Latest Current Affairs For Wednesday 30th March, 2022

India’s Namit Malhotra on Oscars win for Dune

This year’s Oscars was named to Dune as the Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya starrer sci-fi thriller bagged six wins. Dune was nominated in 10 categories and it won in 6 of them.

This win was a proud moment for India as Namit Malhotra, the CEO and Chairman of Double Negative (DNEG), the studio that did the VFX for the film, brought home this honour.

DNEG won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, beating Free Guy, Shang-Chi, Spider-Man: No Way Home and No Time to Die.

Interestingly, this is DNEG’s seventh win at the Academy Awards, with the studio winning big for Inception (2011), Ex Machina (2016), First Man (2019), Tenet (2021), Interstellar (2015) and Blade Runner 2049 (2018).

Namit is the son of Bollywood producer Naresh Malhotra and the grandson of cinematographer MN Malhotra and his company was behind the mind-blowing VFX.

Important For All Exam 2022:

DNEG Headquarters: London, United Kingdom;

DNEG Founded: 1998, London, United Kingdom.

The men’s and women’s team has won gold in the National Cross Country Championship

In Kohima, Darshan Singh of the Services and Varsha Devi of the Railways finally defended their men’s and women’s titles in the National Cross Country Championships by winning their 10 Km events on the picturesque but difficult course, which was made more difficult by 60 per cent humidity and wind gusts.

After playing crucial roles in their respective teams’ successes, they were ecstatic to win the South Asian crowns at the second SAFF Cross Country Championships, which were held concurrently.

Darshan Singh was grouped at the front with his Services teammates Rajendra Nath, Deepak Singh Rawat, Dipak Suhaug, reigning champion Parasappa Madevappa Hajilol, and Railways Narendra Pratap Singh even before the runners had completed the first loop of 2 kilometres. He never lost his beat or his place.

Max Verstappen wins 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) has won the Formula One 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari- Monaco) came second and Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari – Spain) came third.

It was the second edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the second round of the 2022 Formula One World Championship. Lewis Hamilton managed to get a point on the board after coming 10th.

Actress Deepika Padukone named in inaugural TIME100 Impact Award

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has been named as one of the awardees of the TIME100 Impact Awards 2022. The actress has got featured on the inaugural TIME100 Impact Awards list for her work in mental health struggles and raising awareness, through her LiveLoveLaugh Foundation.

The award recognizes global leaders who have gone above and beyond to move their industries and the world forward. Apart from Deepika, six other global leaders have also been honoured with the award. The awards were presented at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.

US, Philippines kick off ‘Balikatan 2022’ largest-ever military drills

The United States military and the military of the Philippines kicked off the military drill Balikatan 2022. The Philippine-led annual exercise will take place across Luzon in the Philippines region near Taiwan, from March 28 to April 8, 2022.

Around 8,900 Filipino and American troops are participating in the military drill, making it the largest Balikatan military exercise ever.

According to the military, the drills will focus on “maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief”.

The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) gives US troops a legal basis to be in the Southeast Asian country for bilateral exercises and governs the conduct of American armed force personnel.

Important For All Exam 2022:

Philippines Capital: Manila;

Philippines Currency: Philippine peso;

Philippines President: Rodrigo Duterte.

PVR & INOX Leisure announced merger combined entity to be called PVR Inox Ltd

Multiplex companies INOX Leisure Ltd and PVR Ltd have announced the merger of their two companies. Inox will have a 16.66% stake in the new firm and PVR will have a 10.62% stake.

After the formalities of the merger, the company will be known as PVR Inox Limited. Ajay Bijli will be Managing Director of PVR Inox Limited, Sanjeev Kumar will be executive director and Pavan Kumar Jain will be non-executive chairman of the consolidated board.

The merger is subject to approval by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), stock exchanges, and other regulatory approvals as required. Merger to bring together two of India’s best cinema brands to deliver an unparalleled consumer experience with a network of 1,546 screens across 341 properties in 109 cities.

Important For All Exam 2022:

PVR Cinemas Founded: June 1997;

PVR Cinemas Headquarters: Gurugram;

PVR Cinemas Founder & CEO: Ajay Bijli.

Shaktikanta Das lays Foundation Stone of Learning and Development Centre of BRBNMPL in Mysuru

Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shaktikanta Das has laid the foundation stone for the establishment of a Learning and Development Centre (LDC) of the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) in Mysuru, Karnataka. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBI.

LDC is being established with active collaboration from Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) and Bank Note Paper Mill India Private Limited (BNPMIPL).

LDC will act as a forum for robust knowledge dissemination, thus ensuring that the best practices, experiences, and innovations are shared efficiently in a congenial environment to ensure uniformity in banknote production, quality and supply.

RBI Governor dedicates Varnika Ink Manufacturing Unit of BRBNMPL

Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) has set up an Ink Manufacturing Unit named “Varnika” at Mysuru, Karnataka, with an annual ink manufacturing capacity of 1,500 MT to enhance the security of banknotes.

Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBI. Shaktikanta Das (Governor of RBI) has dedicated “Varnika”, the Ink Manufacturing Unit of Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) to the nation.

It is a boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It ensures that the entire requirement of banknote printing inks is produced in-house.

This unit also manufactures Colour Shift Intaglio Ink (CSII) and meets the entire requirements of banknote printing presses in India, which has resulted in cost efficiency and self-sufficiency in banknote ink production.

Gilbert Houngbo named next Director-General of International Labour Organization

Gilbert Houngbo from Togo will be the next Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Houngbo was elected by the UN agency’s governing body, comprising representatives of governments, workers and employers during their meeting in Geneva.

Houngbo, former Prime Minister of Togo, will be the 11th head of the agency and the first African to hold the post. His five-year term will begin on October 1, 2022. The current Director-General, Guy Ryder, from the United Kingdom, has held office since 2012.

Important For All Exam 2022:

International Labour Organisation Founded: 1919;

International Labour Organisation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Shashi Sinha named as new Chairman of Broadcast Audience Research Council India

The board of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has elected IPG Mediabrands India CEO Shashi Sinha as the new chairman. He will take over from Punit Goenka, who served as chairman of the TV viewership measurement agency for the last three years.

Sinha, who also represents the Advertising Agencies Association of India as its board member, has played a key role in the formation of BARC.

The Broadcast Audience Research Council India is a joint industry body founded by organisations that represent Indian broadcasters, advertisers, and advertising and media agencies. It is the world’s largest television measurement science industry body.

Important For All Exam 2022:

Broadcast Audience Research Council Founded: 2010;

Broadcast Audience Research Council Headquarters: Mumbai;

Broadcast Audience Research Council CEO: Nakul Chopra.

Maltese PM Robert Abela sworn in after landslide election win

The Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela has been sworn in for a second term after his ruling Labour Party won the 2022 general election in a landslide victory. He was administered the oath of office by President George Vella.

Abela was first sworn in as prime minister in January 2020 after the former Labour Party leader and prime minister Joseph Muscat resigned.

It was the first electoral test for Abela, a 44-year-old lawyer since he took the helm of the tiny Mediterranean island nation in January 2020 following a Labour party vote. Labour secured a majority of almost 40,000 votes over its Nationalist Party rivals — a huge margin in the tiny EU state which has just 355,000 registered voters.

Important For All Exam 2022:

Malta Capital: Valletta;

Currency: Euro

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.