Daily Current Affairs and GK | 30 and 31 May 2021

Topic: Important Days

1. World No Tobacco Day: 31 May

• World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on 31 May. It is observed to spread awareness about the dangers of using tobacco.
• The main objective of the day is to bring global attention towards tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
• World Health Assembly had started the World No Tobacco Day by passing a resolution in 1987.
• According to WHO, tobacco use kills more than 8 million people around the world each year.
• Around 70 percent of tobacco users lack access to the tools for quitting Tobacco.
• The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day is ‘Quit tobacco to be a winner’.
• The nicotine present in tobacco causes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

2. Government launched YUVA - Prime Minister’s Scheme for Young Authors.

• The Ministry of Education has launched YUVA- Prime Minister’s Scheme For Mentoring Young Authors. Here, YUVA stands for Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors.
• It has been launched to promote reading, writing, and book culture in the country.
• It has been launched as part of the India@75 Project (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav). It will encourage young generation writers to write on the Unsung Heroes, Freedom Fighters, Unknown and Forgotten Places and their role in National Movement.
• It will be implemented by the National Book Trust under the Ministry of Education.
• A total of 75 authors will be selected through an All India Contest. Some selected young authors will interact with some of the best authors in the world.
• Under this Mentorship Scheme, a scholarship of Rs.50,000 per month will be provided to authors for six months.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Agriculture

3. IFFCO to launch Nano Urea in the market.

• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) will launch Nano Urea in the market.
• It will be equivalent to 45kg of normal urea, and it will cost 480 rupees per kg.
• It will help in increasing the productivity of the crop by 18-35% and reduce the burden of cost for cultivation.
• It is eco-friendly urea and reduces the consumption of normal Urea.
• Nano Urea:
  • The Urea produced with the help of Nano-technology is known as Nano Urea.
  • The commercial use of nano-urea was approved by the government in 2020.

(Source: MPDI)

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

4. Second meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas concluded.

• The second meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas concluded on 28 May 2021.
• It was chaired by Secretary Sanjay Bhattacharyya and Additional Secretary, P. Harish, as India’s BRICS Sherpa and Sous Sherpa, respectively.
• The meeting was organized for the preparation of the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers meet on 1^st June.
• It has been organized under the chairmanship of India from 25^th to 28^th May.
• India will host the 13th BRICS summit in 2021.

Topic: Important Days

5. Statehood Day of Goa: 30 May.

• 30 May is the statehood day of Goa. Goa was conferred statehood on 30 May 1987.
• In 1961, Goa, along with Daman and Diu, was acquired from the Portuguese. They were made union territory by the 12^th Constitutional Amendment Act 1962.
• On 30 May 1987, Goa was made a state. Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory in 1987.
• In past, Goa was known by other names such as Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Gomantak. 
• Goa is located on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula. Terekhol River runs in its north and separates Goa from Maharashtra. Its main towns are Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda.
• Goa:
  • Goa is a state in western India, and its coastline stretches along the Arabian Sea.
  • The Chief Minister of the state is Pramod Sawant and Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
  • The capital of Goa is Panaji
  • The state bird of Goa is Flame Throated Bulbul, State Animal Gaur and State Tree Matti.

Topic: Sports

6. Pooja Rani wins gold medal in 75kg Women’s category at Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai.

• Pooja Rani has won gold medal in the 75kg Women’s category at Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai.
• Legendary pugilist MC Mary Kom, Lalbuatsaihi and Anupama won silver medals at Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai.
• Pooja Rani defeated Mavluda Movlonova of Uzbekistan and secured India’s first gold medal at the ongoing Asian Boxing Championships.
• Pooja had also won a gold medal in 81kg category in the previous edition of Asian Boxing Championships in 2019.
• Six-time world champion Mary Kom lost to two-time world champion Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay in the final of the 51kg category.
• Anupama won a silver medal after losing to Kazakhstan’s Lazzat Kungeibayeva in the Women’s 81kg final.
• Indian male boxers Amit Panghal, Shiva Thapa and Sanjeet also have reached the finals.
• 31^st edition of the Asian Amateur Boxing Championships is being held from 24 to 31 May 2021 in Dubai, UAE.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defense

7. Indian Coast Guard commissioned Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Sajag.

• On 29 May, Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sajag’ has been commissioned in the Indian Coast Guard by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
• ‘Sajag’ is constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited. It is the third vessel in a series of five offshore patrol vessels to be built under the vision of ‘Make in India’.
• It is equipped with advanced technology equipment, weapon, and sensors. It can carry a twin- engine helicopter and four boats.
• It will help in increasing the operational capability of the Indian Coast Guard.
• Indian Coast Guard:
  • It is an armed force, maritime search and rescue, and law enforcement agency.
  • It works under the Ministry of Defense.
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi.
  • It was formed through an Act of Parliament in 1978.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: State News/ Jammu Kashmir

8. J&K becomes first Union Territory to provide special pension and scholarship to Covid affected families.

• Under the Saksham scheme, Jammu and Kashmir government will provide financial assistance and scholarship to Covid affected families. It is the first Union territory to announce such kind of relief package.
• Jammu and Kashmir’s Administrative Council has approved the grant for this relief package.
• The government will provide a monthly pension of ₹1000 to affected families and will give scholarships to children, who lost their earning parent(s)/ guardian(s) due to Covid.
• A sum of ₹20,000 will be given to children studying up to 12^th standard and ₹40,000 for students in higher education as scholarship.
• The Administrative Council also approved the setting of a special cell in the Social Welfare Department for facilitating benefit to Covid affected families under different Government schemes.
• Jammu and Kashmir:
  • Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is located to the north of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
  • Its winter capital is Jammu and its summer capital is Srinagar.
  • Manoj Sinha is the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

9. NEERI developed a fast method for performing RT-PCR coronavirus test.

• The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has developed a fast method for swab collection and processing for RT-PCR coronavirus test.
• It is a cost-effective method with minimal infrastructure requirements. It will help in ramping the RT-PCR coronavirus test in rural and urban areas.
• National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) is a Nagpur-based laboratory of CSIR.
• The Saline Gargle RT-PCR test is an instant and patient-friendly method. The sample is collected in a tube filled with saline solution.
• RT-PCR: The full form of RT-PCR is Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. It is a technique in which RNA is converted to DNA through reverse transcription.

Topic: Miscellaneous

10. Indian Broadcasting Foundation to be renamed as Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation.

• The Indian Broadcasting Foundation to be renamed as Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF).
• The renaming of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation has been done to bring broadcasters and OTT (over-the-top) platforms under one roof.
• Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation will form a subsidiary to handle all matters related to digital media.
• Indian Broadcasting Foundation:
  • It was formed in 1999.
  • Indian Broadcasting Foundation is the apex body of broadcasters and OTT operators.

Topic: Books and Authors

11. Vikram Sampath’s book titled “Savarkar: A contested Legacy (1924-1966)” will be released in July.

• Historian Vikram Sampath has written a book titled “Savarkar: A contested Legacy (1924-1966)”.
• It will be published by the Penguin Random House India and will be unveiled on July 26.
• In this book, he has written about the political thinkers of the 20^th century.
• He has written about the events of Veer Savarkar’s life from 1924 to 1966.
• Vinayak Damodar Savarkar:
  • He was an Indian independence activist.
  • He was sentenced to 50 years in jail in 1911 for revolting against the Morley-Minto reforms.
  • He was part of the Hindu Mahasabha.
  • He wrote the famous book ‘The Indian War of Independence 1857’.

Topic: Agriculture

12. Two consignments of ‘village rice’ exported from Tamil Nadu to Ghana & Yemen.

• A start-up, Udaya Agro Farm, has exported two consignments of patented “village rice” from Tamil Nadu. The rice has been exported to Ghana & Yemen via air & sea routes.
• ‘Village rice’ is enriched in protein, fiber, and minerals. It has been exported from Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.
• APEDA assisted the Udaya Agro Farm in the export of ‘village rice’. APEDA aims to increase the export of non-basmati rice from India.
• During 2020-2021, exports of non-Basmati have increased by 146%. Non-basmati rice is exported to African and Asian countries from different part of India.
• In March, the ‘red rice’ was also exported from Assam to the USA.
• APEDA is working with farmers, entrepreneurs, exporters, and importers to tap India’s non-basmati rice export potential.
• The government has formed the Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF) to promote the export of rice. It works under the aegis of the APEDA.