NATIONAL NEWS

MyGov platform in Jammu & Kashmir

• Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha launched MyGov platform to take forward the idea of citizen engagement and achieve the goal of ‘Good Governance’.
• MyGov was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 26th July 2014 with the idea of bringing the Government closer to the common man by creating an interface for a healthy exchange of ideas and views towards the social and economic transformation of India.
• MyGov Jammu and Kashmir is the 16th MyGov Instance and 1st ever MyGov for any Union Territory.
• MyGov has more than 2.29 Crore registered users.

Global Investors Meet

• Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai launched the three-day Global Investor Meet - Invest Karnataka 2022 in Bengaluru.

• It is a flagship investor event for the state of Karnataka. The event was organized by the Department of Industries and Commerce at the ITC Gardenia.
• It is part of the Karnataka Government's initiatives to attract investments from across the world.
• The theme of the event 2022 is ‘Build for the World’.
• The Chief Minister encouraged the Large and Medium Industries Minister to invest across sectors - semiconductors, electronics, defence, aerospace, energy, biotechnology, IT, manufacturing, MSMEs and cottage industries.
• The aim is to envision a New Karnataka for New India - creating new 21st century industrial townships and corridors.

Government to Reduce disturbed areas

• The Centre has decided to reduce disturbed areas under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the reduction in areas under the AFSPA is a result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development due to consistent efforts and several agreements to bring lasting peace in the North East.

• Assam was declared a disturbed area in 1990.
• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in "disturbed areas".

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ADB to Provide USD 143 million to Bangladesh

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan of USD 143 million for Bangladesh to support government efforts to accelerate growth by improving efficiency, predictability, and security of cross-border trade.

• ADB’s assistance supports the government’s goal of accelerating economic growth through industrialization and trade.
• USD 90 million of the loan amount is to support reforms in areas including bringing the country’s customs legal frameworks.
• Remaining USD 53 million of the loan is for the construction of integrated land customs stations and land ports of NBR and the Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) at Akhaura, Sonamasjid, and Tamabil border crossing points (BCPs).

BANKING

RBI Extends Timelines for Banks

• The Reserve Bank of India has extended the timeline for banks that use lockable cassettes in their ATMs which could be swapped at the time of cash replenishment by a year to March 31, 2023 from March 31, 2022.

• Indian Banks’ Association ad representatives from various banks jointly attended the meeting.

• RBI has asked the Boards of the banks to monitor the progress to ensure compliance.

MobiKwik Partners with Cholamandalam MS General and SBI General Insurance

• Fintech major MobiKwik has announced to partner with insurance giants like Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Ltd and SBI General Insurance in order to offer third party and comprehensive two-wheeler insurance plans on its platform.

• MobiKwik is a mobile wallet and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) fintech company in India.
• Customer can get insurance by just entering the vehicle number on the MobiKwik platform.
• MobiKwik users can also find all their different policy documents in one place on the app under the ‘My Policy’ section.

Varnika Ink Manufacturing Sector

• Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) has set up an ink manufacturing unit named ‘Varnika’ at Musuru, Karnataka.

• It has an annual ink manufacturing capacity of 1, 500 MT to enhance the security of banknotes.

• BRBNMPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBI.
• It is a part of “Make in India” initiative.
• The unit also manufactures Colour Shift Intaglio Ink (CSII) and produces the entire requirements of bank note printing presses in India.

HDFC Bank with Shoppers Stop

• HDFC Bank and Shoppers Stop, India’s leading fashion and beauty destination jointly launched co-branded credit cards.

• The credit cards will be available to over 9 million ‘First Citizen’ customers of Shoppers Stop along with HDFC Bank customers to provide rewarding shopping experience.

• The credit card will be available in two categories namely Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Card and Shoppers Stop BLACK HDFC Bank Credit Card.
• Customers can redeem their points at the Shoppers Stop outlets while making purchases.
• Card holders can enjoy accelerated saving and benefits using HDFC Bank platform and portfolio offers via PayZapp and SmartBuy.

SPORTS

Hockey India Women Inter-Department Championship 2022

• Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) won the 2nd Hockey India Senior Women Inter-Department National Championship 2022, New Delhi.

• RSBP defeated Sashastra Seema Bal in the finals by 3-2.

• All India Police Sports Control Board defeated Steel Plant Sports Board 6-0 and secured a 3rd place.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Ardra Keralam Award 2022

• Moodadi grama panchayat bagged the ‘Ardra Keralam’ award 2022 of the State government.

• The panchayat carried out healthcare activities most effectively in Kozhikode district.

• The award carries a price worth of Rs. 5 lakh.
• Projects in the health sector, activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases, management of Family Health Centres and homoeopathy hospitals were considered for the award.

14th World Innovation Congress 2022

• Aglowid IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd. bagged the "Excellence in Information Technology" Award at the World Innovation Congress held in Mumbai.

• This year marks the 14^th edition.
• The Excellence in Information Technology award is rewarded to the company that has proven its commitment and excellence in consistently providing cost-effective and reliable IT Solutions to its clients.
• Ronak Patel, CEO of Aglowid IT Solution received this award.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Visiting Professor to T. N. Seshan Chair at IIIDEM

• Professor Dr. Ashutosh Kumar has been appointed as the first Visiting Professor to the T. N. Seshan Chair at India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management, IIIDEM, New Delhi.

• Dr. Ashutosh Kumar has experience of over fourteen years at the level of Professor in the Department of Political Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

•  Dr. Kumar will give support to the research activities at IIIDEM in the fields of Electoral Studies and Election Management.

Head Coach of Afghanistan Cricket Board

• Afghanistan cricket board (ACB) appointed former England batsman Graham Thorpe as the new head coach of the Afghanistan national men’s team.

• He played hundred test matches for England from 1987 – 2002.
• He was the batting coach for the English National Team from April 2011 to September 2019.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Drug Checking

• The International Day of Drug Checking is celebrated every year on 31 March.
• The International Day of Drug Checking is an initiative by a diverse group of organizations.
• The day aims to promote harm reduction initiatives of drugs and reduce drug-related risks.
• The day was first observed in the year 2017.

International Transgender Day of Visibility

• International Transgender Day of Visibility or Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated every year on 31 March.
• The first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on the year 2009.
• The day was founded by US based transgender activist Rachel Crandall of Michigan.
• The day is celebrated to recognize the resilience and accomplishments of the transgender community.