Current Affairs March 21, 2024
National News
Kiren Rijiju Assumes Additional Charge of Ministry of Food Processing Industries as Pashupati Kumar Paras Resigns from Union Cabinet:

- Kiren Rijiju was appointed to oversee the Ministry of Food Processing Industries alongside the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Resignation of Pashupati Kumar Paras, Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party Chief, accepted by President Droupadi Murmu.
- Rijiju’s expanded portfolio follows Paras’s departure from the Union Cabinet.
ASI Excavates Gupta Era Site in Madhya Pradesh, Aims to Uncover ‘Oldest Temple’ of India:

- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavates Nachne village, Panna district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Focus on uncovering relics of one of India’s oldest temples, near the Gupta-Era Parvati Temple and Chaumukhi Temple of the Kalachuri Dynasty.
- ASI excavates two mounds, revealing layers of bricks and an 8th-century four-faced Shiva Linga with intricate carvings.
- The objective includes studying the evolution and condition of ancient temples in India.
Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- Chief Minister: Mohan Yadav
- Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
GRID-INDIA Elevates to Miniratna Category-I CPSE: A Milestone in the Power Sector

- GRID-INDIA achieves Miniratna Category-I CPSE status, recognized by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, highlighting its vital role in the nation’s power landscape.
- Established in 2009, GRID-INDIA ensures seamless operation of the Indian Power System, facilitating efficient electric power transfer within and across regions, emphasizing reliability, economy, and sustainability.
- Comprising five Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) and the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC), GRID-INDIA manages the All India synchronous grid, one of the world’s largest and most complex power systems.
- Over the years, GRID-INDIA has adapted dynamically to integrate power systems, meet rising energy demands, accommodate Renewable Energy (RE) sources, support economic growth, embrace technological advancements, and navigate evolving regulations and market dynamics.
Bank News
RBI Imposes Penalties on DCB Bank and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank for Non-Compliance

- The Reserve Bank of India has levied penalties on DCB Bank and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank for non-compliance with directives concerning ‘interest rate on advances’.
- DCB Bank faces a penalty of Rs 63.6 lakh, while Tamilnad Mercantile Bank is fined Rs 1.31 crore.
- Penalties were imposed due to deficiencies in regulatory compliance and did not question the validity of transactions with customers.
Tamilnad Mercantile Bank:
- Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) is a prominent private sector bank in India, headquartered in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
- Established in 1921
- Head: Shri S.Krishnan
DCB Bank
- Formerly Development Credit Bank is a private sector commercial bank in India.
- Established in 1930,
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Head: Murali M Natrajan
Airtel Launches First Smartwatch in India in Collaboration with Noise and MasterCard: Price, Specs, and Features

- Airtel Payments Bank unveils its debut smartwatch in partnership with Noise and MasterCard, marking its entry into the smartwatch market in India.
- The smartwatch is equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, allowing users to make contactless ‘Tap and Pay’ transactions up to Rs 25,000 per day.
- This collaboration reflects Airtel’s foray into wearable technology and payment solutions, offering consumers enhanced convenience and connectivity.
Airtel payment bank:
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Parent organization: Bharti Airtel
- CEO: Anubrata Biswas (24 May 2018–)
- Founded: 1 April 2010
Ranks and reports News
Finland Tops World Happiness Report 2024; India Ranks 126th

- Finland maintains its position as the happiest country for the seventh consecutive year according to the World Happiness Report 2024.
- India ranks 126th out of 143 nations in the global happiness index, with older age correlated with higher life satisfaction in the country.
- Other top 10 happiest countries include Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia.
Finland:
- Capital: Helsinki
- Official languages: Finnish, Swedish
- Prime minister: Petteri Orpo
Agreement News
ICAR and Dhanuka Agritech Limited Sign MoU to Enhance Agricultural Technology Access for Small Farmers

- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Dhanuka Agritech Limited ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at delivering new technology to farmers.
- Dr. U.S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) at ICAR, highlights the objective of utilizing both institutions’ efficiency to benefit the country’s 14.5 crore farmers, particularly those with small land holdings.
- Dhanuka Agritech will collaborate with central institutes, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs), and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to provide agricultural production training to small farmers across India.
Indian council of agriculture research (ICAR)
- Establishment: Founded on July 16, 1929.
- Autonomous Body: Operates independently under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
- Objective: Coordinates agricultural education and research in India.
- Functions:
- Conducts research in various agricultural fields.
- Provides guidance and technical assistance to agricultural institutions.
- Develops and promotes new agricultural technologies.
- Implements programs to address agricultural challenges.
Science and Tech News
Assam’s Jagiroad Set to Enter Semiconductor Industry by 2025: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

- Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announces the launch of the first semiconductor chip from Assam’s Jagiroad unit by 2025.
- A meeting between Sarma and Ratan Tata indicates Tata’s involvement in the establishment of a Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor facility in Assam.
- Sarma anticipates the facility to elevate Assam’s position in the global semiconductor landscape and drive economic transformation in East India.
Assam state:
- Capital: Dispur
- Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria
MSRTC Introduces India’s First LNG-Powered Bus: A Milestone in Sustainable Transportation

- Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) unveils India’s inaugural bus fueled by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), marking a significant stride in adopting cleaner fuel alternatives for public transportation.
- The LNG-powered bus signifies MSRTC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and reducing carbon emissions, aligning with India’s sustainability objectives.
- Transitioning to LNG aims to mitigate the adverse effects of conventional fossil fuels on air quality and public health, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.
- This pioneering initiative sets a precedent for the adoption of LNG-powered vehicles in India’s public transport sector, paving the way for a more sustainable future in transportation.
Maharashtra state:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief minister: Eknath Shinde
- Governor: Ramesh Bais
Sports News
Lakshya Sen Jumps to World Number 13 in Men’s Singles; Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Hold onto Top Spot in Men’s Doubles

- Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen rises five spots to reach world number 13 in the men’s singles category after successful performances at the French Open and All England Open.
- Sen’s semifinal appearances in both tournaments contribute to his ascent in BWF rankings, bolstering his bid for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty maintain their world number-one ranking in the men’s doubles category, maintaining their dominant position in international badminton.
Important days
International day of happiness 2024

- The United Nations International Day of Happiness is annually observed across the globe on 20 March to recognize the significance of well-being and happiness in people’s lives globally and advocate for inclusive, equitable and balanced economic growth
- The theme of International Day of Happiness 2024 is “Happier Together”
- The 1st ever International Day of happiness was served on 20 March 2013