1.Sri Lanka celebrates its 72nd Independence Day
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Sri Lanka celebrated its 72nd Independence Day on 4 February.On this day, Sri Lanka became an independent nation after getting independence from Britain.
Tthe national anthem at the main ceremony was sung only in Sinhala and not in Tamil, as has been the tradition since 2016.
Tamil political parties had demanded to keep both versions of the national anthem.
This was the first Independence day speech of Gotabaya after he was elected President last November.
2.Frequency of Maitree and Bandhan Express increased
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The frequency of the Maitree Express and Bandhan Express trains connecting Bangladesh and India has been increased.In a press release issued the High Commission of India in Bangladesh said that Maitree Express running between Dhaka and Kolkata will now run 5 days a week. Earlier it was running 4 days a week.
Bandhan Express running between Kolkata and Khulna will now be running twice a week. Earlier it was running once a week.
3.Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu gets ready for Kumbabishekam
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In Tamil Nadu, the rare Kumbhabhishekam of the heritage Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur will be held in a short while from now.The ‘kumbhabhishekam’ of the 1,000-year old Brihadeeswara temple in Thanjavur is being held with traditional rites and rituals within a few hours from now.
The kumbhabhishekam, which relates to the rejuvenation of the temple, was last performed in 1997.
Lakhs of pilgrims have flocked to the temple town of Thanjavur, on the banks of the river Cauvery, to witness the rare spectacle.
4.Indore to host 21st edition of IIFA Awards from March 27-29
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The 21st edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards) will be held in Indore from March 27-29, while Bhopal will host a function in run up to the mega Bollywood event.This was announced by IIFA organisers in the presence of Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath at a press conference.
An event related to the IIFA Awards will be held in Bhopal on March 21, while the main function spanning over three days will be organised in Indore from March 27-29.
This will be the 21st edition of the awards, which first started in 2000 and later became one of the most high- profile events related to the Hindi film industry.
5.India’s biggest rural technical festival ‘Antahpragnya 2020’ started in Telangana
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M Prashanthi, District Collector of Nirmal, inaugurated National Level India’s Biggest Rural Technical Festival titled ‘Antahpragnya 2020’ in the state of Telangana.The theme of this festival is ‘Spot and encourage rural tech innovators’.
The 3-day technical fest from Jan 31 to Feb 2 with over 200 events viz Campus Farming competition, Robo Racing, Robo Soccer, and others.
6.RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das named ‘Central Banker of the Year 2020 – Asia Pacific’
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Shaktikanta Das, The governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been named ‘Central Banker of the Year 2020 – Asia-Pacific’ by The Banker.The Banker is a London-based international financial affairs publication owned by The Financial Times.
It is known for its annual rankings of the world’s top banks.
The 2020 list“celebrates the officials that have best managed to stimulate growth and stabilise their economy”.
7.Insurance cover on bank deposits increases from Rs one lakh to five lakh
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Insurance cover on bank deposits has been increased to five lakh rupees from one lakh rupees.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in a statement that the cover is provided by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had made the announcement regarding increasing insurance cover to five lakh rupees in her Budget Speech.
The move will help boost the confidence of people in the banking system.
As the insurance cover stands increased, the banks will pay a premium of 12 paise against 10 paise per 100 rupees deposited.
8.Albin Kurti named as Kosovo’s prime minister
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Albin Kurti has been named as Kosovo’s prime minister.Once dubbed ‘Kosovo’s Che Guevara’ for his radical antics, the 44-year-old was named PM after his left-wing Vetevendosje party forged a coalition with the centre-right Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
Mixing a left-wing agenda with fervent nationalism, Kurti has long been an insurgent force in Kosovo politics.
9.Deepa Malik Elected President of Paralympic Committee of India
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Indian Paralympic medal-winner Deepa Malik has been elected president of the Paralympic Committee of India.Malik, who won silver in shot putt F-53 at Rio 2016, was elected unopposed.
She was also awarded Padma Shri award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
10.Kenya’s longest serving President Daniel Arap Moi dies at 95
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Former Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi, who ruled the country for 24 years, has died.Moi was born September 2, 1924, in Baringo County.
He became Kenya’s second president after independence and went on to rule from 1978 to 2002.
