^st TReDS Platform to record the highest monthly transaction volumes of Rs 1,000 crore in the month of March, 2021.
Transaction-Comparison:
i.RXIL, the 1^st TReDS, has increased its transaction volumes from Rs 69 crore in April 2020 to Rs 1,105 crore in March 2021, which is an indication of the revival and resumption of the economic activity.
ii.RXIL records the highest transactions volumes of more than ₹6,500 crore by way of discounting of invoices of MSMEs in FY 2020-21.
iii.On a cumulative basis RXIL has processed throughput of more than Rs 10,000 crore since inception.
About Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL):
RXIL was launched in 2016.RXIL, a joint venture between the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) with State Bank, ICICI and Yes Bank as other stakeholders.
About Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS):
TReDS is a digital platform where small businesses (MSMEs) can get access to capital by auctioning their trade receivables. The process is also commonly known as ‘bills discounting’, a financier (typically a bank) buying a bill (trade receivable) from a seller of goods before it’s due or before the buyer credits the value of the bill.

Bill Desk Partnered J.P. Morgan To Provide Online Payments Solutions

Payments aggregator Bill Desk has Partnered with Global Financial Institution, J.P. Morgan to provide online payments solutions to corporate clients of J.P. Morgan.

• This Partnership will integrate Bill Desk’s payments platform with the J.P. Morgan Access banking portal & uses Application Programming Interface (API) technology to authenticate and verify payments instantaneously, allowing payments to be executed in real time.

Key Points:
i.This Partnership, will help the Clients of J.P. Morgan to independently initiate statutory and utility payments online.
ii.For this, Clients of J.P. Morgan will use 100 merchants that Bill Desk partners with, securely and without additional manual assistance from their partner banks.
iii.Since the process is fully automatic, the transaction will be secure.

About Bill Desk:
Director & Co-founder – Karthik Ganapathy
Head quarter – Mumbai, Maharashtra

Withdrawal of All-Inclusive Directions from Youth Development Co-operative Bank Limited -RBI

On April 5, 2021, the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) withdrew all restrictions imposed on the Youth Development Co-operative Bank Ltd, Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

• Background: On January 5, 2019, The Cooperative Bank was placed under “All-Inclusive Directions” by RBI as per the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and further extended from time to time, up to April 5, 2021.
• Earlier Restrictions: Restriction was given on cap of withdrawal and the bank was barred from granting or renewing any loans and advances, making any investment, incurring any liability, without prior approval in writing from RBI.
• Initially the withdrawal of currency was restricted to Rs.5000 which was enhanced to Rs.20000 in June, 2020.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

L&T Construction bags order to set up 1.5 GW Solar Plant in Saudi Arabia

The Renewables arm of Larsen & Toubro’s Power Transmission & Distribution Business has bagged a Turnkey EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) contract to set up Sudair Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Project of 1.5 GigaWatt (GW) in Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia.

• It will be the largest solar plant in Saudi Arabia with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed & will also be one of the largest such plants in the World.
• The total cost is estimated to be between INR 5000-7000 Crore in value.
• The contract has been bagged from the consortium of ACWA Power and the Water and Electricity Holding Company (a subsidiary of the Public Investments Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
• It was awarded to PIF and ACWA Power as part of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).

About Larsen & Toubro (L&T):
Chairman – Anil Manibhai Naik
CEO & MD – S. N. Subrahmanyan
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
About Saudi Arabia:
Capital– Riyadh
Currency– Saudi riyal
Crown Prince– Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
>>Read Full News

ReNew Power pledged to achieve net Zero Emission by 2050

On 9th April 2021, ReNew Power, a Clean Energy firm of India has pledged to achieve net-zero emission by 2050. This is in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)’s Race to Zero Campaign, the largest global alliance committed to achieve net-zero carbon emission.
Aim:
To address the global climate crisis and lead the world’s transition to low carbon economy.
Efforts of ReNew Power:     
i.ReNew Power is set to tackle climate change by identifying, assessing and managing Climate related risks and opportunities.
ii.It is also committed to reduce its carbon footprint through improved energy efficiency, increased renewable energy supply and reducing network waste.
iii.With its commitment to support the Race to Zero Campaign, ReNew Power aims to stabilise global emission by 2050 and create opportunities for low carbon innovations which will support the low carbon economy and spur the investment and innovations required to make the net-zero goal attainable.
Race to Zero Campaign:
i.It is a global effort to rally leadership and support business, investors for a healthy, resilient zero carbon future that prevents future threats and supports inclusive and sustainable growth.
ii.It mobilizes a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, representing 471 cities, 23 regions, 1,675 businesses, 85 of the biggest investors, and 569 universities
Objective:
To build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Ramesh Pokhriyal presents AICTE Lilavati Awards 2020 on Women Empowerment to winners

On April 13, 2021, Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ presented the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) Lilavati Awards 2020 on Women Empowerment to winners in New Delhi. Around 25 Winners were announced from a total of 456 entries.

Lilavati Awards 2020

• Launched in November 2020, It is an initiative of AICTE to promote Women Empowerment in India.
• Theme – Women Empowerment.
• 6 Categories/sub-themes of Lilavati Awards – Women’s Health, Self-Defense, Sanitation and Hygiene, Literacy, Women Entrepreneurship & Legal Awareness.

Winners 

About All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE):
Chairman – Professor Anil Dattatraya Sahasrabudhe
Headquarters– New Delhi
Established – 1945
>>Read Full News

2021 EE British Academy Film Awards: Nomadland Won 4 BAFTA’s Including Best Picture

i.The winners of the 74th edition of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts(BAFTA)’s annual film awards – 2021 EE British Academy Film Awards were announced and presented over 2 ceremonies on 10th and 11th April 2021 over a virtual platform.
ii.The award ceremony was broadcasted across the BBC in the United Kingdom and across the globe.
iii.The film “Nomadland” directed by Chloé Zhao won the 2021 EE British Academy Film Awards under 4 categories – Best Film, Best Director, Best Leading Actress and Best Cinematography.
iv.Bukky Bakray won the EE Rising Star Award which was voted by the public.

About British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA):
BAFTA is a leading independent art charity.
Formed on 16 April 1947
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom
>>Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Prithvi Shaw appointed as Brand Ambassador of SportzXchange

Indian Batsman, Prithvi Shaw, was appointed as the brand ambassador of SportzXchange, a fantasy sports platform. He will be a part of the brand’s promotional campaign “Yahaan Hai Kuch Xtra” to amplify the reach of Fantasy matches in IPL.

About Prithvi Shaw:

• Prithvi Shaw was the captain of India’s 2018 World Cup winning U-19 squad.
• He is the 1st person to score 800 runs in a single season of the Vijay Hazare trophy.

About SportzXchange:
Founder & CEO – Hari Narayan
The fantasy gaming app is in beta version & is about to launch its Full version.

Pramerica Life Insurance Appointed Kalpana Sampat as its MD & CEO

On 12th April 2021, Pramerica Life Insurance Limited (PLIL), a private life insurer, appointed Kalpana Sampat as its Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO), with effect from 9th April 2021. 

• Prior to the appointment, she was serving as the Chief Operating Officer(COO) of the company.
• She succeeds Annop Pabby as the new MD & CEO.

About Kalpana Sampat:
i.Kalpana Sampat has been working with Pramerica life Insurance since 2018.
ii.She has served as the CEO of Swiss Reinsurance Co., India.
iii.She joined the ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. ltd, as a founder member in 2000.
iv.She has also worked with the life Life Insurance Corporation of India between 1984 to 2000.

About Pramerica Life Insurance Limited (PLIL):
PLIL is a joint venture between DHFL Investments Limited (DIL) and Prudential International Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (PIIH).
MD & CEO– Kalpana Sampat
Headquarters– Gurgaon, Haryana

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Russia’s Soyuz Rocket Launches 3-member crew to International Space Station 

Russia’s Soyuz MS-18 Yu. A. Gagarin Rocket (named after Yuri Gagarin the 1st human being to travel to space) successfully launched a 3-member crew (2 Russian Cosmonauts & 1 American Astronaut) to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

• The rocket has been named after Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of his travel to space aboard Vostok 1 (On April 12, 1961).
• The rocket took 2 Russian Cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy & Pyotr Dubrov, and US Astronaut Mark Vande Hei to the ISS.
• The arrival of 3 more astronauts to ISS, temporarily increases the Station’s population to 10. At present, 4 Americans, 2 Russians & 1 Japanese national man the International Space Station.

Fact 

• The 1st Indian to enter space was Rakesh Sharma, when he flew aboard the Societ rocket Soyuz T-11 in 1984.

About Russia:
President – Vladimir Putin
Capital – Moscow
Currency – Russian Rouble
>>Read Full News

SpaceX Announced 4 Member Crew for “Inspiration4”, World’s 1st all-civilian Earth Orbiter Mission

SpaceX announced the 4 member crew for the World’s 1st all-civilian Earth Orbiter Mission, “Inspiration4”. Christopher Sembroski, Dr. Sian Proctor, Jared Isaacman and Hayley Arceneaux were the 1st batch of civilians aboard the Crew Dragon Resilence spacecraft to be launched into orbit by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket by September 15, 2021.

ENVIRONMENT

Egypt excavates 3, 000-year-old ‘Lost Golden City’ in Luxor

A 3, 000-year old town has been excavated in the city of Luxor, Egypt. The city formally named the ‘Rise of Aten’ (commonly called the ‘Lost Golden City’) dates back to the reign of 18th-dynasty King Amenhotep III, who ruled between 1391 and 1353 BCE. It is believed to be the largest ancient city ever uncovered in Egypt.

• The excavations have unveiled mud-brick houses, artefacts, and tools from pharaonic times.
• The city is located on the west bank of the Nile river. It is believed to have been the largest administrative and industrial settlement of the pharaonic empire.
• It is considered the second most important archaeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamen.
• The discovery was announced by famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass.

Key Findings

• ‘Golden Fish’, workshops for drying meat making clothes & 3 Major

Districts – one for administration, one for workers to sleep in and another for the industry.

About Egypt:
President – Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
Capital – Cairo
Currency – Egyptian Pound (EGP)
>>Read Full News

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Human Space Flight 2021 – April 12i.The United Nations(UN)’s Day of Human Space Flight is annually observed across the globe on 12th April to promote the aspirations to explore and maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.
ii.The day is commemorated to remember the first human space flight on 12th April 1961.
iii.Recognising the 50th Anniversary of the first-ever human space flight, The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/65/271 on 7th April 2011 and proclaimed the 12th April of every year as the International Day of Human Space Flight.

About United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs(UNOOSA):
Director- Simonetta Di Pippo
Headquarters– Vienna, Austria
>>Read Full News

National Safe Motherhood Day 2021 – April 11i.The National Safe Motherhood Day is annually observed across India on 11th April to create awareness about the importance of pregnancy care, safe delivery, Childbirth and postnatal services along with a focus on reducing anaemia.
ii.The National Safe Motherhood Day is an initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance India(WRAI), an alliance of around 1800 organisations.
iii.In 2003, The Government of India declared 11th April of every year as the national Safe Motherhood Day.
iv.The 11th of April was chosen to honour the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi.
v.India became the first country to observe the National Safe Motherhood Day.
>>Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Sonu Sood Appointed as Brand Ambassador for Punjab’s Anti-COVID-19 Vaccination Drive

i.On 11th April 2021, Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab announced the appointment of actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood as the brand ambassador of the anti-coronavirus vaccination programme of the government of Punjab.
ii.As the brand ambassador, Sonu Sood will be reaching out and promote the benefits of the covid-19 vaccination
iii.The COVID-19 Vaccination Drive, one of the largest campaigns of Punjab aims to provide all with the required immunity to combat the pandemic.

About Punjab:
Tribes– Bauria, Bazigar, Bangali, Barar, Gandhila, Nat, Sansi
Festivals– Baisakhi, Hola Mohalla, Lohri, Basant Panchami, Guru Nanak Gurpurab
>>Read Full News

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