Current Affairs on 11th March 2015

Current Affairs on 11th March 2015

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Dhawan most popular Indian cricketer on Twitter

  • Left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan was the most talked about Indian cricketer on Twitter on Tuesday. His ton helped the defending champions beat Ireland in a World Cup Pool B encounter at the Seddon Park.
  • The game saw a Tweet Live Impression of 25.1 million users.
  • India chased down Ireland’s total of 259 runs with eight wickets and 79 balls to spare. Right-hander Rohit was the second most popular ‘man-in-blue’ on the social networking site, followed by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, according to a report from Twitter released on Wednesday.

Kumar Sangakkara creates record by scoring 4 consecutive ODI centuries 

Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara became first batsman to score four consecutive one-day international (ODI) centuries in a Cricket World Cup. 
He achieved this feat by hitting 4th century by scoring 124 runs in a match against Scotland in the Pool A of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Hobart, New Zealand. Previous 3 consecutive centuries of Kumar Sangakkara are 
  • First century- Scored 105 runs against Bangladesh at Melborune Cricket Ground on 26 February 2015. Second century- Scored 117 runs against England at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on 1 March 2015. 
  • Third century- Scored 104 runs against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground on 11 March 2015. 


Delhi High Court : Attorney General of India comes under RTI Act 2005

  • Delhi High Court in its ruling has held that Attorney General of India comes under the ambit of Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. This ruling reversed the previous decision of the Central Information Commission (CIC) which had held that Attorney General does not come under RTI Act. 
  • Delhi High Court held that Attorney General is not merely a lawyer for the government, but is a constitutional authority. This is because functions performed by the AG under Article 76 (2) of the Constitution of India are in the nature of public functions. So the office of Attorney General is a public authority and comes under the ambit of section 2(h) of the RTI Act.
  • The decision was given by Delhi High Court bench headed by Justice Vibhu Bakhru while hearing on two separate pleas filed by RTI activists Subhash Chandra Agarwal and RK Jain. 

Union Government has announced to close the Five sick PSUs 

  • Union Government has announced that 5 sick public sector undertakings (PSUs) will be closed. 
  • It was announced by Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete while replying to a question in the Lok Sabha. 
  • The 5 sick PSU that will be closed include HMT and its three units, Hindustan Shipyard. 
  • Government also announced that while closing these PSUs, their employees will be provided with very good VRS package. In the reply, the Minister also announced that there are total 65 units in the list of sick PSUs as of March 31, 2014. 
  • Government also has declared Air India and MTNL as sick PSU units as per the criteria after they have incurred losses worth 50 per cent or more of their average net worth during past four years. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Seychelles 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Seychelles as part of three-nation tour for cementing strategic partnership with island courtiers of Seychelles, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Narendra Modi is first Prime Minister to visit Seychelles in 34 years.
Previously, late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had visited the country in 1981. 
  • Both nations agreed to set up joint working group to promote ocean based economy i.e. on Blue Economy. In this regard, India committed to provide all help to Seychelles. 
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced free visa on arrival (VoA) and free visas for three months facility to the citizens of Seychelles.
  • Four agreements and MoUs were signed between both the countries. They were signed in the fields of renewable energy, hydro graphic survey, electronics navigation and infrastructure development at the island of Seychelles. 
  • These agreements and MoU’s were signed by Secretary (West) Navtej Sarna from Indian side in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Seychelles James Alix Michel. 
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated a Coastal Surveillance Radar system (SSRS). The surveillance system has set up in Seychelles with the help of India. India also announced to provide 2nd dossier aircraft to the island nation to enhance maritime security.

Solar Impulse 2- world’s first solar-powered aircraft on global journey lands in Ahmedabad 

World’s first solar powered aircraft on global journey- Solar Impulse 2 successfully landed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 

  • The aircraft was piloted by Swiss pilots Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg from its first halt Muscat, Oman. 
  • It is a Swiss long-range solar-powered aircraft project and claimed to be first aircraft to fly day and night without consuming conventional fuel. Solely propelled by the solar energy and emits zero Carbon Dioxide (CO2). 
  • Single-seater aircraft made of carbon fibre. It has a 72 metre wingspan and weighs 2,300 kilo grams. 
  • 17,248 solar cells inbuilt into its wings. These cells supply renewable energy to propel the electric motors of aircraft. These solar cells also recharge 4 lithium polymer batteries mounted on aircraft which allows it fly at night. 
  • The first test flight of the aircraft was conducted in the United States in 2013. 
  • Solar Impulse’s maiden global journey Solar impulse started its 35000 km long journey from Abu Dhabi (UAE). Its first halt was in Muscat (Oman).
  • It will stop in Ahmedabad and Varanasi in India, Mandalay (Myanmar), Chongqing & Nanjing (China). 
  • Its journey end at Abu Dhabi.