NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Karnataka govt developed Dishaank app to ensure easy access to land records: The Survey
Settlement and Land Records (SSLR) unit of Karnataka’s revenue department is
ensuring easy availability of original land records through an app called
Dishaank. The Dishaank app is developed under the Geographical Information
System (GIS) program of the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Center
(KSRSAC). The KSRSAC provides satellite data to agencies such as the SSLR unit
for innovative use. Dishaank leverages Karnataka’s decision to digitize land
records under the Bhoomi project.
Advantages of Dishnaak app: Citizens can
easily avail themselves of the information about the land as recorded in the
Bhoomi database. This will help in reducing land disputes and will bring
transparency in the maintenance of land records. However, according to the
Karnataka government, the Dishaank app’s purpose is only to provide clarity on
the original status of land and the app should not be used for legal purposes
in any land-related disputes.
About Bhoomi Project: Bhoomi is a
project to digitize Karnataka’s land records. The project is jointly funded by
the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka. The project was
developed and implemented by National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Note: Karnataka Capital: Bengaluru;
Karnataka Chief Minister: Basavaraj S Bommai; Karnataka Governor: Thawar Chand
Gehlot.
2.
Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050: Mumbai became first South Asian City to set
target:
Mumbai, Maharashtra announced its detailed framework to ‘zero out carbon
emissions by 2050’ and became the first city in South Asia to set such a
target. Mumbai’s target is 20 years ahead of India’s target to reach net zero
emissions by 2070. Targets also include a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions by 2030 and 44% reduction by 2040.
Mumbai set several short-term goals for
decarbonisation measures such as electrifying public transport, it plans to
adopt 2,100 electric buses by 2023 at a cost of 130 billion rupees (USD $1.7
billion). Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has devised the Mumbai
Climate Action Plan (MCAP) as a part of its commitment towards building a
climate-resilient city.
3.
36th edition of the International Geological Congress to be held in New Delhi: On a virtual
platform, the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC) will be placed here
on March 20-22, 2022, with the topic Geosciences: The Basic Science for a
Sustainable Future. The 36th International Geophysical Congress is a
collaboration between the Ministries of Mines and Earth Sciences, the Indian
National Science Academy, and the Science Academies of Bangladesh, Nepal, and
Sri Lanka. Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad
Joshi and Minister of State Science & Technology; Minister of State Earth
Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and
Space Dr Jitendra Singh are expected to inaugurate the Congress.
Key Points:
a)
The
event would provide a one-of-a-kind forum for Geoscience knowledge and
experience sharing, as well as professional networking.
b)
It
would provide firsthand knowledge of cutting-edge mining, mineral exploration,
and water, mineral resource, and environmental management technologies. It
would also help boost academic output and provide chances for capacity building
across geoscientific disciplines.
c)
India,
along with its regional allies, submitted a candidacy to host the 36th
International Geological Congress in India in 2020 at the 34th International
Geological Congress in Brisbane in 2012. The bid was won by India.
d)
On
the occasion of the 36th IGC, three commemorative Postage Stamps will be
issued, as well as a First Day Cover. India held the 22nd session of the IGC,
which was the first IGC on Asian land, 58 years ago.
4.
35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela begins in Haryana: The Governor of
Haryana, Bandaru Dattatraya and Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar
formally inaugurated the 35th edition of the world-famous Surajkund
International Crafts Mela at Surajkund in Faridabad district of Haryana. The event is organized jointly by the
Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union
Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. In 2022, the
‘Theme State’ in Jammu & Kashmir and Uzbekistan is the partner nation.
The Mela is open from March 19 to April 04,
2022. It provides an opportunity for artisans from all over India to showcase
their talent and the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms, and
cultural heritage of India. The Fair was first organized in 1987. Due to the
Covid 19 pandemic, the event could not be organised in the year 2021.
Note: Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya;
Haryana Capital: Chandigarh; Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Bangladesh top in South Asia in terms of women on board of listed companies: Bangladesh tops
the list in South Asia in terms of women on board of listed companies, says a
study conducted by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Dhaka Stock
Exchange (DSE). According to the latest figures, there was an increase in the
percentage of women who are independent directors on listed companies from five
per cent in 2020 to six per cent, despite the impact of COVID-19, which has
disproportionately affected women, said a press release issued by the IFC.
The findings were revealed at an event
marking International Women’s Day. The IFC, DSE, UN Women, and United Nations
Global Compact organised the programme. The IFC has partnered with the DSE, UN
Women, and United Nations Global Compact for the seventh consecutive year to
“Ring the Bell for Gender Equality”.
Note: Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka; Bangladesh
President: Abdul Hamid; Bangladesh Currency: Bangladeshi taka; Bangladesh Prime
minister: Sheikh Hasina.
2. UN
French Language Day: 20th March: The UN French Language Day is observed
annually on 20 March. The day was established by UN’s Department of Public
Information in 2010. It is one of the six official languages used throughout
the Organization, and aims to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity
as well as promote equal use of all. March 20 was chosen as the date for the
French language since it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the
International Organization of La Francophonie, which represents countries and
regions where French is a customary language.
3.
World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People: 20th March: The World Day of
Theatre for Children and Young People is celebrated all over the world on March
20. The day is celebrated every year since 2001 by the international community
of theatre practitioners to attract the attention of a wider public to the art
of theatre for children and young people. The event is basically organised by
the ASSITEJ International, an international alliance of professionals involved
in theatre for children and young people.
4.
World Frog Day: 20th March: The World Frog Day is observed annually on March 20.
The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the tailless amphibian
frogs: found on land and water both. The day was created in 2009 with the
intention to save many different species of frogs from going extinct.
5.
World Poetry Day: 21st March: On 21st March, World Poetry Day is
celebrated every year to recognise the unique ability of poetry to capture the
creative spirit of the human mind. World Poetry Day celebrates one of
humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and
identity.
History: The United
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted
this day during UNESCO’s 30th session in Paris in 1999 with the aim of
supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the
opportunity for endangered languages to be heard. Some countries also celebrate
World Poetry Day on October 15 to mark the birthday of Virgil, a Roman poet who
is famous for his epic Aeneid.
Note: World Poetry Day Headquarters: Paris,
France; World Poetry Day Director-General: Audrey Azoulay; World Poetry Day
Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom.
6.
World Down Syndrome Day: 21st March: World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is
observed every year on 21 March. It is a global campaign that is observed
annually to spread awareness about Down syndrome. The Day is commemorated as a
global initiative to increase awareness about hereditary disorders. The theme
of World Down Syndrome Day this year is “Inclusion Means”.
History: The first World
Down Syndrome Day was observed in 2006. Then the Brazilian Federation of
Associations of Down Syndrome worked with Down Syndrome International and its
members to launch an extensive campaign to generate international support. In
November 2011, the General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus to
celebrate World Down Syndrome Day every year. The next month it declared March
21 as World Down Syndrome Day.
7.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: 21st March: International Day
for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March
to remind people about the negative consequences of racial discrimination. The
2022 edition of the International Day focuses on the theme “VOICES FOR ACTION
AGAINST RACISM”.
History of the day: The International
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the
day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people
at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. In 1979, the
General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the
second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial
Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of
solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial
discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all
States.
OTHER UPDATES:
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
SBI to set up Innovation, Incubation, and Acceleration Centre at Hyderabad: The State Bank of
India (SBI) will set up an Innovation, Incubation, and Acceleration Centre
(IIAC) at Hyderabad, Telangana which will be operational in six to nine months
of on-boarding a consultant. This Centre will be the bank’s in-house capability
to enhance its current performance and drive higher top-line growth through
innovation. It will help the bank to develop a set of technologies, knowledge,
and skills for the introduction of new products and services. It will act as a
central body to govern and drive fin-tech partnerships and implement change
across the bank.
Note: State Bank of India Founded: 1 July
1955; State Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai; State Bank of India Chairman:
Dinesh Kumar Khara.
2.
Mahila Money, Visa, and Transcorp launched Prepaid Card for Women
Entrepreneurs: The
digital payments network Mahila Money, Visa, and Transcorp Prepaid Payment
Instruments (PPI) have launched Mahila Money Prepaid Card to help women
entrepreneurs easily collect payments, loans and get incentives for
transactions. The prepaid card has been designed keeping in mind the needs of
digital entrepreneurs, small business owners and women.
The card is for community members who want
the convenience of a bank account with added flexibility, safety and
convenience. This collaboration will pave the way to economic freedom and
financial inclusion for millions of women entrepreneurs.
Salient features and benefits of the
Mahila Money Prepaid Card:
a)
The
card makes it easy for women entrepreneurs to collect payments digitally for
their businesses and helps boost their working capital, as loans can be
transferred directly into the card.
b)
Users
are offered incentives, rewards, and cashback from the Mahila Money ecosystem
of partners.
c)
The
card is useful for women who may not operate their bank accounts actively but
want to transact digitally for their businesses and expenses.
Note: Transcorp International Ltd
Established: 1994; Transcorp International Ltd Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi;
Transcorp International Ltd Managing Director: Gopal Sharma.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Moody’s lowers India’s GDP forecast for CY22 to 9.1%: Rating agency
Moody’s has revised downwards the economic growth forecast of India by 40 basis
points to 9.1 per cent in the Calendar Year 2022 (CY2022), due to adverse
effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the global economy. Earlier in
February 2022, Moody’s estimated India’s GDP in CY2022 to 9.5 percent. Moody’s
has projected India’s GDP growth forecast for the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 at
5.4 percent.
Moody’s, in a statement, said India is
particularly vulnerable to high oil prices given that it is a large importer of
crude oil. Because the country is a surplus producer of grain, agricultural
exports will benefit in the short term from high prevailing prices.
2.
Prashant Jhaveri joining “Flipkart Health+ as CEO: Flipkart Health+
announced the appointment of Prashant Jhaveri as its new CEO. He will be in
charge of Flipkart’s entry into India’s fast-growing healthcare sector. Jhaveri
was the CEO of Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited and MediBuddy before joining
Flipkart Health+. Earlier in his career, he worked with Medi Assist Group as
the chief business officer.
In November 2021, Flipkart Health+ was
created to create an end-to-end digital healthcare platform to address the
concerns of inexpensive and high-quality healthcare.
OBITUARIES
1.
American Astrophysicist Eugene Parker passes away: American
Astrophysicist Eugene Newman Parker, who contributed to solar physics, has
passed away at the age of 94. Eugene Parker witnessed the launch of National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Parker Solar Probe in 2018, the
first NASA mission named after a living person, and became the first person to
witness the launch of a spacecraft named after them.
Parker is a visionary in the field of
heliophysics, which focuses on the study of the sun and other stars & he is
well known for his theory on the existence of solar wind, a supersonic flow of
particles of the sun’s surface. He virtually created the field of heliophysics
in the 1950s.
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