Daily Current Affairs 12 – 13 January 2021 With Video Lecture

Indian Economy heading towards V-shaped recovery According to ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), India’s economy is showing decisive signs of a ‘V-shaped’ recovery in 2021 with...

Hemanth Kasturi
January 13, 2021
2,283

Indian Economy heading towards V-shaped recovery

According to ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), India’s economy is showing decisive signs of a ‘V-shaped’ recovery in 2021 with the return of consumer confidence, robust financial markets, an uptick in manufacturing and exporters braving it out in the global market with never-say-die spirit.
A V-shaped recovery means that the economy bounces back quickly to its baseline before the crisis, with no hiccups along the way. Growth continues at the same rate as before. This is one of the most optimistic recovery patterns because it implies that the downturn did not cause any lasting damage to the economy.
The high-frequency data is a strong pointer to a V-shaped recovery in 2021 with the seeds bursting into green shoots over the last two months of 2020 itself.
India’s GDP is estimated to contract by a record 7.7 per cent during 2020-21 as the Covid-19 pandemic severely hit the key manufacturing and services segments, as per government projections.
The state-wise collection showed the fightback spirit in consumer confidence. Illustratively, the largest consumption state of Maharashtra, which was amongst the severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, has posted a healthy growth of seven per cent in GST collection; even as the total GST mop-up was up 12 per cent year-on-year.

Faustin-Archange Touadera re-elected President of Central African Republic

He was re-elected with more than 53% votes.
The 63-year-old president has been in power since 2016.
About the country:
The Central African Republic is a producer of gold and diamonds and has a population of 4.7 million.
Capital: Bangui
Currency: Central African CFA Franc.
President Touadera has blamed much of the rebel attacks and electoral unrest on the former President of the country, Francois Bozize, whose candidacy was rejected by the top court of the country on the grounds that he was not able to satisfy the ‘good morality’ requirement.
The country has seen waves of violence since President Bozize was ousted in 2013. It resulted in thousands being killed and millions were forced to flee from their homes.

International Akhand Conference ‘EDUCON-2020’

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has inaugurated this two-day Virtual conference.
It is being organized by the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) in collaboration with the Global Educational Research Association (GERA).
The focal theme of EDUCON-2020 is Envisioning Education for Transforming Youth to Restore Global Peace.
This 31-hour long marathon International Conference was executed under the patronage of Prof. (Dr.) Raghavendra P. Tiwari (Vice Chancellor, CUPB) & Padma Shri Dr. Mahendra Sodha (Patron, GERA).
In this International Conference, the acclaimed academicians & scholars from United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand, USA, Australia, Bhutan and India continuously discussed the ten subthemes of the focal theme `‘Envisioning Education for Transforming Youth to Realize Global Peace’ for around 31 hours.
Dhirendra Pal Singh delivered the valedictory address of this Akhand Conference held on 8th January. During the Valedictory Ceremony Prof. Dhirendra Pal Singh, Chairperson, UGC, New Delhi graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Prof. H C S Rathore (Vice Chancellor, CUSB) & Prof. B.K. Tripathi (Director, IUCTE, BHU) joined the concluding session as Guest of Honor and Special Guest respectively.

12 January 2021 – National Youth Parliament Festival

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the valedictory function of the second National Youth Parliament Festival via video conferencing.
NYPF is based on the idea given by Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat.
The Finals of NYPF 2021 were held in the Central Hall of the Parliament.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the valedictory function of the second National Youth Parliament Festival via video conferencing.
NYPF is based on the idea given by Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat. The Finals of NYPF 2021 will be held in the Central Hall of the Parliament.
National Youth Festival is celebrated every year from 12 to 16 January. 12^th January being the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, is observed as National Youth Day.
The National Youth Festival is to bring youth of the country together to showcase their talents, provide them an arena, by creating a mini-India, where youth interact in formal and informal settings and exchange their social and cultural uniqueness.
The 24th National Youth Festival is being held in virtual mode. ‘YUVAAH – Utsah Naye Bharat Ka’ is the theme of this year’s festival, which suggests, the youth bring alive the celebration of New India.

First direct flight between Kalaburagi to Tirupati flagged

To boost the regional aerial connectivity in India, Star Air has commenced the direct daily flight operations from Kalaburagi, Karnataka to Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh under the RCS-UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik).Tirupati city, also called as the ‘Spiritual Capital of Andra Pradesh’.
Inaugurated under the UDAN scheme, Kalaburagi airport recently completed a successful 1 year of service. The airport has become the fastest growing airport in the country.
‘Tirupati Balaji Temple’ is the most-visited shrine across the globe.
Apart from the Tirupati Balaji temple, the place is also famous for other historical temples, Sri Venkateshwara National Park, Deer Park, Tirupati, & Talakona Waterfalls, Tirupati.
Due to the unavailability of any direct transportation mode between these two cities, people had to travel either by road or had to opt for a rail journey combined with a road trip, which took more than 12 hours by road & more than 20 hours by train & bus to cover the entire journey of 630 km. Now, people can opt for a direct flight and cover this long-distance journey in just 70 mins.
The airline, Star Air was awarded the Kalaburagi – Tirupati route under the RCS-UDAN-3 bidding process last year.

ISRO to adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Labs across the country

The Department of Space (DOS) and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, announced that out of 100 ATLs, ISRO adopted 45 in phase 1 on January 11 and the remaining 55 will be adopted soon, to promote education in STEM, space education and space technology related innovation for school students.
This is a great opportunity for our young budding space researchers and astronauts to learn from the best minds of our country, and become living inspirations for their school, families and local communities.
the organization is taking a small step in engaging with the students, towards giving them direction in pursuing their space dreams as a part of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. Scientists and engineers from ISRO centers, in close coordination with Capacity Building Program Office, ISRO Headquarters, shall actively mentor the kids as well as interact with teachers in these ATLs for encouraging experiments, brainstorming ideas and spreading awareness in space activities.
An Atal Tinkering Lab provides a makerspace where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands on do-it-yourself mode; and learn innovation skills. To foster entrepreneurship and innovation, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog has established over 7000 ATLs across the country so far enabling over 3 Million+ students between Grade VI to Grade XII acquire a problem solving, tinkering and innovative mindset.
Atal Innovation Mission had earlier collaborated with ISRO for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC Initiative along with four other ministries to spur applied research and innovation in Indian MSMEs and startups.

Innovative, eco-friendly, non-toxic wall paint

Developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission, this eco-friendly, non-toxic, cow-dung based paint, called “Khadi Prakritik Paint” is a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties.
It is available in two forms – distemper paint and plastic emulsion paint.
The paint is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and others.
The project was conceptualized by Chairman KVIC in March 2020, and later developed by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur (a KVIC unit).
This technology will increase consumption of cow dung as a raw material for eco-friendly products and will generate additional revenue to farmers and gaushalas.
This is estimated to generate additional income of Rs 30,000 (approx) per annum per animal to farmers/ gaushalas. Utilization of cow dung will also clean the environment and prevent clogging of drains.

NASA is to launch the most powerful rocket in the world

NASA is to launch the most powerful rocket in the world .
NASA has named it as the “Space Launch System”.
The Space Launch System is to carry the first woman and the next man to the moon.
The Space Launch System is to be hauled into the Lower Earth Orbit.
The SLS will generate 39.1 mega Newtons of thrust at launch. This is 15% more than Saturn V. This is the highest thrust level ever achieved.

What are the Key Features of Space Launch System?

The Space Launch System is to carry the first woman and the next man to the moon.
It is 98 metres tall. On the other hand, Saturn V that carried Astronauts to the moon in 1960s was 110 metre tall.
It has capacity to carry more than twenty-seven tonnes.
The Space Launch System is to be hauled into the Lower Earth Orbit.
It has four RS-25 engines.

How does the giant rocket of NASA work?

The Space Launch System consists of a giant core. It has two solid rocket boosters. Apart from these, the core has two large storage tanks. One tank stores liquid hydrogen and the other stores liquid oxygen. When the liquid oxygen and hydrogen are fed into the engine chambers, the chemical reaction produces vast amount of energy and steam. This steam exits engine nozzles at speeds of 16,000 km/hr to generate force that propels the rocket through the air.

Why is SLS the most powerful rocket?

The SLS will generate 39.1 mega Newtons of thrust at launch. This is 15% more than Saturn V. This is the highest thrust level ever achieved.
In 1960, Soviet Union built N1. N1 was built to reach moon. It could produce 45.4 mega Newtons of thrust. However, the N1 mission ended in failure.

What are the future high power rockets?

The future version of SLS is called Block-2 cargo. It is expected that Block-2 of SLS will reach the thrust levels of N1.
The vehicle called Starship being built by SpaceX is capable of producing 66.7 Mega Newtons of thrust. When launched, this wills the most powerful rocket in the world.

Vanadium in the Tamang and Depo in Arunachal Pradesh

The Geological Survey of India has found promising concentrations of Vanadium in the Tamang and Depo areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
the Vanadium mineralisation is geologically similar to the “Stone Coal” Vanadium deposits of China.
The GSI has discovered about seven metre thick carbonaceous phyllite for a length of more than six kilo metres in Depo area.
Vanadium was also found in Subansiri district for a length of 15.5 km and thickness of 7 metres.
Vanadium is a by-product obtained from the processing of Vanadiferous magnetite ores.

What is Vanadium?

Vanadium is a by-product obtained from the processing of Vanadiferous magnetite ores. In its pure form, Vanadium is soft, ductile and grey in colour.

What are the characteristics of Vanadium?

Vanadium alloys are durable in extreme environments. They are corrosion resistant. They improve tensile strength of steel and reinforce steel bars used for tunnels, buildings and bridges. Their atomic number is 23.
What are the major applications of Vanadium?
The Vanadium Pentoxide is used as a catalyst in the production of Sulphuric acid.
85% of the Vanadium produced in the world are used as steel additive. Vanadium steel is used in gears, bicycle frames, axles and other critical components.
Vanadium Dioxide is used in production of glass coatings that blocks infrared radiation.

Single Window Clearance Portal of Ministry of Coal

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has launched Single Window Clearance Portal of Ministry of Coal.
Ministry of Coal executes agreements with successful bidders of India’s first ever commercial coal mine auctions
The success of India’s first ever commercial mining auctions will pave the way for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat as it will help reduce India’s coal import by about 20%.
the government will also bring out structural reforms in the mining sector. These reforms will generate huge employment opportunities and increase the production of minerals leading to self-reliance.
The Coal Ministry also executed agreements with the 19 successful bidders of India’s first ever commercial mining auctions that include Vedanta Ltd, Adani Enterprises Ltd, Jindal Power Ltd, Hindalco Industries Ltd along with other successful bidders.
SBI Capital Markets Limited, sole Transaction Advisor to Ministry of Coal for the Commercial coal mine auction, had devised the methodology and assisted Ministry in conduct of the auction.

QUICK REVIEW

The UNSC committees to be chaired by India are?
Counter-Terrorism Committee
Libya Sanctions Committee
Taliban Sanctions Committee.
All of Above

ANSWER: D

As per government projections India’s GDP is estimated to contract by how much percent during 2020-21?
5.5 %
6.5 %
10.5 %
7.7%

ANSWER: D

Who has been recently re-elected as the president of Central African Republic?
Archange Touadera
Bambari
Kim Bangassou
Jhon Batangafo

ANSWER: A

What is the theme of International Akhand Conference ‘EDUCON-2020’?
Envisioning Education for Transforming Youth to Restore Global Peace
Youth to Restore Global Peace
Education for Transforming Youth
Transforming Youth

ANSWER: A

National youth parliament festival to be celebrated on which date?
- 12 January 2021
- 10 January 2021
- 11 January 2021
- 13 January 2021

ANSWER: A

Between which states the First direct flight Kalaburagi to Tirupati flagged off?
Kerala – Assam
Karnataka- Andhra Pradesh
Goa – Karnataka
Kerala – Karnataka

ANSWER: B