Maltese PM Robert Abela sworn in after landslide election win
The Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela has been sworn in for a second term after his ruling Labour Party won the 2022 general election in a landslide victory. He was administered the oath of office by President George Vella. Abela was first sworn in as prime minister in January 2020 after the former Labour Party leader and prime minister Joseph Muscat resigned.
It was the first electoral test for Abela, a 44-year-old lawyer since he took the helm of the tiny Mediterranean island nation in January 2020 following a Labour party vote. Labour secured a majority of almost 40,000 votes over its Nationalist Party rivals — a huge margin in the tiny EU state which has just 355,000 registered voters.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Malta Capital: Valletta; Currency: Euro
Pramod Sawant takes oath as Chief Minister of Goa for 2nd term
Pramod Sawant took oath as the Chief Minister of Goa on March 28, 2022, for the second straight five-year term. Sawant led the BJP in the recently concluded 2022 Goa Assembly elections and won 20 seats in the 40-member Goa Assembly. Mr Sawant was administered the oath by Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai at the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee stadium near Panaji.
Mr Sawant is an Ayurveda Medical practitioner by profession. He was sworn in as Chief Minister in March 2019 after the death of the sitting chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Mr Sawant represents the Sanquelim constituency.
Attendances:
The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other ministers like Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP national president JP Nadda, Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Arlekar, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis among others.
Actress Deepika Padukone named in inaugural TIME100 Impact Award
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has been named as one of the awardees of the TIME100 Impact Awards 2022. The actress has got featured on the inaugural TIME100 Impact Awards list for her work in mental health struggles and raising awareness, through her LiveLoveLaugh Foundation. The award recognizes global leaders who have gone above and beyond to move their industries and the world forward. Apart from Deepika, six other global leaders have also been honoured with the award. The awards were presented at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
US, Philippines kick off ‘Balikatan 2022’ largest-ever military drills
The United States military and the military of the Philippines kicked off the military drill Balikatan 2022. The Philippine-led annual exercise will take place across Luzon in the Philippines region near Taiwan, from March 28 to April 8, 2022. Around 8,900 Filipino and American troops are participating in the military drill, making it the largest Balikatan military exercise ever.
According to the military, the drills will focus on “maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief”. The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) gives US troops a legal basis to be in the Southeast Asian country for bilateral exercises and governs the conduct of American armed force personnel.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Philippines Capital: Manila;
- Philippines Currency: Philippine peso;
- Philippines President: Rodrigo Duterte.
DRDO successfully test-fire Indian Army “MRSAM” Missile
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted two successful flight tests of the Indian Army version of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) against high-speed aerial targets at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The first test launch was to intercept a medium-altitude long-range target and the second launch was for a low altitude short-range target. The Indian Army version of MRSAM is a Surface-to-Air Missile. It has been developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel.
About the Missile:
This MRSAM version is a Surface-to-Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel for use by the Indian Army. The MRSAM Army weapon system comprises multi-function radar, mobile launcher system and other vehicles. The flight tests were carried out with the weapon system in deliverable configuration.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chairman DRDO: Dr G Satheesh Reddy;
- DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi;
- DRDO Established: 1958.
India’s first steel road featured in Gujarat
Surat, Gujarat, features a road created entirely of steel waste, which is one of the best instances of sustainable development. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India collaborated on the steel slag road with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) India, the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), and the government think tank Niti Aayog.
KEY POINTS:
- The Hazira Industrial Area in Surat, Gujarat, has created a one-of-a-kind road.
- The road was constructed entirely of 1000 percent processed steel slag. Steel slag is a major source of concern for the steel industry because it is regarded as a waste product.
- The environmental impact of metallurgical and metal-processing waste disposal in landfills is particularly high. Processed steel slag aggregate has a lot of potential as a natural construction material substitute.
- The trial project is a one-kilometre road with six lanes. So far, the path has proven to be reliable. Every day, almost 1,000 trucks, weighing between 18 and 30 tonnes, drive along the steel road.
- Various plants across the country produce millions of tonnes of steel waste each year, which is disposed of in landfills. This one-of-a-kind initiative will now not only make use of a previously underutilised resource but will also result in more durable roadways.
Shaktikanta Das lays Foundation Stone of Learning and Development Centre of BRBNMPL in Mysuru
Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shaktikanta Das has laid the foundation stone for the establishment of a Learning and Development Centre (LDC) of the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) in Mysuru, Karnataka. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBI.
About the Learning and Development Centre:
- LDC is being established with active collaboration from Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) and Bank Note Paper Mill India Private Limited (BNPMIPL).
- LDC will act as a forum for robust knowledge dissemination, thus ensuring that the best practices, experiences, and innovations are shared efficiently in a congenial environment to ensure uniformity in banknote production, quality and supply.
RBI Governor dedicates Varnika Ink Manufacturing Unit of BRBNMPL
Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) has set up an Ink Manufacturing Unit named “Varnika” at Mysuru, Karnataka, with an annual ink manufacturing capacity of 1,500 MT to enhance the security of banknotes. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBI. Shaktikanta Das (Governor of RBI) has dedicated “Varnika”, the Ink Manufacturing Unit of Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) to the nation.
Key points:
- It is a boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It ensures that the entire requirement of banknote printing inks is produced in-house.
- This unit also manufactures Colour Shift Intaglio Ink (CSII) and meets the entire requirements of banknote printing presses in India, which has resulted in cost efficiency and self-sufficiency in banknote ink production.
India’s Namit Malhotra on Oscars win for Dune
This year’s Oscars was named to Dune as the Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya starrer sci-fi thriller bagged six wins. Dune was nominated in 10 categories and it won in 6 of them. This win was a proud moment for India as Namit Malhotra, the CEO and Chairman of Double Negative (DNEG), the studio that did the VFX for the film, brought home this honour.
DNEG won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, beating Free Guy, Shang-Chi, Spider-Man: No Way Home and No Time to Die. Interestingly, this is DNEG’s seventh win at the Academy Awards, with the studio winning big for Inception (2011), Ex Machina (2016), First Man (2019), Tenet (2021), Interstellar (2015) and Blade Runner 2049 (2018).
About the Namit Malhotra
Namit is the son of Bollywood producer Naresh Malhotra and the grandson of cinematographer MN Malhotra and his company was behind the mind-blowing VFX.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- DNEG Headquarters: London, United Kingdom;
- DNEG Founded: 1998, London, United Kingdom.
The men’s and women’s team has won gold in the National Cross Country Championship
In Kohima, Darshan Singh of the Services and Varsha Devi of the Railways finally defended their men’s and women’s titles in the National Cross Country Championships by winning their 10 Km events on the picturesque but difficult course, which was made more difficult by 60 per cent humidity and wind gusts.
KEY POINTS:
- After playing crucial roles in their respective teams’ successes, they were ecstatic to win the South Asian crowns at the second SAFF Cross Country Championships, which were held concurrently.
- They tasted international victory right away, despite missing out on the 2020 competition in Sri Lanka, which was first postponed and then relocated here.
- Darshan Singh was grouped at the front with his Services teammates Rajendra Nath, Deepak Singh Rawat, Dipak Suhaug, reigning champion Parasappa Madevappa Hajilol, and Railways Narendra Pratap Singh even before the runners had completed the first loop of 2 kilometres. He never lost his beat or his place.
Gilbert Houngbo named next Director-General of International Labour Organization
Gilbert Houngbo from Togo will be the next Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Houngbo was elected by the UN agency’s governing body, comprising representatives of governments, workers and employers during their meeting in Geneva. Houngbo, former Prime Minister of Togo, will be the 11th head of the agency and the first African to hold the post. His five-year term will begin on October 1, 2022. The current Director-General, Guy Ryder, from the United Kingdom, has held office since 2012.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- International Labour Organisation Founded: 1919;
- International Labour Organisation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Shashi Sinha named as new Chairman of Broadcast Audience Research Council India
The board of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has elected IPG Mediabrands India CEO Shashi Sinha as the new chairman. He will take over from Punit Goenka, who served as chairman of the TV viewership measurement agency for the last three years. Sinha, who also represents the Advertising Agencies Association of India as its board member, has played a key role in the formation of BARC.
About the Broadcast Audience Research Council India:
The Broadcast Audience Research Council India is a joint industry body founded by organisations that represent Indian broadcasters, advertisers, and advertising and media agencies. It is the world’s largest television measurement science industry body.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Broadcast Audience Research Council Founded: 2010;
- Broadcast Audience Research Council Headquarters: Mumbai;
- Broadcast Audience Research Council CEO: Nakul Chopra.
PVR & INOX Leisure announced merger combined entity to be called PVR Inox Ltd
Multiplex companies INOX Leisure Ltd and PVR Ltd have announced the merger of their two companies. Inox will have a 16.66% stake in the new firm and PVR will have a 10.62% stake. After the formalities of the merger, the company will be known as PVR Inox Limited. Ajay Bijli will be Managing Director of PVR Inox Limited, Sanjeev Kumar will be executive director and Pavan Kumar Jain will be non-executive chairman of the consolidated board.
The merger is subject to approval by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), stock exchanges, and other regulatory approvals as required. Merger to bring together two of India’s best cinema brands to deliver an unparalleled consumer experience with a network of 1,546 screens across 341 properties in 109 cities.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- PVR Cinemas Founded: June 1997;
- PVR Cinemas Headquarters: Gurugram;
- PVR Cinemas Founder & CEO: Ajay Bijli.
SIDBI partnered with Meghalaya to grow the MSME ecosystem
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), a financial institution for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Meghalaya’s Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd. [MiDFC] to develop the state’s MSME ecosystem.
KEY POINTS:
- SIDBI and the Government of Meghalaya will collaborate closely to support the growth of the MSME ecosystem in the state, according to the MoU.
- Among the MoU’s general aims are the growth of entrepreneurship in the state, the establishment of MSME clusters, and the capacity building of NGOs, development organisations, and MSMEs. Support and promote replicable livelihood projects that are compatible with the State’s priorities.
- Expanding digital products for the state’s SMEs, mapping state-specific livelihood opportunities with the help of expert consultants SIDBI’s Promotional and Developmental Initiatives in the State are being expanded.
Increasing MSMEs‘ capability through online platforms such as PSB 59, Mitra portals, GeMS, TReDS, and others, establishing business information and counselling centres for micro firms, and building the capacity of state agencies working to develop MSMEs in the state.
NARCL received a Rs 108.81 crore investment from Bank of India
On March 21, the Bank of India (BoI) announced a Rs 109 crore investment in National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd. (NARCL). In a regulatory statement, the bank stated, “We thus announce that on March 21, 2022, the bank invested Rs 108.81 crore in National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) under preferential share issue.”
KEY POINTS:
- As of March 21, 2022, the bank’s stake in NARCL will be nine per cent. NARCL is a government-backed asset reconstruction firm that was founded in July 2021.
- On the BSE, BoI shares closed at Rs 47.50 per share, down 1.14 per cent from the previous close.
