Title Daily Current Affairs Capsule th Title 8 March 2020 International Women's Day: 08 March International Women's Day is celebrated on the 8th of March every year to help forge a gender equal world, celebrate women's achievements and increasing visibility. The theme this year is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights". Women world over are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, and are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative in 2015 to ensure survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child. The objectives of this initiative are to prevent of gender biased sex selective elimination, and to ensure survival and protection of the girl child. After the launch of the scheme, the sex ratio at birth has improved from 923 to 931. India observed Jan Auashadhi Diwas on 7th March Jan aushadhi Diwas was celebrated on 7th March 2020. Prime minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with owners of selected Jan aushadhi Kendras and beneficiaries of the Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Jana Aushadhi Pariyojna-PMBJP. The Jan aushadhi Divas aims to provide further impetus and create awareness about the use of generic medicines. The day also highlights the initiative undertaken by the Government in the direction of making quality healthcare for all, like Ayushman Bharat, PMBJY, etc. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojna was launched by the Prime Minister with an objective of making high-quality medicines available to all at an affordable prices, especially to the poor and underprivileged, through exclusive outlets of Jan Aushadhi Medical Stores. Annual festival of St Antony’s Shrine in Katchatheevu Island begins The annual festival of St Antony’s Shrine in Katchatheevu Island, Sri Lanka begins. More than 3,000 devotees from India are being transported in country boats. It is notable that the citizens of India are not required to possess an Indian passport or Sri Lankan visa for visiting Kachchatheevu, according to an agreement between the two governments. St Antony is worshiped as the patron saint of seafarers. The shrine is the only structure on the island and was built in the early years of the last century. Government invites bids for sale of its entire 52.98% stake in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd The Union Government has invited bids for the sale of its entire 52.98 per cent stake in the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. Expressions of interest for the strategic sale of BPCL were invited by 2nd of May. The bid document issued stated that the Government of India is proposing strategic disinvestment of its entire shareholding in BPCL comprising 114.91 crore equity shares, which constitutes 52.98 percent of BPCL's equity share capital, along with transfer of management control, to a strategic buyer (except BPCL's equity shareholding of 61.65 per cent in Numaligarh Refinery Limited). The government has appointed Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP as its Transaction Adviser to advise on and manage the strategic disinvestment process. IIFA Awards postponed amid Coronavirus outbreak The 21st edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards has been postponed in light of the coronavirus scare. One of the most popular award functions in the country IIFA was scheduled to be held from March 27 to 29 at Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. A fresh date and plan for hosting IIFA in the state will be announced at the earliest. 15 outstanding women honoured with Nari Shakti Puraskar by Prez on International Women's Day President Ram Nath Kovind gave away the Nari Shakti Puraskar to 15 women in Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of International Women's Day. The awardees are 103 year old athlete Mann Kaur, Indian Air Force’s first women fighter pilots Mohana Singh, Bhawana Kanth and Avani Chaturvedi, Farmers Padala Bhudevi and Bina Devi, Artisan Arifa Jaan, Environmentalist Chami Murmu, Entrepreneur Nilza Wangmo, Automotive research professional Rashmi Urdhwardeshe, Lady Mason Kalavati Devi, Twin Mountaineers Tashi and Nungshi Malik classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakroborty and 98 year old Karthyayini Amma who topped the literacy exam in 2018. Another awardee 105 year old Bhageerathi Amma could not travel to Delhi to receive the award. The National Award is given annually to individuals, groups, institutions in recognition of their exceptional work towards the cause of women empowerment, especially for vulnerable and marginalized women. Australia beat India to win ICC Women's T20 World Cup for record fifth time Defending champions Australia have won the ICC Women's T20 World Cup for a record fifth time. Australia defeated India by 85 runs in the summit clash at Melbourn. Beth Mooney has been adjudged Player of the Tournament & Alyssa Healy has been adjudged the Player of the Match. The 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup was the seventh edition of this game and was held in Australia between 21 February and 8 March 2020. Pooja Rani, Vikas Krishan become first Indian boxers to qualify for Tokyo Olympics Asian champion Pooja Rani in the 75kg category and Vikas Krishan in 69kg category became the first set of Indian boxers to qualify for Tokyo Olympics 2020. Both boxers advanced to the semifinals of the continental qualifiers at Amman in Jordan. While fourth-seeded Rani notched up an easy 5-0 win over Thailand's Pornnipa Chutee while Krishan could win after a tough encounter defeating Japanese Sewonrets Okazawa. Rani secured her maiden Olympic spot while Krishan will be making his third successive appearance at the quadrennial showpiece. Rani will next face the reigning world and Asian champion Li Qian of China, who has the top billing in this category. .