Current Affairs 31st March 2015

Current Affairs 31st March 2015 - Important Points

• Name the Navigational Satellite launched by ISRO successfully - IRNSS 1-D

• Which country has organised World’s first Otaku Expo - Japan

• Who has been conferred with Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award of Hockey India - Balbir Singh Senior

• Which state government has launched India’s first e-Vidhan Mobile app - Himachal Pradesh Government

• Which New Zealand cricketer retired from all forms of International Cricket - Daniel Vettori

• Who took over as Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command - Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba

• Union Cabinet gave its approval for the - Approach and Key Components of e-Kranti

• Name the book authored by Gerald Posner - God’s Bankers

• Who has released Open Government Index 2015 Report - WJP

Current Affairs 31st March 2015 - Details

Name the Navigational Satellite launched by ISRO successfully - IRNSS 1-D

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th March 2015, The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) 1-D satellite was launched successfully by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The satellite will provide mapping, tracking and navigation services.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C27 was used to place the satellite in geosynchronous orbit. This is the 28th successive mission of the PSLV. For this mission, the 'XL' configuration of PSLV was used. Earlier, the same configuration of the vehicle was successfully used seven times.

About IRNSS

IRNSS-1D, weighing 1425 kg, is the fourth among the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS. In July 2013, April 2014 and October 2014, IRNSS-1A, 1B and 1C respectively were the first three satellites of the constellation launched successfully by PSLV.

IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1500 km around the Indian mainland. This satellite would provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Services (SPS) - provided to all users and Restricted Services (RS)- provided to authorised users only.

The next satellite of this constellation, namely, IRNSS-1E, is planned to be launched. By 2016, the entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is planned to be completed.

Government of India is working to launch its own Global Navigational Satellite Services, GINS (Global Indian Navigation Satellite) system, similar to Global Positioning System (GPS) of the the US by using the IRNSS.

Which country has organised World’s first Otaku Expo - Japan

Among the important International Current Affairs, From 28th March 2015 to 29th March 2015, at Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba Prefecture, Japan organised the world's first Otaku Expo. For the first time groups from outside Japan were invited to mark the event.

About four dozen overseas Otaku groups attended the Expo. From at least 18 countries and territories, the visitors so-called Otaku, usually translated as geeks was dressed as their favourite cartoon characters.

The term Otaku is commonly used in the country to refer to people dominated with Japan's unique take on animation and comics. While it once carried a negative implication, many Otaku are now proudly showcasing their affection for two-dimensional heroes.

Do You Know : 

Japan is an island nation in East Asia and Capital of Japan is Tokyo and Currency of Japan is Yen.

Who has been conferred with Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award of Hockey India - Balbir Singh Senior

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th March 2015, Hockey India conferred Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary Balbir Singh Senior. He received a trophy and a cash prize of 30 lakh rupees as a award.

Balbir Singh Senior was a member of three Olympic gold medal winning Indian team, viz., London Olympics (1948), Helsinki Olympics (1952) and Melbourne Olympics (1956). He was the Vice Captain of the Indian Hockey team during Helsinki Olympics and Captain during Melbourne Olympics.

His 1952 record of most goals (five) in an Olympic final still remains unbeaten and he also figures in the list of 16 iconic Olympians of all-time. He is often called Balbir Singh Senior to distinguish him from other Indian hockey players named Balbir Singh.

Which state government has launched India’s first e-Vidhan Mobile app - Himachal Pradesh Government

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 30th March 2015, Virbhadra Singh, the CM of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated part one of e-Vidhan Mobile application. The members can access the app 45 minutes before the question hours on android and tablets having information about the day business.

With this launch, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha became the first state assembly in the country to launch the app. This will help the state to save about 8 crore rupees per annum that is spent on the paper.

Features of the e-Vidhan Mobile app

• The info provided on the app could be amended on line.
• The bills laid or introduced for discussion will also be made available to the members.
• The information about government notification, reports lay in the house by the committees, budget speech and salary and perks' drawn by members could be view on the apps.
• The app can be used through wi-fi service which will be made available to the members in side assembly complex during the session.
• It will notify the Vidhan Sabha’s press releases, budget speeches, bulletins, documents and the bills tabled in the House.

Which New Zealand cricketer retired from all forms of International Cricket - Daniel Vettori

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 30th March 2015, Daniel Vettori, player of New Zealand cricket team retired from all forms of International Cricket. Vettori announced his retirement officially after the final match of the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

He scored nine runs in his final match against Australia. But his economy rate and 13 wickets throughout the tournament helped New Zealand in qualifying for the World Cup final for the first time.

Who took over as Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command - Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 30th March 2015, charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command was took over by Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba. At a ceremonial parade held at the Naval base in Kochi, Vice Admiral SPS Cheema handed him the charge. Prior to this, Vice Admiral Lanba laid a wreath at the War Memorial.

On 31st March 2015, Vice Admiral Cheema will assume the charge of the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command on the retirement of the present incumbent, Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chopra.

Union Cabinet gave its approval for the - Approach and Key Components of e-Kranti

On 25th March 2015, The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for the Approach and Key Components of e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) 2.0. e-Kranti is an important pillar of the Digital India programme and the programme has been envisaged by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY).

Objectives of e-Kranti

• To safeguard optimum usage of core Information & Communication Technology (ICT).
• To advance rapid replication and integration of eGov applications.
• To influence upcoming technologies.
• To reconsider NeGP with transformational and outcome oriented e-Governance initiatives.
• To amplify the portfolio of citizen centric services.
• More agile implementation models to be used.

Key principles of e-Kranti

• Government Process Reengineering (GPR) to be mandatory in every Mission Mode Projects (MMPs)
• ICT Infrastructure on Demand
• Language Localization
• National GIS (Geo-Spatial Information System)
• Secure and Electronic Data Preservation
• Cloud by Default
• Mobile First
• Transformation and not Translation
• Integrated Services and no Individual Services
• Fast Tracking Approvals
• Mandating Standards and Protocols

Name the book authored by Gerald Posner - God’s Bankers

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 3rd february 2015, Book titled God's Bankers: A History of Money and Power at the Vatican authored by Gerald Posner was released.

Posner is an an author and an American investigative journalist, through this book he has tried to present the secret side of the 200-year history of Vatican finances and the Vatican Bank, the Catholic Church's completely independent financial institution.

The book is about the church’s accumulation of wealth and its byzantine entanglements with financial markets. It talks about the political fascination and inner workings of the Catholic Church. It showcases with extraordinary precision how the Vatican has evolved from a foundation of faith to a corporation of extreme wealth and power.

Who has released Open Government Index 2015 Report - WJP

In 3rd week of March 2015, World Justice Project (WJP) released the Open Government Index 2015. In 2015, out of the 102 countries assessed in the 2015 Index, Sweden stood first in the list in terms of openness in the government. It is trailed by New Zealand at second place and Norway at third place. The other top ten countries are: Finland, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia and Canada.

In the index, Cambodia, Iran, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe are positioned in the last last . Four dimensions were used in the index namely civic participation, right to information, complaint mechanisms and Publicised laws and government data to assess openness in government functioning.

India has been placed at the 37th position in the 2015 Index. India is placed at the top among the South Asian countries followed by Nepal (40), Sri Lanka (52), Bangladesh (73), Pakistan (83) and Afghanistan (89). India is placed at the third position among the Lower Middle Income countries after Georgia and Indonesia.