NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India's first hydrogen train will
come by Dec 2023 on heritage routes: Union Railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw has informed that India
will receive its first hydrogen train by December 2023. It will run on
heritage circuits like Kalka-Shimla and later it will be expanded to other
places. The Vande Metro (mini version of Vande Bharat Express) is
also being developed Vande Metro Aim: To help people living around big cities
to travel to and fro in comfort between their place of work and hometowns. Railway
Budget (2023-24:) Rs 2.4 lakh crore
2. Cooperation ministry inks MoU to
help PACs provide: The Ministry
of Cooperation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry
of Electronics and Information Technology, NABARD, and CSC e-Governance
Services India Limited. Aim: To enable Primary Agricultural Credit
Societies (PACS) to provide services offered by Common Service Centers Now,
PACS will be able to work as Common Service Centres. This will
help increase PACS's business activities and help them become
self-sustaining economic entities.
3. Govt extends PM-KUSUM scheme till
March 2026: The government has
extended Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan
(PM-KUSUM) scheme till March 2026. Reason: It could not bear the desired
result till now due to the COVID uncertainty. PM-KUSUM was launched in
2019. Aim: To add a solar capacity of 30,800 MW by 2022 with a total
central financial support of Rs 34,422 crore. PM-KUSUM consists of three
main components. Minister of New and Renewable Energy: R K Singh
4. India’s unemployment rate declines
to four-month low at 7.14% in January: The unemployment rate of India declined to
7.14% in January 2023 (the lowest in four months) from 8.30% in
December 2022. This data was released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian
Economy (CMIE). The urban unemployment rate declined to 8.55% in
January from 10.09% (December 2022). While the rural
unemployment rate slipped to 6.48% from 7.44%. Unemployment was
the highest in J&K at 21.8% followed by Haryana (21.7%) and
Rajasthan (21.1%).
5. DCPCR launches WhatsApp chatbot 'Bal Mitra' for children: The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights
(DCPCR) launched its WhatsApp chatbot named 'Bal Mitra’. It is an initiative to
enable two-way communication between people and the child rights panel. It
will help citizens and the commission to interact more effectively. Features of
the chatbot: Complaint registration, searching information and tracking
complaint status, and seeking information on admissions DCPCR chairperson:
Anurag Kundu
6. Indian military concluded joint
training exercise Trishakti Prahar: The Indian military has concluded the joint training
exercise Trishakti Prahar, which was started in North Bengal on
January 21, 2023. Aim: To practice battle preparedness of the security
forces, using the latest weapons and equipment in a networked, integrated
environment. This exercise was participated by the Army, the Indian Air
Force, and CAPFs. The exercise concluded with an Integrated Fire Power Exercise
at the Teesta Field Firing Ranges.
7. Madhvendra Singh appointed as first
CEO of Gujarat Maritime Cluster: Gujarat Ports Infrastructure Company Limited has
appointed Madhvendra Singh as the first Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of the Gujarat Maritime Cluster (GMC). GMC is the first of its kind
Commercial Maritime Cluster in the country aimed at creating a hub for maritime
services of international standards. Gujarat Maritime Board established GMC
through its subsidiary, Gujarat Ports Infrastructure Company Limited.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM participated in Krishnaguru
EknaamAkhanda Kirtan for World Peace: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has participated in the Krishnaguru
Eknaam Akhanda Kirtan for World Peace at Barpeta in Assam via
video conferencing. Prime Minister also addressed the devotees of Krishnaguru
Sevashram. Paramguru Krishnaguru Ishwar established the Krishnaguru Sevashram
in 1974, at Nasatra village in Barpeta, Assam. He is the ninth descendant of
Mahavaishnab Manohardeva, who was a follower of the great Vaishnavite saint
Srimanta Sankardeva. Krishnaguru Eknaam Akhanda Kirtan for World Peace is a
month-long kirtan being held from 6th January at Krishnaguru Sevashram.
2. Reliance announced partnership with
Sri Lanka’s Maliban Biscuits: Reliance Consumer Products Limited,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited announced a
strategic partnership with Sri Lanka-based Maliban Biscuit Limited. It was
signed to bring Indian consumers a bouquet of domestic and globally recognized
consumer brands and product choices that offer superior value propositions with
exceptional quality. Maliban, a heritage brand and a household name in Sri
Lanka, is a pioneering biscuit manufacturer well-known for the last 70 years
for its range of quality products. The company has expanded its products to
reach global markets and now exports to over 35 countries across 5 continents. With
this partnership, Reliance and Maliban will develop unique value propositions
that RPCL will utilize to strengthen their portfolio in the biscuit segment.
3. Adani Group acquired Haifa port for $1.2
billion: The Adani Group has acquired the
strategic Israeli port of Haifa for USD 1.2 billion. The deal was signed
by Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani in presence of Israeli PM Benjamin
Netanyahu. The Haifa Port is the second largest port in Israel in terms of
shipping containers and the biggest in shipping tourist cruise ships. The Adani
group will also develop real estate at the port to transform the Haifa skyline.
In July last
year, the group announced the acquisition of Haifa Port with a local partner,
Gadot, for $1.15 billion. India-Israel friendship dates back to September 23,
1918, when soldiers from the Indian cities of Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur
battled here for the freedom of Haifa.
4. US-India Initiative on Critical and
Emerging Technologies launched: National Security Advisor Ajit
Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan launched the US-India
initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) and Innovation
Bridge. The iCET was announced by US President Joe Biden and PM Narendra Modi
in May 2022. Objective – To elevate and expand strategic technology
partnerships and defense industrial cooperation between governments and
businesses Both countries affirm that the ways in which technology is designed,
developed, governed, and used should be shaped by our shared democratic values
and respect for universal human rights.
5. 2 February – World Wetlands Day: World
Wetlands Day is celebrated globally every year on 2 February. World
Wetlands Day was established in 1971 by the Ramsar Convention (officially the
Convention on Wetlands) to underscore the importance of wetlands and their
preservation. February 2 was chosen as the date to observe this day since it
marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on that date in 1971 in
Ramsar, Iran. The day is aimed at highlighting the vital role wetlands play in
maintaining biodiversity and supporting human well-being. Theme 2023- It’s Time
for Wetlands Restoration
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Saudi Arabia to host 2027 Asian
Football Confederation Asian Cup: The Asian
Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia won the hosting rights of the 2027 Asian Nations Cup. It was announced
during the 33rd Congress of the Asian Football Confederation, which was held on
1st February in Bahraini, Manama. Saudi Arabia has obtained votes from 43
countries to organize the 2027 Asian Cup out of 45 votes. 2023 AFC Asian Cup:
Qatar (from June 26 to July 16, 2023) Saudi Arabia Capital: Riyadh;
Currency: Riyal
2. Raphael Varane announces retirement
from international football: Footballer, Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from
international duty with France to focus on his career with Manchester
United. He was a key starter for Les Bleus as they won the World Cup in 2018
and helped Didier Deschamps guide his team to the 2022 showpiece in Qatar. He
began his international career almost ten years ago, on March 22, 2013. He
became only the fourth player in history to win both the World Cup
and the Champions League in the same year.
3. Dutch player Anish Giri won Tata
Steel Masters 2023: Dutch player Anish Giri, five times
the runner-up in Wijk aan Zee, has won Tata Steel Masters 2023. Tata Steel
Chess Tournament 2023 is the 85th edition of the annual chess tournament held
in Wijk aan Zee.a The field of 14 players in the Masters section included the
numbers 1 and 2 of FIDE World ranking, Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren.
4. Prajnesh won ITF men’s tournament in
Kuwait: Prajnesh Gunneswaran has won the final of the
$25,000 ITF men’s tennis tournament in Al Zahra, Kuwait. He won by beating
Khumoyun Sultanov of Uzbekistan in finals. It was the first title in 5 years
for Prajnesh, who had won two $150,000 Challengers in 2018 in Bengaluru and
Anning. It was the 11th title in the professional circuit for Prajnesh, who was
ranked a career-high 75th in 2019.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NIA launched ‘Pay As You Drive’
vehicle insurance policy: The New India
Assurance has launched a “Pay As You Drive” (PAYD) policy for
vehicles. Charges premiums based on the usage of the vehicle a comprehensive
motor insurance policy. The policy has two components – third-party cover and
own-damage cover. This policy offered features like discounts on renewals,
coverage beyond the distance limit, and enhanced protections. The discount will
be applied to the basic own damage premium. Chairman of NIA – Neerja Kapur
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Odisha’s VK Pandian honored with FIH
President’s Award 2023: Secretary to
the CM of Odisha, VK Pandian was honoured with the FIH President’s
Award 2023 for his outstanding contribution to hockey. He was awarded
by FIH President Tayyab Ikram at the Bhubaneswar-Rourkela final of
the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023. FIH President’s Award: It is a
recognition to individuals National Associations or other organizations for
valuable services to hockey Hockey India President: Dilip Tirkey
2. Former PM Manmohan Singh conferred
Lifetime Achievement Honour in UK: Former India PM Dr.
Manmohan Singh was conferred a Lifetime Achievement Honour by the
India-UK Achievers Honours in London. He was awarded for his contribution to
economic and political life. The National Indian Students
and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK handed it over to him in New Delhi. Among the
Outstanding Achievers honoured included Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra, Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Raghav Chadha, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar
Poonawalla, and Indian women’s football team goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan.
OBITUARIES
1. Legendary filmmaker-actor K Viswanath passes away: Legendary filmmaker, K. Viswanath, fondly known as Kalatapasvi, passed away at 92 in Hyderabad, Telangana. He was was born in 1930 in Andhra Pradesh and gained popularity in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. He has made 50 movies since 1965 and was a celebrated filmmaker. He was awarded the highest recognition in Indian Cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 2016 and Padma Shri in 1992. He also received five National Awards and 10 Filmfare trophies.
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