Current Affairs – February 03, 2021

 

INDIA

Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management to be set up in Chennai

On the occasion of World Wetlands Day on February 2 Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Babul Supriyo announced the establishment of a Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM) as a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, which is an institution under the Ministry.

India has 42 Ramsar sites for conservation of wetlands

India has rich wetlands famous for its biodiversity. As of December 2020, there are 42 Ramsar sites in India. The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement promoting the conservation of wetlands. The Convention was adopted at Ramsar in Iran in 1971 and came into force in 1975.

‘Aatmanirbharta’ named Oxford Hindi word of 2020

‘Aatmanirbharta’ implying self-reliance has been named by Oxford Languages as its Hindi word of the year 2020 as it “validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic”.

CHRI calls for withdrawal of sedition cases file against journalists in India

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on February 2, 2021 called for the withdrawal of sedition cases file against journalists in India and called for the repealing of sedition and criminal defamation laws. The CHRI said police forces in various States had used colonial era laws like sedition and criminal defamation as well as economic offences to “silence media”.

NIA to probe Jan 29 blast near Israel Embassy

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the January 29 explosion near the Israel Embassy in Delhi. An IED was set off at a pavement near the embassy, damaging a few cars. A handwritten note found near the explosion site, addressed to Ambassador Ron Malka, said it was just a trailer to avenge the killing of Iranian military commander Qasim Soleimani and others.

Economy & Corporate

BSE Sensex closes at 49,797.7 points (+1,197), Nifty50 at 14,648 (+367)

The Indian markets extended their historic Budget-day rally into second day on February 2, 2021. The S&P BSE Sensex zoomed 1,197 points, or 2.46 per cent, to settle the day at 49,797.7 points. The broader Nifty50 index closed at 14,648, up 367 points or 2.57 per cent.

RBI appoints firm to audit HDFC Bank’s IT infrastructure

HDFC Bank on February 2, 2021 said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed an external IT firm for carrying out a special audit of its IT infrastructure in the aftermath of repeated service outages at the country’s largest private sector lender over the past two years. In December 2020, RBI temporarily barred HDFC Bank from launching new digital banking initiatives and issuing new credit cards after taking a serious view of service outages at the lender over the last two years.

SC asks Franklin Templeton to disburse Rs 9,122 crore to investors

The Supreme Court has directed Franklin Templeton to distribute Rs 9,122 crore to unitholders of the six schemes that were shut by the mutual fund house in April 2020. The fund house has been directed to distribute the money to unitholders within twenty days from February 2. Earlier, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund had updated the unitholders that its six shut schemes have received Rs 14,391 crore from maturities, pre-payments and coupon payments since their closing down in April.

Banks’ NPAs decline to ₹8.08 lakh crore in Sept 2020: Govt

Non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans of the banking sector came down from a high of ₹10.36 lakh crore at the end of March 2018 to ₹8.08 lakh crore at the end of September 2020 due to various initiative of the government, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur informed the Rajya Sabha on February 2, 2021.

Delhi HC directs all parties in Amazon-Future dispute to maintain status quo

India’s Future Group needs to maintain status quo with respect to its $3.4 billion retail assets deal, the Delhi High Court said on February 2, 2021, giving interim relief to Amazon.com Inc as it battles to foil Future Group’s asset sales to Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). Amazon, locked in protracted legal disputes with Future, alleges the Indian firm violated contracts by agreeing to sell its retail assets to rival RIL in 2020.

World

Sri Lanka backs out of pact with India, Japan on terminal at Colombo Port

Sri Lanka has backed out of an agreement with India and Japan to develop the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port. According to the tripartite agreement of May 2019, Sri Lanka, Japan and India were to jointly develop the strategic terminal with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) holding a 51% stake and India and Japan holding 49% together. Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in this regard on February 2, 2021.

World Wetlands Day observed on Feb 2

World Wetlands Day was observed on February 2, 2021 with its theme as ‘Wetlands and Water’. It emphasizes the importance of wetlands as a “source of freshwater and encourages action to restore them and stop their loss”.

Ford Motor Co, Google join hands to offer cloud-based data services

Ford Motor Co will tap into software, artificial intelligence and cloud computing offered by Alphabet Inc’s Google to develop new consumer services and modernize internal operations, the companies said on February 1, 2021. Ford will incorporate Google’s Android operating system into its Ford and Lincoln vehicles starting in 2023.

Assam CM launches schemes for college students, literary bodies

 

Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state governments plan to provide pocket money to college students in the near future apart from the money provided for the purchase of textbooks.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday launched two schemes to provide monetary assistance to college students and literary bodies of the state.

Under Pragyan Bharati scheme, 3,26,046 college students were given Rs 1,500 each for purchasing textbooks, while a total of Rs 161 crore was reimbursed for the free admission of 4 lakh eligible students.

The second scheme is Bhasha Gourab, under which the state government provided 21 Sahitya Sabhas (literary bodies) with a total of Rs 43 crore as a contribution towards their corpus funds.Under the scheme, 600 writers have also got Rs 50,000 each to help in their literary activities.

The young generation must strive for knowledge through education and utilise the opportunity provided by the two schemes, the chief minister said.

The state government is committed to providing higher education to the poorest of the poor, he said.

Sonowal also urged parents and teachers to encourage the younger generation to take part in sports and cultural activities for their holistic development.

Literature is a reflection of the society and the Assam government is taking steps for providing financial assistance to writers and indigenous Sahitya Sabhas, he said

Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government has taken steps for providing primary education till Class V to all students in their mother tongues.

He also said about the state governments plan to provide pocket money to college students in the near future apart from the money provided for the purchase of textbooks.

Because of the relentless efforts of the state government, Assam is at the second position in the country in the index for educational development and also second in the performance of taking education to the poor, Sarma added.

Source: Indian Express, 2/02/21

NTA UGC NET December 2020 online registration begins

 

• Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the UGC NET 2020 examination online at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. on or before March 2, 2021.The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday invited the online applications for the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) December 2020 cycle on its official website.

• Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the UGC NET 2020 examination online at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. on or before March 2, 2021. However, the last date to pay the application fee is March 3, 2021.

  The agency will be conducting the computer-based UGC NET December 2020 exam from May 2 to 17, 2021.

  NTA conducts the UGC-NET exam for ‘Assistant Professor’ and for ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor. The test consists of two papers. Both the papers will be conducted in a single three-hour duration.

  Application fee:

  Candidates belonging to the general category are required to pay an application fee of ₹1000, while candidates from the General-EWS and OBC-NCL category need to pay ₹500.

  For candidates coming from the reserved category, the registration fee is ₹250.

• Source: Hindustan Times, 3/02/21

Quote of the Day

 

“Anger is never without an argument, but seldom with a good one.”
Indira Gandhi

“क्रोध कभी बिना कारण के नहीं होता, लेकिन वह कारण कभी-कभार ही अच्छा होता है।”
इंदिरा गांधी

Jarosite: Rare Mineral Found in Antarctica

 A rare maritime mineral, Jarosite, has been found in the Antarctica ice. It was discovered after drilling deep into Antarctic ice.

What the discovery signifies?

The recently discovered mineral was examined and it was found that it was formed in pockets within the ice. This supports the theory of presence of jarosite on MARS in as similar manner.  It signifies that, the minerals are able to form in thick deposits on mars because the planet is a lot dustier than Antarctica.

What is Jarosite?

• Jarosite is a mineral from mars which is scarcely seen on earth.
• It is a sulphate of potassium and iron.
• The mineral can be formed by both water and acidic conditions.
• It was first discovered on Mars in 2004 by a rover named “opportunity”.
• Other Jarosite minerals include silver, sodium, lead and ammonium.
• It can be found are in the mining and ore processing wastes where they act as sinks for other toxic elements such as lead and arsenic.
• When the jarosite is broken, it releases metals such as iron, potassium besides the hydrogen ions and sulphate.
• Jarosite is used in hydrometallurgy to control impurities.
• The name Jarosite was derived from a Spanish name of a yellow flower of genus Cistus.
• The mineral was described in 1852 by August Breithaupt for the first time.
• It is yellow to yellowish-brown in colour. It is brittle, hard and has crystal structure. The mineral appears translucent and opaque sometimes.

Why Jarosite is found on Mars?

The reason for the presence of the mineral on the Mars (Red Planet) is not yet determined. The scientists believe that when the planet was covered with ice millennials ago sulphate, iron, and potassium might get trapped in the form of dust. This believe is not accepted because dust and ice have never chemically reacted to form minerals. Though ice provided a suitable environment for the transformation of dust to the mineral.

Current Affairs – February 02, 2021

 

India

Centre allows cinema halls to operate with 100% seating capacity from Feb

In its new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cinema halls and theatres, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said that the auditorium of the cinemas, theatres and multiplexes have been allowed to operate with 100% of their seating capacity from February 1, 2021. The cinema hall and multiplex operators have been asked to endure staggered show timings and sufficient time interval between successive screenings to avoid crowding. Exhibition of films has not been allowed in the containment zones.

PM addresses 125th anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 31, 2021 addressed the 125th anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’, a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order, started by Swami Vivekananda. It has been in publication since 1896 and carries articles on social sciences and humanities comprising historical, psychological, cultural and social sciences themes.

89 lakh children administered polio drops on National Immunisation Day: Jan 31

Government said that around 89 lakh children were given polio drops under National Polio Immunisation drive across the country on January 31, 2021 which was the Polio National Immunization Day, also known as Polio Ravivar. India has been free of polio for a decade, with the last case of wild poliovirus reported on 13th January 2011.

India has highest number of new leprosy cases annually: WHO

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest number of new cases of leprosy in the world annually, followed by Brazil and Indonesia. India officially eliminated leprosy, an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium leprae, in 2005 by bringing the prevalence rate below 1/10,000 at the national level.

Lt Gen Chandi Prasad Mohanty takes charge as Vice Chief of the Army Staff

Lt Gen Chandi Prasad Mohanty on February 1, 2021 took charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding Lt Gen SK Saini. Lt Gen Mohanty was heading the Army’s Southern Command prior to this appointment.

Economy & Corporate

8^th India International Silk Fair being held from Jan 31 to Feb 4

Union Minister for Women & Child Development and Textiles Smriti Irani inaugurated the 8^th edition of India International Silk Fair virtually on January 31, 2021. The fair is being held under one roof on Indian Silk Export Promotion Council’s virtual platform till February 4.

Maritime Union of India urges govt. to take note of ‘Neptune Declaration’

The Maritime Union of India (MUI) on January 31, 2021 urged the government to take cognisance of ‘Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change’ in the formulation of Maritime India Vision 2030. The Neptune declaration primarily focuses on recognising seafarers as key workers by all governments worldwide.

Serum Institute to launch new COVID-19 vaccine under brand Covovax

Serum Institute of India (Sll) chief Adar Poonawalla on January 30, 2021 said he is hopeful of launching a new COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Covovax by June. Covovax is being developed by American company Novavax.

Sensex soars 2,314.84 points to close at 48,600.61

The 30-share pack Sensex soared 2,314.84 points or 5 per cent to close at 48,600.61. NSE Nifty advanced 646.60 points or 4.74 per cent to 14,281.20.

World

U.K. opens special visa route for Hong Kong residents to become citizens

Hong Kong residents can apply from January 31, 2021 for a new visa offering them an opportunity to become British citizens. Britain says it is fulfilling a historic commitment to Hong Kong people after Beijing imposed the security law on the semi-autonomous city that Britain says breaches the terms of agreements under which the colony was handed back to China in 1997.

U.K. to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership

The U.K. government has announced that it is applying to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), one of the world’s largest free-trade areas made up of 11 developed and emerging economies in the Pacific, under its post-Brexit plans. CPTPP comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

World Leprosy Day observed on January 31

World Leprosy Day was observed on January 31, 2021. Japan’s Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, issued a message calling for addressing issues of economic vulnerability faced by those affected by leprosy. World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday in January.

Hilton Valentine, the guitarist of British rock band ‘The Animals’, dies at 77

Hilton Valentine, the guitarist of British rock band ‘The Animals’ popular in the 1960s, died at the age of 77 on January 29, 2021.  Valentine co-founded ‘The Animals’ in Newcastle, England in 1963 alongside singer Eric Burdon, bassist Chas Chandler, organist Alan Price and drummer John Steel.

India delivers 2 cranes for Iran’s Chabahar port project

In its latest push to develop Iran’s Chabahar port project, India handed over two 140-tonne cranes for loading and unloading equipment to the Iranian government on January 31, 2021. The cranes, part of a full consignment of six Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) worth about $25 million were sourced from Italy and formally released at a ceremony at Chabahar’s Shahid Beheshti port after talks between India and Iran.

Myanmar: Military stages coup, declares a state of emergency for one year

Myanmar’s military staged a coup on February 1, 2021, detaining de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and declaring it had taken control of the country for one year under a state of emergency. The military recently made allegations of fraud in general elections by the civilian government. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party won the elections held in November 2020 easily. Along with Suu Kyi, President Win Myint has also been detained in capital Naypyidaw.

Sports

Jorden van Foreest wins Tata Steel Masters chess tournament

Jorden van Foreest upstaged his Dutch compatriot Anish Giri in the title-deciding Armageddon game in the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament at Wijk aan Zee in Netherlands on January 31, 2021. India’s P. Harikrishna finished seventh.

Denmark win Men’s World Handball title

Denmark defeated Sweden 26-24 to win a second successive men’s world handball title in Cairo on January 31, 2021. Spain defeated France 35-29 to finish third.

Education Budget 2021: Stress on research and innovation, less focus on digital education; here’s how experts reacted

 Education Budget 2021: In the Union Budget 2021 presented today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, major announcements have been made in the education sector — from apprenticeship programme to skill graduates to a central university in Leh. The budget also highlighted the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), and stressed on strengthening higher education, innovations and research.

Though institutes heads have welcome the budget, many experts are unhappy for less focus on the digitisation of education. Here are the reactions:

No tax relief for service providers

India’s future lies in its ability to train and up-skill its youth and in turn create a highly skilled employable workforce, which is ready for the future. However, the budget did not do much to support this vision nor did it present new reforms for the higher education sector.For instance, for the adoption of the National Education Policy which was announced in July 2020, higher education institutions will have to invest in technology and training. But the budget missed out on introducing any measures to support the adoption of NEP. It also missed out on bringing in methods to fast-track digitisation of education that could have helped the country improve its GER and bring in many more aspirants into the fold of higher education.

One of the other aspects which required immediate attention, but was overlooked is providing tax relief for service providers in the sector which could have brought down the cost of education for the learners.

The only silver lining was the proposal to amend the Apprenticeship Act – a focus towards degree apprenticeship programs can help create a new form of education that solves the problem of employability, higher education financing and skill development. The budgetary allocation towards research shall be helpful in bringing a cultural shift in higher education – quality research projects driven by Indian institutions can prove extremely beneficial for the country in the long run.”

— Shantanu Rooj, Founder & CEO, Schoolguru Eduserve 

Emphasis on research will rejuvenate existing infrastructure

The Union Budget 2021 has accorded the much-needed importance to research and innovation ecosystem of India with a budget outlay of Rs 50,000 crore to be spent over a period of five years. It is heartening to learn that the finance minister emphasised on ‘Innovation, Research & Development ’ as one of the six important pillars of the Budget. It will not only help rejuvenate the existing infrastructure but also ensure that the overall research ecosystem of the country is strengthened with focus on identified national-priority thrust areas.

NEP’s plans to set up Higher Education Commission of India, improve digital infrastructure, collaboration with foreign institutions along with the announcement for skill training partnerships with countries like Japan and the UAE are a sign of the government’s renewed focus on reinvigorating the country’s human capital.

The launch of the investment clearance cell and the proposal to incentivise the incorporation of One Person Companies (OPC) will also encourage individuals as well as startups with entrepreneurial potential.

— Prof Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM-Kozhikode

Skill initiatives will boost employability quotient

The budget will boost the government’s drive to promote higher education. The allocation of Rs 50,000 crore in the research and development sector in the next five years is an indication of India heading in its endeavour towards becoming a global tech infused innovation hub — an important step towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. The allocation of Rs 8,000 crore for National Mission on Quantum Computing and Technology will help in establishing our strength in this upcoming technology of the future.

The skilling initiative announced in the budget will explore the untapped potential amongst the Indian youth, boosting their employability quotient, he said.

— Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT-Kanpur, 

Increased expenses of electronic product is a problem

This is a realistic budget and the allocations for health, education, and skill development are really good initiatives. We were expecting digitalisation in education but increasing expenses of mobile and electronic products will lead to hurdles in education and this is a step backward in digital India. This budget will be a boost for healthcare and infrastructure and will strengthen NEP. The FM has allocated over Rs 3,000 crore funds with a forward-looking training plan towards the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Opening a college in Leh, collaboration with Japan for training and inter-training programmes to facilitate transfer of Japanese industrial and vocational skills, techniques and knowledge are positive signs. Though the government made a move by increasing the number of universities, amendments in the apprenticeship training scheme and training scheme, this may not be enough for the world’s largest young population with 600 million people under the age of 25 years.

P.C. Chhabra- Executive Director, Sanskriti University

Source: Indian Express, 1/02/21