Current Affairs 23-24th March 2014

Current Affairs 23-24th March 2014

Updated : 24-Mar-2014

Current Affairs 23-24th March 2014 - Important Points
Current Affairs 23-24th March 2014 - Details
Syrian military jet shot down by Turkey for violating airspace
Among the important International Current Affairs, Turkey shot down military jet of Syria for airspace violation. The Syrian jet was shot down by Turkish F-16 fighter jet.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that the Syrian plane was shot following violation of Turkish airspace. But Syria had accused Turkey that the plane was over the Syrian territory when it was shot.
Important to note : Turkey and Syria share more than 500 miles (800km) of border.
Book "Rationalised Roman for Kashmiri" released
Book "Rationalised Roman for Kashmiri" was released on 23rd March 2014. This book is written by Dr R L Bhat.
Book gave the explanation on how to write the language on a computer using Microsoft word or type writer without the need for any special fonts.
This book is based on scientific modification of English alphabet for writing Kashmiri language without any of cumbersome diacritical marks. Developed in a logical manner, the author has applied the principles of Brahmi alphabet to English letters and produced an easy and adaptable scheme. Rationalised Roman for Kashmiri (RRK) can also be used for writing Hindi, Urdu, Dogri and other languages.
Important to note :

The Kashmiri language is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India as per the Constitution of India.
Indian first ever truck racing championship won by Stuart Oliver
Among the sports current affairs, a very important current affair is about the first ever Indian Truck Racing Championship.
British racer Stuart Oliver won the inaugural Tata T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship at Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida. Stuart Oliver was repersenting Castrol Vecton team in the race.
Important to note :
- Team title was awarded to Castrol Vecton.
- Stuart Oliver [50 years old] is 10 time British Truck Racing Champion.
- Race Director of T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship was Alex Felix.
Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards conferred by President
President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee conferred Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards on 22nd March 2014.
He conferred three Kriti Chakras and ten Shurya Chakras to Armed Personnel at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The five Surya Chakra was given posthumously.
These awards are given for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty.
First elected Prime Minister of Spain Adolfo Suarez passed away
First elected Prime Minister of Spain Adolfo Suarez passed away. Adolfo Suarez was 81 years old. Adolfo Suarez was suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the past decade.

Adolfo Suarez became the first elected Prime Minister after the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975 so he led Spain to democracy after decades of dictatorship.
Adolfo Suarez recognised pluralism in Spanish society and legalised the Communist Party which was banned under General Franco's regime. He also led the successful referendum on making a new Constitution of Spain. He retired from politics in 1991.
Assam Government proposed trimming of Rhinos horn
Assam government has come out with an idea of trimming horns of the rhinos translocated or straying out of the Kaziranga National Park. This bid can be made by Assam government to save rhinos from poachers.
This Assam government's proposal was made public through an advertisement in local newspapers over the week, inviting citizens opinion on the pros and cons.
Few of my friends may relate it to de-horning, but in actual is trimming, like we trim our hair, So trimmed horns will grow back to their original size in 4-5 months. So do not worry about attraction of the rhinos :) .
Important to note :
- The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) of Assam had recently constituted a committee to ascertain the feasibility and necessity for trimming horns particularly of translocated and stray rhinos.
- This idea was propsed by the Indian Rhino Vision (IVR) 2020.
- Indian Rhino Vision (IVR) 2020 is a joint programme of WWF-India, Assam’s forest department, International Rhino Foundation and some NGOs. Its objective is to increase the population of rhinos in Assam to 3000 by 2020.
Ebola virus detected in Guinea victims
A virus causing haemorrhagic fever called Ebola Virus was detected on 23rd March 2014 in Guinea.
More than 80 persons have been detected to have been infected with Ebola virus. Out of this 59 persons from Sierra Leone and Liberia have died.
Government spokesman Damantang Albert Camara said the virus was found in tests conducted at a laboratory in Lyon, France.
Previously in 2012, Ebola outbreaks have been reported in Congo and Uganda.
Read other important current affairs.