NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi Dedicates RVNL Marathwada Rail Coach Factory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 March 2024 through a video conference in Ahmedabad, Gujarat dedicated to the nation the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory at Latur, Maharashtra which will manufacture Vande Bharat train set.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated various projects in Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated five Jan Aushadi Kendras (for affordable and quality generic medicines) at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai), Manmad (Nashik), Pimpri, Solapur and Nagbhir (Chandrapur).

The PM also inaugurated a wagon repair workshop at Badnera and Vande Bharat chair car maintenance-cum-workshop depot in Pune.

The Marathwada Rail Coach Factory at Latur in Maharashtra is a project of the government of India-owned public sector company Rail Vikas Nigam Limited(RVNL).

The Marathwada Rail Coach Factory specialises in building self-propelled rail coaches for the Indian Railways.

The RVNL has set up a joint venture with a Russian Transmashholding (TMH) company to produce, supply and maintain 120 Vande Bharat Express trains.

The 16-car Vande Bharat train will be produced at the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur.

PM Modi Launches First Auto In-Plant Railway Siding

Automobile Maruti Suzuki has launched India's first in-plant railway siding project at its Hansalpur plant in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on 12 March 2024 through video conferencing.

Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited is a subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Maruti has invested a total of more than Rs 300 crore on this.

This project has been developed at a cost of Rs 976 crore.

It has been developed under the Centre's PM Gati Shakti Mission in partnership with the Government of Gujarat, Indian Railways and MSIL.

The objective of this scheme under 'Gati Shakti' programme is to reduce carbon emissions.

The sliding railway has the capacity to handle 3,00,000 cars per year. It currently has a parking capacity of 800 cars which can be expanded to 3,000 cars.

Kerala Leads Nation in Highest Passport Penetration Among Women

Kerala has the highest number of total passport holders in the country, reaching 98.92 lakh, which includes both males and females.

Women from the southern State hold the highest number of passports issued in the country till 2023, followed by Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Gujarat.

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of male passport holders, with a count of 70.58 lakh.

The rise in female passport holders reflects a growing trend of Kerala's youth, particularly female students, pursuing higher education abroad.

This aligns with the findings of a 2023 survey on "Youth Student Migration from Kerala," which revealed an increasing number of women from Kerala opting for overseas education opportunities.

Maharashtra Introduces 4th Women's Policy for Comprehensive Development

The state of Maharashtra has introduced its 4th women's policy, aimed at fostering the holistic development of women.

The newly announced fourth policy aims to promote gender equality and establish a society where women and other gender communities do not face struggles for their identity and rights.

Maharashtra has become the first state in India to introduce a women's policy, showcasing its commitment to women's development and empowerment.

The new policy encompasses various facets of women's empowerment, including health, nutrition, education, skills development, women's safety, prevention of violence against women, gender equality, and economic and social empowerment.

Maharashtra takes the lead as the first state in India to introduce a comprehensive women's policy, demonstrating its commitment to advancing women's rights and well-being.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World’s First 3D Printed Mosque

Saudi Woman constructed World’s first 3D Printed Mosque.

The 60,000 square feet mosque was built in a very different manner compared to conventional construction, with a lot of focus on the building design.

The mosque's construction helped establish Saudi Arabia as a hub for a sustainable and tech-driven future, as 3D printing technology is more efficient and reduces wastage.

This technology is also being used to replace conventional construction approaches, as shown in the US, where an entire neighborhood is now being built with 3D printing.

The use of 3D printing in construction offers numerous benefits, including faster project completion times.

By utilizing resources with precision, 3D printers reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable industry.

Additionally, 3D printing technology can reduce health and safety hazards, minimizing the risk of injuries and fatalities. When building concrete structures, 3D printing provides a higher level of accuracy compared to traditional methods.

This technology also offers architects and designers a higher level of design freedom, making intricate designs more cost-effective and less labor-intensive.

Cabinet Approved IGFA between India and United Arab Emirates

The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its Ex-post facto approval to the Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) signed on 13th February 2024.

The agreement was signed during the High-Level visit between the Indian Government and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation between the two countries in the Ports, Maritime, and Logistics sectors.

The IGFA outlines areas of cooperation between the two countries, with the objective of exploring joint investment opportunities and collaborations for the development of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

The Agreement provides a detailed framework for cooperation between the two countries, based on mutually agreed principles, guidelines, and agreements that align with the relevant rules and regulations of the countries' jurisdiction.

 

BANKING

Bank of Baroda Introduces Special Offers for Female Account Holders

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Bank of Baroda has announced attractive offers and benefits for its women account holders on the opening of either a bob Mahila Shakti Savings Account or a bob Women Power Current Account – accounts designed specifically for women.

This offer is applicable for accounts opened till June 30, 2024 and loan facilities availed till December 31, 2024.

Aim is to empower women financially by providing them with tailored financial products and attractive benefits.

Up to 25 basis points interest rate concession on retail loans, with concessions varying based on the type of loan (e.g., 0.25 per cent on two-wheeler loans, 0.15 per cent on education loans, 0.10 per cent on auto loans, home loans, and mortgage loans).

Complete waiver of processing charges on retail loans, including personal loans.

50% discount on annual safe deposit locker charges.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Haryana, Karnataka And Punjab Lead in Used Water Management

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) released a report on used water management in the country.

Haryana, Karnataka and Punjab have been placed at the forefront in the country in terms of used water management.

The demand for water in cities is continuously increasing. Whereas the ground water level is continuously decreasing.

There is a need to increase the treatment and reuse of water used for non-drinking purposes at the level of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the country.

The index comparatively ranks ULBs based on five themes. These themes are as follows: finance, infrastructure, efficiency, governance and data and information.

CEEW utilizes data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to elucidate and alter resource utilization, reuse, and misuse.

CEEW tackles global challenges through an integrated and internationally focused approach.

 

DEFENCE

PM Modi Witnessed the Tri-Service Exercise - Bharat Shakti At Pokhran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the foreign delegates from more than 30 countries, witnessed the tri-service exercise ‘Bharat Shakti in Pokhran, Rajasthan, on 12 March 2024.

It was the biggest military exercise ever conducted in the country.

The tri-service exercise involved the participation of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force. The Indian Army hosted the tri-service exercise.

The top commanders of the three armed forces were present on the occasion.

The main aim of the Bharat Shakti exercise was to demonstrate the firepower of the indigenously developed military hardware of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The Bharat Shakti exercise aims to simulate a war-like condition which tests the operational capabilities of the three armed forces to jointly counter threats emanating across land, air, sea, cyber, and space.

The exercise highlights India’s quest for self-reliance in defence and the country’s Armed Force's might, operational prowess, ingenuity and commitment to indigenous defence.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

No Smoking Day

‘No Smoking Day’ is celebrated every year on the second Wednesday of March.

This year in 2024, ‘No Smoking Day’ is being celebrated on 13 March.

The main objective of celebrating this day is to spread awareness about the harmful effects of smoking and promote the importance of a smoke-free environment.

During this time people are encouraged to quit smoking and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

The theme of No Smoking Day for this year 2024 is, ‘Protecting children from tobacco industry interference’.

Celebrating No Smoking Day started in 1984. The day was first celebrated in the United Kingdom on Ash Wednesday.

•