Current Affairs One - Liner : 28th February 2024

• National:
• On 24th February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Chhattisgarh’ program in Chhattisgarh. During this event, he launched multiple development projects worth over Rs 34,400 crores. These projects spanned various sectors including Roads, Railways, Coal, Power, and Solar Energy.

• The “Genome India” project, led by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, completed the sequencing of 10,000 genomes from the Indian population on February 28, 2024. This database will aid in understanding genetic variants unique to India’s population groups, potentially leading to customized drugs and therapies.
• The Jharkhand government’s budget for 2024-25 is Rs 1.28 lakh crore. It includes increased farm loan waivers, expanded food security coverage, a separate budget for student development, and housing initiatives. The aim is to make Jharkhand a Rs 10 lakh crore economy by 2029-30, benefiting all sections of society and promoting state development.
• The ‘Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye’ is an initiative by the Indian Government to encourage youth participation in elections. It includes various activities like blog writing, debates, quizzes, and workshops about the electoral process. The campaign also encourages youth to take a voter’s pledge and download the Voter Helpline App. The initiative emphasizes the importance of voting in shaping the nation’s future.
• In the 2024 Rajya Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won eight seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) secured the remaining two. The results were declared on February 27, 2024.
• The Assam government has decided to repeal the Muslim Marriage Act, a law from 1935 that laid down the process for registration of Muslim marriages and divorces. The decision is aimed at prohibiting child marriages in the state, as the Act allowed marriage registrations even if the bride or groom were below the legal marriageable age. This move is seen as a significant step towards the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.
• The ‘Purple Fest’ was inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu at the Amrit Udyan of Rashtrapati Bhavan on 26 February 2024. Organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, it aimed to raise awareness about disabilities. The fest included various activities and saw participation from over 14,000 people. The fest aimed to promote empathy, acceptance, and understanding toward persons with disabilities.
• International:
• The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, a significant event in the tech industry, is taking place in Barcelona, Spain from February 26 to February 29, 2024. The event is a platform for various tech companies to showcase their latest innovations. This year, TECNO unveiled its new AI capabilities and introduced the Camon 30 Premier with a new imaging system.
• The New Zealand government has confirmed that it will repeal a world-first law banning tobacco sales for future generations. This law, which was set to take effect from July, would have banned sales to those born after January 1, 2009, cut nicotine content in smoked tobacco products, and reduced the number of tobacco retailers by more than 90%.
• Banking:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Sumerpur Mercantile Urban Cooperative Bank Limited, based in Rajasthan, on February 27, 2024, due to inadequate capital and earning prospects. The bank’s financial position was deemed insufficient to meet its obligations, especially towards its depositors.
• Economy:
• The Mauritius Government amended the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India on February 23, 2024. This amendment aligns with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) proposal on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), aiming to prevent tax avoidance by multinational corporations.
• The Indian MSMEs’ commercial credit portfolio grew by 11% YoY in Q3 2023, reaching a credit exposure of Rs 28.2 lakh crores. New credit value was Rs. 2.43 lakh crores, with small enterprises having a 42% share. Lending sustained despite the end of the ECLGS scheme. Delinquencies improved to 2.3%, and 46% of MSME originations were in semi-urban and rural regions.
• Mous:
• On February 26, 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), and the Department of Posts (DoP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. The purpose of this MoU is to enhance voter outreach and awareness ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. Under this agreement, IBA & DoP will promote voter education through their extensive network on a pro-bono basis.
• Science & Technology:
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the four astronauts for its first manned space mission, Gaganyaan. The astronauts, all from the Indian Air Force, are Group Captains Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shubanshu Shukla. The mission aims to send a crew of three into orbit for a 3-day journey before returning safely to Earth. The launch is scheduled between 2024-25.
• Sports:
• Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton scored the fastest T20I century in history off just 33 balls, surpassing the previous record of 34 balls. He scored 101 off 36 balls, including 11 fours and eight sixes.
• New Zealand’s seasoned pace bowler, Neil Wagner, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The decision came after he was informed that he wouldn’t be selected for the upcoming two-Test series against Australia. Wagner’s illustrious career spanned 64 Tests and he took 260 wickets, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand.
• Important Days:
• National Protein Day, celebrated annually on February 27, aims to raise awareness about the importance of protein in our diet. The theme for 2024 is #SolvewithProtein, emphasizing protein’s role in addressing health challenges and promoting well-being. The day encourages people to consume a high protein diet for a healthy lifestyle.
• Rare Disease Day, observed on the last day of February, aims to raise awareness about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives. The 2024 theme is “Share Your Colours,” emphasizing collaboration and support. While these diseases are individually rare, they collectively impact over 300 million people worldwide. The day promotes dignity, legitimacy, and awareness of these conditions as a global health concern.
• Appointments:
• Former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar has been appointed as the new chairperson of Lokpal. The appointment was announced by President Droupadi Murmu. Justice Khanwilkar brings a wealth of judicial experience to his new role.
• Sachin Jain, a veteran with over two decades of experience in the Indian consumer and jewelry market, has been appointed as the new CEO for India by the World Gold Council. His appointment will be effective from March 2024. Previously, he served in several senior roles at De Beers over the past 13 years.
• Books:
• “Fool Bahadur” is a novel originally written in Magahi by Jayanath Pati. The English translation of this novel was done by Abhay K, an Indian poet-diplomat, editor, and translator. The novel is set in colonial Bihar and provides a humorous reflection on the state’s erstwhile society and bureaucracy. The English translation was launched on February 24, 2024.

Questions:

Q.1 How many astronauts were announced for the Gaganyaan mission?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
Q.2 Who has been appointed as the new chairperson of Lokpal?
a. Justice Droupadi Murmu
b. Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar
c. Justice Dipak Misra
d. Justice Ranjan Gogoi