Current Affairs 10th April 2021| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

ICCR 71st Foundation Day: Observed on Apr 09

• The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is celebrating its 71st Foundation Day on April 09.
• Swami Vivekanand Cultural Centre at Indian Embassy in Beijing celebrated ICCR Foundation Day on April 09.
• In the presence of a huge gathering of ICCR scholars in China and their disciples who learnt Indian dance and music.
• The ICCR has unveiled ‘Little Guru’ app, world’s first Gamified Sanskrit learning App which was jointly launched in Beijing by Ambassador Vikram Misri and renowned Chinese scholar on Sanskrit and India studies, Professor Wang Bangwei. 
• Many Sanskrit Professors from Peking University and the students were also present.
• Ambassador Vikram Misri highlighted ICCR’s role in promoting cultural, academic and intellectual exchanges between India and the rest of the world.
• He said nearly 300 students in China in the last few years have availed ICCR scholarships and hoped that more Chinese students will avail of these scholarships.

World Homeopathy Day: Observed on Apr 10

• World Homeopathy Dayis celebrated every year on April 10 to spread awareness about homoeopathy and its contribution to the world of medicine.
• The day marks the birth anniversary of German physician Dr Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, who is considered as the founder of system of alternative medicine called Homeopathy.
• The year 2021 marks the 266th birthday of Samuel Hanhemann.

International Convention on World Homoeopathy Day:

• The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, organized a two day scientific conference on the occasion of #WorldHomoeopathyDay from April 10 & 11, 2021 in New Delhi.
• The theme of the conference is “Homoeopathy – Roadmap for Integrative Medicine”
• Objective:  exchange of experience by policy makers and experts to identify strategic actions towards an effective and efficient inclusion of Homoeopathy in integrative care.

Surveyors’ Day: Observed on Apr 10

• 10th April is celebrated as ‘Survey Day‘ throughout India.
• This dayhas a special significance in the History of Surveying as it is on this day that Major William Lambton started the GTS(Great Trigonometrical Survey) and the work of measurement of Great Arc from the Cape Comorin to Bangalore, on 10th April, 1802.
• The method of measurement through triangulation was conceived by the EIC officer William Lambdon and later under his successor George Everest, it became the responsibility of the Survey of India.
• One of the greatest accomplishments of the trigonometric survey was the measurement of Mount Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi makes virtual summit with his Dutch Counterpart

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and the Netherlands are working together for a supply chain in Indo-pacific region.
• Holding the Virtual Summit with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, Mr Modi mentioned, the relationship between the two countries is based on the shared values of democracy and rule of law.
• He said, they are also developing convergence in new areas like Indo-Pacific resilient supply chains and global digital governance.
• Mr Modi added that establishment of a fast track mechanism for investment promotion also gives new momentum to strong economic cooperation between the two countries.
• He expressed confidence that post covid period many news opportunities will be generated in which like-minded countries can enhance mutual collaborations.

India, Netherlands lauds the launch of strategic partnership in water sector

• India and the Netherlands have announced the launch of the strategic partnership in the water sector to further intensify ongoing cooperation and better coherence in the area.
• India – Netherlands Virtual Summit held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Sandeep Chakravorty said that both leaders have agreed to elevate the joint working group on water to a Ministerial Level.
• They also discussed broadening bilateral cooperation in new areas of water including water budgeting, cost effective decentralized treatment technology, converting wastewater to energy and river hazard management.
• He said both sides have announced the setting up of a fast track mechanism to facilitate bilateral trade and to resolve issues of Dutch and Indian companies.

NITI Aayog unveils Online Dispute Resolution handbook

• NITI Aayog will launch the first-of-its kind Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) handbook in India.
• ODR is the resolution of disputes outside courts, particularly of small and medium-value cases, using digital technology and techniques of alternate dispute resolutionsuch as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
• Supreme Court Judge, Justice D Y Chandrachud will deliver the opening address and launch the handbook.

Rajnath Singh make talks with Defence Minister of Kazakhstan Lieutenant General Nurlan Yermekbayev

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Defence Minister of Kazakhstan Lieutenant General Nurlan Yermekbayev in New Delhi.
• During the meeting, the two Ministers exchanged views to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation in various fields.
• They agreed that both sides must look at the possibility of defence industrial collaboration of mutual interest.
• The Defence Minister of Kazakhstan thanked Rajnath Singh for the opportunity given to the Kazakh troops for deployment as part of the Indian battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
• Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar and other officials were also present in the meeting.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ICCR Foundation Day marked at Indian Embassy in Seoul

• ICCR Foundation Day was celebrated at Indian Embassy in Seoul
• Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, highlighted the role of ICCR in promotion of Cultural Diplomacy and India’s Soft Power.
• She said, over the years, ICCR has worked to propagate an image of India that augments its natural historical appeal, boosting cultural diplomacy and foreign policy” mentioned Ambassador Ranganathan.
• Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President, ICCR noted, ”During the last over 6 years, ICCR has received a new thrust under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who has shown keen interest to build onto India’s ‘soft’ power strengths”.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING NEWS

Jeep India and Axis Bank jointly launch Jeep Financial Services

• Jeep India has tied up with Axis Bank to launch Jeep Financial Services, which will curate financial solutions for Jeep customers and Jeep brand dealers.
• “Formation of this entity strategically supports the anticipated growth in Jeep India’s business and a consequent rise in its customer base,” the two companies mentioned in the statement.
• Jeep brand dealers will also benefit from this partnership as they will enjoy special interest rates and will contribute to a more seamless retail process, the statement further mentioned.
• Axis Bank and Jeep India will get access to each other’s growing customer database.
• Jeep customers will be serviced from the bank’s 4,586 branches spread across India and also via on-site counters at high footfall Jeep brand dealerships.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: PERSONS IN NEWS

Priyanka Chopra Jonas to present at BAFTA awards 2021

• Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been announced as one of the presenters for the 74th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards.
• The annual award ceremony, which has been delayed from its usual February date due to the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to take place on April 10 and 11 at the Royal Albert Hall here.
• Chopra Jonas will be joined by other presenters, which include Phoebe Dynevor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cynthia Erivo, Hugh Grant, Richard E Grant, Tom Hiddleston, Felicity Jones, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, James McAvoy, David Oyelowo, and Pedro Pascal, the BAFTA announced.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

Wipro appointed Subha Tatavarti as CTO

• IT services major Wipro Limited announced it has appointed former Walmart executive Subha Tatavarti as its chief technology officer.
• The company has also appointed Suzanne Dann as senior vice president and sector head for Capital Markets and Insurance, North America region.
• Tatavarti will lead Wipro’s Service Transformation, Topcoder, Robotics, SVIC, Technovation Centre, Open Innovation and Applied Research teams, Wipro mentioned in a statement.
• Tatavarti joins Wipro from Walmart, where she led product, technology development and commercialization of enterprise infrastructure along with Security, data science and Edge platforms, it added.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

HDFC to acquires 10% stake in Kerala-based asset management firm

• On April 06, 2021, Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd (HDFC) acquired 9.9 per cent stake in Kerala Infrastructure Fund Management Ltd.
• The Corporation has invested in 3,88,303 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Kerala Infrastructure Fund Management Limited representing 9.9 per cent of its share capital issued on a private placement basis.

About KIFML :

• It acts as an asset management company.
• Set up : November 2018
• It was promoted by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
• To manage Kerala Infrastructure Fund.

About HDFC :

• CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: August 1994, India
• Chairman : Deepak Parekh
• CEO & Vice Chairman : Keki Mistry

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

To boost Seychelles’ maritime security India gifts Rs 100 crore patrol vessel PS Zoroaster

• On April 08, 2021, India formally handed over Rs 100 crore patrol vessel “PS Zoroaster” to Seychelles.
• The virtual summit was held between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan.
• The PS Zoroaster is the fourth made-in-India patrol boat to be gifted to Seychelles since 2005.
• The other vessels gifted by India include PS Topaz (2005), PS Constant (2014), Patrol Boat Hermes (2016).

About PS Zoroaster :

• The 9-metre patrol boat was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineering at a cost of Rs.100 crore.
• It has a top speed of 35 knots and an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles.
• The vessel will be used for multi-purpose operations, such as patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations, and search and rescue.

Other Projects :

• Modi and President Wavel Ramkalawan inaugurated the new magistrates’ court building in Mahé constructed with a $3.5-million grant.
• A 1 MW solar power plant built at a cost of $3.4 million, and 10 community development projects during a virtual event.

About Seychelles :

• Capital: Victoria
• President: Wavel Ramkalawan
• Currency: Seychellois rupee

Finance Minister attends 103rd Development Committee Meeting of World Bank-IMF Virtually

• On April 09, 2021, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the 103rd Meeting of the Development Committee through video conferencing.

The items on the agenda :

• WBG and International Monetary Fund Support for Debt Relief Under the Common Framework and Beyond.
• COVID-19 pandemic: World Bank Group Support for Fair and Affordable Access to Vaccines by Developing Countries
• From COVID-19 Crisis Response to Resilient Recovery – Saving Lives and Livelihoods while Supporting Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID).
• The Government has announced Aatma Nirbhar Packages of ₹1 trillion, amounting to more than 13 percent of the GDP. These packages were meant not only to provide social protection to the poor and vulnerable but also to push forward the economic reforms.

About World Bank :

• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
• Founded: July 1944, United States
• Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & SERVICES

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal launches NanoSniffer, a microsensor based explosive trace detector

• On April 09, 2021, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’  launched NanoSniffer, the world’s first Microsensor-based Explosive Trace Detector (ETD).
• It has been developed by NanoSniff Technologies.
• It is being marketed by Vehant Technologies, a spin-off from a former IIT Delhi incubated startup Kritikal Solutions.

About NanoSniffer :

• NanoSniffer is a 100 percent Made in India product in terms of research, development & manufacturing.
• This is affordable device will reduce our dependence on imported explosive trace detector devices
• NanoSniffer can detect explosives in less than 10 seconds
• It will also encourage other institutions, startups and medium-scale industries to research & develop products indigenously.
• NanoSniffer is a step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India.
• It also identifies and categorizes explosives into different classes.
• It detects all classes of military, conventional and homemade explosives.
• NanoSniffer gives visible & audible s with sunlight-readable color display.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BOOKS & AUTHORS

A New Book Akhtari : The Life and music of Begum Akhtar, Tributed to Singer Begum Akhtar

• A new book Akhtari: The Life and Music of Begum Akhtar to remember about the life and singing experience of indian singer Begum Akhtar.
• The book will be released on April 30.

About the Book :

• It is originally written in Hindi, is now available in English
• Edited by Yatindra Mishra
• Published by HarperCollins India.
• The book, featuring essays on her life and music, remembrances by those who knew her well, and interviews with the legend herself.
• The book including the likes of Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar and Shubha Mudgal, recalls her eventful life and her music through essays in a new book.
• The translators Shuchita Mital, Madhu B Joshi, Shubhangi Mishra and Maneesha Taneja have played a commendable role

Achievements of  Begum Akhtar :

• 1968 – Padma Shri Award 
• 1972  – Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
• 1975 – Padma Bhushan Award
• On October 07, 2017, Commemorating her 103rd Birthday Google Dedicated a Doodle Profile.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Four sailors from India qualify for Tokyo Olympics 2021            

• In a historic first for the country, Four Indian sailors qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
• The pair of Ganapathy Chengappa, Varun Thakkar, and Vishnu Saravanan made the cut during an ongoing Asian Qualifiers in Oman on April 8, 2021.
• This was after Nethra Kumanan on April 7 became the first Indian woman sailor to qualify for the Olympics in the laser radial event in the Mussanah Open Championship.
• It is an Asian Olympic Qualifying event.

Note :

• It will also be the first time that India will be competing in three sailing events in the Olympics. 

About Tokyo Olympics :

• The Tokyo Olympics will commence on July 23 till August 8, 2021.
• MeanWhile, the Paralympics will be taking place from August 24 to September 5, 2021.
• Motto: United by Emotion
• Nations: 206 (expected)
• Location: Tokyo, Japan

FIFA suspends PFF , Chad football associations

• On April 07, 2021, FIFA suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and Chadian Football Association (FTFA) after concerns over the governance of the two member associations.

Note :  

• Pakistan was previously suspended from October 2017 to March 2018 after FIFA objected to a court decision to appoint an outside administrator to run the PFF after another dispute over a contested election.
• A group of football officials led by Ashfaq Hussain, which was elected by the Supreme Court in 2018 to run the PFF but was not recognised by FIFA, took over the headquarters recently and seized control from the FIFA Normalisation Committee headed by Haroon Malik.
• The Chadian Ministry of Youth and Sports had stripped the country’s FA of its powers on March 10 following concerns over the way it was being run and a breakdown in communication.

About Pakistan Football Federation :

• President: Humza Khan
• Headquarters : Lahore, Pakistan
• Founded: 1947

About Chadian Football Association (FTFA) :

• Founded: 1962
• President: Moctar Mahamoud Hamid

About FIFA :

• Founded: 21 May 1904,Paris, France
• Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland

Daily CA On Apr 09 :

• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Valour Day (Shaurya Diwas)is observed on 9 April every year, as a tribute to the brave men of the Force. 2021 marks 56th CRPF Valour Day.
• Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region, DoNER Dr. Jitendra Singh has said that more than Rs. 250 crore had been sanctioned for augmenting healthcare facilities in the North-Eastern States for effective management of COVID-19.
• Minister of State in PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh flagged off India Russia Friendship Car Rally 2021. The event was organized by International Friendship Car Rally Association, IFCRA in New Delhi.
• Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched an initiative SARTHAQ which will help in the implementation of National Education Policy in the country.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a Virtual Summit with his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte. 
• Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana has completed six years. It is a scheme under which loans of upto 10 Lakh rupees are provided to the non-corporate, non-farm, small and micro enterprises.
• The S. educated female law professor Vjosa Osmanihas been elected as the new President of Kosovo.
• Mahindra & Mahindra is expecting interest from other investors for SsangYong MotorCo (SYMC) even as SYMC’s CEO, Byung Tae Yea, quit after failing to find a strategic investor for the ailing company.
• Ramanathapuram Forest Range Officer S Sathish was honoured with the International Ranger Award.
• Experienced India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was among the cricketers nominated for the ICC ‘Player of the Month’ award for March following his standout performances in the limited overs matches against England.
• On April 05,2021, The country’s most valued online education firm, Byju’s, acquired Blackstone Group-backed Aakash Educational Services (AESL) for an estimated $1 billion cash and stock deal.
• On April 06, 2021, The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposed combination relating to acquisition of Principal Asset Management Private Limited, Principal Trustee Company Private Limited and Principal Retirement Advisors Private Limited by Sundaram Asset Management Company Limited.
• On April 07, 2021, The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar launched Madhukranti portal and Honey Corners of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation, NAFED in New Delhi. 
• Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched the “MyNEP2020” Platform of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
• On April 07, 2021, The Great Khali was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
• India’s first female Cricket commentator Chandra Nayudu has passed away.
• On April 06, 2021, Veteran Renowned Journalist-author Fatima R Zakaria passed away.

Daily CA On April 10 :

• The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is celebrating its 71st Foundation Day on April 09.
• World Homeopathy Dayis celebrated every year on April 10 to spread awareness about homoeopathy and its contribution to the world of medicine.
• 10th April is celebrated as ‘Survey Day‘ throughout India. This dayhas a special significance in the History of Surveying as it is on this day that Major William Lambton started the GTS(Great Trigonometrical Survey).
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and the Netherlands are working together for a supply chain in Indo-pacific region.
• India and the Netherlands have announced the launch of the strategic partnership in the water sector to further intensify ongoing cooperation and better coherence in the area.
• NITI Aayog will launch the first-of-its kind Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) handbook in India.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Defence Minister of Kazakhstan Lieutenant General Nurlan Yermekbayev in New Delhi.
• ICCR Foundation Day was celebrated at Indian Embassy in Seoul Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, highlighted the role of ICCR in promotion of Cultural Diplomacy and India’s Soft Power.
• Jeep India has tied up with Axis Bank to launch Jeep Financial Services, which will curate financial solutions for Jeep customers and Jeep brand dealers.
• Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been announced as one of the presenters for the 74th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards.
• IT services major Wipro Limited announced it has appointed former Walmart executive Subha Tatavarti as its chief technology officer.
• On April 06, 2021, Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd (HDFC) acquired 9.9 per cent stake in Kerala Infrastructure Fund Management Ltd.
• On April 08, 2021, India formally handed over Rs 100 crore patrol vessel “PS Zoroaster” to Seychelles. The virtual summit was held between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan.
• On April 09, 2021, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the 103rd Meeting of the Development Committee through video conferencing.
• On April 09, 2021, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’  launched NanoSniffer, the world’s first Microsensor-based Explosive Trace Detector (ETD).
• A new book Akhtari: The Life and Music of Begum Akhtar to remember about the life and singing experience of indian singer Begum Akhtar.
• In a historic first for the country, Four Indian sailors qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The pair of Ganapathy Chengappa, Varun Thakkar, and Vishnu Saravanan made the cut during an ongoing Asian Qualifiers in Oman on April 8, 2021.
• On April 07, 2021, FIFA suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and Chadian Football Association (FTFA) after concerns over the governance of the two member associations.