COVID-19 vaccines are completely safe & effective: Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan
- • Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan assured that the COVID-19 vaccines are completely safe and effective and they will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the COVID-19 virus.
- • The Minister said this to address issues related to vaccine hesitancy while releasing the communication creatives prepared by Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
- • Dr. Harsh Vardhan informed that over eight lakh people have been vaccinated in the country and very few cases have shown side effects of the vaccine.
- • He stated that side effects are common after any vaccination and stressed that two indigenous vaccines have been authorized after sufficient scientific scrutiny and human trials.
- • He also informed that several countries are approaching India to export these vaccines to their country.
Delhi government grants COVID-19 relief aid worth Rs 10,000 each to 407 labourers
- • The Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board on January 20, 2021 granted COVID-19 relief disbursement worth Rs 10,000 each to 407 construction workers out of a total of 39,600 workers under the directions of Deputy Chief Minister and State Labour Minister Manish Sisodia.
- • Around 2,000 construction workers who had registered with the Board in March 2020 when the pandemic hit, will also receive a relief amount in the coming weeks.
- • The official statement from the government read that these construction workers belong to the poorest section of the society and were one of the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- • Hence, the relief disbursement for construction workers comes as much-required support during these difficult times.
CDS General Bipin Rawat to fly in a French Rafale fighter
- • Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat undertook a sortie in the French Rafale fighters on January 21, 2021 during the ongoing Indo-French wargames Desert Knight-21.
- • The sortie lasted for almost one hour, during which the CDS was familiarised with the most advanced fighter in the Indian and the French Air Force inventories.
- • The CDS was also briefed about the wargames and how the joint exercise would enhance the interoperability between the air forces of the two countries.
- • The Indian Air Force kickstarted its first major international wargames (Desert Knight-21) involving Rafale fighter jets in Jodhpur on January 20, 2021 with their French counterparts.
Kerala Assembly rejects resolution to remove Speaker
- • Kerala Assembly rejected a resolution to remove Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan on January 21, 2021, prompting a walkout from the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF).
- • The resolution was moved by UDF MLA M Ummer.
- • The opposition staged a walkout immediately after the Speaker's reply in which he countered the Opposition's charges.
- • He also lashed out at the Opposition and termed the resolution as an "immature" move.
Govt approves over 1 crore one lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) till date
- • The Union Government has said that more than one crore one lakh houses have been approved to date under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).
- • While the construction of over 70 lakh houses is in various stages, more than 41 lakh houses have been completed.
- • The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry informed that the construction of one lakh 68 thousand 606 new houses have been approved under the scheme during the 52nd Meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee, which was attended by 14 states and Union Territories.
Q/A
1. India is ready to play a constructive and meaningful role to end the conflict in which among the following countries?
a) Sudan
b) Syria
c) Turkey
d) Libya
2. Who has become the first Second Gentleman of the United States?
a) Doung Emhoff
b) Mike Pence
c) Donald Trump
d) None of the above
3. Which state government has granted COVID-19 relief aid worth Rs 10,000 each to 407 labourers?
a) Delhi
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Telangana
d) Madhya Pradesh
4. Which state assembly has rejected the resolution to remove Speaker?
a) Gujarat
b) Karnataka
c) Kerala
d) Telangana
5. Which nation has decided to sanction 28 American officials including former State Secretary Michael Pompeo?
a) North Korea
b) China
c) Japan
d) Russia
6. Who among the following has decided to retire from franchise cricket?
a) Chris Gayle
b) Lasith Malinga
c) Aaron Finch
d) Faf Du Plessis
7. Which among the following states does not celebrate its statehood day on January 21?
a) Nagaland
b) Manipur
c) Meghalaya
d) Tripura
8. India has sent 1 million doses of COVID vaccine as a gift to which nation under the 'Vaccine Maitri' Initiative?
a) Myanmar
b) Maldives
c) Brazil
d) Nepal
Answers
1. (b) Syria
India said on January 20, 2021 that it is ready to play a "constructive and meaningful" role in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) towards completely ending the Syrian conflict.
2. (a) Doung Emhoff
Kamala Harris created history on January 20, 2021 by becoming the first female, African-American and Asian-American to be sworn in as Vice President of the United States. Her husband Doung Emhoff has also become the first-ever 'second gentlemen' of the United States.
3. (a) Delhi
The Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board on January 20, 2021 granted COVID-19 relief disbursement worth Rs 10,000 each to 407 construction workers out of a total of 39,600 workers under the directions of Deputy Chief Minister and State Labour Minister Manish Sisodia.
4. (c) Kerala
Kerala Assembly rejected a resolution to remove Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan on January 21, 2021, prompting a walkout from the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF). The resolution was moved by UDF MLA M Ummer.
5. (b) China
The Chinese government has announced that it has decided to sanction 28 American officials of the former Trump administration which includes former State Secretary Michael Pompeo for violating Beijing’s sovereignty.
6. (b) Lasith Malinga
Sri Lankan bowling legend, Lasith Malinga has decided to retire from franchise cricket. He was a part of the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League. The speedster had informed his decision to the Mumbai Indians management earlier this month, making himself unavailable for the champion side's retention wish list.
7. (a) Nagaland
Meghalaya, Manipur & Tripura celebrate their statehood day on January 21st. On the special occasion, the President, Vice President and Prime Minister greeted the people of the states. President Ram Nath Kovind in his message praised the immense natural beauty, rich history and vibrant culture of the states.
8. (d) Nepal
India has sent 1 million doses of a COVID vaccine to Nepal as a gift under the 'Vaccine Maitri' Initiative. Nepal health minister Hridayesh Tripathi said that the vaccines gifted by India will be administered to health workers and other front-line personnel within 7-10 days.
