Current Affairs - March 11, 2020 Current Affairs

Bloomberg Billionaires Index reported that Jack Ma became Asia's richest man. Mukesh Ambani, who stood as Asia's richest man, has moved to the second position after oil prices collapsed along with global stocks. The novel coronavirus erased $5.8 billion from Ambani's net worth on and pushed him to No.2 on the list of Asia's richest people.

The Punjab government launched a mobile application to spread awareness about the precautions to be taken against coronavirus.The "Cova Punjab" app has been developed by the Department of Government Reforms and Public Grievances in consultation with the Health and Family Welfare Department.

As per Government data, Gujarat has topped the list in the installations of solar rooftop plants. It is followed by Maharashtra. The aim of the installations of solar rooftop plants is to achieve renewable power generation goals. As of 2 March, a total of 79,950 systems have been installed across the country with a combined capacity of 322 MW.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) celebrated the 51st raising day on 10 March. The day was celebrated by CISF personnel and their families. On the raising day, a parade was established by the CISF officials. Service Personnel were awarded medals for distinguished and meritorious services.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released the new Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) on 5 March. The report stated that gender disparity still exists in every country.The index measured how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in work, politics, and education in 75 countries or 80% of the world's population.

National Archives of India (NAI) is to celebrate its 130th Foundation Day on 11 March 2020. During the occasion, the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) Shri Prahlad Singh Patel will inaugurate an exhibition on Jallianwala Bagh at the premises of National Archives, New Delhi.

National level Search, and Rescue Exercise and Workshop (Exercise SAREX 2020) concluded in the sea at Vasco, Goa. The exercise was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). It was carried out on 5-7 March.

Poonam Yadav is the only Indian player to feature in the Women's T20 World Cup team of the tournament, International Cricket Council announced. 16-year-old Shafali Verma has been selected as the 12th member of the team, after not being picked in the playing XI.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan chaired the 43rd Annual Day of the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW) on 9 March. He suggested that Synergy and cooperation between institutions are needed to counter India's Public Health challenges.

Mohun Bagan clinched its second I-League title on March 10 by beating Aizawl FC 1-0 at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium. Papa Babacar Diawara scored the winning goal in the 80th minute to take the home team to its 12th win of the season.

Chalasani Venkat Nageswar was given the additional charge of Deputy Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of State Bank of India (SBI) on 9 March with immediate effect.

After serving at strategic XV Corps of Army last year, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon will take over the post of Director General Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence). It is a department that comes under the Chief of Defence Staff in the newly created Department of Military Affairs.

The United Nations Conference on Trade, Investment and Development has warned that the Foreign Direct Investment flows all over the world will reduceby 15% due to Corona Virus. According to the organization, the outbreak could cost 2 trillion USD to the global economy.

The BJP government in Karnataka scrapped the Shaadi Bhagya Scheme that was launched by Congress government in the state in 2013.Under the scheme, Rs 50,000 was given to Muslim brides for marriage expenses after they submitted their Aadhar and BPL cards.

India stands as the world's second-largest arms importer as per the "Trends in international arms transfers 2019" report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) data. The data was released on 9 March. Saudi Arabia topped the list. Also, India has ranked 23rd position among the top 25 weapon exporters.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has taken an oath for a second term but his main rival Abdullah Abdullah has refused to recognise the inauguration, holding his own swearing-in ceremony, landing the country in a new political crisis.

India for the first time used Lopinavir and Ritonavir combination to treat Italian patients in India infected with COVID-19. The couple were on a tourto India and are currently being treated in Jaipur.

The UN's 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) was held on 9 March 2020 in New York, US. During the meeting, the United Nations adopted a stripped-down political declaration on women's rights. The declaration sought to preserve gains under threat but does not advocate new ways to ensure progress toward equality.

A Parliamentary panel set up on education submitted its report to Rajya Sabha on 2020-21 demand for grants. The report said that shortfalls in budgetfunds has led to critical infrastructure gaps.A boundary wall which is essential for safety of students and school property was not found in 40% of the schools.

State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is planning to set up its logistics bases in four countries, namely Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The move is a part of HAL's initiatives to attract the countries to buy India's light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas and military helicopters.