Daily Current Affairs- 25 March 2024

Today's Current Affairs 25th March 2024

NATIONAL

PM Modi Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Medical Facility in Thimphu

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay jointly inaugurated a modern hospital in the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu.
• In a significant gesture, the King of Bhutan conferred the prestigious ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ on PM Modi, making him the first foreign Head of Government to receive this honor.
• India and Bhutan established diplomatic relations in 1968, and their relationship is guided by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and revised in 2007.

About Bhutan:

Capital: Thimphu;

King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck;

Currencies: Bhutanese Ngultrum, Indian Rupee;

Official language: Dzongkha. 

Election Commission’s Saksham App Revolutionizes Voting Accessibility

• The Election Commission has introduced the Saksham App. This initiative aims to address the needs of voters above 85 years of age and Persons-with-Disabilities (PWDs) with a 40 percent benchmark disability, allowing them to cast their votes from the comfort of their homes. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Supreme Court Appoints Committee for Great Indian Bustard Preservation

• Great Indian Bustard (GIB) population from extinction caused by collisions with high-powered power cables in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra has appointed an expert committee.
• The committee is expected to propose additional measures and submit a report to the Supreme Court by July 31st. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Indian Scientist Prof Jayant Murthy Honoured with Asteroid Name

• Professor Jayant Murthy, an esteemed astrophysicist, has been recognized for his remarkable contributions to the field by having an asteroid named after him – (215884) Jayantmurthy.
• Originally discovered in 2005 by MW Buie at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, USA, and previously known as 2005 EX296, this asteroid orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter every 3.3 years.

About International Astronomical Union:

President: Debra Elmegreen;

Headquarters: Paris, France;

Founded: 28 July 1919;

General Secretary: Piero Benvenuti. 

RANKING & REPORTS

Hurun Research Institute Report: Mumbai Surpasses Beijing as Asia’s Billionaire Capital

• Mumbai has overtaken Beijing as Asia’s billionaire capital, according to the latest report from the Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute.
• Mumbai boasts 92 billionaires, securing its position as Asia’s third billionaire capital, trailing behind New York (119) and London (97). 

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

‘Phool Bahadur’ – The First Magahi Novel in English

• Dibrugarh University International Literary Festival held on 19-21 March 2024.
• The English translation of the first Magahi novel, ‘Phool Bahadur’. The translation was done by Abhay K, a renowned writer from Nalanda, Bihar.
• ‘Phool Bahadur’ was originally written by Jayanath Pati and published in 1928.
• Published by Penguin Random House India, ‘Phool Bahadur’ is a delightful novel set in the town of Biharsharif in Nalanda district of Bihar. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Iconic Indian Brand Amul Launches Fresh Milk in the US

• Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the organization behind the iconic Amul brand, is set to launch its fresh milk products in the United States for the first time.
• Within a week, GCMMF will introduce four variants of fresh milk in the US market.

About Amul:

Founders: Verghese Kurien, Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel;

Headquarters: Anand;

Founded: 14 December 1946;

Chairman: Shamalbhai B Patel. 

Federal Bank Launches ‘Flash Pay’ in Partnership with NPCI for Contactless Payments

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Federal Bank introduces ‘Flash Pay,‘ a revolutionary RuPay smart key chain facilitating contactless NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) payments. 

Modi Government Allocates Rs 6212.03 Crore for Strengthening Regional Rural Banks

• The Modi government has allocated Rs 6212.03 crore to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) as part of the recapitalization scheme on March 6. RRBs, established in 1975 and owned by the Indian government.