DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 3rd August 2021
PM Launches Digital Payment Solution “e-RUPI”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched e-RUPI, a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payments.
- The one-time payment mechanism aims to stop leakages in government welfare schemes and ensures that the benefits reach those they are meant to be.
- e-RUPI has been developed by the NPCI in collaboration with other govt departments.
- What Is e-RUPI And How Does It Work? The beneficiaries receives a QR code or an SMS-based electronic voucher on their cell phones and they do not require a card, digital payment app or even internet banking access to redeem the e-voucher when availing of a service.
- Digital solution is safe as it ensures payment only after the transaction is completed. Being pre-paid in nature, it assures timely payment to the service provider without the involvement of any intermediary.
- This system can also be of great use in ensuring leak-proof delivery of government’s welfare services, like providing drugs and nutritional support under mother and child welfare schemes, or under TB eradication Programmes.
- The e-voucher can be set to the beneficiaries also for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and fertilizer subsidies etc. Since the benefits will be transferred as a voucher, they can only be used for the intended purpose.
Culture Ministry Launches ‘RASHTRAGAAN.IN’
- A unique programme to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav on Independence Day this year.
- Sing National Anthem, record and upload your video on ‘RASHTRAGAAN.IN
- Visit WWW.RASHTRAGAAN.IN, upload your video & be a part of AKAM.
- Compilation of National Anthem will be shown live on 15th August 2021.
- Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is a unique initiative to celebrate and commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence.
Government Declared 23rd January as “Parakram Diwas”
- GOI announced to commemorate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary on January 23 as Parakram Diwas (day of valour).
- Earlier this year, PM Modi had visited Kolkata to pay respect to Netaji on his 125th birth anniversary.
- The Prime Minister also presided over the inaugural function of the `Parakram Diwas` celebrations at Victoria Memorial and made a brief stopover at Netaji Bhawan at Elgin Road.
- In the ceremony, a book based on Netaji’s letters called “Book: Letters of Netaji (1926-1936)” was also unveiled.
- Govt of India has approved various proposals relating to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Netaji. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Museum has been set up at Red Fort New Delhi. Further Gazette notification issued on declaration of 23rd January as Parakram Diwas informed Union Minister of Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in written reply in Lok Sabha.
Centre Rushes for Public Health Interventions for Zika in Maharashtra
- Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has rushed a multidisciplinary team to Maharashtra to monitor the Zika virus situation and support the State government in management of Zika cases. A case of Zika has been reported in Pune district recently.
- The team shall work closely with the State Health Department, take a stock of the situation on ground, and assess whether the Union Health Ministry’s Action Plan for Zika Management is being implemented, and recommend necessary public health interventions for management of Zika in the state.
- Zika is a virus that is spread mostly by mosquitoes. A pregnant mother can pass it to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. It can spread through sexual contact. There have also been reports that the virus has spread through blood transfusions.
- There’s no vaccine or specific treatment. Instead, the focus is on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration and acetaminophen for fever and pain.
Parliament Passes ‘Inland Vessels Bill, 2021’
- Parliament today passed the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, which aims to replace over 100 years old Inland Vessels Act, 1917 and usher a new era in the inland water transport sector to make the Legislative framework user friendly and promote ease of doing business.
- Benefits:
- The new Act will facilitate harmonised and effective regulation of the inland vessels and their seamless and safe navigation across the States. The benefits include:
- I. Uniform applicability of rules and regulations to ensure seamless, safe, and economical trade and transportation by using inland waterways.
- II. Prescribing of standards for classification and categorization of mechanically propelled vessels, standards and processes involved in registration of vessel; standards for identification and categorization of special category vessels etc. by the Central Government and implementation of the provisions in compliance with the prescribed standards by State Governments.
- III. Preserving the statuses of authorities established by the respective State Governments and thereby ensures the effective administration of the provisions of the proposed legislation.
- IV. Provides for a Central Data Base /E-Portal for registration/crew database thereby imbibing the spirit of Digital India Campaign.
- V. Stipulating higher standards to ensure safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo, prevention of environmental pollution, providing for healthier trade practices, constitution of the welfare fund, transparency and accountability of administrative mechanism, training, and development of efficient and skilled workforce.
- VI. Covers the future developments and technological advancements in vessel construction and usage. Regulating the technologically advanced vessels of the present and future identified as ‘Special Category Vessels’.
- VII. Provisions regarding Wreck and Salvage introduced. Receiver of Wreck to be appointed by the State Government.
- VIII. Provisions regarding principles of liability and limitation of liability introduced. To ensure secure trade and trade practices, concept of insurance improvised and expanded.
- IX. Provisions relating to casualties and investigation improvised.
- X. Ease of compliance for service provider and service users.
- XI. Provides a platform for the State Governments to regulate the unregulated sector of non-mechanically propelled vessels.
National Sports Education Board (NSEB)
- Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha that the proposed NSEB would allow collaboration with existing boards so that the sportsperson could grow well academically along with sports.
- NSEB would Promote excellence in sports by ‘catching them young’ and nurturing identified talents.
- The NSEB would work to include transfer of credit points to higher level to increase competition and to help in career prospects from the angle of fear of dropping out.
- The aims and objectives of the proposed National Sports Education Board (NSEB) will be as under: –
- Initiating large scale participation in sports and promoting personal, social and community development.
- Promoting excellence in sports by ‘catching them young’ and nurturing identified talents.
- Providing assurance to the sports community and parents that practicing sports would not lead to loss in academics, vertical mobility & employment opportunities.
- Promoting alternative career opportunities related to sports in an organised way.
- Involving Teachers, PE staff, Coaches, Community Outreach Volunteers, Health Specialists, mental health and wellness psychologists, nutritionist, physiotherapists in preparing and conducting online and face to face modular training, orientations, and webinars.
- Engaging in sports development by devising better and more effective ways of promoting interest, participation, and performance in sport.
Myanmar Army Chief Appoints Himself as Prime Minister
- The State Administration Council of Myanmar has been reformed as ‘Caretaker government of Myanmar’ headed by the Chief of the Myanmar military Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as the Prime Minister.
- Gen. Hlaing also pledged to hold elections by 2023.
- He said that his administration was ready to work with a future regional envoy appointed by the ASEAN on Myanmar.
- General Hlaing took overpower in Myanmar in February after removing the government headed by the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, a day before the newly elected parliament was set to meet.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- The first version of the ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was sung in a convention of the Indian National Congress in _____ at _______.
- 1910, Bombay
- 1905, Kanpur
- 1915, Madras
- 1911, Calcutta
ANSWER: D
- In 1942, ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was performed (not sung) for the first time in ________.
- Paris
- Hamburg
- London
- San Francisco
ANSWER: B
- The lines of the National Anthem of India was originally set in Raga______, still, it is sung with slight variations to the classical form of the raga.
- Alhaiya Bilawal
- Malkauns
- Darbari
- Yaman
ANSWER: A
- The Jana Gana Mana was declared as India’s National Anthem on_____.
- 15th August 1947
- 24th July 1947
- 26th January 1950
- 24th January 1950
ANSWER: D
- The official version of the National Anthem of India should take _____ by law.
- 52 seconds
- 53 seconds
- 54 seconds
- 55 seconds
ANSWER: A
- As per ______ of the Constitution of India, honoring the National anthem is one of the fundamental duties of a citizen of India.
- Article 51A
- Article 40
- Article 17
- Article 45
ANSWER: A
- The first INA was formed under______, a former officer of the British Indian Army captured during the Malay campaign.
- Subash Chandra Bose
- Rash Behari Bose
- Adil Hussain
- Mohan Singh
ANSWER: D
- Subash Chandra Bose arrived in _____ in July 1943 to take command of “Azad Hind Fauj”.
- Singapore
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Germany
ANSWER: A
- Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected ________.
- Aedes mosquito
- Anopheles mosquito
- Marsh Mosquito
- Culex mosquito
ANSWER: A
- ______ are the species of mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.
- Aedes mosquito
- Anopheles mosquito
- Marsh Mosquito
- Culex mosquito
ANSWER: A
