1. PM launches ‘Rurban Mission’
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the ambitious ‘Rurban Mission’ for developing 300 villages across the country as urban growth centres amid his assertion that his Government is for the poor, dalits and other oppressed sections of the society.
2. Noting that the mission was aimed at curbing migration of youth from villages to cities, he targeted the previous dispensations, saying nobody had thought about planning and providing facilities even as urban areas continued to expand and slum clusters continued to come up because of migration.
3. While launching the ambitious scheme in this remote tribal area of Chhattisgarh, Modi said a “huge country” like India cannot have proper economic development unless even the remotest places are developed as growth centres and provided with urban facilities and “good life” like education, healthcare and internet while retaining the “rural spirit“.
4. Under the ‘Rurban Mission’, he said 300 rural centres, catering to at least four adjoining villages each, will be developed as urban clusters with modern facilities.
5. 100 such centres are targeted to be developed this year itself, the Prime Minister said at the event which was also attended by Chief Minister Raman Singh and Union Rural Development Minister Birendra Singh among others.
2. Swachh Himachal Padhai bhi, Safai bhi campaign launched
1. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has launched ‘Swachh Himachal – Padhai bhi, Safai bhi’ campaign in Dharamsala. With this unique campaign, HPCA became the first cricket association in the country to work towards Swatch Bharat Abhiyan initiated by the Union Government.
2. The campaign aims at involving youth to promote good health and sanitation in urban and rural areas in the Himalayan state. Its objective is to showcase Himachal’s beauty as India’s cleanest and greenest state. Under it, the sport of cricket will be linked with Swatch Bharat Abhiyan and youth’s will be termed as Swatch Captain and teachers as Swatch Coach.
3. . India, Nepal ink seven Agreements
1. India and Nepal have signed seven agreements for cooperation in various fields. These agreements were signed at a summit meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli in New Delhi. This is first official foreign visit of K.P. Sharma Oli after he became Prime Minister of Nepal.
MOU signed
MoU on Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance: It deals with utilization of US 250 million dollars Grant component India’s Assistance package for Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance of Nepal.
MoU on strengthening of road infrastructure in Nepal: It will enable speedy implementation of remaining work on 17 Roads in Terai area of Nepal.
MoU in the field of performing arts: Singed between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy. It aims to enhance relations in the field of performing arts between both countries.
Letters of Exchange on Transit Routes: (i) Operationalization of Vishakhapatnam Port. (ii) Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandh corridor.
Letters of Exchange on Rail Transport: (i) Rail transit facility through Singhabad for Nepal’s Trade with Bangladesh. (ii) Rail transport to and from Vishakhapatnam.
Inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line: Initial supply of 80 MW from Nepal to India. It will be later augmented to 200 MW by October 2016 and 600 MW by December 2017. Establishment of Eminent Persons Group (EPG): It will comprise 8 members with each country nominating 4 members. Its mandate would be to review bilateral relations and recommend measures including institutional frameworks in order to enhance bilateral ties.
4. Faustin Archange Touadera wins 2016 Presidential election of Central African Republic
1. Faustin Archange Touadera has won the 2016 Presidential election of Central African Republic (CAR) held on 14 February 2016. He had contested as an independent candidate in this election and secured 62.7 percent or 695,000 valid votes.
2. He defeated Georges Anicet Dologuele of Union for Central African Renewal Party who had obtained just over or 37.3 percent or 413,000 votes. Faustin Archange Touadera is well-respected former mathematics professor. He had served as former Prime Minister of ex-president Francois Bozize from January 2008 to January 2013.
5. McCullum scores fastest test century in just 54 balls
1. Brendon McCullum blasted the fastest test century to rescue New Zealand before Australia were reduced to 57 for one by the close of day one of the second test
2. The New Zealand captain scored a brilliant 145, with his first 100 runs coming from 54 balls, as the hosts were dismissed for 370 after tea at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
1. PM launches ‘Rurban Mission’
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the ambitious ‘Rurban Mission’ for developing 300 villages across the country as urban growth centres amid his assertion that his Government is for the poor, dalits and other oppressed sections of the society.
2. Noting that the mission was aimed at curbing migration of youth from villages to cities, he targeted the previous dispensations, saying nobody had thought about planning and providing facilities even as urban areas continued to expand and slum clusters continued to come up because of migration.
3. While launching the ambitious scheme in this remote tribal area of Chhattisgarh, Modi said a “huge country” like India cannot have proper economic development unless even the remotest places are developed as growth centres and provided with urban facilities and “good life” like education, healthcare and internet while retaining the “rural spirit“.
4. Under the ‘Rurban Mission’, he said 300 rural centres, catering to at least four adjoining villages each, will be developed as urban clusters with modern facilities.
5. 100 such centres are targeted to be developed this year itself, the Prime Minister said at the event which was also attended by Chief Minister Raman Singh and Union Rural Development Minister Birendra Singh among others.
2. Swachh Himachal Padhai bhi, Safai bhi campaign launched
1. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has launched ‘Swachh Himachal – Padhai bhi, Safai bhi’ campaign in Dharamsala. With this unique campaign, HPCA became the first cricket association in the country to work towards Swatch Bharat Abhiyan initiated by the Union Government.
2. The campaign aims at involving youth to promote good health and sanitation in urban and rural areas in the Himalayan state. Its objective is to showcase Himachal’s beauty as India’s cleanest and greenest state. Under it, the sport of cricket will be linked with Swatch Bharat Abhiyan and youth’s will be termed as Swatch Captain and teachers as Swatch Coach.
3. . India, Nepal ink seven Agreements
1. India and Nepal have signed seven agreements for cooperation in various fields. These agreements were signed at a summit meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli in New Delhi. This is first official foreign visit of K.P. Sharma Oli after he became Prime Minister of Nepal.
MOU signed
MoU on Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance: It deals with utilization of US 250 million dollars Grant component India’s Assistance package for Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance of Nepal.
MoU on strengthening of road infrastructure in Nepal: It will enable speedy implementation of remaining work on 17 Roads in Terai area of Nepal.
MoU in the field of performing arts: Singed between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy. It aims to enhance relations in the field of performing arts between both countries.
Letters of Exchange on Transit Routes: (i) Operationalization of Vishakhapatnam Port. (ii) Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandh corridor.
Letters of Exchange on Rail Transport: (i) Rail transit facility through Singhabad for Nepal’s Trade with Bangladesh. (ii) Rail transport to and from Vishakhapatnam.
Inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line: Initial supply of 80 MW from Nepal to India. It will be later augmented to 200 MW by October 2016 and 600 MW by December 2017. Establishment of Eminent Persons Group (EPG): It will comprise 8 members with each country nominating 4 members. Its mandate would be to review bilateral relations and recommend measures including institutional frameworks in order to enhance bilateral ties.
4. Faustin Archange Touadera wins 2016 Presidential election of Central African Republic
1. Faustin Archange Touadera has won the 2016 Presidential election of Central African Republic (CAR) held on 14 February 2016. He had contested as an independent candidate in this election and secured 62.7 percent or 695,000 valid votes.
2. He defeated Georges Anicet Dologuele of Union for Central African Renewal Party who had obtained just over or 37.3 percent or 413,000 votes. Faustin Archange Touadera is well-respected former mathematics professor. He had served as former Prime Minister of ex-president Francois Bozize from January 2008 to January 2013.
5. McCullum scores fastest test century in just 54 balls
1. Brendon McCullum blasted the fastest test century to rescue New Zealand before Australia were reduced to 57 for one by the close of day one of the second test
2. The New Zealand captain scored a brilliant 145, with his first 100 runs coming from 54 balls, as the hosts were dismissed for 370 after tea at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.