21 February 2019 Current Affairs
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SC Appoints Former Judge Justice D.K. Jain as BCCI Ombudsman
The Supreme Court appointed a retired judge of the court Justice D.K. Jain as the first ombudsman under the new BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Constitution approved by the court in a judgment. Bringing a quietus to the quibbling between the Committee of Administrators (CoA) which runs the BCCI and the State bodies that form the Board, a Bench of Justices S.A.
Swine flu deaths reached 377 across India
Swine flu deaths reached 377 across India. The number of those infected by the flu has crossed 12,000. Rajasthan reported the highest number of cases (3,508) and fatalities (127). The governments of the states most affected by the virus have now issued advisory to control the pandemic.
EPFO Hikes Interest Rates on EPF by 0.1%
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has hiked interest rate on employees’ provident fund to 8.65% from 8.55% for the 2018-19 fiscal year. The announcement was made by Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar. The proposal would now go to the Finance Ministry for approval, Gangwar said after the CBT meeting.
Government to Infuse Rs 48,239 crore in 12 PSB
The government has approved recapitalization of Rs 48,239 crore in 12 public sector banks in this fiscal to help them maintain regulatory capital requirements and finance growth plans. The government will infuse over nine thousand crore rupees in Corporation Bank and six thousand 896 crore rupees in Allahabad Bank.
21 February: International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year on 21st February since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This year, International Mother Language day 2019 will be framed by the International Year of indigenous languages 2019 (IYIL19) around the theme ‘Indigenous languages matter for development, peace building and reconciliation’.
Noted Hindi Writer Namvar Singh Passes Away
Noted Hindi writer Namvar Singh passed away in New Delhi. He was 92. Prof. Namvar Singh was ill for some time and was being treated at All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Singh was the first chairman of JNU’s Centre of Indian Languages. He has authored over dozen books including ‘Kavita Ke Naye Pratiman’, ‘Chhayavad‘ and ‘Dusri Parampara Ki Khoj’ among others.
Narendra Modi Conferred with Seoul Peace Prize
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth.
Bengali singer Pratik Choudhury passes away at 55
Bengali singer Pratik Choudhury passed away at a City hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. The popular singer, known for his albums on contemporary Bengali songs invluding ‘Mukhosh’, ‘Bhusandir Mathe’, and ‘Ebar Pratiker Pallay’. Choudhury, a graduate from Calcutta University, began his music career in 1994 by singing jingles. He also sung in numerous TV serials, Bengali movies.