NATIONAL NEWS
Niti Aayog leaves 6 PSBs out of privatisation planThe Niti Aayog has kept public sector banks (PSBs) that were part of the last round of consolidation and State Bank India out of the privatisation plan.
- These banks are Punjab National Bank, Union Bank, Canara Bank and Indian Bank, and Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India that were part of an earlier round of consolidation.
- The government will soon take a call on the two banks and one general insurer that will be taken up for privatisation in the next fiscal year.
The Maharashtra government launched a women empowerment scheme to increase the participation of rural women across fields. Mahasamruddhi Mahila Sashaktikaran scheme was come into effect on March 8.
- To boost the confidence of women, state government will promote listing the names of wives alongside their husbands on the 7/12 extract, which is the official agricultural land record of an individual or family registered with the state government’s revenue department. The inclusion of wives’ names on house property documents will also be promoted.
- Under this scheme, the self-help groups will help women display their skills and provide them sustainable markets and effective branding tools. The women cell and the state rural livelihood mission will also be a part of this mission.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Russia and China just agreed to build a research station on the moon togetherChina and Russia have agreed to jointly build a research station on the moon, expanding the two countries’ cooperation in space.
- The lunar base will be open to “all interested countries and international partners.
- China’s space administration said the research base will be located on the moon’s surface or in orbit, with capabilities for “long-term autonomous operation.” It will engage in research activities, including “lunar exploration and utilization.”
BANKING & FINANCE
Edelweiss General Insurance partners with InterMiles to introduce Free Cancellation Travel InsuranceIndia’s first cloud-native Edelweiss General Insurance (EGI) has launched Edelweiss Group Domestic Travel Insurance in partnership with InterMiles, a leading travel and lifestyle rewards programme.
- This product is a free cancellation air travel policy, that takes care of all cancellation concerns customers may have, thus allowing them to be stress-free in a volatile environment, where travel plans may keep shifting.
- Customers, booking tickets on InterMiles, for travel anywhere in India, can opt for Zero Cancellation, by paying a nominal amount, at the time of booking.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
U.S. becomes India's second biggest oil supplier, Saudi plunges to No. 4The United States overtook Saudi Arabia as India's second biggest oil supplier last month, as refiners boosted cheaper U.S. crude purchases to record levels to offset OPEC+ supply cuts, data from trade sources showed.
- The switch in supplies, triggered by lower U.S. crude demand, coincided with Saudi Arabia's voluntary extra 1 million bpd output cut on top of an agreement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) to maintain lower production.
India has emerged as the fifth most attractive growth destination, slipping one position after being surpassed by the United Kingdom, according to a global survey of chief executive officers.
- The United States is the number one market that CEOs are looking to in terms of growth over the next 12 months and China is at the second spot.
- Germany holds on to its number three spot on the list of growth destinations, while the U.K., post-Brexit, moves up to number four (11%), surpassing India (8%). Japan also rises up the ranking to become the sixth most attractive growth destination, overtaking Australia which held that position last year.
- The survey found that 76% of CEOs worldwide expect the global economic recovery to improve in 2021, showing record levels of optimism about growth a year after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
Tech Mahindra acquires majority stake in Perigord Asset HoldingsIT services firm Tech Mahindra has acquired a 70% stake in Perigord Asset Holdings, a digital workflow and artwork, labelling and BPO services firm.
- This acquisition will help Tech Mahindra to augment expertise in the global pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science (HLS) sectors.
- The company will pay Euro 21 million for a 70% stake, and the balance 30% over the next four years at a valuation linked to the company’s financial performance.
APPOINTMENTS
World Bank's Deepak Mishra appointed as ICRIER director, chief executiveWorld Bank economist Deepak Mishra has been appointed as the next Director and Chief Executive of leading think-tank Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).
- He is currently a Practice Manager in the World Bank's macroeconomics, trade and investment global practice responsible for East Asia and Pacific region.
- Mishra has also served as the World Bank's country economist for India from 2001-04, working closely with the central government and several state governments including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab.
AWARDS
Forest officer Sasmita Lenka gets UN's Asia Environmental Enforcement AwardSenior forest officer (DFO) from Odisha, Sasmita Lenka has been shortlisted to receive the United Nations (UN) Asia Environmental Enforcement Award, under ‘Gender Leadership and Impact’ category.
- The lady DFO will be presented the coveted international award for her notable work in busting pangolin smuggling rackets in Odisha.
Chadwick Boseman’s widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award for best actor in a motion picture drama on behalf of the late actor, who died in August of colon cancer at age 43 — three months before Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was released.
- Boseman is the first Black winner in the category in nearly 15 years. (Forest Whitaker won at the 2007 ceremony for his performance as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.)
- The honour also makes Boseman the first Black posthumous winner in an acting category.
The first M K Arjunan Master award was conferred on lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi The event was organised by M K Arjunan Master Foundation in association with Medical Trust Hospital.
- Thampi has been selected for the award considering his contributions to Malayalam movie industry.
- The award carries a cash prize of I25,000, a plaque designed by Artist Sujathan and a citation.
Renowned writer Nikhileswar, and one among the six ‘Digambara Kavulu’ has been chosen for the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award-2020 for his anthology of poems Agniswaasa penned in 2017.
- A poet with a focus on social issues for almost six decades now, Nikhileswar also contributed to English and Hindi languages.
- Nikhileswar was the founder-secretary of Viplava Rachayithala Sangham (VIRASAM) and was jailed under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) in 1971 for his revolutionary writings and also participating in civil rights movement.
ENVIRONMENT
Giant cricket named after New Zealand PM Jacinda ArdernA newly discovered cricket has been named after New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, making it the fourth insect to be named in her honour.
- The species of wētā – a giant and flightless cricket, native to the Oceanic country – has been called Hemiandrus jacinda apparently because of its red colouring, similar to the Labour Party Ms Ardern is leader of, and its long legs.
OBITUARIES
Noted Kathakali artist Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair passes awayNoted Kathakali artist Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair passed away in Kozhikode, Kerala.
- The 105-year old had won the hearts of Kathakali lovers for several decades for his mudras, charm and grace. Nation had awarded him with Padma Shri in 2017 for his contributions to Kathakali.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Susmita Mukherjee's new book of short stories 'Baanjh: Incomplete Lives of Complete Women'Actor, producer, director, writer Susmita Mukherjee's new book of short stories 'Baanjh: Incomplete Lives of Complete Women' was released recently.
- The book is a collection of 11 short stories-- written "over three decades".
- The stories are well written and quick reads. Each story makes the reader ponder and empathise with the characters while making you think about life.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Sleep DayWorld Sleep Day is held the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox of each year (exact date changes annually, but always on a Friday ). This year it is fall on March 19,2021 to raise awareness about the importance of sleep.
- The objective of World Sleep Day is to minimise the burden of the problems related to sleep on the society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders.
- The slogan for the 14th annual World Sleep Day is 'Regular Sleep, Healthy Future' .
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