EESL, NHAI sign MoU to Establish Clean & Energy Efficient Interventions

• Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish Clean & Energy Efficient Interventions at NHAI Establishments.

• EESL will set up Solar Power Projects, energy efficient LED lighting and EV Charging stations at NHAI establishments.

About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):

• Chairman - Rajeev Sharma

• Headquarters - New Delhi

Virtual International Akhand Conference 'EDUCON-2020'

• Two-day Virtual International Akhand Conference 'EDUCON 2020' held which was inaugurated by Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Ministry of Education (MOE).

• This 31-hour long marathon International Conference was the first of its kind conference in India where global scholars continuously explored the possibilities of use of ICT (Information and communications technology) in the higher education to promote quality education in India.

• Theme: Envisioning Education for Transforming Youth to Restore Global Peace

• Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) in collaboration with the Global Educational Research Association (GERA) under the patronage of Professor (Dr) Raghavendra P. Tiwari, Vice Chancellor, CUPB & Padma Shri Dr Mahendra Sodha (Patron, GERA).

• Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' gave the mantra of 'Perform, Reform and Transform for successfully implementing all new imperatives of NEP-2020.

Govt Plans to Launch Seaplane Services with Airline Operators

• The government is in process to launch seaplane services in collaboration with the airline operators on several routes, including Delhi-Ayodhya.

• This process was initiated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW).

• The project will be executed and implemented through Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL), which is under the administrative control of MOPSW.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a seaplane service between Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on October 31, 2020.

Parashuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh

• Government of India (Gol) has sanctioned INR 37.8 Crores for the Developing Parashuram Kund Pilgrimage Site at Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the most sacred places in India and is visited by a large number of pilgrims during Makar Sankranti.

• Thousands of Devotees take holy dip in the Lohit River.

India and France Strategic Dialogue 2021 held in New Delhi; Ajit Doval Represented India

• The annual India and France Strategic Dialogue 2021 to discuss regional and global issues was held at New Delhi where Indian delegation was led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval

• The key focus areas of discussions were Covid-19 vaccines, cooperation within the Indo-Pacific area, nuclear, space, maritime safety, environment, digital economy, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and defence sectors.

• The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was held in February 2020 in Paris, France. It is held with the two countries as alternating as hosts.

Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Limited ties-up with Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Finance Corporation

• Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Limited has joined hands with Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Finance Corporation (JKIDFC) to initiate comprehensive insurance covers for the customers of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

• JKIDFC is operational in the entire territory of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and works towards enhancing industrial growth in this area by providing financial assistance to various Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) besides others.

• Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd is a joint venture of Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Karnataka Bank Ltd, Dabur Investment Corporation and a leading general insurer from Japan, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.

About Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Finance Corporation (JKIDFC)

• Managing Director (MD) - Rajesh Kumar Shavan

About Universal Sompo General Insurance Co:

• Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Sharad Mathur

• Headquarter- Mumbai, Maharashtra

Japan Commits Rs 2,113 cr Loan Pact to India to Support COVID-19 Relief Efforts

• A loan agreement was signed between India and Japan for JPY (Japanese yen) 30 billion (Rs 2,113 crore) to support India's efforts at providing social assistance to the poor and vulnerable households severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is named as Covid-19 Crisis Response Support Loan for Social Protection.

• With this, Japan's Covid-related assistance to India amounts to more than Rs 5,800 crore.

About Japan:

• Capital, Tokyo
• Currency- Japanese yen
• Prime Minister- Yoshihide Suga

7th Trade Policy Review of India at WTO acknowledges India's strong economic growth at 7.4%

• India's seventh Trade Policy Review (TPR) initiated at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. India's official delegation for the TPR is headed by the Commerce Secretary, Dr. Anup Wadhawan.

• The TPR is an important mechanism under the WTO's monitoring function, and involves a comprehensive peer-review of the Member's national trade policies.

• India's role in the global efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic was appreciated and was acknowledged as the as the "pharmacy of the world".

About World Trade Organization (WTO):

• Director-General- To be Appointed (Roberto Azevedo stepped down on 31 August 2020)
• Members- 164 Nations

CCI Approves Acquisition of 100% Shareholding of Columbia Asia Hospitals by Manipal Health Enterprises

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) gave approval to the acquisition of 100% shareholding of Columbia Asia Hospitals Private Limited(CAHPL) by Manipal Health Enterprises Private Limited (MHEPL).

• After this acquisition MHEPL will become India's 2nd largest healthcare chain, after Apollo Hospitals.

Manipal Health Enterprises Private Limited(MHEPL);

• Head Office- Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Chairman- Dr. H Sudarshan Ballal
• MD & CEO- Dilip Jose

Columbia Asia Hospitals Private Limited(CAHPL)

• Office- Bangalore, Karanatka
• Chairman & CEO-Dr Nandakumar Jairam

About Competition Commission of India (CCI):

• Headquarters, New Delhi, India
• Chairman- Ashok Kumar Gupta( a 1981 Batch IAS officer)

Harsh Vardhan Inaugurates Coastal Research Vessel Sagar Anveshika' at Chennai Port

• Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan launched Coastal Research Vehicle (CRV) 'Sagar Anveshika' at the Chennai Port. The vehicle will be used to carry out environment indexing and bathymetric (mapping underwater features) in both coastal and offshore waters. It will be used for research purposes by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and has been built by Titagarh Wagons, Kolkata, West Bengal.

• Anveshika has been built under Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) and is a DP (Dynamic Positioning)-Capable vessel.

• NIOT already has 6 Research Vessels - Sagar Kanya, Sagar Sampada, Sagar Nidhi, Sagar Manusha, & Sagar Tara.

• Utilizing the Research Vehicle, Marine Scientists can travel six kilometers below the sea.

• The scientists can also stay underwater for more than 16 hours to conduct research activities.

Sagar Tara & Sagar Anveshika:

• Sagar Tara (launched in 2019) & Sagar Anveshika will replace the 2 Old CRV Sagar Purvi & Sagar Sagar Paschimi.

About National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT):

• Director - Dr G A Ramadass
• Location - Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021 & 16th PBD Convention 2021 held on January 9, 2021

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2021 was celebrated on January 9, 2021. The Day is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the participation of the overseas Indian community with the government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

• During this day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated PBD Convention 2021 virtually in New Delhi, a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.

• This year(2021) marks the 16th PBD convention. Earlier PBD was celebrated in the year 2019.

• President Santokhi of Suriname was the chief guest of the PBD Convention 2021. Theme of the 16th PBD Convention 2021 "Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat".

• On this day, Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa in 1915

• The first PBD was organised during the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003.

• The PBD were organised every year since 2003 and in 2015 the format was received to celebrate the day once in every two years.

• On 8th January 2021. The youth PBD was celebrated as a virtual event under the theme "Bringing together Young Achievers from India and Indian Diaspora".

• The event was hosted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

• E. Ms. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Community & Voluntary Sector of New Zealand participated in the event as a special guest

• On January 8, 2021 Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta released a coffee table book, titled "Modi India Calling - 2021" at the Press Club of India, New Delhi, Delhi. It was authored by senior BJP leader Vijay Jolly

• The coffee table book has over hundreds of photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his "107 overseas and bilateral visits".

• The convention was physically held at Mutthamma Hall with a theme 'Facing Post-COVID challenges

• The convention have 3 segments namely, Inaugural session, Plenary Sessions consisting of Session I - 'Role of Diaspora in Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Session IS - Facing Post-COVID Challenges - Scenario in Health, Economy, Social, and International Relations'.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards-2021:

• In the valedictory session of the PBD celebrations, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2021 was conferred by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.

• PBSA is the highest honour conferred as part of PBD convention to Non-Resident Indians(NRIs). Persons of Indian Origin(PIO) or an organization/institution established and run by the NRIS orPIO in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

• PBSA is given to overseas Indians in different fields namely Promoting Indian Culture, Medicine, Community Service, Business among others.

• In total 30 people were awarded PBSA 2021.

• Among others, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname, Eugene Rhuggenaath, Prime Minister of Curacao (The Netherlands) Priyanca Radhakrishnan, New Zealand minister won the award in the field, Public service.

• Mukesh Aghi(USA/ Singapore), president and CEO of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum who won the award in the field, Business was also among the awardees.

• The 4 organisations who won the award include, NGO Cultural Diversity for Peaceful Future in Armenia in the field, 'Promoting Indian Culture', Sai Prema Foundation in Fiji, Indian Cultural Association (ICA) in Nigeria, Federation of Indian Associations of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut(USA) were awarded in the field, Community Service.

3rd Edition Bharat ko Janiye Quiz 2020-21:

• The 3rd edition of Bharat ko Janiye Quiz 2020-21 was held virtually from 30 September to 28 December 2020.

• All the 15 winners will be invited for an India Tour (Bharat Ko Janiye Darshan) after COVID-19.

About Bharat ko Janiye Quiz:

• It was launched in 2015-16 to reinforce the engagement with young overseas Indians and encourage them to learn more about their country of origin.

• The first edition of the online 'Bharat ko Janiye' Quiz was organized for young overseas Indians and foreigners of 18-35 years of age in 2015-16. The second edition was in 2018-19,