World Water Day: 22 March
World Water Day is celebrated every year on 22 March. The main purpose of celebrating World Water Day is to supply drinking water to the world and explain its importance. The theme of World Water Day 2021 is “Value of Water”.
Celebrating World Water Day was started in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro. It was first organized on March 22, 1993.
World Down Syndrome Day: March 21
World Down Syndrome Day is observed every year on 21 March, which aims to spread awareness about Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a condition in which a human has an extra copy of chromosome 21, partially or fully. Typically, humans have two copies of this chromosome, but those with Down syndrome have three, and therefore the syndrome is also called ‘triceps 21’.
This year, the theme of World Down Syndrome Day is “We Decide”. This day was first celebrated in the year 2012 in the United Nations. The 21st day of March (the third month of the year) has been chosen to indicate the specificity of the trisomy of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.
‘Military Direct’ Index 2021
On 21 March 2021, a study was released by the Defense Affairs website ‘Military Direct’. It was told in this study that the most powerful army in the world belongs to China. After this, the US Army is second and the Russian Army is in third place. The Indian Army is the fourth most powerful army in the world.
China ranks 82 in the index with 82 points out of 100. At the same time, America, which spent a huge amount on the army, is at second place with 74 points. Russia is at number three with 69 points and India is at number four with 61 points. France is in fifth place on this list and has 58 points. Whereas Britain has got 43 points and is ranked ninth.
Avinash Sable sets new record in men’s 3000m steeplechase
Indian athlete Avinash Sable set a new national record with a time of 8: 20.20 in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase event at the ongoing Federation Cup Senior National Athletics Championships in Patiala. With this, Avinash, 26, broke his own record of 8: 21.37 in 2019, after finishing 13th in the final of the World Athletics Championships in Doha.
UNDP launches “Sahi Disha” campaign
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a campaign called ‘Sahi Disha’ to appreciate the livelihood and entrepreneurship of women in rural areas of India.
Under this campaign, the difficulties faced by women in rural areas of India in getting jobs, means of livelihood and starting their own ventures will be underlined because of these reasons that make it difficult for them to become self-reliant.
Headquarters of UNDP: New York, United States
Founded: 22 November 1965
Rajasthan government announces “CM Chiranjeevi Yojana”
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced on March 18, 2021 that the much-awaited Universal Health Scheme, called “Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Yojana”, would be launched on May 1, 2021. Under this scheme, a cashless healthcare will be provided to all families in Rajasthan. Families will get health services up to Rs 5 lakh.
“Dattatreya Hosabale” elected the General Secretary of the “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)”
The All India House of Representatives of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has elected Dattatreya Hosabale as Sarkaryavah or General Secretary for a period of three years. He replaced Bhaiyaji Joshi.
Dattatreya Hosabale was the RSS’s Sah Sarkaryavah since 2009. He joined RSS in 1968 from Shivamogga district in Karnataka.
Establishment of RSS: 27 September 1925
HeadquartersNagpur, Maharashtra
ISSF WC: Yashaswini wins gold for India
Yashaswini Deswal won the first gold medal for India in the Women’s 10M Air Pistol Final of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle / Pistol / Shotgun. Deswal scored 238.8 to lead in his category. Another Indian shooter Manu Bhakar won the silver medal with 236.7 points.
World number one shooter Divyansh Singh Panwar won a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle (men’s section) and opened India’s medal account in the competition.
NTPC conferred with “Role Model” Award
NTPC Limited, the country’s largest integrated power generation company, has been awarded the prestigious Role Model Award in the most eminent 11th CII National Human Resource Excellence Award 2020-21.
Sanjay Bahl, Chairman of CII’s National Committee on Leadership and Human Resource Development, CII Head Indrani Kar, Center of Excellence for Leadership Suresh Neotia, presented the award to HR Director DK Patel at a virtual conference called ‘Learn from the winners’.
National Thermal Power Corporation Limited Established: 7 November 1975
Headquarters: Delhi
President & MD: Gurdeep Singh
“Mark Rutte” becomes Prime Minister of the Netherlands for the fourth time
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, “Mark Rutte”, won the 2021 parliamentary elections with the majority of seats as Prime Minister for the fourth consecutive term. Earlier, Rutte and his entire cabinet offered resignation on 15 January 2021 in response to a scandal related to child welfare fraud, however, Rutte remained in office until the 2021 election. Rutte is the Prime Minister of the Netherlands since October 2010.
Netherlands Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: Euro.
Gandhi Peace Prize 2020
The Gandhi Peace Awards have been announced for the last two years. The former Bangladesh President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the year 2020 and the late Sultan of Oman for the year 2019, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, will be given the Gandhi Peace Prize.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first President and later also became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He is called “Father of the Nation” or “Mujib”. He was assassinated on 15 August 1975. Sultan Qaboos, winner of the Gandhi Peace Prize 2019, was the longest reigning leader of the modern Arab world. He died in January 2020.
Gandhi Peace Prize: This is an International Gandhi Peace Prize. The award is given by the Government of India. It is presented as a tribute to Gandhian thought. The award was launched in the year 1995 to mark the 125th anniversary of Mohandas Gandhi. It consists of a crore of rupees in cash, a plaque and a citation.
Government of India launched “Graam Ujala Yojana”
The Government of India has launched “Gram Ujala Yojana” on March 19, 2021 to provide the cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas. The scheme was launched by Union Minister Raj Kumar Singh. ‘Gram Ujala Yojana’ is an ambitious scheme which will provide LED bulbs in rural areas for Rs. 10.
In Hale phase, the scheme was launched from Arra district of Bihar. In this phase, approximately 15 million LED bulbs will be distributed in villages in Arra (Bihar), Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), and western Gujarat.
In the year 2014, the prices of LED bulbs were cut from around Rs 310 to Rs 70 per piece by the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All (Ujala) scheme.
