• Former navy vice chief, Vice Admiral (retd.) G Ashok Kumar took over as India’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) to strengthen the country's maritime security.
• He will report directly to Mr.Ajit Doval (NSA).
• He stepped down as vice head of the navy last year.
• Mr Kumar, an alumnus of Sainik School in Amaravathi Nagar, Tamil Nadu, and the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, Pune
• He was commissioned into the navy’s executive branch in July 1982.

• The air forces of Bangladesh and the US will conduct a joint air exercise between Feb 20-25.
• The aim of the exercise is to improve interoperability with the Bangladesh air force and to support the armed forces of Bangladesh's long-term modernization efforts in order to maintain regional stability.
• Bilateral tactical airlift exercise ‘Cope South 22’ will be conducted at BAF Kurmitola Cantonment, Dhaka, and Operating Location-Alpha, Sylhet, Bangladesh.

• 12th edition of the prestigious biennial ‘Defence Expo-2022’, which is scheduled to be held from 10th to 13th March 2022 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat will see the participation of over 900 defence firms.
• Notably, 55 countries have already confirmed their participation in Asia’s largest defence exhibition.
• A 1,000-drone show by IIT Delhi’s Botlab Dynamics is expected to be one of the spotlights of the exhibition.
• This will be the second time such a show is being organised in the country.
• DefExpo was traditionally held in Delhi until 2014 after which it has seen a string of new venues --- Goa (2016), Chennai (2018) and Lucknow (2020).

• Mizoram will soon get a motor racing track, which will be the first of its kind in eastern and northeastern India.
• The proposed project worth Rs 10 crores will be constructed at Lengpui, about 31 km north of Aizawl, where the lone state’s airport is located.
• Mizoram State Sports Council (MSSC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) had inked a pact for the construction of REC Motosports Racing Tract and Sports Complex.

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced New Biotechnology Policy for the year 2022-27. This policy is aimed to achieve Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under this policy, the strategic projects and mega and large projects are eligible for special packages.
• This will attract new investment through anchor units and existing industries and create new employment opportunities in the state.
• The MSMEs with a capital investment of less than 200 crore rupees will be given maximum assistance of 40 crore rupees

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan will hold a Virtual Summit on 18th February.
• Both Leaders are expected to lay out their vision of the historic and friendly relations between the two countries, at a time when India is celebrating 75 years of its Independence as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and UAE is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its foundation.
• Prime Minister Modi also dedicated to Nation, two additional railway lines in Maharashtra this evening.

• Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC), has lifted the 15th CEC Cup Men’s Ice Hockey Championship - 2022.
• In a seesaw final, LSRC beat Indo Tibetan Border Police, ITBP by 3-2 goals.
• The tournament has been organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Leh in collaboration with Ladakh Winter Sports Club, Leh.

• IndusInd Bank has been empaneled by the SFAC to facilitate digital collection and settlement services on e-NAM portal. 
• Under this arrangement, the bank will offer an array of transaction services through digital modes including multi-net banking , debit card, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS and UPI to the buyer and seller.
• As of January 2022, there are over 1.7 crore farmers and more than 1.8 lakh traders who are registered on eNAM and have benefitted from the digital marketplace.

• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off the ‘Most Awaited’ Water Taxi for citizens of Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Water Taxi services will commence from the Domestic Cruise Terminal (DCT) and will also connect nearby locations at Nerul, Belapur, Elephanta island and JNPT. The service promises a comfortable, stress-free journey, is time-saving and promotes eco-friendly transport.”
• The Ministry also informed that the newly constructed Belapur jetty, built at a cost of Rs. 8.37 crore was funded in the 50-50 model under the Sagarmala scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. “The new jetty will enable movement of vessels to locations like Bhaucha Dhakka, Mandwa, Elephanta and Karanja.

• The former India footballer Surajit Sengupta (71-years) passed away due to COVID-19 complications in Kolkata.
• Sengupta had been associated with Kolkata’s three big clubs, Mohun Bagan (1972-1973, 1981-1983), East Bengal (1974- 1979) and Mohammedan Sporting (1980).
• He represented the national team from 1973 to 1979 and was in the national team for the 1978 Asian Games.

Download Daily GK PDF of 18 February 2022