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Top Current Affairs of the Week (22 Feb – 27 Feb 2021)

Israel launches ‘green pass’ for people with vaccination certificate

• Israel has launched coronavirus ‘green pass’ system, that allows people who have been vaccinated to access public facilities • Israelis who have taken both Pfizer vaccine shots and those who have recovered from the virus get ‘Green Pass’ certificate in the form of a QR code or printout for people without smart phones • It will allow entry to gyms, pools, hotels, entertainment venues and sporting events • Serious legal penalties will be imposed for those who falsify the passes. Telegram Groups

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India’s first Carbon Watch app launched in Chandigarh

• Chandigarh became 1st state or Union Territory in India to launch Carbon Watch mobile app providing carbon footprint of an individual. • It can be accessed by everyone, but has specific options for residents of Chandigarh • It can be downloaded through a QR code in Android phones. • To use this, person must fill details in 4 parts- Water, Energy, Waste Generation and Transport (Vehicular movement) and it will automatically calculate the carbon footprint of the individual.

Chris Morris becomes ‘most expensive player’ in IPL auction history

• South-African all-rounder cricketer Chris Morris (33 years) has broken all record by becoming the most expensive player in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, held in Chennai • IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has bought Chris Morris for Rs 16.25 crore. • He played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020 season. • Prior to him, Yuvraj Singh was the costliest-ever buy in auction history, when he was bought for Rs 16 crore by Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2015.

Novak Djokovic wins Australian Open 2021 Tennis Championship

• Australian Open 2021 Tennis Championship has been concluded. • Winners: o Men’s Singles: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) won his 18th grand slam after defeating Daniil Medvedev o Women’s Singles: Naomi Osaka (Japan) won 4th grand slam defeated Jennifer Brady (US) o Men’s Doubles: Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Filip Polášek (Slovakia ) o Women’s Doubles: Elise Mertens (Belgium) and Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) o Mixed Doubles: Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic) and Rajeev Ram (US)

Assam govt hikes daily wage of tea garden workers by Rs 50

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• Assam govt has increased the wages of tea garden workers by Rs 50 from Rs 167 to Rs 217 per day. • Although the tea garden managements pay the wages, the government fixes it. • Along with this, Committee for equal wages of small tea workers has been formed under Principal Secretary JB Ekka • Tea tribe community comprises 17% of the state’s population and is a deciding factor in almost 40 Assam Assembly seats out of 126 seats.

PM addresses NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum 2021

• PM Narendra Modi has virtually addressed 29th edition of Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) • It is the flagship event of National Association of Software and Service Companies. • This is a vibrant platform that brings together key leaders from the world of technology and innovation. • It is a 3-day event that has almost 1600 participants from more than 30 countries and more than 30 products • NTLF 2021 theme: 'Shaping the future towards a better normal'.

UP govt presents biggest ever budget of Rs 5,50,270 crores

• Uttar Pradesh govt has presented biggest ever budget of the state, having total outlay of Rs 5,50,270 crores • UP state finance minister Suresh Khanna presented 1st paperless budget of the state • UP Budget is focused on four sectors: infrastructure development, public health, HRD and agriculture primarily. • Fiscal deficit of the state budget is Rs 90,721 crores • Atmnirbhar Krishak Samanvit Vikas Yojna has been launched for the welfare of the farmers of state.

7-day long exhibition of NSSH scheme concluded

• Seven-day long exhibition of National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) scheme has been concluded in UT of Jammu and Kashmir • Govt has taken slew of measures to ensure the upliftment SC and ST communities and awareness camps and exhibitions are organised on regular basis • During this, different stalls were erected by the entrepreneurs displaying various products like readymade garments, cooking implements, honey, carry bags, chakki Atta, furniture works etc

Harsh Vardhan addresses ‘Population versus Planet’ Conference

• Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan participated in WION and Zee Media’s ‘Population versus Planet’ Conference • The conference is a part of its year-long campaign called 'Mission Sustainability: Population Vs Planet' • World population has witnessed an increase from 1 billion in 1800 to 7.8 billion • Crude birth rate: 40.8 per 1000 in 1951 to 20.0 in 2018 • Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Declined from 6.0 in 1951 to 2.2 in 2015-16 • Death rate: declined from 7 in 2012 to 6.2 in 2018

World Thinking Day: 22 February

• World Thinking Day (Thinking Day) is observed annually on 22 February by all Girl Scouts, Girl Guides and other girl groups worldwide. • The day is observed to think about fellow brothers and sisters around the world, address their concerns and understand the true meaning of guiding.

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• Theme of World Thinking Day 2021: Peacebuilding.

CSIR inks MoU with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for health research

• CSIR has signed MoU with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the development and promotion of health research in India. • Areas of research: o Genetic diseases that impact infant and neonatal mortality o Diagnostics and devices for infectious disease and environmental surveillance o Cost-effective processes for drug, vaccines, biologics, and diagnostics manufacturing o Novel microbiome-directed foods o Science and technological tools impact.

External Affairs Minister launches BRICS 2021 website

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has launched India’s BRICS 2021 website www.brics2021.gov.in at BRICS Secretariat, Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. • This website will maintain an updated and dynamic information repository and will display all relevant information for BRICS, along with documents, press releases and media gallery and registration platform for the events • India has assumed BRICS Chairmanship in 2021 • BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

DRDO conducts two successful launches of VL-SRSAM

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted two successful launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). • Launches were carried out from static vertical launcher from Chandipur Test range off the coast of Odisha. • VL-SRSAM is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO for • It is meant for neutralizing various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. • DRDO Chairman: Satheesh Reddy.

Pune International Centre to co-chair Asia Economic Dialogue 2021

• Pune International Centre and Ministry of External Affairs will co-chair Asia Economic Dialogue 2021 • The dialogue will be held for 3 days from 26th February 2021 • The dialogue will be addressed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his counterparts from Japan, Australia, Maldives, Mauritius and Bhutan • The meet would address larger issues that impact Asia and the world and is part of strategic agenda to make it the Davos of East on global geo-economics.

State Bank of Sikkim comes under Reserve Bank of India's regulatory purview

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has brought State Bank of Sikkim under its regulatory purview, without changing • Prior to this, RBI had the right and obligation to function as banker to all the state government except for the state government of Sikkim. • Bank’s ownership structure will not change. • State Bank of Sikkim:

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o Established: 1968. o It has 42 branch offices and operates three revenue counters for government works. o Chairman: Dal Bahadur Gurung.

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy resigns

• Chief Minister of Union Territory of Puducherry, V Narayanasamy and his council of ministers has submitted the letter of his resignation on February 22, 2021 to the Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan. • The decision was taken as the Congress-led Government in the UT lost its majority in the House, which is 14. • Ruling government strength has been reduced to 12, following a series of resignations. • Two MLA resigned in January 2021 while 2 resigned in February 2021

Defence Minister inaugurates DRDO Skill Development Centre in UP

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has virtually inaugurated Skill Development Centre (SDC) for Fire Safety Training at Pilkhuwa in Uttar Pradesh • SDC is created by DRDO lab Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) • It is first of its kind in India and will help in developing trained human resources, fire safety technology and products to save precious human lives and valued assets. • It will be utilized for imparting fire prevention and fire-fighting training

Eleventh India-EU Macroeconomic dialogue held virtually

• Eleventh India-EU Macroeconomic dialogue was held through video conferencing. • It was led by Indian Secretary Economic Affairs Tarun Bajaj and Director General of ECFIN in European Commission Maarten Verwey • The dialogue covered sharing of their experiences to enable both sides on various aspects including collaboration in G20 on finance track matters • India-EU relationship covers all dimensions-political, economic, security, trade and investment, environment, research

Sheikh Hasina handed over Ekushey Padak 2021 in Dhaka

• Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over Ekushey Padak 2021 to 21 eminent persons of Bangladesh in Dhaka on the eve of ‘Amar Ekushey’ day • ‘Amar Ekushey’ day is celebrated on Feb 21 (International Mother Language Day) to honour the martyrs of the language movement of Bangladesh • Winners: o Mohatar Hossain Talukar, Shamsul Haque and Advocate Afsar Uddin posthumously o Language and literature category: Poet Quazi Rosy, writer Ghulam Murshid, actor Raisul Islam Asad

India to become fastest-growing emerging-market economies

• S&P Global Ratings has forecasted that India will be one of the fastest growing emerging market economies with 10% growth in the next fiscal, during webinar on India outlook for 2021. • India’s economy has stabilised over recent months, with progressively better manufacturing, services, labour market, and revenue data. • S&P Global Ratings Headquarters: New York, United States. • President of S&P Global Ratings: John Berisford.

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VP Venkaiah Naidu releases book titled ‘Maverick Messiah’

• Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu has released a book titled as ‘Maverick Messiah’, which is based on the political biography of ‘N T Rama Rao’. • The book has been authored by senior journalist, Ramesh Kandula. • Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (N T Rama Rao) served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for three terms from e Telugu Desam Party, which was founded by him 1982. • He is also widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian and Telegu cinema.

Indian Oil signs pact with Greenstat Norway for Centre of Excellence

• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has signed Statement of Intent with Greenstat Hydrogen India Pvt. Ltd to set up Centre of Excellence on Hydrogen. • Center of Excellence on Hydrogen (CoE-H) including CCUS and Fuel Cells, will be developed for clean energy by IOCL and Greenstat in cooperation with Indo-Norwegian Hydrogen Cluster companies • It will facilitate transfer and sharing of technology, know-how and experience through the green Hydrogen value chain

MSME Minister inaugurates 50 artisan-based SFURTI clusters

• MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated 50 artisan-based SFURTI clusters spread over 18 States • These clusters will have over 42 thousand artisans belonging to traditional segments of muslin, khadi, coir, handicraft, handlooms, wood craft, leather, pottery, etc • These clusters have been inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh, ArunachaL, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, TN, UP and WB

Jasmine Harrison became the youngest woman to row solo across Atlantic

• Jasmine Harrison (21 years) has become the youngest woman to row solo across an Ocean • She hails from Thirsk, North Yorkshire in UK • She achieved the feat by finishing top in 2020 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, organized by Atlantic Campaigns. • She is a swim instructor. • She began her journey across Atlantic Ocean from Spain’s Canary Islands on Dec 12, 2020 and arrived in Antigua on Feb 20, 2021 • She travelled 3,000 miles (4,828km) in 70 days, 3 hrs and 48 min

Madhya Pradesh CM renames Hoshangabad as Narmadapuram

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced the renaming of Hoshangabad city as Narmadapuram. • This was announced during Narmada Jayanti programme held in Hoshangabad • Hoshangabad was earlier named after an attacker Hoshang Shah, the first ruler of Malwa. • However, the city will now be called as Narmadapuram, after the river Narmada, the lifeline of the state. • The city is famous for its beautiful ghats along the banks of the Narmada river.

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2021 announced

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• Prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival awards 2021 has been announced to honour the best in Indian cinema, television, music, and OTT • Winners: o Best Actor (Female): Deepika Padukone, Chhapaak o Best Actor (Male): Akshay Kumar, Laxmii o Critic’s Best Actress: Kiara Advani, Guilty o Critic’s Best Actor: Late Sushant Singh Rajput, Dil Bechara o Best Film: Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior o Best International Feature Film: Parasite o Best Web Series: Scam: 1992

Karnataka to host 2nd Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2021

• Second edition of Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2021 is scheduled to be held in Karnataka • KIUG-2021 will be hosted by JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, in partnership with Association of Indian Universities (AIU) • It will be conducted in U-25 age category in accordance with World University Games norms. • Yogasana and Mallakhamb have been added in University Games in 2021 edition • First edition of KIUG was held in Bhubaneswar in Feb 2020.

Govt launches NUDM, several other digital initiatives for urban governance

• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, MeitY has launched National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) & Several Digital Initiative for Transforming Urban Governance • NUDM: It will create shared digital infrastructure with citizen, ecosystem-driven approach • India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX): It will serve as a seamless interface (open-source software platform) for data providers and users • SmartCode Platform, New Smart Cities Website ver. 2.0 and GMIS has also been launched

Motera Stadium renamed as Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad

• Newly-constructed Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad has been renamed as Narendra Modi Stadium after India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi • The stadium has 11 pitches being made using red soil and black soil spread over 63 acres of land • It is the biggest cricketing venue in the world • It is the only stadium in the world to have the same soil surfaces for the main & practice pitches. • Third India-England Test will be held here and will also mark the beginning of pink-ball game

Govt signs MoU with AIIB for Assam Intra-State Transmission System Project

• Union Govt has signed $304 million loan agreement with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for Assam Intra-State Transmission System Enhancement Project • It will improve reliability, capacity and security of the power transmission network in Assam • MoU will facilitate construction of 10 transmission substations and transmission lines, upgrading 15 existing substations and providing technical assistance • Total estimated cost of the project: $ 365 million

PM to inaugurate 2nd edition of ‘Maritime India Summit’ in March 2021

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• PM Modi will inaugurate virtual Maritime India Summit (MIS) 2021 on March 2 • Maritime India Summit 2021: o Flagship initiative of Union Ministry of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) o Industry partner: FICCI o It will be held from 2 to 4 March 2021 o Theme: Exploring the potential business opportunities in Indian Maritime sector and making Aatmanirbhar Bharat • Objective: to promote domestic and international investment in Indian Ports and Maritime sector

Rajnath Singh inaugurates 26th edition of ‘Hunar Haat’ in New Delhi

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated 26th edition of ‘Hunar Haat’ in New Delhi • It will be organized from Feb 21 to March 1, 2021 with the theme of ‘Vocal for Local’ • More than 600 artisans and craftsmen from more than 31 states and UTs are participating. • Hunar Haat is also available online at hunarhaat.org and on Government e-Marketplace portal for domestic as well as international customers • Hunar Haat is a beautiful exhibition of India’s traditional art and craft

NASA names ISS Space Ship in honour of mathematician Katherine Johnson

• NASA has launched Northrop Grumman-built Cygnus cargo ship, a space supply ship, from Virginia to carry vital supplies for astronauts on International Space Station (ISS) • Ship is named as S.S. Katherine Johnson in honour of Katherine Johnson, a Black NASA mathematician, who played critical role in the success of the first U.S. crewed spaceflight, Mercury-Atlas 6 Mission. • Launch coincided with 59th anniversary of America’s first orbit around Earth (1962)

47th Khajuraho Dance Festival Begins in Madhya Pradesh

• The 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival has begun in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh and is being held for the first time in World Heritage temple group premises. • About the festival: o Week-long festival that will culminate on Feb 26, 2021 o Organized by: Culture Department through its Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy Bhopal o Introduced: 1975 o It aims to promote and encourage dance, artists, culture and heritage of India through several Indian classical dance forms.

Home Minister releases ‘Rashtra Pratham – 82 varshon ki Swarnim Gatha’

• Home Minister Amit Shah has recently released a book titled as ‘Rashtra Pratham – 82 varshon ki Swarnim Gatha’ (Nation First – The Golden Story of 82 Years) in New Delhi. • Book revolves around the glorious history of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) since its raising in 1939. • It depicts a detailed and thorough information about CRPF’s journey, challenges, successes, and sacrifices • CRPF celebrated its first-ever Veterans Day on February 19, 2021.

Former TRAI Chairman Rahul Khullar passes away

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• Former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Rahul Khullar (68 years) passed away following prolonged illness. • Khullar was a 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and was also a former Income Tax Commissioner • He was appointed as TRAI chief in May 2012. • He served TRAI for three years as chairman. • Prior to being appointed as TRAI chief, he was Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Trade.

India signs Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mauritius

• India’s External Affairs Minister has signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement-(CECPA) with Mauritius • FTA is India's first pact with any African country and will help Mauritius to emerge as a hub of Africa • India has also offered a USD 100 million Line of Credit (LoC) to Mauritius to facilitate procurement of defence assets. • Pact to provide a Dornier aircraft and an Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv has also been signed

Vijay Sampla assumes charge as Chairman of NCSC

• Vijay Sampla assumed charge as the Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi • He succeeded Ram Shankar Katheria, who served NCSC till May 2020. • He served as former Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment from 2014-19 • NCSC is an Indian constitutional body established to provide safeguards against exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo Indian. • Article 338 of Indian constitution deals with NCSC.

Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware

• Union Cabinet has approved Production Linked Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the value chain of IT Hardware. • Target segments of this scheme includes laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs and servers • Total cost: Rs 7,350 crore for 4 years. • It will generate direct and indirect employment • It will provide impetus to Domestic Value Addition for IT Hardware which is expected to rise to 20% - 25% by 2025.

ICOLD Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams, River Basin inaugurated

• Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has inaugurated International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams & River Basins • Theme: Sustainable Development of Dams & River Basins • It has been organized by INCOLD, at New Delhi in Hybrid format in collaboration with Central Water Commission (CWC), Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP) and National Hydrology Project (NHP) • More than 300 delegates participated.

China emerges as India’s top trade partner in 2020

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• China has surpassed United States to emerge as India’s biggest trade partner in 2020, despite months of conflict between the two neighbouring nations at Ladakh border along Line of Actual Control (LAC) • According Bloomberg, China regained its position as India’s top trade partner as New Delhi continued to rely on imported machinery. • Trade between two neighbouring countries stood at $77.7 billion. • The second place is held by US, followed by UAE.

Cabinet has approved PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals

• Union Cabinet has also approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals from 2020-21 to 2028-29 • It will benefit domestic manufacturers, and is expected to provide wide range of affordable medicines for consumers. • Under this, total incremental sales of Rs 2,94,000 crore and total incremental exports of Rs 1,96,000 crore are estimated from 2022-23 to 2027-28. • It is also expected to generate employment for both skilled and unskilled personnel.

Indian Coast Guard Interceptor Boat ‘C-453’ Commissioned at Chennai

• Indian Coast Guard Ship C-453 has been commissioned at Chennai to join the Coast Guard • It is the 17th of the 18 Interceptor Boat (IBs) project indigenously constructed by Larsen & Toubro Ltd. • ICGS C-453: 27.8-metre-long Interceptor Boat with a displacement of 105 tonnes and Max Speed of 45 knots (85 kmph) • It will be deployed extensively for Exclusive Economic Zone surveillance • With this, Indian Coast Guard now have 157 Ships, Boats and 62 Aircraft

Anjali Bharadwaj named for newly-instituted US Anti-corruption Award

• Indian social activist, Anjali Bharadwaj (48 years) has been named among 12 courageous individuals for the newly-instituted International Anti-Corruption Champions Award by US President Joe Biden administration. • She is the founder of Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS). • International Anti-Corruption Champions Award: Recognise individuals who have worked tirelessly, often in the face of adversity, to defend transparency, combat corruption, and ensure accountability.

Govt direct PSBs to facilitate easy loan disbursal under PM- SVANidhi scheme

• Union Govt has directed Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to facilitate quick and easy loan disbursal under PM-SVANidhi scheme. • Govt has suggested several measures to increase the outreach of the scheme extending collateral free loans to the street vendors in the country. • Housing and Urban Development Ministry has also informed that camps will be held in various cities across the country by the bank officials to facilitate a one stop solution for the beneficiaries.

Rear Admiral takes over as Flag Officer Commanding Easter Fleet

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• Tarun Sobti took charge as Command of the Eastern Fleet, the Sword Arm of the , Visakhapatnam. • He succeeded Rear Admiral , AVSM, NM. • Tarun Sobti was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1988 and is a specialist in Navigation and Direction. • Prior to this, he was Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of Indian Navy’s premier officer training establishment at Ezhimala.

Karnataka to set up a Flower Processing Centre

• Karnataka State Horticulture Dept in collaboration with International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) is setting up ‘Flower Processing Centre’ to convert unsold flowers into various useful products • Centre will process flowers and convert them to value-added products such as natural dyes, floral papers, incense sticks, flower petal powder for cosmetic usage, floral arts, and silica-stored flowers. • It will provide support to flower farmers who suffer huge losses.

Kushinagar Airport in UP gets International Airport Licence from DGCA

• Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh has received necessary clearances from aviation regulator DGCA to operate international flights • Once operational, Kushinagar airport will become third functional international facility in UP • Currently, Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Varanasi are the 2 international airports • It will serve as the closest international airport to several Buddhist pilgrimage sites

IOC names Brisbane as preferred bidder to host 2032 Olympic Games

• International Olympic Committee (IOC) has named Brisbane, Australia as the preferred bidder to host the 2032 Olympic Games. • State of Queensland had hosted 2018 Commonwealth Games and Brisbane was praised for its high percentage of existing venues, a good masterplan, experience in organising major events and its favourable weather. • Several cities and countries had expressed an interest in hosting Games, including Indonesia, Budapest, China, Doha, Germany's Ruhr Valley

PM Modi inaugurates 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games

• PM Modi has virtually inaugurated 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games today in Gulmarg • The game will be conducted from Feb 26 and will continue till March 2, 2021 • It is being organized by Youth Affairs and Sports ministry in collaboration with Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir and J&K Sports Council • Athletes from 27 states and UT are competing in the Games • Games include alpine skiing, nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, etc.

Kabir Bedi’s memoir ‘Stories I Must Tell’ to be released in April 2021

• Veteran actor Kabir Bedi has come out with his memoir titled as ‘Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Journey of an Actor’ • The book will hit the stand in April 2021

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• The book will depict about the story of his life, including the highs and lows of his professional and personal life, his relationships, including marriage and divorce and his exciting days in film, television and theatre, in India, Europe and Hollywood. • It will be published by Westland Publications.

Dushyant Chautala re-elected as President of TTFI

• Dushyant Chautala (32 years) has been re-elected as the President of Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for a tenure of four-years. • He was elected unanimously during 84th annual meeting of the TTFI, on Feb 24, 2021. • He is also the current Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana. • He was first elected as President of the TTFI in January 2017, becoming the youngest President in the history of TTFI. • Headquarters of TTFI: New Delhi.

India’s First Digital University set up in Kerala

• Kerala’s Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has recently inaugurated first Digital University of India at Mangalapuram • It is named as Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University) • It has been established by upgrading Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management Kerala (IIITM-K) • It has been set up with a vision of creating a futuristic institution of higher learning in Digital technologies and its management.

President’s rule imposed on Puducherry

• Home Ministry issued a notification for imposing the President's rule in the Union Territory of Puducherry • Puducherry has been placed under the President's rule days after the Congress-led Government collapsed due to several resignations • Puducherry Legislative Assembly has also been suspended and is now placed under suspended animation. • President’s rule: It refers to the suspension of a state government and imposition of direct Centre’s rule. Article 356 deals with this

PM Modi inaugurated multiple projects in Puducherry

• PM Modi has inaugurated and laid foundation stone of various development projects worth Rs 3,023 crore in Puducherry: o 4-lanes NH 45-A covering Karaikal district at a cost of Rs 2,426 crore to improve rural and coastal connectivity. o Minor Port at Puducherry at a cost of Rs 44 crore under Sagarmala Scheme. o Blood Centre at JIPMER in Puducherry. o 400 meters synthetic track at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore.

2nd edition of Global Bio-India to be organised from 1st to 3rd March

• Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan will virtually inaugurate 2nd edition of Global Bio- India • It will be organized from 1st to 3rd March

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• It will showcase strength of India’s biotechnology sector at national level and global community • Theme: Transforming lives and tag line Biosciences to Bioeconomy • It is being co-organised by Dept of Biotechnology, Ministry of S&T, PSU, BIRAC, CII, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises and Invest India.

Piyush Goyal addresses 6th International Conference on Pharmaceutical

• Railways Minister Piyush Goyal has inaugurated 6th edition of International Conference on Pharmaceutical & Medical Device sector • It will be held from Feb 25-26 & March 1-2, 2021 • It includes: o Theme of India Pharma 2021 is : Indian Pharma Industry: Future is Now o Theme of India Medical Device 2021: India MedTech Future: Innovate & Make in India through Global Alliance • It is organised by Dept of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, FICCI

Moody’s projects India’s GDP to contract 7% in FY21.

• US-based rating agency Moody’s has revised its growth projection for India, and now expects the economy to contract 7% in the fiscal 2020-21 (FY21) in its 'Global Macro Outlook 2021-22'. • This is lower than its previous estimate of 10.6% contraction. • Moody’s has projected the economy to grow to 13.7 percent, as compared to 10.8 percent estimated earlier for the next financial year, FY22, beginning April 1. • Moody’s HQs: New York, US.

India, Australia, France held trilateral dialogue on Indo-Pacific

• India, France, and Australia held trilateral dialogue at the senior officials’ level, with focus on further enhancing cooperation in Indo-Pacific. • First India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue was held virtually on September 9, 2020 • India was led by JS (Europe West) in MEA, Sandeep Chakravorty • Aim: To build strong bilateral relation and utilize their respective strength to ensure peaceful, secure, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region

ICRA expects Indian economy to contract 7% in FY21

• ICRA has projected the Indian economy to contract 7% in current fiscal (FY21). • For the next fiscal, i.e. FY22 (2021-22), ICRA expects a considerable rebound in India’s economic growth to 10.5% due to higher central government spending, and a pick-up in consumption. • ICRA (Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Ltd) is an Indian independent and professional investment information and credit rating agency • CEO: N. Sivaraman • Headquarters: Gurugram, India.

IWAI inks pact with MOL for transportation of LPG through inland waterways

• Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed MoU with MOL (Asia Oceania) for transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas through barges on National Waterways- 1 and National Waterways-2

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• IWAI will provide support for, facilitating with adequate fairway, handling of LPG cargo on IWAI terminals or Multimodal Terminals at Haldia, Sahibganj and Varanasi. • MOL Group is the world’s largest gas carrier company.

MCA signs MoU with CBIC to enhance Ease of Doing Business in India

• Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) signed MoU with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for exchange of data for enhancing ease of doing business in India and improve overall regulatory enforcement. • MCA and CBIC will benefit from access to each other’s databases, including details of import-export transactions and consolidated financial statements of companies registered in the country. • MoU marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation and synergy.

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