Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2021

Notes:
As per the Chinese lunar calendar, a 12-year cycle is described, which is used in the Chinese Zodiac. As per the country’s Zodiac, this year is celebrated as the Year of Ox.
The country celebrates the festival for sixteen days, beginning from the Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. After China adopted the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New year was renamed as the Spring Festival.

Notes:
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has associated with a UK-based space agency for flood forecasting.
The national space innovation programme (NSIP) is a collaborative effort between the Government of JK, Oxford University, Sayers & Partners (SPL) and D-Orbit. This is expected to help predict fluvial flood risk.

Notes:
The Department of Science and Technology of India has reported that Indian astronomers have detected huge optical flare in BL Lacertae.
BL Lacertae is a feeding super massive black hole or blazar. The analysis of this old astronomical object may help to trace the mass of the black hole and the source of this emission.

Notes:
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, four young women fellows of National Science Academies have been awarded the SERB Women Excellence Award. The award includes a grant of Rs. 15 lakhs for three years to pursue their research ideas.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank Mark-1A (MK-1A) to the Indian Army, at a function held at Chennai.
The battle tank has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by the DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai.

Notes:
Grand Anicut Canal, also called as ‘Kallanai’ is said to be the oldest water regulating structure in the world, constructed in the 2nd century A.D by the Chola King Karikal Cholan.
Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System. The project is to be taken up at a cost of Rs 2,640 crores. He also inaugurated the 1000-Crore Discovery Campus in IIT, Chennai.

Notes:
As per the press release issued by the Indian Embassy, India is to provide Nepalese Rupee 142 million to Nepal for the restoration and conservation of three cultural heritage sites.
These projects are being implemented under USD 50 million grant assistance committed by India earlier. The three sites in the Kathmandu Valley include Seto Machindranath Temple, construction of Dharamshala at Budhaneelkantha and conservation of Kumari Home.

Notes:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has virtually launched the ‘Maa’ scheme under which the state government would provide meal at Rs 5 to poor people.
A platter of food including vegetable and egg curry is to provided at Rs 5 with the state bearing a subsidy of Rs 15 per plate.

Notes:
N S Vishvanathan, former RBI Deputy Governor, chairs the expert committee to chart regulatory measures and study consolidation among urban cooperative banks. The 8-member panel was formed by RBI in 2021 and mandated to report within three months on stability and sector road map.

Notes:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched e-Chhawani portal, which aims to provide online municipal services to citizens across 62 Cantonment Boards.
Through the portal, application for renewal of leases, online registration of births and deaths and online application for water and sewerage connection can be made easier. Residents of the cantonment areas can also lodge complaints on civic issues online.