NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India gifts Rs 100 crore patrol vessel “PS Zoroaster” to Seychelles: India formally
handed over Rs 100 crore patrol vessel “PS Zoroaster” to Seychelles during the
virtual summit between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Seychelles President
WavelRamkalawan. The PS Zoroaster is the fourth made-in-India patrol boat
developed for Seychelles since 2005. The other vessels gifted by India include
PS Topaz (2005), PS Constant (2014), Patrol Boat Hermes (2016).
About the PS Zoroaster: The 48.9-metre
patrol boat has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineering at an
estimated cost of Rs 100 crore. The vessel has a top speed of 35 knots and an
endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. It will be used for multi-purpose
operations, such as patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations,
and search and rescue.
Other projects launched:
(1) Both the leaders inaugurated the new
magistrates’ court building in Mahe, constructed with a $3.5-million grant from
India.
(2) India also handed over a 1 MW solar
power plant at Romainville Island of Seychelles built at a cost of $3.4 million
by the Government of India.
(3) 10 High Impact Community Development
Projects were also inaugurated.
Note: Seychelles Capital: Victoria;
Seychelles Currency: Seychellois rupee; Seychelles Continent: Africa.
2.
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal launches “NanoSniffer”: The Union Education
Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched the world’s first Microsensor
based Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) called “NanoSniffer”. The ETD has been
developed by NanoSniff Technologies, an IIT Bombay incubated startup. It is
being marketed by Vehant Technologies, a spin-off from a former IIT Delhi
incubated startup Kritikal Solutions. Key features of NanoSniffer:
(1) It is a 100% Made in India product in
terms of research, development & manufacturing.
(2) The affordable device will reduce the
dependency of the country on imported explosive trace detector devices.
(3) The device can detect explosives in
less than 10 seconds.
(4) It also identifies and categorizes
explosives into different classes.
(5) NanoSniffer can detect all classes of
military, conventional and homemade explosives.
(6) It gives visible & audible alerts
with a sunlight-readable colour display.
(7) The device will encourage other
institutions, startups and medium-scale industries to research & develop
products indigenously and thereby move a step towards Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India.
3.
Punjab appoints SonuSood as state’s covid vaccination ambassador: Bollywood actor
SonuSood has been made the brand ambassador for Punjab’s anti-coronavirus vaccination
programme. During the coronavirus-induced lockdown last year, the actor had
helped migrants reach their home states. Sood catapulted to the national
spotlight for feeding thousands of underprivileged people amid the COVID-19
pandemic. During his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister, the actor presented
his book ‘I am no Messiah’, which he said captures the experiences of his
journey from Moga to Mumbai.
Note: Punjab CM: Captain Amarinder Singh;
Punjab Governor: V.P.SinghBadnore.
4.
National Safe Motherhood Day: 11th April: National Safe Motherhood Day is
observed on April 11 every year. National Safe Motherhood Day is an initiative
of the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI), to enforce that women must have
availability and adequate access to care during pregnancy childbirth and
postnatal services. The day also marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba
Gandhi, the wife of the father of Nation Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi.
History of National Safe Motherhood
Day:
At the request of WRAI, an alliance of 1800 organizations, in 2003, the
Government of India declared April 11th, the anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi’s
birth, as National Safe Motherhood Day. India is the 1st country in the world
to have socially declared a National Safe Motherhood Day.
Note: White Ribbon Alliance India was
launched in 1999.
INTERNATIONALUPDATES:
1.
Niger President Bazoum Names Mahamadou as New Prime Minister: Niger President
Mohamed Bazoum appointed OuhoumoudouMahamadou to head his new cabinet as the
country’s new prime minister. He was previously served as a minister in charge
of the finance and mining portfolios. He was the chief of staff to former
President Mahamadou Issoufou between 2015 and 2021. He was sworn as Niger’s
first democratic transition of power since independence in 1960.
Note: Niger Capital: Niamey; Niger
Currency: West African CFA franc.
2.
Nirmala Sitharaman attends 103rd Development Committee Meeting of World
Bank-IMF: Union
Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
participated in the 103rd Meeting of the Development Committee Plenary, via
video conferencing. During the meeting, she shared the measures taken to combat
COVID-19 including social support measures for the poor and vulnerable, and
relief measures for firms in statutory and regulatory compliance matters. The
main agenda of the conference was:
(1) World Bank Group (WBG) and
International Monetary Fund Support for Debt Relief Under the Common Framework
and Beyond;
(2) COVID-19 pandemic: World Bank Group
Support for Fair and Affordable Access to Vaccines by Developing Countries;
(3) From COVID-19 Crisis Response to
Resilient Recovery – Saving Lives and Livelihoods while Supporting Green,
Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID).
As a part of the meeting, Sitharaman also
informed that the Government of India has announced AatmaNirbhar Packages of Rs
27.1 trillion, which amounts to more than 13% of the GDP. These packages would
provide social protection to the poor and vulnerable as well as push forward
the economic reforms.
3.
World Parkinson’s Day: 11th April: Every year, April 11 is observed as World
Parkinson’s Day to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease, which is a
progressive nervous system disorder. The day marks the birthday of Dr James
Parkinson from London, who was the first person to systematically described the
six individuals with the symptoms of Parkinson Disease.
4.
International Day of Human Space Flight: 12th April: The International
Day of Human Space Flight is observed globally on April 12 every year. The UN
General Assembly passed a resolution on April 7, 2011, had declared April 12 to
be celebrated as International Day of Human Space Flight.
History of the day: On 12 April 1961,
was the date of the 1st human space flight was carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a
Soviet citizen, who became the first person to journey into outer space. This
historic incident opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all
mankind. 12 April was also the date of the 1st Space Shuttle STS-1 of Columbia
launched in 1981, which is also commemorated on this date.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Indian Army Officer Bharat Pannu Breaks 2 Guinness World Records: Indian Army’s
Lieutenant Colonel, Bharat Pannu has earned two Guinness World Records for his
fastest solo cycling feats from October 2020. The first record was created when
Lt Col Pannu cycled from Leh to Manali (472 km distance) on October 10, 2020,
in just 35 hours and 25 minutes. Lt Col Pannu created a second record when he
cycled the 5,942-km-long ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ route, which connects Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, in 14 days, 23 hours and 52 minutes.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
SBI MF becomes first mutual fund company to cross Rs 5 lakh crore AAUM: SBI Funds
Management Pvt. Ltd has informed that it has become the first mutual fund house
in India to cross the Rs. 5 lakh crore average assets under management (AAUM)
mark. SBI MF has seen a growth of 35% during the financial year 2020-21, with
its average AUM increasing from Rs 3.73 lakh crore to Rs 5.04 lakh crore. The
company, which is a joint venture between India’s largest lender, State Bank of
India, and Europe’s largest asset manager, Amundi. The fund house’s SIP book
has increased to ₹1,382 crores from ₹1,180 crores over the last year recording
a growth of 17%.
Note: SBI Funds Management Founded: 7
February 1992.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Axis Bank to become co-promoter of Max Life Insurance: Axis Bank Ltd said
that it has become co-promoters of Max Life Insurance Company Limited, after
completion of the acquisition of 12.99% stake collectively by the Axis Entities
in the company. The lender said that Axis Bank and its two subsidiaries—Axis Capital
Limited and Axis Securities Limited – will collectively own 12.99% stake in Max
Life after the consummation of the deal. With the conclusion of this
transaction, Max Life’sBoard will be strengthened further, with co-option of
three nominee directors of Axis Entities on its Board.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Dutee Chand selected for inaugural Chhattisgarh Veerni Award: Indian sprinter,
Dutee Chand has been chosen for the inaugural edition of the Chhattisgarh
Veerni Award, by the Chhattisgarh state government. The award, which recognises
the contribution of Indian women in different fields, including sports, will be
given virtually on April 14, 2021. The Odisha sprinter became the first Indian
woman to win a gold medal at the World University Games held in Italy in 2019.
She is a silver-medalist in 100 and 200 metres at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
Apart from this, Dutee holds the national record of 11.22 secs in 100m.
OBITUARIES
1. Veteran actor Satish Kaul passes away: Veteran actor Satish Kaul, who had 300 Punjabi and Hindi films to his credit and played the role of Lord Indra in the TV show Mahabharat, passed away. The actor began his career in the early ’70s, juggling between Hindi and Punjabi films. While his popular Bollywood films include Ram Lakhan, PyaarTohHona Hi Tha and Aunty No 1 etc.
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