*CURRENT AFFAIRS (24:03:2014)

1. President Abdulla Yameen's coalition seizes majority in Maldive's
parliament having secured 54 out of the 85 seats.
- The chief opponent and former president Mohamed Nasheed's Maldives
Democratic Party could only bag 24 seats.
2. Physicist Rajesh Gopakumar has been conferred on the 'GD Birla
Award for scientific research 2013'.
- The 1.5 lakh rupees award recognizes his significant contributions
on topics in Quantum Field Theory and String Theory.
- The prize was instituted in 1991 to honour exemplary scientific
research undertaken by Indian scientists (under the age of 50) working
in India.
3. Lt Commander Abhilash Tomy, Major Mahesh Kumar and Wing Commander
Darryl Castelino (posthumously) honoured with Kirti Chakra gallantry
award.
- President also gave 10 Shaurya Chakras (5 posthumously), 15 Param
Vishist seva medals, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Ati Vishisht
Seva Medals and 22 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals to personnel of the Armed
Forces for their distinguished service of an exceptional order
4. World observes 'World Meteorological Day 2014' on March 23 with the
theme "Weather and climate: engaging youth".
- The convention creating the World Meteorological Organization had
come into force on this very day in 1950.
5. Panasonic unveils the world's largest TV "Big Hoss". The giant
device has the dimension of 218 feet by 94.6 feet.