Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2021

Notes:
Leading public sector of India, the Bank of Baroda announced the launch of banking services on WhatsApp.
The services offered by the bank include balance inquiry, mini statement, cheque status enquiry, cheque book request, blocking of debit card among others. It also enables the customers to apply for new digital service.

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:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘National Atomic Timescale’, during the inauguration of the National Metrology Conclave.
With this move, the Indian Standard Time is aligned with the International Standard Time, only by less than 3 nano seconds. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the ‘National Environmental Standards Laboratory’.

Notes:
Researchers of National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) are on a voyage to Antarctica, which marks the 40th Indian Scientific Expedition.
Fuel for the expedition is provided by the Indian Oil. The expedition is flagged off from Mormugao Port, Goa with 43 members on board the expedition vessel. Jet A1 fuel, lubes and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) have been offered by Indian Oil.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have become the first states to complete three out of four citizen-centric reforms directed by the Ministry of Finance.
The two states completed the One Nation, One Ration Card reforms, Ease of Doing Business reforms, and Urban Local Bodies reforms. Hence, the Ministry is to provide an additional financial assistance of Rs 1,004 crore for Capital Expenditure.

Notes:
The country’s first Solar Electric RORO service will be introduced during the year 2021-2022, the Kerala Governor announced in the Assembly.
He also announced that the state’s first amphibious water bus will also be launched. The state has planned to launch barge Service for cargo movement and high-speed tourist services.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating the 16th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 9, virtually.
It aims to encourage the Indian diaspora to be part of socio-economic development in India. The theme of this year’s convention is “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. President of the Republic of Suriname is to deliver the key note address.

Notes:
The Embassy of Israel in India has appointed Joyshree Das Verma as Honorary Consul in the North-eastern region.
With an aim to increase the collaboration with India, the country’s embassy has made this appointment, with jurisdiction over eight states, namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim.

Notes:
The Lieutenant General of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha launched a mobile application named ‘Satark Nagrik’.
The application aims to enable citizens submit their grievances related to corruption and communicate the information about corruption faster. He also launched the Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVO) Portal.

Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inagurated 25 pink buses for free and dedicated service to women and senior citizens.
Named as the ‘Bhraman Sarathi’ scheme, this free transport service has been introduced by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), for the first time in Guwahati.