Current Affairs 21st April 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

National Civil Service Day – Observed on Apr 21

• The Government of India chose April 21 as the National Civil Service Day as on this day the country’s first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the newly appointed Administrative Services Officers in 1947.
• The historic occasion took place at the Metcalf House in Delhi.
• During the British raj, Warren Hastings laid the foundation of civil service and Charles Cornwallisreformed, modernized, and rationalized it.
• Hence, Charles Cornwallisis known as ‘the Father of civil service in India’.
• Cornwallis introduced two divisions of the Indian Civil service.
• Following Lord Macaulay’s Report of the Select Committee of British Parliament, the concept of a merit based modern Civil Service in India was introduced in 1854.
• The present-day all-India administrative services owe their origin to Sardar Patel’s sagacity and thus he is regarded as Father of modern All India Services.

Administrative Professionals Day – Observed on Apr 21

• Administrative Professionals Day is a day observed on April 21 yearly in a small number of countries.
• It is not a public holiday in any of them.
• In some countries, it falls within Administrative Professionals Week.
• National Administrative Professionals’ Day, also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day, recognizes the professionals who keep an office running smoothly every day.

World Creativity and Innovation Day – Observed on Apr 21

• The World Creativity and Innovation Day (#WCID)is celebrated on April 21 every year to raise awareness about the importance of creativity and innovation in problem solving and encourage creative multidisciplinary thinking at the individual and group levels.
• The United Nations recognized the day in April 2017.
• The first UN World Creativity and Innovation Day was celebrated on April 21, 2018.
• The World Creativity and Innovation Week is observed from April 15-21.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Centre increase insurance scheme for health workers under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package for one year

• Central government has extended the insurance scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package for health workers for a period of one year.
• Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harshvardhan said that Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package has provided a safety net to the dependents of corona warriors who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package:

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 2016 is a scheme launched by the Narendra Modi led Government of India in December 2016 on the lines of the Income declaration scheme, 2016 launched earlier in the year.

The cover that is provided by the accident insurance scheme is mentioned below:

• Accidental death because of COVID-19 duty.
• Death due to COVID-19.

PM Modi admires step taken by Tata Group to mitigate oxygen crisis

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the efforts of Tata Group for importing 24 cryogenic containers to transport liquid oxygen and help in easing the oxygen shortage in the country.
• The Prime Minister appreciated the step taken by the Tata Group to mitigate the oxygen crisis and strengthen the health infrastructure in the country.
• Modi said, together, the people of India will fight Covid-19.

Labour Ministry restarts 20 Control Rooms to diminish problems of migrant workers

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has rejuvenated the 20 control rooms in view of the resurgence of Coronavirus cases and imposition of certain restrictions by various state governments.
• The steps have been taken to address wage related grievances of workers  and to mitigate the problems of migrant workers.
• Secretary of Labour and Employment Ministry, Apurva Chandra said, this facility was launched in April last year and it is revived again to resolve the issues of migrant workers.
• The Ministry has informed that the aggrieved workers can access these control rooms through email, mobile and whatsapp. 
• The functioning of all 20 call centers is being monitored and supervised by the Chief Labour Commissioner on a daily basis.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India, US to correlate efforts for stability in Afghanistan

• India and the US will coordinate their efforts for stability in Afghanistan.
• US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his US counterpart Anthony Blinken have agreed that the two nations will coordinate on efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan.
• Washington and NATO have announced to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan.
• Price said Mr Blinken spoke to Dr Jaishankar to reaffirm the importance of the US-India relationship and cooperation on regional security issues.
• State Department spokesperson said, the two leaders agreed on close and frequent coordination in support of a lasting peace and development for the people of Afghanistan.
• Other issues discussed between the two leaders include the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, Covid-19 and climate change, for which President Joe Biden is convening a global summit.
• Dr Jaishankar said that their conversation covered recent developments in India’s immediate and extended neighbourhood, health cooperation and UNSC agenda.

India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in virtual format scheduled on May 8^th

• The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting will be held in a virtual format on 8th of next month.
• MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, in view of the COVID-19 situation, it has been decided to hold the meeting virtually in consultation with the EU and Portuguese leadership.
• He said, the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in the EU27 format, the first time that such a meeting is being held, reflects the shared ambition of both sides to further deepen the Strategic Partnership.

Webinar-cum-Expo conducted between Ministry of Defence and Ministry of National Defence Vietnam

• A webinar cum expo was organized between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of National Defence Vietnam. 
• The theme of the webinar was India – Vietnam Defence Cooperation.
• Various Indian companies such as Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Forge, Economic Explosives Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Goa Shipyards Limited, HBL Power Systems, Larsen and Toubro Limited, Mahindra Defence, MKU, SMPP, Tata Advanced Systems made company and product presentations. Thirty-seven companies set up virtual exhibition stalls in the expo.
• Ambassador of India to Vietnam Pranay Verma, Chief of General Department of Defence Industries Vietnam Lieutenant General Tran Hong Minh and other senior officials from both sides participated in the webinar.

India’s demographic advantage to overtake China’s by 2035, reported by China’s central bank

• China’s demographic transition owing particularly to its stricter birth policies has grappled it with the problem of ageing population and dwindling work-force.
• A report released by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), China’s central bank, said that China should immediately liberalize its birth policies to tackle the problems of an ageing population and plan to compete economically with a demographically young India and an immigration-friendly US.
• In a detailed section on India, the report said the gap between the two countries is narrowing.
• As two big countries in Asia, China’s economic growth has been faster than India’s for a long time but in recent years, China’s demographic dividend fading, India’s economic growth has tended to approach China’s, the report said. 
• In a rare frank assessment, it added that China’s ageing population and the declining birth rate will become more serious in 10 years while India’s demographic structure will be further optimised.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Cabinet nods ex-post facto approval for Govt amendments to Finance Bill, 2021

• The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for the Government amendments to the Finance Bill, 2021 enacted on 28th March this year as the Finance Act, 2021.
• The amendments were essential to clarify and rationalize the proposals further and address stakeholders concerns arising out of amendments proposed in the Finance Bill.
• The Government amendments to the Finance Bill, 2021 shall provide equity and inclusiveness to all the taxpayers by addressing stakeholders concerns arising out of amendments proposed in the Bill.
• The Government amendments to the Finance Bill, 2021 are tax proposals which shall generate timely revenue for the Government and streamline existing provisions by addressing grievances of the taxpayers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

Miguel Díaz-Canel as the President of Cuba to succeed Raúl Castro

• Miguel Díaz-Canel will succeed Raúl Castro as the Cuban Communist Party’s first secretary, the most powerful position on the island. 
• He is the first person without the surname Castro to run Cuba since the 1959 revolution.
• Díaz-Canel is seen as loyal to the Castros and their economic model.
• Raúl Castro announced that he would step down from the key position of the party and hand over the leadership to a younger generation.
• At 60, Díaz-Canel is almost 30 years younger than his predecessor and will now hold Cuba’s two most important positions, head of the party and president of the state.
• Eighty nine year old Castro had been in the post since 2011, when he took over from his older brother, Fidel Castro.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Railway Minister declared Rs 50,000 award for Mayur Shelke for exemplary act of bravery

• Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has announced a 50 thousand rupees award for Mayur Shelke for exemplary acts of bravery.
• On the 19th of this month, Mayur showed exceptional courage in saving a precious life by rescuing a child who had slipped and fallen on the tracks from the platform.
• Mayur Shelke in absolute disregard of his own life rescued the child by running in front of the oncoming train and lifted the child to safety by placing him on the platform.
• Mayur Shelke works as a Pointsman at Vangni Railway station in Mumbai Division of Central Railway.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU AND AGREEMENT

India and Germany sign agreement for Technical Cooperation on Cities combating plastic entering the marine environment

• The Government of India and Germanyhave signed an agreement for Technical Cooperation in enhancing practices to prevent plastic entering the marine environment on April 19, 2021,  at a virtual ceremony in New Delhi.
• The project titled ‘Cities Combating Plastic Entering the Marine Environment’will be implemented for a period of three and a half years.
• The outcome of the project is completely in line with the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban focusing on sustainable solid waste management and Prime Minister Modi’s vision to phase out single use plastic by 2022.
• The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
• It will be undertaken at the national level (at MoHUA), select states (Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and in the cities of Kanpur, Kochi and Port Blair.

Cabinet approved MoU between ICAI and CA ANZ

• The Cabinet approved a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, (CA ANZ).
• It intends to develop mutually beneficial relationships in the best interest of members, students and their organizations and is expected to provide an opportunity to the ICAI members to expand their professional horizons and to foster working relations between the two accounting institutes.
• The two accountancy institutes will have an opportunity to play the leadership role in addressing new challenges facing the profession in a globalized environment.
• The engagement between the two Institutes is expected to result in greater employment opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountants and also greater remittances back to India.
• The MoU provides for mutual recognition of qualification of members of other bodies, who have achieved membership by completing the Examination, professional program and practical experience membership requirements of the two parties.

Cabinet approved MoU between CCI and CADE

• Cabinet approved the MoU between Competition Commission of India (CCI) and Administrative Council for Economic Defense of Brazil, (CADE).
• Section 18 of the Competition Act, 2002 permits CCI to enter into any Memorandum or arrangement with any agency of any foreign country for the purpose of discharging its duties or performing its functions under the Act.
• CCI has entered into the MoUs with the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice of USA, Director General Competition of European Union, Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Competition Bureau of Canada and BRICS Competition Authorities.

Cabinet nods ex post facto approval to MoU between DG of Trade Remedies, India and the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission

• The Cabinet gave ex post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the Director General of Trade Remedies, India and the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission on the establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures signed on 27th of last month at Dhaka.
• The primary objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the two countries in the area of Trade Remedies, covering the broad activities related to exchange of information, undertaking capacity building activities and activities in accordance with various provisions of World Trade Organization in the area of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures in bilateral trade.
• The MoU seeks to foster better cooperation between the relevant authorities of both the countries so as to discourage unfair trade practices and promote rule based bilateral trading.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Government of Ghana to acquire 100% stake in AirtelTigo

• The government of Ghana, Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular S.A. announced execution of the definitive agreement for transfer of AirtelTigo.
• The government of Ghana will acquire 100% shares of AirtelTigo, along with all customers, assets and liabilities.

Note : 

• Earlier this month, Bharti Airtel had entered into an agreement with Reliance Jio Infocomm to acquire the right to use spectrum in the 800-megahertz (MHz) band in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Mumbai circles through spectrum trading.

About AirtelTigo :

• Founded: 1990
• Headquarters location: Accra, Ghana
• CEO : Murthy Chaganti

About Ghana :

• Capital: Accra
• Currency: Ghanaian cedi
• President: Nana Akufo-Addo

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DRDO develops SpO2 based Supplemental Oxygen Delivery System

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed SpO2 (Blood Oxygen Saturation) supplemental Oxygen Delivery System for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas.
• It was Developed by Defence Bioengineering & ElectroMedical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bengaluru of DRDO.
• The system delivers supplemental oxygen based on the SpO2 levels and prevents the person from sinking into a state of Hypoxia.
• This automatic system can also prove to be a boon during the current Covid-19 situation.
• Since the system is indigenously developed for operation in field conditions, it is unique with its dual qualities of being robust & cheap and is already in bulk production with the industry.
• With its SpO2 availability and simple to use facility by a common person, the system shall greatly reduce the workload and exposure time of doctors and paramedics to monitor the SpO2 levels of the patient.

About DRDO :

• Founded: 1958
• Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
• Chairman : Satheesh Reddy

About Defence Bioengineering & ElectroMedical Laboratory (DEBEL) :

• Founded: 1982
• Director: Manimozhi Theodore
• Location: Bangalore, Karnataka

CURRENT AFFAIRS : RANKING & INDEX

World Press Freedom Index 2021 : Norway Tops , India Ranks 142

• On April 20, 2021, In the latest World Press Freedom Index 2021, India was placed at 142nd position among 180 countries.
• The World Press Freedom Index 2021 published by the international journalism not-for profit body, Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
• The index to evaluate the press freedom situation in 180 countries and territories.
• In 2020 Index India is ranked 142 Position.
• In 2021 Norway is ranked number 1 in the index, followed by Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Costa Rica.
• India’s neighbour Pakistan ranks at 145.
• At the bottom of the index is Eritrea, with North Korea, Turkmenistan and China preceding it.

About Reporters Without Borders (RSF) :

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Director General: Christophe Deloire
• Founded: 1985, Montpellier, France
• Founders: Robert Ménard, Rémy Loury, Jacques Molénat, Émilien Jubineau

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BOOKS & AUTHORS

Children’s Book Titled “The Christmas Pig” by J.K. Rowling

• Harry Potter author JK Rowling will release a new children’s book entitled The Christmas Pig.
• It was Published by Hachette Children’s Group and Scholastic in different territories.
• The Scottish author’s latest book of the 55-year-old Scottish author will be released simultaneously in 20 different countries and multiple languages.
• A fairy tale titled The Ickabog though that was her first children’s book since the seventh and final instalment of Harry Potter in 2007.

About the book :

• It will tell the story of a young boy named Jack, who goes to extreme lengths to find his stuffed toy pig, and is aimed at children of eight years and up.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

 Stefanos Tsitsipas Wins Maiden Masters 1000 Crown In Monte-Carlo

• On April 18, 2021, the 2021 Rolex Monte Carlo Masters singles title, In Tennis, Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) beat Andrey Rublev (Russia) in a straight-sets 6-3 6-3.
• Including this win, Tsitsipas has claimed the first ATP Masters 1000 trophy of his career.
• In Men’s Double Event Winner is Nikola Mektić /Mate Pavic (Croatia) Beat Dan Evans / Neal Skupski, (United Kingdom) 6–3, 4–6, [10–7]

About Monte Carlo Masters :

• Monte Carlo Masters is a tennis tournament for male professional players and part of Masters 1000 events on the ATP Tour.
• Founded: 1897

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Former Reserve Bank governor Maidavolu Narasimham passes away

• On April 20, 2021, Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Maidavolu Narasimham, Passed away.
• He was 94.

About Maidavolu Narasimham :

• He was famously known as the father of Indian banking reforms.
• He was born in 1927 and hails from Mydavolu village of Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh.
• Narasimham was the 13th governor of RBI and he served as the central bank head from May 2, 1977 to November 30, 1977.
• Prior to his appointment as governor he served as Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.
• Narasimham was the first and so far the only governor to be appointed from the Reserve Bank cadre, having joined the Bank as a Research Officer in the Economic Department.
• After his retirement as RBI governor, he served as India’s executive director at the World Bank and later at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Narasimham also served as secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
• He also headed various committees including the one on the Financial System, 1991 and the Committee of Banking Sector Reforms, 1998.

Achievements :

Narasimham was awarded Padma Vibhushan award in the year 2000.

Former US Vice-President Walter Mondale Passes aw

• Walter F Mondale, the former vice-president and liberal leader Passed away.
• He was 93.
• He served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States.
• Mondale served as Vice President from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter.

Daily CA On April 20 :

• UN Chinese Language Dayis observed on April 20 The event was established by The UN Department of Public Information.
• Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal launched the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS). 
• Marking the continuity of growing bilateral defence cooperation with the French Air and Space Force, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria left for France on a five day official visit.
• Indian Oil has begun the supply of 150 Metric Tonnes of Oxygen at no cost to various hospitals in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.
• Tearful reunions filled Auckland airport as Australia opened the travel bubble with New Zealand for the first time in more than a year.
• Italyhas launched its first ever mega food park project in India, comprising of food processing facilities, in a bid to further strengthen ties between the two nations.
• Union Chemicals & Fertilizers Minister Sadananda Gowda has said that cooperative fertilizer company IFFCO’s new oxygen plant at Kalol in Gujarat will enhance the daily production capacity of medical grade Oxygen by 33 thousand litres per day.
• Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd has filed a draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India to raise funds via initial public offering.
• SIDBI informed Sivasubramanian Ramann has taken charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the bank.
• Tata Consumer Products (TCP), the consumer products company uniting the principal food and beverage interests of the Tata Group under one umbrella, announced the appointment of Deepika Bhan as the Company’s new President – Packaged Foods, India, effective April 27, 2021.
• Software-engineer turned social entrepreneur, Rumana Sinha Sehgal has been awarded the prestigious ‘Nelson Mandela World Humanitarian Award 2021’ by the Diplomatic Mission Global Peace earlier this month.
• On April 16, 2021, Quess Corp, a business services platform, will acquire the remaining 30% equity stake in Conneqt Business Solutions from Tata Sons for 208 crore.
• Union Minister of Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched “World 1st affordable and long-lasting hygiene product DuroKea Series Virtually. It was developed by IIT Hyderabad researchers.
• On April 10, 2021, Iran celebrated its National Day of Nuclear Technology, with an event held simultaneously in Tehran and in nuclear sites in different Iranian cities, in which advanced IR-6 centrifuges started operating.
• On April 18, 2021, Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) won the Emilia Romagna F1 Grand Prix 2021. It was held in Imola, Italy.
• The 2021 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships was held from April 13 to 18, 2021 in Almaty, Kazakhsta India won 14 medals to stand at third spot in the medal table.
• On April 19, 2021, G Venkatasubbaish, well-known Kannada lexicographer, passed away.
• On April 18, 2021, Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Bachi Singh Rawat Passed away.
• On April 19, 2021, Renowned 7-time National Award winner Marathi film-maker and writer Sumitra Bhave passed away.
• On April 16, 2021, Adobe founder who helped develop Portable Document Format (PDF) document & publishing software company Adobe Inc Charles Geschke passed away.

Daily CA On April 21 :

• The Government of India chose April 21 as the National Civil Service Day as on this day the country’s first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the newly appointed Administrative Services Officers in 1947.
• Administrative Professionals Day is a day observed on April 21 yearly in a small number of countries.
• The World Creativity and Innovation Day (#WCID)is celebrated on April 21 every year to raise awareness about the importance of creativity and innovation in problem solving and encourage creative multidisciplinary thinking at the individual and group levels.
• Central government has extended the insurance scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package for health workers for a period of one year.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the efforts of Tata Group for importing 24 cryogenic containers to transport liquid oxygen and help in easing the oxygen shortage in the country.
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has rejuvenated the 20 control rooms in view of the resurgence of Coronavirus cases and imposition of certain restrictions by various state governments.
• India and the US will coordinate their efforts for stability in Afghanistan.
• The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting will be held in a virtual format on 8th of next month.
• A webinar cum expo was organized between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of National Defence Vietnam. 
• China’s demographic transition owing particularly to its stricter birth policies has grappled it with the problem of ageing population and dwindling work-force.
• The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for the Government amendments to the Finance Bill, 2021 enacted on 28th March this year as the Finance Act, 2021.
• Miguel Díaz-Canel will succeed Raúl Castro as the Cuban Communist Party’s first secretary, the most powerful position on the island. 
• Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has announced a 50 thousand rupees award for Mayur Shelke for exemplary acts of bravery.
• The Government of India and Germanyhave signed an agreement for Technical Cooperation in enhancing practices to prevent plastic entering the marine environment on April 19, 2021,  at a virtual ceremony in New Delhi.
• The Cabinet approved a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, (CA ANZ).
• Cabinet approved the MoU between Competition Commission of India (CCI) and Administrative Council for Economic Defense of Brazil, (CADE).
• The Cabinet gave ex post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the Director General of Trade Remedies, India and the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission
• The government of Ghana, Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular S.A. announced execution of the definitive agreement for transfer of AirtelTigo.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed SpO2 (Blood Oxygen Saturation) supplemental Oxygen Delivery System for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas.
• On April 20, 2021, In the latest World Press Freedom Index 2021, India was placed at 142nd position among 180 countries.
• Harry Potter author JK Rowling will release a new children’s book entitled The Christmas Pig. It was Published by Hachette Children’s Group and Scholastic in different territories.
• On April 18, 2021, the 2021 Rolex Monte Carlo Masters singles title, In Tennis, Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) beat Andrey Rublev (Russia) in a straight-sets 6-3 6-3.
• On April 20, 2021, Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Maidavolu Narasimham, Passed away.
• Walter F Mondale, the former vice-president and liberal leader Passed away. He served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States.