NATIONAL AFFAIRS
5th Foundation Day of BIRAC:
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council in New Delhi celebrated its 5th foundation day which was inaugurated by Union science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan. Entrepreneurs, industry Experts and policy makers including a large number of stakeholders both national and International will take part in the event. The discussion will focus on the impact the Biotech Ecosystem.
Sign language dictionary to release in India soon:
The government is all set to come up with the country’s first-of-its-kind dictionary that aims to bring together various sign languages used by people with speech and hearing impairments.
The Indian Sign Language (ISL) dictionary, which is being developed by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), has so far compiled 6,032 Hindi and English words and corresponding graphic representations of signs. The dictionary is being developed in both print and video formats.
International yoga film festival at ICCR:
Non-profit organisation Namo Gange Trust organised an international yoga film festival at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) auditorium in the Capital. The festival was inaugurated by UN National Information Officer Rajiv Chandran, ICCR Deputy Director General Namrata S. Kumar and media baron Sandeep Marwah.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
World’s happiest country:
As per the revised UN report Norway is the world’s happiest country. It surged from fourth place in last year’s UN report to the top place. China ranked 79th in the study of 155 countries. India ranked at 122 in 2017 report which is 4 ranks behind previous year. Pakistan was at 80th position Nepal stood at 99, Sri Lanka was at 120.
Italy ranks 1st in healthiest country list:
Global Health Index report states that Italy ranks first in the world’s healthiest country list. Every citizen of Italy is expected to live upto 89 years. India ranks 143 in a list of 188 countries, six places a head of Pakistan. China ranks 92 and even war – torn Syria ranks 117.
World Economic Forum List released:
World Economic Forum’s list of 100 Young Global Leaders under 40 years of age. 5 Indians have been name in the list Paytm founder Vijay shekhar Sharma, Blippar app’s founder Ambarish Mitra, Journalist Hindol Sengupta , Rwitwika Bhattacharya and the Tamara coorg hospitality’s Shruthi Shibulal.
BANKING AND BUSINESS
Vodafone, Idea merges to create giant merging:
Vodafone and Idea merger to become the world’s second largest merger. Kumar Birla to be chairman while CFO will be named by Vodafone. CEO and COO to be decided jointly before merger closes. Vodafone to combine Indian arm excluding 42% stake in Indus towers with Idea for Rs. 3,900 crore. AB group to have right to buy 9.5% more from Vodafone at Rs. 130 / share in 3 years from merger close.
Standard Chartered sells its stake:
Standard Chartered private equity has sold almost 4% stakes in Redington ltd for Rs.176 crore. It was bought by Dahlia Commodities services private ltd. Standard chartered private equity held almost 14% stake in Redington, the distributor of Apple products in India.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Maj. Rohit Suri awarded Kirti Chakra:
The military
investiture ceremony held in the
Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan marked both the high and low points of the military under the Narendra Modi Government.
While the second highest peacetime gallantry award ‘Kirti Chakra’ went to a young officer, Major Rohit Suri.
India home to 101 billionaires, Mukesh Ambani tops list: Forbes
The
Forbes list of the
‘World’s Billionaires’ 2017 consists of 2,043 of the richest people in the world who have a combined net worth of
USD 7.67 trillion, a record
18-per cent increase over the past year.
India is home to world’s fourth highest number of billionaires with Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani leading the club of more than 100 super rich Indians, according to a new list released by Forbes magazine.
Canadian Teacher Wins Global Prize
Maggie MacDonnell, a Canadian who teaches at a school in village in the Arctic wins Global Teacher Prize of $1 million, for her work in an Inuit village. She won the award for transforming the lives of her students and her community. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Ms. MacDonnell.
APPOINTMENTS
Jason Kothari appointed as new CEO of FreeCharge:
FreeCharge is the digital payment platform of Snapdeal, Jason Kothari is appointed as the new CEO of FreeCharge and Snapdeal committed to invest an additional $20 million in the company. In addition to taking the role of CEO Jason will continue his key leadership role as chief strategy and investment officer at Snapdeal.
Navanithi Prasad Singh, New Chief Justice of Kerala HC
Justice Navanithi Prasad Singh has taken charge as new
Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court. Justice Navanithi Prasad Singh was a judge in the Patna High Court before his elevation as Chief Justice.
Governor P.Sathasivam administered the oath of office to new Chief Justice.
First woman Foreign Secretary of Pakistan:
Pakistan’s first ever woman Foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua take charge as the foreign secretary of Pakistan by succeeding Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. Prior to this Janjua was serving as a permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Sand Worm Inspired Bio-Gel Material Control Soft Robots
Scientist has developed a new bio-gel material which changes shape in response to its environment and could help control movements of soft robots. The material expands and contracts based on changing pH levels and ion concentrations.
SPORTS
Federer subdues Wawrinka for record-equalling title:
Roger Federer claimed a record-equalling
fifth ATP Indian Wells Masters title continuing his career resurgence with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over
Stan Wawrinka.
Federer joined Novak Djokovic as the only men to win five Indian Wells titles, adding to those he won in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012. He also moved up to No. 6 in the rankings.
Women: Elena Vesnina beat Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Tamil Nadu became a
five-time winner and spoilt
Bengal’s bid for the third time in the title-clash.
Tamil Nadu led to a 37-run victory over Bengal, was the
Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Vidhya Pillai Bags Silver in World Women’s Snooker Championship:
Vidhya Pillai has won silver in the World women’s snooker championship. En route to the final, Vidhya knocked out former European champion, Tatjana Vasiljeva of Latvia in the last, Katrina Wan of Hong Kong, in the quarterfinal and Rebecca Grenger of England in the semifinals.
HISTORICAL EVENTS OF THE DAY
March 21st – World Forestry Day:
The
International Day of Forests was established on the
21st day of March, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012.
Theme 2017: Forests and Energy
March 21st – International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination:
The
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on
21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. Proclaiming the day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
Theme – “Racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including in the context of migration”
OBITUARY:
Gujarati poet Chinu Modi passed away:
Renowned Guajrati poet and ghazal writer Chinu Modi passed away in Ahmedabad. He was professor in Ahmadabad’s Swaminarayan arts college. He worked as script writer in Indian Space Research Organisation in 1975-1977.
