Current Affairs Daily Digest – March 3 2019
1. Secretary, DEPwD Lays Foundation Stone of ‘National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation’ at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh
SmtShakuntala D. Gamlin, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment laid the foundation stone of the ‘National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation’ at Sherpur Village along Bhopal-Sehore highway, District Sehore, Madhya Pradesh .
This Institute will be first of its kind in the country. The Central Government has approved an outlay of Rs 180 crore for this project for an initial period of three years. The land for this institute measuring about 25 acre was allocated free of cost by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in October 2018.
The Institute will promote mental health rehabilitation using an integrated multidisciplinary approach, to undertake capacity building and to involve in developing trained professionals in the area of mental health rehabilitation and help the Government in formulating policy and programs/models for rehabilitation of persons with mental illness.
2. Cricket set for Asian Games return in 2022
Cricket is set for a return at the Asian Games after the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on March 3 included it in the sports programme for the 2022 edition in Hangzhou. The decision was taken at the OCA’s General Assembly in Bangkok.
Cricket was dropped from the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia after featuring in 2010 and 2014, albeit without the presence of game’s powerhouse India. India opted out of the quadrennial event owing to the team’s congested scheduling.
3. Russian physicist and Nobel laureate Zhores Alferov dies at 88
Russian scientist Zhores Alferov, who won the 2000 Nobel prize in physics, has died at the age of 88 in St Petersburg. Alferov was the first Russian to become a Nobel laureate since Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev won the peace prize in 1990 following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
4. Wrestler Bajrang Punia wins gold in Bulgaria
India’s star wrestler Bajrang Punia has won a gold medal in 65-kilogram freestyle in Bulgaria. The tournament is being held at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov in Ruse. Punia dedicated the victory to Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, from whom Punia said he got inspiration.
Punia, a World Championship silver medallist, overpowered Jordan Oliver of USA 12-3 in the final yesterday. He also secured the maximum ranking points from the tournament.
This was Punia’s 10th medal in as many international tournaments since the 2017 World Championships in Paris.
5. PM Modi announces ‘April 2019-March 2020’ as Construction-Technology year
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared ‘April 2019-March 2020’ as Construction-Technology year and stressed on use of advanced technology to meet the increasing demand of housing in the country caused by rapid urbanisation.
He also sought the support of private sector in fulfilling the government’s mission of providing brick house to every Indian by 2022.
6. Senior PDP leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal passes away
Former Jammu and Kashmir minister and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal died due to prolonged illness. Afzal shot to fame after he defeated then National Conference president Omar Abdullah from Ganderbal assembly segment in the 2002 assembly elections.
7. Aadhaar can be used voluntarily as ID proof, President signs ordinance
President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to an ordinance that allows voluntary use of Aadhaar as ID proof for obtaining mobile SIM cards and opening bank accounts.
Last week, the Cabinet approved the promulgation of an ordinance to give effect to changes proposed in Aadhaar and two others legislations. The amendments provide for stiff penalties for violation of norms set for the use of Aadhaar and violation of privacy.
The ordinance gives effect to the changes in the Aadhaar Act such as giving a child an option to exit from the biometric ID programme on attaining 18 years of age. The amendments make it clear that anyone not offering Aadhaar cannot be denied any service, be it opening of a bank account or obtaining a mobile phone SIM card.
8. Maha govt de-notifies proposed petrochemical refinery to be set up in Nanar
The Maharashtra government de-notified the proposed petrochemical refinery to be set up in Nanar in Konkan region of the state. The decision to this effect was taken after a meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Industries minister Subhash Desai and other senior government officials held today.
