Current Affairs 20 March 2024

Ruby Thakur
March 20, 2024
203

In Current Affairs for 20 March 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.

Current Affairs 20 March 2024

International Day of Happiness

The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness, recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.
It also recognized the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples.

The resolution was initiated by Bhutan, a country which recognized the value of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s and famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product.
It also hosted a High Level Meeting on “Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly.
It’s a day to be happy, of course! Happiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.”
Governments and international organizations should invest in conditions that support happiness by upholding human rights and incorporating well-being and environmental dimensions into policy frameworks, such as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The effectiveness of governments in upholding peace and social order, as well as in the fields of taxation, legal institutions and delivery of public services, strongly correlates with average life satisfaction.
The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

UN Report: Famine Imminent In Northern Gaza

A U.N.-backed assessment report has said yesterday that Famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70 percent people are experiencing catastrophic hunger.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification in its report said, malnutrition and food insecurity have probably exceeded famine levels in Gaza’s north, and hunger-linked deaths are imminent.

The assessment comes amid global pressure on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave of 2.3 million people.
Famine is assessed as at least 20 percent of the population suffering extreme food shortages, with one in three children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or from malnutrition and disease.

Supreme Court Refuses Stay On CAA

The Supreme Court refused to stay implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, CAA.
The apex court also gave the government three weeks to respond to 237 petitions challenging the law that was notified last week. The matter was heard by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra.

The petitioners included the Indian Union Muslim League, opposition leaders Jairam Ramesh of the Congress and Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress. The next hearing in this case has been set for April 9th.

India to Host WTSA 2024

India is set to host the prestigious World Telecom Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), along with the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024.
These events aim to foster global collaboration, drive telecom reforms, and showcase India’s technological prowess.

Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox (SRS) and Wireless Test Zones (WiTe Zones): Introduction of guidelines for SRS to facilitate R&D activities and drive technological advancements.
Establishment of WiTe Zones in urban and remote areas for spectrum experimentation.
Eligibility extended to academia, R&D labs, and telecom providers to promote innovation. Abolition of Wireless Operating License (WoL): Removal of WoL requirement for access services authorization and VSATs operation to simplify licensing processes.
Complete abolition of WoL for licensees under section 4 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to reduce compliance burden and promote ease of doing business.

‘Gigantic’ Volcano On Mars

Researchers have uncovered a monumental discovery on Mars—a colossal volcano named Noctis Volcano.
Standing at an impressive 29,600 feet tall and stretching approximately 450 kilometers in width, this massive volcano lies just south of Mars’ equator within the Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus region.

The finding, made possible by data from a suite of missions including NASA’s Mariner 9, Viking Orbiter 1 and 2, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the ESA’s Mars Express, unveils a hidden geological marvel.
The size and complex modification history of Noctis Volcano suggest its activity from ancient times, offering potential insights into Mars’ geologic and possibly biologic past.
Clues of Water Activity and Life: The presence of a potential sheet of buried glacier ice near the volcano’s base hints at past water activity and raises the tantalizing possibility of habitability and life-supporting environments.

Sangita Kalanidhi

Thodur Madabusi Krishna, a renowned Carnatic musician, has been chosen as the Sangita Kalanidhi awardee for 2024.
This award, considered the Oscar equivalent for Carnatic music, is given away by the Music Academy in Chennai.
Krishna, 48, is known for his powerful voice both as a vocalist on stage and as a social activist off stage.

He received early training in music from Bhagavatula Seetharama Sarma and Chengalpet Ranganathan, both recipients of the Sangita Kala Acharya award (for music teachers) from the Music Academy.
Later, the legendary Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer took Krishna under his tutelage, impressed by his talent.
On stage, Krishna is an iconoclast who boldly breaks tradition while staying within the grammar of music.
From the seating arrangements to allowing accompanists to take the lead, and his choice of ragas, Krishna has shown an explicit disdain for tradition. Yet, his magnetic music and tear-jerking bhava have drawn capital crowds, even though the carnatic music community is famously tradition-bound.
Off stage, Krishna is known for his left-liberal views and attempts to use music as a tool for social reform, for which he received the Ramon Magsaysay award. His anti-caste and political views have made him a controversial musician.

Pokhara as Its Tourism Capital

In a significant move to boost its tourism industry, the government of Nepal has officially declared Pokhara, a picturesque city in the Gandaki province, as the tourism capital of the Himalayan nation.
The formal declaration was made during a special ceremony held at the Barahi Ghat, situated on the shores of the stunning Phewa Lake.
Pokhara, known for its natural beauty and adventure tourism, has long been recognized as a tourism hub in Nepal.

The decision to officially declare Pokhara as the tourism capital is expected to further enhance its reputation and attract more visitors from around the world.
The special ceremony to declare Pokhara as the tourism capital was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
The choice of Barahi Ghat as the venue for the ceremony was particularly significant, as it showcased the city’s natural beauty and its close connection with Phewa Lake, one of Pokhara’s most iconic attractions.
The declaration of Pokhara as the tourism capital will help establish the city as a recognizable ‘brand’ on the international stage.

This move is expected to attract more foreign tourists and boost the local economy. The tourism industry is a major contributor to Nepal’s economy, and the government’s decision to prioritize Pokhara is seen as a strategic step towards further developing the sector.
In a related development, the government also announced that business activities, including discos, nightclubs, and live music venues in Pokhara, will remain open all night.

Current Affairs 20 March Question

International Happiness Day Proclaimed By UNGA In
A. 2009
B. 2010
C. 2011
D. 2012
ANSWER: D
World Telecom Standardization Assembly 2024 Hosted In
A. Russia
B. China
C. Japan
D. India
ANSWER: D
Which Country Declared Pokhara as Its Tourism Capital
A. Afghanistan
B. Nepal
C. Bhutan
D. Mayanmar
ANSWER: B
Noctis Volcano Discovered Massive Volcano, Was Found On Which Planet
A. Mars
B. Jupiter
C. Neptune
D. Saturn
ANSWER: A
Atapaka Bird Sanctuary, Located In Which State
A. Kerala
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Maharashtra
D. Karnataka
ANSWER: B
What Is The Theme Of ‘National Vaccination Day 2024’
A. Vaccine Prevents the Unwanted
B. Protected Together: Vaccines Work
C. Vaccines Work for All
D. Close the immunization gap
ANSWER: C
Foot And Mouth Disease Is Related To Which One Of Following
A. Viral Disease Of Livestock
B. Bacterial Disease Of Livestock
C. Fungus Disease Of Birds
D. Plant Disease
ANSWER: A
Which State Government Agreed To Implement PM SHRI Schools Scheme By
Signing An Mou With Ministry Of Education
A. Maharashtra
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Gujarat
ANSWER: B
Bugun Liocichla Belongs To Which One Of Following Species
A. Spider
B. Fish
C. Bird
D. Butterfly
ANSWER: C
Tamilisai Soundararajan, Who Announced Her Resignation Recently, Was The
Governor Of Which State
A. Karnataka
B. Kerala
C. Telangana
D. Odisha
ANSWER: C
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Is Associated With Which Of Following Disease
A. Liver disease
B. Kidney disease
C. Heart disease
D. Lungs disease
ANSWER: A
Hemoglobin A1C Test Is Used To Test Which One Of Following Diseases
A. Diabetes
B. Dengue
C. Tuberculosis
D. Anaemia
ANSWER: A
Which One Of Following Best Describes About Eastern Maritime Corridor
A. A Proposed Trade Route Connecting Chennai (India) And Vladivostok (Russia)
B. A Modern Trade Route Linking Kamarajar Port (India) And Nakhodka (Russia)
C. A Ancient Trade Connecting Indian Ocean And Red Sea
D. A Proposed Trade Route Connecting Mumbai (India) And Duqm (Oman)
ANSWER: A
Where Is North India’s First Government Homeopathic College Being
Established
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Jammu and Kashmir
C. Haryana
D. Uttarakhand
ANSWER: B
What Is Dolutegravir
A. Invasive weed
B. Antiretroviral drug to treat HIV/AIDS
C. Traditional medicine to treat TB
D. Black hole
ANSWER: B
Majuli Manuscript Painting Is Associated With Which State
A. Assam
B. Manipur
C. Tripura
D. Mizoram
ANSWER: A
RBI Signed An MoU With Which Bank To Promote Use Of Local Currencies
A. Bank of Bahrain
B. Bank of America Corp
C. Bank Indonesia
D. Bank of Nova Scotia
ANSWER: C
Who Has Been Appointed As The New Chairperson Of CBSE
A. Nidhi Chhibber
B. Rajeev Kumar Mital
C. Rahul Singh
D. A P Das Joshi
ANSWER: C
In Which State Is Pandavula Gutta, A Geological Marvel Predating The
Himalayan Hills, Located
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Rajasthan
C. Telangana
D. Karnataka
ANSWER: C
Metronymics Were Borne By Later Rulers Of Which Among The Following
Dynasties
A. Maurya
B. Sunga
C. Kanva
D. Satavahana
ANSWER: D