Weekly PDF

Current Affairs Weekly PDF – February 2022 3rd Week (17-22)

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Union Cabinet approves setting up of Rajasthan under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana –
Secretariat for India’s G20 Presidency Urban (PMAY-U) during the 58th meeting of Central
India is all set to hold the Presidency of the G20 (Group Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC). The
of Twenty) from December 1, 2022 to November 30, virtual meeting was chaired by Manoj Joshi, Secretary,
2023. On February 15, 2022, the Union Cabinet, chaired Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi approved the  A booklet titled ‘Transformative Reforms
setting up of a G20 Secretariat and its reporting Towards Housing for All’ was released by
structures. Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA.
 This Secretariat, functional till February 2024,  Proceedings of ‘Awas Par Samvaad’ also
will be responsible for the implementation of released. It is the first- of-its-kind initiative in
overall policy decisions and affairs needed for the urban housing sector.
India’s G20 Presidency.
 India to host the 2023 G20 Summit in Pragati MoSJE Dr. Virendra Kumar launches SEED For
Maidan, New Delhi. Welfare of DNTs, NTs, SNTs
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, Ministry for Social
4 India - Australia Energy Dialogue 2022 held
th Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) launched the
virtually Scheme for Economic Empowerment of
The 4th India–Australia energy dialogue 2022 was held DNT/NT/SNTs (SEED) from Dr. Ambedkar International
virtually which was co-chaired by Raj Kumar Singh, Centre, New Delhi, Delhi. It is an umbrella scheme for
Indian Minister of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), the empowerment and welfare of the most deprived
and Angus Taylor, Australian Minister for Energy and and economically weaker Indian communities’ viz. De-
Emissions Reduction. It is an annual forum to discuss notified Tribes (DNTs), Nomadic Tribes (NTs) and Semi
bilateral engagement between both nations on energy Nomadic Tribes (SNTs).
and resources.
During the dialogue, the Letter of Intent (LoI) made Ministry of Education Approved “NILP” a new
between India and Australia to reduce the cost of scheme of Adult Education
renewable energy (RE) technologies and to increase the Ministry of Education (MoE) approved a new scheme
manufacturing and deployment of ultra-low-cost solar “New India Literacy Programme (NILP) which is also
and clean hydrogen to reduce global emissions. known as Nav Bharat Literacy Program” for upcoming
5 years (FY 2022-27) to cover all the aspects of adult
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link education to align with National Education Policy (NEP)
Project: Longest Tunnel T-49 Connected 2020.
The longest tunnel of the Indian Railway T-49 between  MoE replaced the term “Adult Education”
Sumber and Arpinchala station of the Katra-Banihal with “Education for All” to cover non-literates
Section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link of the age of 15 years and above with the help
(USBRL) Project has been connected. It is of 12.758 of “Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment
kilometres (km) long and has become the longest System (OTLAS)” in collaboration with
tunnel surpassing the Peer Panjal Tunnel of 11.2 km National Informatics Centre, National Council
length constructed by USBRL on the Banihal-Qazigund of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
section. and National Institute of Open Schooling
 The construction of the project has done by (NIOS).
IRCON International Ltd under the Ministry of  The total estimation of NILP is Rs.1037.90
Railways. crore, in which the Central government and
State government share Rs 700 crore and Rs
337.90 crore respectively.
Govt sanctions construction of 60,000 homes
under PMAY(U) in 5 States
Central Government of India gave approval to the
project proposals for the construction of more than
60,000 houses in 5 states including Andhra Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and

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8th Annual Meeting of Indo-German Working Ministry of Power notifies Green Hydrogen/
Group on Quality Infrastructure held Green Ammonia Policy
virtually; Work Plan 2022 signed On the lines of the National Hydrogen Mission (NHM),
8th Annual Meeting of the Indo-German Working on February 17, 2022, the Ministry of Power notified
Group on Quality Infrastructure held virtually which the Green Hydrogen/ Green Ammonia Policy for
was co-led by Ministry for Consumer Affairs, Food and implementation by the concerned stakeholders. Green
Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), India; and the Hydrogen / Ammonia manufacturers may purchase
German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and renewable power from the power exchange or set up
Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und renewable energy capacity themselves or through any
Klimaschutz – (BMWK)). other developer, anywhere.
Co-Chairs of Meeting: India- Rohit Kumar Singh,
Consumer Affairs Secretary, and Germany- Dr. Deniela Ministry of Tourism & Alliance Air Aviation
Bronstrup, Director General, Digital and Innovation Sign MoU to promote Domestic Tourism in
Policy at the German Federal Ministry for Economic India
Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Ministry of Tourism, signed a MoU with Alliance Air
 Outcome of the Global Quality Infrastructure Aviation Limited (AAAL) to boost tourism across in
Index (GQII) study conducted by the German India.The purpose of the agreement is to provide an
side was also shared in the meeting. As per the integrated marketing and promotional strategy and a
GQII report, India ranked at 7th position on synergised campaign in association with the AAAL.
standardization aspect, 9th for Accreditation  Alliance Air is promoting the “Regional
activities and 19th for the Metrology related Connectivity Scheme” (RCS) of the
activities. Government of India which is being promoted
 A publication on ‘United in Quality and Safety’ under the UDAN- (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)
was released providing information about the QI scheme.
in Germany and the European Union (EU).
PhonePe and NITI Aayog Partners to Launch Sarbananda Sonowal Virtually Inaugurated
Fintech Open Hackathon India’s 1st Water Taxi Service in Maharashtra
On 17th February 2022 PhonePe partnered with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports,
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Shipping and Waterways, virtually inaugurated India’s
Aayog, to host the first-ever open-to-all hackathon 1st water taxi service to enable faster connectivity
that aims to showcase path-breaking solutions for the between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra.
fintech ecosystem. The Hackathon will provide an While the Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Uddhav
opportunity for innovators, digital creators and Thackeray inaugurated the newly constructed Belapur
developers from all over India to think, ideate and jetty.
code.  The services will commence the Domestic
Cruise Terminal (DCT) and will connect the
MoA&FW estimates Foodgrains production nearby locations at Nerul, Belapur, Elephanta
of over 316.06 MT for 2021-22 island and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).
In the Second Advance Estimates of production of
major crops for the year 2021-22 released by the Government Extends Capacity Development
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Scheme till March 31,2026
(MoA&FW), India’s estimated foodgrains production is Union Cabinet approved for the continuation of the
316.06 million tonnes. Capacity Development (CD) scheme of Ministry of
It is higher by 5.32 million tonnes than the production Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) till
of foodgrains during 2020-21. The production during 31st March 2026 or further review, whichever is
2021-22 is also higher by 25.35 million tonnes than the earlier with an outlay of Rs. 3,179 crores approved
previous five years (2016-17 to 2020-21) average during 15th Finance Commission.
production of foodgrains.  The scheme comprises the main scheme,
 The estimates show the foodgrains output in capacity development and two sub schemes
2021-22 is expected to be 6 million tonnes viz. Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS)
(MT) which is nearly 2% more than the overall and Economic Census (EC).
production of 310 MT in 2020-21.

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GoI has Approved Phase II of Inter-Operable TransUnion CIBIL Partners with FICCI to
Criminal Justice System Under MHA Launch Nationwide MSME Consumer
Government of India (GoI) has approved the central Education Program
sector scheme “Inter-Operable Criminal Justice TransUnion CIBIL Limited (TransUnion CIBIL), formerly
System (ICJS) Phase II” at a total cost of Rs. 3,375 known as Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited
crores from 2022-23 to 2025-26, under the guidance (CIBIL), partnered with the Federation of Indian
of the Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA). The ICJS Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) to launch a
Phase II works with the principle of ‘one data one nationwide Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
entry’. (MSME) consumer education program to support
 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) will MSME’s across India to get awareness about credit
implement the project in association with management, CIBIL Rank and commercial credit
National Informatics Centre (NIC). information.

Rajasthan Tops Solar Electrification under Govt Enters Its 7th Year of Implementing
Saubhagya Scheme PMFBY & To Launch ‘Meri Policy Mere Hath’
Rajasthan has the maximum households electrified The government has successfully entered into the 7th
through the ‘solar-based standalone system’ under the year of implementing Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – Yojana (PMFBY), since its launch on 18th February
‘Saubhagya’ scheme launched by the Centre in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sehore,
October 2017. Madhya Pradesh (MP). PMFBY will launch ‘Meri Policy
Aim – To achieve universal household electrification by Mere Hath’ drive.
providing last mile grid connectivity and electricity  The PMFBY scheme will be launching a
connections to all households in rural and all poor doorstep distribution drive,‘Meri Policy Mere
households in urban areas. Hath’ to deliver crop insurance policies to the
farmers in all implementing States in the
GoI Reduced Agri-cess on Crude Palm Oil upcoming Kharif season.
From 7.5% To 5%
Government of India (GoI) has reduced agri-cess for 21st Edition of TERI’s World Sustainable
crude palm oil (CPO) from 7.5% to 5% with effect from Development Summit 2022 held Virtually
12th February 2022. Following the reduction of the The 21st Edition of the annual flagship event of The
agri-cess, the import tax gap between CPO and Refined Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the World
Palm Oil has increased to 8.25%. The GoI has also Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2022, was
extended the current basic rate of import duty of 0% held virtually from 16th to 18th February 2022. The
on CPO, crude soyabean oil and crude sunflower oil till experts at the Summit have discussed a range of key
September 30, 2022. issues from climate change, sustainable production
and energy transitions to global commons and
Government Approves Continuation of RUSA resource security.
Scheme till 31st March 2026  The theme of the event: ‘Towards a Resilient
The Government has approved the continuation of Planet: Ensuring a Sustainable and Equitable
Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme Future’.
till 31st March 2026 with an expenditure of 12,929.16  PM reiterated the two initiatives of LIFE
crore rupees. The new phase of the scheme would (Lifestyle for Environment) and Pro Planet
support around 1,600 projects.Out of Rs 12,929.16 People (3-Ps).
crores of expenditure, the centre will share Rs
8,120.97 crore and the state will share Rs 4,808.19
crore.
 The new phase of the scheme has been
designed to implement some of the
recommendations of the New Education Policy
(NEP).

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PM Modi Virtually Inaugurates ‘Kisan Drone Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: New Frontiers,
Yatra’:Flagged off 100 ‘Kisan Drones’ To New Milestone’.
 India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Spray Pesticides In Farms
Agreement (CEPA) was signed and exchanged
Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the
during the virtual summit by India’s Minister of
‘Kisan Drone Yatra’, an initiative by Garuda Aerospace
Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and
Pvt Ltd and flagged off 100 ‘Kisan Drones’ in various
Minister of Economy of UAE, H.E. Abdulla bin
cities and towns across India to spray pesticides in
Touq Al Marri.
farms across the states of India. This is a special
 The India-UAE CEPA is the 1st bilateral trade
initiative aimed to support the farmers across India.
accord concluded by the UAE, and it is also
 While inaugurating, PM addressed the farmers
India’s 1st bilateral trade agreement in the
in Manesar, Haryana.The Kisan Drone Yatra
MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region.
was flagged off from the Manesar in Gurgaon,
Haryana.
Bharati Pravin Pawar Launched India’s &
PM Narendra Modi has Inaugurated Asia’s South Asia’s 1st BSL-3 Containment Mobile
Biggest Bio-CNG Plant ,Gobar-Dhan Laboratory
Prime Minister (PM) of India Shri Narendra Modi has Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State (MoS),
inaugurated the Asia’s biggest Bio-Compressed Natural Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW),
Gas (CNG) Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources inaugurated India’s and South Asia’s first Biosafety
Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) plant at the cost of Rs.150 crore level-3 (BSL-3) containment mobile laboratory in
in Indore,MadhyaPradesh. The principle of Bio-CNG Nashik, Maharashtra. The mobile laboratory, which
plant is to implement “waste to wealth”, and “circular can commute to various locations, will provide a public
economy” to maximise resource recovery. health solution.
 The plant has the capacity to treat 550 tonnes  This is a part of the Government of India(GoI)’s
per day of segregated wet organic waste (of efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure
fruits, vegetables, raw meat, stale food, green through the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat
leaves and flowers). The plant is based on the Health Infrastructure Mission(PM-ABHIM).
concept of “zero landfill models”.
Maharashtra: PM Modi Virtually Inaugurates
G Kishan Reddy Inaugurates 1 Global st 2 Railway Lines Connecting Thane & Diva;
Summit on ‘Reimagining Museums in India’ Flagged off 2 Suburban Trains
in Hyderabad Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi dedicated two
The Minister for Culture, Minister of Tourism and additional railway lines (5th & 6th line) connecting
Minister of Development of the North- Eastern Region, Thane and Diva in Maharashtra virtually and also
G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the first of its kind, a 2 – flagged off 2 suburban trains of the Mumbai Suburban
Day Global Summit on ‘Reimagining Museums in India‘ Railway. The 9.44-km-long 5th and 6th railway lines
virtually on 15th-16th February 2022 in Hyderabad, were built at a cost of ~Rs 620 crores, features a 1.4
Telangana. km long rail flyover, 3 major bridges and 21 minor
 Four themes of the online summit – bridges.
Architecture and Functional Needs;
Management; Collections (including Curation MP Governor Mangubhai Patel Inaugurates
& Conservation practises); and, Education and 48th Khajuraho Dance Festival
Audience Engagement. Madhya Pradesh (MP) Governor Mangubhai Patel
Inaugurated the Week long 48th Khajuraho Dance
India & UAE Hold India-UAE Virtual Summit Festival in Khajuraho, located in Chhatarpur district,
2022; India-UAE CEPA Signed MP. The 48th edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival will
India’s Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi & United be held from 20th to 26th February, 2022.
Arab Emirates(UAE)’s Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh
Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan Hold India-UAE Virtual  The festival will also be presenting artists with
Summit 2022.The PM and the Crown Prince issued a the ‘National Kalidas Award’ for dance for the
Joint Vision Statement ‘Advancing India and UAE years 2019-20 and 2020-21 and the ‘MP State
Rupankar Kala Award’ at this ceremony.

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Indian Businesses Rank 5 In Concern for
th
UNDP launches new Digital Strategy 2022-
Climate Change 2025 towards Achieving SDGs
Report Title - ‘Deloitte 2022 CxO Sustainability United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Report: The Disconnect Between Ambition and Impact’ launched new Digital Strategy 2022-2025 to support
Released by - Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited countries and communities for using digital
(DTTL) ,also known as Deloitte Global. technologies to reduce inequality, support inclusivity,
Indian businesses acknowledge the risks of climate tackle climate change, and open-up economic
inaction and ranks 5th amongst 21 countries in their opportunities. This strategy will accelerate the work
concern for climate change. towards achieving the sustainable development goals
 The survey was conducted by KS&R Inc. and (SDGs).
Deloitte, during September and October 2021.  As per the UN, artificial intelligence (AI) and
 The report has mentioned five ‘needle- digital technology could bring a 10-20%
moving’ actions that, when taken together, reduction in global carbon dioxide emissions
demonstrate a deeper understanding of the by 2030.
business benefits of sustainability in India.
UNCTAD: Global Trade Hits Record High of
Highlights of EAM S.Jaishankar visit to USD 28.5 Trillion in 2021
Australia and Philippines According to the Global Trade Update (February 2022)
Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of published by the United Nations Conference on Trade
External Affairs (MEA), India visited Australia and and Development (UNCTAD), global trade in goods and
Philippines to impart further momentum to bilateral services has reached a record high of USD 28.5 trillion
relations. in 2021, an increase of around 25% relative to 2020
Visit to Australia and an increase of around 13% relative to the pre-
 EAM participated in the 4th Japan- Australia- COVID-19 level of 2019.
India-United States(US) (Quad) Foreign The increased growth during the last quarter (Q4) of
Ministers’ Meeting 2022 in Melbourne 2021 is expected to slow in the first quarter (Q1) of
(Australia) along with Marise Ann Payne, Foreign 2022 and normalise during 2022.
Minister of Australia; Hayashi Yoshimasa,
Foreign Minister of Japan; and Antony Blinken, Nepal becomes 1st Foreign Country to
Secretary of State of the United States (US).
Deploy India’s UPI
 Indian EAM and Australian Foreign Minister co-
Nepal has become the first country outside of India to
chaired the 12th Foreign Ministers’ Framework
adopt India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface) system
Dialogue (FMFD) 2022 between India &
thus enhancing digitalization of cash transactions.The
Australia.
services for the same in Nepal will be provided by the
 India’s EAM also co-chaired the 1st India-
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the
Australia Foreign Ministers’ Cyber Framework
international arm of NPCI (National Payments
Dialogue (FMCFD) 2022 with Marise Payne,
Corporation of India), in collaboration with Gateway
Foreign Minister of Australia.
Payments Service (GPS) and Manam Infotech.
Visit to Philippines:
 NIPL has partnered Gateway Payments Service
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid a bilateral visit to the
(GPS), an authorised payment system operator
Philippines which was also his first visit to the
in Nepal, and Bengaluru-based Manam
Philippines as EAM. There he held talks with his
Infotech.
counterpart, Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Secretary of Foreign
Affairs of the Philippines.
 The two sides agreed to make efforts to International Trade Growth to slow in 2022:
further expand economic cooperation as well UNCTAD Global Trade Update
as trade and investment links in a range of In Accordance with the Global Trade Update by the
areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
health and pharmaceuticals, tourism, ICT, (UNCTAD), the global trade growth will slow in the Q1
Science & technology, fintech, blue economy, (first quarter) of 2022. It is due to macroeconomic
renewable energy, space, cyber security and trends like persistent inflation in the United States (US)
traditional medicine. and concerns related to China’s real estate sector.
 In 2022 there will be an increase in global
demand for environmentally sustainable

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products. Overall, the value of global trade February 2022 at the Changi Exhibition Centre,
reached a record level of $28.5 trillion in 2021, Singapore. India showcased the IAF’s ‘Made in India’
which is an increase of 25% in 2020 and 13% Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-One(MK-1), a
higher compared to 2019, before the COVID- 4th generation fighter aircraft. This is Asia’s largest
19 pandemic. Aerospace and Defence event.
 Singapore Air Show is a biennial event that
Singapore Air Show-2022: IAF Showcased its provides a platform for the Global Aviation
‘Made in India’ Tejas MK-I Industry to showcase its products.
Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent participated in the
Singapore Air Show 2022 held from 15th to 18th

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Extends Deadline for NBFCS to meet new  Headquarters – Vadodara, Gujarat (Head
NPA Upgradation Norms till September 2022 office), Mumbai, Maharashtra (Corporate
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended the deadline for centre).
non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to comply
with new Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) classification SIDBI Partners with Bihar government to
norms (the norms are issued by RBI in November Promote MSME Sector
2021) to September 2022 from the earlier deadline of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has
March 2022. Currently, the NBFCs are provided with a signed 2 MoU with the Industries Department of
timeline till September 2022 to implement the above Government of Bihar, and the Bihar Industrial Area
provision. Development Authority (BIADA) to promote the micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. Bihar is
Standard Chartered Bank Launches Interest- the 14th state of India with which SIDBI has partnered
only Home Loan Facility to strengthen MSME. SIDBI will place an expert agency
Standard Chartered Bank, India has launched the with the state industries department of Bihar.
‘interest-only home loan’ facility for completed
residential properties where borrowers can pay only Canara HSBC OBC Life Insurance Launches
the interest without principal deduction during a Flexi Edge
limited period. This facility is available to both new and Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) Life
existing clients of Standard Chartered Bank. Insurance has launched its new insurance plan, ‘Flexi
Edge’, a non-linked participating individual savings life
Edelweiss Asset Management Launches MF insurance plan that enables the customers with the
Investing App ‘eInvest’ ability to prioritize their long-term savings. The plan
Edelweiss Asset Management launched Mutual Fund also offers the customers the flexibility to choose from
(MF) investing mobile application (app) eInvest to help 3 plan options depending on their individualistic
investors for easy investment experience. The eInvest requirements, Plan 1: Flexi Savings, Plan 2: Flexi
app comes with an Insta Money feature. It is a mutual Income, and Plan 3: Flexi Care.
fund savings account with an instant withdrawal  Headquarters of Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of
facility to the registered bank account. Commerce Life Insurance Company is
Gurugram, Haryana
BoB Signs MoU with Assam Rifles to Provide
Central Forces Salary Package IndusInd Bank empaneled with e-NAM Portal
On 15th February 2022 Bank of Baroda (BoB) had to facilitate Digital Transactions
signed a MoU with Assam Rifles, the oldest Small Farmers Agri- Business Consortium (SFAC) has
paramilitary force, to provide the ‘Baroda Central empanelled Induslnd Bank with the National
Forces Salary Package (BCFSP)’ to all personnel of the Agriculture Market (e-NAM) portal to facilitate digital
Assam Rifles, both serving and retired. The MoU was collection and settlement services, for facilitating
signed by Colonel P S Singh, Colonel Administration, transactions between farmers and traders across India.
Head Quarters, Directorate General, Assam Rifles and Induslnd Bank will be directly integrated with e-NAM
Debarata Das, Zonal Manager, Kolkata Zone, BoB. platform to provide safe and hassle-free payments,
Bank of Baroda (BoB) clearing and settlement services to the farmers and
traders.

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 The Headquarters of Induslnd Bank is Pune, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has partnered with Ezetap to
Maharashtra. provide integrated point of sale (PoS) solutions across
4,000 locations in India to increase its PoS product
Fisdom Partners with BoM to Offer Wealth base across merchant segments, including retail
Management Services enterprises and government customers. The
Fisdom, a wealth-tech company partnered with Bank partnership will strengthen the bank’s presence in the
of Maharashtra (BoM), to offer wealth management digital payments market space.
products and services to over 29 million customers of  The headquarters of Kotak Mahindra Bank is
the bank. The wealth management offerings will Mumbai, Maharashtra.
enable customers of BoM to invest into mutual funds
(MF) through Maha Mobile, BoM’s Mobile Banking RBI cancels licence of Maharashtra’s Mantha
App and Internet Banking facility. Urban Cooperative Bank
 Aim – To distribute the wealth products and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of
services including the mobile banking app and Mantha Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd., Mantha,
internet banking. District Jalna, Maharashtra. In this regard, the bank
ceases to carry on banking business w.e.f. February 16,
Goldhub:RBI Emerges 2nd Largest Buyer of 2022 to safeguard the interests of its depositors.The
Gold in 2021;Central Bank of Thailand Tops apex bank also prohibited the cooperative bank from
According to Goldhub, an official website of the World conducting the business of ‘banking’ which includes
Gold Council that maintains all the data regarding acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits as
precious metal, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has defined in Section 5(b) read with Section 56 of the
emerged as the 2nd largest buyer of Gold among the Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949 with immediate
world’s Central Banks in 2021.RBI bought 77.5 metric effect.
tonnes in 2021.As per Goldhub, India’s official gold
reserves is the 9th largest in the world. JusPay Launches ‘Openppi’ Software for
 Among the world banks, the Central Bank of Interoperablility of PPIs
Thailand is the largest buyer in 2021 that JusPay, a Softbank-backed digital payments
bought 90 metric tonnes of gold. infrastructure provider announced a software stack
named ‘OpenPPI’ that helps Prepaid Payment
BSE inks pact with 4 regional associations to Instruments (PPIs) such as digital wallets implement
promote EGRs and comply with Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) PPI
BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) announced its interoperability rules.Implementing PPI
collaboration with four regional associations from Interoperability will increase the adoption of Unified
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu after receiving In- Payment Interface (UPI) and PPIs.
principle approval from SEBI to launch the Electronic  The OpenPPI solution will enable
Gold Receipts (EGR) segment to promote such interoperability for PPIs through the UPI and
products. can comply with the new rules using an end-
to-end secure cloud solution.
BSE Ebix Partners with LIC for Distribution of
Insurance Products SIDBI Launches ‘Waste to Wealth Creation’
BSE Ebix Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture of Programme in West Bengal
BSE and Ebix Fincorp Exchange Pvt. Ltd., signed an Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairman and Managing
insurance broker agreement for the distribution of Life Director(CMD) of Small Industries Development Bank
Insurance Corporation’s (LIC) products. of India (SIDBI) virtually inaugurated the ‘Waste to
 Aim – To offer customer centric solutions Wealth Creation’ Programme, designed for the
backed by technological innovations and best women in Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas district of
in class services. West Bengal.
 Under this agreement, BSE Ebix will offer their  The programme is a part of the SIDBI’s Mission
clients insurance products offered by LIC such Swavalamban which aims to support the
as Life and Health, using its omni-channel artisans to become sustainable.
digital presence.  The Headquarters of Small Industries
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ezetap Partners to Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh.
Offer Integrated PoS Solutions

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World Bank, GOI signed USD 115 million loan Development Component) (WDC-PMKSY) with
agreement for REWARD Project DoLR.
The Government of India (GoI), and the World Bank
signed loan agreements of USD 115 million to BFSL & IRCTC Launches Co-branded RuPay
implement the “Rejuvenating Watersheds for Contactless Credit Card – ‘IRCTC BoB RuPay
Agricultural Resilience through Innovative card’
Development” (REWARD) Project in the states of Bank of Baroda (BOB) Financial Solutions Limited
Karnataka and Odisha with the support of the (BFSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of BoB, and the
respective governments. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation
 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Limited (IRCTC) have launched a co-branded
Development (IBRD),lending arm of World contactless credit card, ‘IRCTC BoB RuPay card’.
Bank Group financing will support the $115  The card offers maximum savings to frequent
million loan has a maturity of 15 years. railway travellers and the card users will also
 The project is also supporting the Prime get multiple benefits for shopping across other
Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (Watershed categories like groceries, fuel etc.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Brio Hydroponics signs with Israeli Firm to NHPC Sets Up New Subsidiary ‘NREL’ for
Launch Rain Safety Approach Development of RE & Small Hydro and Green
BRIO Hydroponics, an Ahmedabad based agritech Hydrogen Projects
startup, made a joint venture with an Israeli firm Pic- NHPC Limited (Ltd) has set up a new wholly owned
Plast Limited for a rain protection technique that will subsidiary company namely ‘NHPC Renewable Energy
help grow plants hydroponically. The JV will set up Limited (NREL)’, for development of Renewable
India’s first Rain Technology Nethouse with Solarig Net Energy, Small Hydro and Green Hydrogen based
House kit. business of NHPC Ltd.
 Objective - The startup is to boost the As per a BSE, the NREL was registered with the
production of blueberries hydroponically to sell Registrar of Companies, National Capital Territory
at an affordable price. (NCT) of Delhi & Haryana, on 16th February 2022.
 Currently, NHPC’s total installed generation
SBI Projected India’s GDP Growth For FY22 at capacity stands at 7071 megawatt (MW) which
8.8% and Q3 FY22 at 5.8% includes 100 MW of Solar or Wind energy-
The report by the State Bank of India’s (SBI) economic based plants.
research department (ERD), ‘Ecowrap’ has reduced  Another 5999 MW of Hydro plants and 105
India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth MW of Solar plants are under construction.
projection for FY22 to 8.8 percent from its earlier  The government’s focus is on renewable
forecast of 9.3 percent. With the current projection, energy and clean energy with a target of 500
the real GDP will be around Rs.2.35 lakh crore/1.6 GigaWatt (GW) by 2030.
percent more than the pre-pandemic FY20 real GDP of
Rs 145.69 lakh crore. Three Decades of Partnership: Sonata
 The SBI’s nowcasting model forecasts the Software and Microsoft Launched ‘Microsoft
country’s GDP to grow at 5.8 percent in Q3 Cloud for Retail’
(October-December, 2022) of FY22. Microsoft in its partnership with Sonata Software
 The headquarters of State Bank of India is launched ‘Microsoft Cloud for Retail’. Sonata Software
Mumbai, Maharashtra. provides the best retail Platforms through world-class
Internet Protocol (IPs), in-house migration and
NAFED & IOC Signed MoU to Set up BioFuel modernisation tools, engineering services for the
Projects retailers.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing  The partnership with Microsoft Cloud for
Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) signed a MoU with the Retail is to enhance capabilities, emphasis on
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for setting up biofuel leveraging data, elevating the shopping
projects, plants for post-processing of products like experience, building real-time, sustainable
Cattle feed and marketing of end products of CBG supply chains, and empowering store
(Cannabigerol). associates.

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Piyush Goyal Chaired a Meeting on organised by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion
Revamping Department of Commerce to Council (GJEPC) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
 The sector is expected to register a growth of
Achieve $2Trillion Export Target by 2027
6.5% over the pre-Covid levels (2019).
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush
 Union Budget include a reduction in import
Goyal Chaired a Meeting on Revamping Department of
duty on cut & polished diamonds from 7% to
Commerce To Achieve $2 Trillion Export Target by
5%.
2027 and to become a future ready establishment of
the Government by utilizing new age capabilities.Along
with the Department of Commerce, there will be Tata Power & RWE Renewables Signs MoU
fortification, and consistent strengthening of trade and for Offshore Wind Projects in India
investment promotion bodies including the Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, a 100%
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). subsidiary of Tata Power Company Limited (Tata
Power) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Gems and Jewellery sector to achieve export (MoU) with RWE Renewables GmbH (RWE), based in
Germany, to explore the potential for joint
target of 40 billion dollar in 2022
development of offshore wind projects in India.
On February 18-21, 2022, the Inaugural Ceremony of
 The MoU is in line with India’s vision of
India International Jewellery Show Signature (IIJS)
achieving 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind
2022 was held, where it was stated that Gems and
installations by 2030 to meet the increasing
Jewellery sector is expected to achieve an export
power demands of India.
target of 40 billion dollars in 2022.The Event was

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

IBA’s 17 Annual Banking Technology
th for his role in turning around ICICI Bank and changing
Awards 2021: South Indian Bank won 6 perceptions of the bank during his three-and-a-half-
year tenure as MD and CEO of ICICI Bank. He was
awards
selected by a jury of five, chaired by S S Mundra,
The IBA 17th Annual Banking Technology Conference
former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India
and Awards 2021 was virtually held on 14th February
(RBI).
2022. South Indian Bank (SIB), headquartered in
Thrissur, Kerala, has won 6 awards at the Indian
Banks’ Association (IBA)’s 17th Annual Banking Bill Gates Honoured with ‘Hilal-e-Pakistan’
Technology Awards 2021. There are 7 categories such 2nd Highest Civilian Honour of Pakistan
as Best Technology Bank of the Year, Best Use of On 17th February 2022, the government of Pakistan
AI/ML & Data Analytics, Best IT Risk & Cyber Security has honoured Bill Gates of United States of America
Initiatives, Best Digital Financial Inclusion Initiatives, with Hilal-e-Pakistan, the second Highest Civilian
Best Payments Initiatives, Cloud Adoption, and Best Honour of Pakistan for his efforts towards eradicating
Fintech Adoption. polio in Pakistan.He is the co-founder of Microsoft and
 South Indian Bank(SIB) bagged winner in four philanthropist.
categories which includes Best Technology  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been a
Bank of the year(Small Banks) , Best Use of major contributor in worldwide polio
Artificial intelligence (AI)/Machine learning eradication through Gavi, the vaccine alliance.
(ML) T& Data(Small Banks), Best IT Risk &
Cyber Security Initiatives (Small Banks)and ASSOCHAM Awarded CIL with ‘Most
Best Fintech Adoption (Small Banks) and also Dependable Public Sector in India’ 2022
1st Runner up in 2 two categories.
Award
 Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) and Karnataka Bank
Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India
had won awards 3 categories.
(ASSOCHAM), Kolkata awarded ‘Most Dependable
Public Sector in India award 2022’ to Coal India
ICICI Bank’s MD & CEO Sandeep Bakhshi Limited (CIL), an organization under Ministry of Coal
Named Business Standard Banker of the Year during Energy Meet & Excellence Awards 2022
2020-21 ceremony in Kolkata, West Bengal
Sandeep Bakhshi, Managing Director (MD) and Chief  The award was complemented by the Union
Executive Officer (CEO) of ICICI Bank, has been named Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary
as the Business Standard Banker of the Year 2020-21 Affairs Pralhad Joshi and Minister of state for

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Coal, Mines and Railways Raosaheb Patil International Film Festival (DPIFF) in memory of
Danve. Dadasaheb Phalke ‘Father of Indian Cinema’.
 Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Kriti
DPIFF Awards 2022: Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon received awards in the Best Actor and
Best Actress category for their performances
Sanon, Asha Parekh Received the Awards
in movies ‘83‘ and ‘Mimi‘.
On February 20, 2022, the winners of the Dadasaheb
 Allu Arjun’s Telugu movie, ‘Pushpa: The rise’
Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards
received the film of the year award. Actress
2022, India’s only independent international film
Asha Parekh was honoured with an award for
festival, were declared in Mumbai, Maharashtra.The
her outstanding contribution to cinema…Click
award was presented by Dadasaheb Phalke
here for remaining award details..

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Gaming app A23 Signs Shah Rukh Khan as
Brand Ambassador; Manoj Tiwari to be IOC Athletes’ Commission Re-elected Terho
Brand Ambassador of Khadi in Bihar as Chair ; Seung Min Ryu & Sarah Walker
A23, the gaming application owned by Head Digital elected as VC & 2nd VC
Works, an online skill gaming company, has roped in International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its brand Commission (AC) re-elected ice hockey player Emma
ambassador. Shahrukh Khan will feature in A23’s Terho of Finland as its Chair and table tennis player
‘Chalo Saath Khele’ campaign, along with a first of its Seung Min Ryu of Republic of Korea as its first Vice-
kind responsible gaming campaign, which showcases Chair (VC).
all the multi-gaming platforms of A23 such as carom,  The commission also elected cyclist Sarah Walker
fantasy sports, pool and rummy, among others. of New Zealand as second VC of the Commission.
Manoj Tiwari appointed as Brand SEBI reconstitutes Alternative Investment
Ambassador of Khadi & handicrafts of Bihar Policy Advisory Committee; Chaired by NR
Manoj Tiwari, a Member of Parliament (MP) – Lok Narayana Murthy
Sabha and Bhojpuri singer, has been appointed as the The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has
brand ambassador of Khadi and other handicrafts of reconstituted its Alternative Investment Policy
Bihar. The announcement was made by Syed Advisory Committee (AIPAC), which has now 20
Shahnawaz Hussain, Minister of industries of Bihar. members and will be chaired by Infosys co-founder
Nagavara Ramarao (NR) Narayana Murthy. The
G Ashok Kumar Appointed as India’s 1st committee advises SEBI on a range of issues that
National Maritime Security Coordinator impact further development of the Alternative
The government of India has appointed Vice Admiral Investment Fund (AIF) industry, and startup ecosystem
(retd) G Ashok Kumar, the former Navy vice chief, as in India.
India’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator Tanishka Kotia & Riddhika Kotia Appointed
(NMSC) in the National Security Council Secretariat. as ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ Brand
The proposal for the creation of this post was cleared Ambassadors of Gurugram
by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2021.This is a International Chess Player woman FIDE (International
part of India’s efforts to enhance maritime security Chess Federation or World Chess Federation) Masters,
following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack (2008). Tanishka Kotia and her sister Riddhika Kotia are
appointed as Brand Ambassadors ‘Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao’ scheme for the Gurugram District of Haryana
Adidas appoints Table Tennis player Manika State. They belongs to the Haryana state.
Batra as brand ambassador
Adidas’ sportswear team appointed Indian table tennis
player, Manika Batra as the brand ambassador. The GoI Nominates DFS Secretary Sanjay
partnership focuses on empowering women to realize Malhotra as a Director of Central Board of
their dreams, cheering for women to break barriers
RBI
and boost participation in sports. Manika Batra is the
Government of India(GoI) has nominated Sanjay
first Indian woman to win gold in table tennis at the
Malhotra (1990 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan
Commonwealth Games 2018.

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cadre),the Secretary of the Department of Financial  He has also been nominated as the Director on
Services(DFS), under the Ministry of Finance, as the the central board of directors of State Bank of
Director of the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India(SBI), with immediate effect and until
India(RBI) with effect from 16th February 2022 and further order.
until further orders.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book Title - ‘’A History of Sriniketan: Publisher - Knopf in the United States (US) and
Rabindranath Tagore’s Pioneering Work in Penguin Random House internationally.
 It will be published in May 2022. The book
Rural Construction”
features the specific steps to stop future
Author - Uma Das Gupta
pandemics and provide better health care for
Publisher - Niyogi Books ‘Paper Missile’
everyone around the world.
 The book contains Nobel laureate
Rabindranath Tagore’s work in ‘village
reconstruction’ by setting up ‘Sriniketan’, a Book Title - ‘The Founders: The Story of
wing of his Visva Bharati International Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped
University at Santiniketan in 1922 , which is Silicon Valley’
also popularly known as a university town. Author - Jimmy Soni
Publisher - Simon & Schuster
Book Title - “How to Prevent the Next It highlights the story of multinational digital-payments
company PayPal and how it covered the journey of a
Pandemic”
start-up that turned into one of the most successful
Author - Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft
companies of all time, worth over USD 70 billion today.
Corporation

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Iran Unveils Surface to Surface Missile Navars Edutech Pvt Ltd, a hyderabad-based space
“Khaibar-buster” startup in collaboration with Skyroot Aerospace will
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran launch 100 student-developed satellites constellations
revealed a new domestically-made long range ballistic in the next 5 years. After the partnership, Navars
Surface to Surface missile, ‘Khaibar Shekan’ (Khaibar Edutech will be India’s first Space Education startup for
buster) with a range of 1,450 kilometres (km)(900 K12 students to design and launch satellites to space,
Miles), a day after Tehran (Iran) and Washington using an indigenously developed private launch vehicle
(United States (US)) resumed indirect talks of a 2015 of Skyroot Aerospace.
nuclear deal. This missile refers to an ancient Jewish  The first set of Satellites will be launched to
oasis called Khaibar in the Arabian Peninsula’s Hijaz Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with Skyroot’s maiden
region that was overrun by Muslim warriors in the 7th launch Vikram-I in December-2022.
century.
SpaceX engineer Anna Menon to be Crew
Member of new Space Mission – Polaris
WHO launches ‘Quit Tobacco App’ to help Dawn
SpaceX engineer Anna Menon will be among the crew
people end Tobacco Consumption
of a unique space mission announced by Jared
World Health Organization (WHO) launched the ‘Quit
Isaacman, who led the world’s first all-private space
Tobacco App’ to help people quit tobacco use in all
crew in ‘Inspiration4 mission’ into orbit in 2021. The
forms including smokeless and other related
new mission is named Polaris Dawn, which is targeted
products.It is a first-of-its-kind app which helps users
to launch in the fourth quarter of 2022 carrying 4 crew
identify the triggers, set their targets, manage
members from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in
cravings, and stay focused on quitting tobacco.
Florida.
Navars Edutech Launches 100 Satellite  Anna Menon will be Mission Specialist and
Constellations in Collaboration with Skyroot Medical Officer and other three members are
Aerospace Jared Issaacman, Scott Poteet and Sarah Gillis.

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BrahMos is the main weapon system of the Indian

Indian Navy Test Fires BrahMos Supersonic Navy warships and has been deployed on almost all of
Cruise Missile its surface platforms.
Indian Navy’s warship INS Visakhapatnam, a type of  BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint
stealth guided missile destroyer carried out the test- venture, produces the supersonic cruise
firing of the advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos missile that can be launched from submarines,
supersonic cruise missile off the western seaboard. ships, aircraft, or from land platforms.

SPORTS
Cricket: Overview of West Indies Tour of Man of the Series in the West Indies Tour of India –
India – 2022 2022:
West Indies cricket team toured India for 3 One-Day
Internationals (ODI) and 3 Twenty-20 Internationals  Prasidh Krishna was adjudged Man of the
(T20I) in February,2022. It was a complete whitewash Series in ODI’s for his exceptional wicket taking
series win for India over West Indies in both ODI and performance (9 wickets).
T20I by the full-time Indian Captain Rohit Sharma.In  Suryakumar Yadav was adjudged Man of the
the ODI cricket, India defeated West Indies by 3-0 and Series for India in T20I’s for his batting
in the T20I cricket, India defeated West Indies by 3-0. performance (107 runs)…Click here for full
detail…

OBITUARY
Veteran Bengali singer Sandhya
Mukhopadhyay passes away Indian Composer & Singer Bappi Lahiri
The renowned Bengali singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay Passed Away
passed away at the age of 90 years due to cardiac Indian music composer and singer, Bappi Lahiri
arrest in Kolkata, West Bengal. She was an Indian (nickname: Bappi Daa, Disco King of India), has passed
playback singer and musician, specializing in Bengali away in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
music.  Birth Detail - Born as Alokesh Lahiri on 27th
 Birth Detail - 4 October 1931 in Kolkata. November 1952 in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
 Awards - National Film Award in the Best  He is well known for popularizing the use of
Female Playback Singer category in 1970. synthesised disco music in Indian cinema.
Banga Bibhushan, the highest civilian honour Social Worker and Padma Awardee
to be conferred in West Bengal, in 2011. Shakuntala Choudhary passed away
The Padma Shri recipient Shakuntala Chowdhary
Kannada litterateur Dr Chennaveera Kanavi passed away at the age of 102 years due to age related
passes away ailments.
Renowned Kannada litterateur Dr Chennaveera Kanavi Shakuntala Choudhary, also known as Shakuntala
passed away at the age of 93 years due to age related ‘Baideo’ (elder sister). She was an Indian social worker
ailments in Dharwad, Karnataka. He was popularly known for her commitment and devotion to the
known as “Samanvayada Kavi” and “Soujanyada Kavi”. popularization of the Gandhian way of life.
 Birth Detail - June 29, 1928 at Gadag district of  Birth Detail - Born on 25 June 1920 in
Karnataka. Guwahati, Assam.
 Awards - Sahitya Akademi award for his book  She received Padma Shri award (2022), for
‘Jeevadhwani’. He also received the Rajyotsava distinguished service in the field of social work.
Award, Pampa Award, Sahitya Bangara Award,
Sahitya Kala Kaustubha Award etc.

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IMPORTANT DAYS
International Mother Language Day 2022 – World Day of Social Justice 2022 – February
February 21 20
United Nations (UN)’s International Mother Language United Nations(UN)’s World Day of Social Justice is
Day is annually observed across the globe on 21st annually observed across the globe on 20th February
February to promote multilingualism and to create to speak out against injustice and promote worldwide
awareness about linguistic and cultural diversity. social justice.The day is observed to tackle the issues
 The theme of International Mother Language like poverty, exclusion, gender inequality,
Day 2022 is “Using technology for multilingual unemployment and human rights.
learning: Challenges and opportunities”.  The theme of World Day of Social Justice 2022
 The theme discusses the major role of is “Achieving Social Justice through Formal
technology to advance multilingual education Employment”.
and assist the development of quality teaching
and learning for all.

STATE NEWS
LAHDC Launched ‘Kunsnyoms Scheme’ For Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Shivraj Singh
Welfare of Differently-Abled Persons Chouhan announced welfare schemes for Scheduled
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Caste (SC) communities, including one related to self-
(LAHDC) Launched the “Kunsnyoms‘ scheme through employment on the occasion of birth anniversary of
the Department of Social Welfare, Leh.Kunsnyoms, Guru Ravidas,i.e 16th February. He made an immense
meant Equal for All, Fair for All, aims inclusive and contribution towards upliftment of Scheduled Caste
accessible Ladakh. This scheme aims to provide (SC) communities.
assistive devices and technologies for differently-abled  The MP government announced that the
persons at a 90% subsidised rate. Global Skill Park, to be built in Bhopal and it
would be named after Guru Ravidas.
Debashish Chakravarty Takes Full Charge as
Assam Becomes First State to launch India’s
Chief Secretary of Maharashtra
Debashish Chakravarty, a 1986 batch IAS officer of First Night Navigation App for ferry services
Maharashtra cadre, has been given full charge as the Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma
Chief Secretary (CS) of Maharashtra. He has been launched India’s first Night Navigation mobile
holding the charge as Acting Chief Secretary of application (app) for ferry services on the Brahmaputra
Maharashtra since 30th November 2021.He will also river in Guwahati, Assam. It was developed by the
hold the charge of the Additional Chief Secretary and State Transport Department in association with K Raju,
Development Commissioner, Planning department. the principal scientist of IIT(Indian Institute of
Technology) Madras.
 The first night journey of the IWT (Inland
Delhi Police Became India’s 1st Security Force
Water Transport) ferry between Guwahati and
to Launch ‘Smart Card Arms License’ North Guwahati was started on 19 February
On 16th February 2022, on the occasion of 75th 2022.
Anniversary of Delhi Police, Amit Shah, Union Minister
of Home Affairs, Delhi Police officially launched the
Govt in J&K hosts ‘Janbhagidari
“Smart Card Arms License” and “Shastra Mobile
Application”. Empowerment’ portal with Higher
 ‘Smart Card Arms License’ - to provide techno- Bandwidth
friendly digital services to the citizens of Delhi. Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir hosted the
 Delhi Police has become India’s first security ‘Janbhagidari Empowerment’ portal on a different
force to introduce the ‘Smart Card Arms server with higher bandwidth to provide easy and
License’, replacing the arms license booklet. ready accessibility to the general public. The portal can
be accessed by logging on to the website
MP Govt Announces Welfare Schemes on https://janbhagidari.jk.gov.in/.
 It aims to minimize the digital divide and
Ravidas Jayanti
encourage the citizens to access the website to

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gain awareness and information about the Google for Startups Accelerator, India to attach native
works in their respective areas. startups with the worldwide startups and to leverage
Google’s programme which comprises mentorship and
Kerala CM Inaugurates 3rd Edition of ‘Huddle coaching of startup groups to assist scale up their
Global 2022’; KSUM Partners with Google for options.
 The third edition of the 2 days ‘Huddle Global
Startups to Foster Global Links
2022’ organised by KSUM was inaugurated by
During the ‘Huddle Global 2022’, Kerala Startup
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Mission (KSUM) collaborated with Google to launch

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Aditya Birla Group Invested in Upcoming SBI, BoB, PNB, UBI, BoM and Canara Bank
Digital bank Zand in UAE Pick Up Stake in IDRCL
The Aditya Birla Group has invested an undisclosed State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda (BoB), Punjab
amount in Zand, an upcoming digital bank in the National Bank (PNB), Union Bank of India (UBI), Canara
United Arab Emirates (UAE). Following the launch, Bank, and Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), has announced
Zand will be the first digital bank to provide both retail the subscription to the shares of India Debt Resolution
and corporate services. The interests of the Aditya Company Ltd (IDRCL).
Birla group include running a non-bank finance  IDRCL is a service company or an operational
company and asset management firm. entity, which will manage assets and loop in-
market professionals and turnaround experts.

ENVIRONMENT
New Bent-Toed Gecko Species Discovered In English name is ‘Indian Army’s bent-toed gecko’. The
Meghalaya, Named After Valour of Indian finding of the study was published in theEuropean
Journal of Taxonomy.
Army
 The species is named to honour the valour of
A team of herpetologists recorded a new species of
the Indian Army and was discovered as part of
bent-toed gecko from a Umroi Military Station in
the research team’s efforts to uncover
Meghalaya. Its scientific name is Cyrtodactylus
herpetofaunal diversity of North East India.
Exercitus (in Latin ‘exercitus’ means army) and its

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