Current affairs 19 February 2024

Japan to launch world’s first wooden satellite.

• NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are set to launch the world's first wooden satellite into orbit.
• LignoSat, a coffee mug-size satellite made from magnolia wood, is set to launch into Earth's orbit by summer 2024.
• The timber satellite has been built by researchers at Kyoto University.
• It is approximately 10 centimeters in diameter and weighs around 330 grams.

Gulzar and Scholar Rambhadracharya chosen for Jnanpith Award.

• Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award.
• Gulzar is known for his works in Hindi cinema and is considered one of the finest Urdu poets of this era.
• Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader.

Chhattisgarh to Bring in Law to Stop "Illegal Conversions".

• Vishnu Deo Sai-led government is preparing to introduce legislation to stop illegal religious conversion in the state.
• Agrawal further disclosed the introduction of an anti-conversion bill titled the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill.
• The person conducting the conversion ceremony is required to submit a form at least one month before the scheduled event.

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World Bank approved the $100 million Sikkim "INSPIRES" project.

• The World Bank sanctions $100 million for the Sikkim INSPIRES project, aiming to empower 300,500 women and youth in high-growth sectors.
• The priority sectors encompass renewable energy, IT services, tourism, hospitality, wellness care, and creative design.
• It establishes an Employment and Entrepreneurship Promotion Facility.

PM Modi to lay foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in Sambhal district.
• Shri Kalki Dham is being constructed by Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust whose chairman is Acharya Pramod Krishnam.
• The prime minister will launch 14,000 projects across Uttar Pradesh worth more than Rs 10-lakh crore.