Current Affairs Daily Digest – March 23 2019
1. Rear Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh takes over as Western Fleet Commander
At an impressive ceremonial parade held on 22 Mar 19 at Naval dockyard, Mumbai, Rear Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, NM took over charge of Western Fleet, the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy, from Rear Admiral MA Hampiholi, AVSM, NM.
Rear Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh was commissioned into the Indian navy in 1986 and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. A specialist in Navigation and Direction, he has held a range of command, training and staff appointments during his career.
2. MDWS marks World Water Day with water management workshop
On the occasion of World Water Day on 22nd March 2019, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation organised a two day National Workshop on Management of Grey Water in Rural Areas and Arsenic and Fluoride Remediation in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras with support from UNICEF India.
The plenary session of the Workshop was addressed by Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Director, IIT Madras Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthy. Highlights of the first day and proceeding of the second day of the Workshop are as under.
3. Vice Admiral Karambir Singh will take over as Next Chief of Naval Staff
The Government have appointed Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, presently Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Eastern Naval Command as next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from afternoon of May 31, 2019. The present Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba retires on the same day.
Born on November 03, 1959, Vice Admiral Karambir Singh was commissioned on July 01, 1980 into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Karambir Singh is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Vice Admiral Karambir Singh has been decorated with the Param VishishtSeva Medal (PVSM) and the AtiVishishtSeva Medal (AVSM).
4. India-funded educational campus inaugurated in Nepal
Educational campus constructed with Government of India’s financial grant of 35.5 million Nepalese rupees was inaugurated. An educational campus constructed with Government of India’s financial grant of 35.5 million Nepalese rupees was inaugurated in Nepal.
The newly constructed three storey building of Siddheshwar Education Public Campus in Ramechhap district comprises of 12 classrooms, faculty room, principal room, library, laboratory, a meeting hall and toilets for girls and boys.
The newly built infrastructure will not only boost the learning environment of students but also enhance access to education to needy, poor and marginalized students of Ramechhap District and adjoining area.
5. Jimmy Carter becomes longest living chief executive in American history
Former US president Jimmy Carter has reached a milestone. Elected as the 39th President, Carter is now the longest living chief executive in American history. Today is the 172nd day beyond Carter’s 94th birthday. It exceeds by one day the lifespan of former President George H.W. Bush, who died last November at the age of 94 years, 171 days. Both men were born in 1924: Bush on June 12, Carter on Oct. 1.
6. IPL opening ceremony funds donated to armed forces
In the wake of the Pulwama terror attacks and keeping in mind the sentiments of the people, the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), administering the BCCI, has decided to cancel the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and donate the money budgeted for it to the armed forces.
“The estimated cost of hosting an IPL opening ceremony is Rs 20 crore. It was unanimously decided that a sum of Rs 11 crore be contributed to the Indian Army, Rs 7 crore to the CRPF and Rs 1 crore each to the Navy and Air Force respectively,” the board said in a statement .
7. Fantain ropes in Suresh Raina as brand ambassador
Fantasy Sports company –‘Fantain has announced the signing of ace cricketer Suresh Raina as its brand ambassador.
The left-handed batsman will be the face of the company across all its brand communication campaigns starting March 2019, ahead of the 12th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
8. World boxing chief Rahimov resigns
International Boxing Federation (AIBA) president Gafur Rahimov has resigned on the eve of the decisive IOC executive meeting, In a statement, Rahimov rejected the allegations of him having ties to organized crime and announced his resignation late on Friday, reports Xinhua news agency.
Rahimov, an Uzbek businessman who has been accused by the US authorities of having ties to organized crime, was elected the president of AIBA in November last year.
9. India cut 84% TB deaths in AIDS patients by 2017
India achieved 84 per cent reduction in tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV by 2017 – three years ahead of the target, said a report by The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
The report showed that India is among the five low or middle-income countries Eritrea (83 per cent), Djibouti (78 per cent), Malawi (78 per cent) and Togo (75 per cent) ,that achieved or exceeded the target of a 75 per cent reduction in TB deaths among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), by 2017, three years ahead of the 2020 target.
According to the World Health Organization, globally, TB deaths among people living with HIV have fallen by 42 per cent since 2010, from 520,000 down to 300,000 in 2017.
10. Tata Coffee appoints Chacko Purackal Thomas as MD And CEO
Tata Coffee announced the appointment of Chacko Purackal Thomas as the managing director and chief executive officer. He will replace Sanjiv Sarin, who retires on 31 March. He will assume the charge from April 1, 2019.
Thomas, currently working as the executive director and deputy CEO of the Tata Group firm, has been associated with the company since 2015. Before joining Tata Coffee, Thomas was managing director, Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited, Munnar.
11. India clinch SAFF Women’s C’ship for fifth time
In football, India has clinched the SAFF Women’s Championship for the fifth time in a row, defeating hosts Nepal 3-1 in the final at Biratnagar. In the first half, Dalmia Chhibber of India scored the first goal of the match which was equalled by Nepal’s Sabitra Bhandari at the 33rd minute.
In the second half, Grace Dengmei scored the second goal at 63rd minute and Anju Tamang scored third and decisive goal in the 76th minute. This was India’s 23rd straight victory in the championship since its inception in 2010.
12. Asian Rich List 2019: Hinduja family tops with net worth of £25.2 billion
Leading London-based NRI industrial tycoons, the Hinduja family top the Asian Rich List 2019 for the sixth successive year with an estimated net worth of £25.2 billion, an increase of over £3 billion over the previous year. According to the Asian Rich List 2019 released at the Asian Business Awards , Steel magnates Lakshmi Mittal and his son Aditya Mittal remained in second place, with £11.2 billion — down £2.8 billion.
India’s High Commissioner to the UK Ruchi Ghanashyam released the list which is a compilation of the 101 wealthiest Asians in Britain, highlighting exceptional entrepreneurial achievement over the last 12 months.
S P Lohia (Petrochemicals) took the third place with £5.8 billion.
13. 22 March: World Water Day
World Water Day is an annual UN observance day (always on 22 March) that highlights the importance of freshwater. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. World Water Day is celebrated around the world with a variety of events.
World Water Day Theme 2019: Leaving no one behind
14. Renowned Indian artist Haku Shah passes away at 85
Renowned Indian artist Haku Shah, best known for his themes of tribal and folk art, passed away Thursday following a cardiac arrest at his home in Ahmedabad. He was 85.
Born on March 26, 1934, Shah did his Masters in Fine Art under renowned artists like K G Subrahmanyam. A large part of his work was deeply influenced by tribal art and culture, as well as the Bhakti movement, especially its Nirguna poetry.
