Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2021

Notes:
The Ministry of Tourism implements the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project, in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India and State/ UTs.
It aims to develop tourism amenities at heritage sites located across India to make them tourist friendly. Under the project, 27 MoUs have been signed with several companies and NGOs, also called “Monument Mitras”, to develop the sites under CSR.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the country’s Central bank, releases the “Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India”.
The RBI recently released the latest edition of the report, which is a statutory publication as per the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. It highlights the performance of the banking sector during 2019-20 and 2020-21 so far.

Notes:
The External Affairs Ministry has recently launched the Global Pravasi Rishta portal and application to connect with the Indian diaspora across the world.
The application and portal aim to create a three-way communication between the External Affairs Ministry, Indian missions and the diaspora, who are around 3.12-crore. While the app will be used by the diaspora, the portal will be used by the missions.

Notes:
As per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Interconnect usage charges (IUC) has been made zero from January 1, 2021.
IUC is the charge paid by a telecom company, for every call made from its network to different service providers. Prior to this move, the telecom company has been paying 6 paise per minute as the IUC.

Notes:
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Union Ministry of Science and Technology has released the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP).
It includes nudge for self-reliance in technology, enhanced funding for science, technology and innovation via state budget. It also calls for gender and social audits in academic organisations. DST has also invited suggestions from stake holders and public by January 25.

Notes:
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) is an association of organizations, which regulate the world’s securities and futures markets.
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), established by the Government of India in 2019, has become an associate member of the IOSCO. With this, IFSCA can exchange information at the global level, learn from the best practices of the other regulators.

Notes:
Deepor Beel is the only Ramsar site of the state of Assam. It is located in the south-western edge of Guwahati.
The site, which houses of a variety of aquatic life forms along with 219 species of birds, was designated a Ramsar site in the year 2002. The District officials has banned Community fishing at the site.

Notes:
Prayaas is the new community helping initiative adopted by Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL). Under this scheme, employees of IOCL Delhi Office would visit the night shelters located near IOCL’s fuel stations for distribution of blankets and essentials.
These night shelters are being run by the Government of Delhi and some NGOs to help the weaker section of the society.

Notes:
Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) is set to conduct a national level Cow Science Exam, to educate students on the importance of cows.
Called as the ‘Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination’, it will be held annually across the country. RKA is a government body set up for cow welfare under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Notes:
Australia’s Claire Polosak became the first woman to officiate at a men’s Test match, when she served as the fourth umpire during the test match between India and Australia in Sydney.
Australia’s new edition of the National anthem was also sung during the match. She was also the first woman to officiate on-field in a men’s one-day international and the first woman umpire to stand in an Australian men’s domestic fixture.