International Women's Day (IWD) is being celebrated every year on 8th March to highlight the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.
It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.
The UN Women’s theme for 2019 is “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”.
International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.
Women's Day was first observed on 28th February 1909 in New York, USA.
2. Govt. to celebrate ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ from 8th to 22nd March 2019 across the Country
Today, ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ has been launched across the Country on International Women’s Day (8th March).
The Minister for Women & Child Development has been celebrating the first anniversary of POSHAN Abhiyaan (from 8th-22nd March 2019).
The Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated on lines of ‘Poshan Maah’ held in the month of September 2018.
During the Poshan Pakhwada, it is also planned to organise a workshop on Agri-Nutrition on 15th March 2019.
The Ministry of Women & Child Development is the nodal ministry for coordinating activities during the month.
National Appointment
3. Ajit Kumar Mohanty appointed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre chief
Scientist Ajit Kumar Mohanty has been appointed Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the country's premier multi-disciplinary nuclear research facility for a period of three years.
He is at present Director, Physics Group in BARC and Director, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics.
The BARC is India's premier nuclear research facility based in Mumbai.
It is a multi-disciplinary research centre with extensive infrastructure for advanced research and development covering the entire spectrum of nuclear science, engineering and related areas.
4. Hardeep S Puri launches e-Dharti App
Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri has launched ‘e-Dharti app’ and e-Dharti GeoPortal
In ‘e-Dharti app’, all the three modules- Conversion, Substitution and Mutation related to properties have been made online.
e-Dharti GeoPortal, through which the lessee of the property will be able to see the basic details of property along with map showing its location.
The payment system in Land and Development Office, L&DO has also been completely digitized.
This application will not only benefit public but the Government also in getting to know the actual status of its vacant properties, whether there is any encroachment on the property.
The lessee can also be issued a Property Card from this office about his property if he asks for it.
5. I&B Secretary Amit Khare releases Reference Annuals
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare has released Reference Annuals - India 2019 and Bharat 2019 at a function in New Delhi.
The reference annuals are the flagship publication in English and Hindi brought out by Publications Division.
These publications have been the source of information not only for youth but also for those who desire to know more details about Indian Economy, Agriculture, Science and Technology and developments in other fields.
Over the years they have been hailed as the authentic and comprehensive source of information on policies, programmes and activities of the Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.
This publication is also referred by foreign journalists and readers who want in-depth knowledge about India.
6. Cabinet approves investment for Kiru Hydro Electric Project in J&K
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the investment sanction for construction of 624 Mega-watt Kiru Hydro Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir.
The CCEA also approved the investment for Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant (1320 Mega Watt) at Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh and Buxar thermal Power Project (1320 Mega Watt) in Bihar.
The project will provide much-needed power to the northern grid.
The CCEA has approved the construction of a 3rd railway line (155 kilometres length) between Narayangarh in West Bengal and Bhadrak in Odisha.
The total estimated cost of this project is over one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six crore rupees and will be completed by 2023-24.
7. PM launches Flags off Nagpur Metro
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Integrated Command and Control Centers through video conferencing in New Delhi.
Integrated Command is under the Mission at Gangtok and Namchi in Sikkim, Pasighat and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh and Agartala in Tripura
The Smart City Command and Control Centres use digital technology to integrate different service networks.
The Prime Minister flagged off the first phase of a 13.5 kilometre stretch of the Nagpur Metro through video-conferencing from New Delhi.
Honours & Awards
8. President Kovind presents Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018
President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018 in New Delhi.
Nari Shakti Puraskar is the highest civilian honour for women in India.
This year, 44 awardees have been selected for these Puraskar.
Ministry confers Nari Shakti Puraskar to women and institutions in recognition of their relentless service towards the cause of women empowerment and social welfare.
This year, the Nari Shakti Puraskar has also been awarded to a One Stop Centre and to a state which has shown exceptional progress in improving child sex ratio at birth under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.
Banking and Finance
9. World Bank to provide 250 Million USD for NRETP to boost Rural incomes in India
World Bank to provide 250 Million USD for the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) to boost Rural incomes across 13 States in India.
The loan will help women in rural households develop viable enterprises for farm and non-farm products.
10. Union Government announces new Rs 20 coin
The union Government has announced a new Rs 20 coin, come in 12-edged polygon (dodecagon) shape.
According to the Finance Ministry, the new Rs 20 coin will be made in copper (65%), zinc (15%) and nickel (20%) for the outer ring.
While the inner ring (centre piece) will be 75% copper, 20% zinc and 5% nickel.
It will be 27mm (milli meters) and weigh 8.54 grams.
The Lion Capitol symbol of Ashoka Pillar with the legend “Satyamev Jayate” below it will be inscribed on its front side.
The words “Bharat” in Hindi and “INDIA” in English will be there on the right and left-hand side of the symbol respectively.
The government is also planning to release new coins of Re 1, Rs 2, Rs 5 and Rs 10.
11. NGT slaps Rs 500 crore penalty on Volkswagen
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 500 crore on German global auto giant ‘Volkswagen’ for damaging the environment using “cheat device” in its diesel cars in India.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the German global auto giant to deposit the amount within two months.
The tribunal enhanced the compensation amount of Rs. 171.34 crore, which was recommended by an NGT- appointed committee, as a means of “creating deterrence”.
Note:
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany and indirectly majority owned by the Austrian Porsche-Piech family.
It designs, manufactures and distributes passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines, and turbomachinery.
