NATIONAL AFFAIRS
The 48th Kerala State Film Awards
The 48th Kerala State Film Awards chose “Manhole”, directed by Vidhu Vincent, as the best film and T.K. Vinayakan as the best actor. Vidhu Vincent was also chosen the best director, becoming the first woman to win the award in its 48- year-old history.
Vinayakan has bagged the award for the best actor for his outstanding performance in “Kammattipaadam”. Rajisha who played the lead role in “Anuraga Karikkin Vellam” won the best actress category.
Delhi’s per capita income likely to cross Rs.3 lakh in 2016-17: survey
As per the latest Economic Survey of Delhi, the per capita income of the city, which is already three times the national average, is likely to cross ₹3 lakh during 2016-17. The advance estimate of the per capita income of Delhi at current prices during 2016-17 is estimated at ₹3,03,073,” read the survey which was tabled in the Delhi Assembly.
33% sub-quota for women in railway food stalls: IRCTC
Railways have introduced 33 per cent of sub-quota for women in the allotment of food stalls at rail premises as a special provision in the new catering policy. The new catering policy was launched recently by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu as promised in the Rail Budget 2016-17. The allotment of quota for women in catering units aims to empower women economically, according to a senior IRCTC official.
CBSE exams 2017: Now an app to locate exam centre
Now finding the exam centre has become much simpler as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched a mobile app for students of Class 10 and 12 appearing for their board exams this year. The app, called The Exam Locator App, facilitates in locating exam centres on the basis of the students’ roll numbers.
Curative drugs to India for diseases like HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria
India has been receiving child-friendly syrup for HIV Lopinavir, health ministry in the meanwhile released a 6 crore payment due to cipla pharmaceuticals. India is likely to receive drugs from a rapid supply facility routed through the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberclousis and malaria (GFATM).
Power Finance Corp provides Rs 2,703 crore to West Bengal’s first super critical project
PFC, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in power sector, has sanctioned a term loan of Rs 2,703.88 crore to West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd (WBPDCL) for construction of Unit 5 (1 X 660 MW) under phase III of Sagardighi Thermal Power Station in Murshidabad.
The 660 MW Sagardighi Unit 5 is the first super critical thermal power plant being developed by WBPDCL in the state, which is expected to be commissioned by October 2020 at an estimated cost of Rs 3,862.69 crore.
Yogoda Satsang Society of India celebrates 100 years of journey
Prime Minister Modi released a commemorative postage stamp on 100th anniversary of the Yogoda satsang society of India at a function in New Delhi. The organization was founded in the year 1917 by Paramahansa Yogananada.
Eight highways in Gujarat to be upgraded at Rs 12,000 crore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced investment of Rs 12,000 crore in upgrading eight state highways to National Highways in Gujarat as part of efforts to boost infrastructure development and job generation in the state.
India first in bribery rate
India had the highest bribery rate among the 16 Asia-Pacific countries surveyed by Transparency International between July 2015 and January 2017, with nearly seven in 10 people who had accessed public services in the country during the period paying a bribe.
As much as 69% of the study group in India said they had paid a bribe, given a gift or done a favour to receive services. Vietnam follows with 65%, Thailand 41% and Pakistan 40%. China reported a much lower 26%.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Indo-Nepal military exercises commence in Pithoragarh
A two-week-long Indo-Nepal joint military exercise began at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand with an aim to enhance anti-terror cooperation. Surya Kiran, it is eleventh such joint exercise between armies of the two countries in boosting counter insurgency operations in mountainous terrain. This is a battalion level joint exercise between the two armies.
India, Portugal keen to further IT, communication ties: Ravi Shankar Prasad
India and Portugal stressed the need to further explore opportunities to strengthen ties in the field of information and communication technology, said by IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
To fast-track the collaboration, the government is also looking to set up a working group to enhance the scope for furthering ties, which will be a follow-up of a bilateral agreement between both the countries.
China overtakes euro zone as world’s biggest bank system
China’s banking system has surpassed that of the euro zone to become the world’s largest by assets, a sign both of the country’s increased influence in world finance and its reliance on debt to drive growth since the global financial crisis.
Chinese bank assets hit $33tn at the end of 2016, versus $31tn for the euro zone, $16tn for the US and $7tn for Japan. The value of China’s banking system is more than 3.1 times the size of the country’s annual economic output, compared with 2.8 times for the euro zone and its banks.
BANKING & BUSINESS
MakeMyTrip, PayPal partner for hotel bookings
Payments platform PayPal announced an extension of its merchant partnership with MakeMyTrip, Indian online travel booking company, to facilitate hotel and holidays booking in addition to airline tickets.
The partnership with MakeMyTrip will help foreign tourists continue to enjoy the seamless and secure PayPal experience to book hotels and holiday packages and tide through the recent challenges they are facing post the demonetisation of select Indian currencies.
Government in talks with 300 companies to attract $62 billion investment
The government and its investment promotion agency, Invest India, are in talks with close to 300 companies both Indian and foreign to channelize investment of close to $62 billion (over Rs 4 lakh crore) into the country, which may help create over 17 lakh jobs.
Indian economy to grow 7.1% in this fiscal; Dec quarter GDP numbers surprising: Fitch
Global rating agency Fitch said Indian economy will grow by 7.1 per cent in the current fiscal before stepping up to 7.7 per cent in the next two financial years. The US-based agency, however, termed the 7 per cent GDP growth for the October-December quarter as “surprising”, a tad lower than 7.4 per cent in the previous quarter.
SBI launches ‘Work from Home’ facility for employees
Country’s largest lender State Bank of India launched a new facility to enable its employees to work from home. The Board of the bank has recently approved the ‘Work from Home’ policy to enable its employees to work while at home using mobile devices to address any urgent requirement they may have, that prevents their travelling to work.
IDFC launches Aadhaar Pay, becomes the first to launch biometric based payment system
IDFC has become the first bank to launch the biometric-based payment system Aadhaar Pay through its network. The bank aims to onboard anywhere between 50,000-75,000 merchant to the Aadhaar pay module in the next two years with a total target of touching 1,00,000 merchants over the next 36 months or three years.
AWARDS
President to award Rajasthan Minister
President Pranab Mukherjee will give away the Nari Shakti Puraskar to Rajasthan Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Anita Bhadel, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Rajasthan has been selected for its work on improving child sex ratio.
Historical Events of the Day
International Women’s Day Observed on March 8th
In 2017, the theme of the International Women’s Day is ‘Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030’, asking for #Be Bold For Change. It highlights on to call the masses or yourself to put efforts to make a more gender inclusive world.
SPORTS
Ashwin rewrites Hadlee’s record
R. Ashwin stands where no bowler has stood before. The wicket of Peter Handscomb in Australia’s second innings was the off-spinner’s 25th five-for in his 47th Test. He became the quickest to achieve the feat, erasing the record held by Richard Hadlee (62 games). For India, Anil Kumble took 86 matches and Harbhajan Singh 93.
Pablo Cuevas Wins Third Straight Brazil Open Title
Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas has won his third straight Brazil Open tennis title by defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain 6-7 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4 in a rain-affected final.
Oppo gets Indian team’s sponsorship
Oppo Mobiles India Pvt. Ltd. outbid its counterpart Vivo to bag the prized spot on the front of the Indian team’s jersey from April 2017 to March 2022.
The Indian cricket team’s sponsorship rights, for the next five years, have been sold for a record high of ₹1,079 crore. Oppo will replace Star India Pvt. Ltd.
OBITUARY
Folk singer Kalikaprasad dies
Well-known musician, researcher and singer Kalikaprasad Bhattacharya was killed in a road accident in Bardhaman district. He was 56.
