Top 5 Current Affairs: 21 February 2019

MHA approves air travel for all personnel of CAPFs

In a significant decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved the entitlement of air travel on Delhi-Srinagar, Srinagar-Delhi, Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Jammu sectors to all the personnel of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs).

The decision will immediately benefit approximately 7,80,000 personnel of the CAPFs in the ranks of Constable, Head Constable and ASI who were otherwise not eligible earlier. This includes journey on duty and journey on leave, i.e; while going on leave from Jammu and Kashmir to home and return.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates ‘Aero India 2019’

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 12th biennial edition of International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition ‘Aero India 2019’ at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru.

For the first time, the 2019 edition of Aero India combines the defence and civil aviation segments into a holistic event with the co-involvement of the defence and civil aviation ministries. The 12th edition of Aero India intends to be a “Runway to a billion opportunities” and put India on the Global map.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s India visit: Key highlights

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia, visited India on February 19-20, 2019.

The Prime Minister and His Royal Highness condemned in the recent Pulwama terror attack on Indian security forces on February 14, 2019. Prime Minister expressed his thanks to the Saudi Crown Prince for ordering the release of 850 Indian prisoners from Saudi jails.

India's fighter jet ‘LCA Tejas’ now fully combat-ready

Landmark day for India's defence sector, India's first self-made fighter jet, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas MK I (LCA Tejas) on February 20, 2019 received the Final Operational Clearance for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a fully-weaponised fighter jet.

The formal declaration of Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of the aircraft was made by Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Secretary of Defence (R&D). Prior to this, the LCA Tejas was an Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) aircraft.

Government launches 'Operation Digital Board' to boost quality education

The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar on February 20, 2019 launched the ‘Operation Digital Board’ to boost quality education in the country. An expert committee has worked out optimum configuration of the Digital Class Rooms under the Operation Digital Board.

Under the Operation Digital Board, 7 lakh classrooms of 9th, 10th and 11th standards and 2 lakh classrooms of colleges and Universities will be equipped with digital boards in the next three years. The implementation will begin from the coming session of 2019 itself.