India
Ease of Living Index: Bengaluru best among cities with million plus population
The government’s Ease of Living Index 2020 was released by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The rankings were announced for cities with a population of more than a million, and cities with less than a million people. While Bengaluru was ranked first among cities with a population of more than a million, Shimla topped the list of cities with less than a million people. 111 cities participated in the assessment exercise that was conducted in 2020.
Municipal Performance Index: Indore best among cities with million plus population
The government’s Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020 was released by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The assessment framework under MPI 2020 has classified municipalities based on their population- Million+ (municipalities having over a million population) and Less than Million Population. In the Million+ 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.
Delimitation Commission gets one-year extension to conclude its task in J&K
The Delimitation Commission, a panel for redrawing the parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, has got a one-year extension. The panel, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, came into existence on October, 2019 after the Centre abrogated the special status of the erstwhile state in August 2019 and announced its reorganisation.
Maritime India Summit-2021 concludes with ‘Chabahar Day’
The three-day Second edition of Virtual Maritime India Summit-2021 concluded with the observation of ‘Chabahar Day’ on March 4, 2021. In his key note address of Chabahar day Session, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that Chabahar Port project in Iran will be developed as transit hub for cross connectivity between the India and Eurasia.
Indian Army begins training of Turkmenistan Special Forces
The Indian Army on March 4, 2021 began the training of Turkmenistan Special Forces in “Combat Free Fall” to help them build their capabilities. In January, India and Turkmenistan had reviewed various aspects of bilateral relations, including political, economic, commercial, defence, education and consular cooperation during the fourth round of foreign office consultations.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 unveiled
As many as 12 Indian institutions made it to the list of top-100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 unveiled on March 4, 2021. 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.
Economy & Corporate
EPFO decides to retain 8.5% rate of interest on EPF deposits for 2020-21
Retirement fund body EPFO on March 4, 2021 decided to retain 8.5 per cent rate of interest on provident fund deposits for 2020-21. EPFO has more than five crore active subscribers. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, which is Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO) apex decision-making body, in Srinagar on March 4, 2021.
India attracted total FDI inflow of US$ 67.54 billion during April to December 2020
India has attracted total FDI inflow of US$ 67.54 billion during April to December 2020. It is the highest ever for the first ninth months of a financial year and 22% higher as compared to the first ninth months of 2019-20 (US$ 55.14 billion). FDI equity inflow grew by 40% in the first 9 months of F.Y. 2020-21 (US$ 51.47 billion) compared to the year ago period (US$ 36.77 billion).
Dr Harsh Vardhan launches “CSIR Floriculture Mission”
Science & Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched the “CSIR Floriculture Mission” through virtual mode in New Delhi on March 4, 2021. Recently, CSIR Floriculture Mission has been approved for implementation in 21 States and Union Territories of India wherein available knowledgebase in CSIR Institutes will be utilized and leveraged to help Indian farmers and industry re-position itself to meet the import requirements.
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel inks pact with Odisha to set up Rs 50,000 cr steel plant
Steelmaker ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) on March 4, 2021 inked an agreement with the Odisha government for setting up a 12 mtpa integrated steel plant in Kendrapara district with an investment of Rs 50,000 crore. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and steel tycoon Lakshmi N. Mittal were present during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bhubaneswar.
Wipro to buy UK-based consultancy Capco for $1.45bn
Wipro on March 4, 2021 said it will acquire UK-based IT consultancy firm for financial institutions Capco for $1.45 billion. London-headquartered Capco’s clients include many marquee names in the global financial services industry.
India signs pact with Philippines for sale of BrahMos missiles
India on March 2, 2021 signed a key pact with the Philippines for the sale of “defence material and equipment”, which are likely to include BrahMos cruise missiles. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was also present at the pact’s signing ceremony in Manila, has reportedly said that his country is buying BrahMos missiles.
World
UN adopts India-sponsored resolution naming 2023 as International Year of Millets
The U.N. General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations declaring 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’, aimed at raising awareness about the health benefits of the grain and their suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions. Primary objective of the resolution is to raise awareness and direct policy action to the nutritional and health benefits of millets consumption and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions.
Sports
Kieron Pollard becomes 3rd to hit 6 sixes in an over in international cricket
West Indies limited-overs format skipper Kieron Pollard on March 4, 2021 became the third batsman after South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs and India’s Yuvraj Singh in the history of international cricket to hit six 6s in an over. He achieved the feat in the first T20I of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Osbourn, Antigua. Pollard hit Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya for six 6s in the sixth over of the innings.
