Daily Current Affairs for Rajasthan State Exams: 02.04.2021

1. ‘Anandam: The Center for Happiness’ in IIM Jammu

Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal inaugurates ‘Anandam: The Center for Happiness’ at Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu
Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha; Founder, Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar virtually attended the occasion.
It aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 that aims to transform India’s education system by 2021.
‘Anandam: The Center for Happiness’ will be divided into five broad categories, namely, Counselling, Holistic wellness, Elective courses on Happiness Development, Research and Leadership & Faculty Development.

2. India takes part in 2nd Sherpas meeting of G7, guest countries

The 2nd meeting of the Sherpas of G7 and guest countries was held on March 30, 2021.
India’s representative (Sherpa) Suresh Prabhu attended the meeting.
The priority issues under the UK’s G7 Presidency agenda were discussed, including preparations for the COP26 Summit and global health cooperation.
Note: The United Kingdom has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 Summit as a guest, along with Australia, South Korea and South Africa.
The G7 Summit is to be held on June 11-13, 2021.
Facts about G7: The heads of government of the member states, as well as the representatives of the European Union, meet at the annual G7 Summit.
Founded: 1975
Members: United Kingdom, United States, Japan, France, Germany, Canada, Italy

3. AYUSH Ministry in collaboration with Vinoba Seva Pratishthan organizes 'Ayurveda Parav'

In a bid to promote Ayurveda as the mainstream treatment for the prevalent lifestyle related diseases, Vinoba Seva Pratisthan (VSP), in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, has successfully organized ‘Ayurveda Parav’ in Bhubaneswar from 26^thto 28^thMarch 2021.
The 3-days event was inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Dr Raghunath Mohapatra, Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha along with Shri Naba Kishore Das, Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Odisha and Shri Trilochan Majhi, Director of AYUSH, Govt. of Odisha.
During this Parv, nearly 25 research papers were presented by experts and researchers.

4. The Road Transport and Highways Ministry published the draft rules regarding concession in motor vehicle tax against scrapped vehicles

Under the draft rules, people will get 25 percent concession on the purchase of personal vehicles with vehicle scrappage certificate while on the purchase of commercial vehicles, the tax relief will be 15 percent.

In case of personal vehicles, the tax concessions will be available up to 8 years while for commercial vehicles, it will be up to 15 years.
The rules are proposed to come into force from October 01, 2021.
Note: Recently, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari announced the “Vehicle Scrapping Policy”.

5. Harsh Vardhan inaugurates Alignment and Awareness Event for Publicity of DSIR-PRISM Scheme

Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated Alignment and Awareness Event for Publicity of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research - Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Startups and MSMEs (DSIR-PRISM) scheme at IIT Delhi.
The innovation movement by DSIR-PRISM making synergy with three National Initiatives like Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Smart India Hackathon and Rural Technology Action Group is unique.
Note: Under the initiative, an innovator of Indian nationality - student, professional and common citizen - is provided technical, strategic, and financial assistance by DSIR-PRISM.
Recently, Harsh Vardhan digitally participated in a panel discussion on vaccine production and distribution across Asia at the “World Immunisation and Logistics Summit”.

6. Atal Innovation Mission launches 'AIM-PRIME', in partnership with BMGF &Venture Center

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog launched AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers on Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship), an initiative to promote and support science-based deep-tech startups & ventures across India.
In this regard, AIM has joined hands with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to launch this nationwide program which will be implemented by Venture Center - a non-profit technology business incubator.
The first cohort of the program is open to technology developers (tech start ups/scientists/ engineers/ clinicians) with strong science-based deep tech business ideas.
About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): It is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country and was setup in 2016.

7. 3rd phase of Indian Beamline Project for materials research in Japan initiated

The 3rd phase of the Indian Beamline Project, a facility for materials research set up under India-Japan Scientific and Technological Cooperation, was initiated on March 23, 2021, with special focus on industrial application research.
The phase would increase the number of young researchers from India to be trained in advanced X-ray techniques of material research.
About Indian Beamline: The Indian Beamline has been constructed and maintained by Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics(SINP), Kolkata and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore; in Japanese synchrotron light source Photon Factory (PF) of High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), with support from Nano Mission, Department of Science and Technology.

8. Uttar Pradesh government approves scheme offering affordable rental housing for urban migrants and poor

The Uttar Pradesh government will start the Affordable Rental Housing and Complexes (ARHC) scheme for poor people living in cities and a proposal to this effect was approved by the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
About ARHC scheme: It has been launched by the government of India through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the 'self-reliant India' campaign.
Note: The scheme will be implemented under two models in the state.
Model one involves converting vacant houses funded by the central or state government into an ARHC through an agreement.
Under the second model, ARHC will be built, operated and maintained by public/private entities on their available vacant land.

9. First-of-its-kind Cruise service starts between Surat and Diu

Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (I/C) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the Cruise service from Hazira Port of Surat to Diu.
Before 2014, there were 139 cruise calls at the Indian Ports but today there are 450 cruise calls in the country.
The number before 2014 was one lakh and the number of tourists in 2019-20 was 4.5 lakhs.
Note: Indian coastline has a huge potential for the cruise tourism industry and 6 International cruise terminals are being planned on both the west coast (Mumbai, Goa, Kochi) and east coast (Visakhapattanam, Kolkata, Chennai) of India.

10. Rajinikanth to be honoured with 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Prakash Javadekar announced the recipient of the 51^stDadasaheb Phalke Award.
The award for 2019 will be conferred to legendary actor Shri Rajinikanth.
It will be presented on 3^rdMay, along with the National Film Awards.
Note: Debuted in Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Rajinikanth is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He was also honored with the Padma Vibhushan (2016) by the Government of India.
Facts about Dadasaheb Phalke Award:

First winner: Devika Rani

Most recent winner: Amitabh Bachchan (2018)

Established: 1969

Category of: National Film Awards

11. F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2021

British Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) won the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 held

at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) got second position and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) got third position.
Note: This was Hamilton’s 96th career Formula 1 victory.

12. April 2, World Autism Awareness Day

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism.
World Autism Awareness Day, passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007.
About Autism: Autism, also called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complicated condition that includes problems with communication and behavior.