NATIONAL NEWS
National convention of 'War Decorated India' held in Chandigarh
The two-day national convention of War Decorated India began at the Manekshaw Auditorium in Chandimandir, the headquarters of the Western Command in Chandigarh. Some living gallantry award winners and relatives of the deceased awardees attended the Convention. Chief of Staff Western Command Lt General P.N. Bali addressed the convention.
- Among Victoria Cross awardees, the relatives of Late Naib Subedar Nand Singh (Sikh Regiment), Late Subedar Ram Sarup Singh (1 Punjab) and Late Badlu Ram (Cavalry) were felicitated.
- Among Param Vir Chakra awardees, relatives of Late Col Hoshiar Singh (Grenadiers) and Late Subedar Joginder Singh (Sikh Regiment) were felicitated.
- Among Maha Vir Chakra awardees those felicitated were the relatives of late Brigadier N.S. Sandhu (Dogra), late Brigadier K.S. Chandpuri (Punjab Regiment), late Lt General Gowry Shankar (Signals), late Lt Ved Prakash Trehan (Rajputana Rifles), late Sepoy Anusuya Prasad (Mahar Regiment) and late Porter Mohammed Ismail (Punjab Regiment Civilian Porter).
Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship inaugurated in Gandhinagar
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and also presented the 10th Biennial National Grassroots Innovation Awards in Gandhinagar.
- Mr. Prakash Singh Raghuvanshi of Uttar Pradesh got life time achievement award for his innovations in new varieties of agriculture crops. The first prize in Veterinary, Herbal medication for coccidiosis received by Periyasami Ramasami of Tamil Nadu.
ECI launches ‘Observers app’ for important notifications, alerts, and urgent messages alert
The Election Commission launched a mobile application that will help poll observers to submit reports timely. Over 1800 IAS, IPS and IRS officials, officials of Central services will be deployed as observers in the upcoming Lok Sabha election 2019 and State Assembly elections.
- They will get all the important notifications, alerts, and urgent messages through the “Observer App”. It will help them get their deployment status, download their ID card and update their profile.
- Extra info.:
ECI Headquarters: New Delhi
GI tag for Coorg Arabica Coffee, four others
Geographical Indication (GI) tags have been granted to Coorg Arabica Coffee, Wayanad Robusta Coffee, Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee, Araku Valley Arabica Coffee and Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee, by the Geographical Indications Registry.
- Coorg Arabica Coffee is grown in Kodagu, Karnataka. Wayanad Robusta Coffee is grown in Wayanad, Kerala while Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee and Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee are grown in Chikmagalur, Karnataka.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
4th UN Environment Assembly held in Kenya
The fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) took place in Nairobi, Kenya, as agreed during UNEA-3 in December 2017. Under the overall theme, ‘Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production,’.
- UNEA-4 will address environmental challenges related to poverty and natural resources management, including sustainable food systems, food security and halting biodiversity loss.
BANKING & FINANCE
SBI launches cardless ATM withdrawal with YONO Cash
State Bank of India launched ‘YONO Cash’ for cardless withdrawal of cash at over 16,500 SBI ATMs across the country. With this facility, customers can initiate the cash withdrawal process on the YONO app and set a six-digit YONO Cash pin for the transaction. This feature on YONO is designed to help its users withdraw cash without a physical debit card.
- They will also get a six digit reference number for the transaction on their registered mobile number via SMS. The cash withdrawal has to be completed within the next 30 minutes at the nearest ATMs using both PIN and the reference number received.
Bandhan Bank gets RBI approval for acquisition of Gruh Finance
Bandhan Bank said it has received no objection from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the proposed acquisition of Gruh Finance. Gruh Finance, the affordable housing finance arm of HDFC Ltd, was taken over in January by Kolkata-based Bandhan Bank in a share-swap deal. As part of the deal, Bandhan Bank has to transfer 14.9 per cent stake to HDFC for merging Gruh with itself.
- The deal will allow Bandhan Bank's promoter Bandhan Financial Holdings to come down to about 61 per cent from about 82 per cent, and HDFC to hold around 15 per cent in the merged entity from about 57 per cent in Gruh.
- Extra info.:
Gruh Finance Ltd. Headquarters: Ahmedabad
Aviva Life Insurance launches Wings to empower women at the workplace
Aviva Life Insurance has announced the launch of ‘Wings’, a specially designed mentorship program to empower the female workforce. The program is an initiative of the SHE division of the company, for mentoring all the women employees.
- SHE was conceptualised in 2016 by Aviva India’s Women Network, an active community of socially enabled women who take up the charge of addressing causes in the interest of women empowerment. The new initiative has been aimed to empower the women in Aviva to fulfil their professional and personal goals.
SPORTS
India to host FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2020
India will host the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020, International Football Federation (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino announced in the FIFA Council meeting in Miami, USA. This will be the second FIFA tournament India will be hosting, after the U-17 Men’s World Cup in 2017.
- Besides the U-17 Women’s WC, India had also expressed interest in hosting the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
- Extra info.:
FIFA Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
World Fame 100: Virat Kohli only Indian in top 10, MS Dhoni in 13th spot
This year’s ESPN World Fame 100 list, an annual list of the most famous athletes on the planet, placed the Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo at the top spot, followed by basketball player LeBron James and FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi.
- Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni were among eight Indian cricketers who found a place in the list. Kohli bagged the seventh position and is the only Indian athlete in the top 10, whereas Dhoni is placed in the 13th spot.
Kamalpreet Kaur wins gold in women's discus throw event
In Athletics, Kamalpreet Kaur grabbed the spotlight by winning a gold medal in the women's discus throw event. Kaur also qualified for the Asian Championships in the process on the opening day of Federation Cup in Patiala. Kamalpreet of Punjab emerged triumphant with a final throw of 60.25 metres which is better than the Asian Championships qualifying standard of 58.50 meters.
- Shivpal Singh also booked a berth in the next month's Asian Championships in Doha in men's javelin throw by crossing the qualifying standard set by Athletics Federation of India.
Karnataka defeat Maharashtra to clinch Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Karnataka defeated Maharashtra to win their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. It was a dominating performance by Karnataka who remained unbeaten in the 2018-19 season.
- Agarwal remained not out on 85 off 57 balls while Karun Nair contributed only 8 runs. Karnataka won the match by 8 wickets and 9 balls to spare. It is their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Sleep Day 2019
World Sleep Day is observed annually on March 15 to celebrate the benefits of good and healthy sleep. It is an event organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society. The idea is to draw people's attention to the burden of sleep problems and to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders.
- The theme of this year's World Sleep Day is 'Healthy Sleep, Healthy Aging'.
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