Current Affairs Daily Digest – February 28 & 29 2020
1. Bengaluru accounted highest number of digital transactions
Online payment processor Worldline India reported that Bengaluru accounted for the highest number of digital transactions in India in 2019. The aim is to move India towards a less-cash economy. As per the report, Bengaluru is followed by Chennai, Mumbai, and Pune. United Payments Interface (UPI) was the most preferred mode of payment. It is followed by debit cards, immediate payment service (IMPS), and credit cards
2. PM to distribute Daily Living Aids and Devices to senior citizens and Divyangjan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute Assistive Aids and Devices to Senior Citizens under Rashtriya VayoshriYojana (RVY) and to Divyangjan under ADIP Scheme at a ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ and a mega distribution Camp organized by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on 29 February 2020.
3. Jadav Payeng to be conferred the 2020 Swami Vivekananda Karmayogi Award
Padma Shri Jadav Payeng will be conferred with the Swami Vivekananda Karmayogi Award on 29 February in New Delhi at a function instituted by My Home India. He was awarded the 6th Karmayogi Award for his consistent efforts in creating a real man-made forest through massive reforestation. The award is composed of a trophy, a recitation and a reward of Rs 1 lakh. Jadav Payeng: Jadav Payeng is famously known as the Forest Man of India.
4. Sumant Kathpalia appointed as MD and CEO of Induslnd Bank Ltd
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Sumant Kathpalia as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Induslnd Bank Ltd. The appointment with effect from 24 March 2020. He will hold the office for a tenure of three years. Kathpalia will replace Romesh Sobti. Romesh Sobti: Sobti has been serving as MD & CEO at Induslnd Bank since 2008. Prior to that, he served as the India head for ABN Amro Bank.
5. CAPS-HQ MC Joint Seminar on Challenges of the Evolving Threats Facing India held in New Delhi
A Joint Seminar on the theme “Challenges Of The Evolving Threats Facing India” was held at Air Force Station Tughlakabad, New Delhi. It was organized by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) and Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force (MC, IAF) on 25 February. The event was inaugurated by Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary AVSM VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, MC IAF. The seminar hosted three sessions.
6. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad inaugurated BSNL FTTH in Dehradun
Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad inaugurated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and wifi service in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 27 February. The move by BSNL is to expand its services in rural areas. BSNL FTTH: Fiber to the home (FTTH) is the installation and use of optical fiber from a central point directly to individual buildings such as apartments, residences, buildings, and businesses.
7. Renowned Vedic Scholar Sudhakar Chaturvedi passed away
Renowned Vedic Scholar Sudhakar Chaturvedi passed away in Bengaluru on 27 February. He was believed to be 122-years-old.
Sudhakar Chaturvedi: Sudhakar Chaturvedi was claimed to be born on 20 April 1897 in Kyatsandra near Tumkur as Sudhakar Krishna Rao. He moved to Bengaluru after his father became an inspector in the city with the education.
8. Cabinet approved to accord National Importance status to NIFTS at Kundli, Thanjavur
The Union Cabinet approved to grant the status of National Importance to National Institutes of Food Technology (NIFT) at Kundli, Haryana, and Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, on 26 February. It was announced by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar. The approval to grant National Importance status will bring more professionalism and lead to faster growth of these institutes.
9. Losar festival is celebrated in Himachal Pradesh
Losar festival was celebrated by the Tibetans from 24-26 February. The festival was celebrated in the Dharamshala, Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The festival is aimed to preserve its unique identity and rich traditions. The festival includes sacred and secular prayers, several ceremonies, rituals, and folk dancing.
10. National Science Day is celebrated on 28 February
Theme: Women in Science
National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated on 28 February in India. The day is celebrated every year to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by the Indian physicist Sir CV Raman.
The main objective of the day is to raise awareness to people about the importance of science in daily life. The day aims to encourage people by popularizing Science and Technology.
11. National Protein Day was observed on 27 February
National Protein Day was observed on 27 February. The day is observed every year. The day marks the annual commemorative day to rally Indians towards the mission of protein awareness and sufficiency.
Theme: The theme of India Protein Day 2020 is #ProteinMeinKyaHai. The theme aims to spread more knowledge about protein.
12. Eastern Zonal Council Meet to be held in Bhubaneswar
The Eastern Zonal Council meeting for the states of Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand is to be chaired by home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting is to discuss cases of rape against women, sexual offences, prevention of cattle smuggling in the India-Bangladesh Border, etc.
13. NITI Aayog launches Artificial Intelligence Modules in Schools
The GoI think tank NITI Aayog joined hands with the National Association of Software and Services (NASSCOM) and launched the Artificial Intelligence module for school students. The NITI Aayog is to be represented by Atal Innovation Mission of the think tank.
14. Centre approved 32 projects under PM Kisan Sampada Yojana
An inter-ministerial approval committee under the ‘Unit’ scheme of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) sanctioned 32 projects spread across 17 states on 27 February. The committee was chaired by the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The 32 projects leverage an investment of Rs.406 crore. The projects will cover over 100 agro-climatic zones across India.
15. GoI paid tribute to the 124th birth anniversary of former PM Morarji Desai
Government of India paid tribute to former PM Morarji Desai on his 124th birth anniversary on 29 February. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and State leaders paid tribute the late former PM. His birth anniversary is celebrated every four years. Morarji Desai: Morarji Desai was born in Bulsar district of Gujarat on 29 February 1896.
16. Defence Minister inaugurated new LCH Production Hangar at HAL Complex, Bengaluru
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Production Hangar at Helicopter Division in HAL Complex at Bengaluru, Karnataka. The move is towards manufacturing military equipment indigenously under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Light Combat Helicopter is a 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter.
17. The 14th Meeting of JWG on Counter-Terrorism
The 14th Meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism on 28 February in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the French delegation was led by Mr. David Bertolotti, Assistant Secretary of State for Strategic, Security and Disarmament Affairs of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
18. Cabinet approved occupancy rights to Scheduled Tribes of Lakshadweep
The Union Cabinet approved the amendment of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands Land Revenue and Tenancy Regulation, 1965. The amendment will confer occupancy rights to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in the union territory (UT). Lakshadweep island mostly comprises the ST population and they did not have occupancy rights.
19. The 11th National KVK Conference 2020 was held in Delhi
The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurating the 11th National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Conference 2020 on 28 February in New Delhi. The conference directed KVKs to serve not only the affluent, resourceful and Progressive farmers but also focus on the small and deprived farmers.
20. World rare disease day is observed on 29 February
World rare disease day is observed on 28/29 (last day of) February. The day aims to raise awareness for the millions of people who are impacted by a rare disease. It aims to educate people about rare diseases and their impacts.
Theme: The theme of the day is “Reframe Rare”. The theme encourages everyone to take steps to clarify many of the misconceptions that can make people with rare diseases feel isolated and affect the quality of care and support.
21. Mission Purvodaya: India-Japan join hands to make Odisha a Steel Hub
Union Minister of Steel announced at a workshop organized by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) that GoI is to make Odisha the steel hub of India. This is to be achieved by the Government with the help of Japan.
22. World Productivity Congress in India after 45 years of gap
The World Productivity Congress has been conducted by the World Confederation of Productivity Science since 1969. It was last held in India in 1974. The Congress is held under the theme Theme: Industry 4.0-Innovation and Productivity.
