India to switch to world’s cleanest petrol, diesel from April 1

1.International Mother Language Day: 21 February

International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February.The day is observed every year to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.

The day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999.

The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh 21 February is the anniversary of the day when Bangladeshis fought for recognition for the Bangla language.

2.India to switch to world’s cleanest petrol, diesel from April 1

India will switch to the world’s cleanest petrol and diesel from April 1 as it leapfrogs straight to Euro-VI emission compliant fuels from Euro-IV grades now.This has been achieved in just three years and not seen in any of the large economies around the globe.

India will join the select league of nations using petrol and diesel containing just 10 parts per million of sulphur as it looks to cut vehicular emissions that are said to be one of the reasons for the choking pollution in major cities.

State-owned oil refineries spent about 35,000 crore rupees to upgrade plants that could produce ultra-low sulphur fuel.

BS-VI has a sulphur content of just 10 ppm and emission standards are as good as CNG.

3.Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets on Herath festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Herath, one of the biggest festivals of Kashmiri Pandits.The festival is marked by a night of praying.

Called ‘Herath’ in Kashmiri, a word derived from the Sanskrit ‘Hararatri’ the ‘Night of Hara’ (another name of Shiva), it has been described as Bhairav Utsava in Tantric texts.

It is celebrated a day ahead of ‘Shivratri’ by Hindus in other parts of the country.

4.CSIR tops scientific research institutional ranking

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been ranked first in the Nature Ranking Index-2020.The rankings are based on total research output which the institutions have carried out from December 01, 2018 to 30th November, 2019.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, has been ranked second.

The top subjects so associated with the research work include: Earth and Environmental Sciences, Physical Science, Chemistry and Life Sciences.

The third place in India is secured by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR-Mumbai).

About 4600 scientists are actively involved in CSIR’s 38 laboratories across the country, supported by about 8000 scientific and technical personnel.

CSIR on average files about 200 Indian patents and 250 foreign patents annually.

5.Centre releases 19,950 crore rupees as GST compensation to states and Uts

The Central Government has released 19,950 crore rupees as GST compensation to states.With this release of GST compensation, the Central Government has released a total of over 1.20 lakh crore rupees towards GST compensation to the states during the current fiscal.

In the financial year 2018-19, an amount of over 95 thousand crore rupees was collected as GST compensation cess of which over 69 thousand crore rupees was released to the States and Union Territories as GST compensation.

6.Project ‘Tej’ to help medtech firms test ideas

MedTechConnect and the Government of Telangana have launched Project Tej, a platform to help entrepreneurs test their innovative ideas in the field of medical technologies.MedTechConnect was set up by engineering services company Cyient and Xynteo’s India2022 Coalition.

The new platform was launched on the sidelines of BioAsia 2020, a biotechnology and life-sciences forum, in Hyderabad.

Through Project Tej, medical technology innovators and device manufacturers can validate the usability of their devices in public health settings and gain access to public health channels.

7.CPCB identifies 60 pollution river stretches in northeastern states

The Central Pollution Board (CPCB) has identified 60 pollution river stretches based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in different northeastern states.According to the report, CPCB has identified over 350 polluted river stretches across India and the number continues to grow.

The study found out that the discharge of industrial and mining effluent and dumping of waste has been identified as the major causes of pollution of these stretches, which are mostly located near towns and cities.

The report further said that more than 60% of the country’s sewage is released into the streams and rivers untreated.

Consequently, half of the rivers in the country are now polluted with the Ganga, Sabarmati, and Yamuna being the most polluted.

8.Rajasthan CM presents state budget for 2020-21

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot presented the state budget for the financial year 2020-21 in the state assembly.The government has decided 7 Sankalp of the government, which includes Nirogi Rajasthan, prosperity of Farmers and youth, welfare of women, child and old age persons, education for all. 

Mr. Gahlot announced that 100 cr ‘Nehru Baal Sanrakshan Kosh’ to be established to prevent child labour and trafficking.

Highest 39 thousand 500 hundred crore has been proposed for the education department.

He announced 3 crore rupees cash reward for gold medalist in commonwealth games, 2 crore for silver medalist and 1 crore for bronze medalist.

9.Tripura Tea Board organizes ‘Run for India Tea’ event

In Tripura, the Tea Board of India in collaboration with Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) organized “Run for India Tea” morning to promote and popularise Tripura tea alongside India tea.A large number of tea workers wearing traditional dresses along with students participated in the tableau procession.

The corporation is working tirelessly to boost the tea industry in the state.

10.P V Sindhu wins third successive ESPN’s Female Sportsperson of the Year award

World champion shuttler P V Sindhu won the ESPN’s Female Sportsperson of the Year award for a third consecutive time while young shooter Saurabh Chaudhary bagged the honour in the male category. Sprinter Dutee Chand became the first winner of the Courage award for being inspirational both on and off the field.

Ace chess player Koneru Humpy won the award for the Comeback of the Year.

Wrestler Deepak Punia bagged coveted ESPN’s Emerging Sports Person of the Year award.

Chief National Badminton Coach Pullela Gopichand claimed the Coach of the Year award.

Sindhu’s World Championship win, the first by an Indian in badminton, has also been selected as the Moment of the Year.

11.Divya Kakran wins a gold medal at Asian Wrestling Championships

Divya Kakran became only the second Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships defeating junior world champion Naruha Matsuyuki in New Delhi. Divya won all four bouts in the five-wrestler 68 kilogram category, as the competition was fought in the round-robin format.

Navjot Kaur had become the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Asian Championships in 2018 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in 65 kilogram.