•The Feature Film Jury of thirteen members was headed by acclaimed film director and screenwriter, Rahul Rawail. The Non-Feature film Jury selected the Marathi film Kharvas directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale as the Opening non-feature film.
2) Cabinet Approves Renaming Of Jharsuguda Airport, Odisha As “Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda”
•The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the renaming of Jharsuguda Airport, Odisha as “Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda”. Veer Surendra Sai is a well-known freedom fighter of Odisha.
•Renaming of the Jharsuguda airport in his name will fulfill the long-pending demand of the Odisha Government, which reflects the sentiments of the local public of the respective area. It will also be a befitting tribute to the contribution of the revered personality associated with the State.
3) India Signs $950 Million Contract With Russia To Buy Two Stealth Frigates
•India has signed a $950 million contract with Russia for two upgraded Krivak III-class stealth frigates. A government-to-government contract was signed between India and United Shipbuilding Corporation of Russia last week for the supply of two stealth frigates.
•The 4,000-ton Krivak III vessels will also accommodate two multirole helicopters and will be used for anti-submarine and airborne early warning missions.
4) 'Soura Jalanidhi' Scheme Launched In Odisha
•Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Soura Jalanidhi scheme that aims to increase use of solar energy for helping farmers in irrigating their land.
•'Soura Jalanidhi', is a dug well based solar pump irrigation system in convergence mode. Under the scheme, 5,000 solar pumps will be given to Odisha farmers at a subsidy of 90% to irrigate 2,500 acres of land.
5) Ease of Doing Business Index 2019: India Ranks 77th, New Zealand Tops
•India jumped 23 positions in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index 2019 and is now ranked 77 out of 190 countries in 2018, a development that could help the country attract more foreign investments.
•According to the Doing Business Report (DBR, 2019), New Zealand topped the list, followed by Singapore, Denmark, and Hong Kong. India has become the top-ranked country in South Asia for the first time and third among the BRICS.
6) 6th Tranche Of Electoral Bonds Sale Kicked Off
•The finance ministry has announced that the sixth tranche of electoral bonds sale has been started and will continue for 10 days. Electoral bonds are being pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring transparency in political funding.
•State Bank of India (SBI), in the sixth phase of sale, has been authorised to issue and encash electoral bonds through its 29 authorised branches.
7) Pankaj Advani Became First Indian To Win Asian Snooker Tour Title
•Nineteen-time world champion Pankaj Advani has won the second leg of the Asian Snooker Tour in Jinan, China.
•Advani delivered a power-packed performance to outclass China’s Ju Reti 6-1 in the final and become the first Indian to win an Asian Snooker Tour event.
