11th February Current Affairs – Here is the important news of 11th February 2024 covering the following news headlines viz., EPFO Interest Rate, International Day of Women & Girls in Science, Fit India Movement Brand Ambassoder, and MDA Campaign.
Today’s Current Affairs for 11th February 2024
EPFO Has Increased the Interest Rate on Deposits to 8.25% from 8.25%.
- The EPFO has increased the interest rate on Employees Provident Fund (EPF) deposits to 8.25% for 2023-24, which is the highest in three years.
- The apex decision-making body of the EPFO Central Board of Trustees, took the decision on 10 February.
- Earlier, in March 2023 the EPFO had marginally increased the interest rate to 8.15% for the financial year 2022-23 from 8.10% in 2021-22.
- The EPFO had reduced the interest rate in March 2022 to a four-decade low to 8.1%.
About Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):
- EPFO is a statutory body established under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The organization works under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- It is one of the world’s largest social security organizations.
- Its primary work is to help the central board of trustees in administration of Provident Fund Scheme, Pension Scheme and Insurance scheme for the organized sector workers.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- 11th February is celebrated as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science every year.
- The theme of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024 was “Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability”.
- The day is observed to raise awareness about the involvement of women in achieving development goals.
- It is the 9th edition of the International Day of Women and Girls in science. It was started in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declaration.
- It recognizes the full and equal participation of women and girls in science, technology and innovation with equal access to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of females.
- From 1998, the UNESCO and L’Oreal Foundation organized a ceremony to honor women scientists of exceptional work around the world.
Government launched a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination.
- The Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination has been initiated by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel.
- The primary objective of the campaign is to halt disease transmission by providing free preventive medications to rural populations affected by Lymphatic Filariasis.
- Over the next two weeks, this campaign will encompass 92 districts across 11 states.
- India is dedicated to eradicating Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, which is three years ahead of the global target.
- Eleven states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, are actively participating in this campaign in India.
- Presently, there are 345 lymphatic filariasis endemic districts spread across 20 states and union territories.
- Seventy-five percent of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) districts hail from five states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana.
- Despite conducting more than 15-20 phases of the Mass Drug Administration, only 138 districts have successfully completed MDA.
Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis):
- The disease is brought about by nematode worms (roundworms) belonging to the Filariodidea family.
- Transmission occurs through mosquitoes carrying the infection, leading to both acute and chronic manifestations.
- It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and certain areas of the Caribbean and South America.
Civil servant Narendra Kumar Yadav has been designated as the brand ambassador of the Fit India Movement.
- Narendra Kumar Yadav, Additional Director GST, has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Fit India Movement.
- As one of the youngest Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers, Narendra Kumar Yadav has been selected as the brand ambassador for the Fit India Movement.
- He holds the distinction of being the first civil servant chosen to represent the Fit India Movement as its brand ambassador.
- Renowned for his dedication, passion, and steadfast commitment to public service, he has earned recognition as a prominent figure in promoting health and fitness.
FIT India Movement:
- Fit India Movement, inaugurated on August 29, 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to instill behavioral changes and promote a more physically active lifestyle.
- The primary objective of this initiative is to raise awareness about fitness through targeted campaigns and to encourage participation in traditional sports.
- Additionally, it strives to integrate fitness activities into the curriculum of every school, college, and university, fostering a culture of wellness and physical activity.