23th Feb Daily Updates

1. India, Nepal joint military exercise commences in Nepal
The 8th Indo-Nepal Battalion level combined military training - 'Exercise Surya Kiran-VIII', commenced on Monday at the Integrated Army Training Centre, Saljhandi, Nepal, with an impressive opening ceremony that saw the unfurling of the National Flags of both countries amidst playing of the national anthems - "Jana Gana Mana..." and the "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka...".
The focus of the ongoing exercise is to carry out counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in mountainous and jungle terrain and to practice facets of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief including actions to be taken during pandemic, epidemic and various other humanitarian assistance situations. Aviation aspects and environmental conversation are also included in the scope of this exercise.

2. Budget session of Parliament started

i. The budget session of Parliament began today with President Pranab Mukherjee's addressing joint session of both houses.

ii. Here are the highlights of what the President said:

• My government has been of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas'
• Within a span of 9 months my govt has embarked on a comprehensive strategy for unleashing the economy
• My govt has worked for the welfare of the poor, the marginalized & the vulnerable sections of the society
• Swachhta Abhiyan launched for a clean & open defecation free India by 2019
• My govt has attached highest impotrance to sustainable socio-economic growth of rural India

3. Himachal Pradesh to present India’s first paperless budget

i. Himachal Pradesh is set to become the country's first state to present a 'paperless' budget on March 11. 

ii. Since the state already has the country's first green assembly, all documents related to budget estimates would be made available online and only around 10 budget copies would be printed for record. 

iii. Running the proceedings on e-Vidhan would save the state exchequer Rs 15 crore annually. 

4.  Mohamed Nasheed arrested in Male under anti-terror law

i. Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed was arrested under anti-terrorism laws after a court said that he might flee the country to avoid hearings on terrorism charges.

ii. He is facing criminal charges over his order to arrest a Criminal Court judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

iii. Nasheed is a leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and was the first democratically elected President of Maldives. He stepped down as the President of Maldives in 2012.