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1. 15 March as World Consumer Rights Day
Every year on 15th March, World Consumer Rights Day is observed to raise global awareness about consumer rights and needs.
- Celebrating this day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected and to resist the abuse and social injustice of the market that violates those rights.
- The government has taken several steps to protect the rights of consumers and for early redressal of their grievances.
2020 theme: The Sustainable Consumer
2. The tiny island of Niue declared as the World’s First ‘Dark Sky Nation’
The small Pacific island nation of Niue, which has a population of over 1,600, is the first country to receive the designation by the International Dark-Sky Association.
- International dark sky locations are locations identified for responsible lighting policies that naturally keep nighttime environments dark.
- International Dark Sky Places are spaces recognized for responsible lighting policies that keep the night-time environment naturally dark.
- There are more than 130 of these recognized dark sites around the world, including parks, reserves and local communities, but have never been respected across the country in this way.
Niue Capital: Alofi
Currency: New Zealand dollar
3. Manipur CM announced scheme for welfare of sportspersons and artists
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has revealed the biggest ever scheme for the welfare of sportspersons and artists of the State.
- ‘Chief Minister’s Akhannaba Sanaroising gi Tengbang (CMAST)’ and Chief Minister Artist Sing gi Tengbang (CMAT)’ will provide benefits to thousands of sportspersons and artists of the state who have praised for the state and the country.
- Under the CMAST scheme, suitable employment in government services will be provided to sportspersons who have won medals in notified disciplines in selected international sports competitions.
- In the Plan for Artists, the CMAT is designed to encourage artists in various fields and aims to include 4000 artists in a year.
4. Govt states face masks and hand sanitizers as essential commodities to boost supply
The government has declared face masks and hand sanitizers as essential properties for the next 100 days.
- The move is aimed at boosting supplies to check the spread of coronavirus disease and to prevent efforts to stop the hoarding of these commodities.
- The Center has also implemented the Disaster Management Act to ensure price management and the availability of surgical and protective masks, hand sanitizers and gloves.
- This decision will empower the Government and the States / UTs to regulate the production, quality, and distribution of masks and hand sanitizers for the smooth sale and availability of these items.
5. Prashant Kumar elected MD, CEO; Sunil Mehta Non-Executive Chairman of Yes Bank
The central government has been designated former SBI banker Prashant Kumar as the new Chief Executive Officer of the financially troubled Yes Bank.
- All members of the board except the additional directors shall be named for a period of one year or until an alternate board is reorganized.
- The lead investor in the bank, State Bank of India, has already announced an investment of Rs 7,250 crore, while other private lenders including ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank are also to revive the cash-lending lender.
6. Achanta Sharath Kamal secured men’s singles title of Oman Open
Ace Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal got the ITTF Challenger Plus Oman Open.
- The 37-year-old Indian veteran beat top-seeded Marcos Freitas of Portugal 4-2 in the final played in Muscat.
- Earlier, in the semi-final, fourth-seeded Achanta pulled off a stunning seven-set victory against Russia’s Kirill Skachkov.
7. Viktor Axelsen clinches men’s singles title at All England Open
Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen has secured the men’s singles title of the All England Open at Birmingham Arena.
- Axelsen outdid Taiwan’s Chou Tien-Chen in two straight games 21-13, 21-14.
- This was Axelsen’s maiden All England Open title.
8. Mumbai Central Station is to be Renamed After Nana Shankarsheth
The Maharashtra cabinet has approved a proposal to rename Mumbai Central station in the city as “Nana Shankarsheth Mumbai Central Railway Station”.
- The proposal to change the name of the station will now be sent to the Ministry of Railways.
- Jagannath “Nana” Shankarsheth (1803-1865) was a Maharashtrian philanthropist and educationist recognized for his contribution to Mumbai’s development.
9. Bill Gates going down from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway
Bill Gates is getting down from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway to focus on his work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Gates has not worked full-time at Microsoft since 2008 when he moved to focus on his foundation.
- He stepped down as chairman of the board six years ago when Microsoft’s current CEO Satya Nadella was appointed to the role.
- He will continue to work as an advisor to Nadella.
10. Lava started a non-internet based digital payment solution
Lava International Ltd has started its digital payments app, Lava Pay.
- The Noida-based smartphone company requires that the app is the world’s first digital payment solution that does not require internet connectivity.
- The application will be pre-installed in the brand’s upcoming feature phones.