Current Affairs 26 March 2024

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 26 March 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MeitY Notifies PIB’s Fact Check Unit as Authorised Body for Centre under IT Rules 2021The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Fact Check Unit (FCU) under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as a statutory body with powers to flag misinformation about the Central government and its departments across social media platforms.

• FCU under the PIB of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has been designated as the FCU of the government of India.
• This was notified in exercise of power conferred by Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the  Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021).

Points to note:
i.The rule mandates all social media and internet intermediaries’  to make reasonable efforts to prevent the spread of deceptive or misleading content from their users, related to the central government.
ii.It is stated that the social media platforms could lose legal immunity for user-generated content if they choose to keep notified misinformation online.
Note: Not just social media companies, but even internet and telecom service providers will have to block that information, meaning that a web link of a particular report could potentially be blocked.
Categories: The PIB FCU classifies any received information into 3 categories: Fake, Misleading, and True.
Operational Structure:
i.FCU is managed by 3 Joint Director rank officers of the Indian Information Service, overseen by the Principal Director General (DG) of the PIB.
ii.Principal DG of PIB functions as the Principal Spokesperson of the Government of India (GoI).
Recent Amendments:
i.In April 2023, MeitY amended the IT Rules 2021 to introduce the provisions for a government-run FCU to verify any information about the central government.
ii.The amendments included a provision for an FCU by the government to identify “fake or false or misleading” online content related to the “business” of the central government.
About PIB’s FCU:
i.The FCU under PIB was founded in November 2019 to deter the spread of fake news and misinformation.
ii.Its primary goal is to counter misinformation regarding government policies, initiatives, and schemes.
iii.Alternative text (ALT) is provided by PIB’s FCU alongside social media posts to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Highlights of PM Modi’s state visit to Bhutan from 22-23 March 2024Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on a 2-day state visit to Bhutan from 22nd to 23rd March 2024. He was received by Tshering Tobgay, PM of Bhutan at the Paro International Airport, Bhutan.
i.Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, honoured PM Modi with the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration in a public ceremony at the Tendrelthang, Thimphu, Bhutan.  He became 1st foreign head of government to receive this award.
ii.Several Memorandum of understandings (MoUs)/agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan’s PM.
iii.On 23rd March 2024, PM Modi and Tshering Tobgay, PM of Bhutan, inaugurated the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan.
About Bhutan:
Prime Minister– Tshering Tobgay
Capital– Thimphu
Currency– Bhutanese Ngultrums(BNTs)
>> Read Full News

India leads ITU’s Digital Innovation Board; Dr Neeraj Mittal elected as Co-Chair Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications(DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India(GoI), was unanimously elected as the Co-Chairman of the Digital Innovation Board of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

• The board was formed under the aegis of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.

Note: ITU is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency for information and communication technology(ICT)
About Digital Innovation Board: 
i.The board includes Ministers and Vice Ministers of Telecom/ICT of 23 Member Countries of ITU.
ii.The other 2 co-chairmen of the board are,

• Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at ITU.
• Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Points to note: 
i.Dr Neeraj Mittal, led a high-level delegation for a series of meetings at ITU Headquarters at Geneva (Switzerland) from 18-20 March 2024.
ii.Dr Neeraj Mittal invited ITU to host the next meeting of the Digital Innovation Board in India alongside the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024.
iii.The ITU has selected 17 organizations from around the world to host the Network of Acceleration Centers with the Global Innovation Centre at ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre, New Delhi, Delhi.
About Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance
i.The ITU has started the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development to respond to significant unmet needs of ITU Membership in the area of innovation, as articulated in the Kigali Action Plan which was adopted at World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022 (WTDC-22) and the Outcomes of ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022(PP-22).
ii.The Alliance has three main vehicles: Digital Transformation lab; Network of Acceleration centers; and Digital Innovation Board.
iii.Digital Innovation Board was established to provide strategic guidance, expertise and advocacy regarding its mission of building critical local enablers and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development and to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all.
About the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The ITU was established in 1865 as the “International Telegraph Union” and was renamed as the International Telecommunication Union in 1934.
Secretary-General – Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland

UN’s 4th GEM Report: Global e-waste Generation Rising 5 Times Faster than RecyclingAccording to the United Nations (UN) Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) 2024, the global electronic waste (e-waste) generation is rising 5 times faster than documented e-waste recycling. Globally the e-waste generation is increasing by 2.6 million tonnes (Mt) annually.

• The report revealed that the world generated 62 Mt of e-waste in 2022, up 82% from 2010. This is equivalent to filling 1.55 million (40-tonne average capacity) trucks.

Note: This marks the 4th edition of the Global E-Waste Monitor. The previous editions were published in 2014, 2017 and 2020.
About the Report:
i.GEM has served as a pivotal tool in understanding and addressing the escalating issue of electronic waste (e-waste) since its inception in 2014.
ii.The 2024 GEM report is funded and prepared in partnership, with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research – Sustainable Cycles Programme (UNITAR-SCYCLE), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Fondation Carmignac.

• This is an essential reference tool for both policymakers and industry that shows the position of the world in terms of the global e-waste challenge.

Key Findings:
i.Only 22.3% (less than a quarter) of the e-waste was documented, properly collected, and recycled in 2022.
ii.This leaves USD 62 billion worth of natural resources unrecovered and escalates pollution risks globally.
iii.E-waste generation is set to reach 82 Mt by 2030, a 33% increase from 2022.
iv.The documented collection and recycling rate is expected to drop to 20% by 2030 from 22.3% in 2022.
Challenges and Factors:
i.Technological advancements, increased consumption, and limited repair options contribute to the widening gap.
ii.Shorter product life cycles, inadequate e-waste management infrastructure, etc. worsen the issue.
Health and Environmental Impacts:
i.E-waste contains hazardous substances like mercury, which can damage the human brain and coordination system, posing health risks to humans and ecosystems.
ii.E-waste, any discarded product with a plug or battery, is a health and environmental hazard.
Points to note:
i.Bringing e-waste collection and recycling rates to 60% by 2030 could yield benefits exceeding costs by over USD 38 billion.
ii.Continued reliance on a few countries for rare earth elements underscores the urgency for sustainable practices in technology production and disposal.
iii.Billions of dollars worth of valuable resources are dumped, with just 1% of rare earth element demand met by recycling.
What is e-waste?
i.E-waste encompasses discarded electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its components, posing significant challenges to both the environment and human health.
ii.E-waste is also known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), or e-scrap in different regions and under different circumstances in the world.

United Nations adopts 1st Global Resolution on Artificial Intelligence On 21st March 2024, The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) unanimously adopted the 1st global resolution on Artificial Intelligence (AI) which encourages nations to safeguard human rights, protect personal data, and monitor AI for risks.

• The nonbinding resolution was proposed by the United States of America(USA) and was co-sponsored by 123 countries, including China, Cuba, and Russia.

Note: The draft resolution was adopted without a vote highlighting the respect, protection and promotion of human rights in the design, development, and use of AI.
Key Points:
i.This is the first time the UNGA has adopted a resolution on regulating an emerging field.
ii.The primary objective of the resolution is to use AI which can help in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 such as:

• Ending Global Hunger and Poverty
• Improving health worldwide
• Ensuring Quality Secondary Education for All Children
• Achieving Gender Equality.

Significance:
i.It aims to remove the digital divide between rich developed countries and poor developing countries.
ii.The resolution ensures that developing countries will have access to technology and capabilities to take benefits from AI such as: detecting diseases, predicting floods and provide training to the next generation of workers.
Other Legislation on AI:
i.On 13th March 2024, the European Union (EU) Parliament passed the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, 2024, the world’s 1st comprehensive legislation on Artificial Intelligence.

• The act aims to regulate the use of AI in fields like biometric authentication and facial recognition. this also aims to protect fundamental rights from AI-generated threats like deep fakes.

ii.In November 2023, The USA, The United Kingdom(UK) and more than 12 other countries unveiled a 20-page document, described as the “1st international framework on how to keep AI safe from rogue actors”.

• The framework encourages tech companies to develop AI systems that are secure by design.

About United Nations(UN):
Secretary-General– Antonio Guterres (Portugal)
Headquarters– New York, USA
Established– 1945
Member countries– 193

BANKING & FINANCE

Federal Bank Partners with NPCI to Introduce ‘Rupay Smart Key Chain –FlashPay’ for Contactless PaymentsThe Federal Bank and National Payment Corporation of India(NPCI), launched a Rupay Smart Key Chain – ‘FlashPay’ for Contactless National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) payments at enabled metro stations and Point Of Sale (POS) terminals.
Features of FlashPay:
The customers can make payments up to Rs.5000 without using a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and whereas above Rs. 5000, requires a PIN authentication with a daily limit of Rs.1,00,000 at any POS terminal.
About FlashPay
i.FlashPay is a type of payment instrument that is linked to the bank account and can be used to carry out contactless transactions, which is similar to the ‘Tap and Pay‘ (Card) feature.
ii.It combines a cutting edge technology with unparalleled convenience by offering users compact and stylish solutions for seamless transactions.
iii.The key chain allows users to make secure payments with just a tap, eliminating the need for physical cards or cash.
iv.The contactless machines and cards have limited range hence the FlashPay should be within 3-4cms from the POS terminal for successful transactions.
About Federal Bank Limited:
Managing Director(MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Shyam Srinivasan
Headquarters – Aluva, Kerala
Established – 1931
Tagline – Your Perfect Banking Partner
About National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI)
NPCI is the initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Bank’s Association (IBA), under the provisions of Payment and Settlement System Act 2007, for creating a robust Payment and Infrastructure in India.
CEO – Dilip Asbe
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Incorporated – 2008

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

India’s growth expected to be between 6.5% – 7% in FY25: DEAThe Monthly Economic Review report for February 2024, released by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Ministry of Finance, mentioned that various agencies have expected India’s growth to be between 6.5% and 7% in the Financial Year 2024–2025 (FY25).

• The report mentioned that economic outlook for FY25 is bright due to rise in private investment, strong growth and stable inflation rate.

Projections made by various agencies related to India’s growth rate are:
i.Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has estimated growth rate of 7% for the next fiscal year(FY25). Similarly, Government of India (GoI) has also projected growth rate of over 7%.
ii.The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s second advance estimate report has revised India’s growth rate for FY24 from 7.3% to 7.6%.
Key Findings:
i.The report projected a positive inflation outlook for next months of FY (2024-2025).

• It indicates downward trend of inflation which further shows a broad-based moderation in price pressures.

ii.Retail inflation remained stable and within the target range for the 6th consecutive month.
iii.The report mentioned that overall core inflation is declining continuously due to strong domestic growth and stable global commodity prices.
iv.Decreasing merchandise trade deficit and increasing net services receipts are expected to improve the current account balance in FY24.
v.The report cautioned that government needs to monitor the current account deficit in FY25.

• It is imperative for government to increase the domestic household savings in order to finance the private sector’s capital formation in the economy.

vi.The report highlighted that inclusion of Indian bonds in Bloomberg index from January, 2025 should bolsters investment inflows.
vii.The report highlighted some headwinds  such as: indications of hardening crude oil prices and global supply chain bottlenecks to trade.
viii.According to Ministry of Finance that increased demand for residential properties in tier-2 and tier-3 cities gives the required boost to construction activity.
About Ministry of Finance:
Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha: Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS): Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad (Rajya Sabha: Maharashtra), Pankaj Chaudhary (Lok Sabha constituency: Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh)

UBS Estimates India’s GDP to Grow at 7% in FY 2024-25According to UBS Securities India Private Limited, India’s Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is predicted to slow down from the projected 7.6% in FY24 to 7% in fiscal year 2024-25(FY25).

• The moderation in growth is due to weaker global growth and public capex.
• India’s GDP growth in FY 2025-26 is expected to ease further to 6.8%.

Note: UBS Securities India Private Limited is a subsidiary of UBS AG headquartered in Switzerland.
Key Points: 
i.It is noted that India’s GDP growth has averaged above 8% in the 1st three quarters of FY24.
ii.India’s current account deficit (CAD) is expected to narrow to less than 0.8% of GDP in FY24. In FY25, this is expected to increase to 1.3% of GDP on slowing global growth and supported domestic demand
iii.The beginning of the rate cut cycle will also be positive for fixed income markets and see a good opportunity to add duration.
iv.Indian bond yields will likely remain range bound in the near term without fixed income.
Equity outlook: 
i.UBS stated that Indian equity market is set to remain volatile in the near term as geopolitical and economic risks remain elevated.
ii.Nifty index is estimated to rise by 12% and reach 25,200 by March 2025. The Nifty target is based on March 2026 Earnings Per Share (EPS) estimates of Rs 1,226.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

French mathematician Michel Talagrand Honoured with the 2024 Abel PrizeThe Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters announced Michel Pierre Talagrand, the French mathematician, as the 2024 Abel Prize winner in Oslo, Norway.

• Michel Talagrand, a 72- year-old retired mathematician of French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), was honoured for his work in probability theory involved understanding random phenomenon particularly, Gaussian process.
• Michel Talagrand is the 27th recipient of the Abel Prize, also known as the Nobel Prize for Mathematics, and he is the 5th Frenchman to receive the award.

Highlights:
i.Norway’s King Harald V will present the Abel Prize to Michel Talagrand at an award ceremony in Oslo, Norway on 21st May, 2024.
ii.In 2023, the Abel Prize was won by Latin American mathematician Luis A Caffarelli for his contributions to regularity theory for non-linear partial differential equations.
iii. The Abel Prize is given for three specific areas of Talagrand’s work:

• Suprema of stochastic processes – A stochastic process produces a sequence of random values, and the “supremum” is the largest value to be expected from a collection of those values.
• Concentration of measures – Counter-intuitively, when a process depends on a range of different sources of randomness, instead of getting more complicated, it is possible for the different random factors to compensate for each other and produce more predictable results.
• Spin glass – Leaving abstract probability theory behind, a “spin glass” is a special form of matter that atoms can arrange themselves in, much to the initial surprise of physicists.

About Michel Talagrand:
i.Michel Talagrand was born in France, in 1952. He obtained his PhD in mathematics in 1977 from the University of Paris VI.
ii.He was recruited by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in 1974, and he retired in 2017.
iii.He was elected as correspondent of the French Academy of Sciences in 1997 and later, became its full time member in 2004.
iv.Michel Talagrand’s other prominent awards include: Fermat Prize for mathematical research(1997), Shaw Prize in mathematics(2019).
v.He was honoured by French Government with Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor in 2011.
About Abel Prize:
i.The Abel Prize was established in 2002 by Norwegian Parliament (The Storting) in the honor of Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel.
ii.The award carries a cash prize of 7.5 million Norwegian Krone(USD 7,10,000).
iii.The Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, on behalf of Ministry of Education.

Indian Airline IndiGo Named ‘Airline of the Year’ at 2024 Air Transport Awards
The Indian airline IndiGo was named as the “Airline of the Year” at the 2024 Air Transport Awards held at Ekali, Greece.

• IndiGo became the first Indian airline to carry 100 million passengers in a single calendar year (2023).
• It was also the first Indian airline to fly 2,000 flights in a single day.
• The 2024 Air Transport Awards was organised in partnership with Hermes – Air Transport Organisation and Air Transport News (ATN) to recognize the contributions made in the aviation sector.
• Dr. Venkataramani Sumantran is the Chairman and Non-Executive Independent Director of the Company.

Click here to view other Awardees

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Luis Montenegro Named as the Prime Minister of PortugalThe Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa named Luis Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves, the head of  center-right of Democratic Alliance(DA), as the Prime Minister(PM) of Portugal.
About the PM Election:
i.Montenegro won the parliamentary election by securing 80 seats of the total  230 seats while Socialist Party (Pedro Nuno Santos) got 78 seats and Chega Party (Andre Ventura) got 50 seats which was held on March 10 2024.
ii.In order to form a majority, the Party needs 116 seats.
iii.He will succeed Antonio Costa and is expected to be sworn-in as the Prime Minister on April 2 2024.
iv.He was invited by the President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to form the new minority government after eight years of Socialist rule.
About Luis Montenegro:
i.Luis Montenegro(51), was born in Porto on 16 February 1973.
ii.He has been serving as the Leader of Opposition since 2022.
iii.He also served on the City Council from 1997 to 2001.
About Portugal
Prime Minister – Luis Montenegro (As of April 2, 2024)
Capital – Lisbon
Currency – Euro

FSIB Selects Girija Subramanian as CMD of NIAC; Bhupesh Sushil Rahul as CMD of UIIC
The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has selected Girija Subramanian as the next Chairperson and Managing Director (CMD) of New India Assurance Company (NIAC). She currently holds the position of CMD of the Agriculture Insurance Company (AIC) of India Limited.

• It also selected Bhupesh Sushil Rahul, who holds the position of AIC General Manager, as CMD of United India Insurance Company (UIIC).
• Girija Subramanian will succeed Neerja Kapur, who will retire in April 2024 as CMD of the NIAC.
• Bhupesh Sushil Rahul succeeds Satyajit Tripathy, who retired in February 2024 as CMD of UIIC.
• These names will be sent to the Department of Financial Services (DFS) which will send them to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for final approval.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

(215884)Jayantmurthy: IAU Named Asteroid after Indian Professor Jayant Murthy 
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has designated the asteroid 2005 EX296 as “(215884) Jayantmurthy”, named after Indian Prof. Jayant Murthy in recognition of his work in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) New Horizons Science Team to observe the ultraviolet background radiation in the universe.

• The announcement was made on 18th March 2024 by the IAU’s Working Group on Small Bodies Nomenclature,  designated body to provide official names to all asteroids, comets and other small objects in the Solar System.

i.This Asteroid was discovered by M.W. Buie at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, United States of America(USA), in 2005. It goes around the Sun in an orbit between Mars and Jupiter once every 3.3 years.
ii. Prof. Jayant Murthy retired as the acting director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, Karnataka in 2021.
Note: Prof. M.K. Vainu Bappu and Prof. J.C. Bhatacharyya, former directors of IAA also have asteroids named after them — 2596 Vainu Bappu (1979 KN) and 8348 Bhattacharyya (1988 BX).

ENVIRONMENT

MoS Shobha Karandlaje Releases a Dwarf Coconut Variety and two Hybrid Cocoa Varieties Developed by CPCRI
Union Minister of State (MoS) Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Ministry of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Food Processing Industries, released a new dwarf coconut variety named ‘Kalpa Suvarna’ and two new hybrid varieties of cocoa, “VTL CH I” and “VTL CH II”.

• MoS released new varieties at the event held at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in Kidu, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka.
• Both the dwarf coconut variety and hybrid varieties of cocoa were developed by the CPCRI.
• The tender nut water content of Kalpa Suvarna is 431 ml(milli liter), and the copra content is around 186 grams with an oil content of 64.5%.
• VTL CH II is tolerant to black pod rot disease which is high in high-rainfall regions.
• The two new cocoa varieties yield 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg of dry beans per tree per year.

SPORTS

Table Tennis: India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran won Men’s Singles title at WTT Feeder Beirut 2024India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran(hailing from Tamil Nadu) won the men’s singles title at World Table Tennis (WTT) Feeder Beirut 2024 by defeating compatriot Manav Vikas Thakkar(Gujarat) in the finals.

• He became the first ever Indian player to Men’s Singles trophy at a WTT Feeder Series event.
• WTT Feeder Beirut 2024 was held from 19th to 21st March 2024 at the Al Kawthar Secondary School in Beirut, Lebanon.

Key Points:
i.This marks Gnanasekaran first Men’s Singles success at a WTT event.
ii.This is also his first singles title at an international ranking event since International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Czech International Open 2021.
India’s Manush Shah & Diya Chitale won Mixed Doubles title:
India’s Manush Utpalbhai Shah(Gujarat) and Diya Parag Chitale (Maharashtra) won the Mixed Doubles title at WTT Feeder Beirut 2024 by defeating compatriots Manav Vikash Thakkar and Archana Girish Kamath(Karnataka) in the finals.
Other winners:
i.Women’s Singles: Xia Lian Ni of Luxembourg won the women’s singles title by defeating Suh Hyo Won(South Korea) in the finals. This marks her 2nd Women’s singles WTT Feeder title.
ii.Men’s Doubles: Andy Pereira and Jorge Campos of Cuba won the Men’s Doubles title by defeating Indian duo Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar in the finals. They became the first cuban duo to win the WTT title.
iii.Women’s Doubles: Doo Hoi Kem and Zhu Chengzhu of Hong Kong won the title by defeating Chantal Mantz (Germany) and Izabela Lupulesku(Serbia) in the finals.
Winners & Runners of WTT Feeder Beirut 2024:

Note:The total prize money of the event was USD 22,500
About WTT Feeder Series:
i.The WTT Feeder Series is one of the three-tier events of WTT, the others being the WTT Series and the WTT Youth Series.
ii.It has been organised by World Table Tennis, the commercial arm of the International Table Tennis Federation, since 2022.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Water Day 2024 – March 22  The United Nations (UN) World Water Day is annually observed across the globe on 22 March to celebrate water, promote action to tackle the global water and sanitation crisis and focus on the significance of freshwater.

• The theme of UN’s World Water Day 2024 is “Water for Peace”/ “Leveraging Water for Peace.”

The annual observance of the day is led by the UN-Water and co-ordinated by UN Water members and partners and a dedicated task force in support of UN Member state and other stateholders.
Background:
i.The idea of celebrating World Water Day was first proposed during the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.
ii.In December 1992, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/47/193 and proclaimed the 22 March of every year as World Water Day.
iii.The 1st World Water Day was observed on 22 March 1993.
>> Read Full News

World Meteorological Day 2024 – March 23 The United Nations (UN) World Meteorological Day (WMD) is annually observed across the globe on 23 March to raise awareness about weather, water, and climate-related issues, and about the Earth’s atmosphere and highlight individuals’ role in protecting it.

• Every 23 March, WMD commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 23 March 1950.

The theme for World Meteorological Day 2024 is, “At the Frontline of Climate Action.”

• The themes chosen for WMD reflect topical weather, climate, or water-related issues.

Background:
i.The WMO during its 12th session of the executive committee adopted the resolution Resolution 6 (EC-XII) and proclaimed the 23 March of every year as World Meteorological Day.

• The 1st ever WMD was observed on 23 March 1961.

About World Meteorological Organisation (WMO):
Secretary-General– Professor Celeste Saulo
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established on– 23 March 1950
WMO Members– 193 Members, including 187 Member States and 6 Territories
>> Read Full News

Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day 2024 – March 23Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day is annually observed across India on 23rd March to mark the death anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar, the three revolutionaries of India who were executed by the British government.

• The Day also aims to pay tribute to courageous freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the independence of India.

Note: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) annually organises Shaheed Diwas across India.
>> Read Full News

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