GK Snapshots on 8 November 2021

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict 2021 – November 6

The United Nations(UN)’s International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is annually observed across the globe on November 6th to create awareness about the damages caused to the environment due to war and armed conflicts.

The exploitation of the environment in war and armed conflicts includes pollution of water wells, forest fire, deforestation, poisoning of soils, killing animals to gain military advantage.

Effects of war and armed conflict on the Environment:

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in the last 60 years, around 40% of all internal conflicts are associated with the exploitation of natural resources which includes, high-value resources like timber, diamonds, gold and oil, or scarce resources such as fertile land and water.

Finance Ministry approves 8.5% return on PF deposits for FY21

The Ministry of Finance approved an 8.5% interest rate on Provident Fund (PF) deposits for 2020-21 (FY21). Now, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will credit this interest in accounts of active 60 million beneficiaries.

UIDAI’s Launched Aadhaar Hackathon 2021 to Celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has organised a Hackathon ‘Aadhaar Hackathon 2021’ to celebrate “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and promote the culture of innovation among youth.

• This is the first-ever event conducted by UIDAI.

Objective: To find innovative solutions to enhance the experience of the residents and to improve the interface of Aadhaar Enrolment and Authentication Software platforms.
About Aadhaar Hackathon 2021: Aadhaar Hackathon 2021 was held from 28th October 2021 to 31st October 2021. More than 5000 innovators from across India participated in the 95 Hours Aadhaar Hackathon 2021.

Theme: The hackathon consists of multiple problem statements categorised under 2 themes:
• Theme 1: Address Update
• Theme 2: Authentication Reimagined

World’s 1st Green Grids Initiative Launched by Indian and UK

PM Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson jointly launched the world’s 1st ‘green Grids’ Initiative, the One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG) on the sidelines of the COP26 summit.

• Objective: To connect energy grids across borders to facilitate a faster transition to the use of renewable energy.

Key Points:
i.Under the initiative, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made available a solar calculator to inform countries about the solar potential of any place on the earth using satellite data.

Note – The sun produces the amount of energy used by all humans in one year in just one hour.

ii.The International Solar Alliance (ISA), India Presidency of the ISA, and the UK COP Presidency, unveiled plans for the 1st international network of global interconnected solar power grids, GGI-OSOWOG, at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
iii.The project was spearheaded by India and the UK in partnership with the ISA and the World Bank Group and aims to harness solar energy wherever the sun is shining.
iv.The declaration has been endorsed by 80 ISA member countries. The ISA’s recent analysis calls for a tripling in investment in grid expansion and modernisation from $260 billion to $800 billion annually by 2030.
v.ISA aims to mobilize US$1 trillion of funding by 2030 to assist developing countries in expanding their solar power grids to meet their energy needs.
vi.The global grid concept was 1st announced by the PM in October 2018 during the1st assembly of the ISA, in May 2021, the UK pledged technical, financial and research support for the OSOWOG project.
• ISA includes 90 signatories and 193 prospective members.

Mountaineer Priyanka Mohite to Receive 2020’s Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

Maharashtra-based, 28-year old mountaineer Priyanka Mohite was selected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the prestigious ‘Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2020’ for outstanding contribution in the field of land adventure.

Achievements
i.She scaled the world’s highest peak Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse and Mt.Makalu
ii.She is the 1st Indian woman to climb Mt Annapurna, the 10th highest mountain peak in the world.
 

Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2021 – ‘Vax’

‘Vax’ has been chosen as the Word of the Year for 2021 by the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). In 2021, Vax which inturn refers to ‘Vaccine’ or ‘Vaccination’ repeatedly appeared in the news, and other written media more than any other word.

• The appearance of words related to Vax such as ‘Vaccinate’ have increased 34 times and ‘Vaccination’ have increased 18 times.

• The usage of the word Vaccine has been doubled due to Covid – 19 pandemic from september 2020 to september 2021.

• Vax or Vaccine is derived from the Latin word ‘Vacca’, meaning cow and defined as Vaccination.

China launches 3 Remote Sensing Satellites using Long March-2D

On 6th November 2021, China successfully placed 3-remote sensing satellites into orbit using the Long March-2D rocket. The satellites belonging to the Yaogan-35 family were launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan province of China.

• This also marks the 396th mission for the Long March series carrier rockets.

Renowned Cricket Coach & Dronacharya Awardee Tarak Sinha Passed Away

Renowned Cricket Coach and Dronacharya Awardee Tarak Sinha passed away due to cancer at the age of 71 in New Delhi. He was fondly referred to as “Ustad ji” by his disciples.

About Tarak Sinha:

i.Tarak Sinha was the founder of the Sonnet Cricket Club, Delhi.
ii.He has served as the coach of the Delhi team which won the Ranji title in the 1985-86 season.
iii.He has also served as the head coach of the National Women’s cricket team.
iv.The International cricketers who were trained by Tarak Sinha include Surinder Khanna, Aakash Chopra, Shikhar Dhawan, Anjum Chopra and Rishabh Pant.

PM Interacts with Beneficiaries of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa’

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually interacted with the beneficiaries and stakeholders of Atma Nirbhar Bharat ‘Swayampurna Goa’ programme. He made an address ensuring that various government schemes and benefits are available by the eligible beneficiaries.

• The Government of Goa launched ‘Swayampurna Goa’ initiative on October 1, 2020.

Objective – To ensure that every village in the state becomes self-reliant (Atma Nirbhar) using resources within the area.

News in Detail