Daily Current Affairs and GK | 4 March 2021

Topic: Books and Authors

1. Anindya Dutta wrote a book titled ‘Advantage India: The Story of Indian Tennis’.

• Anindya Dutta has penned a book titled ‘Advantage India: The Story of Indian Tennis’. He has written about the history of Indian tennis in this book.
• In his book, he describes the evolution of tennis in India. He has written about the Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan achievements in the 1970s-80s.
• He also wrote about how Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi won the country its first Grand Slam titles.
• He also discussed the current Indian tennis star like Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza's achievements.

Topic: Miscellaneous

2. Chabahar Day to be virtually commemorated by India today on sidelines of Maritime India Summit-2021.

• Chabahar Day will be virtually commemorated by India today on the sidelines of Maritime India Summit-2021.
• Ministers from Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan will participate in the event.
• The ministerial Level opening session will be addressed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
• A keynote address will be delivered by Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya.
• Chabahar Port:
  • Chabahar is a port located on the coast of Gulf of Oman.
  • It is strategically important for India as it provides connectivity to Iran and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan
  • It is jointly developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan.
  • Chabahar is also the southernmost city of Iran.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

3. Combined Commanders’ Conference started today at Kevadiya in Gujarat.

• Combined Commanders’ Conference has started today at Kevadiya in Gujarat.
• It is a three-day-long annual event. Focus areas of the conference will be theaterisation of armed forces and self-reliance in defence sector.
• Establishment of new air defence command and maritime command is likely to be discussed during the conference.
• The formation of theatre command will bring synergy among the three forces. Newly created Department of Military Affairs is working for the creation of theatre command.
• The Department is also working towards the creation of joint military commands.
• Department of Military Affairs:
  • Department of Military Affairs comes within Ministry of Defence. Chief of Defence Staff heads it.
  • Chief of Defence Staff is ex-officio secretary. It was formed in January 2020.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Appointments

4. AIBA’s Board of Directors elects Mary Kom as Chairperson of its champions and veterans committee.

• AIBA’s Board of Directors has elected Mary Kom as Chairperson of its champions and veterans committee.
• She has been appointed as Chairperson of the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) champions and veterans committee. The committee was formed last year.
• Mary Kom is a six-time world champion and 2012 Olympic bronze-medalist.
• International Boxing Association (AIBA) is headquartered in Switzerland. Umar Kremlev is the President of AIBA. It was formed in 1946.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Reports and Indices/Rankings

5. WHO releases first World Report on Hearing.

• On 2 March, WHO released the first World Report on Hearing and it says that nearly one in four people will be living with hearing loss by 2050.
• As per the report, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will be living with hearing loss and at least 700 million out of them will need access to ear and hearing care.
• Presently one in five people all over the world have a hearing problem. WHO has released the report ahead of World Hearing Day on 3^rd March.
• “Hearing care for ALL! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate” is the theme for World Hearing Day 2021. 
• World Hearing Day is observed by the World Health Organization on 3 March every year. The purpose of this day is to spread awareness for ear protection.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

6. First ever United Arab Emirates ambassador officially received by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

• First ever United Arab Emirates ambassador has been officially received by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
• Mohamed Al Khaja is the name of the ambassador. He is the first Emirati ambassador to the State of Israel.
• Last year, UAE became the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel under Abraham Accord. Israel had opened its embassy in UAE in January.

Topic: International News

7. India and Norway agreed to jointly work for marine spatial planning in Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

• India and Norway have agreed to cooperate in the field of marine spatial planning for the next five years.
• Both countries agreed to jointly work for sustainable use of ocean resources and social development in coastal areas.
• The Marine Spatial Planning initiative will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through the National Centre for Coastal Research for India.
• This initiative is part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative under an MoU signed that was signed between both countries in 2019. Lakshadweep and Puducherry are selected as pilot sites for this Project.
• A marine spatial planning framework will be developed for Lakshadweep and Puducherry by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR).
• Recently, India and Norway have agreed to co-operation in the field of marine pollution.
• Norway is located in Northern Europe. Oslo is its capital and largest city. Erna Solberg is its Prime Minister. The Norwegian krone is its currency.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

8. Kotdwar-Delhi -Kotdwar Siddhabali Jan Shatabdi Spl train has been flagged off by Railways Minister.

• Railways Minister Piyush Goyal flagged off Kotdwar-Delhi -Kotdwar Siddhabali Jan Shatabdi Spl train on 4 March 2021.
• The train will run between Kotdwar and New Delhi. It will provide better connectivity for the Siddhabali temple.
• Minister has also informed about the status of the Kotdwar-Delhi route electrification project.
• Recently, Kotdwar town has been renamed as Kanva Nagri Kotdwar.
• Kotdwar:
  • It is a town in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.
  • It is famous for Sidhbali Temple.
  • It is located on the bank of the Khoh River.
  • Kotdwar railway station is one of the oldest railway stations in India.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

9. CSMT becomes first railway station to receive IGBC Gold Certification in Maharashtra.

• Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus becomes the first railway station to get IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) Gold Certification in Maharashtra.
• It has also become the first railway station of the western division to get IGBC Gold Certification.
• CSMT implemented various green and passenger-friendly initiatives, including the installation of solar panels, plantation of trees, Smart-tech amenities for passengers, Divyangjan and senior citizen-friendly building, etc.
• Indian Green Building Council:
  • It was formed as part of the Confederation of Indian Industry in 2001.
  • It is a premier body for green building certification and related services.
  • It gives rating to green buildings on the basis of energy efficiency, water conservation, handling of waste measures, etc.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/ Nagaland

10. First air cargo services of Nagaland started from Dimapur airport.

• Nagaland’s first air cargo service has been started from Dimapur airport. It has been launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on 2 March 2021.
• It has been launched by the Horticulture department of Nagaland in partnership with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
• Cargo service will help in the transportation of organic fruits and vegetables from the state.
• The Airport Authority of India will also construct a cargo service terminal at Dimapur.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI): It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It is responsible for the construction, upgrade, maintenance and management of civil aviation infrastructure.
• Nagaland:
  • It is a mountainous state in northeast India.
  • It was formed as a separate state in 1963.
  • Dimapur Airport is the only domestic airport in Nagaland.
  • Its current Chief Minister is Neiphiu Rio and the Governor is RN Ravi.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic:  MoUs/Agreements

11. Cabinet nods to an MoU between India and Fiji for cooperation in the field of the agriculture sector.

• Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Fiji for co-operation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India and the Ministry of Agriculture of Fiji have signed this MoU.
• A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be also formed by the executing agencies of both countries. It will create a road map for cooperation in the field of Agriculture.
• The MoU has been signed for cooperation in the following areas:
  • Development of infrastructure for agriculture development
  • Promotion of investment in marketing and value addition/downstream processing of agricultural commodities
  • Joint planning and development of research proposals and execution of research projects and programmes
  • Development of human resources through training of officers and farmers by conducting seminars and workshops
• Fiji:
  • It is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands are made from volcanic activity.
  • It is one of the most developed economies in the Pacific.
  • Its currency is Fijian dollar and Suva is the capital of Fiji.
  • Jioji Konrote is the President and Frank Bainimarama is the current Prime Minister of Fiji.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

12. Union Cabinet approves a pact between India and France for cooperation on Renewable Energy.

• The Union Cabinet has approved an MoU between India and France for cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy.
• The MoU was signed in January 2021. It aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy.
• All the technologies relating to solar, wind, hydrogen and biomass energy will be covered under this MoU.
• It will help India in achieving the renewable energy target of 450 GW by 2030.
• Both countries have agreed on cooperation in the following areas:
  • Exchange and training of scientific and technical personnel
  • Development of joint research and technological projects
  • Exchange of scientific and technological information and data
• France:
  • It is located in Western Europe and its capital is Paris.
  • The President of France is Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister is Jean Castex.
  • The currency of France is Euro.
  • It is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC.