1. Sumit Mullick appointed as Maharashtra Chief Secretary
• Senior IAS officer Sumit Mullick was today appointed as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra.
• He will succeed Swadheen Kshatriya, who was due for retirement on January 31, but was given a month’s extension.Mullick, a 1982 batch IAS officer is Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) and currently serving as the Chief Protocol Officer in the General Administration department.
• He had earlier served as the Divisional Commissioner of Amravati and worked as Secretary of School Education.
2. The theme for #RareDiseaseDay 2017 is “With research, the possibilities are limitless.”
• February 28, is Rare Disease Day, with events taking place in over 90 countries around the world to raise awareness about rare diseases. The theme for #RareDiseaseDay 2017 is research, with the slogan: “With research, the possibilities are limitless.”
• Rare Disease Day provides opportunities for people with loved ones affected by rare diseases to share the importance of finding life-saving treatments for these often devastating childhood diseases.
3. India’s first integrated heliport inaugurated at Rohini in North Delhi
• Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday inaugurated the country’s first integrated heliport at Rohini in North Delhi.
• India’s first heliport has been built by state-owned Pawan Hans.
• The new facility has come up at an investment of Rs 100 crore.
• The heliport consists of a terminal building having a capacity of 150 passengers, four hangars with the parking capacity of 16 helicopters and nine parking bays.
4. Author Neil Gaiman Named U.N. Goodwill Ambassador
• Author Neil Gaiman has been named a United Nations global goodwill ambassador as he continues efforts to bring attention to the plight of Syrian refugees.
• UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced Gaiman’s appointment Monday after three years of working alongside the writer of books that include the modern classics Coraline and American Gods.
5. OECD cuts India’s growth forcast to 7%
• The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has cut the Indian growth forecast to 7% for 2016-17, today.
• Last year, it had projected the growth rate of the country at 7.4% for 2016-17. On the other hand, all eyes will be on Q3FY17’s GDP numbers which are going to be out later in the day.
• Demonetisation drive has left the Indian economy gasping, which is the major reason OECD has revised its growth rate forecast.
6. Tarun Kona and Alwin Francis win Uganda International Series title
i.Top seeded Indian shuttler duo Tarun Kona and Alwin Francis won the Men’s Double title at the 2017 Uganda International Series by defeating Aatish Lubah and Georges Julien Paul of Mauritius, 21-8, 21-14 on February 26, 2017 at MTN Arena Lugogo, Kampala.
ii. The Uganda International Badminton Tournament 2017, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation, was held from 23rd to 26th of February 2017.
iii. The duo teamed up at the end of 2015 and since then have won three International Series events in Guatemala, Peru and Botswana.
