Events in March-2012

1. Indian national women Kabaddi team clinched maiden Women World Cup Kabaddi championship title on 4 March 2012. In a thrilling match held in Patna, capital of Bihar, Indian women team defeated Iran 25-19.Japan secured third rank while Thiland came fourth in the championship. Earlier in the day, India deferated Japan 60-21 to enter the final while Iran beaten Thailand 46-26 to make it to the final.The global sports event witnessed the participation of 16 countries.  
2. Indian batting maestro and former captain Rahul Dravid, on 9 March 2012, announced his retirement from international cricket.The 39-year-old has to his credit the second highest aggregate of runs in the test history only after Sachin Tendulkar. Dravid which scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests, including 36 hundreds has been one of the most successful batsmen India has ever produced.Dravid made his international debut on 20 June 1996 while playing at the Lord’s against England. He had announced his retirement from the ODIs in England in 2
3. A survey compiled by Fortune India and global management consultancy Hay Group which was released on 13 March 2012, revealed Tata Steel as the most admired brand in India.The survey which was conducted between October 2011 and January 2012, came out with the list of top 50 companies on the basis of a survey of 507 executives across 291 companies.Several factors viz. corporate governance, financial soundness, leadership, talent management and corporate social responsibility were taken into account while preparing the list of top 50 companies.Tata Steel, which was established in 1907 is world's leading steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and a commercial presence in over 50 countries. Company’s annual turnover in financial year 2010-11 was 26.64 billion dollar.
4. Parkash Singh Badal on 14 March 2012, sworn in as chief minister of Punjab. Badal, 85, took the oath as chief minister of Punjab for the record fifth time. Punjab governor Shivraj Patil administered the oath to Badal.Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of Parkash Singh Badal sworn in as deputy chief minister of Punjab for the second time. Father-son duo led the party to a massive win in Punjab as it defied the anti-incumbency factor in the state.Badal headed full two five-year terms from 1997-2007. His other terms were 1977-1980 and 1970-71.The SAD-BJP combine had bagged 68 seats in the 117-member House, whereas the Opposition Congress was restricted to 46 seats.
   
5.  Rupert Murdoch-led News Corp sold its entire 17.3 per cent stake in Hathway Cable & Datacom for 358 crore Rupees. The media conglomerate sold its stakes to two foreign funds.While Macquarie Bank Ltd purchased nearly 1.05 crore shares for about Rs 153 crore, remaining 1.41 crore shares were purchased by Providence Equity Advisors Mauritius Ltd for about Rs 205 crore.Hathway's cable caters its cable television services to across 140 cities and towns and high-speed cable broadband services across 21 cities. Company holds an internet service provider license for the entire country and offers broadband Internet services.