Current Affairs 27th February 2021| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various development projects in Coimbatore

• On February 25, 2021, Prime Minister visited Tamil Nadu to dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple infrastructure projects in Coimbatore.

The Projects are :

• 1000 MW Neyveli New Thermal Power Project
• 709 MW Solar Power Project of NLCIL
• He laid the foundation stone for design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 5MW grid connected ground based solar power plant at V.O.Chidambaranar Port and for the extension, renovation and modernisation of Lower Bhavani Project System.
• He also laid the foundation stone for development of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC) in nine Smart Cities including Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Thanjavur, Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruppur, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.
• He inaugurated the 8-laning of Korampallam Bridge and Rail Over Bridge (ROB) at V.O.Chidambaranar Port and the tenements constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) scheme. 
• The Prime Minister said that the modernization of Bhawani Sagar Dam will irrigate over 2 lakh acres of land and farmers of several districts will benefit from this project
  Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi were present on the occasion.

PM Modi will address Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University’s 33rd convocation 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 33rd Convocation of the Tamil Nadu M.G.R. Medical University through video conferencing.
• A total of 17 thousand five hundred 91 candidates will be conferred with Degrees and Diplomas in the Convocation.
• Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit will be present on the occasion.
• The University is named after the former Chief Minister Dr. M. G. Ramachandran.
• It has a total of 686 affiliated institutions under its umbrella, encompassing the disciplines of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, AYUSH, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Allied Health Sciences.
• These institutions are spread across the length and breadth of the state, including 41 Medical Colleges, 19 Dental Colleges, 48 AYUSH Colleges, 199 Nursing Colleges, 81 Pharmacy Colleges and the rest being specialty post-doctoral medical and allied health institutions.

President’s Rule imposed in Puducherry 

• Puducherry has been placed under the President’s rule days after the Congress-led Government collapsed after several resignations.
• The Home Ministry issued a notification of imposing the President’s rule in the Union Territory.
• President Ram Nath Kovind suspended the Puducherry Assembly as well.
• The Legislative Assembly of the Union territory is now placed under suspended animation.
• The Assembly polls are due in the Union Territory shortly.

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

• To showcase the strength and opportunities of the India’s biotechnology sector at national level and to the global community, the second edition of Global Bio-India will be organized from 1st to 3rd March. 
• The theme for this year is transforming lives and tag line is Biosciences to Bio economy.
• Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will inaugurate the event virtually.
• Global Bio-India is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders’ conglomerates that is being co-organized by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology along with its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, BIRAC in partnership with industry association CII, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises and Invest India.

Indian Railways to reactivate facility of UTS ON MOBILE App 

• Indian Railways has decided to reactivate the facility of UTS ON MOBILE App in zones where unreserved train services are reintroduced.
• To decongest ticket booking counters and to ensure smooth compliance of social distancing norms, the facility to book unreserved tickets through UTS ON MOBILE app is being reactivated by Indian Railways.
• The Railways Ministry said, it has been decided that in addition to UTS ON MOBILE App facility available on suburban sections, this facility may also be reintroduced on non-suburban sections of zonal Railways.

The India Toy Fair 2021 inaugurate by PM Modi 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the India Toy Fair 2021 through video conferencing.
• Toys play a significant part in the development of a child’s mind and also help improve psychomotor and cognitive skills in children.
• The Fair aims to provide an impetus to the underlying themes of Atmanirbhar Bharat and vocal for local campaigns, launched by the Government to promote indigenous industries.
• It also aims to leverage the potential of toys in making learning joyful across all ages in education.
• The four-day event aims to bring together all stakeholders including buyers, sellers, students, teachers and designers on a virtual platform to create sustainable linkages and encourage dialogue for the overall development of the industry.
• Over one thousand exhibitors from across 30 States and Union Territories will display their products in e-commerce enabled virtual exhibitions.
• It will showcase traditional Indian toys as well as modern toys including electronic toys, plush toys, puzzles and games.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister meets with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar

• Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov who is on a two day visit to India met with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in New Delhi.
• The discussion provided an opportunity to discuss various bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
• The Ministers positively assessed the progress on the outcomes of the India-Uzbekistan Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held on 11th December last year.
• Both Ministers also discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and noted the importance of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan for regional peace, stability and security.

24th edition of India-USA Executive Steering Group meeting concluded

• The 24th edition of the India-USA Executive Steering Group meeting was held at New Delhi from 22nd to 24th February.
• The meeting was attended by a 12 member delegation from the US Army in person and virtually by 40 officers from different locations from the US.Major General Daniel McDaniel, Deputy Commanding General; US Army Pacific was the Head of delegation from the US side.
• Indian Army delegation consisted of 37 officers.
• The forum is an Army to Army engagement that meets every year alternately in India and US to discuss Army to Army cooperation.

Siliguri-Dhaka train service begin on Independence Day of Bangladesh

• The new Passenger train service between India and Bangladesh will start from 26th of March, the day the neighbouring country begins the Golden Jubilee celebrations of its Independence. 
• Divisional Railway Manager of Katihar Division Ravindra Kumar Verma said, the train will leave NJP on every Thursday and Monday while it will depart from Dhaka on Friday and Thursday.
• The Haldibari-Chilahati (in Bangladesh) train route was opened after a gap of 55 years for goods trains on 17th of December last year.
• The passenger train between New Jalpaiguri and Dhaka will take the same route.

MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh label India-Maldives Workshop 

• Union Minister of State for Personnel, Dr. Jitendra Singh has said that India’s successful commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination programme with two indigenously developed vaccines, offers a lot of hope of a decisive victory against the pandemic in the coming months.
• India-Maldives Workshop on Good Governance Practices in a pandemic in New Delhi,the Union Minister said the roadmap ahead for both the nations in winning the battle against the COVID-19, lies in restarting the economy, strengthening cooperative federalism with thrust on stronger institutions, stronger e-Governance models, digitally empowered citizens and improved healthcare.

‘Lantern Festival’ a traditional festival celebrated by China 

• China is celebrating its traditional Lantern festival.
• Celebrated on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month, the Lantern Festival traditionally marks the end of the Chinese New Year also known as the ‘Spring Festival’ period.
• In 2021, China ushered into Lunar New Year – the ‘Year of the Ox’ on 12th February.
• The Lantern Festival is also the first full moon night in the Chinese calendar, marking the return of spring and symbolizing the reunion of family.
• According to China’s various folk customs, people get together on the night of the Lantern Festival to celebrate with different activities.
• Lantern Festival customs and activities vary regionally including lighting and enjoying lanterns, appreciating the bright full moon, setting off fireworks, flying drones, guessing riddles written on lanterns, eating tangyuan or dumplings, lion dances, dragon dances, and walking on stilts

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Kerala Governor Inaugurates India’s First Digital University

• Digital University has been set up in Kerala’s Technocity, Mangalapuram. The Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan has inaugurated the country’s first Digital University in the state.
• Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University) is established by upgrading the two-decade old state government’s Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management Kerala (IIITM-K). 
• The university is formed with a vision of creating a futuristic institution of higher learning, aspiring to set a global benchmark in Digital technologies and its management
• The launch of the first Digital University in the country will open tremendous opportunities for youngsters.
• India’s first Digital University will focus on postgraduate programmes and research along with building strong industry-academic and academic-academic linkages with leading institutions in India and abroad. Developed on a 10-acre campus in Technocity, the university will provide education to 12,000 residential scholars on the campus and many technology-linked learners outside.
• The university seeks to lead the Digital Transformation Initiatives announced by the Kerala Government in the Budget 2021.
• India’s first Digital University has been started with five schools

1. School of Computer Science and Engineering;
2. School of Digital Sciences;
3. School of Electronic Systems and Automation;
4. School of Informatics;
5. School of Digital Humanities and Liberal Arts, covering science, technology and humanities aspects of the Digital world

About Kerala :

• CM : Pinarayi Vijayan
• Capital : Thiruvananthapuram
• Governor : Arif Mohammad Khan

Maharashtra’s New Agriculture Pump Power Connection scheme bags good response

• In Maharashtra, the State Government’s New Agriculture Pump Power Connection scheme has been receiving a good response.
• The scheme announced in October 2020 has provided various relaxations to farmers to pay their pending dues.
• Since the scheme was announced, as many as three lakh 42 thousand farmers have paid dues to the tune of 312 crore 41 lakh rupees.
• In a bid to provide more relief to the farmers’ the State Government has waived-off pending dues of 15 thousand crore rupees, an official press statement said.
• Farmers who will pay their Agri pumps dues in the first year will get 50 per cent relaxation on their actual dues.
• Besides, the interest and late fees will also be waived off completely.
• This apart, farmers who will pay their total dues will be given nearly 66 per cent concession.

‘E-Parivahan Vyavstha’ launched by Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur 

• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched ‘e-Parivahan Vyavstha’ of the State Transport Department to provide faceless services to the people of the State regarding Driving Licence/Registration Certificates/Permits etc.
• The Chief Minister said stress must be laid on educating the people to avail this facility.
• He said the success of this system would largely depend on how better and easily the people adopt this service.
• Jairam said credit of this goes to the officers and employees of the State.
• He said the State Government first started e-Vidhan Sabha, then e-Budget and now it has started e-cabinet.
• He said the e-Parivahan was a step forward in this direction.

Retirement age raised to 60 years for Tamil Nadu govt. employees 

• In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palananiswami announced that the retirement age of State Government employees has been increased from 59 to 60 years.
• Making a suo motu statement in the Legislative Assembly, he said, the order would be applicable to employees of the government and government-aided schools, legal and constitutional bodies, government sectors, local bodies, commissions, boards and unions.
• He said, all those who were in service and those who would retire on 31st of May this year would be covered under the announcement.

39th Agartala International Book Fair started at Tripura

• In Tripura, the 39th Agartala International Book Fair with the theme “Ek Tripura, Shrestha Tripura” has begun at Agartala.
• State Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated the fair in presence of Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner Md. Jobayed Hossain and other state cabinet ministers and MLAs.
• The Chief Minister said a book fair helps in building a positive mindset among people and that ensures a positive approach for overall progress in society.
• Cultural troops coming from Bangladesh, Northeastern States including Sikkim will be performing various cultural events on each day as part of the fair.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING NEWS

ICRA expects Indian economy to contract 7% in FY21; rebound 10.5% in FY22

• ICRA has projected the Indian economy to contract 7 percent 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 percent due to higher central government spending, and a pick-up in consumption.

About ICRA :

• Headquarters : Gurgaon, Haryana
• CEO : N. Sivaraman
• Founded : 1991
• Executive Vice president : L. Shivakumar, Jayanta Chatterjee, Anjan Deb Ghosh

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BUSINESS NEWS

Ayushmann Khurrana inscribe BoroPlus products

• Kolkata-based FMCG company, Emami Ltd, has roped in National Award winning Bollywood actor, Ayushmann Khurrana, for its BoroPlusSoaps and Hand Wash range.
• BoroPlus, India’s No.1 Antiseptic Cream Brand, has launched soaps & hand washes under its Hygiene portfolio last year.

District panchayat plans to launch app, website of workers – ‘labour bank’, 

• Finding blue-collar jobs in the district will no longer be a herculean task.
• If all goes as per the plan, the opportunity will knock at the door in the form of a mobile message.
• The district panchayat of Kochi Corporation has decided to develop an android-based application to end the uncertainty that loomed over hundreds of blue-collar workers in the district, especially after Covid-19 hit the country.
• The district panchayat, which has set aside Rs 2 lakh for developing the android-based app and web platform by associating with an engineering college in the city, is expected to launch the project within six months.
• “There are talented plumbing and construction workers, mechanics and other daily wage employees available in the district.
• But most of the time, it is hard for the employer to find the right person and this has resulted in depending more on the migrant workers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS

Haryana Dy CM Dushyant Chautala re-elected TTFI president

• Haryana’s Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala was unanimously re-elected as the president of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for another four-year term at Panchkula
• Chautala was elected unanimously during the 84th annual meeting of the TTFI 
• The 32-year-old was first elected as President of the TTFI in January 2017, becoming the youngest President in the history of TTFI.

About TTFI :

• Headquarters : New Delhi
• Founded : 1926
• President : Dushyant Chautala
• Secretary: M.P. Singh

Russian supermodel ‘Supernova’ Natalia Vodianova is new UN goodwill ambassador

• Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova became a United Nations goodwill ambassador 
• Purpose : To promote the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls and tackle stigmas surrounding their bodies.
• She will be a campaigner for the U.N. Population Fund, which now calls itself the N.’s sexual and reproductive health agency, known as UNFPA.
• UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem, who announced her appointment, called Vodianova “above all a passionate, longtime advocate for the rights and the needs of women and girls and in particular people living with disabilities.”
• Vodianova has focused on “breaking harmful taboos and tackling the stigmas that surround women’s bodies and health, including menstrual health even during humanitarian crises, and all forms of gender-based violence.”

About Natalia Vodianova :

• Vodianova founded the Naked Heart Foundation to help children with special needs and their families in 2004 and is a member of the Special Olympics International board of directors.
• She told reporters that one focus of her work as a goodwill ambassador will be on the taboo and stigma surrounding menstruation, a monthly challenge for girls and women.
• She made the Forbes top models list in 2012 and is nicknamed Supernova

About UNFPA :

• Headquarters : New York, United States
• Founded : 1969
• Head : Natalia Kanem

Levi’s appoints Deepika Padukone as global brand ambassador

• Levi’s announced the appointment of actor Deepika Padukone as its global brand ambassador. 
• The denim brand said the association will help attract a new generation of women consumers as it looks to expand the women’s wear category.
• Padukone is the first female celebrity to become the face of the brand in India. She will be seen spearheading the new campaign focused on a new range of fashion fits from Levi’s.
• Its strategy aims to attract the new generation of women consumers with a new “fashion-forward” offering in line with the brand’s DNA and comfort.

Nothing India appointed Manu Sharma as Vice President and General Manager 

• Nothing, a new London based consumer technology company, announced the appointmentof Manu Sharma, as its Vice President and General Manager, Nothing India.
• Manuwill be driving the growth, business development & operations for Nothing in India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BOOKS & AUTHORS

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

• Veteran actor Kabir Bedi will tell the story of his life “with raw emotional honesty” in his memoir which will be published this April. 

About ‘Stories I Must Tell: 

• The Emotional Journey of an Actor’ will take readers through the highs and lows of Bedi’s professional and personal life, his relationships, including marriage and divorce, why his beliefs have changed, and his exciting days in film, television and theatre, in India, Europe and Hollywood.
• The book will be published by Westland Publications.
• This is the story of a middle-class boy from Delhi who met with extraordinary successes as well as heart-wrenching setbacks and a man who holds nothing back, in love or in storytelling.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOUR

TSSPDCL bags four energy awards

• Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) bagged four awards, two of which were the ‘ICC – 8th Innovation with Impact Awards 2020’, under the categories of Overall Innovation with Impact (General States) and Quality of Service and Customer Empowerment.
• They were presented at the 14th India Energy Summit 2020-21.
• The two other awards, as part of IPPAI Awards 2020, were bestowed on Discom under the categories of Best Distribution Company to Promote Consumer Awareness and Best Distribution Utility Achieving Highest Electrification, including metering of un-electrified households.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : MOU 

Ministry of Corporate Affairs sign MoU with CBIC for exchange of data to enhance Ease of Doing Business in India

• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs have signed an MoU for exchange of data for enhancing ease of doing business in India and improving overall regulatory enforcement.
• Both the organisations will benefit from access to each other’s databases which include details of import-export transactions and consolidated financial statements of companies registered in the country.
• The MoU was signed by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs Manoj Pandey and Additional Director General, CBIC B. B. Gupta.

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

• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the MOL (Asia Oceania) Limited for transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas through barges on National Waterways-1 and National Waterways-2. 
• The MoU was inked in the presence of Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya.
• The Inland Waterways Authority 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 and will invest for construction and operation of dedicated LPG barges under Make-in-India initiative.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs sign MoU with CBIC Delhi for data exchange

• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi for data exchange between the two organisations.
• It is in line with the vision of both organisations to harness data capabilities to ensure effective enforcement.
• Both are going to benefit from access to each other’s databases which include details of import-export transactions and consolidated financial statements of companies registered in the country.
• The data sharing arrangement gains significance in light of development of MCA21 Version 3 which will utilise state of the art technology for enhancing ease of doing business in India and improve the regulatory enforcement and similar steps by CBIC like the launch of Advanced Analytics in Indirect Taxation ADVAIT, a 360-degree taxpayer profiling tool.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games

• PM Modi will virtually inaugurate and deliver the inaugural address at the 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games on February 26, 2021.
• The games will commence from February 26 and will continue till March 2, 2021.
• The games taking place in Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir will feature around 1200 athletes from 27 states and union territories, apart from the army personnel.
• The event has been organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir.

Khelo India National Winter Games:

• Alpine Skiing
• Nordic Ski
• Snowboarding
• Ski Mountaineering
• Ice Skating
• Ice Hockey
• Ice Stock

About Khelo India Winter Games:

• They are India’s multidisciplinary grassroot winter games. The decision of organising the first games in 2020 was taken after the successful various editions of the Khelo India Youth Games.

Daily CA On Feb 26 :

• The under-construction Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh has received the International Airport license from Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 
• The Horticulture Department, in collaboration with the International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB), is setting up a flower processing centre to convert unsold flowers into various useful products.
• The Central government launched ‘National Urban Digital Mission” to create a digital infrastructure for cities in the country.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a day’s visit to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to inaugurate and lay the foundation for several developmental projects.
• Union Cabinet approved Production Linked Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 2nd edition of the Maritime India Summit 2021. 
• China has regained its position as the top trading partner of India in 2020, which was held by the United States, since 2018-19.
• Pakistan is unlikely to exit the ‘grey list’ of the FATF as some European countries have taken the stand that Islamabad has not fully implemented all the points of a plan of action set by it, on the eve of the plenary meeting of the global watchdog for money laundering and terror financing.
• Australia’s parliament passed landmark legislation requiring global technology giants to pay for the news content shared on their platforms, in a move that is being closely watched around the world.
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that Hoshangabad city in the state would be renamed as Narmadapuram.
• In Manipur, the State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh launched the Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme.
• BJP national president JP Nadda will participate in a series of programmes in Kolkata and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will conductsimultaneous purchase and sale of government securities for an aggregate amount of Rs 15,000 crore each on March 4.
• Ola, said it had commenced construction of the world’s largest two-wheeler mega-factory on its 500-acre site.
• Global rating agency Moody’s upped India’s growth projection for the financial year 2021-22 to 13.7 percent from 10.8 percent estimated earlier.
• Indian Coast Guard Ship C-453, the 17th of the 18 Interceptor Boat (IBs) project indigenously constructed by Larsen & Toubro Ltd, has been commissioned at
• Former Union Minister Vijay Sampla assumed the charge of Chairman National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
• Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM took over the Command of the Eastern Fleet, the Sword Arm of the Eastern Naval Command at Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam.
• Piramal Group appoints Kalpesh Kikani as CEO of Piramal Alternatives.
• Ramakrishna’s experience spans over 30 years, starting with a Short Service Commissioned tenure of 6 years with the Indian Air Force in Surface to Air Missiles division and a total industrial experience of 28 years
• The Centre signed an agreement with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for borrowing $304 million (over Rs.2,200 crore) to improve power transmission network in Assam.
• A trilateral dialogue was held among India, France, and Australia on February 24, 2021 at the senior officials’ level, with focus on further enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams & River Basins was inaugurated by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Jal Shakti as Chief Guest and Shri R.K. Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Govt. of India presided over the Opening Ceremony.
• Union Government has asked Public Sector Banks to facilitate quick and easy loan disbursal under the PM-SVANidhi scheme. 
• Anjali Bharadwaj, an Indian social activist working on issues of transparency and accountability, is one of the 12 “courageous” individuals named by the Biden administration for the newly-instituted International Anti-Corruption Champions Award.
• Uttar Pradesh received award for fastest implementation of Pradhan mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. 
• Vijayawada Postal Division bagged five AP Circle level awards in Aadhaar (first place), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (first place), postal life insurance (second place), India Post Payments Bank (second) and Philately (second) for the financial year 2019-20.
• Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has received Digital Technology Sabha Award, consecutively for the second consecutive time (2020 & 2021) in the category of “Internet of Things”.
• India and Uzbekistan agreed to strengthen multilateral cooperation.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has named Brisbane, Australia as the preferred bidder to host the 2032 Olympic Games. 

Daily CA On Feb 27 :

• On February 25, 2021, Prime Minister visited Tamil Nadu to dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple infrastructure projects in Coimbatore.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 33rd Convocation of the Tamil Nadu M.G.R. Medical University through video conferencing.
• Puducherry has been placed under the President’s rule days after the Congress-led Government collapsed after several resignations.
• To showcase the strength and opportunities of the India’s biotechnology sector at national level and to the global community, the second edition of Global Bio-India will be organized from 1st to 3rd March. 
• Indian Railways has decided to reactivate the facility of UTS ON MOBILE App in zones where unreserved train services are reintroduced.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the India Toy Fair 2021 through video conferencing.
• Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov who is on a two day visit to India met with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in New Delhi.
• The 24th edition of the India-USA Executive Steering Group meeting was held at New Delhi from 22nd to 24th February.
• The new Passenger train service between India and Bangladesh will start from 26th of March, the day the neighbouring country begins the Golden Jubilee celebrations of its Independence. 
• Union Minister of State for Personnel, Dr. Jitendra Singh has said that India’s successful commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination programme with two indigenously developed vaccines, offers a lot of hope of a decisive victory against the pandemic in the coming months.
• China is celebrating its traditional Lantern festival.
• Digital University has been set up in Kerala’s Technocity, Mangalapuram. The Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan has inaugurated the country’s first Digital University in the state.
• In Maharashtra, the State Government’s New Agriculture Pump Power Connection scheme has been receiving a good response.
• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched ‘e-Parivahan Vyavstha’ of the State Transport Department to provide faceless services to the people of the State regarding Driving Licence/Registration Certificates/Permits etc.
• In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palananiswami announced that the retirement age of State Government employees has been increased from 59 to 60 years.
• In Tripura, the 39th Agartala International Book Fair with the theme “Ek Tripura, Shrestha Tripura” has begun at Agartala.
• ICRA has projected the Indian economy to contract 7 percent in current fiscal (FY21).
• Kolkata-based FMCG company, Emami Ltd, has roped in National Award winning Bollywood actor, Ayushmann Khurrana, for its BoroPlusSoaps and Hand Wash range.
• Finding blue-collar jobs in the district will no longer be a herculean task.
• Haryana’s Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala was unanimously re-elected as the president of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for another four-year term at Panchkula
• Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova became a United Nations goodwill ambassador 
• Levi’s announced the appointment of actor Deepika Padukone as its global brand ambassador. 
• Nothing, a new London based consumer technology company, announced the appointmentof Manu Sharma, as its Vice President and General Manager, Nothing India.
• Veteran actor Kabir Bedi will tell the story of his life “with raw emotional honesty” in his memoir which will be published this April. 
• Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) bagged four awards, two of which were the ‘ICC – 8th Innovation with Impact Awards 2020’, under the categories of Overall Innovation with Impact (General States) and Quality of Service and Customer Empowerment.
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs have signed an MoU for exchange of data for enhancing ease of doing business in India and improving overall regulatory enforcement.
• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the MOL (Asia Oceania) Limited for transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas through barges on National Waterways-1 and National Waterways-2. 
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi for data exchange between the two organisations.
• PM Modi will virtually inaugurate and deliver the inaugural address at the 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games on February 26, 2021.