February 19: Agriculture is the lifeline of India but the sector has not seen any big push yet.If it had, then farmers who are the ultimate beneficiaries would be leading a better life now rathen than commiting suicide.The government`s Digital India movement could be the answer for farmers expectations of fair pricing as their produce will be able to reach the right buyer through ecommerce.More information can be got through the latest current affairs capsule for February 19, 2016
National News:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and other countries for cooperation in the field of agriculture & allied sectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a digital platform for farmers to sell their produce at a better rate anywhere in the country will be launched on April 14.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa announced a free bus pass scheme for senior citizens in Chennai. Under this scheme, people above 60 years of age can travel for free in non-AC buses run by the govt`s Metropolitan Transport Corporation.
North Central Railway has commissioned an ultra-modern computer-based signaling system at the Khurja junction, Uttar Pradesh.
At the farmer`s convention in Sherpur village of Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the guidelines for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), scheme for crop insurance.
Government is keen to introduce Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament in pursuance of the Constitution (One Hundredth Amendment) Act, 2015.
International News:
15 million people across Uganda shall begin voting in presidential elections, where the current sitting president, Yoweri Museveni looks to extend his 30-year rule.
Barack Obama has signed on new sanctions against North Korea to punish its provocative recent nuclear test & rocket launch.
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to visit Cuba next month.He will the 1st American president to enter the island nation in 80 years.
Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will land in New Delhi on a 6 day visit to India.
Google’s ballon powered Internet ‘Project Loon’ began its operations in Sri Lanka after first helium-filled balloon landed in Pupuressa area in Gampola town.
MoUs Signed:
Uber signed a MoU with the Maharashtra government’s Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department (SDED) to create 75,000 entrepreneurship opportunities across the state over the next 5 years.
The Punjab government’s Animal Husbandry department is planning to sign a MoU with British Pig Association (BPA) to develop & promote piggery in the State.
Science & Technology:
Google has launched a service called Gmailify, that lets non-gmail users make use of gmail’s spam protection, inbox organization & Google Now Features without changing their existing e-mail addresses.
Japan successfully launched ASTRO-H space observation satellite to research more about mysterious black holes. It was launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre.
NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for a meeting to discuss a possible international collaboration on Mars Mission.
Queen’s University`s researchers have developed the World’s First Flexible Display Smart Phone called ‘ReFlex‘.
Cat S60, developed by the US based company Caterpillar is the World’s first smartphone with a thermal camera. It has a 4.7 inch display, ‘Flir thermal camera and 32 GB expandable storage & can take live thermal images & measure surface temperatures.
Obituary:
Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan,a popular singer during his times passed away in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Andy Ganteaume, the former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman, passed away in Santa Margarita, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 95.
Awards & Honours:
Robin Chaurasia, an Indian Teacher has been nominated for the Global Teacher Prize among the World top 10 Educators. He teaches girls in Mumbai`s red light areas.
Australian photographer Warren Richardson`s photograph has selected as the World Press Photo of the Year 2015 at the 59th annual World Press Photo Contest
‘Playing it My Way’, Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography entered the Limca Book of Records for being the ‘Bestselling Audit Hardback on Release’ in non-fiction and fiction categories.
Sports News:
Paris, Rome, Los Angeles & Budapest have submitted their bids with the International Olympic Committee to host the 2024 Summer Olympic & Paralympic Games.
The Indian Women’s cricket team have a 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
It will be Mumbai vs Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy final that is to start in Pune from February 24.
Rio Haryanto will become first Formula One (F1) driver from Indonesia after signing a deal with Manor Racing for the Australian Grand Prix set to start on 20 March.
Banking & Economy:
State Bank of India (SBI) has launched ‘Japan Desk’, a single window for inbound Japanese investments in India & vice-versa.The desk shall facilitate japanese corporates looking to invest in India by providing them with banking & advisory services.
SEBI has barred 22 stock brokers from the securities market for executing ‘reversal trade’ worth around 8100 crore in the stock options segment.
Reliance Industries Ltd, shall soon take oil from Iran next month after five years.
YES Bank has joined with UltraCash Technologies to launch payments processing through sound waves.Payments are to be transferred from one device to other using unique ultra-high frequency sound waves.
