22nd March 2016 - Important Current Affairs updates

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International Affairs

• Today (22nd March 2015) is World Water Day.
• • This day is a United Nations initiative to celebrate clean water and bring attention to those who don’t have enough of it.
  • The first World Water Day was celebrated in 1993 after the United Nations approved of the same. 
  • Theme of World Water Day 2016 : 'Better water, better jobs'
  • Theme of World Water Day 2015 : "Water and Sustainable Development"
• Belgian Capital Brussels comes under terror attacks.
• • At least 31 killed and 81 injured in blasts at airport and Metro.
  • World leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemn the attacks.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a three nation visit to Belgium, United States & Saudi Arabia.
• • Mr Modi will be in Brussels on 30th of this month for India-EU Summit to deepen the India-EU strategic partnership and advance collaboration in priority areas of growth and development.
  • During his second leg of visit, he will attend the 4th Nuclear Security Summit on March 31st to 1st of April at Washington DC.
  • On his way back home, Mr Modi will visit Saudi Arabia on 2nd and 3rd of April.
    
• India has assumed BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Chairmanship from the Russian Federation for the year 2016.
• • External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj formally unveiled the BRICS Logo for the duration of India’s BRICS Chairmanship.
  • She also launched India’s BRICS website on the occasion. 
  • She announced that the 8th BRICS Summit would be organized in Goa on 15-16 October this year.
  • Over fifty meetings and events, at the Ministerial, Senior Officials, Working Groups, Technical, and Track-II levels, are proposed to be organized during India’s BRICS Chairmanship through the year.

National Affairs

• As per a report released by Water Aid, India has the world's highest number of people without access to clean water. 
• • The report added that 75.8 million Indians are forced to buy water at high rates or use water that is contaminated with sewage/chemicals. 
  • Indians account for more than a tenth of the 650 million people worldwide without clean water access.
• The Punjab Assembly today passed a law that imposes life imprisonment for the sacrilege of the Sikh religious book Guru Granth Sahib. 
• • Under the new amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), punishment for defiling places of worship was increased from two to 10 years. 
  • However, an amendment seeking to extend the punishment to cover other religions was rejected.
• The government today cleared the new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) that focuses on fast-tracking acquisitions and Indian-made products. 

Business & Economy

• IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today announced that India has attracted investments over ₹1.28 lakh crore in electronics manufacturing sector. 

Deaths

• Former Intel CEO Andrew Grove (79) passed away. 
• • Considered as a pioneer in the semiconductor industry and the "guy who drove the growth phase" of Silicon Valley, Grove played a critical role in moving Intel’s focus from memory chips to microprocessors. 

Awards & Honors

• Renowned Malayalam writer M Sukumaran was chosen for the CV Kunhiraman Literary Prize.
• • The prize consists of 10001 rupees in cash, a citation, and a statuette designed by artist BD Dathan.

Sports

• Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi became the highest wicket-taker in World T20 tournaments, after picking up his 39th WT20 wicket in the WT20 Group game against New Zealand today. 
• • Important Points to Note : 
  • • Afridi surpassed Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga's record of 38 WT20 wickets. 
    • Afridi, with a total tally of 97 wickets, is also the highest wicket-taker in T20Is.
• Olympic gold medalist and Indian ace shooter Abhinav Bindra has set up a venture capital fund named 'Shooting Star LLP'. 
• • This fund is created in an equal partnership with consulting firm Franchise India, and an initial investment of $2 million. 
  • It will invest in emerging sports academies, sports injury, rehab, equipment and training, health apps, child development and organic foods.
• Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt today confirmed that this year's Rio Olympics will be his last Olympics. 
• • Note : He won six Olympic gold medals for his performances in 2008 and 2012.

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