Current Affairs Daily Digest – February 21 2024. Read and Download daily, the latest Current Affairs Quiz 2023 for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IBPS, SBI etc,. Download month-wise Daily Current affairs 2023 PDF and Current affairs quiz PDF .
Current Affairs Daily Digest – February 21 2024
1. Japan Commits Rs 12,800 Crore Loan to Finance Indian Projects
Japan and India have inked a yen loan deal to the tune of 232.209 billion yen, or around Rs 12,800 crore, to strengthen their economic connections via the funding of nine vital infrastructure and innovation promotion projects.
Priority Areas for Development Grants Northeastern Connectivity
A budget of more than Rs 2,600 crore has been approved to address infrastructure deficiencies in the North Eastern states and improve road network connectivity, hence facilitating more trade.
By building a medical college hospital to provide health coverage to all, the Nagaland project will contribute to the improvement of tertiary-level medical service delivery.
Encouraging Launches
A budget of about Rs 1900 crore has been set aside to support the education and advancement of women business owners and the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector in Telangana. The expansion of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) will be facilitated by the project, which will also empower women and the rural population.
Developments in Urban Mobility
The construction of a 37-kilometer elevated corridor to alleviate traffic congestion around Chennai has been budgeted at Rs 2650 crore.
Building a new dedicated freight train system will be aided by the dedicated freight corridor project’s fifth tranche. It will encourage updating the intermodal logistics system, making it possible to manage more freight traffic.
Eco-Friendly Farming
To improve agricultural output and resilience, the state of Haryana is supporting climate-smart horticulture projects with a budget of Rs 640 crore.
A Strategic Framework
Japan has historically given more than Rs 5 lakh crore to India’s development, covering a range of objectives from urban transit to industrial corridors; this relationship further establishes Japan as a leading development funder for India.
2. Shashi Tharoor conferred France’s Highest Civilian Medal
The highest civilian honor bestowed by the French government upon an individual is the title of “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur,” which was bestowed upon Shashi Tharoor, an Indian lawmaker and writer. It is a token of appreciation for his many years of work to improve Indo-French relations.
Notes on the Honoree
Renowned writer and diplomat Dr. Shashi Tharoor now serves as the representative for the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in the Lok Sabha as an affiliate of the Indian National Congress party.
His Accomplishments
His most recent political effort, a work on Hindu nationalism, sparked heated disputes, and he has written more than twenty books, including fiction and nonfiction. While serving as the UN’s Undersecretary General, he was a vocal advocate for global humanitarian issues.
3. Reliance Industries is set to launch ‘Hanooman’, a ChatGPT-style AI service
Next month, Reliance Industries, headed by Mukesh Ambani, will reveal its innovative ‘Hanooman’ service, which is modeled after ChatGPT, in partnership with some of the best engineering schools in the nation.
This project heralds a new age of digital innovation and accessibility and is a major step forward in India’s artificial intelligence capabilities.
The Essence of Collaboration
Hanooman is the product of a collaborative effort of Reliance Jio Infocomm, Centre, and multiple Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), one of which is IIT Bombay.
The partnership between Reliance and eight associated colleges exemplifies the complementary strengths of India’s top business conglomerate and its educational institutions in driving technological innovation.
Introducing ‘Hanooman:’ A First Look
A sneak peek at what ‘Hanooman’ is capable of was shown to participants at a recent technology conference in Mumbai.
During the demonstration, a motorbike repairman spoke to the AI in Tamil, a banker in Hindi, and a programmer in Hyderabad used the tool to write code. This sneak peek showed how well ‘Hanooman’ handles complicated interactions across different professions.
4. HDFC Bank Leads Profitability Rankings From April To December
HDFC Bank emerges as the most profitable company in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, with a net profit of Rs 44,300 crore. State Bank of India (SBI) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) follow closely, reporting profits of Rs 40,378 crore and Rs 34,781 crore, respectively.
Top Performers in the Fiscal Year
Last year’s leader, ONGC, yields its position to HDFC Bank, marking a significant shift in profitability dynamics.
HDFC Bank’s strategic merger with mortgage lender HDFC, effective from July 1 last year, contributes to its financial strength and competitive edge.
Challenges Faced by Competitors
SBI grapples with higher provisions for wages and pension liabilities, impacting its net profit for the third quarter.
Chairman Dinesh Khara outlines provisions of around Rs 20,000 crore, signaling the bank’s commitment to financial prudence.
5. Ameen Sayani, Renowned Radio Presenter And Voice Of Geetmala Passes Away
At 91, the renowned voice that defined Indian radio for centuries, Ameen Sayani, died away. A household name in India, Sayani brought together music fans all over the country with his legendary show Binaca Geetmala.
He passed away at approximately 7 p.m. on February 20 after being taken to H N Reliance Hospital in south Mumbai after suffering a heart attack, as confirmed by his son Rajil Sayani.
An Angelic Voice That Moved People
Every Wednesday, millions of homes heard the greeting “Namaste behno aur bhaiyo, main aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon,” which brought Sayani fame.
The Binaca Geetmala program was more than just a music show; it was a cultural phenomenon that captured the spirit and variety of Indian music. It ran from 1952 to 1988 on Radio Ceylon and then from 1988 to 1994 on All India Radio’s Vividh Bharati.
6. Malta Becomes 119th Country to Join International Solar Alliance
Joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was a huge deal for the little but powerful nation of Malta, which has been making waves in the world of renewable energy.
This step highlights the nation’s dedication to shifting away from fossil fuels and toward greener energy sources.
ISA Accepts Malta as a Member
The joining of Malta to the ISA is a watershed moment in the worldwide movement to embrace renewable energy.
This development strengthens the collaborative effort to tackle climate change through solar energy deployment, as Malta becomes the 119th nation to join the alliance.
The Agreement on the ISA Framework
The Maltese Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Christopher Cutajar, signed the ISA Framework Agreement on Tuesday.
With its official support, Malta is clarifying that it intends to be an active player in the global promotion of solar energy projects.
7. International Mother Language Day 2024 is observed on Feb 21
In 2024, the observance of International Mother Language Day will take place on a Wednesday, continuing the annual tradition of honoring the rich variety of languages spoken around the globe.
International Mother Language Day was born out of a crucial moment in the fight for language rights, which began in Bangladesh rather than India.
Why and What Will Happen on International Mother Language Day in 2024?
The International Mother Language Day theme for this year is “Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning.”
The theme highlights the importance of bilingual education in encouraging cultural and linguistic diversity and enhancing learning quality.
