Daily GK Update- 19th Feb, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Arunachal Pradesh achieves 100% coverage under Har Ghar Jal: Arunachal Pradesh has achieved 100 percent saturation in ‘Har Ghar Jal’ scheme under the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).The state has become the first in the northeast and tenth in the country to achieve a cent per cent saturation under the central government sponsored scheme. The Centre’s share for the scheme in the state was ₹ 3,965.41 crore, while the state contributed ₹ 455.51 crore to complete the project, ensuring every household gets clean and safe piped water.

 

2. UP emerges as top state in total vehicle sales, Maharashtra 2nd: SIAM: Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of vehicle sales in October-December 2023, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, according to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. As per data from SIAM, Uttar Pradesh clocked a total sale of 8,22,472 units across passenger and commercial vehicles; and two and three-wheeler categories. In two-wheeler category, Uttar Pradesh topped the list followed by Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh & Tamil Nadu.

 

3. Karnataka boasts highest number of EV charging stations in India: BEE: Karnataka tops the country in terms of public electric vehicle charging stations with 5,059, according to statistics from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Union Ministry of Power. Bengaluru Urban District has the most public charging stations with 4,281, which constitutes 85% of the charging infrastructure in the State. In 2017, Karnataka became the pioneer in India by introducing the first electric vehicle (EV) policy. At present, it leads in the number of public charging stations, with Maharashtra (3,079), Delhi (1,886), Kerala (958), Tamil Nadu (643), Uttar Pradesh (583), and Rajasthan (500) following suit.

 

4. Pradeep Kumar Sinha to take over as Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank: Former Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha will take over as Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank after G. C. Chaturvedi’s term ends on 30 June 2024. The Bank’s Board, has approved the appointment of Sinha as an Additional (Independent) Director for a period of five years, with immediate effect subject to the approval of shareholders. Sinha joined the Indian Administrative Service (Uttar Pradesh in 1977).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, Colombia sign MoU on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions: India and Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.

It was signed between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Information Technologies and Communications of Colombia. These infrastructures constitute a set of shared digital systems that are secure and interoperable. They can be built on open standards to deliver and provide equitable access to public and private services.

 

2. 17 February – World Human Spirit Day: World Human Spirit Day is observed on 17 February each year. It is a day to reflect on the human spirit and reconnect with our sense of awe and purpose.

The holiday was first established in 2003 by Michael Levy, and it is now more commonly associated with meditation and mindfulness as a way to induce relaxation and reconnect with our true selves.

 

3. 18 February 2024 – World Whale Day 2024: World Whale Day is observed every year on the third Sunday of February. This year, the day falls on February 18. This day seeks to appreciate these aquatic creatures that are an important part of the ecosystem. It also goes beyond that and draws attention to the man-made challenges that have erupted making marine life difficult. Whales are not just marvels of the natural world; they are essential players in the Earth’s environmental health. Their contribution to carbon capture is immense, with the International Monetary Fund valuing their ecosystem service at $1 trillion. Furthermore, whales bolster phytoplankton growth, which is crucial for oxygen production and carbon dioxide capture, thereby playing a vital role in combating climate change and maintaining marine biodiversity.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. ICC bans UK cricketer Rizwan Javed for over 17.5 years for Match-Fixing: A UK club cricketer, Rizwan Javed received a 17.5 years ban from all cricket due to his participation in match-fixing attempts during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League. Authorities enforced the ban on September 19, 2023, as Javed failed to address charges related to his involvement in the league.

Javed was among eight players and officials charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in September last year. Bangladesh all-rounder Nasir Hossain received charges and is currently serving a two-year ban.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. ISRO launched INSAT-3DS Satellite from Sriharikota: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS with the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. This will help in enhancing the weather forecast. This was ISRO’s second success in the current calendar after the launch of XPoSAT from Sriharikota on January 1 in PSLV’s 60th flight. The GSLV-F14 – blasted from the second launch pad – was the 16th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI launches digital enrolment for PMJJBY and PMSBY Schemes: State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a self-subscribing journey for enrolment under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) schemes for its customers.

The facility will provide impetus to the Indian Government’s drive of covering all eligible citizens under PMJJBY & PMSBY schemes. The functionality enables customers to enrol under the schemes as per their convenience without visiting the branch or Customer Service Point. The customer needs to key in the account number, date of birth on Jan Suraksha portal and to select the Bank. The Certificate of Insurance is generated instantly on payment of premium.

 

2. IRDAI reconstitutes expert committee for Ind AS/IFRS implementation: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced the reconstitution of the Expert Committee on the implementation of Ind AS/IFRS. The 13-member committee, which will be headed by the Member (Finance and Investment) F&I of IRDAI, will also include the Chairman of the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) of ICAI, the President of the Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI), the CGM & HOD of IRDAI’s Actuarial Department, among others. The committee will work on steps that may be taken towards the effective implementation of the Indian Accounting Standards, along with giving phase-wise time-lines.

 

3. Paytm shifts nodal account to Axis Bank for seamless transactions: Fintech firm One97 Communications — owner of the brand Paytm — has shifted its nodal account to Axis Bank from Paytm Payments Bank. The move will allow continuity of Paytm QR, Soundbox, and card machine after the March 15 set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as per a regulatory filing. The company has also shifted its nodal account to Axis Bank (by opening an escrow account) to continue seamless merchant settlements as before. This arrangement is expected to seamlessly replace the nodal account that OCL was using with Paytm Payments Bank.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Awarded Prestigious Jnanpith Award 2023: Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award 2023. Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar, 89, is celebrated for his works in Hindi cinema and is considered one of the finest Urdu poets of this era. Rambhadracharya, 74, the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, educator and writer of more than 240 books and texts, including four epics. Gulzar received Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and at least five National Film awards for his works.