Table of Contents
Important Days
21st March observed as International Day of Forests
The International Day of Forests (also known as World Forestry Day) is celebrated every year on March 21. The main aim of the day is to raise awareness of the significance of all types of forests.
The day is to celebrate to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations as well as to increase the public awareness among communities about the values, significance, and contributions of the forests to balance the life cycle on the earth. The theme for 2022 is “Forests and sustainable production and consumption.”
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
World Sparrow Day 2022: Date, theme, history
World Sparrow Day (WSD) is celebrated every year on March 20th. This day is meant to raise awareness about the house sparrow and the dangers it confronts. The purpose of World Sparrow Day is to raise awareness and protect the bird all across the world.
A few years ago, house sparrows were commonly seen in people’s homes. As a result of rising noise pollution, the bird is now on the edge of extinction.
The theme of World Sparrow Day is “LOVE Sparrows.” More individuals are likely to join in a range of events and campaigns geared at sparrow conservation as a result of focusing on this issue.
World Sparrow Day was established by Mohammed Dilawar, the founder of The Nature Forever Society. He started several projects, including the biodiversity Photo Contest, the annual Sparrow Awards, Project Save Our Sparrows, and the Common Bird Monitoring of India program.
The first World Sparrow Day was held in the year 2010. In 2011, the World Sparrow Awards were established.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March to remind people about the negative consequences of racial discrimination. The 2022 edition of the International Day focuses on the theme “VOICES FOR ACTION AGAINST RACISM”.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.
20th March celebrates as World Oral Health Day
The World Oral Health Day is marked every year on March 20. The day aims to raise global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene so that governments, health associations and the general public can work together to achieve healthier mouths and happier lives. The theme for World Oral Health Day 2021-2023 is: Be Proud Of Your Mouth.
The FDI World Dental Federation launched World Oral Health Day in 2007. The day was originally celebrated on 12th September in remembrance of FDI founder, Dr. Charles Godon. Later, it was changed to 20th March in 2013 to avoid conflict with the FDI World Dental Congress in September.
National
35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela begins in Haryana
The Governor of Haryana, Bandaru Dattatraya, and Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar formally inaugurated the 35th edition of the world-famous Surajkund International Crafts Mela at Surajkund in Faridabad district of Haryana.
The event is organized jointly by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, and External Affairs.
In 2022, the ‘Theme State’ in Jammu & Kashmir and Uzbekistan is the partner nation.
Useful Points to Remember:
- Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya;
- Haryana Capital: Chandigarh;
- Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.
International
NATO military exercise ‘Cold Response 2022’ begins in Norway
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has organized the massive military drill ‘Cold Response 2022’ in Norway from March 14, 2022, and will continue till April 01, 2022.
The exercise is held in Norway every second year, for NATO Allies and partners. Cold Response is a long-planned and defensive exercise where Norway and its allies exercise in defending Norway against external threats. The exercise has been planned and informed about long before the war in Ukraine.
The Norwegian-led exercise provides an opportunity to train together in cold weather conditions over challenging terrain and demonstrates NATO’s ability to respond decisively to any threat, from any direction.
Around 30,000 troops from 27 nations are taking part in the 2022 edition of the exercise, with about 220 aircraft and more than 50 vessels. This is the largest ‘Cold Response’ being exercise conducted in Norway since the 1980s.
Useful Points to Remember:
- NATO chief: Jens Stoltenberg;
- NATO Founded: 4 April 1949, Washington, D.C., United States;
- NATO Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
Appointments
Rajesh Gopinathan re-appoints as MD and CEO of TCS for five years
The board of IT major, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced the re-appointment of Rajesh Gopinathan as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company for five years.
His second term will begin from February 21, 2022, to February 20, 2027. Rajesh Gopinathan was first appointed as the CEO and MD of TCS in 2017.
Under his leadership, the company has strengthened its position with the revenues increasing from $17.6 billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2017, to $22.2 billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2021.
Useful Points to Remember:
- Tata Consultancy Services Founded: 1 April 1968;
- Tata Consultancy Services Headquarters: Mumbai.
Jay Shah’s term was extended by one year as a President of the Asian Cricket Council
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has unanimously extended the tenure of its incumbent President Jay Shah for a period of one year. The decision was taken during the annual general meeting of ACC on March 19, 2022.
Jay Shah is the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since 2019. Shah was first appointed as the President of ACC in January 2021, replacing Nazmul Hassan, the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Shah’s extension was proposed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Shammi Silva and the nomination was backed unanimously by all the members of the ACC.
Useful Points to Remember:
- Asian Cricket Council Chairman: Amitabh Choudhary;
- Asian Cricket Council Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka;
- Asian Cricket Council Founded: 19 September 1983;
- Asian Cricket Council Membership: 25 associations;
- Asian Cricket Council Parent organization: ICC.
Agreements
For drone-based mineral exploration NMDC Sign MoU with IIT Kharagpur
The country’s largest iron ore producer, NMDC Ltd, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for drone-based mineral research with IIT Kharagpur. The National Mining and Development Corporation (NMDC)is increasingly dependent on technical innovation and the digitization of its exploration and mining database.
The government has taken the first step in regulating and monitoring drone usage and operations in India, which are now employed in agriculture, urban planning, forestry, mining, disaster management, surveillance, and transportation, among other industries.
NMDC and IIT Kharagpur will collaborate to create spectrum products, methodologies, and algorithms for drone (UAV) mining exploration.
Business
NPCI designed “UPI Lite – On-Device wallet” functionality for UPI user
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) designed the “UPI Lite – On-Device wallet” (“UPI Lite”) functionality for UPI users for small value transactions.
About 75% of the total volume of retail transactions (including cash) in India is below Rs 100 transaction value. Further, 50% of the total UPI transactions are having a transaction value of up to Rs 200/-. To easily process such small value transactions, NPCI has launched this facility of “UPI Lite”.
UPI Lite will process transactions in near offline mode i.e. debit offline and credit online, and at a later point, UPI Lite will process transactions in complete offline mode i.e. debit and credit both offline.
The upper limit of a UPI Lite payment transaction shall be Rs. 200. The total limit of UPI Lite balance for an “On-device wallet” shall be Rs. 2,000 at any point in time.
Replenishment of funds in UPI Lite shall only be allowed in online mode with additional factor authentication (AFA) or using UPI AutoPay which has been registered by the User in online mode with AFA.
Useful Points to Remember:
- NPCI Founded: 2008;
- NPCI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- NPCI MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe.
BPCL becomes the first to offer digital payment to non-internet users
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a ‘Maharatna’ and Fortune Global 500 company, has teamed up with UltraCash Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to provide BharatGas customers with a voice-based digital payment option for booking LPG cylinders.
Customers who do not have access to a smartphone or the internet can use this feature to book cylinders and pay via the ‘UPI 123PAY’ system.
Customers can call the common number 080 4516 3554 from a non-internet phone to reserve a BharatGas cylinder for themselves or for friends in simple steps and in a secure manner thanks to the collaboration with Ultra Cash.
Govt. increased timeline to 10 years for startups for converting debt investment into equity
According to a news release from the DPIIT, the government has extended the deadline for companies to convert debt financing into equity shares by up to 10 years, a measure that is likely to provide comfort to emerging enterprises dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Previously, convertible notes may be converted into equity shares for up to five years after the initial convertible note was issued. That time frame has now been increased to ten years.
Defence
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrates 83rd Raising Day
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has celebrated its 83rd Raising Day with zeal and ceremonial fervor on 19 March 2022. The 83rd Raising Day parade was organized at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu.
This was for the first time that the CRPF celebrated its Raising Day outside the national capital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah took the salute at the parade and also presented the Gallantry medals and trophies for exceptional achievements in different categories to CRPF personnel.
The CRPF came into existence on July 27, 1939, as Crown Representative’s Police. It was renamed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on December 28, 1949, upon the enactment of the CRPF Act.
On March 19, 1950, the then Home Minister, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel presented Presidential colors to the CRPF for its commendable services, following which CRPF started celebrating the day as their Raising Day.
Awards
Suresh Raina felicitated with ‘Sports Icon’ award by Maldives government
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has been awarded the prestigious ‘Sports Icon’ award at the Maldives Sports Awards 2022. The Maldives government felicitated Raina for his various achievements throughout his career.
Raina was nominated alongside 16 international sportspersons, including former Real Madrid player Roberto Carlos, Jamaican Sprinter Asafa Powell, former Sri Lankan captain and cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, and Dutch football legend Edgar Davids among others.
Raina is known for aiding the Indian cricket team to its World Cup glory back in 2011 and has also won the Indian Premier League(IPL) trophy four times with the Chennai Super Kings(CSK) franchise.
He is the first Indian player to score 6000 as well as 8000 runs in a Twenty20 career and the first-ever cricketer to reach 5,000 runs in IPL. He also holds the record for scoring the most fifties in Champions League T20 history.
Sportstar Aces 2022: Neeraj Chopra wins Sportsman of the Year award
Tokyo Olympic gold medallist, Neeraj Chopra claimed the coveted ‘Sportstar of the Year (Male)’ award at the 2022 Sportstar Aces Awards.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who claimed the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, received the ‘Sportstar of the Year (Female)’ award.
The Aces Awards celebrate the spirit of excellence in sport and hope to inspire our athletes and sportspersons to continue to strive to break new records and reach new pinnacles of glory.
Other awardee’s in the list:
- Lovlina Borgohain (Sportswoman of the Year, Individual Sports),
- Avani Lekhara (Parathlete of the Year, Female),
- Pramod Bhagat (Special Recognition award),
- Savita (Sportswoman of the Year, Team Sports), and Rupinder Pal Singh (Sportsman of the Year, Team Sports).
- Arif Khan wins Special Recognition Award at Sportstar Aces 2022.
- Former Indian hockey team captain Ajit Pal Singh was conferred the ‘Lifetime Achievement award. Ajit was part of two Olympic bronze-winning teams, including one at the 1972 Munich Games.
Sports
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 won by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari- Monaco) has won the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 at the Bahrain International Circuit, a motor racing circuit in the west of Bahrain.
Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari – Spain) came second while Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) came third. This was the first Formula One race of 2022.
Pankaj Advani won the Asian Billiards title for the 8th time
Indian cueist Pankaj Advani has defeated Dhruv Sitwala to win his eighth title at the 19th Asian 100 UP Billiards Championship 2022. It was held in Doha, Qatar. Overall this is Advani’s 24th international title and 8th Asian crown.
Earlier, Advani had held off the stiff challenge of Pauk Sa of Myanmar to secure a spot in the final. He managed a 5-4 win after his opponent fought back strongly to level the match at four frames each.
Ranks and Reports
UN World Happiness Report 2022: India Ranks 136th
India has improved its rank by three spots to acquire 136th position in the United Nations’ World Happiness Report for the year 2022, which ranked 146 countries.
In 2021, India’s rank was 139. Finland has topped the 2022 World Happiness Report, for the fifth continuous year. Afghanistan has been ranked as the unhappiest country in the world, at 146th position.
The 2022 World Happiness Report was released on March 18, 2022. It is the 10th edition of the report.
The World Happiness Report is being published by United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, since 2012, to rank countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.
The Report is based on two key ideas, (1) happiness or life evaluation measured through opinion surveys and (2) identifying key elements that determine well-being and life evaluation across countries.
Books and Authors
‘Road to 1000’ book released by Sportstar and The Hindu group
Sportstar and The Hindu group released a coffee-table book, ‘Road to 1000’, at the 2022 Sportstar Aces Awards at The Taj Mahal Palace hotel. The book is a 520-page, special collection with 1000 pictures to commemorate Indian cricket’s journey.
‘Road to 1000’ was released by former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Syed Kirmani, Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Chandrakant Pandit and Nilesh Kulkarni here. On February 6, India played its 1,000th ODI against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, becoming the first team to record the feat.
India’s World Cup triumphs in 1983 and 2011, under Kapil Dev and M. S. Dhoni respectively, remain the major highlights in Indian ODI history. Sportstar reporters and photographers traveled the world to cover the Indian cricket team in the 1980s and 1990s. This is the best tribute to Indian cricket.
A book titled “More than Just Surgery: Life Lessons Beyond the OT” by Dr. Tehemton Erach Udwadia
Padma Awardee Dr. Tehemton Erach Udwadia has authored a new book titled “More than Just Surgery: Life Lessons Beyond the OT”, a personal account of people, incidents, mentors, failures, and absurdities against the backdrop of surgery.
The book maps the journey of Dr. Tehemton Erach Udwadia from his student years through residency, research, surgical practice, and surgical teaching as a means of sharing the lessons he learned.
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