Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2023

Notes:
After receiving the no-objection letter from the Union Home Ministry, the Government of Maharashtra issued the notification to change the name of Aurangabad city to Chatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmnabad city to Dharashiv.
Aurangabad is a city in Maharashtra state, which is known for 17th-century marble Bibi ka Maqbara shrine, styled on the Taj Mahal. Aurangabad Caves comprise ancient, rock-cut Buddhist shrines.

Notes:
The Kerala government launched robotic scavenger named ‘Bandicoot’, to clean sewages in temple town of Guruvayur.
It becomes the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes. It was launched under Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.

Notes:
India ranks 42nd among 55 leading global economies in the International Intellectual Property Index report released by the U.S. Chambers of Commerce.
India was at the 40th rank in the year 2021. The report covers patent and copyright laws, ability to monetise IP assets and the ratification of international agreements. Morocco and Thailand at 2.5% each and Vietnam at 2.02% had the largest improvements in their overall score.

Notes:
Turkey has launched a temporary salary support scheme and banned job cuts in southern provinces that are hit by earthquakes.
The devastating quakes killed over 42,000 people in the country as well as in Neighbouring Syria. The government will provide salary support for employers in provinces under the state of emergency. The government also banned layoffs in the earthquake zone, except for some valid reasons.

Notes:
The Indian government launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). in 2008 to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices to everyone.
It is implemented by the Pharma & Medical Bureau of India (PMBI), which was formerly known as the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Union Health Minister recently announced that 9,082 Janaushadhi Kendras are being operated under PMBJP.

Notes:
The India Philanthropy Report 2023 was released by non-profit Dasra and consulting firm Bain & Company.
According to this report, the contributions by ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNIs) in India to the social sector has declined by 5% in the financial year ending March 2022, when the donations made by Wipro founder chairman Azim Premji are excluded.

Notes:
The National Safety Day is celebrated on March 4 across India every year. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of health and safety at workplaces and create a culture of safety among the general public.
The National Safety Day commemorates the establishment of the National Safety Council (NSC) of India in 1966. It was observed for the first time in 1972. The theme for National Safety Day 2023 is ‘Our Aim – Zero Harm’.

Notes:
The report titled ‘Mind the Gender Gap’ was released recently the CFA Institute. It is created based on the data from BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report) disclosures.
The BRSR framework was released in 2021 by SEBI as a set of sustainability disclosure mechanism for private companies. According to the Mind the Gender Gap report, women’s participation rate in finance and related sectors is low in India. Only 21.7 percent of women are employed in financial services companies and only 15.9 percent are employed in key managerial positions.

Notes:
Race Across India is Asia’s longest ever cycle race. It was kicked off recently from Srinagar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The final destination of this first-of-its-kind race is Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu covering a distance of 3,655 kilometres. Geeta Rao is the only female participant in this race, which is being participated by 29 cyclists. She is India’s first differently-abled Super Randonneur.

Notes:
Phyllurus fimbriatus, a new species of gecko, has been discovered on an uninhabited Queensland Island.
The carnivorous reptile measures about 15 cm in length and has a leaf-shaped tail and a beaky face. The lizard was named the Scawfell Island leaf-tailed gecko due to the fringe of spines around its tail. The newly discovered gecko is found in the rainforest-covered and rockiest pockets of Scawfell.