Seychelles Package

PM Modi announced a Special Economic Package worth 175 million dollars for Seychelles. The package will support social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, health, defence, and maritime security, strengthening bilateral ties between India and the island nation. India and Seychelles have also signed 7 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors.

Pariksha Pe Charcha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students during the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha. In the latest video episode, he advised students on overcoming exam stress, focusing on life skills, sports, creativity, and self-growth beyond academics.

Appeal to Naxalites

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged remaining active Naxalites to surrender and return to mainstream society. Speaking at Bastar Pandum Festival, he assured rehabilitation with dignity but warned that armed struggle would be met with firm action.

Hydroelectric Revival

The Central Government ordered work to begin on the Sawalkote hydroelectric project over the Chenab river in Udhampur and Ramban districts. The revival follows suspension of the Indus Water Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack.

SATYA Portal Launched

Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada inaugurated the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Lab Automation Portal – SATYA. He said the launch marks a major step toward citizen-centric digital governance and improved public service delivery.

Odisha Matric Exams

Odisha’s Matric exams will begin on February 19 across 3,082 centres with CCTV surveillance. A total of 5,61,979 students will appear, with 322 nodal centres set up for secure storage of question papers.

Kawasi Lakhma

Former Chhattisgarh Minister and sitting MLA Kawasi Lakhma has shifted temporarily to Odisha’s Malkangiri district after the Supreme Court barred him from entering Chhattisgarh. He was granted interim bail in alleged liquor scam cases.

India-Nepal Ties

The Indian Army handed over 50 military utility vehicles to the Nepal Army at the border. The vehicles will be formally presented in Kathmandu by India’s Ambassador, strengthening defence cooperation between the two neighbours.

T20 World Cup

Italy’s T20 World Cup debut ended in disappointment as Scotland posted 207/4, the tournament’s first 200-plus total. Italy managed only 134 in reply, suffering a heavy 73-run defeat at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League

Meanwhile, Rourkela gears up for the FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League, which begins tomorrow and will feature three of the world’s top men’s hockey teams - hosts India, Belgium, and Argentina.