NATIONAL NEWS
Assam to change the name of cities
Assam state government has decided to launch a portal to invite suggestions to change names of cities, villages and towns that are currently contrary to their civilization, culture, and derogatory to any caste or community. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised that the name of a city, town or village should represent its culture, civilization, and tradition.
Singer Bappi Lahiri passes away at 69
Veteran singer and composer Bappi Lahiri passed away at the age of 69 years on February 15, 2022. His death has come as a shock to the country, with condolences pouring in from all corners including the Prime Minister and President. Bappi Lahiri has several blockbuster numbers to his name such as I am a Disco Dancer, Taaki Taaki, Tamma Tamma, Naino Main Sapna, Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re, Chalte Chalte, Pag Ghoongroo, Yaad Aa Raha Hai. His most recent hits included Ooh La La for The Dirty Picture, Tamma Tamma for Badrinath Ki Dulhania, and Tune Maari Entriyaan for Gunday.
Ravidas Jayanti observed across India today: Who was Ravidas?
Ravidas Jayanti was observed across the country on February 16, 2022, to mark the 645th birth anniversary of the renowned saint Ravidas. The day is observed every year on Magh Purnima. Sant Ravidas was a Bhakti saint, whose devotional songs and verses created a lasting impact upon the Bhakti Movement. He was born in an underprivileged family in Seer Goverdhanpur, Uttar Pradesh in the 14th century. He was one of the first people to oppose the Indian caste system through his poems and teachings based on spirituality and spread the message of equality.
Kannada poet Chennaveera Kanavi passes away at 93
Popular Kannada writer and poet Chennaveera Kanavi passed away on February 16, 2022, due to age-related illnesses. He was 93. The veteran poet was admitted to the SDM Medical College Hospital in Dharwad where he breathed his last. Chennaveera Kanavi was born in Hombal of Gadag district on June 28, 1928. He completed his schooling and college in Dharwad. He later worked as a director of Prasaranga of the Karnataka University from 1956 to 1983. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his work Jeeva Dhwani (Poetry) in 1981.
Bengali singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay passes away at 90
Legendary Bengali singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay passed away on February 14, 2022, after a brief illness. She was 90. Mukhopadhyay took Bengali songs to new heights with a new genre of songs. She used to do playback singing for films and also released songs for Durga Puja. Her first-ever record was in 1945 and her first Durga Puja album was released in 1948. She was a trained classical singer who took to different forms of singing with great ease including playback, folk songs, bhajans, and Rabindra Sangeet. She trained under Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and was also associated with legends like Begum Akhtar. The singer was admitted to a state-run hospital on January 28 and was then transferred to a private medical facility.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Three cases of Lassa fever detected in the UK, one newborn dies
Three cases of Lassa fever were detected in the United Kingdom, out of whom one died from the infection. The patient who died of Lassa fever was a newborn. Lassa fever is a rare, hemorrhagic fever that is caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. It is an animal-borne virus and the host is mastectomy rat.
Saudi Land Forces Commander visit to India.
The Saudi Land Forces Commander, Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair arrived on a three-day visit to India on February 14, 2022. This was a historic first, as it is the first such visit to India by a Saudi Land Forces Commander. The Saudi Commander called on India’s army chief General M M Naravane during his visit and held a crucial bilateral dialogue to expand defense cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.
SPORTS NEWS
BWF Asia Team Championships 2022.
The Indian men’s badminton team lost their opening Group A match against South Korea by 5-0 on February 15th at the BWF Asia Team Championship 2022. India is now placed at the bottom of the points table. They will have to win their next two games against Hong Kong and defending champions Indonesia to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Mithali Raj retains number 2 spot in ICC ODI women’s rankings.
Indian skipper Mithali Raj retained her world no. 2 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting rankings with 744 points, just behind Australia’s Alyssa Healy who tops the list with 749 points. Mithali Raj recently scored 59 off 73 balls in India’s 62-run defeat in the first ODI against New Zealand in Queenstown. New Zealand batter Amy Satterthwaite moved up to the third spot with 730 points after a splendid show in the opening match against India by scoring 67 runs off 63 balls. She was also involved in an important partnership of 98 runs for the third wicket with opener Suzie Bates.
Shikhar Dhawan to be named Punjab Kings Captain?
Shikhar Dhawan is expected to be named as the new captain of Punjab Kings, taking over the vacant position after former captain KL Rahul was released by the team upon his request. Shikhar Dhawan, who was a part of Delhi Capitals previously, was bought by Punjab Kings for a deal worth Rs 8.25 crore at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. The former Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul was drafted by the new IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants. He will now lead the IPL team. Dhawan was released by Delhi Capitals despite having three productive seasons and scoring over 500 runs in each of the three seasons. He scored a total of 1726 runs for the franchise.
