Current Affairs Daily Digest – February 22 2019
1. MobiKwik offers instant life insurance for Rs 20 on its App
MobiKwik, India’s largest digital financial services platform, announced the launch of digital life insurance on its app to its users. MobiKwik in association with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company has rolled out first-of-its-kind group micro insurance product.
The offering begins with a life cover of Rs 1 lakh available for a monthly premium as low as Rs 20 per month. This is the second big announcement by MobiKwik in the digital insurance space, post the launch of accidental insurance in November 2018. The users have an option to choose from three sums assured policies: Rs 1 lakh, 1.5 lakhs and 2 lakhs, available against monthly premiums of Rs 20/-, 30 per month and 40 per month respectively.
2. India, Sri Lanka ink MoU to establish business centre for ICT incubators in Jaffna
India and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a business centre for ICT incubators in Jaffna through grant of 25 crore Sri Lankan rupees from India.
The MoU was signed by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Secretary, Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade Mr. S. T. Kodikara in Colombo in presence of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe.
The centre would provide opportunities and enhance the enabling environment for Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other professional services in the Northern region inhabited by minority Tamils.
3. Odisha government to implement PM-KISAN scheme
The state government’s decision to implement PM-KISAN will ensure additional financial assistance to the farmers of state, who are already getting benefits under the KALIA scheme. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, Rs 6,000 per annum will be provided to small and marginal farmers across the country having cultivable land up to two hectares.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik transferred Rs 700 crore to the bank accounts of over 14 lakh beneficiaries under the KALIA scheme at a programme in Bargarh.
4. President of India graces 18th anniversary celebrations of Swarna Bharat Trust at Venkatachalam, Nellore
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, graced the 18th anniversary celebrations of the Swarna Bharat Trust at Venkatachalam, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh .
Speaking on the occasion, the President noted that when the Swarna Bharat Trust was conceived, it drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s slogan of “Back to the Villages”.
5. PM Modi Awarded Seoul Peace Prize
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Seoul Peace Prize from the South Korean government in recognition of his service to international cooperation, global growth and human development.
The Seoul Peace Prize was established to mark the success and spirit of the 24th Summer Olympics held in Seoul in 1988.
6. Shri Nitin Gadkari to lay foundation stone for a Flyover in Jabalpur
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone for a flyover project at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh . The 5.9 km long flyover from Damoh Toll Plaza to Ranital Madan Mahal Chowk, Medical College Road is estimated to cost Rs 758.54 crore.
7. Sh.Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated and laid foundation stone for projects worth Rs 5,894 crore at Chandi
The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stone for projects worth Rs 5,894 crore at Chandi Ghat in Haridwar.
The projects included six newly constructed sewage treatment plants (STPs) along with 18 pumping stations across the state of Uttarakhand under National Mission for Clean Ganga. The venue for the inauguration was Chandi Ghat. This ghat in Uttarakhand is part of 36 others which have been completed.
8.India, South Korea sign 7 pacts to enhance cooperation in infra, start-ups
India and South Korea signed seven agreements to enhance cooperation in key areas, including infrastructure development, media, start-ups and combating trans-border and international crime, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that seven documents between India and South Korea were signed/exchanged in the presence of the two leaders on cooperation in media, start-ups and police among others.
- An MoU was signed between Korean National Police Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs to enhance cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries and combat trans-border and international crimes.
- The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and Prasar Bharti have agreed to facilitate the broadcast of DD India Channel in South Korea and KBS World Channel in India.
- An agreement was signed on fisheries and aquaculture for strengthening cooperation.
- MoU was signed between the National Highways Authority of India and Korea Expressway Corporation to promote bilateral cooperation in road and transport infrastructure development projects of India.
- Another agreement was signed for releasing a joint stamp.
- The two sides also signed an agreement to continue operations of Korea Plus organisation that facilitates investments by Korean companies in India.
9.Flying bulldog’: world’s largest bee refound
The world’s largest bee — a giant insect roughly the size of a human thumb — has been rediscovered in a remote part of Indonesia in its first sighting in nearly 40 years.
Despite its conspicuous size, no one had observed Wallace’s giant bee — discovered in the 19th century by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace and nicknamed the “flying bulldog” — in the wild since 1981.
10. BFI President Ajay Singh named to lead AIBA elite foundation
Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh has been elected as the President of the Foundation Board for Better Boxing, an elite International Boxing Association (AIBA) elite foundation. This is being considered as a recognition of India’s rapid strides in world boxing over the past few years.
Foundation for Better Boxing was constituted by the AIBA at its last Executive Committee in an attempt to address future development of the sport. The foundation will work to improve the sports and help it reach the world over. Singh’s vision will be the key on this global development initiative for boxing.
11. UP CM launches Scheme for Adolescent girls
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Scheme for Adolescent girls . The scheme focuses on girls aged between 11 to 14 years who have left studies and will take steps for proper nutrition and special care for them.
The state government also decided to observe Adolescent girls day on 8th of every month at Anganwadi centres across the state.
State Government will also launch Nutrition Campaign for the adolescent girls on 8th March. On the occasion, CM said that education for girls till graduation is the government’s responsibility and state government is very sensitive in this matter.
12. Over 12 lakh people treated free of cost under Ayushman Bharat
Over 12 lakh people have been treated free of cost under Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world’s largest health care programme, the CEO of Ayushman Bharat Dr Indu Bhushan said at the Medical Fair India 2019 in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the scheme in September last year.
The scheme provides five lakh rupees per family annually, benefiting more than ten crore poor families all over the country.
13. FATF extends deadline for Iran to fix its anti-money laundering, terrorism financing rules
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has extended the deadline for Iran to fix its anti-money laundering and terrorism financing rules till June 2019. While welcoming the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering Act in Iran, the FATF in a statement expressed its disappointment that the Action Plan still remains outstanding.
In October last year, the Paris based global watchdog had given Iran a February deadline to complete an Action Plan of reforms that would bring it in line with global norms, or face consequences.
14.Justice Uma Nath Singh takes oath as First Lokayukta of Nagaland
The first Lok Ayukta of Nagaland, Justice Uma Nath Singh, took the oath of office on Friday evening. Nagaland Governor PB Acharya administered the oath to him at a function held at Raj Bhavan.
Justice Uma Nath Singh was a former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court. He will hold the office for a term of five years or till he attains the age of 70 years whichever is earlier.
