Himachal Pradesh govt launches ‘Active Case Finding Campaign’ for COVID 19 patients

1.International Transgender Day of Visibility: 31 March

International Trans Day of Visibility is observed annually on March 31.The day celebrates transgender and non-binary people around the globe and acknowledge the courage it takes to live openly and authentically.

The day is also use the day to raise awareness around discrimination and violence that trans people still face.

2.World Bank offers $1bn for proposed India project

The World Bank has offered $1 billion to the Indian government for a proposed India Covid-19 emergency response and health systems preparedness project.This four-year project aims to develop the preparedness of India’s health care systems in the time of the pandemic.

The idea of the project will be to respond and mitigate the Covid-19 threat and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in India.

The World Bank funding is from its Covid-19 fast-track facility where both the entities (World Bank and the government of India) will work on following the best international practice.

3.Utkal Dibasa: 01 April

Every year on April 1, Odisha celebrates Utkal Dibasa to mark the day the state was born as a separate entity on linguistic basis.This year marks the 83rd Utkal Dibasa, or the foundation day of Odisha.

Odisha was born as a separate state on April 1, 1936, on linguistic basis.

The state was carved out of the combined Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province.

Odisha Capital: Bhubaneswar

Number of District : 30

Governor: Ganeshi Lal

Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik

Members of the Legislative Assembly: 147

Lok Sabha Seats : 21

Rajya Sabha Seats : 10

4.Government sanctions Rs 10-crore special funds for CRPF; ‘madadgaar’ helpline expanded

The Union Home Ministry has granted a special Rs 10-crore fund to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), enabling it to undertake relief works for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.The sanction for financial year 2019-20 has been made under the ‘civic action programme’ head to the country’s largest CAPF that has about 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks.

The ‘madadgaar’ helpline number of CRPF, ‘14411’ has received about 2,500 calls and got over 2.5 lakh impressions on its various social media platforms where people sought help in the wake of the viral disease outbreak and the subsequent lockdown imposed in the country from March 25.

The helpline will now work in close coordination with other CAPFs and state authorities to help the needy.

Launched in July, 2017, the helpline has recently floated a new WhatsApp number 7082814411- for the public.

5.IIT Kanpur to develop prototype of portable ventilator to support medical infrastructure

Amidst the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is working on portable ventilators.The prototype of this ventilator will be ready very soon and just after assembling, it can be used as a life support system.

Ventilator is a very important medical equipment for COVID-19 Patients, especially those who are old and the virus can prove fatal to them.

Keeping this in mind BioScience and BioEngineering department of IIT Kanpur has prepared a design of lifesaver portable ventilator.

6.Nirmala Sitharaman participates in 2nd G20 meeting of Finance Ministers

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the 2nd Extraordinary G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting under the Saudi Arabian Presidency.The meeting was called to discuss the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and coordinate efforts in response to this global challenge.

Ms Sitharaman appreciated the Saudi Presidency for organizing these meetings which provide opportunity to all G20 members to not only share their individual experiences but also to work in better coordination.

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors during the 1st Extraordinary Virtual G20 FMCBG Meeting held on March 23 had decided to meet virtually on a regular basis to continue discussions on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This includes its impact on markets and economic conditions and take further actions to support the economy during and after this phase.

7.Himachal Pradesh govt launches ‘Active Case Finding Campaign’ for COVID 19 patients

The Himachal Pradesh government has launched an Active Case Finding Campaign for COVID 19 patients from1 April.Under this campaign, health workers would provide information regarding symptoms of Covid-19 to the people at their doorsteps.

Under the campaign, every ASHA worker with two people’s team will visit every house in the village and gather health information of every person and would share it with the department through Google form.

The timing for gathering information would start from 9 AM to 4 PM every day and the suspected persons would be investigated accordingly.

8.BharatPe, ICICI Lombard launch COVID-19 insurance product for shopkeepers

Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic BharatPe has partnered with ICICI Lombard to roll out ‘COVID-19 Protection Insurance Cover’ for shopkeepers.On diagnosis of COVID-19 (positive) this policy will pay 100 per cent of the sum insured, irrespective of hospitalisation expenses.

It is also a ‘first of its kind’ sachet product by ICICI Lombard that will cover merchants.

The health cover is priced at a premium starting at a nominal amount of Rs 199 and provides a sum insured for Rs 25,000 and value-added benefits.

The benefit of the COVID-19 Insurance Protection Cover is the coverage across the age group of 18 to 65 years.

9.Govt extends existing foreign trade policy (2015-20) for one year till March 2021

The Government extended the existing foreign trade policy (2015-20) for one year till March 2021 amid coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown.The existing foreign trade policy 2015-20 which is valid up to March 31 this year is extended up to March 31, 2021.

Various other changes are also made extending the date of exemptions by one year and extending validity of DFIA and EPCG authorisations for import purposes.

Exports during April-February this fiscal dipped by 1.5 per cent to 292.91 billion dollars.

Imports during the period declined by 7.30 per cent to 436 billion dollars, leaving a trade deficit of 143.12 billion dollars.

10.Princess Maria Teresa of Spain becomes first royal person to die from COVID-19

Spanish Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma has become the first royal to pass away due to Covid-19 complications.The 86-year-old was a cousin of Spain’s King Felipe VI.

Princess Teresa’s death comes weeks after King Felipe VI of Spain tested negative for the virus.

She was known for her outspoken views and activist work, which led to her nickname the “Red Princess.”

Meanwhile, Prince Charles became the first British royal to be tested positive for the coronavirus, earlier this week.