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By admin: Feb. 20, 2023

India, Uzbekistan hold 4th Joint Military Exercise- ‘Dustlik’

Tags: Defence National News

As part of the military-to-military exchange program between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army, the fourth edition of the training exercise Dastlik (2023) began on 20 February.

An overview of the news

• The exercise will be held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand till March 5, 2023.

• 45-45 soldiers from both countries will participate in the exercise.

• The Indian contingent in this bilateral exercise will be represented by the 14th Battalion The Garhwal Rifles, which is part of the Western Command.

• The Uzbekistan Army will be represented by troops from the North Western Military District of the Uzbekistan Army.

• Its purpose is to give impetus to the ever-growing military and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

• This exercise shows the strong resolve of both the countries to combat terrorism.

Previous Exercises- ‘Dustlik’

• The first edition of this exercise was conducted in November 2019 in Uzbekistan.

• The second edition was held in India in 2021 from 10 to 19 March at Chaubatia, Ranikhet.

• The third edition of the exercise was conducted from March 22 to 29 in 2022 in Yangiyarik district of Uzbekistan.

Significance

• Keeping in mind the Belt and Road Initiative of China, this exercise is very important.

• Both the armies share counter-terrorist operations in mountain/rural/urban scenarios under the UN mandate.

• Military diplomacy to connect with Central Asia.

18th World Security Congress

Tags: Summits National News

The 18th World Security Congress is being organised by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) from 21 to 23 February in Jaipur.

An overview of the news

• The 18th edition of this Congress is focused on the theme of "Railway Safety Strategy: Responses and Vision for the Future".

• It will be attended by concerned officials from UIC, partner international organisations, Indian Railways, RPF and senior police officers from India besides security heads from railway organisations across the globe.

• The Congress is divided into 4 sessions, which include the topics "Safety of critical assets and goods", "Human safety approaches", "Best railway safety equipment and practices around the world" and "Vision 2030".

• Earlier, in 2006 and 2015, RPF India successfully organized and hosted the International UIC World Security Congress in New Delhi.

• RPF Director General Sanjay Chander IPS has taken over as the Chairman of the International UIC Security Forum from July 2022 to July 2024.

About International Union of Railways (UIC)

• The Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer (UIC) or International Union of Railways (UIC) is headquartered in Paris, France.

• It is a professional association which has been in existence since 1922.

• It represents the railway sector and promotes rail transport around the world.

• UIC serves on the mission of promoting interoperability and standardisation of rail transport, increasing cooperation and sharing of best practices, supporting members in new business and new areas of activities and proposing improved technical and environmental performance of rail transport.

About Railway Protection Force of India

• This is a prime security and Law Enforcement Agency in the field of Railway Security in India.

• It was formed in 1957 for better protection of railway property.

• It has proven itself with the additional roles of passenger safety and passenger convenience and protection of railway property.

• Director General of RPF - Sanjay Chander

Sea ice cover reaches lowest level in Antarctica

Tags: Science and Technology

In the study conducted by scientists, it has been told that the area of the Antarctic Ocean covered with ice has shrunk to a record low level.

An overview of the news

• According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center in the United States, Antarctica's sea ice extent was recorded at 2.2 million square kilometres last week, down from 2.27 million square kilometres as of February 24, 2022, the previous record.

• This is the lowest since records began in 1979.

• According to scientists, this is the second consecutive year when snow has melted up to 20 lakh square km in a day.

• The coldest region on Earth, 99 percent of Antarctica is covered with ice.

• About two thick layers of ice are frozen here. But now this ice is melting fast.

• According to scientists, due to the hot winds, the snow is melting rapidly, this year the temperature of the hot winds has been 1.5 degrees above the average.

About Antarctica

• It is the southernmost continent and the fifth largest continent on Earth.

• Antarctica is uninhabited except for about 40 permanent stations set up by many countries including India for scientific research.

• India has two research centres on the Antarctic continent - 'Maitri' and 'Bharati'.

• India has completed 40 scientific expeditions here under the Antarctic program so far.

India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 achieves another milestone

Tags: Science and Technology National News

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 19 February said that the 'Chandrayaan-3' lander has "successfully" underwent the Electro-Magnetic Interference/Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) test at the U R Rao Satellite Centre.

An overview of the news

• The EMI-EMC test is conducted for satellite missions to ensure functionality of the satellite subsystems in space and their compatibility with the expected electromagnetic levels.

• The purpose of this test is to ensure that the satellite's systems work properly in conjunction with the expected electromagnetic levels in space.

• This is an important step in preparing the test satellites.

• The test was conducted between January 31 and February 2 at the UR RAW Satellite Center in Bengaluru.

• During this test several points related to the post-landing phase of Chandrayaan's mission were checked.

• These include a number of tests including launch capability, polarisation of antenna for radio frequency systems and compatibility of lander and rover.

• All the systems performed satisfactorily during the test.

• The complexity of this operation relates to the establishment of radio frequency communication links between these modules.

BAFTA Awards for 2023 announced

Tags: Awards

The 76th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards, were announced at an event held in London’s Royal Festival Hall on 19 February.

An overview of the news

• A German anti-war drama ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’, a screen adaptation of the 1928 novel by Erich Maria Remarque, won the most, including Best Picture and Best Director, with seven.

• ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ and ‘Elvis’ both movies won four BAFTA awards.

BAFTA 2023 Winners List

Best film

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” -WINNER

• “The Banshees of Inisherin”

• “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

• “Elvis”

• “‘TÁR”

Outstanding British film

• “Aftersun”

• “The Banshees of Inisherin” -WINNER

• “Brian and Charles”

• “Empire of Light”

• “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”

• “Living”

• “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical”

• “See How They Run”

• “The Swimmers”

• “The Wonder”

Best documentary

• “All That Breathes”

• “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”

• “Fire of Love”

• “Moonage Daydream”

• “Navalny” *WINNER

Best animated film

• “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” *WINNER

• “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”

• “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

• “Turning Red”

Best lead actress

• Ana de Armas, “Blonde”

• Cate Blanchett, “TÁR” *WINNER

• Viola Davis, “The Woman King”

• Danielle Deadwyler, “Till”

• Emma Thompson, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”

• Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

Best lead actor

• Austin Butler, “Elvis” *WINNER

• Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”

• Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

• Daryl McCormack, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”

• Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”

• Bill Nighy, “Living”

Khajuraho Dance Festival begin in Madhya Pradesh

Tags: Festivals State News

The 49th Khajuraho Dance Festival began on February 20 in Khajuraho.

An overview of the news

• Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel inaugurated 'Khajuraho Dance Festival-2023'. The festival will end on February 26.

• Madhya Pradesh State Rupankar Art Award will be given at the function and an exhibition of artefacts has also been organised at the venue.

• Under the Department of Culture, this festival is being organised with the joint efforts of Ustad Alladin Khan Academy of Music and Arts, Department of Tourism, Archaeological Survey of India, World Dance Alliance and Chhatarpur District Administration.

• The first meeting of the Culture Working Group under the chairmanship of India in G-20 is also being held in Khajuraho from 23 to 25 February.

Other festivals of Madhya Pradesh

• Lokrang Festival, Bhopal

• Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh, Ujjain

• Bhagoria Haat Festival, West Nimar (Khargon) and Jhabua

• Ujjain Kumbh Mela, Ujjain

• Malwa Utsav, Indore & Ujjain

• Chethiyagiri Vihara Festival, Sanchi

• Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Gwalior

Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day

Tags: State News Important Days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh on the state's 37th statehood day on February 20.

An overview of the news

• Every year 20 February is celebrated as the foundation day of Arunachal Pradesh.

• Through the 55th Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1986, Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th state of the India on February 20, 1987.

Historical Background

• During British colonial rule, until 1972, the state was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA).

• It became a Union Territory on January 20, 1972 and was named Arunachal Pradesh.

• It was given full statehood by the Arunachal Pradesh State Act, 1986.

• It was formed in the year 1987 by separating from Assam.

Geographical Situation

• Arunachal Pradesh is bounded by Bhutan in the west and the Tibetan region of China in the north.

• It is bounded by Nagaland and Myanmar in the South-Eastern region and Assam in the South-Western region.

• Capital - Itanagar

Demography

• Literacy rate of the state (as per Census 2011) 65.38% with male literacy rate 72.55% and females 57.70%.

• Sex Ratio - 938 female per 1000 male (National- 943)

• State Animal - Mithun (also known as Gayal)

• State Bird - Hornbill

Protected Areas

• Talle Wildlife Sanctuary (Protected area) 

• Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve 

• Namdapha Tiger Reserve 

• Sessa Orchid Sanctuary 

• Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary

Important Festivals 

• Tawang Festival

• Solung, Losar

• Torgya

• Dree

• Murung

• Chalo Loku

Mizoram Statehood Day

Tags: State News Important Days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Mizoram on the state's foundation day on February 20.

An overview of the news

• Every year 20 February is celebrated as the Statehood Day of Mizoram.

• The state of Mizoram was formed on 20 February 1987 following the 53rd Amendment to the Constitution of India, 1986.

• At the time of independence, the Mizo Hills region became the Lushai Hills district within Assam.

• In 1954 it was renamed Mizo Hills District of Assam.

• Mizoram was granted union territory status in 1972 following the signing of an important accord with the moderates of the Mizo National Front (MNF).

• It became the 23rd full state of India on 20 February 1987.

Geographical Situation

• International Border - Myanmar and Bangladesh

• State boundary - Tripura (North-West), Assam (North) and Manipur (North-East).

Demography

• It is the second least populous state in India after Sikkim.

• Sex ratio - 975 females per 1000 males (at national level it is 943).

• The literacy rate of the state is 91.58%. (National rate - 74.04%).

Protected Areas 

• Murlen National Park 

• Phawngpui National Park 

• Dampa Tiger Reserve 

• Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary

• Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary

Important Festivals 

• Chapchar Kut

• Christmas Festival 

• Anthurium Festival 

• Lyuva Khutla Festival