Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2021

Notes:
World Development Report 2021 has been released with the theme of ‘Data for Better Lives’— Leveraging greater value from data to help the poor
This is the first World Development Report which focused solely on the role of data for development. As the Covid pandemic made the global data inequalities even greater, the report speaks on how do we tap the full value of data, to ensure equitable access for poor people.

Notes:
Mount Merapi is an active volcano located in the Central Java province of Indonesia. Being the most active volcano in Indonesia, it has erupted constantly since 1548.
Recently, the volcano was observed releasing ash high into the air and sending streams of lava and debris along its slopes. As per media reports, clouds of hot ash were blown 200 meters or 656 feet above the surface.

Notes:
Reserve Bank of India’s former Deputy Governor Kamalesh Chandra Chakrabarty passed away recently after suffering a heart attack. He was 68 years old.
He also served as the Chairman and Managing Director of Punjab National Bank (2007-2009) and Indian Bank (2005-2007).

Notes:
Norway has recently got the approval to construct what’s being claimed as the world’s first ship tunnel, to help vessels navigate the Stadhavet Sea
It is to be constructed as a mile-long 118-feet-wide tunnel, that will burrow through the Stadhavet peninsula in north-west Norway. This project will cost around 2.8 billion Norwegian kroner (USD 330 million) and will take between three to four years.

Notes:
The Union Jal Shakti Ministry approved Rs 465 crore performance to 7 states under the Jal Jeevan Mission. These states are Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
The Ministry has stated that Gujarat was among the best performing in implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Notes:
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal recently inaugurated “Anandam: The Center for Happiness” at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu virtually.
The Center aims to help people overcome mental stress and help spread positivity. The prime objectives will be divided into five broad categories: Counselling, Holistic wellness, Elective courses on Happiness Development, Research and Leadership & Faculty Development.

Notes:
India is set to participate in a joint Military Exercise with Bangladesh. The exercise is named “Shantir Ogroshena -2021” and would commence in Bangladesh from 4th April 2021.
This is a nine-day exercise between the two armies, and the start date of the exercise marks to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh Father of the Nation – Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Notes:
France is set to conduct the joint naval exercise, La Pérouse, in the Bay of Bengal from April 5 to 7. India is set to join its Quad partners — Australia, Japan, and the United States in the exercise.
Two French Navy ships will be joined by ships from India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S. to promote multilateralism at sea and create free and open Indo-Pacific. India and France will also hold the bilateral naval exercise, Varuna later this month.

Notes:
Ajay Seth, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and the Managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation, has been appointed as the Department of economic affairs (DEA) secretary.
Tarun Bajaj, the present Department of economic affairs (DEA) secretary, has been appointed as the new Revenue secretary.

Notes:
India recently hosted the Meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors 2021. It was co-chaired by Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI governor Shaktikanta Das.
Finance Minister addressed the meeting virtually from New Delhi. Issues regarding New development bank, social infrastructure, IMF reforms, fintech for SME and financial inclusion, customs cooperation were discussed during the meeting.