Weekly Current Affairs Ep3: 3 to 9 February 2024

Weekly Current Affairs Ep3

Weekly Current Affairs for UPSC and Competitive Exam: Jobs Informations presents Weekly Current Affairs for all dedicated students and readers preparing for various competitive exams. In today’s session, get briefings about the important topics given in Current Affairs.

NATIONAL

Late Shri Karpoori Thakur to be Conferred with Bharat Ratna

• Former Bihar Chief Minister Late Shri Karpoori Thakur is slated to receiv e the Bharat Ratna posthumously, as revealed by a communication from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This announcement, honoring him with India’s highest civ ilian award, coincided with the day before his 100th birth anniversary on 24th January. Late Shri Karpoori Thakur was a distinguished socialist leader.

President Bestows Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024

• President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024 to nineteen outstanding children in a ceremony held in New Delhi on 22nd January 2024. The awards recognised their exceptional achievements in the fields of Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service and Sports. Among the awardees, there were nine boys and ten girls hailing from 18 States and Union Territ ories, including two Aspirational Districts. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Irani interacted with the winners in separate events.

VAIBHAV Fellowship’s Inaugural Batch for 22 Global Indian Scientists

• Minister for Science and Technology Dr.Jitendra Singh inaugurated the first batch of the Viashvik Bharatiya Vigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellow­ ships, a programme aimed at harnessing the scientific expertise of Indian diaspora for India’s dev elopment by 2047. The VAIBHAV fellow­ ship’s inaugural batch includes 22 distinguished Indian origin scientists from various parts of the world. Speaking at the launch event in New Delhi, Dr. Singh commended India’s signi­ ficant achievements in science and technology over the past decade including those in areas of space economy, innovation, quan­ tum mission and bio­ technology and underscored the importance of engaging with diaspora scienlists for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

60 Parachute Field Hospital to Get Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2024

• Uttar Pradesh’s 60 Parachute Field Hospital has been selected for the prestigious Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar- 2024 for its exceptional contributions to disaster management. Established in 1942, the 60 Parachute Field Hospital is the sole airborne medical establishment of the Indian Armed Forces, known for its commendable service in various global crises. The award recognises its noteworthy contributions during events like the Uttarakhand fioods in 20 13, Nepal Earthquake in 2015 and the Indonesian Tsunami in 2018. The hospital’s recent efforts in establishing a lev el-2 medical facility in Turkey after the earthquake in February last year also contributed to its well-dese rved recognition.

Pilot Project for Alcohol­ based Jet Fuel Launched in Pune

• Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the first pilot technology project to produce jet fuel from alcohol. The project, located in the Research and Development department of Praj Udyog Group in Pirangut Industrial Estate near Pune, aims to meet the global demand for Sustainable Biological Aviation Fuel. The Minister highlighted the substantial future scope of the biofuel production industry, noting that blending just one percent of India’s total aviation fuel with sustainable bio aviation fuel would require at least 14 crore liters of biofuel annually.

 

Telangana Gets National Skill Training Institute Focused on Women Empowerment

• Tourism Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the National Skill Training Institute in Hyderabad,
  Telangana on 21st January 2024. The institute, sprawling across 4 acres of land, is constructed at a cost of Rs. 19.90 Cr. It will offer both short term and long-term skilling courses, with a specific focus on empowering women in various sectors. During the inauguration, Shri Kishan Reddy underscored the importance of providing opportunities to wo men to enhance their decision­ making power.

INTERNATIONAL

UNGA President Calls for Urgent UNSC Reforms, Acknowledges India’s Leadership in SDGs, Climate Action

• UN General Assembly President Mr. Dennis Francis was on a five-day visit to India from 22nd to 26th January 2024 to advance India-UN ties and exchange views on India’s priorities and global challenges. Following his talks with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the UNGA President emphasised the necessity for reforms in the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the need for decisions promoting peace and security, expressing dissatisfaction with the UNSC’s performance in addressing geopolitical instabilities. He concurred with India’s view on the importance of ex pediting Sustainable Development Goals and climate action. Dr. Jaishankar assured Mr. Francis of India’s support for the Summit of the Future Process under his leadership, aiming for equitable and ambitious outcomes

Canada Announces Two­ Year Cap on International Student Permits

• Canada has implemented a two-year cap on international student permits, citing concerns about the impact of record number of newcomers on the housing crisis. The immigration ministry’s statement outlined plans to cease work permits for certain Postgraduate students. The cap is projected to lead to approximately 3.6 lakh approved study permits in 2024, representing a 35% decrease from 2023.

ECONOMY

India’s Equity Market Overtakes Hong Kong’s to Become Globally

• Fourth Largest India’s stock market has surpassed Hong Kong’s to claim the position of the fourth-largest equity market globally. The combined value of shares listed on Indian exchanges has reached an impressive 4 .33 trillion Dollars, surpassing Hong Kong’s 4.29 trillion Dollars for the first time. This achievement highlights India’s emergence as an alternative investment destination, attracting substantial capital from global investors and companies. The stable political environment and a consumption-driven economy, among the fastest-growing in major nations, have contributed to India’s appeal in the global financial landscape.

Two Coal Gasification Projects to be Set Up in West Bengal and Odisha

• The Union Cabinet has granted approval for the establishment of two coal gasification plants in West Bengal and Odisha, with an aim to achieve a target of 100 metric tons of coal gasification by the fiscal year 2028-29. The joint venture between Coal India Limited (CIL) and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) will facilitate the implementation of the Coal­ to-Synthetic Natural Gas project in the Sonepur Bazari Area of Eastern Coalfields Limited, West Bengal, with a total investment of Rs. 13,052 crores. Additionally, another collaboration between Cl L and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) will oversee the Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate project at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited in Jharsuguda district, Odisha, with an investment of Rs. 11,782 crores. The decision aligns with India’s strategic goals of fostering self-reliance and ensuring energy independence.

SPORTS

Rohan Bopanna Makes Tennis History as Oldest Men’s Doubles World #1

• 43-year-old tennis veteran Rohan Bopanna has etched his name in the record books by becoming the oldest player to achieve the No. 1 men’s doubles ranking. Partnering with Australia’s Matthew Ebden, the 43-year-old tennis ace secured a decisive victory over the Argentine pair of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in straight sets of 6-4, 7-6 during the 2024 Australian Open quarter finals. Follow­ing his historic achievement, Bopanna expressed that his success would serve as inspiration globally, especially for individuals aged 40 and above. The previous record holder for the oldest men’s doubles No. 1 was Mike Bryan, who achieved the feat at the age of 41 years and 76 days in 2019.

Man Singh Secures Gold at Asian Marathon Champion­ ships 2024 in Hong Kong

• India’s Man Singh clinched the gold medal at the Asian Marathon Championships 2024, held in Hong Kong. Singh set a new personal best record with an impressive timing of two hours, 14 minutes and 19 seconds. The 34-year-old marathon runner outpaced his competition, securing a comfortable victory over the runner-up, Huang Yongzheng of China, with a time difference of 65 seconds in the men’s event.

Weekly Current Affairs EP2: 27 January to 02 February 2024