1. Ashwini Vaishnav launches 'Digital Payments Utsav' to promote digital payments across the country
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
Electronics & Information Technology and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnav launched the 'Digital Payments Utsav' in New Delhi on 9 February.
An overview of the news
A comprehensive month-long campaign “Digital Payments Utsav" has been planned from for the promotion of Digital Payments across the country,
It will focus on G-20 Digital Economy Working Group event cities, namely Lucknow, Hyderabad, Pune and Bengaluru.
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar was the guest of honour at the event.
G-20 co-branded QR codes and a coffee table book showcasing India's journey to global leadership in digital payments and digital inclusion were released at the event.
The 'Digital Payments Utsav' will also highlight how digital payments are ensuring financial inclusion and empowering small traders, street vendors and common people of the country.
The Digital Payments Utsav will also introduce digital payments as a 'whole of government' initiative with active participation from other central ministries.
MeitY is striving to increase access to easy and convenient digital payment solutions for all citizens.
2. Earthquake devastation in Turkiye
Tags: International News
On 6 February a major earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, killing more than 15,000 people.
An overview of the news
The Indian Army has set up a field hospital in Iskenderun, Hatay province of Turkey. The field hospital will treat people affected by the earthquake.
Three earthquakes measuring 7.8, 7.6 and 6.0 on the Richter scale hit different regions of Turkey and neighbouring Syria.
The epicentre of the earthquake was 26 km east of the Turkish city of Nurdagi at a depth of about 18 km on the East Anatolian Fault.
The earthquake moved northeast, causing devastation in central Turkey and Syria.
It is the most powerful earthquake to shake the region in more than 100 years.
Reasons of Turkey’s Earthquakes
About 95% of the country's territory is sensitive to earthquakes.
Major cities of Istanbul and Izmir and the region of East Anatolia are in high risk.
About Earthquake
In simple words, earthquake refers to the vibration of the earth.
It is a natural phenomenon, in which waves are generated due to the release of energy from inside the earth which spreads in all directions and vibrates the earth.
The waves produced by an earthquake are called seismic waves, which move on the surface of the earth.
The instruments used to measure earthquakes are called seismographs.
The place below the Earth's surface where the epicenter of an earthquake is located is called the hypocenter.
The place above the surface of the earth where the seismic waves first reach is called the epicenter.
It is measured in the Richter scale.
3. 108 Buddhist Pilgrims from Republic of Korea on 43-day walking tour
Tags: International News
A 43-day walking tour of sacred Buddhist sites in India and Nepal is being organised by the Sangwol Society of the Republic of Korea from February 9 to March 23, 2023.
An overview of the news:
108 Buddhist pilgrims from the Republic of Korea will travel over 1,100 kilometres in 43 days as part of the pilgrimage on foot.
The aim of the pilgrimage is to enhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Pilgrims will pay obeisance at eight major Buddhist holy sites during the journey.
During the pilgrimage, Buddhist followers will visit the following sites:
Bodh Gaya: Here Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
Nalanda University: Nalanda University is one of the ancient universities. It was founded by the Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I.
Mahaparinirvan Temple: The Mahaparinirvan Temple, located in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, is considered one of the most sacred temples of Buddhism in the whole world. In this temple, a 6.1 metre high idol of Lord Buddha is kept in the lying posture.
It is believed to be the death place of Lord Buddha.
Rajgir: Rajgir is located in the Nalanda district of Bihar. It is a pilgrimage centre for Jains, Buddhists and Hindus.
Rambhar Stupa: Lord Buddha was cremated at this place in 483 BC. This stupa was built by the Malla king
Lumbini: Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha. It is located in Nepal.
4. India received highest ever foreign inward remittances in a single year of $89,127 million in FY 2021-22
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
During the financial year 2021-22, India received foreign inward remittance of $89,127 million which is the highest ever inward remittance received in a single year.
An overview of the news
Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chowdhary said this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on 7 February.
Data for the past five years on inward remittances
Year | Inward Remittances (US $ million) |
2017-18 | 69,129 |
2018-19 | 76,396 |
2019-20 | 83,195 |
2020-21 | 80,185 |
2021-22 | 89,127 |
Share of different countries in inward remittances, 2020-21
Source Country | Share in Total Remittances (Percent) |
United States | 23.4 |
United Arab Emirates | 18.0 |
United Kingdom | 6.8 |
Singapore | 5.7 |
Saudi Arabia | 5.1 |
5. Indore becomes the first civic body in the country to launch green bonds
Tags: National News
Indore Municipal Corporation has become the first civic body in the country to issue green bonds.
An overview of the news:
The corporation plans to raise Rs 244 crore through green bonds.
This amount will be used to set up a 60 MW solar plant at Juladh Pumping Station in Hum Samraj and Ashukhedi villages on the banks of river Narmada falling in Khargone district with an investment of about Rs 305 crore.
Indore Municipal Corporation pumps water from Juladh Pumping Station for drinking water supply in the city. For this, 25 crore rupees are spent on electricity bill every month. After the commissioning of this plant, the cost of electricity will be reduced by five to six crore rupees annually.
This bond of Indore Municipal Corporation will open between 10-14 February 2023. And later it will be listed on the National Stock Exchange.
What is Green Bond?
Green bonds are a means of obtaining debt through which funds are raised for 'green' projects, mainly related to renewable energy, clean transportation, sustainable water management, etc.
A green bond is issued by an organisation for the purpose of financing or refinancing projects that make a positive contribution to the environment and/or climate.
Green bonds were first announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the budget for the financial year 2022-23.
6. Nearly 600 sea lions die due to bird flu outbreak in Peru
Tags: International News
In Peru, about 585 sea lions and 55,000 wild birds have died in recent weeks due to the H5N1 bird flu virus.
An overview of the news
According to the Sarnap Natural Area Conservation Agency, after discovering 55,000 dead birds in eight protected coastal areas, rangers found that all of them died due to bird flu.
Along with this, 585 sea lions have also died in 7 protected marine areas.
Dead birds include pelicans, different types of gulls and penguins.
H5N1 has also been confirmed in dead sea lions in laboratory tests. After this the authorities announced the Biological Vigilance Protocol.
Peru's National Forest and Wildlife Service has urged people and their pets to avoid and stay away from sea lions and seabirds at the beach.
Avian Influenza (H5N1)
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza (AI), is a highly contagious viral disease that affects species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as domesticated birds and wild animals.
Avian influenza virus subtypes are A(H5N1), A(H7N9), A(H9N2) and A(H10N3).
Types B and C mostly infect humans and usually cause mild illness.
About Peru
Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina.
President: Dina Boluarte
Capital: Lima
Currency : Nuevo Sol
Major Mountain Ranges: Andes
Major Rivers: Amazon, Ucayali, Madre de Dios
7. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Department of Integrative Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital
Tags: National News
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya jointly inaugurated the Department of Integrated Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi on 7 February.
An overview of the news
This Department of Integrated Medicine will further the collaboration between traditional and modern systems of medicine to provide better service to the citizens.
These centers will treat patients using both Ayurveda and modern medicine.
Integrative medicine aims to harness the potential of India's rich heritage and medical knowledge, along with using modern advances in allopathy.
The government will also set up a Department of Integrated Medicine in AIIMS Delhi.
The Central Government has decided to open Integrated Medical Centers in all government medical establishments, especially all AIIMS in the country.
Integrative Medicine
Integration of AYUSH with Modern Medicine for Holistic Health is Integrative Medicine.
The Ministry of AYUSH was set up on the 9 November 2014 to revive the knowledge of traditional Indian systems of medicine.
AYUSH focuses on education and research in the fields of Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
8. Reliance introduces India's first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) truck
Tags: Science and Technology National News
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India's first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) truck was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 'India Energy Week' in Bengaluru.
An overview of the news:
The ICE in the H2-ICE stands for Internal Combustion Engine.
It is developed by Reliance Industries (RIL) in association with Ashok Leyland.
The H2-ICE truck is the first of its kind in India to be powered by hydrogen.
The truck uses hydrogen instead of conventional diesel fuel or liquefied natural gas (LNG), reducing carbon emissions to almost zero.
Hydrogen is considered the cleanest fuel. This emits only water and oxygen.
It is quieter compared to conventional diesel trucks while delivering the same performance. Its operating cost is also less.
The combustion principle in H2-ICE is as follows:
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O
Two hydrogen atoms combine with one oxygen atom to form water. The heat energy released during this reaction is used to ignite the spark plug.
The first H2-ICE was developed by Francois Isaac de Rivaz in the year 1806. It ran on a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.
9. India ranks first with 24 percent contribution to global milk production
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
India is the world's largest milk producer, contributing 24 per cent to global milk production in the year 2021-22, according to production data from the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistics Database (FAOSTAT).
An overview of the news
India's milk production has registered a growth of 51 per cent during the last eight years - 2014-15 and 2021-22 and has increased to 220 million tonnes in the year 2021-22.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying runs various schemes to benefit the economically weaker farmers in the dairy sector.
The National Program for Dairy Development aims to enhance the quality of milk and milk products and increase the share of organised procurement, processing, value addition and marketing.
National Programme for Dairy Development
It was launched in February 2014 by merging three existing schemes- Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production and Assistance to Cooperatives.
In July 2021, it was restructured with the objective of enhancing the quality of milk and milk products and increasing the share of organised procurement, processing, value addition and marketing for implementation of the program from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Government Initiatives to the Dairy sector
Rashtriya Gokul Mission - launched in December 2014 with an outlay of Rs 2025 crore for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding.
National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) - It is a flagship scheme launched in September 2019 for control of Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development - It has been approved for incentivizing investments by entrepreneurs, private companies, MSME, Farmers Producers Organizations for Dairy sector.
Indian Dairy Sector
India ranks first in milk production and contributes 24% to global milk production.
The top 5 milk-producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).
Dairy is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5% of the national economy, witnessing 6.4% in the past 5 years.
About 80 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.
10. For the first time, Indian-American woman elected as president of Harvard Law Review
Tags: Person in news International News
Apsara A Iyer, a second year student at Harvard Law School, has been elected as the President of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.
An overview of the news
Apsara A Iyer, 29, has become the first woman to be named to the post in the prestigious publication's 136-year-long history.
Iyer will replace Priscilla Coronado.
Iyer was elected the 137th president of the Harvard Law Review, which was founded in 1887 and is one of the oldest student-run legal scholarship publications.
The Law Review, operated under the Harvard Law School, is an organisation that reviews and selects articles published in the legal field.
Who Is Apsara Iyer?
She graduated from Yale in 2016 with a B A in Economics and Math, and Spanish.
She then did an MPhil at Oxford as a Clarendon Scholar because of his dedication to archeology and indigenous communities.
In 2018, Iyer joined the Manhattan District Attorney's Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) which tracks down stolen art and artifacts.
She has previously been a contributor to the Law School's Harvard Human Rights Journal and the National Security Journal.
She is also a member of the South Asian Law Students Association.
