Important Current Affairs 18th February 2020

National News

Centre renames IDSA as ‘Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses:

• Union Government has decided to rename the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, IDSA as Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

• The decision has been taken to honour the commitment and legacy of late Manohar Parrikar.

• It will align the vision and aspiration of the premier defence institute with the contribution of the former Defence Minister and Padma Bhushan awardee.

Mobile App ”Yodhavu” Launched in Kerala to Combat Drug Menace:

• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched “Yodhav” (Warrior) mobile app (application) at Kochi, Kerala.

• Through this app, the public can inform police about drug abuse and its distribution.

• The application was introduced by the Kochi city police and the informer’s identity could be kept secret.

Permanent Commission to Women Officers In Army:

• The Supreme Court recently ruled that the Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers are now eligible to get permanent commission in the Indian Army.

• The ruling came on a plea filed by the Central Government against the decision of Delhi High Court 10 years ago.

Jammu and Kashmir soon to be covered by CAT:

• The Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will soon be covered by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

• The announcement was made by Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The CAT will handle all the cases and issues related to the J&K and Ladakh.

Banking and Economy

NESFB began its service and operation:

• North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB) which is the first small bank of North India has started its services on 16 February.

• On 31 March 2017, Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RVGN) (North East) Microfinance Limited received the Small Finance Bank License from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB):

• Assam’s finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and TATA Trust chairman Ratan Tata launched the first 28 branches of NESFB.

• Tata has invested Rs.40 crore through his investment arm RNT Associates in the bank. North East Small Finance Bank Ltd has a net worth of Rs.300 crore.

• The bank is supported by the infusion of funds from domestic and overseas investors.

• The bank will carry out banking services in remote and unbanked areas of India’s eight

India becomes 5th largest economy: World Population Review report:

• As per a report by a US-based think tank World Population Review, India’s economy is the fifth-largest in the world with a GDP of $2.94 trillion, overtaking the UK and France in 2019 to take the fifth spot.

• The size of the UK economy is $2.83 trillion and that of France is $2.71 trillion.

Summits and Mou’s

India, World Bank sign $ 450 mn loan agreement to support Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) to improve groundwater management:

• The World Bank has signed a USD 450 million loan agreement with India on February 17, 2020 to support the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) – National Groundwater Management Improvement Programme.

• The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) will be implemented in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh and cover 78 districts.

Awards

Sachin Tendulkar wins the Laureus Sporting Moment Award for ICC World Cup 2011 victory lap:

• 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards has been announced. The winners of the award are:

• Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year 2020: Lewis Hamilton (F1 racer) and Lionel Messi (Football)

• Laureus World Sportswoman Of The Year: Simone Biles (Gymnastics- US)

• Laureus Sporting Moment Of The Year- Sachin Tendulkar (Cricketer- India)

• Laureus World Team Of The Year: South Africa Rugby Union Team

• Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award 2020: Dirk Nowitzki (Basketball- Germany)

Science and Technology

ISRO Plans to Launch 10 Earth Observation (EO) Satellites in 2020-21:

• As per the annual data released by the Department of Space, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has planned to launch an unprecedented 10 earth observation (EO) satellites with space surveillance feature during 2020-21.

• Apart from this, three communication satellites and two navigation satellites are also scheduled to be launched in the next fiscal.The annual plan includes total 36 missions, comprising of both satellites and their launchers.

Obituary

Bengali actor and former MP Tapas Pal passes away:

• Former Politician and Bengali actor, Tapas Pal has passed away at the age of 61 years.

• He was former Trinamool Congress MP. He started his acting career with the film ‘Dadar Kirti’ in 1980. He was awarded the Filmfare Award for his role in a movie ‘Saheb’ (1981).

• He made his Bollywood debut in ‘Abodh’ in 1984.

Sports

“UNITED BY EMOTION” Chosen as Motto of Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games:

• ‘United by Emotion’ is the official motto for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Games.

• The Motto encapsulates the Games vision, capturing the essence of the ideas and concepts that the host city wishes to share with the world.

• About 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries will participate in Tokyo Olympics which will run from July 24 to August 9.

Appointments and Resignations

Vinay Dube Takes Charge as CEO of GoAir:

• The Board of Directors of GoAir has appointed Vinay Dube as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

• Mr. Dube was the former CEO of Jet Airways.

• He joined GoAir in an advisory role in October 2019.