Top News Current Affairs The Wake Up Show 17 March (2018)

Breaking News Lok Sabha Passes Payment Of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates Delhi Energy Dialogue (DED) 2018 Three-day annual Krishi Unnati Mela, focusing on doubling farmers income began in New Delhi Ministry of Health launches LaQshya program to benefit pregnant woman and newborn

Breaking News PM Modi inaugurates 105 Indian Science Congress in Manipur India ranks 78th on WEF Energy Transition Index, topped by Sweden Veteran actress Simi Garewal wins UK Golden Flame Award Mujahid Anwar Khan appointed new Pakistan Air chief

Breaking News Germany s Tommy Haas retires from professional tennis Nepal gains one-day international status for the first time Sanjivani Jadhav wins bronze in 14 Asian Cross Country Championship World Sleep Day March 16

Lok Sabha Passes Payment Of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Lok Sabha passed Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 which seeks to authorise Central Government to fix tax-free gratuity amount and period of maternity leave with an executive order.

Background information and Salient Features of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017: The bill was introduced by Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar in the Lok Sabha during the winter session. Under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, formal sector workers with five or more years of service are eligible for maximum Rs. 10 lakh tax-free gratuity after leaving job or at time of superannuation.

After implementation of 7 Central Pay Commission recommendations, ceiling of gratuity amount for central government employees was increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. The amendment bill also contains a provision which empowers Central Government to notify the period of maternity leave eligible for qualifying as continuous service under the gratuity law. This provision on maternity leave has been included in backdrop of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 through which maximum maternity leave period has been enhanced to 26 weeks.

Quick Facts about Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972: Principle Employees serving for a long period are entitled to claim a certain amount as retirement benefit Came in to force on September 16, 1972 Applies to organisations with 10 or more persons Payable to An employee who has rendered continuous service for not less than 5 years.

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates Delhi Energy Dialogue (DED) 2018 Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the first edition of Delhi Energy Dialogue (DED) 2018 in New Delhi.

Details about Delhi Energy Dialogue (DED) 2018: The dialogue was organised by Ashden India Collective (AIC) in alliance with the Climate Parliament and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The dialogue served as a platform for stakeholders in the field of energy and power to deliberate on key developments and challenges for energy for all in India.

While inaugurating the dialogue, Mr. Pradhan stated that India is a happening place for energy as every day 40 million people are going to hydrocarbon retail points to meet their demand and 190 million people are getting the benefit of subsidies. He also added that by 2040, India s energy consumption will grow by compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4 per cent and India currently offers 1 lakh crore of bio-fuel and bioenergy business to the world.

Three-day annual Krishi Unnati Mela begins in Delhi Three-day annual Krishi Unnati Mela, focusing on doubling farmers income began in New Delhi on March 16, 2018

Highlights of Krishi Unnati Mela: The objective of Krishi Unnati Mela is to create awareness among farmers about latest agriculture related developments. Farmers and agri-scientists from various parts of India will be attending this Mela.

800 stalls displaying latest agriculture and allied sector technologies have been set up at the venue of Krishi Unnati Mela. A theme pavilion on doubling of farmers income, organic farming, cooperatives, farm inputs, has also been set up to familiarise farmers with the latest developments in the farming techniques.

Ministry of Health launches LaQshya program to benefit pregnant woman and newborn The launch of LaQshya program that aims to improve quality of care in labour room and maternity Operation Theatre (OT), was recently announced by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

LaQshya: Aim: LaQshya aims to enhance quality of care for pregnant women in labour room, maternity Operation Theatre and Obstetrics Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and High Dependency Units (HDUs). Implementation: It will be implemented at all Medical College Hospitals, District Hospitals and First Referral Unit (FRU), and Community Health Center (CHCs).

This program will reduce maternal and newborn mortality count. It will offer Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) to all pregnant women in public health facilities In order to improve critical care in Obstetrics, dedicated Obstetric ICUs at Medical College Hospital level and Obstetric HDUs at District Hospital will be implemented through this program.

The quality improvement in labour room and maternity OT will be monitored through NQAS (National Quality Assurance Standards). Facility that obtains 70% score on NQAS will be given LaQshya certification. Facilities that obtain more than 90%, 80% and 70% score will be awarded Platinum, Gold and Silver badge respectively.

Facilities that obtain NQAS certification, required quality indicators and 80% satisfied beneficiaries will receive Rs 6 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh as incentive for Medical College Hospital, District Hospital and FRUs respectively.

About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Minister of Health Jagat Prakash Nadda Ministers of State for Health Ashwani Kumar Choubey, Anupriya Patel

PM Modi inaugurates 105 Indian Science Congress in Manipur Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 105th session of the Indian Science Congress in Imphal, Manipur.

PM Modi inaugurates 105 Indian Science Congress in Manipur: Imphal has become the second city in the North-East India to host the Indian Science Congress. The Indian Science Congress has participation from 5000 delegations. Noble laureates, scientists, scholars and researchers from all over India take part in this congress.

He inaugurated Luwangpokpa Multi-Sports Complex, Rani Gaidinliu Park, and few other projects after inaugurating the congress. He laid foundation stone of the National Sports University, 1000 Anganwadi Centres, 19 residential complexes for teachers, doctors and nurses, etc.

Some UNESCO Natural Heritage sites in India: Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area Himachal Pradesh Kaziranga National Park Assam Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan

India ranks 78th on WEF Energy Transition Index, topped by Sweden India has ranked 78 among 114 countries on the World Economic Forum s (WEF s) Energy Transition Index.

About Energy Transition Index: Energy Transition Index benchmarks 114 countries on the current level of their energy system performance, and the readiness of their macro environment for transition to a secure, sustainable, affordable and inclusive future energy system. The index is a part of first edition of Fostering Effective Energy Transition report, prepared by World Economic Forum (WEF) with analytical support from McKinsey & Company.

Energy Transition Index Top 10: 1 Sweden 2 Norway 3 Switzerland 4 Finland 5 Denmark

Quick Facts about World Economic Forum (WEF): Formed in 1971 Headquarters Cologny, Switzerland Current Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab

Veteran actress Simi Garewal wins UK Golden Flame Award Indian actress Simi Garewal received the UK Golden Flame Award at the opening ceremony of the Tongues of Fire UK Asian Film Festival in London.

Simi Garewal UK Golden Flame Award: Simi Garewal is an actress and a talk show host. She has been honoured with this award for her contribution to Indian cinema. The Tongues of Fire UK Asian Film Festival is held between 15 and 25 March 2018. It is held in London, Leicester, Manchester and Edinburgh.

About Film and Television Institute of India (FTII): Chairman Anupam Kher Location Pune, Maharashtra

Mujahid Anwar Khan appointed new Pakistan Air chief On 16 March 2018, Pakistan appointed Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan as the new chief of Pakistan air staff.

Mujahid Anwar Khan appointed new Pakistan Air chief: Mujahid Anwar Khan will take charge as Pakistan Air chief on 19 March 2018. He replaces Sohail Aman. Currently, Mujahid Anwar Khan is Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Support) and Director General, Air Force Strategic Command at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

Some important airports in India: Veer Savarkar International Airport Port Blair Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru Biju Patnaik International Airport Bhubaneswar

Germany s Tommy Haas retires from professional tennis Tommy Haas of Germany, the Indian Wells Tournament Director, has announced his retirement from professional tennis.

Retirement of Tommy Haas: Tommy has announced his retirement at the age of 39. He became world number two in May 2002. He bagged silver medal in the Olympic Games in 2000. He has achieved 569 career wins. He was made Tournament Director at Indian Wells in 2016.

About Tommy Haas: German former professional tennis player Born 3 April 1978

Nepal gains one-day international status for the first time Nepal cricket team gained One-Day International (ODI) status for the first time.

Nepal gains one-day international status for the first time: Nepal cricket team has gained ODI status after it won over Papua New Guinea by six wickets in the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe on 15 March 2018. This is a significant achievement for Nepal as that Nepal cricket board is currently suspended by ICC.

About International Cricket Council (ICC): Chairman Shashank Manohar CEO David Richardson

Sanjivani Jadhav wins bronze in 14 Asian Cross Country Championship India s Sanjivani Jadhav won bronze medal in women s 8km cross country race in the 14 Asian Cross Country Championship at Guiyang in China.

Sanjivani Jadhav wins bronze in 14 Asian Cross Country Championship: Sanjivani Jadhav covered the 8 km distance in 28 minutes and 19 seconds and won bronze medal in the women s 8km event. She was surpassed by China s Li Dan (28:03) and Japan s Abe Yukari (28:06). Indian women s team comprising Sanjivani, Swati Gadhave, Jhuma Khatun and Lalita Babar also bagged a bronze medal.

Performance of three best finishers of a country in the individual race is taken into account for team medal.

About Asian Cross Country Championships: Frequency biennial Type regional cross country running competition for athletes from Asia

World Sleep Day March 16 On 16 March 2018, World Sleep Day was observed all over the world.

World Sleep Day: World Sleep Day is an annual event organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of World Sleep Society. When: It is observed every year on the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox. The next World Sleep Day will be on 15 March 2019.

Why: This day aims to reduce the burden of sleep problems by means of better prevention and management of sleep disorders. Theme for World Sleep Day 2018: Join the Sleep World, Preserve Your Rhythms to Enjoy Life. About World Sleep Society: President Charles Morin Secretary Yuichi Inoue

Keep Calm and lets play QUIZ...!! All The Best

Current Affairs Quiz 1. The 2018 Krishi Unnati Mela has started in which city? a. Lucknow b. New Delhi c. Indore d. Jaipur

Current Affairs Quiz 2. The provision on maternity leave has been included in backdrop of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 through which maximum maternity leave period has been enhanced to? a. 26 weeks b. 24 weeks c. 23 weeks d. 25 weeks

Current Affairs Quiz 3. Ministry of Health launches program to benefit pregnant woman and newborn? a. Janani Suraksha Yojana b. LaQshya c. Udisha d. None of these

Current Affairs Quiz 4. PM Modi inaugurates 105 Indian Science Congress in? a. Assam b. Nagaland c. Agartala d. Imphal

Current Affairs Quiz 5. Which country topped on WEF Energy Transition Index? a. Norway b. Switzerland c. Finland d. Sweden

Current Affairs Quiz 6. Where is Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) located? a. Maharashtra b. Delhi c. Kolkata d. Hyderabad

Current Affairs Quiz 7. Germany s Tommy Haas retires from professional tennis, he belongs to which country? a. Serbia b. United Kingdom c. Germany d. Switzerland

Static Gk Who is the Minister of Health and Family Welfare?

Answer Jagat Prakash Nadda

Static Gk Where is Keoladeo National Park?

Answer Rajasthan

Static Gk Who is the chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)?

Answer Anupam Kher

Static Gk Who is the chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC)?

Answer Shashank Manohar

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