Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2021

Notes:
On 7th August, 2021 Rekha Sharma was reappointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women for another 3-year term w.e.f. 07.08.2021, or till the age of 65 years or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.

Notes:
On 7th August, 2021 navies of India and UAE conducted exercise ‘Zayed Talwar 2021’ off the coast of Abu Dhabi. INS Kochi, with two integral Sea King MK 42B helicopters, deployed in the Persian Gulf, participated in the exercise. UAE participated with UAES AL – Dhafra, a Baynunah class guided missile corvette and one AS – 565B Panther helicopter. As part of the exercise, the ships undertook tactical manoeuvres, Over the Horizon Targeting, Search and Rescue and Electronic Warfare exercises to enhance interoperability and synergy between the two navies. Helicopters were extensively used all through the exercise ranging from Search and Rescue serial to passing of targeting data to ships for simulated missile engagement drills.

Notes:
The United Nations has declared 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, and the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. Also, the Catholic Church has proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Saint Joseph.

Notes:
The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 by defeating Mexico in the finals. The final was held in the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This 2021 championship win marks the 7th Gold Cup title won by US. This year’s tournament was the 16th edition of this biennial tournament which is organized by CONCACAF.

Notes:
The Mission Innovation (MI) is a global initiative of 22 countries and the European Commission (on behalf of the European Union) catalyzing investment in research, development and demonstration to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all. Mission Innovation was launched during 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in November 2015. India, During Phase I played crucial role in MI Activities at global level by participating through DBT, DST and CSIR in eight Innovation Challenges and co-leading three challenges (Smart Grids, Off-Grid access to Electricity and Sustainable Bio fuels). The Ministry of Science and Technology, through Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) have played a key role in developing global Science & Technology partnerships in critical areas including energy, water, health and astronomy.

Notes:
IIFL Finance has partnered with Bangalore and Gurgaon-based FinBox to offer innovative digital credit products to its merchants. The investment services company will offer digital credit avenues to its merchants, B2B e-commerce traders; using FinBox’s embedded buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) and working capital credit products. Through this partnership, IIFL and FinBox will disburse ₹1,000 crore in loans over the next 2 quarters, through a completely digital model. Rajat Deshpande, co-founder and chief executive officer FinBox said that the FinBox Embedded Finance Platform powers credit on multiple B2B, e-commerce and retailer aggregator platforms. FinBox’s artificial intelligence and machine learning-powered underwriting capability will enable to extend credit even to MSMEs with thin-to-no credit history.

Notes:
APEDA in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd (HPMC) exported first consignment comprising of five unique varieties of apples in order to promote agricultural and processed food products exports to newer destinations. Five varieties of apples including Dark Baron Gala, Royal Delicious, Scarlet Spur, Red Velox and Golden Delicious were exported to Bahrain. These apples were sourced from farmers of Himachal Pradesh. First consignment was exported by APEDA registered DM Enterprises. Apples will be showcased at the apple promotion programme organized by leading retailer called Al Jajira group. The apple promotion programme will start from 15th August, 2021 on the occasion of commencement of 75th year of India’s independence celebration. Apple promotion programme is also being organized to familiarise consumers in Bahrain regarding the varieties of apples in India. Apple export comes at a time when India has been expanding its footprint of mango exports in newer countries.

Notes:
Every year on 13 August, World Organ Donation Day is observed across the world. The day is marked to spread awareness about organ donation and to clear misconceptions related to donating organs. The day is recognised to encourage people to take a pledge of donating healthy organs after their death to those who are in need. The worlds first-ever organ transplant was carried out successfully in the year 1954 in the United States of America.

Notes:
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has appointed Noopur Chaturvedi as the chief executive officer (CEO) of NPCI. Bharat BillPay Ltd. (NBBL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPCI, providing a one-stop solution to billers for low-cost collections. Chaturvedi’s mandate is to scale up the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) so as to make it the most preferred platform for bill payments. Prior to joining NPCI, Chaturvedi was country head at PayU and chief-corporate business alliances at Airtel Payments Bank.

Notes:

• To spread awareness about Prediabetes and flatten the curve of diabetes, a first-time global event was held on August 14 as World Prediabetes Day.
• The World Prediabetes Day will be celebrated annually on 14 August starting from the year 2021.
• This event has been strategically chosen 90 days ahead of Diabetes day as scientifically it takes 90 days to mend the lifestyle to reverse Prediabetes and prevent progression to diabetes.
• In India, 9 crore people are living with Prediabetes. Almost 75% of these will go on to develop diabetes within the next 5 years.