Daily GK Update- 13th Feb, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IREDA and IIT Bhubaneswar sign MoU for Clean Energy Innovation: The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar have signed an MoU. The partnership between IREDA and IIT Bhubaneswar will facilitate joint research ventures and technology exchange, and offer comprehensive support to budding start-ups. Additionally, it will encompass capacity-building initiatives such as training programs, seminars, and workshops to enhance the skills of IREDA personnel.

 

2. Katrina Kaif Joins CSK as Brand Ambassador for IPL 2024: Chennai Super Kings have appointed Katrina Kaif as their brand ambassador for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The five-time champions have also changed their jersey logo before the new season. The famous Bollywood actress, who is married to Vicky Kaushal, is also the brand ambassador of Etihad Airways. CSK recently signed a sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways and brought Katrina on board.

 

3. Sundaram AMC appoints Radhakrishnan as CEO: Sundaram Asset Management has appointed Anand Radhakrishnan as CEO. Anand was earlier a part of the company for eight years from 1996 to 2004. He previously served as Managing Director & CIO (Equity) at Franklin Templeton India Incumbent MD Sunil Subramaniam will retire in June after leading the organization for 19 years. Radhakrishnan will take over as MD in July.

 

4. Gupteswar Forest in Odisha declared Biodiversity-Heritage Site: The pristine Gupteswar Forest, adjacent to Gupteswar Shiva temple in Odisha’s Koraput district has been declared as the fourth Biodiversity-Heritage Site (BHS) of the state as per a recent government notification. The site is spread over 350 hectares of demarcated ..

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 13 February – World Radio Day: World Radio Day is observed every year on 13 February. Objective – To raise awareness among the people and the media about the importance of radio, and to encourage access to information through radio. Theme 2024 – Radio: A Century informing, entertaining, and educating The day was proclaimed by the member states of UNESCO in 2011 and subsequently adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day.

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Defence Minister unveils statue of Gen Bipin Rawat in Dehradun: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami have unveiled a life-size statue of General Bipin Rawat, the nation’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), at TonsBridge School in Dehradun. The objective is to take the stories of valour of the armed forces to school students and instil patriotism and dedication in them. Unfortunately, Gen Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 12 other military personnel lost their lives in a helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. SWATI (Science for Women- A Technology & Innovation) Portal:  In February 2024, the government has launched the SWATI (Science for Women- A Technology & Innovation) portal, a database highlighting accomplishments of Indian women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) fields. The interactive portal was developed by the ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Paytm E-commerce rebrands to Pai Platforms: Paytm E-commerce has rebranded itself as Pai Platforms, marking a shift in its corporate identity. The move comes alongside the acquisition of Bitsila, a prominent seller platform operating within the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This strategic shift underscores Pai Platforms’ ambition to assert its presence and gain a larger foothold in the fiercely competitive landscape of online retail. Pai Platforms’ acquisition of Bitsila underscores its commitment to strengthening its commerce capabilities within the ONDC network.

 

2. India launches UPI payment services in Sri Lanka, Mauritius: India has launched its Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius. RuPay card services were also introduced in Mauritius as part of this strategic initiative. The UPI services, crafted by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), represent an instant real-time payment system designed to facilitate inter-bank transactions through mobile phones. On the other hand, RuPay is a globally recognized card payment network originating from India, with widespread acceptance at various points of sale, ATMs, and online platforms.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. ISRO Chairman S Somanath awarded KPP Nambiar Award: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)Chairman, S Somanath has been awarded KPP Nambiar Award for 2024 by Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Kerala Section. The award is named after KPP Nambiar, doyen of electronics industry and founder-chair of IEEE Kerala Section. Somanath was chosen for the pivotal role he played in steering Chandrayaan-3, ISRO’s lunar exploration programme, the award committee observed. He also served various VSSC and ISRO missions, including as Project Manager, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Project Director, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk – III).

Daily GK Update- 12th Feb, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India and ADB sign $200 million loan to tackle flood and erosion risk along Brahmaputra River: The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $200 million loan to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the 650 kilometres (km) long main stem of the Brahmaputra River in the state of Assam. The project interventions include stabilising 60 km of riverbanks, installing 32 km of pro-siltation measures, and building 4 km of climate-resilient flood embankments in five high-priority districts (Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Kamrup Rural, Morigaon, and Tinsukia). These will result in securing living spaces, supporting livelihoods and creating employment opportunities.

 

2. IRS Officer Narendra Kumar Yadav appointed as Brand Ambassador for Fit India Movement: IRS officer Narendra Kumar Yadav, Additional Director GST, has been appointed as the new brand ambassador of The Fit India movement, a flagship initiative by the Government of India. The Fit India movement is a nationwide initiative launched by the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to encourage Indians to develop physical activity and sports into their daily lives.

 

3. 12 February – National Productivity Day: National Productivity Day is celebrated every year in India on 12 February to commemorate the founding of the National Productivity Council (NPC). The goal of the NPC is to raise national awareness of the need to boost productivity. Theme 2024 – Artificial Intelligence (AI)- Productivity Engine for Economic Growth It is as an integral part of the Indian Productivity Week which is observed from February 12 to February 18. On National Productivity Day, people can start forming positive habits that will boost productivity and raise awareness of the role that productivity plays in enhancing life quality in general.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 11th Edition of World Governments Summit begins in Dubai: India, Türkiye, and Qatar have been declared the guests of honour at the 2024 World Governments Summit which is set to take place in Dubai from February 12-14. The summit, themed 'Shaping Future Governments,' will see the participation of over 25 government and state heads worldwide. The event is expected to draw over 4,000 attendees, including representatives from 85 international and regional organizations.

 

2. VP Dhankhar inaugurates World Sustainable Development Summit in Delhi: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated the World Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister of Guyana Mark Phillips and Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav. Objective – To drive the mainstreaming of environmental protection and climate justice at all levels, embedding these principles in the very fabric of our societies The Summit was organized by ‘The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

 

3. Miss World pageant to take place in India from February 18 to March 9: The 71st edition of Miss World will be held in India from February 18 to March 9. With its latest edition, the coveted international beauty pageant is making a return to the country after nearly three decades. The pageant will commence with “The Opening Ceremony” and “India Welcomes the World Gala” by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in New Delhi on February 20. It will conclude with a grand finale at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on March 9 and will be streamed and telecast across the world. The pageant will unfold across various venues, including the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and will see 120 contestants from countries across the globe participate in various competitions and charitable initiatives.

 

4. 12 February – International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism: International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism (PVE Day) is observed every year on 12 February. This crucial day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the dangers of violent extremism and promote international cooperation in tackling this complex issue. Theme 2024 – Living Together: Fostering Community Resilience to Prevent Violent Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. RPF to host the 67th All India Police Duty Meet in Lucknow: Railway Protection Force (RPF) will host the 67th All India Police Duty Meet (AIPDM) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It will last from February 12th to 16th 2024. The chief guest of the opening ceremony on February 12th will be Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology. Whereas Shri Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, will be Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony on February 16th. The RPF was entrusted with organizing the event by the Central Coordinating Committee of AIPDM.

 

2. Embraer teams up with Mahindra to bid for IAF’s medium transport aircraft deal: With the Indian Air Force assessing its requirements for medium transport aircraft (MTA), Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer and Indian conglomerate Mahindra Group have announced a collaboration to work on C-390 Millennium aircraft. The objective of the MoU is to jointly fulfil the acquisition of the C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft by the Indian Air Force in its upcoming MTA procurement project. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for an MTA that can lift 18-30 tonnes, a process it expects to complete by 2025-26. The C390 began operations with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, has since been selected by the militaries of Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and, most recently, South Korea.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Amit & Sachin bag Gold medals at Strandja Memorial tournament: In Boxing, World Championship medallist Amit Panghal and Sachin Siwach won a gold each, while Nikhat Zareen and three other Indians signed off with silver medals at the 75th Strandja Memorial tournament in Bulgaria. The 2019 World Championship silver medallist Panghal (51kg) pulled off a dominating 5-0 triumph over Kazakhstan's Sanzhar Tashkenbay in the men's flyweight final. Sachin (57kg), out-punched Uzbekistan's Shakhzod Muzafarov by a 5-0 verdict.

 

2. Australia lifts the Under-19 Men’s World Cup trophy 2024: Australia has won the Under 19 Men’s ODI World Cup beating India by 79 runs in the final at Benoni in South Africa. This is the fourth title of Australia. Before this, Aussies also won the title in 1988, 2002 and 2010. While, India are U19 WC defending champions and have won the U19 World Cup title 5 times – 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022. Chasing a target of 254 runs, team India was all out for 174 runs in 43.5 overs. Earlier, Australia had scored 253 for 7 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s UPI services launched in Sri Lanka and Mauritius: India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services have been rolled out in Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth witnessed the launch of UPI services in the island nations,via video conferencing. India's Unified Payments Interface UPI is now performing a new responsibility - Uniting Partners with India.

The RuPay card service was also launched in Mauritius.

 

2. RBI Grants Payment Aggregator Licences to Juspay, Zoho, and Decentro: Fintech firms Juspay and Decentro and software-as-a-service company Zoho have received the final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as payment aggregators. With this, the three players join the likes of Stripe, Zomato and Tata Pay who were a part of the regulator’s approval list in January, besides fintech majors like Razorpay and Cashfree who secured the licence last year. A payments aggregator, or PA, licence allows companies to provide payment services to merchants (online businesses or e-commerce firms) by accepting payment instruments from customers. As part of the process, PAs pool the funds received from customers and transfer them to merchants after a certain time period.

 

3. EPFO Raises Interest Rate on PF Deposits to 8.25%: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has fixed 25% interest rate on provident fund deposits for 2023-24, the highest in three years. For 2022-23, the retirement fund body offered 8.15% interest, higher than 8.10% in 2021-22. In March 2020, the EPFO reduced the interest rate on provident fund deposits to a seven-year low of 8.5 percent for 2019-20, down from 8.65 percent in 2018-19.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. KPP Nambiar Award conferred on ISRO Chairman S Somanath: The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Kerala section conferred the 2024 K.P.P. Nambiar Award on Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath at a function. The award is a recognition of S. Somanath’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology for the betterment of society. Under the stewardship of S. Somanath, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved remarkable milestones, particularly in lunar exploration.

 

2. Pyarelal Sharma awarded Lakshminarayana International Award: Pyarelal Sharma, one half of the iconic composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, has been felicitated with the Lakshminarayana International Award. The award was presented to the ‘My Name Is Lakhan’ composer by musicians L Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam as part of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival Pyarelal is one of the most successful music composers in Hindi cinema in his career spanning over eight decades. The legendary musician has given iconic songs in collaboration with music maestro Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar.

 

3. Neeraj Chopra honoured by Swiss tourism with plaque at Jungfrau’s Ice Palace: India’s Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been honoured with a plaque at the famous Ice Palace at Jungfraujoch, known as the ‘Top of Europe’, in Switzerland. Acknowledging Chopra’s remarkable accomplishments, Jungfraujoch welcomed the sports icon to unveil the commemorative plaque. The Wall of Fame at Jungfraujoch serves as a testament to the spirit of accomplishment and dedication.

Daily GK Update- 11th Feb, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves Rs 6,000 crore scheme for formalisation of fisheries sector: The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 6,000 crore sub-scheme under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with the objective of formalizing the largely unorganized fisheries sector in the country. The formalization will be done through the creation of a national fisheries digital platform, facilitating access to institutional finance for the sector and creating an insurance product which would cover at least 100,000 hectares of aquaculture farms during the project period. Almost half of the total project cost, that is around Rs 3,000 crore, will come from public financing that includes World Bank and the AFD external financing while the balance is expected investment from the private sector and the beneficiaries.

 

2. Tata Trusts inaugurated India’s first small animal hospital in Mumbai: Tata Trusts has launched India’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital, with a mission to save the lives of pets and strengthen the bond between pet parents and veterinarians. The hospital, to be located in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, will be a 5-floor, 98,000-square-foot facility, with 200 beds, and will dedicate itself to providing round-the-clock services. The hospital will specialize in pet care to bridge the gap in quality pet care in India. The hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including diagnostic services, treatment facilities, and an emergency room. It will also have a dedicated training centre for pet parents and veterinarians.

 

3. Google partners with Maharashtra govt to provide AI-led services: Tech giant Google has signed an MoU with the Government of Maharashtra to provide artificial intelligence (AI)-led solutions across key sectors in the state. As a part of the collaboration, Google will leverage its AI capabilities to provide solutions in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, education, and startups. The company also launched a state-of-the-art AI Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Nagpur. This collaboration will empower our citizens with critical future-ready skills, revolutionise essential sectors like healthcare and agriculture, and create a thriving environment for the Maharashtra AI startups through the AI Center of Excellence at IIIT Nagpur.

 

4. Varanasi to have country’s first conservation centre for Gangatiri cows: The Uttar Pradesh government will set up the country’s first conservation centre for Gangatiri, a breed of cows in Varanasi. This breed of cows originates along the Ganga banks. The state govt will establish a centre for genetic improvement and propagation of the breed in Varanasi with the help of the Central government. Over the years, Gangatiri has been significantly overshadowed by high-yielding cow breeds like Sahiwal. But the technology used at the centre will help produce cows of high genetic merit using the IVF and embryo transfer technology (ETT), in which embryos from genetically superior cows would be disseminated to other females to increase the number of genetically superior progenies.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 11 February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science: The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated on February 11 every year. The day is observed by the United Nations to promote full and equal access and participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This year will be the ninth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly. Theme – Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability and the subtheme is “Think Science … Think Peace”

 

2. 7th Indian Ocean Conference: The 7th IOC was held in Perth, Australia on February 9-10, 2024. The theme was “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean.” It was organized by the India Foundation, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Singapore) and Perth-US Asia Centre.

 

3. State of the World’s Migratory Species – 2024 Report: The State of the World’s Migratory Species – 2024 report was launched by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a UN biodiversity treaty on February 12, 2024. It provides the first comprehensive global assessment ..

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. What is Alaskapox?: Alaskapox represents a recently identified orthopox DNA virus, part of the genus containing smallpox and monkeypox. First detected in Alaskan voles in 2015, key aspects are: Zoonotic pathogen infecting small mammals like rodents, occasionally transmitting to humans Symptoms resemble monkeypox, ..

 

2. Successful Test of High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) by CSIR-NAL: Recently, the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) successfully tested an unmanned High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS)  in Karnataka. This 5-meter-long drone with 11-meter wingspan flew at an altitude of 3 kilometers for 8 hours. It represents a milestone in India’s development ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Ravi Kumar Jha appoints as MD & CEO of LIC Mutual Fund: Ravi Kumar Jha has been appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LIC Mutual Fund. Jha, with a distinguished career and prior association with LIC, comes with a track record of over 30 years in handling diverse positions and he was serving as Executive Director – Corporate Strategy till December 2023. His previous roles include Executive Director Corporate Strategy – LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management and various positions at LIC of India.

Daily GK Update- 10th Feb, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves telecom spectrum auctions at base price of Rs 96,317.65 cr: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved auctions in eight spectrum bands for mobile phone services at a base price of Rs 96,317.65 crore to improve the quality of telecom services and coverage for consumers. The Ministry of Communication has announced auctions for spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands.

 

2. Govt launches SARATHI portal to help insurance companies reach out to farmers: The Centre Government has launched a portal ‘SARATHI’ that aims to help insurance companies reach out to farmers and rural population with tailored products as well as the government’s subsidised insurance products including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Sarathi (Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology and Insurance) In the first phase, personal accident and hospital cash policies, while in the second phase health, shop and home insurance and in the third phase tractor, two-wheeler, livestock and non-PMFBY insurance products.

 

3. Indian Oil-Adani Gas joint venture announces Rs 2,500 crore investment: Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt Ltd will invest 25 billion rupees ($301.24 million) over four years as it looks to double gas sales to small industries and households in India. The company, an equal joint venture of refiner Indian Oil Corp and Adani Total Gas, daily sells about one million standard cubic metres of gas through its 300 retail outlets. The joint venture aims to double gas sales in four years and strengthen infrastructure to more than 600 retail outlets during the period to meet India’s rising gas demand.

 

4. India ranks 3rd in USGBC’s list on green building certification for 2023: India ranked third in the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual list of top 10 countries and regions in the world for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in 2023. While mainland China and Canada held the first and second positions, respectively. The United States has not been included in the list. LEED is a green building rating system and the certification is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

 

5. Papanasam beach at Kerala’s Varkala secures spot among world’s 100 best beaches: Varkala’s Papanasham Beach has achieved a significant milestone by securing a place among the world’s top 100 beaches in Lonely Planet’s renowned guidebook, “Best Beaches: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches.” Situated approximately 45 kilometers north of Kerala’s capital, the beach is easily accessible via road and rail, attracting a plethora of backpackers due to its stunning cliffside setting. Recognized as a geological monument by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the beach offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and serves as a popular destination for both international and domestic tourists.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 11 February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science: The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated on February 11 every year. The day is observed by the United Nations to promote full and equal access and participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This year will be the ninth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly. Theme – Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability and the subtheme is “Think Science … Think Peace”

 

2. 10 February – World Pulses Day: World Pulses Day is a global event observed on February 10 every year with the primary aim of educating the masses about its nutritional value and environmental benefits. According to United Nations, the celebration of World Pulses Day offers an opportunity to highlight the role of its sustainable option for diversification as well. Theme 2024 – Pulses: Nourishing Soils and People Pulses, also known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated to consume. Among the variety of types, dried beans, lentils, and peas are the most commonly consumed across the globe.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India declared joint winners Of SAFF Women’s U-19 Championships with Bangladesh: India was declared joint winners of the SAFF Women’s Under-19 Football Championships with hosts Bangladesh though the visitors initially thought they have won the title through the toss of coins, in an unprecedented change of decision made by the match officials. The match ended 1-1 after the regulation 90 minutes of play and direct penalty shootout was ordered by the referee.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Bharat Ratna For Former PMs Charan Singh, PV Narasimha Rao: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh, and scientist Dr MS Swaminathan will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. Mr Narasimha Rao was the prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and is known to be the man who heralded the economic liberalisation of India.

Mr Charan Singh, a champion of workers and farmers’ rights, briefly served as the prime minister in 1979.

Daily GK Update- 9th Feb, 2024

  

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. President inaugurates cultural extravaganza 'Vividhta ka Amrit Mahotsav’: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the four-day cultural extravaganza 'Vividhta ka Amrit Mahotsav: A cultural odyssey' unveiling the richness of Northeast India at Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. On the occasion, the President said that the diverse culture of our country is our strength and soft power. Celebrating this diversity at the Mahotsav will showcase and experience India's rich cultural heritage and unity.

 

2. CCEA approves ‘Doubling of Motumari - Vishnupuram’ & ‘Rail Over Rail: The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs approved “Doubling of Motumari - Vishnupuram” and "Rail Over Rail at Motumari ” at an estimated cost of nearly 1,740 crore rupees Motumari - Vishnupuram section, stretching for a distance of 88.81 Km, connects the Kazipet - Vijayawada High-Density Network with the Secunderabad - Guntur Highly Utilised Network The Rail Over Rail at Motumari Station will avoid cross movement of trains, avoid detention of trains

 

3. Centre awarded over Rs 30 crore to athletes under Khelo India scholarship: The Centre has awarded over 30 crore rupees to athletes under the Khelo India scholarship scheme during the 2023-24 financial year. The Sports Authority of India has granted a total annual scholarship of over six lakh 28 thousand rupees to almost three thousand athletes under the Khelo India scholarship scheme. The Ministry said this amount was spent on training, coaching, diet, medical insurance, kits and out-of-pocket allowance for the athletes.

 

4. Uttarakhand CM launches “Dhami against drugs campaign”: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has initiated the “Dhami against drugs campaign,” a significant effort led by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Metropolitan Dehradun. The “Dhami against drugs campaign” is a testament to Uttarakhand’s proactive stance on public health and social well-being. The campaign aims to eradicate drug abuse and cultivate a healthier, drug-free society by 2025. The state aims to achieve a “Drugs Free Uttarakhand” by 2025.

 

5. Venkatachalam H appointed as MD & CEO of Tata AIA Life: Private life insurer, Tata AIA Life Insurance has appointed Venkatachalam H as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of the company. The appointment is subject to approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). Venkatachalam will take over from the incumbent, Naveen Tahilyani, who will be moving to another role in the Tata Group and has been elevated as a Non-Executive Director of Tata AIA Life Insurance Company. Naveen Tahilyani has been serving as MD & CEO of the life insurance company since 2020.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, Türkiye & Qatar Named Guests of Honor at 2024 World Governments Summit in Dubai: India, Türkiye, and Qatar have been declared the guests of honor at the 2024 World Governments Summit which set to take place in Dubai from February 12-14. The summit, themed ‘Shaping Future Governments,’ will see the participation of over 25 government and state heads from around the world.

 

2. The delegations from Türkiye, India, and Qatar will be led by their respective leaders: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The guest countries will showcase their successful government experiences and best developmental practices during the summit, which will bring together thought leaders, experts, and representatives of over 85 international and regional organizations with 120 governmental delegations, and 4,000 attendees.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. SCA Stadium Renamed in Honor of Niranjan Shah: The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium in Rajkot has been re-named as the Niranjan Shah Stadium. This change comes as a tribute to the former first-class cricketer and senior cricket administrator, Niranjan Shah, marking his immense contributions to the sport and the region. Niranjan Shah’s legacy in cricket extends beyond his playing days; from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, he represented Saurashtra in 12 first-class games, laying the groundwork for a lifelong association with cricket.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Ravi Kumar Jha named MD & CEO of LIC Mutual Fund: LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management announced the appointment of Ravi Kumar Jha as its MD and CEO. Jha, with a distinguished career and prior association with LIC, comes with a track record of over 30 years in handling diverse positions and he was serving as Executive Director - Corporate Strategy till December 2023. His previous roles include Executive Director Corporate Strategy – LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management and various positions at LIC of India.

 

2. HDFC Bank raises $300 million through maiden sustainable finance bond issue: HDFC Bank has raised $300 million through its first-ever sustainable finance bond issue. The fund raise is part of an overall raise of $750 million through Regulation S Bonds. The lender has raised $300 million for three years with a 95 bps spread over US Treasury, and another $450 million for 5 years with a 108 bps spread over US Treasury. These are the tightest credit spreads achieved by an Indian issuer for a three-year sustainable bond and five-year senior unsecured bond for a similar size of USD Reg S issuance. The proceeds of the sustainable finance bond will be utilized for funding green and social loans, and towards financing general banking activities.

 

3. SBI partners with Flywire to modernize international education payments for students: State Bank of India (SBI) has partnered with Flywire Corporation to revolutionize the landscape of international education payments for Indian students. This strategic partnership aims to simplify the traditionally complex payment process, offering students a seamless and fully digital experience. Integrated directly into SBI’s platform, Flywire’s technology would enable Indian students to complete their international education payments effortlessly in Indian rupees.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. CC Singh, Narsimha Rao & Dr. Swaminathan to be conferred with Bharat Ratan: The government has announced India's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and Father of Green Revolution, Dr. M S Swaminathan. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his social media post. Mr. Modi said, Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity.

 

2. Stunning Sleepy Polar Bear Image By UK Photographer Wins Top Picture Prize: A stunning picture of a sleeping polar bear has won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award. The portrait titled ‘Ice Bed’ has been clicked by British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani. His photo was crowned as champion following a contest in which a record 75,000 people voted. Notably, Mr Sarikhani captured the image after three days of searching for polar bears off the coast of Norway. When his expedition vessel changed course, he finally encountered two polar bears and caught the younger one climbing onto a small iceberg and carving out his bed.