Current Affairs - February 19, 2025 Current Affairs

Reliance New Energy Battery Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, secured a 10 GWh capacity under India’s PLI ACC Scheme, which aims to enhance domestic battery manufacturing and reduce import dependence. This allocation is part of India's broader push for self-reliance in advanced battery technologies, which are crucial for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors. The move strengthens Reliance's position in the battery manufacturing sector and aligns with its clean energy investments, helping the company play a significant role in India's electric mobility and renewable energy growth.

Gujarat has significantly expanded its Soil Health Card Yojana to help farmers with soil health assessments and fertilizer recommendations, aiming to increase agricultural productivity. The initiative has supported over 2.15 crore farmers since its inception in 2003-04. In 2024-25, the state plans to test 3.81 lakh soil samples with the help of labs and private centres. Furthermore, the establishment of 27 private soil testing laboratories at the rural level has helped strengthen the program’s impact, promoting sustainable farming practices across Gujarat.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) secured the 2nd spot in the FutureBrand Index 2024, surpassing global giants such as Apple, Nike, and Disney. This marks the first time an Indian company has entered the top three. Reliance's rise from 13th place in 2023 to 2nd position in 2024 reflects its strong brand perception, diversification into key sectors like energy, telecommunications, and retail, and its growing global influence. This achievement underscores Reliance's strategic expansion and its leadership in building consumer trust and brand value across multiple industries.

Zomato introduced ‘Nugget,’ an AI-powered, no-code customer support platform designed to automate customer queries and improve operational efficiency. Developed over three years, Nugget currently handles over 15 million interactions monthly across Zomato's ecosystem, including Blinkit and Hyperpure. The platform aims to resolve up to 80% of customer queries autonomously, utilizing AI technologies like image classification, voice AI agents, and automated quality audits. Zomato's shift towards AI solutions highlights its strategic move into B2B services, helping businesses streamline customer service while maintaining transparency in AI integration.

Kerala is launching the 'nPROUD' initiative, India’s first government-led program for the safe collection and disposal of expired medicines. The initiative aims to address the environmental and health risks caused by improper disposal of medicines, such as soil and water contamination. Starting in Kozhikode and Ulliyeri, it will expand statewide. This initiative is a significant step toward environmental sustainability and public health, with the potential to inspire nationwide policies on the safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste.

On January 29, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Guinea free from the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), a significant achievement in public health. This success was made possible through mass screenings, vector control using insecticide mini-screens, and door-to-door checks that started in 2012. Despite challenges such as the Ebola outbreak (2013-15) and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), Guinea's resilience and consistent efforts were key in overcoming this disease.

The strategic partnership between India and Qatar, has been elevated to focus on areas like trade, energy, investments, technology, and more. Two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, one aimed at enhancing their strategic partnership and the other concerning tax cooperation, specifically avoiding double taxation and preventing fiscal evasion. This partnership reflects Qatar's crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties with India.

SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd was the company responsible for the projection and launch of the 8th Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 11, in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra. The company, based in Visakhapatnam, signed the contract for these barges in February 2021 and worked in collaboration with an Indian ship design firm and the Indian Register of Shipping to design and build the barges.

P D Singh has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for Standard Chartered India, starting from April 1, 2025. He will take over the role from Zarin Daruwala, who is set to retire on March 31, 2025. Before this appointment, P D Singh served as the CEO of JP Morgan Chase Bank in India, where he played a pivotal role in developing the bank’s corporate banking division. His vast experience in the banking sector makes him well-suited for this leadership role at Standard Chartered.

Uttar Pradesh became the first state in India to install a translation system that supports languages like Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhandi, and English. This historic initiative was launched in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, marking a significant step towards inclusivity and better communication for the state's diverse linguistic population. The translator facility will be used during the ongoing Budget session, which began on February 18, 2025, and is set to enhance the legislative proceedings by making them more accessible to a wider audience.

Arunachal Pradesh's government has approved important schemes aimed at supporting women and youth, with a focus on their development. One of the key initiatives is the enhancement of the Dulari Kanya Scheme, which now includes an increased fixed deposit for institutional births of girl children, raised from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. Additionally, the state has introduced a benefit for Class XI admissions, providing Rs 20,000 through direct benefit transfer, ensuring more financial support and accessibility for the people. These steps demonstrate the state's commitment to welfare programs.

India’s first Open-Air Art Wall Museum was inaugurated at Mausam Bhawan in New Delhi on February 18, 2025, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The museum features 38 murals that depict the evolution of meteorology, IMD's contributions to weather forecasting, and the department’s historical milestones. The project was developed in collaboration with Delhi Street Art, bringing science and art together to make weather science more engaging and accessible to the public. The murals also highlight India’s cultural ties with the weather, creating an informative and artistic tribute.