1 Bill giving 10 percent reservation to Maratha community in education and government jobs passed in Maharashtra Legislature
Maharashtra Legislature passed Maratha Reservation Bill 2024 . Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tabled this bill in both the Assembly and Legislative Council houses . With this, there is a provision of 10 percent reservation for the Maratha community in education and jobs . The Maharashtra government has accepted the report of the Shukri Commission appointed to investigate the backwardness of the Maratha community. The draft report was approved at the state cabinet meeting in Mumbai.
2 Goa Government and Power Finance Corporation have entered into an agreement to lead a subnational blended finance facility for climate action
Power Finance Corporation (PFC), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), a power sector Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and the largest renewable energy finance manager in India have signed an MoU to support the climate ambitions of the State of Goa . MOU) has been signed. The support provided will be under the Blended Finance Facility being set up by the Government of Goa in partnership with the World Bank . The Government of Goa is setting up a sub-national blended finance facility in partnership with the World Bank, which aims to promote low-carbon, climate-friendly development.
3 ‘India-Brazil-South Africa’ contributes USD 1 million to eradicate poverty and hunger
India has contributed US$ 1 million to the Poverty and Hunger Eradication Fund set up jointly with Brazil and South Africa . India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj handed over a check of this amount to Dima Al Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation . The India-Brazil-South Africa Fund to Eradicate Poverty and Hunger was jointly established in March 2004 and became operational in 2006 . The objective of this fund is to identify exemplary and target based projects that can be implemented on demand basis in developing countries.
4 Many top leaders including JP Nadda, Ashwini Vaishnav and Sonia Gandhi were elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha.
Bharatiya Janata Party President JP Nadda and 3 party candidates were elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat . Apart from Mr. Nadda, it includes Govind Bhai Dholakia, Jashwant Singh Parmar and Mayank Nayak . For the 5 Rajya Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh , four candidates of BJP , Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan, Umesh Nath Maharaj, Bansilal Gurjar and Smt. Maya Narolia and Ashok of Congress were elected unopposed. From Rajasthan , two candidates of Bharatiya Janata Party, Chunnilal Garasia and Madan Rathore and Sonia Gandhi of Congress have been declared elected unopposed. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Biju Janata Dal ‘s Debashish Samantre and Subhashish Khuntia have been elected unopposed from Odisha .
5 Tamil Nadu plans to conserve special species
The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced a new scheme called TN-SHORE in the state budget for the year 2024-2025 to revitalize coastal resources and protect endangered species . TN-SHORE aims to enhance coastal biodiversity and coastal conservation, improve the livelihood of coastal communities and control pollution in coastal areas. Additionally, the Government of Tamil Nadu also highlighted the Tamil Nadu Endangered Species Conservation Fund with the aim of preserving endangered species as well as pursuing Blue Flag certification for 8 beaches.
6 National Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission-Rural
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation recently organized a National Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission-Rural SBM-(G) in Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh . Its objective was to ensure ‘ an integrated approach towards sustainable solutions in the rural WASH sector ‘. Promoting dialogue on replication and sustainability, states in their presentations at the conference provided insights on initiatives and progress across sectors. Notable state efforts in the related sector include Kerala ‘s Plastic Waste Management (PWM) initiative, Tamil Nadu’s use of plastic in road construction and Bihar ‘s toilet clinic. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions aim to provide basic, long-term and sustainable access to safe water and sanitation that promotes positive sanitation practices that reduce the risk of water-related disease transmission.
7 Arunachal Pradesh: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Man released the logo of ‘Bharat Folk Music-Arunachal Utsav 2024’ in Itanagar.
Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Man unveiled the logo of ‘ Bharat Folk Music-Arunachal Utsav 2024 ‘ in Itanagar . The ‘logo’ will be used as the symbol of the first edition of the state level folk music festival to be held in Namsai from February 28 to March 3 this year.
8 Central government approved to run 50 more Amrit Bharat trains
The Central Government has given approval to run 50 more Amrit Bharat trains . Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that after the success of Amrit Bharat trains, permission has been given to run 50 more trains. Amrit Bharat train is an LHB push train , with non-air conditioned coaches . In this train, locos have been installed on both sides for better speed. This train also has beautiful and attractive designed seats, better luggage racks, mobile charging points with proper mobile holders, LED lights, CC TV, public information system and other facilities for the passengers.
9 Odysseus lander reaches near the moon
The Intuitive mission ‘s Odysseus spacecraft , a private Nova-C lunar lander , is headed to the Moon after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center in Florida . Odysseus is the second private attempt after the failure of the Peregrine lander . The Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and built by SpaceX to carry people as well as payload to Earth orbit. The spacecraft carries six payloads for NASA under the CLPS initiative , which tests new technologies and scientific instruments. Key technologies being tested include a LIDAR-based sensor and an electrostatic dust removal system for the spacesuit. The spacecraft is scheduled to land on the Moon on February 22, 2024. The mission aims to become the first American spacecraft to land on the Moon in more than 50 years. The last time an American spacecraft landed on the Moon was in 1972 with Apollo 17. The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and the Artemis campaign.
10 India’s $57 billion futuristic tank development program
The Indian Army plans to acquire 1,770 technologically advanced Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) under a $57 billion indigenous project to replace its aging Russian-origin T-72 fleet after 2030 . The request for proposal (RFP) is likely to be released this year. The 50-ton tank will include artificial intelligence, integration of drones, network-centric warfare capabilities, active protection systems and advanced electronics. Manned-unmanned teaming and enhanced crew visualization matching global standards are other highlights.
11 Translator – AI Tool
The Government of India has directed all schools and higher education institutions across the country to provide digital study materials in Indian languages for every academic course within 3 years. The policy aims to enable students to learn in their native languages in line with the linguistic diversity of India. ‘ Nadalini ‘, an indigenously developed Artificial Intelligence-based multilingual translation application , will facilitate rapid translation of existing English materials into multiple languages through machine learning as the base, followed by expert verification for accuracy. Manual review will be done.
12 Anush Agarwal won the first Paris Olympic quota
Asian Games medalist Anush Agarwal has secured the country’s first-ever Paris Olympics quota in the dress discipline . International Federation for Equestrian Sports-F. EI announced to achieve Paris Olympic quota. Anush Aggarwal won his first bronze medal in horse riding in the Asian Games last year.
13 20 February: Foundation Day of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram
The foundation day of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram is celebrated on 20 February . On this occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. The Mizo National Front’s struggle culminated with the creation of Mizoram. The Mizo National Front was established in 1961. This organization took up arms to demand autonomous independence of Greater Mizoram and targeted government institutions in places like Aizawl, Lunglei, Changte, Chhimlung etc. On June 30, 1986, the Mizo National Front and the Government of India signed the agreement. After this, Mizo National Front abandoned the path of violence and soon Mizoram was made a full-fledged state of India. Following this, the Mizoram State Act, 1986 was passed. Arunachal Pradesh became a union territory in 1972. In 1975, the Arunachal Pradesh Council was converted into a temporary assembly and the Council of Ministers for Arunachal Pradesh was formed in it. On February 20, 1987, Arunachal Pradesh was given the status of a full state, for this the 55th amendment was made to the Constitution.
14 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny dies in jail
Recently, Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader , died in prison. Alexei Navalny was a prominent Russian opposition politician and anti-corruption activist. He was the leader of the Russia of the Future party and a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin . In 2017, Navalny was attacked by unknown assailants in what was called the Zelyonka attack. In 2019, when Navalny was arrested and jailed, he was hospitalized with severe damage to his eyes and skin. In 2020, Navalny was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok , but survived after treatment in Germany . He was arrested upon his return to Russia in 2021 and sentenced to more than 2 years in prison. His death in custody has sparked outrage.