Current Affairs 26th February 2016

Important Points : 

• Who has became the first non-navy officer to head Indian Coast Guard - Rajendra Singh
• How many no-selfie zones has been created by Mumbai Police - 16 
• Which list has been released by Forbes - 30 Under 30 Asia List
• Who has won Green Bond Pioneer Award - YES Bank
• Gay Civil Union’s Bill approved by - Italy
• Maharashtra government finalised PMC for - Shivaji memorial
• Who has been appointed President and CEO of Honda Cars India - Yoichiro Ueno 
• Who has been appointed UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador For Youth - Bangladeshi cricketer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
• Who has been conferred with Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany’s prestigious award - Goverdhan Mehta
• Who has received Aryabhata Award 2013 - Ex-DRDO Chairman Dr Avinash Chander
• Who has been appointed CEO of Infosys Consulting Holding - Michael Pesch 

Details : 

Who has became the first non-navy officer to head Indian Coast Guard - Rajendra Singh

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 25th February 2016, Rajendra Singh was appointed as the Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard, the country’s coastal protection force by the Union Government. He is the first officer who is not from the Indian Navy.

He will replace Vice Admiral HCS Bisht who has been promoted as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.

About Rajendra Singh

• At present, he is the Additional Director General.
• On 15th August 1990, he was awarded the Tatrakshak Medal (TM) by the President.
• On 15th August 2002, he was awarded President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) in recognition of his distinguished service.
• In service of the Coast Guard, he has commanded every class of ship.

How many no-selfie zones has been created by Mumbai Police - 16 

On 25th February 2016, Mumbai Police created 16 no-selfie zones around the city in response to several deaths of people taking selfies.

The spots include Juhu Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand and Marine Drive.

In January 2016, Mumbai police initiated the process of identifying and marking certain spots in the city as 'No Selfie Zones'.

Which list has been released by Forbes - 30 Under 30 Asia List

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 25th February 2016, Forbes released its inaugural 30 Under 30 Asia List in Singapore. The list included 300 leaders across Asia, young innovators and entrepreneurs in 10 categories who are under 30 years of age.

From India, 56 were included in the list. Some of them are as follows –

• Shraddha Kapoor (Actress)
• Raghav Verma (Co-founder Chaayos)
• Mehul Agrawal (Co-founder Cars24)
• Kanika Tekriwal (Co-founder JetSetGo)
• Sania Mirza (Tennis)
• Arunima Sinha (Mountaineer)
• Chaitanya Tamhane (Writer & Director)
• Virat Kohli (Cricket)
• Saina Nehwal (Badminton)
• Ritesh Agarwal (Co-founder OYO Rooms); He also featured in Forbes 2016 30 Under 30 List

Who has won Green Bond Pioneer Award - YES Bank

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 23rd February 2016, the prestigious Green Bond Pioneer Award  was received by YES Bank, India's fifth largest private sector bank, for being the Pioneers in Emerging Markets-India in an award ceremony at London Stock Exchange (LSE), London.

It is the only Indian bank to be recognized in these first ever Green Bond Awards.

About YES Bank

• It is India's fifth largest private sector bank.
• In the last two decades, RBI has awarded Greenfield Bank licence to this bank only.

About Green Bond Pioneer Awards

Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) organize these awards. 

Gay Civil Union’s Bill approved by - Italy

On 25th February 2016, a bill recognising civil unions for same-sex and heterosexual couples was approved in Italy, Senate. The motion was approved by a 173-71 vote.

The bill now needs to go before a vote in the lower house (Chamber of Deputies). It will become an act within two months after being approved there.

Italy is the only major European country to have so far given no legal rights to same-sex couples.

Maharashtra government finalised PMC for - Shivaji memorial

On 24th February 2016, a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial in the Arabian Sea was fialised by Maharashtra Government. The estimatedd ccost of the project is 84 crore rupees and is scheduled to be completed by 2018.

The implementation of the project, concept design and float tenders will be finalised by the PMC. Chairperson of the Oversee committee MLC Vinayak Methe said that the agreement will be signed with the consortium within a week’s time. 

A schematic diagram for the memorial on the 16 hectare rocky terrain hass been submitted by the JJ School.

Who has been appointed President and CEO of Honda Cars India - Yoichiro Ueno 

Among the important appointments, On 23rd February 2016, Yoichiro Ueno was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Japanese auto maker Honda Motor Company in India.

On 1 April 2016, he will replace Katsushi Inoue. 

About Yoichiro Ueno

• Since January 2011, Yoichiro Ueno has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
• Earlier, he was the Assistant Vice President of Automobile Sales of American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

Who has been appointed UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador For Youth - Bangladeshi cricketer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza

Among the important appointments, On 25th February 2016,  the United National Development Programme (UNDP) appointed Bangladeshi cricketer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as National Goodwill Ambassador For Youth.

He was presented with a certificate of his official appointment in Dhaka by UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Robert Watkins.

Mortaza has became the first person to be appointed as a goodwill ambassador for youth development in Bangladesh.

Who has been conferred with Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany’s prestigious award - Goverdhan Mehta

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 23rd February 2016, Renowned researcher in Chemical Sciences Goverdhan Mehta was conferred with Federal Republic of Germany’s prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit.

About Goverdhan Mehta

• Currently, he is the National Research Professor and Lilly-Jubilant Chair Professor at the University of Hyderabad.
• From 1998 to 2005, he has served as the Director of the IISc, Bengaluru.
• He is a recipient of the Indian Government's Padma Shri Award.
• He has also served as the President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
• During 1994-1998, he was the VC of the University of Hyderabad.

About Cross of the Order of Merit

• In the year 1951, Federal President Theodor Heuss instituted the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• It is the highest honour the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for achievements for all kinds of outstanding services to the nation.

Who has received Aryabhata Award 2013 - Ex-DRDO Chairman Dr Avinash Chander

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 25th February 2016, the prestigious Astronautical Society of India's Aryabhata Award 2013 was received by former Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and ex-DRDO chief Dr Avinash Chander.

Dr A S Kiran Kumar, Chairman ISRO and Dr R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to Union Government presented him the award.

Besides, the Aryabhata Award for the year 2012, was received by Dr.Ranganath R Navalgund, Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor.

Who has been appointed CEO of Infosys Consulting Holding - Michael Pesch 

Among the important Business Current Affairs, On 19th February 2016, IT giant Infosys appointed Michael Pesch as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Infosys Consulting Holding AG.

He will be responsible for expanding the reach of Infosys consultants and experts in digital transformation and design-led innovation.

He will also serve as the Regional Head for the DACH countries.

About Michael Pesch

• He holds a rich experience of more than two decades in global consulting and management roles.
• Prior to Infosys, he served as Chief Executive Officer of arvato Systems Group.