23 March 2013 Current Affairs
World Celebrates Earth Day on March 23rd
World Earth Day is celebrated across the world on 23 March every year.All electrical appliances would be switched off for an hour between 8.30 to 9.30 pm in over 7000 cities over more than 152 countries across the globe on March 23.World’ tallest tower, Burj Khalifa in Dubai will join in the Earth Hour celebrations by switching off its lights during the hour.
Three High Courts opened in Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya
Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur on 23 March 2013 got their own High Courts. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, Judge of Chhattisgarh High Court took oath as the first Chief Justice of Manipur High Court on 23 March 2013. Justice Deepak Gupta along with three other judges would be administered the oath to the High Court of Tripura .Justice Meena Kumari took oath as the first Chief Justice of Meghalaya on 23rd March 2013.With the opening of the three high Courts in the North Eastern states of India, the total number of high Courts in India has gone up to 24 from previous 21.
Nikhil Kumar took Oath as Governor of Kerala
Former Nagaland governor Nikhil Kumar was sworn in as the 20th governor of Kerala on 23 March 2013.Nikhil Kumar, a former IPS officer from Bihar of the 1963 batch, has served under various capacities like Delhi police commissioner and as the head of the National Security Guard. Later, he also served as a member of Parliament, as a Congress candidate from Aurangabad in Bihar. His wife Shyama Singh was also a member of Parliament from the same constituency.Nikhil Kumar succeeds H R Bhardwaj who was holding the additional charge of the governor of the state after the demise of M O H Farooq in January 2012.
China, Pakistan conclude secret deal on nuclear reactor
China and Pakistan have signed a ‘secret’ agreement last month to construct a third nuclear reactor at Chashma. The agreement calls for the state-run China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) to construct a 1,000-megawatt power plant at Chashma, located in the northern province of Punjab where two earlier Chinese reactors were built.According to U.S. intelligence and diplomatic officials, the secret agreement for the Chashma 3 reactor was signed in Beijing during the visit by a delegation from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from Feb. 15 to 18.
RIL bags Refiner of the Year Award
Reliance Industries had been awarded by the prestigious 'International Refiner of the Year' 2013 at HART Energy's 27th World Refining & Fuel Conference at San Antonio, Texas, USA."The award was presented to RIL for producing cleaner, higher-quality gasoline and diesel fuel, operating with the highest international refining standards and innovative use of resources in diverse environments and for innovation, global vision, and ability to chart future changes."