Daily Current Affairs of 14th January 2024 in English

Introduction:

Daily Current Affairs of 14th January 2024, witnessed a series of significant events across various domains, ranging from infrastructure development to geopolitical concerns, cultural celebrations, and scientific discoveries. Here's an in-depth look at the noteworthy occurrences of the day.

Top Current Affairs and News Headlines – January 14, 2024

Defense Minister Approves Social Security Boost for Border Roads Organisation Laborers:

Great news just in! Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has given the green light to a fantastic initiative - the Group (Term) Insurance Scheme for Casual Paid Labourers working with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). These hardworking souls toiling away in hazardous conditions, dealing with inclement weather and remote areas, will now have an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh for their families or close relatives in the unfortunate event of their demise. This is a significant step towards providing social security and welfare to those who work in the interior and remote areas of our country.

And that's not all! The Defense Minister has recently approved some other welfare measures for these Casual Paid Labourers. Now, the preservation and transportation of mortal remains, along with eligibility for transportation allowance of assistant (attendant), are included. Funeral assistance has been generously increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000, and there's even an advance payment of ex-gratia amounting to Rs 50,000 as immediate assistance in case of death. It's heartening to see these steps taken for the well-being of those who work so hard for us.

Honoring Bravery: 76th Indian Army Day Celebrations in Lucknow with AI Twist:

Coming up on January 15th is a day that holds immense significance for all Indians – Indian Army Day! This day is dedicated to remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers to protect our nation and its citizens. It marks the historic moment when Lieutenant General KM Cariappa took charge as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on January 15, 1949, succeeding Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India. This year, the 76th Army Day celebration is happening in Lucknow, a departure from the usual national capital location as part of a government initiative to spread major events across the country. Here's an interesting twist – the best marching contingent for the parade will be selected using Artificial Intelligence for the first time! It's a unique and modern approach to identifying the cream of the crop in our armed forces.

Economic Boost: India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum Paves the Way for Bilateral Growth:

A significant meeting took place in New Delhi, and it's bound to impact the economic landscape! The 14th Ministerial-level meeting of the India-United States Trade Policy Forum was co-chaired by Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai. These two leaders emphasized the pivotal role the Trade Policy Forum plays in strengthening bilateral trade and enhancing the economic partnership between both nations. What's even more exciting is the agreement to establish a Joint Facilitative Mechanism to tackle non-tariff barriers and launch Joint Initiatives in critical areas like customs, trade facilitation, supply chains, and trade in high-tech products. The conversation also delved into the need for increased inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in India and discussed import management systems for specific hardware. With the bilateral trade between India and the U.S. surpassing $200 billion in 2023, it's clear that these discussions are crucial for shaping the future.

SBI's Green Initiative: Introducing the Eco-Friendly Green Rupee Term Deposit:

The State Bank of India (SBI) has just rolled out something eco-friendly – the Green Rupee Term Deposit! This new deposit scheme comes in tenors of 1,111 days, 1,777 days, and 2,222 days and is open to resident individuals, non-individuals, and NRI customers. The aim? To mobilize funds that support environment-friendly initiatives and projects. Currently available through branches, it will soon be accessible on YONO and Internet Banking services. The Reserve Bank of India's "Framework for acceptance of Green Deposits" ensures that these deposits don't get preferential interest rates but allows overdraft facilities against them. The beauty of green deposits lies in their earmarked proceeds, dedicated to green finance projects. Just a heads up, though – these deposits can only be denominated in Indian Rupees, not in foreign currency. It's a small step for individuals but a giant leap for our environment!