Today's Current Affairs 29th March 2024

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Indian Army Kicks Off Annual Army Commanders’ Conference in Hybrid Format

• The Indian Army is organizing the first Army Commanders’ Conference for the year 2024 in a hybrid mode.
• The virtual segment of the conference is scheduled for 28th March 2024, followed by the physical mode in New Delhi on 1st and 2nd April 2024.
• The conference will be chaired by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Pande. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Nidhu Saxena Appointed as MD & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra

• The central government has approved the appointment of Nidhu Saxena as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of the Bank of Maharashtra.
• This appointment will be effective for a period of three years starting from 27 March 2024. 

Indian Expert Kamal Kishore to Lead UN’s Disaster Risk Reduction Efforts

• The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Kamal Kishore of India as the new Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• He will lead the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
• Kishore will succeed Mami Mizutori of Japan, whom the Secretary-General thanked for her service. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Good Friday 2024: 29th March 

• On March 29th, 2024, Christians around the globe will solemnly observe Good Friday 2024, a pivotal day in the Christian calendar. Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 

World Piano Day 2024: 28th March 

• World Piano Day, celebrated annually on the 88th day of the year.
• World Piano Day traces its roots back to 2015 when it was officially established to celebrate the piano’s magnificence. 

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

HPCL and Tata Join Forces to Build Nationwide EV Charging Network

• Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), a unit of Tata Motors, has announced a strategic partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to establish a nationwide network of 5,000 public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of 2024.
• TPEM and HPCL have signed an MoU to formalize their collaboration in building the charging infrastructure. 

Ambani and Adani Join Forces: Reliance Buys Stake in Adani’s Power Project

• In a remarkable move, two of India’s richest businessmen, Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, have joined forces for the first time.
• Reliance Industries, owned by Ambani, has acquired a 26% stake in a power project owned by Adani’s company in Madhya Pradesh. 

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

A book titled “From A Car Shed To The Corner Room & Beyond” by S. Raman

• Raman’s autobiography, “From A Car Shed To The Corner Room & Beyond,” offers a first-person account of his remarkable journey from a clerk at SBI to becoming the Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank and a full-time Member of SEBI.
• The book explores the intricate dance between personal integrity, professional challenges, and systemic issues in the financial world. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Indian-British Writer’s Book on AI Shortlisted for Women’s Prize

• The inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction has announced its shortlist of six books, including “Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI” by Indian-British journalist and commentator Madhumita Murgia.
• The book explores the impact of artificial intelligence on human society. 

Kotak Mahindra Bank Acquires Sonata Finance

• In a strategic move, Kotak Mahindra Bank has successfully acquired Sonata Finance Private Limited (Sonata) for a total consideration of approximately Rs. 537 crore.
• This acquisition grants Kotak Mahindra Bank full ownership of Sonata.
• Sonata Finance is a Non-Banking Finance Company – Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).