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  • Current Affairs 13th March 2015

    Updated : 13-Mar-2015

    Current Affairs 13th March 2015 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 13th March 2015 - Details

    Who has been elected as Speaker of Kerala Assembly - N Sakthan

    On 12 March 2015, Congress legislator and deputy speaker N Shakthan was elected as the speaker of the Kerala Assembly by defeating CPI (M) candidate P Aysha Potty by 74 to 66 votes. He succeeded G Karthikeyan who died on 7 March 2015 in Bangalore, Karnataka. Shaktan resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly on 10th March 2015 before contesting for the post of speaker.

    About N Shakthan

    • Between 2004 and 2006, he had served as a Minister for Transport in state cabinet in Oommen Chandy government.
    • He was born on 5th May 1951 at Kanjiramkulam and belongs to Nadar community.
    • He is a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kattakada constituency in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.
    • He stepped in political career through trade union in Kerala.
    • For the first time, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the state in 1982 from Kovalam constituency
    • In 2001, he was re-elected to the state assembly as a representative of Congress and in 2006 from Nemom constituency.
    • Currently, he is an MLA from Kattakada constituency of Thiruvananthapuram elected in 2011.

    Which state has clinched eighth Ranji title of cricket - Karnataka

    Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 12 March 2015, Defending champions Karnataka won their eighth Ranji Trophy. Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by an innings and 217 runs at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

    In the first innings Tamil Nadu was sweeped out for 134. 762 runs were scored by Karnataka. Tamil Nadu was shot out for 411 in the final session of the fifth day's play chasing a target of 628.

    R Vinay Kumar captained the Karnataka Ranji team, while Abhinav Mukund captained the Tamil Nadu team.

    British Irish Visa Scheme came into force in - India

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 10th February 2015, The British Irish Visa Scheme came into force in India. The information related to this was revealed by Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh while answering the questions in Rajya Sabha on 12th March 2015.

    The scheme allows Indian nationals on the same trip to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland on a single-visit visa from either country. Candidates can apply at one of the existing Visa Application Centres in India of Ireland & the UK.

    This scheme enables the holder of short-stay visa issued by the country of first arrival to travel freely between Ireland and the UK including Northern Ireland, for the duration of that visa.

    Where did the Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles started - Ganjam district of Odisha

    Among the important National Current Affairs, In March 2015, The mass nesting of endangered species Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles started near river Rushikulya mouth in Ganjam district of Odisha.

    On the first day of nesting, around 10000 female turtles laid eggs in over 3-km-long sandy beach from Podampeta to Gokharakuda. Wildlife experts predict that the unique phenomenon would continue for some more days.

    This mass nesting season of Olive Ridley was followed by the sporadic nesting in the rookery, which is regarded as the second largest after Gahiramatha (world's most important nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles). Other famous places as mass nesting sites for the Olive Ridley also includes the Devi River mouth in Odisha coast.

    Which day is observed on 12th March 2015 - World Kidney Day

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 12 March 2015, World Kidney Day (WKD) was observed globally. The theme for the year 2015 is Kidney Health for All.

    It is a global health awareness campaign that focuses on the importance of the kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

    World Kidney Day

    The World Kidney Day is annually observed on the second Thursday of March. It is a joint strategy of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

    Themes for the World Kidney Day 2015 was Kidney Health for All. World Kidney Day started in 2006.

    Who has launched the Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme - Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 12 March 2015, Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme was launched by the Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Ananth Kumar. It is a web empowered system for redressal of consumers’ grievances relating to pricing and availability of medicines. The system was created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The ministry also released Compendium of Ceiling Prices of Essential Medicines 2015 prepared by NPPA.

    Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme

    • The Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme will put in place a speedy and effective complaint redressal system with respect to availability and pricing of medicines.
    • It will serve as a robust e-governance tool for protection of consumers’ interests through effective implementation of the Drugs Order, 2013.
    • It will provide consumers with an on-line facility to redress their complaints relating to over-pricing of medicines, shortage of medicines or non-availability, refusal of supply for sale of any medicine without good and sufficient reason and sale of new medicines without prior price approval of NPPA.
    • Once the complaint is rectified, NPPA will initiate action on the complaint within 48 hrs of its receipt.

    Who has been awarded with KwaZulu-Natal 2015 National Teachers Awards - Indian-origin Ganasen Reddy

    On 12 March 2015, Indian-origin South African educator, Ganasen Reddy was awarded with KwaZulu-Natal 2015 National Teachers Awards at the annual National Teaching Awards held in Johannesburg. KwaZulu-Natal 2015 National Teachers Awards is a Lifetime Achievement Award for teaching in South Africa.

    South African minister of basic education Angie Motshekga felicitated Ganasen Reddy. Reddy is awarded for sustaining a high-level of achievement throughout his long teaching career by receiving awards, results and recognition over a long time.

    Other Indian-origin teachers who were honoured at the awards function were:

    • Silas Pillay, who received the Excellence in Primary School Leadership Award.
    • Anneline Govender, who was placed second in the category Excellence in Primary School Teaching.
    • Caryn Reddy, who took third place in the category Excellence in Special Needs and Inclusive Teaching.