Indian mountaineer Bhawna Dehariya has successfully scaled Mount Kosciuszko (2,228-metres), the highest mountain peak in Australia on the occasion of Holi. Dehariya had scaled Mount Kilimanjaro (5, 895 meters), the highest mountain peak in Tanzania on the occasion of Diwali in the year 2019 and also felt fortunate that she had celebrated 2 biggest festivals of India at the mountain peaks.
National Crime Records Bureau celebrated its 35th Inception Day
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) celebrated its 35th Inception Day on 12th March 2020. On the occasion of inception day of NCRB, Union Minister of State for Home Shri Nityanand Rai launched Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-MAC) and National Cybercrime Training Centre (NCTC). A function was organized on the occasion of inception day of NCRB and featured the participation of DGs and Senior officers from various central and state police organizations.
About Cri-MAC & NCTC:
- Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-MAC) has been launched to share information on heinous crime and other issues related to inter-state coordination.
- National Cybercrime Training Centre (NCTC) has been launched to facilitate professional quality eLearning services on cyber crime investigation to police officers, judges, prosecutors as well as other stakeholders.
TCIL signs MoU with The Gambia for MEA’s eVBAB Network Project
Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Gambia. This MoU is signed for the participation in MEA’s (eVBAB) e-VidyaBharati and e-ArogyaBharati Network Project for telemedicine and tele-education in Africa. The Gambia is the 16th country to participate in the e-Network Project. It is signed by the High commissioner of Gambia, Jainaba Jagne to the Director-Technical at the TCIL, Kamendra Kumar India at New Delhi.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Capital of The Gambia: Banjul.
- Currency of The Gambia: Gambian dalasi.
- President of The Gambia: Adama Barrow.
Veteran Bengali actor Santu Mukhopadhyay passes away
Veteran Bengali actor Santu Mukhopadhyay passed away. He was popular for his roles in films like ‘Sansar Simante’ and ‘Bhalobasa Bhalobasa’. His other popular films includes Raja, Ganadevata and Byapika Biday. Kolkata born actor also acted in TV Serials like Isthi Kutum, Jol Nupur and Andarmahal.
Surjit Singh Deswal gets additional charge of BSF DG
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Haryana cadre Surjit Singh Deswal took over the additional charge of Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF). Deswal, a 1984-batch IPS officer, is currently the Director-General of Indo-Tibet Border Police. He has succeeded Director-General Vivek Johri, who has been appointed Director-General of Madhya Pradesh Police.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- BSF formed: 1 December 1965; BSF Headquarters: New Delhi.
Digital Solutions Exchange “GOKADDAL” launched in India
The World’s first Digital Solutions Exchange in the cloud “GOKADDAL” has been launched in India. GOKADDAL is a cloud-based solutions exchange platform which focuses on four A’s i.e. Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics and Augmentative Technologies. GOKADDAL brings its customers to the right solutions with right tools and right providers and hence helps them to realize their digital transformation vision. The cloud delivery platform is expected to revolutionize the way digital solutions are sourced, delivered and managed.
The Dubai based emerging technology company “GOKADDAL Technologies” is a part of Merkado group.
World Golf Hall of Fame to induct Tiger Woods in Class of 2021
American golfer Tiger Woods will be elected in the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Woods was among 10 finalists named in March as candidates for 2021. His 93 worldwide victories include a record-tying 82 US PGA Tour titles. He won his 15th major title at the Masters last April.
Woods is a three-time winner of the career Grand Slam and in 2000-01 completed the “Tiger Slam” when he became the first golfer since Bobby Jones to hold all four major championship titles at the same time. The 2021 class was chosen by Hall’s selection committee, a 20-member panel.
Amitabh Bachchan becomes brand ambassador of IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Bank has signed Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador. With this, Amitabh Bachchan has become the first ever brand ambassador of the bank.
IDFC FIRST Bank provides its customers a range of services including savings account and current accounts, NRI accounts, salary accounts to home and personal loans, small business loans, among others.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- MD and CEO of IDFC FIRST Bank: V Vaidyanathan; Headquarters: Mumbai.
- IDFC FIRST Bank was founded in 2015.
Technology Innovation Hub to be established at IIT Mandi
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi will establish a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). The Technology Innovation Hub will be established with the help of Rs 7.25 crore sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to IIT Mandi.
Through Technology Innovation Hub, human-computer interaction (HCI) research programmes will take place in IIT Mandi with focus on design and development of computer technology (interfaces). It will also include the study of interaction between humans (users) and computers. The TIH will also focus on human resource & skill development, entrepreneurship and collaboration with other leading institutions.
The TIH will also led to the development of tools, hands-on experiments with specialised tool kits, education material, connecting with existing innovation ecosystems and initiatives of the Government of India. The TIH will also facilitate schools, colleges and advanced technical training institutes with an innovation platform to focus in the targeted areas.
HP to get US$80 Mn to improve water management practices
The Government of India, Government of Himachal Pradesh have signed a US$80 million loan agreement with the World Bank. The loan agreement aims to enhance water management practices and to improve agricultural productivity in 428 Gram Panchayats of Himachal Pradesh.
About the US$80 million loan agreement:
A US$80 million loan agreement has been signed by Government of India & Government of Himachal Pradesh with the World Bank. The loan amount will be fulfilled by International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). According to the agreement, the loan amount has a final maturity of 14.5 years which also includes a grace period of 5 years.
About the Project to be implemented in HP:
The state government of Himachal Pradesh will implement the Integrated Project for Source Sustainability and Climate Resilient Rain-Fed Agriculture. This project will be implemented in 428 Gram Panchayats in 10 districts and will benefit over 4,00,000 smallholder farmers, women and pastoral communities. The project is expected to improve upstream water sources in forests, pastures and grasslands. It will also ensure that sufficient water is available for sustainable agriculture.
As part of the project, hydrological monitoring stations will be set up to monitor the water quality and quantity. Proper monitoring of the water quality and quantity will ensure more holistic Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plans which are based on source sustainability, carbon sequestration, and water quality. It will also lay the foundation for future water budgeting via better land use and agricultural investments.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- President of World Bank: David Malpass; Headquarter: Washington DC.
- Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh: Jairam Thakur; Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya.