1. India’s Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves

1. Recently, India’s Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) was added in the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (BR).
2. The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve was included on March 19 at the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere programme of UNESCO that concluded in Peru.
3. The ABR includes regions of Shendurney and Peppara wildlife sanctuaries and parts of the Neyyar sanctuary in Kerala and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.
4. India, for several years had been campaigning for the inclusion of the ABR in the network of Biosphere Reserves.

2. High level sub-committee under Ashok Lahiri appointed to decide excise duty on jewellers

1. In a recent development, the Union Ministry of Finance constituted a sub-committee under the Chairmanship of Ashok Lahiri with the view to look into procedures that will govern the levy of excise duty on jewellers announced in this year’s budget.
2. Ashok Lahiri is the former chief economic advisor who will chair the sub-committee which will also include representatives of gold traders, one legal expert, officials from the Central Board of Excise and Customs and an official from the commerce ministry.
3. This move to appoint a sub-committee follows after jewellers went on 19 day strike post union budget announcement that excise duty will be imposed at the rate of 1% (without input tax credit) and 12.5% (with input tax credit) on all articles of jewellery.
4. The sub-committee is expected to submit its report within 60 days and will examine issues relating to compliance procedures for the excise duty, including maintenance of records and forms to be filled.

3. Justice HL Dattu appointed as member of International coordinating Committee Bureau of NHRC

1. In a recent development, the chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Justice H L Dattu emerged as the unanimous choice for the appointment as the member of International Coordinating Committee of NHRI (ICC) Bureau in Geneva.
2. In a statement NHRC confirmed, “No other NHRI from the Asia-Pacific region nominated a candidate against him to fill the position of a Member vacated by the representative of NHRI of South Korea. NHRC, India, will now be representing Asia-Pacific Region along with Mongolia, Qatar and Australia.”
3. Justice Dattu has vast experience in Legal profession, which will allow him to meaningfully contribute to the approach of the ICC on human rights issues being faced by the international community.ICC Bureau serves as the management committee of International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Human Rights Institutions and it is entrusted with the responsibility of implementing all the decisions of the ICC General Meetings and directs the operations of the ICC between these meetings.

4. Advocate General of Maharashtra Shreehari Aney quits

1. In a recent development Advocate General Shreehari Aney of Maharashtra submitted his resignation to the Governor of Maharashtra, C Vidyasagar Rao, two days following he demanded a separate Marathwada state from Maharashtra which evoked sharp reactions from the opposition parties as well as ruling party in Maharashtra.
2. In a response on social networking website Facebook Mr Aney said, “In the present disruption of the legislature, I see a clear pattern. Since I shall not stop from voicing my demand for Vidarbha’s statehood, the legislators will not stop from using it as a ready excuse to stall the working of the house; one of us has to step back.”
3. In his defence he insisted that the role of Advocate General is to protect the interest of the public. He further added, “And that the legislature must function if the interest of the people is to be protected, my final act as Advocate General which would be most in the interest of the people of the state was to resign from the post.”

5. Ninth International Abilympics begins in France

1. Recently, the 9th International Abilympics began at Bordeaux in France.
2. The Abilympics term was coined from ‘Olympics of abilities’ and is held for persons with disabilities. From India, a 19 member team has left to compete at the games.
3. Abilympics is a global work skills competition and aims to promote social awareness in the field of skill development and employment both locally and internationally with the view to foster friendship among all the competing nation.

6. March 23 observed as Martyrdom Day

1. Every year March 23 is observed as the Martyrdom Day in India to mark the death anniversary of these three notable Indian freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev .
2. It was on March 23, 1931, great Indian freedom fighters – Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were martyred in Lahore Jail and cremated in Ferozpur district of Punjab.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on this day and in a tweet, said, he salutes their indomitable valour and patriotism that inspires generations. He said, these 3 brave men sacrificed their lives so that generations after them can breathe the air of freedom.
4. Union Petroleum Ministry set up Amar Jyoti at Hussainiwala in Ferozpur district of Punjab to mark this day.

7. Lewis Hamilton wins 50th career pole position at Australian Grand Prix

1. Recently, World Champion, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton bagged his 50th career pole position at the Australian Grand Prix held in Melbourne.
2. Hamilton, picked up where he left with the last championship season of 10 wins and 11 poles, out-performing not just his rival but also his team-mate Nico Rosberg at the season’s opening race.
3. The three time champion led almost throughout, as he consistently improved his lap time over the three qualifying stages to finish the race at the best time of one minute 23.837 seconds.                                                     
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