NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Manmeet K Nanda
gets an additional charge of MD & CEO of Invest India: The board members
of Invest India appointed Manmeet
K Nanda, an IAS, West Bengal Cadre (2000 Batch), as the Managing Director & CEO
(Additional charge) of Invest India. She
is joint
secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT). She has replaced Deepak Bagla,
who resigned from the post. Deepak Bagla has
served the organization for nearly 8 years and contributed to Invest India’s
development.
2.
NTPC, Indian Army sign
MoU for implementation of Green Hydrogen Projects: NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd has signed an MoU with Indian
Army for setting up Green Hydrogen Projects in its
establishments on Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) model. Aim: To reduce
complex logistics and dependence on fossil fuels and to accelerate
decarbonization. NTPC REL CEO, Mohit Bhargava and Lt. General Rajinder Dewan
signed MoU. NTPC REL will also design, develop, and install renewable
energy projects for the Indian Army. NTPC REL is a wholly subsidiary
of NTPC.
3. Bihar celebrates
111th foundation day: Bihar observed its 111th
foundation day on March 22, 2023. On this day, the state of Bihar was
carved out from the Bengal presidency in 1912. The theme of the
2023 event is "Yuva Shakti Bihar ki Pragati". This year, a
number of events are being organized in Gandhi Maidan, Patna from March 22 to
24, 2023. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar have congratulated people on the occasion of Bihar Divas.
4. GRSE launched
the 'Most Silent Ship' INS Androth: Indian Navy launched INS Androth,
the second in a series of eight indigenous ships built by Garden Reach
Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) at a Kidderpore yard, Kolkata. It
is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC). It is a
77.6-meter-long and 10.5-meter-wide vessel, propelled by three diesel-driven
water jets that will pack a punch. The ship is capable of a maximum 25
knots speed and will carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, and mines.
5. Ranveer Singh
named India's most valuable celebrity of 2022: According to a Kroll report 'Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2022:
Beyond the Mainstream', with a brand value of $181.7 million, actor
Ranveer Singh is India's most valued celebrity of 2022. He surpassed cricketer
Virat Kohli, who occupied the top spot for five years. Kohli ranked second,
followed by actors Akshay Kumar, and Alia Bhatt. Notably, the aggregate brand
value of the top 25 celebrities is $1.6 billion in 2022 (estimated), a
29.1% rise from 2021.
6. Tamil Nadu’s
18th wildlife sanctuary to come up in Erode: The Tamil Nadu Government has notified Thanthai Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary as the 18th wildlife sanctuary in the state. It is
spread over 80,567 hectares in the forest areas of Anthiyur and
Gobichettipalayam taluks in Erode district. It is close to Malai
Mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuary, BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, and Cauvery wildlife
sanctuary in Karnataka. It also acts as a connecting point between
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary.
7. Groundwater: A
Valuable but Diminishing Resource Report: According
to a Parliamentary Standing Committee report, the groundwater
levels in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and 20 other cities dipped by more
than 20 meters from 2017 to 2020. While Faridabad (Haryana) becomes 100%
dependent on groundwater use and cities like Ghaziabad (UP) are on the
verge of becoming totally dependent on it. The total annual extractable
groundwater resource of 398 billion cubic meters (BCM) in the country
till 2020, 245 BCM was being extracted.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Asia’s largest
4-metre liquid mirror telescope inaugurated in Uttarakhand: Union MoS (Independent
Charge) Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has inaugurated Asia’s
largest 4-meter International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) at Devasthal in
Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of 2450 meters at the
observatory, which lies at the campus of Aryabhatta Research Institute of
Observational Sciences. The ILMT employs a 4-meter-diameter rotating
mirror, which was made up of a thin layer of liquid mercury, to
collect and focus light.
2. World Water Day
2023: 22nd March:
World Water day is
celebrated on March 22 every year to spread awareness about the water
crisis all over the world. UNGA adopted World Water Day in 1992. The theme
for 2023 is "Accelerating the change to solve the water and
sanitation crisis."
In 2015, the world was committed
to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 as part of the 2030 agenda. A
promise to provide safely managed water and sanitation by 2030. The report
is published on World Water Day every year.
3. TIME list of
World’s Greatest Places of 2023 released: The TIME magazine has released its
annual list of the ‘World’s Greatest Places’ for the year 2023 and
two Indian destinations have made it to the list. Among the chosen destinations
are two locations from India –Ladakh and Mayurbhanj. Ladakh is a high-altitude
region, which is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, crystal-clear lakes,
and snow-capped mountains. Mayurbhanj is a lesser-known destination located in
the eastern state of Odisha. The full list of ‘extraordinary destinations to
explore’ in 2023 are:
4. Ratan Tata
appointed to ‘Order of Australia’ for bolstering bilateral ties: Indian industrialist and
philanthropist Ratan Tata has been appointed as an Honorary
Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO), for
distinguished service to Australia-India bilateral relations, particularly
trade, investment and philanthropy. Ratan Tata is the Chairman Emeritus of Tata
Sons, former Chairman of the Tata Group and one of the world’s richest
entrepreneurs.
Ratan Tata has been a strong and influential
supporter of deeper ties between Australia and India, including advocating for
an India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, set to be
finalized in 2022.
5. 21 March – World
Down Syndrome Day: World Down Syndrome Day is observed annually on 21 March. Objective
– To raise awareness about Down syndrome and support those who are living with
this condition. Theme 2023 – With Us, Not For Us World Down Syndrome Day
was first observed in 2006 after Down Syndrome International (DSI) established
the day at their World Congress in 2005.
6. 21 March –
International Day of Forests: International Day of Forests is observed every year on 21
March. Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of forests,
woodlands, and trees in our lives. Theme 2023 – Forests and health The day
highlights the value, importance and contribution of forests to balance the
life cycle on earth and addresses issues such as deforestation. The United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2011 as the International Year of
Forests during its 61st session on 20 December 2006.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Sergio Perez won
the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez won
the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023. Max Verstappen came in second position.
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso finished third in his Aston Martin. He was
closely followed by the Mercedes pair George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
2. India to host
2023 SAFF Championships in Bengaluru: The 2023 edition of the SAFF
Championship, South Asia’s marquee international tournament, will be held
in Bengaluru from 21 June to 3 July 2023. This was announced by the All
India Football Federation (AIFF). India will be hosting the tournament for the
fourth time and first since the 2015 edition when it was held in
Thiruvananthapuram. All the member associations of the South Asian Football
Federation (SAFF) are expected to participate in the 13th edition of the
tournament.
3. ISSF Shooting
World Cup begins in Bhopal: International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup Shooting
Championship is organized in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh from 21 to 27 March. Madhya
Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has formally inaugurated this
event. Around 325 shooters from 33 countries and more than 75 technical
officials will participate in the World Cup Shooting Championship. The Championship
is being organized in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and
the Rifle Federation of India. It is the 8th World Cup organized in India and
the first international shooting tournament to be held outside New Delhi.
4. China &
South Korea bag titles at All England Open: Li Shi Feng defeated
fellow Chinese shuttler Shi Yu Qi to win the men’s singles title at
the All England Open badminton championships. The all-Chinese men’s final
ended 26-24 21-5, beginning neck-and-neck in the first game and ending in a
decisive victory for 23-year-old Li in the second. In the women’s singles, to
the thunderous roar of her name, South Korea’s An Se Young beat Tokyo 2020
Olympics gold medallist Chen Yu Fei of China 21-17 10-21 21-19. China has
dominated Olympic badminton since the sport made its debut at the Games in
Barcelona in 1992, with 47 medals including 20 golds.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. More than 40%
hike in enrolments under APY in FY 2021-22 from FY 2019-20: According to the data
shared by the Union MoS for Finance, Dr. Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in Rajya Sabha,
the enrolments under Atal Pension Yojana have shown a hike of more than
40% hike in FY 2021-22 from FY 2019-20. The total fund allocated
under APY for Government Co-contribution, Payment of Incentives to Banks,
Promotional Campaigns, and Gap fund is Rs. 2078.94 crore (2015 to Feb
2023). Out of the total amount, Rs. 1529.41 crores has been released till
February 2023.
2. Indian economy
to grow at 7%; inflation set to moderate: Finance Ministry: According to the Finance
Ministry report, the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7% in FY23
despite global headwinds. Retail inflation would moderate in
line with wholesale inflation which fell to a 25-month low in January
2023. It will be supported by the gains from high services exports,
the moderation in oil prices, and the recent fall in import-intensive
consumption demand. The current account deficit (CAD) of India is
estimated to fall in FY23 and FY24.
3. Axis Bank signed
co-lending pact with Autotrac Finance through Yubi: Axis Bank has entered
into a co-lending pact with Autotrac Finance (AFL) through YubiCo.Lend
platform to offer new tractor loans for agricultural and allied
activities in rural segments of the country. This partnership will
leverage the wide customer experience of Autotrac Finance and the deep
financial expertise of Axis Bank to enable easy credit availability for
farmers. They would be able to reach out to potential customers. Axis Bank CEO:
Amitabh Chaudhry
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Indian-American
Mindy Kaling awarded the National Humanities Medals: US President Joe
Biden has awarded the prestigious 2021 National Humanities
Medal to Indian-American actress and producer Mindy Kaling. Reason: For
empowering the new generation to tell their stories with irreverence and
sincerity The National Medal of Arts is the highest award, given to
artists, arts patrons, and groups by the US government. Other notable
recipients: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bruce Springsteen, Vera Wang, Gladys Knight,
Judith Francisca Baca
2. Bombay Jayashri chosen for Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2023: Renowned Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri has been selected for the Sangita Kalanidhi award for 2023 by the Music Academy. She is one of the foremost Carnatic musicians of today, trained initially by his parents and later by TR Balamani and violinist Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021. The Nritya Kalanidhi Award for dance has been given to Vasanthalaxmi Narasimhachari. She has specialized in Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi.
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