Daily GK Update: 16th March 2022

Science & Technology

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully completed the ground test of the solid fuel-based booster stage (SS1) of its new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
It completes the ground testing of all three stages of the launch vehicle.
Vehicle is now ready for its first development flight, which is scheduled for May 2022
Other stages of SSLV like SS2 & SS3 have successfully undergone necessary ground tests and are ready for integration.

National & International Appointments

Tapan Singhel (55 years) has been re-appointed as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance with effect from 1st April, 2022
His tenure has been extended for another five years.
He has already completed 10 years as the MD & CEO of the company.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance is the second largest private sector general insurer.

Books & Authors

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced to release a book on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi titled as ‘Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery’.
The book captures the political life of PM Modi’s in the past 20 years, ranging from his tenure as Gujarat CM to Prime Minister of India.
It is a compilation of pieces written by intellectuals & experts and has been edited & compiled by BlueKraft Digital Foundation.
It will hit the stands in April 2022.

National & International Appointments

Aam Aadmi Party leader, Bhagwant Mann (48 years) will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Punjab.
His oath-taking ceremony will be held in Khatkar Kalan village in Nawanshahr district, which is the ancestral village of iconic freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
He will be the youngest Chief Minister of the Punjab state since the 1970s.
He succeeded Charanjit Singh Channi.
Governor of Punjab: Banwarilal Purohit.
Capital: Chandigarh

Summits & Conferences

Nitin Gadkari has addressed the 17th Annual Conference on ‘Road Development in India’.
During his address, he emphasized on reduction of cement and steel by using different waste materials like waste rubber and plastic in road construction.
He also emphasized on Road safety and said more efforts are needed in this area from all the stakeholders.
He also said that Ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, bio CNG and electric Green hydrogen is the fuel for the future.

Honours & Awards

The 17th edition of Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) will be held from 29th May to 4th June, 2022 at Films Division complex, Mumbai.
Filmmakers can now submit their entry in Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation category of films up to 20th March 2022
Eligibility: Films that are completed between Sept 2019 and Dec 2021
Components: Golden Conch, silver conch, trophies, certificate, cash reward
V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award will also be conferred

National Affairs

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated pilot project for Hydrogen based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).
It has been launched by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. along with International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT).
It will be first of its kind project in India aimed at spreading awareness about Hydrogen, FCEV technology and disseminating its benefits to support hydrogen-based society for India.

International Affairs

Govt of India has approved $ 1 billion line of credit (LoC) for Sri Lanka to help the Island nation for importing food, essential items and medicine.
Sri Lanka is currently facing a severe economic crisis.
LoC is being extended by India in line with its efforts to assist its neighbouring country in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and to mitigate its adverse impact and its developmental priorities.
Sri Lankan Finance Minister: Basil Rajapaksa.

National Affairs

MV Ram Prasad Bismil became the longest vessel ever to sail on the Brahmaputra, achieving a landmark in sailing history
The vessel is 90 meters long flotilla is 26 meters wide, loaded with a draft of 2.1 meters.
With this, it successfully completed the aspiring pilot run of heavy cargo movement from Haldia Dock in Kolkata.
The vessel along with two barges DB Kalpana Chawla and DB APJ Abdul Kalam were flagged off from the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Haldia

Agreement

Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJ-NIFM) has signs MoU with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for promoting exchange and cooperation in the area of academics and strengthening the professional competence of Civil and Defence Officers
It will facilitate award of MBA Degree in Finance and MBA Degree in Financial Management by JNU to experienced candidates from Government
Exchange of faculties in the area of mutual interest.

Honours & Awards

Govt of Bangladesh has announced the nomination for its highest civilian award-Independence Award for 2022.
Winners:
- Freedom Fighter Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury
- Martyr Colonel Khandaker Nazmul Huda (Bir Bikram)
- Abdul Jalil, Siraj Uddin Ahmed
- Late Mohammad Sahiuddin Bishwas
- Late Sirajul Haque
- Kanak Kanti Barua
- Md Kamrul Islam
- Kamrul Islam
- Amir Hamza
- Syed Moinul Islam
Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute has been nominated for Research and Training category

Sports

India has won the bid to host FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022 in Chennai.
It was originally scheduled to be hosted in Russia.
FIDE has recently announced that it pulled out from Russia following the Ukraine invasion.
After the announcement, Tamil Nadu government and All-India Chess Federation made a joint bid to host the tournament
It is the first time that India is hosting FIDE Chess Olympiad since its inception in 1927
It will be held from 26th July to 8th August 2022.