Daily Current Affairs, 22nd March 2018

1)  World Water Day- 22 March

•The World Water Day is observed on 22 March every year, to raise awareness about the importance of water. The theme this year is, ‘Nature for Water’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges the world faces in the 21st century.

•An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

2)  Union Cabinet Approves 'Ayushman Bharat' Health Scheme

•The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of 'Ayushman Bharat' -National Health Protection mission. The Scheme has the benefit cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year.

•The target beneficiaries under the scheme will be over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families. The benefits of the scheme are portable across the country. The scheme will subsume the ongoing centrally sponsored schemes- Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and senior citizen health insurance scheme (SCHIS).

3)  Kerala Declares Jackfruit As Official Fruit Of State

•Jackfruit has attained a respected status with the state government declaring it as the official fruit of Kerala. Kerala has been producing around 30 to 60 crore jackfruits every year.

•As per the officials, the state can generate a revenue of around Rs 30,000 crore through value-added jackfruit products.

4)  NITI Aayog, Piramal Foundation Inks Agreement

•NITI Aayog and Piramal Foundation have inked Statement of Intent (SoI) to work closely with District Collectors and key officers of ‘Aspirational Districts’ to support their transformation in terms of healthcare, education and nutrition.

•Under the SoI with NITI Aayog, Piramal Foundation will work in close conjunction with district administration, Central Prabhari Officers, State Prabhari Officers, state government and concerned Central ministries to improve identified indicators by strengthening existing public systems specifically in health and nutrition and education sectors.

5)  Nitin Gadkari Inaugurated Inland Ferry Services In Goa

•Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Mormugao Port Trust and Drishti Marine’s ambitious inland ferry services in Goa.

•The inaugural plaque was unveiled at the newly constructed Airport Ferry Terminal (AFT) at Baina beach in the distinguished presence of state ministers. The ferry service is aimed at adding quality experience to tourists visiting the coastal state.

6)  105th Indian Science Congress- NHAI Receives Best Design Pavilion Award

•The NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) pavilion at 105th Indian Science Congress has been adjudged as Best Design Pavilion. The award was conferred by Dr. Najma Heptulla, Governor of Manipur.

•The NHAI had put up an exhibition stall to showcase its Projects and other initiatives like Electronic Toll Collection, Wayside Amenities, Incident Management, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Road Safety etc.

7)  German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier On 5-Day Visit To India

•German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will arrive in New Delhi on a five-day visit to India. This will be his first visit to India as the President of Germany. He will visit Varanasi.

•The German President is also scheduled to attend a business event in New Delhi and visit to Chennai. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe and the 6th largest trading partner in the world.

8)  Canadian Mathematician Robert Langlands Wins Abel Prize

•Canadian mathematician Robert Langlands won the prestigious Abel Prize for developing a programme connecting representation theory to number theory. The programme has enlisted hundreds of the world’s best mathematicians over the last 50 years. 

•Now aged 81, Langlands will be awarded the 6.0-million-kroner Abel Prize by Norway’s King Harald in Oslo on May 22.