Today's Current Affairs 17th March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Vladimir Putin secures another Six-Year Term in Russian Election

• Russian President Vladimir Putin clinched victory in the recent election with a commanding lead of 76.1% of the vote, as per preliminary results.
• Putin is set to become Russia’s longest-serving leader in over two centuries, surpassing Josef Stalin if he completes his term. 

SPORTS

Arjuna Awardee Sheetal Devi Named ECI’s National PwD Icon at Inclusive Cricket Match

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized an exhibition cricket match to promote voter education and inclusivity.
• Sheetal Devi, a renowned Para-archer and Arjuna Awardee, was announced as the National Icon in the PwD category.
• The event was graced by the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Indian Army contingent departing for the joint military exercise “Exercise Lamitiye – 2024”

• The Tenth edition of the Joint Military Exercise “LAMITIYE-2024” between the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
• The exercise will be conducted in Seychelles from 18-27 March 2024.
• ‘LAMITIYE’ means ‘Friendship‘ in the Creole language.
• The exercise has been conducted in Seychelles since 2001. 

OBITUARY

Prominent Tribal Leader Lama Lobzang Passes Away at 94

• The former member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and prominent Buddhist Monk of Ladakh, popularly known as Lama Lobzang, passed away this morning at his residence in New Delhi.
• When the National Commission became constitutional through an amendment of Article 338 of the constitution, he was appointed anew as its member for two terms from 1995 to 1998 and 1998 to 2001. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Navneet Sehgal Appointed as Prasar Bharati Board Chairman

• Retired bureaucrat Navneet Kumar Sehgal has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Prasar Bharati Board.
• The position had been vacant for four years after A Surya Prakash retired in February 2020 after turning 70, the upper age limit for the post.
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday chaired a meeting to appoint the chairman of the nation’s public broadcaster. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Ordnance Factories Day 2024 in India

• Ordnance Factories Day is observed every year on March 18th.
• In 1775, the Board of Ordnance was formed in Fort William, Kolkata. Later, in 1787, a gunpowder factory was established in Ishapore. 

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

Startup Mahakumbh 2024:

• Startup Mahakumbh 2024, a groundbreaking initiative led by industry giants such as ASSOCHAM, Nasscom, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation.
• This three-day event, supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• Central Theme: ‘Bharat Innovates’ 

Tamil Nadu Signs MoU to Implement PM SHRI School Scheme

• The Tamil Nadu government has agreed to implement the PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Launched by the Government of India after approval from the Union Cabinet on September 7, 2022. 

RANKING

India’s ranking on the DHL Connectedness Index

• India climbs to 62nd in 2023 from 67th in 2022 on the DHL Connectedness Index.
• Singapore, the Netherlands, and Ireland lead the global rankings as the most connected countries, reflecting their robust participation in international trade and commerce.