NATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi unveils 800-kg Astounding Bhagavad Gita at ISKCON temple in Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a giant Bhagavad Gita, running into 670 pages and weighing 800 kg, at the ISKCON temple in New Delhi. Dubbed the 'Astounding Bhagavad Gita', and measuring 2.8 m by 2 m, it is billed as the "largest principle sacred text ever to be printed".
- With an artistic touch of 18 exquisite paintings and an innovative elegant layout, the book has been printed in Milan, Italy, on YUPO synthetic paper so as to make it untearable and waterproof.
16th edition of BioAsia held in Hyderabad
The 16th edition of BioAsia, an annual flagship International healthcare and technology convention of the Government of Telangana, organised in partnership with the Government of India, held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).
- It was inaugurated by the Governor of Telangana E.S.L Narasimhan. The theme of the conference was ‘Life Sciences 4.0 – Disrupt the Disruption’.
Union Minister Gowda inaugurates CIPET centre in Tripura
Union Minister D V Sadananda has inaugurated a centre of the Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) in Tripura. The CIPET in Tripura would produce 1500 skilled workers per annum.
- The Union Statistics and Programme Implementation Minister was present at the inauguration function of CIPET Centre for Skilling and Technical Support (CSTS) at Bodhjungnagar.
Pradhan inaugurates Dharmapada Samvaad-Skill Saathi Youth Conclave in Odisha
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Nua Odisha, Dharmapada Samvaad-Skill Saathi Youth Conclave in Bhubaneswar. The conclave mobilised over 2 lakh candidates who were counselled across 427 locations covering all blocks and urban local bodies, across 30 districts in the state.
- The programme aims to create a mass movement around skill development in the state and inspire youth to make the most of various skill development opportunities in the country.
NID at Bhopal and Jorhat Inaugurated
The National Institute of Design has been inaugurated at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam. The Union Minister for Commerce and Industries Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the Institutions. National Design Policy 2007 had recommended setting up design institutes on the lines of NID, Ahmedabad in other parts of India to promote design programs. Hence National Institute of Design is being established Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati), Assam (Jorhat), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) and Haryana (Kurukshetra).
- NIDs will fulfil the requirement of designers in the country and expose them to employment opportunities, which will lead the country towards higher socio-economic growth.
Aviation Conclave held in New Delhi
The Ministry of Civil Aviation organised a conclave on the theme ''flying for all'' where more than 200 delegates including industry leaders and regulators deliberated on issues and opportunities in the sector. This Conclave (the Aviation Conclave 2019) is about the future of Indian aviation bringing together industry leaders, government and regulators for setting the tone and propelling us to realize our Vision-2040," Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said.
HRD Ministry launches SHREYAS to skill non-technical students
After launching schemes and initiatives to skill students in technical courses, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry in collaboration with the National Skill Ministry and Labour and employment Ministry collaboratively launched SHREYAS- Scheme for Higher Education Youth for Apprenticeship and Skills.
- The website, shreyas.ac.in, is operational and is already inviting applications from students from non-technical courses such as BA, BSc. & BCom.
WB Govt launches 'Banglar Shiksha' web portal to provide real-time data on schools
West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee inaugurated a web portal, which is set to provide real-time data on state-run and aided schools. "The portal, Banglar Shiksha (banglarshiksha.gov.in) will address many issues, including attendance of students and teachers.
- The system will enable the headmaster and class teacher to access the academic performance of a student. Parents, too, can access the information by downloading the Banglar Shiksha app.
AYUSH-WHO Working Group Meeting on Benchmarks for Training in Yoga begins
A three-day Working Group Meeting, organised jointly by the Ministry of AYUSH and WHO, to review the WHO document “Benchmarks for Training in Yoga” began in New Delhi. 16 yoga experts will review the draft document of whom, 11 are from the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Australia and Malaysia.
- The meeting will discuss the challenges in training of Yoga, review and discuss the scope and structure of the working draft document, identify the type, scope and criteria of information/data that are further required, and look at the working procedure and time frame for further development of the document.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Nayantara Sahgal launches her new Novel "The Fate Of Butterflies"
Veteran author Nayantara Sahgal unveiled her new novel "The Fate Of Butterflies" at a function attended by bibliophiles. The novel confronts the toxic dangers of "war, religious polarisation and authoritarian charisma-a dystopian future that is already upon the world".
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
PSU banks recover Rs 98,000 cr in first 3 quarters of FY19
Banking Secretary Rajeev Kumar said the PSU banks have recovered Rs 98,000 crore in the first three quarters of the current financial year. The provision coverage ratio (PCR) of the banks for bad loans have also risen to 70 per cent from 46 per cent after the asset quality review (AQR) last year. The PSU banks have recovered Rs 2.87 lakh crore since 2015.
IRCTC launches payment aggregator iPay
In a bid to promote digital transactions, the Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) launched its much awaited payment aggregator system 'IRCTC iPay'. The exclusive digital payment gateway will provide better digital experience and improved online digital payment convenience to rail passengers availing online travel-related services through the website.
- With the launch of IRCTC iPay, the passengers will not need any third-party platforms. IRCTC iPay provides payment options like credit card, debit card, unified payment interface, international card.
BSA between India and Japan provides for India to access $75 billion
The Reserve Bank of India and Bank of Japan have signed an agreement for Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) between the two countries. The BSA was negotiated between India and Japan during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tokyo last year. It provides for India to access 75 billion in US dollars while the earlier BSA provided for 50 billion dollars.
- India can access 75 billion dollars for its domestic currency, for the purpose of maintaining an appropriate level of balance of payments or short-term liquidity.
India's GDP growth projection lowered to 7% in 2018-19
India is estimated to grow at a slower pace of 7 per cent in 2018-19, down from the 7.2 per cent attained during the previous financial year. The growth in GDP during 2018-19 is estimated at 7 per cent as compared to the growth rate of 7.2 per cent in 2017-18.
- Real gross domestic product (GDP) at constant (2011-12) prices in the year 2018-19 is likely to attain a level of Rs 141 lakh crore, as against the 'First Revised Estimates of GDP' for the year 2017-18 of Rs 131.80 lakh crore,' said the Second Advance Estimates of National Income released recently.
SPORTS
Aus to host 2021 IAAF World Cross Country C'ship
Australia will host the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletics Series event for the first time in 25 years, following the decision to award the 2021 World Cross Country Championships to Bathurst in New South Wales.
- The event will be held at one of Australia's most famous sporting venues, Mount Panorama.
Deepak Singh bags gold at Makran Cup boxing
National champion Deepak Singh was the lone Indian boxer to notch up a gold, while five others claimed silver medals in the Makran Cup in Chabahar, Iran. He defeated Jaafar Naseri in the finals. Finishing second on the podium were P. Lalitha Prasad, Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Manish Kaushik, Duryodhan Singh Negi, Sanjeet and Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Satish Kumar.
APPOINTMENTS
Justice (Retd) Teji appointed chairman of Police Complaints Authority
Justice (Retd) P S Teji has been appointed as the chairman of the Police Complaints Authority set up to look into complaints against erring policemen in the city. The other three members of the authority include former bureaucrats Nutan Guha Biswas and P Kamraj and Advocate Tinu Bajwa.
- The authority shall enquire into allegations of serious misconduct against police personnel, either on its own or on a complaint received from a victim.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World NGO Day
All the individuals and human rights activists celebrated World NGO Day 2019, an international calendar day which is annually observed on February 27. World NGO Day 2019 aims to inspire people to become more active and encourage to be involved within NGOs and both the public and private sector for the betterment of society.
- On World NGO Day, individuals, social activists and enthusiasts share their knowledge and experiences. Through global meetings conducted on February 27, it aims to educate individuals worldwide on NGOs and their impact.
National Science Day
National Science Day is used to celebrate every year in India on the 28th February to provide the Respect to the Raman effect by the Indian physicist. Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. He was provided with many awards and also honored by getting Nobel Prize in the Subject of Physics in 1930.
- 2019 National Science Day Theme is “Science for the People and People for the Science.”
