Extensive Coverage Of Current Affairs 31/3/2016

National Affairs

• Haryana Assembly today passed two Bills mandating minimum educational qualification for contesting urban local bodies polls in the state. 
• The minimum educational qualification for a general male candidate will be Class X, while that for women and those belonging to SC category would be Class VIII. 
• Note : Haryana had earlier fixed similar qualification for gram panchayat elections as well.
• Under the new rules of Lokpal Act, all central government employees have been asked to declare details of assets and liabilities including those of their spouses and children by April 15.
• The employees also have to furnish details of deposits made in foreign banks.
• According to a new directive by Kerala's Transport and Road Safety Commissioner, Tomin J
  
  Thachankary, people who purchase two-wheelers will get complimentary ISI-approved helmets with their vehicles from April 1. 
• The buyers will also receive accessories such as front and rear number plates, rear-view mirror, sari guard, crash guard, and handle grip for pillion riders free of cost.

Business & Economy

• Japan today committed loans worth about ₹14,269 crore (242.2 billion yen)for five infrastructure development projects in India. 
• The projects include the Dedicated Freight Corridor Project, Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project and Transmission System Strengthening Project in Madhya Pradesh. 
• In the 2015-16 financial year, Japan has committed around ₹22,976 crore (390 billion yen).
• Three public sector lenders, Central Bank of India, Bank of India and Allahabad Bank, have received approval from the government for capital infusion into the banks totalling to up to ₹2,375 crore. 
• This is part of the government's revamp plan for state-owned banks, as part of which ₹25,000 crore capital will be infused into the banks in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
• The RBI today relaxed the External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) norms to help firms raise overseas funds for infrastructure projects in India. 
• Under the new guidelines, companies in the infrastructure sector will also be eligible to raise ECB, with a minimum average maturity period of five years. 
• The companies can borrow a maximum of $750 million under the automatic route.
• The industrial body ASSOCHAM in one of its recent study revealed that Gujarat and Maharashtra contribute nearly 46% of the Indian exports occupying the topmost place.
• The report mentions that the first five states contribute to 69% of the total export of India.
• Note : Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradeshoccupy the first 5 places respectively.

Science & Technology

• Toorputallu and Pedhamyanavanilanka, two villages in Andhra Pradesh, willrun completely on solar power from this year.
• These will be the first two villages in the country to be run 100% on solar power.
• Note : These villiages were adopted by the  union minister Nirmala Sitharaman under Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna.
• The villages will be electrified with a 2 MW solar power plant.

New Appointments

• For the first time, the Communist Vietnam named Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, a woman to the influential role of chairperson in its rubber stamp National Assembly today. 
• This is the country's fourth most powerful position.
• Central African Republic's newly elected President Faustin Archange Touadera took the oath of office today.
• He is the first elected leader since Muslim rebels overthrew the government more than three years ago.
• Wipro, India’s third largest software services firm has roped in financial and business strategist Patrick Dupuis as an independent member on its board.
• Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) has appointed Jitendra Jagota as theChairman.

Sports

• India were knocked out of the World T20 after suffering a 7-wicket defeat againstWest Indies in Mumbai today. 
• West Indies now face England for the World T20 title on Sunday.
• Virat Kohli became the batsman with the most World T20 50-plus scores, after scoring 89*(47) against West Indies in the World T20 semifinal match today. 
• This was Kohli’s 10th World T20 50-plus score, surpassing West Indies batsman Chris Gayle’s tally of nine 50-plus scores in WT20. 
• Note : Kohli also scored his 16th T20I half-century, thereby registering most number of half-centuries in T20Is. He surpassed the tally of 15 half-centuries held by former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and West Indies batsman Chris Gayle.
• Shiva Thapa has become the first Indian boxer to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
• He defeated Kazakhstan's Kairat Yeraliyev 3-0 in the semi-finals of the AIBA Asian and Oceanic Olympic qualifiers in Qian’an, China. 
• Note : Thapa is the youngest Indian boxer to have reached the Olympics, aged 18, at London 2012.
• Former USA basketball legend Michael Jordan was placed at the top of Forbes' 2015's list of highest-paid retired athletes. 
• Jordan, who retired from basketball in 2003, earned a total of $110 million in 2015. 
• Note : Former football star David Beckham ($65 million) and 86-year-old golfer Arnold Palmer ($40 million) were in the second and third spots respectively.

NATIONAL:

SC approved guidelines of GOI to protect Good Samaritans:

·        The Supreme Court has approved the Union government’s guidelines to protect Good Samaritans from any kind of harassment for helping road accident victims. Also, they (good Samaritans) will be exempted from any criminal and civil liability.

·        As per the guidelines framed by the Centre, those saving lives of road accident victims need not fear harassment by anyone including police.

·        The ‘Good Samaritans’ guidelines will be implemented in all states and union territories. The Centre’s guidelines will soon be published in the media for mass awareness.

·        On October 30, 2014, the apex court had asked the government to find ways for strong guidelines to protect those helping the victims of road accidents.

Bihar passes bill to ban liquor in the state:

·        The Bihar Assembly has unanimously passed the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Bill 2016 to enforce the ban on country made liquor from April 1.

·        The 1915 liquor Bill was amended to incorporate stricter penal provisions, including death sentence, for manufacturers and distributors of illicit liquor in the event of a hooch tragedy.

Centre to develop Ambedkar circuits: Report

·        The Centre has reportedly decided to develop tourist attractions associated with BR Ambedkar as 'Ambedkar circuits'.

·        Among other places, the circuits will be located at Mhow, MP, his birthplace, and Dadar, where he was cremated.

·        The NDA government has announced numerous programmes to commemorate Ambedkar on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary, including launching a commemorative stamp.

RBI, Passport offices cleanest in Mumbai: Survey

·        The Reserve Bank of India’s office located in Mumbai Central and Passport office in Malad are the “cleanest and most hygienic” government offices in Mumbai, according to a Swachh Survekshan survey.

·        The survey conducted by Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) further adds that the Post Office and MTNL's offices in Andheri stood last on the list.

INTERNATIONAL:

European Investment Bank to loan €450 million for Lucknow Metro:

·        The European Union’s official bank European Investment Bank will Provide loan to Lucknow Metro Project of €450 million (about Rs. 3,300 crore) towards constructing a 23-km long rail line and a purchasing a fleet of new trains.

·        The metro project will be the most expensive public transport system in the state of Uttar Pradesh costing Rs.6928  Crore

·        The EU’s official bank and the world’s largest international public bank, and its loan will cover half of the total project costs for the Lucknow Metro.

·        The first phase roll out of €200 million during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brussels, as part of the 13th India E.U. Summit. The remaining tranches will be disbursed over the course of the project.

Modi, Belgian PM launch Asia’s biggest telescope:

·        Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel remotely launched Asia’s biggest telescope, the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), built with Belgian assistance.

·        The telescope with a 3.6-metre-wide primary mirror located at Devasthal near Nainital in Uttarakhand.

·        ARIES, the largest optical telescope of its kind in Asia, is a product of Indo-Belgian collaboration. It will be used to study star structures and magnetic field structures of stars.

·        ARIES will be used to study star structures and magnetic field structures of stars.

Thailand hit by worst drought in over 20 years:

·        Thailand is in the grip of its worst drought for more than 20 years, with water levels in the country’s biggest dams lower than 10 percent. 

·        The current drought has hit the north hardest, with 22 of Thailand’s 76 provinces affected.

Lockheed Martin offers to build F-16s in India:

·        US defence contractor Lockheed Martin has offered to build its flagship F-16 fighter jets, C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes, and helicopters in India.

·        The American company is keen to make the F-16V, the advanced fourth generation fighter jet in India, provided positive results emerge out of India-US talks next month, Lockheed Martin executives said.

Israel keen to partner with India irrigation, Clean Ganga projects:

·        Israel has expressed keen interest in joining hands with India for irrigation and other water-related projects as well as for Clean Ganga project.

·        Israel has been named as country partner for India Water Week 2016 which is being organised by the Ministry of Water Resources, starting from April 4. 

India-US to sign MoU for building LIGO project:

·        India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with United States, today for building a state-of-the-art Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project in the country.

·        The MoU will be signed between the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the US and India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department of Science and Technology (DST). DAE Secretary Sekhar Basu will sign the agreement in the US today. 

·        The MoU also states of forming a Joint Oversight Group (JOG) with the scientists from NSF, DAE and DST for better coordination of the project. A meeting to decide the site for setting up the laboratory in India will take place by April 10.

Central African Republic's new President takes oath:

·        In Central African Republic, newly elected President Faustin Archange Touadera took the oath of office, ushering in the first elected leader since Muslim rebels overthrew the government more than three years ago. 

Nuclear Security Summit begins in Washington today:

·        The 4th Nuclear Security Summit will begin today in Washington.

·        Heads of about 50 countries and representatives of five international organisations have started to arrive in Washington to take part in the summit to discuss a gamut of issues pertaining to nuclear security.

·        The two-day summit will highlight achievements and commitments of several countries towards safeguarding nuclear devices and technologies and reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism.

Vietnam names first chairwoman of National Assembly:

·        Vietnam named a woman for the first time to the influential role of chairperson in its National Assembly today - the country's fourth most powerful position.

·        Veteran lawmaker and senior Communist Party official Nguyen Thi Kim Nganwas elected with 95.5 per cent of votes after a poll in the country's 500-strong legislative body early today, state-run VTV said

APPOINTMENTS:

IDSA announces appointment of Jitendra Jagota as Chairman:

·        Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) has announced its new Executive Committee at the General Body Meeting held in New Delhi. 

·        Jitendra Jagota, Director Legal and Government Affairs, Avon Beauty Products India Pvt. Ltd has been has become the Chairman of the Association.

·        He succeeds Rajat Banerji, National Head Corporate Affairs, Amway India Enterprises, who congratulated and welcomed the in-coming Chairman.

Patrick Dupuis appointed to Wipro’s Board of Director:

·        Wipro, India’s third largest software services firm has roped in financial and business strategist Patrick Dupuis as an independent member on its board.

·        He is currently senior vice president for simplicity, quality and productivity at global technology platform and payments leader PayPal Holdings Inc.

·        Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro

BANKING :

LIC increases stake in Dena Bank, Andhra Bank:

·        Public sector lender Dena Bank has raised Rs. 65 crore by issuing over 2 crore shares to Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) on a preferential basis. 

·        Andhra Bank also said it has sold an over 4.23 per cent stake to LIC on a preferential allotment, without disclosing the amount.

·        Post-acquisition of additional shares in Dena Bank, LIC’s stake in the lender has gone up to 14.5 per cent from 11.63 per cent earlier, Dena Bank said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

·        Andhra Bank said it has sold over 4.23 per cent stake equivalent to 28,853,210 shares to LIC on a preferential allotment. The price per unit at which Andhra Bank sold shares to LIC was not provided.

·        After the additional stake buy in Andhra Bank, LIC holds more than 14.39 per cent in the lender, from over 10.15 per cent earlier.

RBI eases overseas borrowing for infra projects:

·        The RBI relaxed the External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) norms to help firms raise overseas funds for infrastructure projects in India.

·        Under the new guidelines, companies in the infrastructure sector will also be eligible to raise ECB, with a minimum average maturity period of five years.

·        The companies can borrow a maximum of $750 million under the automatic route.

3 PSU banks to get  2,375 cr infusion from Government:

·        Three public sector lenders, Central Bank of India, Bank of India and Allahabad Bank, have received approval from the government for capital infusion into the banks totalling to up to 2,375 crore.

·        This is part of the government's revamp plan for state-owned banks, as part of which 25,000 crore capital will be infused into the banks in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

SEBI bars 246 entities from capital markets:

·        Market regulator Sebi barred 246 entities from capital markets after they were found to have indulged in a web of "make-believe" trades to artificially inflate share prices and entrap investors.

·        The entities operated through various companies linking to a single company, which was later found to be non-existent, and they booked a profit of 1,600 crore through these fraudulent trades.

Swavalamban subscribers can switch to APY: PFRDA

·        Subscribers of micro-pension scheme 'Swavalamban', which closes on March 31, can switch to the 'Atal Pension Yojana' (APY) and retain the government's co-contribution.

·        Under the scheme, the government contributes Rs 1,000 per year to each NPS account for the first four years.

·        However, this co-contribution will not be there for the 44 lakh subscribers of both micro-pension schemes from April 1 onwards.

·         'Swavalamban' scheme has been replaced with APY which was launched in June last year and hence no fresh subscription under 'Swavalamban' scheme has been accepted since then.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Gujarat, Maharastra –top contributors of Indian Export:

·        The industrial body ASSOCHAM in one of its recent study revealed that Gujarat and Maharashtra contribute nearly 46% of the Indian exports occupying the topmost place.

·        The report mentions that the first five states contribute to 69% of the total export of India.

·        Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh occupy the first 5 places respectively.

·        The study analysed the exports between 2008-09 to 2014-15.

Indian media industry to reach 2026 billion by 2020:

·        India’s media and entertainment industry will reach a net worth of 2.20 lakh crores by the year 2020. A report by the FICCI-KPMG had predicted this net worth of the industry.

·        The report also reveals that the industry’s revenue will be dominated by the advertisements contributing to almost half of the entire worth.

·        The revenue from ads has been estimated at 99400 crores by 2020.

Uber launches ‘Uber MOTO’ in Gurgaon:

·        The cab hailing company Uber just launched its pilot bike sharing service called uberMOTO on Car-Free in Gurgaon.

·        Users can request for a ride through the Uber app between 7:30 am and 9:30 pm.

·        UberMOTO will work on Uber’s app, but will use bikes to ferry commuters around instead of cars.

·        The US-based company had Uber had earlier launched uberMOTO in Bangalore, but had seen its bikes being seized by the traffic authorities as it they didn’t have the necessary permits required to run bike taxis in the city.

Airbnb to offer first ever underwater bedroom:

·        Rental sharing service Airbnb has unveiled its first ever underwater bedroom, surrounded by 35 sharks, that will be offered for free to the winners of a competition.

·        To win a stay in the Aquarium de Paris for one night on either April 11th, 12th or 13th, contestants must submit an essay describing why they deserve to sleep in the bedroom.

SoftBank invests in Indian balance checking app:

·        SoftBank Ventures Korea has invested an undisclosed amount in India-based True Balance, an app that helps keep track of the balance available on prepaid accounts for Android smartphone users.

·        Launched in 2014 by Korean entrepreneur Charlie Lee, the startup also provides call log, data pack assessment, prepaid recharge services and real-time information on plans and offers from telecom operators.

Foxconn to buy 66% stake in Sharp for $3.5 bn:

·        Taiwan-based Foxconn agreed to acquire a 66% stake in Japanese electronics major Sharp for $3.5 billion.

·        This is over $2.7 billion less than Foxconn's $6.24 billion bid in February to take over Sharp which got delayed following the emergence of previously undisclosed liabilities in Sharp.

·        Foxconn also has the option of increasing its stake in Sharp next year.

AWARDS AND HONOURS:

Poet Haldar Nag, a class III dropout, conferred Padma Shri:

·        Haldhar Nag, the 66-year-old poet in Kosli language, after President Pranab Mukherjee conferred Padma Shri 2016 on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

·        He was bestowed with third highest civilian honour for his contribution in Literature & Education section.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

Microsoft releases Bot Framework for developers:

·        Microsoft released a Bot Framework – a platform for developers to develop and integrate intelligent bots into their own apps.

·        The company demonstrated the new system by assembling a chatbot and showing how a conversational interface could replace the existing system.

·        It also made a portfolio of its 22 APIs called 'Cognitive Micro Services' available for the developers.

Rare sand-eating tadpoles discovered in Western Ghats:

·        Researchers have discovered a tadpole that eats sand, lives in darkness till the time it turns into a young frog.

·        The tadpoles were discovered at the Western Ghats.

·        The discovery has been made by scientists from the University of Delhi, the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and Gettysburg College, California.

SPORTS:

England beat NZ to reach World T20 final:

·        England reached the final of the ICC World T20 after defeating New Zealand by seven wickets in Delhi on Wednesday.

·        Colin Munro's 46(32) helped the Kiwis post 153/8 as Ben Stokes finished with bowling figures of 3/26 for England. Man-of-the-match Jason Roy's blistering knock of 78(44) then helped England chase down the total in 17.1 overs.

Boxer Shiva Thapa qualifies for Rio Olympics:

·        Shiva Thapa has become the first Indian boxer to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

·        He defeated Kazakhstan's Kairat Yeraliyev 3-0 in the semi-finals of the AIBA Asian and Oceanic Olympic qualifiers in Qian’an, China.

·        Thapa is the youngest Indian boxer to have reached the Olympics, aged 18, at London 2012.

OBITUARY:

Former USC President Steven Sample dies at 75:

·        Steven Browning Sample, who was president of the Columbia based University of Southern California for nearly two decades during which the school rose to international prominence has passed away. He was 75.

·        Over his 19 years of service, Steven transformed USC into one of the nation’s leading research universities.

·        Steven as a president made Excellence campaign on the USC Building that raised $2.85 billion, and USC became the first university in the country to receive five donations of $100 million.

Oscar winning actress Patty Duke dies at 69:

·        US actress Patty Duke, has died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine,at the age of 69.

·        Patty Duke, who as a teen won an Oscar for playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, then maintained a long career while battling personal demons

1. PM Modi And Belgian PM Charles Michel Launch Asia's Biggest Telescope
i. Asia's biggest telescope has been launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. 

ii. This is built by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) with the assistance of Belgian.
iii. The telescope has been located at a height of 2,500 metres at Devasthal in Nainital district. The site was chosen for getting a clear view of the sky. The telescope has mirror of 3.6 m diameter. 
iv. The telescope facility has been incorporated with high end technology which enables it to be operated with the help of remote control from anywhere in the world. 
v. ARIES, the largest optical telescope of its kind in Asia. It will be used to study star structures and magnetic field structures of stars and astronomical debris. 

2. India-US to sign MoU for building LIGO project
i. India will sign an MoU with the United States for building a state-of-the-art Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project in the country.

ii. The MoU will be signed between the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the US and India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).
iii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet scientists from the LIGO project.
iv. The MoU also states of forming a Joint Oversight Group (JOG) with the scientists from NSF, DAE and DST for better coordination of the project.
v. The project will bring unprecedented opportunities for scientists and engineers to dig deeper into the realm of gravitational wave and take global leadership in this new astronomical frontier. A meeting to decide the site for setting up the laboratory in India will take place by April 10.

3. Dr. Najma Heptulla Launchs Innovative Entrepreneurship & Skill Development Programme Of MANAS
i. Dr. Najma Heptulla, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs launched innovative entrepreneurship and skill development programme of Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS)– through leading national/ international experts in different skill sets in New Delhi.

ii. She also inaugurated online two training centres of Beauty & Wellness Sector, one in Okhla and another in Daryaganj area. 
iii. In Okhla Centre Sh. Jawed Habib known for impetus to revolutionize the art of Hair Styling in India will provide scientific and systematic training to the aspirants wishing to pursue a career in cosmetology.
iv. NSDC provides funding to build scalable, for-profit vocational training initiatives. 
v. Its mandate is also to enable support systems such as quality assurance, information systems and train the trainer academies either directly or through partnerships.

4. Nadda launches GIS-enabled HMIS application, self-printing of e-CGHS Card
i. J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched two major Digital initiatives to provide easy access to health services to the public: GIS-enabled HMIS application and the self-printing of e-CGHS cards, in New Delhi.

ii. Launching these initiatives of the Health Ministry, the Union Minister stated that the Health Ministry remains committed to strengthening public health systems and providing user-friendly health services in the country. 
iii. He further stated that that this will provide a tremendous opportunity to further strengthen and enhance the reach of key interventions.

5. LIC Increases Stake In Andhra Bank And Dena Bank
i. The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has announced that the Public sector lender Dena Bank has raised Rs. 65 crore by issuing over 2 crore shares and Andhra Bank 4.23 per cent stake to LIC on a preferential allotment, without disclosing the amount.

ii. Dena Bank has stated in the regulatory filing that Life Insurance Corporation stake in the lender has gone up to 14.5 per cent from 11.63 per cent earlier. These are the post-acquisition of additional shares in Dena Bank.
iii. And Andhra Bank said that it has sold over 4.23 per cent stake equivalent to 28,853,210 shares to LIC on a preferential allotment. 
iv. The price per unit at which Andhra Bank sold shares to LIC was not provided. 
v. After buying these additional stake buy in Andhra Bank, LIC holds more than 14.39 per cent in the lender, from over 10.15 per cent earlier.

6. Vijaya Bank to get Rs 220 crore capital infusion from government 
i. State-run Vijaya Bank said the government has approved a capital infusion of Rs 220 crore in lieu of preferential allotment of shares.

ii. In the first tranche, as many as 13 public sectors banks were given fund support of Rs 19,950 crore. Of this, SBI got the highest amount of Rs 5,393 crore.
iii. Besides, the government infused Rs 2,229 crore in IDBI Bank Rs 2,009 crore in Indian Overseas BankBSE 2.90 % and Rs 1,732 crore in Punjab National Bank. 
iv. Last year, the government had announced a revamp plan 'Indradhanush' to infuse Rs 70,000 crore in state-owned banks over four years.
v. while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from markets to meet their capital requirements in line with global risk norms Basel-III.

7. European Investment Bank to loan €450 million for Lucknow Metro
i. European Union, through the European Investment Bank (EIB), will lend India €450 million (approximately Rs. 3,300 crore) towards constructing a 23-km long Lucknow Metro rail line and a purchasing a fleet of new trains.

ii. EIB is the EU’s official bank and the world’s largest international public bank, and its loan will cover half of the total project costs for the Lucknow Metro. 
iii. The first tranche of €200 million will be signed on Wednesday, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brussels, as part of the 13th India E.U. Summit.
iv. The remaining tranches will be disbursed over the course of the project. 
v. Lucknow’s Metro is expected to increase the public transport mode share from 10% to 27% in the city of 3 million.

8. Adani Ties Up With Elbit, Alpha for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
i. Marking its formal entry into defence, Adani Group’s unit Aero Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd has signed a so-called statement of intent with Elbit-ISTAR of Israel and Indian company Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd to work together in the field of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

ii. Adani Aero Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd, with interests in design, technology development, technical collaboration and system integration services for aerospace and defence equipment and systems. 
iii. Under the agreement, the companies plan to set up a final assembly and integration line, including MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facilities by incorporating true transfer of technology for supporting the product range during its lifecycle.

9. Star India to launch Hotstar service overseas
i. Star India plans to launch its over-the-top platform Hotstar in other countries over the next few months.  

ii. Hotstar is a digital and mobile entertainment platform owned by Novi Digital Entertainment Private Limited (formerly known as Indya Interactive Services Private Limited).
iii. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of STAR India. 
iv. The numerous and affluent South Asian diaspora, which for the longest time had been frustrated by the lack of access to its favourite content, will be able to watch cricket, movies and other shows through Hotstar.



10. Kachhabali Becomes 1st Liquor-free village in Rajasthan
i. Kachhabali village in Bhim tehsil of Rajsamand district has become the 1st in the state to vote to close down its lone liquor shop. 

ii. The referendum saw 67.11% of voters saying they wanted no alcohol sale in the village.
iii. Polling was conducted by the excise department  Of the 2,886 voters in the 9 wards of the panchayat, 2,039 voted. 
iv. While 1,937 voted in favour of the ban on liquor, only 33 voted to keep the local liquor shop open Sixty-nine votes were rejected. 
v. So in a way, around 95% of those who turned up to vote favoured the ban on liquor. 

11. Patrick Dupuis appointed to Wipro’s Board of Directors
i. Wipro Limited on 30 March 2016 announced the appointment of Patrick Dupuis to its Board of Directors, effective 1 April 2016.

Dupuis will serve as an Independent Director on the Board.
ii. Dupuis, who holds an experience of over 30 years, currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Simplicity, Quality and Productivity at Global technology platform and payments leader, PayPal Holdings, Inc.
iii. He was instrumental in PayPal's separation from eBay Inc. and listing on the Nasdaq in 2015.
iv. He was previously the CFO of Sitel, a leader in customer service and BJC Healthcare, one of the largest non-profit health care organizations in the US. He previously spent 20 years at GE, where he was made an officer at 34.
v. His last two roles at GE were CFO of BJC Healthcare and GM of GE Capital International Services (now Genpact). He graduated from the Ecole de Management de Lyon in France.

12. Jitendra Jagota Has Appointed As The Chairman of IDSA
i. Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) has announced Jitendra Jagota as the new Chairman in its new Executive Committee at the General Body Meeting held in New Delhi. 

ii. Currently He is the Director Legal and Government Affairs, Avon Beauty Products India Pvt. Ltd has been has become the Chairman of the Association.
iii. Mr. Jagota will succeed Mr. Rajat Banerji. He is the National Head Corporate Affairs of Amway India Enterprises. He congratulated the new chairman. 
iv. The new executive committee has also welcomed Amit Chadha, who has been recently appointed as the Secretary General of the Association. He is a Non-elected member of the IDSA board. 
v. The elected members of the Indian Direct Selling Association will each serve one-year term for financial year 2016-17.

13. Faustin Archange Touadera is Central African Republic’s new President
i. Central African Republic‘s newly elected president Faustin Archange Touadera took the oath of office, ushering in the first elected leader since Muslim rebels overthrew the government more than three years ago.

ii. The inauguration came as former coloniser France said its troops plan to leave the country by the end of the year.
iii. The French forces worked to stabilize the long volatile country until a United Nations peacekeeping force was in place, though both missions have been tarnished by allegations of child sexual abuse.
iv. Touadera, a former math professor and prime minister, emerged from a crowded field of candidates and won the February 14 runoff with nearly 63 percent of the vote.
v. Touadera’s presidency puts an end to a two-year transitional government that came into force in early 2014.

14. Oscar Winning Actress Patty Duke Has Passed Away
i. The Oscar winning US actress Patty Duke has passed away recently. She was 69 year old. She won Oscar for playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker in 1963. Her cause of death was sepsis from a ruptured intestine. 

ii. The US actress also won an Emmy in 1980 for playing Helen Keller’s teacher in a TV movie version. 
iii. Duke also started in The Patty Duke Show in the 1960s in which she took the roles of “identical” teenage cousins. She was the mother of actor Sean Astin, who played the hobbit Sam in the Lord of the Rings trilogy of films.
iv. Duke was a child star, making her first TV appearance at the age of 12. The 16-year-old Duke played blind and deaf girl Helen Keller whose tutor played by Anne Bancroft breaks through her isolation and helps her to communicate in the Miracle Worker, .
v. Among Duke’s other awards included Emmys for My Sweet Charlie in 1970 and Captains and the Kings in 1976. She also appeared in the Broadway musical Oklahoma.

15. Virat Kohli rises to top in ICC T20I rankings
i. Indian Test Captain Virat Kohli kept his Performance at the top helped his side into the semifinals of the World Twenty20 after defeating Australia.
ii. He has replaced Aaron Finch as the number one batsman in the latest ICC T20 rankings. Number-one ranked India will go head to head with third- ranked West Indies in Mumbai , while in the first semi-final in Delhi while second-ranked New Zealand will square-off against fifth-ranked England.
iii. The second semi-final in Mumbai will witness the battle of top players. Spinner Samuel Badree is the current world number one bowler in T20Is. 
iv. Chris Gayle is at 6th position among batsmen. 
v. In the bowlers rankings, India's Ravinchandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja feature in the Top-10. Ashwin has slipped 2 places to be at 3rd while Jadeja moved up 3 spots to be at 7th.

#SSC #IBPS #SBI #RBI #NABARD #NICL #NIACL #CAT #NMAT #everydayquiz1. PM Narendra Modi unveils Asia’s largest optical telescope ARIES at Nainital March

1. Asia’s largest and first of its kind optical telescope Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) was unveiled at Devasthal in Nainital District, Uttrakahnd. It was remotely activated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel from Belgium.

2. Aries telescope was joint collaborative technological effort between Indian and Belgian scientists.

2. India’s first indigenously developed sonar dome flagged off

1. India’s first indigenous composites sonar dome, a ship’s underwater eyes and ears, was flagged off by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The sonar dome was dedicated to the nation dedicated to the nation and will be delivered to Mazgaon Docks, Mumbai for use in the warships of Indian Navy.

2. The sonar dome is dsigned and produced by a Defence and Research Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) lab based in Pune. It is a first of its kind in the country to be manufactured by the Goa-based composites manufacturing company Kineco.

3. Faustin Archange Touadera sworn in as new President of Central African Republic

1. Faustin Archange Touadera (58) took the oath of office as the new President of Central African Republic (CAR). With this he becomes first elected leader of CAR since Muslim rebels had overthrown the government in early 2013. 

2. His presidency puts an end to a two-year transitional government that came into force in early 2014. Touadera is well respected former mathemathics Professor. He had served as Prime Minister as former Prime Minister of ex-president Francois Bozize from January 2008 to January 2013.

4. Oscar winning actor Patty Duke passes away

1. Acclaimed Actor and singer Patty Duke passed away due to Sepsis from a ruptured intestine. She was 69. She had won Academy award (Oscar) in 1963 at the age of 16 for her portrayal of deaf blind political activist Helen Keller in The Miracle worker.

2. She also was known for roles in Valley of the Dolls, My Sweet Charlie and Me, Natalie. She was also known for TV show The Patty Duke which aired more than 100 episodes from 1963 to 1966.

5. EIB announced loan of 33 billion rupees for Lucknow metro

1. European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that it will invest 33 billion rupees (450 million Euros) for the first metro line in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This investment will be EIB’s largest ever financing in India.

2. The announcement was made by President of the bank, Werner Hoyer at the 13th India-EU summit held in Brussels.

This agreement to construct the Lucknow metro was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was on a one day visit to Belgium to attend India-EU summit.

3. The 450 million Euros long-term loan will be used to finance the first metro line in Lucknow, including both construction of the 23km long new metro line and a fleet of metro trains.The line is the first part of an expected broader metro network planned for the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India.

6. France announced to end Operation Sangaris across Central African Republic in 2016

1. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that France will end its Operation Sangaris in the Central African Republic in 2016.

2. The decision was taken in view of the achievement of the objective of its military intervention in the country. The mission was launched with the objective of restoring security in the country after three years of communal violence.

3. The announcement came alongside the swearing-in ceremony of Faustin-Archange Touadera as the first elected President of the nation in three years.

4. The pullout will be in parallel with the buildup of the 12000-strong UN force, MINUSCA, and the European Union's training mission (EUTM RCA). At present it has been reduced from 2500 at its peak in December 2013 to 900. Around 300 French troops will remain in CAR, who will rejoin MINUSCA and take part in EUTM RCA.

7. 13th India-EU Summit held in Brussels

1. The 13th India-European Union Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium. In the summit, India was represented by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

2. The European Union (EU) was represented by Donald Tusk, President of the European Council and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.

The leaders endorsed the EU-India Agenda for Action 2020 that sets out a concrete road-map for the EU-India Strategic Partnership for the next five years.

Outcomes of the 13th India-EU Summit

• The European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed to extend 450 million Euros in loan for the construction of the first metro line in Lucknow.

• The EIB gave its nod to set up the Bank’s regional representation for South Asia in New Delhi.

• The leaders agreed to further the negotiations on early conclusion of the EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).

• The EU and India expressed their confidence in the arbitration procedure on the Italian Marines case currently underway in the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).