Current Affairs Today 17th March 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 17th March 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

• Indian E-commerce Company Flipkart has tied up with Aegon Life Insurance to sell comprehensive insurance solutions for customers.
• Government of India has urged the people to share technology-driven solutions for COVID-19 on MyGovIndia (@mygovindia).
• Government of India has suspended visas for visitors from all other countries for at least a month in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Indian Culture Portal, an online portal of the Ministry of Culture, showcases the information about the rich cultural heritage of India across the globe.
• The Solar Charkha Mission was initiated by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) flagged off the first-ever thrice-weekly flight from Indore (Madhya Pradesh) to Kishangarh (Ajmer, Rajasthan) on 16 March Under the UDAN scheme of Government of India.
• Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya was launched ‘Ropax’ passenger ferry service between Mumbai and Mandwa, Maharashtra.
• The first human trial of a vaccine against coronavirus (COVID-19) began at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) in Seattle, the US.
• The Phillipines has become the first country of the world to suspend all financial markets.
• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) inked a deal with a disability support NGO Aditya Mehta Foundation, to train its troops, who lost their limbs in operations, in various skills including cyber operations, artificial intelligence and para-sports.
• Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi was nominated to Rajya Sabha on 16 March 2020.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been appointed Hirdesh Kumar as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory
• According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India (GoI), Justice (Retd.) Bansi Lal Bhat has been appointed as the officiating Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) for a period of 3 months with effect from March 15, 2020, or until a regular Chairperson is appointed, whichever is earlier.
• “An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” is a book on the life of the former defence minister and Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
• Eminent researcher and writer Dr.Paramananda Majumder was presented the 10th Moghai Ojah Award at a function held at the auditorium of Jorhat Science Centre and Planetarium on 15 March.
• Arfa Khanum Sherwani of “The Wire” and Bengaluru-based freelancer Rohini Mohan have been jointly awarded Chameli Devi Jain Award for outstanding woman journalist.
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) is to set up 10 Chairs in different fields with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women.
• The top tech giants of the world will jointly fight against the fake news and misinformation related to COVID-19 on their platforms.
• Veteran poet and Malayalam scholar Puthussery Ramachandran passed away. ‘Onnanthyakkuttam’ was his first poem which was published in 1944.
• Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Patil Puttappa passed away.
• Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passed away. He starred in movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Dharmatama, Dayavan and Noor Jahan among more.

NEWS IN DETAILS

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Flipkart ties up with Aegon to sell life insurance policies

• Indian E-commerce company Flipkart has tied up with Aegon Life Insurance to sell comprehensive insurance solutions for customers.
• The tie up targets those customers who are seeking instant digital policies with a sum assured of up to Rs 10 lakh.
• These life insurance policies do not need medical tests or paperwork as it is an instant life insurance cover, with digital policy as its core value proposition.
• The tie-up aims to change the notion of customers regarding life insurance policies as customers think that it is expensive and cumbersome to buy including long and rigid tenures and mis-selling.
• The tie-up will give a new vision to this by making life insurance available to customers at the click of a button in a convenient and transparent manner.

Extra Shots:

Aegon Life Insurance:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• Chief Executive Officer(CEO): Vineet Arora

 Flipkart

• Headquarters: Bengaluru, India
• CEO:Kalyan Krishnamurthy

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Centre urges people to share solutions for COVID-19 on MyGovIndia

• Government of India has urged the people to share technology-driven solutions for COVID-19 on MyGovIndia (@mygovindia).
• The information was announced was made by PM Narendra Modi.
• The aim is to harness innovation for a healthier planet.
• A lot of people have been sharing technology-driven solutions for COVID-19.
• It is believed that efforts might help many.
• Currently, more than 9.5 million users have contributed their ideas through discussions and also participate through the various earmarked tasks.
• The initiative aims to culminate in a mass movement towards self-governance.

Extra Shots:

MyGovIndia:

• MyGovIndia is an innovative platform where the citizen can engage themselves with the Government of India.
• The platform was launched on 26 July 2014 by PM Narendra Modi.
• The portal aims to make the people contribute their ideas and views towards good governance.
• MyGov platform has kept the citizens engaged in important policy issues and governance, including Clean Ganga, Girl Child Education, Skill Development, and Healthy India, among others.

GoI announced blanket travel ban in response to Coronavirus

• Government of India has suspended visas for visitors from all other countries for at least a month in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• India has drastically limited the number of people entering the country.
• The announcement was approved and announced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The blanket ban by India was criticized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ban:

• India has banned travellers from the European Union (EU), Turkey and the United Kingdom (UK) are prohibited from entering India between 18-31 March 2020.
• The ban on EU includes 27 countries across Europe and European free trade association’s (EFTA) four members Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.
• The airlines have been urged to enforce the move at the port of initial departure.
• The measure effectively bans all tourism to India until at least 15 April.
• The announcement came as the number of coronavirus cases increased to more than 100 (as on 15 March 2020) in India.

Indian Culture Portal to showcase rich cultural heritage of India

• Indian Culture Portal, an online portal of the Ministry of Culture, showcases the information about the rich cultural heritage of India across the globe.

Indian Culture Portal:

• Indian Culture Portal was launched on 10 December 2019.
• The portal is available in 2 languages, namely Hindi and English.
• The portal aims to create awareness about the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of India.
• The portal holds various contents comprising mainly of artefacts from museums, rare books, manuscripts, virtual galleries, e-books, archives, photo archives, gazetteers, write-ups and beautiful pictures on cuisines, Indian National Bibliography, videos, detailed accounts of Indian UNESCO World Heritage site, Musical Instruments of India, festivals, paintings, folk art and classical art from the different states of India, etc.

Mission Solar Charkha of Ministry of MSME

• The Solar Charkha Mission was initiated by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) implemented the program.
• A pilot project was implemented in 2016 at Khanwa village, Nawada District of Bihar.

Aim:

• The Scheme aims to ensure inclusive growth by the generation of employment, especially for women and youth, and sustainable development through solar charkha clusters in rural areas. The Scheme will boost the rural economy and help in arresting migration from rural to urban areas. It also leverages low-cost, innovative technologies and processes for sustenance.

Mission Solar Charkha:

• The target of the mission is to cover 50 solar clusters across the country. Under the Scheme, approximately 1,00,000 beneficiaries are to be covered.
• So far, ten projects have been approved under Mission Solar Charkha.
• The total cost for one cluster of Solar Charkha would involve a maximum subsidy of Rs.9.599 crore.
• It aims to generate direct employment to nearly one lakh persons.

Extra Shots:

KVIC: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is a statutory body formed in April 1957 by the Government of India, under the Act of Parliament, ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’.

• Founded: 1956
• Purpose: To plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Agency executive: Vinai Kumar Saxena (Chairperson)
• Parent agency: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
• Type: Statutory corporation

MoCA flagged off first-ever Indore-Kishangarh flight under UDAN

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) flagged off the first-ever thrice-weekly flight from Indore (Madhya Pradesh) to Kishangarh (Ajmer, Rajasthan) on 16 March Under the UDAN scheme of Government of India.

Indore-Kishangarh flight:

• The tender for the Indore-Kishangarh route during the UDAN 3 bidding process was awarded to Star Air. The aim is to connect the unconnected regions.
• The distance between Indore and Kishangarh is around 550 km (approx.).
• The time taken for the people to reach Kishangarh from Indore by road is more than 10 hours.
• The flight operations on this route will make the travel easy for the people and visit the famous Nine Planets Temple, Pushkar Lake, Phool Mahal Palace, Roopangarh Fort, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, etc.
• Kishangarh is famously known as the ‘Marble City of India.’ It is a big market for red chilies.
• The people can now travel between Belagavi and Kishangarh in just 3 hours.
• Under RCS-UDAN, Star Air already operates direct flights from Belagavi to Indore. MoCA has operationalized 268 routes under the UDAN scheme.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Mansukh Mandaviya launches ’Ropax’ ferry service in Maharashtra

• Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya was launched ‘Ropax’ passenger ferry service between Mumbai and Mandwa, Maharashtra.
• The vessel, built in Greece, can carry 200 cars and 1,000 passengers and is capable of plying even during monsoon.
• The road distance between Mumbai and Mandwa is 110 kilometres.
• It can reach speeds of 14 knots and will complete the 18-kilometre sea journey in 45 minutes to one hour

Extra Shots:

Maharashtra:

• Capital: Mumbai
• Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
• Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
• National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

First human trial of a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 began in the US

• The first human trial of a vaccine against coronavirus (COVID-19) began at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) in Seattle, the US.

Covid-19 vaccine trial:

• The vaccine is called mRNA-1273. The vaccine has shown promise in animal models.
• It was developed by NIAID scientists and their collaborators at the biotechnology company Moderna, Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• A 43-year-old woman from Seattle received the first dose.
• The vaccine contains a harmless genetic code copied from the virus that causes the disease. It cannot cause COVID-19.
• The trial will enroll 45 healthy adult volunteers over approximately six weeks.
• The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) supported the manufacturing of the vaccine candidate for the Phase 1 clinical trial.
• The study participants will receive two doses of the vaccine via intramuscular injection in the upper arm approximately 28 days apart.

Extra Shots:

USA (Capital/Currency): Washington, D.C./ United States Dollar

• President: Donald Trump
• Official languages: English

Philippines becomes 1st country to suspend all financial markets

• The Phillipines has become the first country of the world to suspend all financial markets.
• The financial shutdown was confirmed from the statements from the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Bankers Association of the Philippines.
• The Philippine Stock Exchange was closed on 17th of March indefinitely, while currency and bond trading were suspended.
• The decision to suspend the financial markets was taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Phillipines authorities cited risks to the safety of traders as the key reason of shutdown.
• The decision to suspend the financial markets is expected to be followed by other exchanges amid a broad lockdown in the Philippines.

Extra Shots:

Phillippines (Capital/Currency): Manila/Peso

• President: Rodrigo Duterte

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

CRPF & Aditya Mehta foundation sign MoU to enable the ‘Divyang Warriors’

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) inked a deal with a disability support NGO Aditya Mehta Foundation, to train its troops, who lost their limbs in operations, in various skills including cyber operations, artificial intelligence and para-sports.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalised between the force and the Aditya Mehta Foundation here in presence of CRPF Director General (DG) A P Maheshwari. The MoU is aimed to create new opportunities for such personnel who remain an integral part of the force.
• A total of 189 CRPF personnel can be trained in varied skills like acquiring working knowledge of the cyberspace, artificial intelligence, para-sports and many other such areas.
• The DG also honoured five such specially-abled personnel of the force with DG’s commendation disc and certificates for bringing laurels in the field of para-sports.

Extra Shots:

Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF):

• Headquarters: Secunderabad, Telangana

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Motto:Service and Loyalty
• Preceding agency: Ministry of Home Affairs
• Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs

APPOINTMENT

President nominated former CJI Ranjan Gogoi to Rajya Sabha

• Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi was nominated to Rajya Sabha on 16 March 2020. He was nominated by President Ram Nath Kovind.
• His nomination to the upper house was made against the vacancy created due to the retirement of senior lawyer KTS Tulsi.
• There are 11 other nominated members in the Rajya Sabha.

Extra Shots:

All About Ranjan Gogoi:

• Ranjan Gogoi was retired on 17 November 2019.
• He is the first person from the northeast region to reach the top of the judiciary.
• He served as the Judge of Gauhati High Court from 28 February 2001 to 8 September 2010.
• In September 2010, he was appointed as the Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
• He then served as the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court on 12 February 2011.
• In 2012, he served as the Judge of the Supreme Court of India. On 3 October 2018, he replaced Justice Dipak Misra as CJI.
• He was appointed as CJI by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind.

Hirdesh Kumar becomes new Chief Electoral Officer of J&K

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been appointed Hirdesh Kumar as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
• He will replace Shailendra Kumar with effect from the date he assumes charge.
• Hridesh Kumar is a 1999 batch IAS officer & presently serving as Commissioner Secretary in the School Education Department of J&K.

Extra Shots:

Jammu & Kashmir:

• Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Lt Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu
• National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc

Justice Bansi Lal Bhat got appointed as officiating chairperson of NCLAT for 3 months

• According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India (GoI), Justice (Retd.) Bansi Lal Bhat has been appointed as the officiating Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) for a period of 3 months with effect from March 15, 2020, or until a regular Chairperson is appointed, whichever is earlier.
• The first Chairperson of NCLAT, Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya has retired on March 13, 2020.

Extra Shots:

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT): It adjudicates issues relating to Indian companies.

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Act:Companies Act of 2013.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar

• “An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” is a book on the life of the former defence minister and Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
• The book is co-authored by veteran journalists Sadguru Patil and Mayabhushan Nagvenkar.
• The book titled “An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” will be published by publishing house Penguin Random House India.
• Manohar Parrikar served as the Defence Minister of India from 2014 to 2017 and also served four times as the Chief Minister of Goa.

AWARDS

Paramananda Majumder was conferred the Moghai Ojah award

• Eminent researcher and writer Dr.Paramananda Majumder was presented the 10th Moghai Ojah Award at a function held at the auditorium of Jorhat Science Centre and Planetarium on 15 March.
• He was awarded for his significant role in raising issues of public interest and society’s betterment.
• Majumder compiled the first book on the life and works of folk musician Moghai Ojah.
• The award recognized his invaluable contribution in bringing dhol maestro Moghai Ojah and his magnificent skill of playing the dhol back to the public domain by compiling a book on him.

Extra Shots:

Moghai Ojah award:

• The Moghai Ojah award was instituted in 2011 by the Jorhat district unit of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP).
• The award is annually presented on 15 March, on the death anniversary of Ojah.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs.21,000, a citation, a gamosa, a seleng chadar, and a memento.

Arfa Sherwani & Rohini Mohan conferred with Chameli Devi Jain Award

• Arfa Khanum Sherwani of “The Wire” and Bengaluru-based freelancer Rohini Mohan have been jointly awarded Chameli Devi Jain Award for outstanding woman journalist.
• Sherwani was chosen for her reporting from conflict situations in Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh and Mohan’s reportage on the NRC exercise in Assam set a new benchmark for investigative journalism.
• The jury comprised political scientist Zoya Hasan, journalists Sreenivasan Jain & Manoj Mitta.

Extra Shots:

• The award is an Indian journalistic award which was instituted by the Media Foundation in 1980, named after Chameli Devi Jain, a legendary freedom fighter, community reformer who went to prison during India’s freedom struggle.
• The annual award recognises social concern, dedication, courage and compassion all over India from the print, broadcast and online media category.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

UGC to set up 10 Chairs in different universities for research activities

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) is to set up 10 Chairs in different fields with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women.
• UGC will implement it with the assistance of UGC, Ministry of Women and Child Development.

All About Initiative:

• The initiative of UGS is called “Establishment of Chairs in the University in the Name of Eminent Women Administrators/ Artists/ Scientists/ Social reformers.”
• The move aims to establish the Chairs in the name of eminent women from India.
• It is expected that it will inspire women to pursue higher education and to achieve excellence in their various areas of work.
• The initiative will highlight and celebrate women achievers of the country and motivate the young girls and women towards pursuing higher studies.

Top tech giants to jointly fight against COVID-19 misinformation

• The top tech giants of the world will jointly fight against the fake news and misinformation related to COVID-19 on their platforms.
• The top giants which have announced a fight against the fake news includes Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Reddit, Twitter and YouTube.
• These companies are working closely to have a check on the fake news and misinformation related to COVID-19.
• These companies are jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus as well as elevating authoritative content on their platforms.
• They are also focusing on sharing the critical updates in coordination with government healthcare agencies around the world.

OBITUARIES

Veteran poet Puthussery Ramachandran passes away

• Veteran poet and Malayalam scholar Puthussery Ramachandran passed away. ‘Onnanthyakkuttam’ was his first poem which was published in 1944.
• His poetry works were majorly concentrated on an in-depth study of the early and medieval Malayalam language along with the early history of Kerala.
• He played various roles in his life such as teacher, poet, writer as well as a political activist at one point of time.
• He is also known for his tireless efforts due to which Malayalam was finally recognised as a Classical Language by the Union Government in 2013.

Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa passes away

• Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Patil Puttappa passed away.
• He was a member of Rajyasabha for two terms between 1962 and 1974.
• He was also the first president of the Kannada Watchdog Committee and was also the founder-president of the Border Advisory Committee.
• Puttappa was the founder-editor of weekly “Prapancha” and also edited “Navayuga”. He also wrote columns in various dailies.

Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passes away

• Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passed away. He starred in movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Dharmatama, Dayavan and Noor Jahan among more.
• He was an actor and director and associated with popular films such as Hulchul, Pyaara Dost, and Procession of Memories.
• He was the brother of late Bollywood star Amjad Khan’s.

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