NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India to be in lockdown for 21 days from 25 March 2020: Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has announced the complete lockdown of the entire
nation, as part of government’s stringent efforts to tackle coronavirus disease
Covid-19. The entire country will be under lockdown from 25 March 2020 for 21
days. According to health experts, at least 21 days time is very important to
break the coronavirus infection cycle. However, freight movement will continue
to carry essential commodities across the country. Lockdown will be like
‘curfew' and more stringent than the 'janta curfew'.
2. 21
Days Lockdown in India: List of essential services that will remain
operational: In
his address to the nation, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the
lockdown of the whole nation for 21 days with effect from 25th march 2020.
During the lockdown period, population of the country will need some essential
commodities as well services to live stable life. To assure people about the
services, Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an official notification stating
all the measures taken to fulfill the needs of the people during this lockdown
period. These measures aim to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the
country.
Here is the complete list of
services which are available during India’s 21 Day lockdown: Shops, including
shops, dealing with food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy & milk
booths, meat & fish, animal fodder as well as their transportation, will be
available during the lockdown period. Defence, Central Armed Police forces,
Police, civil defence, fire and emergency services, home guards, prisons,
treasuries, district administration, public utilities (such as petroleum, CNG,
LPG, PNG) will be active during the lockdown period. Hospitals and all related
medical establishments along with their manufacturing and distribution units
will be active across the 21 day period. Banks, insurance offices, ATMs, print &
electronic media, cold storage & warehousing services, private security
services will be available during the lockdown period. Delivery of essential
goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment will be available
through E-commerce.
Here is the complete list of
services which are not available during India’s 21 Day lockdown: Offices of the
Government of India/State/Union Territory, its Autonomous/Subordinate Offices
and Public relations shall remain closed during the lockdown period. Commercial
& private establishments shall be closed down. Industrial establishments
will remain closed. All transport services whether air, rail & road will
remain suspended. All educational, training, research, coaching institutions
etc, places of worship will remain closed. All social, political, academic,
sports, entertainment, cultural, religious functions will remain prohibited.
3.
ITR filing deadline for FY 2019 extended to 30 June 2020: Union Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the extension of statutory deadlines
related to income tax to 30 June 2020. The Finance Ministry has decided to
extend the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for the Fiscal Year 2019
from 31st March 2020 to 30th June 2020. Those Indian citizens who are still
waiting to make investments in various instruments which offers tax deductions
under section 80 C, can do their investments till 30 June and can also claim
deduction for FY 2019-20. The deadline for the linking of Aadhaar & Pan was
supposed to end on 31st March 2020. This deadline has been extended to 30 June
2020.
4.
IIT Madras to host Global Hyperloop Pod Competition: IIT Madras is
organising India’s first Global Hyperloop Pod Competition named as ‘Indian
Hyperloop Pod Competition’ to increase awareness and enthusiasm about Hyperloop
in India. Team Avishkar from IIT Madras was the only team from Asia to qualify
for the finals of 2019 Hyperloop Pod Competition, developing India’s first
self-propelled Hyperloop Pod. Hyperloop is the 5th mode of transportation, a
high-speed train that travels in a near-vacuum tube.
5.
Telugu New Year Day ‘Ugaadi’ being observed: Telugu New Year day ‘Ugadi’ being
observed. The festival is being celebrated across the two Telugu states,
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to mark the beginning of the Hindu Lunar calendar.
It falls in the month of Chaitra (March or April) as per the Gregorian calendar
(Hindu Lunar calendar). The date usually coincides with Gudi Padwa
(Maharashtra) and Navreh (Kashmir). People savour special Ugaadi chutney today
comprising Neem flower, jaggery, salt, sugar cane, tamarind and mango to
indicate six basic tastes. Though the nation-wide lockdown due to coronavirus
dampens the traditional fervour and gaiety, people are observing the customary
festivities.
Note: Governor of Andhra Pradesh:
Biswabhusan Harichandan; Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh: Y. S. Jaganmohan
Reddy; Capital of Andhra Pradesh: Amaravati.
Capital of Telangana: Hyderabad; Governor
of Telangana: Tamilisai Soundararajan; Chief Minister of Telangana: K. Chandrashekar
Rao.
6.
YouTube cuts video streaming quality in India: Google-owned video
streaming giant “YouTube” has decided to reduce streaming quality for users in
India until 31st March 2020 to reduce strain on Internet networks during the
coronavirus pandemic. YouTube has decided to temporarily default High
Definition (HD) and ultra-High Definition (HD) streaming to Standard Definition
(SD) content. The above changes will be made by keeping the streaming to SD
content at bitrates not higher than 480p on mobile networks.
Note: CEO of YouTube: Susan Wojcicki.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Saudi Arabia to convene “Extraordinary virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit”: Saudi Arabia has
proposed to convene an “Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit” on 26th
March to advance a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic. King Salman
Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will chair this meeting. The extraordinary Virtual Summit
of G20 leaders will feature the participation of leaders across the globe
including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit will deliberate on
strategies to combat the coronavirus pandemic. G20 is one of the major forum
for international cooperation on financial and economic issues and a primary
platform for global economic governance.
Note: The Group of Twenty (G20) is the
premier forum for international economic cooperation which brings together the
leaders of both developed and developing countries from every continent.
The members of the G20 group are Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy,
Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey,
the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union (EU).
2.
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members: 25
March: The
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is
observed annually on 25 March by the United Nations every year on the
anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett. He was a former journalist who
was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) when he was abducted by armed gunman in 1985.
3.
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the
Transatlantic Slave Trade: 25 March: The United Nations’ (UN) observes the
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the
Transatlantic Slave Trade on 25 March every year. The day aims to honour and
remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system
and also raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today. 2020
Theme: “Confronting Slavery’s Legacy of Racism Together”
Note: Secretary-General of the United
Nations: Antonio Guterres.
4.
US, UAE troops conducts biennial exercise “Native Fury” at Abu Dhabi: US Marines and UAE
Emirati forces conducted the biennial exercise, named Native Fury at Abu Dhabi.
The biennial exercise, called Native Fury, shows the close ties between
American forces and the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms
on the Arabian Peninsula home to Abu Dhabi. The exercise saw 4,000 U.S. troops
from the Army, Marines and Navy position armoured vehicles and other equipment
from Kuwait and the island of Diego Garcia in al-Hamra using a portable pier
system. The exercise saw forces seize a sprawling model Mideast city, a drill
conducted amid tensions with Iran and despite the new coronavirus pandemic.
Note: President of UAE: Sheikh Khalifa bin
Zayed Al Nahyan; Capital of UAE: Abu Dhabi; Currency: United Arab Emirates
dirham.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Indian Footballer Sunil Chhetri Chosen for FIFA Campaign Against COVID-19: Indian football
captain Sunil Chhetri is among 28 past and present global football stars, who
all have been chosen for football world governing body FIFA’s campaign to
combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign titled ‘Pass the message to kick out
coronavirus’ has been launched jointly by the FIFA and the World Health
Organization (WHO) to combat the coronavirus. The awareness campaign will be
led by the 28 world-renowned footballers, who are calling on all people around
the world to follow five key steps to stop the spread of the disease. The video
campaign will be published in 13 languages.
Note: President of FIFA: Gianni Infantino;
Founded: 21 May 1904; Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland.
2.
2020 Tokyo Olympics postponed till 2021 due to coronavirus: The 2020 Tokyo
Olympics and Paralympic Games have been postponed due to the coronavirus
pandemic. Now it will be held in the year 2021. The exact dates will be decided
later. The decision came after a telephonic conversation between Japan’s Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe and International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Tokyo
Olympic Games was to be held from July 24 to August 9, while the Paralympic
Games was scheduled to be held from August 25 to September 6. The event will
still be called Tokyo 2020 despite taking place in 2021. The Olympics have
never been delayed in their 124-year modern history, though they were cancelled
altogether in 1916, 1940 and 1944 during the two world wars.
Note: President of International Olympic
Committee: Thomas Bach; Headquarters of International Olympic Committee:
Lausanne, Switzerland; International Olympic Committee founded: 23 June 1894.
Prime minister of Japan: Shinzo Abe;
Capital of Japan: Tokyo; Currency of Japan: Japanese yen.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Charges for ATM cash withdrawal, minimum balance for Saving A/C waived for 3
months:
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that no charges would be
levied on cash withdrawal from any other bank ATMs, for debit card holders for
a period of three months. The government has also waived penalties for
non-maintenance of minimum balance amount in bank savings accounts. The
decision has been taken to ensure that individuals do not visit bank branches
due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Note: Minister of State in the Ministry of
Finance and Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs: Anurag
Singh Thakur.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Sameer Aggarwal appointed as the CEO of Walmart India: Sameer Aggarwal has
been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Walmart India. He will
taker over as CEO from Krish Iyer with effect from 1st April 2020. He will
focus on building more digital, and omni-channel services at the retailer.
Walmart India is presently operating 28 Best Price cash-and-carry stores in
India.
Note: President and CEO of Walmart Inc.:
Doug McMillon
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Novelist Ruchika Tomar wins Pen/hemingway Award 2020: An Indian-origin
American author Ruchika Tomar is the winner of the prestigious 2020
PEN/Hemingway Award for her debut novel ‘A Prayer for Travelers’. It states
about the friendship of 2 women which grows complicated until the relationship
breaks apart, and one of the friends disappears. The PEN/Hemingway Award for
Debut Novel honours a debut novel of exceptional merit by an American author
who has not previously published a full-length book of fiction. Tomar hails
from California and is currently a lecturer at Stanford University. The award
includes a prize of USD 25,000 & also a 1-month residency fellowship worth
USD 10,000.
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