Today's Current Affairs 11th March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora: Pakistan’s First Sikh Minister in Punjab

• Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, a three-time member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Pakistan, has become the first Sikh minister in the Punjab province.
• The cabinet in Punjab was formed by the newly elected Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. 

Sea6 Energy Launches World’s First Large-Scale Mechanized Tropical Seaweed Farm

• Sea6 Energy, a pioneer in the Blue Economy, has launched the world’s first large-scale mechanized tropical seaweed farm off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia.
• The one-square-kilometer seaweed farm is a significant milestone in establishing the scalability of sustainable tropical seaweed cultivation for various industrial applications. 

NATIONAL

UGC Introduces SheRNI, Helping Female Scientists And Faculty Connect

• The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, known as the ‘She Research Network in India’ (SheRNI).
• The SheRNI database currently hosts profiles of 81,818 women faculty members, showcasing their vast contributions to the field of science. 

J&K Police Launches “Operation Kamdhenu” to Combat Cattle Smuggling

• In Jammu and Kashmir, the police have initiated “Operation Kamdhenu” to curb the rampant issue of cattle smuggling in the Jammu, Samba, and Kathua (JSK) police ranges.
• Manoj Sinha is the second Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Union Minister Arjun Munda Inaugurates National Dairy Mela and Agricultural Exhibition in Jharkhand

• The 3-day National Dairy Mela and Agricultural Exhibition at Chaibasa in Jharkhand was inaugurated by Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Agriculture, and Farmers Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda.
• Organized by the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, this event marks the first of its kind in Jharkhand, aimed at fostering the comprehensive development of livestock and agriculture in tribal areas. 

PM Modi Launches Mahtari Vandan Yojana in Chhattisgarh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the ‘Mahtari Vandan Yojana’ in Chhattisgarh from Kashi, Uttar Pradesh.
• PM Modi disbursed the first installment of Rs 1,000 to 70,12,417 women in Chhattisgarh. 

RANKING

Happiest Country in the World 2024

• The World Happiness Report, produced by the United Nations, assesses global happiness levels using data primarily gathered from the Gallup World Poll.
• In 2024, Finland retains its title as the world’s happiest country with a score of 7.804.
• India ranks 126th out of 146 countries in the World Happiness Report, with a score of 4.036.
• Surpassing India in happiness are neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and China. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

India Becomes Second-Largest Mobile Phone Producer Globally

• At the end of the decade from 2014 to 2024, India has emerged as the world’s second-largest producer of mobile phones.
• According to the India Cellular and Electronics Association, the mobile phone sector has transformed from being 78 percent import-dependent in 2014 to achieving 97 per cent self-sufficiency by 2024. Only 3 per cent of the total mobile phones sold in India are now imported. 

Majuli Mask Making and Manuscript Painting Receive GI Tags

• Majuli, the largest river island in the world, has received two prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tags from the Indian government for its traditional crafts – Majuli mask making and Majuli manuscript painting.
• Masks have been made in Majuli since the 16th century
• Sudha Murty is known for her novel – ‘Dollar Bahu’.
• Murty is married to the co-founder of Infosys, Narayan Murty.