Table of Contents
National News
India’s First Ayurvedic Cafe Opens in Delhi
The Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, is making headlines for its in-house restaurant, Soma-The Ayurvedic Kitchen. This restaurant is being hailed as the first Ayurvedic Kitchen in India. At Soma-The Ayurvedic Kitchen, the food is customized according to the visitor’s health. The menu features dishes like Dumplings and Pav Bhaji, all prepared without onion and garlic. The hospital patients frequently visit this café during their treatment, alongside outside visitors.
Election Commission launches ‘Mission 414’ campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout
The Election Commission has launched a special campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout in 414 polling stations with less than 60% voting during the last Lok Sabha polls.
International News
Nepal Declares Pokhara as Its Tourism Capital
In a move to boost its tourism industry, the government of Nepal has officially declared Pokhara, a city in the Gandaki province, as the tourism capital of the Himalayan nation. The declaration was made during a special ceremony held at the Barahi Ghat on the shores of the Phewa Lake. Pokhara, known for its natural beauty and adventure tourism, has long been recognized as a tourism hub in Nepal. The city was designated as the tourism capital after fulfilling all the necessary government criteria. This official recognition is expected to enhance Pokhara’s reputation and attract more visitors from around the world.
Guyana Inks Deal to Purchase Indian-Made Dornier Aircraft
The Indian defence industry is expanding its reach to the Caribbean region. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) plans to purchase two aircraft from India with a loan of $23.27 million from the Export-Import Bank of India. Guyana will acquire two Dornier 228 aircraft made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of India. An agreement was signed between the Guyanese Finance Minister and the Deputy GM of EXIM Bank on Friday.
Defence News
Indian Army’s New Tech Unit STEAG
The Indian Army has set up a specialized technology unit called Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG) to research and evaluate next-generation communication technologies. The Indian Army realizes that effective communication is crucial for military operations. The side with better communication technologies and ability to share information will have an advantage over the enemy.
India-US Joint Military Exercise “EX TIGER TRIUMPH – 24”
A joint military exercise called Tiger Triumph-24 between India and the United States started on March 18 and will continue until March 31. This exercise is taking place on the Eastern Seaboard (East Coast) of India. The main purpose of this exercise is to improve cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Indian Army Inducts First Apache 451 Aviation Squadron
The Indian Army has raised its first squadron, the 451 Aviation Squadron, to operate the newly acquired AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The squadron was formally established on March 15 at Jodhpur. In February 2020, India signed a deal worth around $800 million with Boeing for six Apache helicopters for the Indian Army. As part of the deal, six pilots and 24 technicians from the Indian Army were trained by Boeing in the U.S.
Banking News
Axis Bank Commits ₹100 Crore to Enhance Cancer Care through National Cancer Grid
In an effort to advance cancer care in India, Axis Bank has pledged a significant contribution of ₹100 crore to the National Cancer Grid (NCG), in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre. This partnership aims to bolster research, innovation, and digital health adoption in oncology over the next five years.
RBI made its largest gold purchase since July 2022, acquiring 8.7 tonnes
In January, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made its largest gold purchase since July 2022, acquiring 8.7 tonnes of gold. This brought the RBI’s gold holding to 812.3 tonnes, up from 803.58 tonnes in December 2023. The central bank’s move is aimed at diversifying its forex reserves and hedging against foreign currency risks.
Business News
Tata Sons Announces Sale of 0.6% Stake in TCS for Over ₹9,300 Crore
Tata Sons, aiming to alleviate its debt, plans to sell 0.65% equity in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for ₹9,362.3 crore. This move precedes a potential IPO, with related stocks rallying. TCS dividends, contributing 95% of FY23 revenue, highlight its strategic importance within Tata’s asset portfolio.
Reliance Consumer Products Partners with Sri Lanka’s Elephant House for Beverage Expansion in India
Reliance Consumer Products (RCPL) has solidified a strategic partnership with Elephant House, a prominent Sri Lankan beverage manufacturer. This collaboration aims to introduce, market, distribute, and sell Elephant House brand beverages throughout India, thereby augmenting RCPL’s beverage offerings.
Tata Sons Announces Sale of 0.6% Stake in TCS for Over ₹9,300 Crore
Tata Sons, aiming to alleviate its debt, plans to sell 0.65% equity in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for ₹9,362.3 crore. This move precedes a potential IPO, with related stocks rallying. TCS dividends, contributing 95% of FY23 revenue, highlight its strategic importance within Tata’s asset portfolio.
Awards News
T M Krishna Awarded Prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi
Thodur Madabusi Krishna, a renowned Carnatic musician, has been chosen as the Sangita Kalanidhi awardee for 2024. This award, considered the Oscar equivalent for Carnatic music, is given away by the Music Academy in Chennai. Krishna, 48, is known for his powerful voice both as a vocalist on stage and as a social activist off stage. He received early training in music from Bhagavatula Seetharama Sarma and Chengalpet Ranganathan, both recipients of the Sangita Kala Acharya award (for music teachers) from the Music Academy.
Appointments News
Poonawalla Fincorp Appoints Arvind Kapil as MD & CEO
Poonawalla Fincorp, a notable NBFC, has chosen Arvind Kapil, a seasoned retail banking expert from HDFC Bank, as its new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer. Kapil will commence his five-year term on June 24, 2024, succeeding Abhay Bhutada, who opted for early retirement.
Important Days
International Day of Happiness 2024, Date, History and Significance
The International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20th. This special day aims to spread awareness about the importance of happiness in our lives. On July 12, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution This resolution declared March 20th as the International Day of Happiness
French Language Day 2024, Date, History, Theme and Significance
On March 20th, the United Nations celebrates French Language Day. This is one of the six official languages celebrated by the UN each year. French Language Day commemorates March 20, 1970. The date the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) was created. Formed from the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT).
Science and Technology News
Scientists discover a ‘gigantic’ volcano on Mars with a surprising secret
Researchers have uncovered a monumental discovery on Mars—a colossal volcano named Noctis Volcano. Standing at an impressive 29,600 feet tall and stretching approximately 450 kilometres in width, this massive volcano lies just south of Mars’ equator within the Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus region. The finding, made possible by data from a suite of missions including NASA’s Mariner 9, Viking Orbiter 1 and 2, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the ESA’s Mars Express, unveils a hidden geological marvel.
Sports News
Carlos Alcaraz Tops Daniil Medvedev To Repeat As Indian Wells Champion
In the final of the Indian Wells ATP tournament on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia in straight sets, with a score of 7-6 (7/5), 6-1. With this victory, the 20-year-old Alcaraz became the first player to win back-to-back Indian Wells titles since Novak Djokovic did it from 2014 to 2016.
19 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR
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