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Category: All Current Affairs

Andhra Pradesh Govt. appoints two ‘Disha Special Officers’

January 3, 2020

The Andhra Pradesh government-appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Dr Kritika Shukla and Indian Police Service (IPS) official M Deepika, as Special Officers for implementing the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019.

The Act is intended for speedy trial and faster execution in cases of sexual offences against women in the state. To ensure a speedy trial, the state will set up exclusive special courts in all the 13 districts to deal with cases of offences against women and children including rape, acid attacks, stalking, voyeurism, social media harassment of women, sexual harassment and all cases under POCSO Act.

Iran’s Gen Qassem Soleimani killed in US airstrike on Baghdad airport

January 3, 2020

Iran’s top commander General Qassim Soleimani has been killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, has been a key figure of Iranian and the Middle East politics.

His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the United States and triggered concerns of retaliation from Iranian forces. After the news of Soleimani’s death, oil prices jumped more than 4% and fuelling fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

Natyasurya Awardee dramatist Ratna Ojha passed away

January 3, 2020

Eminent Assamese dramatist, litterateur and social activist Ratna Ojha passed away due to old-age related ailments. For his contribution to the field of theatre, he received the prestigious Natyasurya Award in 2005.

He had introduced street plays in Assam in 1971 with his skit ‘Kokaideo’ to revive the theatre movement in the state that was fading with the death of his mentor Phani Sarma.

‘Damini’ helpline service for women launched by UPSRTC

January 3, 2020

UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) has launched ‘Damini’ helpline service considering the safety of the women passengers. As the extension of ‘Nirbhaya Yojana’ the unique number “81142-77777” has been subscribed for this helpline. Women passengers can lodge their complaints by calling the helpline number and by using WhatsApp service.

The service will be functional from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day and will be exclusively handled by women officers at the UPSRTC headquarters and regional offices. Women passengers can lodge their complaints on the general helpline number, 1800-180-2877, after 6 p.m.

Piyush Jaiswal honored with Global Bihar Excellence Awards 2019

January 3, 2020

Piyush Jaiswal was awarded the Global Bihar Excellence Award 2019. This award was presented by Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Shri Awardee Dr. CP Thakur and Bihar Women Commission president Dilmani Devi in Patna to promote women empowerment.

The award was given to recognize and felicitated Piyush Jaiswal’s contribution towards social welfare, women empowerment and introducing new talent in the field of arts and culture.

Piyush Jaiswal was recently awarded the humanitarian award with the Global Peace Excellence Humanitarian Award 2019 on the occasion of International Human Day.

RPF renamed as Indian Railway Protection Force Service

January 3, 2020

The Indian Railways has renamed its security force RPF (Railway Protection Force) as Indian Railway Protection Force Service. The ministry has accorded organised Group A status to RPF and renamed it.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a security force, enacted by the Indian Parliament for “the better protection and security of railway property”. The force is under the authority of the Indian Ministry of Railways.

Ritualistic festival ‘Lai Haraoba’ begins in Tripura

January 3, 2020

In Tripura, Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri meitei communities began in Agartala. The 5-day long festival is jointly organised by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of Tripura, Puthiba Lai Haraoba Committee and Puthiba Welfare & Cultural Society, Agartala.

Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance and rituals. A cultural troupe from Manipur has also come to take part in the festival. They will be performing various cultural and traditional musical skits including Manipuri martial arts, folk music and folk dances during the festival.

The five-day long festival was inaugurated by Speaker of state legislative Assembly, Rebati Mohan Das. The festival aims to uphold tradition and cultural values of Meitei community.

Leh: National Ice Hockey Championship-2020 begins

January 3, 2020

The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 has begun in Leh, Ladakh. The tournament will continue till 7th January in Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink in Leh. In the inaugural match in Under-20 Boys category between Chandigarh and Haryana, the contest ended in a draw with 4 goals each.

The Army, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and home team Ladakh are participating for the championship in U-20 boys category. In Girls category Ladakh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Chandigarh are playing for the championship.

Nagaland Assembly Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu dies of lung cancer

January 1, 2020

The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader and Nagaland Assembly Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu passed away at the age of 67 on Monday, 31st Dec at a hospital in Mumbai after battling lung cancer for several months.

Yhoshu was elected to the state Assembly thrice from Southern Angami-1 constituency in Kohima district. He had won the seat as a candidate of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in 2008 and 2013 and served as Advisor and Parliamentary Secretary of various departments. He was elected as Speaker of the state Assembly in 2018 assembly election.

‘Visit Nepal Year 2020’ campaign launched in Nepal

January 1, 2020

President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari, launched the “Visit Nepal Year 2020” campaign during the ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangashala in Kathmandu. Mythical creature Yeti has been selected as mascot of the campaign.

Nepal is one of the World’s fascinating tourist destination and the government has a goal of making tourism one of the key pillars of the Nepali economy. The ambitious campaign was launched in all the seven provinces of Nepal aiming to promote tourism in Nepal and to attract 2 million tourists in 2020. .