May 2021 Current Affairs

Highlights

• Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, launched 60 Starlink Broadband Satellites with Falcon 9 first stage booster into the orbit. Satellites were launched from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida.
• Indian economist and Nobel Laureate, Amartya Kumar Sen, was conferred with “Princess of Asturias Award” in social sciences category which is Spain’s top prize.
• India has exported first consignment of GI-certified Shahi Litchi from Bihar to United Kingdom by air route on May 24, 2021. What is GI Tag? Geographical indication (GI) tag is given to an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product such as handicraft and industrial goods which are originating from definite geographical territory.
• India and Israel have inked a three-year joint work programme which will continue till 2023. Joint work programme was initiated with the aim of enhancing cooperation in agriculture.
• First lunar eclipse of 2021 will take place on May 26, 2021. It will be a super lunar event because supermoon, lunar eclipse and blood moon, all will occur at once.
• Nuclear Scientist and former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, SriKumar Banerjee passed away at 75 on May 23, 2021 due to heart attack.
• Andrea Meza of Mexico was crowned the Miss Universe, 2020. The 69th edition of Miss Universe was held on May 16, 2021 in Florida, United States.
• Italian Open, 2021 was won by Rafael Nadal. This is his tenth title of the Rome Masters. The Italian Open, 2021 was held on May 16, 2021 in Rome.
• On May 14, 2021, K P Sharma Oli was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time. President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered his oath of office.
• Whitley Awards are called “Green Oscar”. In 2021, the Whitley Award was won by Nuklu Phom of Nagaland. He is the only Indian to receive the award. Whitley Awards Whitley Awards are presented annually by the Whitley Fund for Nature. 
• The first BRICS Employment Working Group was held virtually. It was hosted by India. India assumed BRICS Presidency in 2021.
• China recently launched Changsei 2C rocket from the Xichang satellite launch centre. It is a Yaogan satellite. This satellite has joined the previous seven groups in orbit that were launched after 2017. The satellite is to be used for electromagnetic environmental surveys and other related technical tests. 
• Vineyard Wind Project is the first major Offshore wind farm that is to power 400,000 homes. The project aims to install 84 turbines in the Atlantic Ocean. It is to be set up 12 Nautical miles off the coast of Matha’s Vineyard.
• The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a virtual bilateral summit. During the summit, the leaders adopted an ambitious “Roadmap 2030”. This will help to elevate the bilateral ties between the countries.
• The English professional snooker player Mark Selby has won the World Championship for the fourth time. This time he won the title defeating Shaun Murphy. Mark Selby Mark Selby has won the World Championship in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2021.

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Awards 2021

• Best Actor (Female): Deepika Padukone

• Best Actor (Male): Akshay Kumar

• Best International Feature Film: Parasite

• Best Director: Anurag Basu

• Best Film: Tanhaji

Sunderlal Bahuguna has written the following books –

• Dharti Ki Pukar
• Ecology Is Permanent Economy
• Bhoo Prayog Mei Buniyadi Parivartan Ki Or
• India’s Environment – Myth and Reality

He has received the following awards –

• Jamnalal Bajaj Award (1986)
• Right Livelihood Award (1987)
• Padma Vibhushan (2009)
• He refused to take the Nobel Peace Prize and Padma Shri award.

2021 International Booker Prize

The judges of the 2021 International Booker Prize have revealed the six shortlisted books in contention for the prize, which celebrates the finest translated fiction from around the world. The shortlist was announced on The Booker Prizes social media and website.

The shortlist

• At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop, translated from French by Anna Moschovakis
• The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez, translated from Spanish by Megan McDowell
• When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut Adrian, translated from Spanish by Nathan West
• The Employees by Olga Ravn, translated by Danish by Martin Aitken
• In Memory of Memory by Maria Stepanova, translated from Russian by Sasha Dugdale
• The War of the Poor by Éric Vuillard translated from French by Mark Polizzotti

Chipko movement leader Sunderlal Bahuguna passed away

• Name: Sunderlal Bahuguna
• Famous As: Environmentalist
• Nationality: Indian
• Birth Date: 9 January 1927 (Tehri, Uttarakhand)
• Died On: 21 May 2021
• Married To: Vimla Bahuguna
• Awards: Jamnalal Bajaj Award (1986), Right Livelihood Award (1987), Padma Vibhushan (2009)

List of all awardees at Laureus World Sports Awards 2021

• Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Rafael Nadal, Tennis Player from Spain
• Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Naomi Osaka, Tennis Player from Japan
• Laureus World Team of the Year: Bayern Munich, Football Team, Germany
• Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Patrick Mahomes, American Football, USA
• Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Max Parrot, Snowboarding, Canada
• Laureus Sport for Good Award: KICKFORMORE by KICKFAIR, Football, Germany
• Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Billie Jean King, American Tennis Player
• Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year: Lewis Hamilton, British Formula One Champion
• Laureus Sporting Inspiration: Mohamed Salah, Egyptian Footballer
• Laureus Sporting Moment of the Year: Chris Nikic, American Amateur Triathlete

About Laureus World Sports Awards:

The first Laureus World Sports award ceremony was held in 2000. This is an annual event that honours the greatest and most inspirational sporting triumphs of the year.