Daily GK Update- 29th Feb, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nagaland govt launched universal life insurance scheme: Nagaland government has launched a fully-funded universal life insurance scheme to mitigate financial hardship caused by untimely demise. The scheme ensures financial security and protection, providing coverage for breadwinners and family members, complementing the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme. The Chief Minister’s Universal Life Insurance Scheme will be fully funded by the state government. Under this, a life insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh will be given and additionally, accidental insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh each will also be provided for the breadwinner and three other family members.

 

2. Reliance foundation unveils animal welfare initiative ‘Vantara’: Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation have launched ‘Vantara’ (Star of the Forest) programme. The programme will focus on rescue, treatment, care and rehabilitation of injured, abused and threatened animals, both in India and abroad. The Vantara initiative has been conceptualized under the leadership of Anant Ambani, a Director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation. Vantara aims to partner with the Zoo Authority of India and other relevant government organisations. It will help improve all the 150-plus zoos in India in terms of training, capacity building and animal care infrastructure.

 

3. PM Modi unveils India’s first hydrogen fuel cell ferry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off India’s first indigenously built hydrogen fuel cell ferry boat in virtual mode. The vessel has been built at the Cochin Shipyard. The pilot vessel is a 24-metre catamaran which can carry 50 passengers with fully air-conditioned passenger space. It will make urban mobility smooth and easy. The hydrogen fuel vessel has fully home-grown technology and it can be replicated in other parts of the country for urban mobility application, according to CSL.

 

4. 29 February – Rare Disease Day: Rare Disease Day is observed on 29 February. Objective – To create awareness on the rare diseases that exist and how they can affect the daily lives of the patients. The theme for 2024, “Share Your Colours,” emphasizes collaboration and support. Rare Disease Day was first observed in 2008 by EURORDIS and the Council of National Alliances to raise awareness about rare diseases. It falls on the last day of February, but in leap years like 2024, it is observed on February 29th.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. New Zealand set to scrap world’s first law banning tobacco sale: New Zealand will repeal a world-first law banning tobacco sales for future generations. Set to take effect from July, the toughest anti-tobacco rules in the world would have banned sales to those born after January 1, 2009, cut nicotine content in smoked tobacco products and reduced the number of tobacco retailers by more than 90 per cent. Repeal flies in the face of robust research evidence, ignores measures strongly supported by Maori leaders and will preserve health inequities.

 

2. Sachin Jain appointed as CEO of WGC India: The World Gold Council has named Sachin Jain as its new CEO for India. Jain’s extensive experience, particularly in the jewellery market and strategic leadership, positions him well for this crucial role. He joins from De Beers where he has held several senior roles over the past 13 years. As managing director of DeBeers India, he has led the De Beers Forevermark business in India and the Middle East.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

 

1. Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton smashes fastest T20I Hundred: Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton scripted history by scoring the fastest century in T20 International (T20I) history during a bilateral match against Nepal. Achieving this monumental feat off just 33 balls, Loftie-Eaton shattered the previous record held by Nepal’s Kushal Malla, who had set the benchmark at 34 balls against Mongolia during the Asian Games in 2023.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. PM Modi inaugurates ISRO’s Second Spaceport in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) second spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The first spaceport, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, is located in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota. The new spaceport will cover an area of 2,000 acres and will boost the growth and development of the region in Thoothukudi district, she added. Currently, rockets launched from Sriharikota must head east before turning south, necessitating a diversion due to the airspace of neighbouring Sri Lanka.

 

2. PM Modi announced India’s own Space Station by 2035: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared India’s plan to establish its own space station by 2035. This initiative aims to facilitate advanced exploration of the universe. Among other feats, India now aims for setting up ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. Indian is about to go to space after a gap of 40 years, in an apparent reference to Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 space flight aboard USSR’s Soyuz T-11.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Mahanagar Gas acquires 30.97% share in 3EV Industries: Mahanagar Gas has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with 3EV Industries Private Limited to acquire 30.97 per cent shareholding in the company that manufactures and operates three-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs). The shareholding will give MGL the right to appoint one Director on the board of 3ev and one board observer. Mahanagar Gas is in the business of City Gas Distribution (CGD), presently supplying Natural Gas.

 

2. MobiKwik introduces Pocket UPI to facilitate payments without linking bank account: MobiKwik has launched a new feature on its platform, ‘Pocket UPI’. Pocket UPI allows users to make UPI payments through MobiKwik Wallet without linking their bank account, thus giving more power in the hands of the users with an additional choice while they make UPI payments.

Pocket UPI safeguards users from compromised transactions and financial fraud by transferring funds from the MobiKwik Wallet rather than their bank account, thus limiting exposure when making financial transactions.

 

3. Jana SFB partnered with Dvara Money for digital banking: Jana Small Finance Bank Limited has partnered with Dvara Money for digital banking services. Under this, DM’s Spark Money platform has been integrated with the technical capabilities of Jana SFB. The integration of third-party application provider (TPAP) capabilities will enable the Spark Money platform to incorporate a full-stack UPI solution. This will allow customers to connect their savings accounts for digital payments and enable UPI functionalities such as Aadhaar OTP-based onboarding and credit on UPI.