GK Update of sixth January 2021 overlaying the next information headlines: South Asia power safety, Toycathon-2021, Launch Pad Scheme, World Bank, Tata Power and SIDBI.
National News
1. GoI constitutes high-level group for South Asia power safety
- The Central Government has arrange a high-level group to construct a South Asia-focused power safety structure.
- The high-level group, named the South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE), will likely be headed by former Union Power Secretary Ram Vinay Shahi. SAGE has been arrange beneath the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)-run assume tank Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).
- To obtain a balanced and optimum improvement of power infrastructure by mutual understanding and cooperation, by selling, initiating and facilitating efficient coverage dialogue and capability constructing on a bilateral, sub-regional and regional foundation for power and associated points, amongst South Asian nations.
2. Ramesh Pokhriyal launched Toycathon-2021 to advertise manufacturing of toys
- The Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Union Minister WCD and Textiles Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani collectively launched Toycathon-2021 and the Toycathon Portal.
- Toycathon is being organized to develop India as the worldwide Toy manufacturing hub.
- Toycathon will present a platform to conceptualize progressive toys primarily based on the Indian worth system which is able to inculcate the constructive behaviour and good worth among the many youngsters.
State News
3. MP Govt launches ‘Launch Pad Scheme’ to make youth self-reliant
- The authorities of Madhya Pradesh has launched a ‘Launch Pad Scheme’ for the girls and boys popping out of kid care establishments and having accomplished 18 years of age.
- This scheme has been launched by the Women and Child Development Department of the state with the target to supply a platform to those youth, by which they’ll be capable to change into self-reliant by persevering with their training and coaching.
- The District Administration will present area to those youths for the opening of espresso outlets, stationery, photocopying, laptop typing and DTP work.
- All the 52 districts of the state have been divided into 5 clusters with headquarters at Indore, Sagar, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Bhopal.
- An quantity of Rs 6 lakh will likely be supplied by the Women and Child Development Department for the set up of every launch pad.
- These launch pads will likely be operated by non-governmental organizations.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.
4. World Bank approves $105 million mortgage to enhance Waterways in West Bengal
- The World Bank has signed a $105 million challenge with the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal to enhance the inland water transport infrastructure in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- The $105 million loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a maturity of 17 years, together with a grace interval of 7 years.
- The West Bengal Inland Water Transport, Logistics and Spatial Development Project will enhance passenger and freight motion throughout the Hooghly river in addition to enhance accessibility within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area, improve the standard of lifetime of its residents and contribute to the expansion of the state’s logistics sector.
- The challenge will cowl the 5 most populous districts of southern West Bengal, together with its city agglomeration — the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) the place round 30 million folks or one-third of West Bengal’s inhabitants dwell.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Chief Minister of West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee; Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar.
5. Journalist Day Observed in Maharashtra on 6 January
- The Journalist Day is noticed by Maharashtra state authorities on sixth January yearly within the reminiscence of late journalist Balshastri Jambhekar.
- The first newspaper within the Marathi language named ‘Darpan’, was printed on January 6, 1832, the date which additionally marks the start anniversary of Balshastri Jambhekar.
- Balshastri Jambhekar is also referred to as ‘The Father of Marathi Journalism’, for his efforts in beginning journalism within the Marathi language, within the type of first Marathi newspaper and first Marathi month-to-month.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray; Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
Appointments News
6. Lt Gen Shantanu Dayal to take cost as Deputy Chief of Army Staff
- Lt Gen Shantanu Dayal has been named the brand new Deputy Chief of Army Staff (DCOAS). Lt Gen Dayal is the Corps Commander of the Tejpur primarily based 4 Corps. He will take the place of Lt Gen SS Hasabnis who superannuated on December 31 as quickly as his substitute arrives.
- Indian Army has undergone a serious reshuffle on the prime throughout the Army Headquarters and on the numerous different formations together with the Corps Commanders, administrative and coaching establishments witnessing the change of guard.
- The different important change is within the newly-created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) with Chief of Defence Staff as its first Secretary.
- Lt Gen Taranjit Singh, the primary Army officer to hitch because the Additional Secretary within the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) beneath the Ministry of Defence.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Chief of the Army Staff: General Manoj Mukund Naravane
Agreements News
7. Tata Power companions with SIDBI to supply simple & reasonably priced financing scheme for MSME
- Tata Power, India’s largest built-in energy firm, introduced its partnership with SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) to supply simple and reasonably priced financing scheme for MSME prospects within the rooftop photo voltaic phase.
- This scheme will empower MSMEs to undertake sustainable power for his or her companies and promote greener.
- Easy and reasonably priced financing has been one of many limitations for penetration of Solar within the MSME sector within the nation.
- In order to handle this problem, Tata Power and SIDBI have joined fingers to design a novel Solar financing resolution for the MSME prospects serving to them swap to rooftop photo voltaic with none collateral at an rate of interest lower than 10%.
- This will even be complemented with a fast sanction and disbursement course of (inside 7 days with disbursement in 4 days).
- This financing scheme is solely for MSME prospects of Tata Power for each off-grid and on-grid connections.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) arrange on 2nd April 1990.
- SIDBI Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- SIDBI Chairman & MD: Devendra Kumar Singh.
- Tata Power CEO: Praveer Sinha.
- Tata Power Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Science and Technology News
8. Japan to launch the primary wood-based satellite tv for pc by 2023
- Japan’s Sumitomo Forestry firm and Kyoto University goals to launch the world’s first wood-based area satellite tv for pc by 2023 to fight the issue of area junk.
- Currently, the initiative is within the nascent stage as a number of wood supplies are being examined by the analysis crew to discover a appropriate one for area missions. It can also be reported that the crew can also be working in direction of growing wood supplies extraordinarily proof against temperature modifications and daylight.
- According to the European Space Agency (ESA) statistical mannequin, there are greater than 130 million items of anthropogenic area particles—waste residue as a consequence of human actions—smaller than a millimetre round our planet. The particles can journey at a velocity of greater than 22,300 mph and may impression different satellites.
Obituaries News
9. World Cup successful hockey participant Michael Kindo passes away
- Olympic bronze and World Cup-winning hockey participant Michael Kindo handed away. He performed 3 Men’s Hockey World Cup in 1971,1973 & 1975 the place India bagged bronze, silver & gold medals.
- He additionally represented in 1972 Olympic Games the place India secured a bronze medal. Kindo obtained the Arjuna Award in 1972.
Miscellaneous News
10. fortieth Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica flagged off
- The fortieth Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was flagged off on January 05, 2021, from Mormugao Port, Goa.
- The chartered ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin has been chosen for the celebrated fortieth Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) mission journey and can attain Antarctica in 30 days.
- The expedition journey has 43 members onboard.
- India’s main gasoline provider, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) has equipped Jet A1 gasoline, lubes and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) for the mission.
- Apart from its scientific mission, this expedition shall perform the humanitarian accountability of bringing again the 48-strong winter crew from their 15-month tenure, and resupply the bases with meals, gasoline, provisions and spares for operations and upkeep of life assist techniques.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Goa Capital: Panaji.
- Governor of Goa: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
- Chief Minister of Goa: Pramod Sawant.
11. FSSAI’s new coverage limits trans fat to 2% in all oils & fat by Jan 2022
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has capped the quantity of trans fatty acids (TFA) in oils and fat to 3% for 2021 and a couple of% by 2022 from the present permissible restrict of 5% by an modification to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations.
- It was in 2011 that India first handed a regulation that set a TFA restrict of 10% in oils and fat, which was additional diminished to five% in 2015.
- The nation’s meals regulatory physique notified the modification on December 29, greater than a yr after it issued a draft on the topic for session with stakeholders.
- The revised regulation applies to edible refined oils, vanaspati (partially hydrogenated oils), margarine, bakery shortenings, and different mediums of cooking corresponding to vegetable fats spreads and blended fats spreads.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- FSSAI Chairperson: Rita Teaotia.
- FSSAI Chief Executive Officer: Arun Singhal.
- FSSAI Founded: August 2011.
- FSSAI Headquarters: New Delhi.
12. PM Modi inaugurates Kochi-Mangaluru pure fuel pipeline
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 450-km Kochi-Mangaluru pure fuel pipeline constructed at a value of Rs 3,000 crore through video conferencing. The occasion marks an vital milestone in direction of the creation of One Nation One Gas Grid.
- Natural fuel pipeline community will likely be doubled in 5-6 years and CNG stations will likely be raised to 10,000 from present 1,500.
- The pipeline will carry pure fuel from Kochi in Kerala by Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts to Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
- It has been constructed by GAIL (India) Limited. It will carry pure fuel from the LNG Regasification Terminal at Kochi. The pipeline will provide environment-friendly PNG.
- The pipeline grid will assist enhance clear power entry in addition to additionally support within the improvement of metropolis fuel tasks.