Current Affairs - February 19, 2024 Current Affairs

The SAMAR air defence missile system, which debuted during the Vayushakti Exercise in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is a Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM). This signifies a remarkable milestone in indigenous defence technology development, showcasing advanced capabilities crucial for modern air defence systems.

Russia is focusing on creating a nuclear anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon, representing a significant development in space technology. Such weapons pose a strategic threat to operational satellites, impacting crucial functions like communication, navigation, surveillance, and military operations.

India's first indigenous spy satellite, slated for launch via SpaceX, was developed by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). This groundbreaking achievement underscores India's capability to produce advanced space technology domestically, reducing dependence on foreign vendors for critical surveillance infrastructure and enhancing national security measures.

As per the Henley Passport Index 2024, Indian citizens enjoy visa-free access to 62 countries. Despite this increase, India slipped one rank to 85th place. This suggests that while India's diplomatic relations may have improved marginally, other nations might have enhanced their visa policies or diplomatic ties at a faster pace, impacting India's relative position on the index. Additionally, France secures the top spot on the index, offering its citizens visa-free access to 194 countries, highlighting its strong global influence and diplomatic relations.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Fisheries and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) aims to improve fishermen's direct market access in India's fisheries industry through digital commerce. This initiative seeks to unlock the digital commerce potential, benefiting fishermen by facilitating better market reach and opportunities.

As per the RBI report, India's outward FDI commitments in January 2024 amounted to $2.09 billion, reflecting a significant 25.7% year-on-year increase. Despite a sequential decline from December 2023 figures, this surge highlights a notable rise in outbound FDI commitments for the period.

The ancient "Sominsai" festival in Japan recently concluded after a thousand years of tradition. Held at the Kokuseki Temple, it involved spirited wrestling matches among half nude men over wooden talismans, symbolizing the expulsion of evil, and was deeply rooted in Japanese cultural heritage.

World Pangolin Day was observed on February 17, 2024. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, along with environmentalists, initiated an awareness campaign to highlight the conservation needs of the Indian Pangolin, drawing attention to the urgent measures required to protect this endangered species.

The Indian women's badminton team secured a historic gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 were held in Shah Alam, Malaysia, marking a significant achievement in India's badminton journey. In an intense final match against Thailand, India emerged victorious with a thrilling 3-2 scoreline, led by the stellar performance of 17-year-old Anmol Kharb. Led by PV Sindhu, India overcomes top-seeded teams like China, Japan, and Thailand to secure the title. Teresa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand contributed significantly by winning a tense doubles encounter.

Mr. Pradeep Kumar Sinha has been appointed as the Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank following the retirement of Mr. G. C. Chaturvedi, effective from July 1, 2024. This appointment was approved at a recent board meeting and is subject to shareholder approval.

The 60th Munich Security Conference, attended by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, is currently being held in Germany. This conference serves as a significant platform for high-level discussions on global security, facilitating engagements with various global leaders to address bilateral cooperation and key global and regional concerns.

The scheme introduced by the Odisha state government is called 'Swayam.' It offers interest-free loans of up to Rs 1 lakh to eligible youth aged between 18-35 years, aiming to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth by facilitating the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing ones.

World Whale Day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of February in 2024 It falls on February 18. This day, initiated in 1980, aims to raise awareness about whale conservation and the importance of protecting these marine creatures for ecological balance.

Karnataka emerges as the frontrunner in EV infrastructure with 5,059 public charging stations, surpassing Maharashtra and Delhi. Bengaluru Urban district alone contributes 85% of Karnataka's charging infrastructure, with initiatives like Bescom's involvement and utilization of various funding sources enhancing the state's EV ecosystem and supporting future plans outlined in Karnataka's EV Policy 2023-28.

NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are collaborating to launch the world's first wooden satellite, the LignoSat probe. This innovative initiative aims to revolutionize spaceflight operations by prioritizing sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of space missions.