National Affairs
Disaster Management Exercise of BIMSTEC NDRF begins in Bhubaneswar
The National Disaster Response Force of Government of India is to host the second BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise-2020 (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020). The exercise is to be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha between February 11, 2020 and February 13, 2020.
The main objective of the exercise is to test the existing emergency procedures, disaster problems, during flood, earthquake and storms. The exercise will also stress upon restoring heritage sites damaged due to disasters.
Theme: A Cultural Heritage Site that suffers severe damage in the Earthquake and Flooding or Storm
India bans E-Cigarettes on Flights and Airports
Aviation security regulator the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued a circular that Electronic-Cigarettes and all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System(ENDS) will not be allowed in both domestic and International flights as well as at airports and the order, issued with the approval of DG (director general) BCAS, Rakesh Asthana, is valid from the date of issuance.
Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act which is passed in December 2019, the government imposed ban on Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement of E-cigarettes and other ENDS devices which heats the Nicotine flavor, Except the products got licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.
About Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS):
- Headquarters- New Delhi
- Founded- 1976
Piyush Goyal inaugurates 1st Phase of East – West Metro in Kolkata
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has inaugurated the first phase of East – West Metro in Kolkata. In this Phase, trains will play from Salt Lake’s sector five to Salt Lake Stadium.
The services will remain open from 8 in the morning to till 8 at night with 20 minutes frequencies of trains within six stations.
Dr. Jitendra Singh to launch CPGRAMS reforms at the National Workshop on e-office
Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C) Dr. Jitendra Singh will launch the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) Reforms at the National Workshop on e-office on 12 February 2020 in Parvasi Bhartiya Kendra, Chankyapuri, New Delhi.
The main objective of the Workshop is to create a nation-wide momentum for the creation of e-Office across the State Secretariats.
Union Cabinet approves Pesticide Management Bill 2020
Union Cabinet has approved the Pesticide Management Bill 2020. The legislation will promote organic pesticides in the country. Major Ports Authority Bill to enhance overall efficiencies of the ports was cleared by the Cabinet.
Cabinet has also approved changes in the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Bill, 2020. The bill seeks to increase its scope to cover litigatins pending in various debt recovery tribunals (DRTs).
International Affairs
43rd Governing council meet of IFAD 2020 held in Rome, Italy
The 43rd session of the annual Governing Council meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 2020 based on the theme “Investing in sustainable food systems to end hunger by 2030” was held at FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) headquarters in Rome, Italy from February 11- 12, 2020.
About International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD):
- Headquarters– Rome, Italy
- Founded– December 1977
- President– Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo
State Affairs
Haryana
Haryana launches ‘Reading Mission’ initiative
The state government of Haryana has launched an initiative called ‘Reading Mission- Haryana’. The initiative was launched to encourage reading habit among the young students of the state.
The scheme is on the lines of the ‘Reading Mission 2022’, launched by the central government. Under the state’s initiative, monthly book review sessions and mass book reading are to be organised by students in educational institutions.
About Haryana:
- Governor: Satyadeo Narayan Arya.
- Chief Minister : Manohar Lal Khattar.
Telangana
Amazon Invests 1.5 Billion USD For Two Data Centres Under Data Centre Policy Of Telangana
The E-Commerce Giant Amazon Web Services has planned to invest 1.5 billion USD to set up two data centres in Hyderabad.
The private firm will be helped by the Telangana Government under its Data Centre Policy.
About Telangana:
- Capital: Hyderabad
- Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
- Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
Awards
South Indian Bank bagged two awards at the Banking Technology 2019 awards by IBA
South Indian Bank has bagged two awards at the Banking Technology 2019 awards instituted by the Indian Banks’ Association. This event was held in Indian Bank Association’s 15th Annual Banking Technology Conference, Expo and Awards held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The South Indian Bank emerged the winner in the ‘Most Customer-Centric Bank Using Technology’ category and runner up in the ‘Best Payments Initiative’ category amongst small Banks’.
About SIB:
- MD & CEO: G. Mathew.
- Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala
- Founded on : 1929
- Tagline: Experience Next Generation Banking
President Kovind presents President’s Colour to INS Shivaji
President Ram Nath Kovind presented President’s Colour to INS Shivaji, a premier Indian Navy training establishment located between Mumbai and Pune at a ceremony in Lonavala, Maharashtra. The Presentation of Colour or Standards by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces is an acknowledgement of the unit’s meritorious service. INS Shivaji was commissioned in 1945.
This month, INS Shivaji is commemorating 75 years of service to the Navy and the 75th year of this establishment commenced from February 15. This year marks the ‘platinum jubilee year’ of the naval facility.
Summits & Conference
National Workshop on Disaster Risk Financing, Insurance and Risk Transfer to be held in Mumbai
A National Workshop on Disaster Risk Financing, Insurance and Risk Transfer is being held in Mumbai. The workshop is being organized by National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), in partnership with Insurance Institute of India.
About Maharashtra:
- Capital – Mumbai
- Chief Minister – Shri Uddhav Thackeray
- Governor – Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Appointments
Atul Gupta elected as New President of ICAI
CA Atul Kumar Gupta has been elected as the new President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for the term 2020 – 21. Nihar Niranjan Jambusaria has been elected as the Vice President of the ICAI for 2020 – 21.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is the national professional accounting body of India, established on 1st July 1949.
Defence News
Lightweight New Bullet Proof Jacket Named “Bhabha Kavach” Developed By BARC
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre developed a new bullet proof jacket called Bhabha Kavach. The jackets are to be used by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
The nominal weight of the jacket is 6.8kg. Technologies used: Carbon nanotube & hot-pressed boron carbide.
Obituaries
Veteran Indian journalist Nandu R Kulkarni passes away
Veteran Indian journalist Nandu R Kulkarni recently passed away at Mumbai. A resident of Mumbai, the 70-year-old journalist was the Mumbai bureau chief of the Daily newspaper, ‘The Statesman’.
He started his career with ‘The Indian Express’ in 1976 and worked with the group for nearly 16 years. Nandu then joined ‘The Statesman’ in 1992 as the bureau chief. He covered a wide range of fields including politics and business and was known for his reports on economic offenses.
Important Days
13th February: The World Radio Day
The World Radio Day(WRD) is celebrated every year on 13th February to celebrate radioas the medium for entertainment, information and the mode of communication.
The theme of this year’s World Radio Day is ‘Radio and Diversity’
The day provides an opportunity to honour how radio is uniquely positioned to bring communities together and promote positive dialogue for change.
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