Daily Current Affairs – February 28, 2024
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Daily Current Affairs - Banking - February 28, 2024
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National News
Government launches “Mera pehla vote desh ke liye (my first vote for the country)” campaign
- The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting jointly launched a nationwide awareness campaign “Mera pehla vote desh ke liye (my first vote for the country)”, under which various events will be organised in universities, colleges, and higher education institutions to encourage the first-time voters to participate in the upcoming election.
- Besides, the campaign will also encourage youth to take the voter’s pledge on the official website nic.in/pledge to further solidify their commitment to the electoral process.
- They will also be encouraged to download the voter helpline app.
- Educational institution clubs will also participate in the campaign.
- Ministry of Education – Dharmendra Pradhan,Union Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,MP) – Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State (Bankura, West Bengal), Annpurna Devi Yadav, Minister of State (Kodarma, Jharkhand), Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State (Inner Manipur,Manipur)
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting – Anurag Singh Thakur,Union Minister (Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh) – Loganathan Murugan,Minister of State (Rajya Sabha MP,MP)
Prime Minister inaugurated Bharat Tex 2024
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bharat Tex 2024, one of the largest-ever global textile events held in India, at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
- The event marks a significant milestone in promoting India’s rich textile heritage and fostering collaboration within the industry.
- Bharat Tex 2024 serves as a platform to showcase the iconic handloom and handicraft traditions of various states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have been designated as the ‘Partner States’ for the event, underscoring their significant contributions to India’s textile sector.
- Additionally, Gujarat, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh have joined as ‘Supporting Partner States,’ further enriching the diversity of textile offerings at the event.
- The premier global textile event also features state pavilions from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Assam, highlighting the vibrant textile ecosystems across different regions of India.
- Bharat Tex 2024 brings together key stakeholders, including textile manufacturers, artisans, designers, and policymakers, to explore opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth in the textile industry.
- Through exhibitions, seminars, and interactive sessions, participants will engage in discussions on emerging trends, market dynamics, and policy interventions to drive the sector forward.
- Ministry of Textile – Piyush Goyal,Cabinet Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,Maharashtra) – Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State (Surat,Gujarat)
Workshop on "Bridging the Standardization Gap (BSG) on Effectiveness in Standardization" organised in New Delhi
- National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretariat in Geneva with support of its Area Office for South Asia and Innovation Centre, Delhi has organised a two-Day Workshop on “Bridging the Standardization Gap (BSG) on Effectiveness in Standardization” in New Delhi.
- NICF is an ‘Utkrisht’ accredited central training institute of Ministry of Communications which caters to the training needs of the Department of Telecom and Department of Posts.
- The ITU Area Office for South Asia and Innovation Centre, Delhi, was established in 2023 in Delhi with focus to bring together governments, industry and academia in the South Asia so as to enable digital technology advancements, bridge the Digital Divide and the Standardization Gap inter alia, and fostering the innovation to make ICT technologies, services and applications more effective, efficient and affordable.
- Member (Finance), Department of Telecommunications, Manish Sinha and Mr. R Shakaya, Senior Adviser, ITU, jointly inaugurated the 2 days’ BSG workshop.
- The two-day programme had 4 sessions on various aspects of the topic.
- In the first session, Robert Clark from ITU introduced the participants to the various activities of ITU, its structure and functions and process.
- The session helped onboard all participants to the ICT standardization activities in ITU.
- The 2nd session on Day 1 was guided by the ITU BSG team online from the headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
- The session aimed to expose the participants to the new BSG programme with analytics.
- There were interactive quizzes on BSG and human rights, while case studies were given to enlighten the trainees on various dimensions of BSG.
- The participation aspects and various stages of writing contributions were discussed viz. drafting, submitting, gaining support and finally approval.
- The 1st session on Day 2 was aimed to enlighten the participants on identifying objectives in the standards making process, making interventions in the Study Group meetings, roleplay exercises, simulation sessions and how to become leaders in the standards development process.
- The final session aimed at advancing the understanding of the participants on effective contributions writing, negotiating the contributions and role-plays.
- The workshop concluded with a brief overview of the WTSA-24. which is being hosted in Delhi from October 14-24, 2024.
- National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF) – 2007 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) – Srikanta Panda (Director General)
Infrastructure Finance Secretariat (IFS), holds workshop in New Delhi
- The Infrastructure Finance Secretariat (IFS) in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance (MoF), organised a two-day workshop on ‘Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project Structuring Toolkit for Water and Sanitation Sector’ in hybrid mode on in New Delhi.
- The workshop sensitised stakeholders from water and sanitation sector on structuring PPP projects by using the web-based PPP structuring toolkit.
- The workshop was attended by more than 70 representatives of Centre and State/UT Governments departments and private players and consultants.
- Water and sanitation (W&S) is one of the prominent sectors where PPPs are the need of the hour.
- ‘PPP Structuring Toolkit’ is one among the initiatives that IFS has taken to support the Project Sponsoring Authorities (PSAs) and other stakeholders to structure their projects with objectivity and to boost private sector investment in the country.
- This workshop, which is the third in a series catering to water and sanitation sector, was inaugurated by Baldeo Purushartha, Joint Secretary, Infrastructure Support & Development (ISD) Division, DEA, MoF.
- He highlighted the importance of infrastructure and the need for creating a shelf of viable infrastructure projects to take India on a higher growth trajectory and further encouraged the participants to structure PPP projects in water and sanitation sector.
- The workshop included sessions on demonstration of toolkit and further included hands-on sessions understanding of tools developed for evaluating projects in Water and Sanitation sector.
- 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)
Various road projects inaugurated by Union Road Transport and Highway Minister
- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari gave approval for the following projects:
- Construction of 29 km long 4 lane Jaunpur Bypass (Package-1) at a cost of ₹1894.76 crore on Jaunpur-Akbarpur section of National Highway – 135A in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
- Widening of the existing 2nd Gen Chhapra Bypass section of National Highway-19 in Saran district of Bihar with 3 additional lanes has been approved at a cost of ₹481.86 crore.
- Construction of 6 km long 4-lane Kotdwar Bypass on National Highway-119 in Bijnor and Pauri districts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand at a cost of ₹691.70 crore.
- Construction of 2-lane bypass road with paved shoulders around Giridih town on National Highway- 114 at a cost of ₹438.34 crore in
- To upgrade the existing road from Kalar Bala village to Nauni Chowk on National Highway- 205 in Solan and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh to 4-lane with painted shoulder at a cost of ₹1244.43 crore.
- An allocation of ₹718.26 crore has been sanctioned for the widening and strengthening of the Daringbadi Ghat section on National Highway -59, spanning Kandhamal and Ganjam district of Odisha under the Annual Plan 2023-24 which covers a total distance of 26.96 Km.
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – Nitin Gadkari,Union Minister (Nagpur,Maharashtra) – General Vijay Kumar Singh
International News
Defence Secretary co-chairs India-Germany High Defence Committee meeting in Berlin
- Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane co-chaired the India-Germany High Defence Committee (HDC) meeting in Berlin with the State Secretary, German Ministry of Defence Mr Benedikt Zimmer.
- Both sides discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, with a focus on developing the defence cooperation as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany.
- They exchanged views on the regional security situation, discussed likely joint exercises with Germany in the Indo-Pacific, and deliberated on potential defence industrial projects and proposals.
- They emphasized on the need for a closer defence partnership and connecting the defence industries from both sides together.
- Of particular focus was the collaboration in high technology in defence.
- The conduct of HDC meeting follows the visit of German Federal Minister of Defence Mr Boris Pistorius to India in
- Giridhar Aramane later interacted with a prominent think tank German Institute of International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik – SWP) in Berlin.
- Germany – Berlin (Capital) – German (Official Language) – Frank-Walter Steinmeier (President) – Olaf Scholz (Chancellor) – Euro (Currency)
State News
Prime Minister various projects inaugurated in Thoothukudi,Tamil Nadu
- The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth more than ₹17,300 crores in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
- The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Outer Harbor Container Terminal at V.O.Chidambaranar Port.
- The Prime Minister also launched India’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel under the Harit Nauka initiative and dedicated tourist facilities in 75 lighthouses across 10 States/UTs.
- He also dedicated to the nation, rail projects for doubling of Vanchi Maniyachchi – Nagercoil rail line including the Vanchi Maniyachchi – Tirunelveli section and Melappalayam – Aralvaymoli section and dedicated four road projects in Tamil Nadu, developed at a total cost of about ₹4,586 Crore.
Prime Minister laid Foundation Stones for Development Projects Worth Over ₹17,500 Crore in Madhya Pradesh
- Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicate to nation multiple development projects worth over ₹17,500 crores across Madhya Pradesh.
- The projects will cater to a number of important sectors including irrigation, power, road, rail, water supply, coal, industry, among others and also launch the Cyber Tehsil project in Madhya Pradesh.
- Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of irrigation projects worth more than ₹5,500 crores which include Upper Narmada Project, Raghavpur Multipurpose Project and Basaniya Multipurpose Project.
- These projects will irrigate over 75 thousand hectares of agricultural land in Dindori, Anuppur and Mandla districts and augment the power supply and drinking water in the region.
- Prime Minister Modi will also dedicate to nation three railway projects constructed at a cost of more than ₹2,200 crores include third line in Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi – Jakhlaun and Dhaura – Agasod route, Gauge conversion project in New Sumaoli-Jora Alapur railway line and project for Powarkheda-Jujharpur rail line flyover.
- These projects will improve rail connectivity and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.
Agreements and MoUs signed
NIA signs MoU with Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine of Thailand
- The National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur under the Ministry of Ayush and Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine of the Ministry of Public Health of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of an Academic Collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, India at 10th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting held at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
- The initiative has been taken to promote, facilitate, and develop academic collaboration in the field of Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine based on equality and mutual benefit of the Participants.
- This MoU will facilitate the exchange of experts for research and training programs, academic and technical activities, and conducting research, exchange of information, technologies, and best practices of Traditional Medicine.
- Thailand – Bangkok (Capital) – Pound Sterling (Currency) –Vajiralongkorn (Monarch) – Srettha Thavisin (Prime Minister) – Baht (Official Language)
Ministry of Ayush signed MoU with RIS to Enhance Academic Cooperation and Explore Potential in Ayush Service Sector
- The Ministry of Ayush signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi.
- The MoU will bring forth the overview of Ayush Service sector and will serve the continuation of academic cooperation and collaboration with RIS, which is a Policy Research autonomous institute of Ministry of External Affairs.
- This MoU, will not only serve to strengthen academic cooperation and collaboration but will also bring out Ayush Service Sector overview in a time bound frame.
- Ministry of Ayush – Sarbananda Sonowal,Union Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,Assam) – Dr. Mahendra Munjpara,Minister of State (Surendranagar,Gujarat)
Oil India in agreement for earth science related studies in northeast region
- Oil India Limited, National Center for Seismology (NCS) under Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CES and HS), Arunachal Pradesh signed a tripartite agreement in Itanagar to pursue applied earth science related studies in India with a focus on Arunachal Pradesh and the north-eastern region.
- The MoU puts in place a formal framework for fostering collaboration in the field of applied seismo-geophysical and geological research, in the field of exploration and exploitation of geothermal energy and other aspects of earth sciences studies for driving innovation and excellence.
- Oil India Limited (OIL) – 18/02/1959 (Founded) – Duliajan, Assam (headquarters) – Dr. Ranjit Rath (Chairman & MD)
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways signed a MoU with IIM Shillong to set up India’s first ‘Gati Shakti Research Chair’
- The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong to set up India’s first ‘Gati Shakti Research Chair’.
- The Chair will contribute towards high-quality academic research on multimodal logistics with a North-East focus: building knowledge on multimodal logistics development strategies and practice in the North-Eastern region, facilitate knowledge and innovation for logistical capacity building in the region.
- Further, the chair also aims to foster collaboration with global experts in creating and developing knowledge and expertise while strengthening the links between the multimodal logistics research and capacity-building activities with key stakeholders such as the logistics industry, government bodies, local authorities, and other partners and associations.
- The chair will also support the multimodal logistics research activities, capacity building and outputs to enable PM Gati Shakti Masterplan to power the East and North-East Region’s logistical capacity.
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways – Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister (Rajya Sabha MP, Assam) – Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State (North Goa) & Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State (Bangaon,West Bengal)
Science and Technology
‘10,000 genome’ project completed, says government
- The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology officially announced the completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ project — an attempt to create a reference database of whole-genome sequences out of India.
- While India first sequenced a complete human genome in 2006, creating a database that is representative of the diversity of India’s population, is seen as a key step to being able to learn about genetic variants that are unique to India’s population groups and use that to customise drugs and therapies.
- The United Kingdom, China, and the United States are among the countries that have programmes to sequence at least 1,00,000 of their genomes.
- About 20 institutions across India are involved in the project with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad being the lead institutions coordinating the project.
Prime Minister announces names of four astronaut-designates selected to take part in Gaganyaan mission
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the names of 4 astronaut-designates selected for the Gaganyaan mission.
- They are Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
- The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human space flight program for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centres.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – 15/08/1969 (Founded) – Bangalore, India (HQ) – Sreedhara Somanath (Chairman)
Power
SJVN commissions its 100 MW Raghanesda Solar Power Station in Gujarat
- SJVN Limited has commissioned its 100 MW Raghanesda Solar Power Station located in district Banaskatha, Gujarat, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
- The project will generate 252 million units of energy in the first year while the cumulative energy generation over a period of 25 years is estimated to be 5,805 million units.
- Under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement signed in January 2022, the power generated by the Raghanesda Solar Power Station will be supplied to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for 25 years.
- SJVN, formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam – 1988 (Founded) – Shimla (HQ) – Nand Lal Sharma (Chairman & MD)
Appointments
Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar Appointed as New Lokpal
- President Droupadi Murmu had appointed Justice Ajay Manikrao as the new Lokpal of the country and also appointed six members.
- Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav and Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi will be the Judicial Members of the Lokpal.
- The others members of Lokpal are Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey.
Ravindra Kumar assumes charge as Director (Operations) of NTPC
- Ravindra Kumar has taken over charge as Director (Operations) of NTPC till the date of his superannuation i.e. October 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Prior to joining as Director (Operations) of NTPC Limited, he was Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Director (Operations) of NTPC Limited.
- NTPC Limited (National Thermal Power Corporation Limited) – 07/11/1975 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) – Gurdeep Singh (Chairman & MD)
Obituary
Shafiqur Rahman Barq passed away
- Shafiqur Rahman Barq, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh passed away at
- He has been a four-time MLA and was elected MP from Sambhal for the fifth time in 2019.
- He was the oldest member of the current Lok Sabha.
Important Days
National Protein Day 2024
- National Protein Day is annually observed on February 27.
- The day is celebrated to highlight the significance of protein in our diets and to raise awareness about its health benefits, aiming to enhance global nutritional security.
- The day was Established in 2020 by the Right to Protein awareness campaign, this day aims to raise awareness about the significance of protein in our diet and encourage individuals to make informed choices about their protein intake.
- Theme – ‘Solve With Protein’
National Science Day 2024
- National Science Day is annually observed on February 28.
- The day is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian Scientist CV Raman.
- The Day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of science in our lives and also acknowledge the efforts of the scientists who work in exploring more ways by which science can be implemented to make our lives simpler and easier.
- In 1928, on February 28, Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman discovered the Raman Effect.
- He was awarded with Fellow of the Royal Society (1924), Matteucci Medal (1928), Knight Bachelor (1930), Hughes Medal (1930), Nobel Prize in Physics (1930), Bharat Ratna (1954) and Lenin Peace Prize (1957).
- In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to designate February 28 as National Science Day.
- The Raman effect involves scattering of light by molecules of gases, liquids, or solids.
- Every year since 1987, National Science Day is celebrated on February 28.
- Theme – “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat” (Indigenous Technologies for Developed India)
Daily Current Affairs - February 28, 2024 - Consolidated
- Government launches “Mera pehla vote desh ke liye (my first vote for the country)” campaign
- Prime Minister inaugurated Bharat Tex 2024
- Workshop on “Bridging the Standardization Gap (BSG) on Effectiveness in Standardization” organised in New Delhi
- Infrastructure Finance Secretariat (IFS), holds workshop in New Delhi
- Various road projects inaugurated by Union Road Transport and Highway Minister
- Defence Secretary co-chairs India-Germany High Defence Committee meeting in Berlin
- Prime Minister various projects inaugurated in Thoothukudi,Tamil Nadu
- Prime Minister laid Foundation Stones for Development Projects Worth Over ₹17,500 Crore in Madhya Pradesh
- NIA signs MoU with Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine of Thailand
- Ministry of Ayush signed MoU with RIS to Enhance Academic Cooperation and Explore Potential in Ayush Service Sector
- Oil India in agreement for earth science related studies in northeast region
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways signed a MoU with IIM Shillong to set up India’s first ‘Gati Shakti Research Chair’
- ‘10,000 genome’ project completed, says government
- Prime Minister announces names of four astronaut-designates selected to take part in Gaganyaan mission
- SJVN commissions its 100 MW Raghanesda Solar Power Station in Gujarat
- Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar Appointed as New Lokpal
- Ravindra Kumar assumes charge as Director (Operations) of NTPC
- Shafiqur Rahman Barq passed away
- National Protein Day 2024
- National Science Day 2024