NATIONAL NEWS

Foundation Stone of Projects Worth Over 13,000 Crore at Tarabh, Mesana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth over 13 thousand crore at Tarabh in Mesana.

These include the launch of Bharat Net Phase-II - Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited, which will provide high-speed internet to more than 8000 gram panchayats.

Besides, multiple projects for rail line doubling, gauge conversion, new broad-gauge line in districts of Mahesana and Banaskantha; multiple road projects in Kheda, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Mahesana were also launched on the occasion.

During the program, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of several important projects including multiple road projects in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, and Mahesana; the Runway of Air Force Station, Deesa, Gujarat Biotechnology Research (GBRC)’s new building at GIFT city among others.

Women's Safety Scheme Should be Extended Until 2025–2026

The Union Government has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the continuation of the implementation of the Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’ at a total cost of around one thousand 180 crore rupees during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The decision was taken at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said 24-hour emergency helpline service 112 will be scaled up under it.

He also informed that for scientific and timely investigation, six cyber forensic science laboratories are being set up at Pune, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Delhi,  and Kamrup.

Besides, every year 5000 police personnel will be imparted training for effective investigation and prosecution to curb the crime against women and children.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Signed MoU with Greece

India and Greece will sign a mobility and migration partnership agreement to ease skilled migration between the two countries and aim to double bilateral trade by 2030, stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indian PM and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in their bilateral meeting in New Delhi, discussed strengthening of cooperation in multiple areas, including defence, security, education, start-ups, shipping, trade, investment, agriculture and tourism.

India-Greece bilateral trade in 2022-23 was about $2 billion, with India’s exports at $785.72 million and imports at $1.16 billion, per government data.

At the inaugural session of the Raisina Dialogue 2024, Mitsotakis highlighted the “great promise” of the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

He stated that it would supercharge connectivity between India, the growth economies of Middle East and Europe and Greece could play an important part.

BANKING

PayPal Registers With India’s Financial Intelligence Unit

US-based online payment gateway PayPal has officially registered its operations with the Financial Intelligence Unit of India.

PTI reported that the company has completed the formal procedure of being designated as a reporting entity under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) recently and has submitted the requisite documents to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

PayPal has also appointed a principal officer to communicate with the FIU, as required by the anti-money laundering law.

The FIU serves as a national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analysing and disseminating information concerning suspicious financial transactions within Indian economic channels to various enforcement agencies and foreign FIUs.

BUSINESS

Banking Business in Uttar Pradesh Increased to Rs 27 Lakh Crore

During a recent meeting of the State Level Bankers Committee, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged banks to not hesitate in providing loans to those in need.

The government will offer training to beneficiaries of its schemes and ensure that banks receive all necessary security and assistance.

Adityanath expressed satisfaction with the credit deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks in the state, which currently stands at 58.59%.

However, he set a target of increasing it to 65% in the next financial year.

The Chief Minister highlighted the growth of the banking sector in the state, with banking business worth Rs 12.80 lakh crore in 2016-17, which has now risen to Rs 26.80 lakh crore.

The Chief Minister highlighted the growth and strength of the banking sector in Uttar Pradesh, citing that in 2016-17, banks provided loans amounting to Rs 1.37 lakh crore in the state.

This figure increased to over Rs 3 lakh crore in 2022-23, and by December 2023, banks had already given loans amounting to Rs 2.98 lakh crore.

SPORTS

Frozen Lake Marathon

Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon 2024 was held in Leh-Ladakh, India on 20 February 2024.

Bhagwan Singh and Mahesh Khurana, two men from Bhopal, have joined the select group of athletes after completing the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon.

The marathon was inaugurated by Sports Secretary Ravinder Kumar and Chushul Constituency councilor Konchok Stanzin.

Ladakh's Pangong Frozen Lake is the second edition of the marathon. It is known as the 'world's highest frozen lake marathon'.

The race was held amidst heavy snowfall at an altitude of 14,273 feet.

The temperature dropped to -15 degrees Celsius, making it one of the toughest marathons in the world.

The Frozen Lake Marathon aims to spread awareness about the rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers. During this, it is explained how the environment can be saved by controlling human activities.

AWARDS & PRIZES

G D Birla Award

Aditi Sen De becomes the first woman scientist to win the G D Birla Award.

In a ground-breaking moment for Indian science, Prof. Aditi Sen De has been awarded the prestigious G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research for the year 2023.

The award, established in 1991, recognises exceptional scientific research conducted by Indian scientists below the age of 50.

Aditi Sen De, a distinguished physicist from the Harish-Chandra Research Institute in Prayagraj, has been honoured for her outstanding contributions to the field of Physics.

The G. D. Birla Award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs, is a testament to Prof. Aditi Sen De's exceptional contributions to the scientific community.

The rigorous selection process, overseen by the Indian National Science Academy, emphasizes the award's prestige.

DEFENCE

Milan 2024: War exercise

Indian Navy’s largest-ever multilateral naval exercise, Milan 2024, has commenced in Vizag with an impressive lineup of warships from Indian and foreign navies participating in the Harbour Phase.

The exercises will include gunnery shoots on aerial and surface targets, manoeuvres, and underway replenishment.

For the first time, Vizagites will have the opportunity to see the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, anchored off the coast of

This event marks the first time both the aircraft carriers - INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya - will be present in the city.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Milan Village on February 21, while Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar will attend the International City Parade programme on February 22.

OBITUTARY

Former LS Speaker and Former CM of Maharashtra Manohar Joshi

Manohar Joshi, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, died on 23 February 2024.

Manohar Joshi served as Maharashtra's Chief Minister from 1995 to 1999. Manohar Joshi was the first leader from the undivided Shiv Sena to hold the top post in the state.

Manohar Joshi, also an MP, served as the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 during Vajpayee's tenure.

Manohar Joshi was a teacher in his early life. Joshi was associated with RSS in his early life. Then after the establishment of Shiv Sena in 1966, he joined it. Joshi rose from CM to Lok Sabha Speaker from this party.

Joshi was also the Mayor of Mumbai from 1976 to 1977.