Daily GK Update: 19th January 2021

 Science & Technology

1. DRDO hands over Motor Bike Ambulance Rakshita to CRPF

• DRDO handed over 21 Motor Bike Ambulance 'Rakshita' to the CRPF.
• It was developed by DRDO lab Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), New Delhi.
• It is a bike-based casualty transport emergency vehicle.
• The customised ‘Rakshita’ ambulances have been created on 350cc Royal Enfield Classic bikes.
• Rakshita is fitted with a customized reclining Casualty Evacuation Seat (CES).
• Chairman DRDO: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
• DG CRPF: Dr A P Maheshwari

 National Affairs

2. National Cadet Corps, NCC organized ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’

• National Cadet Corps, NCC has organized ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ at India Gate, New Delhi.
• The event was inaugurated by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar.
• The theme of this Swachhata Pakhwada is 'Clean India, Green India, Yeh Hai Mera Dream India'.
• During the Swachhata Pakhwada, the NCC cadets will keep Rajpath clean for the Republic Day Parade - 2021 by spreading awareness through displaying banners, distribution of pamphlets and showcasing Swachhata through Nukkad Natak.

 Agreement

3. TRIFED signed MoU with IFFDC to work together for tribal livelihood generat

• TRIFED and IFFDC entered into an MoU to work for tribal livelihood generation
• Both the organizations have agreed to partner with each other to organise training programmes for tribal artisans in the area of entrepreneurship skill and business development.
• They will also collaborate further to identify and implement CSR initiatives. 
• TRIFED has been actively exploring convergences with various like-minded organizations to continue the mission towards tribal empowerment.

 Honours & Awards

4. Quaide Milleth Awards presented to Bilkis dadi and Harsh Mander

• Bilkis dadi and social activist and writer Harsh Mander of Karwan-e-Mohabbat were presented the Quaide Milleth Award.
• Dadi was the face of the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA protests.
• Both were awarded for Probity in Political and Public Life at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi.
• The award consists of a shawl, citation and cash of ₹2.5 lakh.
• Both recipients had made a mark in public life with their determination and zeal to protect the secular fabric of the country.

 Defense

5. India and French to conduct 'Ex-Desert Knight 21' joint military Exercise

• India and France will carry out a five-day Mega Air Ex- Desert Knight 21 near Jodhpur.
• It is expected to see Rafale jets of the two countries engaging in complex manoeuvres to enhance operational coordination.
• The aim of the exercise is to provide operational exposure and share best practices towards enhancing combat capability.
• Both the air forces will deploy frontline fighter jets as well as transport, and tanker aircraft in the exercise.

 Agreement

6. India, Japan sign agreement on movement of ‘skilled workers’.

• India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on a basic partnership framework for the operation of the ‘specified skilled worker’ (SSW) system.
• SSW is a new status of residence created in Japan in April 2019, to accept foreign nationals who have a certain level of expertise and skill.
• Indian nationals with certain professional and language skills will be eligible to work under the SSW system.
• There are 14 specified industry fields that fall under SSW. 

 International Affairs

7. Nepali climbers make history by becoming first to scale K2 peak in winter

• A team of 10 Nepali climbers makes history by becoming the first to scale in winter the world's 2nd highest mountain K2 (8,611 m).
• The peak is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan side of the Karakoram range.
• The achievement was the result of a collaborative effort between the climbers affiliated with multiple teams: one led by Nirmal Purja and the other by Mingma Gyalje Sherpa.
• It was the only one among 8,000-meter high peaks that was never scaled in winter.

 International Affairs

8. United Kingdom sets out new laws to protect historic statues, monuments

• The UK unveiled new laws to protect England's cultural and historic heritage in the form of statues and monuments
• This was done to ensure that they are not removed at a whim.
• The move comes in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests in the country last year targeting several historic monuments, including with graffiti on Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament Square
• New legal protections mean that historic statues should be retained and explained for future generations

 Obituaries

9. Revolutionary Music Producer, Phil Spector passes away

• Phil Spector (81), the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method, passed away.
• Also, he was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 at his castle-like mansion on the edge of Los Angeles.
• After a trial in 2009, he was sentenced to 19 years to life.
• While most sources give Spector’s birth date as 1940, it was listed as 1939 in court documents following his arrest.

 Books & Authors

10. Goa CM releases book 'Manohar Parrikar -Off the Record'

• Goa CM Pramod Sawant released a book ‘Manohar Parrikar- Off the Record’ at a function organized at Institute Menezes Braganza hall in the city.
• The book has been written by senior journalist Waman Subha Prabhu.
• The book ‘Manohar Parrikar- Off the Record’ is a collection of memories of Mr Prabhu who happened to be with late Parrikar during the journey of his life.
• In the book, the author has endeavoured to narrate the multi-faceted personality of late Manohar Parrikar.

 Important Dates

11. Netaji's birthday to be marked as 'Parakram Diwas' every year

• GoI has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose that falls on January 23 as 'Parakram Diwas'
• The Day will be marked to honour and remember Netaji's indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation.
• Bose, a noted freedom fighter, had floated Azad Hind Fauj to fight for India's independence.
• The GoI has decided to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary year of Netaji beginning from January 2021 in a befitting manner at national level 

 State Affairs

12. Kerala, MP exchange MoU on Responsible Tourism

• Madhya Pradesh signed a memorandum of understanding with Kerala for replicating the latter’s pioneering Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative.
• The States signed a joint declaration under which Kerala will extend a series of services under a 16-point programme.
• The MoU was exchanged by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Usha Thakur.
• As part of the agreement, Kerala will provide a series of services under a 16-point programme.

 Arts & Culture

13. First bird fest at Mahananda sanctuary from Feb 20

• In a first, a bird festival is being organised at the Mahananda wildlife sanctuary in West Bengal to provide an opportunity for enthusiasts to explore the forest and watch different birds from February 20 to 23.
• Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in fauna and has more than 300 species of birds.
• The sanctuary has been designated as an 'important bird area' due to its critical role in the conservation of birds and their habitat.