NATIONAL NEWS
India ranks 76th on WEF Global Energy Transition Index
India has moved up two places to rank 76th on a global energy transition index. This annual list, compiled by Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF). The report, released by the WEF, said India is amongst the countries with high pollution levels and has a relatively high CO2 intensity in its energy system.
- India is also the second best in the BRICS block of emerging economies, with Brazil being the best at 46th place globally. However, India is the only amongst the five economies to improve its rank since last year.
- Extra info.:
WEF Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
Delhi IGI Airport becomes the 12th busiest in the world as per ACI report
The nation capital's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has now become the world's 12th busiest airport, moving up four places from the 16th spot in 2017. According to the preliminary world airport traffic rankings for 2018 released by the Airports Council International (ACI) , it over took mega-hubs like Frankfurt, Dallas Forth Worth, Guangzhou and Istanbul Ataturk airports.
- India became the world's third-largest aviation market in terms of passenger throughput, behind the US and China, in 2018. The ACI's World Airport Traffic Forecasts also predicts the country will represent the third largest aviation market in terms of passenger throughput after the US and China by 2020.
NITI Aayog’s FinTech Conclave held in New Delhi
NITI Aayog has organized a day-long FinTech Conclave at Dr. Ambedkar International Center, New Delhi. The Conclave was inaugurated by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
- The objective of the conference is to shape India’s continued ascendancy in FinTech, build the narrative for future strategy and policy efforts, and to deliberate steps for comprehensive financial inclusion.
Yarn bank set up to help weavers in crisis
A yarn bank has been set up at the Mysore Powerloom Silk Manufacturers Cooperative Society on Avenue Road to benefit the state’s weavers.
- The bank, regardless of the price rise in the open market and the menace of middlemen, ensures a steady supply of yarn to the weavers from southern Karnataka. The bank will purchase yarn at the wholesale rate from producers with a corpus instituted by the Centre and a special purpose vehicle (SPV).
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Naresh Goyal steps down as Jet Airways Chairman
Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal stepped down, paving way for lenders to bail out the financially troubled airline he set up 25 years ago. The airline has over one billion dollars in debt and has to repay money to banks, lessors of planes and suppliers besides clearing pending salaries to its pilots.
- The board meeting held in Mumbai also decided on ways to procure interim funding.
For housing finance companies, FY20 looks as bad as FY19: Icra report
The liquidity crisis has crimped credit growth for housing finance companies (HFCs) and is unlikely to improve much in FY20, even as the weak external environment will put a pressure on asset quality, warns a report.
- HFCs are expected to report a 13-15% credit growth in FY19, which will inch up to 14-16% in next fiscal year, ratings agency Icra has said in a weekend report.
- Extra info.:
Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited (ICRA) Headquarters: Gurugram, India
World's largest e-waste recycling hub opens in Dubai
The world's largest e-waste recycling facility has opened in Dubai. Located at the Dubai Industrial Park, the 280,000 square feet plant will process Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), IT asset disposition (ITAD), refrigerant gas and specialised waste.
- The facility will utilise state-of-the-art reclamation technology, which surpasses the European Union's standards for e-waste. The 120 million dirhams ($5 million) project is backed by the Swiss Government Export Finance Agency.
SPORTS
Saina Nehwal named as TSJA sports person of the year
Badminton ace Saina Nehwal walked away with the Sportsperson of the Year award at the annual Telangana Sports Journalists Association (TSJA) Awards held at The Park.
- PV Sindhu was named the Outstanding Performer of the Year (female), Pullela Gopichand was awarded the Coach of the Year and the Indian badminton team was named the Team of the Year, while the Badminton Association of Telangana was awarded the Association of the Year.
APPOINTMENTS
Govindaraj re-elected BFI president
K. Govindaraj was unanimously re-elected as president of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) at its annual general-body meeting in Bengaluru. Chander Mukhi Sharma was re-elected secretary-general.
- A new six-team women’s league would be held inside the next three months, declared Govindaraj.
- Extra info.:
Basketball Federation of India Headquarters: New Delhi
AWARDS
Kenyan science teacher Peter Tabichi wins 2019 Global Teacher Prize
A science teacher from rural Kenya, who gives away most of his salary to support poorer pupils, has won a $1m prize (£760,000) for the world's best teacher. Peter Tabichi, a member of the Franciscan religious order, won the 2019 Global Teacher Prize.
- The award, announced in a ceremony in Dubai, recognises the "exceptional" teacher's commitment to pupils in a remote part of Kenya's Rift Valley.
OBITUARIES
Noted folk artist Vinjamuri Anasuyadevi passes away
Noted folk artist, music director and writer Vinjamuri Anasuya Devi passed away at Houston in the U.S. at the age of 99. A recipient of Kala Prapoorna award, she got her first gramophone record at the age of 8 years.
- She composed and sang the famous patriotic song Jaya Jaya Jaya Priya Bharathi written by her uncle Devulapally Krishna Shastry. Her book Bhava Geetalu, a compilation of folk songs, was released in Chennai last year.
Social activist Ghulam Nabi Rather passes away
Ghulam Nabi Rathar, 62, of Manigam Kangan, a social activist, passed away after brief illness. Rather, a retired horticultural officer, was ex-chairman of Shaheen Public High School Mamigam and owner of Alamdar Public school Wussan Kangan.
Eminent Bangladeshi Singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah passes away
Shahnaz Rahmatullah, a renowned South Asian singer, popularly known as Shahnaz Begum, passed away in Bangladesh after suffering a heart attack. The 67-year-old singer's career spanned five decades and encompassed a number of genres, particularly national songs.
- Rahmatullah emerged as a singer in Dhaka in the mid-1960s, beginning her career in radio at the age of 10. She sang many patriotic songs during the liberation war of the 1970s.
Jain muni Hitruchivijayji passes away
Muni Hitruchivijayji, 57, one of the last disciples of Acharya Ramchandrasurishwarji, was known to have taken diksha at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. The monk passed away after a short ailment in Ahmedabad. His body was kept at Dasha Porvad Jain Sangh in Paldi for the last darshan.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Meteorological Day
World Meteorological Day takes place every year on 23 March and commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization. It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world.
- The theme for this year is “The Sun, the Earth and the Weather”
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