Daily Current Affairs

Capsule 20th March 2019

1. International Day of Happiness: 20 March

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated since 2013 on 20 March every year.

The day was founded to inspire and spread a global happiness movement.

The day was founded and materialised by United Nations special advisor Jayme Illien.

The theme for International Day of Happiness 2019 is ‘Happier Together’.

2. Kazakhstan President resigns after nearly 30 years in power

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has announced his resignation after nearly 30 years in power.

The 78-year old leader had ruled the country since it emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union in

the early 1990s.

The Chairman of the Kazakh Senate would take over.

The announcement came less than a month after the President sacked his government, citing a lack of

economic development despite the country's vast energy resources.

Points to Remember

Capital: Astana

Currency: Kazakhstani tenge

3. India, Sri Lanka joint exercise 'Mitra Shakti-VI' to commence from Mar 26

Exercise 'Mitra Shakti' between India and Sri Lanka will be conducted from March 26 to April 8 for the year

2018-19, in Sri Lanka.

It is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of two nations.

Troops from 1st Battalion the Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army and Gemunu Watch Battalion of Sri

Lankan Army would be jointly undertaking the exercise.

The exercise will involve tactical level operations in an international counter-terrorism environment

under United Nations mandate.

4. 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnerships Concludes in New Delhi

The 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnerships concluded in New Delhi.

The three-day conclave was organised by the Ministry of Commerce in association with Confederation

of Indian Industry and EXIM Bank of India.

The conclave is held annually, since its inception in 2005.

It brings senior Ministers, policymakers, officials, business leaders, bankers, technologists, start-up

entrepreneurs and other professionals from India and Africa on a common platform.

The event also marks the deepening of India-Africa economic and business ties and paves the way for a

whole range of cross-border project partnerships.

5. Hyundai invests in Ola for mobility solutions

Hyundai Motor Group announced an investment of $300 million in India’s biggest cab aggregator Ola Cabs.

With this deal, both Hyundai and Kia Motor Company will work with the Bangaluru based start-up for

developing customized electric vehicles and charging stations appropriate for ride-hailing applications.

Hyundai Motor Group has been focusing on collaborations with start-ups in the field of shared mobility

in India.

Both entities will also offer electric vehicles to drivers in the lease model wherein the drivers can pay

monthly instalments.

In August last year, Hyundai Motor Group announced an investment of ₹100 crore in car sharing

platform Revv.

6. IBBI, SEBI sign MoU for better implementation of IBC

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with

the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The IBBI and the SEBI seek effective implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016

(Code) and its allied rules and regulations.

They have agreed under the MoU to assist and co-operate with each other for the effective

implementation of the Code, subject to limitations imposed by the applicable laws.

7. Deal signed to host T10 league for five years in Abu Dhabi

The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will be the new home of T10 cricket for the next five years, starting

with the 2019 season.

In Cricket, there are two short formats so far, that is, ODI and T-20. Now, brace for T-10.

The shortest form of the game will now be played exclusively at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The first match of the T10 League 2019 will be held on October 23.

8. Mumbai social worker Gauri Sawant becomes first transgender election ambassador

The Election Commission of India has appointed transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, as one of the 12

election ambassadors from Maharashtra.

During 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections there was no record of transgender voters.

Following the Supreme Court order, transgenders got the right to vote for the first time in 2014.

In 2014, 918 voters were registered in this third category. This number has doubled in five years and

now it is 2,086.

Election Commission has nominated the renowned sportsmen, film-makers, literary personalities of the

respective constituencies as the goodwill ambassadors to induce more voters to vote in the Lok Sabha

elections.