Current Affairs Feb 22, 2024
National News
Tripura Launches CM Jan Arogya Yojana (CMJAY) for Free Healthcare Services
- Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, along with cabinet colleagues and Dr. Basant Garg, launched CM Jan Arogya Yojana (CMJAY) aiming to provide free healthcare services.
- The initiative extends healthcare coverage to indoor patients up to the primary health center level and impaneled private hospitals within the state and beyond.
- Dr. Basant Garg highlighted Tripura as the first northeastern state to implement such a comprehensive healthcare scheme.
- CMJAY is a significant step towards ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for the people of Tripura.
Tripura:
- Capital: Agartala
- Chief minister: Manik Saha
Medaram Jatara: Telangana’s Spectacular Tribal Heritage Festival
- The Medaram Jatara, also known as Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, commenced on February 21 in Medaram, Mulugu district, showcasing Telangana’s vibrant tribal heritage.
- This four-day event, recognized as the world’s largest tribal gathering, draws pilgrims to the remote village of Medaram once every two years.
- The festival holds historical significance, commemorating the courageous struggle of mother-daughter duo, Sammakka and Saralamma, against oppressive rulers.
Arunachal Pradesh Signs MoU with NTCA to Establish Special Tiger Protection Force
- The Arunachal Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to establish the state’s first Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
- Despite being rich in biodiversity with three tiger reserves – Namdapha, Kamlang, and Pakke – Arunachal Pradesh previously lacked a dedicated force for tiger protection.
- The MoU aims to address this gap by deploying a specialized force comprising 336 personnel across these reserves for enhanced tiger conservation efforts.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- Establishment: Founded in 2005 as per the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force initiated by the Prime Minister of India.
- Objective: The primary aim is the conservation of tigers and their habitats in India. Focuses on implementing policies and programs for tiger conservation.
- Legal Mandate: Governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Holds authority to approve tiger conservation plans, allocate funds, and monitor tiger reserves nationwide.
Award News
Aditi Sen De Makes History as First Woman Scientist to Receive G D Birla Award
- Prof. Aditi Sen De has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first woman scientist to be honored with the prestigious G D Birla Award.
- The award recognizes her outstanding contributions to scientific research, particularly in her field of expertise.
- Prof. Sen De’s groundbreaking work has garnered widespread acclaim within the scientific community and beyond.
- This historic achievement underscores the importance of promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the field of science.
GD Birla Award:
- Establishment: The G D Birla Award was founded in 1991 by the K.K. Birla Foundation in India.
- Namesake: Named after Ghanshyam das Birla, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist.
- Purpose: The award aims to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in fields such as literature, scientific research, social work, and education.
- Recognition: Since its inception, the G D Birla Award has become a prestigious honor, highlighting the achievements and impact of outstanding individuals across various domains.
- Impact: It serves as a platform to celebrate excellence and encourage further contributions to society in diverse fields.
Economy News
India Liberalizes Space Sector for 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- India has amended its FDI policy to allow 100% FDI in the space sector, signaling a significant opening of the sector to foreign investment.
- The amendment includes liberalized FDI thresholds for various sub-sectors and activities within the space industry.
- This move is expected to enhance the ease of doing business in India and attract increased FDI inflows, fostering economic growth, investment, income, and employment opportunities.
- The liberalization of entry routes reflects India’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in its space industry.
BANKING NEWS
Mswipe Technologies Receives Payment Aggregator License from RBI
- Mswipe Technologies, a leading entity in India’s digital payments domain, has been granted a Payment Aggregator (PA) license by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- The acquisition of this license is expected to empower Mswipe in expanding its array of offerings, and enhancing its provision of comprehensive payment technology solutions across diverse channels.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Establishment: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, following the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission.
- Headquarters: The RBI’s headquarters is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Governance: The RBI is governed by a central board of directors appointed by the Government of India. The Governor of the RBI is the chief executive officer of the bank. As of my last update, the Governor was Shaktikanta Das.
RANKS AND REPORTS
India Ranked 80th for Cybercrime Targeting Globally in 2023
- In 2023, India was ranked as the 80th most targeted country for cybercrime worldwide.
- Local threats impacted around 34% of users within India.
- Kaspersky products detected and blocked a total of 74,385,324 cybercrime incidents in India during the year.
- The statistics highlight the persistent threat of cybercrime in India and the importance of cybersecurity measures to safeguard individuals and organizations against such attacks.
- Continuous vigilance and proactive measures are essential to mitigate the risks posed by cyber threats and ensure a secure digital environment for users.
SCHEME NEWS
Union Cabinet Enhances Scope of National Livelihood Mission with New Subsidy Provisions
- The Union Cabinet has approved modifications to the National Livelihood Mission (NLM) to broaden its scope.
- The revised provisions include a 50% capital subsidy, up to ₹50 lakhs, for establishing enterprises related to horses, donkeys, mules, and camels.
- Eligible entities such as individuals, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), Farmer Collectives Organizations (FCOs), and Section 8 companies can benefit from these subsidies.
Overview of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
- The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a poverty alleviation project initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
- Launched in June 2011, NRLM aims to promote self-employment and organize rural poor communities to enhance their livelihood opportunities.
- The mission focuses on empowering women through self-help groups (SHGs) and providing them with financial assistance, training, and access to markets.
- NRLM operates at both national and state levels, intending to reach out to the most vulnerable sections of society and lift them out of poverty.
- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh played a pivotal role in the launch and implementation of the NRLM during his tenure.
BOOK NEWS
“Sculpted Stones: Mysteries of Mamallapuram” Unveils the Rich Heritage of Ancient Art and History
- “Sculpted Stones: Mysteries of Mamallapuram” is a new book authored by Ashwin Prabhu and published by Tulika Books.
- The book serves as a guide, offering readers insights into the rich history and artistic heritage of the ancient town of Mamallapuram.