1. 'Fare Se Fursat' Scheme Launched from Rewa
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, along with Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, launched the "Fare Se Fursat – One Route One Fare" scheme on March 17, 2026. The initiative was flagged off with the inaugural flight connecting Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) to Raipur (Chhattisgarh).
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- The Concept: A fixed airfare model where the ticket price remains constant regardless of the booking date, even for same-day travel.
- Implementing Airline: The scheme is operated by Alliance Air, the government-owned regional carrier.
- Routes Covered: Initially launched on six key regional routes, including Delhi–Rewa, Rewa–Raipur, Delhi–Jaipur, Kolkata–Guwahati, Tirupati–Rajahmundry, and Chennai–Hyderabad.
- Objective: To democratize aviation by making air travel as predictable and affordable as premium rail or bus travel, specifically targeting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) framework.
2. World Sparrow Day 2026
World Sparrow Day was observed globally on March 20, 2026, to raise awareness about the declining population of the house sparrow and other common urban birds.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- Theme 2026: “Creating Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities”.
- Origin: The day was first established in 2010 by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France).
- Key Individual: Mohammed Dilawar, an Indian conservationist, is the founder of the Nature Forever Society and is often credited with starting this global movement.
- Scientific Name: The House Sparrow is scientifically known as Passer domesticus.
- Status: While once abundant, sparrows are facing threats from electromagnetic radiation (mobile towers), loss of nesting sites in modern architecture, and excessive pesticide use.
3. French 'Legion of Honour' for Javed Ashraf
Former Indian Ambassador to France, Javed Ashraf, has been conferred with the rank of Commandeur (Commander) in the Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour) by the French Republic. The insignia was presented by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou in New Delhi on March 18, 2026.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- Historic Achievement: Javed Ashraf is the first Indian diplomat to receive the 'Commander' rank of this prestigious award.
- Reason for Honour: Recognized for his pivotal role in deepening the India-France Strategic Partnership during his tenure (2020–2024), including key milestones in defense (Rafale deal) and space cooperation.
- About the Award: Instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it is the highest French order of merit, both civil and military.
- Other Indian Recipients: He joins a select group of Indian luminaries who have received various ranks of the Legion of Honour, such as JRD Tata, Satyajit Ray, and Amitabh Bachchan.
- Current Status: After his retirement from the IFS, Javed Ashraf was appointed as the Chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO).
