Daily Current Affairs 16th July, 2021

Daily Current Affairs 16 July 2021 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates ‘Rudraksh’ convention centre in UP’s Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a state-of-the-art convention centre at his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, saying it will become an attractive destination for conferences and pull in tourists and businesspersons to the city.

  • The international cooperation and convention centre has been named “Rudraksh” and has as many as 108 Rudraksha at the centre. Its roof is shaped like a ‘Shiva Linga’.
  • Built on 2.87 hectares of land at Sigra area, the two-storey structure has a seating capacity of 1,200 people.
  • The convention centre has been built with the assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Cabinet Approves Continuation Of The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) For Development Of Infrastructure Facilities For Judiciary For Further Five Years
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary for further five years from 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2026 at a total cost of Rs.9000 crore, out of which Central share will be Rs.5357 crore including Rs.50 crore for the Gram Nyayalayas Scheme and their implementationin a Mission Mode through National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms.

India’s first ‘Grain ATM’ set up in Gurugram
Consumers in Gurugram will no longer have to stand in long queues, nor worry about the shopkeeper giving less ration, as India’s first ‘Grain ATM’ has been set up in the district as a pilot project.

  • Haryana’s Deputy Chief Minister, Dushyant Chautala, said with the installation of Grain ATMs, all the complaints regarding waiting time and right measurement of ration quantity will be redressed.

WFP partners with Rajasthan to improve Targeted Public Distribution System
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India and the Rajasthan government have joined hands to improve the Targeted Public Distribution System (TDPS) in the state.

  • The partnership entails, among other things, the use of digitisation, data aggregation, performance dashboards for monitoring of the TDPS, thus providing a real-time and long-term solution to improve the food and nutritional security for millions.

T-Hub partners with Atal Innovation Mission to boost growth for healthtech innovations in India
T-Hub, India’s pioneering innovation ecosystem, announced its partnership with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the healthcare sectors. As a part of this partnership, T-Hub is running a three month cohort-based program AIC T-Hub Foundation, exclusively for the deep tech startups creating new-age solutions in the field of life sciences and healthcare.

Andhra Pradesh government signs MoUs with 14 more companies for helping women in business
With an objective to ensure women empowerment and livelihood to six lakh women on a permanent basis through the YSR Cheyutha scheme, the State government exchanged MoUs with 14 companies.

  • The State government, through the MoUs, wants to create a conducive business environment with end-to-end solutions consisting of capital support, market linkages, skill enhancement and technical support, thereby empowering women and ensuring a sustainable income both at the individual and collective level.

Karnataka CM launches Electric Bike Taxi scheme in Bengaluru
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa launched the Electric Bike Taxi scheme in Bengaluru. The scheme will generate self employment and serve as a bridge between public transport and daily travellers. It is eco-friendly and encourages fuel conservation.

  • The Chief Minister said that the main objective of the scheme is to reduce the travel time and inconvenience faced by the public to travel from their home to the bus stand, railway station and metro stations.

K’taka govt school to become 1st in country to develop a satellite
The government boys high school located in Stone Building College in Malleshwaram, will become the first government high school in the country to develop a satellite.

  • The students of the school will be involved in a programme of developing 75 satellites as part of the 75th Independence Day celebrations which will be held next year.
  • Designing and making of the satellite will be done at the school by involving students of a few other government schools.

Cabinet approves pact with Russia on cooperation for coking coal
The Union Cabinet approved a pact between India and Russia regarding cooperation on coking coal, a key steel making raw material, for which domestic players remain dependent on imports from a select group of countries. Around 85 per cent of India’s coking coal demand is met through imports.

  • The cooperation with Russia will help India reduce its dependence on far-located countries like Australia, South Africa, Canada and the US for sourcing of coking coal.

Rajnath Singh launches AI- powered grievance management application
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched an Artificial Intelligence-powered grievance management application called CPGRAMS in New Delhi. The system was developed by Ministry of Defence with the cooperation of IIT-Kanpur.

  • This is the first Artificial Intelligence-based system developed to improve grievance redressal in the Government. The system can identify repeat complaints or spam automatically.

IAHE inks Agreement with University of New South Wales, Australia for setting up Centre for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems in Noida
The Indian Academy of Highway Engineers, IAHE under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has inked an Agreement with University of New South Wales, Australia for setting up a Centre for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

  • The Agreement is for a project for capacity building, technology transfer and creation of enabling environment for establishment of Centre for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems in, IAHE.

Hyderabad, AIR Kodaikanal rise up NewsOnAir Radio Live-stream India rankings
Pune and Bengaluru continue to be at first and second positions for fourth week straight in the latest rankings of top cities in India where All India Radio Live-streams on News On Air App are most popular. Hyderabad has displaced Chennai to take back its third spot. Jaipur has risen to 8th spot and Bhopal slid to 9th position.

MSME Minister Narayan Rane launches two new Khadi Products
MSME Minister Narayan Rane launched two new Khadi Products- Khadi Babywear and Unique Handmade Paper Use and Throw Slippers in New Delhi. The new products include Khadi’s first ever cotton clothing for babies.

  • Khadi and Village Industries Commission, KVIC has used 100 per cent hand-spun and handwoven cotton fabric that is soft on the tender and sensitive skin of the children and prevents them from any rashes or skin irritation.
  • The Khadi’s handmade paper use and throw slippers have been developed for the first time in India. These handmade paper slippers are 100 per cent eco-friendly and cost-effective.

IFFCO Kisan Sanchar setting up 17 FPOs in Gujarat in tie-up with NABARD, NCDC
Fertiliser major IFFCO’s arm IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Ltd is setting up 17 Farmer Producer Organisation (FPOs) in Gujarat in association with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). A total of 5,000 farmers will get associated with these FPOs by the end of this year and more than 50,000 farmers by 2025, IFFCO Kisan said in a statement.

NCRTC implementing integrated real-time system to manage railway assets
To bring digital transformation in the way rail assets are being managed in the country, the National Capital Regional Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is implementing an integrated real-time enterprise management system (iDREAMS).

  • The iDREAMS system, aimed to bring about revolution in the rail industry, will help to predict, identify, rectify or remove any risks or shortcomings related to its wide range of assets, making sure that it does not hamper commuter safety and their experience of a hassle-free comfortable ride to their destination.


INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China begins construction of world’s 1st commercial small modular reactor
China has officially begun the construction of the world’s first commercial modular small reactor ‘Linglong One’ at the Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant in the country’s Hainan Province.

  • The multipurpose small modular reactor (SMR) Linglong One – also called the ACP100 — was the first such SMR which was given green signal by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2016. The ACP100 comes with a generation capacity of 125,000 kilowatt hours.

Singapore unveils one of world’s largest floating solar panel farms
Singapore unveiled one of the world’s largest floating solar panel farms, which can produce enough electricity to power the island’s five water treatment plants. The project is part of efforts by the country to meet a goal of quadrupling its solar energy production by 2025 to help tackle climate change. Located on a reservoir in western Singapore, the 60 megawatt-peak solar photovoltaic farm has been built by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries.

UAE becomes 1st Gulf nation to open embassy in Israel
The United Arab Emirates became the first Gulf nation to open an embassy in Israel, nearly a year after both countries signed an agreement to normalise diplomatic ties. The new mission is located in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building.



BANKING & FINANCE

RBI cancels license of Dr Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar Urban Co-op Bank
The RBI has cancelled the license of Dr Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Nilanga, Latur, as it does not have adequate capital and earning prospects. RBI added that public interest would be adversely affected if the bank is allowed to carry on its banking business any further.

CCEA clears LIC disinvestment; panel headed by FM to decide quantum of stake sale
The Union Cabinet has cleared disinvestment of the country’s largest insurer LIC and a panel headed by the finance minister will now decide on the quantum of stake dilution. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) had in January appointed actuarial firm Milliman Advisors LLP India to assess the embedded value of LIC ahead of the IPO (Initial Public Offering), which is touted to be the biggest public issue in Indian corporate history.

Centre releases Rs 75,000 crore to states as GST compensation
The government has borrowed and given to the states Rs 75,000 crore to make up for the shortfall in their revenues because of the GST implementation.

  • The Finance Ministry in a statement said the amount released is about half of the Rs 1.59 lakh crore that was agreed to be borrowed in the current fiscal by the Centre and passed on to the states and Union Territories on a back-to-back basis to meet their resource gap.


BUSINESS & ECONOMY

WPI inflation eases to 12.07 per cent in June
The wholesale price-based inflation eased marginally to 12.07 per cent in June as crude oil and food items witnessed some softening in prices. However, WPI inflation remained double-digit for the third consecutive month in June, mainly due to a low base of last year.



SPORTS

Babar Azam becomes quickest to 14 ODI centuries surpassing Hashim Amla
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became the quickest to 14 ODI centuries reaching the milestone in 81 innings at Edgbaston, Birmingham in the third ODI against England. Azam also became the second Pakistan captain to score an ODI century on English soil.

  • On the list of quickest to 14 ODI centuries, the 26-year-old is followed by Hashim Amla (84 innings), David Warner (98 innings), Virat Kohli (103 innings) and Quinton de Kock (104 innings).

Chris Gayle Becomes First Player in T20 History to Reach 14,000 Runs
Chris Gayle became the first player in the format’s history to cross 14,000 runs.  The West Indian legend reached the milestone during the third T20I against Australia in St Lucia in style – a six over wide long-on.

Suzhou to host badminton Sudirman Cup Finals in 2023
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed that Suzhou, China has been awarded the hosting rights of the Sudirman Cup Finals 2023. Suzhou was due to host the World Mixed Team Championships in 2021, but with BWF unable to stage any tournaments in China this year, the event was switched to Vantaa in Finland.

  • Suzhou will now stage the 2023 edition of the Sudirman Cup with the original 2023 hosts India accepting the opportunity to host the World Championships in 2026.


OBITUARIES

National Award-winning actress Surekha Sikri passes away
Veteran actress Surekha Sikri passed away at the age of 75 following a cardiac arrest. She had been suffering from complications arising from a second brain stroke.

  • Sikri is best known for her performances in ‘Tamas’, ‘Mammo’, ‘Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro’, ‘Zubeidaa’, ‘Badhaai Ho’ and daily soap ‘Balika Vadhu’.

Tennis Hall of Famer Shirley Fry Irvin passes away
Tennis Hall of Famer Shirley Fry Irvin (USA), who won three consecutive major titles in the 1950s to complete a career Grand Slam, has passed away at 94.



SCIENCE

Isro successfully conducts 3rd test on Vikas Engine that will launch Gaganyaan Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully conducted the third long-duration hot test on the liquid propellant Vikas engine that would launch the ambitious Gaganyaan programme.

  • The engine was fired for a duration of 240 seconds at the engine test facility of ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.


BOOKS

A book on the rise of Indian-Americans inspired by Kamala Harris

A group of influential Indian-Americans, scholars, diplomats and entrepreneurs have come together to write an anthology ‘Kamala Harris and the Rise of Indian Americans’ to document the historic election of Kamala Harris as the Vice President of the United States and the rise of the small but powerful Indian diaspora in this country.

  • Compiled and edited by veteran Indian editor Tarun Basu, the anthology explores the story behind these advancements through 16 essays.


IMPORTANT DAYS

India’s National Plastic Surgery Day gets global acceptance
The concept of observing July 15 as National Plastic Surgery Day in India has been adopted by the leaders of top bodies in the speciality across the globe as World Plastic Surgery Day.

  • The Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) announced the decision.
  • Coimbatore-based plastic surgeon S. Raja Sabapathy introduced the concept of National Plastic Surgery Day when he was the APSI president in 2011 to create awareness of plastic surgery. Every plastic surgeon in the country did one free surgery to mark the inaugural year.


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