Daily Current Affairs and GK | 20 and 21 February 2022

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. A new lizard species is found in a military cantonment of Meghalaya.

• A new lizard species has been discovered by a team of Umroi Military station in Meghalaya.
• It has been named in the honour of Indian army. Its scientific name is Cyrtodactylus exercitus and its English name is ‘Indian army’s bent-toed gecko’.
• Cyrtodactylus genus is represented by 320 species across the world and is the third most speciose vertebrate genus in the world.
• Members of Cyrtodactylus genus are found in the regions of South Asia to Melanesia.
• Researchers have also discovered another species of bent-toed gecko from the Siaha district in Mizoram. It has been named after the name of the district.
• North East India is home to 16 species of bent-toed gecko.

Topic: Appointments

2. Chetan Ghate appointed as new director of IEG.

• Chetan Ghate has been appointed as new director of Institute of Economic Growth (IEG).
• He will succeed Ajit Mishra. He was member of RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2016 to 2020.
• He is the winner of 2014 Mahalanobis Memorial gold medal for the best research economist in India within the age of 45 years.
• He is a member of Advisory Committee of National Accounts System (ACNAS) in Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Institute of Economic Growth:
  • It was founded in 1952 by the eminent economist V.K.R.V. Rao.
  • IEG is an autonomous, multidisciplinary center for advanced research and training.
  • Tarun Das is its Chairman and Prof. Chetan Ghate is its Director. N.K. Singh is its President.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. Central government to launch ‘Meri Policy, Mere Haath’ drive.

• Centre will launch Meri Policy Mere Haath, a doorstep distribution drive to deliver crop insurance policies to farmers.
• The aim of the drive is to make farmers aware about their policies, land records, the process of claim and grievance redressal under PMFBY.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana (PMFBY):
  • Its aim is to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage due to natural calamities.
  • PM Modi had launched operational guidelines of PMFBY on February 18, 2016 at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Its implementation started from Kharif season 2016. PMFBY has entered in 7^th year of implementation from 2022 Kharif season.
  • Under the scheme, farmers can report crop loss within 72 hours of the occurrence of any event through Crop Insurance App, CSC Centre or the nearest agriculture officer.
  • The scheme allows farmer to resolve grievances through IEC activities such as Crop Insurance Week.
  • Around 85% of the farmers enrolled with PMFBY are small (having 1-2 hectare land) and marginal farmers (having land below 1 hectare).

Topic: Personality in news

4. Journalist Ravish Tiwari passed away.

• Indian Express national bureau chief Ravish Tiwari has passed away recently.
• He was national political editor of The Indian Express. He was working as the Chief of National Bureau of The Indian Express.
• He had earlier worked at India Today and The Economic Times. He was a recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

Topic: Important Days

5 Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram Statehood Day: 20 February

• Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram had celebrated their 36^th statehood day in 2022.
• Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became a full-fledged state of India on 20 February, 1987.
• Mizoram became the 23^rd state of India through the 53^rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1986.
• Arunachal Pradesh became the 24^th state of India through the 55^th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1986.
• On this occasion, the Governor conferred the ‘Arunachal Ratna’, the highest State Honour to KAA Raja.
• A month-long celebration commemorating the 50 years of Arunachal Pradesh’s conception and existence also ended on 20 February 2022.
• Arunachal Pradesh:
  • Capital of Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar
  • Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh: Pema Khandu
  • Governor of Arunachal Pradesh: B D Mishra
• Mizoram:
  • Capital of Mizoram: Aizawl
  • Governor of Mizoram: Dr. Kambhampati Haribabu
  • Chief Minister of Mizoram: Zoramthanga

Topic: Important Days

6. International Mother Language Day 2022: 21 February

• Every year on February 21, International Mother Language Day is commemorated.
• International Mother Language Day encourages multilingualism in society and attempts to preserve traditional knowledge and cultures through long-term strategies.
• The theme for International Mother Language Day 2022 is “Using Technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and Opportunities”.
• In 1999, UNESCO declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day at the 30^th UNESCO General Conference.
• The United Nations General Assembly had declared 2008 as the International Year of Languages.
• Since 2015, the Ministry of Education of India is celebrating 21 February as Matribhasha Diwas (Mother Language Day).

Topic: Appointments

7. Sanjay Malhotra nominated as a Director on the Central Board of RBI.

• Central government has nominated Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, as a Director on the Central Board of RBI.
• His nomination has become effective from 16 February, 2022 until further orders.
• He succeeded Panda, who completed his term on January 31, 2022.
• Central Board of RBI:
  • The RBI Central Board consists of 21 members, including the Governor and four deputy governors.
  • Central board of directors governs RBI’s affairs. Its function is general superintendence and direction of the RBI's affairs.
  • Government of India appoints board in keeping with the Reserve Bank of India Act.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

8. Coal India Limited wins 'India's Most Trusted Public Sector Company' award.

• Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Kolkata conferred the award to Coal India Limited in “Energy Meet &Excellence Awards function”.
• Coal India Chairman Mr. Pramod Agarwal was included in the list of "Top 40 CEOs of India". The list was released by the organization Start-up Lens in January 2022.
• Vinay Ranjan, Director (Personnel & Industrial Relations) of Coal India, was included in Forbes India's list of "India's 100 Great People Managers, 2021" in January 2022.
• Coal India Limited (CIL):
  • Coal India Limited is a coal mining and refinery company owned by the government of India.
  • It is the world's largest coal producer. It is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking.
  • It is headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. Pramod Agarwal is its Chairman and MD.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

9. The ceremony for Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2022 held in Mumbai.

• Pushpa: The Rise has been declared as Film of the Year at the ceremony for Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2022 held on 20 February in Mumbai.
• Ranveer Singh has won the award for Best Actor. Kriti Sanon won the award for Best Actress.
• Anupama has been declared as Television Series of The Year. Shershaah has been declared as Best Film.
• Manoj Bajpayee has won the award for Best Actor in Web Series. Raveena Tandon won the award for Best Actress in Web Series.
• Ken Ghosh has won the award for Best Director for State of Siege: Temple Attack.
• Other winners are given in the following list:

Topic: State News/ Kerala

10. Kerala’s first caravan park to be set up at Wagamon.

• The first caravan park of Kerala will be set up at Wagamon in the Idukki district.
• Caravan parks includes less-crowded places with natural beauty. People can experience beautiful locations of the state while traveling in the caravan.
• It has been launched under the Keravan Kerala project to boost tourism in the state. It will be implemented by the Tourism department with private partners.
• The Keravan Kerala project was launched to bring new technology and facilities to the tourism sector. Artists, artisans, and Kudumbasree Mission would also be part of this project.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

11. Government has approved continuation of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) till 2026.

• The Government has approved the scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for continuation till 31^st March 2026 or till further review.
• Under this phase, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan will reach out to remote and rural areas, aspirational districts, tier-2 cities, etc.
• This new phase has been designed to implement recommendations and aims of the New Education Policy.
• The Central government will provide support to the state government for gender inclusion, enhancing employability, and skill upgradation.
• The Central government will also provide grants for creating new model degree colleges.
• Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA):
  • It was launched in 2013.
  • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to provide funding to state government universities and colleges.
  • Its main objective is to improve the quality of state institutions and ensure reform in affiliation, academic, and examination systems.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

12. Yohan Poonawalla honoured with “Business Leader of the Year Award” at URJA Awards 2022.

• Chairman and Director of various Poonawalla Group of companies Yohan Poonawalla awarded with the “Business Leader of the Year Award” at URJA Awards 2022.
• Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis presented this award to Yohan Poonawalla for his remarkable work for society.
• The Poonawalla Group supports several Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• Along with Yohan Poonawalla, eminent personalities like Farah Khan, Kedar Jadhav, Rinku Rajguru were also awarded. It was the fifth edition of the URJA Awards.
• URJA award:
  • It is given to leaders of entertainment, sports, business, social activities, and educational sectors for their significant contribution to society.
  • It is a brainchild of Usha Kakade's Gravittus Foundation.

Topic: Sports

13. India to host 2023 International Olympic Committee session in Mumbai.

• India has won the bid to host the 2023 International Olympic Committee's (IOC) session. It will be held in Mumbai.
• It will be the second IOC session in India. India hosted the first session in 1983 in New Delhi.
• Mumbai received 99% of the votes in favour of its bid. The Session will be hosted at the new Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
• IOC Session is the general meeting of the International Olympic Committee. The IOC has a total of 101 members with voting rights and there are 45 honorary members.

Topic: Important Days

14. World Day of Social Justice: 20 February

• Every year World Day of Social Justice is observed on 20 February.
• It is observed to promote the Social Justice across the world to tackle issues related to gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, etc.
• The UN General Assembly adopted 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007 under the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic.
• The theme of 2022 World Day of Social Justice is “Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment”.
• Around 60% of the world’s population earns their livelihoods in the informal economy. Informal workers don’t have social protection or employment-related benefits.
• Formal employment is necessary for reducing poverty and inequalities and it will increase the productivity and sustainability of enterprises.
• On 10 June 2008, International Labour Organization had adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization.

Topic: Miscellaneous

15. Shahrukh Khan named as brand ambassador of online gaming platform A23.

• Online gaming platform, A23 roped Shahrukh Khan as its brand ambassador.
• He will be part of the ‘Chalo Saath Khele’ campaign.
• Other brand ambassadors in News:
  • Sportswear company Adidas announced Manika Batra as its brand ambassador.
  • Suniel Shetty has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Protein water brand Aquatein.