26 March 2016 Current Affairs
Union Govt Launched Rotavirus Vaccine
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda on 26 March launched India’s first indigenous rotavirus vaccine named Rotavac to combat infant mortality due to diarrhoea. It was launched by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda as part country’s ambitious Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). The vaccine is being introduced initially in four States Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh (first to launch it) and Odisha. It would be expanded to the entire country in a phased manner. The rotavirus vaccine was developed indigenously, under a public-private partnership by the Ministry of Science and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Apart from the rotavirus vaccine, three new vaccines are also being introduced as part of UIP including Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Measles, Rubella (MR) vaccine and Adult Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine. With these new vaccines, India’s UIP will provide free vaccines against 12 life threatening diseases to 27 million children annually, the largest birth cohort in the world.
Hockey India 2nd Annual Awards
“Indian hockey players P R Sreejesh and Deepika who won Dhruv Batra Player of the year award in Men”s and Women”s category respectively at the Hockey India 2nd Annual Awards for the year 2015 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Late Capt. Shankar Laxman was posthumously chosen for the 2016 Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.Late Capt. Shankar Laxman was one of legendary hockey player in India. He was a goalkeeper and was part of the Olympic medal-winning teams of 1956 (Melbourne, Gold), 1960 (Rome, Silver), and 1964 (Tokyo, Gold). Other winners * Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award – P.R Sreejesh (male), Deepika (female). * Baljit Singh Goalkeeper of the Year Award – Savita. * Pargat Singh Defender of the Year Award – Kothajit Singh. * Ajit Pal Singh Midfielder of the Year Award – Ritu Rani. * Dhanraj Pillay Forward of the Year Award – Rani. * Asunta Lakra Upcoming Player of the Year Award – Harjeet Singh (male), Preeti Dubey (female). * Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution – Baldev Singh. * President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement – Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy.”
“Ancient City Of Palmyra Recaptured By Syrian Army”
Syrian Army and popular defence forces have regained control of the ancient city of Palmyra from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group on 26 March 2016. The city was captured by the IS in May 2015 and since then the Army of Syria fought for its control with the support of national aviation and Russian Aerospace Forces. The loss of Palmyra represents one of the biggest setbacks for the Islamic State that declared a caliphate in 2014 across large parts of Syria and Iraq. The ancient city of Palmyra is a UNESCO designated World Heritage site and home to some of the world’s most magnificent ancient ruins.
Nandita Bakhshi Appointed as President CEO of Bank of the West
Indian-American Nandita Bakshi has been appointed the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of the West, a subsidiary unit of French banking giant BNP Paribas. She will take over the roles of President and CEO-designate effective from 1 April 2016 and will assume the role on 1 June 2016. She will succeed Michael Shepherd who has been appointed as chairman of the BNP Paribas USA, a new holding company for all BNP Paribas subsidiaries in the United States.