Daily Current Affairs 9 March 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

1. PM Inaugurates Spiritual Experience Project in Chitrakoot

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth Rs 118 crore 72 lakh in Madhya Pradesh through video conferencing. These projects are under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme and the Prasad scheme.
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the “Experience of Spirituality at Chitrakoot Ghat” project in Chitrakoot.
• He also performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the upgradation and development of Ganga Ghats at a cost of around Rs 26 crore 55 lakh.

2. Union Minister Arjun Munda Inaugurates Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Center

• Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Arjun Munda, unveiled the Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
• This initiative aims to empower farmers nationwide by providing them with essential information, services, and facilities. The primary goal is to enhance the self-reliance of farmers across the country.
• Farmers will gain access to real-time data regarding their farms, enabling informed decision-making. The initiative seeks to identify and tackle the genuine challenges within the agriculture sector.

3.Launch of Digital Exhibition “Subhash Abhinandan” on 134th Foundation Day of National Archives of India

• On the occasion of the 134th Foundation Day of the National Archives of India, Union Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, will inaugurate a digital exhibition titled “Subhash Abhinandan” in New Delhi on March 11th.
• Organized by the National Archives of India, the exhibition commemorates the life of Subhash Chandra Bose, featuring 16 sections covering key aspects from his birth to the present day. It spans 16 sections, encompassing significant milestones from Bose’s birth to his enduring legacy.

International News

4.Hong Kong Introduces Stricter National Security Law, Tougher Jail Terms

• Hong Kong has introduced a new national security law draft. The proposed legislation, covering treason, espionage, and external interference, signifies a significant increase in state authority in the region.
• This development arises amidst a wider crackdown on dissent, resulting in pro-democracy figures being imprisoned or exiled.
• The draft introduces stricter penalties for various offenses. Legal analysts highlight broad definitions, particularly regarding sedition and state secrets.

State News

5.Bichom Becomes Arunachal Pradesh’s 27th District

• Bichom, carved out of West and East Kameng, has been declared the 27th district of Arunachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Pema Khandu led the inauguration ceremony, marking a significant milestone for the region.
• In February, the state assembly passed the Arunachal Pradesh (Re-Organisation of Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 2024, facilitating the creation of Bichom and Keyi Panyor districts.
• Bichom district encompasses 27 villages from West Kameng and 28 from East Kameng, contributing to its formation.

Defence News

6.Sea Defenders-2024: U.S – India Joint Exercise Bolsters Indo-Pacific Maritime Cooperation

• The arrival of the US Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf at Port Blair signals the commencement of ‘Sea Defenders-2024,’ a joint exercise between the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• Scheduled for March 9-10, 2024, this drill reflects the deepening strategic ties between the two nations and aims to enhance maritime safety and uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Through diverse exercises, ‘Sea Defenders-2024’ aims to elevate readiness levels and operational synergy between the USCG and ICG, ensuring effective collaboration in confronting maritime challenges.

Economy News

7.India’s real GDP growth expected to moderate to 7% and 6.8% in FY25 and FY26: UBS

• UBS anticipates a moderation in India’s real GDP growth for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, projecting rates of 7% and 6.8%, respectively.
• The report highlights the continuation of growth momentum in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2024, driven by cyclical recovery and structural improvements.
• Positive surprises noted in India’s GDP growth, averaging above 8% in the first three quarters of FY2024. Expectation of moderation attributed to global factors such as weaker growth and local factors like softness in public capex.

Important Days News

8.CISF Raising Day 2024

• CISF Raising Day is celebrated every year on March 10. This day marks the establishment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in 1969. CISF is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• CISF was established on March 10, 1969, by an Act of Parliament. Initially, it had a few battalions. Over the years, CISF has grown bigger and stronger. It has now become a multi-skilled security force with specialized training.

9.No Smoking Day 2024

• Every year, No Smoking Day is celebrated across the world to spread awareness about the harmful effects of smoking.
• It encourages people to quit smoking and promotes the importance of a smoke-free environment. No Smoking Day is observed annually on March 13.
• Each year, the No Smoking Day campaign is promoted with an innovative theme. The theme for No Smoking Day 2024 is ‘Protecting children from tobacco industry interference.’

Schemes News

10.Poshan Pakhwada 2024 from 9th to 23rd March

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development will organize Poshan Pakhwada nationwide from March 9 to March 23, 2024. This 15-day celebration aims to spread awareness about nutrition, dietary practices, and women’s health.
• The Pakhwada aims to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits through “Jan Andolan and Jan Bhagidari” (public movement and participation).

Agreements News

11.NPCI and Fonepay Collaborate for Cross-Border UPI Transactions between India and Nepal

• NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) has partnered with Nepal’s leading payment network, Fonepay Payment Service Ltd, to enable cross-border Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transactions between India and Nepal.
• With approximately 30% of Nepal’s tourists being Indian, this partnership is expected to significantly improve the payment experience for Indian travelers. UPI transactions will streamline financial interactions, benefiting both tourists and the Nepalese economy.

12.DST and T-Hub Launch AI-ML Hub in Hyderabad

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST), in collaboration with T-Hub, has launched the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (MATH) in Hyderabad.
• This initiative aims to accelerate AI innovation, facilitate job creation, and foster a supportive ecosystem for AI and ML startups.
• The MATH initiative targets to generate over 500 AI-related jobs by 2025. It aims to nurture more than 150 AI and ML startups annually, providing them with essential resources and mentorship.

Appointments News

13.Rajendra Prasad Goyal Assumes Additional Charge As Chairman And MD Of NHPC Limited

• Rajendra Prasad Goyal, Director (Finance) of NHPC, has recently assumed the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC Limited, a premier hydropower company in India and a Schedule ‘A’ enterprise under the Government of India.
• With over 35 years of experience, he has garnered extensive knowledge across various domains of finance within NHPC. Over the years, he has showcased remarkable growth, driven by a profound sense of responsibility, ethical conduct, and unwavering dedication to the company’s goals.

Awards News

14.PM Narendra Modi Presents National Creators Award

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the first-ever National Creators Award at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• The National Creators Award encompasses 20 categories, highlighting the diversity and depth of creativity across different fields.
• From storytelling to social change advocacy, environmental sustainability to education, and gaming among others, the awards aim to acknowledge excellence and innovation that drives positive change in society.

15.India Receives ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ Award

• India has been awarded the prestigious ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ Award by The Measles and Rubella Partnership. This award recognizes India’s exemplary efforts in preventing measles and rubella diseases.
• The award was presented on March 6th, 2024, at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C., USA. Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, received the award on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

16.Sudha Murty Nominated to Rajya Sabha

• President Droupadi Murmu nominated author and philanthropist Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha. PM Modi announced this and congratulated Sudha Murty, saying her contribution to diverse fields has been “immense and inspiring”.
• Sudha Murty is an Indian educator, author, philanthropist, and the former chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She is also a member of the public healthcare initiatives of the Gates Foundation. Murty has established the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.

Sports News

17.England’s James Anderson Joins Elite 700 Test Wickets Club

• England’s James Anderson claimed his 700th Test wicket by dismissing India’s Kuldeep Yadav in Dharamsala on the morning of Day 3 of the final Test against India.
• This historic milestone makes Anderson the third bowler to reach the 700-wicket mark in Test cricket.
• Anderson’s first Test wicket came in 2003 against Zimbabwe at Lord’s, where he took a five-wicket haul. It took him another 184 Tests to enter the 700-club as the only pacer at the age of 41.

18.Minister Hardeep S Puri Inaugurates 5th ONGC Para Games

• Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, inaugurated the 5th ONGC Para Games, praising para-athletes for their unwavering determination.
• The event took place at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi with the presence of Shri Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, and senior officials from Oil & Gas PSUs.
• 371 athletes, including 249 ONGCians, participating in the 5th ONGC Para Games across various sporting disciplines.

Books & Authors News

19.“The Conspiracy” By Gotabaya Rajapaksa

• Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emerged from a long period of silence, unveiling a book in which he asserts that his removal from office was orchestrated by geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and other nations.
• Entitled The Conspiracy to Oust Me from the Presidency, Rajapaksa’s book hit the shelves without an official launch, shedding light on his perspective regarding the circumstances leading to his departure.

Science & Technology News

20.India To Construct a 10,000-GPU Supercomputer For Self-Sufficient AI Advancement

• The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a new $1.24 billion investment for the IndiaAI mission.
• This initiative aims to create an all-Indian AI ecosystem from scratch, bolstering India’s technological prowess and fostering innovation in AI.
• The high-performance computing (HPC) system expected to include 10,000 “or more” GPUs as AI accelerators, will be developed through a public-private partnership to support startups and research organizations.

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

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