NATIONAL
Mumbai's favourite arts festival Kala Ghoda kicks off
- Mumbai's favourite arts festival Kala Ghoda kicked off.
- In its 21st edition, this year the annual arts extravaganza is packed with a bigger, tighter selection of vibrant events.
- For the next nine days, Mumbaikars have the opportunity to enjoy host of festivities including contemporary artworks, talks by esteemed names in the city and performances across music, theatre and stand-up comedy and much more on the streets of South Mumbai.
ISRO announces it is preparing low-cost satellite launch vehicles
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that it is preparing low-cost satellite launch vehicles costing around 30-35 crores rupees each, which can put into orbit satellites weighing 500 kgs.
- The first such launch is expected to take place in the next four months from the country.
- This capability will give ISRO a big commercial boost as it will be able to cater to micro, mini and medium segments of the market.
INTERNATIONAL
International Children’s Film Festival ends in Dhaka
- The 13th International Children’s Film Festival of Bangladesh concluded in Dhaka with an award giving ceremony in which 11 awards were conferred in various categories.
- The Best Feature Film award in the international section was given to the Dutch film Romy’s Salon, directed by Mischa Kamp.
- The Finnish director Merja Maijanen bagged the best director award for her film Good Girl.
- German film Day X, directed by Katharina Rivilis won the Best Short Film Award.
- The Bangladeshi director Ragib Mahmud Shafayet Shah got the Young Talent Award for his film The Smoker while Sudipto Shah won the Social Film Award for his film Khoka Jokhon Chhotto Chhilen.
- A total of 179 films from 39 countries were screened at five venues in Dhaka during the Children’s Film Festival which started on 24th January.
Maldives rejoins Commonwealth
- The Maldives has once again become a member of the Commonwealth of nations.
- President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the announcement, fulfilling one of his key presidential pledges.
- The president said that the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, confirmed Maldives’ reinstatement into the organization as its 54th member state.
- The Maldives first became a member of the Commonwealth in 1982 but former President Abdulla Yameen decided to leave it in October 2016, amid mounting pressure from the group over corruption and deteriorating human rights.
APPOINTMENTS
Lt Gen Y K Joshi takes over as GOC-in-C Northern Command
- Lieutenant General YK Joshi took over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command at Udhampur.
- Before assuming the charge, he visited "Dhruva War Memorial".
- He paid tribute to martyrs who have sacrificed their lives under the Northern Command since 1972.
- Gen Joshi commanded 13 JAK RIF in Operation VIJAY and PARAKRAM.
- Nicknamed 'Joe', he also displayed outstanding leadership during the Kargil war.
Govt appoints M Ajit Kumar as chairman of CBIC
- The Government of India appointed M Ajit Kumar IRS as chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
- The appointment came just two days before the Union Budget 2020 presentation.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment.
- The new Chairman’s immediate responsibilities will include accelerating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues and to deal with the changes introduced in customs duties in the Union Budget for 2020.
SPORTS
Flame-Throated Bulbul 'Rubigula' official mascot for Goa 2020 National Games
- 'Rubigula', Flame-Throated Bulbul, has been unveiled as the official mascot for the Goa 2020 National Games in Panaji, Goa.
- Goa will be hosting the 36th edition of the National Games from 20th October to 4th November 2020.
- The event will see participation by 36 states and union territories, 12,000 athletes.
- The Flame-Throated Bulbul is the state bird of Goa.
Sofia Kenin wins Australian Open final
- In Tennis, American Sofia Kenin won her first Grand Slam title with victory over Spain's Garbine Muguruza at the Australian Open.
- Kenin won 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 against two-time major winner Muguruza in Melbourne.
- Kenin, who turned 21 in November, is the youngest Australian Open champion since Russian Maria Sharapova in 2008.
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