Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 21 February 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on Milan Naval Exercise, France’s Highest Civilian Award, North India’s First ‘Pizza ATM’, International Mother Language Day 2024.

Top 23 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 21 February 2024

National News

1.PM Modi Launches ₹43,875 Cr Educational and Infra Projects including 3 IIMs, IITs, 20 KVs, 13 NVs, and AIIMS in Jammu

• On February 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a series of ambitious educational and infrastructure projects across India, totaling an investment of ₹13,375 crore.
• In addition to the educational projects, PM Modi launched a comprehensive ₹30,500 crore worth of projects in the fields of education, railway, aviation, and road sectors.

International News

2.Japan Commits to Long-Term Engagement in Ukraine’s Reconstruction

• As the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida has affirmed Japan’s commitment to Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction, labelling it as a strategic investment for the future.
• Japan, in collaboration with the Ukrainian government and various business organizations, co-organized a conference where Kishida outlined a vision for a comprehensive partnership between the two nations.
• The conference highlighted the critical role of investment across various industries for Ukraine’s development, with more than 50 cooperation deals signed between Japanese and Ukrainian entities.

3.Malta Becomes 119th Country to Join International Solar Alliance

• Malta, a small yet significant player in the global arena, recently took a remarkable step towards sustainable energy by joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• This move underscores the country’s commitment to reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and embracing environmentally friendly alternatives.
• With this development, Malta becomes the 119th nation to join the alliance, reinforcing the collective effort to combat climate change through solar energy deployment.

State News

4.Maharashtra Government Extends 10% Reservation to Marathas

• The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a draft bill to extend a 10 percent reservation to the Maratha community in both educational institutions and government employment.
• This move follows a report submitted by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC) justifying the extension beyond the 50 percent cap.
• The government has scheduled a special session of the state assembly to introduce the bill in response to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s hunger strike.

5.Arunachal Pradesh Achieves Full Har Ghar Jal Saturation, First In Northeast

• Arunachal Pradesh has made a significant achievement by reaching 100 percent saturation in the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), announced by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
• This milestone sets Arunachal Pradesh apart as the first state in the northeast and the tenth in India to fully embrace the central government’s initiative, aimed at ensuring clean and safe piped water for every household.
• Launched in 2019, the JJM aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections across rural India by 2024.

6.Chandigarh Unveils North India’s First ‘Pizza ATM’

• CITCO (Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation) introduces a pizza maker near Sukhna Lake, producing hot pizzas in three minutes, a first in North India.
• The pizza vending machine is the only one operational in India, marking a significant breakthrough. Dr. Rohit Shekhar Sharma, Founder & CEO at iMatrix Group of Companies leads the project inspired by France.
• The machine is crafted at their Mohali factory, outperforming similar ventures, dispensing 100 pizzas daily. Operational since early 2024, the Pizza ATM swiftly becomes a local favorite, offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Defence News

7.Multinational military exercise ‘Shanti Prayas IV’ commences in Kathmandu

• Kathmandu became the focal point of global peacekeeping efforts as it hosted the commencement of the multinational military exercise ‘Shanti Prayas IV’.
• This event, which draws army representatives from 19 countries actively involved in United Nations Peacekeeping missions, underscores the collaborative spirit and dedication towards maintaining global peace and security.
• The Shanti Prayas Exercise is co-hosted by the Nepali Army and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, reflecting the strong military cooperation between Nepal and the United States

8.India Hosts Milan Naval Exercise with Participation of Nearly 50 Countries

• India is hosting the 12th edition of the ‘Milan’ naval exercise in Visakhapatnam, aimed at bolstering maritime cooperation among like-minded nations.
• Navies from almost 50 countries including the US, Japan, Australia, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia are participating.
• Milan is a biennial multinational naval exercise initiated in 1995 with the participation of Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, aligned with India’s ‘Look East’ policy. The exercise evolved under the Andaman and Nicobar Command until its 10th edition.

9.HAL, DRDO to Begin Rs 60,000 Crore Sukhoi Fighter Jet Fleet Upgrade

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) embarks on a comprehensive upgrade project worth Rs 60,000 crore for the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet.
• The initiative aims to bolster the aircraft’s capabilities through the integration of advanced technologies and indigenous systems.
• Over 50% indigenous content to be incorporated into the manufacturing process, reflecting India’s commitment to self-sufficiency in defence production.

Banking News

10.HDFC Bank Leads Profitability Rankings From April To December

• 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.
• HDFC Bank’s strategic merger with mortgage lender HDFC, effective from July 1 last year, contributes to its financial strength and competitive edge.
• 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.

Business News

11.Fintech Startup ‘Paymart’ Partners With Five Indian Banks For Virtual ATM Service

• Paymart, a fintech startup, announced its partnership with five Indian banks to introduce a groundbreaking virtual, cardless, and hardware-less cash withdrawal service
• The partnered banks include IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, and Karur Vyasa Bank, with discussions underway with four additional banks for further collaboration.
• Paymart boasts future-ready technology and direct connectivity to banks’ Core Banking Systems, positioning itself as a versatile Cardless Switch.

12.Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, and Vedanta Ltd: Private Investment in India’s Nuclear Energy Sector

• The Indian government is set to invite private investment worth $26 billion into its nuclear energy sector. This initiative aims to bolster non-carbon-emitting energy sources, aligning with India’s goal of increasing non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation to 50% by 2030.
• Private firms, including Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, and Vedanta Ltd, are being approached for investments totaling around 440 billion rupees each ($5.30 billion).
• The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will retain rights for building, operating, and managing the nuclear stations, including fuel management.

13.Tech Mahindra Buys Orchid Cybertech For ₹24.75 crores

• IT services and consulting firm Tech Mahindra finalized the acquisition of Orchid Cybertech Services (OCSI), purchasing a 100% stake in the company through its wholly-owned subsidiary for a total of $3.27 million.
• Orchid Cybertech Services specializes in providing customer experience solutions and currently serves TPG Telecom with a workforce of approximately 2,950 full-time employees
• The acquisition underscores Tech Mahindra’s commitment to enhancing its customer experience solutions and extending its reach in the Philippines market.

Important Days News

14.International Mother Language Day 2024

• Annually commemorated on February 21, International Mother Language Day in 2024 falls on a Wednesday, marking a special day of recognition and celebration of linguistic diversity worldwide.
• The genesis of International Mother Language Day traces back not to India, but to Bangladesh, highlighting a pivotal movement in the history of linguistic rights.
• This year, the theme for International Mother Language Day is “Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning.”

Awards News

15.Alex Dawson Captures the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 Award

• Swedish photographer Alex Dawson has clinched the prestigious title of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024.
• His winning entry, ‘Whale Bones’, is a mesmerizing image that transports viewers beneath the icy expanse of the Greenland ice sheet, where a diver is seen exploring the skeletal remains of a minke whale.
• This striking composition not only showcases Dawson’s exceptional photographic skills but also highlights the haunting beauty of the underwater world.

16.Shashi Tharoor Honoured with France’s Highest Civilian Award

• Diplomat, author, and politician, Shashi Tharoor has been bestowed with the prestigious ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur’ (Knight of the Legion of Honour), France’s highest civilian honour.
• This accolade celebrates Tharoor’s lifelong dedication to fostering global understanding and his significant service to India and the world at large.
• Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour stands as the epitome of French recognition for outstanding service to France, transcending nationality.

Agreements News

17.Japan Commits Rs 12,800 Crore for Diverse Projects in India

• To bolster India’s infrastructure and innovation landscape, the Japanese government has pledged a substantial loan of 232.209 billion yen (approximately Rs 12,800 crore) to fund nine distinct projects across various sectors in India.
• This financial assistance marks a notable step in enhancing the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan, a relationship that has been thriving since 1958.
• The agreement was formalized between Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, and Suzuki Hiroshi, the Japanese Ambassador to India.

18.Goa and World Bank Launch Pioneering Climate Finance Facility

• The Government of Goa has unveiled plans for a pioneering Blended Finance facility in collaboration with the World Bank.
• This initiative marks a significant step towards climate-focused financing at a subnational level, aiming to bolster Goa’s resilience to the challenges posed by climate change.
• The objective of Blended Finance facility is to facilitate access to concessional finance for low-carbon and climate-resilient investments in Goa.

Sports News

19.Faiz Fazal Retires From Professional Cricket

• In a significant announcement that brings to a close a remarkable career, Faiz Fazal, the esteemed Vidarbha cricketer, has decided to retire from all forms of the game.
• At 38, his contributions to Vidarbha cricket have been immense, culminating in a legacy that will be celebrated for generations.
• The Vidarbha cricket team, representing eastern Maharashtra, competes in India’s domestic tournaments: Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

20.8-Year-Old From Singapore Beats Polish Grandmaster, Sets Record

• An eight-year-old chess prodigy from Singapore, Ashwath Kaushik emerged victorious against the seasoned Polish grandmaster Jacek Stopa, securing his place in history as the youngest chess player to defeat a grandmaster.
• Ashwath Kaushik, at the age of eight years and six months, shattered the previous age record set merely days before his triumph.
• Previous record holder, Leonid Ivanovic from Serbia, aged eight years and eleven months, had recently defeated the Bulgarian Milko Popchev, aged 59.

Science & Technology News

21.Reliance Industries is set to launch ‘Hanooman’, a ChatGPT-style AI service

• Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, in collaboration with some of the country’s premier engineering institutions, is poised to unveil its pioneering ChatGPT-style service named ‘Hanooman’ next month.
• The development of ‘Hanooman’ is a result of a concerted effort between Reliance Jio Infocomm, Centre, and several Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), including IIT Bombay.
• This endeavor, featuring a consortium of Reliance and eight affiliated universities, underscores the synergy between India’s leading corporate powerhouse and its academic institutions in pushing the frontiers of technology.

Obituaries News

22.Ameen Sayani, Renowned Radio Presenter And Voice Of Geetmala, Passes Away

• Ameen Sayani, the legendary voice that defined radio for generations of Indians, passed away at the age of 91.
• Known for his iconic program Binaca Geetmala, Sayani’s voice was a staple in Indian households, bridging the gap between music and its lovers across the nation.
• He suffered a heart attack on the evening of February 20 and was rushed to H N Reliance Hospital in south Mumbai, where he breathed his last around 7 p.m., as confirmed by his son, Rajil Sayani.

23.Senior Supreme Court Advocate Fali S Nariman Passes Away at 95

• Renowned constitutional jurist and senior Supreme Court advocate Fali S Nariman passed away at the age of 95 in New Delhi.
• His journey to becoming a senior advocate in 1961 marked the beginning of a legal practice that would span over seven decades.
• Nariman’s initial years at the High Court of Bombay laid the foundation for a career that would see him move to New Delhi in 1972, where he would leave an indelible mark on the Supreme Court of India’s history.

21 FEBRUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

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