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Current Affairs 07 March 2024
1.India’s First Underwater Metro to Be Opened in Kolkata by Prime Minister
- This is the nation’s first underwater Metro. As Prime Minister
Narendra Modi threw open the underwater Metro link, connecting Kolkata and its twin, Howrah, , history was created, with the first Metro zooming along the underwater section. - The new lines (the PM inaugurated two more, apart from the under-river section) would be thrown open to all in seven to 10 days, said sources. Trains in the newly opened Esplanade-Howrah stretch will run at an interval of 12 minutes or less during rush hours. The East-West Metro, of which 2.5km is still incomplete, will be fully operational by October-end, they added.
2. The Government Launches Digital Intelligence Platform for Telecom Fraud
- The Centre launched two new digital platforms, ‘Chakshu’ and
‘Digital Intelligence Platform’, that will help citizens flag calls and text messages by fraudsters, and enable real-time coordination between law enforcement agencies, banks, financial intermediaries and other stakeholders to block numbers that are engaged in frauds, respectively. - Government has been persistently making efforts to check cyber-frauds under the Secure India project, at three levels- National, Organisational and Individual. The Minister pointed out that together with two portals- DIP and Chakshu, these tools will further appreciably enhance the capacity and ability to check any kind of cyber security threat.
3.India’s 1st Dolphin Research Centre Inaugurated in Patna
- India’s first National Dolphin Research Center (NDRC) was officially
inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. This landmark facility, built at a cost of Rs 30 crore, is situated on the banks of the Ganges River within the Patna University campus. - The NDRC’s primary objective is to aid researchers and students in understanding the behavior and ecology of freshwater dolphins, particularly the endangered Gangetic dolphin. These fascinating creatures inhabit the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of South Asia and were first documented in 1801.
4. Country’s first ready-to-serve dragon fruit juice,ready-to-eat jackfruit curry unveiled at ICAR-IIHR
- For what is touted as the first time in the country, scientists at the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) have developed a ready-to-serve (RTS) dragon fruit/kamalam fruit beverage. - It is difficult to prepare an RTS dragon fruit beverage due to the tiny seeds and the nature of its pulp, according to Pushpa Chethan Kumar, senior scientist at IIHR.
5. Ashwini Vaishnaw to launch NITI Aayog’s ‘NITI for States’ platform
- In a significant development, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will
inaugurate the ‘NITI For States’ platform by NITI Aayog in New Delhi. This platform, serving as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), is designed to bolster policy formulation and promote good governance across states. - Offers access to 7,500 best practices, 5,000 policy documents, 900+ datasets, 1,400 data profiles, and 350 NITI publications, covering various sectors and cross-cutting themes. Covers 10 sectors including agriculture, education, energy, health, livelihoods and skilling, manufacturing, MSME, tourism, urban, water resources & WASH, alongside themes of gender and climate change.
6.Govt amends rules to allow postal ballots for those aged 85 or above
- In a significant development, the Indian government, following
consultations with the Election Commission of India (ECI), has revised the minimum age criterion for senior citizens to avail the postal ballot voting facility. - The decision, which comes into effect immediately, raises the eligibility age from 80 to 85 years, marking a pivotal change in the electoral process aimed at ensuring greater convenience for the nation’s elderly population.
7. Reserve Bank of India Prohibits JM Financial from Offering Financing Secured by Shares and Debentures
- The Reserve Bank of India on barred JM Financial Products from
doing any form of financing against shares and debentures after it found 'serious deficiencies' that are detrimental to the interest of the customers, during a review of its books. - The action taken by the RBI is based on information provided by the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the market regulator, indicating that JMFPL has contravened regulatory norms.
Foot Note:
About RBI:
Governor: Shaktikanta Das
Headquarters: Mumbai
8. IN-SPACe technical centre focussed on ‘satellited & payloads’s inaugurated in Ahmedabad
- Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh
inaugurated a pioneering technical center in Ahmedabad, representing a significant advancement in India’s space sector. Established by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), this center aims to revolutionize private sector involvement in space technology development and testing. - Situated at IN-SPACe headquarters in Bopal, Ahmedabad. Primarily directed towards satellites and payloads, with additional provisions for launch vehicle simulation and mission planning. Equipped with cutting-edge resources including a Climate Simulation Test Facility, Thermal and Vacuum Environment Simulation Facility, and Space Systems Design Lab.
9. Former Life Insurance Corporation Chief MR Kumar Appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Bank of India
- Bank of India (BoI) has announced the appointment of MR Kumar,
former chairman of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), as its non-executive chairman. Alongside MR Kumar’s appointment, Bank of India also announced the appointment of Rajiv Mishra as an executive director. - Apart from serving as the chairman of LIC, he also served as a director on the boards of Kenindia Assurance, Kenya, and ACC India. He has held leadership roles such as chairmanship of the governing board of National Insurance Academy and presidency of the Insurance Institute of India.
Foot Note:
About Bank of India:
Founder: Ramnarain Ruia
Founded: 7 September 1906
Headquarters: Mumbai
10. Indian Paralympic Committee’s ban is immediately lifted by the Sports Ministry
- The Sports Ministry has revoked the suspension of the Paralympic
Committee of India (PCI) with immediate effect. The Paralympic Committee of India that the main ground for suspension is being addressed and PCI will be hosting the 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup from 6th March to 15 March 2024 at New Delhi. - The Ministry in February this year, had suspended the government recognition of PCI due to delay in holding the election after the expiry of the term of the executive committee of PCI and non-compliance with its guidelines.
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