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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE
Niva Bupa launches health insurance plan ‘ReAssure 2.0’
- Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (Formerly Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited), one of India’s largest independent health insurers, launched ‘ReAssure 2.0,’ which includes many industry-first features.
- ReAssure 2.0 improves on the current ReAssure plan’s 3 powerful benefits – ReAssure, Booster, and Safeguard – by providing a ‘+’ variant of these benefits to provide unrivalled benefits.
About ReAssure 2.0 :
- ReAssure 2.0 is available as an individual, multi-individual and family floater. It starts from ₹5 lakh to₹1 crore for the age bracket of 18 years to 65 years
Key Features :
- Lock the clock: With this revolutionary benefit, the age at which the consumer first enters the policy is locked until the customer makes his first claim under the policy.
- The Booster+ benefit: It permits the unutilized base sum covered to be carried forward to the following insurance year.
- The sum insured amount will continue to accumulate with each renewal until it reaches 5X or 10X, depending on whether the consumer has chosen the platinum+ or titanium+ type.
- Safeguard+: This optional benefit allows a single claim for all non-payable products as defined in the Non-Payables Annexure while also protecting the Booster+ benefit if the claim in a policy year is up to 1 lakh.
- This plan offers a ‘live healthy’ benefit that gives a premium discount of up to 30% on policy renewal basis health points earned.
About Niva Bupa Health Insurance :
- Founded : 2008
- Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
- MD & CEO : Krishnan Ramachandran
- It is a joint venture between Fettle Tone LLP (an affiliate of True North Fund VI LLP), a leading Indian private equity firm, and the UK based healthcare services expert, Bupa Singapore Holdings Pte. Limited.
World Bank To Provide Turkey $1.78 Billion For Recovery After Earthquake
- The World Bank will provide USD 1.78 billion in assistance to Turkey to help with relief and recovery efforts after devastating earthquakes in Turkey and neighbouring Syria.
- The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide USD 85 million in urgent humanitarian assistance as the Agency continues to lead the U.S. government response to the worst earthquake to hit the region in nearly a century.
- Up to 23 million people could be affected by the massive earthquake that has killed thousands in Turkey and Syria, the WHO warned, promising long-term assistance.
About World Bank :
- Founded : December 1944
- Headquarters : Washington, D.C., U.S
About Turkey :
- President : Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- Capital : Ankara
- Currency: Turkish lira
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS
Indian Railways achieves a significant milestone with the electrification
- Indian Railways achieved a significant milestone in Railway electrification.
- With the completion of the electrification of the Subhagpur-Pachperwa Broad Gauge (BG) route in North Eastern Railway, Indian Railways has completed the electrification of all BG routes in Uttar Pradesh.
- This will improve rail connectivity in the region and will improve the speed of trains in the region.
- With this achievement, Indian Railways has completed electrification of BG routes in six zonal railways: East Coast Railway, North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway, West Central Railway.
- Also, Highly Utilized Network (HUN-5), Jhansi-Muzzaffarpur-Katni is fully electrified now.
- With 85% of RKM electrified, Indian Railways is rapidly progressing to accomplish Mission100Percent Electrification and become the largest green railway network in the world.
Govt ends age-65 cap for receiving organ from dead donor, eases rules
- The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently removed the clause that people beyond 65 years could not receive cadaver organ transplants.
- Cadaveric donation comprises organ donation i.e., taking organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas) from brain-dead people, as well as tissue donation, meaning taking tissues (skin, corneas, tendons, bone) from brain dead as well as heart dead people.
- Certain States like Kerala and Maharashtra have been charging fees ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 for registering organ transplant patients.
- Previously, the Health Ministry has proposed a ‘One Nation One Policy,’ for organ donation and transplantation.
- Government removes the need for domicile registration to receive organs from a particular state/union territory
- All states/UTs directed to not charge any fee for organ recipient registration.
- Patient will be now allotted a unique ID by NOTTO on registering which will get carried forward even if the patient changes multiple hospitals in different States.
- The number of organ transplants has increased by over three times from 4,990 in 2013 to 15,561 in 2022.
- The most common organ transplant is for the kidney, followed by liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and small bowel transplants.
- India conducts the third highest number of transplants in the world, but the number of organs needed is still much higher than the number of transplants.
Chip 4” semiconductor alliance recently held its first meeting
- The “Chip 4” semiconductor alliance recently held its first meeting of senior officials.
- The “Chip 4” or “Fab 4” alliance includes four of the world’s top producers of semiconductors: the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.
- It represents more than 70 percent of the value of the global semiconductor industry.
- It was first proposed by the US in March 2022 as part of wider plans aimed at enhancing the “security” and “resilience” of semiconductor supply chains, including by reducing the world’s reliance on chips made in China.
- It is intended to cooperate on policy implementation that would support sustainable semiconductor manufacturing in the member states’ home countries.
- Support industry efforts to diversify their manufacturing base in semiconductor production.
- Protect the Intellectual Property (IP) of companies in member countries.
- Develop policies regarding the export of the most advanced semiconductors and equipment.
- Semiconductors are materials that have a conductivity between conductors (generally metals) and nonconductors or insulators (such as most ceramics).
- They can be pure elements, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds like gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Uttar Pradesh & Singapore Signs agreement for Economic Cooperation
- For the first time, the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for economic cooperation with the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government.
- The MoU is in addition to the deals signed at the UP Global Investors Summit.
About the agreement :
- Under the agreement, the governments of Singapore and Uttar Pradesh will cooperate in areas of mutual interest, including urban development, sustainable development industry and skill development.
- The agreement also includes a Sustainable Industrial Park, upgradation and digitization of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), content development, training pedagogy (pedagogy training), training of trainers, certification as well as training of government officials.
- A Joint Partnership Committee (JPC) will be formed for planning, monitoring, implementation and review of cooperative activities of the MoU.
- 6 companies of Singapore have also signed MoU.
- Venture Capitalist Golden State Capital has signed MoU for investment in UP.
- The firm is looking forward to setting up a data centre facility in UP’s Greater Noida
- SATS Ltd is eager to begin its second food production facility in Uttar Pradesh.
- SATS LTD is a leading provider of food solutions and SATS Food Solutions India will soon be opening a Central Frozen Food Production Plant in Bengaluru.
- VANS Chemistry has signed an MoU to build an e-waste collection and pre-dismantling centre in UP’s Greater Noida and it will be the main centre of the company in North India.
About UP :
- Governor : Anandiben Patel
- Chief Minister : Yogi Adityanath
- Capital : Lucknow
- National Park : Dudhwa National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuary : Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird wildlife Sanctuary, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
About Singapore :
- President : Halimah Yacob
- PM : Lee Hsien Loong
- Currency : Singapore dollar
CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS
Kerala becomes the first State to use robotic scavengers to clean manholes
- Water Resources Minister, Roshi Augustine, launched a robotic scavenger Bandicoot under the Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.
- With this Kerala became the first state in India to use robotics to clean all commissioned manholes and drainage.
About Bandicoot :
- Bandicoot, developed by Kerala-based Genrobotics, had recently bagged ‘Kerala Pride’ award at the Huddle Global 2022 conclave organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
- Currently, Bandicoot robots are deployed in a few towns across 17 states in India and 3 Union Territories (UT).
- In 2018, KWA started using Bandicoot to clean the manholes in Thiruvananthapuram & later, it was introduced in Ernakulam, Kerala.
Components :
- The robotic Tron Unit, which is the major component of Bandicoot, enters the manhole and removes sewage using robotic hands, similar to a man’s limbs.
- The machine has waterproof, HD vision cameras and sensors that can detect harmful gases inside.
About Kerala :
- Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
- Capital : Thiruvananthapuram
- National Park : Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuary : Chinnar WLS, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Periyar WLS
- Tiger Reserve : Periyar Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS
IREDA Plans to Finance Renewable Energy Projects in Foreign Currency
- IREDA is planning to establish an office in Gujarat’s GIFT City to finance Renewable Energy projects in foreign currency.
- Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- It was set up as a specialized non-banking finance agency for the renewable energy sector.
- IREDA plays a key role in renewable energy project financing which gives confidence to the financial institutions/banks to lend in the sector.
- The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is India’s first and only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) where banks, stock exchanges and financial services firms have set up their global operations.
- It consists of a multi-service Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which houses India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and an exclusive Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
- It is a statutory authority established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
- Mandate: To develop and regulate the financial products, financial services, and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centres (‘IFSC’).
- Before the establishment of IFSCA, the domestic financial regulators, namely, RBI, SEBI, PFRDA and IRDAI regulated the business in IFSC.
- GIFT-IFSC is the maiden IFSC in India.
- The International Financial Services Centres Authority consists of nine members, appointed by the central government.
- Term: All members of the IFSC Authority will have a term of three years, subject to reappointment.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS
SS Rajamouli’s RRR wins big at Hollywood Critics Association Awards 2023
- SS Rajamouli’s RRR has achieved laudable success as the spectacular action drama film bags five awards at the Hollywood Critics Association Awards ceremony 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
- The film was honoured with various category awards, five major category awards in the Best Stunts, Best Original Song (Naatu Naatu), Best Action Film, Best International Film and Spotlight award categories.
- The Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli along with the famous music composer MM Keeravani and their families attended the big event.
- Apart from this, the glorious Indian actor Ram Charan was present at the award function held in Hollywood city.
- The Tollywood star Ram Charan even presented the Best Voice Or Motion-Capture Performance category award.
About Hollywood Critics Association
- Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) is a film critic organization located in Los Angeles, California.
- It was first discovered in the year 2016 and then named the ‘Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society’.
- Then it was later renamed in 2019.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: ENVIRONMENT
Bengal reports 489 species in Great Backyard Bird Count 2023
- Birdwatchers across 35 States and Union Territories uploaded more than 46,000 bird lists, making India take the second spot after the United States of America.
- The GBBC was launched in 1998.
- GBBC India is the Indian implementation of the global Great Backyard Bird Count, which runs for 4 days every February.
- Indian birders have participated in the GBBC since the event went worldwide in 2013.
- India was among 190 countries that participated in GBBC 2023.
- Kerala recorded the highest number of checklists of birds.
- West Bengal reported 489 species, the most among the 35 participating States and Union Territories.
- Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka followed with 426, 407, 397 and 371 species respectively.
- Tamil Nadu and Kerala took the eighth and ninth spots with 349 and 325 species.
- Pune birders uploaded more than 5,900 lists, the most among urban centres.
- GBBC India is coordinated by the Bird Count India collective, a coming-together of a number of groups and organisations that are interested in birds, nature and conservation.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT
Navy’s IFC-IOR ties up with Seychelles centre for enhancing maritime domain awareness
- In order to further the existing cooperation in the realm of maritime safety and security, IFC-IOR signed an MoU with Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), Seychelles.
- The MoU signed by Captain Rohit Bajpai, Director, IFC-IOR and Capt Sam Gontier, Director, RCOC aims to promote collaboration between the two Centres towards enhancing maritime domain awareness, information sharing and expertise development.
- IFC-IOR, hosted by the Indian Navy, was established by the Government of India at Gurugram on 22 Dec 2018 to enhance collaborative maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region in line with India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
- To enable better correlation, compressed information cycles and timely inputs, IFC-IOR also hosts International Liaison Officers (ILOs) from partner nations. To date the Centre has hosted ILOs from 12 partner nations – Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
- The Maritime Security Architecture in the Western Indian Ocean, implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is supported by the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC), the Regional Operations Coordination Centre (RCOC) and the national centres of the seven signatory countries (Comoros, Djibouti, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles).
CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX
West Bengal on top, Uttar Pradesh at bottom of index for literacy among children below 10 years
- West Bengal maintained its lead while Uttar Pradesh stood at the bottom among large state categories on the second edition of the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Index 2022, an indicator of literacy among children below 10 years of age.
- Among smaller states, Punjab was at the top of the index while Telangana was at the bottom while Puducherry topped the i ndex among union territories while Ladakh was the worst performer.
- Among north-eastern states, Sikkim was at the top while Meghalaya was at the bottom of the index.
- There are four categories in which regions have been divided, large states, small states union territories and north-east, for indexation.
- Bibek Debroy, chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM), released the report which has been prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness.
- As per the report, released, India’s overall average score was 44.48 and 18 out of 36 state/UTs have scored above country average in FLN index.
- The index has ranked states on five key parameters and 36 indicators.
- These include educational infrastructure, access to education, basic health, learning outcomes and governance.
- The second edition of the foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) report captures the role of language in education and focuses on improving the learning outcomes using appropriate assessments and medium of instruction.
- The report continues to be a benchmark for states and union territories to track their performance relative to their peers in achieving universal foundational learning by 2026-27.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Jaguar Land Rover India appoints Mr Rajan Amba as managing director
- Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has appointed Mr Rajan Amba as Managing Director (MD) of Jaguar Land Rover India, from March 1, 2023.
- He succeeds Rohit Suri, who is due to retire on March 31, 2023.
- Mr Rajan is presently the Vice-President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Care at Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.
About JLR :
- Founded : 18 January 2008
- Headquarters : Whitley, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Interim CEO : Adrian Mardell
- Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC is the holding company of Jaguar Land Rover Limited, and is a British multinational automobile manufacturer which produces luxury vehicles and sport utility vehicles.
Dr K Govindaraj becomes first Indian to be nominated as FIBA Asia President
- In a first-of-its-kind nomination, an Indian Dr K Govindaraj has been nominated as FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) Asia president.
- In the 63-year-old history of FIBA Asia, this is the first time it will be headed by an Indian.
- The decision was taken unanimously by the 44 federations under FIBA Asia.
- Govindaraj will replace Qatar’s Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, who was serving his 4th five-year term as head of FIBA Asia since 2002.
About Dr K Govindaraj :
- He served as the Vice-President of Indian Olympic Association.
- He is currently president of the Basketball Federation of India and member of the Karnataka Legislative Council (KLC).
About FIBA Asia :
- Established : 1960
- Headquarters : Beirut, Lebanon
- Chairman : Yao Ming
- Membership : 44 national associations
- FIBA Asia is one of the five regional bodies of the FIBA and the 4 other regions are Africa, America, Europe and Oceania.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS
First MCA Barge Launched by Indian Navy
- The first Missile cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 75 (LSAM 7) was launched by Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta at Guttenedevi, launch site of SECON, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
Key Highlights :
- With all major and auxiliary equipment / systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is proud flag bearer of the “Make in India” initiative of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- The Barge is being built with a service life of 30 years.
- The availability of MCA Barges will provide impetus to Operational commitments of the Indian Navy by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles / ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES
Ex President Pratibha Patil’s husband Devisingh Shekhawat Passed away
- Former President Pratibha Patil’s husband Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat passed away at the age of 89 in Pune, Maharashtra.
About Devisingh Shekhawat :
- He was an Indian agriculturist and politician.
- He served as the first gentleman of India (2007-2012) as the husband of President Pratibha Patil.
- He also served as the first gentleman of Rajasthan (2004-07) and also as mayor of Amravati (1991-92).
- He was a member of the Indian National Congress.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS
Zero Discrimination Day 2023: March 1
- Zero discrimination day 2023 is celebrated on March 1st, 2023
- On Zero Discrimination Day this year, under the theme “Save lives: Decriminalise”, UNAIDS is highlighting how the decriminalisation of key populations and people living with HIV saves lives and helps advance the end of the AIDS pandemic.
- Zero Discrimination Day was first celebrated and observed on March 1st, 2014.
- Zero Discrimination Day was launched by UNAIDS.
- The executive director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibe started it on 23rd December of 2013 with the major event in Beijing.
- This day is noted by the organizations that combat discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
- UNAIDS is the organization that conducts programs on HIV/AIDS awareness and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
- The main motive to establish this day was to work with discrimination against the people who were affected by HIV/AIDS and also bring equality among the person all over the world in every prospect because we have equal rights.
World Civil Defence Day 2023: March 1
- World Civil Defence Day is celebrated on March 1st, 2023.
- It is celebrated annually on March 1st every year all over the world.
- In 1958, the International Association of Geneva Zones becomes the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) and was given a new status as a non-governmental organization with the objectives such as establishing a liaison between national civil defence organizations, undertaking and promoting studies and research on population protection matters, and facilitating the exchange of experience and the coordination of efforts in the area of disaster prevention, preparedness, and intervention.
- In 1972 the representatives of ICDO member states approved the current text of the organization’s constitution, which entered into force on 1 March 1972.
- It attributes the status of the intergovernmental organizations to the ICDO.
- March 1 was established as World Civil Defense Day.
Daily CA One- Liner: Mar 1
- Indian Railways achieved a significant milestone in Railway electrification
- The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently removed the clause that people beyond 65 years could not receive cadaver organ transplants
- The “Chip 4” semiconductor alliance recently held its first meeting of senior officials
- IREDA is planning to establish an office in Gujarat’s GIFT City to finance Renewable Energy projects in foreign currency
- SS Rajamouli’s RRR has achieved laudable success as the spectacular action drama film bags five awards at the Hollywood Critics Association Awards ceremony 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
- Birdwatchers across 35 States and Union Territories uploaded more than 46,000 bird lists, making India take the second spot after the United States of America
- In order to further the existing cooperation in the realm of maritime safety and security, IFC-IOR signed an MoU with Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), Seychelles.
- West Bengal maintained its lead while Uttar Pradesh stood at the bottom among large state categories on the second edition of the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Index 2022, an indicator of literacy among children below 10 years of age.
- Zero discrimination day 2023 is celebrated on March 1st
- World Civil Defence Day is celebrated on March 1st, 2023.
- Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (Formerly Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited), one of India’s largest independent health insurers, launched ‘ReAssure 2.0,’ which includes many industry-first features.
- The World Bank will provide USD 1.78 billion in assistance to Turkey to help with relief and recovery efforts after devastating earthquakes in Turkey and neighbouring Syria.
- For the first time, the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for economic cooperation with the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government.
- Water Resources Minister, Roshi Augustine, launched a robotic scavenger Bandicoot under the Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.
- Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has appointed Mr Rajan Amba as Managing Director (MD) of Jaguar Land Rover India, from March 1, 2023.
- In a first-of-its-kind nomination, an Indian Dr K Govindaraj has been nominated as FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) Asia president.
- The first Missile cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 75 (LSAM 7) was launched by Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta at Guttenedevi, launch site of SECON, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- Former President Pratibha Patil’s husband Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat passed away at the age of 89 in Pune, Maharashtra.