Current Affairs 2nd March 2016

Important Points : 

• Who has won gold in 50km race walk at National Championships - Basanta Bahadur Rana
• Who has been named for 11th META theatre award - Ratan Thiyam
• Windham-Campbell prizes 2016 announced
• Who has won Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize - Three British scientists 
• Which cricketer has been suspended for illegal bowling action - Aaron Phangiso 
• Which day is observed on 1st March - Zero Discrimination Day 
• India signed MoU with World Bank for - Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Quality Improvement Project
• Who has been nominated for UN Secretary-General by Portugal - Ex-refugee chief Antonio Guterres 

Details : 

Who has won gold in 50km race walk at National Championships - Basanta Bahadur Rana

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 28th February 2016, On the final day of the National Championships, Olympian Basanta Bahadur Singh Rana won the gold medal in men's 50km race walk event.

Uttarakhand's Chandan Singh finished second while Jitender Singh Rathore of Rajasthan stood at the third place.

Neena K T of Kerala grabbed the gold in junior women's 10km race walk competition. Bhawna Jat of Rajasthan stood second while Priyanka Patel of Uttar Pradesh stood at the third place.

Junior men's 10km race walk competition was won by Vikash Singh of Bihar.

Who has been named for 11th META theatre award - Ratan Thiyam

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 1st March 2016, Veteran playwright and director Ratan Thiyam was named for Lifetime Achievement Award of the 11th edition of the Mahindra Excellence Theatre Awards (META) for creating a new language in theatre and enriching the art form in various roles as choreographer, writer, composer,designer and  director. 

At present, he is the chairman of the National School of Drama.

About META awards

META is one of the Indian theatre industry’s premier awards instituted by the Mahindra Group.

The aim of the Mahindra Group, through META, is to intensify awareness and appreciation of Indian theatre, making it the only national platform for recognising and rewarding theatre.

Windham-Campbell prizes 2016 announced

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 1st March 2016, Columnist and author Jerry Pinto was chosen for the 2016 Windham-Campbell Prize. He won the award for his novel Em and The Big Hoom (published in 2012) in the category of fiction.

2016 Windham-Campbell Prize

Eight other writers who were chosen for the award in three categories, namely drama, fiction and non-fiction are : 

Drama

• Abbie Spallen (Ireland)
• Hannah Moscovitch (Canada)
• Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (United States)

Fiction    

• Jerry Pinto (India)
• CE Morgan (United States)
• Tessa Hadley (United Kingdom)

Nonfiction

• Stanley Crouch (United States)
• Hilton Als (United States)
• Helen Garner (Australia)

Windham-Campbell prizes

It is an American literary award established at Yale University in 2011 and are presented in three categories: drama, fiction and non-fiction. 

Who has won Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize - Three British scientists 

Among the important Science Current Affairs, On 1st March 2016, Three British scientists, Richard Morris, Graham Collingridge and Tim Bliss won the Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize, largest prize for neuroscience in the world.

The scientists have won the award for their influential work on understanding what happens in the brain when humans make and lose memories.

This is for the first time that Prize has been won by an entirely UK team.

On 1st July 2016, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, will present them with the award.

About Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize

• It is also known as the Brain Prize and is an international scientific award.
• Lundbeck Foundation founded this award in the year 2011.

Which cricketer has been suspended for illegal bowling action - Aaron Phangiso 

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 1st March 2016, South Africa left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso was banned from bowling by International Cricket Council (ICC) as his bowling action exceeded 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.

Umpires reported Phangiso after helping Highveld Lions reach the final of South Africa's domestic 50-over competition. On 25th February 2016, he was reported for suspect action while playing for Highveld Lions against Warriors at Wanderers.

On 7th March 2016, a re-test will be conducted and if he pass the test, he will be able to play the T20 World Cup. 

Which day is observed on 1st March - Zero Discrimination Day 

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 1st March 2016, Zero Discrimination Day was observed worldwide with the theme "Stand Out".

The day is an opportunity to join together against discrimination and celebrate everyone’s right to live a full and productive life with dignity. It encourages people for welcome diversity and recognize the diverse set of talents and skills that each person brings.

In December 2013, UNAIDS launched its Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day which picks up momentum with a Zero Discrimination Day on 1st March 2014. Butterfly is chosen as transformative symbol by UNAIDS.

India signed MoU with World Bank for - Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Quality Improvement Project

On 1st March 2016, a financing agreement has been signed for IDA credit of 300 US dollars for the Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Quality Improvement Project between World Bank and India.

Objectives of the Project:

• To enhance the effectiveness of the Higher Education System in the state.
• To boost the standards of disadvantaged groups of students in selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

The project has three components

• Improving System Management.
• State Level Initiatives   
• Grants Support to Higher Education Institutions

Who has been nominated for UN Secretary-General by Portugal - Ex-refugee chief Antonio Guterres 

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 29th February 2016, former Portuguese Prime Minister and head of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres was nominated as a candidate for General Secretary at United Nations by Portugal Government.

In 1995-2002, Guterres served as Prime Minister and in 2005-2015, he was the UN Refugee Agency High Commissioner .

According to the UN Charter, the UN Security Council recommends a candidate to the General Assembly, where he or she must garner no less than two-thirds of the votes to be appointed Secretary General.