Daily Current Affairs 2 March 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 2 March 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on Maharana Pratap Statue Unveiled In Hyderabad, New Head of Parliament Security, World Wildlife Day 2024.

Top 20 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 2 March 2024

National News

1.Nagaland assembly adopts resolution on FMR; asks Centre to reconsider decision

• The Nagaland legislative assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution against the central government’s decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement with Myanmar.
• This resolution reflects the concerns of the Naga people regarding the disruption of historical, social, tribal, and economic ties caused by these measures.
• The resolution underscores the adverse impacts of suspending the FMR, which allows border residents to travel 16 km into each other’s territory without visas.

2.Central Electricity Authority To Recognize Frontline Power Sector Heroes

• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, is gearing up to host the fourth edition of ‘Lineman Diwas’ in New Delhi on March 4, 2024.
• This annual celebration is dedicated to honoring the tireless dedication and service of linemen and ground maintenance staff who play a crucial role in electricity distribution across India.
• In collaboration with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (Tata Power-DDL), the theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Seva, Suraksha, Swabhiman’—a tribute to the selfless service of linemen nationwide.

State News

3.PM Dedicates HURL Sindri Fertiliser Plant To The Nation

• PM Modi dedicated the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) Sindri Fertiliser Plant at Sindri, Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
• HURL, a collaborative effort between PSUs including NTPC, IOCL, CIL, and FCIL/HFCL, signifies a synergy aimed at driving economic growth and self-sufficiency.
• The establishment of the state-of-the-art gas-based Sindri Plant, with an investment of Rs. 8939.25 Crore, reflects the strategic partnerships and investments crucial for realizing national objectives.

4.Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Project ODISERV For Odisha’s Graduates

• Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated Project ODISERV in Sambalpur, Odisha, marking a significant step towards preparing young graduates for employment opportunities in the financial services sector.
• The collaboration between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Bajaj Finserv aims to revolutionize skill development in Odisha and across India.
• The 100-hour training program under Project ODISERV aims to equip Odisha’s youth with essential skills for the banking, finance, and insurance industries.

5.PM Modi Inaugurates Rs 7,200 Crore Projects In West Bengal

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 7,200 crore in Arambagh, Hooghly, West Bengal.
• The developmental projects are associated with sectors like rail, ports, oil pipeline, LPG supply and wastewater treatment.
• These initiatives prioritize infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and empowerment for enhanced economic growth and better quality of life.

6.21-ft Maharana Pratap Statue Unveiled In Hyderabad

• The unveiling of a 21-feet statue of Maharana Pratap at the Begum Bazar Maharana Pratap Chowk marked a significant moment for Hyderabad.
• This statue, the largest of its kind in the city, serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the revered Rajput warrior, encapsulating his spirit for generations to come.
• Crafted with meticulous detail and weighing a remarkable two tonnes, the majestic statue was brought to life by the skilled hands of artist Sunder Singh over a span of three months.

Defence News

7.Exercise Samudra Laksamana: Strengthening Indo-Malaysian Maritime Cooperation

• Exercise Samudra Laksamana, a significant bilateral maritime exercise between India and Malaysia, is currently underway from February 28 to March 2, 2024, off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
• This exercise marks the third edition of the collaboration, featuring the Indian Naval Ship Kiltan and the Royal Malaysian Ship KD Lekir.
• The primary aim of Exercise Samudra Laksamana is to bolster the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two naval forces.

Economy News

8.India’s GST Collection Surges 12.5% to Rs 1.68 lakh crore in February 2024

• India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection witnessed a significant surge of 12.5% year-on-year, reaching Rs 1.68 lakh crore in February, as stated by the government.
• February’s GST collection rose by 12.5% compared to the same month in the previous year, showcasing robust growth in tax revenues.
• The finance ministry highlighted that the average monthly gross collection for the fiscal year 2023/24 stands at Rs 1.67 lakh crore, surpassing the corresponding period of the previous year.

9.India’s Manufacturing PMI Hits 5-Month High Reaching 56.9 in February

• India’s manufacturing sector continued its expansion in February, as indicated by the HSBC Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reaching 56.9, marking its highest level in five months.
• The February manufacturing PMI of 56.9 extends the sector’s expansion streak for the 32nd consecutive month, remaining above the critical threshold of 50, which separates growth from contraction.
• The release of the manufacturing PMI closely follows the announcement by the statistics ministry regarding India’s GDP growth of 8.4 percent in the October-December 2023 period.

10.India’s Forex Reserves Surge to $619 Billion

• India’s forex reserves experienced a notable increase, rising by $2.975 billion to reach $619.072 billion for the week ending February 23, as reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Foreign Currency Assets increased by $2.405 billion to $548.188 billion. Foreign currency assets encompass various currencies such as the euro, pound, and yen, reflecting their valuation against the US dollar.
• India’s forex reserves achieved an all-time high of $645 billion in October 2021, marking a significant milestone in the country’s economic landscape.

Banking News

11.RBI Appoints S. Ravindran as Part-Time Chairman of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a significant step by appointing S. Ravindran as the part-time chairman of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd. (TMB), marking a new chapter in the bank’s leadership.
• This appointment, effective from February 29, extends till August 2, 2026, and comes at a pivotal moment for TMB as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of the financial sector.
• Prior to his appointment at TMB, the RBI stipulated that Mr. Ravindran must resign from his directorship positions at Shriram Finance and Bandhan AMC to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

12.Financial Intelligence Unit Imposes ₹5.49 Crore Fine on Paytm Payments Bank

• The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) has levied a penalty of ₹5.49 crore on Paytm Payments Bank Ltd for violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
• FIU-IND initiated a review of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd following specific information from law enforcement agencies regarding illegal activities.
• The penalties are attributed to the bank’s involvement in facilitating illegal activities, including online gambling, and mishandling of funds generated from such operations.

Agreements News

13.C-DOT and Qualcomm Sign MoU to Boost Make in India Vision

• At the Mobile World Congress 2024, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Qualcomm Technologies have forged a collaboration to advance Atmanirbhar Bharat and drive innovation within India’s telecom sector.
• This initiative aims to expedite the development of indigenous telecom products, aligning with the Make in India vision. The collaboration seeks to facilitate access to foundational chip technologies for startups, OEMs, and academia.

14.Google Partners with Shakti to Combat Online Misinformation and Deepfakes

• Google has taken a significant step to bolster the fight against online misinformation by announcing its support for Shakti, a consortium of news publishers and fact-checkers.
• This initiative is aimed at the early detection of online misinformation, including deepfakes, and establishing a common repository for news publishers to effectively tackle such challenges.
• The primary goal of Shakti is to provide a collaborative platform for independent fact-checkers and Indian language publishers.

Appointments News

15.Anurag Agarwal Appointed as Head of Parliament Security

• In a significant move to bolster the security of India’s parliamentary complex, IPS officer Anurag Agarwal has been appointed as the new head of Parliament security.
• Anurag Agarwal, a seasoned officer from the 1998 batch of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been serving as an inspector general in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
• With his extensive experience in law enforcement and internal security, Agarwal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role as the joint secretary (security) of the Parliament House complex.

Important Days News

16.World Wildlife Day 2024

• World Wildlife Day, celebrated annually on March 3, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect and preserve the world’s fauna and flora.
• In 2024, this day draws particular attention to the role of digital innovation in wildlife conservation, underlining the theme “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.”
• The inception of World Wildlife Day traces back to a proposal made by Thailand to the United Nations General Assembly in 2013.

Books & Authors News

17.Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik releases book titled ‘FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023’

• In a significant celebration of sports and culture, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik released the coffee table book titled ‘FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023’.
• The book, a publication by Sportstar, the esteemed sports magazine of The Hindu Group, encapsulates the essence and excitement of the 15th FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup held in 2023.
• The FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 was a monumental event for Odisha, hosting the prestigious tournament at two prime locations: Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.

Science & Technology News

18.L&T Commissions First Indigenously Manufactured Hydrogen Electrolyser At Hazira

• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has achieved a major milestone in clean energy by commissioning its first domestically manufactured electrolyser at the Green Hydrogen Plant in Hazira, Gujarat.
• This marks the entry of L&T Electrolysers Limited into domestic electrolyser manufacturing, showcasing the company’s dedication to advancing sustainable energy solutions.
• It boasts a robust power capacity of 1 MW, with the potential for expansion up to 2 MW and features two stacks and an Electrolyser Processing Unit (EPU) ML-400, all manufactured and assembled locally.

19.Indian Scientists Create Eco Wound Dressings With Banana Fibers

• Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) researchers transform banana pseudo stems into eco-friendly wound dressing material.
• Prof. Devasish Chowdhury and Prof. (Retd) Rajlakshmi Devi lead the team, blending banana fibers with chitosan and guar gum for a robust, antioxidant-rich patch.
• This innovative approach repurposes agricultural waste, demonstrating potential benefits for sustainable wound care solutions.

Obituaries News

20.Veteran Congress Leader and Former UP Governor Aziz Qureshi Passes Away

• The Indian political landscape mourns the loss of Aziz Qureshi, a seasoned Congress leader and former Governor of Uttar Pradesh, who passed away at the age of 83
• Born on April 24, 1941, in Bhopal, Aziz Qureshi embarked on his political journey with a strong foundation rooted in his dedication to public service.
• His early foray into politics saw him being elected as an MLA from the Sehore seat in Madhya Pradesh in 1972, marking the beginning of a long and illustrious career. Qureshi’s extensive career spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to Indian politics and governance.

2 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

Check More GK Updates Here