Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2020

Notes:
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda recently launched the ‘1000 Springs Initiative’ at a programme in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The initiative aims at improving access to safe and adequate water for the tribal communities. It aims to generate livelihood opportunities for the tribal people and provisions for piped water supply for drinking, irrigation and sanitation initiatives. He also launched a Programme for Capacity Building of Scheduled Tribe Representatives in Local Self Governments.

Notes:
As per the recent report by online payment processor Worldline India, Bengaluru accounted for the highest number of digital transactions in India in 2019.
Bengaluru, which was the leading city in digital transactions in 2018, is followed by Chennai, Mumbai and Pune this year. The report also revealed that United Payments Interface (UPI) was the most preferred mode of payment, followed by debit cards and immediate payment service (IMPS).

Notes:
A national-level public health initiative, ‘Right To Protein’ has launched India’s first ‘Protein Day’ on February 27, 2020.
The day is observed to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of protein. February 27 is celebrated as 1Protein Day by some other countries as well. This year, the theme of the day is selected as ‘Protein Mein Kya Hai?’, to create awareness about the protein consumption.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh assembly Speaker recently announced that the state’s MLAs’ Local Area Development Fund (MLALAD Fund) to Rs.3 Crore per annum.
The fund has been increased from the previous limit of Rs. 2 Crore a year. This hike in the limit is expected to accelerate the developmental activities made in the constituencies. In 2018, the state government had increased MLALAD funds from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore per annum

Notes:
Rare Disease Day is observed across the world on the last day of February each year. This year it is observed on February 29, 2020.
The main objective of Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on the lives of patients. It is estimated that more than 300 million people are living with rare diseases.

Notes:
Recently, Norway’s Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein, during his three-day visit to India participated in Mithi river clean-up with the environmental activist Afroz Shah.
Afroz Shah is an environmental activist from Mumbai, Maharashtra. He is known for organising the largest beach clean-up drive. He was also awarded the ‘UN Champions of the Earth’ award for the same, in 2016. He had earlier been to Norway for a beach clean-up programme.

Notes:
Veteran athletics coach and Dronacharya awardee Joginder Singh Saini recently passed away at the age of 90.
He had served as the Chief national athletics coach for several years between 1970 and 1990. He had also been the chief coach of the then Amateur Athletics Federation of India. Saini received the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 1997 for his contribution to Indian athletics.

Notes:
China-based consumer electronics firm and smartphone manufacturer OPPO recently announced its mutual fund platform named ‘KASH’.
The ‘OPPO Kash’ service, which will be pre-installed in all OPPO smartphones, will offer users to invest in mutual funds. The platform will also provide free credit reports, personal loans up to two lakh, business loans up to ₹2 crore and screen insurance.

Notes:
‘World Hearing Day’ is observed on 3 March each year, to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss.
Every year, World Health Organisation decides the theme and develops advocacy materials such as posters and presentations. ‘WHO’ organizes an annual World Hearing Day seminar at its headquarters in Geneva. The theme of this year’s day is ‘Don’t let hearing loss limit you’.

Notes:
The chairman of the LuLu Group, M A Yusuff Ali recently became the first Indian to receive Saudi Arabia’s premium residency. Abu Dhabi-based Indian retail business-person was also ranked the richest expatriate in the UAE by the Forbes magazine last year.
The permit also known as Saudi Green Card, grants expatriates the right to live, work and own business and property in the country without the requirement of a sponsor.