1 PM inaugurates Integrated Maritime Survival Training Centre, ONGC Institute
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Integrated Maritime Survival Training Centre, ONGC Institute in Goa . Mr Modi also observed a demonstration at a briefing and training center on underwater rescue exercises. The Prime Minister also shared a video outlining the need for a modern Maritime Survival Center and why we need a modern Maritime Survival Center and how it will be beneficial to our country. ONGC Marine Survival Center has been developed as a first-of-its-kind integrated Marine Survival Training Center to advance the Indian marine survival training ecosystem at par with global standards. It is expected to train 10,000-15,000 personnel every year. Practice conducted in artificial and controlled harsh weather conditions enhances the marine survival skills of the trainees. Thus increasing the chances of safe survival from real life disasters.
2 PM inaugurates India Energy Week 2024
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated India Energy Week 2024 in Goa . India Energy Week 2024 is the country’s premier and only exclusive energy exhibition and conference. It provides a platform to the entire energy value chain to propel India’s energy transition goals. The Prime Minister also held a meeting with global oil and gas CEOs and experts. India Energy Week is being organized in Goa from 6 to 9 February 2024 . The important goal of India Energy Week 2024 is to encourage startups and integrate them into the energy value chain. About 17 energy ministers from different countries and more than 35,000 participants will be present at the conference. More than 900 exhibitors are expected to participate during this period. It will have pavilions for six dedicated countries – Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Russia, UK and USA . Innovations of Indians in the micro, small and medium enterprises sector will be showcased in a special Make in India pavilion.
3 Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches the theme of National Science Day ‘Indigenous Technology for Developed India’
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology; Dr. Jitendra Singh , Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space released the theme of “ National Science Day 2024 ” as “ Indigenous Technology for a Developed India ”. The NSD theme for this year’s celebration reflects a strategic focus of promoting public appreciation for the achievements of Indian scientists, addressing challenges through home-grown technologies for overall well-being through science, technology and innovation. National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of ‘ Raman Effect ‘. The Government of India designated 28 February as National Science Day (NSD) in 1986. On this day Sir CV Raman announced the discovery of ‘Raman Effect’ for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930 .
4. The Election Commission gave the name and election symbol of Nationalist Congress Party to Ajit Pawar faction. Sharad Pawar camp asked to take a new name
The Election Commission has given official recognition to Ajit Pawar faction as Nationalist Congress Party . The Commission has given the party’s election symbol to the Ajit Pawar faction. This decision of the Commission has been taken on the basis of testing the majority of the legislature party. In its order, the Election Commission has said that the faction led by Ajit Pawar is the Nationalist Congress Party and has the right to use the party’s name and election symbol. The Commission has asked the Sharad Pawar faction to claim the new name of the party and submit it with three options.
5 Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Program in New Delhi yesterday
Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Program in New Delhi . In his address, he said that in line with the vision of the New Education Policy 2020 , the Vidyanjali Scholarship Program symbolizes the vision of the society through access to education and opportunities. Students from economically deprived sections will benefit from this scholarship. Shri Pradhan said that nation building is a collective effort of all citizens.
6 Iran announces visa-free travel for Indian citizens
The Government of Iran has approved free visa policy for Indian citizens . This policy will be valid only for tourism purposes . With this relaxation, Indian citizens holding passports will be able to enter Iran once in every 6 months for a maximum stay of 15 days . If Indian citizens wish to stay in Iran for a longer period, they will have to obtain other types of visas repeatedly within a period of 6 months. This mandatory visa has to be obtained through the concerned representative of Iran in India.
7 Union Home Minister Amit Shah said- Fencing will be installed on the entire 1,643 kilometer long India-Myanmar border.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the government has decided to erect fencing along the entire 1,643 kilometer long India-Myanmar border . He also said that a special track would be built to facilitate better surveillance on the border. The Home Minister said in a social media post that fencing has been installed on a 10 kilometer stretch up to Moreh in Manipur to limit the total length.
8 Center starts selling ‘Bharat’ rice at MRP of Rs 29/kg in 5 kg and 10 kg packs
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal launched Bharat Chawal brand at Kartavya Path in New Delhi . The objective is to provide rice to the people at concessional rates. Rice will be available in 5 kg and 10 kg packs at the rate of Rs 29 per kg . Shri Goyal said that the government is committed to providing ration at affordable prices. He said that under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 81 crore people are being given free food grains. The government has extended this scheme for another 5 years. Shri Goyal said that through this scheme, poor families are saving Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 every month.
9 Bill passed in Lok Sabha to prevent use of unfair means in public examinations
Lok Sabha has passed the Public Examination Malpractice Prevention Bill-2024 . Through this bill, unfair practices in public examinations are to be stopped. Public Examination means the examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Examination Agency and Central Government Departments. Its objective is to prevent any kind of collusion or conspiracy regarding unfair practices in examinations. Improper behavior includes unauthorized access to the question paper or answer sheet, assisting a candidate during the public examination, tampering with the computer network, conducting fake examinations, issuing fake admit cards and appointment letters. There is no provision for action against the candidate under this bill. Action against the candidate will be taken only under the existing administrative provisions of the concerned Public Examination Authority. Under this bill, there is a provision of imprisonment of 3 to 10 years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore for committing a crime. Under this bill, all crimes will be cognizable and non-compoundable and there will be no bail.
10 Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs hosts the inaugural event of ‘The Great Indian Board Reboot: Roadshow 2024’ in Mumbai
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), the apex think tank of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs , Government of India, hosted the inaugural event of ‘ The Great Indian Board Reboot: Roadshow 2024 ‘ at NSE Headquarters in Mumbai on January 31, 2024 . The grand opening ceremony was organized in partnership with the National Stock Exchange – NSE India and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) . The event marked an important milestone in the Indian corporate governance landscape. The event brought together over 200 delegates including leading business personalities, regulatory authorities and corporate governance experts.
11 Telangana’s Operation Smile-X
A total of 3,479 child laborers were rescued from across the Telangana state through the month-long Operation Smile-X conducted by the Telangana Police in January, 2024 . The state police conducts this campaign every year in January to locate and rescue missing and trafficked children. Cyberabad police alone rescued 718 children – 301 boys and 28 girls – from within the state; 360 boys and 29 girls were from other states.
12 France becomes the first country in the EU to issue digital Schengen visas
From January 1, 2024 , France has launched the issuance of digital Schengen visas , becoming the first country in the EU to issue digital Schengen visas . The move comes ahead of the expected full digitalisation of Schengen visa processes scheduled for 2026. In preparation for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris (July 26 to August 11 and August 28 to September 8), French authorities plan to distribute approximately 70,000 digital visas. However, not everyone will be eligible to apply due to limited allocation.
13 PETA challenges traditional buffalo, bulbul fight in Assam
Buffalo fights have been a part of the Magh Bihu festival in Assam for centuries . During the harvest festival, fights are organized in various parts of the state, with Ahatguri village in Nagaon district being the most prominent place. The fight is organized by the local Ahataguri buffalo fight committee. Participants pit two buffaloes against each other and they continue to lock horns until one buffalo runs away and declares the other the winner. Another tradition involves the nightingale fight at the Hayagriva Madhava temple in Hajo, about 30 km from Guwahati. The rearing and training of bulbuls for fighting during Magh Bihu is considered a religious practice by the temple authorities. The fights are conducted by lighting lamps and offering offerings to Lord Vishnu. It is claimed that this tradition originated during the rule of Ahom kings in Assam.
14 Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the first BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship event in New Delhi
Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the first BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship in New Delhi . In this championship, seven BIMSTEC member nations of South and South-East Asia will compete in special water events. BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship-2024 is a six-day sporting event. More than four hundred players and officials from the member nations of the Bay of Bengal region will participate in this competition. The BIMSTEC grouping includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
15 Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera dies in plane crash
Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera died in a plane crash. He died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday. Interior Minister Carolina Toha confirmed the death of the 74-year-old former president, who held office from 2010 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2022 .