Every year, the 13th of February is observed as World Radio Day to raise awareness among the people and the media about the importance of radio, and to encourage access to information through radio. The day was proclaimed by the member states of UNESCO in 2011 and subsequently adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day.
Theme: - Radio: A Century informing, entertaining, and educating.
AIIMS, New Delhi has signed a Collaboration Agreement with University of Liverpool for 'AIIMS Liverpool Collaborative Centre for Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer - ALHNS'. The ALHNS will build upon the pre-existing collaboration and links between the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre (LNHC), University of Liverpool and the Head and Neck Cancer Unit at AIIMS.
India's unemployment rate in urban areas for persons aged 15 years and above decreased during October-December 2023 to 6.5 percent from 7.2 percent in the year-ago period, as per government data. Considering the importance of the availability of labour force data at more frequent time intervals, the NSSO launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017.
"For male, UR (Unemployment Rate) decreased from 6.5 % in October-December 2022 to 5.8 % in Oct-Dec 2023, while for female UR decreased from 9.6 % in October-December 2022 to 8.6 % in October-December 2023," the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) quarterly bulletin stated. For male, it increased from 68.6 % to 69.8 %, for female, it increased from 20.2 %, and 22.9 %.
Labour Force Participation Rate in urban areas increased from 48.2 percent in October-December 2022 to 49.9 percent during the period under review for persons aged 15 years and above.
Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal was launched by NITI Aayog. This multi-institutional effort led by NITI Aayog utilized remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across all districts in India. Using thematic datasets, an Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) was developed for national level prioritization.
The report provides state-wise and district-wise analysis, supporting government departments and industries for greening and restoration projects. The "Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)-Suitability Mapping" portal Bhuvan https://bhuvan-app1.nrsc.gov.in/asi_portal/ allows universal access to state and district-level data.
Gupteswar forests inside Dhondrakhol reserve forest division of Koraput division of Koraput district has been declared the fourth biodiversity heritage site (BHS) Odisha Govt. The site spread over 350 hectares of demarcated area, has famous Gupteshwar Shiva shrine. The limestone caves of Gupteshwar are home to eight species of bats out of the total 16 species.
JSW Steel will be setting up a 50:50 joint venture with Japan-based JFE Steel Corporation and will be investing Rs 5,500 to set up a plant in Karnataka, the company said. The new company will be named JSW JFE Electrical Steel Private Limited and will have its manufacturing base in Bellary, Karnataka. Production is likely to commence in FY27, the company said.
Sundaram Asset Management has appointed Anand Radhakrishnan as CEO. Anand was earlier a part of the company for eight years from 1996 to 2004. He previously served as Managing Director & CIO (Equity) at Franklin Templeton India. Incumbent MD Sunil Subramaniam will retire in June after leading the organisation for 19 years. Radhakrishnan will take over as MD i July.
Manju Sharma, who was an independent director at crisis-ridden Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (PPBL), resigned from the Board of the bank on February 1, One97 Communications confirmed on 12 Feb. PPBL is an associate company of One97 Communications, which owns the brand Paytm. Fintech major One97 Communications holds 49 % stake in PPBL.
Real estate consultant Colliers has won a project worth $10 million to construct the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Extension Hub in Ahmedabad for Infibeam Avenues. The Indian-based multinational fintech company plans to have an AI hub in GIFT City, Gujarat, and the Ahmedabad campus will be an extension of that set to be up and running in 18 months.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that in order to further sustainable development and people’s well-being, the Government is launching the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, this project, with an investment of over 75,000 crore rupees aims to light up one crore households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity every months
He said, from substantive subsidies, which will be given directly to people’s bank accounts, to heavily concessional bank loans, the Central Government will ensure that there is no cost burden on the people. The Prime Minister urged all residential consumers, especially youngsters, to strengthen the PM - Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana by applying at pmsuryaghar.gov.in
In a pathbreaking move set to revolutionize urban transportation, Dubai has inked agreements at the World Government Summit 2024 to launch the world's first air taxi service. The agreements pave the way for Dubai to pioneer the deployment of a city-wide electric aerial taxi service and vertiport network. The air-taxi network will commence its operations in 2026.
At the heart of the initiative lies the Joby Aviation S4, an innovative aircraft designed to comfortably accommodate four passengers along with a pilot. Sporting six propellers and powered by four battery packs, the S4 boasts a maximum range of 161 km and a top speed of 321 km per hour. Its Vertical take-off and landing capabilities render it ideal for urban settings.
Kalyani Steel Limited has proposed to invest Rs 26,000 crore to set up a titanium metal and aerospace components manufacturing and integrated advanced specialty steel and automotive components manufacturing complex at Gajamara in Odisha's Dhenkanal district.
The state cabinet approved a special incentive for the unit as it is going to be the first aerospace and defence manufacturing complex in Odisha. The projects, with a combined investment of over Rs 26,000 crore and employment potential of over 12,000, are set to usher in a new era of industrial growth and job creation in the state.
Digital non-banking finance company Credit Saison (CS) India said that Japan's Mizuho Bank has acquired 15 per cent stake in it for Rs 1,200 crore. This is Credit Saison's first investment from an external investor, a statement from CS India said. CS India received its (Non-banking Finance Company) NBFC licence in September 2019 from the RBI.
This strategic investment will enable CS India to continue its journey towards becoming a well-diversified, resilient lending franchise with a focus on growth and profitability, the statement added. CS India focused initial operations in wholesale lending and tech-integrated partnerships with other NBFCs and fintech's.
Digital payments company Visa on 13 February 2024 named Shruti Gupta as vice-president and head of commercial and money movement solutions (CMS) for India and South Asia. In her new role, Gupta will head Visa’s business and corporate solutions including commercial solutions, integrated money movement and Visa government solutions, the company said in a statement.
Universal Sompo General Insurance Company introduced a new eyeglasses Insurance cover to meet the growing demand for eyeglasses protection in today’s digital age. With rising disposable incomes and an increased reliance on digital devices, the necessity to protect eyeglasses has become critical.
This insurance covers both people and groups, with specific options for both employer-employee and non-employer-employee situations and a policy period of up to a year. Customers can customise coverage based on their preferences or invoice value, resulting in a cost-effective plan with unique features like differential excess and claim settlement types.
Whether the worth of your eyewear is up to Rs.50,000 or between Rs. 500 and Rs. 50,000, our premiums are designed to give inexpensive coverage. Enjoy full coverage for eyewear valued up to Rs. 10,000 for a low cost of only Rs. 100. Universal Sompo prioritises making eyewear protection necessary yet affordable, providing peace of mind at a reasonable price.
Every year the second Monday of February is observed as International Epilepsy Day, and this year it is celebrated on 13 February. The day spreads awareness and educates people about the true facts of epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research.
