Daily Current Affairs 16 March 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Union Minister Hardeep S Puri Launches Ethanol 100 Fuel Initiative

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri unveiled ‘Ethanol 100’, an automotive fuel aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainability. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase ethanol blending in petrol, with significant strides already made in enhancing availability and infrastructure across select states.

International News

UK tests a laser weapon that can hit a coin from a kilometre

Britain has recently conducted successful test firings of its DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW), showcasing its capability to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles at a remarkably low cost. A January demonstration in Scotland displayed the laser’s precision in targeting and destroying aerial threats, marking a potential game-changer in air defense technology.

States News

Maharashtra Renames Ahmednagar as ‘Ahilyanagar’

The Maharashtra Cabinet has announced its decision to rename Ahmednagar district as ‘Ahilya Nagar’. The renaming is in honor of the 18th-century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar.

Rajasthan Government to Distribute Free Millet Seeds to Farmers

The Rajasthan government has decided to distribute free seeds of millets and coarse grains to the state’s farmers. This move aims to boost millet production in the state.

Tamil Nadu Tops Illegal Trade in Shark Body Parts 

Tamil Nadu dominates the illegal trade in shark body parts, comprising nearly 65% of seizures between January 2010 and December 2022, as per a recent analysis by TRAFFIC and WWF-India. This alarming trend poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity, with Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Maharashtra also contributing to this illicit trade.

Important Days News

National Vaccination Day 2024, Date, History and Significance

National Vaccination Day is a special day to create awareness about the importance of vaccines. Vaccines help protect us from deadly diseases like polio and smallpox. On this day, people are encouraged to get vaccinated to stay safe and healthy. National Vaccination Day is celebrated every year on March 16th. This year, it falls on a Saturday.

Defence News

Indian Navy Gets Its Own Headquarters Named ‘Nausena Bhawan’

The Indian Navy has finally got its own dedicated headquarters building. The newly constructed Nausena Bhawan located at Delhi Cantonment was formally inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on March 15th, 2024.

Business News

Food regulator FSSAI certifies nearly 100 jails as ‘Eat Right Campus’

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has certified nearly 100 jails across the nation as ‘Eat Right Campus,’ a part of its broader Eat Right India movement. This initiative aims to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices within various institutional settings, including correctional facilities.

Adani Green Energy operationalises 126 MW wind power plant in Gujarat

Adani Green Energy announced the operationalisation of an additional 126 MW capacity in its 300 MW wind power project in Gujarat. This comes after the earlier operationalisation of 174 MW, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Awards News

Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person

The prestigious Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year has been given jointly to two remarkable journalists:

• Greeshma Kuthar – Independent Journalist
• Ritika Chopra – Indian Express

Ratan Tata Awarded PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Philanthropy Work

Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, has been bestowed with the prestigious PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award. He received the award for his outstanding philanthropic contributions. The award ceremony took place in Mumbai on March 15, 2024.

Agreements News

Max India’s subsidiary partners with IIT Delhi for senior citizen care

Max India Ltd announced a strategic partnership between its subsidiary, Antara Assisted Care Services Limited, and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). This collaboration aims to address the challenges faced by India’s aging population by developing tailored solutions to improve their quality of life.

Ranks and Reports News

V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2024: India’s Decline into Electoral Autocracy

• The V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2024 highlights India’s continued descent into electoral autocracy since its downgrade in 2018. The report underscores the deterioration of democratic principles, particularly in the areas of freedom of expression, media independence, and civil liberties.
• India’s status as one of the top standalone autocracies further accentuates the gravity of its democratic decline.

India’s Human Development Index ranking 134 out of 193 countries: A Detailed Analysis

India’s position in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) for 2022 improved slightly, ranking 134 out of 193 countries with an HDI value of 0.644. This signifies progress in various dimensions of human development, albeit with a continued need to focus on women-led development, as highlighted by the UNDP.

Appointment News

B Sairam is the New Chairman and Managing Director of NCL

B Sairam has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL). NCL is the Singrauli-based flagship Subsidiary of Coal India Limited. Sairam has assumed the charge for this post.

Sports News

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade Retires from Red-Ball Cricket

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has announced his decision to retire from red-ball cricket (first-class cricket). Wade’s final red-ball match will be the upcoming Sheffield Shield final between Tasmania and Western Australia, starting on March 21, 2024.

Obituaries News

Renowned Rabindra Sangeet Singer Sadi Mohammad Passes Away at 70

Sadi Mohammad, a legendary Rabindra Sangeet singer, has passed away at the age of 70. His death has cast a grim shadow in the cultural sphere of the country. Mohammad completed his bachelor’s and master’s in Rabindra Sangeet from the Visva-Bharati University.

16 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

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