Today's Current Affairs 26th February 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Maryam Nawaz Becomes First Woman Chief Minister of Punjab

• Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, has achieved a significant political milestone by becoming the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab province. 

NATIONAL

India Unveils Largest Solar-Battery Project, Pioneering Renewable Energy Innovation

• Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has commissioned India’s largest solar-battery energy storage system (BESS) in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.

About Projects:

Capacity: 40 MW / 120 MWh BESS

Solar PV Plant Capacity: 152.325 MW

Dispatchable Capacity: 100 MW AC (155.02 MW peak DC)

Beneficiary: State of Chhattisgarh 

SPORTS

Ashwin Surpasses Kumble to Become India’s Leading Wicket-Taker in Tests at Home

• Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name in cricketing history, surpassing legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble to become the leading wicket-taker in Test matches played on Indian soil.
• Ashwin tally to 351 wickets in Tests played in India. This eclipsed Kumble’s previous record of 350 wickets achieved in 63 matches.
• Earlier in the same Test match, Ashwin became the first Indian bowler to reach the landmark of 100 wickets against England in Test cricket. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

IAF Strengthens Air Defense with Indigenous SAMAR-2 Missile System

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant stride in bolstering the nation’s air defense capabilities with the development of the Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR-2) missile system.
• The IAF has rigorously tested the SAMAR system, conducting successful firing trials during the Astra Shakti 2023 exercise held at Suryalanka Air Force Station in Andhra Pradesh. 

Vimarsh 2023 5G Hackathon

• Vimarsh 2023 5G Hackathon, a collaborative effort between Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE) India under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
• In the final phase of screening, held at the IIT Madras 5G Testbed on 21st and 22nd February 2024, 22 out of 23 startups and institutes showcased their Use Case Proof of Concepts (PoC). 

OBITUARY

Legendary Ghazal Singer Pankaj Udhas Passes Away

• Legendary ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, died at the age of 72.
• Udhas’ exceptional talent was acknowledged through numerous prestigious awards, including the Filmfare Award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Ghazal Singing, and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor. 

Renowned Filmmaker Kumar Shahani Passes Away at 83

• The Indian film industry is mourning the loss of acclaimed director Kumar Shahani, who passed away at the age of 83 in Kolkata. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Vijay Shekhar Sharma Steps Down from Paytm Payments Bank Board

• Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the Founder and CEO of Paytm, has resigned from his role as part-time non-executive chairman and board member of Paytm Payments Bank.
• Vijay Shekhar Sharma, representing One97 Communications Ltd (OCL), has stepped down from his position as part-time non-executive chairman and board member of Paytm Payments Bank. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Dr. Aditi Sen De Receives 2023 GD Birla Award

• In a world propelled by technological advancements, quantum computing emerges as a frontier of innovation. At its forefront stands Dr. Aditi Sen De, a distinguished physicist from the Harish Chandra Research Institute in Prayagraj. Recently honored with the 2023 GD Birla Award for Scientific Excellence.
• As the first woman recipient of the GD Birla Award for Scientific Excellence, Dr. De’s achievements transcend individual recognition.