Current Affairs One - Liner : 12th March 2024

• National:
• The Agra Metro’s priority corridor was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 6, 2024. The service started for the general public from the next day, March 7, 2024. This makes Uttar Pradesh the state with the most cities having metro facilities in India.  

• The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of India announced that it has the largest share of women personnel (9%) among Central Paramilitary Forces. The RPF has taken various measures to ensure the safety and provide assistance to female passengers in distress, creating a secure environment for travelers. Some of the key initiatives include Meri Saheli, Operation Matrishakti, Operation Against Human Trafficking, and Operation Nanhe Farishtey.
• The She Research Network in India (SheRNI) is an initiative by the University Grants Commission’s (UGC), Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre. It was launched on March 9, 2024. The platform aims to connect women across various fields in India, providing opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing.
• According to the latest crop estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, West Bengal, which used to be the top rice-producing State, has slipped to fourth place in the 2023-24 crop year. This is a significant change as West Bengal has traditionally been a major rice producer in India.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) on March 11, 2024. The curriculum is designed for children aged three to six years and covers all domains of development. It includes a weekly calendar of active learning, reinforcement, and initiation, with a combination of in-centre and at-home, indoor and outdoor, child-led and educator-led activities.
• The Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Center was inaugurated by Union Minister Arjun Munda at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. The center aims to provide farmers with real-time information about their farms and the agriculture sector, help resolve their problems, improve crop yields, and enable them to avail the benefits of government schemes more easily.
• International:
• The Life Protection Plan (LPP) is an insurance scheme for Indian workers in the UAE, launched on March 1. It provides financial support to the families of deceased workers, with compensation up to Dh75,000 and Dh12,000 for repatriation of remains. The annual premium ranges from Dh37 to Dh72.
• Banking:
• IndusInd Bank has launched ‘Indus PayWear’, a tokenizable wearable for debit and credit cards. It allows users to make contactless payments by tapping their wearable device against any contactless terminal. The wearable can be locked when not in use and is available in three forms: a watch clasp, a ring, and a mobile sticker.
• The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) in Gujarat, India, has issued Asia’s first certified green municipal bond. The bond raised 1 billion rupees (approximately $12.07 million) at a semi-annual coupon rate of 7.90%. The bonds are rated AA+ by India Ratings and have received a green security certificate from the Climate Bond Initiative. SBI Capital Markets and Tipsons Consultancy Services arranged the bond issue.
• Economy:
• According to a CRISIL report, India’s economy is projected to grow by 6.8% in FY25, moderated from an estimated 7.6% in FY24. Inflation is expected to fall to 4.5% in FY25. The Indian economy is predicted to near the $7 trillion milestone by FY31, positioning it as an upper-middle-income country within the next seven years.
• Mous:
• On March 11, 2024, Easy Trip Planners (operating under the brand name EaseMyTrip) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Rural Development. The aim is to foster entrepreneurial skills and financial independence among rural women. EaseMyTrip will train members of SHGs in 800 districts across India, covering travel reservations across all essential segments.
• Science & Technology:
• On 9th March 2024, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched India’s fastest and indigenously-designed internet protocol/multiprotocol label switching (IP/MPLS) router. The router, which was launched in Bengaluru, has a capacity of 2.4 terabits per second (Tbps). The router is likened to a digital postman, efficiently processing and delivering vast amounts of data from various sources to their intended destinations.
• Govt.Schemes:
• The ‘Mahtari Vandana Yojana’ is a scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10th March 2024 in Chhattisgarh, India. It aims to provide financial support to married women by offering them a monthly financial aid of INR 1000. The scheme is designed to improve the health and nutrition status of women, promote their economic self-reliance, and encourage their decisive role in family matters.
• Defence:
• On 11th March 2024, The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India successfully conducted the first flight test of the Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, named Mission Divyastra. The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
• Important Days:
• Ramakrishna Jayanti, celebrated on March 12, 2024, is the birth anniversary of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, a revered 19th-century Indian mystic and guru. The aim of celebrating Ramakrishna Jayanti is to honor and remember the life and teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
• The International Day of Women Judges is celebrated annually on March 10th to honor the contributions of women judges worldwide and promote gender equality in the judiciary. In 2024, the theme is “Empathy and Action: Women and girls in carceral settings”. The day emphasizes the importance of women’s representation in the judiciary for ensuring fairness and equality before the law.
• Appointments:
• Gustavo Adrianzen, a lawyer and former representative to the Organization of American States, was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Peru on March 6, 2024. He replaced Alberto Otarola, who resigned amid a scandal.
• Shri Kishor Makwana, a journalist, columnist, and author, assumed the charge of Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on March 11, 2024. He has pledged to work tirelessly to safeguard the interests and rights of the Scheduled Castes community.
• Dhanaraj T has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Indian Overseas Bank. He assumed the role on March 10, 2024, for a tenure of three years. Prior to this, he served as the Chief General Manager at Indian Bank. He holds an Agricultural Engineering Degree from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
• Obituaries:
• Akira Toriyama, the creator of the influential manga Dragon Ball, passed away at the age of 68 due to an acute subdural hematoma. His death was on March 1. His works, including Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, have left a significant impact on the manga industry. He had several projects in progress at the time of his death. His legacy continues to inspire manga artists and fans worldwide.

Questions:

Q.1 What is the She Research Network in India (SheRNI)?
a. A women’s rights organization
b. An initiative by the University Grants Commission’s (UGC), Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre
c. A social media platform for women
d. A women’s health initiative
Q.2 Who has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Indian Overseas Bank?
a. Dhanaraj T
b. Ramesh Kumar
c. Suresh Patel
d. Anand Mehta