National Affairs
Mission Solar Charkha of Ministry of MSME
The Solar Charkha Mission was initiated by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) implemented the program.
- The Scheme aims to ensure inclusive growth by the generation of employment, especially for women and youth, and sustainable development through solar charkha clusters in rural areas.
- So far, ten projects have been approved under Mission Solar Charkha.
- The total cost for one cluster of Solar Charkha would involve a maximum subsidy of Rs.9.599 crore.
International Affairs
World Bank increases COVID-19 response funding to 14 bn US Dollar
World Bank has announced 14 billion US Dollars to assist companies and countries in their efforts to respond to the rapid spread of COVID-19. It has added 2 billion dollars to the initial package.
- The fund will strengthen national systems for public health preparedness, including for disease containment, diagnosis and treatment, and support the private sector.
About World Bank:
- President – David Malpass
- Headquarters – Washington, D.C
- Founded – 1944
Philippines first country to suspend all financial markets as coronavirus spreads
The Phillipines has become the first country of the world to suspend all financial markets. The financial shutdown was confirmed from the statements from the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Bankers Association of the Philippines.
- The Philippine Stock Exchange was closed on 17th of March indefinitely, while currency and bond trading were suspended.
- The decision to suspend the financial markets was taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
State Affairs
Haryana
Haryana’s Amin village renamed as Abhimanyupur
The Central Government approved renaming the Amin village as Abhimanyupur in Kurukshetra district of Haryana as per the request of the State government. The decision has been taken by the Union Home Ministry after getting permission from a few central organisations.
About Haryana:
- Capital– Chandigarh.
- Chief Minister (CM)– Manohar Lal Khattar.
- Governor– Satyadev Narayan Arya.
Madhya Pradesh
M Gopal Reddy appointed as Chief Secretary of MP
The Madhya Pradesh governmentappointed M Gopal Reddy as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Madhya Pradesh chief secretary’s office before he takes charge as the state’s new chief secretary from April 1.
A 1985-batch IAS officer, Reddy will replace current chief secretary Sudhi Ranjan Mohanty (1982 batch), who is retiring from service on March 31.
About Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital– Bhopal
- Chief Minister– Kamal Nath
- Governor– Lalji Tandon
Appointments
Ravinder Singh Dhillon is the new CMD of PFC
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ravinder Singh Dhillon as Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Power. He will be serving in this post till his superannuation on May 31, 2023.
- Dhillon is currently serving as Director (Projects) in the same organisation.
Banking & Finance
Flipkart teamed up with Aegon life insurance to sell quick-access life insurance policies
E-commerce marketplace Flipkart and Aegon Life Insurance joined hands to sell comprehensive insurance solutions for customers looking for instant digital policies with a sum assured of up to Rs 10 lakh.
- This partnership aims to overcome the issue & make life insurance more convenient & transparent for customers at the click of a button.
About Aegon Life Insurance:
- Headquarters– Mumbai, India
- Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Vineet Arora
Science & Technology
Innovate for Accessible India: Microsoft India and NASSCOM campaign to empower People with Disabilities
Microsoft India and NASSCOM Foundation launched the ‘Innovate for Accessible India’ campaign on March 17, 2020. The initiative has been launched in partnership with Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Science and Technology and ERNET, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and other departments.
- The major objective of ‘Innovate for Accessible India’ campaign is to empower divyaang people with the tools and technology. This campaign wants to equip divyaang people with a technology that can help them to make their life easier.
About Microsoft India Private Limited:
- Headquarters– Hyderabad,Telangana
- President– Anant Maheshwari
Awards
Rohini Mohan and Arfa Khanum Sherwani win the Chameli Devi Jain Award for outstanding woman journalists
The 2019 Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Women Mediaperson for the year has been awarded to independent journalist Rohini Mohan and The Wire’s Arfa Khanum Sherwani.
- First given in the 1980s, the award is instituted by the Media Foundation. Last year’s recipient was Priyanka Dubey of the BBC.
- The annual award recognises social concern, dedication, courage and compassion all over India from the print, broadcast and online media category.
Important Points:
- Headquarters of Power Finance Corporation: New Delhi.
Sports Affairs
ATK wins record third ISL title, beats Chennaiyin FC in final
ATK FC became the first team in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) history to win the title thrice after overcoming Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the Hero ISL 2019-20 final played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.
- Javier Hernandez and Edu Garcia were the goal scorers for ATK FC in the final match. ATK (Atlético de Kolkata) is an Indian professional football club based in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- The ATK (Atlético de Kolkata) won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2014 and added its second title in 2016, beating Kerala Blasters in the final on both occasions.
Euro-2020 football tournament postponed by one year due to COVID-19 threat
The Euro-2020 football tournament has been postponed by one year until 2021 because of the Coronavirus pandemic. This was stated by the Norwegian Football Association.
- The tournament will now take place from 11th June to 11th of July next year. The tournament was due to take place from 12th June to 12th of July this year at 12 venues across Europe.
Obituaries
Noted Marathi Actor Jairam Kulkarni Passes Away
Noted Marathi Actor Jairam Kulkarani passed away. He was born in Barshi tehsil in Solapur district, Maharashtra.
- Kulkarni had acted in more than 150 films, including ‘Chal Re Laxya Mumbaila’, ‘Ashi Hi Banwabanwi’, ‘Thartharat’, ‘Rangat Sangat’
- His last movie ‘Khel Aayushyacha’ was released recently.
Veteran actor Imtiaz Khan passes away
Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passed away. He starred in movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Dharmatama, Dayavan and Noor Jahan among more.
- He was an actor and director and associated with popular films such as Hulchul, Pyaara Dost, and Procession of Memories. He was the brother of late Bollywood star Amjad Khan’s.
Miscellaneous
Ministry of External Affairs opens 24×7 helplines for COVID-19
Ministry of External Affairs has opened 24×7 helplines for COVID-19.
- The toll-free number of the Control Room is 1800118797.
- Other numbers are 91- 11- 23012113, 91- 11- 23014104 and 91- 11- 23017905.
- The fax number is 91- 011- 23018158.
- People can also mail on the email ID [email protected].
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