DAILY GK UPDATE 14-15TH MARCH

1.  World Consumer Rights day observed today

i. World Consumer Rights Day is being observed to create awareness about consumer rights and consumer protection measures to ensure fair trade and business practices

ii. The theme this year is, Consumer Justice Now

iii. The National consumer helpline number 1XXX-XX-4000 operates, addressing a multitude of problems arising in a consumer’s day-to-day dealings. 

iv. Consumer protection measures to eliminate unfair practices in a competitive business environment is key to making societies safer and fairer.

NOTE: Observed for the first time on 15th March, 1983, World Consumer Rights Day commemorates the historic 1962 declaration by former US President John F. Kennedy of the four basic consumer rights of- right to safety, right to be informed, right to choose and the right to be heard. 

2.    Xi Jinping takes over as China's President

i. Xi Jinping has taken over as China's new president and head of the military succeeding Hu Jintao.

ii. This completss a generational transition of power in the world's most populous country.

iii. China's parliament formally elected Xi, 59, as president, four months after he took charge of the Communist Party. 

iv. Xi has been appointed as the Chairman of the Powerful Military Commission, when he was elected as the new leader of the party in November Last.

v. Xi was elected as President by 3000-strong National People's Congress, which also endorsed his appointment as the Chairman of the Military Commission.

vi. Politburo member Li Yuanchao (63) was also chosen as the Vice President of Xi Jinping on the same day with 2839 votes in favour of him. 

3.    Li Keqiang named as China's new Premier

i. Li Keqiang, Communist Party of China's second ranking leader, was on Friday elected as Prime Minister by the Parliament succeeding Wen Jiabao who retired after a generational transition of power in the world's most populous country.

ii. Li was named as the new Premier, a day after China's Parliament formally elected Xi, as President, four months after he took charge of the Communist Party.

iii. Together with Xi, Li who had the image of a moderate and reformer was expected to continue to ruleChina for the next ten years.

iv. Known to be easy going, like his predecessor Wen, Li has the reputation for caring the less privileged.

About Li Keqiang

i. He acquired Doctorate degree in Economics and became the Communist Youth League Secretary at Peking University in 1980. 

ii. Li later acquired a law degree and was awarded with the honour of outstanding individual in the study of Mao Zedong thought at that time.

iii. Li climbed the ranks while working closely with outgoing President Hu Jintao in his early days while working in the Youth League.

4.    Khil Raj Regmi sworn in as New Nepal PM

i. Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was sworn-in as Nepal's new Prime Minister to head an interim government that will hold elections in three months, ending a long political deadlock in the country.

ii. Regmi, 63, was sworn in as the head of interim election government as a part of the eleven-point deal reached among three major parties and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) on Wednesday during a marathon meeting to form an election government.

NOTE: This will be for the first time in Nepalese political history that a sitting Chief Justice is being named as the Head of the Government. The appointment of Regmi ends an impasse since the last parliament's term expired almost a year ago.

5.    Jorge Mario Bergoglio  elected as new Pope becomes the 266th pontiff

i. The new Argentine pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday.

ii. Chose Francis I as his Papal Name, has created history by being the first from the Jesuit order and the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years.

What is Papal Name?

Papal Name is the name used by the Popes at the time, when they are in the office. This activity of choosing a name first started in sixth century and became a custom in the 10th Century. Since 16th Century every pope had been choosing the papal name.

6.    Saint Hazrat Sufi Nizammuddin passes away:

i. Noted saint of sufi order Hazrat Sufi Nizammuddin died this morning in his native village in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

ii. He was over 100 years.

iii. He belonged to Nizami Barakati Sufi order and had lakhs of followers. His last rites will be performed in his native village Amardoha tomorrow after Friday prayers.

7.    AAHAR Intl. food & hospitality fair begins in Delhi

i. The 28th International Food and Hospitality Fair Aahar ,showcasing a wide range of food products, processing and packaging tools and housekeeping equipment, began at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi today.

ii. The five-day trade show provides a platform for national and international traders to exhibit their products and discuss key elements of India's Food and Beverages industry.

iii. The theme of this year's edition of the trade show is, Traceability - an essence of food products. 

iv. The food processing sector is critical to India's development as it establishes a vital linkage and synergy between the two pillars of economy, industry and agriculture. 

8.    World Bank to give India $3-5 billion assistance annually

i. The World Bank will provide $3-5 billion annual assistance to India over the next four years to help eradicate poverty and improve healthcare mainly in the low-income states,

ii. The bank will complement its enhanced financial lending with technical assistance and knowledge services to help India improve the implementation of its development programmes.

NOTE: i. During his three-day official visit, Kim met India's top policy makers, including Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

ii. India is among the largest receiver of the World Bank's assistance. Between 2009 and 2013, the World Bank Group lent around $26 billion to India, according to a statement released by the World Bank here.

iii. The support between 2009 and 2013 includes $12 billion from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); $8.3 billion from the International Development Association (IDA); and a further $5.2 billion in investments from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

9.    Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra, the Noted Environmentalist Died At 75

i. Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra, the noted environmentalist as well as the acclaimed Hero of the Planet of TIME Magazine in 1999, died at Sir Sundarlal Hospital of Banaras Hindu University on 13 March 2013.

About Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra

i. Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra was given the title of Hero of the Planet by the TIME magazine in 1999. 

ii. He was the founder of Sankat Mochan Foundation. He founded Sankat Mochan Foundation in 1982. 

iii. Mishra was also recognised on United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1992.

iv. Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra was among the various expert members of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).

10. Indore to host SAARC journalists' summit

i. Journalists from India and abroad will deliberate over the role of media in public movement and other issues during a three-day SAARC journalists' convention that Indore will host beginning from 28th March.

ii. "Besides SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member countries, delegates from USA, Germany and Dubai will take part in the deliberations in different sessions,"

11. Tan Twan Eng Winner of 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize

i. Tan Twan Eng on 14 March 2013 was announced as a winner of the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize. With this, he became the first Malaysian author to win the most prestigious literary prize of Asia.
 ii. Tan Twan Eng won the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel The Garden of Evening Mists.

iii. This is only a second time that the prize has been given to the novel written originally in English. 

iv. The previous winners had won the award as English translations. 

NOTE: The Garden of Evening Mists set during aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Malaya won 30000 US Dollars from the shortlist of five novels which spanned over the Asian continent. 

12. Maruti Suzuki appoints Kenichi Ayukawa new MD

i. India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki Friday said it has appointed Kenichi Ayukawa as its new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) in place of Shinzo Nakanishi.

ii. Ayukawa will take over the new job April 1 on retirement of Nakanishi, 

13. Azlan Shah Hockey: India out of title race

i. India are out of the title race in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament. 

ii. At Ipoh, Malaysia, on Thursday, they lost to defending champions New Zealand 0-2. 

iii. With just three points in four matches, India lost the chance of reaching the final. 

iv. In the six-nation round-robin competition, India will play next play against hosts Malaysia on Saturday.