Current Affairs 16th March 2016

Important Points : 

• Who has been suspended by UN as goodwill ambassador after doping allegations - Maria Sharapova 
• Who has won First Prize in UN #LinksSDGs Data Visualization Challenge - India-based software engineer Abdulqadir Rashik
• Which day is observed on 10th March - World Kidney Day 
• Which day is observed on 16th March - World Consumer Rights Day
• Who is the author of Gandhi: An Illustrated Biography - Pramod Kapoor
• Who has won Chameli Devi Jain Award - Priyanka Kakodkar and Raksha Kumar

Details : 

Who has been suspended by UN as goodwill ambassador after doping allegations - Maria Sharapova 

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 15th March 2016, Maria Sharapova was suspended as a goodwill ambassador by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) after doping allegations.

In February 2007, she became goodwill ambassador after winning five-time grand slam...

The New York based UNDP in a statement said that it was suspending Sharapova, who worked as a goodwill Ambassador, until the outcome of the investigation into her case is known.

Who has won First Prize in UN #LinksSDGs Data Visualization Challenge - India-based software engineer Abdulqadir Rashik

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 15th March 2016, the Unite Ideas #LinksSDGs Data Visualization Challenge was won by India-based software engineer Abdulqadir Rashik for his submission Links to Sustainable Cities, an interactive visualization that identifies and maps the links between Sustainable Development Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and the other 16 Goals.  

He is an entrepreneur and founder of India-based Miavy Systems.

The project was a association between the Office of Information and Communications Technology, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ Division for Sustainable Development.

About #LinksSDGs

It is the third challenge issued by Unite Ideas, a big data crowd sourcing platform developed by the Office of Information and Communications Technology.

Which day is observed on 10th March - World Kidney Day 

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 10th March 2016, World Kidney Day (WKD) was observed worldwide with the theme Kidney Disease & Children. Act Early to Prevent It!

The motive of selecting the theme was to inform policy makers, parents, young patients, the general public and caregivers of the importance of identifying and treating childhood kidney diseases.

About World Kidney Day

This day is observed on the second Thursday of March every year. It is a joint initiative of the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN).

The day was initiated in the year 2006. 

Which day is observed on 16th March - World Consumer Rights Day

On 15th March 2016, The World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2016 was observed across the world. The Consumers International (CI) celebrated the day with the theme Antibiotics off the Menu.

About World Consumer Rights Day

• The day is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers.
• The CI serves as the only independent and authoritative global voice for consumers and is the world federation of consumer groups.
• The day was first observed on 15th March 1983.

Who is the author of Gandhi: An Illustrated Biography - Pramod Kapoor

Among the important National Current Affairs, In Second week of March 2016, Gandhi: An Illustrated Biography authored by Pramod Kapoor was in news. 

The book is a study about growth of a mischievous, fun-loving boy, into the Mahatma. 

The books has mentioned all the important phases of his life.

About Pramod Kapoor

• He is the founder and publisher of Roli Books.
• New Delhi: The Making of a Capital, Made for Maharajas, Then and Now series are some of his famous books.

Who has won Chameli Devi Jain Award - Priyanka Kakodkar and Raksha Kumar

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 15th March 2016, Priyanka Kakodkar and Raksha Kumar were named as joint winners of the 2015-16 Chameli Devi Jain Award for their work that clubs social concern and compassion with pioneering reportage and analytical skills.

In the year 2015, Kakodkar's reports, which targeted on the acute farming crisis in Maharashtra, were published on the front page of The Times of India. More than 50 of her reports were published in a year by the paper.

Besides, Raksha Kumar won the honour as her reports focused on the perilous features of the Union Government's proposal to amend the Land Acquisition Act, the Forest Rights Act and the Coal Act.

On 17th March 2016, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh will present the award to them at the India International Centre, Delhi.

About Chameli Devi Jain Award

It is the premier award for women media persons in India initiated in 1982.