Current Affairs 17th February 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : DAYS

Safer Internet Day 2021 : Observed On Feb 09

• Safer Internet Day is observed every year on the second day of the second week of February
• Theme of 2021 : Together for a better internet”.
• This year marks the 18th edition of Safer Internet Day with actions taking place right across the globe.
• From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.

History :

• SID was first initiated in 2004 and is as part of the EU’s ‘Better Internet for Kids’ policy, which aims to increase access to high-quality content for children and young people, increase awareness and empowerment, create a safe environment for children online, and fight against child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation.

Aim :

• To provide safer and better internet, where every user gets to use the internet responsibly and without getting their data leaked.
• The day is being celebrated in around 15 countries across the world.

World Human Spirit Day – Observed on Feb 17

• World Human Spirit Day is celebrated on 17 February to make people aware of the simple ways through which we can empower ourselves every day.
• It is the day to thank the higher power for what we have and what we don’t have, for making us and giving us the ability to touch others.
• World Human Spirit Day gives us hope, to keep ourselves positive, to connect spiritually, etc.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : NATIONAL NEWS

ISRO and MapmyIndia collaborate to bring India made rival to Google Maps

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and MapmyIndia, the navigation solutions provider, have joined hands to offer an indigenous mapping solution to take on Google Maps.
• According to MapmyIndia CEO and Executive Director, Rohan Verma, the services will combine the power of the company’s digital maps and technologies with ISRO’s catalogue of satellite imagery and earth observation data.
• The collaboration will enable them to jointly identify and build a holistic geospatial portal utilising earth observation datasets, ‘NavIC’, Web Services and APIs (application programming interface) available in MapmyIndia, ISRO said in a statement adding that the geospatial portals will be called ‘Bhuvan’, ‘VEDAS’ and ‘MOSDAC’.
• Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System also known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), is an indigenous navigation system, developed by ISRO.
• Bhuvan is the national geo-portal developed and hosted by ISRO comprising geospatial data, services, and tools for analysis.
• The collaboration will use ISRO’s database of satellite images and MapmyIndia’s digital map platform to develop the new app.

About MapmyIndia :

• COO : Sapna Ahuja
• CFO : Anuj Jain
• Founders : Rakesh Verma, Rashmi Verma
• Headquarters : New Delhi
• CEO : Rohan Verma

About ISRO :

• Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
• Headquarters : bangalore
• Founder : Vikram Sarabhai

IIT Bombay launches fundraising campaign ‘Cherish IIT Bombay 2021’

• IIT Bombay launched its first-ever annual fundraising campaign in India, Cherish IIT Bombay 2021.
• The funds will be used for the creation of world-class laboratory complexes, modernization of lecture halls and continuation of awards to attract and retain faculty.
• Donations made to IIT Bombay by corporate bodies and individuals are 100% tax-deductible under section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act.

PM Modi to address NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) via video conferencing.
• The three-day 29th edition of NTLF is being organized till 19th of February.
• It is a flagship event of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).
• The theme of this year’s event is ‘Shaping the future towards a better normal’. 
• The event will host 1,600 participants from more than 30 countries.
• Over 30 products will be showcased during the talks.

Defence Minister presents Best Marching Contingent award of Republic Day parade 2021

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that unity in diversity is the beauty of Indian democracy and this unique feature is only visible in India.
• He said, India is the largest democracy in the world and diversity plays an important role in strengthening the democracy.
• While giving away the Best Marching Contingent Award of Republic Day Parade 2021, Mr. Singh appreciated the efforts of armed forces and central armed police forces.
• He said, Republic Day is a national festival and it gives a glimpse of our progress in military prowess to the world.
• He praised the efforts and role played by the Delhi Police in controlling several nefarious acts.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

‘Pahela Phagun’ spring festival begins in Bangladesh

• The first day of the spring called ‘Pahela Phagun’ was celebrated in Dhaka despite the continued shadow of Corona pandemic in the country.
• Cultural organisations held programmes at different venues in the city to herald the beginning of the spring.
• Programmes were held at the Suhrawardy Udyan, Nandan Manch of Shilpakala Academy and several other locations.
• The Jatiya Basanta Utsab Udjapan Parishad organized the programme at the Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
• Young women wearing yellow saris and youth dressed in ‘Punjabis’ took part in the festivity.
• The programme featured dance and musical performances.
• The traditional programme of ‘Basanta Utsab’ at the Fine Arts faculty in Dhaka university was cancelled since educational institutions have been closed till Feb. 28 by the government due to the Corona pandemic.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

UP CM Yogi Adityanath to inaugurate Abhyudaya Yojana

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana, a free coaching program meant for students preparing for competitive exams, on Feb 15, 2021
• Under the Abhyudaya Scheme, those students who want to prepare for competitive exams such as IAS, IPS, PCS, NDS, CDS, NEET and JEE but are unable to do it because of lack of resources, would be provided free coaching.
• Initially, the coaching will begin at the divisional level. This will be followed by district-level coaching centres.
• A 12-member committee headed by a divisional commissioner will make arrangements for guest lectures, motivational speakers, the supply of study material and other resources.

About UP :

• CM : Yogi Adityanath
• Governor : Anandiben Patel
• Capital : Lucknow

Tribal painter Bhuri Bai of MP invited as Chief Guest 

• The tribal painter Bhuri Bai of Madhya Pradesh was invited as the Chief Guest at the Foundation Day celebrations of Bharat Bhavan.
• The motivational thing is that when the construction of this building started, she used to work as a labourer.
• The journey of a woman tribal artist from labourer at Bharat Bhavan to Chief Guest on the occasion of Foundation Day of Bharat Bhavan is inspirational to many.
• When the construction of this building started, she used to work here as a labourer on a daily wage of Rs six.
• She never expected that she would become the Chief Guest in this Bharat Bhavan.

IIT Bombay launches fundraising campaign ‘Cherish IIT Bombay 2021’

• IIT Bombay launched its first-ever annual fundraising campaign in India, Cherish IIT Bombay 2021. 
• As per information shared by the IIT, the funds will be used for the creation of world-class laboratory complexes, modernization of lecture halls and continuation of awards to attract and retain faculty.
• It says, donations made to IIT Bombay by corporate bodies and individuals are 100% tax-deductible under section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & ECONOMY

Nomura Projects GDP of India to contract 6.7% in FY 21 & grow 13.5% in FY22

• The Japanese brokerage has projected the GDP of India to grow at 13.5 percent in FY22 (2021-22).
• The brokerage expects the real GDP to contract by 6.7 per cent in FY21, followed by a growth of 13.5 per cent in FY22.
• The brokerage said its proprietary index has been on an uptrend since hitting its trough during the strict lockdown in April last year.

About Nomura :

• CEO : Koji Nagai
• Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan
• Founder : Tokushichi Nomura II
• Founded : 25 December 1925

Kotak Mahindra Bank launches Kotak Remit

• Kotak Mahindra Bank launched its outward forex remittance service, Kotak Remit, hence allowing its users to directly send money abroad from their phones.
• The feature is already live on the Kotak Mobile Banking App.
• For the first time, Kotak customers can conveniently transfer money internationally to their beneficiaries straight from their mobile.
• Kotak Remit offers remittances in 15 currencies including the US dollar, Australian Dollar, UK Pound Sterling, Hong Kong Dollar, Saudi Riyal, Canadian Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen.

About Kotak Mahindra Bank :

• CEO : Uday Kotak
• Headquarters : Mumbai
• Founded : Feb 2003

RBI: expert committee on Urban Co-operative Banks

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday constituted an eight-member expert committee on Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) that is tasked with examining existing issues and providing a road map for strengthening the sector.
• The panel will function under the chairmanship of former RBI Governor N S Vishwanathan.
• According to a statement from the RBI, the committee will take stock of the regulatory measures taken by the central bank and other authorities related to UCBs and assess their impact over the last five years.
• The objective will be to identify key constraints and enablers.
• The primary job of the committee will be to “consider the need for differential regulations and examine prospects to allow more leeway in permissible activities for UCBs with a view to enhance their resilience”.

Kerala Bank launches ATM demo vans

• The Kerala Bank has launched ATM demonstration vans to promote digital transactions.
• NABARD has sanctioned 10 vans for the Kerala Bank from its financial inclusion fund.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Cooperation Minister Kadakampally Surendran addressed the virtual launch.
• Cooperation Secretary Mini Antony and Registrar of Cooperative Societies Geromic George flagged off the two vans which have become operational.
• The Kerala Bank’s project brochure was released by Mini Antony by handing over a copy to Nabard chief general manager P Balachandran.
• NABARD chief general managers V Selvarajan and K C Sahadevan and CEO P S Rajan attended.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS

Justice Puligoru Venkata Sanjay Kumar sworn-in as Chief Justice of Manipur HC

• Justice Puligoru Venkata Sanjay Kumar has been sworn-in as the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court today at Raj Bhavan, Imphal.
• Justice Puligoru Venkata Sanjay Kumar has been sworn-in as the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court today at Raj Bhavan, Imphal.
• He was appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur by the President of India on 12th February, 2021.
• Prior to this, he served as a Judge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

ISA report Dr Ajay Mathur as its new Director-General

• International Solar Alliance (ISA) has announced Ajay Mathur as its new Director General following his election at the first special assembly of ISA members.
• A coalition of 73 member countries, ISA was established in 2015 to accelerate the demand for and use of safe, sustainable, and affordable solar energy for all.
• It aims to mobilize over one trillion dollars of investment into solar projects by 2030 through focused advocacy, policy and regulatory support, capacity building, and by overcoming perceived investment barriers.
• Dr Mathur replaces Mr Upendra Tripathy, who has served as Director General since the inception of the ISA.

Two new Members appointed in CBIC

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Om Prakash Dadhich and Sandeep Kumar Senior IRS officers as members in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
• Dadhich replaces Dr John Joseph who retired in May 2020 whereas Sandeep Kumar replaces Ashok Kumar Pandey who retired in July last year.
• At present Dadhich is posted as Principal Director General, Director General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) Headquarters, New Delhi while Sandeep Kumar is serving as Principal Director General, Directorate General of Systems & Data Management, New Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCHEMES

Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani rolls out commercial Jute seed distribution scheme

• Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani rolled out the commercial Jute seed distribution scheme.
• Jute Corporation of India had last year signed an MoU with National Seeds Corporation for commercial distribution of 1 thousand Metric Tonne certified jute seeds for the year 2021-22.
• The government increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Jute by nearly 76 per cent in the last 6 years.

• Both the Agriculture Ministry and the Textile Ministry are working with enhanced synergy to extend support to the Jute growing farmers.
• She informed that centre’s decision regarding mandatory packaging in jute materials will benefit over 4 lakh farmers directly including nearly 40 lakh agri-based households.
• The minister also informed that inclusion of excavation for Jute-retting tanks under MGNREGA will help create 46 lakh mandays of work under the central scheme.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : AWARDS 

CM Pinarayi Vijayan hand over National Bal Shree awards

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the National Bal Shree awards to M Madhurima, S Ananthan and K Prajwal at Cliff House. 
• Madhurima won the award for creative performance, Ananthan for arts, and Prajwal for science.
• Madhurima is the only girl from the state to win this award this year.
• Bal Shree awards are the highest honour given to children aged between 10 and 16 by the country.
• The winners are presented with a certificate, memento, and Indira Vikas citation worth RS 15,000.
• V K Prasanth, MLA; Jawahar Bala Bhavan principal S Malini, Bala Bhavan executive officer G Mathunni Panicker and parents of the award-winning children were also present.

ITC Grand Chola bags ‘Swachh Hotel’ award

• The ITC Grand Chola Hotel, Guindy was awarded the ‘Swachh Hotel’ award as part of Swachh Survekshan 2021 by the Greater Chennai Corporation, for its sustained initiatives in solid waste management.
• ITC Hotels has been future-ready for over a decade.
• All the practices implemented by the ITC Grand Chola are embedded in this core philosophy and are visible and measurable.

UST certified as ‘Top Employer’ for third time 

• Leading digital transformation solutions company UST has been certified as a ‘Top Employer’ in the US, the UK, Malaysia, India, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, and the Philippines for 2021 by the Top Employers Institute (TEI), the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices in the workplace.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU’s

HCL Tech signs MoU with IIT-K for cybersecurity

• HCL Technologiesannounced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) to collaborate in the area of cybersecurity.
• As part of the MoU, HCL will work with C3iHub, a specialised cybersecurity research center at IITK, the compay said in a statement.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Carlos Menem, former President of Argentina, dies at 90

• Former Argentine President Carlos Menem Passed away. He was 90 years old.
• He served as La Rioja’s governor from 1973-1976 before being arrested following a 1976 military coup and imprisoned for five years.
• He was 44 th President of Argentina and he served from two-term 1989-1999
• He remained active in politics by becoming a senator with the Justicialist Party representing La Rioja province from 2005 until 2019.
• He then joined forces with the Peronist coalition called “Front of All” and was re-elected to another term that would have run until 2023.

Daily CA On Feb 16 :

• The National Productivity Day is observed every year on February 12 by the National Productivity Council (NPC).
• Odisha government to construct ‘COVID Warrior Memorial’ at Biju Patnaik Park in Bhubaneswar in recognition of the sacrifice & services rendered by COVID19 warriors who have lost their lives fighting the pandemic.
• The Lok Sabha passed the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 by voice vote.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Maharaja Suheldev Memorial and development work of Chittaura Lake in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh through video conferencing.
• Minority Affairs Ministry is organising 26th Hunar Haat of indigenous artisans and craftsmen from across the country at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
• India will provide Nepalese Rupees(NR) 142 million to Nepal for the restoration and conservation of three cultural heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
• The United States extended the nuclear arms control treaty known as the New START with Russia for the next five years.
• Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will pay a two-day visit to Moscow on 17th and 18th of February at the invitation of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.
• Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will pay a two-day visit to Moscow on 17th and 18th of February at the invitation of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.
• The Annual Convention of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) concluded at Kevadia in Gujarat.
• The 11th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is being held between 14th to 28th February at Cooch Behar, Darjeeling and Murshidabad in West Bengal. 
• Waltair Division, in its efforts to enhance the passenger amenities at Railway stations, has commissioned another innovative facility called Robotic Spa under Non-fare revenue here at Visakhapatnam railway station.  
• Punjab has become the 13th State in the country to successfully undertake “One Nation One Ration Card system”
• The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Indian Payments and Postal Bank (IPPB) to facilitate opening of bank accounts for construction workers.
• The former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi has been sworn in as Italy’s prime minister at the head of a unity government
• Recykal, a digital ‘waste commerce’ solutions provider, has been selected as the first member from India for the World Economic Forum’s Circulars Accelerator programme 2021.
• AIM and Australia’s national science agency (CSIRO) kick started the India-Australia Circular Economy (I-ACE) Hackathon, 2021.
• Former Miss World and actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas created ripples when she announced her memoir titled Unfinished. Published by Penguin Random House, the unconventional title hints at the fact that Chopra has many more story-worthy years to live.
• Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari (Bareilly Ki Barfi, Panga) has turned novelist with her debut fiction novel, ‘Mapping Love’. The teaser of the novel was released by Rupa Publications.
• The High Commission of India in Dhaka announced the winners of the writing competition on the subject ‘What Liberation means to me’ for the youth of Bangladesh.
• S Hareesh’s novel ‘Meesha’, which mixes magic, myth and metaphor into a tale set in Kuttanad, was named the best novel for the year 2019 by Kerala Sahitya Akademi.

Daily CA On Feb 17 :

• Safer Internet Day is observed every year on the second day of the second week of February Theme of 2021 : Together for a better internet”.
• World Human Spirit Day is celebrated on 17 February to make people aware of the simple ways through which we can empower ourselves every day.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and MapmyIndia, the navigation solutions provider, have joined hands to offer an indigenous mapping solution to take on Google Maps.
• IIT Bombay launched its first-ever annual fundraising campaign in India, Cherish IIT Bombay 2021.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) via video conferencing.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that unity in diversity is the beauty of Indian democracy and this unique feature is only visible in India.
• The first day of the spring called ‘Pahela Phagun’ was celebrated in Dhaka despite the continued shadow of Corona pandemic in the country.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana, a free coaching program meant for students preparing for competitive exams, on Feb 15, 2021
• The tribal painter Bhuri Bai of Madhya Pradesh was invited as the Chief Guest at the Foundation Day celebrations of Bharat Bhavan.
• IIT Bombay launched its first-ever annual fundraising campaign in India, Cherish IIT Bombay 2021. 
• The Japanese brokerage has projected the GDP of India to grow at 13.5 percent in FY22 (2021-22).
• Kotak Mahindra Bank launched its outward forex remittance service, Kotak Remit, hence allowing its users to directly send money abroad from their phones.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday constituted an eight-member expert committee on Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) that is tasked with examining existing issues and providing a road map for strengthening the sector.
• The Kerala Bank has launched ATM demonstration vans to promote digital transactions.
• Justice Puligoru Venkata Sanjay Kumar has been sworn-in as the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court today at Raj Bhavan, Imphal.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA) has announced Ajay Mathur as its new Director General following his election at the first special assembly of ISA members.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Om Prakash Dadhich and Sandeep Kumar Senior IRS officers as members in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
• Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani rolled out the commercial Jute seed distribution scheme.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the National Bal Shree awards to M Madhurima, S Ananthan and K Prajwal at Cliff House. 
• The ITC Grand Chola Hotel, Guindy was awarded the ‘Swachh Hotel’ award as part of Swachh Survekshan 2021 by the Greater Chennai Corporation, for its sustained initiatives in solid waste management.
• Leading digital transformation solutions company UST has been certified as a ‘Top Employer’ in the US, the UK, Malaysia, India, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, and the Philippines for 2021 by the Top Employers Institute (TEI), the global authority
• HCL Technologiesannounced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) to collaborate in the area of cybersecurity
• Former Argentine President Carlos Menem Passed away. He was 90 years old.