NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
South-Central Railway launches ‘One station One Product’ initiative: The SCR has
introduced the “One Station, One Product” campaign at six main stations across
its six divisions. Arun Kumar Jain, SCR in-charge General Manager, has opened
stalls at Secunderabad Station as part of the new initiative. Key Points:
a)
In
addition to Vijayawada, Guntur, and Aurangabad, stalls have been set up in
Kacheguda.
b)
The
new programme was introduced by the government in the General Budget 2022-23
and is currently being tested in Tirupati.
c)
The
Railway stations are ideal for promoting indigenous and local products, and the
programme aims to turn them into a sales and promotional centre.
d)
The
stalls will be open for two phases, starting on the 7th of next month and
ending on the 7th of the following month.
e)
In
Telangana, freshwater pearl jewellery and Hyderabad bangles will be promoted at
Secunderabad stations, while Pochampally items will be promoted at Kachiguda
stations.
2.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘1064 Anti-Corruption Mobile App’: Uttarakhand Chief
Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has launched an anti-corruption mobile app named
1064 Anti-Corruption Mobile App. This mobile application has been developed by
the vigilance department, Uttarakhand. It helps the citizens to lodge
corruption-related complaints directly with the authorities. Currently, the app
is available in both Hindi and English language. Registered complaints, data
and the identity of the complainant will be protected. Government is committed
to making the state corruption-free and ensuring that governance in the state
is carried out in a transparent manner.
Note: Uttarakhand Capitals: Dehradun
(Winter), Gairsain (Summer); Uttarakhand Governor: Lt Gen Gurmit Singh.
3.
UGC gives approval for establishment of Bhima Bhoi Chair at DU, GGV: The Bhima Bhoi
Chair at Delhi University and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Bilaspur,
Chhattisgarh, have been authorised by the University Grants Commission. In
separate letters to the two central institutions, the UGC stated that the
universities may create the Chair by filling existing vacant positions, and
that other recurrent expenses could be charged to monies already allocated to
them.
About Bhima Bhoi: Bhima Bhoi was a
saint, poet, and philosopher from Odisha. He battled against the caste system
in Hinduism. Bhima Bhoi, a saint, poet, and philosopher from Odisha, India, was
born in 1850 and died in 1895.
4.
‘Not Just A Nightwatchman: My Innings with BCCI’, book by Former CAG Vinod Rai:
Former
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and chief of Supreme court-appointed
Committee of Administrators (CoA) in 2017, Vinod Rai has penned a book titled
as, “Not Just A Nightwatchman: My Innings with BCCI” in which the former
bureaucrat encapsulates his 33-month stint at the BCCI. In the book, Rai –
whose stint of overseeing the administration of one of the richest sports
bodies in the world ended in September 2019 – has made some major revelations.
5.
38th Siachen Day celebrates on 13 April 2022: Indian Army marks
Siachen Day on April 13 every year. The day is observed to commemorate the courage
of the Indian Army under “Operation Meghdoot”. The Day also honours Siachen
Warriors serving their motherland successfully from the enemy. Every year this
day is observed to pay solemn tributes to the soldiers who laid down their
lives to capture the icy heights of Siachen 38 years ago. The day commemorates
the courage and fortitude displayed by Indian Army troops in securing the
highest and coldest battlefield in the world.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Shehbaz Sharif elected as 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan: Pakistan’s
opposition leader, Shehbaz Sharif has been elected unopposed as the 23rd Prime
Minister of the country through voting in the National Assembly. The 70-year
old Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Chief will succeed Imran Khan, who has been
removed by a no-trust vote recently in the National Assembly. Shehbaz Sharif is
the brother of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif has secured
174 votes and has been declared as prime minister of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan. In the House of 342, the winning candidate should get the support of
at least 172 lawmakers. He has served as chief minister of the country’s most
populous and politically crucial Punjab province thrice. Former president and
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chair Asif Ali Zardari had proposed Shehbaz’s
name for the prime minister’s position in a joint opposition meeting to replace
Khan through a no-confidence motion.
Note: Pakistan Capital: Islamabad; Pakistan
President: Arif Alvi; Pakistan Currency: Pakistani rupee.
2.
International Turban Day: 13th April: International Turban Day is celebrated
every year on April 13 since 2004 to bring awareness of the strict requirement
on Sikhs to put the turban as a mandatory part of their religion. The 2022
Turban Day marks the 553rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and the festival
of Baisakhi. The turban, also known as “dastar” or “pagri” or “pag” refers to
the garment worn by both men and some women to cover their heads.
History of the day: Since 2004, on
Turban Day, Sikhs worldwide organise various events to give information about
the turban to the general community in their locality. Turbans of every hue are
represented at these events and posters highlighting information about Sikhi
are also displayed and handed out. Turban tying sessions are arranged so that
youngsters and others get a chance to wear a turban for the first time and have
their photos taken.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Saurav Ghosal wins first-ever gold medal at World
Doubles Squash championships: The second-seeded Indian duo Dipika
Pallikal Karthik and Saurav Ghosal won the mixed double title at the 2022 WSF
World Doubles Squash championship at Glasglow, Scotland. The Indian duo thrashed
the fourth-seeded pair of Adrian Waller and Alison Waters of England in the
mixed doubles finals in straight sets 11-6, 11-8. This is the first gold medal
for India at the WSF World Doubles Squash championship, which the country had
never won before this. Meanwhile, England’s Declan James and James Willstrop
beat Scotland’s Greg Lobban and Rory Stewart, 11-10; 11-6, to win the men’s
doubles final. Apart from this, Dipika and Joshna Chinappa paired to win the
women’s doubles final, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8 defeating England’s Sarah Jane Perry
and Waters.
2.
Thailand Open Boxing Tournament 2022: India Bags 10 medal with 3 gold: The 15-member
Indian boxing contingents ended their campaign at the Thailand Open
International Boxing Tournament 2022 in Phuket with 10 medals, including three
golds, four silvers, and three bronze. Gold medal winners earned USD 2000 while
silver and bronze medallists took home USD 1000 and USD 500 respectively as the
tournament witnessed thrilling competition with the participation of 130 top
boxers including 74 males and 56 females, from Asia, Europe, Oceania and
Africa. Medal Winners include:
|
Gold |
Govind Sahani (48kg), |
|
Ananta Pralhad Chopde
(54kg) |
|
|
Sumit (75kg) |
|
|
Silver |
Amit Panghal (52kg) |
|
Monika (48kg), |
|
|
Varinder Singh (60kg) |
|
|
Ashish Kumar (81kg) |
|
|
Bronze |
Manisha (57kg), |
|
Pooja (69kg) |
|
|
Bhagyabati Kachari
(75kg) |
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
RBI issues guidelines for setting up full day Digital Banking Units: The Reserve Bank of
India announced that current banks can open digital banking units to provide
products and services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both self-serve and
assisted modes. The government announced in the Union Budget that at least 75
such units will be established in 75 districts to commemorate the country’s
75th anniversary of independence as the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Key Points:
a)
The
products and services to be supplied at a DBU, according to the requirements
for the formation of Digital Banking Units (DBUs), include account opening,
cash withdrawal and deposit, KYC updation, loans, and complaint registrations.
b)
Scheduled
commercial banks with digital banking experience are allowed to open DBUs in
Tier 1 to Tier 6 centres without obtaining RBI clearance, according to the
guidelines.
c)
Each
DBU must be housed separately, with its own entry and exit points. According to
the recommendations, these units would be different from conventional banking
outlets and will have forms and designs that are most ideal for digital banking
consumers.
DBU: ‘DBU’ stands for
Digital Banking Unit, which is a specialised fixed point business unit/hub that
houses specific basic infrastructure for delivering digital banking goods and
services to consumers in a simple and cost-effective manner.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Infosys and Rolls-Royce launched ‘Aerospace Engineering and Digital Innovation
Centre’: IT
major Infosys and leading industrial tech company Rolls-Royce opened their
joint “aerospace engineering and digital innovation centre’’ in Bengaluru,
Karnataka. This centre has been established to provide high-end R&D
services integrated with advanced digital capabilities to Rolls-Royce’s
engineering and group business services from India. As part of this
collaboration, Infosys and Rolls-Royce will combine their aerospace,
engineering and digital services capabilities to explore opportunities for
driving digital and engineering innovation and associated cost optimisation
strategies. Infosys and Rolls-Royce’s collaboration has been reinforced through
strategic deals, aimed at yielding mutual benefits to both organisations over
the next seven years.
Note: Infosys Founded: 7 July 1981; Infosys
CEO: Salil Parekh; Infosys Headquarters: Bengaluru;
Rolls-Royce CEO: Torsten Müller-Ötvös (Mar
2010–); Rolls-Royce Founded: 1904; Rolls-Royce Headquarters: Westhampnett,
United Kingdom; Rolls-Royce Founders: Henry Royce, Charles Rolls.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
World Press Photo of the Year 2022: Kamloops Residential School: A photograph by
Canadian photographer Amber Bracken titled “Kamloops Residential School” has
won the 2022 World Press Photo of the Year award. The photo shows children’s
clothing hung on crosses commemorating the more than two hundred children who
died of maltreatment, neglect and disease at the Kamloops Indian Residential
School in British Columbia. Ms Bracken’s photo also won the Singles award in
the regional North and Central America category. Another category:
a)
Australian
photographer Matthew Abbott won the Photo Story of the Year prize for a series
of images for National Geographic/Panos Pictures that document how the
Nawarddeken people of West Arnhem Land in northern Australia fight fire with
fire by deliberately burning off undergrowth to remove fuel that could spark
far larger wildfires.
b)
The
Long-Term Project award went to Lalo de Almeida of Brazil for a series of
photos for Folha de São Paulo/Panos Pictures called “Amazonian Dystopia” that
charts the effects of the exploitation of the Amazon region, particularly on
Indigenous communities forced to deal with environmental degradation.
c)
In
regional awards announced previously, Bram Janssen of The Associated Press won
the Stories category in Asia with a series of photos from a Kabul cinema and AP
photographer Dar Yasin earned an honourable mention for photos from Kashmir
titled “Endless War.”
2.
Venkaiah Naidu confers Sangeet Natak Akademi and Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowships
and Awards: The
Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu has presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Fellowship and Sangeet Natak Awards for the year 2018 to 43 eminent artists (4
Fellows and 40 awardees). Naidu also presented Fellowships and National Awards
of Lalit Kala Akademi for the year 2021 to 23 people (3 Fellows and 20 National
Awards). The awards were presented during the 62nd National Exhibition of Art,
organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi and inaugurated by Minister of Culture,
Shri G. Kishan Reddy on April 09, 2022, in New Delhi.
DEFENCE
1.
India successfully flight-tested Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System: The Defence
Research and Development Organisation and Indian Army successfully
flight-tested a new version of the Pinaka rocket system at the Pokhran firing
ranges. These included Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka
Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems. With these trails, the initial phase
of technology absorption of EPRS by the industry has successfully been
completed and the industry partners are ready for user trials/series production
of the rocket system. The Pinaka rocket system has been developed by DRDO lab-
Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune in collaboration with
High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune. About the EPRS system:
a)
The
EPRS is the upgraded version of the Pinaka variant, which has been in service
with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been upgraded with
advanced technologies enhancing the range to meet the emerging requirements.
b)
After
establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range version of Pinaka,
the technology was transferred to the industries viz. Munitions India Limited
(MIL) and Economic Explosives Limited Nagpur.
c)
Rockets
manufactured by MIL under Transfer of Technology from DRDO were flight tested
during this campaign. Different variants of munitions and fuzes which can be
used in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully test evaluated in the
Pokhran Field Firing Range.
Note: Chairman DRDO: Dr G Satheesh Reddy;
DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi; DRDO Established: 1958.
No comments:
Post a Comment