World water day is celebrated annually on 22nd March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Today, the union ministry of water Resources Uma Bharti has inaugurated a seminar on waste water -Monitoring and Management in New Delhi.
The theme of 2017 for World Water Day is 'Why Wastewater?'.
Note: -The first International World Water Day, designated by the United Nations, was commemorated in 1993.
Bihar Diwas is being celebrated today
Bihar Diwas (105th) is observed every year on 22nd March, marking the formation of the state of Bihar.
Three-day celebrations of foundation day of the state have been inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar.
He has launched the free Wi-Fi in 200 educational institutions in the state.
Note: -It was on this day when the British carved out the state from Bengal Presidency in 1912.
CBSE unveils new exam format for class VI to IX
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled new exam format for Class VI to IX.
The board has replaced Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) which was in place since 2009 with a uniform system of assessment and examination to be followed by its affiliated schools.
In CCE, the students were assessed based on two term-end summative assessments and four formative assessments.
According to the new guidelines, there will still be two terms, the written test weightage will be 90% and 10 marks of the 20 marks set aside for periodic assessment in each term.
The move will be implemented from the upcoming academic session.
It became a necessity to have a new scheme of evaluation for classes 6 to 9 after Board's decision to restore board examinations for class 10.
Note: -The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a Board of Education for public and private schools, under the Union Government of India.
Majuli: India’s first carbon neutral district, as a biodiversity heritage
The chief minister of Assam ‘Sarbananda Sonowal’ has launched initiatives to develop Majuli as India’s first carbon neutral district and as a biodiversity heritage.
He also launched the “Forests are Lives” campaign to celebrate the importance of Assam’s rich forest and biodiversity.
The Forest Department of the state will also celebrate the international day of forest from next year in every school of the state.
Maharashtra: Govt. makes Aadhaar mandatory for crop insurance schemes
The Maharashtra government has made Aadhaar mandatory to farmers for availing crop insurance schemes from the next Kharif season.
Now, the farmers of the state will have to link it with the Aadhaar number before June this year to avail crop insurance schemes.
The scheme is applicable to food grain and horticulture sectors.
ICICI Bank launches new app for rural customers
ICICI bank has launched a mobile banking app 'Mera iMobile' for rural customers.
This app will allow them to access banking services as well as information on agriculture services.
The app can also be used by non-ICICI Bank customers as well.
The Mera iMobile app provides around 135 services, available in English and 11 Indian languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu).
President of India presents Gallantry Awards
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has presented the Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations at a Defence Investiture Ceremony at ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan’ in New Delhi.
He conferred Kirti Chakra (one) and Shaurya Chakras(twelve) to Armed Forces Personnel for displaying exemplary leadership, an extreme presence of mind, conspicuous gallantry and courage beyond the call of duty.
Kirti Chakra given to Major Rohit Suri (The Parachute Regiment).
He also conferred Param Vishisht Seva medals (fifteen), Uttam Yuddh Seva medals (three), 1 Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva medal and Ati Vishisht Seva medals (twenty-two) to senior officers of the Armed forces to acknowledge their exceptional service.
Canadian teacher wins global teacher prize
A Canadian teacher 'Maggie MacDonnell' has been named the winner of the annual Global Teacher Prize at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai.
She received the cash prize of US $1m from the Vice President & Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
She teaches at the Ikusik School in Salluit, an Inuit village deep in the Canadian Arctic.
She was awarded for her achievements within the local community that survives amidst harsh conditions and her effort in helping to reduce teenage suicide rates.
Note: -Last year Hanan al-Hroub (Palestinian teacher) won the prize for her innovative approach of using play to counter violent behaviour among her students in the West Bank.
ICC name Ankur Khanna as new Chief Financial Officer
Ankur Khanna has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
He will join the ICC by the end of March 2017.
Presently, he is serving Air Asia India as the Chief Financial Officer.
Prior, Khanna also worked in senior roles at Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and ITC, an associate company of British American Tobacco.
Upendra Tripathy appointed as Interim Director General of ISA
Upendra Tripathy (IAS- Karnataka Cadre) has been appointed as the full-time interim Director General (IDG) of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Earlier, he served the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy as its secretary from 1st April 2014 to 31st October 2016.
Note: -The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched on 30th November, 2015 as a coalition of the solar resource rich countries on the first day of the Paris Climate Conference(CoP21).
Ravindra Jadeja tops ICC's test bowler rankings
Left-arm spinner ‘Ravindra Jadeja’ tops the ICC's test bowler rankings leaving behind spin twin ‘Ravichandran Ashwin’ in the latest list of bowlers.
He moves past ‘Ashwin’ after the nine wickets haul in the drawn third Test against Australia at Ranchi.
Jadeja has become only the third Indian player after ‘Ashwin’ and ‘Bishan Singh Bedi’ to top the bowling charts.
