Weekly BeePedia 9th February - 15th February 2021

Weekly BeePedia
9th February to 15th February 2021
INDEX
Finance and Banking________________________________________________2
Economy _________________________________________________________7
National __________________________________________________________16
International ______________________________________________________19
States____________________________________________________________ 20
Reports and Indexes ________________________________________________24
Science and Technology _____________________________________________

24
Agriculture and Rural Development ___________________________________25
Defence __________________________________________________________26
Events ___________________________________________________________ 28
Appointments _____________________________________________________29
Awards and Rewards _______________________________________________30

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Important Days ____________________________________________________31
Obituaries_________________________________________________________32
Books ____________________________________________________________32
Sports ___________________________________________________________ 33
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Weekly BeePedia
FINANCE AND BANKING

RBI sets up panel to suggest steps for strengthening, consolidating UCBs
 The RBI has set up a committee to draw a vision document for strengthening urban
cooperative banks (UCBs) and exploring the potential of consolidation in the sector.
 The committee will suggest “effective measures for faster rehabilitation and resolution of Urban
Cooperative Banks (UCBs) and also assess their potential for consolidation in the sector.”
 The committee will be under the chairmanship of former RBI Deputy Governor N. S.
Vishwanathan.
Learn Along
RBI Headquarters: Mumbai Governor: Shaktikanta Das
4 Deputy Governors: B.P. Kanungo,
MK Jain, MD Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao
RBI: India’s GDP growth projected at 10.5 per cent for FY22
 In the last bi-monthly monetary policy meet for the current, the Reserve Bank of
India projected India’s GDP growth rate at 10.5 per cent for the fiscal year 2021-22.
 The growth outlook has improved significantly, and the vaccination drive will further boost the
economic rebound.
 It expects the Indian economy to grow in the range of 8.3 per cent to 26.2 per cent in the first
half of FY22, followed by a 6 per cent growth in Q3FY22.
RBI releases Annual Report of Ombudsman Schemes for 2019-20

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 The RBI has released the Annual Report of the Ombudsman Schemes for the year 2019-20.
 There was an increase of around 65 per cent in the receipt of complaints out of which almost
92 per cent have been disposed of.
 RBI has three Ombudsmen- Banking, Non-Banking Finance Company (i.e., NBFC) and
digital transactions. A common man can approach these Ombudsmen for their grievances.
 As per the RBI’s report, all three received in total 3,30,543 complaints in 19-20 as compared to
2,00,362 in 18-19.
 Banking Ombudsman received major complaints regarding ATM & Debit Cards, Mobile &
Electronic Banking while NBFC’s Ombudsmen received most complaints about non-
observance of regulatory guidelines, lack of transparency in contract/ loan agreement and levy of
charges without notice.
RBI Organises Financial Literacy Week from February 8-12
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched the Financial Literacy Week (FLW) from
February 8-12, 2021, to propagate financial education.
 RBI conducts Financial Literacy Week (FLW) every year since 2016 to propagate financial
education messages on a particular theme every year across the country, through a focused
campaign.
 The theme for 2021 FLW is “Credit Discipline and Credit from Formal Institutions”.

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SEBI plans to introduce framework to compensate investors for technical glitches
 SEBI is considering a proposal to introduce a framework to ascertain the incidents of technical

glitches whereby compensation would be given to investors.
 Besides, it is also looking to devise a methodology and calculation of compensation.
Learn Along
SEBI Headquarters: Mumbai Chairman: Ajay Tyagi
SEBI mulls cybersecurity fusion centre for securities market
 SEBI is in the process of setting up a cybersecurity fusion centre.

 It is aimed at detecting cyber threats faster and resolve such incidents efficiently and effectively.
 Establishing a cybersecurity fusion centre or a cyber-lab is part of Sebi’s three-tier structure for
monitoring cybersecurity-related events in the securities markets and taking actions as
deemed necessary in the interest of protection of the securities market.
 The three-tier structure would strengthen the cybersecurity preparedness or resilience of the
entire securities market ecosystem.
 Under the tier-1, high-powered steering committee on cybersecurity chaired by a whole-time
member of SEBI has been set up and a cybersecurity fusion centre would be established
under the tier-2.
 In the tier-3, division of technology and cybersecurity on SEBI would coordinate with the
steering committee, cyber security lab security and operations centres at the respective market
infrastructure institutions (MIIs).
IRDAI advises insurers to allow storing of policies in DigiLocker

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 Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) advised all insurers to put
in place IT systems that would allow policyholders access to DigiLocker facility for preserving
all their policy documents.
 DigiLocker is an initiative under the Digital India programme by the Ministry of Electronics & IT
(MeitY), where citizens can get authentic documents or certificates in digital format from original
issuers of these certificates. The issued documents in the DigiLocker system are deemed to be
at par with the original physical document.
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IRDAI Headquarters: Hyderabad Chairperson: Subhash Chandra Khuntia
IRDAI panel okays launch of index-linked insurance policies
 A committee set up by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India

(IRDAI) has recommended the introduction of index-linked insurance policies (Ilips).
 The committee was formed about four months ago after requests from insurers for reintroducing
Ilips, which were banned by the regulator in 2013.
 The returns from Ilips will be linked to benchmark indices.
 According to the IRDAI Working Group committee report, Ilips can be an alternative or
complementary option to the current conventional guaranteed products (including annuities and
savings products) and unit-linked insurance plans (Ulips).

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Mis-selling complaints go down, shows IRDAI report
 The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority’s (IRDAI) annual report outlined the
regulator’s focus on curbing mis-selling and reported fewer mis-selling complaints.
 The regulator also released data on claims settlement ratio of insurance companies.
 As per the IRDAI report, the analysis of mis-selling complaints data of private life insurers
shows that the number has reduced from 47,503 in 2017-18 to 35,178 in 2019-20.
 Also, the incidence of mis-selling complaints per 10,000 policies sold has reduced over the years.
SIDBI partners with Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs to give fillip to Stand-Up India
Scheme
 Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), along with Confederation of Women
Entrepreneurs of India (COWE) have launched the 'Swavalamban Sashakt - MEGA
CAMPAIGN'.
 It is a 20-webinar series to create Awareness Outreach & Business Opportunity Program to
give a fillip to Stand Up India (SUI) Scheme.
Learn Along
SIDBI Headquarters: Lucknow CMD– Mohammad Mustafa
SBI achieves Rs. 5 trillion mark in the home loan segment
 State Bank of India has touched a business of Rs 5 trillion in the home loan space.
 This growth was achieved in the last 10 years.
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SBI Headquarters: Mumbai Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara
IRFC lists $750-million medium-term note on India INX
 Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) has listed USD 750 million medium-term note on
BSE-owned India International Exchange’s debt listing platform.
 The issue is part of IRFC’s USD 4-billion global medium-term note programme.
 The issue, at a coupon of 2.8 per cent per annum, was over-subscribed by more than 4 times.
Learn Along
BSE Headquarters: Mumbai MD & CEO: Ashish Kumar Chauhan
India INX Headquarters: Gandhinagar, Gujarat CEO: V. Balasubramaniam
NCDEX to launch Hi-pro soybean meal futures
 Leading agri-commodity bourse NCDEX will launch futures trading in animal feed ‘Hi-pro
soybean meal’.
 The futures contracts in Hi-pro soybean meal, expiring in the months of March to September will
be available for trading at the time of the launch.
 The contract will have a trading and delivery unit of 10 tonne.
 Hi-pro soybean meal is an animal feed with the high protein content of 50 per cent or more as
compared with around 46 per cent in normal soymeal.
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NCDEX Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Vijay Kumar

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HDFC Bank beats SBI in COVID scheme loans
 HDFC Bank has outdone State Bank of India (SBI) in disbursements under the Emergency
Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) introduced by the government as a part of the
COVID-19 relief package.
 The scheme involved a government guarantee for additional loans, up to Rs 3 lakh crore,
extended to businesses facing stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn Along
HDFC Bank Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan
Meghalaya police inks MoU with SBI for e-Challan
 A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Meghalaya police and the
State Bank of India for implementation of the e-Challan within the jurisdiction of the Shillong
Traffic Police (STP).
 The e-Challan system which will be launched in the days to come is a digital traffic enforcement
solution whereby, imposing penalties on violators of traffic rules and generating of challan will be
done digitally.
Learn Along
SBI Headquarters: Mumbai Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara
PNB Restricts Withdraw of Money from non-EMV ATMs
 Punjab National Bank (PNB) has decided to restrict its customers from withdrawing money from
non-EMV automated teller machines (ATMs) with effect from 01 February 2021, in an attempt
to check frauds, related to money transactions. www.i xamBee.c om
 This restriction will apply to both, financial and non-financial transactions. To overcome this,
PNB will introduce OTP based systems for withdrawing cash.
 Non-EMV ATMs are those which reads data through magnetic strips and do not hold the ATM
card during the transaction.
Learn Along
PNB Headquarters: New Delhi MD &CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao
Schemes/Facilities launched by various banks/private financial companies
Company Name Service/Scheme Launched Learn Along

About PNB
Headquarters: New Delhi
MD & CEO: S. S.
MoU- To provide up to Rs 2 crore to the oil company’s Mallikarjuna Rao
dealers. It would benefit dealers with credit facilities at lower
PNB & Indian Oil interest rates, nil margin, and with minimum or zero About Indian Oil
collateral requirements through the PNB e-Dealer scheme. Corporation
Chairman: Shrikant
Madhav Vaidya
Buy Now Pay Later- It will enable users to finance their
purchases while shopping at flexible rates including lucrative About MoneyTap
MoneyTap options like 0% EMIs across various online and offline Headquarters: Bangalore
merchants. CEO: Bala Parthasarathy

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NPCI PayAuth Challenge- To find solution for alternatives

for authorising UPI transaction through options like About NPCI
NPCI & APIX Biometrics. This challenge is supported by the world's first Headquarters: Mumbai
cross-border, open architecture API marketplace and CEO: Dilip Asbe
sandbox platform – APIX.
Kotak Remit- It will allow users to send money abroad About Kotak Mahindra
Kotak Mahindra directly from their mobile phones. The outward forex Bank
Bank remittance solution is live on the Kotak Mobile Banking App. Headquarters: Mumbai
CEO: Uday Kotak
About PhonePe
UPI Multi-Bank Model- It will provide PhonePe users with Headquarters: Bengaluru
the option to create and use multiple UPI IDs with Axis MD & CEO: Sameer Nigam
PhonePe & AXIS Bank’s “@axl” handle. PhonePe will also start acquiring
Bank merchants with Axis Bank in addition to its partnership with About Axis Bank
YES Bank. Headquarters: Mumbai
MD & CEO: Amitabh
Chaudhry
SmartUp grants- It has started inviting applications from
start-ups and solo entrepreneurs for its SmartUp grants
under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) brand -- About HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank Parivartan. The initiative is aimed at finding and deploying Headquarters: Mumbai
long-term, sustainable solutions at scale, to address social CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan
issues and contribute to the economic and social
development of the country.
About AGS Transact

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Tech
Contactless Withdrawals- Mastercard cardholders will be Headquarters: Mumbai
AGS Transact able to withdraw cash by scanning a QR code displayed on CEO: Ravi B. Goyal
Technologies & the ATM screen of all participating banks using their banking About Mastercard
Mastercard app on the mobile phone. Headquarters: New York,
US
CEO: Ajay Banga
Health AdvantEDGE- It provides holistic protection against About Bharti AXA
Bharti AXA General mounting expenses related to medical exigencies and other Headquarters: Mumbai
Insurance healthcare services and also offers Ayush benefits. MD & CEO: Sanjeev
Srinivasan
Arogya Sanjeevani policy- It will be offered on PhonePe. About Star Health
Star Health All PhonePe users will be able to opt for this policy and can Insurance
Insurance & now protect their families from financial burdens in the event Headquarters: Chennai
PhonePe of any medical emergency. CEO: Prakash Subbarayan
FASTag powered truck terminal- The terminal has a About Equitas Small
Equitas Small
capacity of 160 trucks, which can be parked in at any given Finance Bank
Finance Bank,
point in time. At this juncture more than 350 trucks visit the Headquarters: Chennai
Ocean Highway
terminal in a day. President: Murali
Facilities & MSRDC
Vaidyanathan
Opening of bank accounts for construction workers-
This labour welfare initiative is aimed at ensuring financial About Indian Post
literacy and digital inclusion of construction workers in the Payment Bank
CREDAI & IPPB
long run and would make financial services accessible to Headquarters: New Delhi
them. MD : J Venkatramu

Weekly BeePedia
ECONOMY
IFC picks up $56 million of Continuum Energy’s $561 million-green bonds
 The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has picked up 10 per cent of the first green bond
issuance worth USD 561 million by Continuum Wind Energy as the anchor investor.
 The IFC has subscribed to 10 per cent or USD 56 million of Continuum Energy’s first green bond
sale closed earlier.
Learn Along
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is an international financial institution that offers investment,
advisory, and asset-management services to encourage private-sector development in less developed countries.
The IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and it was established in 1956.
IFC Headquarters: Washington, D.C. MD: Philippe Le Houérou
World Bank Signs $100 million Project with Chhattisgarh
 Indian Govt and Chhattisgarh Govt has signed a $100 million for CHIRAAG (Chhattisgarh
Inclusive Rural and Accelerated Agriculture Growth) project with the World bank.
 The main purpose is to develop sustainable production systems that allow tribal households in remote
areas of Chhattisgarh to practice round-the-year production of diversified and nutritious food.
 The project will be implemented in the southern tribal-majority region of the state where a large
population is undernourished and poor.
 Over 180,000 households from about 1,000 villages in eight districts of Chhattisgarh, will be
benefited from this project. www.i xamBee.c om
Learn Along
World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., US President: David. Malpass
Laxity found in ensuring safety by SAIL at Bhilai plant: CAG report
 The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled up SAIL for “laxity” in ensuring
safety measures which led to the blast at the company’s Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in 2018, in which
14 people had lost their lives.
 On October 9, 2018, an explosion occurred at around 10:30 am in a gas pipeline connected to the
coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town
 The CAG report further noted that there were a smaller number of safety officers posted in its plants
than the statutory requirement during the period.
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Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) is a Constitutional body under Article 148 of the Indian
Constitution. The CAG is empowered to Audit all receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and the
State Governments, including those of autonomous bodies and corporations substantially financed by the
Government. The CAG is also the statutory auditor of Government-owned corporations and conducts
supplementary audit of government companies in which the Government has an equity share of at least 51 per
cent or subsidiary companies of existing government companies.

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NITI Aayog commissions study to assess “unintended” economic impact of select SC, NGT
decisions
 NITI Aayog has commissioned a study to assess the “unintended” economic impact of select
decisions of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal and to review if the stated
objective behind the judicial pronouncements was met.
 Jaipur-based CUTS International has been asked to do the study on the apex court rulings on halting
consultation of Mopa Airport in Goa, stopping iron ore mining in Goa, and shutting down Sterlite
Copper’s Tuticorin plant in Tamil Nadu.
 To highlight the economic impact, five cases have been selected of which three were decided by the
Supreme Court and the other two by the National Green Tribunal.
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NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi Chairman: Narendra Modi
FDI in insurance to attract international insurers and promote competition, says Fitch
 India’s recently announced union budget measures would help the Insurance sector attract foreign
capital, strengthen solvency and promote competition, said Fitch Ratings.
 The recently declared budget entailed the relaxation of foreign ownership limits on insurers from 49%
to 74%, thereby allowing majority foreign ownership, whilst also listing the Life Insurance
Corporation (LIC) of India on the bourses.
 The measures announced by the Finance Minister also include, to maintain local participation, the
requirement that majority of insurers’ key management personnel and board members to be resident
Indians, and that half of the board comprised of independent directors.
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Learn Along
A foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business
interests located in another country. Generally, FDI takes place when an investor establishes foreign business
operations or acquires foreign business assets in a foreign company.
MoU between ICAR & BEE
 An MoU was signed between Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Bureau of
Energy Efficiency (BEE) to create awareness for energy efficient pumpsets and operational
practices so as to adopt energy and resource efficient approaches.
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The ICAR is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
ICAR Headquarters: New Delhi President: Narendra Singh Tomar
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power created in
March 2002 under the provisions of the nation's 2001 Energy Conservation Act. The agency's function is to develop
programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy in India.
BEE Ministry: Ministry of Power Director General: Abhay Bakre
Indian economy to contract by 7% in FY21: SBI Research
 SBI Research revised its contraction forecast for the current fiscal year to 7 per cent.
 The agency had earlier forecast a 7.4 per cent contraction in 2020-21 GDP numbers.

Weekly BeePedia
Government notified scheme to provide financial assistance to project proponents for enhancing
ethanol distillation
 Government has notified scheme for extending financial assistance to project proponents for
enhancement of ethanol distillation capacity or to set up distilleries for producing 1st Generation (1G)
ethanol from feed stocks such as cereals (rice, wheat, barley, corn & sorghum), sugarcane, sugar
beet etc.
 Under the scheme, Government would bear interest subvention for five years, including one year
moratorium, against the loan availed by project proponents from banks at 6% per annum or 50% of
the rate of interest charged by banks, whichever is lower, for setting up of new distilleries;
expansion of existing distilleries; converting existing distilleries to dual feedstock; setting up of new
dual feed distilleries; expansion of existing dual feed distilleries; and installation of Molecular Sieve
Dehydration (MSDH) column etc.
CCI approves multiple subscriptions & acquisitions
 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved subscription to securities of Ecom Express
Private Limited by CDC Group plc.
 It approved acquisition by Bank of India (“BOI”) of BOI AXA Investment Managers Private Limited
(“BOIAXA IM”) and BOI AXA Trustee Services Private Limited (“BOIAXA TS”) under Section 31(1) of
the Competition Act, 2002.
 It also approved acquisition by Siemens Healthineers Holding I Gmb (SHS GmbH) of Varian
Medical Systems, Inc. (Varian) under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
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Competition Commission of Chairman: Ashok Gupta
India
States’ fiscal deficit to narrow to 4.3 pc of GDP in FY22: Report
 The aggregate fiscal deficit of states is likely to be at 4.3 per cent of the gross domestic product
(GDP) in 2021-22 compared to 4.6 per cent in 2020-21, says a report by India Ratings and Research.
 It has revised the outlook on state finances to stable for FY22 from stable-to-negative.
 It had earlier forecast FY21 fiscal deficit of states to be at 4.5 per cent but revised it later due to a
sharper-than-expected contraction of 6.1 per cent y-o-y in the nominal GDP.
Singapore’s GDP shows signs of recovery, to grow by 4-6 per cent in 2021
 Singapore recently said its economy will grow by 4.0 to 6.0 per cent this year, making a gradual
recovery from the worst recession after weighing positive and negative developments in key external
economies.
 If the economy grows by 6%, this would be the best growth since 2011, when its GDP grew by 6.3%.
Retail inflation eases to 16-month low of 4.06% in January
 Retail inflation eased to a 16-month low of 4.06 per cent in January mainly on account of softening
of food and vegetable prices, government data showed.

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 It is for the second consecutive month that retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
has remained within the target range of RBI which is 4 per cent (+/-2 per cent).
 The retail inflation stood at 4.59 per cent in December 2020 and 7.59 per cent in January 2020.
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 Retail inflation measured in terms of the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) is the
benchmark for working out dearness allowance for central government employees and dearness relief for
pensioners.
 The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the ministry, has been compiling CPI-IW every month on the basis of
the retail prices of selected items collected from 289 markets spread over 78 industrially important centres in the
country.
Major ports get more powers; Private investors to get a leg-up
 Major ports will get to determine the tariffs for various port-related services as well as the terms for
private developers who team up with them, with Parliament passing the Major Ports Authority Bill,
2020.
 The new law will supersede a 1963 Act governing the country’s 12 major ports.
 The Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) will cease to operate and every port will now be
governed by a Port Authority (board) which will have the powers to fix reference tariffs for various port
services.
NPA risks easing for largest PSU banks but shortage of funds could hit credit growth
 Risk of a sharp deterioration in the asset quality of five of the largest PSU banks now seems to be
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abating with the economic recovery picking up pace, said Moody’s Investors Service.
 However, despite this, the rating agency cautioned that such public sector lenders are likely to remain
starved of sufficient capital to absorb unexpected shocks and support credit growth.
 Banks were expected to see a sharp rise in NPAs last year when the pandemic slowed the Indian
economy down but despite the economic slump, the asset quality of banks has seen mild
improvement.
Learn Along
A non performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained
overdue for a period of 90 days. Banks are required to classify NPAs further into Substandard, Doubtful and Loss
assets.
Finance Ministry to infuse Rs 3,000 crore in general insurance companies
 The Finance Ministry will infuse Rs 3,000 crore capital into state-owned general insurance
companies during the current quarter in a bid to improve their financial health.
 Last year, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared proposal to provide
capital support to National Insurance, Oriental Insurance and United India Insurance.
 The cabinet had also decided to increase the authorised share capital of National Insurance
Company Limited (NICL) to Rs 7,500 crore and that of United India Insurance Company Limited
(UIICL) and Oriental Insurance Company Limited (OICL) to Rs 5,000 crore each to give effect to
the capital infusion decision.

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NDB commits USD 100 million to NIIF Fund of Funds (FoF)
 National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) recently confirmed that the New Development
Bank has committed to invest USD 100 million (around Rs 728 crore) in NIIF Fund of Funds
(FoF).
 With NDB's investment, the FoF has secured USD 800 million in commitments.
 NDB joins the Government of India (GoI), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Asian
Development Bank (ADB) as an investor in the FoF.
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New Development Bank (NDB) was set up with an initial authorised capital of $100 billion by BRICS countries in
2014. It was officially opened in Shanghai in 2015.
States' fiscal deficit to narrow to 4.3 percent of GDP in FY22, says India Ratings Report
 The aggregate fiscal deficit of states is likely to be at 4.3 per cent of the gross domestic product
(GDP) in 2021-22 compared to 4.6 per cent in 2020-21, says a report by India Ratings and Research.
 The rating agency has revised the outlook on state finances to stable for FY22 from stable-to-
negative.
Learn Along
A fiscal deficit is a shortfall in a government's income compared with its spending. A fiscal deficit is calculated as
a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), or simply as total money spent in excess of income. In either
case, the income figure includes only taxes and other revenues and excludes money borrowed to make up the
shortfall.
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ISRO has adopted ATLs across the country in the field of space education and technology
 ISRO has adopted Atal Tinkering Labs across the country in the field of space education and
technology.
 The whole programme is divided into two phases. First phase includes 45 labs and 2nd phase
covers balance 55.
 ISRO is also designing space education & space technology as an extra curriculum activity for the
schools to utilise ATLs, which will have the endorsement of Ministry of Education.
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 The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and
entrepreneurship across the country
 AIM will provide grant-in-aid of Rs. 20 Lakh to each school that includes a one-time establishment cost of Rs. 10
lakh and operational expenses of Rs. 10 lakh for a maximum period of 5 years to each Atal Tinkering Labs
(ATL)
ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru Chairman: K. Sivan
TIFAC unveils two new initiatives of Technology —SAKSHAM & a Seaweed Mission
 The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) has unveiled two
new initiatives.
 SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti Manch) is a dynamic job portal for mapping the skills of Shramiks vis-à-
vis requirements of MSMEs to directly connect Shramiks with MSMEs and facilitate placement of 10
lakh blue-collar jobs.

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 A Seaweed Mission for commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing for value addition
towards boosting national economy.
ONGC to usher in India’s first Geothermal Energy at Ladakh
 ONGC will implement India’s maiden Geothermal Field Development Project in Ladakh.
 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize this has been inked by ONGC Energy Centre
(OEC) with the Union Territory of Ladakh and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
 This project of ONGC will put India on Geothermal Power map of the World.
 Geothermal resource development can revolutionize farming in Ladakh, which is now totally
dependent for supply of fresh vegetables, fruits from outside the UT round the year.
 Further, direct heat energy applications make it most relevant to Ladakh.
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ONGC Headquarters: New Delhi Chairman: Shashi Shanker
Triton Electric Vehicle inks MoU with BEL for development of EVs and ESS
 US-based Triton Electric Vehicle has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat
Electronics Limited (BEL) for developing electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
 As per the MoU, BEL will be the exclusive manufacturing partner to Triton in India for identified
products, while Triton will provide the know-how and technical documentation required for
manufacturing of these products.
 For requirements of Energy Storage System (ESS) in India, BEL will address the requirements as a
prime contractor and Triton will provide the support as technology partner as per Make in India
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requirements.
Siemens ties up with IISc, CMTI to set up digital transformation labs
 Siemens has signed pacts with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Central Manufacturing
Technology Institute (CMTI) to set up digital transformation labs.
 Siemens signed two separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with IISc and CMTI,
respectively, to establish first-of-its-kind digital transformation labs.
 The labs are aimed at enhancing the expertise of researchers at IISc as well as technical skills of
professionals in the machine tool industry.
 The MoUs will focus on development of industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0-enabled
products and technologies.
IGNOU signs pact with Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority
 The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and Indira Gandhi National
Open University (IGNOU) signed a preliminary pact for collaboration towards utilising the tele-
lecturing facility for investor awareness programmes through distance learning mode.
 A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been inked for utilising the tele-lecturing facility of Gyan
Darshan Channel (EPMC).

Weekly BeePedia
HAL, Wipro3D collaborate to manufacture metal 3D printed aircraft engine component
 Wipro and HAL have collaborated for the development, manufacturing and air worthiness certification
of a critical aero-engine component operating in the hot zone, using metal 3D printing.
 The Nozzle Guide Vane (also called the Inner Ring), 3D printed in a high temperature resilient steel
A286, has been awarded Airworthiness certification by Centre for Military Airworthiness and
Certification (CEMILAC), the regulatory body of Defence Research and Development
Organization (DRDO).
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HAL Headquarters: Bengaluru CEO: R Madhavan
DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi Agency Executive: Dr G. Satheesh

Reddy
Denmark is creating the world’s first energy production island
 Denmark has decided to build the world’s first artificial island with the aim to provide clean energy.
 The island will be located in the North Sea (located between England and Scotland).
 The Scandinavian country is the biggest source for oil in all of Europe but they have promised to stop
production of fossil fuels in the next three decades.
 The unnamed project will be the biggest of its kind in Denmark’s history. At a cost of over $33 billion
or €28 Billion, it will be over 23 acres in size.
 The power will be generated using wind power farms and at full capacity, it is expected to be able to
power 3 million European houses.
 The energy will also be diverted to help shipping, aviation as well as other heavy transport sectors.
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Cabinet nod for Rs 100 crore grant-in-aid to BVFCL
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a proposal to give Rs 100 crore
grant-in-aid to Assam-based state-run Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd (BVFCL).
 The grant-in-aid of Rs 100 crore to BVFCL will restore the urea production capacity of 3.90 lakh tonne
per annum and ensure timely availability of urea to the tea industry and farming sector in the entire
North Eastern region specially Assam.
 It will also continue the existing employment of about 580 employees on a permanent basis and
another 1,500 persons on an ad-hoc basis.
French companies to invest Rs 200 crore in Tamilnadu
 The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI) organised the third edition of its
flagship event, the Indo-French Investment Conclave focusing on the Tamilnadu on 11 and 12
February in a virtual format.
 The event was organised to showcase investment opportunities in India and to attract French
Investments and boost Indo-French trade.
 French companies A Raymond Fasterners, Cryolor, Precia Molen and Timac Agro, presented four
LOIs to the government of Tamilnadu, with an intent to invest Rs 200 crore in the State during the
IFCCI Indo- French Investment Conclave 2021.

Weekly BeePedia
Sri Lanka settles $400 million currency swap facility with India
 Sri Lanka has settled a USD 400 million currency swap facility with India.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) had concluded the
USD 400 million currency swap agreement in July last year under the SAARC currency swap
framework.
Haryana signs MoUs with 3 e-commerce firms
 Haryana’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department signed MoUs with three e-
commerce companies – eBay, Power2SME and Tradeindia.com.
 After the MoU, these e-commerce companies will conduct training and workshops in all districts of
Haryana to educate entrepreneurs about the benefits of e-commerce, listing their products online.
Govt sets up nodal authority for design and specifications of deep-sea fishing vessels
 The government has set up a Nodal Authority to frame Approved Standardised Deep-Sea
Fishing Vessels (DSFV) Design and Specifications (ASDDS) to help state fisheries departments in
expediting implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
 The ASDDS will provide the minimum basic design parameters under which the vessels are to be
constructed.
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The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable
development of fisheries sector with an estimated investment of ₹20,050 crores for implementation during a five-
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year period beginning April 1, 2020 in all States/Union Territories, as a part of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package. Of
this, an investment of about ₹12,340 crores is proposed for beneficiary-oriented activities in Marine, Inland fisheries
and Aquaculture and about ₹7,710 crores is for fisheries infrastructure.
PMMSY Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Launch Year: 2020
Husbandry & Dairying
Maharashtra govt signs MoU with Flipkart to promote wooden toys, local artifacts, handicrafts
 In order to promote wooden toys, local artifacts, handicrafts Maharashtra Small Industries
Development Corporation and Maharashtra State Khadi & Village Industries Board have signed
a Memorandum of Understanding with Flipkart.
 Flipkart will provide free training for packaging and branding to all these manufacturers.
 Also, product photography will also be done by the company.
NSDC inks partnership with HP to impart skills to students
 Hewlett Packard (HP) India and National Skill Development Corporation inked a partnership to
provide worksheets and content to facilitate home learning and early skill development of students
across India.
 Under the partnership, NSDC will host content from HP's Print Learn Center on its digital skilling
platform--eSkill India, and make it available for potential users as well as aspiring students, free of
cost.
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NSDC Headquarters: New Delhi CEO: Manish Kumar

Weekly BeePedia
Exim Bank extends USD 400 million soft loan to Maldives for financing connectivity project
 India has extended a USD 400 million (about Rs 2,932 crore) soft loan to Maldives through the
Exim Bank to finance a connectivity project in the nation of islands.
 The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) on behalf of the Government of India has extended a
Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 400 million for undertaking Greater Male’s connectivity project in
Maldives.
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Exim Bank is a specialized financial institution wholly owned by the Government of India with presence in Indian
and foreign cities around the world. It was set up in 1982, for the purpose of financing, facilitating and promoting
India’s international trade
Exim Bank Headquarters: Mumbai MD: David Rasquinha
ICICI Lombard launched Corporate India Risk Index
 ICICI Lombard unveiled 'Corporate India Risk Index 2020', spanned across industries and
companies.
 The index will help companies to understand the level of risk that their business is facing.
 The index will also assist them in developing a successful risk aversion plan.
 It aims to help firms understand the level of risk their business is facing and current level of
preparedness.
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ICICI Lombard Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Bhargav Dasgupta
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Centre, Uttarakhand govt sign MoU on Rs 173 cr science city project in Dehradun
 An MoU was signed between Central government and Uttarakhand government for setting up
of ₹173 crore science city in Dehradun.
 The MoU was signed between Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST) and
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organisation under the Indian
Ministry of Culture.
 The project will take four years to complete.
 The Centre will provide ₹88 crore while the state government will contribute ₹85 crore for the
ambitious project.
MapmyIndia ties up with ISRO to build an alternative to Google Maps
 The Indian Space Research Organisation has entered into an agreement with MapmyIndia to
develop mapping and other location-based services in India, which MapmyIndia suggested could
become an alternative to widely-used Google maps and similar products.
Reliance Industries gets world's first 'carbon-neutral' oil from US
 Reliance Industries Ltd has sourced the world's first consignment of 'carbon-neutral oil' from the
United States as it looks to become a net zero-carbon company by 2035.

Weekly BeePedia
 Reliance, which operates the world's largest single location oil refining complex at Jamnagar in
Gujarat with capacity of 68.2 million tonnes a year, got 2 million barrels of consignment Permian
basin.
Ford, Google join hands to offer cloud-based data services
 Ford Motor Co. will tap into software, artificial intelligence and cloud computing offered by
Alphabet Inc's Google to develop new consumer services and modernize internal operations.
 Ford will offer its customers built-in Google apps, including its map and voice technology. It will
deploy Google artificial intelligence technology to improve the efficiency of vehicle development,
supply chain and manufacturing operations.
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Google Headquarters: California, United States CEO: Sundar Pichai
NATIONAL
Aarogya Setu integrates with Indian vaccine app CoWIN
 Aarogya Setu announced an integration with CoWIN that gives us a brief glimpse at what can be
expected from the standalone app.
 The first phase of the vaccination drive is already underway, with
Learn Along
health officials, frontline workers, and people over the age of 50 About Co-WIN
years, the first in line for the vaccine. The vaccination programme in
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 With CoWIN integration, Aarogya Setu now has features to track the country will use Co-WIN
the people who have been vaccinated. (COVID Vaccine Intelligence
Work), an online digital
 The app also shows whether they have received the Covishield
platform developed by the
vaccine or Covaxin. Union Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, which will
Approved Vaccines: The drugs regulatory body of India has currently facilitate real-time information
approved two vaccines. of vaccine stocks, storage
i. Pune-based Serum Institute of India has developed the temperature and individualized
Covishield vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford tracking of beneficiaries for
COVID-19 vaccine.
University.
ii. Hyderabad's Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian
Medical Council of research (ICMR) and National Institute of
Virology has developed the Covaxin.
India & Nepal Jointly Inaugurate 108km Road to Improve Daily Connectivity at Border
 India and Nepal jointly inaugurated a newly constructed 108-kilometre road connecting Indian
borders with several areas of the Himalayan nation.
 The Indian government has provided the grant assistance of Rs 44.48 million that was utilised for the
construction of the road.
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About Nepal Capital: Kathmandu Currency: Nepalese Rupee

Weekly BeePedia
India inks MoU to build dam for safe drinking and irrigation water to Kabul
 India and Afghanistan signed a MoU for construction of the proposed Shatoot (Lalandar) dam that
India will build to provide safe drinking and irrigation water to Kabul residents.
 The MoU for Shatoot dam was signed by foreign minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart Hanif
Atmar.
 The government said the project was a part of the New Development Partnership between India and
Afghanistan.
 This is the second major dam being built by India in Afghanistan, after the India-Afghanistan
Friendship Dam [Salma Dam], which was inaugurated by Modi and Ghani in June 2016.
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About Afghanistan Capital: Kabul Currency: Afghan afghani
1st India Toy Fair 2021
 The first India Toy Fair will be held virtually from February 27 to March 2.
 The website for the India Toy Fair 2021 which was launched will enable children, parents,
teachers, exhibitors, etc. to register themselves to participate in the virtual fair which will showcase
various facets of the Indian toy ecosphere.
 It is the first ever digitally accessible exhibition and platform which will provide an opportunity to
explore and buy a variety of toys from over 1,000 exhibitors across states and union territories, and
participate in insightful webinars, panel discussions and activities, and network with various
stakeholders from the toy industry. www.i xamBee.c om
 The main attractions of the fair include a virtual exhibition with over 1,000 stalls, knowledge
sessions with engaging panel discussions and webinars on diverse topics by experts on areas
including toy-based learning, craft demonstrations, competitions, quizzes, virtual tours, product
launches, etc.
Food regulator FSSAI notifies regulations to limit trans-fat in food items
 Food regulator FSSAI notifies the regulations to

limit the content of trans-fat in all food items. Learn Along
About Trans-fats
 India joins the club of around 40 countries globally Industrial trans-fats are produced by adding
that have already enacted the best practice policies hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them
to eliminate trans-fats and would be among the first solid, which increases their stability at room
countries in Asia after Thailand in achieving the best- temperature and extends shelf life. Trans-fats
are largely present in partially hydrogenated
practice policies in trans-fat elimination.
vegetable fats/oils, vanaspati, margarine and
 FSSAI has limited industrial TFA (trans-fatty acids) bakery shortenings. They are found in baked
to not more than 3% in all fats and oils by January and fried foods.
2021 and not more than 2% by January 2022. Research has shown that higher intakes of
 In 2018, the WHO called for elimination of industrially produced trans-fatty acids
(more than 1 per cent of total energy intake)
industrially-produced trans-fat from the food are associated with increased risk of high
supply by 2023 and released an action package cholesterol and heart diseases.
'REPLACE' for the same.

Weekly BeePedia
Balasore to get India’s first lightning research unit
 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is all set to establish the country’s first thunderstorm
research testbed at Balasore.
 Expected to be fully operational in next five years, the facility will aim to reduce fatalities and loss
of property due to lightning strikes in Odisha and the eastern states.
 DRDO Chandipur, ISRO Balasore and Bhubaneswar met office will jointly implement the project.
 The new facility will be developed at IMD’s observation centre in Balasore.
 The IMD, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are jointly working on the project.
Nitin Gadkari launches India's first CNG tractor
 Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari formally launched India's first-
ever diesel tractor converted into a CNG tractor.
 This conversion is jointly done by Rawmatt Techno Solutions and Tomasetto Achille India.
 This conversion will aid in increasing farmers' income by lowering costs and help in job creation in
rural India.
 Besides this, the conversion will also help in reducing maintenance costs since it is non-corrosive,
non-dilutive and non-contaminating. It is also a cheaper alternative as CNG is up to 50 per cent
cheaper when compared to petrol and diesel.
Lok Sabha passes the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020

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 Lok Sabha passed the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020.

 The Bill seeks to provide for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in the country and
provide greater autonomy to these ports. It seeks to replace the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.
 The legislation provides for the creation of a Board of Major Port Authority for each major port. These
Boards will replace the existing Port Trusts.
 It will make the major ports in the country more autonomous and provide major thrust in the maritime
sector. The bill will help the ports develop world class infrastructure and will also enhance
transparency in their functioning.
MSDE launches Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship programme in Bengaluru
 The Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey
launched the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship programme in the Indian Institute of
Management in Bengaluru.
 The Fellowship is launched as part of the SANKALP programme of the ministry to provide skilled
manpower for District Skill Committees to prepare the District Skill Development plan.
 Under the pilot project, IIMB will train 75 graduates for two years in preparing the District skill plan
considering the skill gaps, market utilities, government schemes and institutions available in the
district.
 Graduates from 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and
Meghalaya are chosen for the training.

Weekly BeePedia
India Australian Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE)
 India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE) is jointly being organized by Atal Innovation
Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia.
 It will enable the students and startups/MSMEs of both the nations in fostering innovative solutions
for the development of a circular economy across the food system value chain with the aim of
increasing the long-term health and resilience of our planet, through innovative technology solutions.
 I-ACE aims to accelerate the development of young and promising students and startups/MSMEs
working towards the creation of a sustainable future.
 The themes of the hackathon will be:
 Innovation in packaging reducing packaging waste
 Innovation in food supply chains avoiding waste
 Creating opportunities for plastics waste reduction
 Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste
IIT Bombay launches fundraising campaign ‘Cherish IIT Bombay 2021’
 IIT Bombay launched its first-ever annual fundraising campaign in India, Cherish IIT Bombay
2021.
 The funds will be used for the creation of world-class laboratory complexes, modernization of
lecture halls and continuation of awards to attract and retain faculty.
 Donations made to IIT Bombay by corporate bodies and individuals are 100% tax-deductible under
section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act.
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President Kovind Inaugurates General KS Thimayya Museum in Karnataka
 A museum celebrating the life of former Army Chief General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya,
housing a variety of antique weaponry and war relics, was inaugurated by President Ram Nath
Kovind.
 "Sunny Side", the erstwhile ancestral house of General Thimayya, who served as the Chief of Army
Staff from 1957 to 1961, has been renovated and converted into a museum in Karnataka's Kodagu
district.
INTERNATIONAL
Mario Draghi Sworn In As Italy's New Prime Minister
 Former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi was formally sworn in as Italy's new prime
minister.
 Mario Draghi, credited with saving the euro as president of the European Central Bank at the height of
the eurozone crisis.
 The previous Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, resigned in January after his party lost support for its
coalition government.
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About Italy Capital: Rome Currency: Euro

Weekly BeePedia
U.S. extends New START nuclear arms treaty with Russia
 The United States has extended the New START nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia for five
years.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off last Friday legislation extending the accord.
 The New START treaty is the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former Cold War
rivals.
 Signed in 2010, New START caps to 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by
Moscow and Washington, which control the world's largest nuclear arsenals.
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About US Capital: Washington, D.C. Currency: US Dollar
About Russia Capital: Moscow Currency: Russian ruble
STATES
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates ‘Jalabhishekam’ campaign in Madhya Pradesh
 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated water conservation campaign in
Madhya Pradesh under 'Jalabhishekam' campaign from New Delhi.
 Under this programme more than 57,000 water structures has been constructed.
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 These water structures were created during COVID era by linking the work with the MNREGA
scheme.
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About Madhya Pradesh
Capital: Bhopal CM: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Governor: Anandiben Patel
Madhya Pradesh: Mandu festival starts at Mandu in Dhar
 In Madhya Pradesh, the three-day Mandu Festival began at Mandu in the historic town of Dhar
district.
 Handicrafts related to handmade art are also being displayed in the Mandu Utsav to encourage vocal
for locals.
 Dino Adventure Park & Fossils Museum also inaugurated by the state culture and tourism minister.
The Dinosaur Park is the country's first modern fossil park which has 24 eggs and other fossils of
dinosaurs on display. The park also provides information related to life of dinosaurs.
Madhya Pradesh launches 'SAANS' campaign to reduce infant mortality
 The health department in Madhya Pradesh has launched the Social Awareness and Action to
Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (‘SAANS’) campaign with the aim of reducing infant mortality
due to pneumonia.

Weekly BeePedia
 To reduce the death rate due to pneumonia among infants a strategy is being chalked out under the
Social awareness campaign in which medical staff is being trained. Training will be imparted at the
community and primary health centres.
 Around 4,000 Health and Wellness Centres have been set up in Madhya Pradesh for this purpose.
 The State government has also developed training modules in partnership with PGIMER,
Chandigarh, and UNICEF, which will be used to enhance the skills of health workers, including
doctors and paramedical staff.
PM Modi lays foundation stone for various projects in Tamil Nadu's Kanchipuram
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for various projects in Tamil Nadu's
Kanchipuram. PM unveiled multiple projects including roadways, railways and energy sector.
 He laid foundation stone for the four-lane road project of Vikravandi-Sethiyathopu section.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone for various development projects in Tamil
Nadu via video-conferencing.
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About Tamil Nadu
Capital: Chennai CM: E.K. Palaniswami Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
Tamil Nadu set to create state’s 5th tiger reserve
 Following the Centre’s approval, Tamil Nadu government passed an order for creating the fifth tiger
reserve in the state and the 51st in the country. www.i xamBee.c om
 The Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve will span the forests of Megamalai wildlife sanctuary
and Srivilliputhur grizzled squirrel wildlife sanctuary spread across the districts of Theni,
Virudhunagar and Madurai.
Vijayanagara became Karnataka’s 31st district
 The Karnataka cabinet gave in principle approval for the creation of Vijayanagara as the state's
31st district.
 Named after the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, the new district was carved out from Ballari
under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.
 Vijayanagara, located in Hyderabad-Karnataka region, is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage
sites – Hampi and Virupaksha Temple.
 With Hosapete as its headquarters, Vijayanagara has six taluks– Hosapete, Kudligi,
Hagaribommanahalli, Kotturu, Hoovina Hadagali, and Harapanahalli.
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About Karnataka
Capital: Bengaluru CM: B.S. Yediyurappa Governor: Vajubhai
Delhi Cabinet Approves ‘Mukhyamantri Vigyan Pratibha Pariksha’ Scheme
 The Delhi cabinet has approved “Mukhyamantri Vigyan Pratibha Pariksha” in which Rs 5,000 will
be provided to 1,000 meritorious students of Class 9 in schools of Delhi as a science scholarship.

Weekly BeePedia
 The scholarship will provide a boost to science education in secondary classes at the school level.
 According to the release, the students studying in Delhi schools who have secured more than 60
percent in Class 8 are eligible for the examination. Students belonging to SC, ST, PH, or OBC
category will be given a relaxation of up to 5 percent of marks.
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About Delhi
Lt. Governor: Anil Baijal CM: Arvind Kejriwal
Odisha to build memorial to honour fallen Covid warriors
 The Odisha government will construct Covid Warrior Memorial at a public park in Bhubaneswar
in recognition of the sacrifice and services of Covid warriors.
 According to the decision, the state government would build the Covid memorial at the Biju Patnaik
Park in Bhubaneswar.
 The state government plans to inaugurate the memorial on August 15 this year.
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About Odisha
Capital: Bhubaneswar CM: Naveen Patnaikha Governor: Ganeshi Lal
PM Modi launches 'Asom Mala' programme in Assam to boost road infrastructure
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Asom Mala' programme in Dhekiajuli of Sonitpur
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district with an aim to boost the state's road infrastructure and contribute to the state's economic
progress and improve connectivity.
 The programme is unique for its emphasis on effective maintenance through continuous field data
collection and its linkage with the Road Asset Management System.
 PM Modi also laid the foundation stones of medical colleges and hospitals in Biswanath and
Charaideo with an aim to boost Assam's health infrastructure.
 The two medical colleges and hospitals are being set up at Biswanath and Charaideo at a total
estimated project cost of over Rs 1,100 crores. Each hospital will have a 500-bed capacity and 100
MBBS seat capacity.
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About Assam
Capital: Dispur CM: Sarbananda Sonowal Governor: Prof. Jagdish Mukhi
Kaziranga National Park records 93 thousand 491 birds
 In Assam, the Kaziranga national park has recorded a total of 93 thousand 491 birds as per the
latest census.
 Official sources informed that there are 112 bird species and 22 families found during the
enumeration. The recent bird census has witnessed an increase of over 59 thousand birds in the
Kaziranga national park.

Weekly BeePedia
UP govt announces a unique 16-digit Unicode to identify landholdings
 Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a unique 16-digit Unicode to mark all kinds of
landholdings.
 Every piece of land in the state will have its own unique identity from now onwards that would check
cases of land disputes and save people from falling into the trap of fraudsters.
 The revenue department will be issuing the Unicode for marking all kinds of agricultural,
residential and commercial land and a person will now be able to know the details of the land with a
single click.
 The Unicode number of the land will be 16 digits with the first six digits based on the population of
the land, the next 4 digits determining the unique identity of the land. The digits from 11 to 14
will be the number of the division of the land. The last 2 digits will have the details of the
category, through which, the agricultural, residential and commercial land will be identified.
 The Unicode will put an end to fake registries of disputed land and the scheme is being implemented
across the state.
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About UP
Capital: Lucknow CM: Yogi Adityanath Governor: Anandiben Patel
PM laid foundation stone of key infrastructure projects in West Bengal
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of key infrastructure projects in Haldia,
West Bengal.
 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) import terminal: He dedicated to the nation the Liquefied
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Petroleum Gas (LPG) import terminal built by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
The terminal has been constructed with an investment of around Rs 1,100 crores and has a capacity
of 1 million metric tonnes per annum. It will cater to the growing requirement of LPG in West Bengal
and other states in the eastern and north-eastern part of the country and is an important step towards
realising the vision of the Prime Minister to provide clean cooking LPG to every household.
 Dobhi – Durgapur Natural Gas Pipeline section: He also dedicated to the nation the 348 km Dobhi
– Durgapur Natural Gas Pipeline section, which is part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project. It
marks an important milestone towards achieving 'one nation, one gas grid'. Constructed with an
investment of about Rs 2,400 crores, the pipeline will help in supply gas to Matix fertilizer plant in
Durgapur (West Bengal) and cater to gas demand of industrial, commercial and automobile sectors,
and city gas distribution across all major towns in the State.
 Catalytic-Isodewaxing unit: He also laid the foundation stone of the second Catalytic-
Isodewaxing unit of Haldia Refinery. This unit will have a capacity of 270 thousand metric tonnes per
annum, and once commissioned, is expected to result in a saving of about US 185 million dollars in
foreign exchange.
 4 Lane ROB-cum-Flyover: He also dedicated to the nation the 4 Lane ROB-cum-Flyover at
Ranichak, Haldia on NH 41. It has been built at the cost of Rs 190 crores. The commissioning of this
flyover will result in uninterrupted movement of traffic from Kolaghat to Haldia Dock Complex
and other surrounding areas, resulting in substantial saving in travel time and operating cost of heavy
vehicles plying in and out of the port.
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About West Bengal
Capital: Kolkata CM: Mamata Banerjee Governor: Jagdeep Dhankar

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Puducherry launches a campaign to become Covid-free by February 28
 A campaign has been launched to ensure there were no COVID-19 cases by February end in the
union territory Puducherry.
 Under the "Zero Covid by Feb28" campaign, all those who had come into contact with people infected
with coronavirus would be identified and provided treatment, so that the further spread of the
pathogen could be prevented.
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About Puducherry
Capital: Pondicherry Lt. Gov: Kiran Bedi
REPORTS AND INDEXES

Report Guide for Road Safety Opportunities and Challenges: World Bank
 World Bank has released “Guide for Road Safety Opportunities and Challenges: Low and Middle-
Income Countries Country Profiles” report.
 More than 75 percent of poor households in India reported a decline in their income as a result
of a road traffic crash.
 The financial loss for the poor amounted to more than seven month’s household income, while it
was equivalent to less than one month’s household income for rich households.
 The report highlights the disproportionate impact of a road crash on poor households that pushes
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them into a vicious cycle of poverty and debt.

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World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., US President: David. Malpass
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISRO tests satellites developed by private sector for the first time
 Two satellites by Indian startups—SpaceKidz India and Pixxel (incorporated as Sygyzy)—were

tested at the UR Rao Satellite Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation in Bengaluru.
 This is a first for the space agency, which so far has only taken help in manufacturing and
fabrication of various parts of satellites and rockets from the Indian industry. ISRO helped these two
companies fix problems with the solar panels on their respective satellites.
 Earlier ISRO had only provided launch facilities to private firms at a cost.
 In June 2020, ISRO chairman K Sivan had announced that the agency will open its labs, testing
facilities and quality facilities to private companies so they don’t have to invest in infrastructure. An
independent body, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), was
set up to not only to oversee the space activity of the private sector, but also to handhold and share
ISRO facilities.
Learn Along
About ISRO
Headquarters: Bengaluru Founder: Vikram Sarabhai Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan

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Skyroot and Bellatrix signs MoU to use latter's orbital transfer vehicle
 Skyroot Aerospace and Bellatrix Aerospace have

Learn Along
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to use
About Orbital Transfer Vehicle
the Orbital Transfer Vehicle being developed by Bellatrix In simple terms, Orbital Transfer Vehicle
Aerospace in the upper stage of Vikram series of launch is like a taxi in space to take satellites to
vehicles being developed by Skyroot. their operational orbits. It is a spacecraft
 Skyroot and Bellatrix plan to have the first mission of a that can perform various in-orbit
operations including deployment of
Vikram launcher with an Orbital Transfer Vehicle by 2023. customer payload to precise orbits,
allowing a launch vehicle to deliver
About Bellatrix Aerospace: Bellatrix Aerospace, is an Indian satellites to more orbits than what was
private aerospace manufacturer and Small satellite company, conventionally possible.
headquartered in Bangalore, India. The company was established
in 2015. It plans to launch its own rocket named Chetak in 2023.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
About Skyroot Aerospace: Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018, is a National Award winning startup building
space launch vehicles. It is founded by former ISRO scientists and planning their first launch to Space in 2021. Last
year Skyroot successfully tested their upper stage engine Raman and Solid fuel demonstrator Kalam-5.
Headquarters: Hyderabad
UAE’s Hope spacecraft successfully enters Mars orbit
 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) made history as its first-ever interplanetary Hope Probe mission
www.i xamBee.c om
successfully entered orbit around Mars.

 The Emirates Mars Mission, known as the Hope Probe, sent back a signal confirming it's in orbit.
 Now UAE as only the fifth country in history to reach the red planet and the Arab nation's first
interplanetary mission.
 The probe, along with its three scientific instruments, is expected to create the first complete portrait
of the Martian atmosphere. The instruments will collect different data points on the atmosphere to
also gauge seasonal and daily changes.
 The Hope Probe is the first of the three UAE interplanetary missions. All three missions launched
around the same time due to an alignment between Mars and the Earth on the same side of the sun,
making for a more efficient journey to Mars. Of the other two missions, Tianwen-1 is expected to
arrive on February 10 and Perseverance on February 18.
Learn Along
About UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Govt planning to set up 500 Farmer Produce Organisations by March-end
 The government is planning to create at least 500 Farmer Produce Organisations (FPOs) by the end
of March 2021.
 The target is to facilitate rolling out of 10,000 such bodies across the country by FY24.

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Agriculture highly vulnerable to climate change in 20% districts: ICAR
 Around 20% districts in the country are in a very high-risk zone in terms of vulnerability of agriculture to
climate change, while another 35% come under the high-risk classification, according to a study
undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
 Temperatures are likely to go up by 1-1.3 degree Celsius in 256 districts and 1.3-1.6 degree in 157
districts by 2049, it said.
Manipur chief minister launches organic products
 Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh launched a new range of packaged organic products and Loumi
Connect App apart from distributing Bolero Camper vehicles and nurseries to seven Farmers
Producer Companies (FPCs).
 These releases happened in a function organized jointly by Directorate of Horticulture and Soil
Conservation and Eastern Border Areas Development Authority (EBADA).
 Packaged organic items launched were spice box, chakhao ladoo box, dry kiwi, black rice flour, black
rice flakes, sachets of organic turmeric, ginger and king chilli powder.
 He also launched Loumi Connect App which would enable connect farmers with Horticulture and
Agriculture experts.
FAO calls for sustainable aquaculture, end to illegal fishing
 The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in its first-ever Declaration for
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, pressed for stronger action to combat illegal, unreported and
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unregulated (IUU) fishing.

 It also stressed on the need to recover from the impacts of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
pandemic.
 The declaration was a part of the 34th session of FAO’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI34), which
ended its week-long meeting on February 8, 2021.
 The Declaration highlighted the importance of fisheries and aquaculture for global agri-food
systems transformation and underlined essential contributions in the fight against poverty, hunger
and all forms of malnutrition.
Learn Along
FAO Headquarters: Rome, Italy Director General: Qu Dongyu
DEFENCE
Defence Ministry Inks an Agreement for Ship-borne Modern Radio System
 Recently, the Defence ministry of India has signed an agreement with Bharat Electronics Limited
(BEL) to obtain a software-defined radio tactical (SDR-Tac) ship-borne system worth over Rs
1,000 crore.
 SDR-Tac, a four Channel Multi-mode, Multi-Band, 19’’ Rack mountable, shipborne Software Defined
Radio system serves ship to ship, ship to shore and ship to air voice and data communication for
network-centric operations.
 The SDR-Tac, jointly developed by Navy, BEL, Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) and DEAL, will bring strategic depth to the Armed Forces.

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PM Modi hands over indigenous Arjun tank to Army
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over to the Army the home made Arjun Main Battle Tank
(MK-1A).
 The Defence Ministry had recently approved the induction of 118 Arjun Mark 1A tanks into the
Indian Army at a cost of Rs 8,400 crore.
 The tanks were to be manufactured by the DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research and Development
Establishment in Chennai, in collaboration with 15 academic institutions, eight laboratories and
numerous other MSMEs.
First women team inducted into CRPF's CoBRA commando unit
 In a first, a maiden contingent of 34 CRPF women Learn Along

personnel were inducted into the specialized jungle About Central Reserve Police Force
warfare commando force called Commando Battalion for CRPF is the largest Central Armed Police
Resolute Action (CoBRA). Force in India. The force works under the
Ministry of Home Affairs. It assists the
 The contingent would now be deployed in the anti-naxal
State or Union Territories in the police
operations grid of India. operations to maintain the law & order and
 The CoBRA was raised under the CRPF in 2009 for counter-insurgency. It was established in
undertaking intelligence-based jungle warfare July 1939. Its headquarters is in New
operations. It has been an all-male affair for this unit till Dellhi.
now. It is a special operation unit of the Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF) of India.
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Indian Army lays foundation of 100-foot-high national flag in J&K's Gulmarg
 The Indian Army laid the foundation stone of the Tallest Indian national flag in Gulmarg in Jammu
and Kashmir. The flag will be on a 100 feet-high pole.
 This project is sponsored by Solar Industries India Ltd.
Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) 2021
 The Indian Navy is carrying out Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) 2021
involving almost all operational assets like warships, submarines and aircraft over a vast
geographical expanse in the Indian Ocean Region to test the force's combat readiness in a complex
multi-dimensional scenario.
 The biennial exercise aims to validate the Navy's offensive as well as defence capabilities and
safeguard national interests in the maritime domain besides promoting peace and stability in the
Indian Ocean.
 The conduct of TROPEX is being overseen by the Naval headquarters with participation from all three
commands of the Indian Navy and the tri-services command at Port Blair.
Pakistan test-fires high precision’ ballistic missile
 Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of Babar missile which is a surface-to-surface

cruise missile which can strike targets up to 450 kilometres.
 The Babar missile is capable of engaging targets at land and sea with high precision

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EVENTS
World Sustainable Development Summit 2021
 The 20th edition of The Energy and Resources Institute's (TERI) flagship event, the World
Sustainable Development Summit, was held online from February 10 to February 12.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit via video conferencing.
 The theme of the Summit is 'Redefining our common future: Safe and secure environment for
all'.
 The Summit bring together a wide number of governments, business leaders, academicians, climate
scientists, youth, and the civil society in the fight against climate change.
 India's Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy and Ministry of Earth Sciences are key partners of the Summit.
 Energy and industry transition, adaptation and resilience, nature-based solutions, climate finance,
circular economy, clean oceans and air pollution, are amongst the range of topics discussed during
the Summit.
Annual Convention of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India
 The Annual Convention of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) concluded at
Kevadia in Gujarat.
 The convention was jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and ADTOI with support from
Gujarat Tourism.
 It aimed at building public confidence to travel for the revival of domestic tourism in the country.
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 The conference was attended by around 400 delegates comprising of ADTOI members from across
India, hoteliers, airlines representatives, senior government officials, media-persons among other
stakeholders of the tourism industry.
Maritime India Summit 2021
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 2nd edition of Maritime India Summit-2021 on 2nd
March.
 Around 20 thousand delegates will participate, 24 partner countries will join and more than 400
Projects are set to be showcased in the Maritime India Summit 2021 to be held virtually from 2nd
March to 4th March.
 Maritime India Summit is going to provide a powerful platform for international collaboration and bring
in partner countries for mutual exchange of knowledge and opportunities.
 The event is being organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways jointly with FICCI
as Industrial Partner and EY as Knowledge Partner.
11th edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav
 The Governor of West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 11th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav
at Cooch Behar in West Bengal.
 Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav will be celebrated from 14th to 28th February, 2021 in West Bengal.

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 Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, the flagship festival of Ministry of Culture organized since 2015 with
the active participation of Seven Zonal Culture Centres has been playing a pivotal role to take the
vibrant culture of India out to the masses instead of confining to auditoria and galleries.
 The eleventh edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is being held between 14th to 28th February,
2021 in West Bengal at Cooch Behar (14th to 16th February, 2021), Darjeeling (22nd to 24th
February, 2021) and Murshidabad (27th to 28th February, 2021).
 This RSM which is being organized in West Bengal will enhance mutual understanding and bonding
between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India.
14th International Children's Film Festival
 The 14th edition of the International Children's Film Festival Bangladesh (ICFFB) concludes in
Bangladesh.
 Organised by the Children’s Film Society (CFS), the closing ceremony of the seven-day festival
was at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
 With the slogan "Future in films", the 14th ICFFB began on January 30 and featured 179 films from
37 countries.
 Children’s Film Society (CFS) Bangladesh has been organising the festival since 2008, with the
mission to promote children’s films and encourage children in filmmaking.
 Awards were also presented to the winners at the ceremony. Here are the winners:
Category Winners
Best International Feature Film Award www.i xamBee.c om Jackie and Oopjen (Dutch film)
Best Director Award Ani Oganesyan
Young Talent Award Maati (Bangladeshi film)
Young Talent Award - Special Mention Lottery
Best International Short Film Award Under the Stork’s Nest (Armenian film)
Social Competition Section A New Normal (Bangladeshi film)
APPOINTMENTS
Organization Name News Learn Along
Aegon Life Private life insurer Aegon Life Insurance elevated Satishwar Headquarters:
Insurance Balakrishnan to the position of managing director and chief Mumbai
executive officer.
InterGlobe Aviation Jiten Chopra will take over as the chief financial officer at InterGlobe Headquarters:
Limited (IndiGo) Aviation Limited (IndiGo) from 21 February. Gurugram
Tata Motors have appointed Marc Llistosella to the role of Chief
Tata Motors Executive Officer and Managing Director of the firm from July 1, Headquarters:
2021. Marc Llistosella will replace current CEO of Tata Motors Guenter Mumbai
Butschek,
Indian Judiciary Justice Puligoru Venkata Sanjay Kumar sworn-in as Chief Justice -
of Manipur High Court.
World Trade Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the first female and Headquarters:
Organisation first African head of WTO. Geneva,
Switzerland

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AWARDS AND REWARDS

Koozhangal wins Tiger Award at Rotterdam Film Festival 2021
 Director PS Vinothraj's Koozhangal (Pebbles) won the coveted Tiger Award at the 50th International
Film Festival Rotterdam 2021.
 Koozhangal becomes the first Tamil film to win the prestigious award at the film festival.
 Koozhangal is the second Indian film to ever win the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival
Rotterdam.
 The film is produced by filmmaker Vignesh Shivan and actor Nayanthara.
 The Tiger Award is accompanied by a Euro 40,000 cash prize, to be shared between the director
and producer of the winning film.
Bengaluru airport achieves ACI World's 'Voice of the Customer' recognition
 The Bangalore International Airport Limited's (BIAL) has bagged global recognition from the
Airports Council International World's 'Voice of the Customer' award.
 The 'Voice of the Customer' recognises airports that continued to prioritise their customers and
remained committed to ensuring that their voice was heard during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
 The 'Voice of Pax' survey was conducted in phases to understand passenger perception towards the
safety of air travel amid pandemic.
SERB Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Women Excellence Award 2021
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 Four young women fellows of Indian National Science

Learn Along
Academy have been awarded the Science and Engineering
About SERB Women Excellence
Research Board (SERB) Women Excellence Award 2021 for Award
excelling in science and engineering on the International Day of This award is given by the Science
Women and Girls. and Engineering Research Board
 All four women received a grant of ₹15 lakh for a period of (SERB), a statutory body of the
Department of Science. It was
three years to pursue their research ideas. launched in the year 2013.
 The four women scientists selected for the awards include: It is a one-time award given to
i. Shobhna Kapoor, Assistant Professor IIT-Bombay women scientists who are below
ii. Antara Banerjee, Scientist B at National Institute For 40 years and have received
recognition from any one or more
Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai
of the National Academies such as
iii. Sonu Gandhi, Scientist D from National Institute Of the 'Young Scientist Medal',
Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad 'Young Associateship', etc.
iv. Ritu Gupta, Assistant Professor at the IIT-Jodhpur
Wildlife Photographer Of The Year People's Choice Award
 Australia's Robert Irwin has been awarded the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of
the Year People's Choice Award 2020 for his drone image of Bushfire in northern Australia.
 He is the son of wildlife Australian zookeeper and wildlife expert Steve Irwin.
 Robert clicked the picture of the devastating Australian Bushfire and was nominated for the same.
 The image was titled 'Bushfire' and was captured through a drone that shows a line of fire burning in
between the bushes, dividing it into parts.

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VLCC Femina Miss India World 2020
 Manasa Varanasi, an engineer from Telangana, emerged as the winner of VLCC Femina Miss India
World 2020.
 While Haryana’s Manika Sheokand was declared VLCC Femina Miss Grand India 2020, Uttar
Pradesh’s Manya Singh was crowned VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 – runner-up.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Day/Week Observance Significance
International
The day is a special event which focuses on promoting awareness on
Epilepsy Day
February 8 epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological condition which can cause seizures.
(second Monday of
Theme 2021: Epilepsy is more than seizures
February)
World Pulses Day is an international day established by the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the
February 10 World Pulses Day importance of pulses (dry beans, lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, lupins) as
a global food.
Theme 2021: #LovePulses
World Unani Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of great Unani
scholar and social reformer Hakim Ajmal Khan. He was the Unani
medical educationist and founder of scientific research in the Unani
World Unani Day System of Medicine. The day is marked to spread awareness about
health care delivery through the Unani system of medicine.
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First Unani Day was celebrated at Central Research Institute of Unani

Medicine (CRIUM), Hyderabad in 2017.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is the 11th day of
February, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on 22
December, 2015. The day recognizes the critical role women and
girls play in science and technology.
February 11
International Day The day is implemented by UNESCO and UN Women, in collaboration
of Women and with intergovernmental agencies and institutions, as well as civil society
Girls in Science partners that aim to promote women and girls in science. The day's
purpose is to promote full and equal access to participation in science
for women and girls.
Theme 2021: Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against
COVID-19
The World Day of the Sick is an awareness day, or observance, in the
World Day of the Catholic Church intended for prayer and sharing, of offering one's
Sick suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see
in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ.
The formation of National Productivity Council is being celebrated every
year all over the country by commemorating 12th February as
National
February 12 Productivity Day. The objective of National Productivity Council is
Productivity Day
stimulating and promoting productivity and quality consciousness
across all sectors in the country.
Northern Coalfields Limited inaugurated 'National Productivity Week'
National on the occasion of National Productivity Day. Productivity Week is
February 12-18
Productivity Week aimed to create awareness about productivity, so that maximum output
with optimum utilization of resources can be planned and achieved.

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National Women’s Day is celebrated each year on February 13 in

honour of Sarojini Naidu’s birthday. She was an activist for women’s
rights, she was the first Indian woman President of the INC the first
woman to hold the office of Governor in the Dominion of India.
National Women's
Listed amongst the “150 leading women” by the University of London in
Day
2018, Naidu was appointed as Congress president in 1925, and as
February 13 India’s first lady governor of Uttar Pradesh in 1947. Her works in poetry
reflect some of the serious themes, including patriotism, romance, and
tragedy.
World Radio Day is an international day celebrated on 13 February
each year. The Day was decided by UNESCO on 3 November 2011
World Radio Day
during its 36th conference.
Theme 2021: New World, New Radio
OBITUARIES
Name of
Field Points to Remember
Person
Kaul began his career as a director with NSD Repertory Company after
graduating from National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi in 1973.
Kaul was a part of the faculty of school for many years before forming
Theatre Director ‘Rang Vidushak’, his own theatre institute in Bhopal in 1984.
Bansi Kaul
In 1995, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and in
2014 Kaul was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri. Kaul also a
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recipient of the Rashtriya Kalidas Samman for the year 2016–17 given by
the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh.
Bollywood actor and Raj Kapoor’s son Rajiv Kapoor passed away. He was
Rajiv Kapoor Indian Actor
58.
BOOKS
Book Title Author/s Publisher

The book is an intimate narrative of Gupta’s experiences
Turn Around India: 2020- and how he attained success through sheer hard work
Surmounting Past Legacy and determination. The book highlights the required
(Publisher: Himalaya Publishing R.P. Gupta
modes and strategies to transform India into a vibrant
House) economy and among the most developed nations of the
world.
Platform Scale: For a Post-
Pandemic World Sangeet Paul It explains the significance of inside workings of platform
(Publisher: Penguin Random Choudhary enterprise fashions and their potential to scale quickly.
House India)
The book is an account of a life of unplanned happenings
By Many a Happy Accident: M. Hamid Ansari
that took M. Hamid Ansari away from his preferred fancy
Recollections of a Life (Former vice
for academia to professional diplomacy and then be co-
(Publisher: Rupa Publications president of
opted in public life and catapulted to the second highest
India) India)
office in the land for two consecutive terms.

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Unfinished: A Memoir Unfinished is a 2021 memoir by actress Priyanka Chopra.

(Publisher: Penguin Random Priyanka Unfinished will chronicle important moments in Chopra'
House India) Chopra Jonas life and her twenty-year-long career, such as working as
an actress-producer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
The Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Meghna Pant is an award-winning author and a
Good News renowned journalist. The book is a story of a small-town
Meghna Pant
(Publisher: Penguin Random woman’s struggle against the social stigma.
House India)
Starstruck: Confessions of a TV
Peter Mukerjea has come out with his memoir, which is a
Executive Peter Mukerjea
personal recollection of his experiences in the satellite
(Publisher: Westland Books)
television industry in India.
SPORTS
ICC Player of the Month for January 2021
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the winners of the inaugural ICC Player of the
Month Awards.
 ICC's new initiative recognises and celebrates the best performances from both male and female
cricketers across all forms of international cricket throughout the year.
 India's young wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant won ICC's Player of the Month Award for
January. www.i xamBee.c om
 South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for January
2021.
Australian Cricket Awards 2021
 Australian Cricket Awards 2021 were decided by a voting process for the period 2020-21.
 Steve Smith and Beth Mooney have taken out Australian cricket's top awards, winning the Allan
Border Medal and the Belinda Clark Award respectively.
 Smith won his third Allan Border Medal, on the back of his performances in all three formats of the
game, while Mooney won the highest award in the Australian women's game for the first time.
 Here are the winners:
Category Winners
Belinda Clark Award Beth Mooney
Allan Border Medal Steve Smith
Men's Test Player of the Year Pat Cummins
Women's One Day International Player of the Year Rachel Haynes
Male One Day International Player of the Year Steve Smith
Female International Twenty20 Player of the Year Beth Mooney
Male International Twenty20 Player of the Year Ashton Agar

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Ishant Sharma becomes third Indian pacer to take 300 Test wickets
 Veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma became the sixth Indian and third pacer from the country to
take 300 wickets in Test cricket.
 The 32-year-old Ishant reached the milestone in 98 matches.
 Besides Kumble (619) and Kapil (434), Ravichandran Ashwin (377 before this game), Harbhajan
Singh (417), and Zaheer Khan (311) are the other bowlers from the country who have reached the
landmark.
ICC announces BYJU'S as global partner until 2023

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About BYJU’s
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced Indian
BYJU’s is an Indian educational
edu-tech Company BYJU'S as its global partner from 2021 to technology and online tutoring
2023. firm founded in 2011 by Byju
 The three-year agreement will see BYJU'S partner all ICC events Raveendran. The company with
over the period, including the forthcoming men's T20 World Cup in a valuation of $11.1 billion, is a
leading market player with
India and the women's World Cup in New Zealand. highest market share in India's
 As a global partner, BYJU's will have extensive in-venue, growing EdTech space.
broadcast, and digital rights across all ICC events.
13th CEC Cup Ice Hockey Championship
 In Kargil Ladakh, Drass Red has won the 13th CEC Cup Ice Hockey Championship beating Hockey
Club Chiktan team in the Final match.
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 The 1st Women CEC Ice Hockey Cup 2021 was lifted by Shakar Chiktan Team defeating Wakha
Mulbekh Team.
 32 Men teams and 5 Women Teams participated in the tournament which was organized by the
District Youth Services & Sports.
Sources of the News:
PIB India, DD News, News on AIR, The Economic Times, Financial Express, liveMint, The Indian Express,
The Times of India, Business Standard, Business World, Business Line, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Al
Jazeera, BBC, Zee News, Republic World, Times Now News, Money Control, NDTV, Outlook India and
Wikipedia


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9th February to 15th February 2021

Reports and Indexes ________________________________________________24

Science and Technology _____________________________________________

Agriculture and Rural Development ___________________________________25

Awards and Rewards _______________________________________________30

Important Days ____________________________________________________31

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FINANCE AND BANKING

RBI releases Annual Report of Ombudsman Schemes for 2019-20

RBI Organises Financial Literacy Week from February 8-12

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SEBI plans to introduce framework to compensate investors for technical glitches

 SEBI is considering a proposal to introduce a framework to ascertain the incidents of technical

SEBI mulls cybersecurity fusion centre for securities market

 SEBI is in the process of setting up a cybersecurity fusion centre.

IRDAI advises insurers to allow storing of policies in DigiLocker

IRDAI panel okays launch of index-linked insurance policies

 A committee set up by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India

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Mis-selling complaints go down, shows IRDAI report

SBI achieves Rs. 5 trillion mark in the home loan segment

SBI Headquarters: Mumbai Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara

IRFC lists $750-million medium-term note on India INX

India INX Headquarters: Gandhinagar, Gujarat CEO: V. Balasubramaniam

NCDEX to launch Hi-pro soybean meal futures

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HDFC Bank beats SBI in COVID scheme loans

Meghalaya police inks MoU with SBI for e-Challan

PNB Restricts Withdraw of Money from non-EMV ATMs

Schemes/Facilities launched by various banks/private financial companies

Company Name Service/Scheme Launched Learn Along

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NPCI PayAuth Challenge- To find solution for alternatives

About AGS Transact

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World Bank Signs $100 million Project with Chhattisgarh

Laxity found in ensuring safety by SAIL at Bhilai plant: CAG report

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MoU between ICAR & BEE

Indian economy to contract by 7% in FY21: SBI Research

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CCI approves multiple subscriptions & acquisitions

Headquarters: New Delhi

States’ fiscal deficit to narrow to 4.3 pc of GDP in FY22: Report

Retail inflation eases to 16-month low of 4.06% in January

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Major ports get more powers; Private investors to get a leg-up

Finance Ministry to infuse Rs 3,000 crore in general insurance companies

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NDB commits USD 100 million to NIIF Fund of Funds (FoF)

ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru Chairman: K. Sivan

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ONGC to usher in India’s first Geothermal Energy at Ladakh

Siemens ties up with IISc, CMTI to set up digital transformation labs

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HAL, Wipro3D collaborate to manufacture metal 3D printed aircraft engine component

DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi Agency Executive: Dr G. Satheesh

Denmark is creating the world’s first energy production island

Cabinet nod for Rs 100 crore grant-in-aid to BVFCL