Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2021

Notes:
The second annual World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day is observed on January 30, 2021. India is home to the world’s largest absolute burden of 11 of the major NTDs.
To celebrate the day, more than 50 landmarks representing 25 nations across the world will be lit up. India joins the celebration by lighting up the UNESCO world heritage site Qutub Minar, Delhi.

Notes:
‘STARS’ stand for Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States. It is a project of the Union Ministry of Education for improving the quality of education in six selected states.
The total project cost of project is Rs 5718 crore with the financial support of World Bank amounting to approximately Rs. 3700 crore. Recently, the agreement for the financial support of the project was signed with World Bank.

Notes:
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has recently released an index named “’Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index”.
India has ranked 10th out of 11 Asia Pacific countries in the index. This index measures the readiness of 11 countries – Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand in adopting personalised healthcare.

Notes:
The ‘India Justice Report’ was an initiative of Tata Trusts, along with the Centre for Social Justice and some other social agencies.
The report analysed expenditure, vacancies, representation of women and members of SC, ST and OBCs across large, mid-sized states and smaller states. Bihar has employed most women in its police force at 25.3 per cent. Tamil Nadu has the highest percentage of women police officers and Karnataka is the only state to meet SC, ST and OBC quotas.

Notes:
On the Polio National Immunization Day scheduled on January 31, 2021, around 89 lakh children were given polio drops under National Polio Immunisation drive across the country.
President Ram Nath Kovind launched the first round of Pulse Polio Programme 2021. Over seven lakh booths were set up for implementing the drive. A house-to-house surveillance will also be provided to vaccinate the remaining children.

Notes:
On 30th Jan 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in the year 1948. On this day, India observes Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas, to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and all martyrs who sacrificed their life for the nation’s freedom.
The 73rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was observed as Martyrs’ Day recently.

Notes:
The 13-day long Khelo India Zanskar winter sports and youth festival concluded at Zanskar Valley of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The festival was organized by the Department of Sports & Youth Services and the Ladakh Tourism Department, under the Khelo India scheme. It aims to promote the economic activities and winter tourism in Ladakh.

Notes:
The Union Budget 2021-22 contain that the permissible Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Insurance Companies would be increased from 49% to 74%. Foreign ownership with safeguard would be allowed in this segment.
Insurance Act of 1938 would be amended to make effect to the proposed hike in FDI limit.

Notes:
Anders Antonsen of Denmark won the men’s singles final at badminton World Tour held in Bangkok recently. In the final match, he defeated Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
The tournament is hosted by Thailand in a bio secure coronavirus bubble. The tournament contained no spectators, to guard against the pandemic.

Notes:
Indian-American Bhavya Lal has been appointed as the acting chief of staff of the US space agency, NASA.
She was earlier serving as a member of the research staff at the Institute for Defence Analyses- Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI). She had served in several important positions related to space sector.