Current Affairs 22 February 2024

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 22 February 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Sonowal Released ‘Sagar Aankalan’ Guidelines for Indian Port Performance IndexThe Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W) released “Sagar Aankalan”, the national benchmarking guidelines for Indian port performance index to boost their efficiency and improve competitiveness.

• The guidelines were released during the stakeholders’ meet on implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed at the 3rd edition of the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (GMIS 2023).

Key People: Shantanu Thakur and Shripad Yesso Naik, Ministers of State (MoS), MoPS&W; senior officials of MoPS&W were present during the event held in New Delhi, Delhi.
About Sagar Aankalan:
i.Sagar Aankalan, the guidelines for national benchmarking of Indian Ports Performance, will apply to all Indian seaports.
ii.This aims to achieve mapping of Indian ports’ – its logistics performance and efficiency, and Harmonisation of standards, definitions, and performance with global benchmarks.
iii.This also aims to improve the overall performance of the port sector with the focus on improvement, productivity, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
Highlights of the event: 
i.MoPS&W also derived an action plan for the implementation of MoUs signed during the GMIS 2023.
ii.The event also witnessed the launch of the GMIS 2023 Report and M.Tech(Masters of Technology) in Dredging Technology course at the Indian Institute Of Technology–Madras (IIT–Madras) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Additional info: 
GMIS 2023 was held from 17th to 19th October 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The previous editions were held in 2016 and 2021.
Vadhavan Port Gets Environmental Clearance:
i.The Vadhavan Port in Palghar district of Maharashtra, has received environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC).
ii.The MoPS&W is set to get cabinet approval for this project worth Rs 76220 crore.
iii.The will be developed by Vadhavan Port Project Ltd, a joint venture (JV) of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) (74%) and Maharashtra Maritime Board(MMB) (26%), in two phases under the landlord model as per the government policy.
iv.The in-principle approval for the port was granted on 13th February 2020 and the terms of reference were approved on 7th October 2020.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W):
Union Minister– Sarbananda Sonowal (Rajya Sabha – Assam)
Ministers of State(MoS)– Shripad Yesso Naik (Constituency- North Goa, Goa) & Shantanu Thakur(Constituency- Bangaon, West Bengal)

National Conference on JJM & SBM-(G): Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Launched 3 Books from SBM-(G)Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Jal Shakti launched 3 impactful books from Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-(G)) during the National Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and SBM-(G) held on 16 and 17 February 2024 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

• The conference brought together diverse stakeholders from States/Union territories (UTs), fostering the exchange of ideas and best practices toward sustainable solutions in the rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector.

Book Launch Highlights:
1.Swachhata Chronicles: Transformative Tales from India- Vol. II (SBM-G):
i.It is a compilation of best practices showcasing impactful change in rural sanitation.
ii.Transcends statistics, serving as a testament to the transformation of villages into the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Model.
2.Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) System Booklet:
i.It is a benchmark index for responsible sanitation across SBM-G aspects.
ii.It is a guide for safe sanitation practices, encouraging public participation in hospitality facilities.
3.Compendium on Liquid Waste Management (LWM) Technologies:
i.It is a consolidated booklet of approved technologies, operational guidelines, and successful case studies.
ii.It provides a knowledge bank for stakeholders on Liquid Waste Management (LWM), fostering a cleaner and healthier rural environment.
Impact of the Conference:
i.The conference provided a unique platform for cross-learning through detailed presentations and digital displays of innovative solutions, technologies, and best practices in the rural WASH sector.
ii.The conference emphasised on innovation, collaboration, sustainability, and the operation and maintenance of assets.
iii.The book launches stand as significant contributions to the ongoing efforts for sustainable and resilient rural communities.

MILAN24: 12th edition of India’s Multilateral Naval Exercise Commenced in APThe 12th edition of the Multilateral Naval Exercise-2024 “MILAN24”,hosted by India, commenced on 19th February 2024 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

• The exercise is being conducted from 19th to 27th February 2024 by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy (IN).
• The theme of MILAN 2024 is ‘Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration’.

Aim: To enhance professional interaction between friendly navies and gain experience in multilateral large-force operations at sea.
About Indian Navy (IN):
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) – Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established in –  1950
>> Read Full News

Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates India’s 1st Skill India Centre in OdishaUnion Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) inaugurated Country’s first Skill India Centre (SIC) in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Note: The SIC is scheduled to be inaugurated in Angul, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Talcher and Deogarh.
Key People: 
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of MSDE; Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Managing Director(MD) of NSDC International; were present during the event.
About SIC: 
Aim: To address the specific skill needs of industries that have the potential to drive regional development and create sustainable employment opportunities.
Features:
i.The NSDC will designate a Centre Manager to monitor the implementation of training programs and ensure adherence to quality standards and the overall functioning of SIC.
ii.This is designed to develop the capabilities and knowledge of Yuva Shakti in trades which are high in demand such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT(Information Technology)-ITeS(IT enabled services).
iii.SIC is equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities which will speed up the demand for formal skills and enable youth to acquire the required skills.
Key Points:
i.The centre was established to ensure access to quality education and establish a level playing field for the aspiring youth.

• At present, the new age and future skills are available at a higher cost in global markets.

ii.The introduction of low-cost courses in the SIC will empower youth and include them as a part of the evolving job market.
Additional info:
i.Previously, the MSDE launched the Kaushal Rath initiative, which are buses designed to provide skill training and certification to aspiring candidates across Sambalpur, Angul and Deogarh districts in Odisha.
ii.The initiative has offered training to more than 4000 candidates.
About National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC):
NSDC is a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) enterprise working under the MSDE.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Ved Mani Tiwari
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Incorporated – 2008

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Monthly Update of Henley Passport Index 2024: India’s Passport Rank Slips to 85; Top Spot Retained by 6 CountriesAccording to the monthly update (February 2024) of the Henley Passport Index 2024, India’s ranking dropped from 80th to 85th between January 2024 and February 2024. 6 countries namely France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Singapore continue to dominate the top spot with the most powerful passports in the world.

• These 6 countries enabled their citizens visa-free entry to 194 out of 227 global destinations, marking a record-breaking achievement.

Finland, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden ranked 2nd with visa-free travel to 193 destinations; Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom shared the 3rd place with access to 192 destinations.
About Henley & Partners (H&P):
Chief Executive Officer– Dr. Juerg Steffen
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom (UK)
Formed in– 1997
>> Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

India Contributed USD 1 Million to the IBSA Fund to Alleviate Poverty
India has presented its annual contribution of  USD 1 million to the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund).

• The move aims to address development challenges such as poverty, hunger, and climate change across developing nations through South-South cooperation.
• The IBSA Fund was established in 2004 and became operational in 2006.
• IBSA fund is managed by the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (SU-SSC) hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Key People: The amount was presented by Ruchira Kamboj, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations (UN); The amount was received by Dima Al-Khatib, the Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

S&P Global Ratings Report: India’s Credit Growth to Moderate to 14% in FY25 According to a report from S&P Global Ratings, India’s credit growth is expected to moderate to 14% in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) (April-March), down from the existing 16% growth in the first three-quarters of FY24 due to tight funding conditions that plays a pivotal role in limiting loan expansion for many banks.

• Indian banking system liquidity has experienced a persistent deficit, exceeding 1 trillion rupees since mid-December because of subdued government expenditure and high tax outflow.

Note: S&P Global Ratings is an American credit rating agency, and division of S&P Global, that publishes financial research, benchmarking, and analysis on stocks, bonds, and commodities.
Credit Growth Dynamics and Margin Projections:
i.The first 3 quarters of the current financial year witnessed a 16% Year-Over-Year (YOY) increase.
ii.Bank’s margins are anticipated to contract due to heightened competition for deposits, and policy rate cuts pose an additional threat to margins.
iii.S&P envisions system-wide margins declining to 2.9% in 2024-25 from the current 3%.
Risks for Private Banks:
i.S&P warns of deeper margin impact if lenders sustain high credit growth.
ii.Private banks, with a loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) potentially crossing 97%, are more exposed.
Offshore Borrowing Trends:
i.Rising local borrowing costs prompt banks like HDFC and State Bank of India (SBI) to explore offshore options.
ii.Higher borrowing costs could further reduce margins to 2.8% in 2024-25.
Deposit Growth Challenges:
i.Indian banks face challenges in deposit growth, with the LDR reaching a two-decade high of 80% in December 2023.
ii.The credit growth is 1.5 times of nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while deposits are rising in line with the nominal GDP.
iii.Regulatory requirements in India are more stringent, limiting funds available for loan growth compared to other South and Southeast Asian banks.
Private Banks’ Unique Challenges:
i.Private banks, facing a high LDR of 93%, expects further increase.
ii.Rapid credit growth of 18% YoY in the first half of the fiscal year presents challenges.
iii.HDFC Bank, undergoing a merger with Housing Development Finance Corp Ltd in July 2023, faces additional pressure with a prolonged recovery period predicted by S&P.

• S&P suggests several years might be needed for a return to pre-merger levels.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Prof. Aditi Sen De became 1st Woman to be honoured with GD Birla Award for Scientific Research
Professor Aditi Sen De has been awarded the 33rd Ghanshyam Das (GD) Birla Award for Scientific Research 2023 for her outstanding contributions to the field of Physics. Aditi Sen De is the first female scientist to receive this award.

• Her research is based on the manipulation of quantum states and their nonclassical applications.
• The award was given by the KK Birla Foundation.
• She was also the first female to receive the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in 2018.

About GD Birla Award:
i.The award was institutionalised in 1991.
ii.It recognises eminent Indian scientists below the age of 50 years for their original and outstanding contributions to any branch of science.
iii.The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA launches Airborne Assault through its DC-8 to Combat Pollution in AsiaThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s DC-8 aircraft has initiated to conduct test flights as part of the Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality, or ASIA-AQ mission. This is the world’s biggest flying laboratory.

• The aircraft took off from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California, the United States of America.

ASIA-AQ mission:
i.ASIA-AQ mission is a joint effort between NASA and South Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) which will gather atmospheric data over several locations in Asia.
ii.Department of Environment and Natural Resources Philippines (DENR), the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency Thailand (GISTDA) and the Ministry of Environment Taiwan (MOENV) will also contribute to the mission.
Objective:
i.Its objective is to provide crucial insights into Asia’s air pollution problem to address this global health concern.
ii.This will improve pollution source identification, and enhance public warning systems.
Key Points:
i.NASA’s flying lab, equipped with 26 sensitive instruments and will fly at low-altitudes to collect data from the atmosphere closest to the ground where people and habitats are impacted.
ii.ASIA-AQ specific science goals focus on the following topics:

• Satellite Validation and Interpretation
• Emissions Quantification and Verification
• Model Evaluation
• Aerosol Chemistry
• Ozone Chemistry

Points to note:
i.The flying lab executed figure-eight patterns over densely populated areas of the Philippines.
ii.It is accompanied by a smaller NASA Gulfstream jet creating three-dimensional pollutant maps. The aircraft will extend research flights to South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.
About NASA DC-8:
i.The DC-8 serves four types of missions: sensor development, satellite verification, space vehicle tracking, and various Earth research studies.
ii.It was acquired by NASA in 1985. It is 157 feet long with a 148-foot wingspan. It can hold 30,000 pounds of equipment and accommodate up to 45 researchers and crew.
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
Administrator–  Bill Nelson
Headquarters– Washington, D.C, US
Establishment– 1958

SPORTS

India Wins Four Medals (3 gold and 1 silver) in Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024India finished fifth in the medal tally with four medals (3 gold and 1 silver) in the 11th edition of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships (2024), held from 17th to 19th February 2024 at the Aftab Enghelab sports complex in Tehran, Iran.

• China tops the medal tally with 16 medals (8 gold, 6 silver, 2 bronze), Japan with 9 medals (4 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze), and Kazakhstan with 12 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze) in second and third place, respectively.

Indian Medal Winners:

Highlights:
i.Jyothi Yarraji won the gold medal in the women’s 60m hurdles with a timing of 8.12s.

• With this timing, she breaks her own national record timing of 8.13s, which was set by her in the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships(previous edition) held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

ii.Tajinderpal Singh Toor won the gold medal in the men’s shot put with a throw of 19.72m.

• He breaks the national record of 19.60m, which was set by Vikas Gowda in 2005.
• It also marks his second consecutive gold medal in the same event. He clinched the top spot in the previous edition.

iii.Harmilan Kaur Bains won the gold medal in the women’s 1500m Short Track event with a timing of 4:29.55.
iv.Ankita Dhyani won the silver medal in the women’s 3000m Short Track event with a timing of 9:26.22.
Points to Note:
i.India’s Gulveer Singh lost his men’s 3000m gold medal after being disqualified for ‘lane violation’.

• Jalil Naseri of Iran who came second in the finals was also disqualified from the event due to violation.

ii.Keneshbekov Nursultan (Kyrgyzstan), who finished second in the race, was awarded the gold medal, while Seyed Amir Zamanpour (Iran) and Maxim Frolovskiy (Kazakhstan) won the silver and the bronze medals, respectively.
iii.In the 2023 edition, India won 8 medals(one gold, six silver, and one bronze).

OBITUARY

Renowned Indian Jurist & Padma Awardee Fali Sam Nariman Passed AwayFali Sam Nariman, a renowned Indian jurist and Padma Awardee, passed away at the age of 95 in New Delhi, Delhi. He was born on 10th January 1929 in Myanmar (Rangoon – then British India).
Awards:
The Government of India (GoI) honoured him with the Padma Bhushan (Field: Public Affairs) in 1991 and Padma Vibhushan (Field: Public Affairs) in 2007 in recognition of his exceptional and distinguished services in the field of Public Affairs.
Fali Sam Nariman:
i.He started his career as an Advocate of the Bombay High Court in 1950.
ii.He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1972 to 1975. He resigned a day after the Emergency was imposed on June 26, 1975.
iii.He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) of Rajya Sabha (nominated) from 1999 to 2005.
iv.He served as the President of the Bar Association of India (BAI) from 1991 to 2010.
v.He also served as Vice–Chairman of International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC ) in Paris, France (1989 to 2005), President of International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) (1994 to 2002) and Chairman of Executive Committee of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Geneva, Switzerland (1995 to 1997).
Books:
i.He has authored several books like ‘Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography & Supreme Whispers: Supreme Court Judges’; ‘India’s Legal System (R/J): Can it Be Saved?’; ‘The State of the Nation’; ‘God Save the Hon’ble Supreme Court’.
ii.He has also wrote “The Arbitration Series” titled “Harmony amidst Disharmony”.
Other Awards: He is also the recipient of 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri Award for Excellence in Public Administration(2018); “Exemplary Service of Law” award from SKOCH in 2022 and Gruber Prize for Justice in 2002.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mother Language Day 2024- February 21 The United Nations (UN) International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is annually observed across the globe on 21 February to raise awareness about the significance of the mother language.

• IMLD also aims to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, and multilingualism, and underscore the role of languages in building a peaceful, tolerant, and inclusive world.

21 February 2024 marks the observance of the 25th edition of IMLD.

• The 2024 theme of IMLD is, “Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning”.

Background:
i.IMLD has been observed throughout the world since 2000, following the proclamation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

• On 17 November 1999, UNESCO proclaimed the 21 February of every year as “International Mother Language Day”.

ii.The UN General Assembly (UNGA) welcomed the day’s proclamation in its resolution (A/RES/56/262) of 2002.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO):
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established in– 1945
>> Read Full News

STATE NEWS

West Bengal FM Chandrima Bhattacharya Presented Rs 3.6 lakh crore State Budget for FY25i.The Finance Minister of West Bengal (WB) Chandrima Bhattacharya presented a state budget of Rs 3,66,166 crore for FY2024-25 which introduced a Gender and Child Budget Budget.
ii.Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY25 is projected at Rs 18.8 lakh crore, showing a growth of 10.5% over FY24.
iii.Total receipts for 2024-25 are estimated to be Rs 3,36,114.02 crores with Revenue Receipt of Rs 236,251.09 crores and Capital Receipt of Rs 99,862.93 crores
iv.Total expenditure is estimated at Rs 3,36,116.02 crores with Revenue Expenditure at Rs 268,202.76 crores and Capital Expenditure  at Rs 67,913.26 crores.
v.The monthly financial assistance under LakshmirBhandar scheme has been raised to Rs 1,200 for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) community, whereas for other categories, it has been increased to Rs 1,000. In this regard, Rs 14,400 crore has been allocated for Lakshmir Bhandar.
About West Bengal (WB):
Chief Minister– Mamata Banerjee
Governor– C. V. Ananda Bose
National Parks– Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park
>> Read Full News

Tripura Launched CM Jan Arogya Yojana; Becomes 1st Northeast State Universal Health CoverManik Saha, Chief Minister(CM) of Tripura, launched the CM Jan Arogya Yojana (CMJAY), a universal health insurance scheme for all. With this launch, Tripura became the first Northeastern state to launch a universal health cover.

• The scheme was launched at a mega event held in Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan, Agartala, Tripura.

Note: This is in line with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a national public health insurance scheme of the government of India.
About CMJAY:
i.The scheme offers universal health insurance coverage and it will benefit 4.15 lakh families of Tripura and provide cover of Rs 5 lakh per family annually.
ii.The scheme will provide cover to families irrespective of income level.
CMJAY will also cover the Group C and D employees of the government of Tripura.
iii.CMJAY will provide free medical care to indoor patients within the primary health centre level and affiliated private hospitals in Tripura.
iii.The scheme has roped in all the hospitals that provide treatment under PMJAY.
Points to note: 
i.Tripura Government will spend around Rs 104 crore towards the implementation of this scheme in 2024.
ii.Under this scheme, the patients will get free medicines for 15 days after being discharged from a critical illness.
Note: Out of the total population of Tripura (9.75 lakh families) around 5.12 lakh were included under the AB-PMJAY. Around 2.94 lakh beneficiaries have received treatment under PMJAY.

Kerala Launched the Kerala Brand Logo & Web Portal
P Rajeeve, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala, unveiled the logo and web portal of the Kerala Brand to increase the domestic and global demand for high-quality products made in Kerala.

• The logo of Kerala Brand carries the motto ‘Nanma’, a Malayalam expression which translates to ‘Goodness’.
• All the products under the brand will be imprinted with the wording ‘Made-in-Kerala’ to tap into the domestic and global markets.
• The branding also signifies the product is of good quality, made with authentic raw materials, and produced by following ethical practices.

Indian Cricketer Shubman Gill To Be the ‘State Icon’ of Punjab
Indian cricketer Shubman Gill was named as the ‘State Icon’ of Punjab by the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab for the 2024 Parliamentary election.

• The move aims to increase voter awareness thereby ensuring a voting percentage of 70% in the upcoming election.
• The awareness campaigns and appeals made by Shubman Gill would motivate the voters to cast their votes.

Note: Indian batsman Shubman Gill made his international debut in December 2020 against Australia in a Test match. He also plays for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League(IPL) and Punjab in domestic cricket.

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