National News

Prime Minister Modi Virtually Unveils Mahabharata-Inspired Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated the Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra, a museum, and interpretation center inspired by the epic Mahabharata, from Rewari.
• While the project is still under completion, the opening of two out of its five planned galleries marks a promising start.
• This initiative, with an investment of approximately Rs 240 crore, is set to enhance the cultural and spiritual tourism landscape of Kurukshetra, Haryana.

Prime Minister Modi To Unveil 125-Foot Statue Of Bir Lachit Borphukan In Assam

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil a colossal 125-foot statue of Bir Lachit Borphukan in Lahdoigarh, Holongapar, Jorhat.
• This announcement was made by the Assam Chief Minister in a recent statement, highlighting a series of significant events planned for the first week of March this year, aimed at honoring the state’s rich history and cultural heritage.
• The statue of Bir Lachit Borphukan, a general who is best known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat where he thwarted the Mughal invasion, is a project that symbolizes the valor and spirit of the Assamese people.

International News

US House Passes Quad Bill: 

• The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the Quad bill aimed at enhancing cooperation between the US, Australia, India, and Japan.
• The bill mandates the establishment of a Quad Intra-Parliamentary Working Group to bolster joint efforts in various domains.
• This landmark legislation aims to bolster collaboration among the United States, Australia, India, and Japan.
• Its primary objective is to foster closer ties and facilitate strategic cooperation between these key nations.

State News

Tourism Minister Reddy Lays Foundation Stone For Komuravelli Railway Station In Siddipet, Telangana

• G Kishan Reddy and Mohan Yadav laid the foundation stone for the Komuravelli Railway Station in Siddipet District, Telangana.
• The station aims to improve transportation to the renowned Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, attracting millions of devotees annually.
• Komuravelli village hosts the famous Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, a significant pilgrimage site.
• About 25 lakh devotees from four different states visit the temple town each year for darshan of the presiding deity.

Himachal Pradesh Leads As India’s Most Welcoming Region In 2024

• In a recent announcement, com, the popular online travel agency, unveiled its 12th Annual Traveller Review Awards 2024, highlighting the Most Welcoming Regions and Cities in India.
• Securing the top spot in the category of the ‘Most Welcoming Region in India’ is Himachal Pradesh, showcasing a remarkable jump from the 5th position in 2023.
• This recognition reflects the state’s commitment to providing a warm and hospitable environment for travelers.
• The rankings further feature Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand in the following positions.

Defence News

India Approves Acquisition Of Defence Equipment Worth Rs 84,560 Cr

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, has approved various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 84,560 crore on February 16, 2024.
• These approvals emphasize the procurement of equipment from Indian vendors to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• Approval was under Buy {Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)} category. It features seismic sensor and remote deactivation for enhanced safety.

Visakhapatnam To Host 12th Edition Of MILAN Naval Exercise

• The 12th edition of the MILAN naval exercise is poised to set sail in the strategic port city of Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27, marking a significant gathering of naval forces from over 50 countries.
• This year’s theme, “Forging Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future,” underscores the exercise’s commitment to enhancing global maritime security through cooperation and strategic dialogue.
• MILAN 2023 seeks to bolster the safety of maritime trade, a vital artery of the global economy, through shared efforts and expertise.

Important Days News

Global Tourism Resilience Day 2024

• The United Nations’ Global Tourism Resilience Day, celebrated for the first time on February 17, 2023, marks a significant step towards acknowledging and enhancing the resilience of the tourism industry.
• The latest UNWTO data reveals that international tourism experienced a significant uptick in 2023, with an estimated 975 million tourists traveling internationally between Jan and September, marking a 38% increase compared to 2022.
• This initiative aims to foster a tourism sector that can withstand both foreseen and unforeseen challenges, thereby ensuring its contribution to sustainable development and economic stability, especially in developing countries.

Schemes News

MSME Minister Narayan Rane Launches Rs 20 Lakh Scheme Under CGTMSE For GST-Exempted Micro Units

• MSME Minister Narayan Rane launched a special scheme for informal micro enterprises (IMEs), exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• This scheme enables IMEs to access collateral-free loans up to Rs 20 lakh under the government’s Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
• The scheme, titled ‘Special Provision for Informal Micro Enterprises under Credit Guarantee Scheme,’ aims to provide credit support to micro or nano enterprises.

Sikkim INSPIRES: World Bank’s Support For Skill Development

• The World Bank has approved a new project aimed at supporting the state of Sikkim in India.
• The project focuses on training, upskilling, and providing jobs for 300,500 women and youth in high-growth and priority sectors.
• The project aims to train and upskill 300,500 women and youth in Sikkim for employment opportunities in high-growth sectors.
• Priority sectors include renewable energy, information technology (IT) services, tourism, hospitality and wellness care, and creative design.

SBI Launches Digital Enrolment For PMJJBY And PMSBY Schemes

• State Bank of India (SBI) introduces a seamless self-enrollment process for customers to join the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) schemes digitally.
• This digital initiative eliminates the necessity of visiting a branch or Customer Service Point. Customers can enroll digitally by entering their account number and date of birth on the Jan Suraksha portal, and selecting the bank.
• PMJJBY provides one-year term life insurance cover, renewable annually, for death due to any cause, while PMSBY offers accident insurance cover for accidental death and disability resulting from an accident.

Ranks & Reports News

India Achieves Global Digitalization Milestone As Third Largest Digital Economy

• India solidifies its position as the world's third-largest digitalized nation, following the United States of America (USA) and China.
• This significant achievement is highlighted in the “State of India’s Digital Economy Report, 2024,” released by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), a prestigious Delhi-based think tank.
• The report presents a comprehensive overview of India’s digital landscape, comparing favorably with developed economies globally, while also identifying areas for enhancing user-level digital engagement.

Awards News

City Union Bank Sweeps 7 Awards At 19th Banking Tech Conference

• City Union Bank, led by Dr. N Kamakodi, secures an impressive seven awards at the 19th Banking Technology Conference, Expo & Citations in 2023, showcasing its technological expertise.
• Additionally, CUB earns runner-up positions in categories such as Best Digital Engagement, Best IT Risk Management, and Best Technology Talent.
• This feat underscores City Union Bank’s leadership in the industry, setting new benchmarks for technological advancement in banking.

Agreements News

CIAL, BPCL To Establish 1st Green Hydrogen Plant At Cochin Airport

• Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), known as the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, collaborates with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to set up a Green Hydrogen plant on its premises.
• This partnership marks a significant step in the aviation sector's journey towards sustainability.
• By combining their expertise and resources, CIAL and BPCL aim to establish the world’s first Green Hydrogen plant and fueling station within an airport environment.

India And Colombia Sign MoU On Digital Cooperation

• India and Colombia sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in sharing successful digital solutions implemented at a population scale for digital transformation.
• The agreement focuses on leveraging India’s open-sourced Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs), particularly India Stack Solutions.
• Through capacity-building programs and the exchange of best practices, the MoU aims to promote digital transformation, with a specific emphasis on utilizing India Stack Solutions.

Appointments News

Lebanese Judge Nawaf Salam Elected As ICJ’s New President

• Nawaf Salam secures the position of president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, succeeding US Judge Joan Donoghue.
• This historic appointment makes him the first Lebanese and second Arab to hold this esteemed position for a three-year term.
• Salam's journey with the ICJ commenced in 2018, and now he holds the highest judicial office globally, underscoring his remarkable achievements in international law.
• As the principal judicial body of the United Nations, the ICJ adjudicates legal disputes between states and offers advisory opinions on legal matters referred by UN organs and specialized agencies.

Sports News

ICC Bans UK Cricketer Rizwan Javed For Over 17 Years For Match-Fixing

• UK-based cricketer Rizwan Javed faces a severe ban from all cricket activities, spanning 17 ½ years.
• This decision stems from his involvement in multiple breaches of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code for Participants.
• Javed is among eight individuals charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on behalf of the ECB for their roles in corruption attempts during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League.

Science & Technology News

India To Initiate Satellite Based Tolling On Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway

• India, under the leadership of Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, plans to introduce testing of GNSS-based toll collection on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway.
• This revolutionary system marks a departure from traditional toll collection methods, offering a seamless and efficient alternative.
• Unlike toll gates requiring vehicles to stop for payment, GNSS technology enables precise vehicle positioning, facilitating toll calculation based on traveled distance on the highway.

Obituaries News

‘Udaan’ Actor Kavita Chaudhary Passes Away At 67

• Renowned actor Kavita Chaudhary, known for her pioneering role in the television show "Udaan" and as the iconic Lalitaji in Surf commercials, passes away at 67 due to cardiac arrest in Amritsar.
• Chaudhary leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, marked by her commitment to portraying strong, independent women.
• Her notable work in "Udaan," where she portrayed IPS officer Kalyani Singh, showcased her versatility as an actor, writer, and director.

Iconic ‘Dum Pukht’ Chef Imtiaz Qureshi Passes Away At 93

• Celebrated chef Imtiaz Qureshi, renowned for reviving the ancient dum pukht cooking technique, passes away at 93.
• As a Padma Shri awardee, Qureshi was instrumental in reintroducing the slow-cooking method from the royal kitchens of Awadh.
• Dum pukht involves cooking ingredients in a sealed pot, allowing meats to cook in their juices and spices, resulting in delicate yet profound flavors.