Daily GK Updates - 8th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Govt. to celebrate ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ from 8th to 22nd March 2019 across the Country : Poshan Pakhwada’ has been launched across the Country on International Women’s Day (8th March). The Minister for Women & Child Development has been celebrating the first anniversary of POSHAN Abhiyaan (from 8th-22nd March 2019).The Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated on lines of ‘Poshan Maah’ held in the month of September 2018. During the Poshan Pakhwada, it is also planned to organise a workshop on Agri-Nutrition on 15th March 2019. The Ministry of Women & Child Development is the nodal ministry for coordinating activities during the month.

2. Ajit Kumar Mohanty appointed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre chief : Scientist Ajit Kumar Mohanty has been appointed Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the country's premier multi-disciplinary nuclear research facility for a period of three years. He is at present Director, Physics Group in BARC and Director, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics. The BARC is India's premier nuclear research facility based in Mumbai.

3. Hardeep S Puri launches e-Dharti App : Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri has launched ‘e-Dharti app’ and e-Dharti GeoPortal In ‘e-Dharti app’, all the three modules- Conversion, Substitution and Mutation related to properties have been made online. e-Dharti GeoPortal, through which the lessee of the property will be able to see the basic details of property along with map showing its location.The payment system in Land and Development Office, L&DO has also been completely digitized. This application will not only benefit public but the Government also in getting to know the actual status of its vacant properties, whether there is any encroachment on the property.

4. I&B Secretary Amit Khare releases Reference Annuals :  Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare has released Reference Annuals - India 2019 and Bharat 2019 at a function in New Delhi. The reference annuals are the flagship publication in English and Hindi brought out by Publications Division. These publications have been the source of information not only for youth but also for those who desire to know more details about Indian Economy, Agriculture, Science and Technology and developments in other fields.

5.  Cabinet approves investment for Kiru Hydro Electric Project in J&K :  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the investment sanction for construction of 624 Mega-watt Kiru Hydro Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir.The CCEA also approved the investment for Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant (1320 Mega Watt) at Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh and Buxar thermal Power Project (1320 Mega Watt) in Bihar. The project will provide much-needed power to the northern grid. The CCEA has approved the construction of a 3rd railway line (155 kilometres length) between Narayangarh in West Bengal and Bhadrak in Odisha.

6. President Kovind presents Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019 : President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018 in New Delhi. Nari Shakti Puraskar is the highest civilian honour for women in India. This year, 44 awardees have been selected for these Puraskar. Ministry confers Nari Shakti Puraskar to women and institutions in recognition of their relentless service towards the cause of women empowerment and social welfare.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. International Women's Day being observed :  International Women's Day (IWD) is being celebrated every year on 8th March to highlight the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievementswithout regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. The UN Women’s theme for 2019 is “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”. International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Union Government announces new Rs 20 coin :  The union Government has announced a new Rs 20 coin, come in 12-edged polygon (dodecagon) shape.According to the Finance Ministry, the new Rs 20 coin will be made in copper (65%), zinc (15%) and nickel (20%) for the outer ring.While the inner ring (centre piece) will be 75% copper, 20% zinc and 5% nickel. It will be 27mm (milli meters) and weigh 8.54 grams. The Lion Capitol symbol of Ashoka Pillar with the legend “Satyamev Jayate” below it will be inscribed on its front side. The words “Bharat” in Hindi and “INDIA” in English will be there on the right and left-hand side of the symbol respectively.

2.  NGT slaps Rs 500 crore penalty on Volkswagen : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 500 crore on German global auto giant ‘Volkswagen’ for damaging the environment using “cheat device” in its diesel cars in India. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goeldirected the German global auto giant to deposit the amount within two months. The tribunal enhanced the compensation amount of Rs. 171.34 crore, which was recommended by an NGT- appointed committee, as a means of “creating deterrence”.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. World Bank to provide 250 Million USD for NRETP to boost Rural incomes in India : World Bank to provide 250 Million USD for the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) to boost Rural incomes across 13 States in India.The loan will help women in rural households develop viable enterprises for farm and non-farm products.