- National:
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first-ever Made-in-India ASTDS tug, ‘Ocean Grace’, on 2nd March, 2024. This 60T bollard pull tug was developed by Cochin Shipyard Limited and cost Rs. 45 crores. It’s part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and represents a significant step in India’s maritime infrastructure development. A Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) was also inaugurated as part of the port’s corporate social responsibility.
- Banking:
- Kotak Mahindra Bank launched the ‘Smart Choice Gold Loan’ on 29th February 2024. It offers a low monthly interest rate, no processing fee, and a loan amount up to INR 25 lacs with minimal documentation. The offer is valid till 31st May 2024.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved an interoperable payment system for internet banking transactions. This system will facilitate quicker settlement of funds for merchants and is expected to be launched in 2024.
- Science & Technology:
- On February 29, 2024, Russia launched Iran’s ‘Pars 1’ research satellite into space. The satellite is equipped with three cameras and can send high-resolution images from its orbit 500 km above Earth. The launch took place at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East.
- Sports:
- Puneri Paltan won their first-ever Pro Kabaddi League title by defeating Haryana Steelers with a score of 28-25 in the final match of Season 10, held on March 1, 2024 t the GMC Balayogi Sports Complex in Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
- Defence:
- DefConnect 2024, inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, was held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The event, organized by iDEX-DIO, aimed to foster collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the defence sector. It brought together stakeholders from the Armed Forces, industry leaders, start-ups, academia, and policymakers.
- Important Days:
- World Seagrass Day is observed annually on March 1 to raise awareness about the importance of seagrasses. The theme for World Seagrass Day 2024 is “Healthy Seagrass, Healthy Planet”. The day emphasizes the role of seagrasses in marine biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
- Dr. V.K. Paul, a member of NITI Aayog, launched the National Birth Defect Awareness Month 2024 with the theme “Breaking Barriers: inclusive support for children with birth defects”. The campaign aims at prevention, early identification, and timely management of birth defects.
- World Hearing Day is observed on March 3 every year. It’s an event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care. Each year has a specific theme. The theme for 2024 is “Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”.
- National Safety Day is observed annually on March 4 in India to promote safety awareness in all sectors. It was first observed in 1972 by the National Safety Council. The theme for National Safety Day 2024 is “Safety Leadership for ESG Excellence”.
- National Grammar Day, celebrated on March 4, is a day dedicated to appreciating grammar. Established in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough, the day promotes the correct usage of grammar in both spoken and written language. The motto of the day is, “It’s not only a date, it’s an imperative: March forth on March 4 to speak well, write well, and help others do the same!”.
- Appointments:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of S Ravindran as the part-time chairman of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB). His tenure will be from February 29, 2024, to August 2, 2026.
- Awards & Honours:
- Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, the founder of StemRx Hospital and Research Centre, was awarded the Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024 on March 1, 2024. This award recognizes his significant contributions to the field of regenerative medicine.
- The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) was awarded for Best Performance in Accounts for the Financial Year 2023-24. The award was given at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi on March 1, 2024. Ajay S Singh (ICAS: 1994) is the current Chief Controller of Accounts in the Ministry of I&B.
- Obituaries:
- Padma Shri awardee Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma, a renowned archaeologist, passed away at the age of 91. He was instrumental in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, providing archaeological evidence for a Hindu Mandir at the disputed site in Ayodhya.
Questions:
Q.1 Who has been appointed as the part-time chairman of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB)?a. R. Gandhi
b. S Ravindran
c. Shaktikanta Das
d. Urjit Patel
Q.2 Who is the founder of StemRx Hospital and Research Centre?
a. Dr. Pradeep Mahajan
b. Dr. Ramesh Kumar
c. Dr. Suresh Verma
d. Dr. Anil Gupta
