1.National Affairs
PM Modi flags off India’s first double stack long haul container train
PM Narendra Modi recently flagged off India’s first double stack long haul container train from New Ateli in Haryana to New Kishanganj in Rajasthan.
The train hauled by Electric traction is to be operated in the 360-km long Rewari-Madar Section of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
Dedicated Freight Corridors reduce Logistics cost, are environmental friendly and help in faster movement of goods.
Quick Fact: The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai) to Dadri (UP).
2.Economy
RBI forms Academic Advisory Council for Supervisory College
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently formed an Academic Advisory Council under former deputy governor NS Vishwanathan for RBI Supervisory Colleges.
The council will identify areas where upskilling and building are required in supervisory colleges and advise the director of the central bank.
The Reserve Bank of India established supervisory colleges to monitor Indian banks abroad.
Quick Fact: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is headquartered in Mumbai.
3.India and the World
India and NDB signs 646 million loan agreement for road projects in AP
The New Development Bank (NDB) has signed a loan agreement worth 646 million with the Government of India for two road projects in Andhra Pradesh.
The first project is ‘Andhra Pradesh Roads and Bridges Reconstruction Project’ and second project is ‘Andhra Pradesh Mondal Connectivity & Rural Connectivity Improvement’.
The projects will improve connectivity and mobility to the socioeconomic centres, enhance transport efficiency and improve road safety.
Quick Fact: The New Development Bank (NDB) is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
4.Economy
SMCB becomes India’s first urban co-operative bank to transition to SFB
Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank, Uttar Pradesh has become the first Urban Co-operative Bank (UCB) in India to operate as a Small Finance Bank (SFB).
SMCB received the commercial banking licence from the Reserve Bank of India to transition to a Small Finance Bank (SFB).
SMCB will start its banking operations from April 2021.
Quick Fact: Suveer Kumar Gupta is the MD & CEO of Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank.
5.Defense
India and Israel successfully test MRSAM air defense system
India and Israel successfully tested a Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) defense system.
The MRSAM defense system was developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to deal with airstrikes from enemy countries.
The defense system is being used by all the three wings of Indian Army as well as by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Quick Fact: Boaz Levy is the President and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
6.Sports
Khelo India Ice Hockey Tournament begins in Chiktan, Kargil
Khelo India Ice Hockey Tournament organized in Chiktan, Kargil witnessed the participation of the women team of Chiktan in Khelo India Games for the first time.
Out of the 13 teams from different villages of Chiktan participating in the tournament, there were 11 men’s team and 2 women’s team.
The tournament was inaugurated by SDM Shakar Chiktan and the Chief Guest of the event Kacho Asgar Ali Khan.
Quick Fact: Kiren Rijiju is the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
7.Person in News
World’s oldest living first-class cricketer Alan Burgess passes away
The world’s oldest living first-class cricketer Alan Burgess breathed his last at the age of 100.
Alan appeared in 11 first-class matches for Canterbury and was a tank driver for New Zealand’s forces in England during the Second World War.
Following Alan’s demise, India’s Raghunath Chandorkar is now the oldest first-class cricketer alive.
8.National Affairs
Union Health Minister releases India report on LASI Wave-1 virtually
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has released India report on ‘Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI)’ Wave-1 on virtual platform.
LASI is a full-scale national survey of scientific investigation of health, economy and consequences of population ageing in India.
LASI is India’s first and World’s largest ever survey.
