Current Affairs 11th March 2020

1. Sampushta Keralam: Poshan Abhiyaan in Kerala

• Poshan Abhiyaan, is a multi-ministerial convergence mission.
• with the vision to address malnutrition with a targeted approach by 2022.
• Under this scheme various activities are being organised in Kerala and are remodelled under the banner ‘Sambushta Kerlam’.
• Anganawadis, SHGs, kudumbasree are flag bearers of the mission.

2. Kerala to launch total digital literacy campaign- “I am also digital”

• Campaign titled “I am also digital”,
• The Kerala State IT Mission is powering the campaign.

3. GMR-led Hyderabad International Airport-Best Airport by size and region

• Airport has emerged as the winner of the coveted Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Departures Awards.
• For the Asia-Pacific region for 2019.
• It was adjudged the Best Airport by Size & Region.
• Award will be given in ACI Customer Experience Global Summit.

4. United Nations adopts political declaration on women’s rights

• That seeks to preserve gains under threat but does not advocate new ways to ensure progress toward equality.
• It was adopted during the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
• A UN declaration on women is approved every five years.

5. Fagu Purnima festival being celebrated in Nepal

• The festival of colours is being celebrated in mountainous and hilly regions including Nepal capital Kathmandu.
• Holi is also known as Fagu Purnima in Nepal.
• Every year, the festival of Holi is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm.
• Nepal President- Bidya Devi Bhandari.

6. RBI assures safety of bank deposits in wake of Yes Bank crisis

• RBI has assured depositors that there is no concern regarding the safety of their deposits in any bank.
• The RBI stated that the solvency of banks is internationally based on Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) and not on market capitalization.
• Global norm for CRAR- 8%, Indian bank’s average CRAR- 14.3%.

7. Indian Scientists develop Fuel Cell Technology for Disaster Management

• Scientists at International Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, have developed Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) for Disaster Management.
• ARCI is an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science & Technology..
• PEMFC has an operational capability at low temperatures.

8. New facility for EPFO subscribers: PPOs, UAN cards available on DigiLocker

• EPFO said that Pension Payment Order (PPO) & Universal Account Number (UAN) numbers are now available on the government’s e-locker service DigiLocker.
• It enables large number of pensioners & PF members to download their documents and avail timely benefits.
• PPO number is a unique 12-digit number.

9. Paytm, Hyderabad Metro tie up for QR-based tickets

• The new service will enable commuters to travel seamlessly & avoid queues to buy tokens at the metro stations.
• They can now simply purchase a QR ticket on their Paytm app.
• Paytm plans to extend the service to metro-feeder buses.

10. Rolls-Royce, IIT-Madras join hands for research programmes

• Rolls-Royce is one of the world’s leading industrial technology companies.
• Collaborated with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
• To explore opportunities for joint research programmes.
• Rolls-Royce has an Engineering Centre in Bengaluru.

11. Amazon launches business selling automated checkout to retailers

• Amazon.com Inc is set to announce a new business line selling the technology behind its cashier-less convenience stores to other retailers.
• The highly anticipated business reflects Amazon’s strategy of building out internal capabilities such as warehouses.
• Amazon Go has brought shopping without checkout lines.

12. 6 Indian Boxers qualify for Tokyo Olympics

• Indian boxer Amit Panghal in 52 Kg category qualified for his maiden Olympic Games,
• Manish Kaushik in 63 Kg category remained in race for a Tokyo ticket despite losing his quarterfinal bout in the Asia/Oceania Qualifiers at city of Amman in Jordan.
• Sakshi Chaudhary (57 Kg) failed to secure an Olympic berth.

13. Anti-HIV drugs used against COVID-19 for the first time in India

• India has for the 1st time, used the Lopinavir/ Ritonavir combination, usually a 2nd line HIV medication, in the treatment of two Italian patients.
• A couple on a tour of India- who tested positive for COVID-19 in Jaipur.
• ICMR has been authorized to research on COVID-19 drugs.