Current affairs -29 march
International News
International News
1. Saudi Arabia becomes Shanghai Cooperation Organization dialogue partner
The Saudi Arabian government has taken a significant step towards joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional alliance dominated by China and Russia.
During a cabinet meeting presided over by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, a memorandum was approved to initiate dialogue with the SCO.
The decision to pursue membership was reportedly raised during a visit to Saudi Arabia by Chinese President Xi Jinping in December of last year.
2. Tanzania announces outbreak of deadly Marburg virus disease
The northwestern Kagera region of Tanzania has been declared an epidemic zone by the country's leaders after five people died and three others were diagnosed with Marburg viral disease (MVD) at a local hospital.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 161 individuals who are at risk of contracting the virus through contact tracing.
Defence News
3. 1st joint conference of army chiefs of India and African countries begins
The inaugural joint conference between the Indian and African army chiefs is scheduled to take place in Pune, with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh as the guest of honor and Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pandey in attendance.
This marks the first-ever conference of its kind between these nations, with 10 army chiefs and 31 representatives from African countries in attendance.
Additionally, an exhibition under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative will be held to showcase defense products and target the African market.
4. India's Defence Exports to Reach Rs 40,000 Crore by 2026: Rajnath Singh
India is set to become a major exporter of defense equipment and materials, with exports projected to be worth Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore by 2026.
The announcement was made by Union minister Rajnath Singh during a speech at Symbiosis International University, where he emphasized the importance of self-reliance and creating an ecosystem that fosters self-confidence.
Since adopting the Indianization program, India's defense exports have increased from Rs 900 crore in 2014 to Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 16,000 crore today.
Singh expressed his pride in the country's defense forces, which are now meeting 80% of their needs through indigenous procurement.
Banking News
5. Axis Bank launches 'MicroPay' based on 'Pin on Mobile' technology for digital payments
Axis Bank, one of India's top private sector banks, has introduced a groundbreaking payment solution called "MicroPay" in collaboration with technical partners Ezetap by Razorpay and MyPinpad.
MicroPay is a "PIN on Mobile" solution that transforms a merchant's smartphone into a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, making digital payments easier and delivering a one-of-a-kind customer experience.
6. NPCI recommends PPI charges for UPI payments
Starting from April 1, merchants carrying out transactions through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) using Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) will be subjected to charges, according to a circular issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued a circular stating that merchants conducting transactions on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) using Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) will be charged an interchange fee of 1.1% on the transaction amount for amounts over Rs 2,000.
7. PFRDA raises ombudsman age limit to 70 years from 65 years
The government increased the maximum age for Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority's (PFRDA) ombudsman from 65 to 70 years.
The ombudsman is responsible for receiving, evaluating, and helping to resolve complaints or grievances that come under PFRDA regulations.
Summits and Conferences
8. India to host SCO-National Security Advisors meeting, Pakistan, China likely to join virtually
The National Security Advisers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will convene in New Delhi, with China and Pakistan expected to attend virtually.
Ajit Doval, the Indian National Security Adviser, will give the opening remarks, followed by discussions between SCO national security advisers and top officials.
Appointments News
9. Pranav Haridasan to be new MD and CEO of Axis Securities
Pranav Haridasan has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Securities for the next three years.
B Gopkumar, who is currently the MD & CEO of Axis Securities, has been transferred to Axis Asset Management Company as MD & CEO.
Pranav Haridasan has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Securities for the next three years.
He is currently serving as Managing Director and Co-Head of Equities at Axis Capital, and has over 20 years of experience in financial markets, having worked with Citigroup Global Markets as Director and Head of India/ ASEAN Execution Services before joining Axis Capital.
10. NDTV appoints former SEBI Chairman UK Sinha and Dipali Goenka as Independent Directors
NDTV announced to the stock exchanges that Upendra Kumar Sinha, the former chairman of Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has been appointed as the non-executive chairperson and independent director of the NDTV board of directors.
Additionally, Dipali Goenka, the CEO of Welspun India, has also been appointed as an independent director on the NDTV board.
Schemes News
11. Government of India launched National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) for prevention and control of Rabies
The Central Government has launched a program called the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), which seeks to prevent and manage cases of Rabies.
The objectives of the NRCP include providing rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin through free national drug initiatives, conducting training on appropriate animal bite management, prevention and control of rabies, surveillance, and intersectoral coordination, enhancing the surveillance of animal bites and reporting of rabies deaths, and raising awareness about rabies prevention.
Awards News
12. NGO from Assam honoured with Children’s Champion Award
Tapoban, an NGO based in Pathsala, Assam, which focuses on supporting children with special needs and autism, has been honored with the prestigious Children's Champion Award 2023 in the health and nutrition category.
This award is presented by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and acknowledges individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the welfare of children in various areas such as education, justice, health, nutrition, sports, and creative arts.
13. Kashmir's Aliya Mir honoured with Wildlife Conservation Award 2023
The Union Territory has awarded wildlife conservationist Aliya Mir for her exceptional efforts in conservation.
Aliya is the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to work for Wildlife SOS and is the first woman in the region to receive this honour.
She received the award from Lt. Manoj Sinha at the World Forestry Day celebrations hosted by the Jammu and Kashmir Collective Forests.
Aliya was recognized for her remarkable contributions to wildlife conservation, including rescuing and releasing wild animals, caring for injured animals, and saving bears in Kashmir.
14. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman honoured with literary award
The Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) presented a unique literary award to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh for his trilogy of books, which includes The Unfinished Memoirs, The Prison Diaries, and the New China 1952
.
FOSWAL acknowledged Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's exceptional literary skills and awarded him for his outstanding literary excellence in the trilogy, according to the citation provided by the organization.
Science and Technology
17. NASA to send 4 humans to live on Mars from June 2023
This summer, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing four individuals to live on Mars.
The four "Martians" will be a part of NASA's human exploration trip on Mars, even though the American space agency has long sought to send humans to the neighbouring planet. Also, NASA has sending satellites, the InSight lander, a rover mission with the Perseverance rover, the Ingenuity small robotic helicopter, and related delivery systems, all of which are intended to provide the Red Planet with its first comprehensive examination.
The four volunteers are a part of a 12-month project to get people ready for visiting Mars.
When humans eventually land on Mars, they will do so in a habitat that replicates the circumstances there.
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