10th MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS

  

1. World Kidney Day 2018: 8 March

World Kidney Day is observed annually on the 2nd Thursday in March.

• World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of the kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.
• World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

2. Multilateral naval exercise begins in Andamans

The Indian Navy began an eight-day-long mega naval exercise along with leading maritime powers of the region at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• The biennial exercise — Milan — is taking place in the backdrop of imposition of state of emergency in Maldives and Sri Lanka, two of India's maritime neighbours.
• 28 warships including 17 from India and 11 from Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand are participating in the 10th exercise.

3. Shivraj Singh Chouhan Announces Pension For Single Women

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Women's day announced 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Kosh' scheme under which women who aren't married and are above the age of 50 will be given pension.

• Chouhan also took the occasion to assert that any person who will misbehave with women will be hanged in public.

4. Diu becomes first UT to run 100% on solar power

The harnessing of solar energy has made Diu the country’s first energy surplus Union territory and a model for an effective way for people to harness this renewable energy source.

• In just three years, Diu has made rapid progress in solar power generation.
• Diu generates a total of 13 megawatts of electricity from solar power generating facilities daily.
• Around 3 MW is generated by rooftop solar plants and 10 MW by its other solar power plants.

5. India's top court allows passive euthanasia

Over a decade after NGO Common Clause filed a petition seeking the right for terminally-ill patients “to die with dignity,” India’s Supreme Court has decreed that passive euthanasia is legally valid across the country.

• In a judgment delivered on March 09, the court said patients have the right to refuse life-support instead of prolonging their pain, and that a “living will,” in which they can authorise family members in advance to let them die, should be recognised.
• The judgment was made by a bench consisting of chief justice Dipak Misra and justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, and Ashok Bhushanin.
• India is 22nd country to legalize passive euthanasia.

6. CSO projects the growth of GDP to be 6.6 per cent in 2017-18

As per the Second Advance estimates released by Central Statistics Office (CSO) the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to be 6.6 per cent in 2017-18, which is same as the annual average GDP growth rate during last 30 years, starting from 1987-88 to 2016-17.

• However, it may be mentioned that the growth rate of GDP from 2012-13 may not be strictly comparable with the growth rate prior to that period.

7. Virat Kohli named Uber India's first brand ambassador

Popular ridesharing app Uber has announced the appointment of Indian skipper Virat Kohli as its first brand ambassador in India.

• This partnership will see Uber and Virat Kohli joining hands to underscore the company's commitment to serve billions in the country, in the years to come.

8. Sufi singer Pyarelal Wadali passes away

The Sufi singing pair of Wadali Brothers was broken as Pyarelal Wadali, the younger brother, passed away at the age of 65 in Amritsar.

• Besides Sufi kalaam and qawwali, they sang bhajan, ghazal and kaafi forms.
• The duo got Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992, Tulsi Award in 1998, and Punjabi Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003.

9. President receives the book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams – Prime Minister Modi’s tribute to Gandhiji’

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, received the first copy of the book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams – Prime Minister Modi’s Tribute to Gandhiji’ from Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who formally released it at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, noted sanitation activist, was also present. 
• Speaking on the occasion, the President said that this book underscores an important aspect of India’s developmental process.