Important Days
22nd March celebrates globally as World Water Day
World Water Day is celebrated globally on 22nd March every year. The day aims to highlight the importance of freshwater. It is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
This 2022, the focus is groundwater, an invisible resource with an impact visible everywhere. Relevant issues include water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation, and the impacts of climate change that are looked upon on this day.
The World Water Day theme 2022 is “Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible”. Groundwater is a crucial resource that provides almost half of all drinkable water across the world.
The idea for this international day goes back to 1992, the year in which the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro took place.
That same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Secretary-General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.
- The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945.
World Down Syndrome Day 2022: “Inclusion Means”
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed every year on 21 March. It is a global campaign that is observed annually to spread awareness about Down Syndrome. The Day is commemorated as a global initiative to increase awareness about hereditary disorders.
An individual with Down Syndrome has an extra chromosome. The theme of World Down Syndrome Day this year is “Inclusion Means”. It calls for making efforts to include people with down syndrome in all matters of life and not discriminate against them.
The first World Down Syndrome Day was observed in 2006. Then the Brazilian Federation of Associations of Down Syndrome worked with Down Syndrome International and its members to launch an extensive campaign to generate international support. In November 2011, the General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day every year. The next month it declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day.
World Poetry Day observed globally on 21st March
On 21st March, World Poetry Day is celebrated every year to recognize the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. World Poetry Day celebrates one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted this day during UNESCO’s 30th session in Paris in 1999 with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.
Some countries also celebrate World Poetry Day on October 15 to mark the birthday of Virgil, a Roman poet who is famous for his epic Aeneid.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- World Poetry Day Headquarters: Paris, France;
- World Poetry Day Director-General: Audrey Azoulay;
- World Poetry Day Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
National
West Bengal celebrated ‘Dol Utsav’ or ‘Dol Jatra’
West Bengal celebrated the ‘Dol Utsav’ or ‘Dol Jatra’, the festival of colors, marking the onset of the spring season. The festival is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha and celebrated on full moon day.
It also marks the last festival of the year as per the Bengali calendar. In the Eastern region of India, the festival of spring is celebrated as Dol Jatra, Dol Purnima, Dol Utsav, and Basanta Utsav.
The majestic festival is celebrated by throwing ‘gulaal’ or ‘aabir’ on others and by singing and dancing in cultural programs.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- West Bengal Capital: Kolkata;
- West Bengal Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar;
- West Bengal Chief minister: Mamata Banerjee.
N Biren Singh takes oath as Chief Minister of Manipur for 2nd term
Senior BJP leader N Biren Singh took the oath as Chief Minister of Manipur for a second consecutive five-year term on March 21, 2022. The ruling BJP party contested all 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly election in 2022 and won 32 seats.
Nongthombam (N) Biren Singh started his career as a footballer, then turned to journalism, before joining politics.
In the recently held Assembly polls, the BJP won an absolute majority by winning 32 seats in the 60-member House.
Moreover, the Janata Dal (United), the NPF, the newly formed Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA), and two Independent MLAs have extended their unconditional support to the saffron party. The JD(U) won six seats, NPF won five and the KPA won two seats.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Manipur Capital: Imphal; Governor: La. Ganesan.
International
Serdar Berdymukhamedov was elected as President of Turkmenistan
Serdar Berdimuhamedow has been sworn in as the President of Turkmenistan. Berdimuhamedow succeeds his father and former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who became president in 2006 and served till 2022.
It must be noted that the presidential elections in Turkmenistan are held every seven years. Serdar Berdymukhamedov, secured 72.97 percent of the votes election to lead the gas-rich country.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Turkmenistan Capital: Ashgabat;
- Turkmenistan Currency: Turkmenistani manat.
Appointments
Indian Economist Jayati Ghosh named as a member of UN’s Advisory Board
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has announced the appointment of Indian development economist Jayati Ghosh as a member of the UN’s newly established Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism.
The 12-member high-level advisory board on effective multilateralism will be co-chaired by former Liberian president and Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven.
Jayati Ghosh is a Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was previously a professor of economics and chairperson of the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is also a member of the UN’s high-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs.
Banking
HDFC Bank to launch “SmartHub Vyapar program” & ‘AutoFirst’ app
HDFC Bank has announced to launch the “SmartHub Vyapar program” & ‘AutoFirst’ app the following two initiatives/application to give a digital push to small business loans.
The financial institution has onboarded over 2.7 million retailers and is buying 100 thousand retailers each month. HDFC Bank has plans to onboard 20 million retailers in three years. More than half of the newly onboarded retailers solely function by means of the app platform.
‘AutoFirst’ application: The financial institution now clocks not less than ₹1,000 crores in service provider loans each month and is wanting to triple the run fee. HDFC Bank can even launch a utility ‘AutoFirst’ that may provide totally automated auto loans.
SmartHub Vyapar program: The SmartHub Vyapar program for retailers will probably be launched quickly. It is an app that bundles all cost platforms – playing cards, UPI, QR code, faucet pay, and SMS-based funds.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- HDFC Bank Headquarters: Mumbai;
- HDFC Bank Founded: August 1994;
- HDFC Bank CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan;
- HDFC Bank Chairman: Atanu Chakraborty.
Awards
Francis Kéré becomes first African to win Pritzker Prize 2022
Architect, educator, and social activist Francis kéré has been announced as the 2022 laureate of the Pritzker architecture prize 2022, the award often referred to as architecture’s highest honor. He was born in the small village of gando in Burkina Faso, kéré is the first black architect to win the coveted award.
Established by the Hyatt Foundation in 1979, the Pritzker architecture prize is bestowed on architects whose built work demonstrates a combination of talent, vision, and commitment. in 2021, the award went to French architects Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal while in 2020 saw Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell of Grafton architects were honored.
Defence
5th in the series of Offshore Patrol Vessels “ICGS Saksham” commissioned
Defence Secretary of India, Dr. Ajay Kumar has commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Saksham. The fifth in the series of 105-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) class, at Goa.
The first four of the five ICGS which have already been commissioned in 2020 are ICGS Sachet (1st); ICGS Sujeet (2nd); ICGS Sarthak (3rd); and ICGS Sajag (4th) in 2021.
Goa Shipyard Limited designed and built the 105-meter OPV, which is equipped with advanced technology, navigation and communication systems, sensors, and machinery.
The ship will be based in Kochi once it joins the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) force. The ship will be used extensively for surveillance in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and other missions mandated by the Coast Guard charter.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Formed: August 18, 1978;
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Director-General: Virender Singh Pathania;
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Motto: Vayam Rakṣāmaḥ (We protect).
9th India-Seychelles Joint Military Exercise ‘LAMITIYE-2022’ begins
The 9th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘LAMITIYE-2022’ between the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) was held from March 22 to 31, 2022 at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Seychelles. The Indian Army contingent will be represented by the 2/3 GORKHA RIFLES group (PIRKANTHI Battalion).
Exercise LAMITIYE is a biennial training event, been conducted in Seychelles since 2001. The objective of this joint training exercise is to build and promote bilateral military relations, sharing experiences gained during various operations; exchanging skills and good practices between both armies.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Seychelles Capital: Victoria;
- Seychelles President: Wavel Ramkalawan;
- Seychelles Continent: Africa.
Sports
Indian Super League: Hyderabad FC wins the maiden trophy
Hyderabad FC has clinched their maiden Indian Super League title after defeating Kerala Blasters in the penalty shoot-out in the summit clash. Goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani made three stunning saves.
Hyderabad beat Kerala 3-1 in the shoot-out after the match ended 1-1 in the regulation and extra time. For Hyderabad, Joao Victor, Khassa Camara, and Halicharan Narzary scored while only Ayush Adhikari found the target in the shoot-out as Kerala suffered heartbreak for the third time in the finals.
BNP Paribas Open Tournament 2022
The 2022 BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, also known as the 2022 Indian Wells Masters, was held from March 07 to 20, 2022 at Indian Wells, California, US.
The BNP Paribas Open is the largest two-week combined event outside of the four Grand Slams and the most-attended WTA 1000 and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis tournament in the world.
Here is the list of winners given below:
| Category | Winner |
| Women’s singles | Iga Świątek (Poland) |
| Men’s Singles | Taylor Fritz (United States) |
| Women’s Doubles | Xu Yifan / Yang Zhaoxuan |
| Men’s Doubles | John Isner / Jack Sock |
Books and Authors
Autobiography of former cricketer G.R. Viswanath titled “Wrist Assured: An Autobiography”
Former Indian cricket captain Gundappa Ranganatha Vishwanath has penned his autobiography titled “Wrist Assured: An Autobiography”, co-authored by senior journalist R Kaushik.
The book traces the cricketing journey of Gundappa Vishwanath who played Test Cricket for India between 1969 and 1986, making 91 appearances and scoring more than 6000 runs.
Former Indian cricketers Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar released the book at the ceremony held on the first day of the 2nd day/night Test between India and Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Daily Current Affairs in English 11 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 10
- 11 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- 10 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 9
- Daily Current Affairs in English 10 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
