1 India will provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan
India will provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan in the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made this announcement in Thimphu on the first day of his visit to Bhutan . The Prime Minister assured the Bhutanese leadership that India will stand with Bhutan and both countries will explore opportunities for greater cooperation in the areas of mutual connectivity, infrastructure, trade and energy and industry sectors. During this, agreements related to energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture sectors and rail connectivity were signed between the two countries.
2 CBI and Europol sign working arrangement for cooperative relations
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Europol have entered into an important working arrangement aimed at combating crime and promoting cooperation between the two agencies . This collaborative effort underscores the need for global partnerships in addressing the modern challenges posed by transnational crime networks. Europol Executive Director Catherine de Bolle and CBI Director Praveen Sood signed the working arrangement at a virtual event held on March 21. The signing ceremony took place simultaneously in New Delhi and The Hague, reflecting the commitment of both sides to enhance cooperation.
3 Global Trade Overview 2023 and 2024 Outlook: UNCTAD Report
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released its Global Trade Update report , outlining the state of global trade in 2023 and projections for 2024 . Despite a 3% decline in global trade to $31 trillion in 2023, a rebound is expected in 2024 amid geopolitical uncertainties and logistical challenges. Global trade declined by 3%, a $1 trillion decrease from a record high of $32 trillion in 2022. Trade in goods saw a decline of 5% over 2022, while the services sector saw growth of 8% year-on-year.
4 Clinical trials of TB vaccines- MTB Vac begin on adults
Indigenous drug manufacturing company Bharat Biotech International Limited has started clinical trials of TB vaccine – MTB Vac on adults . According to Bharat Biotech, this is the first TB vaccine which has been prepared from human source by the Spanish drug manufacturing company – Biofabri . In the first phase of testing, this vaccine has been administered to adults who are not infected with HIV. In the second phase, this vaccine is being given to adults suffering from HIV. The purpose of this trial is to determine whether this vaccine is safe for people or not. The company has expressed hope that the MTB Vac vaccine will prove to be an important achievement.
5 Palm Sunday festival celebrated with traditional devotion and gaiety in Mizoram
The festival of Palm Sunday was celebrated with traditional devotion and gaiety in Mizoram . It is also known as Tumakau Ni . On the occasion of Palm Sunday, special prayers were offered in churches in the state and processions were taken out. The festival of Palm Sunday is celebrated to commemorate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem as the King of Israel . Easter Sunday is celebrated exactly one week after this event .
6 India is being represented by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh in the 148th Parliamentary Conference in Switzerland.
India is being represented by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh at the 148th Parliamentary Conference in Geneva, Switzerland . The delegation also participated in the meetings of the organization’s Asia-Pacific Geopolitical Group-APG , BRICS Parliamentary Coordination Forum and Women Parliamentarians Forum . The Indian team met with the Thai parliamentary delegation and discussed issues of mutual interest and enhancing mutual cooperation in parliamentary matters.
7 Abhay translated Magahi novel ‘Phool Bahadur’ displayed in Dibrugarh
‘ Phool Bahadur ‘ is the first Magahi novel , which has been translated into English by ‘Abhay K’ . It was launched at the Dibrugarh University International Literary Festival on 19-21 March 2024. The launch event was attended by Jnanpith Awardee Damodar Maujo, Professor Rita Kothari, Dr. AJ Thomas and Chuden Kabimo. Also, writers and distinguished guests from many countries participated in this program. This novel (Phool Bahadur) is originally written by Jayanath Pati . It was first published in 1928.
8 Policybazaar established ‘PB Pay Private Limited’
Policybazaar , a leading player in insurance and financial services , has unveiled plans to diversify its offerings by setting up a wholly owned subsidiary named ‘ PB Pay Pvt Ltd ‘. The subsidiary, approved by the Board of Directors on March 20, 2024, aims to specialize in payment collection services domestically and internationally, subject to regulatory approvals.
9 Simon Harris: New Prime Minister of Ireland
Simon Harris is an Irish politician who is currently the favorite to become the next Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland following the sudden resignation of Leo Varadkar . Harris, 37, is currently the Minister for Higher Education and has been a member of the Fine Gael party since his youth. Harris was born in Wicklow, Ireland in 1986. He enrolled at the Dublin Institute of Technology to study journalism, but dropped out before completing his degree to pursue a career in politics.
10 India’s Shreeja Akula won the women’s singles title in table tennis tournaments.
In the table tennis tournament, India’s Sreeja Akula won the women’s singles title at the WTT Feeder Beirut-2 , 2024 in Lebanon . World number 47 Akula won the second WTT singles title of her career by defeating Luxembourg’s Sarah De Nootte . In the women’s doubles final, the pair of Sreeja Akula and Diya Chitale failed to win the title. They were defeated by Du Hoi Kem and Zhu Chengzhu of Hong Kong, China. India’s Poyamanti Baisya and Akash Pal defeated Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra to clinch the mixed doubles title, while in the men’s doubles final, Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar won the title at the WTT Feeder Beirut-II tournament in Lebanon.
11 Naheed Divecha won two gold medals in the Indian Masters National Badminton Championship-2024
Maharashtra’s Naheed Divecha has won two gold medals at the Indian Masters National Badminton Championship 2024 in Panchkula . Divecha, a member of Bombay Gymkhana and associated with Shuttle Craze Academy, won the women’s 50 singles title by defeating Haryana’s Sunita Singh Panwar in straight sets. Later, the pair of Naheed Divecha and Kiran Makode won the Mixed Doubles Fifty title with an impressive win over top seeds Karnataka’s Prabagaran Subbiah and Jayashree Raghu in straight sets.
12 Nayana James wins gold medal in Indian Open jump competition
In the women’s long jump event at the 3rd Indian Open Jump Competition , Nayana James of Kerala won the gold medal by registering a personal best mark of 6.67 metres. Nayana’s achievement of 6.67 meters came almost seven years after her previous personal best of 6.55 metres. Nayana’s distance was 16 cm behind Anju Bobby George’s national record and 19 cm behind the Paris mark.
13 International Day for Achievers: 24 March
International Day for Achievers is celebrated every year on 24 March to celebrate achievers and their strong sense of purpose and self-confidence. Achievers are people who set goals and make every possible effort to reach the set goals. Achievers can belong to any field be it arts, science, sports, education, health or social work. The International Day for Achievers 2022 aims to encourage everyone to be an achiever, someone who perseveres until they achieve their goals and dreams.
14 24 March: Foundation Day of Assam Rifles
Assam Rifles Foundation Day is celebrated on 24 March . Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force of India. It was started in 1835 under the British Raj . Assam Rifles is the only paramilitary force with a dual command structure. This means that it is controlled by the Indian Army, while its salary and infrastructure is provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. At present, Assam Rifles has 46 battalions with a sanctioned strength of 65,143 personnel. It is the oldest paramilitary force in the country , it was started in 1835. The motto of the Assam Rifles is Sentinels of the North East .
