Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 24Th February to 2Nd March 2019 Curren 1

Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th 24th February to 2nd March 2019 September 2018

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Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 16thto 22nd Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 19th to 25th 24th February to 2nd March 2019 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018

Table of Contents

Awards & Honours ...... 3 Days & Events ...... 4 International Affairs ...... 4 National Affairs ...... 5 Personalities in News ...... 8 Government Policies & Schemes ...... 9 Science & Technology ...... 10 Books & Authors ...... 11 Committees & Recommendations ...... 11 Business & Economy ...... 11 Sports ...... 12 Defence ...... 14

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Awards &Honours Alastair Cook recieved knighthood OSDMA won the SKOCH Award  Alastair Cook received the knighthood in the New

 The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority  He received the honour at a ceremony in the (OSDMA) won the SKOCH Award 2018 for its Buckingham Palace and has become the 11th achievements in the field of disaster management. Englishman to be knighted for services to cricket.  The award covers the areas of finance, governance,  banking, disaster management, technology, received an MBE, while Alvin Kallicharran and Peter economics, and inclusive growth. Wynne-Thomas were both recognised with a British  The OSDMA also received an Order-of-merit in the Empire Medal. Gold category for constructing 879 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters. Indore and Bhopal won Saubhagya award Thanga gets AB Vajpayee Life Time award  The Central Zone Power Distribution Company, Bhopal and West Zone Power Distribution Company,  Thanga Darlong was conferred Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indore were awarded the Saubhagya award on 26 Life Time Award by the Tripura government on 1 February 2019. March 2019.  It was presented under Pradhanmantri Sahaj Bijli Har  He is a tribal musician, who plays Rosem, a flute like Ghar Yojana at the National Conference of Energy tribal musical instrument made of bamboo. Ministers.  In January 2019, he was conferred the prestigious  The award carries a cash prize of 100 crore rupees Padma Shri award for his contribution to the field of each. music. IRCTC Rail Connect won National Award 25th Prime Minister's Trophy presented  Railway's ticket booking mobile application, IRCTC  Rail Connect, has been chosen for National e- Performance of Integrated Steel Plants for 2016-17 Governance Awards 2019. was presented in New Delhi on 1st March 2019.  The app was launched in January 2017 to facilitate  The objective of the award is to give recognition to the booking of train tickets in a faster and easier way. outstanding performance in integrated steel plant  Chhattisgarh government's 'Khanij online' and 14 sector of the national economy. such IT projects will also receive the award.  The award is presented in 4 categories, of which the best performance gets Rs.2 crore as prize money. Karthikeyan received Lifetime Achievement Nuvoco won FICCI CSR Award 2017-18  G.R. Karthikeyan was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the FMSCI annual awards  Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. (formerly Lafarge India function on 25 February 2019. Limited) bagged the FICCI CSR Award for 2017-18 in  He is the father of rst Formula One driver the Women Empowerment category in New Delhi. Narain Karthikeyan.  They were awarded for their project 'Aakriti'.  Raghul Rangasamy received the Upcoming  The project has been implemented in the Nimbaheda Motorsport Person of the Year award for the block of Chittorgarh, where, 400 women from Raymond Gautam Singhania Trophy. neighbouring villages have been trained in tailoring and associated skills. Gandhi Peace Prize presented Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes conferred  President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the Gandhi Peace Prize on 26 February 2019.  PM Narendra Modi attended the award ceremony for  It was presented for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 & the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and 2018 at Darbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. Technology at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 28 The awardees were: February 2019.  Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari - 2015  He conferred the prizes for 2016, 2017 and 2018 to  Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International - the awardees. 2016 (Jointly)  The prize, named after Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar,  Ekal Abhiyan Trust - 2017 is given each year to recognize outstanding Indian  Sh Yohei Sasakawa - 2018. work in various disciplines of Science and Technology. Mahesh to be honoured with META lifetime award 3 | P a g e

 Eminent Indian playwright, Mahesh Elkunchwar has Divya Karnad won the Future For Nature Award been chosen for the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre  Dr Divya Karnad won the prestigious Global Future Awards (META) Lifetime Achievement Award 2019. For Nature Award 2019 for her work on marine  The award will be given on 12 March 2019. conservation.  He is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi  She is the first woman and the second Indian to won Fellowship and has over 30 plays and essays to his the award. credit including works like 'Sultan', 'Holi', 'Garbo',  The first Indian who won the award is Dr Charudutt 'Yatanaghar', and 'Atmakatha'. Mishra. PM Modi to confer Youth Parliament Awards 2019  The Future For Nature Award is a an international award that celebrates tangible achievements in  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will confer the protecting wild animal and plant species. 'National Youth Parliament Festival 2019' awards to

the winners on 27 February 2019.  The National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 was Days & Events launched on 12th January 2019.  The aim of the festival was to encourage the youth in 1 March: Zero Discrimination Day the age group of 18-25 years to engage with public  Zero Discrimination Day is observed on March 1 and it aims to address the issue of discrimination faced view. by people across the world.  The theme for Zero Discrimination Day 2019 is 'Act to change laws that Discriminate'.  A film on menstruation, set in rural India, titled  It was launched by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on February 27, 2014, with a major Documentary Short Subject category at the 91st event in Beijing. Academy Awards.  Rayka Zehtabchi directed the short film and Guneet 28 February: National Science Day  National Science Day is celebrated across India on  The film February 28 every year. students at the Oakwood School in Los Angeles and  Famous Indian scientist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata their teacher, Melissa Berton. Raman or CV Raman discovered the Raman Effect on Oscars 2019: Part 1 this day in 1928.  The theme for this year is Science for people and  The 91st Academy Awards were presented at the people for science. Dolby Theatre, in Los Angeles, California.  Sir CV Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in  Best Picture - Green Book. Physics in 1930 for his discovery.  Best Actor in a Leading Role - Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody.  Best Actress in a Leading Role - Olivia Colman for International Affairs The Favourite. United States slaps new sanctions on Venezuela  Best Directing - Alfonso Cuarón for Roma.  Best Supporting Actor - Mahershala Ali for Green  The United States has imposed new sanctions on Book. Venezuela.  The sanctions were imposed a day after Russia and Oscars 2019: Part 2 China vetoed a US and European resolution at the  Best Supporting Actress - Regina King for If Beale UN Security Council. Street Could Talk.  The US imposed sanctions on the members of  Best Original Song - Lady Gaga, Mike Ronson, President Nicolas Maduro's security forces. Anthony Rossomondo and Andrew Wyatt for A Star  The US also revoked the visas of 49 Venezuelan Is Born. officials and their family members.  Best Animated Feature - Spiderman: Into the Spider UNSC designates Hamza under its sanctions list Verse.  Best Foreign Language - Roma.  The United Nations Security Council has designated  Best Animated Short - Domee Shi and Becky Hamza bin Laden under its sanctions list. Neiman-Cobb for Bao. 4 | P a g e

 He is the son of Osama bin Laden and is now subject Wynne-Thomas were both recognised with a British to a travel ban, assets freeze, and an arms embargo. Empire Medal.  A reward of a US$ 1 million was announced for Zimbabwe started trading new currency information leading to his capture.  Saudi Arabia revoked the citizenship of Hamza bin  Zimbabwe began formal trading of a new currency Laden via a royal decree in November 2018. the economy. 7th RCEP ISSM was held in Cambodia   The 7th Regional Comprehensive Economic currency, known as RTGS dollars, will be 2.5 per US Partnership Intersessional Ministerial Meeting (7th dollar. RCEP ISSL MM) was held on 2 March 2019 in  The official inflation rate has soared to 57% from less Cambodia. than 4% a year ago.  The meeting was chaired by Chutima Princess Reema appointed as Ambassador to U.S Bunyapraphasara, Acting Minister of Commerce of Thailand.  Saudi Arabia appointed Princess Reema bint Bandar  RCEP is a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) bin Sultan as its new Ambassador to the United between 10 countries of ASEAN and their six FTA States on 23 February 2019. partners.  It is the first time that Saudi Arabia named a woman  Cambodia's capital is Phnom Penh. to such a post.  Princess Reema will replace Prince Khalid bin Salman who took the post in 2017. Israel's first lunar lander launched  Israel's first lunar lander, Beresheet, was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida on 21 February 2019.  If successful, Israel will be the fourth country to achieve a controlled touchdown on the moon's surface.  Beresheet will reach its destination on the near-side of the moon in mid-April following a two-month journey through 4 million miles (6.5 million km) of space.

National Affairs Guiness Book of World Record created by DEPwD 

Gujarat on 1 March 2019.  '7th Guinness Book of World Record' was created by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) on 28 February 2019 at Bharuch, Gujarat. Alastair Cook recieved knighthood  The record was created for implanting 'Modern Artificial Limbs (Legs)' on 260 Divyangjans within  Alastair Cook received the knighthood in the New eight hours.

 He received the honour at a ceremony in the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue to be held Buckingham Palace and has become the 11th  The second edition of Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue Englishman to be knighted for services to cricket. (IPRD) - 2019 will be held on 5 and 6 March 2019 in  New Delhi. received an MBE, while Alvin Kallicharran and Peter

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 The aim of the IPRD is to focus attention on the Indo- identity proof for opening bank account on 28 Pacific, as a maritime geographical-entity. February 2019.  It is organised by the Indian Navy and the National  It was necessitated as the Aadhaar Amendment bill, Maritime Foundation. passed by the Lok Sabha on January 4, 2019.  The IPRD 2019 is based on five themes would be  It will give effect to changes in the Aadhaar Act such addressed in five sessions spread over two days. as giving a child an option to exit from the biometric ID programme after 18 years of age. IRCTC launches IRCTC iPay PM launched projects in Tamil Nadu  The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) launched its own payment  PM Narendra Modi launched 5 National Highways aggregator system, iPay. projects worth 3000 crore rupees in Kanyakumari,  It will provide an improved online digital payment Tamil Nadu on March 1, 2019. convenience and ease of doing business to  He also launched a Road Safety Park and Transport passengers availing online travel services through the Museum. IRCTC website.  He dedicated to the nation the 2 and 4 laning of the  This will help reduce the gap between IRCTC and Madurai-Ramanathapuram section of NH-87. banks which will lead to a substantial reduction in  In Visakhapatnam, he addressed a public meeting payment failures. "Praja Chaitanya Sabha" at the Railway grounds. J&K approved 10% reservation for general sect  The Government of India will celebrate the first  The Union Cabinet has approved the Constitution anniversary of 'POSHAN Abhiyaan' by organising (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Amendment Poshan Pakhwada across the Country. Order, 2019.  The Pakhwada will be launched on International  It will serve the purpose of application of a relevant provision of the constitution as amended through the  The Ministry of Women & Child Development is the constitution (77th Amendment) act, 2019 for J&K. nodal ministry for coordinating activities during the  It will extend the reservation of up to 10% for the month. economically weaker section. Blast-proof LPG cylinders to be launched 4-lane bridge approved on Brahmaputra  A new breed of blast-proof composite Liquified  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders will soon be available approved construction of 4-lane bridge on South in India. Bank on NH-127 B in the State of Assam/Meghalaya.  Confidence Petroleum India Limited and Time  The total length of the bridge will be 19.282 km. Technoplast Limited announced the launch of their  The bridge will be built under the scheme of North- East Road Network Connectivity Project Phase-03.  The lightweight cylinders are manufactured using  Its construction over river Brahmaputra will save composite material and are non-corrosive, UV- huge travel distance from 205.3 km to only 19.282 protected &100% recyclable. km. Foundation stone laid for NIUM DDRS organised by DEPwD  AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik laid the  A National Conference on Deendayal Disabled foundation stone of National Institute of Unani Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) was organized on 1 Medicine, NIUM at Ghaziabad on March 1, 2019. March 2019.  Once established, the 200-bedded hospital will be  It was organized by the Department of one of the largest institutes of Unani Medicine in Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry North India. of Social Justice and Empowerment at Dr. Ambedkar  The institute is an extension of the existing NIUM at International Centre, New Delhi. Bengaluru and will be developed on a 10-acre area,  Its objective was to sensitize the stakeholders of the costing about 300 crore rupees. scheme. Aadhaar Amendment Bill cleared 42 cancer drugs under price control  The Cabinet approved the promulgation of an ordinance to allow voluntary use of Aadhaar as

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 The government brought 42 non-scheduled anti- on the occasion of Gita Aradhana Mahotsav on 26 cancer drugs under price control, capping trade February 2019. margin at 30%, on 27 February 2019.  It measures over 2.8 meters and weighs more than  The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority 800 kg. (NPPA) has invoked extraordinary powers under Para  It is one of its kind in the world and has the original 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 to verses of the Bhagavad Gita along with commentary. control prices. Web Portal launched in Kolkata  As NPPA, the MRP for 105 brands will be reduced up to 85%, entailing minimum savings of Rs. 105 crore.  West Bengal Education Minister, Partha Chatterjee inaugurated a web portal, 'Banglar Shiksha'. Anthem on plastic-free India launched  The portal will provide real-time data on state-run  Union Minister Harsh Vardhan launched an anthem and aided schools. as a part of a campaign to make India plastic-free by  It will be up and running in two months and is 2022 on 28 February 2019. probably the first-of-its-kind online initiative in the  'Plastic Waste-Free India' is prepared and produced state as well as in the country. by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Smriti Manch Delhi Declaration on digital health adopted (PDUSM).  It has been launched in seven languages -- Hindi,  The Delhi Declaration on digital health was adopted Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Malyalam and at the concludi Kannada. Health Partnership Summit'.  The summit was hosted by the Ministry of Health and India's 1st indigenous chip unveiled Family Welfare and WHO.   The declaration will engage citizens in partnering with the government for planning and management for 4G/LTE and 5G NR MODEMs in New Delhi. of digital health interventions in health services  4 chips were unveiled at the event, which are- delivery and improving governance. SCBM3412, SCBM3404, SCRF3402, and SCRF4502. India Smart Utility Week 2019 begins March 12  The RF sections cover all LTE/5G-NR bands up to 6GHz and these chips also support positioning using  Upcoming Conference and Exhibition on Smart Energy, Smart Grid and Smart Cities India Smart Utility Week (ISUW 2019) will be held from 12-16 15,000 acres forest under fire in Bandipur March 2019, New Delhi.  A fire has ravaged Bandipur, Karnataka, which burnt  ISUW 2019 will be inaugurated by Shri AK Bhalla, over 15,000 acres of forest. Secretary, Ministry of Power.  Bandipur National Park is a 874-sq.-km forested  More than 40 International Organisations and reserve in the Karnataka. experts from more than 55 countries and 300+ utility  It is known for its small population of tigers. officials will participate in the event.  The 14th-century Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Bihar: 1st state to have special dog squad offers views from the park's highest peak.  Bihar has become the first state in India to have a 10% quota for weaker sections in Bihar special dog squad for detecting liquor consignment.  Bihar government issued a notification to provide  The state also imposed a complete ban on liquor 2 10% quota for weaker sections in general category in years ago. jobs and educational institutions.  20 trained dogs are a part of the squad at present  The reservation is meant for individuals whose and were provided 9 months of intense training in annual earning is below 8 lakh rupees and who Hyderabad. possess less than 5 acres of agriculture land.  The dog squads are handled by Crime Investigation  Quota allocation for weaker sections in general Department (CID). category would help in providing more employment. 6 bronze murals created by Ram Sutar Bhagavad Gita at ISCKON unveiled  The 6 bronze murals located in the Veerta Chakra  PM Narendra Modi unveiled the Bhagavad Gita zone at the National War Memorial, have been prepared by ISKCON Temple devotees in New Delhi created by Ram Sutar, credited with designing the Statue of Unity.

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 Its design draws inspiration from the ''Chakravyuh''  Entrepreneurs and inspirational women achievers formation. were awarded with 'Enterprising Women of the Year  The Noida-based sculptor, a Padma Bhushan- 2018 Awards'. recipient also created the busts of 21 awardees of the EVMs are 'information' under RTI Act Param Veer Chakra (PVC).  The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ruled Smriti Irani inaugurated Titanwala Museum that an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is  Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the 'information' under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.  This implies the Election Commission has to respond February 2019. to an RTI application seeking the EVM either by  providing it or refusing it under exemption clauses in hand-block printing. the Act.  It will be open from Monday to Sunday between 9  The CIC is the highest adjudicating authority in RTI a.m. and 6 p.m. matters. NID inaugurated at Bhopal and Jorhat Government of India to host construction expo  National Institutes of Design (NID) at Bhopal in  The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry will Madhya Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam was hold a two-day construction expo and conference - inaugurated. 'Construction Technology India' (CTI) in New Delhi  Both institutes are autonomous under the from 2 March 2019. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal  The expo will be organised under its Global Housing Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Technology Challenge (GHTC) initiative.  NID Bhopal will begin its academic journey from July  Stakeholders across the world will showcase their 2019 with 60 students in 4-year undergraduate best technologies to build houses under Pradhan courses. Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U). Rail Drishti Dashboard launched Rapid transit system approved  Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal  On 19 February 2019, the government of India launched 'Rail Drishti Dashboard' on 25 February approved the construction of the Delhi-Ghaziabad- 2019. Meerut Regional Rapid Transit system (RRTS).  The url of the dashboard is 'raildrishti.cris.org.in'.  The corridor is expected to connect the cities to the  The Dashboard has been launched to keep people centre with a high-speed dedicated rail connector. informed about the work going on in the Railways  The proposed RRTS will be implemented as a joint across the country. venture by the National Capital Region Transport  It can be accessed using a desktop/laptop or mobile Corporation (NCRTC) and the state governments. devices. KP-BOT launched in Kerala National War Memorial inaugurated  Kerala police has become first police department in  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the the country to use a humanoid 'robocop' for police National War Memorial in Delhi on 25 February 2019. work.  It will thereafter become the place for wreath-laying  The name of the robot is KP-BOT and it has been of all designated events such as Republic Day. given a Sub Inspector or SI ranking.  The National War Memorial will commemorate the  It was developed by Kerala Police Cyberdome. soldiers who died in wars and operations, including  It will be stationed to perform front office duties at counter-terrorism, since Independence. the police headquarters.

MSME Ministry's conclave on Women Entrepreneur  The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Personalities in News organised a conclave on 'Empowering Women Abhinandan Varthaman returns home Entrepreneurs 2019, Financing and Enabling Women from Marginalised Sections' in Mumbai on 25  Indian Air Force Wing Commander, Abhinandan February 2019. Varthman arrived in India on 1 March 2019.  It was organised under the National SC-ST initiative  He was handed over to Indian authorities by Pakistan of the MSME Ministry. at Attari-Wagah border.

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 He was captured by Pakistani authorities on 27  Combined SFC of PowerTex India Scheme and February 2019 after an aerial engagement between Knitwear Scheme were approved with an outlay of the 2 countries. Rs. 487.07 crores.  A suicide bomb attack was carried in Pulwama, J&K Schemes - II in February 2019 that killed approx 40 paramilitary troops.  Karnataka is set to launch a major water Naresh Goyal resigns as Chairman focusses on drought-proofing measures, including  Jet Airways' founder Naresh Goyal has agreed to protection and rejuvenation of water bodies. step down as chairman of the airline's board.  Haryana CM, Manohar Lal Khattar announced the  Mr. Goyal, who founded the full-service carrier 25 "Mukhyamantri Parivar Samman Nidhi" scheme for years ago, has also agreed to reduce his 51% stake. farmers of the state cultivating up to five acres of  He would continue to be a part of the company in land and families having income less than R 15,000 some capacity even after stepping down as per month. chairman. Schemes - I Sanath Jayasuriya banned for 2 years  Tamil Nadu CM, Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched  Former Sri Lankan Cricket captain, Sanath the 'Athikadavu-Avinashi Groundwater Recharge Jayasuriya has been banned from cricket for two Scheme' in Coimbatore, Tirupur, and Erode districts. years.  Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik sanctioned an additional  He admitted breaching two counts of the ICC Anti- amount of Rs 1,000 crore for drinking water supply Corruption Code. projects under the Basudha scheme.  Sri Lankan cricket has been under investigation by Jammu and Kashmir government launched portal ICC for last few years.  Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Apurvi Chandela won gold in 10m rifle Malik launched an official portal, State Infrastructure  Apurvi Chandela has won the gold medal in the Monitoring System (SIMS). women's 10-meter air rifle event at the ISSF World  It will provide a single platform for all the state Cup 2019 in New Delhi. departments to upload the information of their  This is India's first medal of the ISSF World Cup 2019. respective languishing projects.  She set a new world record by registering a score of  The portal will deal with the management, 252.9 points in the final match. monitoring, information and payment system of  Zhao Ruozhu and Xu Hong of China won the silver infrastructure projects. and bronze medal respectively. HRD ministry launched new scheme

 The Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS) was launched on 27 February 2019.  It has been launched for providing industry apprenticeship opportunities to fresh graduates.  The scheme is a programme basket comprising the initiatives of 3 central ministries-HRD, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Labour & Employment. Government Policies & Schemes MSP for minor forest produces launched Scheme for knitwear sector launched  The Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produces and the Value Addition component of Van  Textile Minister, Smriti Irani launched a scheme for Dhan was launched on 28 February 2019 in New development of Knitting and Knitwear Sector under Delhi. PowerTex India in New Delhi on 28 February 2019.  The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is now scaling up the  Yarn bank scheme, solar energy scheme, group work 'Van Dhan Scheme' and is ready to extend it to all shed scheme, and creation of new service centers tribal Districts of the country. are few of its components.

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 Friends of Tribes Scheme for sourcing of CSR funds  The amount will be transferred directly to the bank from Public Sector Organisations (PSUs) was also account of beneficiaries through Direct Benefits launched. Transfer. Assam launched PRANAM Commission Sweet Revolution scheme launched in Jharkhand  Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal  Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das launched launched the 'Parents Responsibility and Norms for the first phase of the Rs 100- Accountability and Monitoring' (PRANAM) Sweet Revolution Scheme on 21 February 2019. Commission in Guwahati on February 26, 2019.  As per the scheme, 1,207 farmers will be given Rs 1  It is a panel set up to look after the issues concerning lakh for bee keeping. a Bill, for protection of parents of state government  Of the amount, Rs 80,000 grant will be given by the employees. government of Jharkhand, while the payment of Rs  It is an effort to protect elderly parents of 20,000 will be done by the beneficiary. government employees in their times of need. Nua Odisha inaugurated Science & Technology  Nua Odisha - Dharmapada Samvaad-Skill Saathi New NASA mission selected Youth Conclave was inaugurated at Rail Auditorium in Bhubaneswar on 25 February 2019.  NASA has selected a $42 million mission,  The first-ever Skill Saathi Youth Conclave was aired Atmospheric Waves Experiment, that will help live across 427 locations in Odisha. scientists understand and, ultimately, forecast the  More than 2 lakh candidates were mobilized for vast space weather system around our planet. career counseling under Skill Saathi initiative.  It will be launched in August 2022, attached to the exterior of the Earth-orbiting International Space 7-NH projects to come up in Kangra Station (ISS).  Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for seven  AWE will focus on colourful bands of light in Earth's National Highway projects in Himachal Pradesh's atmosphere, called airglow. Kangra district on 24 February 2019. Khelo India app launched by PM  The projects are likely to benefit the local people by way of increased tourism, safe journey, reduced  PM Narendra Modi launched Sports Authority of travel time etc. India's (SAI) first-of-its-kind mobile application,  The projects include four-laning of Punjab-Himachal 'Khelo India App' on February 27, 2019. Pradesh Border to Sihuni.  The app will create awareness about sports and fitness in the country. Action plan for viral hepatitis launched  The app has 3 unique features that will make it  The government of India launched the 'National convenient for youngsters to take up a sport. Action Plan - Viral Hepatitis' in Mumbai on 24  The app is available both in Hindi and English and February 2019. can be used in the offline mode.  The aim of the programme is to combat hepatitis and India's 1st indigenous chip unveiled achieve countrywide elimination of Hepatitis C by 2030.   The action plan takes forward the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program launched by the Union for 4G/LTE and 5G NR MODEMs in New Delhi. Health Minister in July 2018.  4 chips were unveiled at the event, which are- SCBM3412, SCBM3404, SCRF3402, and SCRF4502. PM-KISAN scheme launched from Gorakhpur  The RF sections cover all LTE/5G-NR bands up to  Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan 6GHz and these chips also support positioning using Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh on 24 February 2019. Andhra coast: New energy source discovered  Under the Scheme, Rs 6,000 will be given per year to small and marginal farmer families having a  Methane hydrate, a potential fuel of the future was combined land holding of up to 2 hectares. discovered in the Krishna-Godavari basin off the coast of Andhra Pradesh in Bay of Bengal.

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 The discovery was reported by scientists from the policy measures to ensure the stability of the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa and the external value of the domestic currency. National Geophysical Research Institute in  It will be headed by its former deputy Governor Usha Hyderabad. Thorat.  Methane hydrate is a solid crystal structure of  The eight-member task force will assess the causes water which traps a large amount of methane gas. behind the development of the offshore rupee market. Books & Authors Book on 'Mann Ki Baat' released Business & Economy  A book titled, 'Mann Ki Baat - A Social Revolution on Manufacturing PMI at a 14-month high in Feb Radio' was released by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on 2 March 2019.  According to the Nikkei India Manufacturing  The book is a compendium encompassing 50 editions of the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme by Prime activity expanded to a 14-month high of 54.3 in Minister Narendra Modi on All India Radio. February 2019.  The book is published by Rupa, in collaboration with  The rise is due to an increase in sales, output, and BlueKraft Digital Foundation, a not-for-profit employment, according to a private sector survey. organisation.  A reading over 50 denotes an expansion in activity and one below 50 shows a contraction. Bhagavad Gita at ISCKON unveiled SEBI slashes regulatory fee for brokers  PM Narendra Modi unveiled the Bhagavad Gita prepared by ISKCON Temple devotees in New Delhi  The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on the occasion of Gita Aradhana Mahotsav on 26 has lowered the regulatory fee that it charges from February 2019. market intermediaries.  It measures over 2.8 meters and weighs more than  The move is expected to bring down the overall 800 kg. trading costs for investors.  It is one of its kind in the world and has the original  The fee that brokers have to pay to SEBI has been verses of the Bhagavad Gita along with commentary. reduced by 33.33%, while the fees levied on agri- commodity brokers has been cut by 93.33%. Book launched by Venkaiah Naidu 20,000 crore GST evasion detected  Vice President Venkaiah Naidu launched a book titled 'Quality, Accreditation and Ranking - A Silent  The government detected ₹20,000 crore worth GST Revolution in the Offing in Indian Higher Education'. evasion so far this fiscal.  The book is edited by (Education Promotion Society  Between April-February 2018-19, GST evasion worth for India) EPSI's Alternate President, Dr. H ₹20,000 crore had been detected, of which ₹10,000 Chaturvedi. crore was recovered.  It consists of articles & essays authored by some of  A fake invoice worth ₹1,500 crore was detected the prominent educationists and policymakers on which was used to claim illegal GST credit of ₹75 Indian Higher Education. crore. Book dedicated to Swami Pragyanandji launched GDP growth at 6.6% in December  A book dedicated to Late eminent Vedanti  India's GDP or gross domestic product growth stood Swami Pragyanandji was launched by Governor of at 6.6% in the quarter ended December 31, 2018, West Bengal H.E Keshari Nath Tripathi. government data showed on 28 February 2019.  The book is written by Famous Industrialist and  This is the slowest rate of GDP expansion recorded Philanthropist Mr. Dinesh Shahra. since the quarter ended September 2017, and lower  It is primarily aimed at offering saintly wisdom and than economists' estimate. guidance to lead a content and happy life.  The growth in GDP during 2018-19 is estimated at 7.0% as compared to the growth rate of 7.2% in 2017- Committees & Recommendations 18. RBI constitutes task force under Usha Thorat Amalgamation of DBS bank approved  The RBI announced a task force to examine issues related to offshore rupee markets and recommend 11 | P a g e

 RBI approved the amalgamation of 'DBS Bank, India' construction housing properties to 5% from the with 'DBS Bank India' on 28 February 2019. existing 12%.  DBS used to operate in the 'branch model' and is  It also cut GST rates on affordable housing to 1% among the first foreign lenders to come forward and from 8%. operate as a WOS (wholly owned subsidiary).  The new tax rates will come into effect from 1 April  The scheme of amalgamation between the two 2019. entities has been sanctioned under the provisions of  GST is not levied on real estate properties for which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. completion certificate has been issued at the time of sale. 2nd advance estimate released Merger with BoB to be effective from April 1  The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released the Second Advance Estimates of National Income at  Bank of Baroda's proposed merger with Dena and Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices for the Vijaya Bank will be affected from 1 April 2019. financial year 2018-19.  The scheme has been named as 'Amalgamation of  Quarterly Estimates of GDP for the third quarter Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda'. October-December (Q3), 2018-19 was also released.  As per the Scheme, shareholders of Vijaya Bank will  The growth in GDP during 2018-19 is estimated at 7% get 402 equity shares of BoB for every 1,000 shares as compared to the growth rate of 7.2% in 2017-18. held.  Dena Bank will receive 110 equity shares of BoB for 3 banks out of RBIs weak-bank watch every 1,000 equity shares held.  The RBI lifted lending curbs from Allahabad Bank and Corporation Bank and removed them from its weak- bank watch list after the government infused capital in them.  Private sector Dhanlaxmi Bank too has been taken out of the Prompt Corrective Action Framework.  Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra and Oriental Bank of Commerce were also taken out of the PCA Framework, earlier on 31 January 2019. Zimbabwe started trading new currency Sports  Zimbabwe began formal trading of a new currency Khelo India app launched by PM

the economy.  PM Narendra Modi launched Sports Authority of  India's (SAI) first-of-its-kind mobile application, currency, known as RTGS dollars, will be 2.5 per US 'Khelo India App' on February 27, 2019. dollar.  The app will create awareness about sports and  The official inflation rate has soared to 57% from less fitness in the country. than 4% a year ago.  The app has 3 unique features that will make it convenient for youngsters to take up a sport. ICICI Lombard ties up with AnyTimeLoan.in  The app is available both in Hindi and English and  ICICI Lombard entered into a strategic tie-up with can be used in the offline mode. AnyTimeLoan.in (ATL), a peer-to-peer lending Saurabh and Manu clinched Gold platform on 25 February 2019.  The partnership aims to de-risk exposure of its  Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker won the gold lenders and borrowers arising from uncertainties medal in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event of such as accidents, critical illness, death, disability, the ISSF World Cup 2019. etc.  The Chinese duo of Ranxin Jiang and Bowen Zhang  ATL facilitates loans as small as ₹ 1000 to ₹10 lakh for won silver with, while the bronze went to the Korean a minimum period of 1 day to a maximum of 3 years. pair of Minjung Kim and Daehun Park.  Earlier, Saurabh Chaudhary won the gold medal in GST on under-construction homes slashed to 5% his first senior World Cup in the same event.  On 24 February 2019, the Goods and Services Tax First Indian player to score 8000 runs - Raina (GST) Council slashed tax rates on under-

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 Suresh Raina became the first Indian player to score  Women hockey team's striker, Lalremsiami bagged 8000 runs in T20. the '2018 Rising Player of The Year' award.  He achieved this feat when he scored 12 runs for UP  Manpreet led the Indian hockey team at the Asian against Puducherry in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Champions Trophy in Muscat where the team was match in Delhi. declared joint winners with Pakistan.  He also became the 2nd Indian player to have played 300 T20s after MS Dhoni.  Rohit Sharma is 3rd in the list with 299 matches. Abhijeet Gupta won Cannes Trophy  Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta lifted the Cannes International Open trophy on 25 February 2019 for chess.  He won the tournament with 7.5 points over nearest rivals Nikita Maiorov of Belarus, Nasuta Grzegorz of Poland and Yuri Solodovnichecko of Ukraine.  He took an easy draw with Pier Luigi Basso of Italy in the ninth and final round. Karthikeyan received Lifetime Achievement  G.R. Karthikeyan was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the FMSCI annual awards function on 25 February 2019.  He is the father of Narain Karthikeyan.  Raghul Rangasamy received the Upcoming Motorsport Person of the Year award for the Raymond Gautam Singhania Trophy. Prajnesh Gunneswaran: 94th in Tennis  India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran achieved his career- best ranking, rising three places to 94th in the latest list on 25 February 2019.  Ramkumar Ramanathan dropped 9 spots to 137, while Yuki Bhambri further slipped to 171.  Ankita Raina continued to be the top-placed Indian at 164 in women's ranking, followed by Karman Thandi at 207 and Pranjala Yadlapalli at 293. Apurvi Chandela won gold in 10m rifle  Apurvi Chandela has won the gold medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup 2019 in New Delhi.  This is India's first medal of the ISSF World Cup 2019.  She set a new world record by registering a score of 252.9 points in the final match.  Zhao Ruozhu and Xu Hong of China won the silver and bronze medal respectively. Manpreet Singh: Player of the Year  The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has honoured Indian men's hockey team captain, Manpreet Singh with the '2018 Player of the Year Award'.

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Defence Defence Appointments  Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar was appointed as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force on 1 March 2019.  Rajiv Dayal Mathur was appointed as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force on 1 March 2019. DAC approved aquisition of defence equipment  The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) gave approval for the acquisition of defence equipment for about Rs 2700 Crores on 27 February 2019.  The council was chaired by Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman.  Approval was granted for procurement of 3 Cadet Training ships for the Indian Navy.  The ships would be capable of undertaking Hospital Ship duties, providing Humanitarian Assistance etc. QRSAM missile successfully test fired  DRDO successfully test fired indigenously developed Quick Reach Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAMs) from ITR Chandipur, off the Odisha Coast on 26 February 2019.  The two missiles were tested for different altitudes and conditions.  The missile has a strike range of 25-30 km.  QRSAM will significantly boost the defence capabilities of the armed forces. India-Bangladesh Joint Exercise to be held  A joint military exercise, Sampriti-2019 will be conducted between India and Bangladesh at Tangail, Bangladesh from 2 March to 15 March 2019.  This will be the eighth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.  The exercise is aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between both the Armies. IAF commissions aerial surveillance  The Indian Air Force (IAF) has commissioned the 'Hyper-Spectral Imagery Programme' for the first time in the country.  The programme is an aerial surveillance system for monitoring suspicious moments under dense foliage cover along the international border and some parts within the country.  It is expected to be operational in the next two years.

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