PLACES IN NEWS Current affairs-FEBRUARY 2018

2019

2018

FEBRUARY 2019-PLACES IN NEWS

Air India resumes its services from New Delhi to Najaf in Iraq

Air India is resuming its services from New Delhi to the holy city of Najaf in Iraq after 25 years.
Najaf is a city some 160 kilometers from Baghdad.
It is an important pilgrimage place considered sacred by Shia Muslims.
About Iraq: President: Barham Salih

Knowledge is power - Uzbekistan lifts ban on political science

According to a decree issued by PresidentShavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has lifted the ban on teaching Political Science.
The subject was entirely banned in 2015 under the regime of President Islam Karimov on the grounds that it is a western pseudoscience that does not take into account the "Uzbek model" ofdevelopment.
In 2013 Uzbek universities stopped teaching political science as a major and in 2015 it was totally eradicated from the curriculum.

About Uzbekistan: Capital: Tashkent

Indus River Dolphin declared as Punjab’s State aquatic animal

One of the world's rarest mammals, Indus River Dolphins has received an exceptional distinction.
Found only in India and Pakistan in the Beas river, the generally playful Indus Dolphins have been declared Punjab’s State aquatic animal.
Punjab Chief Minister also approved to declare Kanji Wetland and holy Kali Bein River as a wildlife conservation reserve to mark the historic celebration of 550^th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev.

About Punjab: Chief minister: Amarinder Singh

2^nd Jharkhand Int'l Film Festival to begin in Ranchi from 1^st February

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to lend support to the organization of 2^nd Jharkhand International Film Festival (JIFF) in Ranchi, Jharkhand from 1^st to 3^rd February.
It is being organized by Navbharat Nirman Sangh, an NGO.
JIFF aims to present not only the best Indian and International Films, but also showcase the best of Jharkhand Regional Films being made in Napuri, Santali, Kortha and Kumali languages.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had provided financial sports of Rs 5 Lakh to the Organizers of the festival.

About Jharkhand: Chief minister: Raghubar Das

Art, action, Mumbai: Kala Ghoda Arts Festival celebrates 20 years of creativity

The Kala ghoda festival-KAGF, India’s largest multi-cultural street festival begins in Mumbai to celebrate its 20 years of art and culture through cinema, theatre, dance, literature and sculpture.
The festival hosted the exhibition at the Jehangir Art Gallery to celebrate the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and some rich history of Mumbai.
Maneck Davar is Chairman of Kala Ghoda Association.

About Maharashtra: Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao.

Words Count Festival 2019 was held in Pune

According to the Union Textile Minister Smt. Smriti Irani, Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association (ATIRA) recently manufactured composite carbon fabric which is lightweight, durable and high heat resistance and now replacing metal parts of satellites for bringing down weight significantly.
This is helpful to reduced launch cost.
Second edition of World Count festival 2019 was held in Pune, Maharashtra, with an aim to bring together speakers from several socio-political spheres and share their insights on various issues.
The Festival was hosted by the award -winning screenwriter, author and columnist Advita Kala.
Pavan Kumar Verma, A career diplomat and famous writer was honored with first Word Smith Award 2019 for his contribution in Indian Literature.

Boeing 747-200-Air India’s first ever Flight Simulator was exhibited in Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai

Air India’s first ever Flight Simulator is ready for public viewing at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai.
Known as ‘Boeing 747-200’, it was extensively used by the pilots, until due to technological obsolescence, it paved the way for new flight simulators.
It was designed and manufactured by the CAE, Canada (earlier known as the Canadian Aviation Electronic Industries Limited) and acquired by Air India in 1980.
The purpose of the artifact is to create awareness about the significance of simulations in the field of aviation among the public in general and students in particular.
This precious artefact provides a glimpse into the remarkable technologies that are associated with flight simulations.

Smriti Irani launches India Size project in Mumbai

A first-of-its-kind project in the history of the country, India Size aims to arrive at a standard Indian Size for the ready-to-wear clothing industry, on the lines of the standardized sizes available in countries such as the USA and the UK.
During this ceremony, Minister also launched a Study of Apparel Consumption in India.
The report of this study would released by July 2019.
According to the Textiles secretary Raghvendra Singh, MoUs were recently signed with industry players wherein government will facilitate sourcing of handloom products from handloom clusters, based on requirements of industry, so that cost of production comes down for weavers.
According to the Textiles secretary Raghvendra Singh, specific discussions were held with CMAI members, and it has been decided that government and industry will work together for enhancing income of weavers and generating employment.

Union Minister Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal lays Foundation Stone of Mega Food Park at Mathura District in Uttar Pradesh

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal today laid foundation stone for M/s Nandvan Mega Food Park Private Limited located in Badawal, Chhata-Barsana road in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.
The Mega Food Park is being set up in 57.41 acre of land at a cost of Rs. 120.77 Crore.
Government of India has approved a financial assistance of Rs. 50.00 Crore to the project.

3-day Krishi Kumbh begins in Motihari, Bihar

In Bihar, Governor Lalji Tandon and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh jointly inaugurated the three -day Krishi Kumbh in Motihari.
Over fifteen thousand farmers from different states and about two hundred agricultural scientists are participating in the Kumbh.
The objective of Krishi Kumbh is to promote modern techniques and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) in Thiruvananthapuram

A first of its kind research institute that is linked to the Global Virus Network (GVN), it will operate from the Bio 360 Life Sciences Park at Thonnakkal.
The establishment of the institute was proposed during the Nipah Virus outbreak that struck the state last year.
The institute can confirm the viruses causing infectious diseases and detect new ones without delay in order to plan preventive measures.

Union Science & Technology Minister to inaugurate North Karnataka Agromet Forecasting and Research Centre (NKAFC) at Dharwad

A Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) KSNDMC and University of Agriculture Sciences, Dharwad have decided to create synergies in the institutional efforts by establishing a new Center of IMD called “North Karnataka Agromet Forecasting and Research Centre (NKAFC)” at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.
This centre will act as a centre of excellence with multi functions from observations, forecast, research and capacity building in Agro-Meteorological services in Karnataka state to be rendered jointly with the state government machinery at the district level.
India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences in collaboration with Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) through its Agro-meteorological Advisory Service (AAS) network provides relevant meteorological information to help farmers make the most efficient use of natural resources, with the aim of improving agricultural production; both in quantity and quality; and reduce the input cost to enhance the farmer’s income.