Daily Current Affairs 29th February 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 29th February2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 29th February2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 29th February2024 Current affairs test.
National News
- Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Science and Research Opens in Gujarat
The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, together with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, and other notable figures, celebrated the opening of the ‘Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Science and Research’ situated at the Shri Swaminarayan Vishwamangal Gurukul in Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This event signifies a crucial step forward in the enhancement of medical education and healthcare provision in the area.
- Prime Minister Modi Initiates World’s Most Extensive Grain Storage Initiative to Empower Cooperative Sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially started and laid the foundation for significant projects aimed at reinforcing the cooperative sector in India, with the launch of the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Scheme in the Cooperative Sector’, the growth of PACS, and a push towards digitalization. These measures are designed to improve food security, stimulate economic growth, and improve governance, offering benefits to millions of farmers. The launch event took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking a noteworthy step in improving food security, economic progress, and governance within the cooperative sector.
- Launch of the SWAYAM Plus Platform by the Education Minister
The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has unveiled the SWAYAM Plus platform, managed by IIT-Madras, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objectives. This initiative seeks to provide courses relevant to the industry to boost the employability of learners, including those already in the workforce.
International News
- Fertility Rate in South Korea Drops to Historic Low in 2023
South Korea witnessed a further decline in its fertility rate in 2023, reaching a new low, thereby intensifying worries about the country’s diminishing population. Despite political efforts to address this issue, the declining birth rates in South Korea, similar to those in Japan and China, present complex challenges. The fertility rate fell to 0.72 in 2023, significantly below the 2.1 children per woman needed for population stability, with factors like career progression and financial constraints deterring women from having more children.
- Health Emergency Declared in Peru Due to Dengue Outbreak
In response to a surge in dengue fever cases, Peru has announced a health emergency across much of the country. The Health Minister, Cesar Vasquez, stated that over 31,000 dengue cases have been reported in the first eight weeks of 2024, leading to 32 deaths. The emergency declaration covers 20 of Peru’s 25 regions.
Awards News
- Acharya Lokesh Muni Recognized as ‘Global Jain Peace Ambassador’
Acharya Lokesh Muni will receive the prestigious title of ‘Global Jain Peace Ambassador’ from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The award ceremony will take place in Karnataka, at the Jain pilgrimage site, Navagraha Tirtha Kshetra, in Hubli Varur. Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti and the World Peace Center, is celebrated for his significant contributions across various fields.
- Bengali Version of “Le Divan de Staline” Wins the Romain Rolland Book Prize 2024
This year’s Romain Rolland Book Prize has been awarded to Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee for his outstanding Bengali translation of Jean-Daniel Baltassat’s “Le Divan de Staline,” titled “Staliner Divan.” Published by New Bharat Sahitya Kutir in Kolkata, Chatterjee’s work was lauded for its linguistic excellence and faithfulness to the original narrative, marking the second instance a Bengali translation has been recognized with this esteemed award.
Banking News
- Amazon Pay Granted Final Approval by RBI as Payment Aggregator
Amazon Pay, Amazon India’s fintech division, has received a payment aggregator license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), placing it among a select group of certified entities nationwide. This authorization enables Amazon Pay to expand its distribution networks, providing secure, convenient, and rewarding digital payment solutions. This milestone is in line with Amazon Pay’s mission to effectively serve both merchants and customers throughout India.
Business News
- RIL, Viacom18, and Disney Merge to Transform Indian Entertainment and Sports Industry
Reliance Industries (RIL) has announced a groundbreaking merger agreement with Viacom18 Media and The Walt Disney Company, creating a joint venture (JV) that consolidates the operations of Viacom18 and Star India. This deal represents a strategic endeavor to transform the Indian entertainment and sports sectors, with RIL committing Rs 11,500 crore (approximately US$ 1.4 billion) to the JV to fuel its growth strategy.
Books and Authors News
- “Basic Structure and Republic” Unveiled by Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
Governor Shri P. S. Sreedharan Pillai has launched his latest book, “Basic Structure and Republic,” in a ceremony held at the Durbar Hall (Old) of Raj Bhavan. This event, graced by the presence of H. G. Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Archbishop of Changanacherry, Kerala, and Shri. Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for Water Resource Development, Co-Operation, and Provedoria, highlights the importance of this publication, marking Governor Pillai’s 212th literary work.
Appointments News
- Renu Sud Karnad Appointed as Chairperson and Independent Director at PayU
PayU Payments Private Ltd, a leading fintech entity of the global consumer internet group Prosus, has welcomed Renu Sud Karnad as its new chairperson and independent director. Karnad’s appointment, given her esteemed position as a director at HDFC Bank, reinforces PayU’s dedication to navigating the evolving fintech landscape with experienced leadership.
- Ravindra Kumar Takes Helm as Director (Operations) at NTPC
Ravindra Kumar has assumed the role of Director-Operations at NTPC Ltd, bringing with him over three decades of extensive experience and expertise in the power sector. His journey from a graduate engineer trainee to his current executive position reflects a dedication to excellence and innovation in the field.
Ranks and Reports News
- India Achieves Record High Weightage in MSCI Global Standard Index
India’s representation in the MSCI Global Standard (Emerging Markets) index has soared to a new peak of 18.2% after MSCI’s February review. This significant increase, nearly doubling since November 2020, is attributed to factors such as the standardization of foreign ownership limits, a robust domestic equity rally, and the relative underperformance of other emerging markets, especially China.
Science and Tech News
- ‘Investor Information & Analytics Platform’ Launched by IIT Madras for Startups
The ‘Investor Information and Analytics Platform,’ developed by CREST and inaugurated by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar along with Prof. Thillai Rajan A of IIT Madras, aims to centralize access for startups to investors, government schemes, and other essential elements of the startup ecosystem.
