Daily Current Affairs and GK | 21 January 2022

Topic: MoUs/ Agreements

1. Amazon India signed an MoU with National Innovation Foundation (NIF) to accelerate grassroots innovation.

• Amazon India and NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council have inked an MoU to accelerate grassroots innovation, local economy, and livelihoods across rural India.
• Amazon and NIFientreC will promote the entrepreneurship ecosystem and conduct training programmes to accelerate grassroots innovation.
• The main aim of this MoU is to promote the online distribution of the product of grassroots innovations, student creativity based innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge based ready to market products.
• It will help in strengthening the commercial dissemination of innovative products from local startups.
• NIFientreC and Amazon would also ensure the capacity building of grassroots innovators through masterclasses, workshops, and other interactive training programmes.
• National Innovation Foundation (NIF):
  • It is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • It was established in 2015 for incubation and commercialization of technological ideas and innovations from the grassroots level.

Topic: Defence

2. Minister of State for Defence inaugurates an interactive Virtual Museum hosted by Gallantry Awards portal.

• Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt has inaugurated an interactive Virtual Museum hosted by the Gallantry Awards portal.
• The Virtual Museum has been jointly developed by Ministry of Defence, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics.
• Speaking on the occasion, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar mentioned the Veer Gatha project.
• It is one of the initiatives of Ministry of Defence as part of Republic Day Celebrations 2022, organised by the Gallantry awards portal and Ministry of Education.
• More than eight lakh students across the country participated in the initiative. 25 students were declared as winners and they will soon be felicitated as part of the Republic Day celebrations.

Topic: Indian Economy

3. Mineral production during November 2021 increases by 5%.

• Mineral production during November 2021 increased by 5% as compared to November 2020.
• According to data of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), the index of mineral production of the mining and quarrying sector for November 2021 (Base: 2011-12=100) was 111.9.
• This was 5% higher as compared to November 2020. Cumulative growth for April- November 2021-22 over the corresponding period of the previous year has increased 18.2%.
• The production of Gold, Magnesite, Natural Gas (U), Chromite, Lignite, Lead, Zinc, and coal has shown positive growth during November 2021 compared to November 2020.
• The production of Petroleum (Crude), Iron Ore, Copper conc, limestone, bauxite, Phosphorite, and Manganese ore has shown negative growth.

Topic: Important Days

4. 50^th statehood day of Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya: 21^st January 2022.

• 21^st January 2022 is 50^th statehood day of Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya.
• North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act of 1971 became effective from January 21, 1972. 
• This act conferred statehood to two Union Territories of Manipur and Tripura.
• This act also made Meghalaya a state. Meghalaya was earlier a sub-state within the Assam.

Topic: National News

5. PM Modi topped the list of the most popular world leaders.

• According to the Morning Consult Political Intelligence data, with 71 percent approval rating, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has topped the global rating among world leaders.
• US President Joe Biden is ranked sixth on the list of 13 world leaders, with a 43 percent approval rating.
• Biden is followed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
• The most recent approval ratings are based on data collected from January 13 to 19, 2022.
• Prime Minister Modi topped the list of the most popular world leaders even in November 2021.
• Top 10 ranking based on data:
• Morning Consult Political Intelligence:
  • Morning Consult Political Intelligence is a global enterprise technology that tracks approval ratings of leaders of various countries on a weekly basis.
  • It was formed in 2014 and has developed a technology platform for data collection.
  • It has access to upwards of 100 million people throughout the world and conducts over 15 million interviews per year in over 100 countries.

Topic: Appointments

6. Vikram Dev Dutt selected as Air India's new Chief Executive Officer.

• Vikram Dev Dutt has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of Air India Ltd, as part of the Centre's senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle.
• Dutt is currently the Principal Secretary (Tourism) in the Delhi government.
• Last year October, the bid for acquiring Air India has been won by the Tata Sons group in Rs 18,000 crore.
• The Delhi Development Authority has appointed Manish Kumar Gupta as Vice Chairman (DDA).
• Here are some new appointments:

• Air India:
  • In 1932, industrialist Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy had launched it.
  • Tata Group had earlier run Air India before it was nationalized in 1953.
  • It flew its first flight as Tata Airlines on 15 October 1932.
  • Its headquarters is in New Delhi.

Topic: International News

7. PM Modi and Pravind Jugnauth jointly launch India-assisted Social Housing Units project in Mauritius.

• PM Modi and his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth have jointly launched India-assisted Social Housing Units project in Mauritius.
• They also inaugurated Civil Service College and 8MW Solar PV Farm projects in Mauritius.
• Mr. Modi also remembered the contribution of the late Sir Anerood Jugnauth in strengthening India-Mauritius ties. 
• He said that it was India's privilege to honour Sir Anerood Jugnauth with the Padma Vibhushan award in 2020.
• An Agreement on extending a 190-million-dollar Line of Credit from India to Mauritius was also exchanged.
• Mauritius:
  • It is an island nation which is located in the Indian Ocean.
  • Its capital is Port Louis and its currency is Mauritian Rupee.
  • Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is the current Prime Minister of Mauritius.
  • Prithvirajsing Roopun is the current President of Mauritius.

Topic: National News

8. DAY-NRLM celebrated Agri Nutri Garden Week from 10^th to 17^th January, 2022.

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) has celebrated Agri Nutri Garden Week from 10^th to 17^th January 2022.
• Agri Nutri Garden Week has been celebrated through an awareness campaign and encouraging the establishment of ‘Agri Nutri Gardens’ in rural households.
• During the week, 76,664 ‘Agri Nutri Gardens’ were established against the target of 7500.
• DAY-NRLM also organized a webinar on 13 January 2022.
• 5 SRLMs namely Odisha, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir presented in the webinar their best practices.
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM):
  • National Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD in June 2011 as a restructured version of Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY).
  • In November 2015, it was renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM)
  • It aims at creating institutional platforms for the rural poor which enable them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.

Topic: Reports and Indices

9. Cybercrime with Ransomeware Attack rose 151% in 2021: WEF

• According to the World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2022’, Cybercrime with ransomware attacks has increased by 151% in 2021.
• World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2022’ report has been released during the online Davos Agenda summit. It is the first Global Cybersecurity Outlook flagship report.
• It throws light on the state of cyber security and perceptions about cyber resilience.
• As per this report, an organization faced an average of 270 cyberattacks. The company suffered an average loss of Rs 27 crores for even a single success of cyberattacks.
• World Economic Forum said that cybercrime has increased sharply after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 92% of business executives surveyed agree that cyber resilience is integrated into enterprise risk management strategies.
• Ransomware has emerged as the biggest concern for cybersecurity. Social engineering attacks are the second-highest concern for cyber leaders.
• Companies need around 280 days on average to identify and respond to a cyberattack.
• About two-thirds of companies find it challenging to respond to a cybersecurity incident due to a shortage of experts.

Topic: International News

10. India and Denmark agreed to initiate joint research and development on green fuels.

• As part of the Green Strategic Partnership - Action Plan 2020-2025, India & Denmark agreed to initiate joint research and development on green fuels including green hydrogen.
• The India-Denmark Joint Committee discussed national strategic priorities and developments in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) of both countries with a special focus on green energy.
• Both countries agreed on the bilateral collaboration on mission-driven research, innovation, and technology development.
• The Joint Committee also reviewed the progress of the ongoing projects in the field of energy research, cyber-physical systems, secondary agriculture, etc.
• Both countries also agreed to organize 3-4 webinars for partnership development and for promoting green fuels proposals.
• Green Hydrogen:
  • It is produced by the electrolysis of water by using renewable energy. It has no carbon footprint.
  • Green Hydrogen has many applications. It can be blended up to 10% in City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks.
  • It is different from grey Hydrogen. Grey Hydrogen is produced from methane. Its production releases greenhouse gases.

Topic: Appointments

11. Lt Gen Manoj Pande appointed as next Vice Chief of Army.

• The government has approved the appointment of Lt Gen Manoj Pande as the next Vice Chief of Army.
• Lt Gen Manoj Pande will succeed Lt Gen CP Mohanty who is set to superannuate on 31 January.
• Lt Gen Manoj Pande was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers in December 1982.
• He has taken part in operation Vijay and Operation Parakram.
• He also served as Chief Engineer at the United Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
• The post of the Chief Defence Staff (CDS) is still vacant after the death of General Bipin Rawat in a chopper crash.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

12. First BRICS Sherpas meeting of 2022 held under Chinese chairship.

• The first BRICS Sherpas meeting of 2022 under the Chinese chairship was held on 18-19 January.
• Members thanked India for its BRICS Chairship in 2021 and leaders discussed the programs and priorities for the year.
• Sanjay Bhattacharyya is the current BRICS Sherpa from India.
• BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies —  Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• On January 1, China officially took over the BRICS chairmanship and it will host the 14^th BRICS Summit in June 2022.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs/ Agreements

13. Skill ministry signed an MoU with IGNOU to link vocational education with higher education.

• The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed an MoU with IGNOU to link vocational courses and training with higher education.
• The main objective of this MoU is to strengthen the vocational and technical training framework of India and to create work opportunities for Indian youths.
• The memorandum has been signed for ten years and is subject to renewal on mutual agreement.
• Trainees attached to the National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) will be the main beneficiaries of this programme.
• Trainees will get a chance to join IGNOU’s 3-year degree programme to attain higher education.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

14. Pfizer chief Albert Bourla wins Genesis Prize for developing COVID-19 vaccine.

• Chief executive of Pfizer Albert Bourla has won the prestigious Genesis Prize for his efforts in the COVID-19 vaccine development.
• Albert Bourla received the highest number of votes in an online campaign in which more than 2 lakh people participated from 71 countries.
• Pfizer’s vaccine was the first vaccine to get approval for emergency use in the United States and Europe.
• Albert Bourla donated his prize to projects dedicated to preserving the memory of Holocaust victims.
• Genesis Prize:
  • It was launched in 2014.
  • It is given by the Genesis Prize Foundation and the chairman's office of the Jewish Agency.
  • It is funded by a $100 million endowment established by the foundation.
  • It is usually awarded in Jerusalem in June.