By: D.K Chaudhary
1. Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN-13 Begins in Uttarakhand
i. The joint military exercise SURYA KIRAN-13 between India and Nepal began at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. The military exercise is a biannual event which is conducted alternatively in Nepal and India every six months.
ii. Over 300 soldiers from both the countries are taking part in the exercise. The aim of this exercise is to conduct battalion level joint training with emphasis on counterterrorism operations in mountainous terrain.
ii. Over 300 soldiers from both the countries are taking part in the exercise. The aim of this exercise is to conduct battalion level joint training with emphasis on counterterrorism operations in mountainous terrain.
- Nepal Capital- Kathmandu, Currency- Nepalese rupee, President- Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister- Khadga Prasad Oli.
2. India Releases Rs33.10 Cr to Nepal for 2 Road Projects
i. India has released 33.10 Crore rupees to Nepal towards the cost of two road packages of Birgunj-Thori Road being implemented under Postal Highway Projects in Nepal with Government of India’s grant assistance.
ii. The amount has been released towards 25% of the tendered cost (including 10% mobilization advance) of the Postal Highway Projects.
3. Patanjali Launches New Messaging App ‘Kimbho’
i. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali launched a new swadeshi messaging application called ‘Kimbho’ to compete with WhatsApp. Kimbho caters to private and group chats with free phone and video calling.
ii. The tagline of Kimbho is “Ab Bharat Bolega”. Patanjali has recently tied up with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) to enter the telecom sector by launching Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM cards.
ii. The tagline of Kimbho is “Ab Bharat Bolega”. Patanjali has recently tied up with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) to enter the telecom sector by launching Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM cards.
4. India and World Bank Signs $500 Million Additional Financing for PMGSY
i. The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $500 million loan agreement to provide additional financing for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Rural Roads Project, implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, which will build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be constructed using green technologies.
ii. The $500 million loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 3-year grace period, and a maturity of 10 years.
ii. The $500 million loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 3-year grace period, and a maturity of 10 years.
- President of the World Bank- Jim Yong Kim.
- Headquarters of World Bank- Washington, DC.
5. 3rd Meeting of India-UK Home Affairs’ Dialogue Held in New Delhi
i. The Third Home Affairs’ Dialogue between India and U.K. was held in New Delhi. The Government of India Delegation was led by Mr Rajiv Gauba, Union Home Secretary and the Delegation from Home Office of the U.K. was led by its Second Permanent Secretary, Ms. Patsy Wilkinson.
ii. The Dialogue covered a wide range of issues including cybersecurity, women safety, organized crime, terror financing etc.
ii. The Dialogue covered a wide range of issues including cybersecurity, women safety, organized crime, terror financing etc.
