Important Current Affairs 19th March 2017 with Free PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you Important Current Affairs 19th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19TH MARCH 2017: DISCOVERY

Algae Fossil In India, 1.6 Billion Years Old, May Be World's Oldest Plant Life

Scientists in India have uncovered a pair of 1.6 billion-year-old fossils that appear to contain red algae, which may be the oldest plant-like life discovered on Earth, according to a study Tuesday.
●    Until now, the oldest known red algae was 1.2 billion years old, said the paper in the journal PLOS Biology.
●    Scientists often debate the question of when complex life began on Earth, but they generally agree that large multicellular organisms became common about 600 million years ago.
●    This discovery could lead experts to rewrite the tree of life, said lead author Stefan Bengtson, professor emeritus of paleozoology at the Swedish Museum of Natural History.
●    No DNA remains in the fossils to be analyzed.
●    But the material structurally resembles red algae, embedded in fossil mats of cyanobacteria, called stromatolites, inside a 1.6 billion-year-old Indian phosphorite.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19TH MARCH 2017:BUSINESS

Paytm launches payment services in Canada

 Alibaba-backed Paytm today announced its foray into the Canadian market with the launch of its bill payments service in the North American country.
●    "Users in Canada will now be able to pay for their cell phone, cable, internet, electricity and water bills. In addition to this, users will also be able to pay for their insurance and property taxes by using the new Paytm Canada app," Paytm said in a statement.
●    The app will be available for both Android and iOS users in Canada, it added.
●    Toronto Mayor John Tory, who was present at Paytm's headquarters in Noida, said the city has been home to the Paytm Labs team since 2014.
●    Paytm Labs, located in Toronto, Canada, is the research and development division of Paytm.
●    Paytm has expanded its team, growing from a two-person operation to a full-fledged team of data scientists and engineers.
●    In India, Paytm is one of the largest financial technology platforms. With a current user base of over 200 million, Paytm offers services like payments/recharges, mobile wallets, e-commerce and will soon launch payment banking services.
●    Its investors include Ant Financial (Alipay), Alibaba Group, SAIF Partners and Mediatek

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19TH MARCH 2017:PERSONS

Hindujas are UK's wealthiest Asians in 2017

 NRI businessmen, the Hinduja brothers, have retained their position as the richest Asians in the UK in 2017 with an estimated wealth of 19 billion pounds, an increase of 2.5 billion pounds over last year, according to an annual ranking of the richest Asians in Britain.
●    Steel tycoon Lakshmi N Mittal secured the second place with a fortune of 12.6 billion pounds - up from 6.4 billion pounds last year - in the Eastern Eye Asian Rich List, Britain's 101 Wealthiest Asians 2017, released last night.
●    According to the list, the Hinduja brothers - Srichand and Gopi in London, Prakash in Geneva and Ashok in Mumbai - have seen sharp increases in profitability in Ashok Leyland, InduSind bank, Gulf Oil, energy and real estate.
●    This has justified the family's long adopted policy of pursuing the path of diversity, the list said.
●    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who was the Chief Guest at the 20th Annual Asian Business Awards organised by the Asian Media & Marketing Group, presented the first copy of the Rich List to GP Hinduja, Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group.
 

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19TH MARCH 2017:NATIONAL NEWS

India's longest road tunnel will be open to traffic soon

India's longest road tunnel built on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway will open to traffic very soon following successful completion of trial run. 
●    The work on the 9.2 km-long twin-tube tunnel, which is part of a 286-km-long four-lane project on the highway, started on May 23, 2011 in lower Himalayan mountain range, and cost R3,720 crore, officials said. 
●    Located at an elevation of 1,200 metres, the tunnel will be the first in India to be equipped with world class "integrated tunnel control system" through which ventilation, fire control, signals, communication and electrical systems will be automatically actuated. 
●    It will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two-and-a-half hours. The road distance from Chennai and Nasri will now be 10.9 km, instead of the existing 41 km, they said. 
●    Once the tunnel becomes operational, it will reduce the traffic jams on National Highway-1A that occur due to snowfall and avalanches during winter at Patnitop, Rathore said. 
●    9.2KM The stretch of the road tunnel Rs 3.7K Amount (in crores) spent on constructing tunnel.

Yogi Adityanath becomes Uttar Pradesh chief minister

 BJP leader and five-time Gorakhpur MP, Yogi Adityanath was sworn-in as the 21st Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, a day after he was unanimously chosen by party MLAs as the legislative leader at a meeting in Lucknow. 
●    The oath taking ceremony took place at Smriti Upvan in Lucknow and was attended by senior leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.
●    Former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav were also present at the event. 
●    The chief ministers from the BJP and NDA-ruled states were also among those in attendance. Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma were also sworn-in as the deputy chief ministers of the state.
●    Apart from that, a total of 23 leaders took oath of the cabinet minister. Swami Prasad Maurya,Satish Mahana,Rajesh Agarwal,Rita Bahuguna Joshi,Surya Pratap Shahi,Suresh Khanna,Dara Singh Chauhan,Dharmpal Singh,SP Singh Baghel,Satyadev Pachauri,Ramapati Shastri,Jay Pratap Singh,Omprakash Rajbhar,Brajesh Pathak,Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary,Chetan Chauhan,Shrikant Sharma,Rajendra Pratap Singh,Siddharth Nath Singh,Mukut Bihari Verma,Ashutosh Tandon,Girish Yadav,Nand Kumar Nandi.
●    Apart from the Cabinet Ministers, nine Ministers of State (Independent) and 15 Ministers of State also took oath of office.
 

Cabinet approves 50 new Kendriya Vidyalayas

The Cabinet has on March 15 given a nod setting up of 50 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country. 
●    These schools will provide education to around 50,000 students. As per an official statement, the schools will be set up under the civil/defence sector for classes 1 to 5. 
●    For these new Kendriya Vidyalayas, about which 650 regular posts will be created.
●    The total project cost based on Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) norms for the proposed 50 new KVs is Rs 1,160 crore. 
●    There are at present 1,142 functional Kendriya Vidyalayas under the KVS including three abroad at Moscow, Kathmandu and Tehran.
●    By providing a common syllabus and system of education, the KVs are intended to ensure that the children of government employees do not face educational disadvantages while their parents are transferred from one location to another.
●    The schools have been operational for over 50 years. 
●    At least four-acre of land is required in a city and beyond that in other areas for setting up of a Kendriya Vidyalaya.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19TH MARCH 2017:ECONOMY

Paytm hopes to start payments bank by March-end

Our payments bank will be built on a new model that will be focussed on bringing financial services to the hundreds of millions of unserved/under-served.
●    Paytm Payments Bank, which got the final approval from the Reserve Bank of India in January, hopes to start operations by the month-end, PayTm founder and chief executive Vijay Shekhar Sharma said here today.
●    Stating that banking in the present form is outdated, he said, “Versace suits will not change the banking model. 
●    Our payments bank will be built on a new model that will be focussed on bringing financial services to the hundreds of millions of unserved/under-served.”
●    Sharma expressed belief that with greater penetration of mobile Internet connectivity, his business will grow further. 
●    Paytm currently has about 21.5 crore subscribers, Sharma said, adding as against this SBI has 20.7 subscribers. 
●    Paytm does about 20 crore transactions a month, while according to RBI data, all other e-wallets put together do 19 crore transactions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19TH MARCH 2017:GLOBAL NEWS

UK to host Commonwealth Heads of Government in mid-April 2018

The United Kingdom (UK) will host the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in April in 2017 after a gap of over 20 years as the 52-nation grouping seeks to devise shared approaches to the opportunities and challenges facing it.
●    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be among the Commonwealth leaders from over 50 countries to attend the summit, which will include Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Queen Elizabeth II's official residences as venues for the first time.
●    The Commonwealth Summit is held every two years and the 2018 CHOGM will see the UK take over from Malta as chair of the heads of government until 2020. 
●    Last time the UK had hosted the CHOGM in 1997. "The wonderful thing about the Commonwealth is that we are a family of 52 nations spreading across six regions. 
●    What motivates us as a family, and what has guided us, are the shared aims of good governance, sustainable growth, and inclusive social and economic development, aided by our common language, common laws, common parliamentary and other institutions, as well as our cultural ties," said Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, as she prepares to host her first-ever CHOGM.

Important Current Affairs 18th March 2017 with Free PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you Important Current Affairs 18th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

Current Affairs 18th March 2017: National News

Ram Vilas Paswan inaugurates National Consultation meeting of the State Secretaries and Controllers of Legal Metrology in New Delhi

Ram Vilas Paswan, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said that right measurement is a powerful instrument for a sustainable growth of the industry and trade, and it also contributes towards the social progress of the country. 
●    Shri Paswan that the wrong or imprecise measurement builds mistrust, and is often a source of safety hazard. Shri Paswan stated it in his inaugural address on the occasion of National Consultation meeting of the State Secretaries and Controllers of Legal Metrology. 
●    National Consultation meeting was convened by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today.
●    Shri Paswan further stated that common consumer is still finding that accuracy of some of the critical instruments used in daily lives suffer from inaccuracies. 
●    There are doubts expressed sometimes regarding the accuracy of the petrol pumps, and weigh bridges used in agricultural mandis. 
●    Some manufacturers still disregard the provisions of packaged commodities rules. While appreciating the efforts of the state's, Shri Paswan advised the Department of consumer Affairs and States in coordination to enhance their efforts to improve consumer confidence in the system and create deterrence in the minds of the manufactures who indulge in unfair practices or pushing substandard products into the market. 
●    Shri Paswan also mentioned some of the significant steps taken by the Ministry In the last two years in a proactive manner to strengthen legal metrology. 
●    Some of the recent initiatives focused on action against charging more than MRP, declaring dual MRP and we are also contemplating changes to our packaged commodities rules. 

Trivendra Singh Rawat sworn in as Uttarakhand chief minister

BJP leader Trivendra Singh Rawat was sworn in as Uttarakhand chief minister on Saturday after a massive victory in the assembly elections last month.
●    Governor K K Paul administered the oath of office and secrecy to 56-year-old Rawat, and nine ministers at a ceremony at the Parade Grounds in Dehradun. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and other national and state party leaders.
●    Rawat, a former RSS pracharak, is the fifth BJP chief minister in Uttarakhand.
●    Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat, Madan Kaushik, Arvind Pandey, Subodh Uniyal, Yashpal Arya and Prakash Pant have been made Cabinet ministers.
●    Rekha Arya and Dhan Singh Rawat took oath as ministers of state.
●    The BJP decimated the Congress in the Assembly election, winning 57 of the 70 seats.
●    Coupled with his administrative and organisational skills and experience, Rawat’s loyalty to the party and RSS ideology catapulted him to the top post in the state.
●    Rawat was appointed the BJP’s national secretary in 2013. He was later made joint in-charge of the party’s affairs in Uttar Pradesh in 2014. 
●    He was BJP in-charge of Jharkhand ahead of the crucial assembly election, a responsibility he discharged well to further strengthen the party leadership’s trust in him.

Indian Oil to sell 24 percent stake in India JV to Lubrizol Corporation

The Cabinet today approved sale of state-owned Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) 24 per cent stake in Lubrizol India Pvt Ltd to Lubrizol Corporation, USA for an undisclosed sum.     
●    "The sale will enable IOC to have long term association with its joint venture partner and...Lubrizol India Pvt Ltd (LIPL) to have access to the latest global additive technologies developed by Lubrizol Corporation, USA," an official statement said.
●    LIPL, where the US firm holds the remaining 76 per cent stake, is in the lube additives business. 
●    "The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its in-principle approval to permit IOC to sell its 24 per cent equity in one of its joint venture companies, Lubrizol India Private Limited (LIPL) to Lubrizol Corporation, USA (LC), the other joint venture partner," the statement said.

India to push use of LNG for vehicles

India will start using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a vehicle fuel after the Transport Ministry gave its approval.
●    The Road, Transport and Highways Ministry has given a green light to the use of LNG as fuel for vehicles with dispensers at gas stations expected to be installed soon, reports New India Express.
●    "We have given approval to LNG as an automobile fuel and now its standards would be defined by different Ministries including the Petroleum," said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
●    He also said that the Indian government considered LNG as a “clean and future” fuel and that it would promote its use, as it would be good for the environment and it would reduce India´s oil imports. 

Current Affairs 18th March 2017: Global News

New Zealand river becomes first in world to be given legal status of a person

A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world to be recognised as a living entity with its own rights and values and given the legal status of a person.
●    The Whanganui River, located in the north island of New Zealand, has a special and spiritual importance for the Maori people.
●    The New Zealand Parliament has just passed a bill which gives the river the ability to represent itself through human representatives, one appointed by a Maori community, known as Iwi, and one by the Crown, New Zealand news service Newshub reports.
●    The new status of the Whanganui River, or Te Awa Tupua, is believed to be unique in the world.
●    The Maori people recognise the river as part of the living mountains and the sea.
●    Chris Finlayson, who negotiated the treaty, said the Whanganui Iwi had fought for recognition of the people’s relationship with the river since the 1870s.

 Mercer released the results of the 19th annual Quality of Living Survey

Mercer on 14 March 2017 released the results of the 19th annual Quality of Living Survey. In the survey, while Vienna occupies the first place for overall quality of living for the 8th year running, Hyderabad was adjudged as the best Indian city in terms of living standards.
●    The European cities that figured in the top 10 list are  Zurich (2), Munich (4), Düsseldorf (6), Frankfurt (7), Geneva (8), Copenhagen (9) and Basel, a newcomer to the list, in 10th place.
●    The only non-European cities in the top ten are Auckland (New Zealand) and Vancouver (Canada). They were placed at the 3rd and 5th position respectively.
●    The survey also includes a city infrastructure ranking that assesses each city’s supply of electricity, drinking water, telephone and mail services.
●    Singapore tops the city infrastructure ranking, followed by Frankfurt and Munich. Baghdad (230) and Port au Prince (231) rank last for city infrastructure.
●    In the infrastructure rankings, Mumbai was ranked the highest at 141, which was followed by Kolkata (149) and Pune (151).

Current Affairs 18th March 2017: Appointments

Jwala Gutta appointed SAI governing body member

India's most successful doubles specialist Jwala Gutta has been appointed a member of the governing body of Sports Authority of India (SAI).
●    The 14-time national champion said she is looking forward to play her role in the development of sports in the country.
●    The two-time Olympian Jwala, who has won the bronze medal at the 2011 World Championship, said: "The first meeting will be held on March 28th in Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi and I am really looking forward to it. I don't yet know the details of my responsibilities but I will do my best."
●    Jwala is a 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games champion and a silver medallist at the 2014 Glasgow Games in women's doubles.
 

Current Affairs 18th March 2017: Discovery

First fluorescent frog found in Argentina

The first naturally fluorescent frog was discovered recently in Argentina -- almost by chance.
●    Argentine and Brazilian scientists at the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum made the discovery while studying the metabolic origin of pigments in a tree-frog species common to South America.
●    Under normal light the frog's translucent skin is a muted yellowish-brown color with red dots, but when the scientists shone an ultraviolet light on it, it turned a celestial green.
●    According to one of them, Carlos Taboada, the case is "the first scientific record of a fluorescent frog."
●    It also "generates new questions about visual communication in amphibians," he said.
●    The team studied some 200 more examples to ensure the phenomenon was not due to the frog's captivity, and detected the fluorescent properties in all the specimens.

Our Important Current Affairs 18th March 2017 with FREE PDF in Hindi and English which will help you in scoring good marks in Banking, Government and various other competitive exams. The FREE PDF will enable you to quickly revise through important GK sections.

Important Current Affairs 17th March 2017 with Free PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you Important Current Affairs 17th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 17TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Inauguration of 3 Day International Buddhist Conference at Rajgir

The three days“International Buddhist Conference” organized by Ministry of Culture and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara,Deemed University was inaugurated by His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Dr.Mahesh Sharma,Minister of Culture and Tourism today at Rajgir International Buddhist Conference, Bihar. 
●    Shri N.K. Sinha,Secretary M/o Culture and Shri M.L. Shrivastava, Vice-Chancellor, Nava Nalanda Mahavihar a Deemed University were present on the occasion.
●    It was followed by the chanting of Mangala Path(Holy Sutra) by the Monks.
●    His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his inaugural address said that all religious traditions should sit in harmony to know the truth which is always unchanged. 
●    That will help the country as well as the World in attaining peace through love and compassion which form the core of Buddhism. 
●    He said that we should not only read about the Buddha and his teachings but we should also experience and experiment it in our lives. 
●    He said that like violence,compassion is the basic makeup of human being. He emphasized on the refinement of our emotions. 
●    The negative emotions that generate within us keep us plagued and diseased. Therefore,we must purify our mind especially through Vipassana Meditation which is of explanatory kind. 
●    He lauded India’s rich religious and philosophical traditions.  He reminded us of the Heart Sutra that Buddha had delivered at Rajgir.

First Airbus Training Centre in Asia to be set up in New Delhi

Airbus is setting up a greenfield training facility at Aerocity, New Delhi, to support India’s growing need for Airbus aircraft pilots and maintenance engineers. 
●    The groundbreaking for the Airbus India Training Centre was performed by P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju,  Minister of Civil Aviation and Tom Enders, CEO, Airbus in the presence of Jayant Sinha,  Minister of State for Civil Aviation.
●    Speaking on the occasion, the  Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that  India’s rapidly growing passenger aircraft fleet must be matched by adequate availability of skilled pilots and maintenance engineers. 
●    Airbus’ pilot and maintenance engineering training center is the type of facility which will help augment the talent pool of such personnel and thus be a force multiplier for the Indian aviation sector.   
●    He also wanted Airbus to think of creating MRO facility in India to take forward the Make in India policy of the Government, as this would create employment opportunity.
●    Tom Enders, CEO, Airbus  said that we have only scratched the surface when it comes to the growth of civil aviation in India. This training centre will be the first such facility fully owned by us in Asia.  
●    It is a symbol of our enduring partnership with this country.

President of India to Inaugurate an International Conference on “Universities of The Future” Tomorrow

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will visit Haryana (Sonipat) tomorrow (March 18, 2017) where he will inaugurate a three-day international conference.
●    Theme was “Universities of the Future: Knowledge, Innovation and Responsibility” at O. P. Jindal Global University (JGU). 
●    The Conference seeks to examine the future of the Indian universities in the twenty first century and will have thirteen thematic panels. 
●    Thematic sessions at the international forum are devoted to important themes surrounding research, knowledge creation and publications, innovation, regulation, policymaking, financing of universities and internationalisation of higher education.
 

NTPC Clocks Highest Ever Annual Cumulative Gross Generation of 263.95 BU

NTPC Group achieved highest ever cumulative gross generation of 263.95 Billion Units (BU) till yesterday during current year surpassing previous annual best of 263.42 BU recorded in Financial Year 2016-17. 
●    Generation of Group NTPC registered an annual growth of 4.71% over last year.
●    NTPC Pit Head Coal stations, having capacity of 25840 MW, recorded day PLF of 95.71% on 16-3-17 and cumulative monthly PLF of 91.4% in the month of March,2017 till date. 
●    29 Units of NTPC coal plants have generated at a PLF of more than 100% on 16-3-17.
●    NTPC stations have continued excellent performance in the current month with Vindhyachal station, India's largest power station having capacity of 4760 MW, achieving highest ever day generation of 114.254 MU at PLF 100.01% on 8-3-17. 
●    Mouda station also recorded highest ever day Generation of 31.2 MU on 9-3-17 and Solar Generation of NTPC touched maximum generation of 2.353 MU on 12-3-17.

Atal Mission investments for Telangana approved for the five year mission period

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), an expenditure of Rs.1,673 cr will be incurred on improving basic urban infrastructure in 12 mission cities in Telangana by 2019-20, the last year of the mission.
●    Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu approved an investment of Rs.703 cr under Atal Mission over the next three financial years i.e 2017-20, taking the total mission investment to Rs.1,673 cr.
●    Expenditure of Rs.415 cr for 2015-16 and Rs.555 cr for 2016-17, as proposed by the State Government  under the State Annual Action Plans for respective years was earlier  approved by the Ministry of Urban Development.
●    Ministry of Urban Development provides a total central assistance of Rs.832 cr for the five year mission period which is almost half of the total expenditure to be incurred in 12 mission cities and towns of Telangana.
●    Of the Rs.703 cr approved for 2017-20, Rs.560 cr will be spent on water supply projects, Rs.126 cr on expanding sewerage networks and Rs.17 cr for development of parks and green spaces in mission cities. 
●    Of this, a lion’s share of Rs.424.26 will be spent on water supply projects in Warangal.

Rs.11,421cr investments for basic urban infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh under Atal Mission (AMRUT)

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), a total expenditure  of Rs.11,421 cr will be incurred in Uttar Pradesh on improving basic urban infrastructure in 61 cities and towns with a population of above one lakh each by 2019-20. 
●    To this effect, the Ministry of Urban Development has approved AMRUT Action Plans of Uttar Pradesh for the next three years i.e 2017-20 in one go involving an expenditure of Rs.4,239 cr. 
●    Annual Action Plans for 2015-16 and 2016-17 were earlier approved by the Ministry. Uttar Pradesh has got the highest investment in the country under Atal Mission.
●    Under AMRUT, launched on June 25, 2015 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, providing water taps to all urban households and augmenting water supply to the level of 135 litres per capita per day is given first priority followed by sewerage and drainage networks, non-motorised urban transport and development of green and open spaces in 500 mission cities during the mission period of 2015-20.
●    For Uttar Pradesh, the Ministry has approved an investment of Rs.4,239cr during 2017-20 in the mission cities. This includes; Rs.1,996 cr in water supply projects in 46 cities and towns, Rs.2,149 cr in sewerage projects in 47 cities and Rs.94 cr for development of parks and open cities in 61 mission cities and towns. 
●    An expenditure of Rs.3,287cr for 2015-16 and Rs.3,895 cr for 2016-17 was earlier approved.With this, investments for the entire mission period stands approved for Uttar Pradesh under AMRUT. 

Government to Evolve River Sediment Management Policy soon

Government will soon evolve a river sediment management policy. This was stated by Shri Narendra Kumar, Chairman, Central Water Commission while inaugurating a national seminar on Sediment management in Indian rivers in New Delhi today. 
●    Shri Kumar said many committees have been constituted in the past to look into the silting problems in rivers of India and suggest suitable remedial measures. 
●    He expressed the hope that the conference will be a step ahead in this direction and extensive consultations among varied stakeholders will result in evolving a comprehensive policy. 
●    Shri Kumar said it is essential to devise a methodology for sediment management which is environment friendly and feasible technically as well as economically.
●    Shri Kumar said over the years silting of rivers has assumed serious proportions. 
●    He said as of now there is general feeling that flood prone rivers are aggrading and undergoing change in carrying capacity, leading to rise in flood level. 
●    Shri Kumar said common practices carried out by river management agencies demonstrate that sediment management till late has been based on limited scientific knowledge. 
●    He was of the opinion that a different approach to sediment management is desirable, incorporating knowledge and management of sediments at the basin skill and a wider application of available scientific knowledge.

Important Current Affairs 16th March 2017 with Free PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you Important Current Affairs 16th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 16TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Amarinder Singh sworn in as chief minister

Captain Amarinder Singh was sworn in as Punjab chief minister today after the Congress party's emphatic win in the Assembly elections held last month. 
●    Eight cabinet ministers were also sworn in after him.
●    Amarinder, who recently turned 75, was the Congress party's projected chief ministerial candidate. He won from the Patiala seat in the Assembly elections.
●    The former royal has been largely credited for the Congress party's win in Punjab where it got a more-than-comfortable victory, winning 77 of 117 seats. This is his second stint as chief minister.
●    Sworn in along with Amarinder were cabinet ministers Navjot SIngh Sidhu , Manpreet Badal, Brahm Mohindra, Charanjit Channi, Rana Gurjit and Tripat Bajwa; Aruna Choudhary and Razia Sultana were sworn in as ministers of state with independent charge.

Largest Indian Engineering Sourcing Show opens in Chennai

Unfazed by global headwinds and forces of protectionism in some of the leading economies, India is all set to showcase its technological and engineering prowess to top international firms at the 6th edition of the International Engineering Sourcing Show(IESS) at Chennai,expecting significant business deals during the three-day event, beginning March 16.
●    IESS VI was inaugurated in a gala ceremony on 16th March 2017 in Chennai by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Government of India; Shri Denis Manturov, Minister of Trade & Industry, Russian Federation; Shri Girish Shankar, Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry Government of India,Shri Mangat Ram Sharma, Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Shri T S Bhasin, Chairman, EEPC India and other senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce & EEPC India.
●    Prior to the inauguration, Smt Sitharaman and Mr. Manturov had a cordial meeting where a host of bilateral issues were discussed. 
●    They agreed that there is enormous potential to enhance the bilateral trade, which is presently US$ 6.62 billion. They discussed the early operationalization of International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) that would cut the time and cost for transportation of goods between both countries. 
●    They also deliberated upon other measures to enhance the trade ties, including the proposed FTA between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
●    The need to finalise a revised Bilateral Investment Treaty was also noted. Smt. Sitharaman also invited Russia to be the ‘Partner Country’ in India International Jewellery Show 2017 scheduled to be held in July 2017 in Mumbai and Advantage Healthcare India scheduled to be held in October 2017 in Delhi / Mumbai.

National Seminar on “Challenges In Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016” Held

The Office of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (Divyang Jain) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organised a “National Seminar on Challenges in Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016” here today with a view to draw out plan for effective implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPD Act, 2016) and to work out best strategies to implement the Act in comprehensive manner for the welfare of Divyangjan of India.  
●    The Seminar was inaugurated by Shri N.S. Kang, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. 
●    The RPD Act, 2016 was passed in the Parliament in Winter Session on 14th December, 2016 and was notified on 28th December, 2016.  
●    The Act has made various wider provisions for protection of the rights & privileges of Divyangjan by way of raising reservation in services and inclusion of additional 14 categories of disabilities under the Act which also includes new Acid attack victims, Thalsemia, Haemophilia, Dwarfism, Learning Disabilities and Parkinson desease.  
●    The new provisions & categories of disabilities, have been made in accordance with the recommendation of UN Convention held in 2007, wherein India was also a signatory to these recommendations.

Uma Bharti launches Cleanliness Fortnight in her Ministry

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti launched cleanliness fortnight in her Ministry by administering Swachh Bharat pledge to the officials and employees of her Ministry in New Delhi today. 
●    Speaking on the occasion the Minister referred to the Clean Indian Mission of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and said every citizen has to be aware about the need for cleanliness. 
●    She said that the countries in the world which are considered very clean, we find that every citizen there is very conscious about cleanliness. 
●    Sushri Bharti called upon the employees of her Ministry to keep not only their office clean but should also endeavour for cleanliness around there residence also. 
●    The Minister requested them to devote at least two hours every week toward this cause.
●    Alongwith the main function in New Delhi today simultaneous functions were organized at Allahabad in UP, Neemrana in Rajasthan, Chandrapur in Maharashtra and Roorkee and Devprayag in Uttrakhand. 
●    The Ministry has organized about 200 programmes along water bodies located in Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nandu, Uttrakhand, West Bengal, MP, UP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Manipur, Kerala and Jharkhand. 
●    The participation of NGOs, community groups and industrial houses has been sought in this programmes.

Swachhta Pakhwada successfully celebrated across the country by the Ministry of Women and Child Development

The Ministry of Women & Child Development celebrated Swachhta Pakhwada between 1st to 15th March, 2017 through the country along with the International Women’s Day. 
●    Briefing the media on the successful completion of the swachhta pakhwada, the Secretary WCD, Ms. Leena Nair said that the women and children have a pivotal role to play in the Swachhta Mission. 
●    Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Shri Parameshwaran Iyer was also present at the briefing held in New Delhi today.  
●    The theme of the Swachhta Pakhwada observed by the WCD Ministry was to spread swachhta awareness and implementation across the country with a focus on role of women and children in taking a leadership role for community led sanitation initiatives. 
●    It has been realized that lack of sanitation and hygiene has a far reaching impact on women and children’s health and safety, dignity, education and livelihood, Ms. Leena Nair explained.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 16TH MARCH 2017: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Festival of India Being Organized in Ukraine from March – October, 2017

A Festival of India is being organized in Ukraine from March – October, 2017. 
●    The Festival will showcase diverse Indian culture, i.e. classical and folk dance, music, Rangoli Exhibition, Mango and Film Festivals, Seminars on Yoga and Think Tank and Fashion Week in different cities of Ukraine, namely, Kyiv, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Lviv, Ivano Frankivsk, Poltava and Ternopil. 
●    Following events will be showcased: 
●    Kathak Dance Group by Vidha Lal Group from 8-14 March, 2017
●    Folk Dance organized by West Zone Cultural Centre from 21-27 June, 2017
●    Yoga Seminar through Ministry of Ayush in June, 2017
●    Mango Festival through APEDA in June, 2017
●    Rangoli Exhibition by Ritu Kaushik group from 15-19 August, 2017
●    Indian films and documentaries through Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in September/October, 2017
●    Participation of Indian Artists in Ukrainian Fashion Week through Ministry of Textile in September/October, 2017
●    Think Tank Seminar by Indian Council of World Affairs in September/October, 2017
●    Screening of Movie ‘Gandhi’ on 2nd October, 2017
 

Deputy PM and Home Minister of Nepal calls on Union Home Minister

The Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of Nepal Shri Bimalendra Nidhi called on the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh here today. 
●    Shri Rajnath Singh expressed his grief on the recent death of a Nepalese national at the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. 
●    He stated that India will carry out a fair and impartial enquiry into the incident and associate the Nepalese counterparts in the effort to arrive at the truth. 
●    Shri Rajnath Singh said that wherever strip maps have been finalised, the same should be signed by the concerned authorities at the earliest. 
●    Shri Rajnath Singh further mentioned that the two countries enjoy friendly and family like relationship with each other in all areas including security and border cooperation. 
●    Shri Rajnath Singh said that any incident taking place even unknowingly, should be settled through joint inspection and investigation by the representatives of two sides. 
●    The Home Minister also asked for regular meetings between DG, SSB and Nepalese counterpart agency Armed Police Force.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 16TH MARCH 2017: APPOINTMENTS

New Chairman of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis along with two members assumed their Office

The newly appointed Chairman of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Shri Manhar Valji Bhai Zala along with two members Smt. Manju Diler and Shri Dalip Kallu Hathibed assumed his office here today. 
●    Welcoming the new Chairman and the members, Secretary of the Commission Shri Narain Dass said that the Commission can now work in a more effective manner as the posts of the Chairman and the members were lying vacant for the past almost one year. 
●    The Safai Karamcharis all over the country have been eagerly waiting for the new Chairman and the members so that they can take up their grievances with them.
●    Expressing his deep gratitude to the Government, the new Chairman Shri Zala assured the Safai Karamcharis present on the occasion that he along with his new team will ensure that issues affecting their socio-economic and working conditions will be addressed to in the right earnest. 
●    He also said that the new Commission will see to it that the benefits of rehabilitation and welfare schemes being run by Central Government reach to their intended beneficiaries.

Important Current Affairs 15th March 2017 with Free PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you Important Current Affairs 15th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Department of Consumers Affairs Celebrates World Consumer Rights Day 2017

 Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has said that the Government is already on the right track in facilitating the consumers to harness the full benefits of digitization and putting in place sufficient safeguards against risks associated with the online world. 
●    Sh. Paswan said that this is the age of technology, and educating the consumer and redressing his grievances in the digital world is a challenge. 
●    E-commerce companies are increasingly coming under our national consumer helpline convergence programme where consumer grievances entered online, are being addressed expeditiously.
●    Sh. Ram Vilas Paswan stated it in his presidential address on the occasion of the World Consumer Rights Day 2017. 
●    The Department of Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, celebrated the World Consumer Rights Day 2017 with the theme “Consumer Rights in digital age” in New Delhi, today. 
●    The Programme was presided over by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 
●    Shri Ravi Shnkar Prasad, the Union Minister Law & Justice, Electronics & IT and was the Chief Guest of the event.

MoU signed between FTII and Canon to promote short courses in Film & Television

 Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that Technology has played a critical role in defining the contours of professional photography and art of filmmaking. 
●    The exposure of budding young talent to the nuances of technology has a positive impact on their learning curve. 
●    This initiative would ensure the perfect blend of technology and young talent through the platform of FTII. 
●    The Minister stated this on the occasion of signing of an MoU between Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Canon India Private Limited. 
●    Mr. Kazutada Kobayashi, President & CEO, Canon India was also present on the occasion.
●    The MoU between Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Canon India Private Limited would promote film education through short-term courses across several towns and cities in the country. 
●    Under FTII's unique initiative SKIFT several short courses, mostly of skill-oriented nature have been proposed to be held in collaboration with State Governments, Universities and Educational institutions.
 

Two Day meeting on “Strengthening Railway Transport Connectivity in South and South West Asia” Commences in New Delhi

A two day meeting on “Strengthening Railway Transport Connectivity in South and South West Asia” was organised by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with Organization for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD) and Ministry of Railways, Government of India in New Delhi on 15th – 16th March 2017. 
●    Discussions were held to strengthen the rail transport and provide connectivity to the countries in South Asia and South East Asia. Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister of Railways Government of India. 
●    Representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Iran, India, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Turkey and other countries were also present. 
●    The meeting sought to review and identify innovative measures to strengthen cross-border railway transport within South and South-West Asia; which is one of the least connected and integrated sub regions in the world despite its vast contiguous landmass. 
●    Strengthening railway connectivity is central to boosting economic growth, enhancing trade and transport connectivity and improving lives in the sub region. 
●    The meeting brought together government officials and policy makers from nine countries in South Asia and South-West Asia and Central Asia, along with representatives from various international and regional organizations, railway and connectivity experts and academia, as well as the private sector.

National Seminar on Sediment Management in Indian Rivers

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development    and Ganga Rejuvenation has organized a National conference on sediment management in Indian rivers on March 17, 2017 at New Delhi. 
●    Many experts including Dr. M. A. Chitale, Expert Member, NGRBA, Professor Vinod Tare, IIT, Kanpur, Professor A. K. Gosain, IIT – Delhi, Dr. M. K. Sinha, Director, CWPRS, Pune will be attending the daylong conference. 
●    The conference will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti. 
●    It may be recalled that Union Minister of Water Resources, River    Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti had expressed the view that urgent steps may be taken to formulate a comprehensive policy on sediment management in Indian rivers. 
●    The Ministry is of the view that such a comprehensive policy can be developed only with extensive consultations with stakeholders.
●    The issue of sediment management in rivers including siltation and dredging has been engaging attention of the public for quite some time. 
●    The need for formulating a comprehensive policy on sediment management in rivers cannot be overstated on account of its serious implications on flooding, environment, river health and navigation.

Twenty projects worth Rs 1,900 Crore approved for Swift Implementation of Namami Gange Programme 

 Picking up pace, projects worth nearly Rs 1,900 crore have been approved by the Executive Committee (EC) of National Mission for Clean Ganga. 
●    Out of 20 projects which were given EC approval in its meeting held on March 02, 2017, 13 are in Uttarakhand that includes creating new sewage treatment plants, upgrading existing STPs and laying of sewage networks in Haridwar at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 415 crore. 
●    Haridwar, one of the holiest cities of India, is thronged by millions of people every year. This approved plan is aimed at treating sewage water generated by not only city’s 1.5 lakh local dwellers, but also by people who visit the holy place for various purposes. 
●    All these projects will be fully funded by the Central Government, including even the expenditure on operation and maintenance of these projects.
●    Among other projects approved in Uttarakhand are four pertaining to pollution abatement works for river Alakananda to ensure cleaner flow of the river downstream.
●    This includes interception and diversion of drains along with creation of new small STPs at four crucial locations – Joshimath, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag and Kirti Nagar at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 78 crore. 
●    Apart from these, a major pollution abatement project for Ganga at Rishikesh has also been approved at an estimated cost of more than Rs 158 crore. 
●    Beginning with Rishikesh, municipal effluent gets mixed in the Ganga and to rid Ganga of impurities just before it hits the plains, this all-encompassing project for this city has been given a go-ahead, which would not only make sure tapping of all city drains in Rishikesh merging into the river but will also treat the sewage water for reuse. 
●    The construction of a new 26 MLD STP at Lakkar Ghat with online monitoring system has also been envisaged in this Rishikesh-specific project.

Manipur gets its first BJP govt as Biren Singh takes oath as CM

N. Biren Singh has become the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister of Manipur after taking oath on Wednesday along with eight other ministers in capital Imphal. 
●    Singh, who was invited by governor Najma Heptulla on Tuesday evening, has the support of a coalition of 32 MLAs.
●    BJP emerged as the second largest party in the state after the Congress which has 28 seats but couldn’t muster the support of required 31 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur legislative assembly. 
●    Former chief minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh was also present at the swearing-in ceremony.
●    BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were present at the swearing-in ceremony among others. 
●    Outgoing Chief Minister Ibobi Singh was also present.
●    Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates N. Biren Singh and his team.
●    Other ministers sworn in are: BJP’s Biswajit, NPP’s L. Jayantakumar, LJP’s Karan Shyam, NPP’s L. Haokip, NPP’s N. Koyisi, NPF’s Losie Dikho, Congress’ rebel MLA T. Shyamkumar who won from Andro.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15TH MARCH 2017: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy visits India

Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy along with a four member Russian Navy delegation is on an official visit to India from 15 to 18 March 2017. 
●    The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations between India and Russia, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.
●    During his visit, the Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy held bilateral discussions with Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officials of the Indian Navy. 
●    The Admiral is also scheduled to meet the Hon’ble Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the Army Staff and the Defence Secretary as part of his official engagements in New Delhi.
●    India is the largest importer of defence equipment from Russia and majority of the armament inventory in Indian Armed Forces is of Soviet/ Russian origin. 
●    The Indian Navy cooperates with the Russian Federation Navy on many fronts, which include operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation, information technology and exchange of Subject Matter Experts in various fields through the medium of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks. 
●    In addition, the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘INDRA NAVY’, since 2003. 
●    Eight editions have been held so far, the last being held off Visakhapatnam in December 2016.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15TH MARCH 2017: PERSONS

Shashank Manohar resigns from ICC chairman’s post

In a surprise development, Shashank Manohar on Wednesday resigned as International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman after merely eight months in office, citing personal reasons.
●    Mr. Manohar (59) mailed his resignation letter to ICC CEO Dave Richardson without clarifying the exact reason for this sudden move to end what was to be a two-year-tenure.
●    However, according to highly placed sources, Mr. Manohar has decided to quit, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems to have gained enough ground to block the constitutional and financial reforms that were set to be passed by the ICC at its next board meeting.
●    Any reform to be passed needs 2/3rd majority, but the BCCI, in all likelihood, has managed to get Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on its side.
●    It is learnt, expecting a loss of face, Mr. Manohar has resigned with immediate effect.

Important Current Affairs 14th March 2017 with Free PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you Important Current Affairs 14th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 14TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

   
Krishi Unnati Mela 2017

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) every year has been organising Krishi Vigyan Mela(Agriculture Science Fair) to display and popularise the latest advancement in agricultural research and technology development among farmers and end users since 1972. 
●    It continues to be a highly important annual event for receiving feedback from the farming community, which helps in deciding the Institute’s future research strategy. 
●    Thousands of farmers and visitors from across the country are participating in the mela every year.
●    This year Krishi Unnati Mela 2017 will be organised from 15-17 March at the campus of IARI, New Delhi in jointly by ICAR and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. 
●    The mela will be inaugurated by Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Sh. Radha Mohan Singh on 15th March, 2017. 
●    A large number of farmers and other visitors are expected to participate in the mela.

‘International Vision Zero Conference’ on Occupational, Safety and Health

Three days International Conference on the VISION ZERO and its relevance to Occupational Safety and Health, is being held from 15th to 17th, March 2017 in New Delhi. 
●    It is organized by Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), Germany in association with International Social Security Association - Manufacturing, Construction and Mining. 
●    The concept of ‘Vision Zero’ is fast gaining international acceptance and is expected to leverage the efforts of the Government of India to raise the occupational safety and health standards in the country so as to improve the occupational safety and health situation. 
●    The participants attending the conference from various sectors across a wide variety of industries are expected to be benefitted by the common platform provided by the conference through sharing of best practices both nationally and internationally. 
●    On the other hand, the international community will get an appraisal of the occupational safety and health status in India thereby exposing the Indian industrial occupational safety and health scenario to the international community.

Inter-state River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017 introduced in Lok Sabha

Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti introduced Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Lok Sabha today. Introducing the Bill the Minister called it a “Revolutionary step” towards the resolution of Inter- State River Water Disputes. 
●    Giving details of the Bill the Minister said the Bill proposes a Single Standing Tribunal (with multiple benches) instead of existing multiple tribunals, which shall consist of one Chairperson, one Vice-Chairperson and not more than six other Members. 
●    While the term of office of the Chairperson is five year or till he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier, the term of office of Vice Chairperson and other member of tribunal shall be coterminous with the adjudication of the water dispute.  
●    Sushri Bharti said the Bill also provides for the appointment of Assessors to provide technical support to the tribunal. 
●    They shall be appointed from amongst experts serving in the Central Water engineering Service not below the rank of Chief Engineer. 
●    The total time period for adjudication of dispute has been fixed at maximum of four and half years. 
●    The decision of the Tribunal shall be final and binding with no requirement of publication in the official Gazette. 
 

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Protsahan Puraskar (2016)

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Protsahan Puraskar for the year 2016 will be awarded in Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi at 11.00 AM on the 15th March 2017 during the inaugural function of Krishi Unnati Mela – 2017. 
●    Year 2016 is the birth centenary year of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Ji, pioneer of Antyodaya. 
●    “Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Protsahan Puraskar” has been launched on this occasion by Government of India. 
●    The total sum of this award is Rs. 50 lakhs in which there is a provision of one award of Rs. 25.00 lakh at national level and 11 awards of Rs. 2.25 lakh at regional level every year will be awarded.  
●    The decision of winners of this award has been taken by the selection committee on the basis of nominations received from all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 14TH MARCH 2017: ECONOMY

All cash withdrawal limits removed by RBI

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday let go of the last indicator of the two months of demonetisation. 
●    The central bank has officially removed all the limits on cash withdrawal from customer bank accounts that were first put in place on 8 November, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Rs500 and Rs1,000 would stop being legal tender, in an address to the nation.
●    While the RBI removed the limits on withdrawals from automated teller machines (ATMs) on 1 February, it was still within the overall limit of Rs24,000 a week from savings bank accounts. 
●    In case of current accounts, the weekly withdrawal limit was earlier set at Rs50,000.
●    The 50-day demonetisation period for residents to deposit their old currency notes ended on 30 December. 
●    However, the central bank is yet to declare the total number of notes that were removed from the system and how many new notes were pumped in.
●    According to initial estimates, about 86% of the value of total cash in circulation had to be removed after the demonetisation announcement. 
●    Representatives from the RBI and the government have repeatedly stated that there is no shortage of currency notes in India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 14TH MARCH 2017: PERSONS

US Senate confirms Indian-American Seema Verma for top health care post

President Donald Trump’s pick to run Medicare and Medicaid, Indian-American Seema Verma, won confirmation on Monday from a divided Senate as lawmakers braced for another epic battle over the government’s role in health care and society’s responsibility toward the vulnerable.
●    An Indiana health care consultant and a protégé of Vice President Mike Pence, Verma was approved by a 55-43 vote, largely along party lines. 
●    She’ll head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a $1 trillion agency that oversees health insurance programs for more than 130 million people, from elderly nursing home residents to newborns.
●    It’s part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Verma, a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from India, takes over at CMS as a House Republican health care bill backed by Trump would make sweeping changes to the agency.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 14TH MARCH 2017: SPORTS

SSP Chawrasia defends Indian Open title, only second Indian to do so

Defending champion SSP Chawrasia claimed his second consecutive Indian Open title after racing to victory at 10 under DLF Golf Course in Gurgaon on Sunday. 
●    Five-time Asian Tour winner Chawrasia became only the second Indian to win the Indian Open in in two successive years after Jyoti Randhawa. 
●    Another Indian, Anirban Lahiri finished tied sixth in the competition.
●    On Saturday, Chawrasia, Eddie Pepperell and Carlos Pigem shared the lead at 6 under and the first two had completed 11 holes when play was suspended due to darkness. 
●    More than four hours of play had been lost due to threat of lightning on the first two days.
●    He become the third player to win back-to-back Indian Open. Jyoti Randhawa did that in 2006 and 2007 while Japan’s Kenji Hosoishi had won it way back in 1967 and 1968.
●    This is also the third year in succession that an Indian had won this title at home after Lahiri clinched victory in 2015. 
●    This year, Lahiri finished tied fifth after he struck five birdies against four bogeys to turn in a one-under card. 

CURRENT AFFAIRS 14TH MARCH 2017: SPACE SCIENCE

ISRO's 'Lost' Chandrayaan-1 Found Orbiting Moon: NASA

India's first unmanned mission to the moon- Chandrayaan 1- which was believed lost, is still orbiting the moon, say NASA scientists.
●    The Chandrayaan-1, which cost $79 million, was launched in 2008 to map the moon's surface and look for precious resources. 
●    It was assigned a two-year mission. 
●    Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lost contact with Chandrayaan-1.
●    Now, scientists at NASA have successfully located the spacecraft still circling some 200 kilometres above the lunar surface.
●    Finding the spacecraft required some "detective work because the last contact with the spacecraft was on August 29, 2009," said Marina Brozovic, a radar scientist in California.
●    The Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft is very small, a cube about 1.5 meters on each side - about the size of a Maruti 800. 

Important Current Affairs 13th March 2017 with Free PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you Important Current Affairs 13th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 13TH MARCH 2017: PERSONS

Urvashi Rautela entitled as the World’s Most Beautiful Woman by T C Candler

 Uttarakhand’s mesmerizing beauty Urvashi Rautela who earlier was crowned as Miss Universe has now been given the title of ‘World’s Most Beautiful Woman’ by T C Candler. 
●    A group of critics around the world finalizes a list of World’s 100 Most beautiful faces. Headed by T C Candler this is one of the most anticipated lists of winners in the fashion industry. 
●    The most beautiful women from over 40 countries such as Germany, South Korea, South Africa are ranked to prepare the list of 100 most beautiful faces.
●    This was the 27th list of 100 most beautiful faces by T C Candler in which Urvashi Rautela was victorious amongst all the nominees. 
●    This list is not based simply on external appearances and rather encompasses all aspects of the modern definition of beauty. 
●    Urvashi Rautela was the most searched celebrity on Google. 
●    Earlier the timeless beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had earned this title to her name.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 13TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Arun Jaitley given additional charge of Defence

 Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been given the additional charge of the Defence Ministry.
●    This follows the resignation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to take charge as Goa Chief Minister.
●    Earlier, top sources in the government said that it could be quite possible that there are changes in the Cabinet, and that at least one Chief Minister of a BJP ruled State may be moved to Delhi. 
●    A senior general secretary from the central team of the BJP may be sent as a replacement Chief Minister there, the sources added.
●    Parrikar submitted his resignation after BJP staked claim to form an alliance government in Goa.
●    He will be sworn in as the chief minister of Goa tomorrow heading the BJP-led ministry which has the support of regional outfits and Independents.
●    This is the second time that Jaitley is holding the additional portfolio of Defence Ministry during the present NDA government.
●    He was in charge of the ministry earlier from May 26 to November 9 in 2014.

Manohar Parrikar sworn in as Goa Chief Minister

 Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manohar Parrikar, who on Monday morning resigned as Defence Minister, was sworn in as Chief Minister of Goa at Raj Bhavan .
●    Mr. Parrikar, along with members of his Cabinet, was sworn in by Governor Mridula Sinha.
●    Mr. Parrikar had been asked to prove his majority by convening a session of the Assembly within 15 days of taking oath.
●    BJP sources reiterated here that a majority of the Cabinet berths are expected to be offered to the coalition partners.
●    After winning 13 seats in the February 4 election, in a fast-paced political development on Sunday, the BJP cobbled together a coalition of 21 legislators in the 40-member House. 
●    This includes three MLAs each from regional parties, namely, the MGP and Goa Forward Party and two Independent.
 

3 Haryana districts to have Post Office Passport Sewa Kendra

 Three districts of Haryana will have 'Post Office Passport Sewa Kendra' (POPSK) under the first phase of the new initiative by the External Affairs Ministry.
●    Hisar, Karnal and Faridabad will now be covered under the programme in which head post offices are utilised by the Centre to deliver passport related services.
●    An official spokesman of Haryana Government said that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has written to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in this regard.
●    The Minister has also informed that after completion of the first phase, her Ministry intends to initiate the second phase of the scheme and efforts would be made to include more districts of Haryana, if suggested by the state government.
●    He said the Chief Minister has thanked Swaraj for including three districts of Haryana in the first phase of the scheme, adding that the opening of POPSK would immensely benefit the people. 

India announces new licensing policy to boost oil output

 India on Tuesday announced an open acreage licensing policy for oil and gas exploration, allowing bidders to carve out areas where they want to drill as the energy-hungry country looks at greater foreign investment to boost output.
●    The world's third-largest oil consumer will conduct auction of oil and gas blocks under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) twice a year, with the first round being held in July this year, oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said here at the influential CERAWeek conference.
●    OALP auction will be held under the overhauled exploration licensing policy allows pricing and marketing freedom to operators and shifts to a revenue sharing model. 
●    The July auction will be India's first major exploration licensing round since 2010, although it had recently awarded 31 small discovered fields mainly to state-owned and local firms under the liberalised Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP).
●    Showcasing HELP, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 10 last year, to global investors, Pradhan said the new policy is part of the strategy to make India a business and investor friendly destination and cut import dependence by 10 per cent by 2022.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 13TH MARCH 2017: DEFENCE

India successfully test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

 India on Saturday successfully tested an extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile whose reach has been increased from 290 km to 400 km, from a test range along the Odisha coast.
●    The cruise missile was test fired from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore at about 11.30 am, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials said.
●    The missile is capable of carrying a warhead of 300 kg.
●    Increasing the missile’s range became possible after India’s induction into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) last June. 
●    The configuration of the existing missile has been tweaked to enhance its range.
●    Another version of the missile with a strike range of 800 km is under development.
●    India is currently carrying out tests of the air-launched BrahMos missile from specially-modified Sukhoi-30 fighter jets. The missile’s land and naval variants – 500kg heavier than the air version – are already in service.
●    Two Su-30 jets have been modified by the Nasik division of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to carry the 2.5-tonne missile that flies at nearly three times the speed of sound.
●    working on a hypersonic missile, BrahMos-II (K), capable of taking out hardened targets such as underground bunkers and weapon storage facilities at seven times the speed of sound (Mach 7) or 8,575 kmph. 

Important Current Affairs 12th March 2017 with Free PDF

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CURRENT AFFAIRS 12TH MARCH 2017: APPOINTMENTS

Pradeep Nair named Regional Director of Ford Foundation for India, Nepal and Sri Lanka

Pradeep Nair on 8 March 2017 was named the Ford Foundation Regional Director for its office serving India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
●    Nair previously headed the then US President Bill Clinton's Climate Initiative in India.
●    Pradeep Nair is a seasoned public and private sector leader.
●    He holds a deep regional expertise and more than 20 years of experience building partnerships among government, corporate, philanthropic and civil society partners in the dynamic South Asia region.
●    He joined the Ford Foundation with a record of guiding the growth and development of regional institutions.
●    As India Country Director, he established the organisation's India office and played

CURRENT AFFAIRS 12TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Narendra Modi presents Swachh Shakti Awards 2017 to women sarpanch

PM Narendra Modi on 8 March 2017 presented Swachh Shakti Awards 2017 to women sarpanch in Gandhinagar, Gujarat who have contributed immensely to the movement towards a clean India. 
●    The awards were presented on the occasion of International Women's Day 2017.
●    PM Modi honoured ten women with the Swachh Shakti Samman for their exemplary work in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
●    He urged the gathering to maintain the momentum which has been generated towards cleanliness. 
●    The Prime Minister asserted that Swachhata, or cleanliness, has to be become our habit. 
●    He said the poor gain the most when we achieve cleanliness and eliminate dirt. 
●    The Prime Minister said that the women who were being honoured today have shattered many myths, and have shown how a positive change has begun in rural India.

Minister of Railways inaugurates extension of Ranchi-Barkichanpi Passenger upto Tori
 
Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated the extension of passenger train viz. 58653/58654 Ranchi-Barkichanpi Passenger up to Tori to provide train services on new broad gauge Barkichanpi-Tori section (29.5Km) through Video Conferencing from Rail Bhawan . 
●    Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha Shri S.K. Singh, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A. K. Mital, Member Traffic Railway Board Shri Mohd. Jamshed, other Railway Board Members and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
●    The abstract schedule including timings, composition, days of run etc. of the train service extended.
●    Indian Railway extended one pair of passenger train viz. 58653/58654 Ranchi-Barkichanpi Passenger up to Tori to provide train services on new broad gauge Barkichanpi-Tori section (29.5Km).

Centre to Launch Pilot Project on Ornamental Fisheries with total outlay of Rs. 61.89 crore

 Recognizing the potential and scope of ornamental fisheries, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has envisaged a program to unlock the country’s ornamental fisheries sector through a special drive by launching a pilot scheme for the development of ornamental fisheries with a total outlay of Rs. 61.89 crore. 
●    Implementation of the pilot-scale Ornamental Fisheries Project focuses mainly on creating an enabling environment for a sustainable and holistic development of Ornamental Fisheries for the socio-economic development of the people involved in this activity as well as for exports. 
●    The thrust areas have been identified for enhancing ornamental fisheries production through cluster-based farming and conservation of natural resources, both inland and marine, through habitat restoration and creating awareness amongst the stakeholders. 
●    The major objectives of the pilot project are:
●    To promote ornamental fish culture with cluster-based approach, 
●    To augment ornamental fisheries trade and export earnings, 
●    To create employment opportunities for the rural & peri urban population and  
●    Use of modern technology and innovation to make ornamental fisheries a thriving activity.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 12TH MARCH 2017: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA Is About to Create the Coldest Place in the Known Universe

 NASA is about to launch the coldest place on Earth - the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) - into orbit, where astronauts will use it to create never-before-seen conditions with temperatures 100 million times colder than the depths of space.
●    The Cold Atom Lab will hitch a ride on a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station, where it's hoped the super-chilled box will reveal strange new physics when atoms are cooled to a mere billionth of a degree above absolute zero.
●    Studying these hyper-cold atoms could reshape our understanding of matter and the fundamental nature of gravity. 
●    In case you've never considered what the coldest place on Earth was until about 30 seconds ago, NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory is an ice chest-sized box equipped with lasers, a vacuum chamber, and an electromagnetic 'knife' to slow particles to an almost motionless state.
●    The instrument is still in its final stages of construction, so this mission, set to launch in August, will be its first big test.
 

CURRENT AFFAIRS 12TH MARCH 2017: SPORTS

Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin joint No. 1 in ICC Test rankings

India’s spin twins Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are on top of the world. According to the latest International Cricket Council rankings for Test bowlers, Jadeja has joined Ashwin as the world’s leading bowlers.
●    Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin finished with six-wicket hauls in the second India vs Australia Test in Bangalore. 
●    This was the first time in a Test match when four bowlers -- Australia’s Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood also returned six-wicket hauls -- finished with six-fours.
●    India won a dramatic Test match by 75 runs after Australia were set a winning target of 188 on a wearing Day 4 wicket at Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.
●    In a Test match that was marred by DRS controversies and some pantomime, Jadeja and Ashwin stood out with their performances.
●    Ravindra Jadeja’s seven wickets in the match, which included a crucial six for 63 in the first innings, helped him move up one rank to reach the top position for the first time in his career. 
●    The last time two bowlers shared the top spot was in April 2008 when Dale Steyn and Muttiah Muralidaran were at the top.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 12TH MARCH 2017: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

President of India inaugurates the 12th CII-Exim bank conclave on India Africa Project Partnership

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 12th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership today (March 9, 2017) in New Delhi. 
●    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that our connection with Africa is not new. 
●    The bonds between our countries have strengthened over the years. 
●    We are committed to building genuine partnerships that create jobs and opportunities for our peoples. 
●    Mindful of our common history and shared future, we have decided to elevate our relationship. 
●    For the first time ever, we welcomed representatives of all 54 countries of Africa at the third India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015. 
●    We have since then broadened our diplomatic footprint. 
●    Our leadership has visited almost every African country in the last eighteen months. He stated that he personally went to Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Namibia last year. 

Important Current Affairs 11th March 2017 with Free PDF

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CURRENT AFFAIRS 11TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Central Government has established Banana Research Centre in Gorole (Vaishali) 

Union Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that Bihar and particularly Vaishali district is very suitable for the cultivation of bananas and large scale production of banana can change the fate of farmers. 
●    The Minister made this statement today on the occasion of the laying the foundation stone of the Banana Research Centre at Gorole, Vaishali, Bihar Centre. 
●    Shri Singh stated that Rajendra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pusa has got the status of Central Agriculture University only in October, 2016. 
●    After that the Government has established this Banana Research Centre to fulfil the aspirations of the banana growers of Vaishali. Banana Research Centre, Vaishali falls under Garole area and because of the ecological conditions of Garole, it has been selected for the establishment of this centre.
●    He further stated that this centre will work in the areas of finding reasons of less production in banana, enhancement in acreage for cultivation, suitable utilization of the various parts of the plants, different products, marketing and value addition. 
●    Shri Singh said that Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University has already started the research work for doubling the income from banana cultivation. 
●    With starting this centre the research work will get more momentum. He was hopeful that with the cooperation of the researchers of this centre and with the participation of farmers, it would help to bring a new era of banana cultivation in Bihar and surrounding states like it happened in Maharashtra.

Lok Sabha Passes the Admiralty Bill,2016

The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday. 
●    The Bill aims to establish a legal framework to consolidate the existing laws relating to admiralty jurisdiction of courts, admiralty proceedings on maritime claims, arrest of vessels and related issues. 
●    It also aims to replace archaic laws which are hindering efficient governance. The Bill confers admiralty jurisdiction on High Courts located in coastal states of India and this jurisdiction extends upto territorial waters.
●    Introduced during the winter session of Parliament, the Bill came up for discussion in the Lok Sabha yesterday. 
●    The Minister of State ( RT&H, S, C&F), Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, presented an overview of the Bill in the House, highlighting the need for repealing five obsolete British statutes on admiralty jurisdiction in civil matters, which are 126 to 177 years old. 
●    The Bill provides for prioritization of maritime claims and maritime liens while providing protection to owners, charterers, operators, crew members and seafarers at the same time. 
●    During the course of discussion, thirteen members presented their views and raised various questions which were replied to by Shri Mandaviya. The Bill was then passed by the House

Ministry of Railways and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) signed Letters of Intent(LOI) on Environment Initiatives

In the august presence of Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Ministry of Railways signed a LETTER OF INTENT (LOI) with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to formalise the joint cooperation in the area of environmental conservation today i.e. 9th March 2017 at Rail Bhavan. 
●    Minister of State for Railways, Shri Rajen Gohain specially graced the occasion. Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A. K. Mital, Member (Rolling Stock), Railway Board, Shri Ravindra Gupta, other Railway Board Members and senior officials were also present on the occasion. 
●    Mr. Erik Solheim, Executive Director UNEP (and Under Secretary General, UN) from Head office, Nairobi, Kenya was also present. 
●    Representatives of Indian Railways and UNEP signed and exchanged Letters of Intent for exploring the opportunity and Developing a Joint cooperation mechanism in the field of Environment & Sustainability
●    Collaborate in Formulating Specific Roadmap for achieving 20% reduction in Water consumption at Railway establishments.
●    Collaborate in the development of a Draft action plan for establishing waste management centres at major stations on Indian Railways.
●    Collaborate in the development of a Draft action plan for Indian Railways on sustainable public procurement for green technology.
●    Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that Indian Railways welcomes this partnership. 
●    The priority in Railways is to reduce the carbon footprints which will help public at large. After this partnership, opportunities are large to work for environment conservation in collaboration with UNEP. 
●    Railway is already taking several green initiatives and is going to produce 1000 MW solar energy. This joint cooperation will help Indian Railways in its green objectives.

Vote counting delivers historic win for BJP, Akhilesh resigns

The counting of votes for the 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly elections 2017 saw a historic landslide verdict in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in 403-member UP Assembly. 
●    Out of the results declared for 351 seats, BJP has so far bagged 268 seats, Apna Dal (Soneylal) won 8 seats, while Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party grabbed 4 seats. BJP is still leading in 43 seats and Apna Dal (S) is ahead in 1 seat.
●    The assembly polls are being seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and his reforms, particularly demonetisation.
●    Exit poll results on Thursday were indecisive for Uttar Pradesh and predicted a triangular contest between Modi’s BJP, Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance and Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was forecast in Uttar Pradesh.
●    Four of the six polls predicted Modi’s will emerge the single largest party but may fall short of gaining the 202 seats need to govern in its own right in the 403-member assembly. 
●    Two other polls, including the one that forecast Modi winning a majority in the 2014 national elections, expect Modi’s party to sweep to power in a decisive victory.

PM releases commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today released a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. 
●    Speaking on the occasion, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the Prime Minister appreciated Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, and said that the path shown by him is not about Mukti, but about ‘Antaryatra.’ 
●    He said that though Swami Paramahansa Yogananda left the shores of India to spread his message, he always remained connected with India. 
●    The Prime Minister said India's spirituality is its strength, and it is unfortunate that some people link even spirituality with religion, whereas the two are very different.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 11TH MARCH 2017:SPORTS

Warm Send off to Special Athletes Participating in World Winter Games 2017

A warm send off function was organized here today for the special athletes, their coaches and officials going to participate in the World Winter Games to be held from 14th - 25th March 2017 in Austria. 
●    Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar were present on the occasion. 
●    In his speech, Shri Vijay Goel said his ministry is providing financial assistance to “Special Olympics Bharat” for organizing national championship, coaching and training. 
●    He said for participation in upcoming World Winter Games, the government has incurred an expenditure of about Rs 1.5 crore to the contingent consisting of 90 athletes, 23 coaches and 3 officials. 
●    Wishing best wishes to the contingent, Shri Goel said that these athletes have proved that by devotion and determination a person can achieve anything during his life. 
●    He expressed the hope that many of these special athletes will become a sporting star and bring glory to the nation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 11TH MARCH 2017: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Bangladesh Army DGMS calls upon Indian Counterparts

India has been on the fore front in training the doctors and paramedical staff of Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan and Bangladesh through the highly respected Indian Armed Forces Medical Services.
●    Maj Gen SM Motahar Hossain, DGMS (Bangladesh Army) called upon Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Unni, DG AFMS & Lt Gen Velu Nair, DGMS (Army) today and expressed gratitude for the unflinching support and continuous cooperation of Indian Armed Forces including in treating the patients being referred to India.
●    Visiting DGMS sought expert technical advice on medical matters through telemedicine and in other sophisticated fields of surgery & organ transplant to which the hosts expressed willingness.

Important Current Affairs 10th March 2017 with Free PDF

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CURRENT AFFAIRS 10TH MARCH 2017: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IBM creates world's smallest magnet with a single atom

IBM scientists built a single-bit hard drive using just one holmium atom (pictured). Their success could one day lead to hard drives capable of holding hundreds of petabytes of data.
● It would take 223,000 DVDs (4.7Gb each) or 746 million 3.5-inch high-density floppy discs (1.44Mb each) to hold one petabyte.
● This many disks would weigh 13,422 tonnes, about the size of two Type 45 destroyers, like the HMS Duncan.
● There are around 100 trillion cells in the human body, so if one bit is equivalent to a cell, you would get enough cells in a petabyte for 90 people.
● The breakthrough builds on 35 years of nanotechnology history at IBM, including the invention of the Nobel prize-winning scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) which was used to create the atomic hard drive.
● The IBM scientists used the STM, an IBM invention that won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Physics, to view and move holmium atoms.
● The data storage system uses a single atom of holmium, supported by magnesium oxide to help keep the magnetic poles of the atom stable.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 10TH MARCH 2017:NATIONAL NEWS

Parliament passes bill to raise maternity leaves to 26 weeks

Women working in the organised sector will now be entitled to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks, as Parliament today passed a bill in this regard that will benefit about 1.8 million women.
● The new law will apply to all establishments employing 10 or more people and the entitlement will be for only up to first two children.
● For third child, the entitlement will be for only 12 weeks.
● The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Lok Sabha today, months after the Rajya Sabha approved the measure that takes India to the third position in terms of the number of weeks for maternity leave after Canada and Norway where it is 50 weeks and 44 weeks, respectively.
● Piloting amendments to the old law, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said while framing the rules, he would try to ensure that maximum benefits reach the pregnant women.

NIO finds new canyon system close to Kovada coast

Scientists of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Visakhapatnam are an ecstatic lot.
● They have found three new canyons forming a major canyon system in the depths of Bay of Bengal close to Kovvada in Srikakulam district.
● The finding has been evading them since the last 50 years, and for the first time they have clearly mapped the ocean floor between Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam by sending over 32 high density beams to the depths of the sea.
● Canyon systems are generally formed by flow of river water into the sea and they could be as old as the river system, which is close to 23 million years.
● The last canyon systems off the Visakhapatnam coast were discovered in 1963 by American geologist E.C. LaFond of U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory, who was carrying out marine studies at Andhra University.
● The data was collected on board research ship Anton Bruun.

Sports Ministry to set up grievances panel for women athletes.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Wednesday announced that a high level committee will be constituted to address the grievances and complaints of women sports persons under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Sports).
● Addressing a conference on 'Women and Sports in India', on the occasion of International Women's Day, Goel said the other members of the high level panel will include athletes, advocates and senior officials of the ministry apart from a woman sports journalist.
● "The ministry follows a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment," Goel said adding that his ministry provides equal assistance and incentives to both male and female athletes and there is no gender discrimination for training.
● He further said that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in its Special Area Game Scheme has provided training to 807 women sports persons out of a total 1862 sports persons.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 10TH MARCH 2017: SPORTS

Indian Women's Ice Hockey team registers 1st ever international win

The Indian women’s ice hockey team created history on Thursday as they registered their first ever win in international competitions.
● The team showed tremendous resilience to defeat Philippines 4-3 in the Challenge Cup of Asia which is being held in Bangkok.
● India took the lead in the second period and had a 1-0 advantage at the half-time mark.
● The match did not produce much goals in the first three quarters, but it all changed in the last period.
● Both teams produced brilliant attacking play as they scored 3 goals each, but it was India who emerged victorious.
● The Indian women’s ice hockey team went to the tournament at the back of a crowd-funding campaign where they received the help of 3000 donors and that money was used for their training, accommodation, airfares, visa, team jersey, and equipment.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 10TH MARCH 2017: OBITUARY

Gravitation waves pioneer Ronald Drever passes away

Scottish physicist Ronald Drever passed away on March 7.
● He was 85.
● He was one of the co-founders of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors that detect the gravitational waves set off by the merger of a binary black hole pair eighteen months ago.
● Ronald Drever’s engagement with the detection of gravitational waves goes back into the 1970s, when he was at Glasgow, working on prototype interferometric gravitational wave detectors.
● At the invitation of Kip Thorne, who had set up a group to study gravitational waves, Mr. Drever joined Caltech, in the U.S., in the late 1970s.
● He and Stan Whitcomb led the experimental group at Caltech and were responsible for designing the first 40-metre prototype detector.
Rainer Weiss led efforts to build a 1.5 metre prototype at MIT; he was called upon to do a feasibility study by the National Science Foundation in 1980.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 10TH MARCH 2017: APPOINTMENTS

Narendra Kumar takes over as Chairman Central Water Commission

Shri Narendra Kumar, an officer of Central Water Engineering Service (1979 batch) has assumed the charge of Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC).
● Born on October 11, 1957, Shri Kumar obtained his BE degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Roorkee and M Tech from IIT Delhi in Structural Engineering.
● He has served in various capacities in CWC as Assistant Director in Design Organisation, Deputy Director in Project Appraisal Directorate and Director in Dam Safety Organisation and Project Monitoring Directorate.
● He has also served as Senior Joint Commissioner in Command Area Development wing of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation from 2002 to 2005.
● From 2009 to 2011, he served as Chief Engineer, Brahmaputra and Barak Basin, Shillong. He has also worked as Commissioner of B&B wing of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation during 2011 to 2014.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 10TH MARCH 2017: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India and Belgium sign Protocol amending the India-Belgium Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Protocol

India and Belgium have signed a Protocol amending the existing Agreement and Protocol between the two countries for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income today in New Delhi.
● The Protocol was signed by Shri Sushil Chandra, Chairman Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on behalf of India and Mr. Jan Luykx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, on behalf of Belgium.
● The Protocol will broaden the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax related information.
● This in turn will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance between the two countries and will also enable mutual assistance in collection of taxes.
● Fighting the menace of Black Money stashed in offshore accounts has been a key priority area for the Government.
● To further this goal, India has either signed or amended international agreements, declarations or conventions for the Avoidance of Double Taxation & Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and for the Exchange of Information with Switzerland, Mauritius, Cyprus, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Austria during the financial year 2016-17.

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