IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF FEBRUARY 15th, 2020

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF FEBRUARY 15th, 2020

Donald Trump likely to inaugurate, Motera Cricket Stadium
The World’s Biggest Cricket Stadium, the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad – renamed as the Sardar Vallabhbhai Stadium will be inaugurated by US President Donald Trump during his visit to India.

1)     The stadium has a capacity of 1.10 lakh people.

2)     Sardar Vallabhbhai Stadium emerged as the World’s Biggest Cricket Stadium after the previous 53000-seater Motera Stadium was demolished back in 2015.

3)     US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit India along with his wife Melania Trump.

Govt to host “National Organic Food Festival” in New Delhi
The government will organise an organic food festival for women entrepreneurs “National Organic Food Festival” from February 21-23 in New Delhi.

1)     The aim of this program is to promote the segment which is projected to expand nearly three-fold to Rs 75,000 crore in market size in the next five years.

2)     The three-day festival will be organised jointly by Food Processing and Women & Child Development ministries at JawaharLal Nehru Stadium in the national capital.

3)     The theme of this festival is ''Unleasing India’s Organic Market Potential''.

Indian-origin UK Minister Alok Sharma to lead UN climate summit
Indian-origin Alok Sharma was named the new UK Minister in charge of the crunch UN climate talks to be hosted by Britain this November.

1)     Agra-born Sharma has been promoted to the post of Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle.

2)     He will take charge of the crucial summit ‘COP26' as its former president was removed amid controversy just weeks ago.

Maharashtra govt announces five-day working week for its employees
The Maharashtra government announced a five-day working week for its officers and employees.

1)     The cabinet also extended the current work hours by 45 minutes.

2)     The new routine would start from February 29.

3)     Currently Maharashtra government officials work on the first and third Saturdays of the month and get an off on the second and fourth Saturdays.

Delhi paired with Sikkim under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme
Ek Bharat shreshth Bharat abhiyan focused campaign is underway in the country.

1)     National Capital Delhi has been paired with Sikkim under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme.

2)     Cultural exchanges are taking place from time to time in Sikkim and Delhi with food festivals, dance festivals etc. 

3)     With people to people contact, the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative has strengthened the bond between Delhi and Sikkim a sense of oneness in the country.

EIU lowers global growth forecast for 2020 to 2.2%
The Economist Intelligence Unit has revised downwards its global growth forecast for 2020 to 2.2 per cent, from 2.3 percent previously.

1)     It has lowered the forecast due to the new risks that have emerged following the novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

2)     The Economist Intelligence Unit's baseline scenario is that the public health emergency in China will be brought under control by end-March.

MakeMyTrip founder Kalra steps down as group CEO, Magow to take over
Deep Kalra, group chief executive of Nasdaq-listed MakeMyTrip, has stepped down.

1)     Kalra, a St Stephen’s College and IIM-Ahmedabad alumni, will now serve as executive chairman.

2)     Rajesh Magow, who was heading its India business, taking over Kalra’s role.

3)     Magow will work closely with Kalra in his new role and focus on driving the next phase of growth for the MakeMyTrip Group through its three brands - MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and Redbus.

Former India all-rounder Robin Singh appointed UAE's Director of Cricket
Former India all-rounder Robin Singh was appointed director of cricket of the United Arab Emirates.

1)     The 56-year-old's appointment comes following the sacking of Dougie Brown as head coach.

2)     Singh, who had represented India in one Test and 136 ODIs between 1989 and 2001, has over the years made a name for himself in coaching.

3)     He was associated with the Indian Premier League's highly successful Mumbai Indians franchise, Caribbean Premier League's Barbados Tridents since 2013 and T10 franchises in the T10 league here.

Padma Shri awardee fashion designer, Wendell Rodricks passed away
Noted fashion designer and Padma Shri awardee Wendell Rodricks passed away.

1)     Apart from being a giant in the fashion and lifestyle industry, Rodricks was an advocate for queer rights and environmental issues in India.

2)     He is credited with revolutionising Indian fashion and promoting it globally.

3)     He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014 and was a recipient of Chevalier de I'Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the order of arts and letters) in 2015.

Abhinav Kashyap releases 'The Crossfire of Love', a novel by US-based author Dhiren Tiwari
Filmmaker and screenwriter Abhinav Kashyap of the 'Dabangg' fame recently unveiled the novel 'The Crossfire of Love', a racing psychological romantic thriller by US-based author Dhiren Tiwari.

1)     Within days of the release, the novel has topped the WH Smith Bestseller charts and has garnered high praise from both critics in print and television.

2)     The novel is an explosive #MeToo story told from the perspectives of Saira, a failed journalist obsessed with reviving her career.