NATIONAL NEWS

“SWAYAM Plus Platform” Launched By Central Government

The center has collaborated with leading industry players to launch the "SWAYAM Plus Platform", which is aimed at offering employability and professional development-focused programmes to its learners.

This is an expansion of the existing SWAYAM initiative, which aims to identify and include courses that align with industry needs and enhance learners' employability.

SWAYAM is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform that provides educational opportunities by bringing the best teaching and learning resources to everyone.

The main focus is on creating a system that benefits everyone involved in professional and career development, including learners, course providers, industry, academia, and strategic partners.

This involves establishing a mechanism that recognizes high-quality certifications and courses offered by the best industry and academia partners and provide credit for them.

The goal is to reach a large number of learners across the country, with a particular emphasis on those in tier 2 and 3 towns and rural areas. Customized employment courses will be provided, with options to learn in vernacular languages.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Mauritius Inaugurated Developmental Projects

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and the Prime Minister of Mauritius, H.E. Mr Pravind Jugnauth, jointly inaugurated a new Airstrip and St. James Jetty, along with six community development projects, on Agalega Island in Mauritius.

The inauguration of these projects is a testament to the strong and long-standing development partnership between India and Mauritius.

It is expected to improve connectivity between mainland Mauritius and Agalega, strengthen maritime security, and promote socio-economic development.

The inauguration of the projects is a significant event as it follows the recent launch of UPI and RuPay Card services in Mauritius by the two leaders on February 12, 2024.

Mauritius has become the first nation to adopt the 'Jan Aushadhi Scheme' which allows the sourcing of around 250 high-quality medicines from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, providing benefits to the people of Mauritius at large.

This has given further momentum to the partnership between the two countries.

Mauritius is an important partner of India's 'Neighbourhood First Policy'. It is also a special partner under Vision SAGAR.

Both nations share common priorities as members of the Global South.

The relationship between the two countries has seen unprecedented momentum in the last ten years, with new heights of mutual cooperation being achieved.

India has extended a credit line of 1,000 million US dollars along with 400 million US dollars worth of assistance to the people of Mauritius.

India has been fortunate to contribute to the development of metro rail lines, community development projects, social housing, ENT Hospital, Civil Service College, and sports complex infrastructures in Mauritius.

 

BANKING

RBI Promotes Financial Literacy for Securing Individuals' Financial Future

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been propagating financial literacy in various forms, recognizing its crucial role in securing individuals' financial future.

By promoting financial literacy, RBI aims to empower people with knowledge of basic financial concepts and enable them to make well-informed decisions, understand the importance of saving and investing, and navigate the digital financial landscape with confidence.

The competition is open to all postgraduate students (excluding doctoral and postdoctoral students) currently enrolled in recognized educational institutions.

RBI has established two museums aimed at educating the public about money, banking, and monetary history, thereby increasing awareness.

The RBI's Public Awareness Campaign 'RBI Kehta Hai' plays a significant role in educating the public about banking facilities and services. It focuses on informing individuals about their rights and responsibilities among other relevant topics.

NABARD Proposes Setting up Meat and Egg Processing Units in Gujarat

In the State Focus Paper for the financial year 2024-25, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has recommended establishing meat and egg processing units in Gujarat to produce value-added products like chicken samosa, patties, and momos.

The focus paper was formally unveiled at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The paper indicates that Gujarat's total meat production has remained stagnant at 0.35 lakh kilograms for the last two years (2021-22 and 2022-23). Egg production in Gujarat witnessed a marginal decline of 3.6% in 2022-23.

The state produced 18,789 lakh eggs during this period.

Gujarat has 12.84 lakh desi fowl from backyard poultry and 55.67 lakh improved fowl from commercial poultry farms.

The State Focus Paper projects an 18% growth in the credit potential for the priority sector in Gujarat for the year 2024-25.

 

SPORTS

Khelo India University Games Men's Football Title

The University of Calicut lifted the championship trophy of Men’s Football at the Khelo India University Games 2023 defeating the University of Kerala by 2:1.

The final match was held at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Mulapui in Aizawl.

In all, 8 Universities have participated in the competition which includes 3 teams from Kerala, 2 teams from Punjab, 2 teams from West Bengal and 1 team from Maharashtra.

Around 175 athletes with 25 support staff and 22 technical officials and 70 volunteers were involved in the competition.

The Mizoram Edition of the Khelo India University Games 2023 began on February 19th.

Football is now becoming a profession and expressed the hope that the young footballers who are participating in the games would dominate Indian Football in future.

Presentation of the cultural riches of the Mizo community and a Special Number from well-known singer Sangteii Khuptong marked the Closing ceremony.

India's First Female Pitch Curator

Jacintha Kalyan has become the trailblazing pioneer as the first female cricket pitch curator in our nation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, extended warm praise to Jacintha Kalyan for her groundbreaking achievement as the first female pitch curator in Indian cricket history.

Kalyan is currently overseeing the pitch preparations for the Women's Premier League (WPL) in Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone for gender inclusivity in the sport.

Kalyan, hailing from an agricultural background, has been associated with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for over three decades.

Asian Track Cycling Championship 2024

India ended its campaign by winning a total of 18 medals at the Asian Track Cycling Championships 2024.

This competition was organized from 21 to 26 February at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi.

500 riders from 18 countries competed in New Delhi, including junior and para track cycling events.

This was the 43rd edition of the 'Asian Track Cycling Championships'.

The championship was also the final qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

India's 20-member junior and para teams performed well and won 18 medals. There are nine gold, six silver and three bronze medals in total.

Malaysia topped the Asian Track Cycling Championships 2024 with 37 medals.

Japan got 24 medals and Korea got 23 medals and got second and third place respectively in this competition.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

International IP Index 2024

India has retained its 42nd position on the International IP Index in 2024, which indicates consistency in its intellectual property regime score at 38.64%.

This information was revealed in a comprehensive report by the US Chamber of Commerce, which evaluated the intellectual property infrastructures of 55 countries.

The report highlights the strengths and weaknesses of India's IP landscape, indicating that the USA, UK, France, Germany, and Sweden are leading the pack. The report also highlights critical areas where India needs significant improvement.

The International IP Index 2024 highlighted a positive global trend towards improving IP policies. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Nigeria have made notable advancements in this regard.

Intellectual property rights (IPR) are legal rights granted to inventors or creators to safeguard their inventions or creations for a specific period of time.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

150 Railway Stations Awarded by FSSAI 'Eat Right Station' Certification

The Eat Right Station initiative has accomplished a remarkable feat as it has certified 150 railway stations nationwide.

This certification indicates the strict compliance of food safety, hygiene, and nutrition standards. This ensures that the passengers can access healthy and safe meals during their travels.

The 'Eat Right Station certification is an initiative by FSSAI that recognizes railway stations that provide passengers with safe and nutritious food.

After an FSSAI-approved third-party audit agency evaluation, stations are awarded certificates with ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars, with a 5-star rating indicating full compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

This certification is an important part of the 'Eat Right India' movement, a comprehensive initiative by FSSAI aimed at revolutionizing the country's food system to ensure everyone's safety, health, and sustainability.

Through regulatory measures, capacity-building efforts, collaboration, and empowerment, Eat Right India strives to ensure that food is suitable for people and the planet.

This movement aims to ensure that every passenger, regardless of their destination, has access to safe and healthy food options throughout their journey.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

New Chairperson of Lokpal

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, a former Supreme Court judge, as the new chairperson of Lokpal.

Justice Khanwilkar will be the second Lokpal in India, succeeding Pinaki Chandra Ghose who retired in May 2022 after serving a two-year tenure.

Currently, the acting chairperson and judicial member of Lokpal is Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, former Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

Besides the appointment of Justice Khanwilkar, the President also appointed former high court chief justices, namely Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav, and Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, as judicial members.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Science Day

National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February.

This day is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of 'Raman Effect' by Sir Chandrashekhar Venkata Raman.

The theme of NSD 2024 is “IndigenousTechnology for Viksit Bharat.”

On the occasion of NSD, the whole country celebrates it as a science festival by organizing workshops, exhibitions of science films, seminars etc.

Its main objective is to create scientific thinking in the minds of people.