Daily Current Affairs and GK | 18 and 19 March 2022

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. 14^th India Japan Annual Summit held on 19 March in New Delhi.

• PM Modi and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio participated in 14th India Japan Annual Summit.
• 14th India Japan Annual Summit was the first meeting of Mr Modi and Mr Kishida.
• Previous India Japan Annual Summit was held in Tokyo in October 2018.
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the summit could not be conducted in 2020 and 2021.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

2. India has advocated Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) at United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• At UNSC briefing, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative said it is important to ensure full and effective implementation of BTWC.
• India said it attaches high importance to BTWC as a key global and non-discriminatory disarmament Convention.
• BTWC is a disarmament treaty that effectively bans biological and toxin weapons.
• Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) or Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) bans development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons.
• It entered into force in March 1975. Till January 2022, 183 states have become party to the treaty.
• Biological weapons are used to harm or kill humans, animals, or plants by disseminating disease-causing organisms or toxins.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Important Days

3. International Adolescent Health Week: 20-26 March

• International Adolescent Health Week will be celebrated from 20^th-26^th March.
• It inspires health care providers, policymakers, administrators, media, and adolescents to advocate for a successful transition into adulthood.
• It will be celebrated under the theme ‘Transition’. The main objective is to spread awareness related to the health issues of adolescents.
• It also encourages the involvement of adolescents in their own health decisions.
• ‘Indian Academy of Pediatrics' will coordinate the celebration of International Adolescent Health Week in India.
• Adolescence is a period of transition in which physical and mental health drastic changes occur.
• Adolescence is a phase in which weight and height increase, sexual characters appear, dependence on parents reduces.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

4. ‘Green Triangle’ named after Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated in Antananarivo.

• India’s Ambassador inaugurated the ‘Green Triangle’ in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo.
• It has been inaugurated as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
• It will inspire the local government to create maximum green space in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo.
• It will help in raising awareness among the people about Gandhi’s values of peace and non-violence
• Last week, the Embassy of India in Antananarivo had unveiled the plaque of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
• A large number of Indian diaspora living in Madagascar. Gandhi was the 'greatest Pravasi' who returned to India from South Africa.
• Madagascar:
  • It is an island country off the African east coast.
  • It is the second-largest island country in the world.
  • It is a biodiversity hotspot.
  • Andry Rajoelina is the current President.

Topic: National News

5. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh releases India’s Arctic Policy.

• India's Arctic policy titled 'India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’ has been released.
• India’s Arctic Policy will be implemented through the action plan, and an effective governance and review mechanism.
• India's Arctic policy will play a key role in dealing with the challenge of climate change.
• It lays down six pillars to strengthen India’s scientific research and cooperation.
• India's Arctic policy will help in defining timelines, prioritizing activities, and allocating resources.
• India had signed the ‘Svalbard Treaty’ in Paris in 1920 and has undertaken several scientific studies and research in Arctic regions.
• India is one of thirteen nations holding Observer status in the Arctic Council.
• India has also been actively involved in studies related to oceanography, atmosphere, pollution, and microbiology of the Arctic.
• India has successfully conducted thirteen expeditions to the Arctic until 2022.

Topic: State News/ Tamil Nadu

6. Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan presented budget for the financial year 2022-23.

• The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 5,157.56 crore for providing free electricity to farmers.
• The revenue deficit will fall by over Rs 7,000 crore in 2022-2023 and the fiscal deficit will decline from 4.61 percent to 3.80 percent.
• “Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission” will be implemented at a budget of Rs.15.32 crore.
• The government has allocated Rs 33,007.68 crore to the Agriculture department. Special measures will be taken to increase soybean cultivation.
• The state government will take steps to reduce the negative impact of global warming on agriculture.
• Tamil Nadu government will also allocate Rs 5 crore as an additional 20 percent of subsidy to SC/ST farmers.
• The government promised to give Rs 1000 directly in the account of every girl student pursuing higher education.
• This is the first full state agriculture budget since Chief Minister MK Stalin took over.

Topic: Defence

7. Defense Minister inaugurated Flight Control System Integration complex in Bengaluru.

• Flight Control System (FCS) Integration facility at Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has been constructed by DRDO in 45 days.
• It has been built by in-house hybrid technology developed by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
• The technical support has been provided by the teams of IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee.
• It will support Research & Development (R&D) activities for developing Avionics for Fighter Aircraft and FCS for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft being undertaken by ADE, Bengaluru.
• The complex will also provide simulator training to the pilots of combat aircraft.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Defence

8. Indian Coast Guard commissioned Offshore Patrol Vessel ICGS ‘Saksham’ in Goa.

• It is the fifth Coast Guard Ship in the series of 105 M-Class offshore patrol vessels.
• Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar commissioned the offshore patrol vessel in Goa.
• It is the last Offshore Patrol Vessel designed and developed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for Coast Guard.
• In 2020, ICGS ‘Saksham’ was launched as part of the indigenous project.
• The Gearbox part of ICGS ‘Saksham’ has been indigenously built by Walchandnagar Industries Limited (WIL), Pune.
• GeetaEngg Works Pvt Ltd and the Ministry of Defence had signed the deal on 26th August 2016.
• The Indian Coast Guard vessels will be equipped with modern and advanced machinery and computerized controls systems.

Topic: Miscellaneous

9. Karolina Bielawska of Poland wins Miss World 2021 title.

• Karolina Bielawska has won the Miss World crown. She received the title at the Coca-Cola Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• She is the 70^th Miss world. Indian-American Shree Saini bagged the first runner-up title.
• Olivia Yace from Cote d'Ivoire won the second runner-up title.
• Manasa Varanasi represented India at the Miss World 2021. She made it to the top 13 contestants.
• Manushi Chhillar had won the Miss World crown in 2017. Harnaaz Sandhu of India had won the Miss Universe 2021 title.

Topic: Important Days

10. World Oral Health Day 2022: 20 March

• World Oral Health Day is observed every year on 20 March.
• It is observed to raise global awareness about oral health and the importance of oral hygiene.
• 'Be Proud of Your Mouth' is the three-year theme (2021 – 2023) for World Oral Health Day (WOHD).
• World Oral Health Day was launched on 20 March 2013 by FDI World Dental Federation.
• Tooth decay, gum disease, cavities are some common oral diseases.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

11. IIT Madras and RBI Innovation Hub join hands to promote fintech startups.

• IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC) and RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an ecosystem to boost fintech startups in India.
• The main objective of this MoU is to deploy technological innovations, which will help in transforming India’s Fintech landscape.
• Both organizations will provide incubation support and nurture early-age startups.
• Selected startups incubated at IITM Incubation Cell will receive training and mentoring sessions by experts of the RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH).
• In addition, IITM Incubation Cell and RBIH will collaborate on projects including policy whitepapers and research papers.
• RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH) aims to promote innovation across the financial ecosystem. Rajesh Bansal is the CEO of RBI Innovation Hub.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

12. J&K Bank won National award for outstanding performance for the financial year 2020-21.

• The bank has won the award for its best performance in Self Help Group Bank Linkage. 
• Union Minister for Rural development Giriraj Singh gave the award to the Delhi Zonal Head of the bank during an event held to celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March 2022).
• J&K Bank is a scheduled commercial bank with headquarters in Srinagar. 
• It is one of the oldest private sector banks in India. It was started in 1938.

Topic: Art and Culture

13. Holi, Tangpe Choga and Shab E Barat festival celebrated in Ladakh.

• On 18 March 2022, three different religious communities celebrated three festivals in Kargil.
• The Buddhist community celebrated Tangpe Choga in which Palga Rinpochey participated.
• Hindu community celebrated holi and the Muslim community celebrated Shab E Barat.
• Shab-E-Barat festival is the Islamic festival of fortune and forgiveness. It is also known as Laylat al-Baraat.

Topic: Art and Culture

14. 35^th Surajkund International Crafts Mela begin at Faridabad.

• After a gap of two years, 35^th Surajkund International Crafts Mela has begun at Faridabad, Haryana.
• Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar and Governor Bandaru Dattatreya will inaugurate the fair.
• The crafts mela will continue till 4^th April 2022.
• The main aim of this fair is to showcase the rich cultural heritage and diversity in India in terms of handicrafts and handlooms.
• The “partner nation” of the 35^th Surajkund crafts mela is Uzbekistan.
• Jammu and Kashmir is the “Theme State” which will show its unique culture and rich heritage through various art forms and handicrafts. 
• Replicas of Vaishno Devi temple, Amar Nath temple, Apna Ghar representing architecture from Kashmir, and commemorative gate of Mubarak Mandi -Jammu will be showcased during the mela.
• Thailand was the partner Nation for 33^rd Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2019.

(Source: News on AIR)