Today's Current Affairs 19th March 2024

NATIONAL

Election Commission launches ‘Mission 414’ campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout

• The Election Commission has launched a special campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout in 414 polling stations with less than 60% voting during the last Lok Sabha polls.

About Election commission of India:

Founded: 25 January 1950

Headquarters: New Delhi 

India-US Joint Military Exercise “EX TIGER TRIUMPH – 24”

• A joint military exercise called Tiger Triumph-24 between India and the United States started on March 18 and will continue until March 31. This exercise is taking place on the Eastern Seaboard (East Coast) of India.
• They had last met in November 2023 for the India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi.

About US:

Capital: Washington, D.C.

Speaker: Mike Johnson (Republican Party)

Attorney general: Merrick Garland 

SPORTS

Carlos Alcaraz Tops Daniil Medvedev to Repeat As Indian Wells Champion

• In the final of the Indian Wells ATP tournament on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia in straight sets, with a score of 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.
• Alcaraz became the first player to win back-to-back Indian Wells titles since Novak Djokovic did it from 2014 to 2016. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Indian Army Inducts First Apache 451 Aviation Squadron

• The Indian Army has raised its first squadron, the 451 Aviation Squadron, to operate the newly acquired AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
• The squadron was formally established on March 15 at Jodhpur. 

Guyana Inks Deal to Purchase Indian-Made Dornier Aircraft

• The Indian defence industry is expanding its reach to the Caribbean region.
• The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) plans to purchase two aircraft from India with a loan of $23.27 million from the Export-Import Bank of India.
• Guyana will acquire two Dornier 228 aircraft made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of India.

About Guyana:

Capital: Georgetown

President: Irfaan Ali

Prime minister: Mark Phillips 

Indian Army’s New Tech Unit STEAG

• The Indian Army has set up a specialized technology unit called Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG) to research and evaluate next-generation communication technologies. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Poonawalla Fincorp Appoints Arvind Kapil as MD & CEO

• Poonawalla Fincorp, a notable NBFC, has chosen Arvind Kapil, a seasoned retail banking expert from HDFC Bank, as its new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer.
• Kapil will commence his five-year term on June 24, 2024, succeeding Abhay Bhutada, who opted for early retirement. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

French Language Day 2024: 20 March

• On March 20th, the United Nations celebrates French Language Day. This is one of the six official languages celebrated by the UN each year.
• French Language Day commemorates March 20, 1970.
• The UN introduced Language Days in 2010 to celebrate its 6 official languages
• The OIF’s theme is “The Francophonie of the Future” 

International Day of Happiness 2024:

• The International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20th.
• On July 12, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution, this resolution declared March 20th as the International Day of Happiness. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Tata Sons Announces Sale of 0.6% Stake in TCS for over ₹9,300 Crore

• Tata Sons, aiming to alleviate its debt, plans to sell 0.65% equity in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for ₹9,362.3 crore. This move precedes a potential IPO, with related stocks rallying.

About TCS:

Founders: Faquir Chand Kohli, J. R. D. Tata

CEO: K. Krithivasan (1 Jun 2023–)

Headquarters: Mumbai

Founded: 1 April 1968 

Axis Bank commits ₹100 crore to Enhance Cancer Care through National Cancer Grid

• In an effort to advance cancer care in India, Axis Bank has pledged a significant contribution of ₹100 crore to the National Cancer Grid (NCG), in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre.

About Axis Bank:

CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry (1 Jan 2019)

Founded: 1993, Ahmedabad

Headquarters: Mumbai