Current Affairs - 14 Feb 2022

Daily Current Affairs of 14 Feb 2022. Follow Current Affairs on daily Basis in on post. Current Affairs PDF for Competitive Exams

ISRO’s first launch mission of 2022

The 25-hour countdown for the first launch mission of 2022 of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to orbit earth observation satellite EOS-04 onboard PSLV-C52, began early on February 13, the space agency said.

The launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which will also carry two small co-passenger satellites, is scheduled on February 14 at 05:59 hours

The launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which will also carry two small co-passenger satellites, is scheduled on February 14 at 05:59 hours, from the First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

"PSLV-C52/EOS-04 Mission: The countdown process of 25 hours and 30 minutes leading to the launch has commenced at 04:29 hours today," the city-headquartered ISRO said in a tweet.

The launch vehicle is designed to orbit an earth observation satellite EOS-04, weighing 1,710 kg into a sun synchronous polar orbit of 529 km. EOS-04 is a Radar Imaging Satellite designed to provide high quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as Agriculture, Forestry and Plantations, Soil Moisture and Hydrology and Flood mapping.

The mission will also carry two small satellites as co-passengers, including a student satellite (INSPIREsat-1) from Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in association with Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics at University of Colorado, Boulder. It is also contributed by NTU, Singapore and NCU, Taiwan. Two scientific payloads in this satellite is to improve the understanding of ionosphere dynamics and sun's coronal heating processes.

The other is a technology demonstrator satellite (INS-2TD) from ISRO, which is a precursor to the India-Bhutan Joint Satellite (INS-2B). Having a thermal imaging camera as its payload, the satellite benefits the assessment of land surface temperature, water surface temperature of wetland or lakes, delineation of vegetation (crops and forest) and thermal inertia (day and night). This will be the 54th flight of PSLV and 23rd Mission using PSLV-XL configuration with 6 PSOM-XLs (strap-on motors).

International Epilepsy Day 2022: February 14

International Epilepsy Day is observed every year on the Second Monday of February across the world. In 2022, International Epilepsy Day falls on February 14, 2022. International Epilepsy Day seeks to raise awareness and educate the general public on the true facts about epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research.

The day is organised jointly by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) to raise awareness about epilepsy and highlight the kinds of problems faced by victims, their friends and family. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that makes a person go through sudden and recurrent episodes of sensory disturbances.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

International Bureau for Epilepsy President: Francesca Sofia;
International Bureau for Epilepsy established: 1961.

TVS SCS set to float Rs 5,000 crore IPO

TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS), part of the Rs 15,000 crore TVS Mobility Group, is set to become the first company from the TVS fold to come out with an initial public offering (IPO), after the family received the final nod for its rearrangement early this month.

The company had approached the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to raise around Rs 5,000 crore–including a fresh issue of Rs 2,000 crore and an offer for sale of up to Rs 3,000 crore, said a source aware of the development. It was on February 4 that the $8.5 billion worth TVS Group’s family rearrangement agreement got its final nod from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLAT), based on which each of the four family groups got ownership of the businesses they were managing while scrapping the holding company structure. As part of the OFS, 59.48 million shares are to be sold by promoters and other investors including Tata Opportunities Fund, Mitsubishi Corporation and Gateway Partners.

TVS SCS is an integrated logistics service provider engaged in outsourced supply chain management, freight forwarding and last-mile fulfillment. R Dinesh, a fourth-generation TVS Scion, is the founder of TVS SCS and was instrumental in its growth over the years. On January 25, Business Standard had reported that the company is all set to file its draft prospectus during the current quarter itself. TVS SCS is the third-largest company among all the four TVS families, with a revenue of Rs 6,950 crore, after TVS Motor Company and Sundaram-Clayton. The company started as a division of TV Sundram Iyengar & Sons in 1996 and became its wholly-owned subsidiary in December 2004. The money raised will be used to pay off its debt and for expansion plans.

Around 57 per cent of its client base is from non-auto businesses and 95 per cent from non-TVS companies. A larger share of its clients is from consumer durable, telecom, electronics. automobile and defense sectors. It has reportedly seen high revenue growth of 36 per cent and EBITDA growth of 37 per cent CAGR on EBITDA since 2005.

TVS SCS had raised around Rs 590 crore in October 2021 from a fund managed by Exor, the Europe-based leading diversified holding company controlled by the Agnelli family, to grow its business, further strengthen its technology capability, and for other transformational initiatives. Exor is known for its investments in global majors like Ferrari, Fiat, Chrysler Automobiles, PartnerRe, CNH Industrial, and, not least, the Economist Group and Juventus Football Club. Before that, the company had also raised around Rs 1,000 crore from Kotak Special Situations Fund, of which around Rs 800 crore was reportedly used for the promoter family to buy out the Canadian Pension Fund’s entire stake in the company.

Former Chairman of Bajaj Auto Rahul Bajaj passes away

Noted industrialist and former chairman of Bajaj Auto, Rahul Bajaj, has passed away, due to pneumonia and a heart problem. He was awarded the third-highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 2001. He was the chairman emeritus of the Indian conglomerate Bajaj Group, the parent company of Bajaj Auto. He stepped down as the non-executive chairman of Bajaj Auto in April 2021 and transferred the responsibility to Niraj Bajaj.

FICCI CASCADE launches ‘Anti-Smuggling Day’ 2022

The FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) has taken the initiative to launch Anti-Smuggling Day, which will be marked on 11 February every year. The inaugural Anti-Smuggling Day is being observed on February 11, 2022.

Significance of Anti-Smuggling Day:

Anti-Smuggling Day will gather momentum and bring together policymakers, international institutions, enforcement agencies, industry members, media, and consumers for their commitment to take action to fight against the global menace of smuggling.
‘Anti-Smuggling Day’ will represent a major step in the fight against the global menace of smuggling.
With no country immune to the impact of smuggling and no single sector can be said to be an exception, this day will highlight the mounting hazard of smuggling. It will not only call for attention for creating awareness on this issue, but will also evaluate what more needs to be done at a national and international level in mitigating this challenge.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

FICCI Founded: 1927;
FICCI Headquarters: New Delhi;
FICCI President: Sanjiv Mehta;
FICCI Secretary General: Arun Chawla.

Centre launches ‘SMILE’ scheme for Transgender community and the Beggars

The Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar has launched the Central Sector scheme titled “SMILE”. SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. The new umbrella scheme aims to provide welfare measures to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging. The scheme will give the necessary legal protection, social security and a promise to a secured life to the targeted group. The Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 crore for the scheme for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The SMILE scheme comprises two sub-schemes. These are:

‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’.

Scholarships for Transgender Students: Scholarships for students studying in IX and till post-graduation to enable them to complete their education.
Skill Development and Livelihood: Skill Development and Livelihood under PM-DAKSH scheme of the Department.
Composite Medical Health: A comprehensive package in convergence with PM-JAY supporting Gender-Reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals.
Housing in the form of ‘GarimaGreh’: Shelter Homes ‘Garima Greh’ where food, clothing, recreational facilities, skill development opportunities, recreational activities, medical support etc. will be provided.
Provision of Transgender Protection Cell: Setting up of Transgender Protection in each state to monitor cases of offences and to ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of offences.
E-Services (National Portal & Helpline and Advertisement) and other Welfare Measures.

‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of engaged in the act of Begging’.

Survey and identification: Survey and Identification of beneficiaries shall be carried out by the Implementing Agencies.
Mobilisation: Outreach work will be done to mobilise the persons engaged in begging to avail the services available in the Shelter Homes.
Rescue/ Shelter Home: The shelter homes will facilitate education for children engaged in the act of Begging and children of persons engaged in the act of Begging.
Comprehensive resettlement.

Singapore Air Show 2022: IAF to display Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas

The 44-member contingents of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reached the Changi International Airport in Singapore on February 12, 2022, to participate in the ‘Singapore Air Show-2022’, which is scheduled to be held from February 15 to 18, 2022. Singapore Air Show is a biennial event that provides a platform for the Global Aviation Industry to showcase its products.

About Tejas:

The IAF will showcase its indigenous Tejas MK-I ac during the event. It will also interact with counterparts from RSAF (Royal Singapore Air Force) & other participating contingents.
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will display low-level aerobatics to showcase its superior handling characteristics and manoeuvrability.

Nitin Gadkari inaugurates long Rail-cum-Road Bridge over River Ganga in Bihar

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar jointly inaugurated the 14.5-kilometre long ‘Rail-cum-Road-Bridge’ in Bihar. The much-awaited bridge is constructed over the River Ganga on NH 333B in Bihar’s Munger region. The cost of the ‘Rail-cum-Road-Bridge’ project is Rs 696 crore. The new bridge will reduce travel time, give a boost to tourism, agriculture as well as generate employment opportunities.

The benefit of the Bridge:

One of Bihar’s major tourist and pilgrimage sites, the city of Munger is well known for its rich ancient history, culture, education and commerce. With the construction of this Rail-cum-Road-Bridge, the distance from Munger to Khagaria will be less than 100 kilometres and also, the distance from Munger to Begusarai will be less than 20 kilometres.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Bihar Governor: Phagu Chauhan;
Bihar Capital: Patna;
Bihar Chief minister: Nitish Kumar.

Chairman of Supreme Court panel on Char Dham project Ravi Chopra resigns

Veteran environmentalist Ravi Chopra has resigned as chairman of the Supreme Court’s High Powered Committee (HPC) on the Char Dham project. His belief that the HPC could protect this fragile (Himalayan) ecology has been shattered. The Supreme Court on December 14 allowed double-lane widening of roads for the project in view of “security concerns.”

In his resignation letter to the secretary-general of the Supreme Court on January 27, Chopra referred to the apex court’s December 2021 order that accepted the wider road configuration to meet defence needs, instead of what the HPC had recommended and the SC accepted in its earlier order in September 2020. In 2018, the project was challenged by an NGO for its potential impact on the Himalayan ecology due to felling trees, cutting hills and dumping excavated material. In 2019, the SC formed the HPC Chopra to examine the issues, and in September 2020, accepted his recommendation on road width etc.

Maharashtra’s Health Minister announces “Hope Express” to prevent cancer

Maharashtra’s Health Minister, Rajesh Tope has announced that “Hope Express” will be launched in the state to prevent cancer. This is the first such machine in India. He was speaking at the launch of a state-of-the-art Mosaic-3D radiation machine at a private hospital in Kolhapur. The State Health Minister also promised to take initiative to start Hope Express in every district of the state through district planning.

The State Health Minister also promised to take initiative to start Hope Express in every district of the state through district planning. He also inaugurated the Oncoprime Cancer Center online at the Hattarki Hospital in Gadhinglaj. The centre will benefit patients in rural areas.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai;
Maharashtra Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari;
Maharashtra Chief minister: Uddhav Thackeray.

Indian army conducted Hackathon named “Sainya Ranakshetram”

Indian army has conducted a first-of-its-kind Hackathon named “Sainya Ranakshetram”. The hackathon was conducted in the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow under the overall guidance of the Shimla-based Army Training Command (ARTRAC), one of the seven commands of the Indian Army.

Key points of the event:

The event was conducted from 01 October 2021 to 31 December 2021 under the name of “Sainya Ranakshetram”, in collaboration with the Rashtriya Raksha University.
The virtual event witnessed the participation of over 15,000 participants and comprised a number of challenges based on Secure Coding, Software Defined Radio exploitation and Cyber Offensive skills. Further, the main highlights of the event included participants competing with each other in cyberspace against simulated threats.
Additionally, the event also hosted a plethora of training sessions and sessions by experts for the participants. Cyber enthusiasts from across India were the cynosure in the entire event.

President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates new Durbar Hall at Raj Bhavan

President of India, Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated the Durbar Hall at Raj Bhavan, situated at Malabar Hill, Mumbai. While retaining the heritage features of the old court hall, the new hall has been given additional features such as a balcony and a sea view gallery. Durbar Hall has political importance as it has been associated with oath-taking ceremonies of the Governors, chief ministers of the state.

Earlier, the inauguration of Durbar Hall was scheduled on December 8, 2021, but it was postponed due to the sudden demise of General Bipin Rawat, chief of defence staff in a helicopter crash.

About the Durbar Hall:

Most of the swearing-in ceremonies were held at the Durbar Hall only until 1995 when Manohar Joshi took oath as the chief minister at Shivaji Park at Dadar for the first time. The new Durbar Hall is built on the site of the old Durbar Hall and has a seating capacity of 750. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray also took oath of the position at a grand event held at Shivaji Park on November 29, 2019. Thackeray also informed that the map of Unified Maharashtra was inaugurated here at Durbar Hall at the hands of the then prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Krishi Network app named Pankaj Tripathi as its brand ambassador

Cultino Agrotech Pvt Ltd, which runs agritech app Krishi Network has roped in film actor Pankaj Tripathi as a brand ambassador, with a view to reaching out to farmers to its app. Tripathi’s background as a farmer resonates with the platform’s aim to aid farmers to grow their profits by offering them solutions to critical decisions. The app is currently available in Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, and English, and is planned to be launched in other languages soon.

The startup plans to use the fresh funds to boost their artificial intelligence-based technology platform across India. Founded by IIT Kharagpur alumni Ashish Mishra and Siddhant Bhomia, Krishi Network leverages the growing rural internet penetration to create a platform that eases information accessibility for farmers and enables them to generate higher profits from their land.

Rishabh Pant won ESPNcricinfo ‘Test Batting Award’ 2021

In the 15th Edition of ESPNcricinfo Awards, India’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant wins the ‘Test Batting’ award by scoring 89 not out, helped India to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2021 by (2-1) and shattered Australia’s unbeaten record at Gabba after 32 years. Rishabh Pant was the top scorer of the series for the Indian team, scoring (274 runs).

Other awardee’s:

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was adjudged ‘Captain of the Year’.
The Test bowling award went to Kyle Jamieson (New Zealand) for his 5 wickets leaving just 31 runs, which helped New Zealand in becoming the first World Test champions (2019-2021).
England fast bowler Ollie Robinson was named Debutant of the Year.
Saqib Mahmood’s 4 for 42 in a nine-wicket win over Pakistan got him the top ODI bowling prize.
Jos Buttler won the T20I batting award.
The ODI batting and T20I bowling awards went to Pakistan. Fakhar Zaman won the top batting prize. Shaheen Afridi won the T20I bowling award for his annihilation of India in the 10-wicket win for Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2021/2022 report: India ranked 4th

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2021/2022 report, unveiled at the Dubai Expo, India is among the top five easiest places to start a new business. The survey of Indian respondents, who answered questions on their entrepreneurial activity, attitudes to enterprise and view of their local entrepreneurial ecosystem, found that 82% think it is easy to start a business, placing India fourth globally. It was topped by Saudi Arabia and followed by Netherlands & Sweden.

India has topped amongst low-income economies (according to GDP per capita) on different Entrepreneurial Framework Conditions such as Entrepreneurial Finance, Ease of Access to Finance, Government Policy: Support and Relevance; and Government Support: Taxes and Bureaucracy; while Government Entrepreneurial Programmes was ranked second highest.

Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba named as interim President of Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, the military junta has appointed lieutenant colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba as the interim President of the country following the military coup. The 2022 Burkina Faso military coup took place on January 24, 2022, which was led by Damiba. President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré and Prime Minister Lassina Zerbo were disposed from their position and the parliament, government and constitution were declared dissolved.

One of the world’s poorest and most volatile countries, Burkina Faso is struggling with a jihadist campaign that has claimed more than 2,000 lives and forced around 1.5 million to flee their homes. The country has been suspended from the West African bloc ECOWAS, although it escaped sanctions following last week’s restoration of the constitution.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Burkina Faso Capital: Ouagadougou;
Burkina Faso President: Roch Marc Christian Kaboré;
Burkina Faso Currency: West African CFA franc.

Debashis Mitra takes over as President of ICAI

Debashis Mitra has been elected as the President of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for the year 2022-23. Mitra, who is serving his third term in ICAI Council, has been in the accounting profession for more than 34 years. Apart from being a Chartered Accountant, he is also a Cost Accountant and a Company Secretary. He holds a master’s degree in commerce and is also a law graduate as well as a qualified Information Systems Auditor.

Other appointments:

Aniket Sunil Talati has been elected as Vice President of the institute, which has more than 3.40 lakh members and over 7 lakh students.
Talati, who has a master’s degree in commerce, served as Chairman of Ahmedabad Branch of ICAI for the year 2014-15 and as Secretary, WIRC for the year 2017-18.
Among other positions, he has served as Chairman of Financial Reporting Review Board (FRRB), Vice Chairman of CSR Committee and Convenor of Digital Re-Engineering & Learning Directorate of ICAI. He was also the Director of the ICAI Accounting Research Foundation (ICAI ARF).

RBL Bank tie-up with Creditas Solutions for ‘Neo Collections’ platform

RBL Bank has partnered with Creditas Solutions for its ‘Neo Collections’ platform. The bank will utilise the SaaS-based platform to accelerate efficiency in collections across the loan cycle. The platform is built to automate strategies for reaching out to customers individually in an empathetic manner and motivate them to repay loans.

The platform can also determine the best course of action for every customer by offering customised payment plans to service debt, schedule an EMI plan or opt for payment resolution options. The Neo Collections Platform, a Do It Yourself (DIY) debt management platform, will help our customers seamlessly monitor, manage and pay their dues.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

RBL Bank Founded: 1943;
RBL Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
RBL Bank CEO & MD: Rajeev Ahuja;
RBL Bank Tagline: Apno Ka Bank.

17th edition of Mumbai International Film Festival to be held form May

The 17th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation films (MIFF-2022) is scheduled to take place from 29 May to 4 June, 2022 at the Films Division complex, Mumbai. Those films which were completed between September 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021, are eligible. The best documentary of the festival will receive a Golden Conch and 10 lakh in a cash award. As India is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the current edition has instituted a special award for the best short film on the theme India@75.

The programme is organized by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting since 1990, with support from the Government of Maharashtra, and focuses on documentary, short fiction and animation films. It is the oldest and largest festival for non-feature films in South Asia.

GoI approves continuation of Modernization of State Police Forces Scheme

The Government has approved the continuation of the Scheme of Modernization of State Police Forces (MPF Scheme) for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Total Central financial outlay for five years is Rs. 26,275 crores. The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) since 1969-70.

What is the Objective of the scheme?

The objective of the scheme is to gradually reduce the dependence of the State Governments on the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces to control internal security and law and order situations by equipping the State Police Forces adequately and strengthening their training infrastructure.

What is the focus of the scheme?

The focus of the scheme is to build cutting edge level police infrastructure by the construction of secure police stations, training centres, police housing (residential), equipping the police stations with the required mobility, modern weaponry, communication equipment and forensic set-up etc.

Central Jail in Madhya Pradesh gets own FM radio channel

In Madhya Pradesh, the Central Jail of Indore has started its own radio channel ‘Jail Vaani-FM 18.77’. Through this radio channel, the jail inmates will get to know about the happening in the world. The radio channel will also provide the jail inmates with information on health and social issues.

The radio station will act as a medium for prisoners to tell their own stories and also to share their experiences. The aim is to inform jail inmates about what is happening across the world. Jails with such innovative measures adopted for the reform of prisoners will certainly act as correctional institutions.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal;
Madhya Pradesh Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel;
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

J&K governor launched QR code-based mechanism for certification

Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor, Manoj Sinha has launched a QR code-based mechanism for certification and labelling of handmade carpets of the union territory. With the QR-based application, which is the first of its kind in the country, customers can check and verify the authenticity and other requisite details of carpets produced in Jammu and Kashmir, read an official statement from the administration. Manoj Sinha also felicitated UT’s awardees of Handicrafts & Handloom. J&K Handicrafts are repositories of India’s creative traditions that are serving as a cultural expression.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced Export Incentive Scheme. Under this scheme, the incentive of 10 per cent of the total volume of GI certified Handicrafts and Handloom products exported to any country, with a maximum reimbursement of up to Rs 5 crores, shall be provided to eligible exporters registered with the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom.