Mumbai girl becomes youngest in world to climb South America's highest peak
Kaamya Karthikeyan, a class seven student of Navy Children School (NCS) in Mumbai, became the youngest girl in the world to summit Mt Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. At 6962 metres, Mt. Aconcagua is the highest peak outside Asia.
Karthikeyan summited the mountain peak on February 1 and unfurled the tricolour.
She achieved this following years of physical and mental preparation and regular participation in adventure sports.
The young girl overcame many administrative hurdles and extreme climbing conditions to achieve this rare feat.
Britain, Ireland hit as Storm Ciara whips over northwest Europe
Britain and Ireland were lashed by howling winds and inundated with driving rain on Sunday as Storm Ciara left homes without power, wiped out sports events and disrupted travel around northern Europe.
The bad weather also hit France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany throughout Sunday, causing scores of flights to be cancelled.
In Britain, more than 30,000 homes were left without power, largely in eastern England.
The highest wind speed recorded was 150kmh at Aberdaron, on the tip of northwest Wales's Llyn peninsula.
Cauvery delta to be declared a protected agriculture zone
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday announced that the Cauvery delta region would be declared a Protected Special Agriculture Zone as a step towards ensuring food security of the State.
The announcement was widely hailed by political parties and farmers' organisations, while the DMK termed it a "diversionary tactic".
The State government would never give its approval for projects such as hydrocarbon exploration in the delta region.
IIT-H incubated startup launches high-speed electric scooter
Pure EV, a startup incubated by IIT Hyderabad, launched its high-speed electric scooter 'EPluto 7G'. The vehicle has a range of 116 km per full charge and comes with a patented battery technology. It is priced at Rs 79,999.
The vehicle offers top speed of 60 kmph and battery warranty for 40,000 km. The battery and the vehicle have been designed and developed factoring in the Indian terrain and weather conditions.
BSNL, Air India and MTNL Highest Loss-making PSUs in FY19, ONGC Most Profitable
ONGC, Indian Oil Corporation and NTPC were the top three profitable PSUs in 2018-19, whereas BSNL, Air India and MTNL incurred highest losses for a third consecutive year, according to a survey tabled in Parliament.
The Public Enterprises Survey 2018-19, which maps the annual financial performance of all central PSUs, revealed that the top 10 companies in the red claimed a whopping 94.04 per cent of the total losses made by all the 70 loss making CPSEs.
DGT Proposes to Issue Digital 'E-Credentials/E-Certificates'
The Government is developing the Electronic Skill Credential Standard (ESCS) Specification.
Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship proposes to issue digital 'e-Credentials / e-Certificates' which are freely portable for candidates and easily verifiable at scale by employers and job matching platforms but continue to allow print and other visual forms for human consumption. This would enable candidates to verifiably state their skill levels with a high degree of trust in authenticity to aggregators, matchers, and employers. In the DGT ecosystem, all the certificates are 'e-Certificates', digitally signed.
E-Credentials are an electronic scheme-based standard for describing credentials data in a machine-readable format (JSON-LDrepresentation of RDFa- Resource Description Framework, a web standard) along with its printable human-friendly version to make credential exchange between digital agents open and reliable. Certificates issued according to this specification can be aligned to one or more educational standards. They are secured using digital signatures. These will also be pushed in DigiLocker.
Iran Space Program Fails to Launch Satellite Into Orbit
An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program.
The launch happened at 7:15 p.m. local time at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran's Semnan province, some 230 kilometers (145 miles) southeast of Iran's capital, Tehran. A Simorgh, or "Phoenix," rocket couldn't put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit, however, due to a low speed, Iranian state TV reported.
NASA, ESA set to send Solar Orbiter probe to map Sun's poles
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are gearing up to send a new probe toward the Sun to take a unique look at its blazing poles, an unprecedented view expected to help researchers grasp how the star's vast bubble of energy affects Earth and humans in space.
The Solar Orbiter is due launch to space atop an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida on February 9 at 11:03 p.m. ET (0403 GMT February 10), deploying an array of solar panels and antennas before setting off on its 10-year voyage to the Sun.
Using the gravitational influence from Earth and Venus to whip itself as close as 26 million miles from the Sun or 95% of the distance between the star and Earth the probe will map the star's poles, which could allow scientists for the first time to observe the concentrated source of solar wind that permeates our solar system.
Ace cuiest Aditya Mehta defeated multiple-time world champion Pankaj Advani 6-2 to win the National Snooker Championship.
Mehta, who represented the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) in the clash on Sunday night, started off with a bang after wining the first frame with a break of 103 while the score remained 103-17.
He lost the next two frames with a close margin of 50 -58, 47-48 and it looked like Advani was staging a comeback.
But, Mehta held his nerves and claimed all the following four frames to win the title with a 6-2 score line in the best of 11 frames.
In the women's snooker finals, Karnataka's Vidya Pillai edged out Amee Kamani of Madhya Pradesh 3-2 (41-68, 57 -35, 37-61, 69-50, 87-05) to defend her senior ladies snooker title.
Premier Badminton League
Bengaluru Raptors became the first team in the Premier Badminton League championship to win back-to-back titles when it scored a 4-2 win over first-time finalist North-Eastern Warriors in the fifth edition at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium.
England skipper Eoin Morgan named captain of the year by ESPNcricinfo
Eoin Morgan was Monday named captain of the year by the ESPNcricinfo Awards jury for leading England to their maiden ODI World Cup triumph.
After losing to Sri Lanka and Australia in the tournament, England needed to win four straight games to lift the trophy – which they did, winning the title after a tied thriller against New Zealand.
The ODI batting performance of the year award went to Ben Stokes for his nerveless performance in the World Cup final. He made an unbeaten 84 in the regulation 50 overs and a further seven in the Super Over.
Stokes' epic rearguard in the Headingley Ashes Test lost out narrowly in the Test batting category to Kusal Perera who made a landmark 153 not out against South Africa in Durban to take the title.
Web Portal Launched for Star Rating of Mines in India
In order to promote green, safe and sustainable mining practices using technology as a tool, Ministry of Coal (MoC) has launched a web portal for star rating of coal mines. Union Minister for Coal & Mines Shri Pralhad Joshi launched this portal in New Delhi which enables all operational coal mines across India for self-rating, their subsequent validation by Coal Controller's Organization (CCO), further evaluation and finally award of star rating.
Based on the star ratings obtained through a well-defined mechanism on this web portal, the highest scoring mines in the country will be awarded in a public ceremony. Besides, all the mines will be given an official certificate by the CCO mentioning their star rating and the particular reporting year. The mines that score from 91 to 100% will get 5 star, 81 to 90% 4 star, 71 to 80% 3 star, 61 to 70% 2 star, 41 to 60% 1 star and mines that score from 0 to 40% will get No star on the portal as per laid down procedures of the Star Rating Policy for Coal Mines in India.
Bhupesh Baghel inaugurates Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi as Chhattisgarh's 28th district  
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday inaugurated Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi as the 28th district of the state.
The new district, carved out of Bilaspur, has three tehsils and three development blocks namely Gaurela, Pendra and Marwahi.
It comprises 166 gram panchayats, 222 villages and two nagar panchayats, with an area of 1,68,225 hectares.
Baghel had made an announcement about the formation of this district last year during his Independence Day speech.
SC slaps fine of Rs 5 lakh on Centre, States for failing to file reply on PIL for community kitchen
Irked over repeated failures of the Centre and States to file their replies, the Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily and imposed cost of Rs five lakh on them for not complying with its directions to file their affidavits on a PIL seeking setting up of community kitchens across the country.
Punjab, Nagaland, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand -- and Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar, who have filed their responses on the PIL filed by Arun Dhawan, will not pay any fine.
Five months have passed since the apex court had issued notice and except for five states and one union territory, no other states and UTs have filed their response.
69 per cent of children under the age of five who have lost their lives are due to malnutrition and it is high time that States take steps to set up community kitchens.
Armies of India, UK to conduct joint exercise from Feb 13 to Feb 26
With an emphasis on counter-terrorist operations in urban and semi-urban areas, the armies of India and the UK will conduct a joint military exercise at Salisbury Plains from February 13 to February 26, according to a government statement issued on Monday.
The exercise will comprise 120 soldiers each from the Indian and United Kingdom (UK) Army who would be "sharing their experiences" gained during conduct of various counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in the past, the statement added.
"The fifth edition of the joint military exercise Ajeya Warrior-2020 between India and United Kingdom will be conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom, from February 13 to February 26, 2020," it stated.
The aim of the exercise is to conduct joint training with emphasis on counter-terrorist operations in urban and semi-urban areas, according the statement. "Training on modern weapon systems, equipment and simulator training have also been planned," it mentioned.
The Ajeya Warrior exercise is conducted alternately in the UK and India.
Cheapest gunshot locator developed in India
The Army's College of Military Engineering has developed a gunshot locator jointly with a private firm that costs much cheaper than the imported ones.
The device named 'Parth' costs around Rs three lakhs, and if inducted, would replace a similar imported item which costs around Rs 65 lakh.
The device can locate the exact location of a bullet from a distance of 400 m and will help to locate and neutralize terrorist faster.
Major Anoop Mishra showcased the indigenous 'Parth' gun shot locator device at DefExpo 2020.
Incidentally, Major Mishra, who had developed a bulletproof jacket for protection against sniper bullets, has developed a helmet which is claimed to be first such in the world that can stop an AK-47 bullet round from a distance of 10 meters.
On 22nd December 2015, the General Assembly decided to establish an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology, through Resolution A/RES/70/212.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on 11th February, is implemented by UNESCO and UN-Women, in collaboration institutions and civil society partners that aim to promote women and girls in science. This Day is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.
Gender equality is a global priority for UNESCO, and the support of young girls, their education and their full ability to make their ideas heard are levers for development and peace.
PM to inaugurate UN Summit on migratory species in Gandhinagar
The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme, is going to be hosted by India during 15th to 22nd February, 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. Representatives from 129 Parties and eminent conservationists and international NGOs working in the field of wildlife conservation are expected to attend the COP.
India has been a Party to the CMS since 1983. The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention.
Inaugurating the Logo and Mascot (GIBI) along with website for the international event, in New Delhi, the hosting of 13th COP would give India an opportunity to showcase its conservation initiatives for wildlife species. "It will provide a global platform for deliberations on the conservation and sustainable use of migratory wild animals and their habitat.
World Pulses Day
World Pulses Day is a day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of pulses (dry beans, lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, lupins) as a global food.It has been designated on February 10 each year since 2019 by the seventy-third session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2018. The date aims to bring attention to activities and information connected to the pulse sector worldwide.
David Warner and Ellyse Perry were the recipients of the Allan Border Medal and Belinda Clark Medal at the 2020 Australian Cricket Awards on Monday.
The medals are awarded to players from the women's and men's teams respectively, voted on by players, umpires and media from across all international cricket.
Warner, who also won the T20I player of the year, enjoyed a brilliant campaign during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, scoring 647 runs across the tournament, second only to Rohit Sharma's 648.
Perry eclipsed Alyssa Healy by 161 votes and was adjudged as the women T20I player of the year, women's ODI player of the year. She was the star performer in the Women's Ashes with a dazzling hundred in the Test and 11 wickets in three ODIs.
Sanction of Electric Charging Stations Under Fame India-II Scheme
Department of Heavy Industry has sanctioned 2,636 Electric Vehicles (EVs) charging stations in 62 cities across 24 States/UTs under FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India) scheme phase II.
In Andhra Pradesh, 92 charging stationshave been sanctioned to Vijayawada, 71 charging stations to Vishakhapatnam, 68 charging stations to Tirupati and 35 charging stations to Kakinada.
In Telangana, 118 chargingStationshave been sanctioned to City of Hyderabad, 10 each charging stations to cities of Warangal and Karimnagar.
This information was given by the Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Prakash Javadekar.
SC upholds constitutional validity of SC/ST Amendment Act, 2018
The Supreme Court Monday upheld the constitutional validity of SC/ST Amendment Act, 2018 saying a court can grant anticipatory bail only in cases where a prima facie case is not made out.
A preliminary inquiry is not essential before lodging an FIR under the Act nor is the approval of senior police officials.
Every citizen needs to treat fellow citizens equally and foster the concept of fraternity.
A court could quash the FIR if a prima facie case is not made out under the SC/ST Act and the liberal use of anticipatory bail will defeat the intention of Parliament.
UP government to start internship scheme for students
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday announced a slew of measures, including internship for students and hiring of girls in police, aimed at increasing employment in the state.
The students of class 10, 12 and those pursuing graduation will be linked to technical institutes for six months to a year. They will be given an honorarium of Rs 2,500 per month. Of this, Rs 1,500 will be given by the centre and the rest by the state.
"After the completion of the internship, the government will also arrange for the placement of such youth for which an human resources cell will be created,"
Haryana govt launched Reading Mission
To inculcate reading habit among students, the 'Reading Mission- Haryana' has been initiated by the state government.
As reading helps in developing social values of egalitarianism, tolerance, and justice, the 'Reading Mission- Haryana' has been started in the state.
The mission has been launched on the lines of the central government's 'Reading Mission 2022', which aims to address the lost glory of reading books.
Under the mission, book review sessions should be organised by students once a month in educational institutions.
Besides, a 45-minute mass reading programme should be held on the fourth Saturday of the month.
In Madhya Pradesh, Governor Lalji Tandon has inaugurated Hunar Haat in Indore. It will continue till 16th of February.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was also present on this occasion.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Campaign launched to build a cultural connect between different regions
Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat Campaign organised by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry began across the country. It will continue until the 28th of this month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mooted the idea of a cultural connection between different regions during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas held in 2015. The broad objectives of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat include celebrating the Unity in Diversity of our nation and promoting the spirit of national integration through engagement between all states and union territories.
Under the campaign, various programmes are being conducted in Kerala. The Nehru Yuva Kendra, Kerala zone is organizing Himachal Pradesh-Kerala, interstate youth exchange programmes in Kozhikode district.
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