Latest Current Affairs For Thursday 10th February, 2022

Gujarat govt announces new IT/ITeS policy to generate 1 lakh employment

Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel has announced new IT/ITeS policy for the next five years. 

Aim: to provide financial incentives up to Rs 200 crore to the entities willing to incur capital expenditures.

It will also generate employment about 1 lakh youths.

It also seeks to increase IT-ITeS exports from current Rs 3000 crore annually to 25,000 crore over the next five years. 

Its operative period will start from the day of notification to 31st March 2027.

West Bengal govt launches ‘Paray Shikshalaya’ for students from class 1-7

West Bengal government has launched ‘Paray Shikshalaya’, which is an open-air classroom in the neighbourhood programme for students from class 1 to 7.

Aim: to encourage students who dropped out of schools during the Covid-19 pandemic to continue their education.

Initially, it was meant for primary school students from class 1 to 5.

Students are being called in batches and arrangements for mid-day meals have also been made for the students taking neighbourhood classes.

Visa-free entry for Indian business travelers to Maldives comes into force

Maldives has announced that Visa-free entry for Indian business travellers to the island nation, comes into effect.

It will be effective from 1st February.

It has commenced the process of granting Indian Nationals visa free entry for business purposes, for a period not exceeding the visa free period of 90 days.

As part of the reciprocal arrangement, multiple entry, non-resident, business visa will be granted for Indian Nationals for 90 days within 6 months.

NERCRMS organized training programme on plantation Management of Apple

NERCRMS in collaboration with Ziro Valley Charity Mission Society (ZVCMS), Arunachal Pradesh, has organized training programme on Pruning and Post-plantation Management of Apple Orchards at Apple garden in Supyu village, Arunachal Pradesh. 

Nineteen beneficiaries were identified from various Community Based Organizations (CBOs).

They were trained in pruning method of low-chilling apples as well as on how to protect plants from pests and diseases that affects the crop.

Govt takes up bilaterally with OPEC and heads of international fora

Govt said that World Oil Outlook 2021 has projected that the oil demand in India is expected to reach around 11 million barrels per day by 2045 as compared to approximately 4.9 million barrels per day in 2021.

It is a flagship publication by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). 

Govt has been taking up the issue, bilaterally with crude oil-producing countries with OPEC to convey India's serious concerns over crude oil price volatility. 

India tops in terms of digital skills readiness: Salesforce Global Index

India has scored highest on digital readiness among 19 countries that were surveyed as part of Salesforce Global Index.

The index measures global employee sentiments and readiness to acquire key digital skills needed by businesses today and over next 5 years.

India had highest digital readiness score of 63 out of 100, with 72% of respondents as they were actively learning digital skills to prepare themselves for the future of work.

Scientists develop new technology platform to detect SARS-CoV-2

Scientists has developed new technology, platform for fluorometric detection of pathogens (viruses) by measurement of fluorescent light emitted.

The new technology has been demonstrated for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

It can also be used to detect other DNA/RNA pathogens like HIV, influenza, HCV, Zika, Ebola, bacteria, and other mutating pathogens.

This work has been published recently in the journal ‘ACS Sensors’ and team has also filed patent for novel technology.

AYUSH Minister launches dedicated storefront for Ayurveda product on Amazon

AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has launched dedicated storefront for Ayurveda products on Amazon in the marketplace.

This Ayurveda product storefront will enhance the visibility of unique Ayurveda products like skin-care supplements, immunity boosters, oils, juices and more from small businesses and startup brands. 

It will make shopping easier as product selection has been done according to focus areas and health benefits like pain management, immunity boosters, etc. 

Identification, Rescue, Rehabilitation of Children in Street Situations

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has organized National level meeting on Identification, Rescue and Rehabilitation of Children in Street Situations in New Delhi. 

It was organized in connection with Supreme Court’s directions on the issue of identification and rehabilitation of Children in Street Situations.

NCPCR has developed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 2.0 for Care and Protection of Children in Street Situations.

AIM, NITI Aayog, and USAID collaborates under SAMRIDH initiative

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced new partnership under Sustainable Access to Markets and Resources for Innovative Delivery of Healthcare (SAMRIDH) initiative.

It will improve access to affordable and quality healthcare for vulnerable populations in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, rural and tribal regions.

It will enhance SAMRIDH’s efforts to reach vulnerable populations, leveraging AIM expertise.

TEPC organizes exclusive International Business Expo ‘India Telecom 2022’

Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) has organized Exclusive International Business Expo titled as ‘India Telecom 2022’. 

It is being held from 8th to 10th February. 

Aim: to provide opportunities to the Indian telecom stakeholders to meet qualified overseas buyers. 

It will be held under Market Access Initiative Scheme (MAI) of Department of Commerce and with support of Department of Telecommunications and Indian missions in different countries.

Ministry of Culture to organize Global Summit ‘Reimagining Museums in India

Ministry of Culture will organize 2-Day online Global Summit on ‘Reimagining Museums in India’ under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

It will be held on 15th and 16th February 2022.

It will bring together leading experts and practitioners of museum development and management field.

It is being organized in partnership with Bloomberg.

It will encompass four broad themes: Architecture and Functional Needs, Management, Collections and Education and Audience Engagement.

Paul Collingwood appointed as interim head coach of England cricket team

England has appointed Paul Collingwood as the interim head coach of the team for the upcoming three-Test tour against West Indies.

His appointment comes after former head coach Chris Silverwood and managing director (MD) Ashley Giles were sacked, following England's 4-0 Ashes defeat to Australia.

Paul David Collingwood: Former English cricketer, who played all three formats of the game internationally for England. He is the first T20I captain for England.

S Unnikrishnan Nair appointed as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair has been appointed as the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

He will succeed S Somanath, who recently took over as the chairman of ISRO.

He is currently serving as the director of Human Space Flight Centre.

He joined VSSC in 1985 and held many important positions like first project director, Human Space Flight Project deputy director, VSSC programme director, etc. 

VSSC: space research center of Indian Space Research Organization.

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.