Daily Current Affairs 29th February, 2024

Daily Current Affairs 29 February 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

India’s poverty level down to 5% of population, says NITI Aayog CEO
NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam has said India’s poverty level has fallen to just five per cent, signalling an improvement in the nation’s economic landscape.

• He cited the latest consumer expenditure survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), indicating a significant rise in household consumption expenditure.
• It may be noted that the report has been released after more than a decade’s gap. It revealed that per capita monthly household expenditure more than doubled in 2022-23 as compared to 2011-12.
• The survey categorised people into 20 different groups, revealing that the average per capita monthly expenditure in rural areas is Rs 3,773, while in urban areas, it stands at Rs 6,459.

PM Modi launches Amrit Bharat Station scheme, lays foundation for 554 stations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates 554 railway stations as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme via video conference. Additionally, he lays the foundation stone for approximately 1,500 road overpasses and underpasses across various states during a virtual event that was held at over 2,000 railway stations and function sites. The entire initiative costs Rs 41,000 crore.

• The Amrit Bharat stations, spanning 27 states and Union Territories, will undergo redevelopment at a budget exceeding Rs 19,000 crores. These stations will serve as urban hubs, bringing both sides of cities together and offering modern passenger amenities like roof plazas, shopping zones, intermodal connectivity, children’s play areas, kiosks, and food courts.
• Furthermore, these stations will prioritise environmental sustainability and accessibility for Divyang individuals, drawing inspiration from local culture, heritage, and architecture. There will be provisions for segregated entry and exit, multi-level parking, lift, escalator, executive lounge, waiting area, etc
• In addition, the prime minister initiates the foundation stone-laying, inauguration, and dedication of 1,500 overpasses and underpasses distributed across 24 states and Union Territories at a combined cost of approximately Rs 21,520 crore. These infrastructure projects aim to alleviate congestion, enhance safety and connectivity, and optimise rail travel capacity and efficiency.

PM Modi inaugurates 2 Ayush projects in Jhajjar and Pune
During his visit of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated, two institutes of Ministry of Ayush which will further promote holistic healthcare scenario in the country.

• The National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) titled ‘NISARG GRAM’ in Pune, Maharashtra and ‘Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy’ (CRIYN) at Jhajjar, Haryana were dedicated to the nation virtually by Prime Minister .
• NISARG GRAM is a 250 bedded hospital with Multi-disciplinary Research and Extension Service Centre along with a Naturopathy Medical College for Under Graduate (UG)/Post Graduate (PG) /Para Medical Courses. The college is also having residential & non-residential facilities comprising Boys & Girls Hostel, Auditorium, Yoga Hall, Cottages, and the famous Gandhi Memorial Hall is also an integral part of the campus. The 25 acre project costs total of INR 213.55 Crore.
• Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy, Jhajjar (Haryana)’ built under the aegis of Ministry of Ayush. This is an Apex level Yoga and Naturopathy Research and education facility. Through this project, tertiary level Yoga and Naturopathy health care infrastructure will be created. The Institute includes a 200 bedded Hospital with OPD, Treatment Block, Academic block, Hostel and Residential Block apart from Yoga Block and Diet Block. The 19 Acre Project has been built with a cost of INR 63.88 CR.

PM Modi lays foundation stone for Sikkim’s first railway station at Rangpo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Sikkim’s first railway station at Rangpo.It was among the over 2,000 rail infrastructure projects worth about Rs 41,000 crore unveiled by the prime minister.

• The design of the Rangpo railway station will draw inspiration from the rich culture, heritage and architecture of Sikkim, the prime minister said in his address via video conference. 
• The station will be part of the 45-km rail line under construction from Sevoke near Siliguri in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim. The line will feature 14 tunnels and 22 bridges.
• The track on the Sevoke-Rangpo section of the Northeast Frontier Railway will have the capacity to handle 25 tons, and trains can run at a maximum speed of 110 Kmph. There will be three stations between Sevoke and Rangpo – Riyang, Teesta, and Melli, all located in West Bengal.

Cabinet approves establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India with a one-time budgetary support of Rs.150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

• Acknowledging India’s leading role in conserving tigers, other big cats and many of its endangered species, the Prime Minister of India during his speech on the occasion of Global Tiger Day, 2019 called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to curb poaching in Asia. 
• He reiterated this on the occasion of Commemorating 50 years of India’s Project Tiger on April 9, 2023 and formally announced launch of an International Big Cat Alliance aiming at securing the future of big cats and landscapes they thrive. The pioneering and long standing tiger and other big cat conservation good practices evolved in India may-be replicated in many other range countries.
• Seven big cats include Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah out of these five big cats viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah are found in India.

Union Government releases another additional installment of tax devolution of Rs. 1,42,122 crore to strengthen hands of State Governments for financing various social welfare measures and infrastructure development schemes
The Union Government has authorised the release of two installments of tax devolution amounting to Rs. 1.42 lakh crore to strengthen the hands of State Governments for financing various social welfare measures and infrastructure development schemes.

• This release is in addition to the tax devolution of an instalment of Rs. 71,061 crore already made on 12 February 2024. With this release, States have received total of three installments of tax devolution in February 2024.

Expert committee headed by TV Somanathan formed to finalise KYC norms
Days after the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) discussed a proposal to bring out uniform Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, the government has formed an expert committee headed by Finance Secretary T V Somanathan (pictured) to make its recommendations on the matter.

• The committee will have members from various ministries, besides regulators. This committee aims to streamline and finalize uniform KYC norms across various sectors.
• The committee would invite inputs from all the members of the FSDC on KYC norms. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, for instance, would share its practices with regards to the use of the permanent account number (PAN). 

SECI unveils India’s largest solar-battery project, pioneering renewable energy innovation in Chhattisgarh
The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), under the aegis of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has successfully commissioned India’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which stores energy using solar energy.

• The 40 megawatts (MW) / 120MWh BESS with a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant which has an installed capacity of 152.325 megawatt hour (MWh)and dispatchable capacity of 100MW AC (155.02 MW peak DC) is located in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. 
• The energy would be purchased by the state of Chhattisgarh, thus contributing to meeting the peak energy demand of the state using green electrons andalso towards its renewable purchase obligations.
• The project using solar panels and battery storage represents a monumental leap forward in generation and use of renewable energy. The project utilizes battery storage for storing solar energy when the sun is shining and using it later during hours of peak demand in the evening, for meeting the electricity demand in the state.

150 Railway Stations across the country achieve ‘Eat Right Station’ certification from FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that it has certified nearly 150 railway stations across the country as Eat Right Stations. This is part of the food safety authority’s Eat Right movement which focuses on ensuring safe, hygienic and nutritious food options across colleges, institutions, workplaces and even hospitals among others.

• Stations that have been certified as “Eat Right stations” include railway stations in New Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ujjain, Ayodhya Cantt, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kozhikode, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Vadodra, Mysuru City and Bhopal. It also includes Delhi’s Anand Vihar Terminal and Chennai’s Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MG Ramachandran Central Railway Station.
• Six pioneering metro stations across the country have also joined the effort and have been accredited as Eat Right Stations. Among these are Metro Stations at Noida Sector 51, Esplanade (Kolkata), IIT Kanpur, Botanical Garden (Noida) and Noida Electronic City Metro Station. 
• The food safety authority said this initiative will not only benefit passengers but also empower food vendors at railway stations. By adhering to food safety and hygiene standards, they gain credibility and attract more customers, ultimately boosting their livelihoods. 

MoSPI Signs MoU with ISRO on Urban Frame Survey using Bhuvan
The NSSO (FOD) under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to facilitate Urban Frame Survey (UFS) in a digital mode using the state-of-the-art Geo ICT tools and techniques using Bhuvan Platform.

• UFS is conducted in five-year phases to prepare and maintain a frame of compact urban geographical units, which serve as sampling frame in urban sector, mainly for NSSO large scale Socio-Economic Surveys. The UFS in digital form was carried out for the first time during Phase 2017-22 using Bhuvan platform covering more than 5300 towns. 
• In the current phase (2022 – 2027), survey works of around 8134 towns are planned with improved and robust versions of Mobile, Desktop and Web Based GIS solutions built on Bhuvan Platform.
• The MoU Covers development / improvement of mobile application for Geo-tagging of NSSO Urban Frame Survey data, Web portal for visualization, system generated scrutiny, editing, etc. of data submitted through mobile application, QGIS plug-in for accessing the polygons captured through mobile application and fine-tuning of Block, IV-unit, Ward and Town boundaries of UFS using High Resolution Satellite Imagery; and Capacity building of NSSO officials by NRSC.  

India’s largest drone pilot training facility at IIT-Guwahati
IIT Guwahati has established India’s largest drone training facility in partnership with EduRade and RC HobbyTech to train drone pilots and support industries like agriculture, disaster management and logistics. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to establish India as a global drone hub by 2030, as highlighted in the recently launched ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative.

• The training facility spread over 18 acres and has the capacity to fly nine medium-sized drones at the same time.
• The collaboration is to support diverse industries with drone pilots, including agriculture, disaster management, real estate, logistics, and more. 
• Initially, the RPTO will introduce a DGCA-certified course for operating medium-sized drones. This program aims to enhance the abilities of youth in the North East and other parts of India.

President Murmu inaugurates ‘Purple Fest’ for people with disabilities
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the ‘Purple Fest’ for people with disabilities at Amrit Udyaan in the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in a statement, said the ministers of Social Justice and Empowerment and secretary, DEPwDm, presented on this occasion. 
• The ‘Purple Fest’ will have fully inclusive and interactive stalls of organizations working in the field of accessibility, inclusion and disability rights. The key activities at ‘Purple Fest’ will be Amrit Udyaan visit, Know your disabilities, Purple Cafe, Purple Kaleidoscope, Purple Live Experience Zone, Purple Sports etc.

Ministry of Jal Shakti signs agreement with 12 technical education institutions for basin management of 6 rivers
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti signed an agreement with 12 technical education institutions for basin management of six rivers. The agreement has been made between the ministry of Jal Shakti and academic institutions under the National River Conservation Plan.

• Through this project, the responsibility of research, monitoring and gathering technical knowledge required for the condition assessment and management plan in basin management of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada and Periyar has been given to 12 institutions (different IIT, NIT and NEERI), the Ministry of Jal Shakti said.

Haryana launches ‘Savera’ programme for early screening, detection of breast cancer
Aiming at early detection and prevention of breast cancer, a growing concern among women, the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the ‘Savera’ program initiated by the Medanta Foundation in collaboration with the state Health Department in Gurugram.

• In its initial phase, the program will be launched at the Civil Hospital in Sector-10 of Gurugram, the Polyclinic in Sector-31, and the Primary Health Center in Wazirabad. An agreement for the expansion of this program will soon be formalized between the Health Department and Medanta Foundation.
• Khattar said that cancer often goes undiagnosed until its later stages, ranging from stage-II to stage-IV, impacting various parts of the body. Similarly, breast cancer is also one of those cancers which mostly occur in women living in cities. He said that about 90,000 women across the country lose their lives every year due to breast cancer. However, he commended the ‘Savera’ program for its innovative approach, leveraging the assistance of visually impaired women for breast cancer screening, a commendable initiative indeed.

Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha inaugurates Jagannath Dighi waterfront development project
The Tripura Chief Minister, Dr. Manik Saha, marked a pivotal moment in the state’s development with the inauguration of the Jagannath Dighi Waterfront Development Project in Udaipur. This significant endeavor reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and promoting tourism in the region.

• The project aims to rejuvenate the water body and its surroundings, fulfilling the aspirations of the local community and bolstering the area’s appeal to tourists.
• This initiative not only facilitates pilgrimage to Ayodhya but also promotes spiritual tourism, aligning with the government’s vision to enhance connectivity and promote cultural exchanges.
• The commencement of Astha Special Train services underscores the government’s efforts to facilitate seamless travel experiences for devotees and promote Ayodhya as a cultural and spiritual hub.

Vimarsh 2023:  5G Hackathon for Law Enforcement Agencies
The Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE) India of the SRI unit of Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), conducted the Vimarsh 2023 5G Hackathon.

• The Hackathon aimed to address critical issues and explore innovative solutions for Law Enforcement Agencies and address challenges faced by them and promote innovation in the field.
• As part of the third and final phase of screening, conducted on 21st and 22nd February 2024,  22 out of 23 startups and institutes presented Use Case Proof of Concepts (PoC) at the DoT-funded IIT Madras 5G Testbed. The demonstrations took place in the presence of esteemed Jury Members, both physically and virtually. 
• The Jury evaluated the physical demonstration of Automated drones, use cases related to AR/VR, Surveillance & Investigation, Evidence collection, Emergency response, Intelligent Traffic Management system, 5G metadata analysis, Geo fencing, AI based FIR filing etc. More details are available at Vimarsh 5G Hackathon 2023 (tcoe.in). Impactful solutions that emerged included Drone based surveillance safety and security, AI assisted FIR filing, geofencing solution for crime scene investigation, AR based training through crime scene recreation and AI based Data analytics & data processing App for predictive policing, etc.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Algeria inaugurates world’s third-largest mosque ahead of Ramadan
Amid the political upheavals, Algeria finally inaugurated the continent’s largest mosque and the third-largest in the world ahead of the holy month of Ramzan.

• The Grand Mosque of Algiers, located on the country’s Mediterranean coast, was formally opened by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
• Locally referred to as the Djamaa El-Djazair, it has the highest minaret in the world, standing at 265 meters (869 feet), can hold 120,000 people, and is the largest mosque in the world, second only to the holiest places in Islam, Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. 

UAE removed from the FATF’s grey list 
The United Arab Emirates’ exit from the the grey list, nearly two years after its inclusion by the Financial Action Task Force, will ease the road for the country’s investors seeking to acquire significant influence in Indian NBFCs.The decision, announced, marks a notable victory for the UAE, potentially enhancing its global reputation and credibility.

• This removal from the grey list is particularly significant for the UAE, which has evolved from a historical hub for pearl and fish trading into one of the wealthiest nations globally following the discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi in the late 1950s. 
• The FATF, comprising countries ranging from the United States to China, designated the UAE for closer monitoring in 2022 due to concerns over money laundering and terrorist financing activities involving various sectors such as banking, precious metals, and real estate, among others.

Philippines becomes first Asian country to ratify ILO convention
The Philippines has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Asian country to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 (No. 190) as announced by the International Labor Organization (ILO). The convention addresses workplace violence and harassment comprehensively, marking a crucial step towards ensuring safe and respectful work environments globally.

• The Philippines deposited the instrument of ratification with ILO Deputy Director-General Celeste Drake, signifying its commitment to combating workplace violence and harassment.
• By ratifying Convention No. 190, the Philippines joins 37 other nations in the world that have taken a stance against workplace violence and harassment. It mandates members to develop inclusive and gender-responsive strategies, in consultation with representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, aimed at preventing and eliminating workplace violence and harassment.

Mobile World Congress 2024 held in Spain
The Mobile World Congress 2024 hosted by GSMA, the global association representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.The event take place in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit.

• The MWC 2024 event theme focuses on Future First, which works towards solving challenges of today and tomorrow, according to GSMA. It is shaped by six sub-themes that reflect the latest technologies and trends, with four of these sub-themes centering on customer experience and satisfaction. 
• The event also mark the 10th edition of 4YFN, the global digital and tech startup event collaborating with MWC. Halls 8.0 and 8.1 will host 4YFN, featuring names like Sir Martin Sorrell and Nigel Toon. The speakers, at the 4YFN, will address various topics around the Age of AI, Growth, Startup Funding, Corporate Innovation, Art of Innovation, and Decentralisation and Beyond.

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India’s GDP to grow by 6.75-6.8% in FY25: Bank of Baroda
The Bank of Baroda (BoB) has projected India’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at around 6.75 to 6.8 per cent in FY25 and 6.8 per cent for the current financial year in a report released. I

• The Indian economy is relatively better off than its global counterparts on the back of resilience reflected through domestic demand and sustained government thrust on capital expenditure, the report said.
• BoB expects the growth for the third quarter of the current financial year to moderate by 6.4 per cent against an increase of 7.6 per cent in the previous quarter due to subdued growth in agriculture and industry sectors.
• The report projected a growth of 2.1 per cent for the agriculture sector in the third quarter of FY24, which is slower than initially anticipated, after the first Advance Estimates for kharif crops showed lower food grain production this year.

Nokia, IISc team up to research 6G use cases focused on needs of Indian society
Nokia said it is partnering with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to jointly research 6G technologies and 6G use cases that will have a direct societal impact in India. 

• Nokia and IISc will work together in Nokia’s newly opened 6G Lab in Bengaluru, where they will pursue three key areas of research. These are 6G radio technologies, 6G architecture, and the application of machine learning into the 6G air interface.  
• The collaboration will develop reference architectures, software frameworks and algorithms, with the aim of contributing their joint research to the 6G technology and standards ecosystem. The nature of the research is global, but Nokia and IISc will place special focus on 6G use cases that address areas of particular importance to India.  

CIL and BHEL sign a JVA for Setting Up Ammonium Nitrate Plant through Surface Coal Gasification Technology
Two of the country’s top Maharatna CPSE entities Coal India Limited (CIL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)formally signed a joint venture agreement (JVA) in Delhi for setting up an ammonium nitrate plant through surface coal gasification (SCG) technology route.

• The plant to come up in Lakhanpur area of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Odisha is planned to produce 2000 tons of ammonium nitrate per day initially. The annual production is slated at 6.60 Lakh tons which requires 1.3 million tonnes (mts) of coal.
• The coal will be supplied by CIL.BHEL would bring to the table indigenously developed pressurized fluidized bed gasification (PFBG) technology for this purpose. The synergy and partnership of the two corporate giants is a big step towards National Coal Gasification Mission which facilitates utilization of chemical properties of coal.

NTPC Green Energy Limited joins hands with MAHAGENCO for development of Renewable Energy Parks in Maharashtra
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has signed a Joint venture Agreement with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO), for development of Renewable Energy Parks in the state of Maharashtra.

• The company to be set up under the joint venture will develop GW-scale renewable energy parks and undertake projects of this scale in a phased manner. 
• The agreement aligns with the green energy objectives of NTPC and is another step in the Government of India’s efforts towards energy transition.

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SPORTS

Ravichandran Ashwin surpasses Anil Kumble to become fastest Indian to reach 500 Test wicket
Ravichandran Ashwin continued to break records during the India versus England Test series 2024 as he overtook Anil Kumble to become the highest wicket-taker in Indian conditions in the red ball format of the game. In the same game, he also equalled Kumble to become the joint-holder of the record for most five-wicket hauls by an Indian in Tests.

• Ashwin, who claimed his first five-wicket haul of this series, reached the figure of 35, the most by any Indian. While Kumble played 132 Tests to get 35 five-fors, Ashwin has so far played only 99 matches. 
• Ashwin, 37, also became the only Indian bowler to take 100 wickets or more against two countries in Tests. Having taken 114 wickets against Australia in just 22 matches, Ashwin touched the 100-wicket mark at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Stadium in Ranchi. He now has 104 wickets against the English team in 23 matches.

South Africa’s Tristan stubbs hits First-Class Triple Century
Tristan Stubbs became the 11th batter to score a first-class triple-century in South Africa, and the eighth since readmission in what will be seen as a major boost for the Test team. Stubbs is now the leading run-scorer in Division 1 1 of the domestic four-day competition, with two centuries from five matches.

• Stubbs made his Test debut in the New Year’s Test against India last month and was part of South Africa’s A squad that toured Sri Lanka last July, where his century in Colombo suggested he was ready to graduate to the senior side. 
• He was given the opportunity at Newlands, where he batted at No. 4 in Temba Bavuma’s injury-enforced absence and scored 3 and 1 in a match that lasted just two days and South Africa lost by seven wickets.

Jacintha Kalyan leads the way as India’s First Female Cricket Pitch Curator
The BCCI secretary Jay Shah showered praise on Jacintha Kalyan for becoming the first female pitch curator in the history of Indian cricket.

• Jacintha is overseeing the preparations for the pitches in this year’s Women’s Premier League (WPL). She is entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the pitches for the Bangalore leg of the tournament.
• Jacintha, a paddy farmer’s daughter, has been associated with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for more than 30 years. She also worked as a receptionist at KSCA

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APPOINTMENTS

India-born economist Geeta Batra named as first woman Director of World Bank’s GEF
Geeta Batra, an India-born economist, has been named as the new director at the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the World Bank’s Global Environment Facility (GEF), making her the first ever woman from a developing country to hold the coveted post.

• Batra, 57, is currently the Chief Evaluator & Deputy Director for Evaluation at the GEF’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), affiliated to the World Bank.
• Her name was unanimously recommended for the coveted position at the 66th GEF Council Meeting held in Washington on February 9 and was announced last week.
• She will also build partnerships with multilateral and bilateral agencies, foundations and networks, and share knowledge of what works, where and why.

Former Bank of Maharashtra Chief Executive A S Rajeev appointed as Vigilance
The state-owned Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) announced that the government has named A S Rajeevstyle, former MD and CEO, as Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Prior to this appointment, A S Rajeev was the Managing Director and CEO of Bank of Maharashtra, a public sector bank.

• Last week, Rajeev voluntarily opted to retire from the post of Managing Director & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra. The competent authority has accepted his request, according to a Department of Financial Services (DFS) letter.
• Under the CVC Act, the Central Vigilance Commission became a three-member body, with the Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners. 
• While Praveen Kumar Srivastava has been Central Vigilance Commissioner since May 2023, Arvinda Kumar has been a Vigilance Commissioner since August 2022.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 

India to have own space station by 2035, set to become commercial hub: PM Modi
After the the names of the astronauts of the Gaganyaan mission were announced in Thiruvananthapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will have its own space station by 2035.

• ISRO also has Venus on its radar, the Prime Minister said. An Indian astronaut will land on the moon using Indian spacecraft during ‘Amrit Kaal,’ he added, referring to plans for a crewed lunar mission by 2040.
• The Prime Minister said that an Indian is about to go to space after a gap of 40 years, in an apparent reference to Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 space flight aboard USSR’s Soyuz T-11.
• India’s space economy will grow five-fold and touch 44 billion U.S. dollars in the next decade. Mr. Modi said India is poised to become a global commercial hub in the field of space. The new space reforms will add fresh impetus to the sector

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ENVIRONMENT

Biggest snake species in the world discovered in Amazon rainforest
Researchers in the Amazon have discovered the world’s largest snake species – an enormous green anaconda – in Ecuador’s rainforest that split off from its closest relatives 10 million years ago though they still nearly look identical to this day.

• Scientists say, it can grow up to 7.5m and weighing close to 500kg, making it the largest and heaviest snake yet known in the world.
• Until now, four species of anacondas were known, with the largest one – the green anaconda – inhabiting tropical parts of South America such as the basins of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Esequibo rivers, as well as some smaller watersheds.
• These anacondas, found in the rivers and wetlands of South America, are well known for their lightning speed and ability to squeeze the life out of prey by coiling around, asphyxiating them, and swallowing them whole.

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OBITUARIES

India’s oldest MP and Samajwadi Party leader Shafiqur Rahman Barq dies at 94
Senior Samajwadi Party leader, and MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, Shafiqur Rahman Barq, died. He was 94.

• He started his political career with farmer leader and former Prime Minister of India Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh. Shafiqur Rahman Barq was also the convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee. 
• He was the oldest MP in Parliament. He represented the Sambhal constituency of Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha. Barq has been elected 4 times as MLA and 5 times as Lok Sabha MP. He won the Moradabad Lok Sabha seat on the Samajwadi Party ticket thrice in 1996, 1998 and 2004. He, however, lost from the Moradabad seat in 1999. After this, he was successful in winning the Sambhal Lok Sabha seat in 2009 on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket. 
• Barq won the Sambhal seat on a Samajwadi Party ticket in 2019.  Besides his stellar electoral record, Barq was also controversy’s favourite child. 

Kumar Shahani, master of arthouse cinema, passes away
Kumar Shahani, the pole star of the parallel cinema movement in India, passed away in Kolkata at 83 due to age-related illness.

• Throughout his celebrated six-decade career, Shahani directed films such as Maya Darpan, Tarang, Khayal Gatha, and Kasba. Born on December 7, 1940, in Larkana, Sindh, undivided India, Shahani’s family relocated to Mumbai after Partition.
• His film ‘Maya Darpan’, adapted from a story by Nirmal Verma, earned him the prestigious National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.  

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