NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Sikkim becomes 22nd State to join UDAY:
The Government of India and the State of Sikkim signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Scheme Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), for operational improvement of the State’s Power Distribution Department. With the signing of MoU, the total number of States covered under UDAY has reached twenty–two. Sikkim would derive an Overall Net Benefit of approximately Rs. 207 crores through UDAY by way of cheaper funds, reduction in AT&C and transmission losses, interventions in energy efficiency, etc. during the period of turnaround.
Haryana makes must for private schools to set up solar plants:
The Haryana government has made it mandatory for all private schools to install solar systems. A special grant of ₹20,000 per kilowatt will also be given to the schools for installing solar power plants. Further, the electricity generated from these solar power plants during the summer vacations would be added to the grid.
Dance festival begins at Thanjavur temple:
The week-long Brahan Natyanjali, a dance obeisance to Lord Bragadeesvarar, for Mahashivarathri at the Big Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Over 600 artistes from around the world are taking part in the festival, which is being organised by the Brahan Natyanjali Foundation. Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi are being performed during Brahan Natyanjali.
Kerala to Become First State in India to Have a Public Registry of Sex Offenders:
In a first in India, the Kerala government has decided to set up a registry of sex offenders. The publically available registry will contain the names and details of people who commit crimes against women. This would enable employers in profiling prospective employees and the police to keep a track of offenders’ activities.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
1st Sherpas Meeting for 2017 BRICS summit to be held in China:
The First Sherpas Meeting of the 9th BRICS Summit will be held in Nanjing, capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province, from 23rd feb to 24th feb. Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi will attend the opening ceremony of the meeting and deliver a speech.
The Sherpas mechanism, as a main vehicle to coordinate and promote the BRICS cooperation, primarily serves to make political preparations for the BRICS Summit.
Theme: “Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future”.
India, Israel to develop missile for Army:
India has approved a deal to develop jointly a medium range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) system for the Army in a Rs.17,000 crore deal. Joint development deal to be executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). The systems will be manufactured in India and would have an 80% indigenous content.
Deliveries would begin in 2023. The two countries are also in an advanced stage of negotiations for the purchase of two more long-range Phalcon Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS).
BANKING, BUSINESS
7th tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds opens on February 27:
The government will launch the 7th tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds under which people will be able to buy securities worth up to 500 grams of the metal. Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2016-17-Series IV.
Applications for the bond will be accepted from February 27 to March 3. The bonds will be issued to eligible applicants on March 17, 2017.The bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges, NSE and BSE.
Oriental Bank ties up with Chola MS to sell insurance products:
The Public Sector Oriental Bank of Commerce has signed a corporate agency agreement with general insurance provider Cholamandalam General Insurance Company, for distribution of insurance products. Chola MS will offer a wide range of non-life insurance products to customers of Oriental Bank of Commerce through its branches.
India to be fastest growing economy among G-20 nations: Moody’s
India will be the fastest growing economy among G-20 countries clocking a 7.1 per cent growth in 2017, down from a previous expectation of 7.5 per cent because of the effects of demonetisation, according to the Moody’s Investors Service.
Airtel Payments Bank may cross-sell products like insurance, third party loans:
Airtel Payments Bank is planning to cross-sell products like life insurance products and loans from banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) over the next one year. Because payments banks can not lend; it is expected that cross-selling banking products will be a revenue stream for these operators. These banks are allowed to take deposits – savings accounts.
Airtel Payment Bank
MD & CEO: Shashi Arora
IDBI Bank set to get Rs 3000 crore bailout package from govt:
The government is all set to bail out IDBI Bank BSE 0.00 % with a Rs. 3,000-crore capital infusion to help it maintain a healthy capital-adequacy ratio and pursue credit growth. The government has already said it is still open to bring down its stake in the bank to below 50 per cent.
APPOINTMENTS
Phogat sisters to spread the message of cleanliness:
Commonwealth Games medal-winning wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat were named as brand ambassadors of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s sanitation campaign. As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Phogat sisters, who are from Bhiwani in Haryana, will be the face of the SDMC’s efforts to improve cleanliness and solid waste management in south Delhi.
Shilpa Shetty appointed ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission:
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has been chosen as the brand ambassador for the government’s cleanliness initiative Swachh Bharat Mission. Shetty will feature in TV and radio campaigns which are aimed at discouraging people from littering on roads. Campaign posters featuring her will also be displayed at various places across the country.
Cressida becomes 1st woman to head Scotland Yard in 188 yrs:
Britain has appointed Cressida Dick as the next commissioner of London’s Metropolitan Police, making her the first woman to head Scotland Yard in its 188-year history. The 56-year-old, who will control a £3 billion budget and head 43,000 officers, joined the force in 1983. Her appointment was controversial as she once headed an operation wherein an innocent Brazilian was killed.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Monster pulsar discovered 50 million light years away:
A monster has been discovered lurking 50 million light years away. It’s a pulsar, that is, a collapsed star spinning around at an increasing speed and sending out as much energy in one second as our Sun does in 3.5 years. The discovery was made by scientists using the x-ray observatory space craft XMM-Newton managed by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Indigenous cryogenic engine C25 feat to propel GSLV–Mk III launch in April:
Realising a major milestone for the launch of GSLV Mark III by April end, ISRO units here have successfully conducted the integrated full duration stage hot test of advanced Indigenous Cryogenic engine with 25 ton propellant C25 at IPRC in Mahendragiri. It is set for the launch of GSLV Mark III by April end.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Karnataka Bank has bagged two ‘IBA-Banking Technology’ awards.
Karnataka bank was the winner in ‘Best financial inclusion initiatives (small bank)’ category, and was runner-up in ‘Best use of digital and channels technology (small bank)’ category. It said that IBA-Banking Technology award recognises and rewards individuals, professionals and banks who have recorded noteworthy technology and business benefits in the previous year.
Gujarat artist claims making world’s longest fire painting:
An artist from Gujarat’s Vadodara district Kamal Rana has claimed to have created the world’s longest painting using fire flames. The artists claims to have developed a technique which uses fire flames, matchsticks, flammable chemicals and powder for painting. The 63 feet long and 7 feet wide painting is dedicated to the cricket world.
57-hour-long tattoo session sets Guinness Record:
An Italian tattoo artist has broken the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest tattoo session, executing 28 tattoos over 57 hours and 25 minutes. This marks the fourth time the tattoo artist, Alessandro Bonacorsi, has broken the same record. Bonacorsi was also part of a team that holds the record for the most tattoos in 12 hours, at 836.
SPORTS
India gets 2019 rifle and pistol WC:
The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has officially announced that New Delhi would host the rifle and pistol World Cup in 2019, which would offer Olympic quota places for Tokyo 2020. The other three World Cups in 2019 would be held in Munich, Beijing and Rio de Janeiro. The shotgun World Cups will be held in Changwon, Lahti, Al Ain and Acapulco. While deciding that the World Cup Final in shotgun would be held in Al Ain, UAE in 2018.
Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel had very encouraging words for the Indian shooters as he inaugurated the first World Cup of the season at the Dr. Karni Singh Range, Tughlakabad (Delhi). In the presence of ISSF president Olegario Vazquez Rana.
Dohmen, van As win FIH awards Harte again named Goalkeeper-of-the-Year:
The first-ever FIH (International Hockey Federation) Hockey Stars event held at Argentina. Belgium, which finished runner-up at Rio, saw its captain John-John Dohmen named Player-of-the-Year while compatriot Arthur van Doren, currently participating in the HIL, was named the U-23 Player-of-the-Year. This is the first time a Belgian has won the award in either category.
Irishman David Harte, meanwhile, was named Goalkeeper-of-the-Year for the second year in a row. India had two nominations — P.R. Sreejesh and Harmanpreet Singh — but couldn’t win any either.
The winners: Player-of-the-Year: Women: Naomi van As (Ned). Goalkeeper-of-the-Year: Women: Maddie Hinch (Eng). U-23 Player-of-the-Year: Women: Maria Granatto (Arg). Coach-of-the-Year: Men: Danny Kerry (Eng); Women: Karen Brown (Eng). Umpire-of-the-Year: Men: Christian Blasch (Ger); Women: Laurine Delforge (Bel).
Kumar Sangakkara becomes second Asian to feature in 1000 matches:
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara became the second Asian, after Mahela Jayawardene, and 16th overall to feature in 1,000 matches across all forms of the game. Sangakkara achieved the feat after featuring for Karachi Kings against the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League. Out of the 1,000 matches, Sangakkara played 587 for the Sri Lankan team.
World Toe Wrestling Championship is held annually in England:
A ‘World Toe Wrestling Championship’ is organised in England. The contestants are required to play bare feet and compete in three rounds for each game. The sport, which is similar to arm wrestling, was invented in the 1970s and is reportedly registered as an international sport.
HISTORICAL FACTS OF THE DAY
Central Excise Day in India – FEB 24:
Central excise day in India is celebrated every year on 24th of February to encourage the equality among the officers of the Central Board of Excise and Customs Department as well as assist them to ensure better tax observance. It is also celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the Central Excise and Salt Act on 24th of February in the year 1944.
