Why in news?

• Aarushi Verma, a national-level shooter and an environmentalist hailing from Delhi has been selected to represent India at the 2041 Climate Force Antarctica Expedition which is set to be held in March 2022.
• Aarushi Verma is a national level shooter in Pistol and trap shooting and a State & Northern India Champion & National medalist, and an active environmentalist.
• She will be fully supported and sponsored by The Hans Foundation.

2041 Climate Force Antarctica Expedition:

• 2041 Climate Force is a global initiative to train and develop the next generation of sustainability champions and to help corporations with their sustainability solutions.
• This carbon negative’ expedition also aims to inspire, develop and train the next generation of leaders to promote a more sustainable future.
• This also includes the ‘Leadership on the edge’ program
• Aim: To raise awareness and work for the preservation of Antarctica through the promotion of recycling, renewable energy and sustainability solutions to combat the effects of climate change.
• Journey: The unique 12-day educational journey to the south pole on the most dynamic Antarctic sea expedition, by ship to the ‘last great wilderness on earth’.

About Climate Force

• The Climate Force is a 7-year commitment to clean up 360 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through strategic offsetting partnerships.
• 2041 Climate Force is derived from the year which marks the Madrid Protocol protecting Antarctica from exploitation would come up for debate, revision, and/ or possible cancellation.
• The participants of the expedition will graduate as ‘Ambassadors for the Antarctic’.

Why in news?

• Union Minister of Labour & Employment (MoL&E), has launched ‘Donate-a-Pension’ programme under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) for people to contribute to the pension fund to their support staff.
• This initiative is one of the events planned by MoL&E, for the ‘Iconic Week’ celebration observed from 7th to 13th March 2022, which is a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’- an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

About Donate-a-Pension initiative:

• An initiative under the PM-SYM pension scheme that encourages people to donate the premium contribution of their immediate support staff such as domestic workers, drivers, helpers, care givers, nurses, in their household or establishment or any other eligible unorganized workers.
• The donor can pay one year’s initial contribution in one time or for more than a one-year period.
• The donation amount for a year is minimum Rs. 660 and maximum up to Rs. 2400 depending on the age of the beneficiary.
• The minimum donation period is one year.
• The donor can donate on https://maandhan.in/ or visit their nearest Common Service Centre.

About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM):

• A voluntary and contributory pension scheme launched in 2019, to ensure protection for unorganized workers, whose monthly income is below Rs. 15,000, age group of 18 – 40 years.
• Eligibility-They should not be engaged in Organized Sector (member of EPFO/NPS/ESIC) or an income tax payer.
• Features of PM-SYM: Each subscriber under PM-SYM shall receive,
• A Minimum Assured Pension of Rs. 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
• If a subscriber dies during the receipt of the pension, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as Family Pension.

Why in news?

• International Women’s Day (IWD)is celebrated globally on March 8 every year. The day recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The event celebrates women’s achievements and raises awareness about women’s equality and lobbies for accelerated gender parity.
• The theme of 2022 International Women’s Day is “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.
• International Women’s Day is celebrated to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Organisations like colleges and institutions across the world celebrate International Women’s Day by holding public speeches, rallies, exhibitions, workshops and seminars on themes and concepts, debates, quiz competitions and lectures.
• The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day in the International Women’s Year,
• In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.

Why in news?

• It is an annual five-day State festival organised by the Department of Tourism of Manipur.
• Its aim is to spread awareness about the endangered state flower ‘Shirui Lily’.
• It is a unique species of ground lily that is found only in the Shirui Hills of Manipur.
• It is about a foot tall and its flower resembles the shape of a bell. It blooms only during the months of April to June every year.
• The festival helps celebrate rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of Manipur, and gives chance to learn more about the Tangkhul Naga tribe living in the region.

Why in news?

• Recently, Costa Rica has legalised the use of medicinal marijuana and also the cultivation and industrial production of hemp.
• However, for recreational purposes it remains banned.
• Medical marijuana uses marijuana plant or its active chemical (Cannabinoids) to treat diseases or conditions like glaucoma; mental health conditions like schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); etc.
• In India, the use of Marijuana is not completely banned as its medical and scientific use is allowed under the law.
• However, its sale and consumption are banned under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.

Why in news?

• The Jan Aushadhi Diwas is celebrated on 7 March 2022 by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI). The day is observed to spread awareness about the usages of generic medicines and the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The theme of the 4 Janaushadhi Diwas is “Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi”.
• On this occasion, Doctors, Health Workers, Nurses, Pharmacists, and Jan Aushadhi Mitra will discuss the Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by March 2025.
• Janaushadhi Kendras is the world’s biggest retail pharma chain having around 6,200 outlets in 700 districts of the country. It also provides a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. The first Jan Aushadhi Diwas was celebrated on 7th of March 2019.

Why in news?

• Indian women cricket captain, Mithali Raj has become the first woman to appear in six World Cups. She is the only third cricketer overall to play six world cup after Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad. She has played in the ICC women’s cricket world cup events in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and now in 2022. The ICC women’s cricket world cup 2022 is being held in New Zealand.
• In the women’s game, the Indian batter surpassed former New Zealand cricketers, Debbie Hockley and Charlotte Edwards of England. Fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, Raj’s India teammate for the longest time, stands second on the list with five World Cup appearances.

Why in news?

• A team of scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of Gin Berry, named Glycosmis albicarpa, from the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu(TN). The new species with distinct large white fruit is identified to be endemic to the Southern Western Ghats.
• The new species was found in Tirunelveli semi-evergreen forests at the Panagudi forest section of the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary.

Features of Glycosmis albicarpa:

• The new species Glycosmis albicarpa, an evergreen small tree, belongs to the family Rutaceae (Orange family).
• The new species have short and broadly lanceolate leaves, short (3-5 mm long) peduncles, clawed petals and broadly ovoid white fruits.
• The berries of Glycosmis species have the unique characteristic of ‘gin aroma’ and have gained in popularity as an edible fruit.
• It is also a larval host plant for butterflies like other species of Glycosmis.
• Threat: habitat modification causes a major threat to the survival of this species.

Why in news?

• On 5 March 2022, the Indian Navy successfully tested the accuracy of an extended range of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from the stealth destroyer INS Chennai.
• Both Brahmos missile and INS Chennai are indigenously built and highlight the cutting-edge of Indian missile and ship-building prowess.
• INS Chennai is a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited at Mumbai.

About Brahmos Missile:

• BrahMos is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India (DRDO) and the NPOM of Russia.
• It flies at a speed of 8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound. It has a range of 290 km (as per Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) regulations) and can carry a 200-kg warhead.
• It can be launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface and sea based targets.

Why in news?

• Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification regarding the approval of his appointment by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), stating that he will serve the Chair for a period of 4 years from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 70 years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.
• The conditions of his service will be governed by the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021.
• Chief Justice DN Patel was appointed as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on June 7, 2019 and is now given the Chair of TDSAT, days before his retirement on March 12, 2022.

About Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal

• Created in accordance with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act (TRAI), 1997 (Amended in 2000) authorized by TRAI.
• Objective: To adjudicate disputes and dispose of appeals with a view to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of the telecom sector and to promote and ensure orderly growth of the telecom sector.
• Powers and Jurisdiction: TDSAT has jurisdiction over Telecom, Broadcasting, IT and Airport tariff m atters s under the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended in 2000), the Information Technology Act, 2008 and the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 respectively.
• Establishment: 2000
• Headquarters- New Delhi