*CURRENT AFFAIRS (25:03:2014)

1. Noted Hindi and Marathi films actress 'Nanda' dies aged 75.
- She acted in films like 'Dhool Ka Phool', 'Dulhan', 'Bhabhi', 'Jab
Jab Phool Khile', 'Gumnaam', 'Shor', 'Parineeta' and 'Prem Rog'.
- She, the lifelong bachelorette, won her sole Filmfare Award for Best
Supporting Actress for the movie Aanchal in 1960.
2. The Supreme Court lambast centre for making Aadhaar Card mandatory
for availing government-run welfare schemes and services; direct it
not to discriminate on the basis of availability of Aadhaar Card.
- The apex court also instruct the government not to share any
information with any agency - government or private - without the
prior approval of the card holder (that includes criminal
investigation as well).
3. Govind Mishra becomes only the 2nd Hindi author to receive
Sarawasti Samman (2013) after Harivansh Rai Bachchan (1991) for his
book Dhool Paudho Par published in 2008
- The annual award and is given in recognition of outstanding prose or
poetry literary works in Indian languages that are listed in Schedule
VII of the constitution of India.
- The award was established in 1991 by K. K. Birla Foundation and
carries a cash prize of 10 lakh rupees along with a certificate.
4. Britain's Royal Mail issues a postage stamp of Noor Inayat Khan on
her centenary year.
- She worked for Britain's 'Special Operations Executive'
(intelligence unit started by Winston Churchill) against Nazis. She
was ultimately captured by the Germans and executed at the Dachau
concentration camp.
- She was honoured with the George Cross - the highest British honour,
while France awarded her the Croix de Guerre.