NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. GRID-INDIA is now a Miniratna Company: Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) achieved a
significant milestone by being conferred with the status of Miniratna
Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). This recognition, bestowed
upon by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, underscores GRID-INDIA’s
pivotal role in the nation’s power landscape. Established in 2009, GRID-INDIA
holds the crucial mandate of overseeing the seamless and uninterrupted
operation of the Indian Power System, ensuring the efficient transfer of
electric power within and across regions, facilitating trans-national power
exchanges with a focus on reliability, economy, and sustainability.
2. 47th Meeting of National Committee of Archivists held
in Srinagar: The two-days’ 47th
Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA) was concluded at
the Sher-e Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar. Delegates
from Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh participated in
the meeting.
3. 4th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Startup Forum
organized in New Delhi: The fourth edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Startup Forum was organized in New Delhi. The initiative
focused on broadening startup interactions among the SCO Member States,
fostering an environment conducive to innovation, promoting job creation, and
inspiring young talent to develop innovative solutions. The plenary session of
the forum witnessed physical participation from SCO Member States including a
delegation of SCO startups, nodal agencies for startups at the Member States,
senior government officials and diplomats.
4. Bhushan Gagrani appointed new Mumbai civic
commissioner: The Election
Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Maharashtra government to
appoint senior IAS officer Bhushan Gagrani as the new Mumbai municipal
commissioner. Gagrani, till now serving as additional chief secretary in the
Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), will replace Iqbal Singh Chahal, who has been
moved out from the post of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner
on EC orders. Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in five
phases in April-May.
5. M V Rao elected as chairman of Indian Banks’
Association: MD and CEO of Central Bank
of India, M V Rao has been elected as Chairman of Indian Banks’
Association. Rao has been elected as IBA Chairman for the term 2023-24 at a
meeting of the Managing Committee of IBA. Three Deputy Chairmen for IBA would
be Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman, State Bank of India (SBI); S L Jain, MD and
CEO, Indian Bank and N Kamakodi, Managing Director and CEO, City Union Bank. Madhav
Nair, Country Head and CEO, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, would be Honorary
Secretary of the Association.
6. Naveen Jindal elected the President of ISA: Noted industrialist and former member of
Parliament Naveen Jindal has been elected as the President of
the Indian Steel Association (ISA).
He
replaced Dilip Oommen, CEO, AMNS India and Executive Vice President,
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. Naveen Jindal is currently the chairman of
Jindal Steel & Power (JSP), India’s leading Industrial conglomerate with
interests in steel, mining and infrastructure sector.
7. 22 March – Bihar Diwas: Bihar Day is celebrated every year
on 22 March in India. The day marks the anniversary of the founding of Bihar
state in 1912. The state was previously part of the Bengal Presidency. The
first Bihar Diwas event was organized in 2010 to commemorate the 111th
anniversary of the state.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. ITU elects India as co-chair of its Digital Innovation
Board: Dr
Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India,
led a high-level delegation to
Geneva for a series of crucial meetings at the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) Headquarters. The visit focused on fostering collaboration
and exploring innovative initiatives in the telecommunications and information
and communication technology (ICT) sectors. The International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) has selected 17 organizations from around the world to host Network
of Acceleration Centres with the Global Innovation Centre at ITU Area Office
and Innovation Centre, New Delhi, India to coordinate the efforts of Network
Acceleration centres around the globe.
2. 21 March – International Day for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination: International Day
for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is
observed every year on 21st March.
This day reminds us about the negative consequences of racial discrimination. Theme
2024 – A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the
International Decade for People of African Descent This date marks the day when
police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a
peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.
3. 21 March – World Down Syndrome Day: World Down Syndrome
Day is observed every year on 21 March. Objective – To raise awareness about the
discrimination faced by people with Down Syndrome. In 2012, World Down Syndrome
Day was officially announced by the United Nations to be celebrated on March 21
every year. The date was chosen keeping in mind the 21st chromosome that is
responsible for causing Down Syndrome. Since then, the special day is observed
every year on March 21.
4. 22 March – World Water Day: World Water Day is celebrated every
year on 22 March. It is an occasion to realize the importance of
freshwater, especially this year amid the ongoing Bengaluru water crisis. The
tech hub is facing an acute water shortage due to failed monsoons and drying groundwater
resources. Theme 2024 – Water for
Peace In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development in Rio de Janeiro saw the first formal proposal of World Water Day
under Agenda 21. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in
December 1992 by which March 22 was declared World Water Day.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Ruturaj Gaikwad named new CSK Skipper: The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad as its new
captain with Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepping down as the skipper after a highly
successful stint. 42-year-old Dhoni’s decision comes a day ahead of the
high-stakes opening match of IPL 2024 between Chennai Super Kings and Royal
Challengers Bangalore. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings
since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. Dhoni is the
most successful IPL captain with a whopping 133 wins followed by Rohit Sharma
at 87.
2. India, Mozambique, Tanzania Joint Maritime Exercise
begins: INS
Tir and INS Sujata has participated in the second edition of India Mozambique Tanzania
(IMT) Tri Lateral (TRILAT) Exercise. It is a joint maritime exercise
scheduled from 21-29 Mar 24. The first edition of IMT TRILAT exercise conducted
in Oct 22, saw participation of INS Tarkash with the Tanzanian and Mozambique
Navies. The current edition of the exercise is planned in two phases. As part
of the harbour phase scheduled from 21-24 Mar 24, Naval ships Tir and Sujata
will engage with the respective Navies at the ports of Zanzibar (Tanzania) and
Maputo (Mozambique).
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. DBS Bank India unveils $250 mn lending
support to start-ups and ‘new economy’ organizations: DBS
Bank India has announced a USD 250 million loan commitment for new-age
entrepreneurs. The project is part of the bank’s efforts to promote
innovation and entrepreneurship in the country’s vibrant startup environment. The
Indian start-up sector, a foundational pillar of the country’s development
goals, has seen significant expansion over the years with over 90,000 start-ups
and more than 100 unicorns as of 2024.
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