1 Shri Modi inaugurates Boch Sanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Temple in Abu Dhabi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi , Bochsanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Temple . This was a historic moment for the Indian community in the Middle East. After the inauguration, the Prime Minister along with saints worshiped the deities at the temple. They participated in traditional prayers and rituals. This is the largest temple in this area. The temple stands as a symbol of religious freedom and deep ties between India and the UAE. It will be opened to the public on the first of next month. This significant achievement would not have been possible without the generous land donation by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the joint efforts of Indian and UAE officials. Spread over 27 acres, this grand temple, 108 feet high and made of pink sandstone, symbolizes the spirit of inclusion. The path leading to the temple is decorated with trees imported from the Czech Republic. Along this path, three water bodies have been carefully crafted, symbolically representing the sacred rivers of ancient India – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Dubai laid the foundation stone of Bharat Mart in Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dubai Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai , laid the foundation stone of Bharat Mart . ‘Bharat Mart’, a hybrid marketplace for Indian businesses. During the event, the two leaders emphasized the potential of ‘Bharat Mart’ to promote bilateral trade between India and the UAE. Bharat Mart aims to provide a platform to India’s micro, small and medium enterprises to expand their access to international markets in the Gulf, West Asia, Africa and Eurasia. Prime Minister Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai. In this, increasing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, space, education and cultural fields was discussed. Prime Minister Modi also invited Sheikh Mohammed to visit India.
UAE launches Falcon Foundation to promote AI
The United Arab Emirates has launched the Falcon Foundation to promote open source artificial intelligence . this one is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting generative AI models . The $300 million initiative , led by Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, aims to democratize the development of artificial intelligence and accelerate technological progress. Falcon Foundation will promote TII’s domestic artificial intelligence model, build an open mechanism to ensure the contribution and benefit of stakeholders, including academicians, industrialists, etc. The Falcon Foundation was launched at the World Government Summit, 2024 . This is an important step in the collaboration of stakeholders to establish a transparent governance model and encourage the exchange of knowledge as artificial intelligence continues to evolve.
4 Defense Ministry signs contract worth Rs 2269.54 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited for the purpose of purchasing 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems for the Indian Navy
Defense Ministry on 13 February 2024 in New Delhi has signed a contract under the Procurement (Indian-IDDM) category with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) of Hyderabad . Under this deal, 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems along with associated equipment/accessories are being procured for the Indian Navy. The total cost of this contract is Rs 2269.54 crore. In the modern era, the power combat system used for national security in the battlefield through electronic means has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. Shakti Electronic Warfare System is capable of intercepting electronic emissions with precision and conducting adversary activities in dense electromagnetic environment. Shakti electronic warfare system will be deployed on warships of the Indian Navy.
5 Swayam and Khushi Scheme of Odisha Government
The Odisha government has recently announced a one-time cash assistance of Rs 1,000 for livelihood for families covered under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state . The State Government has launched a new scheme called ‘ SWAYAM ‘ to provide interest free bank loan of Rs 1 lakh to rural unemployed youth in the age group of 18-35 years (18-40 for special category) to start new business ventures. Is of. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) was launched in April, 2015 to provide loans up to Rs 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-agricultural small/micro enterprises at the national level. The State Government has expanded the existing Khushi Scheme to distribute Belted Sanitary Napkins for institutional deliveries and medical termination of pregnancy in Government Health Centers and now called it Khushi + now named . Its objective is to improve menstrual hygiene awareness and reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the state. According to the National Family Health Survey 5, the rate of women using hygienic menstrual protection in Odisha is high, higher than the national average, at 81.5%.
6 NITI Aayog launches Agroforestry Portal and Report
NITI Aayog has recently launched the ‘ Greening and Restoration of Barren Lands with Agroforestry ‘ (GROW) report and portal. NITI Aayog’s GROW initiative uses remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across districts in India . It aims to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land and create additional carbon sinks by 2030. . Agroforestry is a land use system that integrates trees and shrubs on agricultural land to increase productivity, profitability, diversity, and ecosystem stability. It is practiced in both irrigated and rain-fed situations to produce food, fuel, wood etc. Agroforestry has the potential to provide economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits through carbon storage, biodiversity conservation and soil and water conservation.
7 Voting took place in Indonesia for the world’s largest election in one day
Voting took place in Indonesia for the world’s largest election in one day . Votes have been cast for the elections of President, Vice-President and Parliament. Meanwhile, according to unofficial figures, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto is likely to be elected President.
8 Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh launches pilot project ‘Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards Digitization of Gram Panchayat’ to expand PM-Vani service in Gram Panchayats of Begusarai district of Bihar
Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated a historic initiative ‘ Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards Digitization of Gram Panchayat ‘ at Papaur Gram Panchayat of Barauni Block of Begusarai District . This initiative marks a significant leap towards digital empowerment in rural India . This pilot project named ‘Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards digitalization of Gram Panchayat’ in Bihar launched with the aim of expanding PM-Vani (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) service to all Gram Panchayats in Begusarai district of . . Begusarai has now become the first district in Bihar to equip all gram panchayats with Wi-Fi services under the PM-Vani scheme.
9 Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur handed over the Chess Olympiad torch to Budapest
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur handed over the Chess Olympiad torch to Budapest, Hungary, the official host of the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad in New Delhi . The handoff ceremony took place at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium , where Shri Thakur met the President of FIDE and Indian Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand before handing over the Olympiad torch to Budapest. , FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Hungarian Grand Master Judit Polgar before handing over the Olympiad torch to the President of FIDE and Budapest. Also played the game. The 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad was held in Chennai in 2022. At that time there were more than 2500 players and more than 7000 participants in this global event. The next edition of the FIDE Chess Olympiad will now take place in Budapest, Hungary this year, as was officially announced earlier this year. The first Chess Olympiad torch relay was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at a ceremony on June 19, 2022, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi.
10 India’s oldest test cricketer, 95-year-old Dattajirao Gaekwad passes away
Former Indian Test captain Dattajirao Gaekwad, who held the record of being the oldest living Test cricketer in the country , passed away recently. Dattajirao Gaekwad was 95 years old. Gaikwad died due to age related ailments. BCCI has paid tribute to Gaikwad. Dattajirao Gaekwad played 11 matches for India in his 9-year Test career, captaining four of them. Dattajirao Gaekwad, who made his debut against England in 1952, got the title of India’s oldest living Test cricketer after the death of Deepak Shodhan in 2016. Deepak Shohadhan died at the age of 87.
