Important Days
World NGO Day: 27 February
World NGO Day is celebrated every year on 27th February globally. World NGO Day aims to inspire people to become more actively involved within NGOs (Charities, NPOs, CSOs) and encourage a greater symbiosis between NGOs and both the public and private sector.
The universal concept of World NGO Day is Celebrate, Commemorate and Collaborate the various NGOs around the world, and the people behind them. World NGO Day is a day for NGOs around the globe to share knowledge and experiences with one another.
The Day was officially recognised and declared by the 12 member countries (Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Norway and Sweden). It was marked for the first time by the UN, EU leaders and international organisations in 2014.
National News
Union Cabinet approves President’s Rule in Puducherry
The Union Cabinet has approved to dissolve the Puducherry Assembly and impose President’s rule in the Union Territory, following the resignation of the Chief Minister, V Narayanasamy, whose government lost majority power in the assembly. The decision was taken as no party claimed to form a government, following which, Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan had recommended President’s Rule.
The approval will now be sent to the President, Ramnath Kovind. The legislative assembly of the UT will be dissolved once the President accords his permission. Prior to this, the President’s rule was imposed in Puducherry between March and July in 1991 when the JD-DMK coalition government fell.
Chandigarh became the first Union Territory in India to launch Carbon Watch
Chandigarh became the first state or Union Territory in India to launch Carbon Watch, a mobile application to assess the carbon footprint of an individual. Although the app can be accessed by everyone, it has specific options for the residents of Chandigarh to compile a detailed study.
As a person downloads the application, they will need to fill details in four parts Water, Energy, Waste Generation and Transport (Vehicular movement).
In the category of Water, the person will be required to inform about the consumption of water. In the Energy category, the details regarding the electricity units consumed every month at the house, monthly bill etc and usage of solar energy will have to be furnished.
In the Waste category, the individual will need to inform about the waste generated on their part and their family. In the transport section, the individual will have to inform them about the mode of transport used by the- four-wheeler, two-wheeler or bicycle.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Chandigarh Administrator: V.P. Singh Badnore.
PM Modi virtually addresses 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered the inaugural address at the 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games through a video conference.
The second edition of the Khelo India-Winter Games has been organised at the world-famous ski-resort Gulmarg in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The event has been organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of J&K. The sports activities at the games will include alpine skiing, nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, ice skating, ice stock etc.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports: Kiren Rijiju.
International News
Irakli Garibashvili as New Prime Minister of Georgia
The Parliament of Georgia confirmed Irakli Garibashvili as Prime Minister along with a vote of confidence in the cabinet Garibashvili put forward. Garibashvili pledged to create a long-term development strategy for Georgia in his first one hundred days in office.
First, on the agenda, Garibashvili will continue the essential work of the government to ably manage the pandemic and accelerate the focus on rebuilding the economy while continuing to strengthen Georgia’s security and democratic institutions.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Georgia Capital: Tbilisi; Currency: Georgian lari.
Appointments News
Fullerton India Credit Company appointed Shantanu Mitra as CEO and MD
Fullerton India Credit Company has appointed Shantanu Mitra as the new CEO and Managing Director. He has over 40 years of experience in financial services, with over 20 years at Standard Chartered and Citibank, where he had stints in India, Singapore and Thailand.
His last role in Standard Chartered was Senior Regional Risk Officer, India, Middle East and Africa. His previous experience with Fullerton included a stint from 2010 to 2017.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Fullerton India Credit Company Founded: 1994.
- Fullerton India Credit Company Headquarters: Mumbai.
Gautam Thakar made global CEO of OLX Autos
OLXGroup appoints Gautam Thakar as global CEO of OLX Autos. He will lead a worldwide organisation with a workforce of more than 4,000 employees across Asia, Africa, Latam, and the United States.
OLXGroup announced the appointment of Gautam Thakar as global CEO of OLX Autos effective March 15, 2021.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- OLXGroup Founded: 2006.
- OLXGroup Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Russian supermodel Vodianova is new UN goodwill ambassador
Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova has become a United Nations goodwill ambassador, to promote the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls and tackle stigmas surrounding their bodies.
She will be a campaigner for the UN Population Fund, which now calls itself the UN”s sexual and reproductive health agency, known as UNFPA.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- UNFPA Headquarters: New York, New York, United States.
- UNFPA Head: Natalia Kanem.
- UNFPA Founded: 1969.
AU Small Finance Bank has named Sharad Goklani as President & CTO
AU Small Finance Bank has named Sharad Goklani as its new President & CTO. He was earlier associated with Equitas Small Finance Bank as its EVP & Chief Technology Officer.
As a part of his new appointment, Goklani will be based in Jaipur Rajasthan. Prior to Equitas, he was associated with Bharti Airtel and Bharti Telesoft. He holds a Master degree in computer application from Jaipur University.
AU was started 25 years ago by Sanjay Agarwal, a merit holder Chartered Accountant and a first-generation entrepreneur.
As per the official website, it was founded in Jaipur in 1996 as Au Financiers, a non-deposit taking Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), it effectively worked on funding economic growth, especially for the under-served and un-served low & middle-class individuals.
Au Financiers converted into AU Small Finance Bank in April 2017 after receiving the license from RBI.
Banking News
SBI joins JPMorgan’s blockchain payments network
State Bank of India has tied up with JPMorgan to use the US bank’s blockchain technology to speed up overseas transactions.
The tie-up is expected to reduce SBI customers’ transaction costs and time taken for payments. SBI has joined Liink, a new blockchain-based interbank data network developed by JPMorgan. By integrating the technology, the bank expects to reduce transaction costs and improve cross-border payments for its customers.
Liink is a peer-to-peer network and ecosystem operating under the umbrella of JPMorgan’s blockchain- and digital-currency-focused business, dubbed Onyx.
Piloted in 2017, the product was originally referred to as Interbank Information Network and rebranded as Liink in October 2020.
The Liink solution has enlisted more than 400 financial institutions and corporations in 78 countries, including 27 of the world’s top 50 banks. The network has around 100 live banks on the network, including both state-owned and private institutions.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- JPMorgan CEO: Jamie Dimon.
- JPMorgan Headquarters: New York, United States
- JPMorgan Founder: J. P. Morgan.
- SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara.
- SBI Headquarters: Mumbai.
- SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.
Business News
NPCI enables UPI AutoPay live on music streaming platform ‘Gaana’
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that UPI AutoPay has now gone live on Gaana. Its integration with UPI AutoPay has made Gaana the 1st player in the Media & Entertainment industry to roll out the innovative e-mandate feature on UPI.
The introduction of UPI AutoPay will empower Gaana’s users to experience a smooth and seamless mechanism of renewing their subscriptions.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- National Payments Corporation of India MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe.
- National Payments Corporation of India Headquarters: Mumbai.
- National Payments Corporation of India Founded: 2008.
Summits and Conferences
India, Australia and France hold trilateral dialogue with focus on Indo-Pacific
A trilateral dialogue was held among India, France, and Australia on February 24, 2021, at the senior officials’ level, with a focus on further enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The aim of this trilateral dialogue is to build strong bilateral relation among the three countries and synergies their respective strength to ensure a peaceful, secure, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
It must be remembered that the first India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue was held virtually on September 9, 2020, at Foreign Secretary-level, for better coordination in the region.
At the senior official level, the Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (Europe West) in MEA, Sandeep Chakravorty, while the French side was led by Bertrand Lortholary, Director (Asia and Oceania), and the Australian side was led by Mr Gary Cowan, First Assistant Secretary (North and South Asia Division) and Mr John Geering, First Assistant Secretary (Europe and Latin America Division).
Piyush Goyal addresses 6th International Conference on Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices
The 6th edition of the International Conference on Pharmaceutical & Medical Device sector was inaugurated by Union Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, and Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal.
To encourage and bring forward the best technology solutions and manufacturing, for the overall growth of the Pharma & Medical Device sector.
The theme of India Pharma 2021: ‘Indian Pharma Industry: “Future is Now”.
The theme of India Medical Device 2021 is “India MedTech Future: Innovate & Make in India through Global Alliance”.
The conference is organised every year by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
Economy News
ICRA expects Indian economy to contract 7% in FY21
India’s rating agency, ICRA has projected the Indian economy to contract 7 per cent in the current fiscal (FY21).
For the next fiscal, i.e. FY22 (2021-22), ICRA expects a considerable rebound in India’s economic growth to 10.5 per cent due to higher central government spending, and a pick-up in consumption.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- ICRA Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana.
- ICRA Non-Executive Chairman and Director: Arun Duggal.
NSO expects the Indian economy to contract by 8% in 2020-21
The GDP growth of India during 2020-21 is estimated to contract 8 per cent, as per the second advanced estimates projected by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
This was 4.9 per cent in 2019-20. NSO had projected a GDP contraction of 7.7 per cent in its first advance estimate.
Moody’s projects India’s GDP to contract 7% in FY21
The US-based rating agency Moody’s has revised its growth projection for India, and now expects the economy to contract 7 per cent in fiscal 2020-21 (FY21). This is lower than its previous estimate of 10.6 per cent contraction.
For the next financial year, FY22, beginning April 1, Moody’s has projected the economy to grow to 13.7 per cent, as compared to 10.8 per cent estimated earlier.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Headquarters of Moody’s: NewYork, United States.
- President & CEO of Moody’s: Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
Sports News
R. Vinay Kumar announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Former India international and Karnataka captain, R Vinay Kumar has announced retirement from all forms of cricket. The “Davangere Express” after running for 25 years and passing so many stations of cricketing life, has finally arrived at the station called retirement.
Vinay, a medium-pacer, represented India in one Test, 31 ODIs and 9 T20Is between 2010 and 2013. Vinay retires as a domestic giant of Indian cricket having taken 504 first-class wickets in 139 matches that included 26 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls in a match.With the bat, he scored 3311 runs including two centuries and 17 half-centuries.
In 141 List A matches, the 37-year-old took 225 wickets at 24.39 and scored 1198 runs including four half-centuries.
Yusuf Pathan announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Former India all-rounder, Yusuf Pathan has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. He played 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is for India since making his international debut in 2007. He was part of the Indian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
He scored 810 ODI runs and 236 T20I runs for India. He also picked up 46 wickets in limited-overs international cricket. Yusuf played 100 first-class matches, scoring 4825 runs and picking up 201 wickets.
In List A cricket, the right-handed batsman accumulated 4797 runs and got 124 wickets from 199 matches. He last played for India in an ODI against South Africa at Johannesburg in March 2012.
Dushyant Chautala re-elected as President of TTFI
Dushyant Chautala has been re-elected as the President of Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for a period of four years. He was elected unanimously during the 84th annual meeting of the TTFI, on February 24, 2021.
He is also the current Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana. The 32-year-old was first elected as President of the TTFI in January 2017, becoming the youngest President in the history of TTFI.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Headquarters Table Tennis Federation of India: New Delhi.
- Table Tennis Federation of India Founded: 1926.
Obituary
Padma Shri Malayalam Poet Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri passes away
Renowned Malayalam poet, the priest and academician Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri, has passed away. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2014, for his contribution to the world of Malayalam literature for decades.
He also won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, Vallathol Award, Odakkuzhal Award and the Mathrubhumi Literary Award, among others. He was also a noted scholar of language and the Vedas, as well as an orator.
Papua New Guinea’s first Prime Minister, Michael Somare, passes away
The first prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Michael Somare has passed away. He was known as the “father of the nation” because he led the Pacific archipelago to independence from Australia in 1975.
He had served as the prime minister of the country four times, between 1975 to 2011, and has been the longest-serving prime minister (17 years).
- Daily Current Affairs in English 11 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 10
- 11 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- 10 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 9
- Daily Current Affairs in English 10 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
