Daily Current Affairs: March 7 & 8, 2021

Daily Current Affairs (March 7  & 8, 2021) like many other sections is inevitable and this also helps to score in the Banking awareness, Static GK, and Financial Awareness sections. Remember, Banking Awareness, and Static Awareness Questions are asked from the General Awareness section. This will also help you to ride your preparations for the forthcoming exams.

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Important Days

International Women’s Day – 8 March

• International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March every year to help forge a gender-equal world, celebrate women’s achievements and their increasing visibility in every sphere of life. The first-ever International Women’s Day was celebrated on 19 March 1911.
• This day celebrates the cultural, political, economic, and social achievements of women.
• The theme this year is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.”
• IWD 2021 campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge. 

Jan Aushadhi Diwas celebrated on March 7

• In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared March 7 as Jan Aushadhi Diwas for promoting and increasing the outreach of generic medicines.
• The theme of 3rd Jan Aushadhi Diwas this year is “Seva bhi- Rozgar Bhi” to highlight the meaningful employment to pharmacists along with assured access to quality medicines for all sections of the society.
• Jan Aushadhi stores will be increased to 10,000 by 2024

National News

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal inaugurated the 29th New Delhi World Book Fair 2021

• Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated the virtual edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2021. The theme of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2021 is ‘National Education Policy – 2020.’
• The 29^th edition of the annual New Delhi World Book Fair, organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) was held virtually from 6 – 12 March 2021.

New Delhi

• Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
• Lt. Governor: Anil Baijal

Jammu & Kashmir administration launched ANMOL app under the National Health Mission

• Jammu and Kashmir administration distributed tablets among Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs) and launched the ‘ANMOL’ application under the National Health Mission (NHM) for identification and tracking of beneficiaries. Financial Commissioner of Health and Medical Education Atal Dulloo launched the application and distributed tablets among ANMs.
• The ANMOL application will empower ANMs and frontline health workers in carrying out their day-to-day work efficiently and effectively. It allows ANMs to enter and update records of beneficiaries on a real-time basis.

Jammu and Kashmir

• Capital: Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter)
• Lt. Governor: Manoj Sinha
• National Parks: Hemis National Park, City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Kishtwar National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary, Baltal-Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) Wildlife Sanctuary
• Lakes: Mansar Lake, Nagin Lake, Wular Lake, Surinsar Lake, Dal Lake

First-ever White-Water Rafting Festival organised in J&K’s Doda

• In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the first-ever adventure sports event, Chenab White Water Rafting Festival organised by the Doda District Administration in coordination with Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA) and J&K Adventure group took place.
• The event also witnessed multifarious activities at the venue for the enjoyment of the locals, which includes volleyball matches, kabaddi, freestyle wrestling, and dance performances.

Jammu and Kashmir

• Capital: Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter)
• Lt. Governor: Manoj Sinha
• National Parks: Hemis National Park, City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Kishtwar National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary, Baltal-Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) Wildlife Sanctuary
• Lakes: Mansar Lake, Nagin Lake, Wular Lake, Surinsar Lake, Dal Lake

Odisha Government to set up a new department to strengthen SHGs

• Odisha Government will set up a new department named the Department of Mission Shakti that will work towards strengthening the ‘self-help group’ initiatives already taken by departments and agencies by bringing them all under one platform to ensure greater focus and synergy and to avoid duplication in activities.

Odisha                     

• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
• Governor: Ganeshi Lal
• Festivals: Dhanu Yatra, Budi Thakurani Yatra, Magha Saptami, Chhau, Dola Purnima
• Folk Dances: Chhau, Gotipua, Ghumura, Ranappa, Chaiti Ghoda, Sambalpuri

India’s first ‘Transgender Community Desk’ opened in Gachibowli police station of Telangana

• The Cyberabad Police launched India’s first-ever ‘Transgender Community Desk’ at the Gachibowli Police Station in Hyderabad, Telangana. The desk was formally inaugurated by Cyberabad Police chief VC Sajjanar in a ceremony that was attended by over 200 transgender people.
• It will be the focal point for all grievance redressal among the transgender community in Cyberabad Commissionerate. The desk will provide support to file cases in offences related to violence or discrimination against any transgender person.

Telangana               

• Capital: Hyderabad
• Chief Minister: K Chandrashekar Rao
• Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
• National Parks: KasuBrahmananda Reddy National Park, Mahaveer Harina National Park, Mrugavani National Park

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan addressed the inaugural session of ‘Techbharat 2021’

• Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan addressed the inaugural session of TechBharat 2021. Laghu Udyog Bharati and IMS Foundation have organised the 2^nd edition of the conclave that brought together stakeholders from the HealthTech & Edutech sector on a virtual platform.
• Techbharat facilitates interactions & deliberations between thousands of domestic & global participants, including policymakers, government representatives, industry members, investors & start-ups to nurture resourceful partnerships and boost growth in the sectors.

India’s biggest free-of-charge dialysis facility launched at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib complex, New Delhi

• Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) launched “India’s biggest” kidney dialysis facility at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib complex in New Delhi. The hospital offered a dialysis facility to 101 patients simultaneously and can cater to 500 patients
• All services are provided free in this most technically advanced hospital. The DSGMC will take services from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from corporate houses and from those who are willing to contribute to such initiatives and various Government schemes.

International News

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the ‘Maitri Setu’ bridge between India & Bangladesh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Maitri Setu’ between India and Bangladesh through video conferencing. He also laid the foundation stone of multiple infrastructure projects in Tripura during the event.
• The 9 km long bridge has been built over the Feni river, which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura state and Bangladesh. The construction was taken up by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) at a project cost of 133 crore rupees.

Bangladesh:

• Capital: Dhaka
• Currency: Taka
• Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina
• President: Abdul Hamid

Gender inequality has cost the world $70 trillion since 1990: BofA Securities report

• According to the BofA (Bank of America) report, gender inequality has cost the world $70 trillion since 1990. The report also noted that full gender equality globally could increase the world GDP by up to $28 trillion by 2025 and the loss of human capital wealth due to gender inequality alone is estimated at $2 trillion.
• It will take 257 years to close the gap at the current rate, and not doing this has cost the world a whopping $70 trillion since 1990.

Bank of America (BofA)

• Headquarters: Charlotte, USA
• CEO: Brian Moynihan

Banking and Economy

HDFC ERGO launched “Business Kisht Suraksha” to protect MFIs and financial institutions against calamities and natural disasters

• HDFC ERGO General Insurance, India’s leading non-life insurance company in the private sector, launched “Business Kisht Suraksha”, a unique cover aimed at protecting the balance sheet of MFIs, financial institutions, and banks in the event of a catastrophe or natural disaster.
• Business Kisht Suraksha aims to limit the impacts on the balance sheet of financial institutions due to non-payment of EMIs by borrowers, resulting out of listed calamities such as floods, earthquakes, cyclones,

Alliance Insurance launched the ‘SMEInsure’ portal to benefit 5 crore SMEs during financial emergency

• Alliance Insurance has launched a portal named ‘SMEInsure’ to bring 5 crore Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) under the insurance category. The portal will provide insurance services in a phygital format (both physical and digital).
• The new platform SMEIureure will benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), small store, and enterprise house owners amongst a monetary emergency.

Alliance Insurance:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• CEO: SV Thakkar.

HDFC Bank launched SmartUp Unnati for mentoring women entrepreneurs

• HDFC announced the launch of SmartUp Unnati, a dedicated programme for mentoring women entrepreneurs by women leaders at the bank. This programme is available only to existing customers and will initially target more than 3,000 women entrepreneurs associated with the Bank’s SmartUp programme.

Acquisitions and Mergers

Amazon India partnered with UN Women to launch an IWD storefront for women sellers

• Amazon India has partnered with UN Women to launch a special IWD storefront for women-owned small businesses ahead of the International Women’s Day (March 8).
• The IWD storefront was inaugurated by Country Representative of UN Women India, Susan Ferguson, in the presence of Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani at a virtual event.
• The event was held under the theme “Challenge. Champion. Change.”

Titan’s youth brand Fastrack tied up with Yono-SBI bank to launch a smart fitness band

• Titan-owned youth accessories brand Fastrack has partnered country’s largest public sector bank Yono-State Bank of India (SBI), to enter the smart wearable category of fitness bands with a digital payment component under its sub-brand Reflex to strengthen the company’s foothold in the wearables category for the youth.
• A chip embedded in the smart band will be linked to one’s SBI account to make cashless payments by flashing the band in front of POS (Point of Sale) machines.

Appointments

Indian-American Naureen Hassan became first Vice President and COO of New York Federal Bank

• Indian-American financial services industry veteran Naureen Hassan was appointed as the first Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
• The 25-year Hassan will take over the new role with effect from 15 March 2021. Prior to this, she was the Chief Digital Officer for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (MSWM).

Senior IAS officer Arun Kumar Singh appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Bihar

• The 1985-batch IAS officer Arun Kumar Singh was appointed as the new Chief Secretary (CS) to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He replaced Deepak Kumar, who retired recently.
• Deepak Kumar, a 1984-batch IAS officer, was appointed afresh, the Principal Secretary to CM Nitish Kumar.
• Amir Subhani (the topper of the 1987-batch civil services examination) was appointed as development commissioner in place of Arun Kumar Singh.

Awards and Recognitions

ISRF Awards Research Fellowship was awarded to 40 scholars from 6 countries: Union Ministry of Science and Technology

• The Union Ministry of Science and Technology had announced that the ISRF Awards Research Fellowship had been awarded to 40 overseas scholars from six countries for researching science and technology at Indian institutes and universities.
• These scholars have been selected for the India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF) 2021 based on a research proposal, experience, academic merit, and publication record.
• The initiative was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2015 for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Bangladesh’s highest civilian award ‘Swadhinta Puraskar’ conferred to 9 individuals and an organisation

• Bangladesh had announced the names of 9 individuals and an organisation and conferred the Independence Award, the highest civilian award of Bangladesh for the year 2021.
• Four individuals were selected posthumously for the award under the category of freedom fighters for their contribution to the liberation war of Bangladesh.
• The award had been given since 1977 ahead of the Independence Day of Bangladesh. The recipients of the award would receive a gold medal and a cash reward of 5 lakh Taka.

Indian boxer Manish Kaushik won gold at the Boxam International Tournament

• Olympic-bound Indian boxer Manish Kaushik (63 kg) had struck gold in his first competitive outing of the year in the 35^th Boxam International Tournament in Castellon,
• Manish Kaushik defeated Denmark’s Nikolai Terteryan in a split decision. A 14-member (8 men and 6 women) Indian contingent had participated in the 35^th edition of the Boxam International Tournament.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia clinched gold in the Matteo Pellicon World ranking series held in Rome, Italy

• Ace Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia beat Mongolia’s Tulga Tumur Ochir in the 65 kg category and clinched the gold medal at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event held in Rome, Italy.

Obituary News

Muthoot Finance Chairman MG George Muthoot passed away at 71

• Muthoot Group Chairman MG George Muthoot passed away. He was born in 1949 in the Kozhencherry district of Kerala. He became the Managing Director In 1979 and he took over as the group Chairman in 1993.

Noted Kannada poet NS Lakshminarayana Bhatta passed away at 84

• Noted Kannada poet, critic, and translator NS Lakshminarayana Bhatta passed away at the age of 84. He was a prolific writer, who published several collections of poems besides critical works & translations. Some of his best-known songs are: Thaye ninna madilali, Marege ninthu kayuthiruva karulu yaavudu, Baare nanna Deepika, etc.

Veteran Marathi actor Shrikant Moghe passed away at 91

• Veteran Marathi actor Shrikant Moghe had passed away due to an age-related illness. He was active in the Marathi stage and film industry for more than 50 years. He was famous for his roles in Marathi films like Madhuchandra, Sinhaasan, Gammat Jammat, Umbaratha and Vasudev Balwant Phadke.
• He was honoured with many awards like the Maharashtra State Cultural award, Kashinath Ghanekar award, Prabhakar Panashikar Stage Lifetime achievement award, among others.

Can you score 20/20 in Today’s Current Affairs Quiz? Attempt the Current Affairs Quiz of  March 7 & 8, 2021, now from the link given below. 

Daily Current Affairs Quiz – March 7 & 8, 2021