1) World Kidney Day observed globally on 12th March 2020
•World Kidney Day is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys. World Kidney Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.
2) GoI decides to have at least one PMBJP Kendra in every block
•Janaushadhi Kendras is the world’s biggest retail pharma chain having around 6,200 outlets in 700 districts of the country. It also provides a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanAushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendra were launched by the Indian Government to promote affordable and quality generic medicines among the people.
3) Andhra govt launches “NIGHA” app to ensure ‘clean and healthy’ elections
•The Panchayat Raj Department, in a bid to crackdown on electoral malpractices, has set up the NIGHA app to empower common citizens to lodge complaints seamlessly. Photos and videos of the distribution of money and alcohol and any other activity that violates the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) can be registered by this app. All the complaints registered by this app will automatically be routed to the Central Control room and the information will be shared with the concerned officials.
4) WHO officially declares COVID-19 as a pandemic
•The virus, which originated in China, has infected more than 113,000 people worldwide and killed more than 4,000, according to the WHO. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a pandemic as an epidemic a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease that has “spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.”
What is a pandemic?
•According to the World Health Organization, a pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations. Declaring a pandemic has nothing to do with changes to the characteristics of a disease, but is instead associated with concerns over its geographic spread.
5) High court of Bangladesh declares ‘Joy Bangla’ as national slogan
•‘Joy Bangla’ was the main slogan during the liberation war of Bangladesh fought against Pakistan in 1971. The first President of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also used ‘Joy Bangla’ in his speeches and especially during his historic 7th March speech in 1971 declaring the goal of independence for Bangladesh.
6) LT Gen KJS Dhillon will take over as DG DIA & DCIDS
•DIA and DCIDS are responsible for collating technical as well as human intelligence for the three armed forces. The DIA was created in 2002 on recommendations of a Group of Ministers which looked into lapses leading to the Kargil intrusion in 1999. The DIA is a nodal agency for all defence-related intelligence which collects information technically as well as through satellites to safeguard the interest of the country.
7) Google India starts skill development programme called ‘DigiPivot’
•The skilling programme has been developed jointly in partnership with a career portal service: Avtar & and the Indian School of Business (ISB). The aim of the Programme to help the general gender mix within the digital advertising and marketing panorama in India and can offer an opportunity for 200 girls professionals to re-skill themselves.
•The woman who’s at present working and those that are ready to return to the workforce with 4-10 years of expertise in consulting, analytics, branding and sales and support are eligible to attend this programme. The selected woman will undergo a curated 18-week studying program and engagement (each offline & on-line) that aims to empower them with digital advertising and marketing data and instruments in addition to mentorship on strategic management abilities.
8) SBI removes minimum balance charges from all savings bank accounts
•The State Bank of India has waived off the minimum balance charges on all savings bank accounts. SBI has waive charges for non-maintenance of Average Monthly Balance (AMB) for all 44.51 crore savings bank accounts. Earlier, SBI was levying a penalty of Rs 5 to Rs 15 along with taxes on non-maintenance of average monthly balance of Rs 3000, Rs 2000 and Rs 1000 in metro, semi urban and rural areas respectively. Along with the charges for non-maintenance of Average Monthly Balance, the public sector bank has also waived of SMS charges.
9) Maharaja Ranjit Singh named greatest world leader in BBC Poll
•In the second place, with 25 per cent of the vote, is African Independence Fighter AmÃlcar Cabral who united more than 1 million Guineans to free themselves from Portuguese occupation and in turn propelled many other colonised African countries to rise and fight for independence. Britain’s war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill is at number three with 7 per cent of the vote for his quick decision and sharp political manoeuvring that kept Britain in the war.