Important Current Affairs 15th March 2017 with Free PDF

Important Current Affairs 15th March 2017 with Free PDF

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We bring you Important Current Affairs 15th March 2017 with Free PDF in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS 15TH MARCH 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Department of Consumers Affairs Celebrates World Consumer Rights Day 2017

 Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has said that the Government is already on the right track in facilitating the consumers to harness the full benefits of digitization and putting in place sufficient safeguards against risks associated with the online world. 
●    Sh. Paswan said that this is the age of technology, and educating the consumer and redressing his grievances in the digital world is a challenge. 
●    E-commerce companies are increasingly coming under our national consumer helpline convergence programme where consumer grievances entered online, are being addressed expeditiously.
●    Sh. Ram Vilas Paswan stated it in his presidential address on the occasion of the World Consumer Rights Day 2017. 
●    The Department of Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, celebrated the World Consumer Rights Day 2017 with the theme “Consumer Rights in digital age” in New Delhi, today. 
●    The Programme was presided over by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 
●    Shri Ravi Shnkar Prasad, the Union Minister Law & Justice, Electronics & IT and was the Chief Guest of the event.

MoU signed between FTII and Canon to promote short courses in Film & Television

 Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that Technology has played a critical role in defining the contours of professional photography and art of filmmaking. 
●    The exposure of budding young talent to the nuances of technology has a positive impact on their learning curve. 
●    This initiative would ensure the perfect blend of technology and young talent through the platform of FTII. 
●    The Minister stated this on the occasion of signing of an MoU between Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Canon India Private Limited. 
●    Mr. Kazutada Kobayashi, President & CEO, Canon India was also present on the occasion.
●    The MoU between Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Canon India Private Limited would promote film education through short-term courses across several towns and cities in the country. 
●    Under FTII's unique initiative SKIFT several short courses, mostly of skill-oriented nature have been proposed to be held in collaboration with State Governments, Universities and Educational institutions.
 

Two Day meeting on “Strengthening Railway Transport Connectivity in South and South West Asia” Commences in New Delhi

A two day meeting on “Strengthening Railway Transport Connectivity in South and South West Asia” was organised by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with Organization for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD) and Ministry of Railways, Government of India in New Delhi on 15th – 16th March 2017. 
●    Discussions were held to strengthen the rail transport and provide connectivity to the countries in South Asia and South East Asia. Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister of Railways Government of India. 
●    Representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Iran, India, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Turkey and other countries were also present. 
●    The meeting sought to review and identify innovative measures to strengthen cross-border railway transport within South and South-West Asia; which is one of the least connected and integrated sub regions in the world despite its vast contiguous landmass. 
●    Strengthening railway connectivity is central to boosting economic growth, enhancing trade and transport connectivity and improving lives in the sub region. 
●    The meeting brought together government officials and policy makers from nine countries in South Asia and South-West Asia and Central Asia, along with representatives from various international and regional organizations, railway and connectivity experts and academia, as well as the private sector.

National Seminar on Sediment Management in Indian Rivers

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development    and Ganga Rejuvenation has organized a National conference on sediment management in Indian rivers on March 17, 2017 at New Delhi. 
●    Many experts including Dr. M. A. Chitale, Expert Member, NGRBA, Professor Vinod Tare, IIT, Kanpur, Professor A. K. Gosain, IIT – Delhi, Dr. M. K. Sinha, Director, CWPRS, Pune will be attending the daylong conference. 
●    The conference will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti. 
●    It may be recalled that Union Minister of Water Resources, River    Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti had expressed the view that urgent steps may be taken to formulate a comprehensive policy on sediment management in Indian rivers. 
●    The Ministry is of the view that such a comprehensive policy can be developed only with extensive consultations with stakeholders.
●    The issue of sediment management in rivers including siltation and dredging has been engaging attention of the public for quite some time. 
●    The need for formulating a comprehensive policy on sediment management in rivers cannot be overstated on account of its serious implications on flooding, environment, river health and navigation.

Twenty projects worth Rs 1,900 Crore approved for Swift Implementation of Namami Gange Programme 

 Picking up pace, projects worth nearly Rs 1,900 crore have been approved by the Executive Committee (EC) of National Mission for Clean Ganga. 
●    Out of 20 projects which were given EC approval in its meeting held on March 02, 2017, 13 are in Uttarakhand that includes creating new sewage treatment plants, upgrading existing STPs and laying of sewage networks in Haridwar at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 415 crore. 
●    Haridwar, one of the holiest cities of India, is thronged by millions of people every year. This approved plan is aimed at treating sewage water generated by not only city’s 1.5 lakh local dwellers, but also by people who visit the holy place for various purposes. 
●    All these projects will be fully funded by the Central Government, including even the expenditure on operation and maintenance of these projects.
●    Among other projects approved in Uttarakhand are four pertaining to pollution abatement works for river Alakananda to ensure cleaner flow of the river downstream.
●    This includes interception and diversion of drains along with creation of new small STPs at four crucial locations – Joshimath, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag and Kirti Nagar at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 78 crore. 
●    Apart from these, a major pollution abatement project for Ganga at Rishikesh has also been approved at an estimated cost of more than Rs 158 crore. 
●    Beginning with Rishikesh, municipal effluent gets mixed in the Ganga and to rid Ganga of impurities just before it hits the plains, this all-encompassing project for this city has been given a go-ahead, which would not only make sure tapping of all city drains in Rishikesh merging into the river but will also treat the sewage water for reuse. 
●    The construction of a new 26 MLD STP at Lakkar Ghat with online monitoring system has also been envisaged in this Rishikesh-specific project.

Manipur gets its first BJP govt as Biren Singh takes oath as CM

N. Biren Singh has become the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister of Manipur after taking oath on Wednesday along with eight other ministers in capital Imphal. 
●    Singh, who was invited by governor Najma Heptulla on Tuesday evening, has the support of a coalition of 32 MLAs.
●    BJP emerged as the second largest party in the state after the Congress which has 28 seats but couldn’t muster the support of required 31 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur legislative assembly. 
●    Former chief minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh was also present at the swearing-in ceremony.
●    BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were present at the swearing-in ceremony among others. 
●    Outgoing Chief Minister Ibobi Singh was also present.
●    Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates N. Biren Singh and his team.
●    Other ministers sworn in are: BJP’s Biswajit, NPP’s L. Jayantakumar, LJP’s Karan Shyam, NPP’s L. Haokip, NPP’s N. Koyisi, NPF’s Losie Dikho, Congress’ rebel MLA T. Shyamkumar who won from Andro.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15TH MARCH 2017: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy visits India

Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy along with a four member Russian Navy delegation is on an official visit to India from 15 to 18 March 2017. 
●    The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations between India and Russia, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.
●    During his visit, the Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy held bilateral discussions with Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officials of the Indian Navy. 
●    The Admiral is also scheduled to meet the Hon’ble Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the Army Staff and the Defence Secretary as part of his official engagements in New Delhi.
●    India is the largest importer of defence equipment from Russia and majority of the armament inventory in Indian Armed Forces is of Soviet/ Russian origin. 
●    The Indian Navy cooperates with the Russian Federation Navy on many fronts, which include operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation, information technology and exchange of Subject Matter Experts in various fields through the medium of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks. 
●    In addition, the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘INDRA NAVY’, since 2003. 
●    Eight editions have been held so far, the last being held off Visakhapatnam in December 2016.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15TH MARCH 2017: PERSONS

Shashank Manohar resigns from ICC chairman’s post

In a surprise development, Shashank Manohar on Wednesday resigned as International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman after merely eight months in office, citing personal reasons.
●    Mr. Manohar (59) mailed his resignation letter to ICC CEO Dave Richardson without clarifying the exact reason for this sudden move to end what was to be a two-year-tenure.
●    However, according to highly placed sources, Mr. Manohar has decided to quit, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems to have gained enough ground to block the constitutional and financial reforms that were set to be passed by the ICC at its next board meeting.
●    Any reform to be passed needs 2/3rd majority, but the BCCI, in all likelihood, has managed to get Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on its side.
●    It is learnt, expecting a loss of face, Mr. Manohar has resigned with immediate effect.