Current Affairs One - Liner : 23rd February 2024

• National:
• Telangana’s Deputy CM and Finance Minister, Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, presented a vote on account budget of Rs 2,75,891 crore for FY25. The budget focuses on welfare and implementing the six guarantees promised by Congress. It includes Rs 201,178 crore for revenue expenditure and Rs 29,669 crore for capital expenditure.

• The Union Cabinet approved the “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” for 2021-26 on February 21, 2024. The total outlay for this programme is Rs. 4,100 crore. The FMBAP has two components: the Flood Management Programme (FMP) and the River Management and Border Areas (RMBA).
• The Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched the Annual Capacity Building Plan on February 22, 2024. The plan aims to enhance the capabilities of staff from Post offices, Railways, BSNL, and Common Service Centres (CSC) through iGoT Karmayogi training.
• IIT Guwahati, in collaboration with EduRade, launched India’s largest drone pilot training organisation on 22nd February 2024. The organisation aims to advance drone technology in India and offers a range of drone-based courses. Upon completion, students receive a Remote Pilot Certificate from the DGCA, Government of India.
• International:
• On February 22, 2024, India and Denmark signed a Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement, providing employment opportunities for Indians in Denmark, particularly in the health sector. They also unveiled a logo commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations. The countries plan to expand their partnership into new areas, including defence, security, and new technology.
• Banking:
• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has made amendments to the National Pension System Trust (NPST) and Pension Fund Regulations. The key changes include simplification of trustee appointments, clarity of roles of the Sponsor of Pension Fund & Pension Fund, constitution of additional board committees, and enhanced disclosure requirements. These changes aim to reduce compliance and enhance ease of doing business.
• Economy:
• Morgan Stanley Research has projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to be 6.9% for FY24 and then moderate to 6.5% for FY25. This projection is based on their constructive outlook on the Indian economy, with risks emanating from global factors and elections in May 2024. They also expect the GDP growth for the third quarter of FY24 ending December 2023 to be at 6.5%.
• The mineral production in India grew by 5.1% in December 2023 compared to the same month in the previous year. This growth was observed across various minerals including Magnesite, Lignite, Limestone, Coal, Natural Gas, Zinc, Manganese, Lead, Copper and Bauxite. Furthermore, the cumulative growth for the period from April to December in 2023-24 was 8.5% higher than the corresponding period of the previous year.
• Govt.Schemes:
• The Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana, launched by Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on February 21, 2024, is a National Entrepreneurship Development Project for beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi scheme. The program aims to provide comprehensive entrepreneurship training over 22 weeks, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure. The training will be conducted through offline, online, and hybrid modes. The initiative is part of the government’s commitment to nurturing job providers across the nation.
• Science & Technology:
• On February 20, 2024, a new species of anaconda, known as the Northern Green Anaconda, was discovered in the Amazon rainforest by Dutch biologist and TV wildlife presenter Professor Freek Vonk. This snake, now considered the world’s largest, measures 26 feet long and weighs around 440 pounds. The species, scientifically named Eunectes akayima, is found in the northern regions of South America. The genetic differences between this species and the Green Anaconda are significant, with a 5.5% difference.
• The Odysseus, a spacecraft built by the American private company Intuitive Machines, made history by becoming the first commercial spacecraft to land on the Moon. The landing occurred on February 21, 2024, at the lunar site Malapert A. This event marks a significant milestone in space exploration, highlighting the growing role of private industry.
• Sports:
• Two athletes from Bhopal, Bhagwan Singh and Mahesh Khurana, completed the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon 2024 in Leh-Ladakh. This marathon, known as the ‘World’s Highest Frozen Lake Marathon’, took place on February 20, 2024, at an altitude of 18,680 feet, with temperatures dropping to -15°C.
• Important Days:
• World Peace and Understanding Day is observed annually on February 23. It was initiated by Rotary International, an organization dedicated to humanitarian service, peace, and goodwill. The day promotes peace, empathy, and cooperation among people of various origins and cultures. While there’s no official theme for 2024, the unofficial theme is often considered “Service above Self”.
• Appointments:
• Salil Parekh, the CEO and MD of Infosys, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on February 21, 2024. This appointment is expected to strengthen the ties between the technology industries of India and the United States.
• President Droupadi Murmu has appointed A S Rajeev as the Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Before this appointment, A S Rajeev was the Managing Director & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra. He voluntarily opted to retire from his post at the Bank of Maharashtra, and the competent authority accepted his request.
• Books:
• The book “Neeraj Chopra: The Man Who Made History” was written by Norris Pritam and published by Bloomsbury India. This book is a biography of Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw from India.
• Obituaries:
• Manohar Joshi, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker, passed away at the age of 86 on February 23, 2024. He had a significant political career with the Shiv Sena and served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Lok Sabha Speaker.
• Germany’s Andreas Brehme, 1990 World Cup Winning Goal Scorer, Passes Away at the age of 63. He was a legendary footballer who is best remembered for scoring the winning goal for West Germany in the 1990 World Cup final against Argentina.

Questions:

Q.1 Who was appointed to the Board of Directors of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on February 21, 2024?
a. Nandan Nilekani
b. Salil Parekh
c. Sundar Pichai
d. Satya Nadella
Q.2 Who is the author of the book “Neeraj Chopra: The Man Who Made History”?
a. Neeraj Chopra
b. Bloomsbury India
c. Norris Pritam
d. None of the above