Some lines of current affairs 02 February 2024 news
INDIA
- The first meeting of the G20 Employment Working Group during India’s leadership will start in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
- India and the US plan to create a task force to enhance collaboration in the semiconductor industry.
- The initial meeting of the G20 Sustainable Financial Working Group is set to kick off in Guwahati.
- India aims to introduce its first hydrogen-powered train on heritage routes by December 2023.
- The Finance Minister has introduced an initiative called MISHTI, which stands for ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes.’
- A financial support of ₹5,300 crores will be provided for the Upper Bhadra Project in Karnataka. This funding will be used for micro-irrigation and filling surface tanks for drinking water.
ECONOMY
- Budget 2023: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana budget has been increased by 66%, reaching over Rs 79,000 crore.
- Budget 2023: The Railways receive the highest-ever capital outlay of Rs 2.4 lakh crore.
- Reliance Consumer Products and Sri Lanka’s Maliban Biscuit Manufactories form a strategic partnership.
- RBI data shows a 24% annual growth in digital payments by the end of September 2022.
WORLD
- The largest book fair in Bangladesh, called ‘Ekushey Boi Mela,’ started in Dhaka with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurating it.
- Manuela Roka Botey has become the first female Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea.
- A small radioactive capsule that went missing in January was discovered in Western Australia.
- The first week of February is celebrated as World Interfaith Harmony Week.
SPORTS
- Shubman Gill did really well, scoring 126 runs in just 63 balls. India had a big win in T20 cricket, beating New Zealand by 168 runs in the third and final match of the series, making it 2-1 in India’s favor.
- In the latest Union budget, Khelo India got over half of the increased funds, which amounts to ₹723.97 crore.
Current Affairs 02 February 2024 Test
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1. Antonio Costa re-elected as Prime Minister of Portugal
Antonio Costa, the Prime Minister of Portugal, has won again in the 2022 election. His Socialist Party, which is center-left, won big by getting 117 out of 230 seats in the Parliament. Even though people thought it would be a close competition, the main opposition party, center-right PSD, got 27.8% and 71 seats. Antonio Costa has been the 119th Prime Minister of Portugal since November 26, 2015.
Important lines:
- Portugal President: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa;
- Portugal Capital: Lisbon;
- Portugal Currency: Euro.
2. North Korea successfully tests fire most powerful Hwasong-12 ballistic missile
North Korea tested a missile called Hwasong-12 from Jagang Province. It’s the first time since 2017 that they tested a missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The Hwasong-12 can reach around 4,500 km (2,800 miles). North Korea’s missile tests, including ones with medium-range missiles, are a serious threat to us and a big challenge for global peace. These tests are happening in 2022 when the region is already tense. China, a major ally of North Korea, is hosting the Winter Olympics soon, and South Korea is preparing for a presidential election in March.
Important lines:
- North Korea Capital: Pyongyang;
- North Korea Supreme leader: Kim Jong-un;
- North Korea Currency: North Korean won.
3. Gandhi Mandiram, Smruthi Vanam built at Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
- Social activists in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, have created a memorial park called Smrithi Vanam at the Municipal Park. This park is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters, aiming to inspire patriotism among the youth by honoring the sacrifices made by these heroes. Donors have played a crucial role in funding the installation of statues of freedom fighters and social activists within the park.
- On the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary in Srikakulam City, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled alongside Smritivanam. Srikakulam, also known as Chicacole, is a district in the North Eastern part of Andhra Pradesh famous for its temple tourism.
- Upon seeing the progress in the development of the park, the commissioner of Srikakulam municipal corporation, Obulesh, allocated Rs 4.60 lakh from the corporation funds to enhance the beauty of the park.
Important lines:
- Capital cities of Andhra Pradesh: Visakhapatnam (where the executive work is done), Kurnool (where legal matters are handled, called the judicial capital), Amaravati (where laws are made, known as the legislative capital).
- Governor of Andhra Pradesh: Biswabhusan Harichandan.
- Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
4. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer unveiled its mascot named ‘Shera’
- The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer’s office introduced a new election mascot named “Shera” (Lion). The goal is to make people more aware of voting, encourage participation, and support ethical voting in the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls on February 20, 2022.
- “Shera,” which is a lion, serves as the mascot and symbolizes Punjab’s rich cultural heritage. It is part of the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) project by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The SVEEP project, initiated in 2009, is the main program of the ECI focused on educating voters.
Important lines:
- Punjab Capital: Chandigarh;
- Punjab Chief minister: Charanjit Singh Channi;
- Punjab Governor: Banwarilal Purohit.
5. India’s first geological park will be built in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
- India’s first geological park is set to be established in Lamheta, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The Geological Survey of India, part of the Ministry of Mining, has given its approval for the project. The park will be built with an investment of Rs 35 crores on a five-acre piece of land.
- Lamheta was chosen as the location for the geological park because it holds significant geological importance globally. In 1928, William Henry Sleeman discovered a dinosaur fossil in this area. Lamheta is recognized by UNESCO as a geo heritage site, and its geological features are associated with the Lameta Formation, also known as Infratrappean Beds.
- The Lameta Formation is a sedimentary geological formation found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Linked with the Deccan Traps, it belongs to the Maastrichtian age and is renowned for its dinosaur fossils.
Important lines:
- Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal;
- Madhya Pradesh Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel;
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
6. Lt Gen GAV Reddy named as new Defence Intelligence Agency Head
Lieutenant General GAV Reddy is the new leader of the Defence Intelligence Agency, taking over from Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, who recently retired after a 39-year career in the Indian Army. The Director-General of the Defence Intelligence Agency is a top advisor on intelligence matters to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff. This position rotates among the three Armed services, and the first Director-General was Lt Gen Kamal Davar, a former head of the Indian Army’s Mechanised Forces.
7. Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel quits as Britannia’s Additional Director
Urjit Patel, the ex-governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has stepped down as a non-executive and independent director at Britannia Industries Limited. He explained that he is resigning because he’s taking on a full-time job starting next month. Patel clarified that there’s no other reason behind his resignation.
Recently, he was appointed as the vice president for investment operations in South Asia at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), based in Beijing. This new role begins on February 1. Before becoming the 24th governor of RBI, Patel succeeded Raghuram Rajan and served from 2016 to 2018. He was also previously the deputy governor at RBI, responsible for monetary policy.
8. SBI tie-up with Tata Power for financing solar projects
- The State Bank of India (SBI) has created a special team called the ‘Surya Shakti Cell’ to make it easier for people and businesses to get loans for solar power projects. They’ve joined forces with Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd., a company under Tata Power, for this initiative. The Surya Shakti Cell is located in Ballard Estate, Mumbai, and will handle loan requests for solar projects from all over India, specifically those by Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd., with a maximum capacity of 1 MW.
- This service is available for both businesses and households looking for loans. The bank’s goal is to offer a smooth and digital process for applicants, making it hassle-free to get financing for their solar projects. Through this digital approach, SBI aims to provide a complete and competitive solution for solar projects.
Important Lines:
- Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd. Headquarters: Mumbai;
- Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd. Founded: 1989.
9. HPCL launches Non-Fuel Retail Store ‘HaPpyShop’
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) has started selling everyday products at a new retail store called HaPpyShop, entering the non-fuel retailing sector. The first store opened in Mumbai in September 2021 at the Nepean Sea Road outlet. HPCL has also introduced an online store in Madurai. Additionally, HPCL is selling branded packaged drinking water called ‘Paani@Club HP’ at its retail outlets nationwide.
Important Lines:
- HPCL Headquarters: Mumbai;
- HPCL CEO and Chairperson: Mukesh Kumar Surana.
10. PNB launches co-branded contactless credit cards with Patanjali
Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL) have teamed up to introduce new credit cards. These special cards, called PNB RuPay Platinum and PNB RuPay Select, make it easy for people to buy Patanjali products every day. The cards come with benefits like cash backs, loyalty points, and a welcome bonus of 300 reward points when you activate them. These credit cards work on the National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) RuPay Platform.
Important Lines:
- Punjab National Bank Founded: 1894;
- Punjab National Bank Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Punjab National Bank MD & CEO: Atul Kumar Goel;
- Punjab National Bank Tagline: The Name You Can Bank Upon.
- Patanjali Ayurved Limited Founded: January 2006;
- Patanjali Ayurved Limited Headquarters: Haridwar;
- Patanjali Ayurved Limited Founders: Ramdev, Balkrishna.
11. World Wetlands Day observed on 02 February
- Every year on February 2nd, people worldwide observe World Wetlands Day. In 2022, we’re celebrating the 51st anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands. The global theme for this year is ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature.’
- This day is all about making people aware of the important role wetlands play for us and the environment. It commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar by the Caspian Sea. The first World Wetlands Day was celebrated in 1997.
12. World Interfaith Harmony Week: 1-7 February
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an event that happens every year from February 1st to 7th. It was established by the United Nations in 2010. The purpose of this week is to encourage cultural peace and nonviolence. It was inspired by The Common Word initiative. King Abdullah II of Jordan initially suggested the idea at the United Nations in 2010 to promote culture, peace, and nonviolence.
13. Senior advocate & Additional Solicitor General Rupinder Singh Suri passes away
Senior advocate and Additional Solicitor General (ASG), Rupinder Singh Suri, passed away. He became ASG in June 2020 and had been a senior advocate since 2009. Besides this, he held positions as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association. He also served as the standing counsel in the Supreme Court for Punjab for around 15 years.
14. Spituk Gustor Festival celebrated in Ladakh
- The Spituk Gustor Festival is a yearly event in Ladakh that celebrates the local culture and traditions. It takes place on January 30th and 31st, 2022, at Spituk Monastery in Leh and Ladakh Union Territory. People come to the monastery to enjoy the vibrant festivities, especially the traditional mask dance known as “Chams.”
- Spituk Monastery is located 8 km from Leh, and the festival symbolizes peace and prosperity. The highlight of the event is the colorful mask dance performed by the monks, showcasing various deities like Mahakala (Gonbo), Paldan Lhamo (Shridevi), White Mahakala, and Protector Deity.
- The mask dance includes different performances such as Serskam, Hashang Hatuk, Six Arms Mahakala, Paldan Lhamo, Shawa, and Janak Chams. Local belief holds that after this festival, the weather will become warmer and more pleasant.
Important Lines:
Ladakh (UT) Lieutenant Governor: Radha Krishna Mathur.
