In Current Affairs for 22 February 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 22 February 2024
International Solar Alliance
- Malta, a small yet significant player in the global arena, recently took a remarkable step towards sustainable energy by joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
- This move underscores the country’s commitment to reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and embracing environmentally friendly alternatives.
- Malta’s accession to the ISA marks a significant milestone in the global push towards renewable energy adoption.
- With this development, Malta becomes the 119th nation to join the alliance, reinforcing the collective effort to combat climate change through solar energy deployment.
- Christopher Cutajar, the Permanent Secretary at the Maltese Foreign Ministry, signed the ISA Framework Agreement.
- This formal endorsement highlights Malta’s intent to actively participate in promoting solar energy initiatives on the international stage.
- The International Solar Alliance originated from a joint effort by India and France. It aims to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels by promoting the widespread adoption of solar energy.
- The alliance prioritizes the development of cost-effective solar solutions to facilitate sustainable growth, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Har Ghar Jal
- Arunachal Pradesh achieved 100% saturation in ‘Har Ghar Jal’ scheme under Jal Jeevan Mission. sets Arunachal Pradesh apart as first state in northeast and 10th in India to fully embrace the central government’s initiative, aimed at ensuring clean and safe piped water for every household.
- The Centre contributed ₹3,965.41 crore, with the state adding ₹455.51 crore towards the scheme.
- Chief Minister Khandu expressed thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the central and state government’s support, which was crucial for the project’s success.
- Launched in 2019, the JJM aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections across rural India by 2024.
- The mission is a key initiative to enhance the health and well-being of millions of Indian citizens by ensuring access to clean drinking water.
Himalayan Basket
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled the ‘Himalayan Basket’ initiative from his residence.
- Initially conceived by local entrepreneurs Sumit and Sneha Thapliyal in 2018, this innovative project aims to harness the agricultural riches of Champawat district, propelling it towards becoming an ideal district through the enhancement of local employment opportunities.
- The ‘Himalayan Basket’ initiative is designed to boost local employment by capitalizing on the district’s abundant agricultural resources.
- By focusing on the procurement of milk, turmeric, and mint from local farmers, the project endeavors to produce and export high-demand products such as ‘churpi’ and ghee.
- This approach not only supports the local farming community but also taps into a lucrative market, thereby opening new economic avenues for the region’s inhabitants. Beyond its agricultural focus, the ‘Himalayan Basket’ embodies a broader vision of economic empowerment and sustainability for the Himalayan region.
- The initiative, spearheaded by the Thapliyal couple, has already made significant strides by providing employment to over 200 individuals.
- This achievement marks a crucial step towards addressing the economic challenges faced by the district, offering a sustainable model for community development and prosperity.
- The launch event highlighted the Uttarakhand government’s strong commitment to nurturing grassroots initiatives like the ‘Himalayan Basket.’
- Chief Minister Dhami underscored the importance of such projects in achieving regional self-sufficiency and economic independence.
- By backing these initiatives, the government plays an instrumental role in equipping local enterprises with the necessary support and infrastructure to expand their reach and impact.
- The ‘Himalayan Basket’ project transcends traditional agricultural boundaries, aiming to establish a sustainable ecosystem that benefits the entire community. The initiative’s success in providing substantial employment opportunities serves as a catalyst for regional development, improving the quality of life for many.
- Moreover, by promoting the export of locally manufactured products, it positions Champawat on the international stage, highlighting the untapped potential of Himalayan agriculture.
AYUSH And Tribal Affairs Ministries
- Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Tribal Affairs announced a Joint Initiative on Public Health of Tribal Students.
- The joint National Level Project of Health Screening and Management through Ayurvedic Interventions will benefit over 20 thousand Tribal Students.
- The Ministry of Ayush through its research council CCRAS has taken this health Initiative for Tribal Students with the joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and ICMR-NIRTH Jabalpur.
- Union Minister for AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal and Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda together announced initiative to address the health needs of children in Eklavya Model Residential Schools across tribal areas through public health initiatives.
- Mr Sonowal said, to make India a self-reliant nation, every Indian has to be disease free.
- He said that both the Ministries have joined hands to study the health needs of Tribal population and cater to the public health-care services in major thrust areas in Malnutrition, Iron deficiency Anaemia and Sickle Cell Diseases through Ayurveda interventions, which are already prevalent and effective to address these health needs.
- He informed that this project aims to cover the students of 10 to 18 years of age group enrolled in classes 6th to 12th in identified 55 EMRS across 14 states of the country.
- Mr Munda said, the initiative will help in developing healthy lifestyle practices in children as per the principles of Ayurveda, thereby improving and protecting their health and overall well-being with emphasis on prevention of diseases. He added that there should be a medicinal plant garden in the schools to make the future generation aware about the importance of traditional medicines in our citizen’s life.
Hanooman BharatGPT- Style AI service
- Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, in collaboration with some of the country’s premier engineering institutions, is poised to unveil its pioneering ChatGPT-style service named ‘Hanooman’ next month.
- This initiative marks a significant milestone in the advancement of AI capabilities within India, promising to bring a new era of digital innovation and accessibility.
- The development of ‘Hanooman’ is a result of a concerted effort between Reliance Jio Infocomm, Centre, and several Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), including IIT Bombay.
- This collaborative endeavor, featuring a consortium of Reliance and eight affiliated universities, underscores the synergy between India’s leading corporate powerhouse and its academic institutions in pushing the frontiers of technology.
- During a recent technology conference in Mumbai, attendees were offered a glimpse into the capabilities of ‘Hanooman’.
- Demonstrations included a motorcycle mechanic interacting with the AI in Tamil, a banker using Hindi to converse with the tool, and a developer from Hyderabad employing the tool for coding.
- This preview highlighted ‘Hanooman’s’ proficiency in handling complex interactions across various professional fields. One of the defining features of ‘Hanooman’ is its ability to operate across 11 local languages, catering to a wide spectrum of fields including healthcare, governance, financial services, and education.
- This multilingual capability, coupled with speech-to-text functionalities, positions ‘Hanooman’ as a highly user-friendly and versatile AI model, ready to transform the digital landscape in India.
- The launch of ‘Hanooman’ comes at a time when the AI sector in India is witnessing substantial growth, with startups like Sarvam and Krutrim, backed by notable investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners and Vinod Khosla’s fund, also venturing into the development of open-sourced AI models tailored for the Indian context.
- Reliance Jio’s vision extends beyond ‘Hanooman’, with plans to develop customized models for specific applications through ‘Jio Brain’, leveraging AI to enhance its services for a subscriber base of approximately 450 million.
Japan Commits Diverse Projects In India
- In a significant move to bolster India’s infrastructure and innovation landscape, the Japanese government has pledged a substantial loan of 232.209 billion yen (approximately Rs 12,800 crore) to fund nine distinct projects across various sectors in India.
- This financial assistance marks a notable step in enhancing the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan, a relationship that has been thriving since 1958.
- Aiming to upgrade infrastructure in India’s northeastern region to boost economic development and connectivity.
- Innovation and Start-up Promotion in Telangana: Focused on identifying and nurturing entrepreneurial skills, especially among women and the rural populace, alongside supporting the growth of MSMEs.
- Chennai Peripheral Ring Road Construction: Designed to reduce traffic congestion and enhance connectivity within the southern parts of the state, thereby facilitating smoother transportation.
- Sustainable Horticulture in Haryana: This initiative seeks to promote environmentally sustainable horticulture practices, ensuring long-term agricultural viability.
- Climate Response and Ecosystem Enhancement in Rajasthan: Aimed at combating climate change effects and improving ecosystem services in the region for a sustainable future.
- Tertiary Medical Services in Nagaland: The project focuses on developing a medical college hospital in Nagaland to elevate tertiary level medical services and contribute to universal health coverage.
- Dedicated Freight Corridor Project – Fifth Tranche: This initiative will support the construction of a new dedicated freight railway system, modernizing the intermodal logistics system to accommodate increased freight traffic efficiently.
France’s Highest Civilian Medal
- French authorities awarded Indian Member of Parliament and author Shashi Tharoor the distinction of ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur’ (Knight of the Legion of Honour) – the highest French civilian honour.
- It recognizes his long-standing contribution in fostering Indo-French ties. Dr. Tharoor is an acclaimed writer, former diplomat and currently a parliamentarian affiliated to Indian National Congress party representing Thiruvananthapuram constituency in the Lok Sabha.
- He has authored over 20 fiction and non-fiction literary works with a recent political book on Hindu nationalism sparking intense debates.
- As former Under-Secretary General of United Nations, he has championed humanitarian causes internationally.
- The Legion of Honour medal created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte as a military order was later expanded to cover eminent services advancing French interests globally.
- It is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients.
- The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honour. The prestigious order bears the motto “Honneur et Patrie” (Honour and Fatherland).
- In his illustrious career, Tharoor has engaged extensively with several French leaders and advanced bilateral strategic ties. He also admires French values greatly.
- Chairman of the French Senate said that ‘Dr Tharoor is also a true friend of France, a Francophone with a keen understanding of France and its culture’. In the course of his career at the United Nations, Sr Shashi Tharoor has worked with a large number of French foreign ministers.
- The list of distinguished Indians who have been honored with the Legion of Honour includes influential figures such as JRD Tata, Satyajit Ray, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Zubin Mehta, E Sreedharan, Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Shah Rukh Khan, and many others.
Current Affairs 22 February Question
- Which Country Last Till Date To Join International Solar Alliance
A. Malta
B. Cyprus
C. Swaziland
D. Uruguay
ANSWER: A - International Solar Alliance Launched In
A. 2014
B. 2015
C. 2016
D. 2017
ANSWER: B - Hanooman ChatGPT Is Launched By
A. Microsoft
B. Infosys
C. Reliance
D. TCS
ANSWER: C - Who Is Awarded With France’s Highest Civilian Medal Recently
A. Pankaj Tripathi
B. Neeraj Chopra
C. Smriti Irani
D. Shashi Tharoor
ANSWER: D - Bharat 5G Portal- An Integrated Portal”, Is Launched By Which Ministry
A. Ministry of Communication
B. Ministry of Finance
C. Ministry of Commerce & Industry
D. Ministry Of Information & Broadcasting
ANSWER: A - Which Country’s Instant Payment Platform AANI Linked With India’s UPI
A. Qatar
B. Nepal
C. UAE
D. Myanmar
ANSWER: C - Where Was Statue Of Khasi Freedom Fighter U Tirot Sing Recently Unveiled
A. Kathmandu
B. Dhaka
C. Hyderabad
D. Kolkata
ANSWER: B - What Is MnBi2S4, Recently Mentioned In The News
A. Invasive plant
B. Mineral
C. Black hole
D. Asteroid
ANSWER: B - Which Of Following Litterateurs Have Been Named Recipients Of 58th Jnanpith Award
A. Kiran Desai and Arvind Adiga
B. Kedarnath singh and Vikram Seth
C. Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
D. Vikram Seth and Arvind Adiga
ANSWER: C - Which Among Following Best Describes About Rhodamine B
A. Toxic And Carcinogenic Chemical Used In Various Industries For Dyeing
B. Protein Found In The Flower Rhododendron, Used In Treating Joint Pain
C. Recently Developed Vaccine Against Arthritis
D. Water Molecules On The Surface Of Asteroids
ANSWER: A - Which Country Hosted 3rd Meeting Of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods
Agreement
A. Indonesia
B. India
C. Myanmar
D. Malaysia
ANSWER: B - Which Organization Released Report Titled ‘Asia And The Pacific SDG Progress
Report 2024
A. UNESCO
B. UNESCAP
C. UNDP
D. IMF
ANSWER: B - Reality Tech Firm Unveiled A Digital Twin Of Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s
Tomb In Which City
A. Hyderabad
B. Lucknow
C. Delhi
D. Bhopal
ANSWER: A - Which Institute Created An Anti Drone System Relies On Sound Technology
A. IIT Roorkee
B. IIT Bombay
C. IIT Jammu
D. IIT Kanpur
ANSWER: C - Where Was Kalughat Inland Waterway Transport Terminal Inaugurated
A. Haryana
B. Rajasthan
C. Bihar
D. Gujarat
ANSWER: C - Gabon Which Was Seen In The News, Is Located In Which Region
A. Africa
B. Europe
C. Australia
D. Asia
ANSWER: A - Which Organisation Has Recently Conducted The BSE EXPO-2024
A. Broadcast Engineering Society
B. Securities And Exchange Board Of India
C. Ministry Of Economic Affairs
D. Ministry Of Information & Broadcasting
ANSWER: A - Mission Basundhara Is An Initiative Of Which State
A. Mizoram
B. Manipur
C. Assam
D. Sikkim
ANSWER: C - Prabowo Subianto, Became New President Of Which Country
A. Indonesia
B. Malaysia
C. Vietnam
D. Egypt
ANSWER: A - Section 125 Of The Criminal Procedure Code Primarily Deals With
A. Promoting hatred among classes
B. Maintenance of wives, children and parents
C. Culpable homicide
D. Juvenile Justice
ANSWER: B
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