Daily Current Affairs 2nd July, 2021

Daily Current Affairs 2 July 2021 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

India’s oldest running newspaper, Mumbai Samachar, turns 200
India’s longest running newspaper – Mumbai Samachar has entered its 200th year on July 1.

• Founded in July 1822 as Bombay Samachar by a Parsi scholar Fardoonji Murazban, the publication exchanged various hands over the last 2 centuries. Since 1933, the Cama family has remained its publisher and Hormusji N Cama serves as the director of the newspaper.

Indian Railways’ opens first movable freshwater tunnel aquarium at Bengaluru
Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd(IRSDC) in collaboration with HNi Aquatic Kingdom has opened Indian Railways first movable freshwater tunnel aquarium at the Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru for the general public.

• Passengers waiting for trains at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru can visit the 12-feet long tunnel aquarium and a paludarium built on the Amazon River concept by paying the fee of Rs 25.
• Passengers who enter the Aquatic Kingdom can see alligators far bigger than 21 feet, 3 ft long stingrays, eels of 31.2 feet, sharks, lobsters, snails as well as shrimps. The 6-feet long and 3-feet wide paludarium showcases the terrestrial and aquatic life of the Amazon.

JNU, DRDO Sign Pact of Cooperation in Education and Research
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) signed an MoU with DRDO’s Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) for cooperation in education and research.

• The objectives of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were to focus on joint research activities, faculty and student exchange programmes, and incubating technologies at Atal Incubation Centre of the university.

J&K govt via JKTPO launches initiative called “HAUSLA” for women entrepreneurs of UT
In the challenging times of pandemic, Government of Jammu and Kashmir took a proactive measure, via Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) under aegis of Department of Industries of Commerce, with the initiative called “HAUSLA” for women entrepreneurs of Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative was launched by Lt. Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha at  Srinagar.

• The initiative is a 5-month training program for women entrepreneurs of J&K organized by JKTPO and partnered with India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace Flipkart to give an extra-mile outreach and marketing support for the products of these women Entrepreneurs.
• He also rolled out ‘Special Assistance Scheme for COVID Mortalities – SASCM’, by handing over the grant of Scholarship and Pension certificates to the children and the members of the families affected due to COVID-19.

Govt Launches Special Drive to Bring More Farmers Under PM Crop Cover Scheme
In  a major farmer outreach, the government launched a special drive to enrol more cultivators under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

• A week-long drive, starting July 1, will cover all notified areas under the kharif 2021 season with special focus on 75 aspirational districts where crop insurance penetration is low.
• Launching the special drive, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said so far 29.16 crore farmers have insured their crops under the PMFBY.

West Bengal govt launches ‘Students Credit Card’ to provide soft loan upto Rs. 10 lakh for higher studies
The Government of West Bengal has launched an education loan scheme for the students aiming for higher studies.

• The scheme, titled ‘Students Credit Card’ has been launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata.
• The scheme will provide soft loan upto Rs. 10 lakh with simple annual interest.The loan will be available for undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral studies within the country or abroad.
• Students residing in the state for at least 10 years will be eligible for the scheme till 40 years of age and can repay the loan in 15 years.

Centre allocates Rs 2,479 crore grant to Jharkhand under Jal Jeevan Mission
Centre has Allocated two thousand four hundred seventy nine Crore rupees grant to Jharkhand under Jal Jeevan Mission. With Four-Fold Increase In Allocation, Central Government Pushes For Speedy Provision Of Tap Water Connection To Every Household In Jharkhand.

• Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has assured full assistance to the State for making provision of tap water supply in every rural home by 2024. 
• In Jharkhand, out of 58.95 lakh households in 29,752 villages only 7.72 lakh households have been provided with tap water connections.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

COVID tourism impact could top 4 trillion Dollar: UN report
The economic impact from the plunge in tourism since the pandemic emerged last year could top 4 trillion Dollar, a UN report said.

• The joint report by the UN’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) found that the lack of widespread vaccination in developing countries was leading to mounting economic losses.
• Pandemic punched a $2.4 trillion hole in the tourism and related sectors last year, and the report warns a similar loss may occur this year depending on the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

BANKING & FINANCE

Foreign Exchange Reserves Up $ 99.2 Bn in FY 2020-21: RBI Data
The country’s foreign exchange reserves in nominal terms, including the valuation effects, increased by $ 99.2 billion during the financial year 2020-21, compared to $ 64.9 billion in the preceding year, RBI data showed.

• The valuation gain, reflecting the depreciation of the US dollar against major currencies and increase in gold prices, amounted to $ 11.9 billion during 2020-21, compared to $ 5.4 billion during 2019-20, RBI said.
• The Reserve Bank of India released the Sources of Variation in Foreign Exchange Reserves in India during 2020-21. On a balance of payments basis (excluding valuation effects), foreign exchange reserves increased by $ 87.3 billion during FY 2020-21, as against an increase of $ 59.5 billion during FY 2019-20, the data showed.

India Reports Current Account Surplus of 0.9% in Pandemic-affected FY21
India reported a current account surplus of 0.9 per cent of GDP in the pandemic-hit FY21, as against a deficit of 0.9 per cent in FY20, data released by the RBI showed.

• The country’s current account deficit widened to USD 8.1 billion or 1 per cent of GDP for the March quarter, as against a surplus of USD 0.6 billion or 0.1 per cent of the GDP in the year-ago period and a deficit of 0.3 per cent in the preceding December quarter, as per the central bank data.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Flipkart launches Shopsy to enable over 25 mn online entrepreneurs by 2023
Walmart-owned e-commerce firm Flipkart has launched Shopsy, an app that will enable Indians to start their online businesses without any investment.

• With the ability to influence their local network and fulfil their aspirations, users of Shopsy will be able to share catalogues of a wide selection of 15 crore products offered by Flipkart sellers. These range across fashion, beauty, mobiles, electronics and home, with potential customers via popular social media and messaging apps.
• Shopsy, Flipkart aims to enable over 25 million online entrepreneurs by 2023 as they reap the benefits of digital commerce. It is opening up its years of e-commerce expertise for Indian entrepreneurs.

SPORTS

Abhimanyu Mishra becomes youngest Grandmaster in Chess
In Chess, Abhimanyu Mishra made history by becoming the youngest chess Grandmaster, breaking the record of 12 years and seven months set by Sergey Karjakin in 2002. Abhimanyu reached the milestone in 12 years, four months, and 25 days.

• The 12-year-old player from New Jersey scored his third GM norm in Budapest, having already crossed the required 2500 ELO rating barrier.
• He went on to defeat 15-year-old Indian GM Leon Luke Mendonca, securing a performance rating higher than 2600 over nine rounds, which constitutes a GM norm.

APPOINTMENTS

US Appoints Indian-American Atul Keshap as Interim Envoy to India
The US has appointed Indian-American career diplomat Atul Keshap, an old India-hand at the state department, as the country’s Charge’d Affairs in Delhi.He will replace Daniel Smith.

• Ambassador Keshap’s appointment will reinforce the close US partnership with the Government and people of India, demonstrated by our collaboration to overcome global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the US State Department said.

Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari takes over as Vice Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff. The Air Marshal was commissioned in the Fighter stream of the IAF in 1982.

• The Air Officer has a flying experience of more than 3,800 hours on a wide variety of fighter and trainer aircraft, including missions flown during Op-Meghdoot and Op-Safed Sagar.

AWARDS

Documentary on singer Shankar Mahadevan wins international recognition
Freelance filmmaker Deepti Pillay Sivan’s most touted documentary, “Decoding Shankar” about the life and career of the celebrated musician Shankar Mahadevan, recently won the Best Film Award in the Documentary section (Best Biographical) at the Toronto International Women Film Festival, 2021.

• The 52-minute docu-film released a few years ago is a sketch of the life of the prolific musician focusing on how he balances his career as a singer, music composer, and teacher. The film gives interesting tidbits about his family life and shares interesting moments about his passion for cooking.

Odia poet Rajendra Kishore Panda bags Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar
Odia poet Dr. Rajendra Kishore Panda has been selected for the Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar, the national award instituted in memory of the late poet laureate, for 2020.

• The award carries a cash award of ₹5 lakh, a silver medal and a citation.
• The award is given annually to a writer who has contributed in any of the languages recognised by the Constitution of India

IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, NASA Scientist Kamlesh Lulla Among 34 Immigrants Honoured by American Foundation
International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Gita Gopinath and NASA Scientist Kamlesh Lulla are among the 34 immigrants honoured by a prestigious American foundation ahead of the US Independence Day(July 4)  “who have enriched and strengthened” the US society and democracy through their contributions and actions.

• The Class of 2021 represents more than 30 countries of origin and emphasises service to society, including honourees who are recognised for helping others as medical providers and researchers; as advocates for the disadvantaged, disabled, and disenfranchised; and as changemakers in politics, voting rights, climate change, and teaching.
• This year’s honourees include Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, Google’s Director of Engineering and Technical Projects Lead Ivan Poupyrev, creator of language-learning software Duolingo Luis von Ahn and celebrities such as actress Helen Mirren and comedian John Oliver.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

J&K Chief Secretary inaugurates ‘SUKOON’, a mental health helpline initiative
As part of efforts to improve the mental well being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir amid COVID-19, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) inaugurated the ‘Sukoon’, the union territory’s first 24×7 counselling helpline number to provide mental health counselling.

• The name of the program literally translates to ‘relief’ and its main goal is to provide guidance to people dealing with anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, panic attacks and several other mental issues.
• To access 24×7 services, people have to dial the toll-free number 1800-1807159.

Rafael unveils Seabreaker, a new missile with 300 km range
Israeli defence major Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveiled Sea Breaker, a 5th generation long range, autonomous, precision-guided missile system meant to hit high-value maritime and land targets.

• Described by the firm as a naval and artillery unit force-multiplier, Sea Breaker, which has stand-off ranges of up to 300 km, can be fired both from land and surface ships.
• Sea Breaker features an advanced imaging infra-red seeker, which can engage stationary or moving targets in a diverse range of land and marine environments.

OBITUARIES

Former BJP MP Sharad Tripathi passes away
Former BJP MP from Sant Kabir Nagar, Sharad Tripathi died due to prolonged illness at Medanta hospital in Haryana’s Gurgaon. He was 49.

• Tripathi was elected as a member of parliament from the Sant Kabir Nagar Lok Sabha seat in 2014 but he was denied ticket in 2019 as his father was fielded from Deoria.

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