Answer: A

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greeted the people of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura on their statehood day and praised them for their “vibrant contributions” to the country’s development.
• The three States were formed on this day 50 years back in 1972 with the enactment of North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.

Historical Importance

• The princely states of Manipur and Tripura were first merged with India in 1949. They were upgraded as union territories in 1956 till the next upgradation as full-fledged state on January 21, 1972.
• Meghalaya on the other hand was created as an autonomous state within assam in 1970.

Answer: A

• Power Secretary reviews status of Biomass utilization in Thermal Power Plants in the country: SAMARTH (Sustainable Agrarian Mission on use of Agro Residue in Thermal Power Plants)

About the Mission 

• Union Power Secretary chaired the second meeting of Steering Committee for SAMARTH i.e., National Mission on Use of Biomass in coal based thermal Power Plants
• He reviewed the status of bio-mass co-firing and progress of the actions being taken to promote the co-firing in the thermal power plants in the meeting.
• In order to reduce stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprint of Thermal Power Plants while increasing the income of farmers, Government of India has taken various proactive step with the establishment of National Mission on Use of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants.
• The agro-residue/biomass earlier considered as a waste product has now begun to produce zero-carbon electricity for the citizens of the country.
• In turn farmers are getting additional income by selling the stubble/ biomass for conversion into torrefied/non-torrefied biomass pellets.
• For overall monitoring of the Mission and to facilitate the Mission on inter-ministerial issues/ constraints, a Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Power (MoP) has been constituted.
• Ministry of Power’s policy on “Biomass Utilisation for Power Generation through Co-firing in Coal based Power Plants” issued in October 2021 mandates all thermal power plants in the country to use 5 to 10% biomass along with coal for power production. The policy has started showing promising results.

Answer: D

• The Joint Committee of both India & Denmark discussed countries’ national strategic priorities and developments in Science, Technology, and Innovation relations and taking rapid strides towards sustainability goals, especially on green fuels including green hydrogen.

About Green Strategic Partnership

• The Green Strategic Partnership significantly expands and strengthens bilateral relations and cooperation between India and Denmark, which established diplomatic relations more than 70 years ago and trade relations 400 years ago.
• The committee emphasized on the importance of developing bilateral collaboration on mission-driven research, innovation, and technology development, such as climate and green transition, energy, water, waste, food, and so on, as agreed by the two Prime Ministers when they adopted the Green Strategic Partnership – Action Plan 2020-2025.
• The collaboration represents the two countries’ commitment to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributing to the global climate crisis’ mitigation by focusing on the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Answer: A

• The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021 ceremony was held virtually in Zurich, Switzerland to crown best players for excellent achievement in football.

About Best FIFA Football Awards 2021

• Poland/Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas were awarded the Best FIFA Players in men’s and women’s football respectively.
• Lewandowski won the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award for the second straight year, after getting the first one in 2020.

Answer:  B

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently virtually inaugurated a new circuit house which has built been near the iconic Somnath Temple in his home state of Gujarat.

About the new circuit house

• The new circuit house has been built at a cost of ₹30 crore. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the need for a new circuit house was felt as the existing one is far away from the famous temple.
• In a release, the government said that it is equipped with top class facilities, including VIP and deluxe rooms, and suites, conference room and auditorium hall.
• The landscaping has been done in such a manner that sea view is available from every room, the release further said.