Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2021

Notes:
A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have jointly developed a modular device to cultivate microorganisms in space.

The device uses LED and photodiode sensor combination to track micro organism and bacteria growth. This device would be used by astronauts to carry out biological experiments in outer space during mission ‘Gaganyaan’ which is India’s first crewed spacecraft.

Notes:
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research (ICAR-IIMR).

This is expected to boost value addition and farmers’ income and for increasing exports. MoU also seeks to create market linkages with farmers as well as Farmer Producers Organizations. A joint coordination committee with representatives from APEDA and ICAR-IIMR would also be set up.

Notes:
Jammu & Kashmir LG has recently launched the ‘Tourist Village network’ to promote tourism and create sustainable employment for the youth.

This initiative is launched under the Mission Youth and will work towards focussing on the 75 villages in the UT that are already famous for their historical, scenic beauty and cultural importance. Under the scheme, the administration will recognise the uniqueness of each village and showcase the landscape.

Notes:
Carlos Alcaraz recently became the youngest player in the Open era to reach the quarter-finals of the US men’s tournament.

The 18-year-old Spaniard beat Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk in five sets. He is eight days younger than Andre Agassi when the American reached the 1988 U.S. Open quarter-finals and semi-finals. He is also the youngest to reach this stage in New York since Thomaz Koch of Brazil did in 1963.

Notes:
Every year, 5th September is observed as the International Day of Charity. This day was so chosen, in memory of the death anniversary of Mother Teresa. This day aims to bridge the gap between the rich and poor and to meet the SDGs by 2030.

The resolution in this regard was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2012, which was co-sponsored by 44 UN member nations.

Notes:
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav has virtually inaugurated the first functional smog tower in India at Anand Vihar, Delhi. A smog tower is a structure designed as large/medium scale air purifiers to reduce air pollution, usually by forcing the air through filters. The tower has been built by Tata Projects Limited with NBCC (India) Ltd. as the project management consultant.

Notes:
The government has appointed Harsha Bhupendra Bangari as the managing director (MD) of Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). Bangari, who is presently the deputy managing director at EXIM Bank, would be at the helm for a period of three years or until further orders of the government.

Notes:
The Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a pact for providing reliable and sustainable power supply to security forces operating in remote, Naxal-affected and high-altitude areas. The MoU between the Navratna PSU BEL and the SFC Energy-AG, Germany, and FC TecNrgy Pvt Ltd (FCTec), signed recently, will ensure cooperation in addressing the emerging requirement of sustainable energy to the security forces through supply of hydrogen and fuel cells.

Notes:
Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $112 million loan in order to develop water supply infrastructure in the state of Jharkhand. The loan will also strengthen capacities of urban local bodies (ULBs) in order to improve service delivery in four towns of Jharkhand. This project is in line with the priority of Jharkhand Government to improve urban services in state. It will ensure continuous, treated piped water supply in Ranchi and other three towns namely Jhumri Telaiya, Hussainabad, and Medininagar. These towns are located in economically and socially backward areas.

Notes:
Karnataka government has roped in Jana Small Finance Bank (Jana SFB) to build digital payment infrastructure to support its Namma Shaale Nanna Koduge (Our school, my contribution) initiative. The Namma Shaale Nanna Koduge software was launched on September 5 to provide accessibility to donors who wish to donate money to government schools in Karnataka.