20-Mar-2019
Justice P.C. Ghose Named India's First Lokpal
Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, (IIPHG) in collaboration with National Mental Health Program, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat has developed a mobile application called as ‘Conquer Exam, Be a Warrior’ for students to reduce the exam pressure.
Gauri Sawant Becomes India's 1st Transgender Election Ambassador
The Election Commission of India has appointed transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, as one of the 12 election ambassadors from Maharashtra. She is the first transgender election ambassadors.
According to the Election Commission, Gauri Sawant's appointment would help in more people from this category getting registered during the final phase of voters enrollment.
Kazakhstan President Resigns After Nearly 30 Years In Power
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has announced his resignation after nearly 30 years in power. The 78-year old leader had ruled the country since it emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
The Chairman of the Kazakh Senate would take over. The announcement came less than a month after the President sacked his government, citing a lack of economic development despite the country’s vast energy resources.
GST Council Approves Transition Plan For New GST Rates
GST council approved a transition plan for new goods and services tax rates on residential properties under which developers of under-construction buildings may either opt to shift to the revised lower rates without input tax credit or stick to the previous rates.
Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey informed that for housing projects launched on or after the first of April 2019, the developers will have to adhere to the new GST rates recommended by the council.
Mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck becomes 1st Woman To Win Abel Prize
University of Texas professor Karen Uhlenbeck has become the first woman to win the Abel Prize, a mathematics honour first given in 2003. The 76-year-old was awarded for the impact of her work on "analysis, geometry and mathematical physics".
Modelled after the Nobel Prize, the Abel Prize is presented by the King of Norway and carries a $700,000 cash award.
Indian Writer Raghu Karnad Wins Windham-Campbell Prize
An Indian journalist, author and chief of The Wire, ‘Raghu Karnad’ received the prestigious Windham-Campbell prize of USD 165,000 for his debut book, ‘Farthest Field: An Indian story of Second World War’, published in the year 2015 in the non-fiction category.
International Day Of Happiness: 20 March
International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20.
The theme for IDH 2019 is 'Happier Together', focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us
Famed Economist Alan Krueger Passes Away
Former White House economist and Princeton University professor Alan Kruegerpassed away. He was 58.
Krueger served as chief economist at the Department of Labor under President Bill Clinton and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2011 to 2013 under former President Barack Obama.
19-Mar-2019
Justice P.C. Ghose Named India's First Lokpal
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was recommended to be the first Lokpal or anti-corruption ombudsman of India. Justice Ghose, 67, is a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) since June 2017.
His name was finalised and recommended by the Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajanand eminent jurist Mukul Rohatgi.
'i-help' Initiative Launched In Assam
The 'i-help' initiative to promote digital electoral literacy in Assam has been launched in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
It is a joint initiative of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) and Common Service Centres (CSC) in Assam.
Maldives Sign Agreement With Exim Bank To Finance Infrastructure Projects
Maldives finance ministry has signed an agreement with India’s Export-Import Bank (EXIM) for line of credit (LOC) of 800 million US dollars to finance the new government’s infrastructure projects. The agreement was signed in presence of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj who was on a 2-day visit to Male.
The LOC is part of 1.4 billion US dollars finance assistance announced by the Indian government during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s state visit in December 2018.
The EXIM Bank loans come with a 1.75% interest rate and a 15-year repayment periodafter five years of moratorium.
Ola Signs MoU With Telangana To Implement Smart Traffic Solutions
Ola has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana to support the latter's efforts in strengthening traffic infrastructure in the city.
The partnership would see Ola 'share intelligent insights' that enable the Government to implement smart solutions to enhance 'mobility experience' in the city, an Ola release stated.
IBBI, SEBI Sign MoU For Better Implementation of IBC
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
The IBBI and the SEBI seek effective implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code) and its allied rules and regulations, which have redefined the debt-equity relationship and aims to promote entrepreneurship and debt market.
Pramod Sawant Sworn In As Goa Chief Minister
Pramod Sawant (45), former Speaker of Goa legislative Assembly and MLA from Sankhelim in North Goa was sworn-in as 11th Chief Minister of Goa, succeeding Manohar Parrikar, who died after a prolonged battle with advanced pancreatic cancer.
He was given the oath of office and secrecy at Raj Bhavan by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha. The entire Cabinet of Manohar Parikkar has been retained.
Africa-India Field Training Exercise AFINDEX-19 Begins
The inaugural Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 for India and African nations called AFINDEX-19 started with a grand opening ceremony at Aundh Military Station, Pune.
Contingents of the 17 African Nations came together for the opening ceremony along with a contingent of Maratha Light Infantry representing India.
Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Exercise Mitra shakti-VI To Be Held in Sri Lanka
Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of India & Sri Lanka. The joint exercise for the year 2018-19 will be conducted in Sri Lanka.
Troops from 1st Battalion the BIHAR Regiment of the Indian Army and Gemunu Watch Battalion of Sri Lankan Army would be jointly undertaking the exercise.
Hyundai, Kia Signed Agreement To Invest $300 million in Ola
Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) and Ola announced a strategic partnership under which Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation will invest a total of $ 300 million in Ola, making it their biggest combined investment to date.
Asian Youth Championship 2019 Concludes: India Finishes 2nd, China Tops
In Asian Youth Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, boys medley relay team won a gold medal for India on the final day to help Indian youth team finish second in the overall medals tally with a total of 26 medals including 8 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze medals.
China topped the overall medals tally with 31 medals that included 12 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals and Japan finished third with 20 medals that included 6 Gold, 8 Silver and 6 bronze.
18-Mar-2019
Guinea PM Arrives In Delhi On 10-Day Visit To India
Prime Minister of Guinea Dr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana arrived in New Delhi on a ten-day official visit to India. During the visit, Mr Fofona called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He also had a meeting with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. Mr. Fofona addressed the inaugural session of 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Partnership Project in New Delhi.
'Vijit' Becomes 1st Indian Coast Guard Ship To Visit Indonesia
Highlighting the close maritime proximity between India and Indonesia, Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Vijit' became the first-ever Coast Guard ship to visit Sabang, Indonesia.
During its maiden voyage, officers and crew of Vijit will hold interaction with officials of Bakamla (Indonesian Coast Guard), Indonesian Armed Forces and the civil administration at Sabang, read a press release from Indian embassy in Jakarta.
IT Roorkee, ISRO Sign MoU For Space Technology Cell
IIT Roorkee and ISRO have signed an MoU to develop Space Technology Cells on the campus of the varsity. IIT Roorkee issued a statement saying the premier technology school has inked an MoU with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to setup Space Technology Cells.
The Space Technology Cells developed under this MoU will help students and faculty members of the institute to pursue advanced research in different areas related to futuristic space technology.
India & Afghanistan Signed an MOU On Digital Education Initiatives
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU) with the Afghanistan government to work on digital education initiatives, which include many prominent programs developed by Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
The MoU was signed at IIT-Madras. This collaboration hopes to contribute to bilateral relations and beget mutual benefits for the two countries.
3rd Edition Of Namaste Thailand Festival Held In New Delhi
The 3rd edition of Namaste Thailand festival, organised by the Royal Thai Embassy with an aim to strengthen bilateral ties and increase cultural exchange between India and Thailand,began at Select Citywalk in New Delhi.
The festival will feature stage performances by Thai artists.
First BRICS Sherpa Meeting Under Presidency Of Brazil Held In Curitiba
The first BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Sherpa meeting held in Curitiba, Brazil under the Presidency of Brazil.
The Indian delegation was led by Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs T S Tirumurti.
EAM Sushma Swaraj Begins 2-Day Visit to the Maldives
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left to the Maldives on a two-day visit. She is accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other officials.
During her visit, Mrs Swaraj will call on the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Parliament Speaker Qasim Ibrahim and meet with her Maldivian counterpart Abdullah Shahid.