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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Newly named DAY-NULM extended to all Urban Local Bodies
National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) which is now renamed as “Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-NULM” and in Hindi as “Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- Rashtriya Shahri Aajeevika Mission” has been enlarged to the 4,041 statutory urban local bodies by government.
- Tamil Nadu is having the highest number of towns (681) to be covered under DAY-NULM.
- Currently, only 40 cities are implementing this pro-poor scheme.
Bihar-The Sixth State To Enter Into Uday Scheme
UDAY(Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) is a tripartite memorandum between Bihar government, state Discoms and the Power ministry for the revival of debt ridden state distribution utilities to save 9000 crores.
- Bihar is the sixth state to join this UDAY scheme
- It is the second Non-UPA state after Uttar Pradesh to join this scheme
- It will help the debt ridden distribution system of the state to save 9000 crores in the next 3 years
Madhya Pradesh’s Katni to have India’s longest railway bridge
Katni in Madhya Pradesh to have India’s longest railway bridge of 14 km in length which is three and half folds longer than the Vembanad rail Bridge that connects Edappally and Vallarpadam of 4.6 Km in length.
- The Vembanad rail bridge in Kerala build by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) in 28 months at a cost of Rs.200
- Once the project comes to operation, it would be the longest Railway Bridge among the16 railway zones of the country.
- Its total length would be 21 Km included the down line of the bridge would be 7 Km
Swachh Himachal Padhai bhi, Safai bhi campaign launched
Anurag Thakur, President of Himimachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) and BCCI secretary announced the launch of Swachh Himachal Campaign Padhai bhi, Safai bhi in Dharmashala.
Aim: creating awareness and better understanding among youth about the current sanitation situation in the state and working for the betterment of it.
- It seeks the youths to participate in the events organized on behalf of this campaign to transform of the beauty of the small state and to incentivize them various opportunities will be offered.
- The campaign will be driven across 12 districts focusing urban and rural areas. This campaign will be led by youths hailing from educational institutions. The selected students termed Swachh Captains and Teachers included in it be named Swachh Teachers.
- The formal launch of the event shall be done by the state governor Acharya Dev Vrat in the first week of march and will last up to march 31 2017.
- With this HPCA becomes the first cricket association to work on Swachh Abiyan Campaign that is initiated by the UPA government.
Uma Bharti to Inaugurate Jal Manthan 2016
Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharati to inaugurate Jal Manthan 2 in New Delhi. The first episode of the event was organized in November 2014.
- The Theme of the Event is “Integrated Approach for sustainable water Management” and the event will last for two days.
- Various issues pertaining with this will put on discussion and seeks consultations on River Basin Approach for sustainable development, Ground Water, WaterSecurity, Principles of allocation of water, innovation in Water governance, Water management, Coordination between Centre and States, Water Conservation and need for National Legislation on water
Mahamaham Celebration ends with ‘Theerthavari’ in Tamilnadu
Mahamaham which is a Hindu religious festival celebrated in Kumbakonam once in twelve years during the full moon of Tamil month Maasi (Feb-March).It ends on Feb 22 this year with the last day grand eve being the Holydip.Auspicious time of Holy dip is between 12 noon and 1 PM.
- Mahamaham also known as Kumba-mela is a ten day festival celebrated by Hindus once in 12 years
- This year the eve began on Feb 13 and ended on Feb 22 with last day being more special known as the Theerthavari or Holy dip
- Around 10 lakh devotees from various parts of the country were gathered to take a Holy dip in the tank which contains water from 20 Holy Springs.
- Last Kumbamela took place on March 6, 2004
BUSINESS
4 Bengali sweets to come into possession of GI tag
In order to protect the traditional sweets from imitations and for exporting them in future, the West Bengal government is all set to get Geographical Identification (GI) tag for its four traditional sweets.
- It has been announced during the “Mishti Mela” (sweet fair) in Malda district of West Bengal.
- The sweets include “Moa” of Jainagar, “Sarpuria” of Krishnagar and “Sitabhog” and“Mihidana” of Burdwan.
Exports with Dubai to get easier with the New MoU
With a move to strengthen the India-UAE economic ties, the Confederation of Indian Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will boost trade between the 2 nations.
Key points
- The MoU signed between CII and Dubai exports will simplify the export process between the countries
- It will also help in removing impediments such as taxation, custom regulations, Visas etc
- It is seen as trade gateway between the West and East
- It will improve the growth opportunities for both nations in a long term basis and also explore the wide range of business options
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Best Children’s Film award has been conferred upon Malayalam film “Ottaal”
Malayalam film “Ottaal (The Trap)” directed by Jayaraj Rajasekharan Nair has been bestowed with Crystal Bear award in the “Generation KPlus” section during Berlin International Film Festival.
- A Crystal Bear is for the Best Film in the children’s section of the Generation Competition.
- The movie is an adaptation of short story “Vanaka” by Russian writer Anton Chekhov.
- It is about the story of an old fisherman and his grandson.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Faustin-Archange Touadera elected President of Central African Republic
Former Prime Minister of Central African Republic and Mathematics Professor Fausti-Archange Touadera of National Convergence party who campaigned against corruption has won a presidential election with 63.7 % of votes cast in the February 14.
- Central African Republic is one of the unstable countries in the region underwent worst crisis in its history in 2013 when Muslim fighters collapsed President Francois.
- UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon peaceful election and seek to maintain a constructive atmosphere in the war toned nation.
Central African Republic
- Capital: Bangui
- Currency: CFA Franc
- Prime Minister: Mahamat Kamoun
Indian-origin Sikh appointed Kuala Lumpur Police Commissioner
Amar Singh from Indian-origin Sikh Community has been appointed the Police Commissioner of the Capital city of Malaysia.
- A third generation police from his family .He was Deputy Commissioner before being appointed to the post and will replace Tajuudin Mohammed.
- He is highest ranked police officer from the Malaysian Sikh community.
- Amar Graduated from University of Malaya also did his LLB from University of Buckingham- UK.
MALAYSIA
- Capital: Kuala Lumpur
- Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
- Prime Minister: NajibRazak
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
“Swachh Paryatan Mobile App” instigated
Ministry of Tourism initiated the “Swachh Parayatan Mobile App”. This project is being implemented through Delhi eGovernance Society (DeGS) and National Informatics Centre(NIC).
- It has announced by Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (Independent Charge) & Minister of State for Civil Aviation during an event.
- This Mobile App is available on Google Search Engine as “Swachh Paryatan”.
Haryana to become the first state in India to have Aquifer mapping
With the climate changes in the recent years, the groundwater sources have gone down to a critical level. To find out the exact location of the Aquifer rocks a new mapping technique is to be introduced in Haryana by May making it as the first state to have such mapping.
- Aquifer rock is an underground layer ofwater bearing rock which has groundwater stored in it.
US Air force tested Minuteman missile from California
On February 21, the US InterContinental Ballistic Missile Minuteman 3 was launched from Vandenberg Air force Base in California.
- The missile blasted off at 34 PM towards west base of Los Angeles
- It carried a re-entry vehicle that can target 4200 Miles away to the Marshall Islands of Pacific Ocean
- It involves personnel from Vandenberg’s 576th Flight Test Squadron and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and the 91st Missile Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota
- 30th Space wing Commander of US Air force- Christopher Mos
ENVIRONMENT
31 species of birds spotted at Otteri Lake
The Department of forest and Animal Keepers at Arignar Anna Zoological Park has carried out long day census of birds and came to the conclusion that 31 species of birds in Vandalur’s Otteri Lake.
- This census will focus on the no of new species of birds had arrived and increase in their number in comparison to previous year.
- The Lake sprawling area of 16 acres and protected by 635m long wall, It has storage capacity of 8.5 crore liters.
- The lake is filled with water and around 31 species of 7256 birds were found during the survey, and species includes spotbill duck , Spoonbill, dabchick, night heron, Indian Cormorant, Little egret .
- The Indian Cormorant staggering 3259 in number followed by little cormorant at 1756 the survey revealed. Out of 31 species 11 stay in the Zoo and carry out breeding activities
SPORTS
Punjab Warriors defeated Kalinga Lancers to win 2016 Hockey
The Japee Punjab Warriors having lost in the last two consecutive titles of the tournament ending jinx this time Warriors crowned maiden title defeating Kalinga Lancers 6-1 in the title clash in the fourth edition of the tournament.
- The high Octane Game held at Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Rupinder Pal Singh of Delhi Waveriders adjudged as player of the tournament.
India Bags 9 medals at the Asian Wrestling Championship
The day ended well for India with the Indian Wrestlers bagging 9 medals at the Asian Wrestling Championship held at Bangkok, Thailand.
- India ended at seventh place overall in the Medal table in the Asian Wrestling Championship
- The Indian free men and women category ended up at fourth place while the Greco roman in sixth position
Schiavone wins Rio title
Former world No. 4 Francesca Schiavone from Italy won her 7th WTA career title in Rio de Janeiro beating Shelby Rogers of America in three sets by 2-6 6-2 6-2.
- The Italian Supreme star who turns 36 gained her first title since 2013 defeating 23 year old American to save her 7th WTA title.
- Schiavone now ranked 132 climb back in the top 100 of the rankings becoming the second oldest top 100 after Venus Williams of America.
- Francesca Schiavone is thethird Italian winner on the WTA Tour this year after Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Mother language Day
The International Mother Language day is celebrated on February 21 every year since 2000.the main idea behind this is to promote and preserve the native languages and culture.
- It was first declared by UNESCO on 17 November, 1999 to celebrate Feb 21 as International Mother Language day
- It was announced as a result of the resolution was passed by Rafiqul Islam to commemorate 2 persons killed in Dhaka in language movement on Feb 21,1952
- 2008 was celebrated as the International Year of Languages
World Thinking Day
World thinking day celebrated on Feb 22 is a day of International Friendship that mainly focuses on issues of girls and young women. It is celebrated on behalf of WAGGGS(World Association For Girl Guides and Girl Scouts).It also raises fund to help millions of girls and young women and to address their problems.
- In 1926, delegates from Girl Scouts and Girl Guides who met on 4th International conference decided to celebrate Feb 22 as Thinking Day
- Later in 1999, in the 30th conference at Ireland it was changed to ‘World Thinking Day’
- Thinking day is celebrated on the birthday of Olave baden powell who is the founder of boys scout movement
