Today's Current Affairs 16th February 2024

NATIONAL

Haryana Launches ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme to Boost Green Cover

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the ‘Van Mitra’ scheme and its accompanying portal.

About Haryana:

Capital: Chandigarh;

Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar;

Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya;

Formation: 1 November 1966. 

Tamil Nadu Assembly Rejects Delimitation and ‘One Nation, One Election’ Proposals

• The Tamil Nadu Assembly made a significant political statement by unanimously adopting two resolutions that challenge the Union government’s proposals on ‘One Nation, One Election’ and the post-2026 delimitation process.
• The first resolution openly criticizes the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election,’ arguing that it undermines the essence of federalism and democratic decentralization.

About Tamil Nadu:

Capital: Chennai;

Governor: R. N. Ravi;

Chief Minister: M. K. Stalin;

Flower: Gloriosa Lily;

Formation: 1 November 1956;

High Court: Madras High Court. 

India Leads the Charge at the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development

• India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, recently chaired the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development.
• The incoming Chair for the 63rd session scheduled for 2025.
• India’s chairmanship of the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development marks a significant achievement, being the first time since 1975. 

SPORTS

Ravichandran Ashwin Joins Elite 500 Test Wickets Club

• Ravichandran Ashwin has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the second Indian bowler to take 500 wickets in Test matches. 

Indian Football Hits a Seven-Year Low, Slides to 117th in FIFA Rankings

• Indian football, the national team has fallen 15 places to the 117th position in the latest FIFA rankings, registering its lowest position in the past seven years.
• This current ranking is a stark contrast to the 102nd position India held in the rankings issued on December 21, 2023.
• Current President of FIFA is Gianni Infantino;
• The Headquarters of FIFA is located in Zurich, Switzerland. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

IIT Jammu Develops Sound-Based Anti-Drone System

• Professor Karan Nathwani from IIT-Jammu has created a groundbreaking anti-drone system that relies on sound technology.
• Capable of detecting drones, aircraft, and birds within a 300-meter range.
• Nathwani’s team developed the system over six months to a year. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Nand Kishore Yadav Elected as Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker

• Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nand Kishore Yadav has been elected as the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

About Bihar:

Capital: Patna;

Formation: 22 March 1912;

CM: Nitish Kumar;

Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

National Film Awards: Indira Gandhi and Nargis Dutt Names Removed from Categories

• The National Film Awards, one of India’s most prestigious film award ceremonies, is set to see significant changes in its 70th iteration in 2022.
• Previously known as the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film, this category will now be simply referred to as the “Best Debut Film of a Director.”
• This change marks a significant departure from the tradition established in 1984.
• The Nargis Dutt Award, introduced in 1965 at the 13th National Film Awards, was named after the iconic Indian actress Nargis Dutt. 

RANKING

Serum Institute of India Tops as the Most Valuable Unlisted Firm in India

• Serum Institute of India (SII), led by Adar Poonawalla, has recently secured the prestigious title of India’s most valuable unlisted company, boasting a valuation of Rs 1.92 lakh crore, as per the esteemed Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 list.