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February 21 | Daily Current Affairs 2021

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. International Mother Language Day is observed on which date?
A) February 22
B) February 23
C) February 24
D) February 25
E) February 21
Answer: E) February 21

History:

• On November 17, 1999, UNESCO officially made the announcement in the UN General Assembly.
• The idea was said to have been inspired by the language-based movement which was spearheaded by Bangladesh (previously known as East Pakistan) as it was on February 21 when the fight for their Bangla language gained momentum.
• Hence, this very day is chosen to celebrate what is now widely known.

Theme:
This year’s theme is “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society”.

SPORTS

2. Novak Djokovic thrashes Daniil Medvedev to win 9th Australian Open title. Djokovic won his first title at the Australian Open in which year?
A)2001
B)2005
C)2007
D)2008
E)2009
Answer: D)2008

• Novak Djokovic has beaten Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-2 6-2 to win his ninth Australian Open championship and 18th Grand Slam title.
• The No. 1-seeded Djokovic has won the trophy three years in a row at Melbourne Park.
• Djokovic won his first title at the Australian Open in 2008 and has made it a hat-trick of titles in Melbourne.

Men’s Double:

• Earlier, in Men’s doubles, ninth seeded Croat -Slovak pair Ivan Dodig and
  Filip Polasek won the title.
• They defeated defending champion and fifth seeded pair British Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram 6-3, 6-4. This was their first Grand Slam as a team.

Djokovic – Humble Medvedev to win 9th Australian Open title, 18th slam.

OBITUARY

3. Debananda Gupta passed away. He was related to which field?
A) Business Man
B) Columnist
C) Actor
D) Writer
E) Freedom Fighter
Answer: E) Freedom Fighter

• Veteran freedom fighter Debananda Gupta of Kalami under Maneswar block passed away.
• In 1942, being influenced by the call of Mahatma Gandhi, he joined the
  ‘Quit India Movement’ and was arrested with many others.
• He was imprisoned for one year with rigorous punishment for taking part in the freedom movement.

Debananda Gupta – Veteran freedom fighter.

BANKING AND FINANCE

4. Which Insurance company has launched a ‘2-Minutes’ online retail health insurance product?
A) Cholamandalam MS General Insurance
B) Bajaj Allianz General Insurance
C) ICICI Lombard General Insurance
D) Apollo Munich Health Insurance
E) Navi General Insurance
Answer: E) Navi General Insurance

• Navi General Insurance has launched a ‘2-Minutes’ online retail health insurance product.
• Customers can buy health insurance via the Navi Health Insurance App through a quick and completely paperless process that takes just 2 minutes, with the policy issued to them instantly on the app.
• The product offers customizable health insurance cover ranging from INR 2 Lakh to INR 1 Crore for individuals and families.
• Claims can be initiated by calling the helpline, with most Cashless Claims being approved within 20 minutes.
• The product also offers an ‘Extra Care’ Cover, an in-built additional Sum Insured of INR 20,000 for hospitalization due to dengue, malaria, swine flu and other listed vector borne diseases, without impacting the Base Sum Insured.

Navi General Insurance:
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
MD & CEO: Ramchandra Pandit

Navi General Insurance – ‘2-Minutes’ online retail health insurance product.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

5. ‘Runway to Skilled India’ is authored by whom?
A) Dr Darlie O Koshy
B) Dr Michel O Koshy
C) Dr John O Koshy
D) Dr Joe O Koshy
E) Dr Sukan O Koshy
Answer: A) Dr Darlie O Koshy

• Noted educationist and leader of skilling India Dr Darlie O Koshy’s new book titled ‘Runway to Skilled India’ was unveiled at the India Craft Week being held at Bikaner House, New Delhi.
• The book was unveiled by Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President Indian Council for Cultural Relations in the presence of Alphons Kannanthanam MP, Former Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism.
• It is a sequel to his much-acclaimed earlier work “Indian Design Edge”.

‘Runway to Skilled India’ – Dr Darlie Koshy.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

6. International Space Station launched A space station supply ship into the orbit. This ship is named _________?
A) Joe Glenn
B) Neon Glenn
C) Biden Glenn
D) John Glenn
E) Michel Glenn
Answer: D) John Glenn

• A space station supply ship named after the Black NASA mathematician featured in the movie “Hidden Figures” rocketed into orbit Saturday, the 59th anniversary of
  John Glenn’s historic launch.
• Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus capsule — dubbed the S.S. Katherine Johnson — should reach the International Space Station on Monday following its launch from Virginia’s eastern shore.
• It is Northrop Grumman’s 15th station supply run for NASA. SpaceX is NASA’s other shipper.

ISS – Honor ”Hidden Figures” mathematician Katherine Johnson.

7. India’s third mission to Moon Chandrayaan-3 is likely to be launched in which year?
A) 2025
B) 2024
C) 2023
D) 2022
E) 2021
Answer: D) 2022

• Chandrayaan-3, India’s third mission to Moon, is likely to be launched in 2022.
• The COVID-19 lockdown has hit several projects of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) including Chandrayaan-3, which was scheduled to be launched in late 2020, and Gaganyaan, the country’s first manned space mission.
• Chandrayaan-2, aimed at landing a rover on unchartered Lunar South Pole, was launched on July 22, 2019 on board the country’s most powerful geosynchronous launch vehicle.
• However, the lander Vikram hard-landed on September 7, 2019, crashing India’s dream to become the first nation to successfully land on the lunar surface in its maiden attempt.

ISRO chief K Sivan – Chandrayaan-3 launch delayed further to 2022.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

8. India and Maldives signed a how much amount defence Line of Credit agreement with the island nation to facilitate capability building in the maritime domain?
A) USD 20 million
B) USD 30 million
C) USD 40 million
D) USD 50 million
E) USD 60 million
Answer: D) USD 50 million

• India will always be a reliable security partner for the Maldives, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, as New Delhi signed a USD 50 million defence Line of Credit agreement with the island nation to facilitate capability building in the maritime domain.
  Jaishnakar, who is here on a two-day visit, held discussions with Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Didi.
• Amendatory Agreement to repurpose an older EXIM Bank of India Line of Credit of USD 25 million for Road Devt; Letter of Intent between EXIM Bank and local authorities for financing a housing project of 2000 units in Hulhumale; and MoU on grant funding USD 0.5 million for a fish processing plant in Kendhikulhudhoo in northern Maldives.
• Besides a MoU on capacity building and exchange of content and expertise between Prasar Bharati and Public State Media, Maldives and MoU on sustainable urban development between MoHUA and Ministry of national planning, housing and infrastructure, Maldives were also inked.
• India also made a donation of additional 100,000 doses of vaccines to Maldives.

Maldives:
Capital: Malé
Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa

India – $50 mn def agreement with Maldives to boost maritime capability.

9. Which country officially rejoined the Paris agreement?
A) Iran
B) Australia
C) Russia
D) UK
E) USA
Answer: E) USA

• The United States officially rejoined the Paris agreement.
• The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
• It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on December 12, 2015 and entered into force on November 4, 2016.
• Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

United States of America:
Capital: Washington D.C
Currency: US Dollar
President: Joe Biden

US – Rejoin Paris Agreement.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

10. Which Minister inaugurated the 26th “Hunar Haat” of indigenous artisans and craftsmen from across the country at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi?
A) Finance Minister
B) Power Minister
C) Women & Child Development Minister
D) Home Minister
E) Defence Minister
Answer: E) Defence Minister

• Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh Ji formally inaugurated the 26th “Hunar Haat” of indigenous artisans and craftsmen from across the country at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
• Lok Sabha MP Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Secretary, Union Minority Affairs Ministry, Shri P. K. Das, other senior officials and dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
• The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is organising the 26th “Hunar Haat” on the theme of “Vocal for Local” from 20th February to 01st March 2021.
• Exquisite indigenous handmade products such as Applique work, dry flowers, jute-cane, brass products, wooden and clay toys, Ajrakh Block Print, Blue Art Pottery,
  Pashmina Shawl, Khadi products, Banarsi Silk, Wooden Furniture, Chikankari Embroidery, Chanderi Silk, Lac bangles, Rajasthani jewellery, Phulkari, Oil Painting, Leather products, Khurja pottery, Sandalwood artefacts from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jute products from West Bengal etc are available for sale and display at “Hunar Haat”.
  The visitors are also enjoying traditional delicacies from every region of the country at “Bawarchikhana” section.
• Renowned artists such as Shri Vinod Rathore (21 Feb); Nizami Brothers (24 Feb); Shri Sudesh Bhonsle (26 Feb); Shri Kailash Kher (27 Feb); Ms Shibani Kashyap (01 March) and others will present their programmes.

Ministry of Defence:
Minister: Rajnath Singh
Constituency: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Rajnath Singh – Inaugurate “Hunar Haat” at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
in New Delhi.

11. MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal inaugurates which edition of Ladakh Winter Conclave 2021?
A) 5
B) 4
C) 3
D) 2
E) 1
Answer: D) 2

• In Leh, amidst culturally rich events, MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal inaugurated the second edition of Ladakh Winter Conclave 2021.
• Beyond Buddhism Ladakh has unique Nomad, Aryan, Balti, Sheena and Purgi cultures which needs to be explored.
• He said the Winter Conclave is a tool to project the hidden treasures of Ladakh.
• Leh Hill Council CEC Tashi Gyaltson underlined several opportunities available in Ladakh.
  However, he cautioned that in Ladakh’s fragile ecology the sustainability has to be taken care.
• The Winter Conclave 2021 is planned with a theme of Adventure, Heritage & Culture, Post Covid19 revival of the tourism industry in Ladakh.
• Winter conclave Kargil edition will be inaugurated by the CEC Feroz Khan.
• Local Religious leaders, filmmakers like Rakeyesh Omprakash Mehra, tourism and hotel industry experts from various parts of the country along with local stakeholders are present in the inaugural.

Ladakh:
Capital: Leh, Kargil
Lt Governor: Radha Krishna Mathur

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal – Second edition of Ladakh Winter Conclave 2021.

12. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and which organisation have signed a MoU to support the development, conduct and promotion of health research in India?
A) NMDC
B) CSIR
C) NTPC
D) NHAI
E) NITI Aayog
Answer: B) CSIR

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development, conduct and promotion of health research in India.
• Both the organisations will work together to identify opportunities to initiate scientific and technological collaborations, and focus on developing and testing new preventions, therapies and interventions that can help to solve major health concerns that affect India and other developing countries.
• ‘The MoU will help accelerate the R&D and implementation of innovations in the coming years that are not only relevant to India but to the world,’ said Dr Shekhar C Mande, DG-CSIR.
• As per the MoU, areas of research collaboration would include genetic diseases that impact infant and neonatal mortality; new diagnostics and devices for infectious disease and environmental surveillance; development of cost-effective processes for drug, vaccines, biologics, and diagnostics manufacturing; novel microbiome-directed foods; socio-economic impact of science and technological tools; and other areas of health and development.
• The MoU was signed by Hari Menon, Director, India Country Office on behalf of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr G N Dayananda, Head, Technology Management Directorate – Industry Interface, CSIR.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation + CSIR – Promote health research.

13. Which State CM laid the foundation stone for the Cauvery-Vellaru-Vaigai-Gundar intra-sate river-linking project?
A) Karnataka
B) Mizoram
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Maharashtra
E) Tamil Nadu
Answer: E) Tamil Nadu

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami laid the foundation stone for the Cauvery-Vellaru-Vaigai-Gundar intra-sate river-linking project.
• The Rs 14,400 crore, 262-km river-linking project will divert 6,300 cubic feet of surplus water during floods and increase the groundwater levels in southern districts to meet the drinking water needs.
• Mr Palaniswami inaugurated the Rs 6,941 crore-first phase of the project at Kunathur in Viralimalai taluk in this district.
• In the presence of Deputy CM O Panneerselvam and Health Miniser Dr C Vijayabaskar, fulfilling the long pending demand of the people of the southern districts.
• This ambitious intra-State river linking project envisages building a canal from the Cauvery to the Vaigai and the Gundar to divert surplus flows from the Cauvery to the water scarce southern parts of the State.
• The first significant step towards the linking of Cauvery and Gundar rivers was made with the commissioning of the barrage across Cauvery at Mayanur in Karur district in 2014.
• The barrage will form the head of the new link canal which will run a distance of
  262.19 km to carry the surplus waters from the Cauvery to the South Vellar, the Vaigai river and finally the Gundar.
• The canal will have a capacity to carry about 6,000 cusecs of water.
• The first phase of the project will connect the surplus Cauvery water from Mayanur Dam in Karur through the arid areas in Tiruchy, Pudukkottai, Sivagangai and Virudhunagar districts with the Gundar River.
• Under this, a 118.45 km canal will be constructed from Kattalai Canal to South Vellaru in Pudukkottai and will irrigate 42,170 acres of agricultural land and 342 lakes in Karur, Tiruchy and Pudukkottai.
• The second phase will benefit 220 lakes and 23,245 acres of land in Pudukkottai, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram. A 109-km long canal will be constructed from south Vellaru to Vaigai.
• In the third phase, 492 lakes and 44,547 acres of land in Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram will benefit through a 34-km long canal from Vaigai to Gundar.
• The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Rs 3,384 crore project to reconstruct, expand and renovate irrigation infrastructure in the Cauvery sub-basin.
• This will ensure 4,67,345 acres of agricultural lands get water for irrigation from 987 km-long 21 rivers in districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai.

Tamil Nadu:
Capital: Chennai
CM: Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit

Palaniswami – Intra-state Cauvery-Gundar river-linking project.

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