1) Biplab Deb To Be Tripura's New Chief Minister
•The decision was announced after the meeting of BJP Legislature Party in Agartala. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on March 8.
2) International Yoga Festival Held In Rishikesh
•The IYF offers daily classes from 4 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. with more than 80 revered saints, yogacharyas, presenters and experts from nearly 20 countries around the world.
3) India's 1st Helicopter Taxi Service Launched In Bengaluru
•The service is expected to reduce the time taken to cover the distance from 2 hours to 15 minutes. The helicopter will seat up to six people apart from the pilot and the service will cost Rs3,500 plus GST.
4) Smriti Irani Inaugurated FICCI Frames 2018 In Mumbai
•The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the FICCI Frames 2018, in Mumbai. She has also released the FICCI-EY Media & Entertainment Report 2018 named 'Re-imagining India's M&E Sector'.
•As per the report, the Indian M&E sector hit Rs 1.5 trillion ($22.7 billion) in 2017, growth of around 13% over 2016. With its current trajectpory, it is expected to cross Rs 2 trillion ($31 billion) by 2020, at a CAGR of 11.6%.
5) Indian Military Ranked 4th Strongest In World, USA Tops
•Out of 133 countries, India is ranked fourth on a global index for its military strength, only the United States, Russia and China are ranked above India on the list, according to the latest report of the Global Firepower index 2017.
•Neighbouring Pakistan is ranked 13th. India maintained its position above France in the top five military powers in the world. The Indian Army is equipped with 4,426 combat tanks, 6,704 armoured fighting vehicles, and 7,414 towed artillery guns, as per the list.
•Top 5 countries in the list are-
1. The USA,
2. Russia,
3. China,
4. India,
5. France.
6) Marshall Islands 1st Country To Launch Own Cryptocurrency As Legal Tender
•The Marshall Islands is creating its own digital currency in a bid to raise money. In doing so it becomes the first country in the world to recognize a cryptocurrency as legal tender.
•The small Pacific Island nation passed the Sovereign Currency Act to create the ‘sovereign’, or SOV. The cryptocurrency will have equal status with the US dollar and, unlike many cryptocurrencies, users will have to reveal their identity in order to use SOV.
7) Rs. 5600 Crore Sanctioned Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme And Rs. 687.92 Crore Under PRASHAD Scheme
•A total amount of Rs. 5638.87 crore was sanctioned with the release of Rs. 2148.17 crore since 2014-15 till date under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism. Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, thirteen thematic circuits have been identified for development.
•Meanwhile, under the PRASHAD scheme, 23 projects have been sanctioned to 15 States for a total amount of Rs.687.92 crore with the release of Rs.241.28 crore since 2015-16 till date. The objective of the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) is of holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destination.
8) MS Dhoni Becomes Brand Ambassador Of Gaming Platform Dream 11
•Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has become a brand ambassador of gaming platform Dream11. The former India Test skipper had led the country to a famous triumph in the inaugural World T20 Championship in 2007.
•He would be the new face of the gaming platform's multi-channel marketing campaigns and brand engagement activities. Currently, the gaming platform has a user base of 2 crore sports fans playing "fantasy cricket, football, kabaddi and NBA".
