Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 24 March 2022

::National::

PM Modi inaugurates Biplobi Bharat Gallery at Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas on Wednesday, virtually inaugurated the Biplobi Bharat Gallery at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata.
He said that the gallery provides a holistic view of the events that led to Independence, highlighting the contributions of revolutionaries in the freedom struggle.
"Our past gives us direction for the present. On this day in 1931, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged. Khudiram Bose was younger than them when he was hanged on August 11, 1908," Modi said. Urging the youth of the country not to underestimate their strength and potential, the prime minister asserted that India will reach great heights as a superpower due to the hard work of today's youngsters.
He said that the country is now assessing its past glorious heritage with new insight. "We have set up Dr Ambedkar National Memorial in Delhi and Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park in Ranchi among other such structures to boost heritage tourism, he added.

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::International::

World Meteorological Day 2022 - Early Warning and Early Action

Weather, climate and water extremes are becoming more frequent and intense in many parts of the world as a result of climate change. More of us are exposed than ever before to multiple related hazards, which are themselves evolving as a result of population growth, urbanization and environmental degradation.
Forecasts of what the weather will BE are no longer enough. Impact-based forecasts that inform the public of what the weather will DO are vital to save lives and livelihoods. Yet one in three people are still not adequately covered by early warning systems.
Greater coordination between national meteorological and hydrological services, disaster management authorities and development agencies is fundamental to better prevention, preparedness and response.
COVID-19 has complicated the challenges facing society and weakened coping mechanisms. The pandemic has also highlighted that, in our inter-connected world, we need to embrace a truly multi-hazard, cross-border approach to make progress towards global goals on climate action, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
Being prepared and able to act at the right time, in the right place, can save many lives and protect the livelihoods of communities everywhere, both now and in the future.
World Meteorological Day 23 March 2022 therefore has the theme Early Warning and Early Action, and spotlights the vital importance of Hydrometeorological and Climate Information for Disaster Risk Reduction.

::Economy::

India achieves goods export target of $400 billion in a financial year for the first time

India has achieved the ambitious goods export target of $400 billion ahead of schedule for the financial year 2021-22 (till March 22, 2022). Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated farmers, weavers, MSMEs (small businesses), manufacturers and exporters for the success.
"India set an ambitious target of $400 billion of goods exports and achieves this target for the first time ever. I congratulate our farmers, weavers, MSMEs, manufacturers, exporters for this success. This is a key milestone in our Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey," the Prime Minister tweeted.
The merchandise export target of $400 billion has been achieved nine days ahead of the schedule with an average of $1 billion goods exported every day.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, "PM Narendra Modi ji's clarion call of #LocalGoesGlobal is a reality. Under your visionary leadership, India has scripted history by achieving an ambitious target of $400 Billion of goods export within a single year. Make in India lion is roaring aloud across the world."

ICICI Bank partners with IPL team Chennai Super Kings for co-branded credit card

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League is just around the corner and to celebrate the occasion, ICICI Bank has announced collaboration with four-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings with the launch of a co-branded credit card.
The credit card is called ‘Chennai Super Kings ICICI Bank Credit Card’, and has been specially designed with a range of exclusive privileges for millions of cricket fans of the the most successful team. The exclusive privileges include meet and greet sessions with select players and an opportunity to attend a practice session of the team.
Sudipta Roy, Head of Unsecured Assets, ICICI Bank, said, “The card is a result of collaboration between two institutions and we expect that the CSK fans will like it.”
The new credit card is an addition to the range of exclusive co-branded cards that the bank has previously offered. Four years ago, ICICI collaborated with the football team Manchester United as well. The bank aims to connect with sports enthusiasts around the world and offer benefits of its credit cards to the fans of iconic sports teams.

::Science and tech::

Defense Ministry approves military acquisition of Rs 8,357 crore including Air Defense Fire Control Radar and GSAT-7B satellite

The Defence Ministry on Tuesday approved the procurement of Rs 8,357 crore worth of military platforms and hardware, including air defence fire control radar and GSAT-7B satellite.
The procurement proposals were accorded "Acceptance of Necessity" at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the ministry said in a statement.
The approved proposals included "procurement of night sight (image intensifier), light vehicles GS 4X4, air defence fire control radar (light) and GSAT-7B satellite," it mentioned.
Acquisition of these equipment and systems will enhance operational preparedness of armed forces by providing better visibility, enhanced mobility, improved communication and increased capability of detecting enemy aircraft, it stated.
The grant of 'Acceptance of Necessity' clears the way for the tendering process to start.
As an impetus to "Aatmanirbhar Bharat", all of the aforementioned proposals have been approved under "Buy Indian (IDDM)" category, the ministry noted. IDDM stands for indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
All modernisation requirements of defence forces will be indigenously sourced, the ministry stated.
"In a path-breaking initiative to encourage innovation, the DAC also accorded consolidated Acceptance of Necessity for procurements amounting to Rs 380.43 crore from the iDEX startups and MSMEs," it mentioned.
Singh said on Twitter that the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity for procurement of 14 iDEX products within 30 months of contract for prototype development.

::Sports::

Australia's Ashleigh Barty, the world's number 1 ranked female tennis player, announced her retirement at the age of 25

Australia's world number one Ashleigh Barty on Tuesday announced her shock retirement from tennis aged just 25.
Barty has been the No.1-ranked WTA player for 114 consecutive weeks and counting. The outgoing Aussie is one month shy of her 26th birthday.
"It's the first time I've actually said it out loud and, yeah, it's hard to say," an emotional Barty told former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua in a video posted on her Instagram. "But I'm so happy, and I'm so ready."