Daily Current Affairs 24th February, 2024
Daily Current Affairs 24 February 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
NATIONAL NEWS
PM to unveil 125-foot statue of Bir Lachit Borphukan in March
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 celebrated 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.
PM of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis was on two-day State visit to India
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pay a two-day state visit to India with an aim to further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Mitsotakis is accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation. 
- It would be the first visit to India by a head of state of Greece to India after a gap of 15 years. Notably, India-Greece relations have been elevated to ‘Strategic Partnership’ during PM Modi’s visit to Greece in August 2023.
- Mr. Mitsotakis will be the chief guest and keynote speaker at the Raisina Dialogue in the national capital, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
- The Greek Prime Minister will be accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation.
INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi
The much-anticipated INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts between India and the United States in defence innovation.
- Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, and Department of Defence (DoD), United States, in conjunction with the U.S.-India Business Council and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the summit aims to be a pivotal event driving strategic technology partnerships and defence industrial cooperation between India and the USA.
- The two-day catalyst summit will feature a dynamic line-up of activities designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange. From panel discussions and workshops to senior leaders forums and joint challenge winner felicitations, the agenda is packed with insightful sessions aimed at charting the future trajectory of U.S.-India defence relations.
Ministry of YAS unveils logo for 7th North East Youth Festival 2024
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports revealed the logo for the upcoming 7th North East Youth Festival 2024, symbolizing the essence of the eight northeastern states. Further, Phayre’s leaf monkey, was declared the mascot for the festival.
- Scheduled to occur in Tripura from February 26 to 29, the four-day extravaganza will showcase a diverse array of cultural events.
- It will bring together youth representatives from the National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Sansthan across the eight states in the North Eastern region.
Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates the Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana under Skill India Mission, empowering PM Svanidhi Beneficiaries
Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana, in Sambalpur, Odisha. The initiative was also launched virtually across 9 cities including Bhopal, Kanpur, Indore, Varanasi, Bharatpur, Shillong, Silchar, Dibrugarh and Guwahati, emphasizing the nationwide scope of this initiative.
- The Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana aims to equip individuals with comprehensive entrepreneurship training, aligning with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, of creating job providers rather than job seekers.
- The Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana will offer comprehensive entrepreneurship training over a period of 22 weeks, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure through experiential learning. The training will be conducted through offline, online and hybrid modes, with certificates awarded upon completion, enhancing the course’s credibility and value.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud inaugurates wellness centre for staff on Supreme Court premises
The Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud inaugurated ‘Ayush Holistic Wellness Centre’ in the premises of Supreme Court of India in the august presence of Companion Judges of the Supreme Court of India. 
- On this occasion, an MoU regarding establishing, operationalizing and providing expert services at the Ayush Holistic Wellness Centre was also signed between the Supreme Court and the All-India Institute of Ayurveda.
- The Ayush Holistic Wellness Centre in the Supreme Court premises is a state-of-the-art facility providing holistic care addressing physical, mental and emotional well-being, promoting overall health of the Judges and staff of the Supreme Court of India.
Cabinet Committee on Security approves ₹19,000 crore mega Navy deal for BrahMos missiles
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has given its nod for acquisition of over 200 BrahMos Extended Range (ER) supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on Indian Navy warships. The deal worth ₹19,000 crore was cleared by CCS in its meeting held recently. 
- The move comes after the Indian Navy successfully tested the supersonic cruise missile, which has an extended range of 400 to 500 km, from a Rajput class frigate in the Bay of Bengal on November 1. Later in the same month, another test fire to test the extended range of the supersonic cruise missile was carried out from a Kolkata/Visakhapatnam class guided destroyer.
Govt decides to continue women safety scheme till 2025-’26
The Centre has decided to continue its flagship scheme for women safety with an approval of Rs 1,179.72 crore till 2025-26. The Union Cabinet took the decision in an effort to check incidents of crime against women in the country.
- Addressing the media after the meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said, under it, 24-hour emergency helpline service 112 will be scaled up. He also informed that for scientific and timely investigation, six cyber forensic science laboratories are being set up at Pune, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Delhi, Kamrup, and Bhopal.
- The Union Minister said, women’s help desks and 827 antihuman trafficking units have been set up at 13,557 police stations across the country so far and women’s help desks will also be established in the remaining 3,329 police stations.
Ministries of Tribal Affairs and AYUSH jointly launch a National level Project for Screening and Health Management of tribal students through Ayurvedic Interventions
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ayush Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) paving the way for their collaboration on a nationwide health screening and management programme for about 20,000 tribal students enrolled in 55 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country.
- The government, called it a “Joint National Level Project of Health Screening and Management through Ayurvedic Interventions”, adding that the idea is to have a special focus on anaemia, haemoglobinopathies, malnutrition and tuberculosis and develop an “integrated approach” for the management of these diseases.
- The programme will target children aged between 10 and 18 years, studying in Classes 6 to 12. Efforts will be made to inculcate healthy lifestyle practices among students as per the principles of Ayurveda.
Divya Kala Mela concluded in Tripura
The six-day long Divya Kala Mela at the Children’s Park at Agartala in Tripura concluded with the distribution of prizes to Divyangjan by the Governor of Tripura, Indrasen Reddy Nallu and Minister of State, GOI Pratima Bhoumik.
- It is worth mentioning that the six-day Mela organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
- The national level Mela being organized across the country for the differently-abled has been named “Divya Kala Mela”.After the successful event in Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, Guwahati, Indore, Jaipur, Varanasi, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Karnataka, Chennai, Patna, Surat, Nagpur, the event has been organized in Agartala.
Cabinet approves marketing margin for supply of Domestic gas to Fertilizer (Urea) for the Period May 2009 – November 2015
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for determination of Marketing Margin on supply of domestic gas to Fertilizer (Urea) Units for the period from May 1, 2009 to November 17, 2015.
- This approval is a structural reform. Marketing Margin is charged by gas marketing company from consumers over and above the cost of gas for taking on the additional risk and cost associated with marketing of gas. Government had previously determined marketing margin on supply of domestic gas to urea and LPG producers in 2015.
- The approval will provide additional capital to the various Fertilizer (Urea) Units for the component of marketing margins paid by them on domestic gas procured during the period 01.05.2009 to 17.11.2015, based on rates already being paid from 18.11.2015 onwards.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
MoS V Muraleedharan represented India at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro; Brazil Assumes G20 Presidency
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan represented India at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. 
- Brazil assumed the G20 Presidency from India on 1st December last year, and the G20 FMM would be the first Ministerial meeting under the Brazilian Presidency.
- India is currently a member of the G20 Troika together with Brazil and South Africa, and has conveyed its support to Brazil’s G20 priorities, under the theme ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet’. A new Working Group on Empowerment of Women and a new Engagement Group “Judiciary 20” have also been added by Brazil.
- During his visit, Mr Muraleedharan will also attend the India-Brazil-South Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 22nd February and hold bilateral meetings with partner countries from the Global South.
The World Social Forum (WSF) 2024 concludes in Kathmandu
The World Social Forum (WSF) 2024 concluded in Kathmandu with a solidarity march involving diverse participants in Kathmandu. The theme for this edition of WSF 2024 was ‘Another World is Possible’. 
- The 16th edition of the WSF witnessed over 50,000 participants from over 1400 organizations of 98 countries marking their attendance virtually and in person in various concurrent events.
- The event came to a conclusion with 60 declarations from organizations worldwide pledging to collaborate towards the realization of another, fairer and more just world, said the Nepal Organising Committee.
India Makes Record Appearance at Gulfood 2024
India is making a remarkable presence at Gulfood 2024 in Dubai, UAE, as over 350 Indian companies gathered to showcase their diverse array of products.This unprecedented turnout underscores India’s burgeoning role as a global leader in the food supply industry. 
- For years, India has been a trusted supplier of various food items to the United Arab Emirates, including grains, cereals, pulses, and more.
- The UAE has become India’s third-largest trading partner, thanks to the surge in food exports, fuelled by recent agreements like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has boosted trade by 16% in just one year.
- From fragrant spices to wholesome grains, India’s offerings cater to a wide range of tastes in the UAE, paving the way for further growth in the domestic food industry, projected to hit $620 billion by 2029.
Indian Air Force’s Sarang Helicopter Display Team to Dazzle at Singapore Air Show 2024
A team of 71 personnel of Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sarang Helicopter Display Team landed at the Paya Lebar Air Base of Singapore to participate in the Singapore Air Show 2024.
- The world-renowned Sarang Helicopter Display Team will be showcasing its spectacular aerobatics manoeuvres at the event with five Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) also known as ‘Dhruv’. The induction was carried out with the IAF’s C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift transport aircraft. The show features various aerial displays from participants from all over the globe.
Amid security concerns, trilateral exercise ‘Dosti-16’ kicks off in Maldives
Indian and Sri Lankan coast guard ships have reached Male to participate in the 16th edition of the trilateral Dosti exercise being held in the Maldives from February 22 to 25.
- This year Bangladesh is participating as an observer, which puts impetus to the growing importance of maritime collaboration in tackling evolving challenges.
- The biennial event has Indian Coast Guard Ships ICGS Samarth, ICGS Abhinav & the ICG Dornier craft in Male. At the same time SLNS Samudra joined from the Sri Lankan Naval side. Additional Director General of Indian Coast Guard S Paramesh also is in Male for the exercise.
BANKING & FINANCE
HDFC Bank most profitable firm in Apr-Dec
HDFC Bank emerges as the most profitable company in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, with a net profit of Rs 44,300 crore. State Bank of India (SBI) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) follow closely, reporting profits of Rs 40,378 crore and Rs 34,781 crore, respectively.
- Last year, the crown of the biggest profit-making company for the first nine months went to ONGC which had posted Rs 39,077-crore net profit. HDFC Bank was in third place with Rs 32,061-crore net profit..
- The county’s largest private lender has benefitted from its merger with mortgage lender HDFC which came into effect on July 1 last year and added to the bank’s bottom line.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Flash composite PMI rises to 7-month high in February at 61.5
With better performance in both manufacturing and services, the HSBC Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to a seven-month high of 61.5 in February, up from 61.2 in January. However, there is not-so-good news on the job front.
- The Flash Manufacturing PMI touched 60.4 in February, compared to 59.7 of January. Simultaneously, the Flash Services PMI climbed to 62 from 60.4.
- However, flash data is now being prepared to ascertain the trends of private business in India. Manufacturing and services, together, have a share of around 70 per cent in Gross Value Added (GVA).
- The flash PMI is prepared by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to survey panels of around 400 manufacturers and 400 service providers. The panels are stratified by detailed sector and company workforce size, based on contributions to GDP.
SPORTS
Two from Bhopal finish world’s toughest Frozen Lake Marathon
Two persons from Bhopal, Bhagwan Singh and Mahesh Khurana have entered the select group of athletes after completing the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon 2024 organized in Leh-Ladakh. 
- This marathon is celebrated as the ‘World’s Highest Frozen Lake Marathon.’ The run saw participation from 120 runners from seven different countries in two categories: 21 km and 10 km.
- The event unfolded, amidst heavy snowfall, at an altitude of 18,680 feet with temperatures plunging to -15°C, posing an ultimate challenge to the participants.
- The event was organised by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh with the support of the Administration Union Territory of Ladakh and the 14 Corps of the Indian Army.
APPOINTMENTS
Shehbaz Sharif to be Pakistan PM and Asif Ali Zardari President
Shehbaz Sharif is all set to return as the Prime Minister and Asif Ali Zardari as the President of Pakistan after the two old-guard parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), reached a power-sharing agreement.
- The announcement comes after a nearly two-week-long political deadlock in the country following the February 8 elections, which resulted in a hung assembly with no party securing the 133 seats mandated for a simple majority out of 265 contested seats in the Pakistan National Assembly.
- The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz won 79 seats while the Pakistan Peoples Party came third with 54 seats. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has also agreed to support the coalition with their 17 seats.
Boeing names Nikhil Joshi as MD of Boeing Defense India
US aerospace major Boeing announced the appointment of Nikhil Joshi as managing director of Boeing Defence India (BDI), saying it is aimed at strengthening the company’s operations and accelerated growth strategy in the country.
- With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Joshi will focus on enhancing mission readiness and modernization for India’s defence forces.
- India currently operates various Boeing platforms, including 11 C-17s, 22 AH-64 Apaches, 15 CH-47 Chinooks, 12 P-8Is, 3 VVIP aircraft (737 airframe), and two Head of State aircraft (777 airframe). Boeing aims to contribute to the modernization and mission readiness of India’s defence forces.
Infosys CEO Salil Parekh joins USISPF Board
Salil Parekh, CEO and managing director at Infosys, has joined the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum as a member of its board of directors.
- An industry veteran with nearly three decades in the IT services industry, executing business turnarounds and managing successful acquisitions, Parekh, in his capacity as Infosys CEO, sets the strategic direction of one of India’s most notable IT giants while nurturing a strong leadership team to drive its execution.
AWARDS
Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 announced
The prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards held in Mumbai. All the artists of movies and TV became part of this event that took place in the city’s Taj Lands End where all the celebrities celebrated the successful year and the amazing performances. Shah Rukh Khan bagged the Best Actor Award while Nayanthara was awarded the Best Actress. The event was graced with the presence of Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukherjee and Shahid Kapoor.
Dadasaheb Phalke Awards 2024 winner list:
- 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: Gnana 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)
Ladakh sets Guinness world record for world’s highest frozen lake half-marathon
The Union Territory of Ladakh has created history by successfully conducting its maiden 21-km trail running event in sub-zero temperature at 13,862 feet high Pangong Tso, which was registered in Guinness world record as the world’s highest frozen lake half marathon.
- Spread across the border of India and China, the 700-square kilometer Pangong Lake records a temperature of minus 30 degrees Celsius during winter, making the salt water lake frozen with ice.
- Named as the ‘Last Run’ to remind the people about the climate change and need to save the Himalayas, the marathon was organised by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL) in collaboration with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Tourism Department, Ladakh and Leh district administration.
OBITUARIES
Germany’s World Cup winner Andreas Brehme passes away
Andreas Brehme, whose late penalty in the 1990 final against Argentina in Italy handed Germany their third world title, has died at the age of 63.
- The attacking full-back and dead-ball specialist became an instant Germany football legend when his spot kick earned them a 1-0 victory over Diego Maradona’s Argentina in the World Cup final in Rome.
- Brehme also played for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan among others before retiring in 1998. He won 86 caps for Germany, scoring eight goals, including the one he is best remembered for.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Bangladesh observes Language Day- Amar Ekushey
Bangladesh is observing the historic Language Day named ‘Amar Ekushey’ on February 21st, paying tribute to the martyrs who laid their lives during the language movement in 1952 demanding Bangla as the official language for then East Pakistan.
- The Language Movement, the great event in the countrys history, was aimed at establishing the rights of mother tongue as well as protecting culture and heritage.
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