Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I September 2020
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I
September 2020
1|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Table of Contents
Awards and Honors .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Mergers and Events .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Days and Events ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
MoU and Agreements ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Appointment ............................................................................................................................................................ 27
Obituaries ..................................................................................................................................................................35
International Affairs .............................................................................................................................................. 39
Person in News......................................................................................................................................................... 47
Govt. Policies and Schemes .................................................................................................................................53
Science and Tech ................................................................................................................................................... 58
Business and Economy ..........................................................................................................................................62
Sports ..........................................................................................................................................................................71
Defence ...................................................................................................................................................................... 79
Books and Authors................................................................................................................................................. 85
National Affairs....................................................................................................................................................... 86
Committees and Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 95
2|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Awards and Honors
Dehradun Smart City Limited awarded
For its work under the e-Health project, Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) has
been awarded the Smart City India award 2021 by the Central Ministry of Urban
Development.
All the 100 smart cities had participated in the competition.
The award has been given for the work done through integrated control and command
centre.
Mahinder Giri wins International Ranger Award
Mahinder Giri becomes the only ranger from Asia to win the prestigious International Ranger
Award for his contribution towards conservation.
He is deployed as a Range Officer at Motichur range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand.
The award has been announced for 10 professionals across the world by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature and World Commission on Protected Areas.
IIT Kharagpur team wins CoreNet Challenge 6.0
A team of four undergraduate students from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
have emerged as winners at the CoreNet Global Academic Challenge 6.0.
CoreNet Global is a non-profit association, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (US).
This is the first time a squad from India has emerged as winners in the CoreNet Global
Academic Challenge since the inception of it in 2015.
Prof. Sharad to be conferred with Vyas Samman
Well known Hindi writer Prof. Sharad Pagare will be conferred with the prestigious Vyas
Samman - 2020 for his novel 'Patliputru Ki Samragi.'
The Vyas Samman started in 1991, is given by KK Birla Foundation for an outstanding literary
work in Hindi authored by an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years.
It carries an award of four lakh rupees along with a citation and plaque.
Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2020
Legendary singer Asha Bhosle will be honoured with the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan
Award for the year 2020.
Along with two National Awards in 1981 and 1986, she was also honoured with the
Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000.
Maharashtra Bhushan Award was started in 1996.
late writer Purushottam Laxman Deshpande was the first recipient of the honour.
Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020
The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 will be conferred on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman.
Rahman was the first President of Bangladesh.
Rahman is known as the "Father of the Nation" or simply "Mujib" in Bangladesh.
Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the Government in1995 and carries an
amount of Rs 1 cr, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft.
3|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
67th National Film Awards - 2019
The 67th National Film Awards for the year 2019 were announced on 22 March 2021.
Malayalam movie Marakkar Arabikkadilinte Simham will be awarded the Best Feature Film
Award.
Kangana Ranaut will get the Best Actress award for her movies Manikarnika -The Queen of
Jhansi and Panga.
Manoj Bajpayee and Dhanush will be awarded the Best Actor award for the movie Bhonsle
and Asuran respectively.
Gandhi Peace Prize for year 2019
The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 is being conferred on late Sultan Qaboos bin Said
Al Said of Oman.
The award has been given in recognition of his outstanding contributions for social,
economic and political transformation through Gandhian methods.
The Jury for the Prize is chaired by PM Modi and comprises of two ex-officio members and
the Leader of Opposition Party in Lok Sabha.
NTPC conferred ‘Role Model’ award
NTPC Ltd, a PSU under the Ministry of Power has been conferred the ‘Role Model’ Award at
the 11th CII National HR Excellence Award 2020-21.
The award was presented in the virtual conference “Learn from the Achievers” held on 18
March 2021.
This award is the highest level of recognition in the field of Human Resources by the
Confederation of Indian Industry.
Anne Lacaton wins 2021 Pritzker Prize
French architects Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal have won the 2021 Pritzker Prize
for architecture, considered to be the profession’s highest honour.
The two are known to create sustainable buildings by using pre-existing structures in their
work.
Lacaton and Vassal’s most recent work is the transformation of the Palais de Tokyo (Paris,
France 2012).
‘Manny’ bags 4 awards at Miami Film fest
Sonal Sehgal’s Indo-Latvian science-fiction thriller “Manny” has bagged 4 awards at the
Miami International Science Fiction Film festival.
It has been directed by Latvian filmmaker Dace Puce.
It won the award for the Best Sci-Fi Picture Runner Up as well as the Best Cinematography.
The Best Background Score was won by Naresh Kamath and the Best Supporting Actor was
won by Tony Hawkins.
Sonu Gandhi presented SERB award
Dr Sonu Gandhi has been awarded the prestigious SERB Women Excellence Award.
He is a scientist at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad
and has recently developed a smart nanodevice for the detection of Rheumatoid arthritis,
cardiovascular disease, etc.
The award was instituted by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Dept of
4|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Science and Technology.
Michael Holding awarded 'Best pundit'
Former West Indies cricketer Michael Holding, who came out in support of the 'Black Lives
Matter' movement, has been named the 'Best Pundit' at the SJA British Sports Journalism
Award 2020.
Holding had delivered a powerful message against racism during last year's England-West
Indies series, saying that blacks have been dehumanised.
The awards were hosted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1st transgender man to star on TIME cover
Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page will become the first transgender man to star on the
front cover of TIME magazine.
Elliot Page was nominated for various awards for Oscar-winning 2007 independent film
Juno and plays a leading role in the Netflix hit The Umbrella Academy.
American actress Laverne Cox had become the first trans woman to appear on the cover of
TIME in 2014.
TRB bags Kalinga Safety Excellence Award
TRB Iron Ore Mines of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) in Tensa of Sundergarh district of
Orissa has been honoured with the Kalinga Safety Excellence Award-2019.
It has been awarded in the Gold category for exemplary efforts in maintaining best safety
practices.
The award was conferred at the Odisha State Safety Conclave-2020 held in Bhubaneswar.
TRB won it for the 3rd consecutive year.
Gowsalya Shankar nominated for an award
The U.S. Consulate has honoured Gowsalya Shankar with a nomination for the International
Woman of Courage (IWOC) Award.
She is a Tamil Nadu-based anti-caste activist and human rights defender.
The IWOC Award Certificate of Nomination was handed over to her by U.S. Consul General
in Chennai at an event ‘Courageous Women Inspire a Better World’ in March 2021.
Sahitya Akademi Awards 2020
Politician-writer M Veerappa Moily, poet Arundhathi Subramaniam are among 20 writers
who will be bestowed with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2020.
The national academy announced the names on 12 March 2021.
The list includes seven books of poetry, four novels, five short stories, two plays, and one
each of memoirs and epic poetry in 20 Indian languages.
63rd Grammy Awards- I
At the 63rd Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles, on 14 March 2021, Taylor Swift and Billie
Eilish won the top prizes.
Taylor Swift was awarded 'album of the year' for her lockdown album 'Folklore', while Billie
Eilish’s “Everything I Wanted” won 'record of the year'.
Swift is the first female artist ever to win an album of the year three times.
She won the award previously in 2010 and 2016.
5|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
63rd Grammy Awards- II
Beyonce became the most awarded female artist in Grammy history with her 28th win.
She was honored for 'Savage' and 'Black Parade'.
Beyoncé and her nine-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter won the best music video award for
"Brown Skin Girl" making Carter one of the youngest Grammy winners in history.
British singer Dua Lipa won best pop vocal album for “Future Nostalgia.”
Afghanistan's Rashid Khan sets new record
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan broke Australian spin legend Shane Warne’s mega record
on 14 Mar 2021 as he bowled the most number of overs in a single Test in the 21st century.
Warne had bowled 98 overs in a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town in 2002.
The 22-yr-old Afghan spinner achieved this feat in ongoing 2nd Test against Zimbabwe at
Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Mithali Raj creates another huge record
Indian Women's ODI team captain Mithali Raj became the first female cricketer in history to
score 7,000 ODI runs.
She achieved this landmark in her 213th ODI on 15 March 2021.
This feat comes after Mithali Raj, on 12 March 2021, became the first Indian woman cricketer
and only the second overall to score 10000 international runs.
Telangana Governor presented with an award
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has been conferred with the Top-20 Global
Women of Excellence-2021 award.
The award was presented to the Governor as part of the 9th Annual Congressional
International Women’s Day Gala at Naperville, Illinois, Chicago.
She accepted the prestigious award from Puducherry Raj Nivas.
King Bhumibol World Soil Day - 2020 Award
Ambassador of India to Thailand Suchitra Durai received the prestigious King Bhumibol
World Soil Day - 2020 Award of the Food and Agriculture Organization on the behalf of the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research on 10 March 2021.
This award is recognition of ICAR’s excellent contributions in “Soil Health Awareness” on the
theme “Stop soil erosion, save our future” during the year- 2020.
Amitabh Bachchan to be presented FIAF Award
Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured with an award by the International Federation of Film
Archives (FIAF).
The veteran actor will be the first Indian cinema personality to be bestowed with the FIAF
Award for his dedication and contribution to the preservation of the world’s film heritage.
He will be presented the award during a virtual showcase scheduled to take place on March
19, 2021.
Koneru Humpy wins BBC ISWOTY for 2020
Chess player Koneru Humpy from Andhra Pradesh has won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of
the Year award (ISWOTY) for 2020, following a public vote.
Humpy is the World Rapid Chess champion having won the title in December 2019.
She received the Arjuna Award, one of India's top sporting honors, in 2003, and India's
6|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri, in 2007.
Baton of Honour presented to Kiran Bedi
President Ram Nath Kovind on 8 March 2021 presented a Baton of Honour and a letter of
appreciation to former Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Kiran Bedi was removed as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry on February 16, 2021, by
the President of India and Tamilisai Soundararajan took additional charge as the Lieutenant
Governor on February 18, 2021.
Niger’s Presi wins African Leadership award
Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou has won the 2020 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in
African Leadership.
Issoufou is the sixth recipient of the Ibrahim Prize, which is awarded on criteria of good
governance, democratic election and respect of terms limits.
Issoufou was the Prime Minister of Niger from 1993 to 1994 and President of the National
Assembly from 1995 to 1996.
Bangladesh to confer Independence Award
Bangladesh has announced the names of 9 individuals and 1 organization for conferring the
Independence Award, the highest civilian award of Bangladesh for the year 2021.
Four individuals have been selected posthumously for the award.
The award is being given since 1977.
The recipients of the award get a gold medal and a cash reward of Taka 5 lakh.
DMA honours Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan
Delhi Medical Association (DMA) honored Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, for his
contribution to the medical fraternity and outstanding service during the COVID-19
Pandemic.
He was honored during DMA's 62nd Annual Delhi State Medical Conference.
He informed that the Indian vaccines have shown some of the lowest Adverse Events
Following Immunization, AEFI anywhere in the world.
The Hindu: Champion Publisher of the Year 2020
The Hindu Group won two golds and two silvers at WAN IFRA’s South Asian Digital Media
Awards, culminating in being named ‘Champion Publisher of the Year 2020'.
Sportstar’s website of The Hindu Group won a gold in ‘Best in Lifestyle, Sports, Entertainment
Website or Mobile Services’.
The Hindu’s website (thehindu.com) won silver in ‘Best Paid Content Strategy’.
40 scholars recommended for award of ISRF 2021
Forty scholars from six countries have been recommended for the award of India Science
and Research Fellowship 2021.
The government had launched India Science and Research Fellowship Programme for
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand
researchers.
It has been implemented since 2015.
No award was given in 2020 due to the pandemic.
7|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
PM Narendra Modi receives CERAWeek award
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment
Leadership Award on 5 March 2021.
He also delivered a keynote address at the Cambridge Energy Research Associates Week-
2021 via video conferencing.
CERAWeek was founded in 1983 by Dr. Daniel Yergin.
CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award was instituted in 2016.
Mohankrishna Bohara to be awarded
The 30th Bihari Puraskar for 2020 will be given to Mohankrishna Bohara for his Hindi book of
criticism, titled Taslima: Sangharsh aur Sahitya.
The book was published in 2016.
Bihari Puraskar carries award money of two lakh 50 thousand rupees, a citation and a
plaque.
The award is one of the three literary awards instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991.
Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship launched
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India under its Waste to
Wealth Mission has launched the Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship.
The Fellowship was launched to recognize the students, community workers or Self-Help
Groups and municipal or sanitary workers who are engaged in tackling the challenge of
waste management, scientifically and sustainably.
78th edition of Golden Globe Awards- I
The 78th Golden Globes Awards ceremony was held on March 1, 2021.
Emma Corin has won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series (Drama)
category.
John Boyega won the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a
Television Series.
Netflix's The Queen's Gambit is the Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or
Motion Picture Made for Television.
78th edition of Golden Globe Awards- II
Nomadland won the Best Motion Picture (Drama).
Andra Day won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama).
Sacha Baron Cohen won the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or
Comedy) category.
Rosamund Pike won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or
Comedy).
Schitt's Creek won the Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy).
8|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Mergers and Acquisition
Amazon acquires retail tech start-up Perpule
Amazon Technologies, a part of e-commerce major Amazon.com Inc, has acquired
Bengaluru-based retail tech start-up Perpule for about Rs 107.6 cr.
The acquisition will allow Amazon to offer Perpule's 'UltraPoS' and other new technology
products to its Kirana partners.
Amazon is also likely to pay additional remuneration to Perpule's employees, which will take
the deal value to about Rs 150 cr.
Niyo partners with Equitas Small Finance Bank
Niyo, in partnership with Equitas Small Finance Bank, has announced the launch of NiyoX.
It will help millennials to manage their savings and wealth by offering a 2-in-1 account in the
form of a digital savings account and a wealth management suite.
It aims to onboard 2 million users by the end of 2021.
Niyo is India's leading digital banking fintech startup.
Khatabook acquires Biz Analyst for $10 mn
Fintech start-up Khatabook has acquired Biz Analyst, a SaaS business management
application in a deal worth $10 million as a mix of cash and equity.
With this deal, Khatabook will offer its customer base of over 10 mn monthly active
merchants an opportunity to scale up businesses.
Biz Analyst is a cash flow positive business firm providing solutions to SMEs using Tally
accounting software.
Allana Group picks up 1% stake in LT Foods
Allana Group has announced an investment of Rs 20 crore for a 1% stake in LT Foods.
The two companies plan to work together to expand LT Food's consumer products business
to focus on value-added as well as impulse food products.
Allana Group distributes brands such as London Dairy Ice Cream, Sunny Oil, and Pristine
Bakery.
LT Foods sells its packaged rice brands such as Daawat, Royal, etc.
Tech Mahindra acquires Perigord Asset Holdings
Tech Mahindra Ltd has acquired a 70% stake in Perigord Asset Holdings Ltd.
The acquisition will help Tech Mahindra boost expertise in the global pharmaceutical,
healthcare, and life science (HLS) sectors.
The acquisition underlines Tech Mahindra’s focus on digital growth, under the NXT.NOW
framework, which focuses on leveraging next-generation technologies to
solve evolving customer needs.
IndoSpace acquires 55 acres in Haryana
IndoSpace and Model Economic Township Ltd (METL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries
Ltd (RIL), have jointly acquired 55 acres at Farukhnagar, in Haryana, to develop a
warehousing facility.
The land parcel has a development potential of 1.28 million sq ft.
With this, IndoSpace has expanded its footprint in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) to
9|Page
Current Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
over 480 acres across eight industrial parks.
IndiGrid InvIT to acquire a project
India Grid Trust, an infrastructure investment trust has inked an agreement to acquire a
power transmission project in the northeast for ₹4,625 cr from Sterlite Power.
The investment manager of IndiGrid, sponsored by Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Ltd, is
majority-owned by KKR.
The 830 circuit-km long NER-II Transmission Ltd project is spread across Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh and Tripura.
10 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Days and Events
Rajasthan Day: 30 March
Rajasthan Day is celebrated every year on March 30 to commemorate the day on which the
state came into existence.
Rajasthan earlier known as Rajputana came into existence on 30 March 1949.
The state mostly comprises lands of Rajputs including the erstwhile nineteen princely states.
It is the largest state of India in terms of the area and also shares borders with Pakistan's
Punjab province.
Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of independence
Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of its independence on 26 March 2021.
It was 50 years ago on the night of March 25, 1971, that Pakistan's military launched a violent
crackdown on the city of Dhaka, then part of East Pakistan.
Early on March 26, 1971, the Bengali nationalist politician Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared
independence for Bangladesh.
World Theatre Day: 27 March
World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on 27 March.
It was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI).
One of the most important events organised on this day is the circulation of the World
Theatre Day Message through which at the invitation of ITI, a figure of world stature shares
his or her reflections on the theme of Theatre and a Culture of Peace.
186th Raising Day of Assam Rifles
March 23 is marked as the 186th Raising Day of Assam Rifles.
The Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force in India, it was raised in 1845 under the
British Raj, under the name Cachar Levy.
The present name which is ‘Assam Rifles’ has been used since 1917.
It plays an important role in maintaining the law and order in the tribal parts of Arunachal
Pradesh.
Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave
Trade is observed every year on 25 March.
The day aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice.
In order to more permanently honour the victims, a memorial has been erected at United
Nations Headquarters in New York.
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia's birth anniversary
March 23 marks the birth anniversary of freedom fighter and socialist leader Dr. Ram
Manohar Lohia.
Lohia was born on 23 March 1910.
He was an activist in the Indian independence movement and a socialist political leader.
During the last phase of British rule in India, he worked with Congress Radio which was
broadcast secretly from various places in Bombay until 1942.
11 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Birth anniversary of Muthuswami Dikshitar
March 24 marks the birth anniversary of the great Carnatic Musician Muthuswami Dikshitar.
Dikshitar was the legendary composer of Indian classical Carnatic music.
Dikshitar, Shyama Sastri, and Tyāgayya formed the musical trinity of Carnatic music.
His compositions are mostly in Sanskrit.
He also composed some of his Kritis in Manipravalam, a combination of the Sanskrit and
Tamil languages.
World Tuberculosis Day: 24 March
Each year, World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is celebrated on March 24 to raise public awareness
about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB.
On this day in 1882, Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that
causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.
The theme of World TB Day 2021 is ‘The Clock is Ticking’.
Martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh: 23 March
The nation paid tributes to freedom fighters - Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev - on their
martyrdom day on 23 March 2021.
On this day in 1931, British rulers had executed them in Lahore for their revolutionary
activities against the empire.
They were hanged a day before the scheduled date of execution.
A number of programmes have been organized across the country to mark the day.
World Meteorological Day: 23 March
World Meteorological Day takes place every year on 23 March.
It commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing
the World Meteorological Organization.
World Meteorological Day in 2021 is devoted to the theme “the ocean, our climate and
weather.”
In 1961, the World Meteorological Organization designated March 23rd as the UN World
Meteorological Day.
22 March: Bihar Divas
Bihar is celebrating its 109th foundation day on 22 March 2021.
The theme for the event of the year 2021 is 'Jal Jivan Haryali'.
The state was carved out from the Bengal presidency on this day in 1912.
The Day is a public holiday in Bihar.
Due to the pandamic situation, the Bihar government has decided to celebrate the event on
a small-scale.
21 March: International Day of Forests
21 March is celebrated as International Day of Forests.
The day was founded by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations in
2012.
The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2021 is “Forest restoration: a path to
recovery and well-being”.
It is aimed at raising public awareness among diverse communities about the values of the
12 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
forests to balance the life cycle.
22 March: World Water Day
World Water Day is observed on 22 March around the world.
‘Valuing Water’ is the theme for 2021's World Water Day.
The idea for a World Water Day was put forward in 1992, at the Rio de Janeiro United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
The objective of the day is to raise awareness of the global water crisis and to support the
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal.
Shehnai festival starts at BHU
As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a 3-day Shehnai festival started at Banaras Hindu
University campus Varanasi on 21 March 2021.
The Sangeet Natak Academy and the music and performing arts faculty of BHU have come
together to organize this music festival.
This musical evening is organized to remember the shehnai Maestro Bharat Ratna Ustad
Bismillah Khan on his birth anniversary.
India participates in Nowruz celebrations
India participated in the Nowruz festivities at the SCO Secretariat in Beijing on 19 March
2021.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is celebrating 2021 as the ‘Year of Culture’.
Nowruz is the Persian New Year and symbol of onset of spring in the northern hemisphere.
21 March was officially recognized in 2010 as International Nowruz Day by the UN.
In 2021, it falls on March 20.
World Sparrow Day: 20 March
World Sparrow Day is observed on 20 March every year to raise awareness about the bird.
The initiative was started by Nature Forever Society (NFS) of India, founded by Mohammed
Dilawar, an Indian conservationist.
The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated in 2010 in different parts of the world.
The number of sparrows has declined sharply in the past few years.
International Day of Happiness: 20 March
March 20 is observed as the International Day of Happiness.
Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way
to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.
The resolution to adopt it was initiated by Bhutan, a country that recognized the value of
national happiness over national income since the early 1970s.
Global Recycling Day: 18 March
Global Recycling Day is observed every year on March 18 to create awareness among the
masses about the rapid pace at which our natural resources are being used.
The day promotes the concept and practice of recycling. Every year, events are organised
by environmentalist and activists to promote the cause.
In 2021, the theme of Global Recycling Day is “Recycling Heroes”.
National Immunisation Day: 16 March
National Immunisation Day is celebrated every year on March 16.
13 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Also called National Vaccination Day, it is observed to convey the importance of
vaccination.
It was on this day on March 16, 1995, that the first dose of the Oral Polio vaccine was given
in India.
India had also launched its first vaccine Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) over 50 years ago to
combat Tuberculosis.
Chinar Day observed in Jammu and Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Urban Forest Division Srinagar on 15 March 2021. organized a
programme to observe Chinar Day at Shuhama Campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of
Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST).
Chinar saplings were planted within the premises.
The department currently is planting about 2000 Chinar saplings
International Day of Action for Rivers: 14 Mar
International Day of Action for Rivers is marked on March 14 across the world.
It aims to bring people across borders, together to discuss issues pertaining to river
management, river pollution, river conservation etc at a global level.
The theme for the 24th International Day of Action for Rivers was the ‘Rights of Rivers’.
The day was implemented in 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil.
Pi Day: 14 March
Every year on March 14, the world celebrates Pi Day to recognise the mathematical
constant, Pi.
Pi is defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and its value is 3.14.
The day was recognised in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw.
In 2019, Unesco’s 40th General Conference decided to observe Pi Day as the International
Day of Mathematics.
World Consumer Rights Day: 15 March
World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on the 15th of March every year to raise global
awareness about consumer rights and needs.
The day was inspired by US President John F Kennedy’s special message to the US Congress
on March 15, 1962.
The day is being observed since 1983.
The theme of the World Consumer Rights Day 2021 is ‘tackle plastic pollution'.
Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal's birth anniversary
PM Modi paid tributes to Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal, a great thinker and social reformer of
the 19th century, on his birth anniversary in March 2021.
Ayya Vaikundar also known as Siva Narayana or Vaikunda Swami is the first and the
foremost Purna avatar of Eka-Paran.
Vaikundar was born to Narayana and his consort Lekhsmi at the Sea of Tiruchendur on the
20th of Masi, 1008 of Kollam Calender.
NCRB celebrates its 36th Inception Day
National Crime Records Bureau, NCRB celebrated its 36th Inception Day on 11 March 2021.
Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla presided over the function.
14 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
NCRB is an Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analysing crime data
as defined by the Indian Penal Code and Special and Local Laws.
It is headquartered in New Delhi and was set up in the year 1986.
World Kidney Day: 11 March
World Kidney Day is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of March.
In 2021, the day was celebrated on 11 March with the theme “Living Well with Kidney
Disease”.
It aims to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys and to reduce the frequency and
impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.
CISF Raising Day 2021
CISF Raising Day is observed every year on March 10.
It was set up under an act of the Parliament of India on March 1969 with a strength of
around 2,200 personnel.
CISF stands for Central Industrial Security Force, which is a Central Armed Police Force in
India.
It is governed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and its headquarters is in New Delhi.
Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2021
Jan Aushadhi Divas or Generic Medicine Day is celebrated on 7 March every year in India.
In 2021, the entire week from March 1 to March 7 was celebrated as ‘Jan Aushadhi Week’
with different themes for each day.
March 7 was celebrated with the theme of ‘Seva bhi, Rozgar bhi’.
The day was first celebrated in the year 2019 making it the third-celebration in 2021.
8 March: International Women's Day
International Women's Day is being observed on 8 March.
The theme for the day in 2021 is "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a
COVID-19 world".
The day is celebrated to help forge a gender-equal world, celebrate women's achievements
and their increasing visibility in every sphere of life.
It also highlights the extraordinary roles played by women in almost every walk of life.
Odisha pays tribute to Biju Patnaik
On 6 March 2021, the Odisha government paid rich tributes to legendary leader Biju Patnaik
on his 105th birth anniversary.
Biju Patnaik was the Chief Minister of Odisha twice in the mid-60s and the first half of the
90s.
The state government also observed the day as "Panchayati Raj Day" as Biju Patnaik was
instrumental in decentralizing power to the grassroots level.
2023: International Year of Millets
The United Nations has unanimously declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
A resolution to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets was introduced by India and
supported by over 70 nations in the UN General Assembly.
This aims to raise awareness about the health benefits of the grain and their suitability for
cultivation under changing climatic conditions.
15 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
India commemorates 'Chabahar Day' on March 4
India will commemorate Chabahar Day on the margins of the Maritime India Summit-2021
on the 4th of March.
In the virtually held event, Ministers from Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia,
and Uzbekistan are participating.
The Chabahar Port is a key pillar of India's Indo-Pacific vision to connect Eurasia with the
Indian Ocean Region.
National Safety Day: 4 March
National Safety Day is observed on March 4 every year to commemorate the foundation of
the National Safety Council (NSC).
NSC aims to raise awareness about safety measures that need to be undertaken to prevent
accidents and mishaps.
National Safety Day was observed for the first time in 1972, on the foundation day of the
National Safety Council.
World Wildlife Day: 3 March
World Wildlife Day is observed annually on March 3 to celebrate and raise awareness of the
world's flora and fauna.
On December 20, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as the UN
World Wildlife Day.
The theme for World Wildlife Day 2021 is "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and
Planet".
LPAI celebrates its 9th Foundation Day
The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) celebrated its 9th Foundation Day at its
headquarters in New Delhi on 1 March 2021.
The organization was formed in 2012.
The event concluded with a virtual panel discussion on the subject “Facilitating Regional
Trade and Connectivity through Land Route” which was attended by eminent scholars and
persons from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
World Hearing Day: 3 March
World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent
deafness and hearing loss and to promote ear and hearing care across the world.
The theme for World Hearing Day 2021 is “Hearing care for all!”.
Also, in 2021, World Hearing Day will be marked by the launch of the first-ever World Report
on Hearing.
1 March: 45th Civil Accounts Day
The 45th Civil Accounts Day was celebrated in New Delhi on 1 March 2021.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was the Chief Guest of the event.
This annual event was celebrated for the first time by virtual mode and was enthusiastically
attended by Indian Civil Accounts Service ICAS officers and staff of the Civil Accounts
Organisation.
Zero Discrimination Day: 1 March
Zero Discrimination Day is celebrated every year on 1 March. The symbol is a butterfly.
16 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
It aims at highlighting the urgent need to take action to end the inequalities surrounding
income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender
identity, race, class, ethnicity and religion that are prevalent around the world.
17 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
MoU and Agreements
FB signs deals with 3 Australian publishers
Facebook has announced preliminary agreements with three Australian publishers.
Letters of intent had been signed with independent news organizations Private Media,
Schwartz Media and Solstice Media.
These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously
paywalled content, to Facebook.
SpiceJet ties up with Avenue Capital
Homegrown carrier SpiceJet has signed an MoU with New York-based Avenue Capital
Group for financing, acquisition, sale, and lease-back of 50 new planes.
This alliance will ensure a seamless induction of the planes in the fleet.
Besides this, SpiceJet will add 66 new flights, including additional services on certain
routes in its domestic network at the end of March 2021.
Fourth batch of three Rafale to reach Gujarat
The 4th batch of three Rafale combat aircraft will reach Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat from
France on 31 Mar'21.
The 1st batch of 5 Rafale jets arrived in India on 29 July'20.
India had signed an agreement with France to procure 36 Rafale aircraft.
The Rafale jets are India’s 1st major acquisition of fighter planes in the last 23 years after the
Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.
Bharat Biotech, CSIR collaborate
Bharat Biotech has tied up with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to
work on technologies and platforms for novel vaccines, drugs, and even raw materials.
Bharat Biotech International, Biovet, and Sapigen Biologix have signed a joint Master
Collaborative Agreement (MCA) with CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-
IICT).
Puma signs deal with RC Bangalore
Global sports brand Puma has signed a three-year partnership with the Indian Premier
League (IPL) team franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Puma will be the official kit partner of the team from the upcoming 14th edition of the
tournament, scheduled to start from 9 April 2021.
It also makes Puma the only global sports brand to be associated with IPL 2021.
J&J, African Union ink deal for Covid vaccine
Johnson & Johnson will supply the African Union (AU) with up to 400 mn doses of its Covid-
19 vaccines.
J&J unit Janssen Pharmaceutica NV has entered into a deal with the African Vaccine
Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to deliver 220 mn doses of its single-dose shot.
AVAT could order an additional 180 mn doses by 2022.
Almost 121,000 people across Africa have died from COVID-19 till March 2021.
Iran and China to sign 25-yr cooperation pact
Iran and China signed a 25-year cooperation agreement on 27 March 2021.
18 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
The agreement was signed between Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and his Chinese
counterpart, Wang Yi.
China, Iran's largest trading partner and a long-standing ally, agreed in 2016 to boost
bilateral trade by more than 10 times to $600 billion over a decade.
Adani entered into a pact with Essel Infra
Power transmission & retail distribution major Adani Transmission Limited has signed
definitive agreements with Essel Infraprojects Limited.
The pact is signed for the acquisition of Warora-Kurnool Transmission Limited (WKTL) for an
enterprise value of Rs 3,370 cr.
WKTL will develop, operate & maintain a transmission sys aggregating to 1,750 ckt km in
Maharashtra, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.
Ford & HP partners to reuse 3D printing waste
Ford Motor has teamed up with tech company HP to innovatively reuse spent 3D printing
waste by turning them into injection molded automotive parts.
Auto parts such as injection molded fuel-line clips made from 3D printing waste have
already been installed first on Ford's Super Duty F-250 trucks.
These injection molded parts are environment-friendly, durable and of high quality standard.
India, Bangladesh ink five MoUs
Bangladesh and India on 27 March 2021 signed 5 MoUs to enhance cooperation in various
sectors, including disaster management, resilience, and mitigation, trade, ICT, and sports.
During the meet, both leaders agreed to run a direct passenger train named ‘Mitali Express’
will run between Dhaka & New Jalpaiguri.
India gifted 109 ambulances to Bangladesh and also 1.2 mn Covidvaccine doses.
Hungama Music partners with Dolby Laboratories
Hungama Music has partnered with Dolby Laboratories, enabling users with Dolby-enabled
mobile devices to listen to music in Dolby format.
It has tied up for its surround sound technology called Dolby Atmos that offers more clarity
and depth to music.
Dolby Laboratories is a San Francisco-based company that enhances sight and sound
experiences in movies, television, music, sports and gaming.
Tata Cleantech signs agreement with JICA
Tata Cleantech Capital, a non-banking financial company, has secured a 10-billion-yen loan
agreement from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
It has been signed for offering loans to Indian firms focussing on clean energy projects.
The loan would be provided through a private sector investment finance scheme of JICA
and co-financed with the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
JNPT signs Rs 100 crore pact with CNB Logitech
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has signed an MoU with CNB Logitech of Rs 100 crore
per annum to monitor, track and optimise the movement of 50 lakh containers in EXIM
trade.
the signing of MoU will help to achieve India's maritime vision of 2030 by enhancing
efficiencies.
19 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
With this MoU with JNPT, CNB will be able to monitor over 50 per cent of India's container
movement in EXIM trade.
SAIC Motor and Haier to develop smart cars
Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor Corp. and appliance maker Haier Group Corp. have signed a
preliminary agreement to jointly develop intelligent transportation systems and smart
homes.
The duo will cooperate in areas including autonomous driving and lightweight-material
development.
The agreement involves Haier investing in a SAIC unit that will be set up to develop
autonomous driving technology.
ASCI partners with Futurebrands
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has partnered with brand consultancy
Futurebrands India to launch the first study into gender depiction in advertising.
The study titled, GenderNext, aims to provide actionable insights that can shape gender
narratives, especially around the portrayal of women in advertising positively.
The report is set to be released in September 2021.
TPDDL ties up with SUN Mobility
Tata Power joint venture firm Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) has announced its
partnership with SUN Mobility to set up a network of 'Battery Swap Points' across north and
north-west Delhi.
SUN Mobility is a leading provider of an energy infrastructure platform.
In collaboration with TPDDL, SUN Mobility has launched the first Swap Point with two Quick
Interchange Stations.
Jal Shakti Ministry ties up with UN
The Jal Shakti Ministry has entered a partnership with the United Nations Office for Project
Services and the government of Denmark.
It will help bring tap water connections to 11 water-scarce districts in Uttar Pradesh’s water-
starved Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions under the Jal Jeevan mission.
The project will include capacity-building support, with the creation of village action plans.
ICM and IOM in a collaboration
The India Centre for Migration (ICM), a research think tank of the Ministry of External Affairs
(MEA), and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have entered into a
collaboration.
They will do a joint study on strengthening data-informed and migrant-centred migration
management frameworks in India.
The project was launched by Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary of ICM on 23 Mar'21.
RDIF, Virchow Biotech ink deal
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Hyderabad-based Virchow Biotech Private
Limited have inked an agreement to produce up to 200 million doses per year of Sputnik V
vaccine in India.
The technology transfer is expected to be completed in the 2nd quarter of 2021.
Sputnik V has been registered in 54 countries globally with a total population of over 1.4
20 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
billion people.
FICCI and IFSCA sign MoU
FICCI (The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and IFSCA
(International Financial Services Centres Authority) have signed an MoU.
They will establish a framework for collaboration for the development of Gujarat
International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) IFSC as a world-class FinTech hub.
FICCI will also assist IFSCA in the development of FinTech Accelerator programmes.
JKTPO and TPCI sign MoU
Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) has signed an MoU with the
Trade Promotion Corporation of India (TPCI).
It has been signed for the Agro and Food Processing sector and Film Tourism sector.
The MoU was signed during the inauguration of the J&K Pavilion at South Asia’s largest
Integrated FB Trade Show – Indus-food 2021, held at India Exposition Mart, New Delhi.
Glenmark joins hands with Bausch
Drug firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has entered into a pact with Bausch to commercialise
its nasal spray Ryaltris in Canada.
The company's subsidiary, Glenmark Specialty SA in Switzerland and an affiliate of Bausch
Health Companies Inc have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement.
Glenmark will be responsible for regulatory approvals and the supply of Ryaltris for the
Canadian market.
IISc, Applied Materials India ink R&D pact
Applied Materials India, the local subsidiary of Applied Materials Inc., has signed a research
and development (R&D) pact with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
As part of the Industry Affiliate Program of the Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering
(CeNSE), both will work closely with CeNSE to explore new applications and solutions in the
field of advanced materials.
India, Japan agree for cooperation
India and Japan have agreed to recognize each other’s offices to act mutually as competent
International Searching and International Preliminary Examining Authority (ISA/IPEA) for any
international patent application filed with them.
The agreement was arrived at during the 4th review meeting between both in March
2021 under a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on industrial property.
Thermax arm signs pact with Germany's SBE
Thermax Babcock and Wilcox Energy Solutions (TBWES) has signed a Know-How Transfer
and License agreement with Steinmüller Babcock Environment GmbH (SBE), Germany for
Waste to Energy technology.
As a part of it, TBWES will design, engineer, manufacture, and sell Municipal Solid Waste
(MSW) fired waste to energy solutions incorporating SBE’s well-established grate and boiler
technology.
Mindtree inks deal with Knauf
Mindtree Ltd has signed a multi-year agreement with Knauf, a global manufacturer of
building materials and construction systems.
21 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
As per it, Mindtree will help accelerate the company’s IT transformation initiatives.
Mindtree will provide application development services, help to digitize their infrastructure,
transforming their supply chain systems, and further develop digital platforms.
Sevilla, FC Bengaluru announce collaboration
Spanish football club Sevilla FC and FC Bengaluru United have announced a five-year
collaboration.
Through this partnership, Sevilla FC will look to strengthen their presence in the Indian
football ecosystem.
As part of the agreement, fans will be able to see FC Bengaluru United as well as their
academy players in Sevilla FC’s traditional white and red colours from the 2021-2022 season.
Labour Bureau signs agreement with BECIL
Labour Bureau has signed a service level agreement with Broadcast Engineering
Consultants India Limited, BECIL.
It will all India surveys on Migrant Workers and All India Quarterly Establishment based
Employment Survey.
These surveys will be useful in providing the government with crucial data on migrant
workers and the employment situation in formal and informal establishments.
Govt signs ₹1,188 crores deal with BDL
The Union Defence Ministry has signed a ₹1,188 crore deal with Bharat Dynamics Limited
(BDL) for the supply of 4,960 Milan-2T Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) to the Indian
Army.
It is a ‘Repeat Order’ of contract, which was signed with BDL on March 8, 2016.
The missile is a Tandem Warhead ATGM with a range of 1,850 meters, produced by BDL
under license from MBDA Missile Systems, France.
Indian Oil Corp enters into JV with Phinergy
Indian Oil Corporation has entered into a collaboration with Phinergy, an Israeli company
specialising in hybrid lithium-ion and aluminium-air/zinc-air battery systems, to form IOC
Phinergy Private Limited.
The joint venture will manufacture Aluminum-Air systems in India to boost India's flagship
programme - "Make in India" and recycle used Aluminum to strengthen India's energy
security.
Gland Pharma inks deal with RDIF
Gland Pharma Ltd has entered into an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund
(RDIF) for the supply of 252 million doses of Sputnik V (Russian-made) vaccine against
COVID-19.
The agreement will see Gland Pharma utilizing its Drug Substance and Drug Product
facilities at its sites in Hyderabad.
The production is expected to commence from the third quarter of 2021.
FIFA collaborates with United Nations
FIFA has announced its collaboration with the United Nations on Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC) to launch the Global Integrity Programme.
It is a comprehensive international programme aimed at providing all 211 member
22 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
associations with enhanced knowledge and tools to fight and prevent match manipulation.
The first edition of the programme started with the first module on March 4, 2021.
Cabinet approves MoU between India, Maldives
The Union Cabinet has approved an MoU signed between the Union Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment of the
Maldives for cooperation in Sports and Youth Affairs.
The MoU was signed in November 2020.
Bilateral exchange programmes in the field of sports between India and Maldives will help in
expanding knowledge in the area of sports.
JSW Sports collaborates with Odisha government
JSW Sports in collaboration with the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of
Odisha has announced the launch of a comprehensive Grassroot Program.
It is scheduled to commence on 1 April'21.
It will be rolled out in eight locations - Bhubaneshwar, Sambalpur, Balangir, Boudh, Sonepur,
Angul, Ganjam, and Mayurbhanj under the umbrella of the Odisha Government's pact with
JSW Sports.
Nokia partners with Microsoft, Amazon, Google
Nokia has partnered with Microsoft, Amazon web services and Google to develop new
cloud-based 5G radio solutions with its radio access network (RNA) technology.
The goal of the partnerships is to develop new business cases.
It will develop new and innovative high value 5G use cases that will equip customers with
the tools they need for digital transformation.
Agreement signed for Sewage Treatment Plants
A tripartite concession agreement has been signed between the National Mission for Clean
Ganga (NMCG), UP Jal Nigam, and GA Infra Private Limited-Lahoti Buildcon Limited for the
development of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for Moradabad.
The contract was awarded at a total cost of Rs 99.68 cr.
It is aimed at eliminating the flow of untreated sewage from Moradabad city into the River
Ganga.
Sony Pictures Networks signs multi-year deal
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has signed a multi-year television and digital broadcast
deal with Ultimate Kho Kho.
The league is expected to be telecast in the prime time slot (7-9 pm) in English and Hindi
and will also be streamed on SonyLIV.
Ultimate Kho Kho was founded by Dabur's Amit Burman who had acquired long-term
commercial rights from the Kho Kho Federation of India in 2019.
Cholamandalam, Karur Vysya Bank join hands
Cholamandalam Investment and Finance company has inked a partnership with Karur
Vysya Bank for co-lending business, eyeing to garner a larger market share across segments.
It would significantly help Cholamandalam and Karur Vysya Bank to expand the reach to
new customer segments across the country.
It will allow both the companies to use an effective composite risk management framework.
23 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Aquaconnect partners with Bank of Baroda
Aquaconnect has partnered with Bank of Baroda, India’s leading public sector bank, to pave
the way for access to formal credit for 1.6 million aquaculture farmers.
Under this partnership, Bank of Baroda has extended loan for up to 10 lacs under KCC
scheme and fisheries loan.
Higher credit limits can also be availed under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY).
ONGC acquires 5% stake in Indian Gas Exchange
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) signed a Share Purchase and
Shareholders Agreement (SPSHA) with the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) and the Indian Energy
Exchange (IEX) on March 10, 2021.
As per the agreement ONGC has acquired 5 per cent equity in IGX.
ONGC is aligned to the government’s vision of increasing the share of gas in the energy mix
to 15% by 2030.
Educate Girls signs MoU with Rajasthan
Educate Girls, an NGO, has announced an MoU with the Government of Rajasthan's
Directorate of Women Empowerment at Jaipur.
As per the MoU, Educate Girls will develop a collaborative framework to strengthen the
planning and implementation of the state's women and adolescent girls' initiatives and
reform processes.
It will set up a state-level Project Management and Implementation Unit.
Vi partners with Disney+ Hotstar
Telecommunications company Vi has partnered with video streaming platform Disney+
Hotstar to provide a year of free content to its users.
This will include live sports such as the IPL (Indian Premier League).
For Vi prepaid users, it is launching three new unlimited recharge plans and a new data-only
plan that will offer the one-year Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscription as a bundled benefit.
Govt Polytechnic College signs MoU with GCET
In the Jammu and Kashmir, Government Polytechnic College, Jammu inked an MoU with
Government College of Engineering & Technology (GCET), Jammu on 9 March 2021.
It has been signed for upskilling and enhancing employability of engineering students to the
latest technologies at Center for Invention, Innovation, Incubation, and Training (CIIIT),
Jammu established at Government Polytechnic Jammu.
Russia, China sign MoU to build space station
Russia and China signed an MoU on 9 March 2021 for the joint construction of a lunar space
station.
The lunar station will be designed as a "complex of experimental research facilities created
on the surface and/or in the orbit of the Moon".
The collaboration will promote international cooperation on the project and offer equal
access to any nation that wants to take part.
IOCL, IDCO sign MoU for Paradip Plastic Park
The state-run Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) and Indian
24 | P a g eCurrent Affairs Monthly Capsule
|March 2021
Oil Corporation Limited signed an MoU on 9 March 2021, to develop a Plastic Park in
Paradip.
IOCL announced a special strategic incentive scheme to attract investments in downstream
polymer industries at Paradip Plastic Park.
With a project cost of Rs 107 cr, the park is spread over 120 acres of land.
Indian Navy, Suryadipta Projects ink an MoU
The Indian Navy has signed a contract with Suryadipta Projects to construct 11 ammunition-
cum-torpedo-cum-missile (ACTCM) barges.
The contract was concluded on March 5, 2021.
Delivery of barges is scheduled to commence from 22 May 2021.
The ACTCM barges will be inducted in Indian Navy to undertake the mission needs for
embarking or disembarking ammunition, torpedo, missile, etc.
Chingari inks deal with BandEdge
Short video app Chingari has announced a partnership with BandEdge, a music, and talent
agency, to promote budding singers, backstage music bands, dancers, among others.
BandEdge artistes work and perform across multiple Indian languages.
Chingari has also partnered with Bengali streaming service Hoichoi for short-video clips and
dialogue from shows and movies on the platform.
LeapFrog in a partnership with Temasek
Global impact investor LeapFrog Investments has signed a strategic partnership with
Singapore's state investor Temasek.
Temasek will commit $500 million as an anchor investor across multiple funds of LeapFrog.
Temasek will also take a minority stake in LeapFrog and provide growth capital to support
the expansion of the LeapFrog team and investment capabilities across Asia and Africa.
Philippines Vaccine Head to visit India
Chief Implementer of the Philippines' National Policy Against COVID, Carlito Galvez Jr will
visit India to finalize agreements with several vaccine manufacturers.
He will visit India from March 9 to 12, 2021 to sign supply agreements and negotiate earlier
deliveries of vaccines.
The Philippines is among the last countries in Southeast Asia to start its COVID-19 vaccine
rollout.
WCD Ministry sign agreement with Invest India
Union Ministry of Women and Child Development signed an MoU with Invest India in New
Delhi on 8 March'21.
The aim of the MoU is to enhance co-operation in the thematic areas of nutrition, child
protection and development, women empowerment and convergent capacity building in
mission mode.
It was signed by Joint Secretary in the Ministry Aditi Das Raut and VP of Invest India, Hindol
Sengupta.
Textiles Ministry and Agri Ministry sign MoU
Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Agriculture signed an MoU on 7 March 2021 to amplify
sericulture activities in the country in the presence of Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and
25 | P a g eYou can also read
