Current Affairs March 1 & 2 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 1 & 2 March 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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Click here for Current Affairs February 29 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Indian Air Force signed MoU with Savitribai Phule Pune University to establish a ‘Chair of Excellence’ named “Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Chair of Excellence”
On February 29, 2020 Indian Air Force (IAF) and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to establish a ‘Chair of Excellence’ at Department of Defense & Strategic Studies at Pune, Maharashtra.
Key Points:
i.In order to pay tribute to the legend and commemorate the centenary birth year of the MIAF (Marshal of the Indian Air Force), IAF has named it as “Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Chair of Excellence”.
ii.About Arjan Singh: Singh (1919 – 2017) was a senior IAF officer & served as the 3rd Chief of the Air Staff from 1964 to 1969. In 2002, he was the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank as Marshal of the Indian Air Force, equal to the army rank of Field Marshal.
iii.About Chair of Excellence: The chair will enable IAF officers to pursue Doctoral Research and higher studies in Defense & Strategic Studies & allied fields.
iv.It will also facilitate research in the area of National Defense & allied fields of Air Force officers.
v.The Chief Guest of the function was Air Marshal Amit Dev AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal), VSM (Vishisht Seva Medal), Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, IAF and the ceremony was presided over by Shri Nitin Karmalkar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of SPPU. Air Vice Marshal LN Sharma AVSM, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) and other senior IAF and University officials participated in the occasion.
About Indian Air Force (IAF):
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)- Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria

Overview of PM Modi Visit to Uttar Pradesh on Feb 29, 2020
On February 29, 2020, PM Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP) to attend several programmes in Chitrakoot and Prayagraj.

• PM laid the foundation stone of Bundelkhand Expressway in Chitrakoot: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 296-km-long Bundelkhand Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot. The Uttar Pradesh government is constructing the Bundelkhand Expressway at a cost of Rs 15,000.
• PM launched 10,000 farmers producer organisations (FPOs) all over country at Chitrakoot
• Completion of one year of launch of PM-KISAN scheme.
• The prime minister launched a saturation drive for distribution of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).
• PM Modi addressed Samajik Adhikarita Shivir in Prayagraj; breaks 2017 Rajkot record….Click here to Read More

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’ in Kota, Rajasthan
On February 29, 2020 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has launched ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’ in his constituency Kota, Rajasthan, to provide nutritional support to pregnant women and adolescent girls. Smriti Irani, Ministry of Women & Child Development & Ministry of Textiles, also presided over the function.
Aim: The aim of the campaign is to preserve & maintain the health of our future generations.
Key Points:
i.About Suposhit Maa Abhiyan:In the first phase of the campaign, 1,000 kits of 17 kg balanced diet each were provided to 1,000 pregnant women.
ii.Under this Abhiyan, 1,000 women would be given food items for 1 month. At the same time, the health of the child, including medical examination, blood tests, medicines, delivery would be covered.
About Rajasthan:
Capital- Jaipur.
Chief Minister (CM)- Ashok Gehlot.
Governor- Kalraj Mishra.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

US and Taliban seals historic agreement aimed at ending war in Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar;India addressed for the 1^st time
On February 29, 2020,The US (United States) and Taliban militants have signed historic peace agreement in Doha, Qatar to restore peace in Afghanistan. The agreement, signed by the US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in the presence of Michael Richard Pompeo,United States Secretary of State, would end the 18 years-long American war in Afghanistan.
i.India’s Ambassador to Qatar, P. Kumaran attend the US-Taliban peace deal in Doha on behalf of India. This is the first time India has officially joined any Taliban related case.
ii.After the agreement, the US will withdraw all forces from Afghanistan within 14 months,…Click here to Read More

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Fitch lowers India’s economic growth forecast for FY20 to 4.9% from 5.1 %
On March 02, 2020, Fitch Ratings Inc, an American credit rating agency,has lowered India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth forecast to 4.9% for the fiscal year –FY20 (2019-2020) ending March 31,2020.
It cuts the rate from 5.1% predicted earlier, due to coronavirus, weak domestic demand and supply disruptions ,which put pressure on the manufacturing sector.
Key Points:
i.However, it estimates a slight improvement in GDP growth in FY2020-21 &  forecasts that the pace of economic growth of the country could remain at 5.4% (from 5.9 % previously).
ii.India’s real GDP growth rate has come down to 4.7% in the third quarter (October-December) of the current fiscal, from 5.1 % in the second quarter due to slower government consumption, a steeper contraction in gross fixed capital formation and a smaller net exports contribution.
iii.Not taking steps to support the industry in the Union Budget for FY 2020-21, the sluggish industry got another bad news, which is due to the collapse of several major non-banking financial companies. At the same time, the supply chain has been shattered by the outbreak of Corona virus from China & Manufacturing activities in the automotive and electronics sector are under threat due to lack of parts.
About Fitch:
Founder– John Knowles Fitch
President and CEO– Paul Taylor
Head quarters – New York,United States (US)

ICAR signs MoU with Patanjali Bio Research Institute (PBRI) for farm research, training, education
On March 01, 2020, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an autonomous body responsible for coordinating agricultural education and research in India, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hardiwar (Uttarakhand)- based Patanjali Bio Research Institute (PBRI) to add a new dimension to the field of farming by undertaking research work as well as training and education.
i.The agreement was signed in the presence of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, by ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatra & PBRI CEO Acharya Balkrishna. On this occasion,
Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates  Krishi Vigyan Mela 2020 in New Delhi 
On March 1,2020,The Union  Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has inaugurated a-3 day Krishi Vigyan Mela 2020 at Mela Ground of the PUSA campus in New Delhi.
The mela, is being organized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), showcases the latest varieties of seeds, technology and other products developed by government and private companies….Click here to Read More

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal honoured with  Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee award for politics : Swarajya Awards 2020On February 28, 2020 Assam’s  Chief Minister  Sarbananda Sonowal was honoured with Swarajya Awards 2020 under the category, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Award  for Politics at the 6th India Ideas Conclave at Tent City Narmada in Gujarat. The award is instituted by India Foundation & Indic Academy, & presented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Speaker of People’s Majlis of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed.

• He received the award for his work in integrating the nation, & to take Mukherjee’s vision & philosophy forward….Click here to Read More

Overview of 70^th Berlin film festival 2020 awards held in Berlin, Germany; “There Is No Evil” won Golden Bear Award for Best Film
The 70^th edition of Berlin International Film Festival( Berlinale) 2020 was held in Berlin, Germany from 20 February–1 March 2020. It was the first under the leadership of new Berlin Film Festival heads, business administration director Mariette Rissenbeek and artistic director Carlo Chatrian.The Opening film of the festival was ‘My Salinger Year’& the Closing film was ‘There Is No Evil’.
Highlights:
i.Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s ‘There Is No Evil’,a film about the death penalty in Iran, has clicnched the Golden Bear prize 2020 for the best picture at the Festival.
Here are all the winners of the 70th edition of the Berlinale:….Click here to Read More

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS         

Former Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin becomes Malaysia’s 8th Prime MinisterOn March 1, 2020, 72 years old Former Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin took oath of office as Malaysia’s 8th Prime Minister(PM) at National Palace in Kuala Lumpur.He is from Malaysian United Indigenous Party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).He succeeds 94-year-old Mahathir bin Mohamad,who abruptly resigned &  was in office since the general elections 2018.
Key Points
i.Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin served as 10 th Deputy PM under former premier Najib Razak from 2009 to 2015.
ii.He is the co- founder of PPBM with Mahathir & served as its President, joining the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition to win the general election in 2018 but he lost.
Malaysian Constitution on appointment of PM

• According to Malaysia’s constitution,the King appoints a PM based on the majority & confidence commanded by him in the members of the Parliament(Dewan Rakyat)  which has 222 elected members.
• The constitution also specifies that if the PM ceases to command the majority, he shall tender the resignation of the cabinet unless at his request the King dissolves the parliament.

About Malaysia:
King– Abdullah of Pahang
Capital– Kuala Lumpur
Currency– Malaysian ringgit

Pekka Lundmark appointed as CEO of NokiaOn March 2, 2020 Nokia appointed Pekka Lundmark as CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and he will take charge from September 1, 2020. He will be the successor of Rajeev Suri, who was more than a decade in charge of Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks.
Key Points:
i.About Lundmark: Pekka Lundmark is currently serving as the CEO of Fortum since 2015 and also served as executive  positions at Nokia between 1990 & 2000 including Vice President (VP) of strategy & business development at Nokia networks.
ii.Nokia faces intense competition from Sweden’s Ericsson & China’s Huawei in the race to deliver 5G (5^th generation) telecom networks to operators around the world.
About Nokia:
Headquarters- Espoo, Finland.
Chairman- Risto Kalevi Siilasmaa.

 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

RaIDer-X, a new explosive detection device unvieled in National Workshop on Explosive Detection (NWED-2020) held in Pune, Maharashtra
RaIDer-X(Rapid Identification Detector), is a new explosive detection device with a capability to detect explosives from a stand-off distance was unveiled during the National Workshop on Explosive Detection (NWED-2020) . It is co-developed by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory(HEMRL) Pune and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, Karnataka.
About the National Workshop on Explosive Detection (NWED-2020):
National Workshop on Explosive Detection (NWED-2020) was held in Pune, Maharashtra which was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence Research &Development and Chairman Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr G Satheesh Reddy. ….Click here to Read More

ENVIRONMENT

Genetic study revealed the endangered red panda is actually two separate species
On February 29, 2020 According to the genetic study on the endangered species of mammals revealed that Red pandas, the bushy-tailed and russet-furred bamboo munchers that exist in Asian high forests, are actually 2 separate species. Earlier both the Chinese red pandas & the Himalayan red pandas were together considered as red panda species.
Key Points:
i.Scientists found the differences between the 2 species- Chinese red pandas and Himalayan red pandas based on 3 genetic markers in an analysis of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid).
ii.Chinese red pandas are found in northern Myanmar as well as southeastern Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China and the Himalayan red pandas are found in Nepal, India, Bhutan and southern Tibet in China….Click here to Read More

SPORTS

Overview of 2020 Mexican open held in Acapulco, Mexico from Feb 24-29The 2020 Mexican Open officially known as Abierto Mexicano Telcel (AMT) presentado por HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), a lawn tennis tournament was held at Acapulco Princess Mundo Imperial Hard, Acapulco, Mexico between 24 and 29 February 2020. It was played on Outdoor Hard Court Surface. It was the 27th edition of men’s Mexican Open and 20th for the women with a prize money of ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) $1,789,445 (USD) & WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) $ 250,000 (USD)….Click here to Read More

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Overview of  1^st Khelo India University Games 2020 held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha;Panjab University (PB) topped the medal tallyThe 1^st edition of the 2020 Khelo India University Games (KIUG) was held from February 22 – March 1, 2020 at KIIT University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University) in Bhubaneswar,Odisha.
The tournament, inaugurated by Prime Minister(PM)  Narendra Modi,held with the official mascots of ‘Jay and Bijay’. Panjab University (PB) emerged as the winner of  Khelo India University Games 2020 with 45 medals (17 Gold,18 Silver,10 Bronze)….Click here to Read More
Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2020 Medal Tally by states:

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OBITUARY

Former India hockey player & Padma Shri awardee Balbir Singh Kullar passed away at 77On March 1, 2020 Balbir Singh Kullar, former Indian hockey player, Padma Shri awardee and a Punjab Police Officer passed away at the age of 77 in Sansarpur, Jalandhar district, Punjab. Balbir was born on 8th August 1942 in Sansarpur, Punjab. He also served as an Indian national team selector.
Key Points:
i.About Balbir Singh: He played his 1st international game in 1963 at Lyon, France & gained reputation as an inside forward in the Indian hockey team and toured several countries like Belgium, England, the Netherlands, New Zealand & West Germany.
ii.He was also a member of the Indian team that won the Asian Games gold in 1966 at Bangkok and also the Olympic Bronze winning team in 1968 at Mexico.
iii.Awards: Balbir Kullar was awarded Padma Shri award in 2009 and Arjuna award in 1999.

Dronacharya awardee & athletics coach Joginder Singh Saini passed away at 90On March 1, 2020 Senior athletics coach & Dronacharya awardee Joginder Singh Saini, who trained some of India’s finest track and field stars, passed away at the age of 90, in Patiala, Punjab, due to age related problems. He served as the chief national athletics coach for many years from the year 1970 to 1990.He was born on January 1, 1930 in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab.
Key Points:
i.About Saini: Saini was a science graduate and became an athletics coach in 1954 and became the chief coach of the Amateur Athletics Federation of India in 1970.
ii.Awards: Saini received the Dronacharya award in 1997 for his contribution to Indian athletics.
iii.He was the chief coach of the Indian athletics team which won 18 medals, including 8 golds, at the 1978 Asian games.
iv.He was also known as ‘Saini Saab’ by the Indian athletics fraternity.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Zero Discrimination Day 2020 celebrated on March 1On March 1,2020 Zero Discrimination is celebrated every year to challenge the discrimination faced by women & girls, to raise awareness & mobilize action to promote equality & empowerment for women & girls. The theme for 2020 is “Zero Discrimination against Women & Girls”.The symbol for this day is Butterfly.
Objective of Zero Discrimination Day
The day is observed to ensure zero discrimination against women & girls, & to promote the necessity of equal rights , opportunities & treatments….Click here to Read More

World Civil Defence Day was observed on March 1, 2020On March 1, 2020 Word Civil Defense Day (WCDD) is celebrated annually on 1st March, to create awareness on the self-protection & preventive measures to be taken in the event of disasters or accidents and pay tribute to the efforts, sacrifices of the national services responsible for the fight against disasters.
Theme of the WCDD 2020: “Civil Defence and a first aider in every home”.
Key Points:
i.About WCDD: World Civil Defense Day was created by the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) General Assembly in 1990 and this day commemorates the entry of ICDO Constitution came into force as an intergovernmental organization in 1972.
ii.ICDO was created in 1931 by French Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul in Paris, France. The organization was recognized by the French Parliament in June 1935. Today 50 countries are members of ICDO.

STATE NEWS

Senior IPS officer S N Shrivastava gets additional charge of Delhi Police CommissionerOn February 28, 2020 Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer S N Shrivastava  who was appointed as the Special Commissioner of Delhi Police (Law & Order), is  given additional charge of the Delhi Police Commissioner by the Union Home Ministry.  He succeeds Amulya Patnaik.
Key Points
i.On 25th February this year, he was appointed as Special Commissioner amid the communal violence in Northeast Delhi.
ii.In 1985 he served as a Special Director General (DG) Jammu & Kashmir Zone of CRPF.
iii.He also has experience of working in different units in Delhi Police including Special Cell & head of the elite anti-terror wing, Special Cell of Delhi Police.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister– Arvind Kejriwal
Governor– Anil Baijal

Punjab prohibits online supply of food from FBOs not possessing hygiene rating
On March 1, 2020, Punjab government’s Food and Drug Administration has prohibited Online Food Supply Aggregators (OFSAs) related to  those Food Business Operators (FBOs) who are not possessing hygiene rating, by invoking provisions under Section 18(1)(a) of food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to ensure safe food to public.

• It also prohibits OFSAs from sourcing the food from FBOs where rating is less than three out of five.
• The prohibition orders would be effective for one year beginning April 30, 2020.

About Punjab:
Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker– Rana Kanwar Pal Singh
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner– K S Pannu
Chief Minister– Captain Amarinder Singh
State Flower– Lilium candidum or the Madonna lily
State Animal– Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)
State Bird– Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
State Tree– Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham)
About AMT
First Edition– 1993 (ATP), 2001 (WTA)
Sponsored by– Telcel and HSBC

J&K: Historic city Chowk renamed as ‘Bharat mata chowk’
On March 2, 2020, The historic City Chowk, which was a commercial center in Old Jammu, has been renamed as ‘Bharat Mata Chowk’. A resolution in this regard was passed by the General house of the BJP(Bharatiya Janata Party)-led Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), after which it was done.
Key Points:
i.Along with this, the starting point of the circular road near Panjtirthi in the city has also been changed to ‘Atal Chowk’ in the memory of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
ii.This is the first major change in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) after becoming a union territory(UT).
iii.The tricolor is hoisted at City Chowk in Jammu on the occasion of Republic Day and Independence Day every year. BJP leaders have been demanding to change the name of this square to Bharat Mata Chowk for many years.
About Jammu and Kashmir (union territory):
Capital– Srinagar (May–October) Jammu (Nov–April)
Lieutenant Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu

AC GAZE

UP MLA Virendra Sirohi passes away at the age of 73
Uttar Pradesh(UP) BJP MLA(Member of the Legislative Assembly) Virendra Singh Sirohi  from Bulandshahr passed away at the age of 73  in New Delhi, who was first elected as MLA for the 13th Uttar Pradesh Assembly in 1996, then in 2007 & last in 2017. He also served as Revenue Minister from 1997 till 2002 in the Mayawati-led state government in UP.

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