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CII
(Confederation of Indian Industry) signs MoU with National University
of Singapore (NUS) to enhance business development in India
India
> Business > 21 Mar
The Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of
Singapore (NUS) to help elevate business environment in India and
bring it inside the top 50 bracket from the current position of 142nd
slot, according to a World Bank report. The MoU will facilitate both
parties to conduct a state level research across 11 parameters -
starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting
electricity, land acquisition and registration of property, getting
credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across
borders, enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency and labour market
regulations. The NUS plans to first study the current scenario of the
states and give them a plan to act upon, and simultaneously keep a
tab on their progress on a year to year basis.
International
Forests Day observed on 21st of March
World
> International
Forests Day > 21 Mar
International Day of
Forests was observed on 21 March, 2015 world over with a theme of
Forests and Climate Change. This provides an impetus regarding the
importance of forests for the betterment of mankind and the world at
large in fields of poverty eradication, environmental sustainability
and food security. The first International Forests Day was observed
on 21st of March, 2013 after a resolution was passed at the United
Nations General Assembly in 2012.
Forests are a vital
part of the planet, and cover 31 % of the Earth's mass and are home
to more than 80 % of the terrestrial species. 21 % of the human
population depends on forests for their livelihood. Forest also play
an important role in maintaining the ecological, economic and social
balance.
Shashi
Kapoor to be awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award 2014
Awards
> Dadasaheb
Phalke award > 24 Mar
The central government
announced that Veteran film actor and producer Shashi Kapoor is to be
awarded the 46th Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2014. He will be the third
member from the Kapoor clan to win the coveted honour after father
Prithviraj Kapoor and elder brother Raj Kapoor.
The award is the
highest one presented in the field of cinema and is conferred by the
India Government for outstanding contribution to the growth and
development of Indian Cinema. It was introduced in 1969 to
commemorate the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke.
Others
India
to import oil from Iraq to fill strategic reserves
India
> Oil > 18 Mar
India is planning to
import 8 million barrels of oil from Iraq in order to fill its
Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), on the back of low prices and
ready supply. The SPR purchases could alleviate the effect of an
expected pause in Chinese stock build. The oil ministry has
instructed IOC and HPCL to buy 8 million barrels of Basra oil in
May-June, Basra oil is more suitable for refineries on India's east
coast and are to be used only in the case of supply disruptions. The
finance ministry has provided Rs. 2400 crores for the purchase.
India
to host 7th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
India
> Others > 18 Mar
Home Minister Rajnath
Singh announced on 17th of March, 2015 that India will host the
seventh Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
(AMCDRR) in 2016. The announcement was made at the Third UN World
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan. The
conference in 2016 is set to be held in collaboration with the United
Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). India had
previously hosted the Second AMCDRR in 2007 and the last (sixth)
AMCDRR was held in Thailand from 23 June to 26 June 2014.
Sri
Lanka's Kumara Sangakara, Mahela Jayawardene and Pakistan's
Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi bid adieu to ODI cricket
Cricket
> Sri
Lanka > 18 Mar
The ongoing Cricket
World Cup 2015 (CWC '15) has seen four of the game's legends depart.
After Sri Lanka lost their quarter final game against South Africa on
the 18th of March, 2015; two of its batting stalwarts Kumara
Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene announced retirements from one day
international cricket. Similarly, Pakistan lost their quarter final
match against co-hosts Australia on the 22nd of March, 2015, which
saw captain Misbah-ul-Haq and veteran all rounder Shahid Afridi
hanging their boots off the 50 over format of the game. All the four
departing cricketers did not receive the fairytale send off, seen so
often these days in international cricket due to their last minute
decisions.
Selective
capitalism may impact smaller banks' growth
India
> Finance > 19 Mar
Ratings agency Standard
& Poor's has acknowledged the government's decision to
selectively capitalise state run banks as a good one, but also said
that the move could hamper the growth of smaller banks. The
government announced a Rs. 6,990 crore capital infusion wherein nine
better-performing lenders like SBI, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and
Punjab National Bank were given priority in capital allocation over
others. The move might increase trouble for the banks which have been
left out.
World
Sparrow Day observed on 20th March
World
> World
Sparrow Day > 21 Mar
'World Sparrow Day' was
observed world over on the 20th of March, 2015 with a theme of 'I
Love Sparrows'. The theme was selected in order to boost the
relationship between people and sparrows. The day was observed in
around 50 countries and involved leading ornithology institutions and
bird organisations. The Day is organised by the Nature Forever
Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation
(France) and various other national and international organisations.
The first World Sparrow Day was observed in 2010.
1st
Counter-Terrorism Conference held in Jaipur
India
> Defence > 21 Mar
The Counter-Terrorism
Conference 2015, which is the world's first conference pertaining to
counter-terrorism was held from 19th of March, 2015 to 21st of March,
2015 at Jaipur. It was organised by India Foundation in association
with the Sardar Patel University of Police Security and Criminal
Justice. The central theme of the conference was 'adopting an
integrated approach towards counter terrorism'. Some of the
sub-themes of the conference were – the 26/11 Mumbai Terror
Attacks, Talibanisation of the Afghan-Pak region, the rise of the new
Caliphate in West Asia, Maritime Terrorism and Piracy, Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism and cyber space
terrorism. The conference brought together various dignitaries from
India and the world, including - Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh,
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Former Union Home secretary
GK Pillai, Former chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka Sarath Fonseka
and Former chief of Army Staff of Nepal Rookmangud Katawal
India
set to become 1st country to have complete biometrics of voters
Politics
and Government > Elections > 21 Mar
India is all set to
become the first country to have complete biometric data in the
voter's list after linking the Aadhar cards of voters with the
Voter's Identity Card. This will remove the possibility of there
being any fraudulent or duplicable voters. India now has 85 crore
legitimate Aadhar card holders, which are growing by the lakhs
everyday. As the Aadhar card would be the basic proof for identity,
voters can experience a glitch free process to update their
addresses, in case they change it.
Private
banks to hike fines and charges from 1st of April 2015
Bank
Specific > Private
Banks > 22 Mar
As the new financial
year sets in, many private banks will adopt a more stringent policy
in fining and penalising customers if they fail to maintain the
minimum average balance in savings accounts. Banks will also
encourage their customers to use more digital services and refrain
from using physical ones like cheque books and passbooks. This move
from the banks comes on the back of guidelines provided by the RBI in
November last year. According to these guidelines, banks are supposed
to notify customers about fines and penalties in case their account
balance breaches the minimum level. Also, banks will not be allowed
to take the account balances of overdue customers in negative
figures.
Cabinet
clears proposal for 33% women's reservation in police force of union
territories
India
> Reservation > 23 Mar
The centre on Friday
announced 33% reservation for women in the police forces of Union
territories, for the posts of constable to sub-inspector. The quota
will also cover reserved categories like SC, ST and OBC. The decision
will not only make the police more gender-sensitive, but will also
instil confidence in women who want to approach the police for
protection without hesitation. A skewed police force is a major
barrier in effective implementation of legislation intended for the
protection of women.
Singapore's
founding father Lee Kuan Yew dies at 91
World
> Singapore > 23 Mar
Lee Kuan Yew, the man
who transformed Singapore from a small port city into a wealthy
global hub, passed away at the age of 91 on Monday, 23rd March, 2015.
The cause of death is believed to be Pneumonia. He was the nation's
prime minister for 31 years and is hailed as the architect of the
country's growth. He was a key personality in securing the country's
freedom from Britain and also in separating it from Malaysia. The
funeral is scheduled to be held on the 29th of March.
Government
still to acquire new drug against Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
(MDRTB)
India
> Health > 24 Mar
Tuberculosis a disease
curable in the 1990's, has now transformed into a lethal malady known
as the Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB). A typical MDRTB
patient requires around 2 years of treatment, 14,000 pills and daily
injections for 7 months to fully recover. Doctors in Mumbai have been
successful in curing a patient with a new drug - Bedaquiline,
developed after 40 years of research, but it has not been approved
for commercial sale by the government. Doctors opine, many patients
can be saved if the drug, which costs a whopping Rs. 2 lakh is made
accessible and economical. The president of India, on the occasion of
the World TB Day urged Indian citizens to take a united stand against
the disease and bring an end to it.
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