NATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi inaugurates National War Memorial Near India Gate
Prime Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's National War Memorial adjoining the India Gate in New Delhi, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. PM Modi paid his tribute to the brave soldiers, who lost their lives in Pulwama terror attack and all those bravehearts who have sacrificed their lives for protecting India.
- Spread over 40 acres in the India Gate complex, the has been executed at a cost of Rs 176 crore and its design was selected through a global competition. The names of 25,942 battle casualties have been inscribed across 16 walls that consist of granite pieces bearing the name, rank and regiment of the fallen heroes.
Rising India Summit 2019 held in New Delhi
With the theme 'Beyond Politics: Defining National Priorities', News18, India's largest news network, is coming up with the second edition of its marquee thought-leadership initiative-News18 Rising India Summit 2019. The event will be held in New Delhi and the inaugural evening will be graced by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi who will give the keynote address.
- The summit this year, held on a monumental scale, will bring together people of eminence and exceptional achievements, from various walks of life, to celebrate India's successes and deliberate the future.
14th Agricultural Science Congress held in New Delhi
14th Agricultural Science Congress organised by the National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS) in association with the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and ICAR held in New Delhi on the theme "Innovations for Agricultural Transformation".
- The Congress was attended by around 2000 delegates. Over 40 delegates from 17 countries- US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Thailand, Mexico, Denmark, and Philippines etc participated in the assembly.
U'khand CM launches helpline for quick redressal of public complaints
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat launched a helpline at the IT Park in Dehradun for quick redressal of public complaints. People can call on the helpline number 1905 to lodge their complaints. The call centre set up for the purpose will be open from 8 am to 10 pm daily to receive people's complaints.
- The performance of the government departments will also be rated through the mechanism which will not only facilitate quicker redressal of public complaints but also introduce a new work culture where officials will work with more accountability.
World Bank, UN, SIDBI launch Rs 300 crore Women’s Livelihood Bond
World Bank, UN Women, and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have joined hands to launch a new social impact bonds exclusively for women, called Women’s Livelihood Bonds (WLBs), with an initial corpus of Rs 300 crore.
- The proposed bond will enable individual women entrepreneurs in sectors like food processing, agriculture, services and small units to borrow around Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh at an annual interest rate of around 13-14 per cent or less.
First in India: MP rolls out 100-day urban job scheme
The 100-day urban job guarantee scheme a first in the country and the brainchild of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath is offering over 40 jobs, covering a broad spectrum from cattle grazer to accountant and photographer, as the government aims to cover as many beneficiaries as possible, regardless of their educational qualification. There is no minimum educational criteria and even the uneducated people can find work..
- The government’s target is to cover at least six lakh youths a year in three phases, which means two lakh every four months. As per the arrangement, 90% of the stipend will be paid by the state government and 10% will be given by the municipal bodies.
Bihar 1st state to deploy dog squad to check liquor smuggling
Bihar has become the first state in the country to have raised a special dog squad to detect liquor consignment. As many as 20 liquor-tracker dogs which were imparted training for nine months in Hyderabad have been deployed in nine police ranges in the state.
- They were trained at Hyderabad-based Integrated Intelligence Training Academy. Patna will witness deployment of 4 such dogs. Notably, Bihar had banned liquor in the state in 2016.
Kochi hosted 44th IAA global summit
International Advertising Association (IAA), the integrated association of advertising agencies and the media, will organise the 44th edition of its global summit at Grand Hyatt-Lulu Convention Centre, Kochi. The three-day summit will see the participation of dignitaries from various fields and industries all over the world.
- Reliance Industries CMD Mukesh Ambani, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will attend the summit. The theme of the 44th edition is 'brand dharma'.
- The 80-year old IAA is headquartered in New York and has presence in 65 countries. This is for first time an Indian city is holding the IAA summit.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Ghani flags off first Afghan cargo to India through Chabahar port
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani flagged off the first Afghan cargo from western Nimroz province that will be exported to India through Chabahar Port in Iran which was inaugurated in 2017. Addressing the event, Ghani said that the opening of Chabahar route will increase Afghanistan's export from US $1 billion to US $2 billion in the next year.
- The Chabahar port which provides an alternative route for trade between India and Afghanistan is located in Southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
Sudan's president declares state of emergency
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has declared a national state of emergency, dismissed the federal government and sacked all state governors. In the address, Mr Bashir asked parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for another term.
- The demonstrations started over cuts to bread and fuel subsidies in December but later morphed into anger at Mr Bashir's 30-year rule.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
BoB ties up with German KfW for USD 130m to refinance solar units
State-run Bank of Baroda has tied up with Germany's KfW Development Bank for funding of USD 113 million to refinance solar projects. The tie-up is part of an Indo-German Solar Energy Partnership signed in 2015.
- The KfW, formerly KfW Bankengruppe (banking group), is a German government-owned development bank, based in Frankfurt.
Oil Marketing Companies to engage 10,000 women as grassroots energy ambassadors in Odisha
In Odisha, Oil Marketing Companies will engage more than 10,000 rural women as 'Ujjwala Didis' to act as grassroots energy ambassadors across the state to ensure sustainability of LPG use. Ujjwala Didis will act as a bridge between existing and prospective LPG consumers and the distributors in the state.
- The state saw phenomenal growth in LPG households from 20 lakh in 2014 to almost 78 lakh in February, 2019.
GST on under-construction houses cut to 5%
The GST Council lowered the tax on under-construction residential properties to 5 per cent from 12 per cent to boost the realty sector. The new rates will be implemented from April 1. The council also reduced goods and services tax (GST) on affordable housing projects from 8 per cent to 1 per cent without input tax credit.
- In metros houses with a carpet area up to 60 square metres, and in non-metros houses with a carpet area of up to 90 square metres will be classified as affordable housing. Properties worth Rs 45 lakh will be also be classified as affordable.
SPORTS
Chennai Spartans crowned champions of inaugural Pro Volleyball League
Chennai Spartans were crowned as the winners of the inaugural Pro Volleyball League as they beat Calicut Heroes in straight sets 3-0 in the final in Chennai. As a result of winning the first edition of the league, Chennai Spartans also qualify for the FIVB Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship.
APPOINTMENTS
State Governor Ayala Appointed Sudan's Prime Minister
Mohamed Tahir Ayala, governor of Gezira state, was appointed Sudan’s prime minister. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said in November 2017 that he would support Ayala in the 2020 presidential election if he decided to run.
- Extra info.:
Capital: Khartoum
Currency: Sudanese pound
AWARDS
Mahesh Elkunchwar bags META Lifetime Achievement Award
One of Indias most progressive playwrights, Mahesh Elkunchwar, will be conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) this year. Elkunchwar is critically acclaimed and widely known for having experimented with a wide range of drama and has been a powerful force in both Indian and Marathi theatre for over three decades.
OBITUARIES
Veteran Kannada writer Ko Channabasappa passes away
Veteran freedom fighter and noted Kannada writer Ko Channabasappa passed away in M S Ramaiah hospital in Bengaluru. He was 96. He was former Judge and had written more than 80 books. He was winner of Nadoja and Kannada Rajyotsava Awards.
- Born in Kudligi in Ballari District he had participated in Quit India movement during his school days and had been jailed several time. He was in forefront during agitation for State's unification.
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