National Affairs
Google Cloud to open second region in Delhi by 2021
Google Cloud, the company’s enterprise wing, has announced plans to open a second cloud region in India at Delhi by 2021. The company currently has one cloud region in Mumbai, which has been operational since 2017.
The Delhi cloud region will have three zones to protect against service disruptions. In combination with the existing Mumbai cloud region Mumbai, it will also enable in-country disaster recovery for the customers’ mission-critical applications.
About Google:
- CEO: Sundar Pichai;
- Founded: 4 September 1998.
- Headquarters: California, United States.
International Conference on Nano-Science and Nano Technology held in Kolkata
“International Conference on Nano Science and Technology” (ICONSAT) was held from 5-7 March at Kolkata. It was organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) Nano Mission that functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The conference aims to provide a potential platform for young researchers and students from within the country and abroad.
International Affairs
Luxembourg becomes first country to make public transport free
Luxembourg is set to become the first country in the world to make all its public transport free.
It is the first country to make all public transit free of charge, a move that is becoming increasingly popular in cities in the U.S.
If the program is successful in moving people from private cars to public transit, those who want to drive will be able to commute on less crowded roads.
About Luxembourg:
- Prime Minister: Xavier Bettel.
- Capital: Luxembourg City.
- Currency: Euro.
Iran says limit using paper money to avoid coronavirus spread
Iran’s health minister on Thursday encouraged the public to reduce its use of paper money as it is aiding the spread of of the new coronavirus, and said authorities will begin manning checkpoints to limit travel between major cities in the Islamic Republic.
Iran and Italy have the world’s highest death tolls outside.
About Iran:
- Capital: Tehran
- Currency: Iranian rial
State Affairs
Madhya Pradesh
Namaste Orchha festival begins in Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, ‘Namaste Orchha’ festival is starting in Orchha, a famous tourist destination of the state. Orchha is famous for its Ramaraja temple as well as other historical buildings.
Three days Namaste Orchha festival is an attempt to creating new opportunities and initiatives to promote the state and its rich cultural, natural and architectural heritage and its traditions and history.
Uttarakhand
Gairsain to be summer capital of Uttarakhand
CM Rawat announced during the budget session to make Gairsain the summer capital of the Uttarakhad. He announced this at the end of the budget session held in the Gairsain assembly.
Those who spearheaded the movement for statehood to Uttarakhand in 1990 wanted Gaisain in Chamoli district to be made as permanent capital.
About Uttarakhand:
- Capital- Gairsain (summer capital), Dehradun (winter capital).
- Governor- Baby Rani Maurya.
Banking Affairs
Govt imposes withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000 for depositors of Yes Bank
The government has imposed a withdrawal limit of 50,000 rupees for depositors of beleaguered private lender Yes Bank for one month.
An official notification issued by the finance ministry said that the cap will stay in effect till 3rd of April. The limit on withdrawal comes with a few exemptions, in cases like medical emergency, higher education, marriage and unavoidable emergency.
About Yes Bank:
- CEO – Ravneet Gill
- Headquarters – Mumbai
- Founded- 2004
RBI Deputy Governor N.S. Vishwanathan resigned ahead of retirement
N.S Vishwanathan, one of the Reserve Bank of India’s deputy governors, who is due to retire on July 3,2020, has announced his resignation due to health problems.
He was first appointed as the Reserve Bank’s deputy governor for a three-year term in 2016, following which he was reappointed one year.
About RBI:
- Governor- Shaktikanta Das.
- Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Appointments
Ajay Bhushan Pandey appointed as the new Finance Secretary
Government of India appointed the current Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey as the new Finance Secretary. Pandey replaces current Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar.
Kumar, a 1984 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre, was in July last year designated as the finance secretary.
Janez Jansa becomes new Prime Minister of Slovenia
Leader of Slovenian Democratic Party, Janez Jansa becomes new Prime Minister of Slovenia. He will replace centre-left Prime Minister Marjan Sarec, who resigned from his post in January 2020.
About Slovenia:
- President: Borut Pahor.
- Capital: Ljubljana.
- Currency: Euro.
Schemes
Student Health Card scheme for school children launched in J&K
In Jammu and Kashmir, Lt. Governor G.C. Murmu launched Student Health Card scheme in Jammu to check the malnutrition in school going children.
Under this, school children will undergo a regular checkup so that malnutrition can be prevented.
Books & Authors
Smriti Irani releases book titled Chronicles of Change Champions
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani released a book titled Chronicles of Change Champions in New Delhi.
The book is a compilation of 25 innovative initiatives taken at the state and district levels under the Prime Minister’s flagship scheme of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.
Sports Affairs
Badminton Asia Championships 2020 shifted to Manila from Wuhan
Badminton Asia confirmed that Badminton world federation (BWF) has shifted the Badminton Asia Championships 2020 to Manila, Philippines from Wuhan, China. It will be conducted in Manila from April 21 to 26, 2020.
The Badminton Asia Championship 2020 event is shifted due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and this championship falls within the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Qualification window.
About Philippines:
- President- Rodrigo Duterte
- Currency– Philippine Peso
Mumbai set to host IOC session in 2023
Mumbai will be hosting the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) session in 2023. The announcement was passed by IOC president Thomas Bach.
The committee chose India to encourage and support the National Olympic Committee of India and all the National Federations to promote and strengthen Olympic sport in the country.
International Olympic Committee (IOC):
- Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Formed on: 23 June 1894
Obituaries
Former UN Chief Javier Perez de Cuellar passes away
Former UN Chief Javier Perez de Cuellar, who served as United Nations Secretary General from 1981 to 1991, passed away in his native Peru.
Perez de Cuellar notably led the world body during the Iran-Iraq war and the civil war in El Salvador.
Javier Perez de Cuellar was born on 19th January 1920 in Lima Peru. He awarded Prince of Asturias Prize for the promotion of Ibero-American cooperation in 1987 and also Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding.
Important Days
Janaushadhi Week being celebrated from March 1 to 7
Janaushadhi week is being celebrated across the country from 1st of this month through more than 6200 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras. Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners are organising different types of activities for making awareness about health and hygiene.
On the fourth day of the event for empowering women, the event was focused on the theme ‘Suvidha Se Sammaan’.
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