Current Affairs 6 March 2024

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 6 March 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

Overview of PM Modi’s visit to Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra from 27th to 28th February 2024Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra from 27th to 28th February 2024.

• PM Modi inaugurated space infrastructure projects during his visit to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• He laid the foundation stone of development projects worth about Rs 17,300 crore at Thoothukudi, TN.
• He also inaugurated and dedicated to nation development projects worth more than Rs 4900 crore at Yavatmal, Maharashtra.

About Kerala:
Chief Minister– Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor– Arif Mohammed
National Park– Mathikettan Shola National Park; Anamudi Shola National Park
Wildlife Sanctuary– Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary; Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
>> Read Full News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches ADITI scheme to promote Defence InnovationOn March 4, 2024, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence(MoD), launched Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.

• The scheme was launch during the DefConnect 2024 held in New Delhi, Delhi.

About Scheme:
The ADITI scheme falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of Department of Defence Production (DDP), MoD.

• The scheme will provide start-ups with grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for research, development, and innovation in defence technology.

Budget: Rs 750 crore has been allocated for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Target: The scheme aims to develop approximately 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies.
Key Points:
i.The scheme envisages to create a ‘Technology Watch Tool’ to bridge the gap between Armed Forces’ requirements and innovation capabilities.
ii.In its first edition, ADITI has launched 17 challenges across various branches of the Indian Armed Forces viz.  Indian Army (3), Indian Navy (5), Indian Air Force (5) and Defence Space Agency (4).
iii.Notably, iDEX was expanded to iDEX Prime, with the assistance increasing from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 10 crore.
Other Events:
i.The event marked the launch of the 11th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC), fostering collaboration between the defence sector and start-ups. DISC 11 presents 22 problem statements across various branches and organizations within the defence sector, inviting innovative solutions to enhance national security.
ii.A technology showcase was also organised by iDEX-Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) with a diverse range of technology start-ups at the forefront of innovation in the defence sector.

MoD inks MoU with BEML, BEL & MIDHANI for Development of Advanced Fueling & Control SystemOn 4th March 2024, The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BEML Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) for indigenous development of Advanced Fuelling and Control System for Engines for heavy duty applications.
Signatories:
The MoU was signed in New Delhi (Delhi) by Shantanu Roy, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), BEML Limited; SK Jha, CMD, MIDHANI; Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL.

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Giridhar Aramane, the Defence Secretary, MoD.

About the MoU:
i.The collaboration aims to develop indigenous capabilities to design, test, and manufacture an Advanced Fuelling and Control System
ii.As per the MoU, the firms will be offering their domain expertise for the development of engine systems with enhanced efficiency, performance, and reliability. This will ensure self-reliance in the field of Combat vehicles.
iii.By developing complex technologies within India, the project aligns with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Additional info:
i.BEML Limited (formerly known as Bharat Earth Movers Limited) is a Schedule ‘A’ Public Sector Undertaking(PSU) under MoD. It is headquartered in Bengaluru (Karnataka).
ii.BEL, headquartered in Bengaluru, is a ‘Navratna’ PSU under MoD.
iii.MIDHANI, headquartered in Hyderabad (Telangana), is a PSU under MoD. It is a specialized metals and metal alloys manufacturing facility.
MoD signs Deal to Upgrade Su-30 MKI Fighter Aircraft Simulator
MoD has signed a contract with an Indian firm to upgrade the simulators of Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• This upgrade led by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) will incorporate all indigenous weapons and capabilities. This will enhance the operational training for IAF pilots.

About Sukhoi Su-30 MKI:
i.The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a multi-role combat fighter aircraft jointly developed by the  Moscow (Russia) based Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for IAF.
ii.MKI stands for Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Indiski which means “Modernized Commercial Indian”.

“Status of Leopards in India”: Number of leopards in India Increased by 8% from 2018 to 2022According to the report “Status of Leopards in India” released by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), estimated that the leopards population in India has risen by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022.

• The fifth cycle leopard population estimation (2022) was carried out by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India(WII), in collaboration with State Forest Departments.
• The leopard population increased at an annual growth rate of 1.08% from 2018 to 2022.
• The report was part of the quadrennial(four-year) “Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, prey and their habitat” exercise in tiger range States.
• Madhya Pradesh has 3907 leopards, the highest number of leopards in India, followed by Maharashtra(1985) and Karnataka(1,879) in the second and third, respectively.
• Madhya Pradesh reported the most improvement in the number of leopards at 486 (3,421 in 2018 to 3,907 in 2022), while Odisha reported a drop of 192 (760 in 2018 to 568 in 2022).
• Tiger Reserves or sites having the highest leopard population are Nagarajunasagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), followed by Panna (Madhya Pradesh), and Satpura (Madhya Pradesh).
• The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and it was classified as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Red List.

About Wildlife Institute of India(WII):
WII is an Autonomous Institution of the MoEFCC.
Chairman – Ms.Leena Nandan (Secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
Location – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Established In – 1982
>> Read Full News

PM Modi flagged off ‘Swarna Sindhu’ first tanker carrying Crude Oil from ONGC
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi flagged off the first tanker ‘Swarna Sindhu’, carrying crude oil from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)’s KG-DWN-98/2 deepwater project.

• The project is located in the Krishna Godavari basin and is expected to add 7% to India’s oil and gas production at its peak.
• The Floating Production and Storage Offloading (FPSO) Armada Sterling V unit has been built and operated by Shapoorji Pallonji Energy Private Limited (SP Energy).
• The FPSO has a processing capacity of over 50,000 barrels of oil per day and 3 million standard cubic meters per day of gas.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Approves NBBL to Launch Interoperable Payment Systemi.On March 4, 2024, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given approval to NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) to launch an interoperable payment system for internet banking in the Calendar Year 2024 (CY24). This will allow merchants to more quickly settle funds.
ii.RBI has sanctioned USD 530 million all-stocks Scheme of Amalgamation of Bengaluru, Karnataka based Fincare Small Finance Bank (SFB) Ltd. (Transferor Bank) with Jaipur, Rajasthan headquartered AU SFB Ltd. (Transferee Bank) in exercise of the powers contained in sub-section (4) of Section 44A of the Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949.
iii.RBI in exercise of its powers under Section 45L(1)(b) of the RBI  Act, 1934, directed IIFL Finance Ltd. to cease and desist, w.e.f March 4, 2024, from sanctioning or disbursing gold loans or assigning/ securitising/ selling any of its gold loans.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Governor – Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors – Swaminathan Janakiraman, Michael Debabrata Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T. Rabi Sankar
Establishment– 1st April 1935
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
>> Read Full News

Infibeam Avenues received Online Payment Aggregator licence from RBI
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) based Infibeam Avenues Limited (formerly Avenues India Private Limited)  has received final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate an Online Payment Aggregator (PA) for its payment gateway brand, CCAvenue.

• Infibeam Avenues received in-principle approval from RBI to operate as a PA in 2022.
• The Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) for Setting up and Operating Payment System in India is issued by RBI under Section 7 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Rajendra Prasad Goyal takes additional charge as CMD of NHPC Limited
Rajendra Prasad Goyal has assumed the additional charge as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NHPC Limited (Formerly known as National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd.), with effect from 1st March 2024.

• He is currently serving as the Director (Finance) in NHPC Limited since 2020. He is also the Chief Financial Officer(CFO) of the NHPC.
• He is succeding Rajeev Kumar Vishnoi, who was serving as CMD (Additional charge) since 1st March 2023. NHPC has been functioning without a regular CMD since the retirement of Abhay Kumar Singh in 2022.
• Goyal is also serving as a Chairman in various companies like Jalpower Corporation Limited, NHPC Renewable Energy Limited.
• Goyal also holds additional charge as Director (Finance) of the National Power Training Institute (NPTI), Faridabad (Haryana).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Union Minister Sonowal dedicates 1st Made-in-India ASTDS Tug
On 2nd March 2024, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) virtually inaugurated 60-tonne (60T) bollard pull tug named “Ocean Grace”, the first ever Made-in-India Approved Standardised Tug Design and Specification (ASTDS) tug at Paradip Port, Odisha.

• Ocean Grace, developed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited under MoPSW, was built at a cost of Rs 45 crores.
• The tug is designed for optimal efficiency and reliability, guaranteeing seamless navigation and proficient vessel assistance, especially for large vessels like Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCCs) and ultra-large crude carriers (ULCCs).
• The launch of the tug is in line with the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) which aims to convert at least 50% of all tugs into Green Tugs by 2030 and to have Green Tugs operating at all major ports.

Union Minister also inaugurated the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) at Paradip Port which will offer services like maternal and paediatric care, disease management, and health awareness programs. MMU will cost around Rs 48 lakhs per annum to operate.

OBITUARY

Former Canadian PM Martin Brian Mulroney Passed AwayMartin Brian Mulroney, who served as the 18th Prime Minister (PM) of Canada(1984-1993), passed away at the age of 84 in Palm Beach, Florida, the United States of America (USA). He was born on 20 March 1939 in Baie-Comeau, Quebec (Canada).

• He played a crucial role in the signing of the Canada-United States (US) Free Trade Agreement with former US President Ronald Reagan.
• The agreement was later superseded by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994.

Note: The agreement helped boost Canadian exports and the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 1991.
About Martin Brian Mulroney:
i.Before entering politics, he served as President of the Iron Ore Company of Canada.
ii.In 1983, he won a parliamentary seat in Nova Scotia and assumed the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party. He also served as the Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons.
iii.In 1984, he took office as the 18th PM of Canada and was re-elected in 1988.

• He became the 1st Canadian PM in 35 years to win successive majority governments, and the 1st Conservative PM to do so in a century.

iv.He resigned in June 1993, having served almost 9 years as PM, and rejoined the Montreal law firm of Norton Rose Fulbright (formerly Ogilvy Renault) as Senior Partner.
v.He co-chaired the United Nations(UN) World Summit for Children in 1990.
vi.In 2014, he was named chairman of Quebecor Inc., a Montreal(Canada)-based media company.
Recognitions and Honours:
i.He was awarded Canada’s highest honour, Companion of the Order of Canada in 1998.
ii.He was presented with the Global Citizen Award by the UN Association in Canada (2001).
iii.He received the highest honour of the Government of Quebec, Grand officier de l’Ordre national du Québec (2002).
iv.He received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in 2003.
v.In 2018, he was honoured with the George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service.
vi.In 2019, he also received the James A. Baker III Prize for Excellence in Leadership.

Senior Congress Leader Aziz Qureshi Passed AwaySenior Congress leader Aziz Qureshi, who served as Governor of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Mizoram, passed away at the age of 83 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He was born on 24th April 1940 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
About Aziz Qureshi:
i.In 1959, he was the founder member and first General Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress in Bhopal.
ii.In 1980, he served as Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Election Committee.
iii.From 1981-84, he served as Chairman of Madhya Pradesh State Fisheries Development Corporation, Bhopal, with the status of Cabinet Minister.
iv.He was a Member of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1972-77.
v.In 1972, he was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Sehore seat in Madhya Pradesh.
vi.He served as a Member of Parliament(MP – Lok Sabha) from 1984 to 1989. He was elected from Satna constituency of Madhya Pradesh.
vii.He served as Governor of Uttarakhand from 2012-2015; and Governor of Mizoram from January 2015 to March 2015. He served as Governor (Additional charge) of Uttar Pradesh from 23 June 2014 to 22 July 2014.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation 2024 – March 4 The World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation is annually observed across the globe on 4 March to raise awareness and promote action against sexual exploitation. The day aims to protect vulnerable individuals from sexual exploitation and provide support to victims of sexual abuse.

• 4th March has been designated as the World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation since 2009.

The United Nations(UN) defines “sexual exploitation” as any actual or attempted abuse of vulnerability, differential power or trust, for sexual purposes.
>> Read Full News

National Safety Day 2024 – March 4; National Safety Week 2024 – 4 to10 MarchNational Safety Day (NSD) is annually observed across India on 4 March to highlight the significance of safety measures in preventing workplace accidents. The day also encourages a culture of safety in workplaces and stresses the importance of adherence to safety guidelines.

• 4 March also marks the commencement of the National Safety Week Campaign, which is annually observed across India from 4-10 March.

4 March 2024 marks the observance of the 53rd National Safety Day/National Safety Week Campaign.
The theme of NSD/National Safety Week Campaign 2024 is “Focus on Safety Leadership for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Excellence”.
Background:
i.The National Safety Day/Safety Week Campaign has been spearheaded by the NSC of India since 1971 to mark its Foundation Day (4th March).
ii.In 1972, the NSC commemorated its foundation day by establishing the 1st National Safety Day.
Why March 4?
March 4 marks the foundation day of the National Safety Council (NSC), which was established on 4th March 1966.
About National Safety Council (NSC):
The Director General is the Chief Executive of the NSC and the Secretary to the Board of Governors.
Director General – Dr. Lalit R Gabhane
Headquarters– Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
>> Read Full News

World Obesity Day 2024 – March 4World Obesity Day (WOD) is annually observed across the globe on 4th March to create awareness about the risks of obesity and to promote practical solutions to end the global obesity crisis.

• 4th March 2024 marks the observance of the 10th WOD.
• The campaign theme of WOD 2024 is ‘Let’s Talk About Obesity And…’

Background:
i.In 2015, the World Obesity Federation (World Obesity), a non-profit organisation, established WOD as an annual campaign with the goal of stimulating and supporting practical actions thereby helping people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

• Initially, World Obesity Day was observed on 11th October.

ii.The first ever WOD was observed on 11th October 2015.
iii.Since 2020, the date of WOD has been changed from 11th October to 4th of March.

• The new World Obesity Day on March 4, 2020, was launched to call for a global response to this critical challenge.

About World Obesity Federation:
The World Obesity Federation (formerly the International Association for the Study of Obesity and the International Obesity Task Force), is the only global organisation focused exclusively on obesity.
President – Louise Baur
Headquarters –  London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established in – 1967
>> Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Keyi Panyor Inaugurated as 26th District of Arunachal PradeshOn 1st March 2024, Pema Khandu, Chief Minister (CM) of Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurated Keyi Panyor, the 26th district of Arunachal Pradesh.

• The new district, carved out of Lower Subansiri, will have its headquarters at Ter Gapin-Sam Sarth, strategically positioned for agricultural and horticultural development.

Key People: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Earth Sciences; Chowna Mein, Deputy CM of Arunachal Pradesh were present during the event.
Points to note:
i.The formation of the new district was demanded by the people of Nyishi community of Arunachal Pradesh.
ii.During the inauguration, the CM handed over the district flag to the newly appointed deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.
Legislative Steps:
i.On 8 February 2024, the state assembly passed the Arunachal Pradesh (Re-Organization of Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
ii.This legislative milestone paved the way for the creation Keyi Panyor and an upcoming 27th district, Bichom, which is scheduled for inauguration early next week.
Note: Bichom carved out from East and West Kameng districts will have headquarters in Napangphung.

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