Latest Current Affairs – February 26 2018
- RInfra wins Rs 292 cr arbitration award against Goa govt
Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (RInfra) has won an arbitration award of Rs 292 crore against the Goa government for non-payment of electricity dues.
RInfra has won an arbitration award of Rs 292 crore against Government of Goa. The Arbitration Tribunal, in its award on February 16, 2018, has ordered Government of Goa to pay Rs 292 crore to Reliance Infrastructure Limited by April 15, 2018.
- 21st National Conference on e-Governance to begin in Hyderabad
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, along with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India in association with Government of Telangana is organizing the 21stNational Conference on e-Governance on February 26- 27, 2018 in Hyderabad, Telangana.
The theme of the Conference this year is, ‘Technology for accelerating Development’.
The Inaugural Session will be followed by 3 Plenary Sessions on Day1 based on themes: Building User Experience, Universalization and Replication and Governing e-Governance while on Day2 the two Plenary Sessions will be based on e-Governance Good/ Best Practices, Emerging Technologies.
- Nadda launches initiative for free viral load test for people living with HIV/AIDS
Union Health Minister J P Nadda has launched an initiative under which free viral load test would be provided at least once a year to the 12 lakh people undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS in the country.
A viral load test measures the number of HIV viral particles in the blood to find out if the treatment is effective. A high viral load in a person on treatment indicates either that the medication is not being taken properly or that the virus is becoming resistant to the medication.
- CSIR signs MoU with IORA: CSIR-CIMAP to host coordinating center on medicinal plants
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has entered into a MoU with the Regional Center for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for designating Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow (CSIR-CIMAP) as Coordinating Center on Medicinal Plants.
The IORA Center at CSIR-CIMAP will establish a database on the important medicinal plants, their value added products, related experts and industries of the IORA member states and organize meetings and training programmes to promote trade, commerce and scientific exchanges to complement the strength and limitation of the member states.
- International Conference on Sustainable Biofuels 2018
The two day international conference on Sustainable Biofuels is jointly being organized by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India and Biofuture platform.
The event is bringing experts and delegates from 19 countries together in Sustainable Biofuels sector to take stock of current knowledge, share information and best practices, and build consensus on the actions most needed to move forward.
Use of fossil fuels for transportation contributes significantly to global greenhouse gases (GHG) emission. The sustainable biofuels have ability to reduce the GHG emission load and this consideration led to establishment of Sustainable Biofuel Innovation Challenge (SBIC) under Mission Innovation (MI).
- PM Modi flags off ‘Run for New India’ Marathon in Surat
The ‘Run for New India marathon was flagged off from the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium of the city. The Marathon is aimed at creating awareness about social causes and call upon all to resolve to build a New India.
Around 1.50 lakh runners participated in the ‘Run for New India’ marathon which was organized by the Surat Nagrik Samiti.
- “Andaman & Nicobar Command to Host Milan 2018”
MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted biennially by Indian Navy at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
MILAN 2018 is being held at Port Blair from 06 March to 13 March 2018. 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.
- 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.
Various bilateral issues including 1950 Peace and Friendship treaty, trade, environment, border and hydropower were discussed during two-day meeting.
It was set up in February 2016 to provide suggestions for updating all existing bilateral treaties and agreements between both the countries.
- Tamil Nadu, Microsoft Tie-Up To Accelerate Cloud Technology Adoption
The government of Tamil Nadu has announced signing an agreement with IT Major Microsoft to improve the integration of technology in teaching and learning in the state.
The partnership aims to reform education sector, build tech capacity and enhance digital literacy across all levels.
As a part of the agreement, Microsoft will adopt seven schools identified by the government and train their teachers and students around building 21st century skills which includes critical thinking, creative coding and gaming, app development, robotics, and entrepreneurship.
- Former Cabinet Secretary T.S.R. Subramanian Passes Away
Former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramanian died. He was 79 years old. Subramanian was a 1961-batch officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre in the Indian Administrative Services. He served as Cabinet Secretary from August 1996 to March 1998.
