Table of Contents
National News
India’s First Integrated Oil Palm Processing Unit by 3F Oil Palm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated India’s first integrated oil palm processing unit, operated by 3F Oil Palm, marking a significant stride in the nation’s journey towards self-reliance in edible oils. Situated in Arunachal Pradesh’s Roing, this project aligns with Mission Palm Oil under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
International News
Vladimir Putin Secures Another Six-Year Term in Russian Election
Russian President Vladimir Putin clinched victory in the recent election with a commanding lead of 76.1% of the vote, as per preliminary results. This win marks Putin’s continued dominance in Russian politics, now extending his tenure to a total of 24 years in power.
State News
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Inaugurates India’s First Indoor Athletics and Aquatic Centres
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated India’s first indoor athletics stadium and indoor aquatic centre at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneshwar. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a new indoor diving centre in the stadium complex. According to Patnaik, the new indoor facilities will help athletes train throughout the year without fear of weather-related disturbances.
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan Resigns
Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Governor of Telangana, has resigned from her position on Monday, March 18, 2024. According to sources, she is likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the state of Tamil Nadu. Soundararajan has also resigned from her role as the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Puducherry. She has sent her resignation letter to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
Tamil Nadu Signs MoU to Implement PM SHRI School Scheme
The Tamil Nadu government has agreed to implement the PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of education in the state and align with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.
Appointment News
Navneet Sehgal Appointed as Prasar Bharati Board Chairman
Retired bureaucrat Navneet Kumar Sehgal has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Prasar Bharati Board. The position had been vacant for four years after A Surya Prakash retired in February 2020 after turning 70, the upper age limit for the post.
Senior Bureaucrat Rahul Singh Appointed New CBSE Chief
Senior bureaucrat Rahul Singh has been appointed as the chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), as part of a senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre.
Kotak Bank appoints Jaideep Hansraj as President of ‘One Kotak’
Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Jaideep Hansraj, the current MD and CEO of Kotak Securities, as the Group President – One Kotak, effective from April 1, 2024. This move signifies a strategic shift towards optimizing the Group’s financial conglomerate model and enhancing customer offerings through collaborative efforts across subsidiaries.
Agreements News
SANY India signs MoU with J&K Bank to give finance solutions to their customers
SANY India, a top construction equipment manufacturer, has forged a strategic partnership with J&K Bank to fuel growth and development opportunities in the region. The collaboration aims to offer accessible financial solutions to customers, facilitating the acquisition of advanced machinery for infrastructure projects.
Economy News
India’s forex reserves jump to over two-year high of $636.1 bn
India’s foreign exchange reserves witnessed a significant surge, marking a third consecutive increase in the week ended March 8, 2024. This surge propelled the reserves to reach a two-year high of $636.1 billion, showing the highest weekly increase since July 14, 2023, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Business News
Startup Mahakumbh 2024: Revolutionizing India’s Entrepreneurial Landscape
Startup Mahakumbh 2024, a groundbreaking initiative led by industry giants such as ASSOCHAM, Nasscom, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE, and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association, is set to unite over 1,000 startups, 50 unicorns, 500 incubators, and 5,000 delegates from 23 countries. This three-day event, supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), aims to foster innovation and collaboration across various sectors, featuring prominent figures like Amitabh Kant, Sivasubramanian Ramann, and Falguni Nayar.
Science and Tech News
NASA To Carry ‘Message In Bottle’ To Europa, One Of Jupiter’s Moon In October
In October of this year, NASA will embark on its Europa Clipper mission, aiming to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa in search of signs of life. Scientists are particularly interested in a potential salty lake hidden beneath its icy crust. As part of this mission, NASA plans to send a unique message to Europa, symbolizing human curiosity and creativity.
Important Days News
Ordnance Factories Day 2024 in India
Ordnance Factories Day is observed every year on March 18th. This year, it falls on a Monday. Ordnance Factories Day is a special day celebrated in India to honour the Indian Ordnance Factories that provide arms and ammunition to the Indian Armed Forces. These factories play a vital role in keeping our country and its people safe.
Defence News
Indian Army contingent departing for the joint military exercise “Exercise Lamitiye – 2024”
An Indian Army contingent has departed for Seychelles today to participate in the Tenth edition of the Joint Military Exercise “LAMITIYE-2024” between the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). The exercise will be conducted in Seychelles from 18-27 March 2024.
Ranks and Reports News
India’s Ranking on the DHL Connectedness Index
India’s position on the DHL Global Connectedness Index has seen a notable rise, reflecting its burgeoning role in the global economy. From ranking 67th in 2022, India has advanced to the 62nd position in 2023, underscoring its increasing significance in the realm of globalization.
Obituaries News
Prominent Tribal Leader Lama Lobzang Passes Away at 94
The former member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and prominent Buddhist Monk of Ladakh, popularly known as Lama Lobzang, passed away this morning at his residence in New Delhi. He was 94 years old. This award is given every two years in memory of Princess Diana. It recognizes exceptional youth for their social work or humanitarian services. The Diana Award charity, established in memory of the late Princess of Wales, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Indian Youth Uday Bhatia and Manasi Gupta Receive ‘Diana Memorial Award’
Uday Bhatia and Manasi Gupta from India were honored with the prestigious ‘Diana Memorial Award’ on 14 March 2024. This award is given every two years in memory of Princess Diana. It recognizes exceptional youth for their social work or humanitarian services. The Diana Award charity, established in memory of the late Princess of Wales, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Miscellaneous News
Arjuna Awardee Sheetal Devi Named ECI’s National PwD Icon at Inclusive Cricket Match
During the event, Ms. Sheetal Devi, a renowned Para-archer and Arjuna Awardee, was announced as the National Icon in the PwD category. The Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized an exhibition cricket match to promote voter education and inclusivity. The match was played between the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) Team and the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) team on March 16, 2024, at Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi.
Kashmir Hosts First Formula-4 Car Racing Event Along Dal Lake
The beautiful Dal Lake in Kashmir witnessed an exciting event on March 18. Formula-4 car racing was held for the first time in the region. The sleek racing cars raced along the Boulevard road near the lake, creating a thrilling atmosphere. The Zabarwan Hills provided a stunning backdrop for the event.
17-18 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR
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