Current Affairs 11th & 12th March 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav: Several events to be held across country

Maharashtra government will be holding various programmes related to Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackray will flag-off Freedom Heritage walk from August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai.
Freedom fighters will also be felicitated in the programme.
The Uttar Pradesh government is holding a series of events and activities as a part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ to mark the beginning of nationwide celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will take part in an event at Kakori Shaheed Smarak in Lucknow while Governor Anandi Ben Patel will be present in Ballia.
In Madhya Pradesh, Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav to mark 75 years of India’s Independence is being launched in a grand manner.

Centre noted Digital News Publishers Association expresses satisfaction over Digital Media Ethics code

Digital News Publishers Association has welcomed the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules of 2021.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, the Association members expressed satisfaction over the Digital Media Ethics code notified by the Government on 25th of last month.
Javadekar informed that few suggestions offered by the Digital News Publishers Association members during the meet have been duly noted.

Govt. Announced Apple’s plan to produce I-phone 12 smartphones in India will create large numbers of jobs

IT and Communication Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Apple’s plan to produce I-phone 12 Smartphones in India will create jobs in large numbers.
Appreciating the plan, Mr Prasad said the government’s effort to make India a big hub of mobile and its components manufacturing is attracting global attention.
Apple said that it is going to start I-phone 12 in India.
The tech giant, which started manufacturing I-phones in India in 2017, has been shifting some of its productions from China to India.
According to experts, shifting some of the production to India is not only in the interest of Apple, but also the Indian economy.

Labour Minister launches ESI Scheme with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in 113 districts

Union Minister for Labour and Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar launched the convergence of ESI Scheme with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, PM-JAY in 113 districts of Chhatisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
It was launched on the culmination day of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, ESIC, and Special Services Fortnight at New Delhi.
The convergence will ensure that 35 crore ESI beneficiaries in such districts avail cashless medical services through empanelled hospitals of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY without any need of referral.
To avail medical care, the Insured Worker or the beneficiary need to carry an ESIC e-pehchan card or Health Passbook and Aadhar Card with them.
The list of districts and empaneled hospitals are available at esic.nic.in/ab-pm-jay.

Govt disband claims about Post offices charging Rs. 25 for cash withdrawal

Government has dismissed a claim made on social media that from 1st of next month, Post offices will charge 25 on every cash withdrawal from its account.
The Press Information Bureau has termed the claim as fake.
It clarified that India Post has not announced any such charge on the withdrawal of money by account holders.

PM unveils Kindle version of Swami Chidbhavanandaji’s Bhagavad Gita

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Kindle version of Swami Chidbhavanandaji’s Bhagavad Gita and also address the occasion through virtual mode.
The event has been organised to commemorate the sale of over five lakh copies of the Swami Chidbhavanandaji’s Bhagavad Gita.
Swami Chidbhavanandaji is the founder of Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam Ashram at Thirupparaithurai, Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu.
Swamiji has authored 186 books and all genres of literary composition.
His scholarly work on the Gita is one of the most extensive books on the subject.
Tamil version of the Gita with his commentaries was published in 1951 followed by the English in 1965.
Its translations into Telugu, Odia, German and Japanese were undertaken by devotees.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Russia break Twitter services over ‘objectionable’ content

In Russia, the media regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced that it was slowing down online access to the social media giant Twitter, accusing the social media company of failing to remove around three thousands posts relating to objectionable content.
The communications watchdog said, if Twitter does not comply with Russian law, there will be further actions against the service, including a complete ban.
The Roskomnadzor said that this first measure to slow down Twitter’s service in Russia would affect all mobile devices and half of non-mobile devices.
The statement indicated that Roskomnadzor had made over 28,000 complaints to twitter since 2017, including repeated requests to remove illegal links and publications.

Armenian PM dismisses country’s Chief of General Staff

In Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan relieved the country’s Chief of General Staff Onik Gasparyan of his duties.
Prime Minister Pashinyan has been under pressure from the military to step down following a deadly conflict with Azerbaijan.
The prime minister called the demand an attempted coup and began legal proceedings to force out the army’s top general.
Opposition protesters blocked the entrances to the parliament building in Yerevan, saying that they would not leave until Prime Minister Pashinyan stepped down.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

J&K: 5500 hectares of high-density plantation scheme in horticulture sector

The Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved the implementation of high-density plantation scheme in the horticulture sector with the support of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).
The step will go a long way in enhancing the quality and quantity of horticulture produce and doubling the farmer’s income.
The farmer-centric scheme will be implemented for apple, walnut, almond, cherry, litchi, and olive among others over an estimated area of 5500 hectares of suitable agro-climatic zones for 6 years with effect from March 2021 to March 2026.

About the scheme:

The new scheme has provisions to provide 50 percent subsidy to orchardists for the establishment of high-density orchards accompanied by a loan facility for raising 40 percent of remaining capital.
Besides, the scheme will also provide subsidies to growers on account of expenditure related to micro-irrigation, plant material, and anti-hail nets.
Under the scheme, preference will be given to farmers with landholdings of less than 4 kanal.

Shri Kedarnath Dham temple Portals to open on May 17

The Portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham temple will open on May 17 this year.
Shri Kedar Nath moving Deity will depart from Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath to Kedarnath Dham on 14 May.
On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, after the PANCHANG calculation, the date for opening of the portals of Kedar Nath temple was decided at Sri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.

Tirath Singh Rawat takes oath as Uttarakhand CM

In Uttarakhand, Tirath Singh Rawat was sworn-in as the new chief minister.
He was administered the oath of office by Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya at Raj Bhawan in Dehradun.
Senior BJP leaders, Central observer and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh along with state BJP in-charge Dushyant Kumar were present on this occasion.
Raman Singh told the media that the name of the cabinet ministers will be announced soon.
Tirath Singh Rawat, Lok Sabha MP from Garhwal and former state BJP chief is the 10th Chief Minister of the Uttarakhand.
His name was announced by the outgoing chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat after the legislature party meeting, which lasted around 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Haryana’s BJP-JJP government won the trust vote in the house of state Assembly.
The 55 votes were polled against the No Confidence Motion while 32 votes were polled in favour of motion.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

APEDA launches its first virtual trade fair

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority launched its first virtual trade fair to boost export of agricultural and processed food products.
The fair will conclude Mar 12.
In the fair, basmati rice, non-basmati rice, millets, wheat, maize, groundnut and coarse grains have been displayed.
266 Indian and international buyers from various countries have registered for the virtual fair.

Nitin Gadkari initiate two Technology Centres, three Extension Centres of MSME

Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the two Technology Centres and three Extension Centres of MSME
The Technology Centres which were inaugurated have been set up at Visakhapatnam and Bhopal and the Extension Centres at Srinagar, Jaipur and Nagaur.
The MSME has rolled out the Technology Centres Systems Programme to develop the competitiveness ecosystems of MSME in the country.
These Technology Centres will train more than 16 thousand students annually and have infrastructure for training and production.
Mr Gadkari also launched the 7 Udyam Express Mobile Vans with a view to provide assistance to MSME in remote areas and also make aware the youth of rural areas about government’s schemes.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING NEWS

IDBI Bank remove from RBI’s PCA framework

Shares of IDBI Bank zoomed nearly 18 per cent in early trade after RBI removed the lender from its enhanced regulatory supervision or Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework after a gap of nearly four years.
The stock started on a positive note, and jumped 17.12 per cent to Rs 44.80 on BSE.
On NSE, it rallied 64 per cent to Rs 45.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had placed IDBI Bank under PCA framework in May 2017, after it had breached the thresholds for capital adequacy, asset quality (net NPAs was over 13 per cent in March 2017), return on assets and the leverage ratio.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT NEWS

Indian Bank appointed Imran Amin Siddiqui as its Executive Director

Imran Amin Siddiqui,the General Manager of state-owned Indian Bank, has been appointed as the Executive Director (ED) of the Bank with effect from March 10, 2021.
He has been appointed for a period of three years with effect from the date of assumption of office, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Siddiqui started his banking career with erstwhile Allahabad Bank, which is now merged with Indian Bank, as a SSI Field Officer in December, 1987.
Apart from him, Shri Shenoy Vishwanath V and Shri K.Ramachandran are the other two ED on the board of Indian Bank.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOUR

WEF honours Deepika Padukone – 2021 Young Global Leaders List

Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone has joined the Forum of the Young Global Leaders (YGLs) for the year 2021 compiled by the World Economic Forum.
The 2021 class of the list comprises of 112world’s most promising leaders of under the age of 40, who are involved in activities ranging from advocating for public healthcare to campaigning for inclusivity in medical research.

About the honour:

The Young Global Leaders was founded in 2005 by Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF.
Its main objective is to create a world where leaders take responsibility for a sustainable future while meeting increasingly complex and interrelated challenges.
Currently, there are 1,400 members and alumni from over 120 countries.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

Second India – Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK II begins in Uttarakhand

On March 10, 2021, The Second edition of India – Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK II commenced in Foreign Training Node Chaubatia, Ranikhet in Uttarakhand.
This is the Second Edition of annual bilateral joint exercise between both armies.
This bilateral joint exercise will be held on 10 days ie) From Mach 10, 2012 to March 19,2021.
The first edition of the exercise was held in Uzbekistan in November 2019.
On First Edition 45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in the exercise.
Both the two countries’ armies will be sharing their expertise and skills in the field of counter terrorist operations in mountainous or rural or urban scenarios under UN mandate.
Defence Ministry Mentioned the joint exercise will definitely provide impetus to the ever growing military and diplomatic ties between the two nations and also reflects the strong resolve of both nations to counter terrorism.

About Uzbekistan:

Capital: Tashkent
President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Currency: Uzbekistani soʻm
Uzbekistan is one of only two double-landlocked countries in the world.
This is a nation that is surrounded completely by other landlocked countries
Uzbekistan lies on the ancient Silk Route, which led to the cities of Bukhara and Samarkand amassing great wealth and power

Third Scorpene-Class Submarine INS Karanj, Commissioned Into Indian Navy in Mumbai

On March 10, 2021, India’s third stealth Scorpene-class submarine INS Karanj, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Mumbai.
The diesel electric submarine was commissioned in presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Admiral (Retired) VS Shekhawat.
The technology has been designed by France’s Naval
The INS Karanj submarine was constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited under the Make in India program.
Out of six Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines INS Karanj is third and being built for Indian Navy.

Other 5 Submarines of this class:

1st-INS Kalvari – already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.
2nd-INS Khanderi – already been commissioned into the Indian Navy
4th-INS Vela -In Underway and undergoing trials at sea.
5th-INS Vagir – launched in November 2020 and is expected to be commissioned in 2022
6th- INS Vagsheer – currently under construction

About Indian Navy:

Father of Indian Navy : Shivaji
Founder : Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Founded: 26 January 1950
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS): Vice Admiral G. Ashok Kumar
Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS): Vice Admiral M. S. Pawar
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Karambir Singh
Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Russia and China agreed to build a International Lunar Scientific Research Station

China and Russia will build a lunar research station, on the moon’s surface, marking the start of a new era in space cooperation between the two countries.
The China National Space Administration mentioned the International Lunar Research Station would also be open to use by other countries.
It described the project as a comprehensive scientific experiment base with the capability of long-term autonomous operation.
A memorandum of understanding on the project was signed by Zhang Kejian, administrator of the China National Space Administration, and Russian space agency Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin.

About China National Space Administration:

Founded: 22 April 1993
Administrator: Zhang Kejian
Headquarters: Haidian District, Beijing, China

About Russia:

Capital: Moscow
Currency: Russian ruble
President: Vladimir Putin

About China:

Capital: Beijing
Currency: Renminbi
President: Xi Jinping

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING & INDEX

Economic Freedom Index 2021: Singapore ranks First

US conservative think-tank, the Heritage Foundation launched the Economic Freedom Index 2021.
In the Economic Free index, Singapore has topped the global ranking for the second consecutive year.
Singapore increased its overall score by 0.3 points to 89.7 primarily due to an improvement in the score for government spending.
The Index has covered 184 countries in the study this time and the period of study is July 2019 to June 2020
This is the first time the index has been published since the COVID-19 pandemic overturned lives as well as global economies and the scoring reflects to a small extent how governments have responded to the health crisis.

Ranking:

Singapore – 89.7 ( Increased 0.3 Points )
New Zealand – 83.9 ( Decreased 0.2 Points )
Australia – 82.4 ( Decreased 0.2 Points )
Switzerland – 81.9 ( Decreased 0.1 Point )
Ireland – 81.4 ( Increased 0.5 Points )

India’s Position in the Index:

India has been placed at 121 position in the index, with a score of 56.5 out of 100.
The Indian economy remains in the mid-range of the mostly unfree category.
In the 2021 Index, India came in around the middle of the pack among Asia-Pacific countries ranking 26th out of 40 countries.
Globally, the Foundation rates India’s economy as the 121st freest.

About Economic Freedom Index:

The Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom is an annual guide published to measure the progress made in advancing economic freedom which it claims brings greater prosperity.
The Foundation also believes that the ideals of economic freedom are strongly associated with healthier societies, cleaner environments, greater per capita wealth, human development, democracy, and poverty elimination.
The index ranks 12 indicators from property rights to financial freedom under four categories:

rule of law
size of government,
regulatory efficiency
open markets.

About Heritage Foundation:

Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
Founded: 16 February 1973
Chairperson: Thomas A. Saunders III
Founders: Joseph Coors, Paul Weyrich, Edwin Feulner

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS & AUTHORS

Frontier Gandhi’s autobiography released in English

The autobiography of ‘Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’(Freedom Fighter), titled “The Frontier Gandhi: My Life and Struggle” has been released.
This is the “first time” that Khan’s autobiography is available in English.
It was first published in Iranian language Pashto in 1983.
It is translated by former Pakistani civil servant and author Imitiaz Ahmad Sahibzada.
It is published by the publishing house Roli Book.

About the book:

It brings to life events and personalities of the independence movement as Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan records the untiring energy and sacrifices that went into winning freedom.

About ‘Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan:

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was also known as Bacha Khan, Badshah Khan and Fakr-e-Afghan.
He was born in Utmanzai, Northwest Frontier Province, British India in 1890.
He is an Afghan independence activist against British colonial rule in India
Khan was nicknamed as Sarhadi Gandhi (‘Frontier Gandhi’).
He had the leadership of the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) movement from 1930-47

Book Titled Dynasty to Democracy: The Untold Story of Smriti Irani’s Triumph Smriti Irani’s victory in Amethi to release in English

On March 15, 2021, The book, titled Dynasty to Democracy: The Untold Story of Smriti Irani’s Triumph, is set to be released.
The 44-year-old BJP leader had defeated the then Congress chief and MP Rahul Gandhi in his family bastion by a margin of 55,120 votes. It was the second time that Irani had contested against Rahul in Amethi. In 2014, Rahul got 4,08,651 votes against Irani’s 30,0748 votes.