11 March 2020 - Daily Current Affairs
1. Punjab government launches coronavirus mobile app 'Cova Punjab'
- Punjab Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh has launched a ‘COVA Punjab’ to sensitise people about Coronavirus disease.
- COVA stands for Corona virus alert.
- The app has been developed by the Department of Government Reforms and Public Grievances in consultation with the Health and Family Welfare Department to spread awareness by sharing various travel and preventive care advice.
Science & Technology
2. India remains second-largest arms importer in 2019
- As per news report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India retains its position as the second-largest arms importer in the world followed by Saudi Arabia.
- The SIPRI report shows how Russia gradually lost the lucrative Indian arms market over the years, though the communist country remains a key supplier.
- On the other hand, China accounted for 51% of Pakistan’s arms imports in 2010-14 and for 73% in 2015-19.
International Affairs
3. Joy Bangla to be national slogan of Bangladesh
- The two-judge bench of High Court of Bangladesh has ordered that ‘Joy Bangla’ will be the national slogan of Bangladesh.
- The court also directed the authorities to ensure that teachers and students use the slogan after assembly.
- The government has been asked to submit the compliance report to the court within three months.
- ‘Joy Bangla’ was the main slogan during the liberation war of Bangladesh fought against Pakistan in 1971.
National Affairs
4. Govt suspends e-visa and existing visa's for France, Germany, Spain
- The Union government has asked people to refrain from travelling to China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, France, Spain and Germany.
- The Health Ministry advised them to avoid non-essential travel abroad.
- All passengers having travel history to China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany are advised to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival.
National Affairs
5. Govt sets up panel to prepare SFIO investigation manual
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has sets-up 12-member High-level committee under Injeti Srinivas (Corporate Affairs Secretary) to prepare investigation manual for probe agency Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
- The committee shall be responsible to devise standard operating procedures and methodologies for the investigating officers for carrying out effective investigations in tune with provisions of relevant Acts.
National Affairs
6. Union Govt. approved for the construction of Delhi-Baghpat highway
- The Union Govt. approved the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to construct the first phase of a new highway at almost 170km.
- The first phase will connect Akshardham with west Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat (a distance of 32km) by a six-lane highway.
- The second phase that will connect Baghpat to Dehradun, a distance of almost 140km.
- The proposed new highway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun by at least two-and-a-half hours.
Arts & Culture
7. Culture Minister inaugurates an exhibition 'Jallianwala Bagh' in New Delhi
- Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has inaugurated an exhibition titled 'Jallianwala Bagh' in New Delhi on 130th Foundation Day of National Archives of India (NAI),
- The exhibition is an endeavour to commemorate the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre covering a period from 1915 to 1950.
- The present exhibition is primarily presented with the help of original and digital copies of archival documents relating to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
Obituaries
8. Swedish actor Max von Sydow passes away
- Swedish actor Max Von Sydow (90-years) passed away.
- Actor Max Von Sydow, who appeared in films and TV series including The Exorcist, Flash Gordon and Game of Thrones was the most famous silver screen star.
Books & Authors
9. Naveen Patnaik released a comic book on Biju Patnaik
- Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik launched 'The Adventures of the Daredevil Democrat’ which is a comic book on legendary chief and his father Biju Patnaik.
- The book is prepared by Kalinga Basis Belief and printed by New Delhi-based the Inventive Workshop.
- It consists of Biju’s childhood, his bicycle journey from Cuttack to Peshawar, his daredevilry as a pilot, his Kashmir mission function, his contribution for contemporary Odisha and Indian politics.
Defense
10. Nupur Kulshrestha becomes Indian Coast Guard's first woman DIG
- Nupur Kulshrestha becomes the first woman to be promoted as DIG of Indian Coast Guard.
- She joined the services in 1999
- The Indian Coast Guard is a multi-mission organization, conducting round-the-year real-life operations at sea and works in close coordination with the Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State police forces.
