NATIONAL NEWS

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Of Ammunition Stock

• The Ordnance Services Directorate of the Indian Army and Munitions India Limited (MIL), Pune commenced implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to tag its ammunition inventory.

• The implementation shall lead to increased efficiency in all technical activities carried out in Ammunition Depots and reduce inventory carrying costs.

• GS-1 India, a Global Standards organisation set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry says that RFID tagging is in conformity with global standards.

Atal Tunnel Recognized As ‘Longest Highway Tunnel’

• During a landmark ceremony on 09 February 2022, in New Delhi, World Book of Records officially certified Atal Tunnel as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’.

• The 9.02 km long Atal Tunnel, that connecting Manali to the Lahaul - Spiti Valley runs under the ‘Rohtang Pass’ that was constructed on the Manali - Leh Highway.

• Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General of Border Roads Organisation (DGBR) received the award from the World Book of Records UK.

29 New Integrated Textile Parks

• Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said 29 new integrated textile parks are to be established in the country to benefit small enterprises in this sector.

• 27 such facilities have already been made operational in the country, under the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks for which the Centre has released about 1478 crore rupees.

• Under Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Parks (PM-MITRA) scheme seven mega parks will be set up in the country
• He also included that each such park will generate one lakh direct employment and two lakh crore indirect employment.

Water Desalination Technique to Make Seawater Drinkable

• At Indian Institute of Technology- Gandhinagar, IITGn the research team led by Prof Gopinadhan Kalon, Assistant Professor, Physics developed a cost-effective and environment-friendly water desalination technique to make seawater drinkable.
• The research team is inspired by the trees natural intake of water that uses capillary effect compared to energy -intense Reverse Osmosis technology.
• The team created controllable water transport channels in graphite crystal with the help of an electric field and potassium chloride ions, which allowed only freshwater to move through the crystal and blocked the salt ions.

Exports of Millets to Increase

• India is currently the world's fifth largest exporter of millets according to the Department of Commerce, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).
• In 2020, India was the world leader in millet production, with 41% of total global production.
• India exported millets worth USD 26.97 million in 2020-21 when compared to USD 28.5 million in 2019-20, which shows exports are increasing at a 3% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) over the last five years ending in 2020.
• Top three importers of millets from India in 2020-21.
• Nepal (USD 6.09 million)
• UAE (USD 4.84 million)
• Saudi Arabia (USD 3.84 million)

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Smoke and Tobacco Free Railway Platform

• Railway Minister of Bangladesh Nurul Islam Sujan has announced that all railway premises including platforms and train compartments have been declared smoke and tobacco-free.

• Bangladesh Railway has taken up the project in cooperation with a US-based organization for a tobacco-free railway.

• Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, announced to make Bangladesh a tobacco-free nation by 2040.The project with US-based organization will also play a helpful role in building a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

BANKING

RBL Bank Partners with Creditas Solutions

• RBL Bank partners with Creditas Solutions to automate loan collections.

• The private sector lender will utilize the SaaS (Software as a Service)-based ‘Neo collections’ platform.

• The Neo Collections Platform is a Do It Yourself (DIY) debt management platform, that will help customers to monitor, manage and pay their dues.
• The platform is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology to indicate the convenient action for every customer by offering customized payment plans to service debt, schedule an EMI plan or opt for payment resolution options.

ABOUT RBL

• MD & CEO: Rajeev Ahuja.
• HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

DBS Bank India Partners with Stellapps

• DBS Bank India signed an agreement as its banking partner with Stellapps, a leading dairy-tech startup industry, to promote digitisation amongst small dairies across India.

• This initiative helps to support lives and livelihoods through better business and responsible financing.

• Digitisation is expected to improve productivity and quality of milk, transparency and traceability in the supply chain and improve incomes and financial inclusion amongst dairy farmers.
• The partnership is expected to indirectly benefit 20,000 farmers at present and around 100,000 dairy farmers in the near future.
• Stellapps Digital Network and DBS Bank will provide dairy farmers with access to funds required for digitisation. This partnership builds on the Government's Digital India vision.

ABOUT Stellapps

• CEO: Ranjith Mukundan.
• HQ: Bangalore, Karnataka.

BUSINESS NEWS
 

Sonata Software Partners with Microsoft

• Sonata Software, a global IT Services and Technology Solutions Company on Monday announced its partnership with Microsoft for its launch of ‘Microsoft Cloud for Retail’, further strengthening its offerings to the retail industry.

• The ‘Microsoft Cloud for Retail’ collaboration is expected to strengthen the relationship as the company has been a partner with Microsoft for over three decades.

• The Sonata Connected Retail solution is available in Microsoft AppSource.
• Sonata Connected Retail provides personalised, intelligent, and adaptive solutions for retailers.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Chairperson Of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Bihar cadre, Shri Ravi Mital took charge as Chairperson of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India in New Delhi.

• Prior to joining the IBBI as Chairperson, he superannuated from the position of Secretary, Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

• Shri Mital has also served as Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Special Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
• Shri Mital is a graduate of B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and M.Phil. in Environmental Science.

K Anantharaman VSM as Air Officer-In-Charge Administration (AOA)

• Air Marshal K Anantharaman VSM was appointed as Air Officer-in Charge Administration (AOA) at Air HQ New Delhi.

• The Air Marshal was commissioned in Administration branch of Indian Air Force in June 1985.

• Prior to this appointment, the Air Marshal was Director General of Administration at Air HQ.
• The Air Officer is a recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Safer Internet Day-08-February-2022

• Safer Internet Day (SID) is annually celebrated across the globe on the 2^nd day of the 2^nd week of February.

•  This year Safer Internet Day is observed on 8^th February ,2022 (Tuesday). This marks the 19th edition of Safer Internet Day.

• This day is observed to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology, among children and young people.
• Theme for the day is “Together for a better internet”.

World Pulses Day-10-February-2022

• World Pulses Day is observed every year on 10 February. It is designated by The United Nations.

• It has been celebrated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to recognize the importance of pulses as a global food.
• Theme for this year “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems”.

Financial Literacy Week

• Financial Literacy Week 2022 will be observed by the Reserve Bank of India from February 14 to 18, 2022.

• Since 2016, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has held Financial Literacy Week (FLW) every year.

• Theme of Financial Literacy Week 2022 is “Go Digital, Go Secure”.
• The theme corresponds to one of the strategic goals of the National Strategy for Financial Education, from 2020 to 2025.
• Three issues to focus on this year
• The advantages of online transactions
• Security / no fear of digital transactions
• Assured customer safety

OBITUARY

Actor, Olympian and Soldier with BSF Praveen Kumar Sobti

• Actor Praveen Kumar Sobti passed away at the age of 75, due to heart attack in Delhi.

• He is known for playing the famous role of Bheem in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat.

• He was born on 6 becember,1947 in Sarhali Kalan, Punjab.
• Before he become an actor, he was a hammer and discuss throw athlete. As an athlete he won 4 medals at the Asian Games.
• He was also honoured with Arjuna award. He worked as the Deputy Commandant in the Border Security Force (BSF).