Current Affairs 21 & 22 February 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 21 & 22 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

Nitin Gadkari launched “Go Electric campaign” to give a boost to electric mobility and use of electrical appliances across country
i.On February 19, 2021, Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) in the presence of Minister of State (MoS) Raj Kumar Singh, Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy launched “Go Electric” campaign.
ii.The aim of the Campaign, Go Electric is to spread awareness at PAN-India level on the benefits of e-mobility and EV Charging Infrastructure as well as electric cooking in India.
iii.It is an important initiative that would help in reducing the import dependence of our country in the coming years and would be an important step towards a cleaner and greener future.
About Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH):
Nitin Gadkari Constituency– Nagpur, Maharashtra
Minister of State (MoS)– Vijay Kumar Singh
<<Read Full News>>

Amazon India Signs MoU with Directorate General Resettlement to Hire Ex-Servicemen of Armed forcei.On February 19, 2021 Amazon India signed Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Directorate General Resettlement(DGR) to provide work opportunities to ex-service personnel of the armed force(Army, Air force, Navy,) and their families across its network in India.
ii.This in line with the global vision of Amazon to hire 25,000 military veterans by 2025.
iii.The partnership further expands the Military Veterans Employment program of Amazon India.
Purpose: To create alternative career opportunities for ex-service personnel who have served the country.
About Amazon India:
Manager (Country Head of India) – Amit Agarwal
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
About Directorate General Resettlement (DGR):
It is an Inter Service organization functioning directly under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (Ministry of Defence).
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Director General– Maj Gen MK Sagoch
<<Read Full News>>

PM inaugurates and lays foundation stone of key projects of power and urban sector in Keralai.On February 19, 2021, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated Pugalur – Thrissur Power Transmission Project, Kasaragod Solar Power Project and Water Treatment Plant at Aruvikkara in Kerala.
ii.He also laid the foundation stone of Integrated Command and Control Centre and Smart Roads Project in Thiruvananthapuram during the event.
iii.The conference was also attended by Chief Minister of Kerala Shri Pinarayi Vijayan along with Union Ministers of State (IC) for Power New & Renewable Energy Shri Raj Kumar Singh and Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, were also present on the occasion.
<<Read Full News>>

CSIR, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sign MoU to Promote Health ResearchOn February 19, 2021, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for supporting development, conduct & promotion of health research in India.

• The Focus of the agreement will be on developing & testing new preventions, therapies and interventions for solving major health concerns which affect India & other developing countries.
• Furthermore, Both Entities will work towards identifying possible areas of collaboration in the Scientific & Technical fields.

Areas of Research Collaboration
As part of the agreement, the two entities have agreed to collaborate in various areas of research. They are

• Genetic diseases that impact infant and neonatal mortality
• New Diagnostics and devices for infectious disease and environmental surveillance
• Development of cost-effective processes for drug, vaccines, biologics, and diagnostics manufacturing
• Novel Microbiome-directed foods
• Socio-economic impact of science & technological tools
• Other areas of health and development.

About Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:
Co-Chairs – Bill Gates & Melinda Gates
CEO – Mark Suzman
Headquarters – Washington, USA
<<Read Full News>>

India, European Union hold 11th Macroeconomic Dialogue virtually
On February 19, 2021, the 11th India-EU (European Union) Macroeconomic dialogue was held virtually. Tarun Bajaj, Secretary, Economic Affairs led the Indian Delegation & Maarten Verwey, Director General, Economic & Financial Affairs (ECFIN), European Commission led the European Union delegation.
Representatives from the Indian Delegation
Official from Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Revenue & Ministry of External Affairs.

• During the meeting, the two sides expressed interest to sign Bilateral Cooperation arrangements to boost bilateral trade. India & European Union have been negotiating the Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) for many years, but have not yet arrived at a mutual consensus on it.
• The two sides discussed collaborations in the G20 on Finance track matters, G20 Framework Working Group deliverables, G20 Action plan, debt related issues & international taxation of digital economy.
• It also held discussions on all the dimensions of mutual interest including the political, economic, environmental, research & innovation, trade & investment and security.
• They also discussed Fiscal policy response & medium-term fiscal strategy including financial/structural reforms priorities.

• India & EU shared the steps they had taken to revive the economy due to the impact of COVID-19.

Importance of EU:

• European Union is India’s Largest trading partner, accounting for Euro 80 Billion worth of trade in goods in 2019.
• The EU is India’s second largest destination for Indian Exports (over 14% of total) after the USA.

About European Union (EU):
Members – 27 countries (The United Kingdom withdrew from the EU on 31 January 2020).
The seven institutions of the European Union (EU) are seated in four different cities, which are Brussels, Frankfurt, Luxembourg City and Strasbourg, rather than being concentrated in a single capital city.
European Parliament president – David-Maria Sassoli

PMs of India & Australia felicitated winners of Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE), 2021 virtually
i.On February 19, 2021, the valedictory session of India-Australia Circular Economy (I-ACE) Hackathon, 2021 was held where Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison have felicitated the participants of I-ACE at a virtual award ceremony.
ii.The I-ACE Hackathon was organized jointly by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, India and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia.
iii.The PM also virtually addressed the Convocation Ceremony of Visva-Bharati University.
<<Read Full News>>

Highlights of Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen 4-day visit to India
i.On February 16-19,2021, Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen was on a four-day visit to India where he inaugurated the new Chancery & Residence at Ethiopian Embassy, New Delhi and met Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
ii.India and Ethiopia signed following two memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the presence of both ministers.

• Mutual Visa Exemption for holders of Diplomatic Passports
• MoU between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), India and Wollo University, Ethiopia.

About Ethiopia:
It is a Country in East Africa.
Capital– Addis Ababa
Currency– Ethiopian birr
<<Read Full News>>

MCEME, OFMK sign Agreement for designing Indigenous Armoured Tracked Repair VehicleOn February 19, 2021, Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad, Telangana signed an Academic and Technical Linkage Agreement with Ordnance Factory, Medak (OFMK) district, Andhra Pradesh for designing an indigenous Armoured Tracked Repair Vehicle (ATRV).

• Lieutenant General TSA Narayanan, AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal), Commandant MCEME & Mr Alok Prasad, General Manager, OFMK were present during the event.

Components of the Agreement
As part of the agreement, MCEME & OFMK will work together on

• Projects on Armoured Tracked Vehicles
• Conduct of training of personnel
• Manufacturing of systems including components in common academic and technical activities towards indigenisation & alternate solutions in the field of engineering & technology of AFVs.

Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV)
An ARV is typically a powerful tank or Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) used for towing or repair of battle-damaged, stuck, and inoperable Armoured fighting vehicles such as Battle Tanks.
About Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME):
Commandant – Lieutenant General TSA Narayanan
Location – Secunderabad, Telangana
<<Read Full News>>

47th Khajuraho Dance Festival Organised in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh: 20th to 26th February 2021Ms Usha Thakur, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Madhya Pradesh inaugurated the 47th edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival on 20th February 2021.
The 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival at Khajuraho, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh.
This 7-day dance festival is organised by the Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy under the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh from 20th February to 26th February 2021. 
Khajuraho Dance Festival:
i.The Khajuraho Dance Festival was introduced in 1975 to promote heritage and tourism.
ii.The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) cancelled the permission to organise the event at the temple complex following the reports on destruction of monuments and defacement of idols.
iii.After 44 years, with the permission of ASI, the government of Maharashtra has organised the event in the temple premises of Khajuraho temple complex, which is known for its Hindu and Jain Temples.
iv.For the past 44 years the event was organised at the open garden developed near Western Group of Temples.
About the Khajuraho Group of Monuments:
i.The temples at Khajuraho were constructed during the Chandella dynasty, between 950 and 1050.
ii.Currently there are around 20 temples remains, which belong to two different religions Hinduism and Jainism.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Puts Rs 1000 Withdrawal Cap on Deccan Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. for Next 6 Months
i.On February 18, 2021 The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) on considering the present liquidity position of Deccan Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., has imposed a withdrawal cap of Rs 1,000 on the customers of the bank. But, customers are allowed to set off loans against deposits subject to conditions.
ii.This is for the period of 6 months from the close of business on February 19, 2021.
iii.This is part of certain directions given by RBI to the bank
About  Deccan Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd.,
Headquarters– Vijayapura, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

SBI Payments Services Launched ‘YONO Merchant App’ to Expand digitization of Merchant Payments in Indiai.On February 20, 2021 SBI Payment Services Pvt. Ltd launched YONO Merchant App to expand the digitization of merchant payments in India.
ii.Through the app, merchants can turn their Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled Android smartphones into payment acceptance devices.
iii.It is a brand extension of State Bank of India(SBI)’s YONO(You Only Need One)  platform.
iv.SBI has also partnered with Visa on the Tap to Phone feature to boost acceptance infrastructure across India .
About SBI Payment Services Pvt. Ltd:
It is a Joint Venture(JV) between State Bank of India(SBI) and Hitachi Payment Services Pvt. Ltd.
Chairman– Swaminathan Janakiraman
MD & CEO– Mr. Girikumar M Nair
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
<<Read Full News>>

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Launched India’s BRICS 2021 websitei.On February 19, 2021 External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar launched  India’s BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)2021 website(https://brics2021.gov.in/about-brics.html) at the BRICS Secretariat at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Delhi.
ii.In addition to this, he also soft launched the upgraded facilities at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan that will serve as the Secretariat for BRICS Summit.
iii.India assumed the presidency of BRICS for 2021. Russia was the chair of BRICS for 2020.
<<Read Full News>>

Indian Coast Guard’s C-453 Interceptor Boat Commissioned at ChennaiOn February 19, 2021, Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) C-453 Interceptor Boat was commissioned in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. C-453 is the 17th of 18 Interceptor Boats which are being indigenously built by Larsen & Toubro Ltd. The ship was commissioned by Leena Nanda, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs.

• It will be commanded by Assistant Commandant Animesh Sharma and will be based at Chennai under Coast Guard Region (East).
• It will be deployed for the surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• With the commissioning of Interceptor C-453, ICG now has 157 ships & boats and 62 aircrafts.

Features

• C-453 has a displacement of 105 Tonnes & can travel at a maximum speed of 45 knots (85 Kmph).
• It is capable of performing various tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, close-coast patrol, Search & Rescue Operations.

ICG – Expanding its capabilities

At Present 40 ships are at various stages of construction at different Shipyards in India for the ICG.

•  In February 2021, ICG received 16 Advanced Light Helicopters MK-III from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to enhance its coastal security.

About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
Director General of ICG (DG ICG) – Krishnaswamy Natarajan
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Israel, US commence works to develop ‘Arrow-4’ – Air Defense System MissileIsrael Missile Defense Organisation & United States Missile Defense Agency have commenced work on the development of ‘Arrow-4’ anti-ballistic missiles which will be part of Israel’s multi-layered Ballistic Missile Shield

• Missile Defence/shield is a system, weapon, or technology which is used for detecting, tracking, intercepting & destroying incoming attack missiles (Ballistic Missiles & other short tactical missiles) in the atmosphere and in space.
• Arrow-4 Missile Shield will be an advanced version of the existing Arrow-2 & Arrow-3 Interceptors.
• Boeing, an American Aerospace & Defense company & Elbit Systems, Israel will be part of the Arrow Defence project.  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will be the main contractor for the development & production.
• Israel is one of the Four Countries to have successfully developed an anti-ballistic missile system, after the USA, Russia & India.

About Israel:
Prime Minister- Benjamin Netanyahu
Capital– Jerusalem
Currency– Israeli Shekel
About United States of America:
President – Joe Biden
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– United States Dollar (USD)
<<Read Full News>>

SPORTS

Sri Lankan Cricketer Dhammika Prasad announces Retirement from International Cricket
Sri Lankan Fast Bowler Dhammika Prasad announced his retirement from International Cricket at the age of 37.

• He has represented Sri Lanka in 25 Tests, 24 One Day Internationals (ODIs) & 1 Twenty20 International (T20I).
• He has taken 75 wickets in Tests & 32 wickets in ODIs.
• He first made his International debut in an ODI game against Bangladesh in 2006.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Amit Shah Released Book “Rashtra Pratham – 82 Varshon Ki Swarnim Gatha” on CRPF’s History 

On 19th February 2021, Amit Shah, Home Minister of India released a book titled “Rashtra Pratham – 82 varshon ki Swarnim Gatha” (Nation First – The Golden Story of 82 Years), which chronicles the history of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) since its raising in 1939.  The book was compiled by historian Dr Bhuwan Kumar Jha of Delhi University.

• The book was released at the event organised for the first ever CRPF Veteran Day, at the CRPF Shaurya Officers Institute, New Delhi.
• The book is aimed to inspire the newly inducted personnel’s of CRPF.

About the Book:
i.The book of 11 chapters accounts various aspects of CRPF such as its founding and operations, enactment of CRPF Act, the valor and sacrifice of CRPF at Hot Springs and Sardar Post, its role in 1971 Indo Pak war, counter insurgency operations in Punjab, northeast and J&K, civic action initiatives, overseas missions, special forces Rapid Action Force(RAF) and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action(CoBRA), sports and Welfare among others.
ii.This book illustrates the history of CRPF from the perspective of a Historian, which maps the changes over a period of time and the development related to the shifts in society and politics.
iii.The book has been compiled from the research from the existing records in CRPF institutions, National Archives, newspaper reports, relevant primary records in addition to the first hand accounts from the veterans and serving members.
CRPF Veterans Day 2021 – 19th February:
The CRPF celebrated the first ever CRPF Veterans Day on 19th February 2021. 
Every year starting from 2021, the 3rd Friday of February will be celebrated as the CRPF Veterans Day.
About CRPF:
Director General– Dr. A P Maheshwari,IPS
Headquarters– New Delhi

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day of Social Justice 2021 – February 20i.The United Nations(UN)’s World Day of Social Justice is annually observed across the globe on 20th February to promote and ensure Social justice in letter and spirit in the world where the social inequality persists.
ii.The day recognises that social development can be ensured in the absence of Social Justice.
iii.The theme of the 2021 World Day of Social Justice is “A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy” which highlights the basic rights of the workers who have shifted to the digital platform and whose lives were affected by the lack of digital infrastructure.
iv.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/10 on 26th November 2007 and proclaimed 20th February of every year, starting from the 63rd Session of the UNGA, will be celebrated as the World Day of Social Justice.
About International Labour Organization (ILO):
International Labour Organization (ILO) is the only tripartite UN agency.
It was established in 1919 as a part of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.
Director General– Guy Ryder
Headquarters– Genève, Switzerland
<<Read Full News>>

STATE NEWS

UP Signed MoU with IKEA; IKEA to Invest Rs.5500 Crore in UP in 5 yearsOn 19th February 2021, the Government of Uttar Pradesh(UP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IKEA, a Swedish furniture and home applications company, which is set to invest Rs.5500 crore in the state during the next 5 years.
The MoU was virtually signed in the Presence of Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of UP.
IKEA outlet in Noida:
i.The government of Uttar Pradesh has allocated 47,833 square meters of land in Noida for IKEA Outlet, which will be one of the largest IKEA outlets in the World (at present the largest IKEA outlet is in Stockholm, Sweden which is 55,221 square meters).
ii.IKEA will pay Rs 850 crores for the purchase of the land which will generate a revenue of Rs.56 crore in the form of Stamp duty.
iii,The outlet will commence its operations by 2025.
iv.IKEA also plans to open 3 major outlets in Purvanchal and Central UP.
Key Points:
i.CM stated that the opening of IKEA in the state is expected to generate various job opportunities and to support and provide opportunity to the farmers, artisans and artists.
ii.IKEA plans to open around 25 center’s in India by 2025 by investing Rs.10500 crore, most of these stores will be in UP.

WE Hub and JKEDI Signs MoU to Promote Entrepreneurship and Startup Culture in J&K and Telanganai.On February 19, 2021 WE Hub(Women Entrepreneurship Hub), India’s first and only state-led incubator of the government of Telangana for women entrepreneur and Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to boost the entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem in Telangana and Jammu and Kashmir(J&K).
ii.Aim: To provide a platform for budding entrepreneurs from Telangana and J&K. The partnership will promote women entrepreneurship.
About WE Hub:
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
CEO – Deepthi Ravula
About Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI):
Director– Ghulam Mohammad(G.M) Dar ( Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service-KAS)
Headquarters– Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
<<Read Full News>>

Assam CM inaugurated Centre for Perishable Cargo at LGBI Airport & launched Uberization schemei.The Chief Minister (CM) of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Rs 19 crore 84 lakhs Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport , Assam in the presence of Chandra Mohan Patowary, Assam State Minister for Transport.
ii.He also flagged off an export cargo consignment of 600 kilograms of vegetables on the occasion of the inauguration.
iii.In a bid to promote transport sector in the state, the the CM launched the ‘Uberization Scheme’ which will be implemented in association with the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). For this scheme the state government has sanctioned 339 buses and a outlay of Rs 25 crore.
About Assam:
Tiger Reserve– Manas Tiger Reserve, Nameri Tiger Reserve, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
Ramsar site– Deepor Beel
<<Read Full News>>

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