Test: November 2021 Weekly Current Affair - 1 - UPSC MCQ

The ‘Ganga Utsav 2021-The River Festival’ was virtually organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to mark the anniversary of announcement of River Ganga as the ‘National River’

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the ‘Ganga Atlas: River of the Past’ developed by Prof Rajiv Sinha, IIT Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

About United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR):
Head– Mami Mizutori
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland

India and Bhutan formalised 7 additional entry – exit points for trade through Letters of Exchange (LoE) issued during the Commerce Secretary level meeting, the countries that discussed Trade & Transit issues.

Satyajit Ray is the only Indian to receive Academy Honorary Award, he received the award during 1992 Oscars.

Rajaraman, Chairman Digital Communications Commission & Secretary(Telecom), has been named the Chairperson of the 22-member innovation group on the Sixth Generation (6G). The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, has formed this initiative.

Karnataka CM launched the state’s ambitious ‘Janasevaka’ (peoples’ servant) scheme and ‘Janaspandana’, an Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS).

• Janasevaka’ – A scheme for Citizens to avail doorstep delivery of government services.
• ‘Janaspandana’ – It is a one-stop platform for citizens to raise complaints on any government scheme or service.

Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) – Ministry of Earth Science, launched India’s 1st Manned Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayan’ from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

• MATSYA 6000, has a capability to reach upto 6000 m depth, will start the sea trails by the second quarter of 2024.

“The Nutmeg’s Curse: A Parable for a Planet in Crisis” is a 2021 novel authored by famous Indian writer Amitav Ghosh.

The 13th Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSO) of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Countries was held virtually under the Chairship of India.

• The meeting was chaired by G. P. Samanta, Chief Statistician of India
• Rao Inderjit Singh is the Minister of State (I/C) for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

The Australian all-rounder cricketer Alan Keith Davidson passed away at the age of 92. He was the first player to score 100 runs and take 10 wickets in a single Test match.

• Former Australian Test spinner Ashley Mallett passed away at the age of 76 in Adelaide, South Australia.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the “Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue” (IPRD) 2021, where he highlighted the importance of protecting the maritime interest of countries & maintaining a rule-based maritime system as per the United Nations Convention on the Law of Seas (UNCLOS), 1982.

• 2021’s IPRD was held under the theme “Evolution in Maritime Strategy during the 21st Century: Imperatives, Challenges and Way Ahead”

In October 2021, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) released the list of 18 Cricketers who were selected for the MCC awards Honorary Life Membership of the Club. The list witnessed the names of 2 former Indian cricketers – Harbhajan Singh and Javagal Srinath.

Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation, launched the ‘Dairy Sahakar’ scheme at Anand, Gujarat during the function organised by AMUL (Anand Milk Union Limited) for the celebration of its 75th foundation year.

• With an outlay of Rs 5000 crore, it will be implemented by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), under the Ministry of Cooperation.

MoES was established in February 2006, from the Department of Ocean Development (DoD) as the Ministry of Ocean Development.

Chhattisgarh observed a 3-days annual 2nd National Tribal Dance Festival 2021, which was held at Raipur’s Science College ground as a part of the tourism development plan of the state.

• Chhattisgarh also observed its state foundation day – Rajyotsava (on November 1, 2021).

Anil Kumble with 619 Test wickets & 334 ODI wickets is India’s highest wicket taker in both the formats.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) along with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are currently processing a USD 2 billion loan for India to purchase COVID-19 vaccines under ADB’s Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX).

• AIIB provides USD 500 million and the Manila-based ADB is expected to finance USD 1.5 billion.

The Gujarat government launched the ‘e-Sarkar’ app on a pilot basis to make administrative works paperless, quick and easy for citizens.

• The state govt plans to launch the app on a full scale on December 25, 2021, the Good Governance Day.

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will set up India’s first mega-scale Maleic Anhydride Plant with an outlay of Rs 3,681 crore to manufacture value-added chemical products at its Panipat refinery and petroleum complex (PRPC) in Haryana.

The Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme was launched by the Government of India in November 2015.

In October 2021, the Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Damodardas Modi launched ‘PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity’ during an event at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

• He announced a 20-member Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) to look after the implementation of ‘PM Gati Shakti’, which will be Chaired by the Cabinet Secretary (Currently Rajiv Gauba).

Ayurveda Day is observed annually across the globe on Dhanwantri Jayanthi (2nd November 2021) or Dhanteras, the festival of Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of Ayurveda to create awareness about the significance of Ayurveda and to promote Ayurvedic principles of healing in society.
i.The theme of Ayurveda Day 2021 is “Ayurveda for Poshan”.
ii.The Ministry of AYUSH celebrated the first National Ayurveda Day on 28th October 2016.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the simultaneous launching of 5 new vessels at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

• 3 Floating Border Outposts for the Border Security Force
• 2 Fully Electric Autonomous Ferries

i. He also launched new Radars and VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management System) of Cochin Port Trust for enhancing the safety of navigation in the port by monitoring and regulating the shipping movements.
 

World Vegan Day is annually observed by vegans across the globe on November 1st to encourage people to follow a vegan lifestyle which is beneficial to one’s health as well as good for the environment.

Flipkart has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to empower local businesses and self-help groups (SHGs) through Central Government’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) program.