Daily Important Current Affairs – 7 January 2021

National Affairs

Union Ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Smriti Irani launch Toycathon 2021

Union Minister for Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani launched the Toycathon 2021.

• The main objective of this Toycathon is to create awareness among school students about the rich cultural heritage of our country
• The Toycathon will majorly focus on conceptualizing new and innovative toys using local material.

Current Affairs January 2021 PDF Download

Union cabinet approves MoC between India & Japan on ‘Specified Skilled Worker’

Union Cabinet of India has approved Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan.

• This MoC will create Joint Working Group will also be set up for following up on the implementation of this MOC.
• Under this Moc Skilled Indian workers from various sectors like Nursing care, Building cleaning, Material Processing industry will get job opportunities to work in Japan

About Japan:

• Capital: Tokyo
• Currency: Japanese yen
• Prime Minister: Yoshihide Suga

Current Affairs December 2020 PDF Download

Latest Government Jobs 2020

Central Government constitutes high-level group headed by Union Power Secretary Ram Vinay Shahi

Central Government of India has constituted high-level group to build a South Asia-focused energy security architecture.

• This group will be headed by Union Power Secretary Ram Vinay Shahi. This group was named as South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE).
• The Objective of this group is to promote and facilitate effective policy dialogue among South Asian countries.

Current Affairs November 2020 PDF Download

Health Ministry and Dell Technologies jointly launches Healthcare Mobile App

Union Health Ministry and Dell Technologies Jointly launched Healthcare Mobile App

• The main aim to launch this mobile app is to manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the government primary health centres (PHCs) in the country.
• The app has been developed by Tata Trusts and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

About Union Health Ministry:

• Union Minister: Harsh Vardhan
• Minister of State: Ashwini Kumar Choubey

International Affairs

India flagged of 40th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

India flagged off the 40th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica Mormugao Port, Goa.

• The 40th expedition journey was flagged off from Goa on January 5, 2021, with 43 members onboard.
• This mission journey and will reach Antarctica in 30 days.
• The chartered ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin has been chosen for this expedition

State Affairs

Madhya Pradesh State Government launches ‘Launch Pad Scheme’ for youths

State Government of Madhya Pradesh, has launched the Launch Pad Scheme for the youths of the state. This scheme was launched by Women and Child Development Department.

• This scheme will give a platform to youths, through which they will be able to become self-reliant by continuing their education and training
• WCD Department has provided Rs. 6 lakh for this scheme

About Madhya Pradesh:

• Capital: Bhopal
• Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Uttar Pradesh launches Kisan Kalyan Mission to double the farmer’s income

Uttar Pradesh Government has launched Kisan Kalyan Mission with an aim to double the farmer’s income.

• Under the mission, various meetings will be conducted for farmers. Information will be provided to farmers on these meetings.
• The state government will also select 100 progressive farmers in each district of the state and facilitate them

About Uttar Pradesh:

• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath

Appointments

Alexander Ellis designated as new British High Commissioner to India

Alexander Ellis has been appointed as the new British High Commissioner to India. He succeeds Sir Philip Barton.

• He has earlier served as High Commissioner to Lisbon and Brazil
• He was also served as Deputy National Security Adviser in the UK

About UK:

• Capital: London
• Prime minister: Boris Johnson

GJC appoints Ashish Pethe as Chairman, Saiyam Mehra as vice chairman

The All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has appointed Ashish Pethe as its Chairman, while Saiyam Mehra as vice chairman.

• Both of them have been appointed for a period of two years.
• Ashish Pethe was the Zonal Chairman West and he will continue to handle this position while being Chairman of GJC.

About GJC:

• Founded: 2005
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

MoUs & Agreements

DRDO inks MOU with Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation to install DRDO’s biodigester units

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation to conserve water and protect environment.

• Under this MoU, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation will install DRDO’s eco-friendly biodigester units (a non-sewered sanitation technology) in its facilities.

About DRDO:

• Founded: 1958
• Headquarters: New Delhi

World Bank and Indian Government signs loan agreement worth 105 million dollars to advance Waterways in West Bengal

Indian Government and World Bank signed loan agreement worth 105 million dollar to improve waterways in west bengal

• This project will enhance the capacity and improve the safety of the Inland Water Transport system
• This 105 million dollars loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a maturity of 17 years, including a grace period of 7 years.

About West Bengal:

• Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar
• Capital: Kolkata

Reports & Rankings

World Bank releases the Global Economic Prospects Report – India’s Growth to be 5.4% in 2021-22

The World Bank has released the Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report. According to the report, the global economic growth is projected at 4 per cent for the year 2021.

• India is projected to grow at 5.4% in financial year 2021-22 and at the rate of 5.2% in the financial year 2022-23.
• The Report also states that China will grow at 7.9% in 2021 and at 5.2% in 2022.

Banking affairs

RBI introduces Legal Entity Identifier for NEFT, RTGS transactions above Rs 50 crore from April

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) for payment transactions above Rs 50 crore including Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT).

• This will come into effect from April 01, 2021.

About LEI:

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-digit number used to uniquely identify parties to financial transactions worldwide.

About RBI:

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das

Important Days

Journalism Day was celebrated across Maharashtra on January 6

Maharashtra state government celebrated Journalism Day on January 6 annually. This day celebrated every year in the memory of late journalist Balshastri Jambhekar.

• Balshastri Jambhekar is also known as The Father of Marathi Journalism. He was born on 6 January 1812.