Daily GK Updates - 20th March, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Narendra Modi launched Kisan Suvidha mobile app: It will provide information on the subjects such as weather, market prices, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and agriculture machinery.

2. Government launches mobile app ‘Pusa Krishi’: Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched a new mobile app ‘Pusa Krishi’ for farmers in order to take the technology to farm fields. It was launched during the Krishi Unnati Mela in New Delhi.

3. NMDC signs MoU to revive Mahila Haat: In its latest bid to revive the ‘Mahila Haat’, an ambitious project of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation to provide space and impetus to women entrepreneurs, the corporation has signed a MoU with the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO). With an objective of serving as a marketplace for women artisans and entrepreneurs, the Haat will also serve as a culture centre.

4. Bing ties up with FreeCharge to offer redeemable points for searches. 

5. Ola and Maharashtra Government sign MoU to skill one lakh youth.

6. Paytm ties up with PVR to sell online moving tickets.

7. Union Government notified new Plastic Waste Management Rules to curb 6000 tonnes of plastic waste.

8. Indian Air Force successfully conducted Exercise Iron Fist in Pokhran: The day-night exercise was aimed at demonstrating IAF’s combat and fire power and reassure the nation about its commitment and capabilities in safeguarding the national interests.

9. India’s Agasthyamala among 20 UNESCO world biosphere reserves: India’s ‘unique’ Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats is among 20 new sites added by UNESCO to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

10. PM Modi conferred National Krishi Karman Awards 2014-15. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 10^th edition of Earth Hour was observed globally from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm local time on 19 March 2016.

2. World Sparrow Day was observed across the world on 20^th March 2016: The theme for this year was ‘Rise for the SPARROW-Experience the power of one.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Yogeshwar Dutt clinched gold medal in Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament held at Astana in Kazakhstan.

2. Gurmeet Singh became the first Indian to win gold medal in Asian 20 km Race Walk.