Today's Current Affairs 31st March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

UN Appoints Saudi Arabia to Lead Women’s Rights Forum despite Criticism

• Saudi Arabia has been chosen to chair the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), despite widespread criticism due to its poor record on women’s rights.
• The appointment of Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil has sparked outrage from human rights groups. 

SPORTS

Rohan Bopanna and Matt Ebden Triumph at Miami Open

• The top-seeded duo of Rohan Bopanna from India and Matthew Ebden from Australia won the Men’s Doubles Title at the Miami Open, a prestigious ATP Masters tennis tournament.
• This Miami Open triumph marks the second title of the season for Bopanna and Ebden. Earlier this year, they won the Australian Open in Melbourne. 

Sharfuddoula Becomes Bangladesh’s First ICC Elite Umpire

• Sharfuddoula has created history by becoming the first Bangladeshi umpire to be appointed to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
• The 47-year-old Sharfuddoula has been a part of the International Panel since 2006, with his first international appointment coming in 2010 when he officiated an ODI between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Mirpur. 

MS Dhoni Scripts History in T20 Cricket

• Dhoni achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first wicketkeeper to record 300 dismissals in T20 cricket. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Pavan Davuluri Appointed to Lead Microsoft’s Windows and Surface Teams

• Microsoft has named Pavan Davuluri as the new head of its combined Windows and Surface teams.
• This move comes after the previous leader, Panos Panay, left for Amazon last year. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

RBI Celebrates 90 Years of Service on Foundation Day 2024

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the nation’s central banking institution, is entering its 90th year on April 1st, 2024.
• The RBI was established on April 1, 1934, following recommendations from the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance to maintain the country’s monetary stability.
• Its operations commenced on April 1, 1935, with Sir Osborne Smith as the first Governor.
• The Central Office of the RBI was initially in Kolkata but was shifted to Mumbai in 1937. 

Utkal Diwas 2024, A Celebration of Odisha’s Rich Culture and Heritage

• Utkal Diwas, also known as Odisha Day or Utkala Dibasa, is a significant annual celebration held in the Indian state of Odisha. It is observed on 1st April every year to commemorate the formation of the state of Odisha on April 1, 1936.

About Odisha:

Capital: Bhubaneswar;

Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik 

Arnab Banerjee Elected as New ATMA Chairman

• Arnab Banerjee, the Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Ltd., has been elected as the new Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA).
• Arnab Banerjee joined CEAT in 2005 as the Vice President-Sales and Marketing. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Vijay Jain Bags Times Power Icon 2024 Award

• At a glittering event recently held in Noida, organized by The Times Group, Vijay Jain, the Managing Director of Star Estate, was awarded the prestigious Times Power Icon 2024 Award.
• Founded in 2012, Star Estate is a fastest-growing Real Estate enterprise. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

HDFC Bank to Divest 100% Stake in Education Arm: Shares in Focus

• HDFC Bank, a leading private sector lender in India, is pursuing the sale of its entire stake in HDFC Education and Development Services.