{"id":13848,"date":"2021-02-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current_affairs\/uncategorized\/15-02-2021\/facts-in-news-71\/"},"modified":"2021-02-15T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-02-15T00:00:00","slug":"facts-in-news-71","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-02-2021\/facts-in-news-71","title":{"rendered":"Facts in News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Facts in News<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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FASTag<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • It is an electronic toll collection system<\/strong> in India,<\/li>\n
  • It is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways <\/strong>(MoRTH).<\/li>\n
  • Operated by: National Highway Authority of India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • It employs Radio Frequency Identification <\/strong>(RFID) technology<\/strong> for making direct toll payments from the prepaid or savings account linked to it or directly from the toll owner.<\/li>\n
  • It is affixed on the windscreen<\/strong> of the vehicle and enables to drive through toll plazas without stopping for transactions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • FASTag is mandatory from 1st Jan 2021<\/strong> and any vehicle not fitted with FASTag will have to pay twice the fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\u2018Jidar-ul-Hadeed\u2019 Army Exercise<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • \u2018Jidar-ul-Hadeed<\/strong>\u2019, a month-long army exercise<\/strong> is being conducted in Thar Desert of Sindh Province<\/strong> by the Pakistan Army<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • It will prepare Pakistan Army for warfare in Extreme Desert Conditions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • \u2018Aman-2021<\/strong>\u2019, a multinational naval exercise<\/strong> will also be hosted by Pakistan in the Arabian Sea.\n
      \n
    • 45 countries, including the US, Russia, China and Turkey<\/strong>, will be participating in the Aman 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Launched by: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • It is part of the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology<\/strong> (NMAET).<\/li>\n
  • Aim: <\/strong>To produce and supply quality seeds to farmers to enhance production and productivity in the country through various components<\/strong> namely,\n
      \n
    • Seed Village Programme.<\/li>\n
    • Establishment of seed processing-cum-seed storage godowns at Gram Panchayat level.<\/li>\n
    • National Seed Reserve.<\/li>\n
    • Boosting seed production in the private sector and strengthening quality control infrastructure facilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Assistance Provided<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Creation of 4.29 lakh Seed Villages<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • Supply of subsidised seeds<\/strong> to farmers like Paddy<\/strong> (in Kerala after floods), Maize, etc.<\/li>\n
      • Development of 71 bio-fortified varieties <\/strong>(nutritionally enriched with Protein, Iron, Zinc, Amino Acids, Pro vitamin-A & vitamin-C, etc.) to alleviate malnutrition<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • Notification of 78 crop species for new registration by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights <\/strong>(PPVFR) Authority<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • Analysis of different seed samples from India by the National Seed Research and Testing Centre <\/strong>under the International Seed Testing Association<\/strong> (ISTA) Proficiency Test Programme<\/strong>, Switzerland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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SANKALP<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion<\/strong> (SANKALP) is a programme of the Ministry of Skill Development <\/strong>with loan assistance from the World Bank<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • It was launched in January 2018<\/strong> and has a tenure till March 2023<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Aims<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • Improvement of short term skill training qualitatively and quantitatively<\/strong> through strengthening institutions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • Bringing in better market connectivity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • Inclusion of marginalised sections <\/strong>of the society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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SVEEP<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Systematic Voters\u2019 Education and Electoral Participation<\/strong> (SVEEP) programme is the flagship program of the Election Commission of India<\/strong> (ECI).<\/li>\n
  • Aims<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • To increase voter education<\/strong>, spread voter awareness<\/strong> and promote voter literacy<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n
    • To build a truly participative democracy<\/strong> in India by encouraging all eligible citizens to vote and make an informed decision<\/strong> during the elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM)<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • It is the flagship festival of the Ministry of Culture<\/strong> and has been organized since 2015<\/strong> with the active participation of Seven Zonal Culture Centres<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Aims<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • To take the vibrant culture of India out to the masses instead of confining it to auditoria and galleries.<\/li>\n
    • To provide an effective platform and the much-needed support and assistance to the artists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • It has been instrumental in showcasing folk and tribal art, dance, music, cuisines and culture<\/strong> of one state in other states reinforcing the cherished goal of \u201cEk Bharat Shreshtha Bharat<\/strong>\u201d.<\/li>\n
    • RSM assumes more significance in 2021<\/strong> as the nation emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic<\/strong> which severely impacted the cultural sector<\/strong>.\n
        \n
      • The 11th edition<\/strong> is being held in West Bengal<\/strong> at Cooch Behar, Darjeeling and Murshidabad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Mushaira<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs<\/strong> will organise \u201cMushaira<\/strong>\u201d on the theme of \u201cEk Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat<\/strong>\u201d in New Delhi on 20th February 2021.\n
      \n
    • Mushaira is a poetic symposium<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • It’s a term in Urdu used to describe an event where poets gather to perform their works<\/strong> and is a beloved part of the culture of Pakistan and North India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • It is greatly admired by participants as a forum for free self-expression<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Mushaira and Kavi Sammelan are the rich cultural legacies<\/strong> of India, strengthening the idea of \u201cUnity in Diversity<\/strong>\u201d.\n
        \n
      • Such programmes give and spread the message of peace<\/strong>, socio-cultural harmony<\/strong> and brotherhood<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • Also, they make the younger generation aware of the country\u2019s art, culture and legacy of decency<\/strong> and etiquette<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • The renowned poets<\/strong> of the country will present their poetry full of commitment to the theme and also on \u201cAatmanirbhar Bharat<\/strong>\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Mission Shakti<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation<\/strong> (DRDO) successfully conducted \u2018Mission Shakti<\/strong>\u2019, an Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) Missile Test<\/strong> from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island<\/strong> in Odisha <\/strong>in 2019.\n
      \n
    • With this, India becomes the fourth country <\/strong>with the capability to destroy a low-orbit satellite<\/strong> after the US, China and Russia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • The interceptor missile <\/strong>was a three-stage missile<\/strong> with two solid rocket boosters.<\/li>\n
    • Anti-satellite weapons<\/strong> (ASATs) are created to destroy or incapacitate satellites<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • It can also be used to access critical information about troop movements<\/strong> or incoming missiles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • There are two types <\/strong>of A-SAT missiles\n
        \n
      • Kinetic A-SATs:<\/strong> Like ballistic missiles, these physically strike<\/strong> an object in order to destroy it.<\/li>\n
      • Non-Kinetic A-SATs: <\/strong>They use nonphysical means to disable or destroy space objects like cyber-attacks and frequency jamming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Capabilities Included<\/strong>\n
          \n
        • Cyber-attacks on space systems, Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) explosion devices, directed energy (laser-based) weapons and targeted missiles for the destruction of satellites to sabotage the enemy’s military operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • To mark the occasion, a customised stamp<\/strong> was released by the Department of Posts<\/strong> in September 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Maharaja Suheldev Memorial<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • The Prime Minister of India will lay the foundation stone of Maharaja Suheldev Memorial <\/strong>and development work of Chittaura Lake<\/strong> in Bahraich<\/strong>, Uttar Pradesh<\/strong>.\n
      \n
    • It will include installation of an equestrian (horse riding) statue<\/strong> of the king among other works.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Significance<\/strong>\n
        \n
      • The nation will get better acquainted with the heroic saga of Maharaja Suheldev<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • It would also further enhance the tourist potential <\/strong>of this site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Suhaldev<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • He was a king from Shravasti<\/strong>, popularly known to have defeated and killed the Ghaznavid General Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud<\/strong> at Bahraich in the early 11th century<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        • Generally identified as Bhar-Pasi king<\/strong>, he is mentioned in the 17th-century Persian-language historical romance <\/strong>\u201cMirat-i-Masudi<\/strong>\u201d, written by Abdur Rahman Chishti<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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NetWire<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • NetWire first surfaced in 2012, is a well-known malware.<\/li>\n
  • It is a Remote Access Trojan (<\/strong>RAT) which gives control of the infected system<\/strong> to an attacker through a command and control server. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Malware<\/strong>\n
        \n
      • It is the collective name for a number of malicious software variants, including viruses, ransomware and spyware.<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Shorthand for malicious software, malware typically consists of code developed by cyberattackers, designed to cause extensive damage to data<\/strong> and systems or to gain unauthorized access to a network<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Facts in News FASTag \u00a0 It is an electronic toll collection system in India, It is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Operated by: National Highway Authority of India. It employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making direct […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25],"class_list":["post-13848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-gs1"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2182747current-affairs.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13848"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13848\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}