Daily Current Affairs 16th March, 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 16th March, 2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 16th March, 2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 16th March, 2024 Current affairs test.
National News
Launch of ‘Ethanol 100’ Initiative by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
- The Minister of Petroleum, Hardeep Singh Puri, introduced a new automotive fuel called ‘Ethanol 100’ to decrease emissions and foster sustainable practices.
- This launch is part of a broader initiative aimed at augmenting the blend of ethanol in petrol, with significant advancements in ensuring its availability and the requisite infrastructure in various states.
International News
UK Successfully Tests DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon
- The United Kingdom has achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing the DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW), demonstrating its ability to neutralize enemy aircraft and missiles cost-effectively.
- A demonstration held in Scotland in January highlighted the weapon’s precision in engaging and eliminating aerial threats, potentially revolutionizing air defense mechanisms.
State News
Renaming of Ahmednagar District to ‘Ahilya Nagar’ in Maharashtra
- In honor of Ahilyabai Holkar, an esteemed 18th-century Maratha queen, the Maharashtra Cabinet has decided to change the name of Ahmednagar district to ‘Ahilya Nagar’.
Distribution of Free Millet Seeds in Rajasthan
- To encourage the cultivation of millets and coarse grains, the Rajasthan government has undertaken an initiative to provide farmers with free seeds, aiming to augment the state’s production of these crops.
Predominance of Tamil Nadu in Illegal Shark Trade
- According to a recent analysis by TRAFFIC and WWF-India, Tamil Nadu is notably the leading state in the illegal trade of shark body parts, accounting for nearly 65% of the total seizures from January 2010 to December 2022.
- This trend significantly threatens marine biodiversity, with states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Maharashtra also contributing to the illegal trade.
Important Days News
Observance of National Vaccination Day 2024
- National Vaccination Day is commemorated to raise awareness about the critical role of vaccines in protecting against deadly diseases such as polio and smallpox.
- This day encourages individuals to get vaccinated to ensure public health and safety. The celebration occurs annually on March 16th, with this year’s event falling on a Saturday.
Defence News
Inauguration of ‘Nausena Bhawan’ – Indian Navy’s New Headquarters
- The Indian Navy’s newly constructed dedicated headquarters, Nausena Bhawan, situated in the Delhi Cantonment, was officially inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on March 15th, 2024.
Business News
FSSAI Certifies Jails as ‘Eat Right Campus’
- Under the Eat Right India movement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has accredited nearly 100 jails nationwide as ‘Eat Right Campus’ to promote safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices within these institutions.
Expansion of Wind Power Capacity by Adani Green Energy in Gujarat
- Adani Green Energy has recently increased its wind power project in Gujarat by 126 MW, bringing the total operational capacity to 300 MW.
- This development follows the initial activation of 174 MW and represents a significant step forward for the company.
Awards News
Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 Winners Announced
- The Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year has been awarded to Greeshma Kuthar, an independent journalist, and Ritika Chopra of the Indian Express, in recognition of their exceptional journalism.
Ratan Tata Receives PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Philanthropy
- For his significant philanthropic efforts, Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Sons, was honored with the PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award in a ceremony held in Mumbai on March 15, 2024.
Agreements News
Partnership between Max India’s Subsidiary and IIT Delhi for Senior Citizen Care
- Max India Ltd has announced a strategic collaboration between its subsidiary, Antara Assisted Care Services Limited, and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) to develop solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for India’s elderly population.
Ranks and Reports News
India’s Democratic Decline Highlighted in V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2024
- The V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2024 emphasizes India’s continued slide into electoral autocracy, with notable declines in freedom of expression, media independence, and civil liberties since 2018.
- India’s categorization as a major standalone autocracy underscores the severity of its democratic regression.
India’s Human Development Index Ranking for 2022
- India has shown slight improvement in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) for 2022, ranking 134 out of 193 countries with an HDI value of 0.644.
- This improvement indicates progress in human development, though there remains a significant emphasis on advancing women-led development as per the UNDP.
Appointment News
B Sairam Named Chairman and Managing Director of NCL
- B Sairam has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a flagship subsidiary of Coal India Limited, based in Singrauli.
Sports News
Matthew Wade Announces Retirement from Red-Ball Cricket
- Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has decided to retire from red-ball (first-class) cricket. His final appearance will be in the Sheffield Shield final between Tasmania and Western Australia, starting on March 21, 2024.
Obituaries News
Passing of Rabindra Sangeet Singer Sadi Mohammad at Age 70
- Sadi Mohammad, a celebrated Rabindra Sangeet singer, has passed away at the age of 70, leaving a void in the cultural domain.
- Mohammad was an alumnus of Visva-Bharati University, where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Rabindra Sangeet.
