National News

Inauguration of Kochrab Ashram and Launch of Gandhi Ashram Memorial Master Plan by PM Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sabarmati Ashram marked the inauguration of Kochrab Ashram and the unveiling of the Master Plan for the Gandhi Ashram Memorial.
• Kochrab Ashram, established by Gandhi in 1915 upon his return from South Africa, served as his first Ashram in India.
• It emphasized experiments in farming, cow breeding, Khadi, and constructive activities. Originally located on barren land near the Sabarmati River, the Ashram was later relocated for practical and symbolic reasons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates India’s First Automobile In-Plant Railway Siding

• In a monumental moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first automobile in-plant railway siding at Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited.
• This subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki India Limited witnessed the ceremony conducted via video conferencing, signifying a significant advancement under the Prime Minister's flagship Gati Shakti programme.
• The primary goals of this in-plant railway siding include reducing carbon footprint in logistics, diminishing fossil fuel consumption, and alleviating road congestion.

State News

Odisha Extends Support to Women Employees with Extra Casual Leave

• To empower women employees in the state, the Odisha government, under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, announced an additional 10 days of casual leave.
• This initiative acknowledges the diverse responsibilities shouldered by women and aims to provide them with increased flexibility to achieve a better work-life balance.
• Previously, all government employees in Odisha were entitled to 15 days of casual leave annually. With this latest decision, women employees will now enjoy a total of 25 days of casual leave per year.

Important Days News

IREDA Celebrates 38th Foundation Day

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) celebrated its 38th Foundation Day on March 11, 2024.
• This marked a significant milestone in its journey towards promoting renewable energy development in India.
• Among its achievements, IREDA received an 'Excellent' rating under the MoU 2022-23, signed with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, for the third consecutive financial year.
• This recognition, with a score of 93.50 and a final rating of 'Excellent', underscores the company's dedication and commitment to excellence.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Celebrates 19th Foundation Day

• On March 12, 2024, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) commemorated its 19th Foundation Day at the Jacaranda Hall, Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
• To mark this occasion, the Commission invited children from various parts of the country to recognize their contributions to the Pariksha Parv campaign.
• As part of Pariksha Parv 6.0, children were encouraged to share their experiences, coping mechanisms, and routines for managing exam stress and anxiety through short video messages.

Appointments News

ISMA Appoints Deepak Ballani as New Director General

• The Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) announced the appointment of Deepak Ballani as its new Director General.
• With over 25 years of experience in public policy, government affairs, and organizational management, Mr. Ballani brings a wealth of expertise to this crucial role.
• Before joining ISMA, he served as the Director General at The All India Plastics Manufacturers Association, where he led policy advocacy, government affairs management, and international partner collaborations.

Google Collaborates With ECI for Voter Information and Combats Misinformation Ahead of Elections

• Google has forged a partnership with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disseminate authoritative information regarding voting procedures for the upcoming general elections.
• Utilizing Google Search and YouTube videos, voters can access crucial details on voter registration, the voting process, and information pertaining to candidates.

Agreements News

Tripartite MoU Signed Among USOF, Prasar Bharati, and ONDC

• The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), operating under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prasar Bharati and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
• This collaboration aims to enhance the accessibility and affordability of digital services across rural India, leveraging the BharatNet infrastructure under USOF.

Awards News

Smt. Droupadi Murmu Conferred Honorary Doctorate by University of Mauritius

• President Droupadi Murmu was bestowed with the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of Mauritius during her three-day state visit to the country.
• The University of Mauritius recognized President Murmu's contributions and the robust bilateral relations between India and Mauritius by conferring the Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor of Civil Law upon her.

Mr. Srinivasan Swamy Receives 2024 IAA Golden Compass Award

• Srinivasan Swamy, the chairman and managing director of RK Swamy Ltd, was honored at the 45th IAA World Congress in Penang, Malaysia, with the prestigious IAA Golden Compass Award.
• This accolade, symbolizing excellence and innovation in the industry, acknowledges Swamy's pivotal role in shaping the marketing services industry.
• Notably, Swamy is the first Indian industry leader to receive this esteemed honor, joining the ranks of distinguished past recipients.

Science & Technology News

Union Minister Inaugurates “National Speed Breeding Crop Facility” at NABI

• Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of Science & Technology, inaugurated the “National Speed Breeding Crop Facility” at NABI (National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute), Mohali.
• Aligned with PM Modi’s vision of augmenting farmers’ income and fostering Agri StartUps, this initiative accelerates crop improvement programs by developing advanced varieties resilient to climate change.
• NABI’s innovative technology empowers the cultivation of climate-resistant crops, enabling year-round farming and enhancing food security and economic stability.