Daily Current Affairs and GK | 20 and 21 February 2022
Main Headlines:
- 1. A new lizard species is found in a military cantonment of Meghalaya.
- 2. Chetan Ghate appointed as new director of IEG.
- 3. Central government to launch ‘Meri Policy, Mere Haath’ drive.
- 4. Journalist Ravish Tiwari passed away.
- 5 Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram Statehood Day: 20 February
- 6. International Mother Language Day 2022: 21 February
- 7. Sanjay Malhotra nominated as a Director on the Central Board of RBI.
- 8. Coal India Limited wins 'India's Most Trusted Public Sector Company' award.
- 9. The ceremony for Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2022 held in Mumbai.
- 10. Kerala’s first caravan park to be set up at Wagamon.
- 11. Government has approved continuation of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) till 2026.
- 12. Yohan Poonawalla honoured with “Business Leader of the Year Award” at URJA Awards 2022.
- 13. India to host 2023 International Olympic Committee session in Mumbai.
- 14. World Day of Social Justice: 20 February
- 15. Shahrukh Khan named as brand ambassador of online gaming platform A23.
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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 7th 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 36th statehood day in 2022.
- Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became a full-fledged state of India on 20 February, 1987.
- Mizoram became the 23rd state of India through the 53rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1986.
- Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th state of India through the 55th 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 30th 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:
Category |
Winners |
Best Cinematographer |
Jayakrishna Gummadi for Haseena Dillruba |
Best Actor in Supporting Role |
Satish Kaushik for Kaagaz |
Best Actor in a Negative Role |
Aayush Sharma for Antim: The Final Truth |
Critics Best Actor |
Siddharth Malhotra for Shershaah |
People’s Choice Best Actor |
Abhimanyu Dassani |
Best Debut |
Ahan Shetty for Tadap |
Best Web Series |
Candy |
Best Playback Singer Male |
Vishal Mishra |
Outstanding Contribution To Film Industry |
Asha Parekh |
Best Actress in Supporting Role |
Lara Dutta for Bell Bottom |
Critics Best Film |
Sardar Udham |
Critics Best Actress |
Kiara Advani for Shershaah |
People’s Choice Best Actress |
Radhika Madan |
Best International Feature Film |
Another Round |
Best Short Film |
Pauli |
Best Playback Singer Female |
Kanika Kapoor |
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 31st 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.
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