Daily Current Affairs
UN General Assembly adopts India's resolution to declare 2023 as International Year of Millets
The United Nations has unanimously declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The 193 member UN General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti said it is a big step to promote nutritional and ecological benefits of millets to the world as a key component of the food basket and effect policy changes. Millets can grow on poor soils and are resistant or tolerant to many crop diseases and pests. They can also survive adverse climatic conditions.
Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley lauds India for providing COVID-19 vaccines
Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley has lauded India for providing COVID-19 vaccines. In a tweet, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it possible for more than 40 thousand people in Barbados and tens of thousands elsewhere, to receive their 1st dose of COVISHIELD via Vaccine Maitri. Ms Mottley called it a genuine demonstration of generosity.
Daily Current Affairs
India wants Chabahar port on key corridor
India wants Chabahar port to be included in the 13-nation International North South Transport Corridor that extends from India to Russia, and expand INSTC membership by including Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Ports and Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya . Pitching for Chabahar in the INSTC which goes via Iran’s biggest port Bandar Abbas, Mr. Jaishankar proposed that the land route via Kabul and Tashkent would form the INSTC’s “Eastern corridor”. Establishing an eastern corridor through Afghanistan would maximise its potential, he said.
US reaffirm their commitment to Indo-US Global Strategic Partnership
The United States reaffirmed their commitment to the Indo-US Global Strategic Partnership. Speaking to the media, Spokesperson of the US State Department Mr. Ned Price said that the US has authorized over USD 20 Billion worth of defence sales to India.
Daily Current Affairs
1st consignment of ‘red rice’ flagged off to US
In a major boost to India’s rice exports potential, the first consignment of ‘red rice’ was flagged off to the US. Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. The rice variety is referred as ‘Bao-dhaan’, which is an integral part of Assamese food. The Commerce and Industry Ministry said the growth in exports of ‘red rice’ would enhance incomes of farming families of the Brahmaputra flood plains.
More than 930 mn tonnes of food thrown away in waste bins every year: UN global report
A new UN global report has revealed that more than 930 million tonnes of food is thrown away in waste bins every year. The UN Environment Programme, UNEP and partner organization WRAP, the Food Waste Index Report 2021 revealed that 17 per cent of the food available to consumers in shops, households and restaurants is just dumped. Some food is also lost on farms and in supply chains, indicating that overall a third of food is never eaten.
Daily Current Affairs
UN tells Myanmar military to stop ‘murdering’ protesters
At least 54 people have been killed and over 1,700 detained since Myanmar’s February 1 coup, the United Nations rights chief said. The comments come after the deadliest day of protests in Myanmar, with at least 38 dead on Wednesday in rallies where security forces were seen firing at crowds.
UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet urged security forces to “halt their vicious crackdown on peaceful protesters”. Since the coup, more than 1,700 people have also been arbitrarily arrested and detained in relation to their participation in protests or engagement in political activity.
IISc in top 100 list in natural sciences
The Indian Institute of Science broke into the top 100 in the natural sciences category of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021. With regard to subject rankings, there are two new entrants in the top 100 list: JNU’s anthropology programme and O.P. Jindal Global University’s law programme, which is also the only private institution in the list.
Daily Current Affairs
Bengaluru and Shimla among 'Most liveable' cities across country; Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri issues Ease of Living Index
Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri announced the release of the final rankings of Ease of Living Index-2020 and the Municipal Performance Index-2020 in New Delhi. Bengaluru emerged as the top performer in the Million Plus category, followed by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Vadodara, Indore and Greater Mumbai. In the Less than Million category, Shimla was ranked the highest in ease of living, followed by Bhubaneshwar, Silvassa, Kakinada, Salem, Vellore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Davangere and Tiruchirappalli. In the Million plus category, Indore has emerged as the highest-ranked municipality, followed by Surat and Bhopal. In the Less than Million category, New Delhi Municipal Council has emerged as the leader, followed by Tirupati and Gandhinagar.
Education Minister congratulates 12 Indian Institutions on securing position in top 100 in QS World University Rankings
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has congratulated 12 Indian Institutions on securing a position in top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021. These institutions are IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IISC Bangalore, IIT Guwahati, IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, JNU, Anna University, University of Delhi, and O P Jindal University. IIT Madras has been ranked 30th in the world for Petroleum Engineering, IIT Bombay has been ranked 41st and IIT Kharagpur has been ranked 44th in the world for Minerals and Mining Engineering, and University of Delhi has been ranked 50th in the world for Development Studies. Daily Current Affairs
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar directs IPIRTI to set up dedicated action plan to execute govt's vision
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar directed Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute, IPIRTI to set up a dedicated action plan to execute the government's vision. In the annual general meeting of IPIRTI, an organization which works for plywoods, timber identification, research and other products, the Minister also directed to have quarterly reviews amongst other steps.
Combined Commanders' Conference to begin at Kevadiya in Gujarat
A three-day Combined Commanders' Conference will begin at Kevadia in Gujarat. Theaterisation of armed forces, self-reliance in defence sector and evolving threats in the region will be the focus areas during the three-day annual event. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the top commanders of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force . During the conference, the setting up a new air defence command and maritime command is likely to be discussed at length. Implementation of the air defence command timeline is also likely to come up for discussion. The formation of theatre commands will synergise the capabilities and combat potential of the three forces during war and peace.
Daily Current Affairs
FDI equity inflow crosses $51 billion
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the country grew 24% to $9.2 billion in December 2020, taking the total in the first nine months of 2020-21 to a record $67.54 billion, 22% higher than the same period in 2019-20, the Commerce and Industry ministry said. FDI equity flows accounted for a large chunk of this inflow, growing 40% in the same period to $51.47 billion in the April to December 2020 period, compared with $36.77 billion dollars during the same months in 2019. The ministry attributed the inflows to measures taken to reform the FDI policy and improve the ease of doing business.
RBI to conduct simultaneous sale-purchase of govt securities next week
The Reserve Bank of India announced that it will conduct simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities under Open Market Operations (OMO) on March 10. The central bank will purchase four government securities of different maturity dates aggregating to Rs. 20,000 crore and sell three securities aggregating to Rs. 15,000 using the multiple price auction method.
Daily Current Affairs
AM/NS, Odisha ink Rs. 50,000-cr. steel plant pact
The Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel for setting up a 12 million tonne (MT) per annum capacity steel project at an estimated investment of Rs. 50,000 crore in Kendrapara district. The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the executive chairman of ArcelorMittal Lakshmi N. Mittal.
ArcelorMittal had signed an MoU with the Odisha government in 2006 for establishing a 12- MT integrated steel plant and a captive power plant, at an estimated cost of Rs. 40,000 crore. The project, however, did not take off.
EPFO retains annual rate of interest at 8.5%
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation decided to retain 8.5% annual rate of interest on provident fund deposits for 2020-2021 for its more than five crore subscribers. The rate of 8.5% remains the lowest since 2012-2013.
Daily Current Affairs
Wipro to buy U.K. consulting firm Capco for $1.45 billion
Wipro Ltd announced that it had agreed to acquire Capco, a London-based technology consultancy, for $1.45 billion. The deal, once completed, is expected to help the Indian IT services provider gain a firmer foothold and presence in the European market, especially in the financial services industry where the U.K. firm has an established clientele. The Capco purchase, which will be the Indian company’s biggest-ever acquisition, comes barely eight months after Wipro hired Mr. Delaporte from Capgemini to help the company recover its erstwhile position among India’s top three IT services providers.
Infosys to expand presence in Canada
Tech consulting and digital services firm Infosys said it would add 500 jobs in Calgary and double its Canadian workforce to 4,000 by 2023. The company has created 2,000 jobs across Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal in the last two years. Its Calgary expansion is expected to enable Infosys to scale work with clients in Western Canada, Pacific North West, and the Central United States across industries such as natural resources, energy, media, retail, and communications.
Daily Current Affairs
Boxam International Boxing: Asian Champion pugilist Pooja Rani enters semifinals
Asian champion pugilist Pooja Rani entered the semifinals to secure a medal in 75-kilogram category at the 35th Boxam International Boxing Tournament in Castellon, Spain. However, two-time World bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) bowed out after a quarterfinal loss in 69 kilogram category. Olympic-bound Rani defeated Italian Assunta Canfora to join the seasoned M.C. Mary Kom (51kg), Simranjit Kaur (60kg) and debutant Jasmine (57kg) in the last-four stage.
Indian women’s trap team in final
The Indian women’s trap team of Manisha Keer, Rajeshwari Kumari and Kirti Gupta qualified for the gold medal match against topper Russia in the Shotgun World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. With Manisha shooting 158 in seven rounds and the other two contributing 143 each, the Indian trio had a total of 444. Russia topped with 463, while Egypt and Kazakhstan made it to the bronze medal match.
The Indian men’s team, with an aggregate of 469, was placed sixth.
Daily Current Affairs
LaLiga places net financial loss at €1bn
LaLiga clubs have suffered a net loss of around €1 billion in the previous seasons due to the pandemic, according to Javier Tebas, president of the top Spanish football league. He felt that Spain’s professional clubs would require around five years to recover from the debts they have accumulated because of the pandemic related losses.
Swiss Open: Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap crashes out
In Swiss Open badminton, ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal and Paruppalli Kashyap have crashed out of the tournament. Saina Nehwal lost in a tough fight with Thailand's Phittayporn Chaiwan 16-21, 21-17, 21-23 that lasted 58 minutes while Kashyap lost to lower ranked Padlo Abian of Spain 15-21, 10-21 in straight game. However, young prodigies Praneeth, Saurabh Varma and Ajay Jayaram advanced to the second round. P. V. Sindhu also picked up a comfortable win.
Daily Current Affairs
West Indies' Pollard becomes 3rd international cricketer to hit 6 sixes in an over
West Indies superstar cricketer Kieron Pollard has become just the third batsman in international cricket to hit 6 sixes in an over. Pollard achieved the feat when he hit Sri Lanka's Akila Dananjaya out of the park 6 times in the 6th over of West Indies' successful chase in the first T20I at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. Earlier in the first innings Sri Lanka made a below-par 131-9 as their batsmen struggled to get going from the get-go.
The other players who hit six sixes in an over are South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs and India’s Yuvraj Singh in international matches.
Nagal stuns Garin, enters quarters
India’s Sumit Nagal registered the biggest singles win of his career, beating World No. 22 and clay specialist Cristian Garin 6-4, 6-3, to enter the last eight of the Argentina Open ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires. This will be his maiden quarterfinal appearance at the ATP Tour level, Nagal will play Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas.