Daily Current Affairs, 26th February 2018

1)  PM Modi Inaugurates Projects Worth 1000 Crores In Daman

•Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stones for projects worth 1000 crore rupees in Daman in the union territory of Daman and Diu. PM distributed keys for scooters to differently-abled beneficiaries, 'SWABHIMAN' cards to pregnant and Lactating Women, 'Badhai Kit' to the newly born girl children under 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'.

•PM also distributed cycles to school going girls under Saraswati Cycle Yojna, extended loans under 'Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojna' and 'Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana' to beneficiaries.  The PM also distributed permits for CNG driven public transport vehicles for a cleaner environment in Daman.

2)  DRDO Successfully Carries Out Test Flight Of Rustom-2 Drone

•Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flown its Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle RUSTOM 2 in Karnataka. The flight assumes significance as this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine.

•India at present depends on America and Israel for such predator drones. DRDO is developing within India a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle RUSTOM 2. It has the capability to fly for 24 hours at a stretch at over 200 km/hr speed, and can, not only conduct sustained surveillance but will be able to destroy enemy targets.

3) International Conference On Sustainable Biofuels Begins In New Delhi

•A two-day International Conference on Sustainable Biofuels organized by Department of Biotechnology has begun in New Delhi. Union Minister for Science and technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the Conference.

•More than 300 participants with representatives from 18 countries attended it. This event aims to provide a common platform to Government policy makers, industry, investors and research community to exchange experiences and challenges related to development and scaling of advanced biofuels.

4)  15th Edition Of BioAsia 2018 Held In Hyderabad

•The 15th edition of BioAsia, the annual flagship event of the Government of Telangana, was held Hyderabad. The theme of BioAsia 2018 was “Right Time, Right Now” focusing on strategies to keep up with the pace of change and innovative ways to develop new models for distribution & healthcare delivery.

•The event was attended by 1500 delegates from over 55 countries. Ireland, Netherlands and South Africa were the International Partners while Gujarat, Assam and Rajasthan were the partner states for this event.

5)  7th Meeting Of EPG On Nepal-India Relations Concludes

•The seventh meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India relations has concluded in Kathmandu, Nepal. Various bilateral issues including 1950 Peace and Friendship treaty, trade, environment, border and hydropower were discussed during the two-day meeting.

•EPG is a joint mechanism consisting experts and intellectuals from India and Nepal. It was set up in February 2016 to provide suggestions for updating all existing bilateral treaties and agreements between both the countries. Next meeting of the group will be held in New Delhi.

6)  Andaman & Nicobar Command To Host Milan 2018

•The second week of March will witness Andaman & Nicobar Command hosting a multinational mega event MILAN 2018. MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted biennially by Indian Navy at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

•The theme of this year’s MILAN International Maritime Seminar is ‘In Pursuit of Maritime Good Order - Need for Comprehensive Information Sharing Apparatus’. With the underlying theme of 'Friendship Across the Seas', MILAN 2018 will witness a diverse mix of professional exercises and seminars, social events and sporting fixtures. 

7)  National Conference On E-Governance In Hyderabad

•The 21st national conference on e-Governance will be held in Hyderabad. The government of India and Telangana Administrative Reforms department are jointly organising the conference with the main theme around- technology for accelerating development. 

•The two-day conference will deliberate on several aspects of the e-governance including its universalization and replication, governing e-governance, best practices, emerging technologies and synergising role of national and state governments.

8)  Aruna Budda Reddy Becomes 1st Indian To Win Individual Medal At Gymnastics World Cup

•Aruna Budda Reddy has created history by becoming the first Indian to win an individual medal at the Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne, Australia. She clinched a Bronze medal in the Women’s Vault.

•Aruna, who hails from Hyderabad, scored 13.649 average points to finish third and claim the bronze medal at the Hisense Arena. Tjasa Kysslef of Slovenia took home the Gold, while Emily Whitehead of Australia won the Silver.