Title Title Daily Current Affairs Capsule 21st February 2021

Daily CurrentTitle
               Affairs Capsule
             Title 2021
      21st February

International Mother Language Day: 21 February

International Mother Language Day is observed every year in 21 February.

      In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO had declared
       21st February as International Mother Language Day.
      Union Education Ministry has been celebrating Matribhasha Diwas since 2015.
      The theme for this year is ‘Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society’.
      The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Hasina hands over Ekushey Padak 2021 in Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the prestigious Ekushey Padak 2021 to 21 eminent persons of
Bangladesh in Dhaka.

   The awards were given on the eve of ‘Amar Ekushey’ day which is celebrated on February 21 to honour
       the martyrs of the language movement of Bangladesh.
      Ekushey Padak is the second highest civilian award of Bangladesh.
      Introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952, it is given annually to
       personalities for their outstanding contribution in various fields.
      The winners of the award get a gold medal, Tk 400,000 and certification.

US officially re-joins Paris climate agreement overturning Donald Trump's decision to exit

The United States has officially rejoined the Paris Agreement.

      The work to reduce US emissions has already begun, and we will waste no time in engaging our partners
       around the world to build our global resilience.
      Under the Paris agreement, countries are expected to enhance their commitments to curb greenhouse gas
       emissions every five years.
      The goals of the global pact are to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to
       1.5°C.
      President Biden plans to host a climate summit of world leaders on Earth Day, April 22, where he will
       roll out the US' goal for reductions of carbon emissions by 2030 -- known as the nationally determined
       contribution under the Paris accord.

Bangladesh Supreme Court launches AI based translation software ‘Amar Vasha’

The Bangladesh Supreme Court launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based translation software ‘Amar Vasha’
through a virtual event.

      The software will translate orders and judgements of the Supreme Court from English to Bangla.
      The Software has been developed with ‘EkStep’ foundation of India.

   It is based on their ‘Anuvaad’ translation software used in India to translate from English to Indian
       languages including Bangla.
      Anuvaad was deployed by the Supreme Court of India as SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad
       Software) from November 2019.

India, Ethiopia sign agreements on visa facilitation & leather technology

India and Ethiopia signed two agreements related to visa facilitation and leather technology.

      The agreements were signed in the presence of Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,
       Demeke Mekonnen Hassen and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
      Hassen is on a 4-day visit to India, from February 16.
      The two ministers agreed to expand India and Ethiopia bilateral agenda especially defence, economic,
       S&T, digital and cultural cooperation.

‘Go Electric campaign’ launched to give a boost to electric mobility and use of electrical appliances across
the country

The Centre launched the Go Electric campaign to boost the adoption of electric mobility vehicles and electric
cooking appliances to ensure energy security in the country.

      The Go Electric Campaign is an initiative aimed at reducing the import dependence of our country in the
       coming years and has also been projected as an important step towards a cleaner and greener future.
      The campaign is aimed at creating awareness at PAN-India level and is expected to boost the confidence
       of Electric Vehicle manufacturers.

Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh observed their statehood day

The statehood day of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh is observed every year on 20 February.

      Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987.
      Similarly, Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on February 20, 1987, with the Fifty-Third Amendment
       of the Indian Constitution, 1986.
      The country is proud of the vibrant Mizo culture that marks Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Thalfavang Kut
       festivals.
      The natural beauty of Arunachal Pradesh is spectacular and its cultural landscape has one of the world's
       richest diversities of ethnic tribal groups and languages.

47th Khajuraho Dance Festival begins

The week-long 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival began in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh which is based on the Indian
classical dance tradition.

      On the first day, along with dance performances tourists also took part in e-bike tour from west group of
       temples to eastern group temples, village tour of Old Khajuraho and many more.
      The first day event is dedicated to Bharatanatyam performance by Geeta Chandran and her troupe and
       Kathak performance by Deepak Maharaj.
      The festival is being organized by the Culture Department through Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts
       Academy Bhopal.
      This year festival will give the audience a chance to watch the performance of the dancers amid the aura
       of the temple as event is being held once again in the temple complex of the Western Temple Group of
       Khajuraho after a gap of 44 years.

Indian Army rescues 447 stranded tourists at Nathu La in East Sikkim

The Indian Army rescued 447 stranded tourists at Nathu La, near the Indo-China border East Sikkim.

      The tourists were rescued from the high reaches near the India-China border at Nathu La following sudden
       heavy snowfall.
      The stranded tourists were in 155 vehicles stuck over a 15-kilometre stretch and started skidding after the
       snowstorm.
      Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Himalayas in East Sikkim district.
      It connects the Indian state of Sikkim with China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Elise Mertens, Aryna Sabalenka win women's doubles title of Australian Open

In Tennis, the Belgian and Belarus pair of Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka has won the women’s doubles
final of the Australian Open 2021.

      They defeated Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic in straight sets of 6-2,
       6-3.
      Japan's Naomi Osaka won women's singles game by beating American Jennifer Brady.