3rd February, 2024 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
India Launches UPI Payments at Eiffel Tower in Paris

India has officially introduced the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, marking a significant step towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalizing UPI.
This initiative follows the digital payments sector agreement signed between India and France in July of the previous year, making France the first European country to adopt India’s UPI for retail transactions.
India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has successfully launched UPI payments at the Eiffel Tower, making it the first merchant in France to offer this service. This move aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s push for a global presence of UPI.
The collaboration between India and France in the digital payments sector, initiated in July, allows the use of India’s UPI for retail payments in France. This groundbreaking agreement positions France as the pioneer in embracing UPI on the European continent.

INTERNATIONAL
Exercise Vayushakti-2024 to be inaugurated

The Indian Air Force will be conducting Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 on 17 February 2024 at the Pokhran Air to Ground Range, near Jaisalmer.
The last edition of exercise Vayu Shakti was held on 16 February 2019. As always, Ex Vayu Shakti will be a riveting demonstration of the offensive and defensive capabilities of the IAF, spanning across day and night. The exercise will also showcase joint operations with the Indian Army.
This year, the exercise will see participation by 121 aircraft, including the indigenous Tejas, Prachand and Dhruv. Other participating aircraft would include the Rafale, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Jaguar, Hawk, C-130J, Chinook, Apache and Mi-17.
Indigenous Surface to Air Weapon systems Akash and Samar will demonstrate their capability to track and shoot down an intruding aircraft. Exercise Vayu Shakti will be a demonstration of the IAF's capability to deliver weapons with long range, precision capability as well as conventional weapon accurately, on time and with devastating effect, while operating from multiple air bases.
Special operations by the IAF transport and helicopter fleets, involving the Garuds and Indian Army elements will also be on display.

Also Read: Awards: Weekly Current Affairs Bitbank (January 8 to 14, 2024): Which cities shared the cleanest city title at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023?

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ECONOMY
Gender Budget increases by 38.6% in FY 2024-25

As highlighted in the Interim Budget 2024-25 presented in Parliament yesterday i.e.February 1,2024 , Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi firmly believes that we need to focus on four major castes i.e.‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth) and ‘Annadata’(Farmer). Their needs, their aspirations, and their welfare are the Government 's highest priority.
In the FY 2024-25, the Gender Budget has increased by 38.6% .
The highlights may be seen as below:-
43 Ministries/Departments/UTs have reported a total of Rs. 3.09 lakh crore in the Gender Budget Statement 2024-25 (Budget Estimates), as compared to Rs. 2.23 lakh crore in 2023-24.
38 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs reported in either Part A or Part B
22 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs reported in Part A (100% women specific schemes)
31 Ministries/Departments and 4 UTs reported in Part B (30-99% budgetary allocation for women)
The quantum of Gender Budget reported in GBS 2024-25 is 38.6% more than budget estimates of 2023-24.
The share of Gender Budget in the total Union Budget increased to 6.5% in 2024-25 from 5% in 2023-24.

ENVIRONMENT
World Wetlands Day 2024 celebrated at Sirpur lake, a Ramsar site in Indore

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in collaboration with Government of Madhya Pradesh, organised a national event at Sirpur Lake, Indore through Indore Municipal Corporation and Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation (EPCO), Government of Madhya Pradesh to celebrate World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2024.
The theme of WWD-2024 is ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ which underscores the critical role wetlands play in enhancing our lives.
It highlights how wetlands contribute to flood protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, all of which are essential for human health and prosperity.

SPORTS
Abhinav Bindra selected as torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics

The ancient tradition of the Olympic Torch Relay continues its journey towards Paris 2024, with the flame set to cross the Mediterranean and embark on a 68-day adventure across France. Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist and an IOC Athletes’ Commission member, is among the 11,000 torchbearers chosen to carry the iconic symbol.
Abhinav Bindra, a shooting legend and the first Indian athlete to win an individual Olympic gold medal, has been selected as one of the torchbearers. His inclusion reflects the unifying power of the Olympics and the celebration of sporting excellence on a global stage.

Published date : 09 Feb 2024 04:16PM