NATIONAL NEWS

Rajasthan Government iStart Scheme

• The Government of Rajasthan’s iStart scheme is proving to be a boon for start-ups in the state.

• Rajasthan has been one of the leading states in the country to start the start-up program.

• The state government made a web portal, which is a one-stop gateway for all the promotions under the start-up policy.

• iStart Rajasthan is the main program of the state government to promote innovation, generate employment and facilitate investment in Rajasthan.

• In the start-up policy 2022, announced by the government, start-ups will be given assistance up to Rs 35 lakh.
• Moreover, subsidies of up to Rs 15 lakh will be given under this policy to state government schools and colleges for opening e-cells.

Rajasthan Plans Zoo for Dolphins and Rhinos

• The Rajasthan state Forest Department has recently proposed to construct a zoo inside Keoladeo National Park.

• The Keoladeo National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season.

• It is located in the eastern part of Rajasthan.

• It is a Ramsar site and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Save Wetlands Campaign

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav launched the Save Wetlands Campaign in Goa.

• The campaign is structured on a ‘whole of society’ approach for wetlands conservation.

• The campaign has been launched for wetlands conservation, and affirmative actions for wetlands conservation at all levels of society.

• Under this campaign, citizen partnerships will be built for the conservation of wetlands.

• The campaign will be conducted over the next one year.

• The campaign will sensitise people about the value of wetlands and increase the coverage of wetland mitras.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Quad Countries Launch 'Quad Cyber Challenge'

• Quad countries India, Australia, America and Japan have recently launched Quad Cyber Challenge to strengthen cyber security.

• Its main objective is to strengthen the cyber security system in the Indo-Pacific region.

• With the help of the 'Quad Cyber Challenge', the four countries will jointly make efforts to improve cyber security.

• The 'Quad Cyber Challenge' will help in practising safe and responsible cyber habits.

• With its help, efforts will be made to promote a secure and resilient cyber ecosystem. Along with this, cyber security awareness and action plan will be prepared through 'Quad Cyber Challenge'.

Operation ‘DOST’

• India is carrying out a rescue operation named 'Operation Dost' with National Disaster Response Force personnel, essential items and medical equipment to help after the earthquake in Turkey.

• On 06 February 2023, an earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale affected Turkey and Syria, causing massive devastation along with loss of life and damage to infrastructure in both countries.

• A field hospital has been set up by the Indian Army in Turkey's Hatay province under Operation Dost.

• C17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force has been put into operation.

• Operation Dost is a symbol of the fact that India is a friend of Turkey, that is, both should strengthen their relations more.

BANKING

PhonePe Launches UPI International Service in 5 Countries

• Fintech firm PhonePe stated that its users will now be able to pay to international merchant outlets in 5 countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Mauritius, Nepal and Bhutan using Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system.

• PhonePe Users will be able to make payments in foreign currency directly from their Indian bank like international debit cards.

• PhonePe is the first fintech app to launch this feature in India.

• Currently, Indian customers need to use foreign currency, credit or forex cards to pay at international merchant outlets but with the ‘UPI international’ payments feature, PhonePe can now use their Indian Bank accounts to pay using UPI.

Airtel Payments Bank Launches Bizkhata

• Airtel Payments Bank has launched – BizKhata, a current account with unlimited transactions and instant activation for small merchants and business partners across India.
• It brings all business transactions to one platform and allows them to maintain clear records while enjoying multiple banking benefits.
• Unlimited transactions – Do Unlimited credit and debit transactions.
• Instant Activation – Customers can start using the account within 5 minutes of opening it.
• Zero Minimum Balance – The account has no minimum balance condition.
• Safe and Seamless Payment digitization– Business owners can receive and make online payment transfers to any bank across India through Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), Unified Payments Service (UPI), National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and IFT.

SPORTS

Century in All Three Formats of the Game

• Indian captain Rohit Sharma has become the first Indian captain to score a century in all three formats of cricket.

• Rohit achieved this by playing an innings of 120 runs on the second day of the first test of the series being played in Nagpur against Australia.

• This is Rohit Sharma's 9th century in Test cricket.

• Rohit has scored three centuries as captain in ODIs and two in T20s. While Rohit has scored a total of 30 centuries in ODI cricket and 4 centuries in T20.

• He is the only batsman to have scored three double hundreds in ODI history.

Third Khelo India Winter Games begins in Gulmarg

• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir.

• The competition will be organised from 10 February to 14 February 2023.
• In this, 1500 players from 29 states of the country will participate.
• The Khelo India Winter Games is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and is being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council as well as the Winter Games Association, Jammu and Kashmir.
• This is the third edition of Khelo India Winter Games

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO Launches Its Smallest Rocket SSLV - D2

• Indian Space Research Organization has launched its smallest rocket SSLV-D2 into space from Satish Dhawan Space Center (Sriharikota).

• ISRO's SSLV-D2 flew into space carrying three satellites with it.

• These include ISRO's satellite EOS-07, Chennai-based space startup Spacekidz's satellite Azad SAT-2 and American company Antaris's satellite JANUS -1.
• All these three satellites will be placed in circular orbit 450 km apart.
• ISRO's smallest new rocket SSLV-D2 works on the technology of launch on demand.
• It has the capability to cater to the launch of 500 kg satellites into low earth orbits.
• SSLV-D2 is 34 metres in length while 2 metres in width. It can fly with a load of about 120 tonnes.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Pulses Day

• World Pulses Day is celebrated every year on February 10.

• On December 2013, it was decided to celebrate International Pulses Day by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly.

• 'International Pulses Day' was celebrated for the first time in the year 2016.

• Later, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to observe 10 February 2019 as World Pulses Day.

• The theme for the year 2023 is ‘Pulses for a sustainable future’.

OBITUTARY

Legendary American Pop Composer Burt Bacharach

• Legendary American pop songwriter Burt Bacharach, whose work created a chart-topping soundtrack for the 1960s and 1970s passed away in Los Angeles. He was at the age of 94.

• His compositions included rock classics such as 'Do You Know the Way to San Jose' and 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head'.

• He has won three Oscars (including ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’), an Emmy, eight Grammy Awards and two Golden Globes.
• He studied and learned music at several American universities.