International News

US Surgeons Perform First Pig-to-Human Kidney Transplant

• In a monumental stride in the medical field, surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have successfully conducted the inaugural pig-to-human kidney transplant.
• This groundbreaking procedure saw a 62-year-old individual afflicted with end-stage renal disease receiving a genetically modified pig kidney.
• The medical community eagerly awaits the long-term outcomes of this pioneering animal-to-human transplant, viewing it as a significant leap forward in organ transplantation.
• Jim Kim, the director of kidney and pancreas transplantation at the USC Transplant Institute in Los Angeles, underscores the significance of this milestone in medical history.

Appointments News

Govind Dholakia Appointed New Chairman of Surat Diamond Bourse

• Govind Dholakia, a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, has assumed the position of the new chairman of the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB).
• Following the resignation of the previous chairman, Vallabhbhai Patel (Lakhani), the core committee members of SDB convened to deliberate on the succession plan.
• After thorough consideration, Govind Dholakia, the owner of SRK Diamonds and an esteemed member of the SDB advisory committee, emerged as the unanimous choice for the chairman's role.

Appointment Of Mariam Mammen Mathew As DNPA Chairperson

• Mariam Mammen Mathew, the CEO of Manorama Online, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) for a two-year tenure commencing on April 1, 2024.
• She succeeds Tanmay Maheshwari, the Managing Director of Amar Ujala, in this crucial position.

Awards News

Bina Agarwal and James Boyce awarded the first “Global Inequality Research Award”

• Bina Agarwal and James Boyce have been bestowed with the inaugural "Global Inequality Research Award" in recognition of their remarkable contributions to understanding global inequalities, particularly in the realms of social and environmental disparities.
• As recipients of this prestigious accolade, Agarwal and Boyce will have the opportunity to accept their awards and present an overview of their groundbreaking work at conferences slated to be held in Paris during the fall and spring of 2024.
• These conferences will be organized in collaboration with Sciences Po's Social-Ecological Transitions (SET) initiative.

Aviation Week Laureates Award Was Given To ISRO For Chandrayaan-3

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has garnered acclaim with the prestigious Aviation Week Laureates Award, acknowledging its extraordinary achievements in the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• Sripriya Ranganathan, the Deputy Ambassador at the Indian Embassy in the US, graciously accepted the award on behalf of ISRO, commemorating the agency's remarkable endeavors in the realm of space exploration.

Sports News

Sharath Kamal to be Indian Flagbearer at Paris Olympics 2024

• Sharath Kamal, the eminent table tennis player, has been designated as the flagbearer for the Indian contingent at the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
• Acknowledged for his remarkable prowess in the sport, Kamal, ranked World No. 88, boasts an illustrious career, having clinched the national table tennis championship title a remarkable 10 times.
• His exceptional achievements include securing 13 medals at the Commonwealth Games (CWG), comprising seven gold medals, and claiming two medals at the Asian Games.
• Furthermore, Kamal has earned distinction as a three-time bronze medalist at the World Championships, solidifying his status as a legend in the realm of table tennis.

Important Days News

World Meteorological Day 2024

• March 23rd marks the observance of World Meteorological Day annually, commemorating the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950.
• This specialized agency of the United Nations plays a pivotal role in global meteorological endeavors. The theme for World Meteorological Day 2024, "At the Frontline of Climate Action," underscores the organization's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by climate change and its proactive stance in advocating for sustainable solutions.

World Tuberculosis Day 2024

• On March 24th, the global community observes World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, dedicated to raising awareness about this infectious disease and promoting efforts for its prevention and treatment.
• Tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs, is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can spread through the air via respiratory droplets.
• The 2024 theme, "Yes! We can end TB," emphasizes the collective resolve to combat TB through comprehensive strategies encompassing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, with the ultimate goal of eradicating this debilitating ailment.

International Day for the Right to the Truth 2024

• March 24th commemorates the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.
• This solemn occasion serves as a tribute to victims of grave human rights violations worldwide and underscores the imperative of upholding truth, justice, and dignity for all individuals.
• The observance reaffirms the international community's commitment to confronting past atrocities and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency.

Science and Technology News

Gaia Telescope Discovers Two Ancient Streams Of Stars Shiva & Shakti

• The Gaia space telescope, operated by the European Space Agency, has made a significant breakthrough by identifying two ancient streams of stars within the Milky Way, named Shiva and Shakti.
• Led by Khyati Malhan of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Germany, this discovery holds profound implications for our understanding of the origins and evolution of our galaxy.
• By unveiling these ancient stellar streams, the Gaia telescope enriches our knowledge of the cosmic processes shaping the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way, shedding light on fundamental questions in astrophysics.