Latest Current Affairs For Tuesday 21st September, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-Tech honchos like Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are among the list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2021 according to TIME's newly published rankings. 

2-Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine & Surgery) course of the College on 17 September 2021. 

3-Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Defence Offices Complexes at Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Africa Avenue. 

4-NITI Aayog launched a report on ‘Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India’. 

5-The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a number of structural and process reforms in the Telecom sector. 

6-The Indian Naval Placement Agency (INPA) and Flipkart today signed an MoU, through which the two entities will explore opportunities for the recruitment naval of veterans at the Flipkart Group. 

7-The highest and most prestigious award in the field of Rajbhasha i.e. “Rajbhasha Keerthi Puraskar” was presented to National Mineral Development Ltd. (NMDC), under Ministry of Steel during the Rajbhasha Diwas Samaroh in New Delhi . 

8-Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd.(RINL) - Vishakhapatnam Steel plant (VSP), under Ministry of Steel is bestowed with ‘Rajbhasha Keerti Puraskar’-FIRST PRIZE for effective implementation of Official Language Hindi for the year 2020-21. 

9-NITI Aayog, with RMI and RMI India’s support, launched Shoonya—an initiative to promote zero-pollution delivery vehicles by working with consumers and industry. 

10-Uttar Pradesh has become the first Indian state to inoculate more than nine crore people with Covid vaccines. 

Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party retains majority in Parliamentary poll

In Russia, United Russia party of incumbent President Vladimir Putin has retained a majority in parliament.

However, the party lost around one fifth of its support. 

Over 33 per cent ballots have been counted so far with Putin's party winning over 45% of the votes while its nearest rival Communist Party polled around 22%  of the votes. 

Putin, who has been in power as president or prime minister since 1999, still dominating ahead of the next presidential election in 2024.

Rajnath Singh Launches a book titled Shining Sikh Youth of India

Rajnath Singh launched a book titled 'Shining Sikh Youth of India'.

Book is authored by Dr Prabhleen Singh of Punjabi University.

The book is dedicated to the 400th Parkash Purb of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The book pens down the life stories of India's 200 foremost Sikhs.

This includes the mention of personalities from the education, sports, business, medicine, entertainment, civil services, judiciary, media, social services, IAS, IFS and IRS fraternity.

Sikkim declares 'Katley' as State fish

The Sikkim has declared 'Copper Mahseer' locally named 'Katley' (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis) as the State fish. 

In Sikkim, Katley is found in varied altitudes covering entire state predominantly confined in Teesta and Rangit rivers and their tributaries. 

In the year 1992, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR), Lucknow had categorized Katley fish as endangered species. 

Later on, in the year 2014 the fish was also categorized as endangered by IUCN.

World Economic Forum to host next annual meeting in Davos in Jan 2022

Next annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will be held in Davos, Switzerland in January 2022.

It will be the first major in-person congregation of the world leaders in almost two years since the deadliest pandemic hit the world.

The theme of the Summit will be the ‘Working Together, Restoring Trust’.

The Annual Meeting 2022 will be the first global leadership event to set the agenda for a sustainable recovery.

Joshna Chinappa Appointed as Brand Ambassador of ASICS

Japanese Sports equipment company Asics has announced Indian squash player Joshna Chinappa as its new brand athlete.

This partnership would further strengthen the company’s commitment, spread awareness about the diverse offerings and magnify the reach of the brand.

Currently ranked as number 10 worldwide, Chinappa is a two-time Asian Championship gold medalist.

In 2014, she was the first Indian to win a gold medal in doubles at the Commonwealth Games.

Ek Pahal Drive Across the Country to encourage mass registration under Tele

As a part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, Department of Justice and NALSA launched the “Ek Pahal” drive across the country.

The initiative will encourage mass registration under Tele-Law.

The medium of Tele Law effectively provides pre-litigation advice / consultation to beneficiaries by Panel Lawyers through a huge network.

This campaign seeks to actualize the aspiration of access to justice for citizens in India.

Eminent theoretical physicist Prof Thanu Padmanabhan passes away

Well-known theoretical physicist and cosmologist Professor Thanu Padmanabhan passed away. 

A distinguished professor at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Padmanabhan had authored over 300 research papers and several books. 

His research in theoretical physics had the Stanford University name him among the top scientists in the world, with a rank of 24.

Padma Shri Prof Padmanabhan was recently selected for the Kerala Sastra Puraskaram.

India will become 3rd largest importer by 2050: UK report

As per the latest Global Trade Outlook issued by the UK’s Department of International Trade, India will become the world’s 3rd largest importer by 2050. 

With a share of 5.9% of global imports India will right behind China and the US.

At present, India is ranked 8th among largest importing nations with a 2.8% import share.

As per the report it is set to become the fourth largest importer by 2030.

Increasing middle class spending will help the country have a share of 5.9%

Facebook India appoints Rajiv Aggarwal as Head of Public Policy

Facebook India has appointed former Uber executive Rajiv Aggarwal as the Director of Public Policy.

He succeeds Ankhi Das, who quit in October last year.

Aggarwal, in this role, will define and lead important policy development initiatives for Facebook in India on an agenda that covers user safety, data protection and privacy, inclusion and internet governance. 

Aggarwal is an ex-IAS officer and has worked as a DM in nine districts across the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Kotak Mahindra Bank to acquire 9.9% stake in KFin Technologies

Kotak Mahindra Bank agreed to acquire 9.9% stake in KFin Technologies, a leading investor and issuer servicing platform, with at an investment of ₹310 crore.

KFin provides financial technology solutions across a broad spectrum of asset classes spanning mutual funds, alternatives, insurance, and pension.

It serves 25 out of the 44 Indian mutual fund AMCs, which have over $148 billion in AUM and 35% market share in equity AUM (up from 27% in March 2019).

Hq: Mumbai

HDFC Bank partners with Paytm to launch co-branded credit cards

HDFC Bank and Paytm announced plans for launching a comprehensive range of credit cards powered by VISA.

In a first-of-its-kind alliance, the partnership aims to provide one of the widest range of offerings across customer segments. 

The credit card will offer, EMIs and Buy Now Pay Later options, with the full suite of products to be on offer. 

The partnership aims to deliver superior value and experience to customers by leveraging off each other’s strengths.

Charanjit Singh Channi sworn-in as 16th chief minister of Punjab

Charanjit Singh Channi took oath as 16th Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab.

Channi became the first individual from the Dalit community in Punjab to take charge of Chief Minister.

The 58-year-old leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by governor Banwarilal Purohit.

Channi is a three-time MLA from Rupnagar's Chamkaur Sahib.

In Amarinder Singh cabinet, Channi had served as the minister of technical education.

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.