Today's Current Affairs 23rd February 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Trilateral Exercise ‘Dosti-16’ Kicks Off In Maldives

• Indian and Sri Lankan coast guard ships joined the Dosti 16 exercise held in the Maldives from February 22-25.
• This year marked a significant development with Bangladesh participating as an observer.
• Dosti exercises began in 1991 between India and Maldives. 

Sri Lanka to Host Geeta Mahotsav’s 5th edition From March 1

• The International Gita Mahotsav (IGM), a celebration deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural heritage of India, is set to embark on a new journey as it finds its foreign soil in Sri Lanka.
• Scheduled from March 1 to 3, the fifth edition of the IGM promises to be a grand affair.

 NATIONAL

Bhopal Athletes Conquer the World’s Highest Frozen Lake Marathon

• Bhagwan Singh and Mahesh Khurana from Bhopal have completed the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon 2024, held in Leh-Ladakh.
• This marathon is celebrated as the ‘World’s Highest Frozen Lake Marathon.’ The event unfolded on February 20. 

Logo for 7th North East Youth Festival 2024 Unveiled

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has officially unveiled the logo for the highly anticipated 7th North East Youth Festival 2024.
• Scheduled to take place in Tripura from February 26 to 29, this four-day cultural gala promises to be a spectacular convergence of youth, art, and tradition.
• The festival is set to bring together youth representatives from across the eight states in the North Eastern region, including participants from the National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS). 

Inauguration of Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana: Empowering PM SVANidhi Beneficiaries

• Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana in Sambalpur, Odisha. 

AYUSH and Tribal Affairs Ministries Launch Joint Initiative for Tribal Student Health

• The Ministry of AYUSH and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs have unveiled a collaborative effort aimed at improving the public health of tribal students.
• Union Minister for AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal and Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda jointly declared the initiative. 

OBITUARY

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi Passes Away at 86

• Former Lok Sabha Speaker and ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister, Manohar Joshi, passed away at the age of 86.
• Joshi was the first from the party to hold the top post in Maharashtra, serving as Chief Minister from 1995 to 1999. His tenure as Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004.

 APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Appointment of Salil Parekh to the USISPF Board of Directors

• The deepening ties between the technology sectors of India and the United States, Salil Parekh, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF).

 AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 Announced, Check Complete Winners List

• The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2024 took place in Mumbai.
• The Indian film industry, these awardees were recognized at the 70th edition of DPIFF.
• Best Actor- Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan)
• Best Actress- Rani Mukerji(Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
• Best Film- Jawan
• Outstanding Contribution to the Film Industry: Moushumi Chatterjee
• Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry: KJ Yesudas 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

ADB Funds $23 Million for Fintech Advancement in Gujarat

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a USD 23 million loan aimed at bolstering fintech education, research, and innovation within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in India.
• ADB, founded in 1966.