Current Affairs 29 January 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 29 January 2021, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2021 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Cabinet approved Minimum Support Price of Copra for 2021 seasoni.Based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of copra for 2021 season.
ii.In this regard, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of milling copra is increased by Rs.375 to Rs. 10335/- per quintal for 2021 season from Rs. 9960/- per quintal in 2020.
iii.The MSP for ball copra has been increased by Rs.300/-, to Rs. 10,600/- per quintal for 2021 season from Rs. 10300/- per quintal in 2020.
About Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP):
It works under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Chairman – Prof. Vijay Paul Sharma
Established – 1965
<<Read Full News>>

Textiles Committee Signs MoU with M/s Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan to Increase Export of T&A to Japanese marketi.On January 27, 2021 The Textile Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India  signed Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with M/s. Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan through video conferencing to increase export of Textile and Apparel (T&A) to the Japan market.
ii.The signing ceremony was presided over by SmritiZubinIrani, Union Minister of Textiles and by His Excellency Mr. YasumasaNagasaka, Hon’ble State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Govt. of Japan.
About  Textile Committee:
Established– 1963 by Textiles Committee Act, 1963
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
About M/s. Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre:
HeadQuarters– Tokyo, Japan
President– Nobuhiro Komada
<<Read Full News>>

Cargill in Collaboration with UNWFP and CRB Launched Nutrition Programme in Jaipur, Rajasthan i.On January 27, 2021 Cargill in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme(UNWFP) and Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) launched a programme to improve nutrition status in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
ii.The program is supported by the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Rajasthan.
iii.It is aligned with the Government of India’s National Nutrition Strategy and the Poshan Abhiyan.
Aim– To address the issue of Malnutrition with child, pregnant and lactating mothers that leads to low birth weight, stunting, and anaemia.
About Cargill:
Chairman & CEO– David MacLennan
Headquarters– Minnesota, United States
President, Cargill India– Simon George
About Centre for Responsible Business (CRB):
CEO– Rijit Sengupta
Headquarters– New Delhi, India
<<Read Full News>>

India to Procure 21 MiG-29 Fighter Jets and 12 Sukhoi-30 MKI Aircrafts from RussiaIndian Government is set to procure 21 MiG(Mikoyan-Gurevich)-29 fighter jets and 12  Sukhoi(Su)-30 MKI(Modernizirovannyi, Kommercheskiy, Indiski) aircrafts from Russia. In addition to this, existing 59 MiG-29 aircrafts will also be upgraded.

• The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 21 MiG-29 will shortly be issued to Russian state-run defence export arm Rosoboronexport

About the New Jets & Aircrafts:
i.The new 21 MiG-29 is an addition to the existing 59 such jets with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
ii.The new 12 Sukhoi-30MKIs is an addition to the existing fleet of 272 such fighter aircraft, that were contracted from Russia for around $15 billion, with the majority of them licensed to be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL),India .
Note– Till now, IAF has inducted 268 of 272 Sukhoi jets.
Points to Recall:
i.The Defence Ministry, in July 2020 gave approval to IAF to procure 21 MiG-29 fighter jets and 12 Sukhoi MK1 from Russia, besides upgradation of 59 MiG-29.
ii.The MIG 29 procurement and upgradation from Russia is estimated to cost Rs 7,418 crore.
iii.The Su-30 MKI will be procured at an estimated cost of Rs 10,730 crore.
CCS had Approved Purchase of 86 LCA from HAL:
i.Recently, The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the purchase of 83 Light Combat Aircraft(LCA) Tejas from HAL.
ii.83 new Tejas, will be inducted in the January 2024-December 2028 timeframe
Click here to know more about 86 LCA

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

FDI in India rose by 13% in 2020 but Decreased 42% globally-UNCTADi.In accordance with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s 38th Global Investment Trends Monitor, after 1990s, the year 2020 saw a fall down in Global foreign direct investment (FDI) which decreased 42% to $859 billion from $1.5 trillion in 2019.
ii.Contrarily, India saw a 13% increase in FDI to $57 billion which is driven by investments in the digital sector. China pocketed a maximum FDI of $163 billion with 4% increase i.e. it became the world’s largest FDI recipient even being a place of COVID-19 evolution.
iii.Notably, a major decline in FDI inflows was concentrated in developed countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Italy, Russia, Germany, and Brazil where fund flows fell by 69% to an estimated $229 billion.
iv.FDI flows to developing economies decreased by 12% to an estimated $616 billion, they accounted for 72% of global FDI – the highest share on record.
iv.FDI to transition economies declined by 77% to $13 billion.
About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
Established– 1964, by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
Secretary-General– Mukhisa Kituyi of Kenya
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
<<Read Full News>>

India Pledged USD 150,000 to UN PeaceBuilding Fund

i.On 26^th January, 2021, India has pledged USD 150,000 to activities of the United Nations (UN) PeaceBuilding Fund (PBF) for 2021 during the “High-level Replenishment Conference for the Peacebuilding Fund”.It was announced by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti.
ii.This pledge is on the lines of 2020 review of the UN peacebuilding architecture which provides a framework to strengthen peace building collectively.
iii.It will mobilize critical support for conflict prevention and peacebuilding against the Fund’s $1.5 billion requirements for the period 2020-24.
About United Nations Peacebuilding Fund:
Launched – 2006
It will support activities, actions, programmes and organizations that seek to build a lasting peace in countries emerging from conflict.
<<Read Full News>>

India signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with IEA for Energy SecurityOn 27th January 2021, Government of India has signed a Framework for Strategic partnership agreement with the International Energy Agency (IEA) that will play a crucial role in enhancing global energy security. This initiative will pave the way for India to become a full time member of IEA.

1. Representative- The Agreement was Signed by Mr. Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary (Ministry of Power, India) and Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of IEA.
2. India will enhance its cooperation towards energy security with Key inputs from IEA member countries.

About International Energy Agency (IEA):
Executive Director – Dr Fatih Birol
Headquarters – Paris, France
Founded – November 1974
<<Read Full News>>

India ranked 7^th in Global Climate Risk Index 2021; Mozambique Topsi.India has improved its ranking to 7th in the 16th edition of “Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2021- Who suffers Most from Extreme Weather Events? Weather-related Loss Events in 2019 and 2000 to 2019” from 5th in CRI 2020, which has been released by Germany-based think tank Germanwatch. The list has been topped by Mozambique followed by Zimbabwe, and Bahamas.
ii.The index provides a list of worst-hit countries due to extreme weather events in 2019 and 2000-2019.
iii.Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti were the top three most affected countries during the 20-year period. In this long term CRI, India featured at number 20.
About Germanwatch:
Chairman– Klaus Milke
Headquarter– Bonn, Germany
<<Read Full News>>

Turkey Hosts the 17th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue 2021 VirtuallyOn 21^st January, 2021, Present Chair of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Government of Turkey hosted the 17th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue 2021 virtually under the theme “The New Normal and Safe and Healthy Tourism”.
India’s Participation:
i.Indian side was represented by Ms. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs.
ii.During the meeting, She highlighted that India is focusing on tourism promotion as a part of 3T’s strategy which includes “Trade, Tourism and Technology”.
Key Points:
i.ESCAP, in collaboration with ACD countries and other members in the region, is promoting smart connectivity along the Asian Highway Network and the Trans-Asian Railway Network that is supporting the development and implementation of smart transport solutions.
ii.During the meeting, “Ankara Declaration” was adopted by all the member countries.
About Ankara Declaration:
i.Ankara Declaration will serve as an “important roadmap” for future Asia Cooperation.
ii.India has undertaken to promote connectivity in Asia including the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, and its possible extension to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Initiatives such as International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
About Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD):
Secretary-General – Dr. Pornchai Danvivathana
Presidency – Turkey (Turkey will hold the presidency for the 2019-2020 term & was also extended until September 2021).
Established – 2002
Member Countries – 35
Headquarter – Kuwait city, Kuwait.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Indian Economy to Contract by 9.6% in 2020, Grow at 7.3% in 2021: UN-DESA Reporti.In accordance with the report, titled “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021” by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), India’s economy is estimated to contract by 9.6%(-9.6%) in 2020, while it is projected to grow at 7.3% in 2021. This projection is highest among major economies of the world.
ii.On the global front, the economy is contracted by 4.3%(-4.3%) in 2020 but it projected a recovery of 4.7% in 2021.
iii.Earlier, International Labour Organization (ILO) also released its 7th edition of report title “ILO Monitor:COVID-19 and the world of work” which states that in 2020, the world faced a job loss of 255 million jobs where South Asia accounted for 80 million.
About United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA):
Under-Secretary-General– Liu Zhenmin
Headquarter– New York, United States (US)
<<Read Full News>>

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

Tamil translation of French novel, ‘Le mariage de plaisir’ wins Romain Rolland Book Prize 2021 at KolkataOn January 24, 2021, The Tamil translation of a French novel, ‘Le mariage de plaisir‘ titled “Ullasa Thirumanam” won the Romain Rolland Book Prize 2021 at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2021.The Festival was conducted on January 22 – 24, 2021.

• ‘Le mariage de plaisir’, the French Novel was authored by Tahar Ben Jelloun. And it was translated by Dr Vengada Soupraya Nayagar in Tamil.

Key Points:
i.The book was published by Amutharasan Paulraj of Thadagam Publishers. The award is given for the best translation of any French novel into any Indian language.
ii.The winning publisher and translator will be invited by the French Institute in India to the Paris Book Fair 2021, where India will be the guest of honour & Focus Country in Paris Book Fair 2021.
About Romain Rolland Book Prize:
Started in 2017, Romain Rolland Book Prize aims at awarding the best translation of a French title into any Indian language, including English.

ICC Introduces ‘ICC Player of the Month’ Awards for Male & Female Cricketersi.On January 27, 2021 The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the ICC Player of the Month awards for both male and female cricketers across all forms of international cricket.
ii.Purpose of the Awards– To recognise and celebrate best performances throughout the year.
About International Cricket Council (ICC):
CEO– Manu Sawhney
Headquarters– Dubai, United Arab Emirates(UAE)
<<Read Full News>>

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS        

Swaminathan Janakiraman & Aswini Kumar Tewari Appointed as MDs of SBIThe Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Swaminathan Janakiraman and Ashwini Kumar Tewari as new Managing Directors(MDs) of State Bank of India (SBI) for a period of 3 years.

• Swaminathan Janakiraman was serving as the deputy MD(finance) of SBI.
• Ashwini Kumar Tewari was serving as MD and Chief Executive Officer(CEO)of SBI Card, a subsidiary of SBI.

Note
The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) in October 2020 recommended their names for post of MD at SBI.
What is the Banks Board Bureau (BBB)?
i.BBB was constituted in 2016. It is an autonomous advisory body of the government of India to enhance the governance of the Public Sector Banks
ii.Functions of BBB include, recommendation and selection of  Board of Directors in Nationalised Banks, Financial Institutions and Public Sector Insurance Companies (Whole Time Directors and Chairman) among others.
Chairman-Bhanu Pratap(B P) Sharma(former Department of Personnel and Training Secretary)
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
About State Bank of India(SBI):
Founded– July 1, 1955 as SBI
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline– The banker to every Indian; With you all the way; Pure banking nothing else; The nation banks on us; A bank of the common man
Chairman–  Dinesh Kumar Khara(Succeeds Rajnish Kumar)
Names of Other MDs of SBI- Ashwani Bhatia, C.S. Setty (SBI has 1 Chairman & 4 MDs)

Kaja Kallas Becomes 1st Female PM of EstoniaOn January 26, 2021 Estonia President Kersti Kaljulaid appointed Kaja Kallas as the Prime Minister(PM) of the country. With this appointment she becomes the 1st female PM of the country since the nation regained independence in 1991. She succeeds Jüri Ratas. She is the leader of the Reform party.
The 15-member Cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is a coalition of 2 parties namely, Reform Party & Centre Party.
About Kaja Kallas:
i.Kaja Kallas, a lawyer was a member of the 12th & 14th Riigikogu(All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu)
ii.She was a member of the european parliament from 2014-2018, representing the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
iii.She served as the Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee.
About Estonia( Officially- Republic of Estonia):
Capital– Tallinn
Currency– Euro-EUR(Before Euro, Estonian kroon (EEK) was the currency till January 1, 2011)

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS        

Adani Total Gas & Torrent Gas Acquires 5% Stake Each in IGX

Adani Total Gas & Torrent Gas has acquired 5% stake each in the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX). This is the 1st time stakes of IGX are sold, as it was wholly-owned by the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). The total 10% stake has been sold for about Rs 7.38 crore. IGX launched in June 2020 is the 1st gas exchange in India to secure authorisation from Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) under recently notified Gas  Exchange Regulations, 2020. IGX is an online trading platform to make physical delivery of natural gas and provides a neutral and transparent marketplace to trade.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO to launch “Sri Shakti Sat”, a Satellite developed by College StudentsIndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch ‘Sri Shakti Sat’ a satellite that was developed by 12 college students with inputs from ISRO. This satellite will be launched into outer space by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C51 on February 28, 2021.
About ‘Sri Shakti Sat’:

• Developed by students of Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology at a cost of Rs. 2.5 Crores.
• It is a Nano Satellite, weighing just 460 gms.
• Functions – Perform Internet of Things (IoT) in Space and Inter Satellite Communication.

About Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN–SPACe):

1. IN–SPACe acts as a link between ISRO and private sector companies (including educational institutes), focusing on core activity of research and development in Space technology.
2. Established in June 2020, as an Independent agency under the Department of Space.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): 
Chairman– Kailasavadivoo (K) Sivan
Headquarters– Bangalore, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

SPORTS

India to host 2022 AFC Women’s Football Asia CupIndia has got the hosting rights from Asian Football Confederation (b) to host 2022’s Women’s Football Asia Cup. The event is planned to start from 20th January, 2022 to 6th February, 2022. For the first time the event will feature 12 teams from across Asia. Ahmedabad and Navi Mumbai are the two possible venues to hold 2022 AFC’s Women’s Football Asia Cup.
Note- Till 2018’s Women’s Asia Cup, which was hosted by Jordan, only 8 teams participated.
About 2022 Women’s Asia Cup:
i.This event will act as a qualifier to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that is to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
ii.India will host the AFC Women’s Asia Cup in 2022, for the second time only after it was hosted in 1980.In 1980 India host the Women’s Football Asia Cup in Calicut (now Kozhikode), Kerala.
iii.India was the runner up in the 1980 event, Chinese Taipei won the 1980 Women’s Football Asia Cup.
iv.The best four teams from the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup, along with Australia, will take part in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
About Indian Women’s Football Team:
Head Coach – Maymol Rocky
Captain – Loitongbam Ashalata Devi
About Asian Football Confederation:
President – Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
Founded – 7 May 1954
Headquarters – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

OBITUARY

Oscar and Emmy-winning actor Cloris Leachman passes away at 94An American actress and comedienne & Oscar Awardee, Emmy-winning actress ,Cloris Leachman, passed away at the age of 94 in Encinitas, California. She was born on April 30, 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
In 2009, she released her autobiography titled, “Cloris-My Autobiography“.Cloris Leachman wrote the book with George Englund Contribution & published by Kensington Publishing Corporation.
Awards:
i.She acted in the film titled, ‘The Last Picture Show’ in 1971 for which she won Oscar award in the Best Supporting Actress Category as well as she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
ii.Leachman won additional Emmys for the television film A Brand New Life (1973); the variety sketch show Cher (1975); the ABC serial The Woman Who Willed a Miracle (1983); and the television shows Promised Land (1998) and Malcolm in the Middle (2001–06).
Notable Works:
i.Her other notable film and television credits include The Twilight Zone (1961; 2003), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), WUSA (1970), Yesterday (1981), the English-language dub of the Studio Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky (1998), Spanglish (2004), Mrs. Harris (2005),’The Mary Tyler Moore Show'(1970) and Raising Hope (2010-2014).

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Justice, N.V. Ramana released the book, “The Law of Emergency Powers: Comparative Common Law Perspectives”On 23rd January, 2021, one of the Senior Judges of the Supreme Court of India, Justice N. V. Ramana, along with 3 other supreme court judges, Surya Kant, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice D. Y. Chandrachud launched a book titled, “The Law of Emergency Powers: Comparative Common Law Perspectives”.

• The book was jointly authored by Dr. Abhishek Singhvi and Prof. Khagesh Gautam & Published by Springer Publications.

About the book:

• It presents a detailed study on legal and constitutional provisions of Emergency powers under Article 356.
•  It also includes detailed discussions on Martial law, wartime & peacetime invocations, Constitutional & statutory law.
• The book also compares the emergency powers of India, USA & UK.
• In Depth analysis on S.R, Bommai Case that turned India’s Emergency powers.

About the Authors:
Abhishek Manu Singhvi

• He became the youngest designated Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India at the age of 34.
• Youngest Additional Solicitor General of India at 37.
• Vice President, Supreme Court Bar Association at 39.
• He also served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of Law.

Khagesh Gautam

• He is an Associate Professor of Law and Assistant Dean at Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat, India.
• He is also a member of the Editorial Board of the Africa Journal of Comparative Constitutional Law.

STATE NEWS

1st of its Kind Initiative: Karnataka Govt Selects Beneficiaries of Old Age Pensioners by Navodaya Appi.On January 27, 2021 During the statewide campaign, Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa Launched a 1st of its kind initiative in India where, beneficiaries of old-age pensions will be automatically selected using the Navodaya app and their pension amount will be paid through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
ii.This model was piloted in Udupi and Ballari districts of the state.
iii.Navodaya app is developed in accordance with the National Education Policy guidelines.
Aim– To enable beneficiaries to get the pension without the need of middlemen.
About Karnataka:
Zoological Park– Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens,Thyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park.
Biological Park– Bannerghatta Biological Park, Pilikula Biological Park, Panchavati Biological Park
<<Read Full News>>

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