Daily Current Affairs 26th February, 2024
Daily Current Affairs 26 February 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
NATIONAL NEWS
FM Sitharaman launches 3 souvenir coins based on Ram temple theme
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released three souvenir coins, including the one based on the theme of Ram Lalla and Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya in Andhra Pradesh.
- At the 19th foundation ceremony of state-owned Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL), Sitharaman also released bi-metallic clad souvenir coin on Enlightenment of Lord Buddha (Limited Edition – Buddha & Stupa images are oxidised with Matte finish) and another on Greater one-horned Rhino (part of Endangered Animals of India series.
Kerala unveils logo and web portal to boost global market presence
Kerala Minister for Industries, Law, and Coir P Rajeeve unveiled the logo and web portal of the Kerala Brand as part of the ambitious project to tap into the increasing domestic and global demand for a wide range of high-quality products made in Kerala.
- The logo of Kerala Brand bears the motto ‘Nanma”, a Malayalam expression that signifies ‘Goodness’, the Minister said.
- The branding initiative will safeguard the interests of both manufacturers and customers by ensuring the quality and authenticity of the products based on well-laid protocols and certification.
Tripura first in NE to start universal health cover
Tripura chief minister Manik Saha along with his cabinet colleagues and additional CEO of National Health Authority Dr Basant Garg launched CM Jan Arogya Yojana (CMJAY) at a mega event here aiming to provide free healthcare services to indoor patients up to primary health centre level and empanelled private hospitals of the state and outside.
- Garg claimed that Tripura is the first northeastern state to have introduced universal health insurance coverage for all on the lines of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to provide coverage of Rs 5 lakh to each family per annum.
- At least 4.15 lakh families irrespective of income level and family members, including government employees have been brought under CMJAY scheme, which aims at ensuring universal treatment facilities for all.
High Speed Rail corridor targeted to begin functioning between Surat and Bilimora by 2026: Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, visited the Bullet train construction sites at Vikhroli and Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai and took a review of the ongoing work. 
- Vaishnaw said, this is the country’s first High Speed Corridor project. The designing of such a project is an extremely complex process which has to ocercome a number of difficulties.
- It is targeted that the first section of the High Speed Rail corridor between Surat and Bilimora will begin functioning in July/August 2026. Subsequently one after th another other sections will open.
- The undersea tunnel, first of its kind in India, is part of a 21 kms long tunnel which will start at Mumbai HSR and come out at Kalyan Silphata. 7 kms out of this will be under the sea at the Thane creek. The deepest point is approximately 65 metres deep. The tunnel will be 40 feet wide. There will be two lines in the tunnel. One up line and one down line on which the highspeed rail will function. Even inside the tunnel the train will run at a speed of 320 kms per hour.
Government approves fifty more Amrit Bharat Trains
Fifty more Amrit Bharat Trains have been approved by the Government. Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that after the huge success of Amrit Bharat Train, another 50 trains have been approved. 
- The Amrit Bharat train is an LHB push-pull train with non-air-conditioned coaches. This train has locos at both ends for better acceleration.
- It provides improved facilities for rail passengers like beautiful and attractive designed seats, better luggage racks, mobile charging points with suitable mobile holders, LED lights, CCTV, public information system, among others.
Center hikes FRP for sugarcane by eight percent per quintal
As farmers protest on Delhi borders, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved ₹340/quintal as the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for sugar season 2024-25 at 10.25% sugar recovery rate. 
- Affirming its ‘guarantee’ to double farmers’ income, the Centre pointed out that the new FRP was 8% higher than that offered in the current season 2023-24. The new FRP will kick in from October 1, 2024, announced Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.
Govt hikes death compensation of fishermen to Rs 5 lakh
Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying minister Parshottam Rupala said that union government has increased the compensation of fishermen in the event of death in mishap from one lakh rupees to five lakh rupees. He was speaking at the inaugural program of 13th Indian Fisheries & Aquaculture Forum at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre at New Town Kolkata. 
- The theme of the two day conference is Fostering Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture for Attaining Sustainable Development Goals.
- Minister informed that government has taken initiative for rolling out various insurance schemes for fishermen of the country. Government will also introduce credit card for fishermen like Kishan Credit Card . There are 3 crore fishermen families in the country and 8 thousand kilometres coastal line. The total value of export of fish and fisheries now stands at 60,000 crore and government has aimed to increase it to 1 lakh crore.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Launches WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya virtually addressed the public launch event of the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH). 
- The GIDH is a WHO managed network which was unanimously adopted by all G20 countries, invited countries and international organizations. It was collectively launched as a key deliverable of India’s G20 Presidency during the Health Ministers’ Meeting in Gandhinagar last year.
- He said that the GIDH will allow the democratization of digital health technologies in national digital health transformation particularly the Global South.
High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, Chaired by Former President Ram Nath Kovind, Holds Meeting in Delhi
The High-Level Committee (HLC) under the Chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the issue relating to holding of simultaneous elections and make recommendations in this regard, held a meeting in New Delhi.
Cabinet approves Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) for the period 2021-26
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of Department of Water Resources, RD & GR for continuation of centrally sponsored Scheme, viz., “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” with total outlay of Rs. 4,100 crore for a period of 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (15th Finance Commission period).
- The FMBAP includes two components: Flood Management Programme (FMP) and River Management and Border Areas (RMBA).
- Under the Flood Management Programme an outlay of Rs. 2,940 crore, central assistance will be provided to State Governments for taking up critical works related to flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion among others.
- Under the River Management and Border Areas (RMBA) component of FMBAP with an outlay of Rs. 1,160 crore, flood control and anti-erosion works on common border rivers with neighbouring countries including hydrological observations and flood forecasting, and investigation and pre-construction activities of joint water resources projects (with neighbouring countries) on common border rivers will be taken up with 100% central assistance.
Digi Yatra app users number crosses 45.8 Lakhs
The number of passengers having installed the Digi Yatra application on their mobile phones has increased to 45.8 Lakhs as on February 10, 2024. It’s an increase of 20.5 per cent from 38 lakhs as on 1st January, 2024.
- According to the data, the number of people using DigiYatra on Android currently stands at 21.2 lakhs, compared to 17.3 lakhs in the beginning of the year, signalling a growth of 22.5 per cent. Apple’s iOS on the other hand, leads with 20.7 lakh users on 1 January 2024, with a 19 per cent increase to 24.6 lakhs as of 10 February.
- The Digi Yatra was initially launched at three airports, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi in December 2022. Later, it was launched in 10 more airports.
- An I.T. initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation using biometric verification technology, Digi Yatra provides a seamless and hassle-free movement of passengers at airport entry gates.
AFMS & IIT Roorkee join hands to foster research in improving combat medical support & patient care of serving personnel
In another milestone towards research in Armed Forces Medical Services, a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was signed between Armed Forces Medical Services and Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. 
- The MoU was signed by Director General (Org & Pers) Lt Gen SK Singh on behalf of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services and Director IIT Roorkee Prof Kamal Kishore Pant.
- The MoU aims towards promoting collaborative biomedical research, to aid in improving the combat medical support and patient care of serving personnel. Apart from research, faculty exchange programme, joint academic activities and promotion of start ups in the domain of health care are also under the purview of this MoU.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India contributes 1 million US Dollars to Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund
India has contributed 1 million US Dollars to the Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund established by India, Brazil, and South Africa, IBSA. The fund is aimed at alleviating poverty and hunger. 
- India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj handed over the cheque to the Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Dima Al-Khatib.Ms Kamboj said, India is committed to supporting the IBSA Fund as it has made a positive impact on the lives of millions across the Global South and has strengthened the spirit of South-South cooperation.
- The IBSA Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund) was established jointly by grouping in March 2004 and it became operational in 2006. The purpose of the fund is to identify replicable and scalable projects that can be disseminated to developing countries on a demand-driven basis.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Telecommunication Engineering Centre and AMRITA UNIVERSITY sign MoU for collaboration in the area of trustworthy and responsible artificial intelligence systems
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Ministry of Communications and AMRITA UNIVERSITY, to drive innovation in the realm of Trustworthy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Systems.
- Underlining their commitment to pioneering advancements in Responsible AI, this collaboration specifically concentrates on addressing biases in AI systems and promoting fairness assessments while nurturing public trust in these technologies, aligning with the Government of India’s objectives.
- This collaboration aims to develop tools to assess bias risks systematically and to establish a robust framework for evaluating and certifying the fairness and reliability of AI technologies.
REC Foundation contributes to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, for education of 12,500 children of ex-servicemen
REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC, has contributed Rs. 15 crores to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, through REC Foundation, REC’s CSR arm. 
- This amount will be utilized for the education of 12,500 children of ex-servicemen. This contribution underscores REC Foundation’s dedication to supporting those who have served the nation selflessly.
- Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) has been established with the objective of assisting Armed Forces veterans, widows and their dependents as well as the institutions and organizations created for rehabilitation of paraplegic soldiers.
India’s Industrial Production Grows to 3.8% in December 2023, Up from 2.4% in November
India’s industrial production grew 3.8 percent in December 2023 as against 2.4 percent in November 2023. Factory output measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) had witnessed a growth of 5.1 percent in December 2022.
- As per the data released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Manufacturing sector output grew by 3.9 per cent year on year basis in December last year.
SPORTS
Bengaluru Open 2024
Italy’s Stefano Napolitano came back from a set down to beat the Republic of Korea’s Seongchan Hong to clinch the Bengaluru Open 2024 singles tennis title at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium. 
- The 28-year-old Napolitano, whose last ATP Challenger title came back in 2016, relied on his powerful groundstrokes to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 23 minutes. The title triumph also helped him bag 100 ranking points.
- India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni defeated the French pair of Constantin Kouzmine and Maxime Janvier 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles final to win their second ATP Challenger on the trot after the Chennai Open.
Ladakh Dominates 8th National SnowShoe Championships, Securing 18 Medals
In a spectacular display of talent and resilience, Team Ladakh emerged victorious in the 8th National SnowShoe Championships held at Sonamarg, Kashmir, clinching an impressive total of 18 medals.
- Led by Coach Sajjad Hussain, the athletes showcased their prowess in various categories, bringing home a diverse array of accolades. Notable achievements include Zayidd Khalil and Nasrullah Elya securing Silver and Bronze respectively in the Senior Boys Long Distance category. Gh. Ali claimed a Silver Medal in the Senior Boys Short Distance Sprint.
- Nusrat Sakina displayed exceptional skill, securing Silver in the Senior Girls Long Distance, while Zareena Batool and Nusrat Sakina added to the glory with Gold and Silver respectively in the Senior Girls Short Distance.
- Junior Boys Long Distance, and Javed Ahmed secured Silver in the Junior Boys Short Distance Sprint. Fareeda Batool impressed in the Junior Girls Short Distance Sprint, securing a Bronze Medal. Faizullah also contributed with a Bronze Medal in the Junior Boys Sprint category.
- Team Ladakh further showcased their teamwork in the Relay 400m events, securing an impressive 4 Gold Medals in the Senior Boys category and 4 Silver Medals in the Senior Girls category.
India concludes Asian Indoor Athletics Championships with three gold, one silver and two national records
India has concluded the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tehran with three gold, one silver and two national records. 
- Athlete Jyothi Yarraji for securing gold in women’s 60-metre hurdles with a timing of 8.12 seconds, which is also a new national record. Tajinder Singh Toor on breaking the nineteen-year-old national record and clinched gold with a throw of 19.7 metres in men’s shotput.
- Athletes Harmilan Bains secured gold in the women’s 1500 metres and Ankita Dhyani clinched silver in the women’s 3000 metres event.
- A total of 13 Indian athletes six women and seven men competed at the eleventh edition of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024 held in Irani’s Tehran from February 17 to 19.
Asian Track Cycling Championship: India creates history by clinching Gold in Junior Women’s Team Sprint Event
In the Asian Track Cycling Championship, India created history by clinching Gold in the Junior Women’s Team Sprint Event at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi. 
- The women’s junior team, comprising Sarita Kumari, Niya Sebastian, Zaina Mohammed Ali Pirkhan, and Sabina Kumari outpaced South Korea with an impressive timing of 53.383 seconds to win the gold.
- In the men’s junior team event, India’s Narayan Mahto, Syed Khalid Baghi, and Mayanglambam Wattaba Meitei won the silver medal. In the para-team sprint event, Arshad Shaikh, Jalaluddin Ansari, and Basavaraj Horaddi also won silver, adding to India’s medal total in the para-cycling team event.
- In the team pursuit event, the junior women’s team consisting of Harshita Jakhar, Suhani Kumari, Dhanyadha JP, and Bhumika took home the Bronze medal, while South Korea and Kazakhstan won the Gold and Silver respectively.
In Boxing, Amit Panghal and Sachin Siwach bag Gold medals at Strandja Memorial tournament in Bulgaria
In Boxing, World Championship medallist Amit Panghal and Sachin Siwach won a gold each, while Nikhat Zareen and three other Indians signed off with silver medals at the 75th Strandja Memorial tournament in Bulgaria. 
- The 2019 World Championship silver medallist Panghal (51kg) pulled off a dominating 5-0 triumph over Kazakhstan’s Sanzhar Tashkenbay in the men’s flyweight final. Sachin (57kg), out-punched Uzbekistan’s Shakhzod Muzafarov by a 5-0 verdict.
- However, two-time world champion Zareen (50kg), Arundhati Choudhary (66kg), Barun Singh Shagolshem (48kg) and Rajat (67kg) settled for silver medals after going down in their respective bouts.
AWARDS
Dr. Aditi Sen De wins Prestigious GD Birla Award, Pioneering Quantum Tech
In a ground-breaking moment for Indian science, Prof. Aditi Sen De has been awarded the prestigious G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research for the year 2023.
- De, who will turn 50 later this year, is the 33rd scientist, and the first woman, to receive the award for outstanding contribution to the development of quantum technologies.
- The award, given annually by the KK Birla Foundation since 1991, recognises outstanding contributions by Indian scientists who are under the age of 50 and living and working in India.
PM Modi becomes most popular global leader defeating Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak: Survey
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged as the most popular leader in the world after defeating global leaders like US President Joe Biden, UK PM Rishi Sunak and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, according to a recent survey by a US-based agency Morning Consult.
- In the recently updated Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker of the Morning Consult, PM Modi received nearly 78% approval ratings, the maximum by any leader across the world. In the rating, 17% of the participants had expressed their disapproval for PM Modi, whereas, 6% gave no opinion about him.
- US President Joe Biden was long below the list with an approval percentage of 37% and a disapproval percentage of 55%. A total of 8% of respondents gave no opinion about the US President.
- Indicating a declining popularity of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among his people, the tracker showed that merely 25% of people in the UK approved Sunak’s leadership, whereas, 66% of people surveyed for the ratings were found to be unhappy with his leadership.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book “Neeraj Chopra: The Man Who Made History”
The book “Neeraj Chopra: The Man Who Made History” written by Norris Pritam has been released recently. 
- This book is a detailed account of that extraordinary feat. It isn’t the first book on the golden boy of Indian athletics, but that doesn’t make Pritam’s less significant. And there aren’t many authors who could have written on Neeraj with more insight.
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