01 February 2020 - Daily Current Affairs
1. Union budget 2020-21 presented by Finance Minister
- The Union Budget 2019-20 presented by the Union Finance Minister 'Nirmala Sitharaman' in Lok Sabha.
- The annual financial statement of a government, the Union budget gives details about the revenue and expenditure of the Centre in the past and estimated spending and projections for the coming year.
- The themes of this Budget: Aspiration, development, compassion.
Defense
2. Indian Navy launches operation 'Vanilla' to provide disaster relief
- Indian Navy has launched operation 'Vanilla' to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at Madagascar.
- Operation Vanilla has been launched to provide assistance to the affected population of Madagascar post devastation caused by Cyclone Diane.
- The Indian Navy Ship is geared to set up medical camp and provide food, water and other necessary relief material.
Important Dates
3. 1st February:Indian Coast Guard Day
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrated its raising day on February 1.
- ICG protects India's maritime interests and enforces maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
- It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
National & International Appointments
4. RBI appoints ED Janak Raj as member of Monetary Policy Committee
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed its Executive Director Janak Raj as member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the highest interest rate-setting body.
- Raj replaces M D Patra, who was recently elevated as Deputy Governor of the RBI.
- The government had in 2016 constituted MPC to set the benchmark interest rate.
- The MPC is headed by the RBI Governor.
State Affairs
5. Month-long Nagoba jatara concludes in Telangana
- A Month-long Nagoba Jatara concluded in Telangana with the ceremony of Betal puja.
- It is the second biggest tribal carnival and celebrated by the Mesaram clan of Gond tribes for 10 days.
- Tribal people from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh belonging to the Mesram clan offer prayers at the festival.
Defense
6. India-Bangladesh JT Exercise SAMPRITI-IX
- As part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise SAMPRITI-IX is being conducted at UMROI, Meghalaya, India.
- Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the ninth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.
Arts & Culture
7. 34th Surajkund International Crafts Mela begins today
- The cultural extravaganza Surajkund International Crafts Mela (34th) has been inaugurated at Faridabad (Haryana).
- This year Himachal Pradesh is the theme state.
- Artistes will showcase the art, culture, heritage, handicrafts, and cuisine of the state.
- Surajkund is located near the Surajkund village between the villages of Baharpur and Lakkarpur in Faridabad district of Haryana.
Sports
8. Flame-Throated Bulbul 'Rubigula' official mascot for 2020 National Game
- 'Rubigula', Flame-Throated Bulbul, has been unveiled as the official mascot for the Goa 2020 National Games in Panaji, Goa from 20th October to 4th November 2020.
- The event will see participation by 36 states and union territories, 12,000 athletes, officials and will host 37 sports disciplines across 24 venues in Goa.
- The Flame-Throated Bulbul is the state bird of Goa.
Obituaries
9. Veteran feminist writer Vidya Bal passes away
- Veteran social activist & feminist writer Vidya Bal (84-years) passed away at a private nursing in Pune.
- She Known for her heroic crusade against oppressive practices involving women.
- Bal was in the forefront in the fight for women’s rights and equality with men.
- Bal always motivated women to break the shackles of oppression and fight for their rights.
Honours & Awards
10. Mo O'Brien : 1st deaf person to row across Atlantic Ocean
- Pharmacy worker (60-years) has become the first deaf person on record to row an ocean by finishing a 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic.
- Mo O'Brien and her fellow crew members, including her daughter, landed on the Caribbean island of Antigua 49 days after setting out from the Canary Island of La Gomera in December.
- Ms O'Brien, rowed almost 3,000 miles (4,800km) of Atlantic Ocean with her daughter and their friend Claire Allinson.
Defense
11. 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.
- ISRO has earmarked 1,600 million Dollars for launch vehicles of which 870 million Dollars will be for PSLV and the remaining for GSLV.
Sports
12. Sofia Kenin wins Australian Open Grand Slam Singles title 2020
- American Sofia Kenin (21-years) has won the Australian Open Grand Slam Singles title 2020 (108th edition) at Melbourne, Australia.
- She defeated Garbiñe Muguruza in the final 4–6, 6–2, 6–2.
- Kenin was the youngest Australian Open finalist since Ana Ivanovic, and the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova, both in 2008.
