Current Affairs 16th & 17th May 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Light – Observed on May 16

• The International Day of Lightis celebrated on 16 May each year, the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman.
• The themefor International Day of Families 2021 is ‘Families and new technologies’.
• It focuses on the impact of new technologies on the well-being of families.
• This dayis a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development.

National Dengue Day – Observed on May 16

• India observes Nation Dengue Dayon May 16 as suggested by the Union Health Ministry to create awareness about the disease.
• Measures to prevent and preparing to control the spread of dengueare among a few things that are discussed and shared on this day.
• The dengue spreading mosquito is the most active in the day time. Majorly two hours after sunrise and hours before sunset.
• But these mosquitoes have evidently found biting people at night time, mainly in areas that are well lit.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day – Observed on May 17

• World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is an international day proclaimed in November 2006 by the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, to be celebrated annually on 17 May.
• The themeof World Telecommunication Day 2021 is: Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times. 
• From children’s school education to adults’ working from home and important activities like banking and even just staying in touch with family, the role played by telecommunication has become crucial.
• The Day commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 17 May, 1865.
• Therefore, The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is dedicated to the evolution of communication and how information travels across the world.

World Hypertension Day – Observed on May 17

• World Hypertension Day is a day designated and initiated by The World Hypertension League, which is itself an umbrella to organizations of 85 national hypertension societies and leagues.
• The theme of World Hypertension Day 2021 is – “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.
• The focus of this year’s theme is to create awareness and communicate in our social networks about accurately measuring blood pressure regularly.
• Blood pressure is one the main risk factors for heart diseases, kidney problems and dementia.
• The day was initiated to increase the awareness of hypertension.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

National Gallery of Modern Art begins online summer workshop- NAIMISHA 2021

• National Gallery of Modern Artwill start a month long online summer workshop– NAIMISHA 2021.
• Culture Ministry has said that this unique artfiesta will provide a platform to create and engage with the arts.
• The current duration of the programme is 17th May to 13th June.
• The planned workshops and hosts of related events are expected to spark imagination, creativity and interest in visual and other related arts.
• The idea behind designing and delivering online interactive programmes is to provide a creative outlet to children, and indeed all interested adults.

DRDO develops an Oxycare system for soldiers

• The DRDO-developed ‘Oxycare’ system for soldiers, which is used in high altitude areas where oxygen levels drop, will now be used for Covid patients.
• A total of 1,50,000 units worth Rs 322 crore will be purchased under the PM Cares Fund.
• Oxycare is aSpO2–based oxygen supply system, which regulates oxygen that is administered to patients based on the sensed SpO2 levels.
• The Ministry of Defence stated that PM Cares Fund has accorded sanction for procurement of 1, 50,000 units of ‘Oxycare’ system developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at a cost of Rs 322.5 crore.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Sikkim celebrates its statehood day on May 16

• The 45th State Day of Sikkim was observed in a brief function held here at Chintan Bhawan.
• The function was attended by Governor Ganga Prasad as the chief guest, while chief minister Prem Singh Tamang was present as the guest of honour.
• Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar extended greetings to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of Sikkim State Foundation Day.
• Governor, chief minister and other dignitaries offered garlands and paid rich tribute to the statue of Padma Vibhushan Late Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa, the first chief minister of Sikkim.
• The 16th day of May is being celebrated as the State Day, the day when Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union in 1975.

About Sikkim:

• Capital: Gangtok
• Governor: Ganga Prasad
• Chief minister: Prem Singh Tamang

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Indian Railways reported that it commissions Wi-Fi at 6,000 Railway stations in 5 years

• Railways commissions Wi–Fi at 6,000 Railway stations in five years.
• A railway has commissioned Wi–Fiat six thousand Railway stations in five years.
• RailwayMinistry informed,, Indian Railways continues to contribute to Digital India initiative and connect different parts of the country with high speed Wi-Fi facility.
• With the commissioning of Wi-Fi at Hazaribagh Town falling under Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand state in Dhanbad Division of East Central Railway as on 05.2021, Indian Railways commissioned Wi-Fi at 6,000 Railway stations. 

Amazon launches MINI TV a new video streaming service                                                     

• Amazonhas launched a new video streaming service, called miniTV.
• The serviceoffers users “professionally” created and curated content across web series, comedy shows, tech news, food, beauty, fashion and more.
• It is free of cost, but users will witness ads.
• It is available within the Amazonshopping app.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

IDBI Bank appointed Sitaram and Sarkar as CFO and Internal Auditor respectively

• The Board of Directors IDBI Bankhas approved the appointment of P Sitaram, Executive Director (ED), as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Key Managerial Personnel with effect from June 1, 2021.
• Sitaramwill take charge from incumbent ED & CFO Ajay Sharma.
• IDBI Bank, in a regulatory filing, said the change in CFO is as per the Reserve Bank of India’s directions to the Bank to ensure adherence to the minimum qualification criteria for CFO.
• Meanwhile, IDBI Bank’s board also approved the appointment of Sunit Sarkar, ED (In-Situ) as Internal Auditor of the Bankwith effect from June 1, 2021 in place of MV Phadke, ED & Internal Auditor.
• Sarkar is a qualified ICWA and has done Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management.

Tech Mahindra appointed Meghna Hareendran as ‘Wellness Officer’

• IT services major Tech Mahindra appointed Meghna Hareendran as its ‘Wellness Officer’ with immediate effect.
• The new role has been created to institutionalize holistic wellness of all associates, and to ensure the access to medicine, hospitals and other medical supplies amidst the COVID crisis, while maintaining the mental well-being of the Tech Mahindra family.
• Hareendran will work as a central programme manager to take care of the healthcare needs of the associates, it added.
• She will also be responsible for managing relationships with Tech Mahindra partners and vendors to ensure a comprehensive suite of wellness offerings to them.

Toru Saito appointed as President & CEO of Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery Co Ltd

• Homegrown utility vehicles and farm equipment major Mahindra & Mahindra announced the appointment of Toru Saito as the President & CEO of Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery Co Ltd, Japan (MAM).
• In his new role, Saito who has more than 33 years of experience with Nissan Motors and Audi Japan, will also be a representative Director on the board of MAM, the company said in a statement.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank bags ‘International Invincible Gold Medal’

• The International Invincible Gold Medal of this year has been conferred on Union Training Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. 
• Maharshi Organization’s around the globe president Dr Tony Nader, states that Nishank has been recognized for his remarkable determination and excellent support to humanity through his writings, social and illustrious general public lifetime. 
• The choice was built soon after thanks deliberations by a high-driven committee duly constituted underneath the leadership of Dr Tony Nader.

Kalasagar awards announced to honour kathakali artists

• The 11th Kalasagar awards for exemplary contribution in the field of traditional performing arts for the year have been announced
• The awards will be presented on October 14 at Kunnamkulam Badhani School Palace on the occasion of the 28th death anniversary of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, kathakali maestro and founder
  of Kalasagar.
• Kalasagar awards are given in honour of artists in the field of kathakali (vesham, music, chenda, maddalam and chutti) bharathanatyam, mohiniyattam, kuchipudi, ottanthullal, chakyarkoothu, koodiyattam, thayambaka and panchavadyam (thimila, maddalam, edakka, thalam and kombu).
• The winners of this year’s awards in kathakali are:
• Kalamandalam Chambakara Vijayakumar (vesham/actor),
• Kalanilayam Rajeevan (pattu/music),
• Kalamandalam Balasundaran (chenda/percussion),
• Sadanam Devadas (maddalam/percussion),
• Kalanilayam Padmanabhan (chutti/makeup), and
• Kalamandalam Jishnu Prathap (chakyarkoothu).
• Margi Ramchakyar (koodiyattam),
• Vinitha Nedungadi (mohiniyattom),
• Kalamandalam Sarojini (bharathanatyam) and
• Porur Haridas (thayambaka).
• Awards in panchavadyam:
• Vaikam Chandran Marar (thimila),
• Kalamandalam Nataraja Variyar (maddalam),
• Balusseri Krishnadas (edakka), and
• Mattanur Ajith Marar (thalam).
• Peramangalam Vijayan has been selected for the award in kombu.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

India Seats Ist BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting

• The first BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting was held on 11-12 May 2021 in Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi in virtual format.
• India has assumed the BRICS Presidency this year.
• The Meeting Chaired by Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Labour and Employment.

About the Meeting :

• The prime agenda for the discussions were Promoting Social Security Agreements amongst BRICS Nations, Formalization of labour markets.
• Apart from representatives of member nations and the representatives of International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Social Security Agency (ISSA) also attended the meeting.
• BRICS : Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & SERVICES

Airtel Payments Bank launches DigiGold for digital gold investment

• On May 13, 2021, Airtel Payments Bank launched a digital platform DigiGold.
• DigiGold is launched in partnership with SafeGold, a provider of digital gold.

Purpose :

• It is for customers to make investments in gold, in partnership with digital gold provider SafeGold.

About the Platform :

• With that Platform,  Airtel Payments Bank’s savings account customers can invest in 24K gold using the Airtel Thanks app.
• Customers can also gift DigiGold to their family and friends, who have a savings account with Airtel Payments Bank.
• The gold purchased by customers is stored securely by SafeGold at no additional cost and can be sold through the Airtel Thanks app at any time in a matter of a few clicks.
• There is no minimum investment value requirement. 
• Customers can start investment with as low as One rupee.

About Airtel Payments Bank :

• Chief Operating Officer : Ganesh Ananthanarayanan
• CEO: Anubrata Biswas 
• Headquarters : New Delhi
• Founded: 2017

About SafeGold :

• Managing Director : Gaurav Mathur
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Italian Open: Iga Swiatek wins Women’s Singles title

• In Tennis, Polish teenager Iga Swiatek ( 19 Years )  has won the Women’s Singles title of Italian Open. 
• She had entered the finals after trouncing 17-year-old American Coco Gauff 7-6, 6-3 in the last four.
• She Defeated Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-0 with what is known as a “double bagel” score in the summit clash in Rome that lasted just 46 minutes.
• Iga Swiatek will move into the top 10 of WTA Rankings for the first time in her career after a ruthless performance in the Italian Open final against former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova

Note :

• The Men’s Singles final between World number one Serbian Novak Djokovic and nine-time winner Rafael Nadal is underway in Rome.

About Italian Open :

• Founded: 1930
• Headquarters : Rome, Italy

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Congress MP Rajeev Satav passes away 

• On May 16, 2021, Rajya Sabha MP and the senior Congress leader Rajeev Satav passed away.
• He was 46.

About Rajeev Satav :

• Rajeev Satav was the member of the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra.
• He was in-charge of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) affairs in Gujarat & He was Congress General Secretary.
• Satav was from Maharashtra, was known to be a close aide of the former Congress chief.
• He was earlier president of Indian Youth Congress.

Mathematician MS Narasimhan Passes Away  

• On May 16, 2021, Famous mathematician Professor MS Narasimhan passed away.
• He was 88.

About MS Narasumhan :

• Professor Narasimhan, along with C. S. Seshadri, both were known for their proof of the Narasimhan–Seshadri theorem.
• His contributions are in the areas of Algebraic Geometry, Differential Geometry, Representation Theory of Lie groups and Partial Differential Equations.

Achievements :

• He is an Honorary Fellow of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
• He was the founding-Chairman of the National Board of Higher Mathematics of the Government of India.
• He is a recipient of the Bhatnagar Prize in 1975, the Third World Academy Award for Mathematics in 1987 and is a Fellow of the Royal Society, London.
• He was also awarded CV Raman Birth Centenary Award of Indian Science Congress Association (1994), SS Bhatnagar Prize and Honorary Fellowship of TIFR.
• He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the President of India and “Chevalier de l’ordre du Merite” by the President of France.
• In 2006 he was the only mathematician Indian to receive the King Faisal International Prize in the field of science.

Senior journalist Sunil Jain passes away 

• On May 15, 2021, Veteran journalist Sunil Jain Passed away.
• He was 58.

About Sunil Jain :

• He was the managing editor of the Financial Express.
• He was the Business Editor at the Indian Express and worked in critical senior roles at Business Standard and the Financial Express.

About Indian Express :

• Executive Director : Anant Goenka
• Owner: Viveck Goenka
• Founder: Ramnath Goenka
• Founded: 1932
• CEO: George Varghese
• Headquarters: Noida

About Financial Express :

• Editor: Sunil Jain

 Activist Ranjana Nirula Passes Away                  

• On May 10, 2021, Activist Ranjana Nirula Passed away
• She was 75.

About Ranjana Nirula :

• She was working committee member and former Treasurer of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
• She was introduced to the Left movement as a student in the United States, and was active in the anti-Vietnam war movement.
• She became a full-time CITU member in 1978.
• She would work in working-class colonies and among factory workers in South Delhi and Faridabad.
• She was One of the founders of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) in Delhi.
• Nirula was also a member of the Delhi State Committee of CPI(M).
• She was Working Editor of the journal titled ‘The Voice of the Working Woman

About CITU :

• Founded: 1970
• Located at : New Delhi
• General Secretary : Tapan Sen
• President : K. Hemalatha

Daily CA On May 15 : 

• The International Day of Families is observed on the 15 May every year. The themeof this year’s International Day of Families is Families and New Technologies.
• May15 this year 2021, commemorates the very special Armed Forces Day.
• Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced the creation of a new district of Malerkotla, carving the state’s only Muslim-majority town from Sangrur district.
• A plan to drastically reduce car trafficin the centre of the French capital Paris by 2022 has been put forward by the city council.
• In Himachal Pradesh, AYUSH Division launched a state-wide wellness programme ‘AYUSH  Ghar Dwar’ for COVID-19 sufferers, in Sloan district.
• Jio announces free talk time offerfor JioPhone users during Covid pandemic. Reliance Jio said it is working with Reliance Foundation to provide 300 free minutes of outgoing calls per month, which amounts to 10 minutes per day, for the entire period of the pandemic.
• Reliance Jiotopped the 4G speed chart with a data download rate of 1MBbps, while Vodafone was ahead of others in upload speed at 6.7 Mbps in April, according to the latest data from telecom regulator TRAI.
• The Asian Development Bankstated that, it has committed a record USD 3.92 billion in sovereign loans for 13 projects to India in 2020, including USD8 billion in COVID-19 related projects to support the government’s pandemic response.
• The World Bank extended USD 80.5 million to Sri Lanka for its COVID-19 vaccination drive. This useful and timely resource will help us ensure equitable vaccine deployment among the eligible populations of Sri Lanka, said Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, after the agreement was signed with the global financial body.
• Indian-American Neera Tanden has been appointed senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, two months after she withdrew her nomination as Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget due to stiff opposition from Republican senators.
• Footwear major Bata India Limited announced the appointment of Gunjan Shah as its new Chief Executive Officer.  
• IT Company Wiprohas appointed Zurich Insurance Group CEO for Asia Pacific Tulsi Naidu as an independent director on its board for five years, the company stated that his appointment  effective July 1, 2021.
• Classical musician Pandit Rajeev Taranathand space scientist Dr K Kasturirangan will receive the prestigious Basavashree award for 2019 and 2020, respectively, announced Murugha Mutt pontiff Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru.
• On May 11, 2021, Online investment platform Groww announced that it will be acquiring Indiabulls Mutual Fund for a total consideration of Rs 175 crore. 
• The NITI Aayog has set up a dedicated portal CovAid for tracking all aid coming via missions or by individual organisations. It can be tracked online end-to-end till distribution by the donors.
• On May 10, 2021, NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station by January 2022. It has been designated as Axiom Mission 1 (AX-1).
• The dates of the 2021 AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia. The tournament will be held from 26 October – 6 November 2021.
• On May 12, 2021, World Rugby released a new schedule for the Women’s World Rugby Tournament. For 2022 women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, with the tournament to run from 8th October to 12th November 2022.
• The International Tennis Integrity Agency Informed that Roman Khassanov a tennis player who represented Kazakhstan in the Davis Cup has been banned for 10 years after admitting a string of corruption charges.
• On May 13, 2021, Times Group chairperson Indu Jain Passed Away.

Daily CA On May 16 & 17 :

• The International Day of Lightis celebrated on 16 May each year, the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. The theme for International Day of Families 2021 is ‘Families and new technologies’
• India observes Nation Dengue Dayon May 16 as suggested by the Union Health Ministry to create awareness about the disease.
• World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is an international day proclaimed in November 2006 by the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, to be celebrated annually on 17 May.  The themeof World Telecommunication Day 2021 is: Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times. 
• World Hypertension Day is a day designated and initiated by The World Hypertension League, which is itself an umbrella to organizations of 85 national hypertension societies and leagues. The theme of World Hypertension Day 2021 is – “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.
• National Gallery of Modern Artwill start a month long online summer workshop– NAIMISHA 2021.
• The DRDO-developed ‘Oxycare’ system for soldiers, which is used in high altitude areas where oxygen levels drop, will now be used for Covid patients.
• The 45th State Day of Sikkim was observed in a brief function held here at Chintan Bhawan. The function was attended by Governor Ganga Prasad as the chief guest, while chief minister Prem Singh Tamang was present as the guest of honour.
• Railways commissions Wi–Fi at 6,000 Railway stations in five years.  A railway has commissioned Wi–Fiat six thousand Railway stations in five years.
• Amazonhas launched a new video streaming service, called miniTV. The service offers users “professionally” created and curated content across web series, comedy shows, tech news, food, beauty, fashion and more.
• The Board of Directors IDBI Bankhas approved the appointment of P Sitaram, Executive Director (ED), as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Key Managerial Personnel with effect from June 1, 2021.
• IT services major Tech Mahindra appointed Meghna Hareendran as its ‘Wellness Officer’ with immediate effect.
• Homegrown utility vehicles and farm equipment major Mahindra & Mahindra announced the appointment of Toru Saito as the President & CEO of Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery Co Ltd, Japan (MAM).
• The International Invincible Gold Medal of this year has been conferred on Union Training Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. 
• The 11th Kalasagar awards for exemplary contribution in the field of traditional performing arts for the year have been announced. The awards will be presented on October 14 at Kunnamkulam Badhani School Palace on the occasion of the 28th death anniversary of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, kathakali maestro and founder of Kalasagar.
• The first BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting was held on 11-12 May 2021 in Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi in virtual format. India has assumed the BRICS Presidency this year.
• On May 13, 2021, Airtel Payments Bank launched a digital platform DigiGold. DigiGold is launched in partnership with SafeGold, a provider of digital gold.
• In Tennis, Polish teenager Iga Swiatek ( 19 Years )  has won the Women’s Singles title of Italian Open. 
• On May 16, 2021, Rajya Sabha MP and the senior Congress leader Rajeev Satav passed away.
• On May 16, 2021, Famous mathematician Professor MS Narasimhan passed away.
• On May 15, 2021, Veteran journalist Sunil Jain Passed away.
• On May 10, 2021, Activist Ranjana Nirula Passed away.