Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2021

Notes:
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), has entered into Technology Transfer Agreements with Pune-based Biorad Medisys for two biomedical implant devices.
The institution is to develop India’s first indigenous flow diverter stent, used to reduce chances of Stroke. It is used to divert blood flow from localized ballooning of the brain’s arteries. Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Occluder is also to be developed via this agreement.

Notes:
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has authorised Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO, to move a petition before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to wind up Bengaluru-based start-up Devas.
The Ministry has authorised Chairman and MD of Antrix to present the petition under the Section 271 of Companies Act. Three months ago, US Federal Court ordered Antrix Corporation to pay USD 1.2 billion to Devas Multimedia Private Ltd.

Notes:
As per the recent study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Both the species of Panda, namely Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and the Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) are present in India.
It also revealed that the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh serves as the boundary by splitting the red panda into these two genetic species. As per another study, the Himalayan red panda was affected more during the Pleistocene glaciation.

Notes:
The bilateral Air Exercise, ‘Desert Knight Exercise’ between Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force is scheduled to be held this month.
To participate in the exercise, A-400M tactical aircraft from France arrived at Jodhpur. Indian Air Force’s Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI, Rafale, and IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft will feature in the exercise. The two countries have organised six editions of air exercises named Garuda.

Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information technology (MeitY) has recently asked WhatsApp to withdraw its new privacy policy.
The Ministry has termed the policy as unilateral, unfair and unacceptable and asked the firm to reconsider its approach to data privacy and data security. Detailed information about the data sharing protocols was also sought.

Notes:
The Start-up Advisory Council was notified in January 2020, which aims to advise the Government to nurture innovation and start-ups in the country. It is chaired by the Commerce and Industry Minister.
The Centre has recently nominated 28 non-official members for the Start-up Advisory Council notified last year, including the founders of top start-up firms in the country including Byju’s, Urban Company, Snapdeal and Ola Cabs.

Notes:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) signed an agreement with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to collaborate in sustainable geo-hazard management.
The expertise of one of the DRDO labs, Defence Geo Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), would be used. This move aims to ensure Road safety of users on National highways (NHs) against the effects of landslides and other natural calamities.

Notes:
India’s think tank “NITI Aayog” has recently released a book on “faecal sludge and septage management in urban areas”. This has been jointly developed by National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance.
The book is in the form of a report, that enlists 27 case studies on implementation of faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) initiatives.

Notes:
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, have spotted rare hot UV-bright stars in a massive cluster in our Galaxy called NGC 2808.
The Astronomers have used the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard the first multi-wavelength space satellite of India, AstroSat.

Notes:
The White House has recently released the 1776 Commission report, which was initiated by former US President Donald Trump in September last year.
Trump signed an order to set up a National commission to promote patriotic education in the country, also called as the ‘1776 Commission’. This was seen as a counter to 1619 Project, The New York Times initiative, to mark the completion of 400 years since the enslaved Africans arrived.