NATIONAL NEWS
1.ISRO launches GSAT31 from French Guiana:-
India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 has been launched successfully from French Guiana in the wee hours. The Ariane-5 rocket lifted off with it from Kourou Launch Base at 2:31 am Indian time, and in 42-minutes, placed it in the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. It was immediately taken control by Indian Space Research Organization ISRO scientists from its Hassan facility in Karnataka. After bringing the satellite to its final geostationary orbit using the usual orbit-raising manoeuvres in the next few days, it will be made operational.ISRO chairman Dr Sivan has said, GSAT-31 will provide transponder capacity for DTH television and connectivity to services like VSATs for ATMs, stock-exchanges, Digital Satellite News Gathering DSNG and e-governance applications. He added, the satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications. “The satellite GSAT-31 has the footprint over both mainland India and her island territories. It has an operational life of over fifteen years, offering seamless services by replacing the ageing INSAT-4CR satellite. GSAT-31 is India’s fortieth communication satellite. Eleven such satellites are already in operation, serving the nation in space. They together make one of the largest constellations of its class in the world. As the transponder requirements are huge, more such launches are in the pipeline, as said by ISRO. GSAT-31 had a lift-off mass of 2536 kg. Though India’s own GSLV rockets are capable of launching such payloads, ISRO has clarified, the foreign booster’s services have been used keeping in view the urgency attached with it, as the available GSLV rockets have been booked for other important missions like the forthcoming Chandrayaan-2.
2.President Kovind to confer Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards:-
President Ram Nath Kovind will give away the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2017 at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Forty-two artists from the fields of Music, Dance and Theatre will be awarded. the General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Culture had selected the awardees. Established in 1952, the Akademi Award not only symbolizes the highest standards of excellence and achievements but also recognizes sustained individual work and contribution. In the field of Music, eleven eminent artists have been selected, while nine artists each from Dance and Theatre have been chosen for the award. Ten artists will be awarded in the category of Traditional, Folk and Tribal Music. Two people have also been selected for the award in the field of Overall Contribution in the Performing Arts. The award carries a cash prize of one lakh rupees, a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
3.40 Youth of Indian origin from 8 countries met Dr. Jitendra Singh, under the 53rd edition of “Know India Program”:- 
Under the 53rd edition of “Know India’s Program”, a group of youth of Indian origin of 8 countries New Delhi, Minister of State for North-Eastern Development (Independent Charge), Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, atom Meet the Minister of State for Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh. In the 53rd edition of the Knowledge of India for Youth Overseas Indians, 40 youths (24 young men and 16 young people) are from Fiji, Guyana, Mauritius, Portugal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The associate states of this edition are Maharashtra and Daman and Diu.The Ministry of External Affairs organizes the program “Know India”, its aim is to make the migrant young Indians of the age group of 18-30 years aware about the development and achievements of the country and bring them closer to the land of their ancestors. This program provides a platform for Indian students and professionals of Indian origin to share their experiences, thoughts, aspirations and experiences, and to provide a platform for proximity to contemporary India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh interacted with the youth and discussed their experiences of traveling to India. He said that this program provides opportunities to the youth who are willing to know their roots and share their experiences. They discussed the role of contact between people of the two countries. He said that the world has become smaller due to better connectivity and obstacles have been reduced. New modes of communication are directly linked to people outside the national boundaries.
The youth who came to visit India said that “Know India’s program” helped them to know Indian traditions, heritage and family contacts. He also gave information about his family’s visit to India in the past. The youth said that the IT industry has been very influenced by Bollywood, Indian cuisine and sports.Dr. Jitendra Singh interacted with the youth on his educational and professional background and other aspects including the state of his ancestors. While discussing the progress of India in the last five years, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Prime Minister has been presented to India on the global level by Mr. Narendra Modi. He said that India is not less than any country in the field of space technology. He mentioned government programs like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, International Yoga Day. Talking to the youth, he discussed the progress made in the North East region of India.Migrant youth from 8 countries are from 23 January to 16 February on the tour of India, youth have gone to Maharashtra, Daman and Diu and Agra.Young people are still in Delhi and will see historical monuments and cultural sites.
4.AYUSH Minister will inaugurate the Conference of AYUSH and Health Ministers of States in New Delhi:-
The AYUSH Ministry will hold a conference of the State’s AYUSH and Health Ministers in New Delhi. Ayush and Health Ministers of the States and Union Territories as well as senior officials have also been invited to participate in deliberations on issues related to Ayush Area. The main topics of the conference are expected to be discussed – National Ayush Mission, Coordination of Ayush Services in Ayushman India, Medicinal Plants, Ayurveda, Siddha, Greek and Homeopathy Educational Institutions, Ayurveda, Siddha, Greek and Homeopathy. Quality control, medicines related to Central sector schemes and special programs and projects.
5.Launch of Urban Prosperity Festival:- 
Urban prosperity is an initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which aims to reach the most vulnerable sections of Deendayal Antyodaya Mission-National Urban Livelihood Mission (DY-NULM). This event displays its initiatives and facilitates the access of Self Help Groups (SHG) members to other schemes of the government. It was launched in the country earlier this week.On the first day of the urban prosperity festival, there were rallies led by women’s self-help groups across the country. These rallies spread awareness about DAy-NULM in poor communities living in cities. Fairs were organized for sale of manufacture fairs and manufactured products by women entrepreneurs by many states and these events would continue for the next two weeks.Through the Urban Prosperity Fest, members of Self Help Groups of the cities are provided with National Level Government Schemes namely Clean India Mission (U), Prime Minister Housing Scheme (U), Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana. Pradhan Mantri Janhana Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojna and National Nutrition Mission are being linked.
For the next two weeks, several other activities such as the adoption of homeless shelter sites by the states, formation of formal SHGs of cleaners, financial inclusion camps, employment fairs etc. will also be conducted.Shehrisamridhiutsav.com, a dedicated portal for all these states, has progressed in the direction of these activities conducted under the Urban Prosperity Fest, as well as the photographs and media articles attached to them . Access can be done through
The main attraction of the Urban Prosperity Festival is the National Exhibition cum Sale of SHG Products and National Street Food Festival organized in New Delhi . Under this, more than 100 pavilions of handloom, handicrafts, snacks and other local products manufactured by 200 Self Help Groups of 23 States are being set up in Central Delhi. Local dishes will be displayed in 40 pavilions of street food vendors of more than 20 states. In the evening, a cultural program will be organized in which the band will present a popular band. This event will be held from 8 to 17 February 2019 in Rajpath Lawn in central Delhi. It will be open from 12 noon to 10 pm for the public.
SPORTS NEWS
6.Women’s Cricket: India wins the toss and opts to field first against NZ:-
In Women’s Cricket, India won the toss and opted to field first in the opening game of the three-match T20 series against New Zealand in Wellington. India won the three-match ODI series 2-1. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the T20 side. All eyes will be on uncapped all-rounder Priya Punia, who replaced an out of form Veda Krishnamurthy in the squad.
It will be India’s first game in the shortest format ever since that infamous loss to England at the World T20 in the Caribbean, where Mithali Raj was dropped from the semifinal clash.
7.Ankita holds key as India aim for Fed Cup World Group II:-
India’s top singles players Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi will have to punch above their weight when the battle to qualify for Fed Cup tennis tournament’s World Group II, begins in Astana, Kazakhstan.India is placed in Pool A where it will look to get past Thailand. The real challenge would be to upset hosts Kazakhstan, who have two top-100 singles player.Prarthna Thombare is the lone doubles specialist in the Indian squad, which also has two-time national champion Mahak Jain and former champion Riya Bhatia. The winners of Pool A and B, which has four teams, will clash to determine the nation which will qualify for World Group II. Pool B has China, along with Korea, Indonesia, and Pacific Oceania. Due to sub-zero temperatures, the matches will be played indoors.
BUSINESS NEWS
8.Prime Minister Kisan Scheme: Not to be given for first installment basis, second installment mandatory:-
In order to provide cash support to small farmers, under the Prime Minister’s Kisan Scheme of the Central Government, the Aadhaar number will be optional for the first installment, which means that you do not have to give the basis. However, the foundation has been made mandatory for the second installment. Explain that the government has announced the prime minister’s Kisan Mahan Nidhi Yojana of Rs. 75,000 crore in the interim budget of 2019-20.Under this scheme, cash subsidy of Rs 6,000 per annum will be given to small farmers having a holding of upto two hectares. This amount will be credited to their bank account in three installments. According to official documents, the base for the first installment of Rs. 2 thousand rupees will not be mandatory, but the base number has been mandatory to get the second installment. Farmers will have to give their base number to give their identity.The implementation of the fully funded Prime Minister Kisan Adhash Nidhi Yojana will be done from this year and the farmers will be sent to the first installment by March. In the letter sent to the State Governments, the Union Agriculture Ministry has said, “For the period from December 2018 to March 2019, the base number will be taken only where available.”
