Daily Current Affairs Update of 24 March 2015 | General Knowledge

Daily Current Affairs Update of 24 March 2015

1. India has overtaken the US to become the third-largest steel producer in the world with a production of 14.56 million tonnes (MT) in first two months of the year. India has been the fourth-largest steel producer for the past five years, behind China, Japan and the US.

2. Sania Mirza and Swiss legend Martina Hingis began their partnership with a title win as they overcame Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 6-3 6-4 in the summit clash of the BNP Paribas Open, in Indian Wells.

3. Novak Djokovic of Serbia won his fourth Indian Wells Open Tennis Men’s Singles title. In the final clash, Djokovic defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2. This was his career's 50th ATP Title.

 

Daily Current Affairs Update of 24 March 2015 | General Knowledge

4. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father and first prime minister of Singapore who transformed that tiny island outpost into one of the wealthiest and least corrupt countries in Asia, passed away due to severe pneumonia. He was 91.

5. The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to provide skills training to youth across the country. 1500 crore rupees have been alloted to this scheme. The PMKVY Scheme will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The target for skilling under the scheme will be associated with Union Government’s flagship programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and National Solar Mission.

6. New Zealand's Martin Guptill made the highest score in World Cup history with 237 not out against West Indies to send his team into the semi-finals of ICC World Cup 2015. He made 237 runs notout on 163 balls. He is the fifth batsman to hit double century in One Day match.

7. Satwant Atwal Trivedi, Himachal Pradesh’s first woman IPS officer, is all set to open Border Security Force (BSF)'s door to the gender seniority in India. Inspector General of Police (Crime and cyber security) Satwant,1996-batch police officer, got her orders for central deputation to the BSF– country’s leading para-military organisation. She will be first IPS officer to join the BSF.

8. Rajendra Singh of India dubbed as "the Water Man of India" is the 2015 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for innovative water restoration efforts in rural India, and extraordinary determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need. This award also known as "the Nobel Prize for water" has been given to this Indian campaigner who has brought water to 1,000 villages. The judges of the Stockholm Water Prize say his methods have also prevented floods, restored soil and rivers, and brought back wildlife.

9. The SEBI approved a new set of norms for listing and trading of municipal bonds on stock exchanges. Municipal bonds, also to be known as “Muni Bonds”, would allow authorities to raise funds including for setting up of smart cities, by raising funds from the public and from the institutional investors. The municipal authorities, desiring of issuing these bonds, would need to have a strong financial track record and such bonds would be listed on the stock exchanges.

10. Former Sri Lankan Army Chief Sarath Fonseka was conferred the highest military rank of Field Marshal by the Sri Lankan Government. He was awarded this title by President Maithripala Sirisena at a state ceremony held in the Colombo. With this Fonseka became the first Sri Lankan to receive this highest military title which is honorary in nature.