Daily Current Affairs Updates: 20 March 2015

1) Karnataka won Irani Trophy 2015:

-->  Ranji Trophy champions Karnataka retained the Irani Cup by defeating Rest of India by 246 runs on the fourth and penultimate day on 20 March 2015.

--> A fine unbeaten 123 by Man-of-the-Match Manish Pandey, who spent 287 minutes in the middle, helped Karnataka set ROI a stiff target of 403.

--> Chasing a victory target of 403, Rest of India were bowled out for 156 after opening bowler Abhimanyu Mithun ripped through the top order.

--> This was the first time that Karnataka successfully defended their Irani Cup title while they also became only the third team after ROI and Mumbai to win the trophy in two successive years.

2) France to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019:

--> France will host the 2019 women's World Cup and the Under-20 women's tournament in 2018 after beating off competition from South Korea for the hosting rights, FIFA said on 19 March 2015.

--> Five countries had originally declared an interest in staging the events but England, New Zealand and South Africa fell by the wayside last year leaving France and South Korea to battle it out.

3) Justice Uma Nath Singh sworn in as new Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court:

--> Justice Uma Nath Singh was sworn in as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court at the Raj Bhavan in Shillong on 19 March 2015.

--> Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Singh at a ceremony.

--> Justice Singh had earlier served at the High Court in Shillong as acting Chief Justice replacing Justice PC Pant.

--> He is the third Chief Justice of the state's High Court set up in 2013.

4) Cabinet approved Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana:

--> Union Cabinet on 20 March 2015 approved the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) with an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore to provide skills training to youth, including Class 10 and 12 drop outs.

--> The flagship scheme, which will cover 24 lakh persons, will be implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

5) Dehradun-Varanasi Janta Express derailed in Rae Bareli:

--> Two coaches and engine of the Dehradun-Varanasi Janta Express were derailed at Bachhrawan railway station near Rae Bareli on 20 March 2015 morning.

--> At least 36 people were killed and over 150 were injured in the accident. 

--> Brake failure was reported to be the cause of the accident.

6) World Sparrow Day observed:

--> March 20 is observed as World Sparrow Day every year since 2009, to create awareness of the house sparrows and other birds to the rapidly changing environments, and of threats to their populations.

--> The theme for WORLD SPARROW DAY 2015 was I LOVE Sparrows.

--> The Sparrow Day is an international initiative by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world.

7) Union Cabinet approved 33% women reservation in police forces of all Union Territories:

--> Union Cabinet on 20 March 2015 approved 33 per cent reservation for women in police forces of all union territories, including the Delhi Police, through direct recruitment in non-gazetted posts.

--> The move aims at increasing representation of women in police and to make the force gender sensitive.

8) Lata Mangeshkar won the 'Laadli Voice of the Century' award:

--> Singer Lata Mangeshkar was on 20 March 2015 presented the ‘Laadli Voice of the Century’ award in Mumbai during the sixth edition of the national Laadli Media and Advertising Awards for Gender Sensitivity.

--> Queen won the best movie award, while advertising agency Ogilvy and Mather won the “Laadli Grand Prix” for its Titan Raga — ‘tum nahi badle’ advertisement.

--> Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was the chief guest at the awards ceremony.

9) Bard of Maharashtra Shahir Krishnarao Sable passed away:

--> Bard and Marathi folk legend Krishnarao Sable, popularly known as Shahir Sable, who brought Maharashtra’s folk singing and theatre traditions to the centre stage, passed away at his central Mumbai residence on 19 March 2015.

10) 4th National Photography Awards conferred on 13 noted photojournalists:

--> The fourth National Photography Awards were conferred on 13 eminent photojournalists in New Delhi on 20 March 2015.

--> The award were conferred by Secretary (Information & Broadcasting) Bimal Julka.

--> The theme for 4th edition Professional Photographer category was “Hamara Bharat Swachh Bharat” and for the Amateur Category was “Mother and Child”.

--> The jury for this edition of awards was headed by well-known photographer Anil Risal Singh.