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Current Affairs Today – 25th February 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned 400.64 crore rupees to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Government has successfully installed 10 lakh smart meters across India under the Government of India’s Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP).
- A National Integration Camp (NIC) was inaugurated at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-tourism Institute at Chemchey, South Sikkim on 24 February 2020.
- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced his resignation over political issues.
- A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), State Program Management Group-Uttarakhand (SPMG-UK) and Indorama Charitable Trust (ICT) in Delhi on 24 February.
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) banned Oman player Yousuf Abdulrahim Al Balushi from all forms of cricket for 7 years.
- Jiya Rai, the 11-year-old girl created a world record by becoming the youngest and the fastest specially-abled girl to swim 14 kilometres in open water in 3 hours 27 minutes and 30 seconds.
- India will host the Commonwealth Shooting and Archery Championships in January 2022.
- Indian men’s doubles pair of Achanta Sharath Kamal and Gnanasekaran Sathiyan clinched the silver medal at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Hungarian Open under Men’s doubles category.
- The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu released the book titled ‘Death- An Inside Story: A book for all those who shall’ authored by Jaggi Vasudev, but famously known as Sadhguru, Founder of Isha Foundation.
- Guinness World Records has named a South African restaurant Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribsas the official titleholder for ‘Most Varieties of Milkshakes Commercially Available’.
- Adline Castelino has been crowned as the winner of LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2020 competition.
- Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2020 announced in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ presents Vishwakarma Awards 2019 to the winners in New Delhi.
NEWS IN DETAILS
BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
NABARD sanctions Rs 400.64 Cr to boost infrastructure in J&K
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned 400.64 crore rupees to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- This sanction is for giving a boost to the infrastructure in the rural areas of J&K.
- An amount of 143.66 crore rupees has been sanctioned for implementation of 38 water supply schemes.
- The sanction includes augmentation of 27 existing water supply schemes and construction of 11 new water supply schemes.
- These water supply schemes are aimed at providing safe and potable drinking water to rural households.
- The schemes will benefit over 3.5 lakh people across 86 villages in 17 districts.
- An amount of 47.11 crore rupees has been sanctioned towards improving the Animal and Sheep Husbandry sectors.
- It includes the construction of Cattle Breeding Farm at Chatha Jammu.
Extra Shots:
NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is an Apex Development Financial Institution in India. The Bank has been entrusted with “matters concerning Policy Planning and Operations in the field of credit for Agriculture and other Economic activities in Rural areas in India”.
- Founded: 12 July 1982
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Agency executive: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala (Chairperson)
- Purpose: Development assistance; Poverty Reduction
- Formation: July 12, 1982
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Lt Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
GoI successfully installed 10 lakh smart meters under SMNP
- Government has successfully installed 10 lakh smart meters across India under the Government of India’s Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP).
- The announcement was made by the Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, New & Renewable Energy R.K. Singh.
- The Minister inaugurated commissioning of 100 MW decentralized solar power plants connected to agriculture feeders in Maharashtra.
Highlights:
♦ The smart meters are operational in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
♦ The aim of the programme is to bring efficiency in the distribution system leading to better service delivery.
♦ In every substation, the capacity of the solar power plants ranges from 0.5 MW to 10 MW.
♦ The programme is being implemented through Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
♦ The SMNP aims to replace 250 million conventional meters in India with smart meters.
Extra Shots:
EESL:
EESL is an energy service company of GoI. It functions under the Ministry of Power, India. It is a joint venture of state-owned NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation, and POWERGRID.
- Minister responsible: R. K. Singh
- Chairman: Rajeev Sharma
- MD: Saurabh Kumar
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
National Integration Camp is held in Sikkim
- A National Integration Camp (NIC) was inaugurated at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-tourism Institute at Chemchey, South Sikkim on 24 February 2020.
- The camp is organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Sikkim. The camp was inaugurated by Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim Indra Hang Subba.
- Aim:The aim of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat camp is to promote the spirit of national integration through engagement between all states and union territories.
National Integration Camp:
♦ National Integration Camp will be held from 24-27 February.
♦ It showcased the vibrancy of India’s diversity.
♦ The theme of the camp is Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat.
♦ A variety of participants were present at the NIC as representative of the country’s core strength.
♦ Visitors to enjoy Sikkim’s natural beauty, pollution-free environment and minimize their footprint on the environment.
♦ Sikkim paired with Delhi under Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat.
♦ A dance performance themed Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao by participants from Delhi.
Extra Shots:
Sikkim:
- Capital: Gangtok
- Chief Minister: Pawan Kumar Chamling
- Governor: Ganga Prasad
- Literacy Rate: 81.42%
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigns
- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced his resignation over political issues.
- He will act as an interim PM. It is not clear who will be the next prime minister.
- He has submitted his resignation to the king.
- He has also resigned from Bersatu, the political party of which he was chairman.
Extra Shots:
Malaysia (Capital/Currency): Kuala Lumpur/ Malaysian ringgit
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
MoU signed between NMCG, SPMG-UK, ICT to renovate Ghat at Badrinath
- A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), State Program Management Group-Uttarakhand (SPMG-UK) and Indorama Charitable Trust (ICT) in Delhi on 24 February.
- The MoU was signed by Ashok Kumar Singh, Executive Director (ED), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG); Rajeev Kshetrapal, Director, Indorama Industries and Uday Raj Singh, Project Director, SPMG, Government of Uttarakhand.
MoU Highlights:
♦ The MoU aims to work together to renovate or develop the Ghat at Badrinath and Ghats and Crematoria at Gangotri in Uttarakhand.
♦ The total cost for the project is Rs.26.64 crore
♦ The Detailed Project Report (DPR) was developed by M/S WAPCOS, a Government of India Enterprise.
♦ The activities under the project will include the construction of Bathing Ghats and Crematoria, repair and modernize the existing Ghats and Crematoria
♦ Providing public amenities on Ghats, Bank erosion protection works, Operation & Maintenance (O&M) for 5 years.
Clean Ganga Mission:
The Clean Ganga campaign was taken up in Mission Mode since Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Government assumed office in 2014. The Mission is about to be completed but the Namami Ganga Mission is an unending process. Indorama Group provided financing for the project under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Extra Shots:
Badrinath Bathing Ghat:
Badrinath Bathing Ghat is located along the bank of river Alaknanda. The sites of Ghat was identified via the local consultation is 2099m2. The total cost of the project will be Rs.10.31 crore. The Operation and Maintenance for the ghat will be for five years. The Development project includes Changing Room, Toilet with bio-digester and reed bed, chhatri, platform, water spout, signages, horticulture work, railing, etc. The duration of the project construction is 15 months.
Gangotri Bathing Ghat and Crematoria:
Gangotri Ghat is situated along the bank of river Bhagirathi at Gangotri. The Centre is planning one bathing ghat and one crematoria at Gangotri in a total area of 2170 m2. The total cost of the project is Rs.16.02 crore. The construction work is expected to conclude in 15 months. The development project includes Toilet with bio-digester and reed bed, Changing Room, water spout, chhatri, platform, signages, horticulture work, railing, solar light pole, etc.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
ICC bans Omani player Yousuf Abdulrahim Al Balushi from cricket for 7 years
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) banned Oman player Yousuf Abdulrahim Al Balushi from all forms of cricket for 7 years.
- The player has been reprimanded for breaching the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code as he was found guilty for breaching various counts in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifiers 2019.
- Al Balushi breached Article 2.1.1 of the Anti-Corruption Code: being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of matches.
- Besides, he also breached Article 2.1.4, Article 2.4.4 and Article 2.4.7: All relating to corrupt practices.
Extra Shots:
ICC: The International Cricket Council is the global governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.
- Chairperson: Shashank Manohar
- CEO: Manu Sawhney
- Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Founded: 15 June 1909
- Membership: 104 members
11-year-old Jiya Rai creates world record in open water swimming
- Jiya Rai, the 11-year-old girl created a world record by becoming the youngest and the fastest specially-abled girl to swim 14 kilometres in open water in 3 hours 27 minutes and 30 seconds.
- This record creates under the supervision of the Swimming Association of Maharashtra.
- Jiya’s achievement has qualified for registration in the India Book of Records, Asia Book and Limca Book of Records.
- She was felicitated with a Certificate and Trophy for this record-breaking achievement.
- The young champion has come a long way since she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Delay in Speech at a tender age of about two years.
India will host Commonwealth Shooting and Archery Championships 2022
- India will host the Commonwealth Shooting and Archery Championships in January 2022.
- The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced this decision after the Executive Board meeting in London.
- The two events will be held in Chandigarh in January 2022, while the Birmingham Commonwealth Games is scheduled from 27th of July to 7th of August, 2022.
- The decision is being considered a big win for India after IOA threatened to boycott the 2022 Birmingham Games for dropping shooting from the roster in July last year.
Extra Shots:
CGF: The Commonwealth Games Federation, currently branded as Commonwealth Sport, is the international organisation responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and is the foremost authority in matters relating to the games.
- Headquarters location: London, United Kingdom
- CEO: David Grevemberg
- President: Louise Martin
- Vice-Patron: The Earl of Wessex
- Patron: Queen Elizabeth II
- Founded: 1932
Kamal, Sathiyan won silver at World Tour Hungarian Open
- Indian men’s doubles pair of Achanta Sharath Kamal and Gnanasekaran Sathiyan clinched the silver medal at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Hungarian Open under Men’s doubles category.
- They were defeated by German combination of Benedikt Duda and Patrick Franziska at Budapest who secured 5-11, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11.
- Kamal and Sathiyan defeated top seeds Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting of Hong Kong 3-2 in the semi-finals.
- This is the second time Sharath Kamal has won a medal from the tournament.
- He has won bronze with Manika Batra in mixed doubles.
Result:
Men’s singles: Japan Tomokazu Harimoto
Women’s singles: Japan Mima Ito
Men’s doubles: Germany Benedikt Duda, Patrick Franziska
Women’s doubles: Japan Miu Hirano, Kasumi Ishikawa
Extra Shots:
Hungarian Open:
- Founded on: 2010
- Held at: Budapest, Hungary
- The tournament has been held since 2015. Currently, the championship is a part of the ITTF World Tour.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
‘Death: An Inside Story’ book released by Venkaiah Naidu
- The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu released the book titled ‘Death- An Inside Story: A book for all those who shall’ authored by Jaggi Vasudev, but famously known as Sadhguru, Founder of Isha Foundation.
- The book was released on the occasion of Mahashivaratri celebrations on 21st February at the Isha Yoga Center, Tamil Nadu, where Vice-President Naidu was the Chief Guest.
AWARDS
Cape Town restaurant wins Guinness world milkshake record
- Guinness World Records has named a South African restaurant Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribsas the official titleholder for ‘Most Varieties of Milkshakes Commercially Available’.
- With a total of 207 varieties on their menu, Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers and Ribs have a milkshake to satisfy every sugarholic.
- Fat-free, vegan and adults-only alcoholic options are also available.
Adline Castelino wins Miss Diva Universe 2020
- Adline Castelino has been crowned as the winner of LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2020 competition.
- She was crowned by Vartika Singh, the winner of the previous edition at an event held in YRF (Yash Raj Films) Studios, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- She hails from Mangalore, Karnataka.
- She will go on to represent the country at Miss Universe later this year.
- Aavriti Choudhary of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh crowned as LIVA Miss Diva Supranational 2020 and was crowned by his predecessor Shefali Sood.
- She will be India’s contender for Miss Supranational pageant 2020.
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2020 announced
- Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2020 announced in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Actor Ravi Dubey served as the host of the event. Hrithik Roshan bagged the Best Actor award for film “Super 30”.
| SERIALNO. | CATEGORY | AWARDEE |
| 01. | Best Film | Super 30 |
| 02. | Best Actor | Hrithik Roshan (Super 30) |
| 03. | Most Promising Actor | Kiccha Sudeep |
| 04. | Best Actor in Television Series | Dheeraj Dhoopar |
| 05. | Best Actress in Television | Divyanka Tripathi |
| 06. | Most Favourite Television Actor | Harshad Chopda |
| 07. | Best Television Series | Kumkum Bhagya |
| 08. | Best Playback Singer Male | Armaan Malik |
| 09. | Best Reality Show | Bigg Boss 13 |
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank conferred the 2019 Vishwakarma Awards
- Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ presents Vishwakarma Awards 2019 to the winners in New Delhi.
- It was organized in the All India Council for Technical Training. 23 groups were awarded the Chatra Vishwakarma Awards (CVA).
- Six institutes were awarded the Utkrisht Santhan Vishwakarma Award (USVA).
- The award recognizes college students who have good potential and are an asset to the nation.
- He appreciated NITI Ayog and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi) to support college students by bringing their concepts into actuality.
Extra Shots:
Vishwakarma Awards:
Vishwakarma Awards was instituted by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) since 2017. The awards were instituted for the growth of society by means of the stakeholders of its accepted institutes. The Awards are aimed to motivate younger people and inspire leaders and organizations.
