Latest Current Affairs For Wednesday 8th September, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-Praveen Kumar clinched the silver medal in the men's high jump T64 event of the Paralympics. 

2-India's Avani Lekhara clinched her second medal at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics by winning the bronze in women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions (SH1). 

3-Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum and Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit in October. 

4-In a first, in Coal India Ltd. (CIL) under the Ministry of Coal, an innovative Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) at Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) was inaugurated. 

5-The India Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai starting October 1 is set to showcase a resurgent India’s march to becoming a USD 5 Trillion economy in the post-covid world. 

6-The 11th India-United Kingdom Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) was held, virtually chaired by Indian Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman and the United Kingdom Treasury Chancellor Rishi Sunak. 

7-Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah launched various development projects at Davanagere in Karnataka today at a total cost of Rs. 50 crore. 

8-Union Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries, Krishan Pal Gurjar, today chaired the “Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Energy” under the Chairship of India. 

9-Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) a has been awarded the coveted “Association for Talent Development (ATD) 2021 BEST Award”. 

10-The National Hydroelctric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd, has indigenously renovated & modernized its 180 MW Baira Siul Power Station and commenced commercial operations. 

STATIC GK Based on Current Affairs

1. Pramod Bhagat has won the Men’s Singles SL3 event badminton gold medal match at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

• This is India’s first medal in badminton at the Paralympics Games.
• He defeated Daniell Bethe of Great Britain.
• He is one of the best para-shuttlers of India with 45 international medals under his belt

➤ List of Indian Winner Of Tokyo Paralympics Games:

• Manish Narwal won gold, while Singhraj Adhana won silver in Mixed 50 metre Pistol event at the Tokyo Paralympics.
• Praveen Kumar bagged the silver medal in Men’s High Jump T64 event
• Indian paddler Bhavinaben Patel has claimed historic silver medal at 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo
• Nishad Kumar from India has clinched silver medal in the men’s high jump at Tokyo Paralympics 2020

2. The 28th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) has been concluded.

• It took place from September 2 to 4, 2021.
• SIMBEX-2021 is an annual bilateral maritime exercise and was hosted by Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the southern fringes of South China Sea.
• Indian Navy was represented by Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay, ASW Corvette INS Kiltan and Guided Missile Corvette INS Kora and one P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

➤ List of Naval Exercise of India:

• SLINEX - India & Sri Lanka
• KONKAN - India & United Kingdom
• VARUNA - India & France
• NASEEM-AL-BAHR - India & Oman
• SIMBEX - India & Singapore
• IND-INDO CORPAT - India & Indonesia
• Sahyog HOP TAC - India & Vietnam

➤ About Indian Navy :

• The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces & their primary objective is to safeguard the nation's maritime borders.
• Founded - 1947
• Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) - Admiral Karambir Singh
• Indian Navy Day is celebrated every year on December 4 to commemorate the attack on the Karachi harbour during the India-Pakistan war in 1971

3. Cyrus Poncha has been unanimously elected as Vice-President of the Asian Squash Federation (ASF), during the 41st annual general meeting of ASF.

• His tenure will be of 4 years.
• He is current serving as the Secretary-General of Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI).
• David Mui of Hong Kong was elected as President of ASF for 2nd term.
• Fayez Abdullah S.Al-Mutairi of Kuwait and Tae-sook Hee of Korea have been also elected as the Vice-Presidents of ASF.

➤ Some Organization & their Head:

• Indian Olympic Association - Narinder Dhruv Batra
• International Hockey Federation - Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra
• Board of Control for Cricket in India - Sourav Ganguly
• International Hockey Federation - Gyanendro Nigombam
• International Olympic Committee - Thomas Bach
• FIFA - Gianni Infantino

4. Govt of India has signed tripartite peace accord with State government of Assam and five insurgent groups from Karbi Anglong region in Assam, to end decades of violence in the region.

• Peace accord will grant greater autonomy to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and provide protection to the language, culture and identity of the region and reservation to the Karbi people.
• Special development package of Rs 1000 crore will also be released by state and centre government

➤ About Assam:

• Assam is a state in northeastern India known for its wildlife, archaeological sites and tea plantations.
• Capital - Dispur
• Chief minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Governor - Jagdish Mukhi
• Kaziranga National Park, Dibru - Saikhowa National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park are Major National park in Assam
• Majuli is recognized as the largest river island in the world. It is located on the Brahmaputra river near Jorhat, in Assam

5. International Day of Charity is being observed annually on September 5 to commemorate the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, who had always been engaged in charitable work.

• It was declared by UN General Assembly in 2012
• Aim: to raise awareness and provide a common platform for charity related activities all over the world for individuals, charitable, philanthropic and volunteer organizations on the local, national, regional and international level.

➤ Important Days of September:

• World Coconut Day - 2nd Sep
• International Day of Charity - 5 Sep
• International Literacy Day - 8 Sep
• World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) - 10 Sep
• Hindi Diwas - 14 Sep
• Engineer's Day (India) - 15 Sep
• International Day of Democracy - 15 Sep
• World Ozone Day - 16 Sep
• World Bamboo Day - 18 Sep
• International Day of Peace (UN) - 21 Sep
• World Tourism Day -27 Sep
• World Rabies Day - 28 Sep

Food Processing Week: September 06 to 12, 2021

To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence, the Government of India is celebrating the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

As a part of the celebration, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is observing ‘Food Processing Week’ from 6th to 12th September 2021, under which, the Ministry is organizing various programs.

The Ministry launched the ‘Food Processing Week’, 6th September 2021, through an official video on social media platforms.

The success story of the beneficiary of the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, Smt. Radhika Kamat was also published on the Ministry’s website in the ‘Atmanirbhar Enterprises’ series.

Important For All Exam 2021:

• Union Minister of Food Processing Industries: Pashupati Kumar Paras
• Minister of State for Food Processing Industries: Prahlad Singh Patel

International Day of Clean Air for blue skies

The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed globally on September 07 to promote and facilitate actions to improve air quality.

It is an UN-recognised day that aims to raise public awareness at all levels (individual, community, corporate and government) that clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment.

The 2021 theme for the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” which emphasizes the health aspects of air pollution, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution to hold an International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on December 19, 2019, during its 74th session and invited the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The inaugural edition of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies was held in 2020.

Tamannaah Bhatia unveils her book titled ‘Back to the Roots’

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia launched her book ‘Back to the Roots’. She has co-authored the book with celebrity lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho. The book is based on intensive research and mentions India’s ancient secrets of health and wellness.

All the chapters in ‘Back To the Roots’ are complete with tried-and-tested secrets that have served generations of this country.”

Former Australian pacer Shaun Tait appointed bowling coach of Puducherry

Former Australia pacer Shaun Tait has been roped in as the bowling coach of the Puducherry cricket team, sources in the Cricket Association of Pondicherry.

Tait joins a coaching team that includes head coach Dishant Yagnik and manager and strength and conditioning coach Kalpendra Jha.

The former Australia player had recently been appointed bowling coach of the Afghanistan team for a period of five months.

Tait, who featured in three Tests, 35 ODIs and 21 T20 Internationals for Australia, had also turned out for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL during his playing career.

The pacer had played a significant role in Australia’s World Cup triumph in the West Indies in 2007, claiming 23 wickets.

130th edition of Durand Cup kicks off in Kolkata

The 130th edition of the Durand Cup kicked off at the Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan in Kolkata. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee kicked the ball and inaugurated the tournament.

16 teams are playing in this edition of the oldest club football tournament in Asia while two clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are not participating. The final match will be held on 3rd October.

The Durand Cup is a prestigious football tournament. It was first held in 1888, at Dagshai in Himachal Pradesh. This tournament has been named after Mortimer Durand. He was the then Foreign Secretary in charge of India.

India’s first bio-brick based building opened at IIT Hyderabad

India’s first building made of bio-bricks from agro-waste has been inaugurated at IIT Hyderabad. The sample building is made up of bio-bricks supported by a metal framework.

The roof is also made of bio-bricks over PVC sheets to reduce heat. It is part of the Bold Unique Idea Lead Development (BUILD) project to demonstrate the strength and versatility of the material.

A prototype of the guard cabin was designed and set up in the space allocated by IIT-H. It is part of the Bold Unique Idea Lead Development (BUILD) project to demonstrate the strength and versatility of the material.

The sample building is made up of bio-bricks supported by a metal framework. The roof is also made of bio-bricks over PVC sheets to reduce heat. Both inside and outside walls are cement-plastered to protect the bio-bricks from rain.

President Ram Nath Kovind presents National Award for Teachers 2021

National Teachers’ Award 2021 was awarded by President Ram Nath Kovind, September 5, 2021. President Kovind gave the awards to 44 finest teachers in the country for their dedicated contribution.

The award is contributed to those who improve the quality of education for students and also inspire, enrich their lives. This year, the Ministry of Education released the name of 44 teachers, who would be conferred the National Teachers’ Award.

Out of the total 44 teachers, 9 of the awardees are women. Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, President Kovind addressed the teachers virtually. While highlighting the role and importance of teachers in one’s life, President Kovind expressed his gratitude to all the teachers who received the awards.

The award was also bestowed upon Pramod Kumar Shukla of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Chhattisgarh. It is the second award in a row for an EMRS established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

IAF chief attends Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2021 in Hawaii

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria attended a three-day-long Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2021 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.

The event themed ”Enduring Cooperation towards Regional Stability” was attended by air chiefs from countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Bhadauria was nominated as the Dean for the symposium. India, the US, Australia, Japan and many other like-minded countries are working towards ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

The symposium saw deliberations through panel discussions, tabletop exercises and keynote addresses on topics ranging from aspects of regional security to cooperation amongst air forces for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

Equitas Bank appoints Rani Rampal & Smriti Mandhana as brand ambassadors

Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFB) has roped in Indian women hockey player, Rani Rampal and cricketer Smriti Mandhana as the brand ambassadors of the company. The announcement was made during the 5th anniversary of the ESFB on September 5, 2021.

Rampal holds the record for being the youngest player to play in the national hockey team while Mandhana was recognised as the Best Women’s International Cricketer by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Important For All Exam 2021:

Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFB) headquarters: Chennai;

ESFB MD & CEO: Vasudevan P N.

S.L. Tripathy appointed as CMD of United India Insurance

The central government has selected S.L.Tripathy as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of United India Insurance Company Limited.

He is currently General Manager and Director at The New India Assurance Company Limited.

He is appointed as CMD of United India from the date of assumption of charge of the office and up to the date of attaining the age of superannuation.

Important For All Exam 2021:

• United India Insurance Company Limited Headquarters: Chennai
• United India Insurance Company Limited Founded: 18 February 1938
• United India Insurance Company Limited CEO: Shri Girish Radhakrishnan

Former France Footballer Jean-Pierre Adams Passes Away

Former France footballer Jean-Pierre Adams, who had been in a coma for 39 years, has passed away. In 1982, Adams slipped into a coma following a medical error, during his routine knee surgery.

He made a total of 22 appearances for the France National Football Team from 1972–1976. At club level, Adams played as a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, Nîmes and Nice.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.