Today's Current Affairs 21st March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Vaughan Gething Becomes First Black Leader of a European Country

• Vaughan Gething, who currently serves as the Economic Minister of Wales, has been elected as the new leader of the Welsh Labour Party.
• His victory marks a historic milestone as he becomes the first ever Black person to lead a European country. 

NATIONAL

Tamil Nadu Makes History with India’s Second Privately Developed Rocket

• Tamil Nadu is set to witness a historic event as one of its space startups, Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, prepares to launch its first rocket, Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• This launch will also be India’s first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch, showcasing advancements in propulsion technology.
• Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and Satya Chakravarthy, became the first company in India to collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the IN-SPACe initiative. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Kiren Rijiju gets additional charge after Pashupati Kumar Paras resigns from Union cabinet

• Pashupati Kumar Paras, former Union minister and president of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), resigned from the Union Cabinet following his party’s exclusion from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seat-sharing arrangement in Bihar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
• In response, President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation and appointed Kiren Rijiju with an additional charge as the Minister of Food Processing Industries. 

Arvind Kapil Takes Over as Poonawalla Fincorp CEO

• Poonawalla Fincorp, a leading non-banking financial company (NBFC), has appointed Arvind Kapil as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
• He will be replacing the current MD and CEO Abhay Bhutada, who is taking early retirement. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Forestry Day 2024:

• Every year, we celebrate World Forestry Day on March 21st. In 2024, it falls on a Thursday.
• The United Nations General Assembly established World Forestry Day in 2012.
• The theme for 2024 is “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World.” 

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2024

• On 21st March every year, we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
• The theme for 2024 is “A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent”.
• This year’s theme is linked to the International Decade for People of African Descent, which spans from 2015 to 2024. 

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

YES Bank Partners with Indian Olympic Association for Paris Olympics

• YES Bank has forged a strategic partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to become the Official Banking Partner for Team India at the Paris Olympics 2024.
• YES Bank introduces the ‘Milkar Jitayengey’ campaign. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Mineral Production in the Country Grows by 5.9% during January 2024

• In January 2024, the index of mineral production in the mining and quarrying sector stood at 144.1, indicating a 5.9% increase compared to January 2023. 

GRID-INDIA Achieves Miniratna Status

• Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) has achieved a significant milestone by being conferred with the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).
• This recognition was bestowed upon by the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• Established in 2009, GRID-INDIA holds the crucial mandate of overseeing the seamless and uninterrupted operation of the Indian Power System. 

All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers – February, 2024

• In February 2024, the All-India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Agricultural Laborers and Rural Laborers remained stable, with figures of 1258 and 1269, respectively, based on the 1986-87=100 index.
• The CPI-AL and RL for March 2024 will be disclosed on April 19, 2024.