NATIONAL:
1. National Vaccination Day 2023
Why in news - It is celebrated on March 16 every year.
Key Points –
• In India, Pulse Polio Immunisation program to eradicate polio was launched on March 16, 1995.
• Global Polio Eradication Initiative of WHO began in India in 1988.
• WHO declared India Polio free on March 27, 2014.
• MR campaign - To vaccinate all children of 9 months to
• Vaccines provide immunity to the body against future encounters by the same pathogen.
Mission Indradhanush (2014) –
• Largest Immunization Programme in the world.
• To increase the full immunization coverage to 90%.
• All children under the age of 2 years and pregnant women are fully immunized.
• 12 vaccines covered - Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, hepatitis-B, pertussis, meningitis, pneumonia, Japanese encephalitis (JE) and measles-rubella (MR).
Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) (October 8, 2017)
• To achieve 90% Full Immunisation Coverage (FIC) with focus towards districts and urban areas with persistently low levels.
ECONOMY:
1. International Trade Settlement in Indian Rupees
Why in news – RBI has permitted banks from 18 countries to open Special Vostro Rupee Accounts (SVRAs) to settle payments in rupees.
Key Points –
• 60 such approvals have been given by the RBI.
• 18 nations include Germany, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand Singapore and the United Kingdom among others.
• SVRAs are used to keep the foreign company's holdings in the Indian bank in the form of the Indian rupee.
SECURITY:
1. Trends in International Arms Transfers 2022
Why in news – Recently, fresh data was released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Key Points –
• Largest arms importers (2018 to 2022) –
(a) India (11%)
(b) Saudi Arabia (9.6%)
(c) Qatar (6.4%).
• Largest arms exporters (2018 to 2022) –
(a) USA (40%)
(b) Russia (16%)
(c) France (11%)
• Largest share in India’s imports –
(a) Russia (45%)
(b) France (29%)
(c) USA (11%).
• India was the 3rd largest arms supplier to Myanmar.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Consumer Rights Day
Why in news - The day is observed on March 15 every year to create global awareness about the rights and needs of consumer.
Key Points –
• Theme - "Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions."
• On March 15, 1962, US President John F. Kennedy introduced four important consumer rights.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (in force – July 20, 2020)
• Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution.
• Replaced The Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
• Central Consumer Protection Authority - to protect the rights of the consumer by cracking down on unfair trade practices. It may impose a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment for up to 2 years.
2. World Sparrow Day
Why in news – It is observed every year on March 20.
Key Points –
• Theme - "Lets Together Say - I Love Sparrow."
• Initiative of - The Nature Forever Society of India and Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France).
SECURITY:
1. 13th Bold Kurukshetra
Why in news - The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise from 06-13 March 2023.
Key Points –
• Venue - Jodhpur Military Station, India.
• First conducted in 2005.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Shreya Ghodawat
Why in news - Shreya Ghodawat has been appointed as India's ambassador for “She Changes Climate campaign”.
Key Points –
About She Changes Climate –
• A global campaign driving awareness of the crucial role of women in accelerating just climate action.
• Launched 'Embrace Equity' to amplify the voices of women around the impacts of climate change.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
Why in news - Indian Coast Guard Region (North East) conducted the 4th edition of Tabletop exercise under the aegis of CSC.
Key Points –
• Venue – Kolkata (March 14 to 16, 2023).
• Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) - Prioritizes the Indian Ocean region (IOR) in order to ensure India's peace, stability, and prosperity in IOR.
About CSC (2011) –
• Members - India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius.
• Observer - Bangladesh & Seychelles.
• Aim - to make maritime security, marine pollution response and maritime search & rescue priorities for the region.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. 10th World Happiness Report 2023
Why in news – It was published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN).
Key Points –
• It ranks countries on happiness based on 3 preceding years’ data of their average life evaluations.
• It uses 6 key factors — social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
• Finland has been crowned as the world’s happiest nation for the 6th year in a row.
• Top 3 –
(a) Finland
(b) Denmark
(c) Iceland.
• India’s ranks - 126th.
• Russia - 70th and Ukraine - 92nd.
• Bottom - Afghanistan (137th rank).
POINTERS:
• Who has unveiled a new generation of spacesuits to send humans to the Moon again – NASA.
• Who has launched ChatGPT's rival Falcon LLM - Technology Innovation Institute (TII), Abu Dhabi.
• How many states have been selected to set up new textile parks under the PM MITRA scheme – 7 (Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).
• In which state, for the first time, electric engine run trains will be run – Meghalaya.
• Which city has received the "Partnership for Healthy Cities" award for smoking laws – Bangalore.
• Who has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over Ukraine war crimes - International Criminal Court.
• Which company has unveiled India's first indigenous Quadruped Robot and wearable Exoskeleton - Svaya Robotics.
• Who has been appointed as the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Tajikistan - KR Parvati.
• Which country has dropped out of the list of least developed countries – Bhutan.
• Who has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Viacom18 - Mahendra Singh Dhoni.