Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2021

Notes:
Manoj Das, a famous 20th century Odia and English writer has recently passed away recently. Many of his short stories were translated into major Indian and foreign languages.
He received several national awards, including the Padma Bhushan award last year. He was also awarded with several other awards including Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award, Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award, Sarala Award and Sahitya Bharati Award.

Notes:
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) is a government institution engaged in engineering research and development. It is located in Durgapur, West Bengal,
The institution has transferred the technology to manufacture oxygen enrichment units to several private institutes. The CSIR-CMERI developed oxygen unit technology can help patients to recover faster.

Notes:
TRIFED is the nodal agency working for the empowerment of tribal people, under the aegis of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
TRIFED has entered into a collaborative project titled “Sustainable Livelihoods for Tribal Households in India”. The LINK Fund, a foundation which aims to eradicate poverty and mitigate the effects of climate change, is also joining hands with TRIFED for this project.

Notes:
The Department of Expenditure has issued fresh guidelines on the Scheme of Financial Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure for the financial year 2021-22.
Under the Scheme, financial assistance is provided to the State Governments in the form of 50-year interest free loan. The Finance Ministry has decided to provide an additional amount of up to Rs 15000 crore.

Notes:
The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin is a member of the Ocean Dolphin family, which occupy coastal areas ranging from Southern Africa to Western Indochina.
The dolphins are included in the international Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of ‘endangered species. Recently, two Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, were found dead in two separate spots at Mumbai.

Notes:
Tuna and tuna-like species is a significant source of food, due to their nutritional properties, in both developed and developing countries.
Their meat is rich in Omega-3 and it also contains minerals, proteins, and vitamin B12. In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly declared to officially observe World Tuna Day on May 2 every year. Sustainable Development Goal 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources – applies to the global tuna market.

Notes:
The USA Government has approved a major solar energy project in the California desert that would be capable of powering nearly 90,000 homes.
The USD-550 million Crimson Solar Project will be set up on 2,000 acres of federal land at California. It is being developed by Canadian Solar unit Recurrent Energy. This step aims to fight climate change, create jobs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Notes:
India and UK announced 1 billion pounds (USD1.4 billion) of private-sector trade and investment. It also includes a 240 million pounds investment by the Serum Institute of India
The Serum Institute, in collaboration with Codagenix, has begun early-stage trials of a one-dose nasal vaccine against Covid-19. Trade between the India and UK accounts for about 23 billion pounds annually.

Notes:
Satyajit Ray was an Indian film maker, author, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator and music composer. He belonged to West Bengal and was recipient of Padma Bhushan in 1965, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1985, and the Bharat Ratna.
To commemorate his achievement, Union information and broadcasting ministry has announced that it will organize year long centenary celebrations of the filmmaker in India and abroad.

Notes:
A team of palaeontologists has identified a new species of hadrosaur or duck-billed dinosaur, Yamatosaurus izanagii, on one of the southern islands of Japan.
This discovery suggests new information about hadrosaur migration that the animals migrated from Asia to North America. It also highlights that the giant creatures evolved from walking upright to walking on all four limbs.