Daily Current Affairs – January 21 & 22, 2024
Daily Current Affairs - Banking - January 21 & 22, 2024
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National News
World Vision India loses FCRA registration
- The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of World Vision India (WVI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that focusses on children’s issues.
- The U.S.-based World Vision is one of the world’s largest Christian voluntary groups with a presence in over 100 countries.
- It has been operational in India for the past 70 years.
- According to the MHA’s order, the Indian NGO is no longer eligible to receive foreign donations, including from its parent organisation, as its registration has been cancelled on account of “violation” of FCRA rules.
- WVI has been registered under the FCRA since 1986, to receive money used to conduct “social and educational” programmes.
- The NGO has signed agreements with several government departments in the past.
- In 2016, amid an uproar on social media, the Rajasthan government had to cancel a memorandum of understanding signed with WVI on Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
- The NGO’s registration was first suspended in November 2022, a year after it applied for the renewal of its FCRA registration, which must be done every five years.
- The Ministry initially suspended the registration for 180 days for alleged non-compliance with the FCRA’s provisions.
- The suspension was extended in May 2023.
- World Vision India – 1951 (Started Operation) – Chennai (HQ)
ICAI collaborates with IIM Ahmedabad to develop ‘Vision 2049’
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which is the world’s largest accounting body, has initiated an exercise to develop a ‘Vision 2049’ document to position itself as a globally recognised leader in the accounting profession.
- This vision document will be prepared in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad.
- All members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), students, and stakeholders can provide their inputs and suggestions for this exercise by February 9.
- ICAI will celebrate its 100th year of existence in the year 2049.
- ICAI Vision 2049 aims to empower chartered accountants as catalysts for economic progress, fostering a dynamic environment that seamlessly integrates with India’s overarching objectives.
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) – 01/07/1949 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) – Aniket Sunil Talati
Prime Minister released Postage stamps on Ram Temple
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi released commemorative postage stamps on the Ram temple, along with a book of stamps on the Ramayana from around the world.
- The stamp book, was an attempt to showcase the international appeal of Lord Ram, and the 48-page book covers stamps issued by more than 20 countries, including the US, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, Cambodia, and organisations like the UN.
- The six stamps released were the Ram temple, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, Jatayu, Kevatraj and Ma Shabri.
International News
Cape Verde becomes fourth African country to eliminate malaria
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free country, marking a significant achievement in global health.
- With this announcement, Cabo Verde joins the ranks of 43 countries and 1 territory that WHO has awarded this certification.
- Cabo Verde is the third country to be certified in the WHO African region, joining Mauritius and Algeria which were certified in 1973 and 2019 respectively.
- In 2015 and 2016, Maldives and Sri Lanka became the first two countries in the South-East Asia region to be declared malaria-free.
- The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (northern) was first certified as malaria-free in June 1961.
- World Health Organization (WHO) – 07/04/1948 (Founded) – Geneva, Switzerland (HQ) – Tedros Adhanom (Director-General)
EAM S Jaishankar will co-chair 6th India-Nigeria Joint Commission Meeting
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will co-chair the 6th India-Nigeria Joint Commission Meeting with his Nigerian counterpart Yusuf Tuggar.
- He chaired a meeting of Indian Ambassadors in West Africa.
- India established its diplomatic mission in Nigeria in
- Nigeria – Abuja (Capital) – Naira (Currency) – Bola Tinubu (President) – English (Language)
State News
Sarbananda Sonowal lays foundation stone for State-of-the-Art ‘Ayush Diksha' centre at Bhubaneswar
- The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for ‘Ayush Diksha’, a first of its kind centre for development of human resources for Ayush professionals of future.
- This state-of-the-art centre will be developed within the campus of Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bhubaneswar.
- The institution will offer training programmes for Ayush professionals, especially those from Ayurveda, as it aims to collaborate with national institutes of prominence for capacity development, strengthening human resources, facilitate research and development, achieve self-sustainability with an objective to generate revenue.
- The Ayush Diksha centre is being built with a budget of ₹30 crores.
- It will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including two auditoriums, 40 modern rooms with all amenities, suites for VIPs, dedicated space for a natural library, discussion rooms, modular kitchen, dining lounge, among other amenities.
- Ministry of Ayush – Sarbananda Sonowal,Union Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,Assam) – Dr. Mahendra Munjpara,Minister of State (Surendranagar,Gujarat)
G. Kishan Reddy inaugurates five new galleries at Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad
- Union Culture and Tourism Minister, Kishan Reddy inaugurated five new galleries at the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.
- Salar Jung Museum, one of India’s most prestigious museums, has made efforts to innovate and upgrade by reorganising old galleries and adding new ones from collections with interesting potential to appeal to the public.
- The Indian Sculpture Gallery has some of the 40 sculptures dated back to the 2nd century B.C. like an ‘Anantsayana Vishnu’ from the Kakatiya period.
- The Bidriware Gallery presents 300 unique objects which include exquisite ‘Huqqa’ bases and unique jugs while The Lamp and Chandelier Gallery exhibits 180 antique objects from across the world.
- The European Bronze Gallery has over 100 bronze statues and The European Marble Gallery showcases 50 marble sculptures.
- Ministry of Culture – Gangapuram Kishan Reddy,Union Minister (Secunderabad,Telangana) – Meenakshi Lekhi,Minister of State (New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency)
Banking and Finance
NARCL offers ₹270 crores for Pink City Expressway, recovery likely at 15%
- National Asset Reconstruction Co (NARCL), has made a ₹270 crore offer for Pink City Expressway Private Limited (PCEPL), the company which was formed to build, operate and maintain the six-lane Gurugram-Kotputli-Jaipur section of the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
- PCEPL has ₹1,761 crore of outstanding loans and another ₹30 crore of bank guarantees, according to rating agency Care, which means lenders can recover about 15% of their claims from NARCL.
- The bad bank acquires loans by paying 15% of the amount in cash and the rest in security receipts (SRs), which are to be matched with recovery over time.
- These SRs are guaranteed by the government, valid for five years, to be invoked by banks in case of resolution or liquidation of the bad loan.
- National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) – 07/07/2021 (Founded) – Mumbai (HQ) – P Santhosh (MD & CEO)
Agreements and MoUs signed
India signed MoU with Cuba on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Communications of the Republic of Cuba on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation in New Delhi.
- The signatories were S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY from India’s side and E. Mr. Wilfredo Gonzalez Vidal, First Deputy Minister of Communications, from Cuba’s side.
- The MoU intends to promote digital transformation (viz. INDIA STACK) through Capacity Building programs, exchange of best practices and other collaborative activities to mutually benefit the digital ecosystems of both countries.
- Cuba – Havana (Capital) – Cuban peso (Currency) – Miguel Díaz-Canel (President) – Manuel Marrero Cruz (Prime Minister) – Spanish (Language)
Haryana signed MoU with with Civil Aviation Authority of India for operation of ATC control, radar, other technical equipment at Hisar Airport
- Haryana State Government has signed an MoU with the Civil Aviation Authority of India for the operation of ATC control, radar and other technical equipment at Hisar Airport.
- The traffic will start under the Central Government’s UDAN-5.2 scheme through primary airlines, with Viable Gap Funding support, for which MoU has been signed to start flights from Hisar to Delhi, Chandigarh and through UDAN-5.3 scheme to Delhi, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.
- MoU has also been signed with warehousing and cargo companies, in which an aero-defence cluster will also be formed under 3800 acre Industrial Manufacturing Cluster, set up adjacent to the airport.
- Ministry of Civil Aviation – Jyotiraditya Scindia,Union Minister (Rajya Sabha MP,MP) – General Vijay Kumar Singh,Minister of State
Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Farmers’ Welfare Programme Implementation Society, IndiaAI and Wadhwani Foundation
- A Tripartite agreement was signed between the National Farmers’ Welfare Programme Implementation Society (NFWPIS), IndiaAI under Digital India Corporation, and the Wadhwani Foundation.
- As per the MoU, the Wadhwani Foundation will provide critical support in formulating and executing an AI strategy.
- It will assist the ministry in establishing India as a global leader in AI-driven digital agriculture transformation, aligning with MeitY’s National Plan for AI.
- This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in India’s agricultural landscape, where the Ministry has institutionalised the use of AI in transforming digital agriculture through the creation of an AI cell within the ministry.
- The Agriculture Ministry is leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies for the benefit of farmers and to increase overall productivity.
- As a pioneering force in the integration of AI, the Ministry is setting a precedent for leveraging advanced technologies to address the challenges faced by farmers in India.
- It is championing the India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (InDEA) 2.0’s network approach, designed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
Science and Technology
Digital University Kerala introduces Kairali AI Chip
- Digital University Kerala has designed the State’s first silicon-proven artificial intelligence (AI) chip – Kairali AI Chip.
- The chip leverages unique features to deliver capabilities such as speed, power efficiency and scalability.
- It is touted to contribute its edge intelligence (or edge AI) in a wide array of areas including agriculture, aerospace, mobile phone and automobile industries, drones and security.
- The integrated circuit has been designed by a team led by Dean (Academics) Alex P. James at the AI Chip Centre that functions at the Digital University Kerala.
- In the agriculture sector, the chip can revolutionise precision farming techniques by enabling real-time monitoring of crop health, soil conditions and environmental factors, and thereby pave the way for more efficient use of resources and better crop yields.
- The device also holds immense potential in the mobile phone industry by significantly improving the efficiency and performance of smartphones.
- It is also capable of enabling advanced features like real-time language translation, enhanced image processing and AI-powered personal assistants.
Appointments
India elected as First Vice Chair of COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management
- India has been elected as the First Vice Chair of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Fisheries (COFI)
- India will serve as member of a FAO Fisheries Bureau on ‘Capture Fisheries’ for the first time in 57 years.
- The Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management was established during the Thirty-Fifth session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), in accordance with Rule XXX-10 of the General Rules of the Organization and Rule VII of the COFI Rules of Procedure on
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – 16/10/1945 (Founded) – Rome (HQ) – Qu Dongyu (Director General)
Pfizer appoints Amit Agarwal as its CFO
- Pfizer Ltd has appointed Amit Agarwal as its Chief Financial Officer.
- Agarwal has also been appointed as an additional director (whole-time director), designated as Executive Director – Finance & Chief Financial Officer, effective February 26, 2024, for five years.
- Pfizer Ltd – 1950 (Founded) – Mumbai (HQ)
Jindal Stainless appoints Tarun Khulbe as CEO
- Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL) has appointed Tarun Khulbe as the Chief Executive Officer and whole-time director of the company.
- Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL) – 1970 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) – Ratan Jindal (Chairman)
Awards and Recognitions
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024
- Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) – is given to children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements.
- The awards are given to children in the age group 5 – 18 years for their excellence in seven categories for Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports that deserve national recognition.
- The award was first awarded in the year
- Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (Prime Minister’s National Award for Children) formerly called the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, is India’s highest civilian honour for children awarded annually by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Each awardee of PMRBP is given a medal, certificate and a citation booklet.
- Besides, eligible children are also presented with a specified reservation of central pool seats for medical education, allocated annually by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- The awards will be conferred by the President of India at a ceremonial function to be held at Vigyan Bhawan.
- For the year Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024, 19 children have been selected from all regions of the country for their exceptional achievements.
-
Name
State
Category
Aaditya Vijay Bramhane (posthumous)
Maharashtra
Bravery
Anushka Pathak
Uttar Pradesh
Art & Culture
Arijeet Banerjee
West Bengal
Art & Culture
Armaan Ubhrani
Chattisgarh
Art & Culture
Hetvi Kantibhai Khimsuriya
Gujarat
Art & Culture
Ishfaq Hamid
Jammu & Kashmir
Art & Culture
Md Hussain
Bihar
Art & Culture
Pendyala Laxmi Priya
Telangana
Art & Culture
Suhani Chauhan
Delhi
Innovation
Aryan Singh
Rajasthan
Science & Technology
Avnish Tiwari
Madhya Pradesh
Social Service
Garima
Haryana
Social Service
Jyotsna Aktar
Tripura
Social Service
Saiyam Mazumder
Assam
Social Service
Aaditya Yadav
Uttar Pradesh
Sports
Charvi A
Karnataka
Sports
Jesicca Neyi Saring
Arunachal Pradesh
Sports
Linthoi Chanambam
Manipur
Sports
R Surya Prasad
Andhra Pradesh
Sports
Sports News
Man Singh becomes second Indian man to win gold at Asian Marathon Championships
- Man Singh became only the second Indian man to clinch a gold medal at the Asian Marathon Championships as he won the race with a personal best time.
- The 34-year-old Man Singh clocked two hours, 14 minutes and 19 seconds (2:14:19) to win the competition.
- His earlier best was 2:16:58, which he had clocked while finishing 11th in the Mumbai Marathon last year.
- Gopi Thonakal was the first Indian man to win the Asian Marathon Championships title in
- He had clocked 2:15:48 to win the gold in Dongguan, China.
Important Days
Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura Foundation Day celebrated on January 21
- The Foundation Day of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura was celebrated for the first time in Maharashtra Raj Bhavan in presence of State Governor Ramesh Bais on January 21.
- The states were officially formed in 1972 following the enactment of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act of
Defence
Indian – Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise KHANJAR commences in Himachal Pradesh
- The 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR has commenced at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
- It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both the countries.
- The Indian Army contingent comprising 20 personnel is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Kyrgyzstan contingent comprising 20 personnel is represented by Scorpion Brigade.
- Aim of the exercise is to exchange experiences and best practices in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in Built-up Area and Mountainous Terrain under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
- The exercise will emphasise on developing Special Forces skills, advanced techniques of insertion and extraction.
- The exercise will provide an opportunity for both the sides of fortify defence ties while addressing common concerns of international terrorism and extremism.
- The exercise will also accord opportunity to showcase capabilities of cutting edge indigenous defence equipment besides achieving shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations.
- Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek (Capital) – Kyrgyzstani som (Currency) – Sadyr Japarov (President) – Kyrgyz (Language)
Daily Current Affairs - January 21 & 22, 2024 - Consolidated
- World Vision India loses FCRA registration
- ICAI collaborates with IIM Ahmedabad to develop ‘Vision 2049’
- Prime Minister released Postage stamps on Ram Temple
- Cape Verde becomes fourth African country to eliminate malaria
- EAM S Jaishankar will co-chair 6th India-Nigeria Joint Commission Meeting
- Sarbananda Sonowal lays foundation stone for State-of-the-Art ‘Ayush Diksha’ centre at Bhubaneswar
- Kishan Reddy inaugurates five new galleries at Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad
- NARCL offers ₹270 crores for Pink City Expressway, recovery likely at 15%
- India signed MoU with Cuba on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation
- Haryana signed MoU with with Civil Aviation Authority of India for operation of ATC control, radar, other technical equipment at Hisar Airport
- Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Farmers’ Welfare Programme Implementation Society, IndiaAI and Wadhwani Foundation
- Digital University Kerala introduces Kairali AI Chip
- India elected as First Vice Chair of COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management
- Pfizer appoints Amit Agarwal as its CFO
- Jindal Stainless appoints Tarun Khulbe as CEO
- Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024
- Man Singh becomes second Indian man to win gold at Asian Marathon Championships
- Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura Foundation Day celebrated on January 21
- Indian – Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise KHANJAR commences in Himachal Pradesh