The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024' to optimise rainwater harvesting and other sustainable water management practices.

• The event themed 'Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti', which marked the fifth edition of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, was held at the New Delhi Municipal Council Convention Centre.
• Under 'Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti', the campaign seeks to establish a strong connection between women empowerment and the sustainable management of water resources.
• Key highlights of the event include the screening of a documentary titled 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019 to 2023'- a public-led movement marching towards water security' and unveiling of two books - 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: 2019 to 2023' and '101 Water Champions of Jal Jeevan Mission' and talks by 'Women Water Warriors'.

No Smoking Day, which is celebrated on 13 March is a day dedicated to spreading awareness about the destructive impacts of smoking and to inspire individuals to give up smoking. It is a day to promote healthy ways of life, and a smoke-free environment.

The history of No Smoking Day traces back to 1984, when a charity called 'No Smoking Day' was founded. The first No Smoking Day was observed on Ash Wednesday in the same year.

The establishment of No Smoking Day was intended to raise awareness about the health risks of smoking and to assist smokers in quitting the habit.

Jeddah recently celebrated the inaugural ceremony of the world’s first mosque built using 3D printing technology.

• Situated in Al-Jawhara suburb of Jeddah, the mosque is named after the late Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly as a tribute from his wife, Saudi businesswoman Wajnat Abdulwahed.
• The innovation is part of the National Housing Co.’s portfolio, unveiled amidst a gathering of senior government officials and business leaders.
• Leading Fursan Real Estate, Abdulwahed spearheaded the construction of the 5,600-square-meter mosque, utilizing cutting-edge 3D printers from Guanli, a renowned Chinese manufacturer in the realm of three-dimensional printing technology.

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was on Tuesday(12-03-2024) named the ICC Player of the Month for February 2024.

Japanese architect, Riken Yamamoto has won the 53rd Pritzker Architecture Prize, lauded by the jury for “reminding us that in architecture, as in democracy, spaces must be created by the resolve of the people.”

Yamamoto is the ninth architect from Japan, following in the footsteps of Kenzo Tange (1987) Fumihiko Maki (1993), Tadao Ando (1995), Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa (2010), Toyo Ito (2013), Shigeru Ban (2014), and Arata Isozaki (2019).

The 2024 Pritzker jury was led by Chilean architect and 2016 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Alejandro Aravena.

About Pritzker Architecture Prize

The international prize, which is awarded each year to a living architect/s for significant achievement, was established by the Pritzker family of Chicago through their Hyatt Foundation in 1979. It is granted annually and is often referred to as “architecture’s Nobel” and “the profession’s highest honor.”

The award consists of $100,000 (US) and a bronze medallion. The award is conferred on the laureate/s at a ceremony held at an architecturally significant site throughout the world.

 The newly appointed Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh, Justice Satyendra Kumar Singh, took the oath of office on Sunday night (10-03-2024), with the opposition Congress terming his appointment “unconstitutional”.

Governor Mangubhai Patel administered the oath of office to the new Lokayukta at Raj Bhavan here.

Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, MP V.D. attended the swearing-in ceremony. Sharma, Sports and Youth Welfare and Cooperation Minister Vishwas Sarang, State Chief Information Commissioner AK Shukla, officials of various commissions, Director General of Police Shri Sudhir Kumar Saxena, public representatives, senior administrative officers were present.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted first successful flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology.

• The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Various Telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. 
•  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lauded the efforts of the DRDO scientists who participated in the conduct of the complex Mission. 
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has also congratulated the scientists and the entire team, terming it as an exceptional success.

Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport has occupied the prestigious title of the ‘Best Airport’ in the Asia-Pacific region for the sixth consecutive year for its excellence, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).

The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Best Airport award for 2023 in the category of over 40 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) was conferred by the Airports Council International (ACI), further solidifying Delhi airport's position as a leader in the aviation industry.

The ASQ Awards, organized annually by ACI World, evaluate airport performance based on customer experience metrics gathered from passengers participating in ASQ’s Departures and Arrivals Surveys.

Film actor-director Surya Kiran passed away on Monday( 11 -03-2024) due to jaundice in Chennai. The Telugu filmmaker was 48 years years old.

• He directed telugu films, Satyam, Raju Bhai and a few others. He was also a former contestant on Biggboss Telugu. 
• The Bigg Boss Telugu fame actor made his debut as a director in Tollywood movies with the romantic drama ‘Satyam’, which was a great hit and ran for over 150 days.
• Surya also directed Telugu movies such as Brahmastram (2006), Raju Bhai (2007) and Chapter 6 (2020).

President Droupadi Murmu, during her three-day visit to Mauritius, held a tete-a-tete meeting with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jagnauth on Monday to discuss ways to further strengthen India-Mauritius bilateral relations.

The Indian President also presented an Indian RuPay card to Jugnauth as a special gesture, after RuPay services were launched in Mauritius last month.

The two leaders took stock of bilateral ties and discussed ways to impart further momentum to the historic & deep-rooted India-Mauritius partnership.