VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF MARCH 19^th, 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF MARCH 19^th, 2019

1.      India, Pakistan and the other members states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will take part in a joint anti-terrorism exercise to be held this year by the grouping.

a.       The decision to hold the joint exercise 'Sary-Arka-Antiterror 2019' was announced during the 34th meeting of the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) council held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

b.       The SCO, in which China plays an influential role, is also comprised of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. 

c.       India and Pakistan were admitted into the bloc in 2017.

2.      Singapore, Paris and Hong Kong share the title of the world's most expensive city, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. 

a.       Switzerland's Zurich and Geneva and Japan's Osaka are also among top five most expensive cities. 

b.       Note : According to the report, India's Bengaluru, Chennai and New Delhi are among the 10 cheapest locations surveyed.

3.      International workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure will begin in New Delhi tomorrow.

a.       The 2-day event is being organised by the National Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

b.       Aim of this workshop : To identify good practices of disaster risk management in key infrastructure sectors.

c.       It will bring together countries from different parts of the world, multilateral development banks, UN agencies, academia and research institutions.

4.      The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prepare a noise pollution map and remedial action plan to solve the issue across the country.

a.       The green panel said the absence of implementation of noise pollution norms affects health of citizens, especially infants and senior citizens.

b.       It also affects sleep, comfort, studies and other legitimate activities, it said.

5.      Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker and BJP leader Pramod Sawant was sworn-in as the New Chief Minister of Goa in a late-night ceremony, two days after Manohar Parrikar passed away after his battle with cancer.

6.      The meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is currently underway in New Delhi.

a.       Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is chairing the 34th meeting of the Council through Video Conferencing.

b.       The council is expected to take up various issues including the implementation of lower GST rates for the real estate sector.

c.       The meeting is likely to deliberate on transition provision and related issues for the implementation of lower GST rates for the real estate sector. Sources said, no issues related to rate is on the agenda as the model code of conduct is in force.

d.       In the previous meeting held on 24th February, the high-powered GST Council slashed tax rates for under-construction flats to 5 per cent and affordable homes to 1 per cent, effective from April 1st.

e.       Currently, the goods and services tax (GST) is levied at 12 per cent with input tax credit on payments made for under-construction property or ready-to-move-in flats where completion certificate is not issued at the time of sale.

7.      Indian Journalist and author Raghu Karnad has been conferred the prestigious Windham-Campbell Prize. 

a.       He won the $165,000 Prize in the non-fiction category for his debut book, The Farthest Field: An Indian Story Of The Second World War. 

b.       Karnad is one of the eight winners chosen across four categories—fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry. 

c.       Raghu Karnad is the 2nd Indian to receive the award [erry Pinto had won the award for his novel, Em And The Big Hoom in 2016]. 

d.       Note : Raghu Karnad is the son of legendary actor, writer and the Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad.

8.      President Ram Nath Kovind today presented Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

a.       Kirti Chakras were conferred on Sepoy Vijay Kumar of Indian Army and Constable Pradip Kumar Panda of CRPF posthumously.

b.       Displaying exceptional bravery and commitment to duty during counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, both of them made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

c.       Uttam Yudh Seva Medal was conferred on Lieutenant General Anil Kumar Bhatt for successful counter-terrorist operations conducted under him in Jammu and Kashmir.

9.      Businessline Changemaker Awards 2019 Winners List :

a.       Changemaker Of The Year Award : Petitioners against Section 377.

b.       Changemaker Of The Year Award : GST Council.

c.       Iconic Changemaker Award : Bezwada Wilson (Safai Karmachari Andoloan).

d.       Social Transformation Award : The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences.

e.       Digital Transformation Award : eNAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market).

f.        Young Changemaker Award  : Anju Verma (promoting the education of underprivileged children).

g.       Young Changemaker Award : Kush and Arjun Pandey (developers of ScoutMe app for tapping football talent).

10. Actress Priyanka Chopra has been named in USA Today's 50 Most Powerful Women In Entertainment list. While speaking about being featured in the list, the actress said, "I feel privileged to share this platform with these amazing women." American television host Oprah Winfrey, singer Beyoncé, as well as actress Meryl Streep were also among the celebrities named in the list.

11. 2019 Swiss Open (badminton) Winners

a.       Men’s Singles : Shi Yuqi (China) [He defeated India's Sai Praneeth]

b.       Women’s Singles : Chen Yufei (China)

c.       Men’s Doubles : Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Indonesia)

d.       Women’s Doubles : Chang Ye-na and Jung Kyung-eun (South Korea)

e.       Mixed Doubles : Mathias Bay-Smidt and Rikke Soby Hansen (Denmark)

12. Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu defeated world number four Angelique Kerber to win the BNP Paribas Open and clinch her 1st career title in Indian Wells. 

13. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has paid Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) approximately $1.6 million (₹11 crore) as compensation after losing the case it filed against the Indian board. 

a.       The PCB had filed a compensation case last year against the BCCI for not honouring a bilateral agreement and demanded $70 million. 

b.       The ICC dismissed it and asked PCB to compensate the legal cost to BCCI.

14. India has so far won a total of 188 medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.

a.       The medals include 50 Gold, 63 Silver and 75 Bronze medals.