15th MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. World Consumer Rights Day: 15 March

The World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is celebrated every year on March 15 to pay solidarity with the international consumer movement and give more attention to promote basic rights of consumers.

• It provides an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers and demand those rights that must be respected and protected.
• The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2018 will be 'Making digital marketplaces fairer'.

2. Finland tops 2018 global happiness index

The World Happiness Report published ranked 156 countries by happiness levels, based on factors such as life expectancy, social support and corruption.

• According to report, Finland is the happiest place to live. Norway and Denmark ranked second and third respectively.
• India ranked 133rd in the report. Burundi ranked last in the index.

3. Pune tops in improved quality governance: Survey

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Pune has emerged as the top city to show improvement in quality of governance, according to a survey.

• The other cities that came in the top five include Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneswar and Surat.
• The survey was conducted by Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy.

4. “Innovation Cell” to be set up in HRD Ministry to boost Innovation

An Innovation Cell in the Ministry of Human Resource Development will be created to further strengthen the innovation efforts. 

• It will be headed by a Scientist and comprise of a senior Ministry official and young professionals who bring to the table new ideas in promoting innovation.
• This was stated by Minister for Human Resource Development,  Shri Prakash Javadekar after a high level review meeting.

5. World Bank projects India's FY19 GDP growth at 7.3 per cent

The World Bank has projected India's GDP growth at 7.3 per cent for the next financial year and accelerate further to 7.5 per cent in 2019-20.

• The World Bank's biannual publication, India Development Update: India's Growth Story, expects the economy to clock a growth rate of 6.7 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 31.

6. Angela Merkel elected to fourth term as German chancellor

Angela Merkel was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany after lawmakers voted to re-elect her as leader in a close vote on Wednesday morning.

• She will now begin a historic fourth term as Chancellor.
• The vote in parliament ended almost six months of political turmoil after the federal election.

7. Indian film 'Halkaa' bags award at Montreal fest

Indian filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda's "Halkaa" has bagged the Grand Prix de Montreal at the gala.

• "Halkaa" was selected among seven international children's films from different countries in the official competition of the festival.
• The film is a take on a slum child's heroism, aspirations, and dreams.

8. Stephen Hawking: Visionary physicist dies aged 76

World renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.

• The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including ‘A Brief History of Time’.
• At the age of 22 Prof Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease.
• Stephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge.

9. Actor Narendra Jha passes away at 55

Bollywood actor Narendra Jha, known for his work in films like Raees, Haider and Kaabil among others, passed away on March 14. He was 55.

• He also essayed supporting roles in movies like Force 2, Mohenjo Daro and Humari Adhuri Kahaani.
• He was recently seen shooting for Salman Khan’s Race 3.

10. Himachal CM launches handbook on women safety

To empower womenfolk, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur released a handbook titled ‘Mahila Suraksha’ on women safety.

• The booklet talks about measures required for personal safety and safeguards regarding crimes, including sexual harassment at workplace.
• It also contains important telephone and helpline numbers.