Current Affairs Today 9th & 10th May 2021 – PDF Download

May 11, 2021

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Current Affairs Today – 9th & 10th May 2021

NEWS AT A GLANCE

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Mother’s Day – Observed on second Sunday of May

Mother’sDay is a time-honored tradition of recognizing the women in our lives who raised us, dried our tears, and well, mothered us.
Everyone has one or has someone who is like a mother to them.
On the second Sunday of May, we honor those women who are our mothers.
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.
Mother’s Day was founded by Anna Jarvis who had given the idea of celebrating Mother’s Day in honour of mothers and motherhood in 1907.
Nationally this day was recognized in 1914.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur has claimed 1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik V vaccine

Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur has claimed 5 lakh doses of Sputnik V have previously reached India and Russian Direct Financial commitment Fund has also tied up with regional Indian companies for bulk manufacturing.
In reaction to a letter penned by Congress chief Mallukarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Thakur elaborated steps taken by the Centre to deal with the COVID pandemic.
Mr Thakur mentioned IAF transport planes have carried out 50 sorties, airlifting 61 oxygen containers of 1142 MT potential from abroad.
Naval ships – Kolkata, Kochi, Tabar, Trikand, Jalashwa and Airavat – have been deployed for shipment of liquid clinical oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated healthcare devices from numerous nations in the Center East and South-East Asia.

Education Minister donates Rs 1.50 crore from MPLAD fund for Haridwar medical supply

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has donated Rs 1.5 crore from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD) fund for the purchase of medical equipment in his Lok Sabha Constituency Haridwar to fight the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds will be utilized at four Dedicated Covid Health Centres (DCHC) at Haridwar, including Baba Barfani, Base Hospital, Mela Hospital and Civil Hospital Roorkee.

PIB reported No such approval has been given by the Government of India Bharat Biotech’s vaccine for children above 12 years

Covid 19 cases have been clocking over 4 lakh cases on a daily basis for the past few days.
There is also fear of Coronavirus third wave, which experts say would impact children the maximum.
This reason assumes significance from the point of view that most of those above 18 years would be covered in the vaccination drive before the beginning of the likely 3rd wave.
Meanwhile, a message has been circulating on social media sites claiming that the government has approved Bharat Biotech’s Covaxinfor children above 12 years.
This message has been shared by people and has brought sort of relief for parents, however, the government has made official statement on this rumour.

DCGI gives emergency nod to anti-Covid oral drug developed by DRDO

A drug developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO got the approval for emergency use by the Drugs Controller General of India, DCGI.
The oral drug has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, a lab of DRDO, in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad.
Phase III clinical trial results have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalized patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.
The Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (Inmas) in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad, developed an anti-Covid-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG).
The third phase of the clinical trial results have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalized patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.
Higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in patients infected with coronavirus.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Delhi: ESIC installs oxygen generation plants at two hospitals in NCR

The Employees State Insurance Corporation, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has installed oxygen generation plants at its two hospitals in the Delhi NCR area.
These include a 440 litres per minute (LPM) capacity plant at the ESIC Hospital and Medical College in Faridabad and another plant of 220 LPM capacity at ESIC Hospital in Jhilmil, New Delhi.
The Corporation is actively helping fight the battle against Covid-19 by quickly converting 30 hospitals all over the country into Covid Dedicated facilities.
These hospitals have around 4200 beds, including 300 ICU beds and 250 ventilator beds.
The facility has been made available to all citizens of the country.
A dashboard has also been started to facilitate beneficiaries to know about availability of beds in these hospitals.

Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma to be sworn-in as CM

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himant Biswa Sarma to be sworn-in as the new chief minister of Assam, a day after he was elected “unanimously” as the leader of the BJP’s legislature party in the state.
Sarma, who was administered the oath of office by Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi in Guwahati, is the 15th chief minister of the northeastern state.
The BJP legislature party meeting was held in Guwahati in the presence of central observers Narendra Singh Tomar and Arun Singh.

Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Plants inaugurated in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College in Hamirpur and Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College in Chamba.
The CM threw open the plants virtually from Shimla.
The plantat Chamba, which has been operational and has a capacity of 400 PLM and the Hamirpur plant, has a capacity of 300 PLM.
He said both plants would ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to patients admitted in both colleges.
The state government has taken up the matter of increasing the oxygen quota for the state from the existing 15 MT to 30 MT with the union government so as to meet the demand of the state.

NHIDCL gives Four Critical Care Life Support Ambulances to Ladakh

Union Territory Ladakh received Four Critical Care Life Support Ambulances from National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) of Road Transport and Highways Ministry.
Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal flagged off the ambulances for public service.
After Principal Secretary of UT Administration Pawan Kotwal inaugurated, Leh CMO Dr. Dorjey Motup received the vehicles in the presence of Leh Hill Council CEC Tashi Gyaltson, MP Jamyang and Leh DC Shrikant Suse.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

GigIndia to provide Rs 3 lakh insurance cover to active gig workers

GigIndia, a B2B gig marketplace for on-demand work completion, will provide free COVID health insurance to its active gig workers covering up to Rs 3 lakh of medical expenses.
Considering the adverse financial impact of COVID-19 on its gigger families, the Pune-headquartered firm in a release said that it is offering this insurance to active gig workers to make them feel relatively secure during these challenging times.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

Gagandeep Singh Bedi appointed as Chennai Corporation Commissioner

In another round of bureaucratic reshuffle by the new DMK government, Agricultural Production Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedihas been appointed as Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, replacing G Prakash.
Singhwas instrumental in the ‘e-thottam’ initiative introduced last year during the lockdown.

Former minister Pitchandi appointed as TN assembly pro-tem Speaker

Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit appointed former Minister K Pitchandi as pro-tem Speaker of the state legislative assembly.
Pitchandi, who represents the Kilpennathur assembly constituency in Tiruvannamalai district,will take the oath of office on May 10.
He will administer the oath of office to all the newly elected members the following day.

Dr V Irai Anbu IAS appointed as new chief secretary of Tamil Nadu

Senior IAS officer Dr. V Irai Anbu has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu.
Anbu was heading Anna Institute of Management during the AIADMK regime before being given the plum post.
Irai Anbu along with Vikram Kapur, Dr. Atulya Mishra, D Sabitha, and Jatindra Nath Swain were appointed as additional chief secretaries in 2019.
He is a columnist, a teacher as well as a motivational speaker.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Taylor Swift bags global icon honour at 2021 Brit Awards

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is set to be feted at the upcoming Brit Awards, where she will receive the global icon award at this year’s ceremony.
According to Billboard, the American singer will become the first female artiste and the first non-English artiste to receive the honour, which the British characterise as their highest accolade.
The only previous recipients are Elton John (2014), David Bowie (2016) and Robbie Williams (2017).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU’s AND AGREEMENTS

Cipla signed ink pact with US-based Eli Lilly

Drug major Cipla has inked a pact with US-based Eli Lilly And Company to manufacture and produce baricitinib in the country for the treatment of COVID-19.
The Mumbai-based company said it has signed a royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with Eli Lilly for baricitinib.
Baricitinib has already received a restricted emergency use approval by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Ministry of Health, India, for use in combination with remdesivir for the treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalised adults requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
This collaboration is a step further in the company’s efforts to enhance access to critical treatments for patients affected by the pandemic.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Carlyle Group sells 4% stake in SBI Life for Rs 3,900 crore

On May 07, 2021, Private equity firm Carlyle Group divested 4 per cent stake in SBI Life Insurance for over Rs 3,900 crore through an open market transaction.
The transaction, shares of SBI Life rose 3.22 per cent to settle at Rs 1,000.50 on the BSE.
As per end of March 2021, Carlyle Group held 6 per cent stake in the company through its investment arm CA Emerald Investments

About Carlyle Group :

CEO: Kewsong Lee
Founded: 1987
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States

About SBI Life Insurance :

CEO: Mahesh Kumar Sharma
Headquarters: Mumbai
Founded: March 2001
Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
SBI Life is a joint venture between the State Bank of India (SBI) and leading global insurance company BNP Paribas Cardif.
As of March-end this year, SBI owned 55.2 per cent stake in the insurance company, while BNP Paribas held 0.2 per cent.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

PM Modi participates India-European Council Meeting Virtually

On May 08, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting at Virtually.
The Prime Minister attended the event at the invitation of the President of the European Council Mr. Charles Michel.
This is the first time that the EU hosted a meeting with India in the EU27 format.
In that Meeting, all the 27 EU Member States as well as the President of the European Council and the European Commission Participated.

Purpose :

It is to strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on a shared commitment to democracy, fundamental freedoms, rule of law and multilateralism.
Both India & EU welcomed the decision to resume negotiations for balanced and comprehensive free trade and investment agreements.

In that Meeting, They exchanged views on key thematic areas :

Foreign policy and security;
COVID-19, climate and environment; and
Trade, connectivity and technology.

The leaders launched an ambitious and comprehensive ‘Connectivity Partnership’ which is focused on enhancing digital, energy, transport and people-to-people connectivity.
The Partnership is based on the shared principles of social, economic, fiscal, climate and environmental sustainability, and respect for international law and commitments.
India and the EU also agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on digital and emerging technologies such as 5G, AI, Quantum and High-Performance Computing including through the early operationalization of the Joint Task Force on AI and the Digital Investment Forum.
A finance contract of 150 million Euro for the Pune Metro Rail Project was signed by the Finance Ministry, and the European Investment Bank.

About European Union :

Headquarters location: Brussels, Belgium
Founded: 1 November 1993, Maastricht, Netherlands

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ID-Art Mobile App Launched by Interpol to help protect cultural property

The Interpol has launched a mobile phone application ID-Art which will help identify stolen cultural property, reduce smuggling and increase the possibility of recovering stolen works and artefacts.
INTERPOL’s ID-Art app enables users ranging from law enforcement to the general public to get mobile access to the INTERPOL database of stolen works of art.
It creates an inventory of private art collections and reports cultural sites potentially at risk.

Uses :

Search INTERPOL’s database
Create an inventory
Report sites at risk

About Interpol :

International Criminal Police Organization.
Headquarters: Lyon, France
Founder: Johannes Schober
Founded: 7 September 1923, Vienna, Austria
Secretary General : Jurgen Stock

VINCOV-19- Novel antibody engineered product to treat COVID-19 cleared for clinical trials

VINCOV-19- Novel antibody engineered product to treat COVID-19 cleared for clinical trials
It is a collaborative effort of the University of Hyderabad (UoH), CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and Vins Bioproducts Ltd.
It got approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) for clinical trials to test against the COVID-19 pandemic.

About VINCOV-19 :

VINCOV-19 is an antibody product obtained after immunisation of horses with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus in combination with adjuvants.
It has a high neutralising capacity against SARS-CoV-2.

About Vins Bioproducts Ltd :

CEO : Siddharth Daga

About CSIR-CCMB :

Director : Rakesh Mishra
Founded: 1977

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Titled ‘Elephant In The Womb’ – Authored by Kalki Koechlin

Bollywood Actress Kalki Koechlin is making her debut as an author of a book, Titled – Elephant In The Womb.
It is an illustrated non-fiction book on motherhood.
The book illustrated by Valeriya Polyanychko.
On May 08, 2021, Penguin Random House India (PRHI) announced it will be published by this year.

About the Book :

The book deals about pregnancy and parenting for mothers, expectant mothers, and anyone even thinking about motherhood.

About Kalki Koechlin :

Koechlin has written, produced, and acted in several stage productions.
She co-wrote the drama Skeleton Woman (2009), which won her The MetroPlus Playwright Award, and made her directorial debut on stage with the tragicomedy Living Room (2015).
Koechlin is also an activist and promotes various causes ranging from health and education to women empowerment and gender equality.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Lewis Hamilton awarded his fifth successive Spanish Grand Prix

On May 09, 2021, Lewis Hamilton won the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix.
This is the fifth successive Spanish Grand Prix title of Lewis Hamilton.
Also this is the third win of this season.
The race was the fourth round of the 2021 Formula One World Championship.

Top 3 Position :

1.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain)

2.Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Netherlands)

3.Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland)

About Spanish Grand Prix :

Founded: 1913
The Spanish Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event.

Laureus World Sports Awards 2021 : Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka Win Top Title

On May 06, 2021, Tennis players Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka picked up the Laureus Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards.

About Naomi Osaka :

This is Osaka’s second Laureus Sports Awards.
In 2019, she won the “Breakthrough of the Year” award.

About Rafael Nadal :

This is the second title for Nadal, and also claimed the prestigious award in 2011.
In the men’s category, Rafael Nadal of Spain won the 2021 “Laureus Sportsman of the Year” title.

About Laureus World Sports Awards :

The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual award ceremony honouring individuals and teams from the world of sports along with sporting achievements throughout the year.
It was established in 1999 by Laureus Sport for Good Foundation founding patrons Daimler and Richemont.

List of Winners :

Sportsman of the Year Award: Rafael Nadal
Sportswoman of the Year Award: Naomi Osaka
Team of the Year Award: Bayern Munich
Breakthrough of the Year Award: Patrick Mahomes
Comeback of the Year Award: Max Parrot
Sport for Good Award: KICKFORMORE by KICKFAIR
Lifetime Achievement Award: Billie Jean King
Athlete Advocate of the Year Award: Lewis Hamilton
Sporting Inspiration Award: Mohamed Salah
Sporting Moment of the Year Award: Chris Nikic

Aryna Sabalenka wins her Maiden Madrid Open Women’s singles title

On May 08, 2021, In tennis, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, defeated world number one Ashleigh Barty of Australia to win the 2021 Madrid Open women’s single title.
Aryna Sabalenka was in ominous form as she overpowered world number one Ash Barty 6-0 3-6 6-4 .
This Sabalenka’s 10th career WTA singles title, second WTA title of the season and first on clay court.
In the women’s doubles final
Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova, defeated Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Demi Schuurs of France 6-4, 6-3.

About Madrid Open :

Madrid Open is a professional WTA tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts.
Headquarters location: Madrid, Spain

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Rajya Sabha MP & Renowned Sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra Passes Away

On May 09, 2021, Rajya Sabha MP and renowned Sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra passed away.
He was 78.

About Raghunath Mohapatra :

He was Born in Puri district, Odisha.
Mohapatra was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in July 2018, for Arts, Culture, and Heritage by the President of India.

Achievements :

Mohapatra was awarded Padma Shri in 1975 by the then President of India Fakiruddin Ali Ahmed.
He also received the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, Padma Bhushan award in 2001.
For his pioneering contributions to the world of art, architecture and culture, awarded the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India,Padma Vibhusan in 2013.

Former India hockey players MK Kaushik, Ravinder Pal Singh Passes Away

On May 08, 2021, Former Two Indian Hockey Players Maharaj Krishan Kaushik & Ravinder Pal Singh Passed Away.
Maharaj Krishan Kaushik was 66 and Ravinder Pal Singh was 60.
Both the players were the members of the Indian hockey team that won the gold medal in 1980 Summer Olympics at Moscow.

About MK Kaushik :

MK Kaushik, a key member of India’s last Olympic gold-winning
Kaushik had coached both India’s senior men and women’s teams.
Under his coaching, the men’s team won a gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, while the women’s team won bronze at the Doha Asian Games in 2006.