Latest Current Affairs – February 14 2018
- Former Liberian President Sirleaf wins Mo Ibrahim Prize
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman democratically elected as a head of state in Africa, was awarded the $5 million Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership for “transformative leadership” in the aftermath of Liberia’s civil war.
Ms. Johnson Sirleaf governed Liberia, a small West African nation that was founded by freed slaves from the United States, for 12 years. When she left office last month and turned over power to George Weah, a former soccer star, it was the country’s first peaceful, democratic transition of power in 73 years.
- Manoj Jhalani appointed Ayushman Bharat Scheme Mission Director
Manoj Jhalani, 1987 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer, currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Health and family Welfare has been given additional charge and designated as Mission Director of Ayushman Bharat.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Kerala cadre IAS officer Dr Dinesh Arora(2002 batch) has been appointed Director for Ayushman Bharat Scheme in the ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Ashok Das appointed Indian envoy to Brazil
Ashok Das, a 1987 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was named India’s new Ambassador to Brazil.
Das is presently as additional secretary in the external affairs ministry. Das earlier served as India’s Ambassador to Iceland. He has also served in the Indian diplomatic missions in Portugal, Cambodia, US, Canada and Bangladesh.
- Mumbai to host TiE Global Summit
The TiE Global Summit (TGS) will be held in Mumbai on February 21 and 22. The summit is being held in association with leading government agencies and over 20 TiE chapters across India, USA, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Dubai,with the aim of setting the tone for the next wave of business and innovation.
- Bengal becomes first state to opt out of ‘Modicare’
Bengal became the first state to opt out of the National Health Protection Scheme unveiled in the Union Budget, with CM Mamata Banerjee announcing that the state will not “waste” its hard-earned resources to contribute its share to the programme.
The CM also referred to the “paltry” allocation for PM Modi’s Beti Bachao project. “The Centre has floated Beti Bachao with a paltry allocation of Rs 100 crore for the entire country; Bengal has provided for Rs 5,000 crore for its own Kanyashree project.
- Yes Bank makes India INX debut with USD 600 mn MTN bond
Yes Bank has listed USD 600 million bond issued under its maiden USD 1 billion MTN programme, on Global Securities Market (GSM) of India INX.
India INX is the country’s first international exchange, located at International Financial Services Centre, GIFT City in Gujarat.
The MTN (medium term note) bonds issuance received an overwhelming response from international investors and saw a final order book, at a spread of 130 basis points, being oversubscribed by over 1.83 times from over 90 accounts.
- Equitas Small Finance launches interactive digital savings a/c
City-based Equitas Small Finance Bank has launched an interactive digital savings account – selfeSavings.
Through the web-based interactive video from the bank’s website www.equitasbank.com a selfeSavings account can be opened.
Customers by using details of Aadhaar, PAN card, can also set up a mobile banking facility and start operating the acount in five minutes.
- President of India in Kanpur; inaugurates international conference ‘Agricon 2018’ and ‘Agriexpo 2018’
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the international conference ‘Agricon 2018’ and ‘Agriexpo 2018’ at Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology (CSAUT), Kanpur on February 14, 2018.
The Government has promoted the concept of “per drop, more crop” and this message should reach every farmer in the country.
- PM to launch DD Arun Prabha on Feb 15
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch DD Arun Prabha, a new 24×7 satellite television channel of Doordarshan for the north-eastern region on February 15.
DD Arun Prabha will showcase programmes on the diverse culture of the north eastern states. This will be Doordarshan s second channel for the north-eastern region.
The state-owned broadcaster already runs DD North-East, which telecasts entertainment and information- based programmes in Assamese, Bengali, English and other languages of the region.
- Access to Omani port to help India check China at Gwadar
An agreement to give Indian Navy access to the Duqm port in Oman will have far-reaching consequences for India’s strategic reach westwards and in the Indian Ocean.
Seen together with the agreement with the UAE for joint naval exercises in the Persian Gulf in March, India is making slow but sure progress in pitching its presence in the area.
- Tamil Nadu win maiden senior national football championship
Tamil Nadu beat Manipur 2-1 to lift their maiden title in the 23rd edition of the Senior Women’s National Football Championship at cuttack in Odisha.
Tamil Nadu created history by becoming champions in their first-ever final with Indumathi scoring the opener in the 3rd minute while Indrani made it 2-0 in the 40th.
- Former Union minister Bolla Bulliramaiah dies
Former Union minister and veteran Telugu Desam Party leader Bolla Bulliramaiah died of old age-related illness. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Eluru constituency in 1991, 1996 and 1999 and served as the Union minister of state for commerce during 1996-98 in the United Front government.
