SAKTHI BOOKS CURRENT EVENTS

March, 2016

India and US sign a MoU on setup LIGO

India and the United States sign a Memorandum of Understanding on setting up Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO) in India.

Vietnam’s first female house speaker elected

Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) elects Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan as the country’s first female house speaker Earlier, she was serving as Vice Chairperson of the NA.

Delhi CM launches a drive for Greening and Vacuum Cleaning of roads

Delhi Chief Minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal launches a drive for greening and vacuum cleaning of roads to deal with dust which is a major pollutant.

India and US sign an MoU for setting up new LIGO

India and the US sign an MoU for setting new LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational – Wave Observatory) Observatory in India that will play significant role in carrying forward frontline research on various forward frontline research on various aspects of gravitational wave astronomy.

Kolkata flyover collapse

Over 25 people are killed and many injured as two parts of an under construction 2.2 km-long Vivekananda Flyover collapse in a congested market area in Burra Bazar, Kolkata.

China launches 22nd satellite for its BeiDou

China launches 22nd satellite for its BeiDou. Navigation Satellite System (BDS). The satellite was launched aboard a Long March-3A carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Asia’s biggest telescope

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Belgium Prime Minister Mr. Charles Michel remotely launch Asia’s biggest telescope, the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), located at Devasthal near Nainital in Uttarakhand.

France will end its Operation Sangaris CAR in 2016

French Defence Minister Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian announces that France will end its Operation Sangaris in the Central African Republic in 2016.

New President of CAF

Mr. Faustin Archange Touadera is sworn in as President of Central African Republic, becoming the first elected President of the country in three years.

Myanmar’s first civilian president

Mr. Htin Kyaw takes oath as Myanmar’s first civilian president in half a century. He is expected to act as a proxy for Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi.

Unified and Simplified Building Bye-laws

To improve case of doing business and promote safe, green and sustainable construction, the Union Government announces user-friendly, unified and simplified Building Bye-laws for Delhi.

Suprme Court approves guidelines of Union Government

The Supreme Court approves guidelines of the Union Government to protect Good Samaritans, who help road accident victims, from being unnecessarily harassed by police or any other authority.

13th India-EU Summit

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi visits Belgium to attend the 13th India-EU Summit in Brussels. India and Belgium agree to restart and expedite talks on a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

ISRO announces launch a record number of 22 satellites

ISRO announces to launch a record number of 22 satellites in a single mission in May 2016. The launch vehicle will inject 22 satellites into orbit, a first in the history of the organisation.

Singer P. Susheela – Guinness Book of World Record

Playback singer P. Susheela Mohan is recognised by Guinness Book of World Records for singing most number of songs in Indian languages. She has sung 17,695 songs in twelve Indian languages.

WHO declares Ebola outbreak in WA

The World Health Organisations declares that Ebola outbreak in West Africa no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Haryana passes a Bill to provide reservation to Jats

Haryana Assembly unanimously passes a Bill to provide reservation to Jats and five other communities in government jobs and educational institutions.

India’s first indigenous composites bow mounted sonar dome

Defence Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar dedicates India’s first indigenous composites bow mounted sonar dome to the nation during DefExpo 2016 in Quepem, Goa.

63rd National Film Awards

The 63rd National Film Awards are announced. Baahubali gets Best Feature Film Award, while Best Actor and Best Actress awards are won by Amitabh Bachchan for Piku and Kangana Ranaut for Tanu Weds Manu Returns respectively.
Best Director – Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Bajirao Mastani); Best Supporting Actor – Samuthirakani (Visaranai), Best Supporting Actress – Tanvi Azmi (Bajirao Mastani).

Zaheer Khan as new captain of Delhi Daredevils

Zaheer Khan is appointed as captain of Delhi Daredevils team for IPL 2016, replacing South African all-rounder J.P. Duminy who was captain in the last season.

Sergey Karjakin win FIDE World Chess

Russian Grandmaster Sergey Karjakin wins FIDE World Chess Candidates Tournament in Moscow. In the final Round 14, be defeats American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana.

SC of Bangladesh upholds the status of Islam

Supreme Court of Bangladesh upholds the status of Islam as the State religion. The ruling is given by the High Court Division of the court while dismissing a petition.

AAP govt. rationalising VAT structure to reduce in 2016-17 Budget

AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) government presents annual budget 2016-17 for Delhi, rationalising VAT structure to reduce the cost of certain products in the national capital.

‘112’ as the single emergency number for India

The Telecom Commission approves the number 112 as the single emergency number for India. This is similar to 911 of the United States and 999 of the United Kingdom.

USAID and ADB sign an MoU facilitate $848 million

US Agency for International Develop-ment (USAID) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign an MoU to facilitate $848 million in funding to develop solar parks across India.

India’s first indigenous rotavirus vaccine named Rotavac

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launches India’s first indigenous rotavirus vaccine named Rotavac to combat infant mortality due to diarrhoea.

WB agrees to $100 million loan to Jordan

The World Bank agrees to provide concessional $100 million loan to Jordan for creating one lakh jobs for Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

Uttarakhand on grounds of “breakdown of governance”

The Centre imposes President’s rule in Uttarakhand on grounds of “breakdown of governance” after a political crisis is triggered by a rebellion in the ruling Congress Party.

Defence control on Iraq & Syria terrorist

Syrian Army and popular defence forces regain control of the ancient city of Palmyra from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.

Lucknow discover mint plant

Researchers at CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow discover that mint plant has medicinal values that cancure cancer.

Iran’s President after 14 years visit to Pakistan

Iran’s President Mr. Hassan Rouhani visits in a first by an Iranian President in 14 years to Pakistan and also first visit after lifting of international sanctions on Iran.

Shane Watson declares retirement from Cricket

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson declares retirement from all forms of international cricket after the end of his team’s campaign in ICC World T20.

UNSC extends UN Assistance Mission

UNSC extends UN Assistance Mission in Somalia till March 31, 2017. A resolution in this regard is unanimously approved by all the 15 members of the Council.

Denis Sassou Nguesso re-elected President of Rep. of Congo

Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso is re-elected as the President of Republic of Congo, being in power for 32 of the last 37 years.

Karnataka High Court rules report of the CAG

The Karnataka High Court rules that the report of the Comptroller and Auditory General of India (CAG) cannot be the sole basis for any liability being caused or for prosecution to be launched.

PM approves the $1500 million project of World Bank

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi approves the $1500 million project of World Bank to support Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G).

PM inaugurates broadband connectivity

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurates broadbond connectivity to North Eastern States via Bangladesh to strengthen telecom services in the region.

Nepal – China signed MoU

Nepal becomes a dialogue partner of Beijing-based regional security grouping, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, after an MoU was signed during Nepalese PM Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli’s visit to China.

Food and Public Distribution signed MoU

Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution signs an MoU with Industry Association for effective redressal of consumer complaints.

Finance Minister launches crop insurance scheme

Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley launches crop insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in Mumbai, aimed to boost the agricultural sectors in the country.

ISRO establishes the GIRI

ISRO establishes the Gadanki Ionospheric Radar Interferometer (GIRI) at the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

Twitter celebration its 10th birthday

Popular social networking site Twitter celebrates its 10th birthday. Started by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Noah Glass, and Biz Stone, it has gone wildly successfull in ten years.

US first place in World Indoor Athletics Championships

The US wins 13 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze medals in World Indoor Athletics Championships. Ethiopia finishes second with 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medals, France is third with 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze.

Tanzania elections declared

Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) declares the incumbent President Mr. Ali Mohamed Shein of Tanzania ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) as winner of the presidential elections.

Nepalese PM visit to China

Nepalese Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli is on his maiden visit to China. Nepal signs 10 agreements with China including extension of the strategic Tibet rail link to Nepal.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare launches 3 new initiatives to combat Tuberculosis

Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mr. J.P. Nadda launches three new initiatives to combat Tuberculosis. These are Bedaquiline Drug, CBNAAT machines and Third line ART programme.

Kunhiraman Literary Prize

Renowned malayalam writer Mr. M. Sukumaran is chosen for CV Kunhiraman Literary Prize. He is an author and short story writer in Malayalam.

Shiv-Shankar Prasad Chawrasia wins Indian Open golf

Shiv-Shankar Prasad Chawrasia wins Indian Open golf title at Golf Course in New Delhi, with 71 points in final round to defeat defending champion compatriot Anirban Lahiri (69).

BNP Paribas Tennis Open

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus win men’s and women’s singles titles of BNP Paribas Tennis Open in USA. Djokovic defeats Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-0 in men’s final while Victoria Azarenka defeats top seed American Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4.

Tibetan elect their nominees

Tibetan exiles across the world vote to elect their nominees for the post of ‘Sikyong’ or Prime Minister and the members of the parliament-in-exile.

EU-Turkey deal to tackel the migrant crisis

An EU-Turkey deal to tackle the migrant crisis formally comes into effect, saying all “irregular migrants” crossing from Turkey into Greece will be sent back.

Telangana Govt. sings an MoU with Aero Campus Aquitaine and Bordeaux Metropole

Government of Telangana signs an MoU with Aero Campus Aquitaine and Bordeaux Metropole to set up aviation training institute in Hyderabad.

National Krishi Karman Awards

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi confers National Krishi Karman Awards 2014-15 in New Delhi. The awards are presented to 8 State Governments, and received by the CMs of respective states.

Yogeshwar Dutt qualify in Olympic

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt of India wins Gold in Asian Olympic Qaulification tournament at Astana in Kazakhstan, securing Olympic quota for India in men’s 65 kg freestyle category

Britain Prince visit Nepal

Britain’s Prince Harry arrives in Nepal for a five-day visit to meet with survivors of last year’s devastating earthquake and Gurkha soldiers who helped in rescue efforts.

Renewable energy solutions

Earth Hour is observed across the world from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, to encourage people to adopt cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle by embracing renewable energy soutions.

Test on animals for drugs

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare scraps repeat tests on animals for drugs which have already been approved by other countries.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Union Urban Development Minister Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu is conferred the Skoch Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43rd SKOCH Summit held in New Delhi.

Plastic waste by industries

The Union Environment Ministry notifies new Plastic Waste Management Rules to curb over 6,000 tonnes of uncollected Plastic waste generated daily by industries.

Supreme Court modifies guidelines

The Supreme Court modifies guidelines on regulating government advertisements. As per guidelines, pictures of Union Ministers, CMs, Governors and State Ministers can now appear in government advertisements.

British astronomers discover a cluster of 9 monster stars

British astronomers discover a cluster of nine “monster” stars 30 million times brighter than the Sun which could change our understanding of the way stars are formed.

Abhijeet Gupta wins Reykjavik International Open Chess

Abhijeet Gupta of India wins Reykjavik International Open chess tournament, defeating Francesco Rambaldi in the tenth and final round. He ends on 8.5 points out of a possible 10, winning seven and drawing three games.

37th Session of SAARC Council Ministers meeting

The 37th Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers concludes in Nepal. It decided to establish the SAARC Disaster Manage-ments Centre in New Delhi.

Minister of Consumer Affairs launches ‘Online Depot System’

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan launches Online Depot System in New Delhi to automate all operations of Food Corporation of India depots.

Punjab Govt. notifies swine flu

Punjab government notifies swine flu (H1N1) under the Epidermic Disease Act to prevent the spread of disease in the State.

Target for Federal Fund

Federal Open Market Committee of US Federal Reserve releases an implementation note with a decision to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0.25 to 0.5 percent.

Rajya Sabha passes Sikh Gurdwaras Bill

The Rajya Sabha passes Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill. It envisages amending certain provisions of Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 retrospectively with effect from October 2003.

11th Governor of Bangladesh Bank

Mr. Fazle Kabir is appointed 11th Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh. He replaces Mr. Atiur Rahman, who resigned after electronic theft of $101 million from the bank’s account.

Lok Sabha passes Constitution Order Bill 2016

The Lok Sabha passes Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution Scheduled Castes Order 1950.

Lok Sabha passes Real Estate Bill 2015

The Lok Sabha passes Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015, clearing the way for a regulatory mechanism for the real estate sector.

First building in the country to have an early Earthquake Warning

Haryana’s New Secretariat Building in Chandigarh becomes first building in the country to have an early Earthquake Warning and Security system (onsite).

Pope Francis announced – Mother Teresa will be made a saint

Pope Francis announces that Mother Teresa will be made a saint of the Roman Catholic Church at a ceremony in September 2016.

2016 Abel Prize

British mathematician Sir Andrew Wiles is named as the winner of the 2016 Abel Prize by the Norweigian Academy of Sciences and Letters in Oslo for solving Fermar’s Last Theorem.

Europe and Russia launch an unmanned spacecraft

Europe and Russia launch an unmanned spacecraft, named ExoMars 2016, to smell Mars’ atmosphere for gassy evidence that life once existed on the Red Planet.

Kerala women clinch gold in Federation Cup 2016

Kerala women clinch Gold in Federation Cup 2016 in Bambolim, Goa, defeating Chhattisgarh. Defending champions ONGC, Dehradun defeat Indian Overseash Bank, Chennai in the men’s final.

Mauritania – 2nd African country Forced Labour Convention

Mauritania becomes the second African country, after Niger, to ratify the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention 1930.

Russian President withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria

Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin declares withdrawal of majority of Russian troops from Syria, saying the six-month military intervention has largely achieved its objective.

Health & Family Welfare Minister launches ‘Clean Street Food’

Health & Family Welfare Minister Mr. J.P. Nadda launches Project ‘Clean Street Food’. In the first phase, about 20,000 roadside vendors will be trained on aspects of health and hygiene.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – Malawi & UNICEF

Government of Malawi and UNICEF successfully test the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) to explore cost effective ways of reducing waiting times for HIV testing of infants.

Services team win Santosh Trophy

Services win Santosh Trophy National Football Championships title. In the summit clash at SEC Railway Stadium in Nagpur, Services defeat host Maharashtra 2-1.

All England badminton men’s singles title

China’s Lin Dan earns sixth All England badminton men’s singles title. In the summit clash in Birmingham, Dan defeats compatriot Tian Houwei 21-9, 21-10.

SC of China its own international maritime judicial centre

Supreme Court of China announces to create its own international maritime judicial centre to handle territorial disputes, maritime rights and other core interests at sea.

RIT Act 2005

Central Information Commission rules that the Union and State Ministers are public authorities under RTI Act, 2005 and are liable to provide information to public as per demands of RTI applications.

Boxer Vijender Singh register his fourth successive win

Pro boxer Vijender Singh defeats Hungarian Alexander Horvath at Echo Arena, Liverpool, taking three rounds to register his fourth successive win.

Japanese – Bacterium species

Japanese researchers successfully isolate a bacterium species Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6, capable of breaking down plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester.

Kerala win Golden City Gate Award

Kerala Tourism’s campaign on responsible tourism bags Golden City Gate Award at world’s leading travel trade show International Tourismus – Borse Berlin (ITB-Berlin) 2016.

GCC adopted terrorist group

The Arab League declares Lebanese movement Hezbollah a terrorist group, days after the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) adopted the same stance.

Railway Minister launches ‘Clean My Coach’

Railway Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu launches online ‘Clean My Coach’ service which allows travellers to get their compartments clearned by sending SMS or by using an app or a designated website.

Lok Sabha passes AAdhaar Bill

The Lok Sabha passes Aadhaar Bill, 2016 which seeks to provide targeted delivery of subsidies and services to invididuals residing in India by assigning them Aadhaar numbers.

ISRO launches IRNSS-1F Satellite

ISRO launches the country’s sixth Indian Regional Navigational Satellite system (IRNSS)-1F on board the trusted launch vehicle PSLV-C-32.

Rest of India win Irani Cup

Rest of India win Irani Cup cricket title. In the final played in Mumbai, Rest of India defeat 41-time Ranji Champions Mumbai by four wickets.

Real Estate Bill 2015

The Rajya Sabha passes Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015 which seeks to set up a Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) for the orderly growth of real estate sector.

India-US discuss bilateral ties and cooperation against terror groups

Foreign Secretary Mr. S. Jaishankar meets the US National Security Adviser Ms. Susan Rice in Washington to discuss bilateral ties and cooperation against terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

US scientists develop a new flexible stretchable and tunable “metaskin”

The US scientists develop a new flexible, stretchable and tunable “metaskin” that can protect objects from radar detection, and may help develop next generation of srealth aircraft or even invisibility cloaks.

Finance Minister proposal to tax EPF withdrawals

Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley announces to withdraw the proposal to tax Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals.

First time claim to have developed herbal medicine

Indian scientists for the first time claim to have developed herbal medicine against mosquito-borne dengue fever using traditional Indian medicine system Ayurveda.

Tennis Player Maria Sharapova failed a drug test at Australian Open

Tennis player Maria Sharapova of Russia announces that she failed a drug test at Australian Open. Due to this failure, she was provisionally suspended from Tennis.

US and South Korea begin their largest-ever military exercises of the coast

The US and South Korea begin their largest-ever military exercises off the coast of Korean peninsula. The 8-week-long drill will involve about 3,00,000 South Korean and 15,000 US troops.

Indian Railways form a new NHSRC

Indian Railways form a new Special Purpose Vehicle to implement Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Bullet Train project. The entity is named as National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC) Limited.

Indian both teams wins Gold at World Team Table Tennis championship

Indian men’s and women’s teams bag Gold at Second Division of World Team Table Tennis Championship held in Kuala- Lumpur, defeating Brazil 3-2 and Luxemburg 3-1, respectively in the finals.

About us

Quick links

Social Media Links