Current Affairs 22nd March 2016

Important Points : 

• Name the mobile app launched to help farmers to take the technology to farm fields - Pusa Krishi 
• Who has been chosen for CV Kunhiraman Literary Prize - M Sukumaran
• Who has won BNP Paribas Open titles - Novak Djokovic & Victoria Azarenka
• Who has been declared winner of Presidential Elections of semi-autonomous region Zanzibar - Ali Mohamed Shein
• Name the Former Intel Chairman and CEO who has passed away - Andrew Grove
• Who has won silver medal in Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament - Wrestler Hardeep Singh 
• Who has been nominated as first US female Combatant Chief - Lori Robinson
• Who has topped Britain’s Asian Rich List 2016 - Hinduja Brothers
• 5th National Photography Awards presented

Details : 

Name the mobile app launched to help farmers to take the technology to farm fields - Pusa Krishi 

On 21st March 2016, a new mobile app Pusa Krishi was launched by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh at the farewell session of the three-day Krishi Unnati Mela. 

With the help of this app farmers will be able to find easy solutions to the problems in their farm fields and also helps taking measures to save crops after getting information about weather.

It will also give information to farmers related to new varieties of crops developed by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).

Apart from this, PM Narenda Modi also launched Kisan Suvidha mobile app.

Who has been chosen for CV Kunhiraman Literary Prize - M Sukumaran

Among the important National Current Affairs, In third week of March 2016, Renowned Malayalam writer M Sukumaran was chosen for the CV Kunhiraman Literary Prize.

About M Sukumaran

• He is an author and short story writer in Malayalam.
• In the year 1976, for his book Marichittillathavarude Smarakangal, he won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award.

Who has won BNP Paribas Open titles - Novak Djokovic & Victoria Azarenka

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 20th March 2016, women's and men’s singles titles of the BNP Paribas Open was won by Victoria Azarenka of Belarusia and World No 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

It was the third in a row and fifth Indian Wells title for Novak Djokovic. 

Besides, Victoria Azarenka lifted her 19th singles title and second BNP Paribas Open crown.

About BNP Paribas Open

• It is popularly known as Indian Wells open as it is held in Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Southern California.
• It is the largest two-week combined WTA Premier professional tennis tournament and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in the world.
• The tournament provides Hawkeye, the official line-challenge system for players.

Who has been declared winner of Presidential Elections of semi-autonomous region Zanzibar - Ali Mohamed Shein

On 21st March 2016, President Ali Mohamed Shein of Tanzania ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) was declared as the winner of the presidential elections by Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC). 

He won 299982 votes against just 6076 votes (1.9 percent) won by his main rival Seif Sharif Hamad of the opposition Civic United Front (CUF). 

Name the Former Intel Chairman and CEO who has passed away - Andrew Grove

On 21st March 2016, Andrew Grove, former Chairman and CEO of Intel, passed away at the age of 79.

In the year 1979, Grove became Intel’s President and in the year 1987 he became the CEO. From 1997 to 2005, he served as Chairman of the Board.

About Andrew Grove

• He was referred to as the ‘guy who drove the growth phase’ of Silicon Valley.
• He was awarded with the 1st Annual Heinz Award in Technology, the Economy and Employment in 1995.
• He was chosen as the Time Magazine's Man of the Year in 1997.

Who has won silver medal in Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament - Wrestler Hardeep Singh 

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 20th March 2016, silver medal in the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament was won by Indian wrestler Hardeep Singh.

With this win, in the past 12 years, Hardeep became the first Indian to get an Olympic berth in the Greco-Roman category. 

Who has been nominated as first US female Combatant Chief - Lori Robinson

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 18th March 2016, General Lori Robinson was nominated to lead the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and NORAD as announced by the US Defence Secretary Ash Carter. With this, she became the first woman to command a major Unified Combatant Command.

It is one of the most senior position in US military and must be confirmed by the Senate.

About United States Northern Command

It is a Unified Combatant Command of the U.S. military tasked with providing military support for civil authorities in the U.S., and protecting the territory and national interests of the United States within the contiguous United States, Alaska, (not Hawaii), Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico (and the air, land and sea approaches to these areas).

Who has topped Britain’s Asian Rich List 2016 - Hinduja Brothers

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 18th March 2016, the Asian Rich List 2016 was topped by the Hinduja Brothers, S P Hinduja and G P Hinduja.

For the fourth consecutive year with an estimated personal fortune of 16.5 billion pounds, the Hinduja Brothers emerged as the richest Asian-origin entrepreneurs in Britain.

The second place in the list was occupied by Steel tycoon Lakshmi Niwas Mittal.

Sri Prakash Lohia, chairman of the Indorama Corporation stood at the 3rd position.

Owners of discount retail chain, the Arora Brothers, Simon, Bobby and Robin were listed as the 4th richest.

Cyrus Vandrevala stood at number five in the list.

5th National Photography Awards presented

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 21st March 2016, 5th National Photography Awards was presented by the Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting Arun Jailey.

A total of 12 awards were presented on this occasion to various amateur and professional photographers in addition to the Life Time Achievement Award.

Recipients of major awards

• Himanshu Thakur - Amateur Photographer
• Javed Ahmed Dar - Professional Photographer Award
• Bhawan Singh - Life Time Achievement Award