1.Nepal celebrates 70th National Democracy Day on 19 February
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Nepal celebrated its 70th National Democracy Day on 19 February.A special ceremony was held at the Nepal Army Pavilion Tudikhel in Kathmandu to mark the occasion.
Every year, Falgun 7 of the Nepali calendar is commemorated as the National Democracy Day in Nepal.
In 2007 Bikram Sambat, on this day, democracy was established in the Himalayan nation ending over a century old autocratic Rana regime.
2.Bangladesh to enhance Mongla Port Capacity
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The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) of Bangladesh has approved the proposal to enhance the capacity of the Mongla port.India has extended a line of credit for the expansion of the Mongla Port capacity.
Out of the total estimated project cost of Tk 6014 crore, India will provide Tk 4459 crore equivalent to $ 530 million as Line of Credit for the project.
With the enhancement of the capacity of the Mongla port it would be able to handle 15 million tons of cargo and 4 lakh shipping containers of a standard 20 feet size called TEUs.
On completion the project will significantly boost connectivity in the BBIN (Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal) region.
It will also boost trade with India, Bhutan and Nepal.
India and Bangladesh had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports in 2015.
Mongla is the second largest sea port in Bangladesh.The project is expected to be completed by June 2024.
3.India overtakes UK & France to become 5th largest world economy
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India has emerged as the fifth-largest world economy in 2019, overtaking the UK and France, as per a report by US-based think tank World Population Review.India’s economy is the fifth-largest in the world with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.94 trillion, overtaking the UK and France in 2019 to take the fifth spot.
The size of the UK economy is $2.83 trillion and that of France is $2.71 trillion.
India’s service sector is the fast-growing sector in the world accounting for 60 per cent of the economy and 28 per of employment.
4.India jumps five ranks to 35th in Worldwide Education for the Future Index 2019
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India ranks 35th in the Worldwide Educating for the Future Index (WEFFI) 2019, as per a report published by The Economist Intelligence Unit.The country ranked 40th with an overall score of 41.2 across categories in 2018.
The index assesses countries based on their abilities to equip students with skill-based education.
Finland was at the top of the index followed by Sweden.
5.Govt to launch Tilhan Mission to boost oilseed production
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The government will launch the Tilhan Mission to make the country self-reliant in oilseed production.The announcement was made at an occasion of Soil Health Card Day. Soil Health Card Day was celebrated all over India on February 19, 2020.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, the government is seriously working on enhancing the oilseed production in the country.
The government has also decided to create 10 thousand Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO) across the country for which an assistance of over 6,000 crore rupees will be provided.
He also said, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will not be mandatory for farmers and it will be voluntary for them.
6.Arunachal Pradesh celebrates 34th Statehood Day on 20 February
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Arunachal Pradesh celebrated its 34th Statehood Day on 20 February.Arunachal Pradesh attained statehood on February 20, 1987.
Prior to this it was a union territory since 20 January 1972.
Home Minister Amit Shah will launch a slew of projects on the occasion.
He will launch the Arunachal Pradesh Industrial and Investment Policy, 2020, inaugurate the Joram-Koloriang Road constructed by BRO, lay the foundation stone of the new headquarters of the state police and along with other projects.
7.Goa paired with Jharkhand under ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’
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Under Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat, Goa state is paired with Jharkhand. Various exchange activities are already on between Goa and Jharkhand.The Directorate of Art and Culture from Goa has been organizing many activities in this regard.
Recently cultural and folk artistes troupes from Goa participated in an event in Jharkhand successfully.
Artisans, craftsmen and artists from Goa visit Jharkhand and they get an opportunity to render their talent.
8.Mahant Nritya Gopal Das elected as President of Ram Mandir Trust
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The first meeting of the Ram Mandir Trust to oversee the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya was held in New Delhi.The trust has decided that a Committee will be formed to decide on the construction of the temple.
Nripendra Misra, former principal secretary of Prime Minister Modi will be the head of the temple construction committee.
Mahant Nritya Gopal Das was elected as the president of the Trust whereas Champat Rai would be the general secretary.
The 15-member trust was formed in adherence to the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute in November last year.
9.PM-led panel names President’s secretary Sanjay Kothari as next CVC, ex-IAS officer Bimal Julka to be CIC
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Sanjay Kothari, the Secretary to the President, has been selected as the new Chief Vigilance Commissioner.Also, former Information and Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka,has been selected as the new Chief Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission.
Both Kothari and Julka are retired Indian Administrative Service officers.
The Central Vigilance Commission is an-corruption watchdog with autonomous status.
The Central Information Commission was constituted under the Right to Information Act and has the jurisdiction over all central public authorities.
10.India to host AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2022
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India will host the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.The Women’s Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced this in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Besides India, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan were the other competing candidates.
Besides, India will have the experience of hosting the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup later this year.
