Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 6th February 2024

 

1. CBSE urges schools to prepare for National Credit Framework roll-out 

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has urged principals of schools affiliated to the board to start contemplating the pattern for allocating credits to students for subjects, in line with the National Credit Framework (NCrF). 
• The CBSE has proposed draft guidelines open for feedback from its affiliated schools, The Hindu has learnt. 
• The board is set to notify a new set of credit framework for schools next year from Classes 9 to 12, and in anticipation of the notification, has asked its schools to start implementing a sample credit framework at least for Classes 9 and 11. As per the existing regulations, a student has to clear five subjects (two languages and three main subjects math, science and social science) to pass the class. "Nearly 1,050 hours are allotted to five compulsory subjects. In order to aid teachers to implement the credit framework, we have allotted an additional 150 hours for internal assessment of subjects like Physical Education and Health, Art Education, a skill-related subject, and a third language," a senior CBSE official Currently, a Class 9 student passing with five compulsory subjects and completing internal assessment of remaining mentioned subjects will earn at least 40 credits. "In case the student opts for a sixth or seventh subject, and passes the five compulsory subjects, extra credits totalling up to 54 can be earned," the official added.
• The CBSE proposal says while this is applicable for the current academic session, when the new curriculum according to the National Curriculum Framework kicks in for 2024-2025, students in Classes 9 and 10 will have to study 10 subjects compulsorily. 
• Additional subjects include a compulsory third language, one subject in an interdisciplinary area, physical education and health, art education, and a skill related subject. 
• Of the three languages, two will have to be native to India. 
• "Under the new NCF, importance is given to Physical Education and Art Education. Every child will learn three languages," the official said. 
• All credits collected by students will be stored in their academic bank of credit in the students' DigiLockers. The Ministry of Education is also working on systems to reconcile credits in case the student goes abroad. The idea of introducing credits right from school-level is to also reconcile it with higher education systems (consisting of undergraduation, post-graduation, and diplomas) for assessment and equivalence purposes. 
• "We are urging schools to internally start implementing the credit system according to the guidelines we are issuing so that they are better prepared to implement it officially after it is notified next year," the official further said. 

2. Odisha CM launches The Hindu Group's book on Lord Jagannat 

• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik released Shree Jagannatha, Lord Of The Universe, a coffee-table book brought out by The Hindu Group (THG) at the valedictory session of the three-day, first-ever "World Odia Language Conference" here on Monday. 
• The book, which pictorially narrates traditions and rituals associated with sibling deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra in Puri, one of the four sacred dhams for Hindus, was unveiled in the presence of Raghuvir Srinivasan, Editor of The Hindu business line, who has also edited Shree Jagannatha, Lord Of The Universe; and Sridhar Aranala, vice-president, S&D Circulation of THG Publishing Private Limited. 
• Shree Jagannatha, Lord of The Universe is a compilation of short articles encompassing various aspects of rich traditions including the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. Experts on Jagannath culture, journalists, and former bureaucrats have contributed to the book through their authoritative writings. 
• "This picture-rich coffee-table book attempts to tell the story of Shree Jagannatha worship, the temple, and its traditions. It can by no means claim to be a comprehensive account. It is but a humble effort to explain to people the uniqueness of Shree Jagannatha, literally the Lord of the Universe," said Mr. Srinivasan. 
• The sibling deities are known as living divine beings. The book's Editor's Note points out, "Like humans, the idols undergo a process of biological change and are replaced by a new set of idols periodically. Again, in a departure from tradition, the moola vigraha, or the main deity, emerges from the temple twice a year to give darshan to devotees." 
• Photographs have vividly captured events around the Shree Jagannath Temple, which was built in the 12th Century CE. 
• At the valedictory session, the Odisha CM announced that the "World Odia Language Conference" will be held at five-year intervals. He also declared extension of a museum covering evolution of Odia language and culture for public access by another three days. 

3. Bill to check cheating in govt. recruitment exams introduced 

• The Union government introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday to check malpractices and organized cheating in government recruitment exams, proposing a minimum of three years' imprisonment and a fine of up to 1 crore for persons and organizations indulging in such illegal practices. 
• The Bill was moved by Union Minister Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha on Monday. 
• The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill said that malpractices in public examinations lead to delays and cancellation of examinations adversely impacting the prospects of millions of youth. "Therefore, it is imperative that elements that exploit vulnerabilities of the examination system are identified and effectively dealt with by a comprehensive Central legislation," the statement said. 
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 mentions "leakage of question paper or answer key", "directly or indirectly assisting the candidate in any manner unauthorisedly in the public examination", and "tampering with the computer network or a computer resource or a computer system" as offenses done by a person, group of persons or institutions. 

4. 'Shared interest between India, U.S. to figure out civil nuclear cooperation’ 

• Terming the India-U.S. nuclear cooperation envisaged under the nuclear deal two decades ago as "an important piece of un- finished business", U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey R. Pyatt said on Mon- day there is a "shared interest" to figure out how the two countries can move forward, both on the large traditional reactors which were foreseen as part of the nuclear deal but also importantly the "fantastic new opportunities" that are emerging around Small and Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.
• Elaborating on the civil nuclear cooperation, Mr. Pyatt referred to the conversations he had in India, especially at the India-U.S. Forum and said he found strong interest from Indian companies, including Adani, Tata, Reliance, Birla, all of whom have expressed interest in using SMRs as part of their larger decarbonisation strategy. 
• "Now to move forward on that a couple of things have to happen. One is our companies in the U.SCompanies in India, companies elsewhere have to figure out how to scale these SMR concepts to take the designs that have been developed and get them to the stage of regulatory approval and industrial deployment. But the other thing that will have to happen in India is a revision of law to enable private companies to participate in the civil nuclear sector as private utilities do here in the U.S. So, this is going to take time, but it's a natural area of convergence," he said in response to a question from The Hindu while addressing a virtual press conference. 
• Mr. Pyatt was in India from January 26 to 31 during which he visited New Delhi and Hyderabad. 
• .Indian regulations have held up the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) for the construction of six nuclear reactors in Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh, eight years after Modi-Obama announced the nuclear deal is done, and worked a way around the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. 
• Mr. Pyatt, who is familiar with India, having served in the U.S. Embassy here, said what was driven home for him by the "really good" discussions at the India-U.S. Forum is "how much we have delivered in terms of our strategic cooperation across the broad range of U.S.-India equities." 

5. Centre moves Bill for OBC quota in J&K local bodies 

• The Union government on Monday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in panchayats and municipal bodies in Jammu and Kashmir. 
• Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai introduced the Bill on Monday. The number of seats reserved for OBCs will be decided by a commission that will be formed after the legislation is passed by Parliament. 
• Currently, there is no reservation for OBCs in panchayats and municipalities in the Union Territory. 
• The Statement of Objects and Reasons of The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 said the Bill aims to provide reservation to OBCS in the local bodies and bring consistency in the laws with the provisions of the Constitution. "With this, justice will be ensured to the citizens of Other Backward Classes of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after 75 years of Independence,” it said. 

6. Quad summit more likely after U.S. polls in November: envoy 

• Leaders of the Quad nations may not be able to meet for a summit in India before the U.S. elections, U.S. Ambas- sador Eric Garcetti said, stressing that the Quad agenda would be "more productive" by 2024-end. Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. form the Quad. 
• Mr. Garcetti, who was speaking at a discussion with envoys from Australia and Japan and former officials at the Jaipur Literature Festival over the weekend, indicated that the election schedules and campaign requirements would make it difficult for U.S. President Joseph Biden to travel to Delhi. Mr. Biden had earlier declined an invitation to attend the Republic Day parade followed by the Quad summit, with the dates proposed by New Delhi for January 26-27. 
• "Absolutely. It will take place right after the elections," Mr. Garcetti said in response to a question from The Hindu, clarifying that he meant the U.S. elections, to be held on November 5, 2024. 
• "As exciting as 2023 was for bilateral relations, with PM Modi's state visit, President Biden's visit to India for the G-20 summit, India being the number one destination for U.S. Cabinet members, and Treasury Secretary Yellen visiting the country four times, we need time to put the agenda back together... This will make the end of the year have more productive outcomes," the U.S. envoy said. 
• Mr. Garcetti said there would be some Quadrilateral discussions on technology later this month on the sidelines of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) meetings. 
• U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to lead a delegation to Delhi for talks with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, for the ICET intersessional meetings, and to address the annual Raisina Conference organized by the External Affairs Ministry and the Observer Research Foundation on February 21-23. 
• Mr. Garcetti, however, rejected the idea that the election schedule, or the possibility of Republican frontrunner and former President Donald Trump defeating Mr. Biden in the elections, would affect the India-U.S. bilateral or Quadrilateral relationship. 
• The panel, which included former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, also shed light on how the first round of Quad engagement from 2005 to 2007 had come to an end, until it was revived in 2017 by the four countries involved. 
• According to Mr. Turn-bull, it was Australia that publicly announced its decision to pull out of the Quad first in 2008, although Mr. Saran added that behind the scenes, it was the the-Bush administration that had directly asked India "not to push [the Quad] forward". 
• The accounts are at some variance with the belief that it was India, not the U.S. and Australia, that ended the Quad's earlier version. 
• During a speech in February 2023, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had said that "in 2007, one country put pressure, you can guess which one and we backed down," he said referring to pressure from China, and comparing the responses in 2007 against 2017. 
• Mr. Saran, however, described a phone call from a senior U.S. official just before the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Tokyo in 2006. 
• "Please tell your PM not to encourage Abe [the then Japanese PM] on the Quad. This is not the time we should push this forward," he said. Mr. Saran added that the official cited the Iran nuclear deal and North Korea six-party talks as reasons for the U.S's desire to not annoy Beijing in 2006. 

7. Choice of past leaders for Bharat Ratnas is in tune with politics of the present 

• The Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honor of the country, has been conferred on 50 people since 1954. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani and the late socialist leader, Karpoori Thakur, are the newest recipients. The making of national heroes is equally about the recipients as it is about its function as a stimulant of a collective consciousness. It is often the collective that needs heroes to hold itself together. By placing leaders on a higher pedestal, the group seeks to reinforce ideals represented by them. Mr. Advani has been a defining figure of modern Indian history. As he reminisced, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at the age of 14. His role in the advancement of the Hindutva ideology has been the biggest by any single leader before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has been a mentor to Mr. Modi, with his campaign for a temple in Ayodhya definitively changing the course of Indian politics. The campaign pushed the limits of constitutional order, based on the claim that matters of faith cannot be subject to litigation. As it happens with an extraordinary assertion of popular sovereignty, the Ram Janmabhoomi movement changed the country at several levels; the Supreme Court of India, by 2019, unanimously ruled in favor of the temple that was inaugurated by Mr. Modi on January 22. Thakur was a central figure in the social justice politics, a euphemism for the demand for better representation of intermediate castes of Bihar and the larger Hindi belt, who challenged the Congress's hegemony. He served two terms as the Chief Minister of Bihar in the 1970s. Social justice politics went through phases of self discovery, and scattered into numerous parties over the years. One strand is closely aligned with the BJP. There are social justice groups that are still opposed to it, but the BJP owes its current strength considerably to intermediate castes. That ongoing process is being reinforced by honoring Thakur. In 2015, A.B. Vajpayee, the first Prime Minister from the BJP, and Madan Mohan Malaviya, the founder of the Banaras Hindu University, were conferred the Bharat Ratna. In 2019, Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika, and Nanaji Deshmukh were recipients. All these selections are in tune with the politics of the present and how the history of the Bharat Ratna has always been. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founder M.G. Ramachandran and B.R. Ambedkar was also conferred the award in the hope that their followers would, in turn, back the party or alliance ruling at the Centre. Mr. Advani and Thakur represent the two legs of BJP politics, namely Hindu consolidation and higher representation for intermediate castes in all fields. 

8. Kerala budget focuses on private investment in key tourism infrastructure sectors 

• The Kerala budget for the 2024-25 fiscal presented by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Monday sought to mop up additional resources and draw private investment in key sectors, even as it proposed Chinese-model special development zones (SDZ) for tapping the potential of the Vizhinjam seaport project and a new 'assured' pension system for government employees. 
• While focussing on judicious public spending, Mr. Balagopal has sought to attract private investment to the tune of 3 lakh crore within the next three years in sectors such as infrastructure and tourism to enliven the economy. 
• Mr. Balagopal, who later described the budget as a "platform for a forward leap for Kerala", has sought to raise 1,067 crore in additional resources through a slew of rate revisions, including that of electricity duty, judicial court fees and other levies. 
• The Finance Minister started off his two-and-a-half-hour speech in the Assembly saying that Kerala "is on the cusp of becoming a sunrise economy". But he also mentioned a 'Plan B' to keep the State economy and development programmes afloat if the Union government's "neglect towards Kerala" persisted. The budget left the present 1,600 monthly social security pensions untouched. 
• The government has also decided to raise the support price of rubber by 10 to 180.
• As part of raising additional resources, the government has decided to permit sand extraction from selected rivers, which is expected to bring in ₹200 crore. 
• In a bid to boost higher education, the government will explore opportunities for establishing campuses of foreign universities and private universities in Kerala, the budget said. 
• The government expects the growth trend in tax revenues to continue in 2024- 25. Reacting to the budget proposals, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan slammed Mr. Balagopal for making several "unrealistic announcements". 

9. White Paper on economy this session 

• The White Paper on the economy's mismanagement prior to 2014 and the transition since then, promised by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the interim Budget, is expected to be tabled in this session of Parliament, Finance Secretary Somanathan said. T.V. 
• Deliberations are on and they had already consulted States and Central government staff associations, he said. 

10. First metro service to join Chennai Metro ONDC 

• Chennai Metro has become the country's first metro service to be available on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). An initiative by the Department of Industry and Internal Trade Promotion (DPIIT), Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has introduced ticketing services for passengers traveling on Chennai Metro Rail Limited in the city. 
• According to a release, after Chennai, there is a possibility of joining the network of Kochi Metro, Kanpur Metro, Pune Metro and other metro services, making urban transit more accessible and efficient for millions of passengers. 
• Customers can easily buy single travel and return travel tickets for Chennai Metro through buyer apps such as Rapido, Namma Passenger and Redbus on ONDC networks. Additionally, Google Maps and PhonePe will also soon be able to offer these services by increasing the convenience and choice of customers. 
• The ONDC Buyer Apps will be able to offer metro ticketing for any metro that is lived on ONDC network immediately. The release stated that the overall ticketing experience on the ONDC network was enabled by CMRL to partner with Yari, which was the first sellerparty technology partner of the metros live on the ONDC network. 
• This initiative not only simplifies the process of buying tickets but also paves the way for overall, multimodal transport experience. With metro and other transport means available on ONDC networks, users can enjoy a spontaneous journey by mixing various methods of transportation such as First Mile (Auto), Middle Mile (Metro) and Last Mile (Auto). 

11. 'Bapu Tower' dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the first copper of the country's first copper, was established in Patna

•  Bapu Tower, the first largest copper of the country dedicated to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, has been ready in Patna, Bihar. For this, the Building Construction Department and Construction Agency are finalizing preparations. 
• Bapu Tower is located in Girdnibagh, Patna. The height of this tower is 120 feet. This is a 6 - storey tower. In Bapu Tower, tourists will get parking facilities for 50 four wheelers and 150 two - wheelers inside the campus. 
• Where tourists will be shown biography of Bapu through the Turnateable Theater Show on the ground floor, after which tourists will be able to see the history of Bapu while walking in circular and rectangular buildings. 
• An exhibition related to the history of Gandhiji and Bihar is being organized in this tower at a cost of about Rs 45 crore. A layer of 42 thousand kg of copper has been placed in the outer wall of the circular building. The copper on the wall is turning into a rainbow color due to the reaction of oxygen and nitrogen. This has increased the beauty of the building.
• The construction of Bapu Tower was started on 02 October 2018. It has cost Rs 129 crore to build Bapu Tower. The sculptures and artifacts displayed at the exhibition gallery of Bapu Tower have been constructed in a factory in Ahmedabad. The total area of the plot on which this tower is built is seven acres and the total constructed area is 10503 square meters. 

12.Bihar State Disaster Management Authority launched 'NITISH Device' 

• The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority has launched the device of Nitish (Nitish - Novel Initiative Technological Intervention for Safety of Humanlives), which is an innovative locket/pendant -income technology, an innovative locket/pendant -income technology, who is an innovative locket/pendant -income technology to provide timely alerts to farmers and public. 
• This technique targets especially lightning, flood, summer wave and cold wave. The initiative was started keeping in mind the deaths of the farmers caused by celestial lightning and flash floods, which caused the deaths of farmers, which emphasized the role of the device in saving life. 
• The Nitish device has been presented in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Patna. This device is affiliated to the Bihar Meteorological Service Center, which ensures real - time/real time and accurate meteorological alerts. 
• The Nitish device will give alert to its users half an hour before celestial lightning or flooding. This pendant will be charged with the heat of the body. 
• This device will issue an alert in three ways: it will first send the sound message; After that its color will turn green to red; And in the end this device will continue to heat up until its user stops it. 
• Keeping in mind the challenges faced by the farmers, this device has been made waterproof, so that it can function smoothly in various weather conditions. 

13.Israeli Researchers Uncover Underwater Canyon Near Cyprus 

• The Geological Institute of Israel has recently made a groundbreaking discovery near Cyprus, uncovering an underwater canyon of unprecedented proportions. 
• Named Eratosthenes after the nearby underwater mountain, this canyon sheds new light on the geological history of the Mediterranean region. 
• Eratosthenes Canyon is a relic of the past, dating back approximately 5.5 million years to the Messinian Event. Stretching across approximately 10 kilometers in width and plunging to depths of 500 meters, Eratosthenes Canyon’s sheer magnitude is awe-inspiring. 

14.Bharat Rang Mahotsav, India’s Biggest Theatre Festival, Kicks Off In Gujarat 

• The prestigious Bharat Rang Mahotsav, India’s foremost theatre festival, inaugurated its festivities in the culturally vibrant Kachchh district of Gujarat, heralding the onset of a lively homage to the performing arts. 
• The festival kicked off in grand style with a mesmerizing rendition of ‘Uttararamacharitam,’ a classic masterpiece by Bhavabhuti, directed by Dr. Chavan Pramod R. from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. This stirring play, presented in Gujarati, showcased the remarkable talent of NSD students. 
• As Bharat Rang Mahotsav enters its 25th year, it stands as a testament to the diverse theatrical voices that enrich India’s cultural landscape. From Mumbai to Srinagar, the festival brings together artists from across the nation, offering a kaleidoscope of performances. 

15.Uttarakhand CM Launches “Dhami Against Drugs Campaign” 

• Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the “Dhami against drugs campaign,” a pivotal initiative spearheaded by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Metropolitan Dehradun. 
• This campaign, running from February 5 to February 10, marks a significant step in the state government’s resolution to eradicate drug abuse and cultivate a healthier, drug-free society by the year 2025. 
• The “Dhami against drugs campaign” is more than a slogan; it’s a call to action for the entire community. The campaign aims to engage various stakeholders, including students, educational institutions, and civil society, to foster a collective resistance against the drug menace. 

16.Jammu And Kashmir Gets $14 Billion From Interim Budget 

• India has taken a significant step towards the economic development of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by announcing an interim Budget of $14 billion for fiscal year 2024-25. 
• This financial commitment is noteworthy, as it is approximately 4.5 times greater than the total amount Pakistan is seeking from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its ongoing economic challenges. 
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the interim budget on a symbolic day, as Pakistan observed “Kashmir Solidarity Day.” The timing of the announcement not only reflects India’s resolve to prioritize the economic upliftment of Jammu and Kashmir but also serves as a message of commitment to its integral territories. 

17.Safer Internet Day 2024 

• Safer Internet Day, celebrated on 6th February each year, serves as a global call to action for individuals, families, and communities to unite in making the digital world a safer and more secure environment for all. 
• The theme for Safer Internet Day 2024, “Inspiring Change. Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online,” reflects a proactive approach towards fostering a positive and secure online experience 
• In an era where digital interaction is a fundamental aspect of daily life, Safer Internet Day underscores the critical need for awareness and education on internet safety. 
• It serves as a reminder to evaluate our digital habits, implement robust security measures, and advocate for a respectful and inclusive online community. 

18. PM Narendra Modi To Address World Government Summit In Dubai 

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the prestigious World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai on February 14. 
• This marks his second invitation to the WGS, with the first being in 2018. The WGS, an annual global gathering held in Dubai since 2013, convenes world leaders, policymakers, and experts to tackle pressing global issues. 
• Scheduled from February 12 to 14, the WGS is a cornerstone event in Dubai, attracting participants from across the globe. 
• On February 14, PM Modi will also inaugurate the UAE’s first traditional stone temple, the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, symbolizing inclusivity and tolerance. This gesture underscores the deepening cultural ties between India and the UAE. 

19. PT Usha Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award By SJFI And DSJA 

• Legendary sprinter and current President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha, was honoured with the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award. 
• This accolade was presented to her by the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) and Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA), recognizing her extraordinary contributions to Indian athletics. 
• PT Usha, often hailed as the “Queen of Indian track and field,” was presented with a medallion, a citation, and a memento, signifying the high esteem in which she is held for her stellar sporting career. 
• This event not only celebrated her achievements but also highlighted the legacy she has built over the years, inspiring countless athletes across the nation. 

20 .REC Secures Best Green Bond – Corporate Award At The Asset Triple A Awards 2024 

• REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC, has been honored with the prestigious Best Green Bond – Corporate Award at The Asset Triple A Awards for Sustainable Finance. 
• In April 2023, REC issued USD Green Bonds worth $750 million, marking a milestone as the first from India post its assumption of G20 Presidency. This issuance, the largest Senior Green Bond Tranche by a South or South-East Asian issuer, received widespread acclaim. 
• The Asset Triple A Awards are a renowned acknowledgment of organizations excelling in their respective industries. With a history spanning over two decades, these awards reflect unparalleled industry insight and recognize best-in-class institutions and deals. 

21. Dr. Bina Modi Named ‘Outstanding Business Woman Of The Year 2023’ 

• Dr. Bina Modi, the esteemed Chairperson of Modi Enterprises, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Outstanding Business Woman of the Year’ Award. 
• This recognition, bestowed upon her by Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India, at a distinguished conference organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), underscores her exceptional leadership and contributions to the industry. 
• As Chairperson of Modi Enterprises – KK Modi Group, Dr. Bina Modi oversees a diverse portfolio of companies, including the renowned FMCG giant, Godfrey Phillips India, and the leading agro-chemical firm, Indofil. 

22. Rajendra Prasad Gupta Appointed As Rajasthan’s New Advocate General 

• Rajasthan has welcomed Senior Advocate Rajendra Prasad Gupta as its new Advocate General, following the approval of his appointment by Governor Kalraj Mishra. 
• This appointment marks a significant transition in the state’s legal leadership, filling the vacancy left after the change of government in December. 
• Rajendra Prasad Gupta steps into the role previously held by MS Singhvi, embarking on a new chapter as the 19th Advocate General of Rajasthan. 

23.Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi Appointed Army Vice Chief 

• In a strategic move within the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed as the new Army Vice Chief, effective February 15. 
• This transition signifies a seamless succession plan as Lt Gen Dwivedi steps into the role, succeeding Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, who is set to assume command at the Northern Army Command in Udhampur 
• Lt Gen. Dwivedi boasts a distinguished career within the Indian Army, having previously served in key positions including Deputy Chief and Director General of Infantry at the Army Headquarters. 
• His operational experience in the Northern Command, particularly during the ongoing India-China military standoff, positions him well for his new role as Army Vice Chief. With expertise in command and strategic roles, Lt Gen. Dwivedi brings a wealth of experience to his appointment. 

24. Yemen Appoints Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak As New Prime Minister 

• Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, in a significant move, appointed Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as the country’s new Prime Minister. 
• This appointment comes at a critical time as Yemen faces increased tensions and security challenges. The outgoing Prime Minister, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, has been appointed as an advisor to the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, marking a notable shift in the country’s political landscape. 
• Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak has been a prominent figure in Yemeni politics. Bin Mubarak’s political career includes serving as Yemen’s ambassador to the United States and representing the country at the United Nations in 2018. 
• Known for his staunch opposition to the Houthi rebels, his appointment as Prime Minister is viewed as a strategic move by the Presidential Leadership Council. 

25. CDS Anil Chauhan Reveals AI, National Security Book In Pune 

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan made a significant announcement at the Defence Literature Festival, “Kalam and Kavach,” in Pune. 
• He unveiled a groundbreaking book titled ‘Artificial Intelligence and National Security,’ marking a pivotal moment in blending India’s rich cultural heritage with contemporary national security strategies. 
• The festival, hosted by Army Southern Command at the prestigious RSAMI Institute, Pune, showcased a remarkable fusion of tradition and innovation in the realm of national security. 
• The festival also celebrated the launch of several significant books, including ‘AI and National Security’ by Col Amit Sinha and Vijay Khare, shedding light on the intersection of artificial intelligence and national defense. Additionally, “Russia, Gaza, Taiwan… A World at War” by Ajay Singh provided insights into global geopolitics. 

26.Hon’ble Justice U.U. Lalit Joins K.R. Mangalam University As Distinguished Professor 

• K.R. Mangalam University proudly announces the appointment of the distinguished former Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice U.U. Lalit, as the Eminent Jurist and Distinguished Professor at The School of Legal Studies. 
• This appointment follows closely on the heels of the university securing the 2nd position in Haryana, according to the BW Legal World Law School Rankings 2022, affirming its commitment to delivering unparalleled legal education.
• Born on November 9, 1957, in Solapur, Maharashtra, Justice Lalit’s legal journey is a testament to his dedication and commitment to justice. 
• Following in the footsteps of his father, U.R. Lalit, Justice Lalit has made significant contributions to the legal field, specializing in criminal law and playing a pivotal role in many landmark cases throughout his career. 

27.Isha Foundation’s 242ft Adi Shiva Statue Approved Near Jewar Airport 

• The Civil Aviation Ministry has granted in-principle approval for the installation of a towering 242 feet high statue of Adiyogi Shiva near the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, western Uttar Pradesh. 
• The Isha Foundation has requested 200 acres of land from the Yamuna Authority for the establishment of the statue and associated facilities. 
• The installation of the Adiyogi Shiva statue near the Noida Airport holds the promise of not only enriching the spiritual identity of the region but also enhancing its cultural landscape. 
• As a beacon for yoga enthusiasts and spiritual seekers, it will complement existing landmarks and contribute to the harmonious coexistence of industrial and spiritual activities.