NATIONAL NEWS
India and Bangladesh sign MOU for training 1800 Bangladesh civil servants
India and Bangladesh inked 4 MoUs and agreements as new Bangla Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen met his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on his maiden trip abroad a little over a month after the re-election of Hasina government.
- An MoU on mid-career training of 1800 Bangladesh civil servants, MoU between AYUSH and the ministry of health of Bangladesh on cooperation in the field of medicinal plants and MoU between Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh and Central Bureau of Investigation of India were signed following India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meet.
- A MoU was also signed between Hiranandani Group and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority to facilitate investments in the Indian Economic Zone in Mongla, Bangladesh.
- Extra info.:
Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka
Currency: Taka
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Qutub Minar are now under Top 10 Revenue Generating Monuments
The top revenue-generating monuments during 2015-18 include Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma informed Parliament. Along with these monuments the others in the top 10 include Sun Temple Konark, group of monuments in Mamallapuram, Ellora caves, group of monuments in Khajuraho, and the Ajanta caves in Aurangabad.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) spent Rs 2,37,46 lakh in 2015-16 for the conservation of protected monuments, while Rs 3,11,76 lakh was spent in 2016-17 and Rs 4,10,76 lakh in 2017-2018 for the purpose.
- Extra info.:
The Archaeological Survey of India Headquarters: New Delhi
Centre announces mascot for COP-13 on conservation of migratory species
The Centre announced that the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) will be its mascot for the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN Convention on the conservation of migratory species (CMS) to be held in Gujarat next year.
- Representatives from 129 countries and eminent conservationists and international NGOs working in the field of wildlife conservation are expected to attend the COP-13, to be held in Gandhinagar from February 15-22, 2020.
Observatory set up in Tehri to monitor cloud activities
A Himalayan Cloud Observatory has been set up in Tehri district in Uttarakhand to receive forecast and monitor cloud burst incidents in the Himalayan region and help minimise the damage.
- The Observatory has been established in the SRT campus Badshahithaul and is currently in the testing period. This is the second observatory in the country to monitor cloud activities by the Indian Science and Technology Department and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur that can function in high-altitudes.
Centre allocates Rs 59 cr for Asiatic Lion conservation in Gujarat
With the aim to protect and conserve the worlds last ranging free population of Asiatic Lions, the Ministry of Environment launched a three-year Asiatic Lion Conservation Project in collaboration with the state of Gujarat. It will focus on the scientific management of the lion habitat with the involvement of communities, disease control and veterinary care for the overall conservation of Asiatic Lions.
- The project, at an estimated cost of Rs 98 crore, for which the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has allocated Rs 59 crore to Gujarat's Gir sanctuary, will span over three financial years 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
PM Modi unveils statue of Tripura's last Maharaja
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a statue of Tripura's last ruler, Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya (reigned 1923-47), at the airport which was renamed after him in July last year.
- He unveiled the 7.5-foot-high, fibre glass statue, designed and built by the faculty and students of Tripura government's Art and Craft College at a cost of Rs 5 lakh.
- It was in 1942 that the Maharaja constructed the airport, which played a crucial role in the Second World War. Widely regarded as the creator of modern Tripura, the last ruler is also credited with planning of Agartala city.
PM Modi inaugurates Sela tunnel project in Arunachal Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Sela Tunnel Project in Arunachal Pradesh. Once completed, the project would provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang and forward areas.
- Sela Tunnel Project is estimated to cost Rs. 687 crore. It is being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and is expected to be completed in the next three years. It covers a total distance of 12.04 kilometers and consists of two tunnels of 1790 and 475 meters each.
PM Modi declares 100% household electrification in Arunchal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 100 per cent electrification of all households in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that New India will grow with full potential only when East India and the North East grow rapidly. He also unveiled a series of development projects at IG Park in Itanagar. He laid the foundation stone for the construction of Greenfield Airport at Hollongi. The airport will boost the economic growth of the region and will be of strategic importance to the nation.
- He dedicated a 110 MW Pare Hydroelectric Plant to the nation and also inaugurated the upgraded Tezu airport.
PM Modi launches DD Arun Prabha channel in Itanagar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the DD ‘Arun Prabha’ Channel in Itanagar. It will be a 24x7 satellite television channel and is Doordarshan’s second channel for the north-eastern region, after DD North East.
- The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of a permanent campus of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) at Arunachal Pradesh. This is the third Film and Television Institute of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The institute will provide a boost to the talented youngsters of the North-East in film and television sector.
Arunachal's Nyishi tribe celebrates Boori Boot Yollo festival
The Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is celebrating its fortnight-long Boori Boot Yollo festival. Boori Boot Yollo is observed in the month of February every year to welcome spring and a successful harvest. Arunachal Pradesh Governor Dr BD Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu have greeted the people of the state on the occasion.
J&K govt grants Divisional Status to Ladakh region
The Jammu and Kashmir administration under Governor Satya Pal Malik approved creation of a separate division of Ladakh, comprising Kargil and Leh districts, by carving it out of Kashmir division. The state thus far had two divisions- Kashmir and Jammu, Ladakh being part of the former.
- Saugat Biswas, a 2006-batch IAS officer of J&K cadre, has been appointed the Divisional Commissioner for Ladakh. The move is likely to give rise to similar demands in some districts of Jammu region, where people are demanding separate hill councils for Pir Panjal (comprising Rajouri and Poonch districts) and Chenab Valley region (Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts).
ECI launches Voter Verification and Information Programme
The Election Commission has launched a Voter Verification and Information Programme (VVIP) for verifications of voters' names, new registrations, changes or corrections in the Voter Id Cards for the upcoming General Elections.
- The Commission has also set up Contact centres in all the districts and the Voter Helpline number is 1950. The VVIP Programme was launched during the two-day intensive Training-cum-Workshop on the use of Information and Communication Technology for General Elections in New Delhi.
- Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said technology is indeed a major game changer. A ‘PwD App’ to enable Divyangs for new registration, change in address and others details was also launched.
3-day Krishi Kumbh begins in Motihari, Bihar
In Bihar, Governor Lalji Tandon and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh jointly inaugurated thethree -day Krishi Kumbh in Motihari. The objective of Krishi Kumbh is to promote modern techniques and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income.
- Over fifteen thousand farmers from different states and about two hundred agricultural scientists are participating in the Kumbh.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
RBI increases limit on collateral-free agriculture loans to Rs 1.6 lakh
To boost liquidity in the farming sector, particularly among small and marginal farmers, the RBI announced increasing the limit on collateral-free agriculture loans to Rs 1.6 lakh from Rs 1 lakh. This will enhance coverage of small and marginal farmers in the formal credit system.
- In 2010, the collateral-free limit for crop loans and term loans was hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. It also decided to set up an internal working group to review agricultural credit and address issues such as regional disparity, and extent of coverage, among others.
Facebook acquires virtual search start-up to grow its AI
In an attempt to enable users shop better using Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, Facebook has acquired US-based virtual search start-up, GrokStyle, at an undisclosed amount.
- The basic idea is to allow users to match a piece of furniture or a light fixture in an image to visually find similar ones in stock at stores. Based in San Francisco, the start-up was founded in 2015.
SPORTS
Mirabai Chanu Wins Gold At EGAT Cup
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, Indian Weightlifter wins gold medal in the EGAT Cup in Thailand, her first event after recovering from a lower back injury that kept her away from taking part in major events in 2018. Miyake Hiromi of Japan claimed silver with 183kg while Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea’s Loa won the bronze with 179 kg.
Indian football team slips out of top 100 in latest FIFA rankings
The Indian football team slipped out of the top 100 in the latest FIFA rankings following their back to back group league defeats during the AFC Asian Cup in the UAE. Skipper Sunil Chhetri and Co. slumped six places to be ranked 103 with 1219 points in the FIFA rankings released recently.
- India had regained their place in the top-100 in March last year, after breaking the top 100 bracket for the first time in 21 years in 2017. India best ranking is the 94th place attained in February 1996.
Indian cricket team grabs 2nd spot in ICC ODI rankings
India's stellar run in Australia and New Zealand is now reaping dividends. The Indian cricket team has now grabbed the second spot in the ICC One-day International rankings in which captain Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have continued to top the charts for batsmen and bowlers.
- India have accumulated 122 points for series wins over Australia and New Zealand and are placed behind England with 126 points. In team Rankings, New Zealand have slipped behind South Africa to fourth place.
APPOINTMENTS
Shri Sailesh Assumed Charge as Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs
Shri Sailesh took charge as the Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. He will also hold the post of Secretary, Department of Official Language as an additional charge. Sailesh is an IAS Officer of Assam-Meghalaya Cadre of 1985 batch.
- The Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi took meeting with the Secretary and other senior officers of the Ministry and reviewed progress of scheme implementation for the welfare of minorities.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN's efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003.
No comments:
Post a Comment