DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 21 September 2021
Global Innovation Index 2021
- India has climbed 2 spots and has been ranked 46th by the World Intellectual Property Organization in the Global Innovation Index 2021 rankings.
- India has been on a rising trajectory, over the past several years in the Global Innovation Index (GII), from a rank of 81 in 2015 to46in 2021.
- Innovation has been at the forefront of our battle against the unprecedented crisis created by the pandemic and will be pivotal in driving the country’s resilience and self-reliance, as enshrined in the Prime Ministers’ clarion call on Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
- The consistent improvement in the GII ranking is owing to the immense knowledge capital, the vibrant start-up ecosystem, and the amazing work done by the public and the private research organizations.
- The Scientific Departments like the Department of Atomic Energy; the Department of Science and Technology; the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Space have played a pivotal role in enriching the National Innovation Ecosystem.
- The Global Innovation Index (GII) is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for, and success in, innovation.
- It is published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, in partnership with other organisations and institutions, and is based on both subjective and objective data derived from several sources, including the International Telecommunication Union, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.
MoU Signed between TRIFED and Big Basket
- TRIBES INDIA VAN DHAN to expand Online marketing in a big way by tying up with Big Basket, MoU Signed between TRIFED and Big Basket.
- TRIFED enters an MoU with Purty Agrotech of Jharkhand for entrepreneurship development of tribals in pearl farming across the country.
- As we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Government is taking up transformational programmes to boost tribal livelihoods: Sh. Arjun Munda
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal
- Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a one stop portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments / Organizations / PSUs.
- GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and speed in public procurement.
- Over 28,300 artisans and 1,49,422 weavers registered on the GeM Portal.
- Artisans and Weavers gaining greater Market access thorough GeM.
- Initiative to provide direct market access opportunities to approx. 35.22 lakh handloom workers and 27 lakh handicraft artisans.
Project Fulwari
- Project Fulwari under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to Strengthen Northern Coalfields’ Limited (NCL)fight against Malnutrition in kids
- Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL), a Singrauli based Coal India arm under the Ministry of Coal is all set to start 75 “FulwariCenters” in the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh. Currently 25 centers are being run successfully with the strength of around 220 kids of the age between 6 months to 3 years.
- NCL has allocated an amount of Rs.128.86 lakhs under CSR to run this project successfully.
- Under the direction of the Ministry of Coal, NCL management conceived and operationalized the Project Fulwari as a part of the Company’s sustainable business practices.
- The Company is striving for poverty alleviation, good health, well-being, and quality education for the people of its command area.
Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
- Ministry of Railways launched Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY) under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
- This is a skill development programme, where training will be provided to youth with a special focus on jobs that are relevant to the Railways.
- The training will be provided in four trades viz. Electrician, Welder, Machinist and Fitter and other trades will be added by zonal railways and Production units based on regional demands and needs assessment.
- Training will be provided to apprentices under the Apprentice Act 1961.
Income of Farmers Witness 59 % Surge in 2019
- The income of farmers has witnessed 59 per cent surge in 2019. This was revealed in a Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households, Land and Livestock Holdings of Households of Rural India, 2019.
- The survey was conducted from January to December 2019.
- In an interview to English daily, Union Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agrawal said, the objective of this survey as to get a comprehensive idea about the income situation of an agricultural household.
- He said, the survey also showed that farmers’ incomes adjusted for inflation have risen by about two per cent.
- Mr Agarwal said, a total of one lakh 58 thousand crore rupees has been released so far to more than 11 crore farmers’ families through direct transfer into their bank accounts under the PM-KISAN scheme.
Volcano Erupts on Spain’s La Palma Island
- A volcano eruption on La Palma in the Spanish Canary Islands has destroyed houses and forced about five thousand residents to evacuate. Lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano has been pouring downhill since yesterday’s eruption, devastating everything in its path. Local officials said about 100 houses have been destroyed so far.
- The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez flew to La Palma yesterday to oversee rescue efforts. Mr Sanchez said authorities are closely monitoring fires that may start from the burning lava. The military and civil guard has been deployed to help.
France cancels talks with UK as Aukus row deepens
- France’s Defence Minister has cancelled talks with her UK counterpart amid the row prompted by a new security deal between Britain, the US and Australia. Paris is angry after Australia signed the Aukus pact to build nuclear-powered submarines, pulling out of a major contract with France in the process.
- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said France had nothing to worry about from the deal. But Florence Parley’s meeting with UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in London this week has been called off. Lord Ricketts, a former British ambassador to France who was due to co-chair the two days of talks, confirmed the meeting had been postponed to a later date.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- It aims to improve procurement and consumption practices to improve the quality of goods and services.
- Mission Railway
- VIKALP
- Mission PACE
- Avataran
ANSWER: C
- It aims to facilitate waitlisted passengers to get an alternative train accommodation within 12 hours of the original train.
- Mission Railway
- VIKALP
- Mission PACE
- Avataran
ANSWER: B
- Launched by the Railway Ministry to improve services in Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express
- Operation Swarn
- Nivaran
- Avataran
- VIKALP
ANSWER: A
- It is the grievance redressal portal launched by the Ministry of Railways
- Operation Swarn
- Nivaran
- Avataran
- VIKALP
ANSWER: B
- New R&D organisation to serve the future technology needs of Railways.
- SRESTHA
- SUTRA
- Sampark
- Saksham
ANSWER: A
- It is a comprehensive training programme launched by Indian Railways.
- SRESTHA
- SUTRA
- Sampark
- Saksham
ANSWER: D
- A special unit for Transportation Research and Analytics.
- SRESTHA
- SUTRA
- Sampark
- Saksham
ANSWER: B
- India’s First Minister of Railways
- John Mathai
- Lal Bahadur Shastri
- N. Gopala swami Ayyangar
- Babu Jagjivan Ram
ANSWER: A
- The longest serving railway minister of India is
- John Mathai
- Lal Bahadur Shastri
- N. Gopala swami Ayyangar
- Babu Jagjivan Ram
ANSWER: D
- The British had separated the Railway Budget in ____ as a major part of the government revenues generated from the Railways.
- 1921
- 1922
- 1923
- 1924
ANSWER: D
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