*CURRENT AFFAIRS (08:03:2014)

1. The 2014 Winter Paralympics kicks off in Sochi, Russia.
- 550 athletes from 45 nations will participate in 72 disciplines
across 5 sports.
- Brazil, Turkey and Uzbekistan are making their debut in the Winter
Paralympic Games.
2. World snooker champion Pankaj Advani secures his 6th national snooker title.
- He comprehensivelybeat Kamal Chawla by a 6-3 scoreline at the 81st
national snooker championship 2014.
- He has so far won the 7 world title in billiards and one in snooker.
- He is the only Indian with a world title in snooker.
- Vidya Pillai defeats Chitra Magimairaj to retain the women's title.
3. International Women's Day is celebrated across the world on March 8.
- The theme for this year observance is "Equality for Women is
Progress for All".
- The day celebrates the economic, political and social achievements
of women past, present and future