NATIONAL NEWS

Distribution Of Aids and Assistive Devices To ‘Divyangjan’ in MP

• Total 5286 aids and assistive devices costs Rs.2.42 Crore are distributed to 1391 Divyangjan and 553 Senior citizens.
• To Divyangjan and Senior Citizens the aid was distributed under Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase (ADIP) Scheme and ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana’ (RVY Scheme) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment respectively.
• It was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in association with ALIMCO and District Administration Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh.
• Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurated the camp.
• ‘An Integrated Mobile Service Delivery Van’ which has been developed by the ALIMCO to provide “After Sale Service” and also to provide awareness campaign on use of Aids and Assistive devices was also launched.

APEDA Celebrates its 36th Foundation Day

• Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on 13^th February 2022 celebrated its 36th Foundation Day.
• APEDA focuses on promoting of exports of ethnic agricultural products and Geographical Indications tagged as well as indigenous products.
• The target given to APEDA in the current financial year FY 2022 is 23.7 billion dollar, out of which more than 70 per cent has been achieved till January 2022.

Telangana State with British Council

• The Government of Telangana signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Council to expand higher education globally, to enhance mobility, and to share information and skills.
• The MoU has also been agreed between the Research and Innovation Centre of Hyderabad (RICH) and the British Council, to monitor both organization that work closely to boost new partnerships between universities, research institutions and centres of excellence.
• It will also focus further research in the fields of aerospace, defence, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, and sustainability.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Israel to Permit Drones in Civilian Airspace

• Israel becomes the first country to allow drones in civilian airspace. Israel's Ministry of Transport and Road Safety recently announced the country's first certification for unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) to operate in civilian airspace.

• The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued the authority to The Hermes Starliner unmanned system.
• It was manufactured and developed by Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense electronics company.
• The Hermes Starliner can fly for up to 36 hours at an altitude of around 7600 m, and has capability to carry an additional 450 kg of thermal, electro-optical, radar and other payloads.
• The purpose of the UAV in anti-terror as well as border security operations.

SPORTS

France to Win FIH Pro League Tournament in South Africa

• India lost to France in men’s FIH pro league tournament held in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

• It was France’s first-ever victory against Indian men in hockey.
• The score was 5-2.

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

EIU’s Democracy Index

• On 10 February 2021,13th edition of the Democracy Index was released by Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU). The first index was released in 2006.

• The list has165 countries and two territories

• An evaluation of the state of democracy is based on five categories. They are Electoral Process and Pluralism, The Functioning of the Government, Political Participation, Political Culture and Civil Liberties.
• India secured 46^th position in the index with score of 9.61.
• The list is topped by Norway (9.75) and it is followed by New Zealand (9.37).
• Finland secured third place in the index with score 9.27.
• Afghanistan is at the bottom of the index with score 0.32.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Paul-Henri to become New President of Burkina Faso

• Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, lieutenant-colonel in the national armed forces, becomes the President of Burkina Faso.

• He is also the head of president of the Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (the official name of the junta) and supreme commander of the armed forces.

• He succeeds Roch Kabore.

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Women’s Day

• National Women’s Day is observed every year on 13 February.

• This day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu and this year marks 143 th anniversary.

• She is also known as Nightingale of India and Bharat Kokila.

World Radio Day

• World Radio Day is celebrated annually on 13 February.

• Radio is a powerful medium which connects people together to promote diversity and make the world more inclusive.

• UNSECO unveiled three sub-themes to celebrate the day.
• Trust in radio journalism: produce independent and high-quality content.
• Trust and accessibility: take care of your audience
• Trust and viability of radio stations: ensure competitiveness.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISRO to Launch PSLV-C52

• On 14 February 2022, The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO has successfully launched the 54^th Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C52 from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

• PSLV- C52 is an Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-04) along with 2 other satellites, INS-2td and INSPIRE sat1.

• INS-2TD carries a thermal imaging camera to assess land and water surface temperature and thermal inertia at day and night.

• INSPIRE sat-1 is a small satellite designed from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology in association with the Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics at University of Colorado.
• EOS-04 is designed to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions.
•  It is applied in agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology and flood mapping.

DEFENCE

ICGS -Saksham

• Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is a shipbuilding company owned by the Government of India.

• GSL delivered the 5^th and final vessel of the Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vehicle named ICGS Saksham.
• The project of 5 CGOPV was signed by GSL with the Ministry of Defence and GSL is the first Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Shipyard to adopt Make-in-India Policy.
• ICGS-Saksham is the most advanced patrol vessel in service with the coast guard and weighs around 2400 tonnes.

MISCELLENEOUS

Mumbai International Film Festival

• This year marks the 17th edition of Mumbai International Film Festival will be held from 29th of May to 4th of June.

• The festival will be held at the Films Division complex in Mumbai.
• Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation films are the categories for which the award will be presented.
• As the country is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the current edition has cited a special award for Best Short Film on the theme, India@75.
• V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced in order to honour a veteran personality from the Indian non-feature film industry.