Daily Current Affairs – February 20 & 21, 2024
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Daily Current Affairs - Banking - February 20 & 21, 2024
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National News
Union Health Minister Inaugurates “Regional Consultative Workshop on Research Priority for Providing Accessible and Affordable Healthcare for the Northeastern States of India”
- Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated a “Regional Consultative Workshop on Research Priority for Providing Accessible and Affordable Healthcare for the Northeastern States of India”.
- Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya were also present.
- The workshop is being jointly organized by Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong and Indian Council of Medical Research – Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya,Union Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,Gujarat) – Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar,Minister of State (Dindori,Maharashtra), Satya Pal Singh Baghel ,Minister of State (Agra,UP)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launches Commemorative Coins On SPMCIL’s 19th Foundation Day
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated three special souvenir coins during the 19th Foundation Day celebrations of the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL).
- The event, conducted in hybrid mode, showcased the launch of a colored coin featuring endangered animals of India, specifically the Greater One-Horned Rhino, a bi-metallic clad coin commemorating the Enlightenment of Buddha, and a colored coin dedicated to Ram Lalla and Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.
- Ministry of Finance – Nirmala Sitharaman,Cabinet Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,Karnataka) – Bhagwat Karad, Minister of State (Rajya Sabha MP,Maharashtra) & Pankaj Choudhary, Minister of State (Maharajganj,UP)
International News
Malta Becomes 119th Country to Join International Solar Alliance
- India has welcomed Malta as the 119th country to join International Solar Alliance.
- Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Malta, Christopher Cutajar signed the ISA Framework Agreement in the presence of Head of Depository and Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy), Abhishek Singh in New Delhi.
- International Solar Alliance was founded in November 30 2015.
- The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Africa Summit, and a meeting of member countries ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in November 2015.
- The framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance opened for signatures in Marrakesh, Morocco, in November 2016, and 102 countries
- Malta – Valletta (Capital) – Euro (Currency) – George Vella (President) – Robert Abela (Prime Minister) – Maltese & English (Language)
State News
Sarbananda Sonowal launches major projects for development of waterways, unveils projects worth ₹308 crores for North East India
- The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal launched major push for the development of waterways with unveiling projects worth of ₹308 crore for Guwahati, Assam.
- The event was simultaneously held at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh, Badarpur in Karimganj, IWAI port in Dhubri as well as Sonamura in Tripura.
- He also inaugurated Passenger-cum-Cargo terminal at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh, Inland Water Transport Terminal at Sonamura in Tripura and upgraded terminals at Karimganj & Badarpur in Assam.
- This terminal will play a pivotal role in rejuvenating IWT in the region for both cargo and passenger movement, paving the way for growth of trade & commerce.
Prime Minister laid foundation stone of various projects in Jammu & Kashmir
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over ₹30500 crores, including projects related to health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, and civic infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.
- He also inaugurated projects worth ₹13,375 crores in education sector including permanent campus of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIITDM Kancheepuram, Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Kanpur and two campuses of Central Sanskrit University – at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and at Agartala (Tripura).
- And also inaugurate AIIMS Jammu, whose foundational stone was also laid by him in February 2019 and will also lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport.
Banking and Finance
Japan commits Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of Japanese Yen (JPY) 232.209 billion for nine projects in various sectors in India
- The Government of Japan has committed Official Development Assistance loan of an amount of JPY 232.209 billion for nine (09) projects in various sectors.
- The Notes were exchanged today between Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Mr. Suzuki Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to India.
- The ODA loan assistance has been committed to:
- The North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 3) (Tranche II): Dhubri-Phulbari bridge (JPY 34.54 billion)
- The North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 7): NH 127B (Phulbari-Goeragre section) (JPY 15.56 billion)
- The Project for Promoting Start-up and Innovation in Telangana (JPY 23.7 billion)
- The Project for the Construction of Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (Phase 2) (JPY 49.85 billion)
- The Project for Promoting Sustainable Horticulture in Haryana (Tranche I) (JPY 16.21 billion)
- The Project for Climate Change Response and ecosystem Services Enhancement in Rajasthan (JPY 26.13 billion)
- The Project for the Establishment of the Medical College Hospital at Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kohima (JPY 10 billion)
- The Project for the Improvement of Urban Water Supply System in Uttarakhand (JPY 16.21 billion); and
- The Dedicated Freight Corridor Project (Phase 1) (Tranche V) (JPY 40 billion)
- Japan – Tokyo (Capital) – Japanese yen (Currency) – Naruhito (Emperor) – Fumio Kishida (Prime Minister) – Japanese (Language)
Goa government collaborated with World Bank for blended finance facility for climate resilience
- The Goa government announced setting up of a blended finance facility in partnership with the World Bank that will enable the coastal state to access and mobilise concessional finance to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient investments.
- Goa government’s environment department signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Deputy Chairman G S Rawat, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Chairman and Managing Director S Ramann, and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Chairperson and Managing Director Parminder Chopra.
- The blended finance facility was announced at the 2024 edition of the World Bank’s India Climate and Development Partners’ Meet, an annual conference of thought leaders and changemakers in the climate sector.
- The conference is being held in Panaji from February 19 to 21, and is jointly hosted by the Goa government and the World Bank.
- World Bank – December 1944 (Founded) – Washington DC (HQ) – Ajay Banga (President)
Fintech startup Paymart to offer 'virtual ATM' with 5 Indian banks
- Fintech startup Paymart has partnered with five Indian banks to offer its innovative virtual, cardless, and hardware-less cash withdrawal service.
- It has partnered with five prominent banks, including IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, and Karur Vyasa Bank, to roll out this service nationwide.
- The startup plans to launch pilot programmes with its partner banks in February/March, with a phased nationwide rollout slated for April/May 2024.
Business and Economy
APEDA promotes exports of ODOP and GI products to newer destinations; More than 27 flag offs organised in FY23-24
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has taken a number of steps to ensure that more and more of its Scheduled products are exported to newer destinations.
- In this regard special emphasis is towards the ODOP and GI products, and also to source these exports from non-traditional areas/states.
- As on date, APEDA scheduled products are being exported to more than 203 countries/territories, worldwide.
- To give this a further fillip, more than 27 flag offs were organised in the current financial year.
- Some of the notable new flagoffs of export shipments were:
Product
Origin
Export destination
Guava
Baramati, Maharashtra
UAE
Bananas
Baramati, Maharashtra
Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Russia
Potatoes
Purvanchal
UAE
Khasi Mandarin Orange
Meghalaya
Dubai
Colocasia
Pakur, Jharkhand
Singapore
Assam Flat Beans and Lemon
Assam
London
Water chestnuts
Varanasi
UAE
Marigold
Varanasi
Sharjah
Cashew nut
Odisha
Bangladesh, Qatar, Malaysia, USA
Fresh vegetables
Uttarakhand
Kingdom of Bahrain
Pongal Hamper
Nilakottai, TN
Abu Dhabi
Lemon, Mango and Mixed pickles
Karnataka
UAE
Millets
Punjab
Australia
Agreements and MoUs signed
IEPFA signed MoU with DBS Bank to spread awareness on investment and fraudulent schemes
- Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DBS Bank, a prominent financial institution with a strong presence in Asia and Southeast Asia in New Delhi.
- According to the MoU, DBS Bank aims to support IEPFA’s investor awareness activities by disseminating safety messages via its various digital platforms.
- Leveraging DBS Bank’s extensive network of branches and ATMs in 19 Indian states, as well as its digital infrastructure, will significantly increase the reach of IEPFA’s investor awareness and protection messages to the end users.
Science and Technology
India is the 80th most targeted country worldwide in cybercrime: Report
- India was placed on the 80th position in a report focusing on local threats in the year 2023.
- The position is based on the malicious programmes found directly on users’ computers or removable media connected to them (flash drives, camera memory cards, phones, external hard drives) or that initially made their way onto the computer in non-open form, inlcuding programmes in complex installers or encrypted files.
- Additionally, nearly 34% of users in India were targeted by local threats, amounting to some 74,385,324 local incidents being blocked by Kasperksy products.
- India’s cybersecurity market reached $6.06 billion in 2023.
- However, according to IDC, the alarming increase in sophisticated external cyber threats and cybersecurity attacks is one of the biggest challenges for the majority of enterprises in establishing organisational trust.
- Almost 67% of Indian enterprises are reportedly looking to outsource key areas of security landscape to managed security service providers in the next three years.
Acquisitions and Mergers
CCI approves Minda Corp’s stake buy of up to 8.79% in Pricol
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of up to 79 per cent of the equity share capital of Pricol Ltd (Pricol/target) by Minda Corporation Ltd (Minda/acquirer).
- The proposed combination relates to an acquisition of up to 8.79 per cent of the equity share capital of Pricol by Minda.
- Minda is engaged in the business of manufacturing of auto – components parts and caters to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tier-1 in various segments in India.
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) – 14/10/2003 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) – Ravneet kaur (Chairperson)
Appointments
Ilham Aliyev was re-elected as President of Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has secured a fifth consecutive term in office.
- He is holding the position since
- Azerbaijan – Baku (Capital) – Manat (Currency) – Ilham Aliyev (President) – Ali Asadov (Prime Minister) – Azerbaijani (Language)
Various appointments in Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank announced whole-time director KVS Manian as the joint managing director effective March 1 2024.
- Shanti Ekambaram has been named deputy managing director.
- Also appointed Devang Gheewalla as the chief financial officer and designated him as the president and group chief financial officer from April.
- And appointed chief technology officer Milind Nagnur as the chief operating officer from April.
- It also announced the appointment of its present chief risk officer Paul Parambi as the group chief risk officer, with effect from March.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank – 21/11/1985 (Founded) – Mumbai (HQ) – Ashok Vaswani (MD & CEO) – “Let’s Make Money Simple” (Tagline)
Awards and Recognitions
Shashi Tharoor conferred France’s highest civilian honour
- Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor was conferred France’s highest civilian honour, the Chevalier de la Legion d’ Honneur France, at an intimate ceremony in the French embassy in paris.
- He was awarded the honour in August 2022.
- France – Paris (Capital) – Euro (Currency) – Emmanuel Macron (President) – Gabriel Attal (Prime Minister) – French (Language)
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2024
- The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2024 was held in Mumbai.
- Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) was founded in 2012 and established in 2016 to carry forward the legacy of Late Shri Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, lovingly known as Dadasaheb Phalke – The Father of Indian Cinema.
- It is India’s only independent international film festival, with a mission to celebrate the work of aspiring, young, independent & professional filmmakers.
- The aim is to honor the lifetime effort of Shri Dadasaheb Phalke ji and so, the festival celebrates the brilliance of the Indian film industry by making an effort to acknowledge and aid nascent projects by bringing them to mainstream audiences.
- DPIFF is a unique initiative intended to honor the Entertainment Industry and to appreciate creativity in the spectacular world of cinema.
Category
Winner
Best Film
Jawan
Best Film (Critics)
12th Fail
Best Actor
Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan)
Best Actress (Critics)
Kareena Kapoor (Jaane Jaan)
Best Actress
Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
Best Director (Critics)
Atlee (Jawan)
Best Director
Sandeep Reddy Vanga (Animal)
Best Actor (Critics)
Vicky Kaushal (Sam Bahadur)
Best Music Director
Anirudh Ravichander (Jawan)
Best Playback Singer (Male)
Varun Jain and Sachin Jigar (Tere Vaste from Zara Hatke Zara Bachke)
Best Playback Singer (Female)
Shilpa Rao (Besharam Rang from Pathaan)
Best Actor in a Negative Role
Bobby Deol (Animal)
Best Actor in a Comic Role
Ayushmann Khurranna (Dream Girl 2)
Best Actress in a Comic Role
Sanya Malhotra (Kathal)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Anil Kapoor (Animal)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Dimple Kapadia (Pathaan)
Most Promising Actor
Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
Most Promising Actress
Adah Sharma (The Kerala Story)
Most Versatile Actress
Nayanthara
Best Lyricist
Javed Akhtar (Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se from Dunki)
Best Short Film
Good morning
Best International Feature Film
Oppenheimer
Best Cinematographer
Gnweana Shekar VS (IB71)
Best Actress in a Television Series
Rupali Ganguly (Anupamaa)
Best Actor in a Television Series
Neil Bhatt (Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin)
Television Series of the Year
Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin
Best Web Series
Farzi
Best Actor in a Web Series
Shahid Kapoor (Farzi)
Best Actress in a Web Series
Sushmita Sen (Aarya Season 3)
Best Actor in a Web Series (Critics)
Aditya Roy Kapur (Night manager)
Best Actress in a Web Series (Critics)
Karishma Tanna (Scoop)
Outstanding Contribution to the Film Industry
Moushumi Chatterjee
Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry
KJ Yesudas
Obituary
Andreas Brehme passed away
- Andreas “Andi” Brehme was a German professional football player and coach.
- He scored the only goal as West Germany beat Argentina to win the 1990 World Cup final had passed away.
- He won two Bundesliga titles, first with Bayern Munich in 1987, then in improbable fashion with promoted Kaiserslautern in his final season before retirement in 1998.
- Germany – Berlin (Capital) – German (Language) – Frank-Walter Steinmeier (President) – Olaf Scholz (Chancellor) – Euro (Currency)
Fali S Nariman passed away
- Eminent jurist and Senior Advocate Fali S Nariman passed away at 95.
- He was appointed additional solicitor-general of India in May 1972, but resigned a day after the imposition of the Emergency on June 26, 1975.
- He was the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (in 2007) and Padma Bhushan (in 1991) and also awarded the Gruber Prize for Justice in 2002.
Important Days
World Day of Social Justice
- World Day of Social Justice is annually observed on February 20.
- The day aims to offer a platform to raise voices against injustice around the globe.
- It also brings various communities across the world on a common ground.
- On 26 November 2007, the General Assembly declared that, starting from the sixty-third session of the General Assembly, 20 February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice.
- Theme – “Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances”
International Mother Language Day 2024
- International Mother Language Day is annually observed on February 21.
- The day Promotes the preservation and protection of all languages.
- The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since
- Theme – “Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning”.
Defence
Indian Navy's biggest military exercise 'MILAN' begins in Vishakapatnam
- The 12th edition of the MILAN exercise is scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam, with the participation of more than 50 nations.
- Themed “Forging Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future,” the exercise aims to strengthen collaboration among participating navies.
- One Maritime Patrol Aircraft and 15 ships from friendly foreign countries, nearly 20 ships from the Indian Navy will participate in the sea exercise.
- Nearly 50 aircraft including MiG 29K and P8I, aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya will participate in the exercise.
- The biennial multilateral exercise Milan has been hosted by the Indian Navy since
- It could not be held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The 11th edition was held from February 25 to March 4, 2022 in the Bay of Bengal off the east coast of India.
HAL & DRDO to begin Rs 60,000 crore Sukhoi fighter jet fleet upgrade
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be involved in the ₹60,000 crore worth upgrade of the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet.
- The project, approved by the defence ministry, aims to enhance the aircraft’s capabilities with new radars, mission control systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and integration of new weapon systems.
- The project is divided into two phases, focusing initially on installing new avionics and radars, followed by enhancements to the flight control systems.
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – 1958 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) – Dr Sameer V Kamath (Chairman)
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – 22/12/1940 (HQ) – Bangalore (HQ) – CB Ananthakrishnan (Chairperson & MD)
Daily Current Affairs - February 20 & 21, 2024 - Consolidated
- Union Health Minister Inaugurates “Regional Consultative Workshop on Research Priority for Providing Accessible and Affordable Healthcare for the Northeastern States of India”
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launches Commemorative Coins On SPMCIL’s 19th Foundation Day
- Malta Becomes 119th Country to Join International Solar Alliance
- Sarbananda Sonowal launches major projects for development of waterways, unveils projects worth ₹308 crores for North East India
- Prime Minister laid foundation stone of various projects in Jammu & Kashmir
- Japan commits Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of Japanese Yen (JPY) 232.209 billion for nine projects in various sectors in India
- Goa government collaborated with World Bank for blended finance facility for climate resilience
- Fintech startup Paymart to offer ‘virtual ATM’ with 5 Indian banks
- APEDA promotes exports of ODOP and GI products to newer destinations; More than 27 flag offs organised in FY23-24
- IEPFA signed MoU with DBS Bank to spread awareness on investment and fraudulent schemes
- India is the 80th most targeted country worldwide in cybercrime: Report
- CCI approves Minda Corp’s stake buy of up to 8.79% in Pricol
- Ilham Aliyev was re-elected as President of Azerbaijan
- Various appointments in Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Shashi Tharoor conferred France’s highest civilian honour
- Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2024
- Andreas Brehme passed away
- Fali S Nariman passed away
- World Day of Social Justice
- International Mother Language Day 2024
- Indian Navy’s biggest military exercise ‘MILAN’ begins in Vishakapatnam
- HAL & DRDO to begin Rs 60,000 crore Sukhoi fighter jet fleet upgrade
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