February 21: Mobile phones have transformed the way we look at the world around us.Gone are the days when cell phones were primarily used for calls & sending SMS messages.Now technology has grown to such an extent that people can browse internet, buy goods online & are even learning on the go.But few villages have banned girls from using phones as they feel its the common reason for them to get spoilt.For more info around India, here is the latest Current Affairs for February 21, 2016.
National News:
For the development of smart cities, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) have been formed for the cities of Jabalpur, Indore and Bhopal in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan .
A khap panchayat in Aligarh village, Agra has issued a complete ban on use of mobile phones by girls younger than 18.Families of violators will be punished by having to sweep the village roads.They blame the devices for girls to get involved in relationships with boys at young age.
The ‘Halwa Ceremony’ began in the North Block office, New Delhi which is conducted before printing documents for the Budget 2016-17 starts.As part of the ritual, halwa is prepared in a big kadhai pot & served to all the staff in the ministry.The event was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley & Jayant Sinha
Through a network of Common Services Centres (CSCs), the government is looking to provide banking services in every village of the country.
Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharti will inaugurate Jal Manthan -2 on February 22, 2016 at New Delhi.The main theme of this 2 day event is Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management.
Sandip Gund, a primary school teacher from Pashtepada, Maharshtra has converted a Zilla parishad school into a “Smart School”.Children of this school are taught using Tablets and Computers instead of Books.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has launched ‘Swachh Himachal – Padhaibhi, Safaibhi’ campaign in Dharamsala. HPCA has become the first cricket association in India to work towards Swatch Bharat Abhiyan started by the Indian Government.
7 agreements were signed by India & Nepal for cooperation in various fields. These agreements were signed at a summit meeting in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Nepali PM KP Sharma Oli.
International News:
Tyres imported into USA from India & Sri Lanka are to be investigated by a US investigative body for anti-dumping as they feel it could have a damaging effect on domestic industry.
World Bank shall provide support to the Rajasthan government on energy reforms.It was decided at a meeting between World Bank’s country director in India, Onno Ruhl & Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
New Appointments:
Infosys has appointed Michael Pesch as Chief Executive Officer of Infosys Consulting Holding AG (formerly Infosys Lodestone),effective from April 1.
Christine Lagarde of France has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a second five-year term.Her new term will end on 5th July 2021.
MoUs Signed:
Prasar Bharati has signed a MoU with Empressa de Brazil Communicacao (EBC) in connection with several broadcast related activities including exchange of news, programmes and co-production.
It was signed between Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jawhar Sircar and EBC Vice President Mr.Mario in Brasilia, Brazil.
Science & Technology:
Cipla Ltd, the indian pharmaceutical company has acquired 2 US generic drug companies, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. & Exelan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully conducted the hotbed test of the indigenously developed high-thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) of the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM3) rocket for the upper stage.
Scientists have discovered 5 new Jupiter like planets that are similar in characteristics to our solar system’s biggest planet. The newly discovered planets were named as WASP-119 b, WASP-124 b, WASP-126 b, WASP-129 b and WASP-133 b.
Obituary:
Umberto Eco, an Italian author known for his best selling historical novel “The Name of the Rose” died at the age of 84.
Bhubaneswari Mishra, a noted Odia singer passed away due to heart attack in a private hospital in New Delhi.She was a popular classical dancer as well as a playback singer.
Sports News:
Indian Sprinter Dutee Chand has set a new national record of taking just 7.28 seconds to complete the 60 meter dash heats at the Asian Indoor Championships.The previous national record was 7.81 seconds.
Pritam Patil, Maharashtra cricketer has scored the 1st Triple Hundred in One day International (ODI) format. He scored 306 runs off just 134 Balls for PYC Hindu Gymkhana in Maharashtra Cricket Association’s Senior invitation League as they beat Nanded by 508 runs in a 50 over game
Indian Long Jumper Mayookha Johny leapt to the 6.35 meter mark to win the Gold Medal at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
