NATO military exercise ‘Cold Response 2022’ begins in Norway
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has organised the massive military drill ‘Cold Response 2022’ in Norway from March 14, 2022, and will continue till April 01, 2022. The exercise is held in Norway every second year, for NATO Allies and partners. Cold Response is a long-planned and defensive exercise where Norway and its allies exercise in defending Norway against external threats. The exercise has been planned and informed about long before the war in Ukraine.
The Norwegian-led exercise provides an opportunity to train together in cold weather conditions over challenging terrain and demonstrates NATO’s ability to respond decisively to any threat, from any direction. Around 30,000 troops from 27 nations are taking part in the 2022 edition of the exercise, with about 220 aircraft and more than 50 vessels. This is the largest ‘Cold Response’ being exercise conducted in Norway since the 1980s.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- NATO chief: Jens Stoltenberg;
- NATO Founded: 4 April 1949, Washington, D.C., United States;
- NATO Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
Rajesh Gopinathan re-appoints as MD and CEO of TCS for five years
The board of IT major, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced the re-appointment of Rajesh Gopinathan as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company for five years. His second term will begin from February 21, 2022, to February 20, 2027. Rajesh Gopinathan was first appointed as the CEO and MD of TCS in 2017.
Under his leadership, the company has strengthened its position with the revenues increasing from $17.6 billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2017, to $22.2 billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2021.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
20th March celebrates as World Oral Health Day
The World Oral Health Day is marked every year on March 20. The day aims to raise global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene so that governments, health associations and the general public can work together to achieve healthier mouths and happier lives.
The theme for World Oral Health Day 2021-2023 is: Be Proud Of Your Mouth.
History of the day:
The FDI World Dental Federation launched World Oral Health Day in 2007. The day was originally celebrated on 12th September in remembrance of FDI founder, Dr Charles Godon. Later, it was changed to 20th March in 2013 to avoid conflict with the FDI World Dental Congress in September.
Oral Health Tips:
- Prefer a healthy, less sugar diet to avoid tooth decay.
- Avoid smoking and constrict alcohol intake.
- Consistently maintain oral hygiene practices.
- Visit your dentist once a year.
Jay Shah’s term extended by one year as a President of Asian Cricket Council
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has unanimously extended the tenure of its incumbent President Jay Shah for a period of one year. The decision was taken during the annual general meeting of ACC on March 19, 2022. Jay Shah is the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since 2019. Shah was first appointed as the President of ACC in January 2021, replacing Nazmul Hassan, the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Shah’s extension was proposed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Shammi Silva and the nomination was backed unanimously by all the members of the ACC.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Asian Cricket Council Chairman: Amitabh Choudhary;
- Asian Cricket Council Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka;
- Asian Cricket Council Founded: 19 September 1983;
- Asian Cricket Council Membership: 25 associations;
- Asian Cricket Council Parent organization: ICC.
UN World Happiness Report 2022: India Ranks 136th
India has improved its rank by three spots to acquire 136th position in the United Nations’ World Happiness Report for the year 2022, which ranked 146 countries. In 2021, India’s rank was 139. Finland has topped the 2022 World Happiness Report, for the fifth continuous year. Afghanistan has been ranked as the unhappiest country in the world, at 146th position.
Top 10 countries of the 2022 World Happiness Report:
| Rank | Country |
| 1 | Finland |
| 2 | Denmark |
| 3 | Iceland |
| 4 | Switzerland |
| 5 | The Netherlands |
| 6 | Luxembourg |
| 7 | Sweden |
| 8 | Norway |
| 9 | Israel |
| 10 | New Zealand |
About the report:
- The 2022 World Happiness Report was released on March 18, 2022. It is the 10th edition of the report.
- The World Happiness Report is being published by United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, since 2012, to rank countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.
- The Report is based on two key ideas, (1) happiness or life evaluation measured through opinion surveys and (2) identifying key elements that determine well-being and life evaluation across countries.
Govt. increased timeline to 10 years for startups for converting debt investment into equity
According to a news release from the DPIIT, the government has extended the deadline for companies to convert debt financing into equity shares by up to 10 years, a measure that is likely to provide comfort to emerging enterprises dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, convertible notes may be converted into equity shares for up to five years after the initial convertible note was issued. That time frame has now been increased to ten years.
Key Points:
- During the investment, the investor is given the option of asking the startup to issue equity shares in the firm in exchange for the money they had previously invested as a loan/debt if the startup does well or meets certain performance benchmarks in the future.
- Since its creation in 2017, convertible notes have become more viable financing vehicles for early-stage funding of businesses, according to experts.
- Convertible notes, unlike convertible debentures/debts, allow for optional conversion into equity without determining the conversion ratio ahead (and with fewer regulatory covenants), according to Sumit Singhania, Partner, Deloitte India.
- Extending this flexibility to ten years will make it easier for businesses to show their concept to early-stage investors (especially in highly inventive cases that require more gestation time to create scale) without having to make required pre-mature exits.
“This shift would benefit startups in a variety of industries, particularly those in the financial, educational, and retail sectors,” Pandey added.
What is convertible debt?
Convertible debt/notes, a type of debt/loan instrument, are one way for an investor to invest in a startup. “A convertible note is an instrument issued by a startup company acknowledging receipt of money initially as debt, which is repayable at the holder’s option, or convertible into such number of equity shares of such startup company within a period not exceeding ten years from the date of issue of the convertible note, upon the occurrence of specified events as per the other terms and conditions agreed to and indicated in the instrument,” according to the note.
BPCL becomes the first to offer digital payment to non-internet users
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a ‘Maharatna’ and Fortune Global 500 company, has teamed up with UltraCash Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to provide BharatGas customers with a voice-based digital payment option for booking LPG cylinders. Customers who do not have access to a smartphone or the internet can use this feature to book cylinders and pay via the ‘UPI 123PAY’ system. Customers can call the common number 080 4516 3554 from a non-internet phone to reserve a BharatGas cylinder for themselves or for friends in simple steps and in a secure manner thanks to the collaboration with Ultra Cash.
KEY POINTS:
- Around 4 crore BharatGas customers in rural India will benefit from the implementation of this option.
- After the RBI Governor announced the launch of UPI 123PAY last week, BPCL is the first company in India to offer their service to consumers. UltraCash is a mobile payment app created by UltraCash Technologies Pvt Ltd and approved by India’s National Payment Corporation (NPCI).
- More than 13,000 BharatGas customers transacted for more than Rs. One Crore in the month leading up to the launch, implying that Rs. 100 Crore in transactions could be expected in the next twelve months.
- With the Indian government encouraging the use of LPG through programmes like the Ujjwala Yojana, this facility will aid in the penetration of rural markets. Though anyone can use this service, it is primarily designed for non-feature phone users. However, the ease and security of UPI123PAY payments will make it popular among all segments and users. As a result, BharatGas is providing a service that is really BHARAT.”
- UltraCash co-founder Vishal Lal stated, “We’re ecstatic to join BPCL on this incredible adventure of bringing the next generation of customers into the digital revolution. Customers can now pay their bills online thanks to RBI and NPCI’s ground-breaking initiative.
About Bharat Petroleum:
Bharat Petroleum, the second-largest Indian oil marketing company and one of India’s premier integrated energy companies, is engaged in crude oil refining and marketing, with a significant presence in both the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company was awarded the coveted Maharatna designation, allowing it to join an exclusive group of businesses with greater operational and financial autonomy. The refineries of Bharat Petroleum in Mumbai and Kochi, as well as the subsidiary Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd. in Bina, Madhya Pradesh.
Suresh Raina felicitated with ‘Sports Icon’ award by Maldives government
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has been awarded the prestigious ‘Sports Icon’ award at the Maldives Sports Awards 2022. The Maldives government felicitated Raina for his various achievements throughout his career. Raina was nominated alongside 16 international sportspersons, including former Real Madrid player Roberto Carlos, Jamaican Sprinter Asafa Powell, former Sri Lankan captain and cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya and Dutch football legend Edgar Davids among others.
Career of Suresh Raina:
Raina is known for aiding the Indian cricket team to its World Cup glory back in 2011 and has also won the Indian Premier League(IPL) trophy four times with the Chennai Super Kings(CSK) franchise. He is the first Indian player to score 6000 as well as 8000 runs in a Twenty20 career and the first-ever cricketer to reach 5,000 runs in IPL. He also holds the record for scoring the most fifties in Champions League T20 history.
For drone-based mineral exploration NMDC Sign MoU with IIT Kharagpur
The country’s largest iron ore producer, NMDC Ltd, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for drone-based mineral research with IIT Kharagpur. The National Mining and Development Corporation (NMDC)is increasingly dependent on technical innovation and the digitisation of its exploration and mining database. The government has taken the first step in regulating and monitoring drone usage and operations in India, which are now employed in agriculture, urban planning, forestry, mining, disaster management, surveillance, and transportation, among other industries.
KEY POINTS:
- NMDC and IIT Kharagpur will collaborate to create spectrum products, methodologies, and algorithms for drone (UAV) mining exploration.
- The collaboration will also lead to the development of software spectral tools for mineral excavation and mining technology capacity-building programmes.
- From the reconnaissance G4 level to the detailed G1 level of UNFC, NMDC has been exploring minerals for over six decades for a variety of minerals such as copper, rock phosphate, limestone, magnesite, diamond, tungsten, and beach sands, among others.
- Drone-based Geophysical Surveys and Hyperspectral Studies for Mineral Exploration would be conducted by NMDC for the first time in India.
- “NMDC’s collaboration with IIT-Kharagpur will usher in a new era in mineral discovery for the country,” stated Sumit Deb, CMD of NMDC.
- NMDC is exploring for various minerals in Madhya Pradesh as well as diamonds in the Beloda-Belmundi block in Chhattisgarh. It is also the first CPSE in the central Indian diamond province to use space geophysics, as well as the first to use online monitoring of data exploration on the BHUVAN platform.
Pankaj Advani Won Asian Billiards title for 8th time
Indian cueist Pankaj Advani has defeated Dhruv Sitwala to win his eighth title at the 19th Asian 100 UP Billiards Championship 2022. It was held in Doha, Qatar. Overall this is Advani’s 24th international title and 8th Asian crown. Earlier, Advani had held off the stiff challenge of Pauk Sa of Myanmar to secure a spot in the final. He managed a 5-4 win after his opponent fought back strongly to level the match at four frames each.
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 won by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari- Monaco) has won the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 at the Bahrain International Circuit, a motor racing circuit in the west of Bahrain. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari – Spain) came second while Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) came third. This was the first Formula One race of 2022.
35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela begins in Haryana
The Governor of Haryana, Bandaru Dattatraya and Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar formally inaugurated the 35th edition of the world-famous Surajkund International Crafts Mela at Surajkund in Faridabad district of Haryana. The event is organized jointly by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.
In 2022, the ‘Theme State’ in Jammu & Kashmir and Uzbekistan is the partner nation.
The Mela is open from March 19 to April 04, 2022. It provides an opportunity for artisans from all over India to showcase their talent and the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural heritage of India. The Fair was first organized in 1987. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the event could not be organised in the year 2021.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya;
- Haryana Capital: Chandigarh;
- Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrates 83rd Raising Day
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has celebrated its 83rd Raising Day with zeal and ceremonial fervour on 19 March 2022. The 83rd Raising Day parade was organised at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu. This was for the first time that the CRPF celebrated its Raising Day outside the national capital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah took the salute at the parade and also presented the Gallantry medals and trophies for exceptional achievements in different categories to CRPF personnel.
History of CRPF:
- The CRPF came into existence on July 27, 1939, as Crown Representative’s Police. It was renamed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on December 28, 1949, upon the enactment of the CRPF Act .
- On March 19, 1950, the then Home Minister, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel presented Presidential colours to the CRPF for its commendable services, following which CRPF started celebrating the day as their Raising Day.
NPCI designed “UPI Lite – On-Device wallet” functionality for UPI user
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) designed the “UPI Lite – On-Device wallet” (“UPI Lite”) functionality for UPI users for small value transactions. About 75% of the total volume of retail transactions (including cash) in India are below Rs 100 transaction value. Further, 50% of the total UPI transactions are having a transaction value of up to Rs 200/-. To easily process such small value transactions, NPCI has launched this facility of “UPI Lite”.
In phase 1
- UPI Lite will process transactions in near offline mode i.e. debit offline and credit online, and at a later point, UPI Lite will process transactions in complete offline mode i.e. debit and credit both offline.
- The upper limit of a UPI Lite payment transaction shall be Rs. 200. The total limit of UPI Lite balance for an “On-device wallet” shall be Rs. 2,000 at any point of time.
- Replenishment of funds in UPI Lite shall only be allowed in online mode with additional factor authentication (AFA) or using UPI AutoPay which has been registered by the User in online mode with AFA.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- NPCI Founded: 2008;
- NPCI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- NPCI MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe.
Problem Between Russia And Ukraine 2022
The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing conflict between Russia (together with pro-Russian rebel groups) and Ukraine. It began in February 2014, following Ukraine’s Dignity Revolution, and was initially focused on international recognition of Crimea and parts of the Donbas as part of Ukraine.
Key Points:
- In February and March of 2014, Russia attacked and annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. This incident took place following the Dignity Revolution and is part of the greater Russo-Ukrainian War.
- From the north, in Belarus (towards Kyiv); from the northeast, in Russia (towards Kharkiv); from the east, in the DPR and the LPR; and from the south, in Crimea, Russian forces entered Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s communist Supreme Soviet (parliament) declared on August 24, 1991 that Ukraine would no longer follow Soviet Union laws and would instead follow Ukrainian SSR legislation, officially declaring Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union.
- The country Ukraine that exists now was a part of the Soviet Union in 1954. Crimea, a peninsula on the Black Sea that Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev ceded from Russia to Ukraine, was the final piece. However, pro-Russian political groups remained in Ukraine following the country’s independence in 1991, which Putin exploited.
- Ukraine, after the Russian Soviet Republic, was the most populated and industrialised republic until the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, when it regained its independence.
- In 1991, Russia and NATO formed the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, and in 1994, Russia joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace initiative.
- Following the 2010 presidential election in Ukraine, in which Viktor Yanukovych, who desired to keep Ukraine non-aligned, was elected President, Ukraine’s plans for NATO membership were abandoned.
- Despite this, Russia has historically at least pretended to cooperate with NATO.
- In 2021 and 2022, a Russian military buildup on Ukraine’s border heightened tensions and harmed bilateral relations, with the US sending a clear warning that an invasion would be greeted with terrible economic consequences for Russia.
A book titled “More than Just Surgery: Life Lessons Beyond the OT” by Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia
Padma Awardee Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia has authored a new book titled “More than Just Surgery: Life Lessons Beyond the OT”, a personal account of people, incidents, mentors, failures, and absurdities against the backdrop of surgery. The book maps the journey of Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia from his student years through residency, research, surgical practice and surgical teaching as a means of sharing the lessons he learned.
About Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia:
- Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia, who hails from Mumbai, is a general and gastrointestinal surgeon. He was the first surgeon in India to introduce laparoscopy in surgery in 1972 and he was the first to perform laparoscopic surgery in the developing world in 1990. He is widely known as the ‘Father of laparoscopy in India’.
- The government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2006 for Medicine and Padma Bhushan in 2017 for Medicine. He also received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.
Neeraj Chopra wins Sportsman of the Year award: Sportstar Aces 2022
Tokyo Olympic gold medallist, Neeraj Chopra claimed the coveted ‘Sportstar of the Year (Male)’ award at the 2022 Sportstar Aces Awards. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who claimed the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, received the ‘Sportstar of the Year (Female)’ award. The Aces Awards celebrate the spirit of excellence in sport and hope to inspire our athletes and sportspersons to continue to strive to break new records and reach new pinnacles of glory.
Other awardee’s in the list:
- Lovlina Borgohain (Sportswoman of the Year, Individual Sports),
- Avani Lekhara (Parathlete of the Year, Female),
- Pramod Bhagat (Special Recognition award),
- Savita (Sportswoman of the Year, Team Sports), and Rupinder Pal Singh (Sportsman of the Year, Team Sports).
- Arif Khan wins Special Recognition Award at Sportstar Aces 2022.
- Former Indian hockey team captain Ajit Pal Singh was conferred the ‘Lifetime Achievement award. Ajit was part of two Olympic bronze-winning teams, including one at the 1972 Munich Games.
‘Road to 1000’ book released by Sportstar and The Hindu group
Sportstar and The Hindu group released a coffee-table book, ‘Road to 1000’, at the 2022 Sportstar Aces Awards at The Taj Mahal Palace hotel. The book is a 520-page, special collection with 1000 pictures to commemorate Indian cricket’s journey. ‘Road to 1000’ was released by former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Syed Kirmani, Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Chandrakant Pandit and Nilesh Kulkarni here.
On February 6, India played its 1,000th ODI against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, becoming the first team to record the feat. India’s World Cup triumphs in 1983 and 2011, under Kapil Dev and M. S. Dhoni respectively, remain the major highlights in Indian ODI history. Sportstar reporters and photographers travelled the world to cover the Indian cricket team in the 1980s and 1990s. This is the best tribute to Indian cricket.
