Today's Current Affairs 19th February 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Japan’s 1,000-Year-Old Sominsai Festival comes To an End

• The Sominsai festival, an ancient tradition deeply rooted in Japanese culture, has recently concluded its final celebration after a millennium-long legacy.
• Dating back a thousand years, the Sominsai festival was a revered event held at the Kokuseki Temple.
• At the heart of the festival was a display of fervor and tradition as hundreds of nude men engaged in spirited wrestling matches over wooden talismans. 

U Tirot Sing’s Bust Unveiled in Dhaka

• U Tirot Sing Syiem was commemorated for his indomitable spirit and sacrifice as the Meghalaya government unveiled his life-size bust at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Meghalaya government unveiled his life-size bust at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar, led a delegation including State Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh and government officials. 

SPORTS

MS Dhoni Named Captain of IPL’s Greatest All-Time Team

• The Indian Premier League (IPL), since its inception in 2008, has been a powerhouse of talent and excitement in the cricketing world. 

Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024: India women win title

• At Shah Alam, Malaysia, The Indian women’s badminton team etched their names into history by clinching a historic gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SAMAR Air Defense Missile Debuts in Vayushakti Exercise at Jaisalmer

• The SAMAR (Surface-to-Air Missile for Assured Retaliation) air defense missile system marked a significant milestone as it was fired for the first time during the Vayushakti Exercise in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer on Saturday, February 17th. 

OBITUARY

Renowned Jain Monk Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj Passed Away At 77

• Renowned Jain monk Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj, aged 77, breathed his last on Sunday, February 18 at Chandragiri Teerth in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district.
• Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj attained the revered status of Acharya in 1972. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2024: Date, History and Significance

• February 19th, marks the celebration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, the 394th birth anniversary of one of the most revered figures in Indian history.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, originally named Shivaji Bhosale, hailed from the Bhonsle Maratha clan and was born in 1630 at Shivneri Fort, following the Marathi Shalivahana calendar. 

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

Fisheries Department to Ink MoU with ONDC for Improved Fisherman Market Access

• Scheduled for February 19th, 2024, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be inked between the Department of Fisheries (GoI) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
• Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala.
• Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L Murugan. 

RANKING

UP Leads in Vehicle Sales Oct-Dec 2023; Maharashtra Follows: SIAM Report

• The latest data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) for October-December 2023 reveals intriguing trends.
• Uttar Pradesh emerges as the frontrunner in vehicle sales during this period, with Maharashtra closely trailing behind. 

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Unveiling a Book Titled “Dabbling in Diplomacy” by professor S.D. Muni

• “Dabbling in Diplomacy: Authorised & Otherwise, Recollections of a Non-Career Diplomat,” Professor S.D. Muni offers an unparalleled glimpse into the intricate web of South Asian geopolitics through the lens of an academic deeply entrenched in the region’s affairs.
• The book unfolds against the backdrop of Prof. Muni’s extensive career at prestigious institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University and the National University of Singapore.