Today's Current Affairs 20th March 2023

NATIONAL

Rajasthan CM announces creation of 19 new districts, 3 new divisions

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced his government's decision to form 19 new districts and three new divisions in the state, earmarking Rs 2,000 crore for development of infrastructure for them. This is the first time since 2008 that new districts are being carved out, taking the number of districts to 50 in the state. The three new divisions will be in Banswara, Pali and Sikar,

He said a high-level committee was formed to study the formation of new districts and the state government has received a report. "In this way, the state will now have 19 new districts," the chief minister said during a discussion on the Budget.

Asia’s largest Tulip Garden opens for public at Srinagar in J&K

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Asia’s largest Tulip Garden was thrown open to public at Srinagar yesterday. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the opening ceremony and invited people from all over the world to visit J&K and discover the mesmerising beauty of 16 Lakh tulip flowers and enjoy the warm hospitality of the people of Jammu Kashmir. The Lieutenant Governor said that last year, an unprecedented 3.60 lakh tourists visited the Tulip Garden and believed that the number will further increase this year.

Varanasi to home UP’s Third International Cricket Venue

Following Lucknow and Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh will now get its third international cricket stadium. The stadium will be constructed in Varanasi, which will begin in May-June of this year. Further, the construction of the stadium is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

According to authorities, the state government has bought 31 acres of land in Varanasi’s Rajatalab region for the international cricket stadium, which would be given over to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by the end of this month. In this context, BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah and BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla visited Varanasi earlier this week.  Furthermore, the projected cricket stadium will cost roughly around Rs 300 crore to take shape and be built as per international standards. It is projected to have a seating capacity of 30,000 guests.

SPORTS

ISSF World Cup Shooting Championship to begin today – 20^TH March at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh

International Shooting Sports Federation- ISSF World Cup Shooting Championship is organised in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh from 20 to 27 March.  The official opening ceremony will be held on 21 March while competitions begin on 22 March at Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will formally inaugurate this event on 21 March.   Around 325 shooters from 33 countries and more than 75 technical officials will participate in the World Cup Shooting Championship.   The Championship is being organized in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the Rifle Federation of India.  It is the 8th World Cup organised in India and the first international shooting tournament to be held outside New Delhi.

 Tim Paine Announces Retirement From First-Class Cricket

The Hobart-born Paine represented Tasmania over 18 years after debuting in 2005, playing 153 first-class matches. Former Australia test cricket captain Tim Paine has announced his retirement following the conclusion of Tasmania's Sheffield Shield first-class match against Queensland on Friday

Wicketkeeper Paine captained Australia in 23 tests between early 2018 and 2021, playing 35 tests overall. He became Australia's 46th test skipper after Steve Smith had his captaincy stripped in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal on Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa.

Paine, who debuted against Pakistan at Lord's in 2010, averaged 32.63 in test matches with a top score of 92 and made 157 dismissals behind the stumps. He also played 35 one-day internationals for Australia.

Archery Asia Cup 2023: Indian archers shine as they bagged 10 medals in the tournament

Indian archers finished with a rich haul of 10 medals - five gold, four silver and one bronze - at the Asia Cup 2023 archery stage-1 world ranking tournament in Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei . In all, 16 Indian archers including eight men and eight women competed at the Asia Cup 2023 in Taoyuan. India topped the medal tally with 10 medals, while Taipei and Kazakhstan finished second and third.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Lalit Kumar Gupta appointed as CMD of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Lalit Kumar Gupta as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), a PSU under the Ministry of Textile. According to an order issued from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Gupta has been appointed as CMD of CCI with effect from the date of his assumption of charge of the post for a period of five years, or till the date of his superannuation, or until further orders, whichever is the earlier.

Mr. Gupta has completed his MBA in Marketing from ITM Business School of Navi Mumbai. He is a Chartered Accountant (CA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He is also a member of the Institute of the Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). He has a rich experience in the Finance and related sector. Gupta has a very long association with Cotton Corporation of about 25 years. He joined CCI in August 1994.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Happiness

It’s a day to be happy, of course! Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.

Happiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.”

In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness.

The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

 

World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day is observed globally on March 20 every year with the primary aim of creating awareness about the importance of oral health. The day is celebrated to promote good oral hygiene habits, encourage people to take care of their teeth, and educate them on how to prevent dental problems. Each year, World Oral Health Day is given a specific theme. The theme for 2023 is “Be Proud of Your Mouth". It was chosen for three years as part of a campaign launched by the World Dental Federation (FDI) in 2021. The last two World Oral Health Days also had the same theme.

Oral health is an essential part of overall health and well-being and it is important to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent dental problems. Neglecting oral health can lead to various problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. World Health Day is geared towards inspiring people to unite and reduce the burden of oral diseases.