20th March 2024 Daily Current Affairs

National & International Appointments

P&G India has announced the appointment of Kumar Venkatasubramanian as CEO effective May 1, 2024.
Kumar has played a pivotal role in P&G India’s growth trajectory in various roles in his career.
“Under LV’s leadership, the company has continued to grow at a sustainable and balanced top and bottom line with integrated growth strategies.

Honours & Awards

The K K Birla Foundation has selected noted poet Prabha Varma for the 33rd Saraswati Samman for 2023 for his novel Roudra Sathwikam.
The novel “ Roudra Sathwikam, written in poetic verse in the Malayalam language, probes the conflict between power and politics and state and art and power in a unique way.
He has published over 30 books, including a dozen collections of poems, three novels in verse, eight books on the contemporary socio-political milieu.

Banking & Finance

Gross Direct Tax collection has registered a growth of 18.74% during the current Financial Year.
According to the Finance Ministry, gross direct tax collection stands at over 22 lakh 27 thousand crore rupees which is more than 18 lakh 75 thousand crore rupees reported in the corresponding period of FY 2022-23.
Refunds amounting to three lakh 36 thousand 808 crore rupees have also been issued in the Financial Year 2023-24.

Max India Limited’s wholly owned subsidiary, Antara Assisted Care Services Limited, has entered into a MoU with the IIIT Delhi with an aim to develop offerings tailored specifically for the senior demographic.
The collaboration entails knowledge exchange, research consultancy, EDPs, and the sharing of laboratory resources.
One of the projects under this collaboration involves designing a walking aid customized to the specific needs and preferences of seniors.

Read Full News >> National Affairs

According to the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report, Begusarai has emerged as the most polluted metropolitan area globally in 2023
IQAir uses data from both government sources, such as air-quality data from regulatory bodies like the US Environmental Protection Agency, and lower-cost sensors like the ones it produces
The report analyzed data from over 30,000 air quality monitoring stations worldwide and indicates a concerning situation for India’s environment, health

Read Full News >> National & International Appointments

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announces the appointment of Sheyphali B Saran, a senior Indian Information Service officer, as the new government spokesperson.
A 1990-batch officer, Sharan will look after the charge as Principal Director General (Pr.DG) of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) after incumbent Manish Desai’s superannuation on March 31.
Saran had earlier served as the spokesperson of the Election Commission and the Finance Ministry.

Read Full News >> Important Dates

World Oral Health Day is celebrated annually on March 20th to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining good oral health practices.
Oral diseases that are highly preventable affect 3.5 billion people all over the world, as per WHO.
The 2024 campaign’s theme is – A happy mouth is….a happy body.

Read Full News >> National Affairs

According to the latest World Happiness Report released by the UN, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for the seventh year in a row.
India ranked 126 in the happiness index, the same as the previous year.
Afghanistan remains at the lowest rank among the 143 countries evaluated.
The United States and Germany fell out of the top 20 happiest nations, ranking 23rd and 24th respectively.