Latest Current Affairs For Monday 7th February, 2022

MS Dhoni’s first look released from graphic novel ‘Atharva’

Virzu Studios in association with MIDAS Deals Pvt Ltd has released the motion poster of its upcoming graphic novel, Atharva – The Origin. 

Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been portrayed as the superhero Atharva in this graphic novel.

The graphic novel authored by Ramesh Thamilmani features over 150 lifelike illustrations which present the gripping, racy narrative.

It is produced by Vincent Adaikalaraj and Ashok Manor.

NATO chief to head Norway central bank

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg (62-years) will take over as Norway’s central bank Governor at the end of the year.

The appointment comes amid escalating tensions between the West and Russia.

Western nations fear Moscow has plans to invade Ukraine, which aspires to join the NATO alliance.

Norway’s central bank determines monetary policy but also manages the country’s enormous sovereign wealth fund, the biggest in the world.

KVIC cancels license of oldest Khadi Institution “Khadi Emporium”

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has cancelled the “Khadi Certification” of its oldest Khadi Institution named Mumbai Khadi & Village Industries Association.

This MKVIA was running the popular “Khadi Emporium” at Metropolitan Insurance House, Mumbai since 1954.

ADB lends record USD 4.6 bn loans to India in 2021

According to Asian Development Bank (ADB) data, ADB provided a record USD 4.6 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2021.

This included USD 1.8 billion towards coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic response.

The agency extended a USD 2.2-billion support for 12 state projects, committed to its geographically balanced programming.

 The ADB's India portfolio comprised 69 projects worth USD 15.5 billion as of 31st December 2021.

Swarajability, an AI-based platform for the disabled jobseekers

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Hyderabad) has launched the beta version of ‘Swarajability’, a job portal powered by AI that helps people with disabilities acquire relevant skills and find jobs.

The project is funded by Kotak Mahindra Bank, while IIT-H provided AI expertise, Visual Quest developed the platform, and Youth4Jobs skilling services.

The platform will analyse the profiles of the job seekers and suggest the skills they would require to become eligible.

Foundation stone for World's third-largest cricket stadium laid in Jaipur

The world's third-largest cricket stadium is going to be built in Jaipur, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly laid the foundation stone of the project virtually.

Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) officials performed a 'bhoomi pujan'.

It will be the second-largest cricket stadium in India and the third-largest in the world.

It would seat 75,000 spectators.

BJP's first torchbearer in Lok Sabha C Janga Reddy passes away

The first Lok Sabha MP for the BJP from south India Chandupatla Janga Reddy (87-years) passed away. 

Reddy was one of the only two BJP Lok Sabha MPs elected in the 1984 general elections, conducted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The other BJP MP was A K Patel, who was elected from Mehsana in Gujarat.

India beats England to win record fifth ICC Under-19 World Cup

India lifted a record fifth ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title after beating England by four wickets in the summit clash at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Earlier, India had won the U19 World Cup in 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2018.

Final Score 

ENGU19: 189 (44.5)

INDU19: 195/6 (47.4). India U19 won by 4 wkts

Player of the Match: Raj Bawa

Player of the Series: Dewald Brevis

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation:6th Feb

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on 6th February to create awareness about ending the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

The day has been marked since 2012 by the United Nations (UN).

Theme 2022: Accelerating Investment to End Female Genital Mutilation.

‘Nightingale’ Lata Mangeshkar passes away

Legendary singer and Bharat Ratna recipient Lata Mangeshkar (92 years) passed away in Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital due to multiple organ failures.

Mangeshkar began singing in her teens, and in a career spanning 73 years sang more than an estimated 15,000 songs in 36 languages.

She is known as the ‘Nightingale of India'.

She was awarded the nation's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in March 2001.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.