08 March 2019 Current Affairs
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UNDP appoints Padma Lakshmi as Goodwill Ambassador
Indian-American television personality and food expert Padma Lakshmi has been appointed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as its newest Goodwill Ambassador, supporting the agency’s fight against inequality and discrimination around the world.
Ausaf Sayeed appointed new Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, presently High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Seychelles, has been appointed as the next ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia. The Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1989 batch, Sayeed will succeed Ahmad Javed, who had been serving as envoy to Saudi Arabia.
Kummanam Rajasekharan Resigns as Mizoram Governor
Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan has stepped down from his post. Governor of Assam, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, has been given temporary charge of the Aizawl Raj Bhavan. Mr. Rajasekharan, who was former State president of the BJP in Kerala, had been sworn in as Governor of Mizoram.
Income tax exemption limit on gratuity doubled to Rs 20 lakh
The government has increased the tax-free gratuity income limit to Rs 20 lakh. This move will benefit the public as well as private sector employees. Gratuity is the monetary benefit provided by the employer to his/her employee for the services rendered by him during the period of employment.
Madhya Pradesh to increase the OBC quota and implement EWS
The government of Madhya Pradesh has announced the increase of the reservation quotas for the OBCs and has stated that it would also implement 10 per cent quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under the general category. The government has proposed to increase the reservation for OBCs from the current 14% to 27%. Madhya Pradesh already has 36% reservation for scheduled castes and tribes.
President Kovind to give Nari Shakti awards on International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is being observed on 08th March. Governments, NGOs and other organisations across the world observe the day on the 8th of March every year to highlight the achievements of women. The theme for this year’s women’s day is ‘Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change’.
Tamil Nadu’s 16-year-old, P Iniyan, becomes India’s 61st chess Grandmaster
Iniyan Panneerselvam defeated Ukraine’s 37-year-old Grandmaster Sergey Fedorchuk in Noisiel Open chess tournament in France to become India’s 61st Grandmaster. Viswanathan Anand is India’s first Chess Grandmaster and he achieved the norm way back in 1987. He is also a five-time World Chess champion.
08 March: International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.