Daily Current Affairs and GK | 25 February 2022

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

1. A 64-year-old US lady becomes first woman to be cured of HIV.

• A 64-year-old lady of the United States has become the first woman & the third person to be cured of HIV.
• She was treated in 2017 with the help of stem cell transplant. It is the first time that treatment has been done by involving umbilical cord blood.
• In recent years, the ‘poke and clear’ strategy is being used to treat HIV patients. It awakens the dormant HIV-infected cells and then clears out the virus-affected cells.
• The “block and lock” strategy is also commonly used in the treatment of HIV patients. It pushes the dormant cells into a more restive, and inactive state.
• “Reduce and control” is the another strategy for treating the patients of HIV. It reduces the size of the dormant cells and help the immune system in controlling viral replication.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system and weakens body’s defense against many infections and different types of cancer.
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
  • It has emerged in the 1980s and it has so far taken 36 million lives worldwide.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

2. Financial Stability and Development Council’s 25th meeting concluded in Mumbai.

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 25th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council.
• In this council, various issues were discussed including measures required for further development of the financial sector and to achieve inclusive economic growth.
• The council also discussed issues related to currency management and took note of the activities undertaken by the FSDC Sub-Committee.
• Financial Stability and Development Council:
  • It was established in 2010.
  • It has been set up by the government in consultation with financial market regulators.
  • Its main aim is to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability and to promote financial sector development.
  • It also focuses on financial literacy and financial inclusion.

Topic: Defence

3. Ministry of Defence and BEL signed a contract for retro-modification of Battle Tanks T-90.

• For the retro-modification of Commander Sight of Battle Tanks-T-90, the Defence Ministry's Acquisition Wing signed an agreement worth 1075 crore rupees with Bharat Electronics Limited.
• 957 T-90 tanks of the Indian Army will be retro-modified as part of the agreement.
• The commander sight is an optical observation device on a tank.
• The commander sight of T-90 is equipped with an image converter (IC) tube-based night vision system.
• DRDO and BEL have developed an enhanced mid-wave thermal image (MWIR)-based sight to replace the previous IC-based sight.
• The new retro-modified Commander sight uses a thermal imager capable of detecting targets at 8 km during day and night and a laser ranger finder to accurately locate distances up to 5 km.
• Bharat Electronics Limited:
  • It is a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking. It was formed in 1954.
  • It is one of the nine PSUs under the Defence Ministry.
  • It is headquartered in Bengaluru.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Economy

4. Moody's forecasts India's growth rate to be 8.4 percent in FY23.

• Moody's Investors Service raised its growth rate prediction for the Indian economy for the financial year 2022-2023 (FY23) to 8.4% from 7.9% previously.
• According to the latest Moody's Global Macro Outlook report, higher oil prices and supply distortions will continue to "drag on growth".
• On the other hand, Fitch Ratings maintained its earlier forecast of 10.3 percent growth in FY23.
• According to Moody's, the Indian economy is expected to grow at a rate of 9.5 percent in FY22.
• The 5.5 percent GDP growth estimate for 2023 has been maintained.
• While the Economic Survey predicts that India's GDP will increase by 8% to 8.5% in 2022-23, and the Budget predicted a real-term growth of 7.6% to 8.1%.
• Moody's forecasts that the G-20 economies will collectively expand by 4.3% in 2022, down from 5.9% in 2021.

Topic: Appointments

5. IDBI Bank re-appointed Rakesh Sharma as its MD & CEO.

• The board of directors of IDBI Bank has approved Rakesh Sharma's re-appointment as managing director and chief executive officer (MD&CEO).
• He will be appointed for a three-year term.
• The reappointment of Sharma as the MD and CEO of the bank has also got the approval of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• IDBI Bank:
  • It was set up in 1964. It is headquartered in Mumbai.
  • In 2019, LIC acquired a 51 percent share in IDBI Bank.
  • Currently, the government of India and the Life Insurance Corporation of India own 94.71 percent of the bank.

Topic: Sports

6. SAAF and 56^th National Cross-Country Championship will start on March 26.

• Nagaland will host the 2^nd South Asian Athletic Federation (SAAF) cross-country championships and the 56^th National Cross-Country Athletics Championships beginning on 26^th March in Kohima.
• Participants from allied states and union territories of the country, including railways, are expected to participate in the event, which begins at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
• All of the SAAF countries have also confirmed their participation.
• The tournament will be Nagaland's first international athletics event.
• A joyful happy-running 'Hornbill' is the official mascot of the South Asian Cross-Country Championships and the 56^th National Cross Country.
• The Mascot's name is Akimji, which is a meaning of the term AMBITION derived from the Sumi dialect of the Naga tribe and represents the aspirations of the next generation of Naga youth.
• The Annual General Meeting of SAAF will also be held in Kohima.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh released Ombudsperson App for Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.

• The Minister said that Ombudsperson App is a step towards e-governance. It will help in ensuring transparency and accountability.
• The app will facilitate hassle free reporting, categorization of grievances and disposal of complaints by Ombudsperson.
• The app will also ensure tracking and timely passing of awards by Ombudsperson. It will also enable Ombudsperson in convenient uploading of quarterly and annual reports on the website.
• As per Section 30, Schedule 1 of MGNREGA, States are authorized to appoint an Ombudsperson for each district for receiving grievances, enquiring and passing awards.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA):
  • It was passed by Parliament on 23rd August 2005. It came into force on 2 February 2006.
  • In October 2009, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 was amended and its name was changed from NREGA to MGNREGA.
  • Under MGNREGA, there is a provision to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

8. Archaeological Survey of India is organizing international conference on the theme ‘Devayatanam - An odyssey of Indian temple architecture'.

• The two-day conference is being organized at Hampi, Karnataka. The conference has started from 25 February 2022.
• Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the conference. The inaugural session has been organized at Pattabhirama Temple, Hampi.
• During the conference, eminent scholars will discuss various facets of the great temples of India.
• Scholars will also discuss the various faces and styles of temple architecture such as the Nagara, Vesara, Dravida, Kaling.
• Pattabhirama Temple:
  • It is notable for its size and completeness. A hall is located in front of the main sanctum of the temple. This hall is an example of Vijayanagara style composite pillar architecture.
  • Pattabhirama temple complex is also known as Varadevi Ammana Pattana. It was built in the early 16^th century. It is dedicated to Rama (Vishnu avatar).

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

9. Ministry of Electronics and IT released “National Strategy on Additive Manufacturing”.

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship released a “National Strategy on Additive Manufacturing” on 24^th February.
• Additive Manufacturing (AM) with the help of digital processes, communication, imaging, architecture and engineering can revolutionize India’s manufacturing and industrial production landscape.
• The government will encourage Innovation and the R&D ecosystem in PPP mode. This policy will help in transforming the existing research knowledgebase for developing Additive Manufacturing grade materials, 3D printer machines, etc.
• A dedicated National Centre will act as an aggregator of knowledge and resources to accelerate technology adoption and advancement.
• “National Strategy on Additive Manufacturing” aims to achieve 5% of Global AM market share by 2025. It will create an ecosystem for creating nearly 100 new Startups.
• Additive manufacturing (AM) or additive layer manufacturing (ALM) is the industrial production name for 3D printing.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

10. World Economic Forum and National Institute of Urban Affairs inked an MoU for collaborating on ‘Sustainable Cities India program’.

• ‘Sustainable Cities India Program’ was launched to help Indian cities to meet Net Zero Goals.
• This collaboration will help cities in India and cities of the world to learn from each other.
• National Institute of Urban Affairs and World Economic Forum will decarbonize five to seven cities with the help of City Sprint process and Toolbox of Solutions.
• City Sprints will help in accelerating net zero planning and action. It will also enable cities to run pilot solutions.
• The goal of ‘Sustainable Cities India program’ is to create an enabling environment for cities to provide decarbonization solutions in the energy, transportation, and built environment sectors.
• Decarbonization can help in keeping global warming well below 2°C.
• The World Economic Forum’s Net Zero Carbon Cities’ mission aims to foster public-private collaboration for urban decarbonization, clean electrification, clean source of energy, etc.
• National Institute of Urban Affairs:
  • It is one of the most reputed national think-tank for urban planning and development in India.
  • It provides solutions for the challenges of Urbanizing India and pave way for making cities more inclusive and sustainable.
  • It was established in 1976.
  • Mr. Hitesh Vaidya is the current director of NIUA.

Topic: National News

11. Union Health Minister launched national policy on Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

• The government has launched national policy on Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship for Medical Professionals, Scientists, and Technologists.
• It will ensure multi-disciplinary collaboration and develop an innovation- led ecosystem at Medical Institutes.
• It will promote start-up culture at Medical Institutes across the country.
• It will help in converting ideas and innovations in the health sector into commercial products.
• It will encourage medical professionals/ doctors to form start-up companies.
• This policy has been formulated by DHR- ICMR in consultation with other Government Department/ Ministries/ Organisations.

Topic: Sports

12. Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre wins second LG Cup Ice Hockey Championship 2022.

• Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre defeated ITBP by 3-0 in the finals.
• It is the second consecutive title of the season for Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre.
• Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur presented the trophies to the winners of the men’s and women’s categories.

Topic: State News/ Karnataka

13. Central government declared Upper Bhadra Project as a National Project.

• A high power committee formed by the Central government has approved the proposal to declare the Upper Bhadra Project as a National Project.
• The Central government will give 12,500 crores for the implementation of this project. It will transform central Karnataka from being water- scarce to water-rich region.
• This project will bring a large tract of land of Central Karnataka under irrigation. It will also help in raising the underground water table.
• It is the first project of Karnataka to get the status of the National Project.
• Upper Bhadra Project:
  • The Upper Bhadra Project foundation stone was laid by former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in 2008.
  • This project is designed to irrigate 2.25 lakh hectares in Chitradurga, Davangere, Tumakuru, and parts of Chikkamagaluru.

Topic: Space and IT

14. Chandrayaan-2 detected solar proton events.

• A Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer of Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter has detected solar proton events.
• It also detected, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which is a powerful stream of ionized material and magnetic fields.
• Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) detected solar proton events due to an M5.5 class solar flare that has occurred on 20 January 2022.
• When the sun is active, it produces eruptions known as solar flares. It occasionally produces energetic particles (known as solar proton events or SPEs) into interplanetary space.
• Solar Proton Events are high-energy protons that disrupt space systems and increase radiation exposure in space.
• Solar flares are classified according to their strength. The smallest ones are A-class, followed by B, C, M, and X.
• Chandrayaan-2 was launched on July 22, 2019. ISRO is planning to launch Chandrayaan-3 in August 2022.