23rd February 2021 Current Affairs

 

GK Update of twenty third February 2021 masking the next information headlines: Mission Indradhanush 3.0, Israel, Khajuraho Dance Festival 2021, HSBC, State Bank of Sikkim.

National News

1. Dr Harsh Vardhan launches Mission Indradhanush 3.0

• Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0, (IMI 3.0), to develop immunization protection throughout the nation.
• The focus of IMI 3.0 might be on kids and pregnant girls who missed their vaccine doses in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The IMI 3.0 can have two rounds, of 15 days every.
• The first spherical will start on February 22, 2021, and the second spherical will start on March 22, 2021.
• The vaccination drive might be carried out in pre-identified 250 districts and concrete areas throughout 29 States and UTs within the nation to succeed in out to each dropped out and overlooked the kid and pregnant lady.
• The scheme was launched in 2014 to supply inexpensive and accessible healthcare to all residents of the nation.
• It goals to immunise all kids below the age of 2 years, in addition to all pregnant girls, in opposition to eight vaccine-preventable ailments.
• These ailments are diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, measles, meningitis and Hepatitis B.

International News

2. Israel launches “green pass” for individuals with vaccination certificates

• Israel has launched a coronavirus “green pass” system, which permits individuals who have been vaccinated to entry public amenities that will in any other case be off-limits. As of Sunday COVID-19 inoculation is a type of standing image in Israel.
• Israelis who’ve gotten each Pfizer vaccine photographs and people who have recovered from the virus get a “Green Pass” certificates within the type of a QR code or printout for individuals with out smartphones.
• The cross permits entry to gyms, swimming swimming pools, resorts, leisure venues and sporting occasions. Green Pass privileges and restrictions are elevating authorized and ethical questions.

Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:

• Prime Minister of Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Israel Capital: Jerusalem.
• Israel Currency: Israeli Shekel.

State News

3. PM Modi inaugurates Oil & Gas tasks in Assam

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has devoted to the nation INDMAX Unit at Indian Oil’s Bongaigaon Refinery, Oil India Limited’s Secondary Tank Farm at Madhuban, Dibrugarh, and a Gas Compressor Station at Hebeda Village, Makum, Tinsukia remotely from Dhemaji in Assam.
• He additionally inaugurated the Dhemaji Engineering College and laid the muse stone for Sualkuchi Engineering College in Assam.
• INDMAX Unit at Indian Oil’s Bongaigaon Refinery
• Oil India Limited’s Secondary Tank Farm at Madhuban, Dibrugarh – Rs 490 crore
• Gas Compressor Station at Hebeda Village, Makum, Tinsukia – Rs 132 Crore
• Dhemaji Engineering College – Rs 45 Crore
• Laid the muse stone for Sualkuchi Engineering College – Rs 55 crore.

Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:

• Assam CM: Sarbananda Sonowal.
• Assam Governor: Jagdish Mukhi.

4. forty seventh Khajuraho Dance Festival 2021 begins

• The forty seventh Khajuraho Dance Festival started in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh which is predicated on the Indian classical dance custom. Khajuraho Temples come alive with splendour, beams, and the hustle-bustle of artwork lovers on the Festival.
• The first-day occasion is devoted to Bharatanatyam efficiency by Geeta Chandran and her troupe and Kathak efficiency by Deepak Maharaj.
• The competition is being organized by the Culture Department via Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy Bhopal. 
• This yr competition will give the viewers an opportunity to observe the efficiency of the dancers amid the aura of the temple because the occasion is being held as soon as once more within the temple complicated of the Western Temple Group of Khajuraho after a niche of 44 years.
• The competition was hosted every year on the magnificent metropolis of Khajuraho situated within the district of Chhatarpur, the artists carry out within the backdrop of historic monuments.

Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:

• Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.

Economy News

5. HSBC Raises India’s GDP Forecast for FY22 to 11.2%

• HSBC has raised its progress forecasts for India within the coming fiscal yr 2021-22 (FY22), from 9 per cent to 11.2 per cent, following a choose up in enterprise exercise and a gradual fall in COVID circumstances.
• The 2020-21 GDP forecast of India by HSBC stays -6.3 per cent, as projected earlier.

Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:

• HSBC CEO: Noel Quinn.
• HSBC Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
• HSBC Founder: Thomas Sutherland.
• HSBC Founded: 3 March 1865, Hong Kong.

Banking News

6. RBI brings State Bank of Sikkim below its regulatory purview

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the State Bank of Sikkim below its regulation. Till now, RBI had the appropriate and obligation to operate as a banker to all of the state authorities aside from the state authorities of Sikkim.
• Now the financial institution might be regulated by the RBI on a par with different banks, nonetheless, the financial institution’s possession construction is not going to change.
• The State Bank of Sikkim was established as an autonomous physique wholly owned by the Government of Sikkim, within the yr 1968, 5 years earlier than Sikkim turned a part of India in 1973.
• It was established below the State Bank of Sikkim Proclamation, 1968.
• The financial institution gives treasury operations for the state authorities and operates solely throughout the jurisdiction of Sikkim.
• The financial institution presently has 42 department workplaces and operates three income counters for presidency works.

Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:

• RBI twenty fifth Governor: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

7. RBI ropes in Punjabi rapper for consciousness marketing campaign on cyber fraud

• The RBI has roped in Punjabi singer-rapper Viruss in its public consciousness marketing campaign. The marketing campaign additionally contains Viruss’ common 2017 Indie hit ‘Bam Bhole’ that was recreated for Akshay Kumar-Kiara Advani starrer Laxmii.
• As cyber frauds proceed to extend, the Reserve Bank of India has undertaken an uncommon measure to unfold consciousness.
• The apex financial institution that has been very energetic on social media for the reason that lockdown urges tech-savvy netizens to remain alert or ‘satark’ in opposition to widespread fraudsters and cybersecurity threats, together with in UPI.
• The RBI has been operating the marketing campaign ‘RBI Kehta Hai’ on social media accounts since 2016 however has by no means been accompanied by peppy music.
• Since 2016 when it created the tagline RBI Kehta Hai, the central financial institution’s communication has been centred on monetary literacy and public consciousness in the direction of frauds, and many others.
• The financial institution makes use of social media to speak concerning the amenities it provides for senior residents, cybersecurity, digital banking, and setting limits on card transactions.

Defence News

8. ICGS C-453 Interceptor boat commissioned into providers in Chennai

• The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICG) named C-453 was commissioned into providers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This was the seventeenth interceptor boats out of the 18 that are being indigenously constructed by Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
• It is a 27.80-m-long interceptor boat. The boat has a displacement of 105 tonnes. It can attain a most velocity of 45 knots (85 kmph).
• It is succesful to undertake multifarious duties similar to surveillance, close-coast patrol, interdiction, and search & rescue. It may even present help to the boats and craft in case of misery at sea.
• The ship might be deployed to do surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone and different duties in accordance with the Coast Guard Charter. This will assist in safeguarding the maritime pursuits of India.

Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:

• Larsen & Toubro Ltd CEO: S. N. Subrahmanyan.
• Larsen & Toubro Ltd Founded: 7 February 1938, Mumbai.
• Larsen & Toubro Ltd Headquarters: Mumbai.

9. DRDO Conducts Two Successful Launches of VL-SRSAM Missile System

• Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out two profitable launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). DRDO carried out the launch from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
• The launches have been monitored by senior scientists from numerous DRDO labs concerned within the design and improvement of the system. During the check launches, flight path and automobile efficiency parameters have been monitored utilizing flight information, captured by numerous Range devices.
• The VL-SRSAM is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO for the Indian Navy, VL-SRSAM goals to neutralize numerous aerial threats at shut ranges together with sea-skimming targets.
• The missiles intercepted the simulated targets with pinpoint accuracy. The missiles have been examined for minimal and most vary. VL-SRSAM with Weapon Control System was deployed in the course of the trials.

10. Rajnath Singh inaugurates DRDO talent centre for hearth security coaching

• Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Skill Development Centre (SDC) for Fire Safety Training of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) via digital mode at Pilkhuwa in Uttar Pradesh.
• The first of its type in India facility has been created by Delhi based mostly DRDO laboratory ‘Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES)’.
• The SDC DRDO facility will assist in growing skilled human sources, hearth security know-how and merchandise to avoid wasting treasured human lives and valued belongings.
• The facility could be utilised for imparting hearth prevention and fire-fighting coaching to the Fire Service personnel of Indian Armed Forces, DRDO, Ordnance Factories, Coast Guard and defence undertakings.

Awards News

11. Union Bank Of India wins World HRD Congress Awards

• Union Bank of India was awarded “Best Service Provider” in Human Resources and in addition one of the best establishment for “Excellence in Learning & Development” on the twenty ninth Global HRD Congress awards.
• Kalyan Kumar, Chief General Manager, HR was named as “Chief Human Resources Officer of the Year”.
• Global HRD Congress Awards are given to establishments yearly for one of the best HR practices below completely different classes. The eminent jury which consists of one of the best within the business will choose the organizations making an allowance for their outstanding achievements in HR.

Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:

• Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Union Bank of India CEO: Rajkiran Rai G.
• Union Bank of India Founded: 11 November 1919.

Books and Authors News

12. Home Minister launched a e book ‘Rashtra Pratham – 82 varshon ki Swarnim Gatha’

• Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a e book ‘Rashtra Pratham – 82 varshon ki Swarnim Gatha’ in New Delhi.
• The e book chronicles the fantastic historical past of CRPF since its elevating in 1939 and it has detailed and totally researched accounts of CRPF’s journey, challenges, successes, and sacrifices and stated it is going to develop into a supply of inspiration for personnel becoming a member of the pressure.
• CRPF jawans have all the time remained on the forefront be it in Left Wing Extremism affected areas, borders or offering safety ring to the Indian Parliament.

Miscellaneous News

13. Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Resigns

• The Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry, V Narayanasamy has submitted the letter of his resignation and his council of ministers on February 22, 2021, to Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.
• The determination was taken because the Congress-led Government within the UT misplaced its majority within the House, which is 14. Following a collection of resignations, the ruling authorities was lowered to a power of 12. Two MLA resigned in January 2021 whereas 2 resigned in February 2021.