NATIONAL:
1. City Transformation
Why in news – The NITI Aayog has prepared a plan for the economic transformation of Mumbai, Surat, Varanasi, and Vizag.
Key Points –
• The NITI Aayog plans to prepare economic planning for 20-25 more cities, as they are the center of economic activities.
• A vision document is being prepared by NITI Aayog for India to become a developed economy of USD 30 trillion by 2047.
• In 2023, NITI Aayog was tasked with integrating the ten sectoral theme visions into a single one for Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
2. Dakshin Bharat Sanskritik Kendra
Why in news – Sangeet Natak Akademi regional center opened in Hyderabad.
Key Points –
• The Akademi has no presence in South India so far.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture and an apex body in the field of performing arts in the country.
3. Foreign Visit to Ram Mandir
Why in news – Fiji's Deputy PM, Biman Prasad, became the first foreign leader to visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Key Points –
• Between 1879 and 1916, Indians were taken to Fiji as indentured laborers to work on sugar cane plantations.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Antarctic Research Station
Why in news – China opened 5th research station in Antarctica.
Key Points –
• It is located along the coastal areas of the Ross Sea in Antarctica.
• Its location is suited to collect signals “intelligence” from US-allied Australia and New Zealand, especially the rocket telemetry data from Australia’s new Arnhem
Space Centre.
Value Addition –
• The Indian Antarctic programme began in 1981.
• India built 3 permanent research base stations in Antarctica — Dakshin Gangotri (1983), Maitri (1988) and Bharati (2012).
• Currently, Maitri and Bharati are fully operational.
• India signed the Antarctic Treaty on August 19, 1983.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. National Creators' Awards
Why in news – Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) announced the national creators' awards to recognize new-age influencers and creators.
Key Points –
• It targets "Gen Z", a reference to the young generation hooked to the internet and social media.
• It will be given in nearly 20 categories.
• Its categories include "green champions", "swachhta ambassadors", "agro creators" and "tech creators" etc.
• Participants must be 18 years of age or above at the time of nomination.
• Content must be published on one or more of the following digital platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
• Creators can self-nominate in a maximum of three categories.
ECONOMY:
1. Pai Platform
Why in news – Paytm E-commerce has changed its name to Pai Platforms.
Key Points –
• An application for approval of a company name change must be approved by the Registrar of Companies.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. PACE Satellite
Why in news – NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) satellite launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Key Points –
• PACE is NASA’s newest Earth-observing satellite.
• PACE will help scientists better understand how climate change is affecting blooms of ocean phytoplankton.
• PACE will also help understand the influence of particles in the air, like dust and smoke, on cloud formation as well as the warming and cooling of the planet.
• PACE was injected directly into its final orbit, a method that NASA calls “an effectively instantaneous launch.”
2. International UPI and RuPay
Why in news – Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay will be launched in Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
Key Points –
• UPI and RuPay cards can be used for settlements both in Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
• Overseas markets accepting UPI payments include Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE and France.
3. Internet as a Basic Right
Why in news – The Telangana government plans to introduce internet as a basic right for its people.
Key Points –
• The government also aims to position Hyderabad and Telangana as the AI capital of the country.
• The government plans to convert government ITIs into Advanced Technology Centres and promote green energy with a comprehensive Energy Policy.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. World Governments Summit 2024
Why in news – The World Governments Summit 2024 is set to take place in Dubai from February 12-14, 2024.
Key Points –
• Theme - “Shaping Future Governments.”
• Turkiye, India, and Qatar have been declared the guests of honor.
• The guest countries will showcase their successful government experiences and best developmental practices during the summit.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Pulses Day 2024
Why in news – World Pulses Day is observed on February 10.
Key Points –
• Theme - 'Pulses: Nourishing Soils and People'.
• In 2013, the UN General Assembly declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses.
• Pulses are climate-friendly, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Fit India Movement
Why in news – Narendra Kumar Yadav appointed as the newest brand ambassador of Fit India Movement.
Key Points –
• Narendra Yadav becomes the first-ever civil servant in India to hold such a prestigious position.
• The Fit India movement is a nationwide initiative with the aim of encouraging Indians to incorporate physical activity and sports into their daily lives.
SECURITY:
1. C-390 Millennium Aircraft
Why in news – Embraer Defense & Security (Brazil) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Mahindra Defence Systems.
Key Points –
• Both jointly aim to fulfill the acquisition of the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft by the Indian Air Force.
• C-390 Millennium is designed and produced by Embraer of Brazil.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Alexander Stubb
Why in news – Alexander Stubb elected Finland’s next president.
Key Points –
• He defeated Pekka Haavisto.
• Finland is a Nordic country.
• The Nordic countries are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.
BIHAR:
1. Rajya Sabha Election
Why in news – Preparations have started in Bihar regarding the Rajya Sabha elections.
Key Points –
• BJP is preparing to send Dharmshila Gupta and Bhim Singh to Rajya Sabha from Bihar.
• Six Rajya Sabha seats are becoming vacant in Bihar.
• In terms of statistics, one MP requires the support of 40 MLAs in Bihar.
• Bihar state has elected 16 Rajya Sabha members since the 2002 biennial elections.
2. Dr Usha Kiran Khan
Why in news – Renowned litterateur Padma Shri Dr. Usha Kiran Khan passed away in Patna.
Key Points –
• She won Sahitya Akademi Award for her Maithili novel 'Bhamati: Ek Avismaraniya Premkatha' in 2011.
• In 2012, she received the Kusumanjali Sahitya Samman from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for her novel 'Sirjanhaar'.
• She was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2015.
• She originally hailing from Laheriasarai in Bihar.
3. Pala Period Statue
Why in news – An ancient black statue of Lord Surya was found in Sijhori village of Jamui district in Bihar.
Key Points –
• It belongs to the 10th-century Pala period.
• On March 4, 2022, a Shivalinga of the 9th to 10th century of the Pala period was unearthed during excavation in Jamui.
• The rule of Pala Empire (founder - Gopala) is believed to be from the year 750 to 1174.
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