Daily Current Affairs 29 February 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 29 February 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on World’s Largest Grain Storage Scheme, Acharya Lokesh Muni, Romain Rolland Book Prize 2024.

Top 17 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 29 February 2024

National News

1. Amit Shah Inaugurates Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Science and Research in Gujarat

• Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries, inaugurated the ‘Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Science and Research’ at the Shri Swaminarayan Vishwamangal Gurukul in Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• This significant development marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of medical education and healthcare services in the region.

2. PM Modi Launches World’s Largest Grain Storage Scheme: Strengthening Cooperative Sector 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for key initiatives aimed at bolstering the cooperative sector in India. The pilot project for the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector’, expansion of PACS, and digital transformation aim to enhance food security, economic development, and governance, benefiting millions of farmers.
• The ceremony, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marks a significant step towards enhancing food security, economic development, and governance within the cooperative domain.

3. Education Minister launches SWAYAM Plus platform

• In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced the launch of the SWAYAM Plus platform, operated by IIT-Madras.
• This initiative aims to provide industry-relevant courses to enhance the employability of learners, including working professionals.

International News

4. South Korea’s Fertility Rate Hits New Low in 2023

• In 2023, South Korea experienced a further decline in its already record-low fertility rate, exacerbating concerns about population decline.
• Political promises aim to tackle the crisis, but similar trends in Japan and China underscore the complex challenges of reversing declining birth rates.
• South Korea’s fertility rate hits a record low of 0.72 in 2023, continuing a trend of decline.
• The rate is well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman required for population stability.
• Factors such as career advancement concerns and financial burdens deter women from having children, contributing to the decline.

5. Peru declares dengue health emergency

• Peru has declared a health emergency in response to the escalating cases of dengue fever across the nation.
• Health Minister Cesar Vasquez announced on Monday that over 31,000 cases of dengue have been reported within the first eight weeks of 2024, resulting in 32 fatalities. The emergency declaration will encompass 20 out of Peru’s 25 regions.

Awards News

6. Acharya Lokesh Muni to be Honored as ‘Global Jain Peace Ambassador’

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to confer the esteemed title of ‘Global Jain Peace Ambassador’ upon Acharya Lokesh Muni.
• The ceremony, scheduled to take place in Karnataka, will be organized by the Jain pilgrim center, Navagraha Tirtha Kshetra, in Hubli Varur. Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, the founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti and the World Peace Center, is a multifaceted personality known for his profound impact in various domains.

7. Bengali Translation Wins Prestigious Romain Rolland Book Prize 2024

• The recipient of this year’s Romain Rolland Book Prize is Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee for his remarkable translation of Jean-Daniel Baltassat’s “Le Divan de Staline” into Bengali, titled “Staliner Divan.”
• Published by New Bharat Sahitya Kutir, Kolkata, Chatterjee’s translation stood out for its linguistic prowess and fidelity to the original text. This marks the second time that a Bengali translation has been honoured with this prestigious award.

Banking News

8. Amazon Pay Receives Final RBI Approval as Payment Aggregator

• Amazon Pay, the fintech arm of Amazon India, has secured a payment aggregator license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), joining a select group of authorized organizations in the country.
• The approval allows Amazon Pay to bolster its distribution channels, facilitating the delivery of secure, convenient, and rewarding digital payment experiences.
• This development aligns with Amazon Pay’s mission to serve merchants and customers across India effectively.

9. Jana Small Finance Bank, Dvara Money partner for digital banking

• Dvara Money, a leading fintech company, has announced a strategic partnership with Jana Small Finance Bank Limited (Jana SFB). This collaboration aims to harness the technological capabilities of Jana SFB and the innovative Spark Money platform by Dvara Money to set new standards in digital banking services.
• At the core of this partnership is a shared vision to revolutionize digital banking through the integration of third-party application providers (TPAP) and a comprehensive Unified Payments Interface (UPI) solution into the Spark Money platform. This initiative promises to offer customers a seamless banking experience, enabling easy digital transactions and more efficient finance management.

Business News

10. RIL signs deal with Disney to merge Viacom18 and Star India

• Reliance Industries (RIL) has unveiled a significant merger deal with Viacom18 Media and The Walt Disney Company, aimed at forming a joint venture (JV) that will integrate the operations of Viacom18 and Star India. This strategic move is poised to reshape the landscape of the Indian entertainment and sports industry.
• RIL, Viacom18 Media, and Disney sign binding definitive agreements for the merger.
• Viacom18’s media business to be merged into Star India through a court-approved scheme of arrangement.
• RIL commits to investing Rs 11,500 crore (approximately US$ 1.4 billion) into the JV to support its growth strategy.

Books and Authors News

11. A book title “Basic Structure and Republic” Released by Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai

• In a notable event at the Durbar Hall (Old) of Raj Bhavan, Governor Shri P. S. Sreedharan Pillai unveiled his latest literary contribution, “Basic Structure and Republic,” marking his 212th publication.
• The ceremony was adorned by the gracious presence of His Gracious H. G. Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Archbishop of Changanacherry, Kerala, and Shri. Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for Water Resource Development, Co-Operation, and Provedoria, highlighting the significance of the occasion.

Appointments News

12. PayU names Renu Sud Karnad as chairperson and independent director

• PayU Payments Private Ltd, a prominent fintech arm of the global consumer internet group Prosus, has announced the appointment of Renu Sud Karnad as the chairperson and independent director.
• The addition of Karnad, a distinguished director at HDFC Bank, underscores PayU’s commitment to leveraging experienced leadership to navigate the evolving fintech landscape.

13. Ravindra Kumar assumes charge as Director (Operations) of NTPC

• Ravindra Kumar, the newly appointed Director-Operations at NTPC Ltd, brings over three decades of rich experience and expertise in the power sector.
• From his early days as a graduate engineer trainee to his recent leadership roles, Kumar’s journey exemplifies a commitment to excellence and innovation.

Banking News

14. Jana Small Finance Bank, Dvara Money partner for digital banking

• Dvara Money, a leading fintech company, has announced a strategic partnership with Jana Small Finance Bank Limited (Jana SFB).
• This collaboration aims to harness the technological capabilities of Jana SFB and the innovative Spark Money platform by Dvara Money to set new standards in digital banking services.

Ranks and Reports News

15. India’s Weightage Surges on MSCI Global Standard Index

• India’s weightage in the MSCI Global Standard (Emerging Markets) index has reached a historic high of 18.2% following MSCI’s February review.
• This surge, nearly doubling since November 2020, is attributed to various factors such as standardized foreign ownership limits, sustained domestic equity rally, and relative underperformance of other emerging markets, particularly China.

Books and Authors News

16. A book title “Basic Structure and Republic” Released by Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai

• In a notable event at the Durbar Hall (Old) of Raj Bhavan, Governor Shri P. S. Sreedharan Pillai unveiled his latest literary contribution, “Basic Structure and Republic,” marking his 212th publication.
• The ceremony was adorned by the gracious presence of His Gracious H. G. Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Archbishop of Changanacherry, Kerala, and Shri. Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for Water Resource Development, Co-Operation, and Provedoria, highlighting the significance of the occasion.

Science and Tech News

17 IIT Madras Introduces ‘Investor Information & Analytics Platform’ for Startups

• Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Prof. Thillai Rajan A of IIT Madras inaugurated the ‘Investor Information and Analytics Platform,’ developed by CREST.
• This platform serves as a centralized hub for startups to access investors, government schemes, and other crucial components of the startup ecosystem.

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

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