Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2021

Notes:
Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) was launched to organize traditional industries and artisans into clusters, which will make them competitive and increase their income.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Nitin Gadkari has recently inaugurated 50 artisan-based SFURTI clusters across 18 States. The Union MSME Ministry has funded Rs 85 crore for development of these SFURTI clusters.

Notes:
According to the provisional data from the Union Commerce Ministry of India, the two-way trade stood at USD 77.7 billion last year.
With this, China regained its position as India’s top trade partner in 2020, with the higher reliance of India on imported machines. The bilateral trade with the United States stood at USD 75.9 billion. The UAE remains the third trade partner.

Notes:
Indian social activist Anjali Bharadwaj has been selected as one of 12 anti-corruption champions announced by the United States.
The 48-year-old activist served as an active member of the Right to Information Movement in India for over two decades. She is also the founder of the Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS), which aims to promote transparency and accountability in government.

Notes:
As per the recent statement of the Indian Army chief General M M Naravane, the Indian Army is set to start using a messaging platform called SAI (Secure Application for Internet), for internal communications.
The application, which was developed by Colonel Sai Shankar, is undergoing the process of obtaining cybersecurity clearance and data testing. After getting clearance, the platform will be used from April 1, this year.

Notes:
India off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest Indian bowler to take 400 Test wickets, while playing at his 77th Test.
In the international level, he is only behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, who reached the milestone in 72 Tests. Earlier, he also became the fourth Indian bowler with the most wickets in international cricket with 599 wickets across formats.

Notes:
A Nidhi company is classified as “Mutual Benefit Financial Company” by the Reserve Bank of India. It is regulated by the Department of Corporate Affairs for its operational matters and the deployment of funds. RBI can issue directions to the companies on its deposit taking activities.
Recently, the Corporate Affairs Ministry warned that investors must check the status of the Nidhi company before investing.

Notes:
British think-tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said military spending touched USD 1.8 trillion in the year 2020.
Global military spending rose 3.9% compared to the last year. The U.S. remained the world’s largest defence spender in 2020, followed by China. The rapid military expansion of China is the reason for the rise in Asian spending.

Notes:
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has been conferred with the CERAWeek global energy and environment leadership award.
He is set to be presented the award at the CERAWeek international energy conference, which is an annual conference organized by the information and insights company IHS Markit in Houston, Texas.

Notes:
The ‘Zero Discrimination Day’ is observed annually across the world on March 1, by UNAIDS. The day was first celebrated on March 1, 2014.
This year, UNAIDS is focussing on the urgent need to take action to end the inequalities remaining in the world.The symbol for Zero Discrimination Day is the butterfly.

Notes:
The Indian Navy got its third Scorpene submarine, which will be commissioned in Mumbai as INS Karanj. This is a part of the six submarines, which are being constructed under Project 75
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has delivered three Scorpene submarines to the Indian Navy named Khanderi, Kalvari and Karanj.