NATIONAL NEWS

Global Conference on Digital Health

• The Government of India hosted a two-day Global Conference on Digital Health in New Delhi and it was chaired by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

• The objective of the conference is to reach universal health coverage to the last citizen by taking advantage of India's chairmanship of G20 and collaboration with WHO South-East Asia Regional Office.

• The conference focuses on unlocking the potential to deliver and share digital health solutions in an ethical, safe, secure, reliable, equitable and sustainable manner.

• The conference is expected to make a significant contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, especially SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people at all ages.

Matua Mela is Being Organised in West Bengal

• The Matua Mela is being organized in West Bengal to commemorate the 212th birth anniversary of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur.
• West Bengal is hosting the Matua Maha Mela 2023 from March 19 to March 25.
• This Mela is being organized by All India Matua Federation.
• The occasion offers the chance for the Matua community to get together, take part in religious rituals, and honour their spiritual elders.
• The occasion provides an important opportunity to this community to highlight their customs and cultural heritage.

Global Millets Conference

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in New Delhi.

• The conference will be attended by Agriculture Ministers of various countries, international scientists, nutritionists, health experts, start-up leaders and other stakeholders.

• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM). The declaration was based on India’s proposal.

• The two-day global conference will have sessions on all important issues related to millets (Shree Anna).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Defence Cooperation Dialogue Between India and Maldives

• India and Maldives held the 4th Defense Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) in Male.

• The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Maldivian counterpart, Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal.

• During the talks, the ongoing bilateral defense cooperation activities were reviewed.

• The talks covered existing bilateral exercises, with both countries agreeing to increase the complexity of these exercises.

• There is bilateral cooperation between the armed forces of India and Maldives in a number of fields, a positive sign for the future of bilateral relations.

India Invited for G7 Hiroshima Summit in Japan

• India and Japan have signed two documents on the sidelines of the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

• The agreements include the Renewal of the Memorandum of Cooperation in Japanese language and Exchange of notes on JICA loan for 300 billion Yen on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway project.

• Prime Minister Modi expressed his desire with Prime Minister Kishida to declare next year as the year of Youth Exchanges between the two countries.

SPORTS

2022 CMJ Spirit of Cricket Award

• Nepalese Wicketkeeper-batsman Aasif Sheikh has been declared the winner of the 2022 Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award.

• The Award is presented every year by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), UK in conjunction with the BBC.

•  The CMJ Spirit of Cricket Award was created in 2013 by MCC and the BBC in memory of former MCC President and BBC Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins (CMJ), who was passionate about promoting the spirit of the game.
• Sheikh was honoured for his sporting conduct shown in a Men’s T20 International between Nepal and Ireland in February 2022.

Former Australia Cricket Captain Tim Paine Announces Retirement

• Tim Paine, the former captain of the Australian test cricket team, has announced his retirement from cricket after playing his last Sheffield Shield first-class match for Tasmania against Queensland.

• Paine led the Australian team in 23 tests from 2018 to 2021 and played a total of 35 tests in his career.

• He took over as captain after Steve Smith was stripped of the role following the ball-tampering scandal during Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa.

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Global Terrorism Index

• According to the 10th Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report, Afghanistan has remained the most affected country by terrorism for the fourth consecutive year.
• India is ranked 13th in this index.
• The GTI report lists India among countries with a ‘high’ impact of terrorism.
• According to the report, India is among the 25 worst terrorism affected countries in the world.
• The Global Terrorism Index is prepared by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
• The Global Terrorism Index ranks 163 countries on four indicators over five years and has four factors.
• GTI is a report based on data collected from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD).

Women and Men in India 2022 Report

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the “Women and Men in India 2022” report.
• The sex ratio at birth increased by three points from 904 in 2017-19 to 907 in 2018-20.
• India's sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) is expected to be 952 by 2036, up from 943 in 2011.
• Population growth, which fell from 2.2% in 1971 to 1.1% in 2021, is projected to decline to 0.58% in 2036.
• India's age and sex composition is expected to see a decline in the population under the age of 15 and an increase in the population over the age of 60 by 2036.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Luxor Signs Virat Kohli as its New Brand Ambassador

• Stationery manufacturer Luxor Writing Instruments Pvt Ltd has appointed renowned cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador.
• Kohli will represent Luxor's stationery products and help the company increase its appeal among young writers, thereby enhancing its position as the leading writing instrument provider in the country.
• It is aimed specifically at establishing Luxor as a leading stationery brand in India and increasing the appeal of Luxor's stationery brand among the youth market.
• Indian stationery brand Luxor has partnered with Schneider Pens of Germany to introduce a premium range of creative writing instruments in India.

CMD of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)

• Lalit Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Gupta as the CMD of CCI.

• CCI is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles.

• Gupta's tenure as CMD will be for five years or till his superannuation or until further orders, whichever comes first.

• He is currently holding the position of Director (Finance) in Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Oral Health Day

• World Oral Health Day is observed every year on 20 March.

• It is to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

• It aims to encourage and sensitise individuals to adopt good oral hygiene practices, take care of their teeth and learn how to prevent dental problems.

• The theme of 2023 is 'Be Proud of Your Mouth'.
• According to a WHO Global Oral Health report, 514 million children in the world suffer from caries in primary teeth and about 75% of the population suffers from permanent tooth decay.

International Day of Happiness

• International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on 20 March.

• It aims to emphasise the importance of happiness and the overall well-being of individuals.

• The theme for International Day of Happiness 2023 is ‘Be Mindful, Be Grateful, Be Kind’.
• The International Day of Happiness event had its first celebration in 2013 and has since served as a means to acknowledge the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.