Fifth edition of India-UK joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’
The fifth edition of India-UK joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’ will be conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom from February 13 to 26
The aim of this exercise is to conduct company level joint training with emphasis on counter-terror operations in urban and semi-urban areas. Training on modern weapon systems, equipment and simulator training have also been planned
Gaganyaan astronaut-elects begin training in Russia
The four Indian astronaut-elects, who left for Russia on Friday, have begun their 12-month long training at the Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Russia
The 12-month training will include comprehensive and biomedical training, which will be combined with regular physical practices.
Multinational exercise to focus on heritage structures’ protection
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is building the capacity of its forces to play the role of first responder at heritage sites, which are vulnerable to disasters such as earthquake, flood, cyclone and tsunami across India.
three-day Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Disaster Management Exercise beginning in Bhubaneswar and Konark from Tuesday.
Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal are participating in the exercise.
It will also test the multi-stakeholders’ coordination in a disaster scenario involving international, national, State, district and local agencies.
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act of 2018
It will nully SCI own controversial March 20, 2018 judgment diluting the stringent provisions of the Dalit protection law.
The 2018 Act had nullified a March 20 judgment of the Supreme Court, which allowed anticipatory bail to those booked for committing atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes members
200-km strike range Pranash ballistic missile
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has started working on the development of the 200-km strike range Pranash ballistic missile which would be armed with conventional warheads.
The missile is an advanced version of the 150-km strike range Prahar missile which was being developed for tactical missions.
The surface-to-surface ballistic missile will be of use for the Air Force and Army.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s first visit outside the island nation after assuming office
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a State visit to India from 8 – 11 Feb, 2020 at the invitation of our Prime Minister.
After his official engagements in Delhi the Sri Lankan Prime Minister will travel to Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Tirupati before he gets back to Colombo.
In line with our Government’s “Neighborhood First” policy and “Sagar” doctrine, India attach special priority to relations with Sri Lanka.
discussed the need for close collaboration between the two countries in the fields of counter-terrorism, security and economic development.
India also asked Sri Lanka to expedite reconciliation process for the Tamils in the north and northeast of the island.
Sri Lankan PM Rajapaksa visits Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya
A new Space Policy 2020 drafted by Takshashila Institution
A new Space Policy 2020 drafted by Takshashila Institution, a think tank and public policy school, proposed decoupling the regulatory and service delivery roles of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to create a level-playing field for new entrants.
it proposed establishment of an independent Space Regulatory of India (SRAI), which will be responsible for setting standards, licensing space activities and compliance of these activities, and Space Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal to adjudicate disputes and settle appeals to protect the interest of service providers.
Veteran writer and academician Giriraj Kishore passed away
A Padma Shri awardee, Giriraj had written ‘Pahla Girmitiya’.
He was honoured with Sahitya Samman as well.
Giriraj was born in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh in 1937
India-Bangladesh rail link to be ready by 2021
Railway line between Agartala in Tripura and Akhaura in Bangladesh would pave the way for the first train to run from the northeastern region to Bangladesh on the eve of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence in 2022.
Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), said the Ministry would bear the cost of laying the 5.46-km track on the Indian side and the cost of the 10.6-km track on the Bangladesh side was being borne by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The link will connect Gangasagar in Bangladesh to Nischintapur in India and from there to Agartala.