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Current Affairs Today – 27th March 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- World Theatre Day celebrated is observed annually on the 27 March by ITI Centres and the international theatre community.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that all banks and Non-bank financial institutions (NBFCs) have been permitted to allow a moratorium of 3 months on repayment of term loans outstanding on 1 March 2020.
- CRISIL has cut its base-case Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for fiscal 2021 to 3.5% from 5.2% expected earlier.
- In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to advance the Bi-monthly Monetary Policy meet which was scheduled to be held on 31st March 2020 and the announcement was meant to be made on 3rd April.
- The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has set up a CII COVID Rehabilitation and Relief Fund (CRR) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to tackle Covid-19.
- The Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman announced Rs.1.70 lakh crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana on 26 March.
- The Maharashtra state government has decided to stamp the left hand of the people who have been kept under quarantine amid coronavirus pandemic in the country.
- The Odisha State government is planning to set up a COVID-19 testing laboratory at a hospital in order to ease the burden as the state has only one facility at Bhubaneswar.
- Indore (Madhya Pradesh), the cleanest city in India becomes the 1st city in India to use drones to sanitize the city against COVID-19 scare.
- The Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Government Hospital in Jaipur is to introduce the usage of humanoid robots to provide services to the COVID-19 patients.
- The United States has reported more coronavirus cases than any other country with over 82,400.
- The United Nations Space Force has launched an Advanced Extremely High-Frequency satellite (AEHF-6) for its military communications.
- The G20 nations agreed to collectively inject $5 trillion into the world economy.
- India has proposed to set up a common electronic platform for all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations.
- Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri has been picked among 28 players for the world governing body FIFA’s campaign to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Government of India’s flagship fitness movement “Fit India” has teamed up with Bollywood actress and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty Kundra.
- Indian filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has been honoured with IIFTC Tourism Impact Award 2020 for her outstanding contribution to world tourism through her cinema.
- Hyderabad-based CSIR’s Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology (CCMB) announced that it is working to sequence the whole genome of the COVID-19 virus that is taken from isolates from people who have tested positive.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun a global mega trial of the four most promising drugs that may cure the novel coronavirus.
- Veteran photographer & Padma Shri awardee Nemai Ghosh passed away.
- Indian-born international chef Floyd Cardoz passed away at 59.
- Padma Vibhushan award winning artist, architect, sculptor and writer Satish Gujral passed away.
- The chief of Brahmakumaris Sansthan, Rajyogini Dadi Janki passed away.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
World Theatre Day observed globally on 27 March
- World Theatre Day celebrated is observed annually on the 27 March by ITI Centres and the international theatre community.
- The day aims to promote theatre in all its forms across the world.
Aim:
- The main objective of the World theatre day is to enable theatre communities to promote their work on a broad scale so that governments and opinion leaders are aware of the value and importance of dance in all its forms and support it.
History:
- The World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI). The day has been celebrated since 1962.
BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
RBI announced 3 month moratorium on repayment of term loans means for borrowers
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that all banks and Non-bank financial institutions (NBFCs) have been permitted to allow a moratorium of 3 months on repayment of term loans outstanding on 1 March 2020.
- As per RBI’s move, the tenure or time period of the loans will be increased by 3 months.
Highlights:
- All lending institutions including banks and NBFCs will allow a moratorium on loan repayments for 3 months.
- A moratorium of this kind generally implies that the Equated monthly installments (EMI) repayment of loans of individuals will not be deducted from their bank accounts till the moratorium period is over.
- The loan EMI payments will resume only when the moratorium time period of 3 months expires.
- RBI stated that the moratorium will enable the borrowers to balance the economic fallout from COVID-19.
Note:
- Moratorium period, also known as EMI holiday, is the time during which an individual does not have to pay an EMI on the loan taken. These breaks are offered to help individuals facing temporary financial difficulties to plan their finances better.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
CRISIL cuts GDP growth forecast to 3.5 percent
- CRISIL has cut its base-case Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for fiscal 2021 to 3.5% from 5.2% expected earlier.
Highlights:
- The global growth forecasts have reduced geometrically due to the COVID-19 pandemic spread geometrically.
- It highlighted that the world economy, unlike the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, has jeopardized financial stability and brought enormous human suffering.
- CRISIL has cut ifs early forecast of 5.2% GDP growth to 3.5% for fiscal 2021. But it has worsened notably.
- The pandemic in India poses a material risk to the India economic outlook.
- It also reported that the slump in growth will be concentrated in the first half of the next fiscal, while the second half should see a mild recovery.
- It highlighted that the inability to control the pandemic and extension of the lockdown will aggravate supply and demand shocks. CRISIL:
Extra Shots:
- Earlier known as: Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited
- Founded on: 1987
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- CFO Intern: Anurag Shukla
- MD & CEO: Ashu Suyash
RBI’s 7th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement for 2019-20
- In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to advance the Bi-monthly Monetary Policy meet which was scheduled to be held on 31st March 2020 and the announcement was meant to be made on 3rd April.
- The meeting was advanced to 24th, 26th and 27th March 2020.
- During the seventh Bi-monthly Monetary Policy meet, the MPC analysed the current & evolving macroeconomic and financial conditions and has decided to take a accommodative stance and hence reduced the policy repo rate to revive growth as well as to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
- With its decisions, MPC aims to keep inflation within the target and hence to preserve financial stability.
- Repo Rate- 4.40%
- Reverse Repo Rate-4%
- CRR-3%
- MSF-4.65%
- Bank Rate-4.65%
Members of Monetary Policy Committee is as follows:
- Governor of the Reserve Bank of India – Chairperson, ex officio: Shri Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, in charge of Monetary Policy– Member, ex officio: Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra
- One officer of the Reserve Bank of India to be nominated by the Central Board – Member, ex officio: Dr. Janak Raj
- Chetan Ghate, Professor, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI): Member
- Pami Dua, Director, Delhi School of Economics: Member
- Ravindra H. Dholakia, Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad: Member.
Extra Shots:
RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central banking institution, which controls the issuance and supply of the Indian rupee.
- Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, M. D. Patra, N. S. Vishwanathan
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
CII sets up “CII COVID Rehabilitation and Relief Fund”
- The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has set up a CII COVID Rehabilitation and Relief Fund (CRR) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to tackle Covid-19.
- The CII COVID Rehabilitation and Relief Fund (CRR) will assist small enterprises or MSME in rehabilitation.
- The setting up of Relief Fund is expected to curtail the impact of Coronavirus on the MSME sector.
- The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will also request to all its members to contribute an amount from their Corporate social responsibility (CSR) allocation for the CII COVID Rehabilitation and Relief Fund (CRR).
Extra Shots:
CII: The Confederation of Indian Industry is an industry association in India. CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.
- President: Vikram Shreekant Kirloskar
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Founded: 1895
- Purpose: Create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India
- Number of employees: 1,100
FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced Rs.1.70 lakh crore relief package
- The Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman announced Rs.1.70 lakh crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana on 26 March.
- The move aims to help the poor to fight the battle against CoronaVirus.
Highlights:
- The move aims to provide the poor with food and money in hands so that they do not face difficulties in buying essential supplies and meeting essential needs.
The components of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package include:
- Insurance scheme for health workers who fight COVID-19 in Health Care Centres and Government Hospitals
Under the scheme, doctors, specialists, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, Safai karamcharis, ward-boys, and other health workers will be covered.
- Any health profession meet with some accident while treating COVID-19 patients, will be compensated with an amount of Rs.50 lakh under the scheme. The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 22 lakh health workers.
PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana:
- As per the announcement made by the Finance Ministry, the scheme will cover 80 crore individuals across India. Under the scheme, the government aims to provide foodgrains to the people of India for the next 3 months. The beneficiaries of the scheme will be given adequate availability of protein. The people will be given 1 kg per family for the next three months.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana:
- Under the scheme, the first installment of Rs.2,000 due in 2020-21 will be paid in April 2020. It will cover 8.7 crore farmers across India.
Cash transfers Under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana:
- A total of Rs.20.40 crores PMJDY women account-holders would be given an ex-gratia of Rs.500 per month for the next three months.
Self-Help groups:
- The limit of the collateral-free lending of the 63 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs) has increased from Rs.10 to Rs 20 lakhs.
Employees’ Provident Fund Regulations (EPFR) will allow the non-refundable advance of 75% of the amount or three months of the wages, whichever is lower, from their accounts due to the pandemic.
The Ministry has created a Welfare Fund for Building and Other Constructions Workers. Under the Central Government Act, the State Governments will be given directions to utilize the fund to provide assistance and support to these workers to protect them against economic disruptions.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Maharashtra to use indelible ink to mark people suspected of coronavirus
- The Maharashtra state government has decided to stamp the left hand of the people who have been kept under quarantine amid coronavirus pandemic in the country.
- The announcement was made by Maharashtra state health minister Rajesh Tope.
- The government has also declared evading from the screening a punishable offence under the Epidemic Act 1897.
Highlights:
- The report stated that the left hand of those under home quarantine will be stamped to identify them easily.
- Stamping is a precautionary measure for the state.
- The government has directed the authorities at hospitals and airports to stamp the left palm of suspected people with the ink that would last for 14 days.
- They have been directed to use the indelible ink, that is used during the election to mark voters, to mark the people.
- The mark on a person indicates that the person is under compulsory home quarantine till 31 March.
- The state has also allotted Rs.45 crore to contain the virus in the state.
- The state has reported the maximum number of cases of COVID-19 in the country. So far, Maharashtra state has reported 39 cases of COVID-19 and seven patients have escaped the treatment centres.
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.
Odisha to set up Covid-19 testing lab at VIMSAR
- The Odisha State government is planning to set up a COVID-19 testing laboratory at a hospital in order to ease the burden as the state has only one facility at Bhubaneswar.
- The state government planning to set up a Biosafety Levels 2 (BSL-2) laboratory at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR).
Highlights:
- Currently, VIMSAR is sending swab samples of suspected coronavirus patients to the Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar.
- The junior doctors association (JDA) at VIMSAR had requested the state government to set up two more COVID-19 laboratories, one at the VIMSAR institute and the other at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.
- VIMSAR has sent a feasibility report to the government for the establishment of a testing laboratory. The laboratory will come up in the microbiology department of the hospital.
- Once the lab is ready, a recombinant technology polymerase chain reaction (rt PCR) test for suspected cases of COVID-19 can be done there.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
- Governor: Ganeshi Lal
- State Formed in: 1 April 1936
- Literacy Rate: 72.87%
- National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
Indore becomes the 1st city in India to use drones to sanitize the city: COVID-19
- Indore (Madhya Pradesh), the cleanest city in India becomes the 1st city in India to use drones to sanitize the city against COVID-19 scare.
- Indore Municipal Corporation has hired 2 drones from a private company to sprinkle chemicals with sodium hypochlorite and bio-clean in crowded areas like vegetable markets, streets.
- The drones will depart with 16 litres of chemicals in each flight, spray chemicals in an area spanning 8-10 km & return after 30 minutes.
- Special care is also being taken to ensure that the spray does not harm citizens.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- Chief Minister: vacant
- Governor: Lalji Tandon
- National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP
Hospital in Jaipur to use humanoid robot to serve COVID-19 patients
- The Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Government Hospital in Jaipur is to introduce the usage of humanoid robots to provide services to the COVID-19 patients.
Humanoid robot:
- The hospital is conducting a series of trials on a humanoid robot to check if the robot can be pressed into service to deliver medicines and food to the COVID-19 patients admitted in the hospital.
- It is aimed to keep the doctors and nursing staff at a safe distance to protect them against the dreaded coronavirus.
- The hospital is currently conducting test trials to put the robots into use.
- The robots are aimed to help out both the patients and the staff. The robot is battery-operated and has a life span of 4-5 years.
- The humanoid robot uses artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to navigate its own way without the instructions to follow lines on the floor.
- It has been designed with a tray that can be used for carrying medicines, food and other objects to the assigned patients.
- A Jaipur-based entrepreneur has offered to supply the humanoid robots for free of cost to the hospital as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
The US reported more Coronavirus cases than China, Italy
- The United States has reported more coronavirus cases than any other country with over 82,400.
- The report was announced by Johns Hopkins University.
- The number has overtaken China and Italy.
- The country made the coronavirus tests available in all 50 states and more than 552,000 tests had been conducted nationwide.
Measures:
- The US has released “new guidelines” which will create “low, medium and high-risk zones”. These guidelines will allow the government to advise on maintaining, increasing, or relaxing social distancing and other mitigation measures they have put in place.
- The United States is the world’s largest economy. The Labor Department of the US reported that 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits. It is the highest number ever recorded.
- The Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion package. It will provide cash payouts averaging $3,400 for a family of four.
- A study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine stated that around 2,300 patients could be dying every day by April 2020.
US launches advanced high frequency satellite for military communication
- The United Nations Space Force has launched an Advanced Extremely High-Frequency satellite (AEHF-6) for its military communications.
- With the launch of the satellite, the United States has begun its first National Security Mission.
- The Lock Heed Martin AEHF-6 (Advanced Extremely High Frequency) satellite was launched on the Atlas V551 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- The satellite is to provide global protected communications.
- This will enhance tactical operating warfare skills of the US on ground, aerial and maritime platform.
- The US Space Force is the sixth service of the country.
- The first five major services of Defence includes Army, Air Force, Navy, Naval Corps and Coast Guard.
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
G20 to inject USD5 trillion into World economy
- The G20 nations agreed to collectively inject $5 trillion into the world economy.
- The move by the countries is to counteract the social, economic and financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The video conference summit was held on 26 March.
G20 Summit Highlights:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India in a video-conference of G20 economies.
- PM Modi stressed on a new concept of “globalization that focusses on humanity and collective welfare” rather than individual interest.
- The leaders of the G20 countries has agreed to make collaborative effort to develop therapeutic solutions including vaccines, make diagnostics more effective and make testing kits and other equipment more freely available.
- The leaders agreed to ensure the flow of medical supplies and critical agricultural products across borders and work together to facilitate international trade.
- The countries reaffirmed their commitments to WHO’s mandate to fight the pandemic. The members countries agreed to provide resources to poorer countries and come up with a Covid Solidarity Response Fund.
- The leaders urged to boost funding for a vaccine for coronavirus.
- So far, the coronavirus has infected close to 5,00,000 people across countries and claimed more than 22,000 lives.
Extra Shots:
G20: The G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union. Wikipedia
- Leader: Salman of Saudi Arabia (2020)
- Founder: Group of Seven
- Founded: 26 September 1999
India proposed to set up common e-platform for SAARC nations to combat coronavirus
- India has proposed to set up a common electronic platform for all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations.
- The proposal was made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for a regional approach to deal with the pandemic.
- The information was passed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Common electronic platform:
- India proposed the common electronic platform to the senior health officials of the SAARC on 26 March through video conference.
- The aim of the platform is to share knowledge, information, expertise and best practices to jointly combat the spread of coronavirus.
- Earlier on 15 March, an India-initiated video conference of SAARC leaders was held. In that conference, PM Modi suggested that health professionals of the member nations could come together to jointly fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Extra Shots:
SAARC: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Founded: 8 December 1985, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal
- GDP (PPP): 2017 estimate
- GDP (nominal): 2017 estimate
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian football skipper Sunil Chhetri has been named for FIFAs campaign to combat COVID-19 crisis
- Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri has been picked among 28 players for the world governing body FIFA’s campaign to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
- He has been selected along with Lionel Messi, Philip Lahm, Iker Casillas, and Carles Puyol.
Highlights:
- FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have partnered to combat the coronavirus and launched ‘Pass the message to kick out coronavirus’, a new awareness campaign, led by world-renowned footballers.
- The campaign urges people to follow five key steps to stop the spread of the disease.
- The five key steps as per the WHO guidance, is hand washing, coughing etiquette, not touching your face, physical distance and staying home if feeling unwell.
- 28 players are involved in the video campaign which will be published in 13 languages.
Extra Shots:
FIFA: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
- President: Gianni Infantino
- Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
- Founded at: Paris, France
- Founded: 21 May 1904, Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
- Senior Vice-President: Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC)
- Subsidiaries: Confederation of African Football, United States Soccer Federation, Early Warning System GmbH
Shilpa Shetty partners with “Fit India Movement”
- The Government of India’s flagship fitness movement “Fit India” has teamed up with Bollywood actress and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty Kundra.
- The tie-up will provide free access of the Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s premium 21-Day Weight Loss Programme during the 21-day lockdown owing to Covid-19 pandemic.
- The free of cost access of the 21-Day Weight Loss Programme will be available for the Indian as well as global audience via Shilpa Shetty App (SS App).
AWARDS
Zoya Akhtar honoured with IIFTC Tourism Impact Award 2020
- Indian filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has been honoured with IIFTC Tourism Impact Award 2020 for her outstanding contribution to world tourism through her cinema.
- She has promoted tourism through her films like 2011 ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ which was shot in Spain, and 2015 comedy-drama ‘DilDhadakne Do’ shot in Turkey.
- Asia’s largest film tourism event, 8th India International Film Tourism Conclave (IIFTC) was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
CCMB to begin trial on genome sequencing of Coronavirus
- Hyderabad-based CSIR’s Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology (CCMB) announced that it is working to sequence the whole genome of the COVID-19 virus that is taken from isolates from people who have tested positive.
COVID-19 Genome Sequencing:
- Sequencing the large-scale genome will help us understand how similar or different Indian isolates are, compared with others in the world.
- The genome sequencing will help scientists and doctors to understand the rate of mutation and the possible routes of spread.
- It will help to understand the biology of the virus.
- Earlier, CCMB sought samples from AIIMS for the study purpose.
Genome Sequencing:
- The genetic material of an organism is called Genome. It consists of sets of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or Ribonucleic acid (RNA). The science of identifying the genome of the organism is called Genome sequencing.
Extra Shots:
Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology (CCMB): CCMB functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network of UNESCO designated the Centre as Center of Excellence.
- Established on: 1977
- Location: Hyderabad
- Director: Rakesh K. Mishra
WHO conducts Mega trial of 4 drugs to combat coronavirus
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun a global mega trial of the four most promising drugs that may cure the novel coronavirus.
- The 4 drugs are Remdesivir, Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, Ritonavir and lopinavir, Ritonavir/lopinavir and interferon-beta.
Mega Trial:
- The mega trial by WHO is called Solidarity.
- Under Solidarity, the scientist will study, test, and develop an antidote against coronavirus will be done.
- Solidarity trial test is expected to procure robust results. For the test trial, several thousands of patients have to be recruited.
- Remdesivir drug was used to combat Ebola and other dangerous viruses.
- Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are used to treat patients suffering from malaria.
- Ritonavir and lopinavir drug is given to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to slow down the process of deterioration of organs.
- Ritonavir/lopinavir and interferon-beta is used to treat Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) patients in Saudi Arabia.
Extra Shots:
WHO: The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is part of the U.N. Sustainable Development Group.
- Head: Tedros Adhanom
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Founded: 7 April 1948
OBITUARIES
Veteran photographer & Padma Shri awardee Nemai Ghosh passes away
- Veteran photographer & Padma Shri awardee Nemai Ghosh passed away.
- He is known for working with director Satyajit Ray as a still photographer who captured the director, framing actors over 2 decades.
- Nemai Ghosh debuted with “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne” (1969) and was with Satyajit Ray till his last film “Agantuk” (1991). He also wrote books like, “Dramatic Moments: Photographs and Memories of Calcutta Theatre from the Sixties to the Nineties” & “Manik Da: Memoirs of Satyajit Ray” among others.
Renowned chef Floyd Cardoz passes away due to coronavirus
- Indian-born international chef Floyd Cardoz passed away at 59.
- Cardoz tested positive for Covid-19 in the USA on March 18 and was being treated at the Mountainside Medical Centre in New Jersey.
- Cardoz is the co-owner of Hunger Inc, which runs three restaurants in Mumbai – Bombay Canteen, O’Pedro and Bombay Sweet Shop.
- He was the moving force behind several restaurants in New York and Mumbai, the star of the TV show, “Top Chef Masters” and the author of two books, “One Spice, Two Spice” and “Flavorwalla.”
Renowned Artist and architect Satish Gujral passes away
- Padma Vibhushan award winning artist, architect, sculptor and writer Satish Gujral passed away.
- He was awarded with India’s second-highest civilian honour i.e. the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
- Satish Gujral designed the Belgium Embassy in New Delhi.
- His renowned works also include the alphabet mural on the outside wall of the Delhi High Court.
Brahmakumaris chief Rajyogini Dadi Janki passes away
- The chief of Brahmakumaris Sansthan, Rajyogini Dadi Janki passed away.
- She was the chief of world’s largest spiritual organisation run by women.
- She served society with diligence and worked towards the empowerment of women.
- The Government of India appointed her the brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for her works in the field of maintaining cleanliness.
