Daily Current Affairs 1 February 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
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NATIONAL NEWS
India’s first beachside startup fest from Feb 16
The first-ever Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest is set to unfold from February 16th to 18th, marking a significant milestone in the region’s entrepreneurial landscape. With a focus on nurturing and promoting nascent ventures, this event promises to be a catalyst for the burgeoning startup ecosystem in Mangalore.
- Under the banner of Tapasya Beach Festival (TBF), the Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest is poised to become a hub of creativity and innovation. Beyond merely showcasing startups, it endeavors to foster meaningful connections, spark innovation, and cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit among participants.
Assam Cabinet approves new bill to develop tourism sector
Assam, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, advances with key decisions. The recent cabinet meeting saw approvals crucial for the state’s growth. These include the Assam Tourism Development and Registration Bill 2024 and the Mising Autonomous Council Amendment Bill 2024. Additionally, infrastructure strides are evident with the approval of a significant flyover project in Guwahati.
- Assam Tourism Development and Registration Bill 2024 – This bill, set for introduction in the upcoming Legislative Assembly session, aims to regulate and boost tourism. Sarma emphasizes its role in fostering economic growth, a testament to Assam’s commitment to development under his leadership
- Mising Autonomous Council Amendment Bill 2024 – This bill expands council representation, underscoring Sarma’s inclusive governance approach. Such reforms reflect Assam’s dedication to equitable development. Under this amendment, the number of elected members will be increased from 36 to 40, while the count of nominated members will rise from 4 to 5.
Udhayanidhi announces ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’ scheme
Tamil Nadu Sports Development and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced that the State government would launch an initiative called the ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’, under which sports equipment would be distributed in 12,000 village panchayats to mark former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s birth centenary.
- The launch of the Kalaignar Sports Kit scheme coincides with the birth centenary of Kalaignar Karunanidhi, a towering figure in Tamil Nadu politics and culture. The initiative seeks to honor his legacy by promoting sports development among the youth of Tamil Nadu.
- The inaugural distribution of the sports kits under the Kalaignar Sports Kit scheme is scheduled to take place on February 7 in Trichy. This event marks the beginning of a concerted effort to equip village-level athletes with the necessary resources to pursue their sporting aspirations.
“Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” scheme launched in Erode, Salem and Namakkal
As part of “Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” scheme, Erode Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara inspected various development schemes implemented in the district. He also held discussions with officials. This scheme aldo launched in Salem and Namakkal.
- This innovative initiative aims to bridge the gap between the government and the public by ensuring that the benefits of various schemes reach the grassroots level.
- “Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” is designed to enhance the efficiency and transparency of service delivery in the state. Under this scheme, Collectors and senior district-level officials are mandated to spend 24 hours in one taluk on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt confirmed they are joining BRICS
Five of the six countries invited to join the BRICS bloc of developing nations from 1 January have confirmed they are joining, South Africa announced.
- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and Egypt have all agreed to join the bloc, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said.
- The expansion of the group would add economic heft to BRICS, whose current members are China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. It could also amplify its declared ambition to become a champion of the Global South.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India’s Core Sector Growth Slumps to 14-Month Low at 3.8% in December 2023
India’s core sector output growth plummeted to a 14-month low of 3.8% YoY in December, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- This sharp decline from the previous month’s 7.9% was attributed to a high base and a slowdown in six constituent sectors. Notably, only fertilizers (5.8%) and cement (1.3%) sectors saw an output acceleration in December.
- According to the data, only fertilisers (5.8 per cent) and cement (1.3 per cent) sectors saw an acceleration in the output in December as compared to the preceding month. Growth in the output of coal (10.6 per cent), natural gas (6.6 per cent), refinery products (2.6 per cent), steel (5.9 per cent), and electricity (0.6 per cent) decelerated sequentially in December. On the other hand, crude oil production contracted (-1 per cent) for the second consecutive month in December.
APPOINTMENTS
Champion trap shooter Preeti Rajak becomes first woman Subedar in Army
Havildar Preeti Rajak, a champion trap shooter, has been promoted to the rank of Subedar, making her the first woman in the Indian Army to hold that rank, the army said.
- Subedar Preeti Rajak joined the Army in the Corps of Military Police on December 22, 2022.
- She was the first meritorious sportswomen in the shooting discipline enrolled in the Army as a Havildar.During the 19th Asian Games, held at Hangzhou in China, Rajak won a silver medal in the trap women team event.
AWARDS
Three young Indian scientists receive prestigious UK award
Three Indian scientists are also among the nine scientists selected for the prestigious ‘Blavatnik Award’ 2024 given to young scientists in Britain. This award will be given to them for their excellent work in chemistry, physics and life sciences.
- Out of the total nine scientists honoured with the Blavatnik Award, three are young scientists of Indian origin. Mainly among them Professor Rahul R. Nair, Professor Mehul Malik and Dr. Tanmay Bharat.
- This award is given by ‘Blavatnik Family Foundation’ and ‘The New York Academy of Sciences’. This award is mainly given to young scientists for their research work. These selected young scientists will be honoured in a ceremony organised on 27 February 2024 for their research work in various fields of science.
Tamil Nadu Achieves Record with Highest Number of Ramsar Sites in India
Two more Ramsar sites, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, have been approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC). With this, the total number of Ramsar sites in the State has increased to 16, the highest in the country.
- The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest spans 116.07 hectares in The Nilgiris and is celebrated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. This verdant reserve is home to over 700 species of flora and fauna, including 177 bird species, 14 of which are endemic to the Western Ghats.
- Covering 453.7 hectares, the Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is nestled in Ariyalur and stands as another Important Bird and Biodiversity Area in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is a sanctuary for over 500 species of flora and fauna and plays a pivotal role in the Central Asian Flyway, acting as a vital breeding and foraging ground for waterbirds.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
IIT Indore’s Ujjain Satellite Campus Secures Central Government Approval
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav announced the green light for IIT Indore’s Ujjain satellite campus, marking a pivotal moment for education and skill development. With approval from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, this project promises substantial benefits for the region.
- The approval of IIT Indore’s Ujjain satellite campus underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. CM Yadav highlighted the significance of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to empower students, teachers, and industrial workers.
- IIT Indore has drafted the first Detailed Project Report (DPR) for establishing a satellite center in Ujjain. Spanning across 100 acres, it will focus on international-level research and advanced education—a pioneering educational institution in the nation.