Current Affairs Today 4th March 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 4th March 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

• National Security Day or Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas is observed on 4 March every year in India.
• Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) celebrated its 8th Foundation Day on 2 March in New Delhi.
• The 68th All India Police Athletic Championship 2019-20 began at Bhanu in Panchkula District of Haryana on 3 March.
• The famous Rangotsav celebration began on 3 March at Barsana in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
• The 35th edition of AAHAR-the Food and Hospitality fair began in New Delhi on 3 March. The fair will be held from 3-7 March 2020.
• Indian-American health policy consultant Seema Verma has been appointed as one of the key members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force constituted by US President Donald Trump.
• The World Bank announced 12 billion USD to assist countries that are grappling with economic impacts of coronavirus.
• The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) announced that Pune will host the annual session of 108th Indian Science Congress on January 3-7, 2021.
• India private sector bank, RBL Bank (formerly known as Ratnakar Bank ltd) inks partnership with Online food ordering and delivery app Zomato to launch co-branded credit cards, powered by Mastercard.
• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi & Enabling Women of Kamand (EWOK) Society has inked a tripartite deal with the National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for setting up three Farmer Producer Organization in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
• Sudhanshu Pandey has assumed additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Ltd.
• Khelo India University Games 2020 was held for the first time at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
• Tasnim Mir and Mansi Singh of India has won the bronze medal each in the girls’ singles Badminton event at the Yonex Dutch Junior International 2020.
• President Ram Nath Kovind is to confer Lalit Kala Akademi’s 61st annual awards to 15 artists on 4 March 2020 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
• The head of the Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha Sanghanayaka Suddhananda Mahathero passed away in Dhaka.

NEWS AT A GLANCE

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

National Security Day is observed on 4 March

• National Security Day or Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas is observed on 4 March every year in India.
• The day aims to appreciate the work of security forces as they play a major role in maintaining the peace and security of the people in the country.
• On this day, the leaders, officials, and people pay homage to the soldiers who died while saving the country.
• Aim: The day promotes the security forces that continuously work for the nation. It aims to remind the people about the personal duties of the security forces towards the country.
• History: National Security Day is observed on 4th March as the day marks the day of establishment of the National Security Council (NSC) of India. The day aims to spread the Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) movement to various parts of the country.

Extra Shots:

National Security Council (NSC):

• NSC was established on 4 March 1966 by the Government of India. The council functions under the Ministry of Labour. It focuses on promoting SHE at the national level in order to develop and sustain the voluntary movement. The council was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950. It conducts special training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences and provides consultancy studies like safety audits, hazard evaluation, and risk assessment, etc.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

LPAI celebrated 8th Foundation Day on 2 March

• Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) celebrated its 8th Foundation Day on 2 March in New Delhi.

Highlights:

• Discussions on various aspects including the game changers for travel and regional connectivity, challenges in cargo operations at Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) and their infrastructure requirement were held during the ceremony.
• LPAI has done excellent work in building border infrastructure for the facilitation of cross border trade and travel on India’s land borders.
• LPAI also built the Passenger Terminal Building at Dera Baba Nanak, Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

Extra Shots:

Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI): LPAI is responsible to create, upgrade, maintain and manage border infrastructure in India. The statutory body was created through the Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Founded: 1 March 2012
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: Govind Mohan
• Ex-Officio: Deepika Bharti, DGCA

The 68th All India Police Athletic Championship began in Haryana

• The 68th All India Police Athletic Championship 2019-20 began at Bhanu in Panchkula District of Haryana on 3 March.
• The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju, who declared the meet open at the Basic Training Centre of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

68th All India Police Athletic Championship 2019-20:

• The Athletic Championship will be held from 3-7 March.
• The championship aims to bring India in the top 10 in the Olympics scheduled in 2028.
• The efforts of ITBP is to promote adventure and sports activities in the force. ITBP is to made the nodal agency for the conduct of these games.

Extra Shots:

Haryana:

• Capital: Chandigarh
• Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
• Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya
• National Park: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Rangotsav begins at Barsana in Mathura

• The famous Rangotsav celebration began on 3 March at Barsana in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
• The festival was inaugurated by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Highlights:

♦ The 10-day-long Rangotsav celebration in Mathura is famous for its colourful Holi festivities.

♦ Ladoo Holi that marks the start of the Rangotsav is played with sweets and colours

♦ The festival also includes Latthmar Holi, Chadi Holi, and Phoolon ki Holi.

♦ The festival will witness the cultural presentations made by local artists on the occasion.

♦ Various forms of Holi including Chadi Maar Holi, Falain ki Holi and Dau Ji ka Aurangabad will be played at different places in Mathura, Vrindavan.

♦ The festival will also feature cultural events.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

The 35th edition of AAHAR, Food, and Hospitality fair, began in New Delhi

• The 35th edition of AAHAR-the Food and Hospitality fair began in New Delhi on 3 March. The fair will be held from 3-7 March 2020.
• The exhibition AAHAR will be open for business visitors from 10 am TO 6 pm.

Organizing Team:

• The fair is organized by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) along with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (FPI), Agriculture and Processed Food Products Development Authority (APEDA) and several apex industry associations.

Highlights:

♦ AAHAR exhibition will promote and transform the various sectors of the economy.

♦ AAHAR supports the growth and expansion of the exhibition industry.

♦ The fair will witness a wide range of food products, machinery, Food, and Beverage Equipment and Decoration items, hospitality, and Confectionery items.

♦ In the foreign category, participants from foreign countries will showcase their products.

♦ The event provides an insight into operational and food safety concerns and innovations to become energy-efficient, finding budget-friendly raw materials boosting productivity and greater profitability.

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Indian-American Seema Verma included in US Coronavirus Task Force

• Indian-American health policy consultant Seema Verma has been appointed as one of the key members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force constituted by US President Donald Trump.
• This task force is constituted to combat the deadly disease that has claimed six lives in the country and infected over 90 others.
• The task force led by Secretary, Health and Human Services Alex Azar.
• US Vice President Mike Pence announced the appointment of Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

World Bank announces 12 billion USD aid to fight coronavirus

• The World Bank announced 12 billion USD to assist countries that are grappling with economic impacts of coronavirus.
• The virus has reached 60 countries so far.
• The World Bank is to provide financial aid for the countries to act upon the needs and develop a fast response towards the spread of the virus.
• The bank released a statement announcing an emergency fast track package that includes low-cost loans, grants, and technical assistance.
• This includes emergency financing, policy advice, and technical assistance, building on the World Bank Group’s existing instruments and expertise to help countries respond to the crisis

Extra Shots:

World Bank: The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of poorer countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. It comprises two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association.

• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
• Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
• Parent organization: World Bank Group
• Founded: 1944
• Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

Pune to host 108th Indian Science Congress in 2021

• The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) announced that Pune will host the annual session of 108th Indian Science Congress on January 3-7, 2021.
• The theme of the ISCA is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment” and focus on economic growth, environmental protection and social inclusion of all communities using science and technology.
• It will also see deliberations on providing equal opportunities to women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while achieving sustainable development.
• This will be the fourth time that the city will host the prestigious meet in the last 100 years. Dr Vijay Laxmi Saxena has been elected general president of the Indian Science Congress, 2021.
• The science congress had commenced in 1914 from then Calcutta with 105 members.
• Currently, the association has more than 60,000 members from various streams of science like agriculture, archaeology, biochemistry, earth system science among others.

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..

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

RBL Bank inks partnership with Zomato to launch co-branded credit cards

• India private sector bank, RBL Bank (formerly known as Ratnakar Bank ltd) inks partnership with Online food ordering and delivery app Zomato to launch co-branded credit cards, powered by Mastercard.
• This partnership will help the online food delivery platform further cement its position in India’s dining market by offering benefits such as Zomato credits on purchases, and increase the reach of its flagship membership program Zomato Gold.
• The card comes under two variants, the basic Edition Classic card and a more premium Edition Card.
• The key features of the basic card include Zomato credits with every use—that are linked to online and offline spend of the credit card users and can be redeemed at restaurants listed on Zomato; and those that accept Gold on dine-in; apart from a complimentary Zomato Gold membership (city variant).

Extra Shots:

RBL: RBL Bank, formerly known as Ratnakar Bank, is an Indian private sector bank headquartered in Mumbai and founded in 1943.

• Headquarters: Mumbai

Zomato is an Indian restaurant aggregator and food delivery start up founded by Deepinder Goyal in 2008. Zomato provides information, menus and user-reviews of restaurants, and also has food delivery options from partner restaurants in select cities.

• Created by: Binny Bansal
• Headquarters: DLF Phase V, Gurugram, Haryana, India
• Founded: July 2008

IIT Mandi signs deal with NABARD for setting up FPOs

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi & Enabling Women of Kamand (EWOK) Society has inked a tripartite deal with the National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for setting up three Farmer Producer Organization in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
• NABARD has sanctioned an amount of Rs 35 lakhs to EWOK Society and IIT Mandi for 3 FPOs to be established in the next 3 years.

 Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)

• Farmer Producer Organization is basically a group of farm producers, with members as the shareholders in an organization.
• It is a registered body that deals with business activities related to farm produce and also works for the benefit of the member producers.

Enabling Women of Kamand (EWOK)

• Enabling Women of Kamand (EWOK), is an initiative of IIT Mandi Women’s Center to aid rural women set up small enterprises in 5 panchayats of Kataula, Katindhi, Navlaya, Batheri and Kamand in Mandi by giving them proper guidance, training & information.
• According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the three sides, IIT Mandi & EWOK Society will identify clusters to set up Farmer Producer Organizations, help establish and register the FPOs, train the CEO & Board of Directors of FPOs, besides making the business development plan & helping them in raising credit.

Extra Shots:

NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is an Apex Development Financial Institution in India. The Bank has been entrusted with “matters concerning Policy Planning and Operations in the field of credit for Agriculture and other Economic activities in Rural areas in India”.

• Founded: 12 July 1982
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Agency executive: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala (Chairperson)
• Purpose: Development assistance; Poverty Reduction
• Formation: July 12, 1982; 37 years ago

APPOINTMENT

Sudhanshu Pandey becomes new CMD of MMTC Ltd

• Sudhanshu Pandey has assumed additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Ltd. He is presently served as Additional Secretary at the Department of Commerce. He was the successor of Ved Prakash.
• MMTC is one of the two highest foreign exchange earners for India (after petroleum refining companies), the largest international trading company of India & also largest public sector trading body.
• The main objective of the company was the export of mineral ores & import of essential metals.

Extra Shots:

MMTC: MMTC Ltd., Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India, is one of the two highest earners of foreign exchange for India and India’s largest public sector trading body.

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 26 September 1963
• CMD: Mr. Ved Prakash

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Khelo India University Games 2020 Highlights

• Khelo India University Games 2020 was held for the first time at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
• The games were held from 22 February to 1 March 2020.
• Over 4,000 top athletes from a total of about 176 universities across India participated in the event.
• Launching Team: The Khelo India University Games was launched by the GoI in partnership with the Government of the State of Odisha.
• The competition was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Aim:The aim of Khelo India University Games is to make it an aspirational competition for India’s youngsters to help them find a balance between sport and education.

Results:

Men’s Competition:

• Gold – Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

Women’s Competition:

• Gold – Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh

Boxing:

Men’s Events:

• 46 – 49 kg Category: Gold – Gurwinder Singh
• 49 – 52 kg Category: Gold – Lalit
• 52 – 57 kg Category: Gold – Shashikant Yadav
• 57 – 60 kg Category: Gold – Sunil Chauhan
• 60 – 63 kg Category: Gold – Ashutosh Bhagat
• 63 – 69 kg Category: Gold – Pawan Kumar
• 69 – 75 kg Category: Gold – Kunal
• 75 – 81 kg Category: Gold – Saksham
• 81 – 91 kg Category: Gold – Sawan Gill
• 91+ kg Category: Gold – Sagar

Football:

• Women’s Football: Gold – Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu

Athletics:

Men’s Events:

• 3000 metres Steeplechase: Gold – Atul Poonia (Maharaja Ganga Singh University)
• 5000 metres: Gold – Narendra Pratap Singh (Mangalore University)
• Triple Jump: Gold – Arun AB (MG University)
• Decathlon: Gold – Krishna Kumar (Mangalore University)
• High Jump: Gold – Adarsh Ram (University of Madra)
• 200 metres: Gold – Rahul Kumar (University of Madras)
• 4 x 100 metres Relay: Gold – MG University

Women’s Events:

• 200 metres: Gold – Dutee Chand (KIIT University, Bhubaneswar)
• 3000 metres Steeplechase: Gold – Komal Chandra (Savitribai Phule Pune University)
• 5000 metres: Gold – Jyoti (Panjab University)
• Heptathlon: Gold – Sonu Kumari (Lovely Professional University)
• Hammer Throw: Gold – Varsha (Mangalore University)
• 4 x 100 metres Relay: Gold – MG University

Top 5 Ranked Universities:

• Panjab University, PB – 46 (17 Gold, 19 Silver, 10 Bronze)
• Savithibai Phule Pune University, MS – 37 (17 Gold, 11 Silver, 9 Bronze)
• Punjabi University, Patiala – 33 (13 Gold, 6 Silver, 14 Bronze)
• M D U, Rohtak, Haryana – 33 (11 Gold, 11 Silver, 11 Bronze)
• Mangalore University, Karnataka – 25 (9 Gold, 7 Silver, 9 Bronze)

Tasnim & Mansi wins bronze at BWF Yonex Dutch Junior International

• Tasnim Mir and Mansi Singh of India has won the bronze medal each in the girls’ singles Badminton event at the Yonex Dutch Junior International 2020.
• The BWF Yonex Dutch Junior International was held in Haarlem, Netherlands.
• This was the first instance when Indian shuttlers has won two bronze medals in girls’ singles at this BWF Junior International Grand Prix tournament.
• Korean shuttler So Yul Lee defeated Indian shuttler Tasnim Mir by 21-19, 22-10 in the semifinals.
• Indonesian shuttler Saifi Rizka Nurhidayah defeated Indian shuttler Mansi Singh in the semifinals with a score of 21-11 & 21-16.

AWARDS

President to confer National Lalit Kala Akademi Awards

• President Ram Nath Kovind is to confer Lalit Kala Akademi’s 61st annual awards to 15 artists on 4 March 2020 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
• The award appreciates the extraordinary talents to perform even better in the future.

List of Winners:

• Anoop Kumar Manzukhi Gopi from Thrissur, Kerala
• David Malakar from Kolkata, West Bengal
• Devendra Kumar Khare from Vadodara, Gujarat
• Dinesh Pandya from Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Faruque Ahmed Halder from 24 Parganas in Kolkata, West Bengal
• Hari Ram Kumbhawat from Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Keshari Nandan Prasad from Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Mohan Kumar T from Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Ratan Krishna Saha from Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Sagar Vasant Kamble from Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Satwinder Kaur from New Delhi
• Sunil Thiruvayur from Ernakulam, Kerala
• Tejaswi Narayan Sonawane from Solapur, Maharashtra
• Yashpal Singh from Delhi

Extra Shots:

Lalit Kala Akademi:

• Lalit Kala Akademi, also known as the National Academy of Art was set up by the Government of India on 5 August 1954. The autonomous body is located in New Delhi. In 1957, the Akademi was given statutory authority under the Societies Registration Act 1860. The Akademi serves by promoting the creative endeavors of Indian artists. It brings the fine arts of the artists to bear upon a large number of people. The Akademi plays an important role in defining and redefining, the sensibility of an entire culture, falling under the visual arts spectrum.

OBITUARIES

Buddhist religious leader in Bangladesh Suddhananda Mahathero passes away

• The head of the Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha Sanghanayaka Suddhananda Mahathero passed away in Dhaka.
• He was a revered figure among the Buddhists of Bangladesh.
• He is known for running many social service activities particularly the orphanage at Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery which takes care of more than 350 children. Government of Bangladesh awarded the Ekushey Award to him in 2012.

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