Today's Current Affairs 8th March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Panama Officially Joins International Solar Alliance

• Panama has officially become the 97th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). This milestone was announced by Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

About International Solar Alliance

Founders: Narendra Modi, François Hollande;

President: R. K. Singh;

Founded: 30 November 2015. 

NATIONAL

Indian Armed Forces to Conduct Mega ‘Bharat-Shakti’ Exercise in Jaisalmer

• The three forces of India – Army, Navy, and Air Force – are going to conduct the biggest exercise called ‘Bharat-Shakti’ at Asia’s largest field firing range located in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. PM Modi’s Likely Visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Pokhran on March 12, 2024.
• Top officers of the three forces, including Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan, will participate in the Bharat-Shakti exercise to be held on March 12 in Pokhran. 

Bengaluru to Get India’s First Driverless Metro Train

• The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has received the first set of six train coaches for its upcoming driverless metro line, called the Yellow Line.
• This 18.8 km-long line, connecting RV Road and Bommasandra, will be the first in India to have a driverless train system. 

SPORTS

Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 Inaugurated in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh

• Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur grandly inaugurated the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 at the Luhnu Cricket Ground in Bilaspur on March 5, 2024. Chief Guests Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid graced the occasion as chief guests.
• It was launched in 2018.
• In the first Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 1.0, more than 1400 teams and 42,700+ youth showcased their talents in various sports. Over Rs 20 lakh in prize money was awarded. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

SAP Appoints New President and MD for Indian Subcontinent

• German technology giant SAP has made a significant leadership change in the Indian Subcontinent region. Manish Prasad has been appointed as the new president and managing director for the region, succeeding Kulmeet Bawa. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Women’s Day 2024: 8 March

• International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual global event celebrated on March 8th each year. It serves as a focal point for recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide.
• International Women’s Day 2024 falls on March 8th, marking a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality.
• The United Nations has chosen the theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ for International Women’s Day 2024. 

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

NIGEL Inks PPA with GUVNL for 600 MW Solar Project

• NLCIL has emerged victorious in securing a 600 MW Solar Power Project tender within the GSECL Khavda Solar Park, initiated by GUVNL through a competitive bidding process.
• The wholly owned subsidiary of NLCIL, NIGEL, has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for the planned 600 MW Solar Power Project at Khavda Solar Park in Bhuj District, Gujarat. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Zoya Akhtar, Asma Khan Honored at ‘India-UK Achievers’ Awards in London

• Renowned filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and British Indian chef Asma Khan were honored at the annual ‘India-UK Achievers’ awards in London.
• The event celebrated Akhtar’s acclaimed work in cinema and Khan’s contributions to culinary arts.
• It was launched to celebrate bilateral educational relations between India and the UK. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Government Approves Dearness Allowance Hike and Other Benefits for Employees and Pensioners

• The Union Cabinet has sanctioned a 4% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for central government employees and pensioners, effective from January 1. 

RBI and Bank Indonesia Sign MoU to Promote Local Currency Use

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank Indonesia (BI) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering the utilization of local currencies – the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) – for cross-border transactions.
• MoU, signed in Mumbai by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo.