NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
The Environment Minister announces the launch of the ‘Prakriti’ green
initiative: In
the presence of Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change,
Shri Bhupender Yadav, the mascotto ‘Prakriti’ was launched today to raise
public awareness about small changes that can be made to our lifestyle for a
better environment. As well as various green initiatives taken by the Ministry
of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and the Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) to ensure effective Plastic Waste Management (PWM) in the country.
Key Points:
a)
To
combat the problem of plastic pollution, India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra
Modi, pledged to eliminate single-use plastics (SUPs) by 2022.
b)
The
Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change also administered
the ‘Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat Green Pledge’ to the crowd, carrying the
momentum forward and emphasising the importance of active citizen engagement.
c)
Plastic
has emerged as one of the most important environmental concerns of our day.
India produces over 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with per
capita plastic waste creation nearly doubling in the last five years.
d)
Our
ecosystems are harmed by plastic pollution, which is also linked to air
pollution.
2.
Delhi government launched scheme to set up ‘Hobby Hubs’ in government schools: The Delhi
government has set up Hobby Hubs for government schools in Delhi after school
hours to promote extra-curricular activities. This project will implement in
the single shift government school. A project to set up ‘Hobby Hubs’ in
government schools in Delhi with after-school dance, music, arts and crafts
activities during this new academic session is in the works. The idea is to
make optimum use of school infrastructure and to use it after school hours to
promote these extra-curricular activities.
Private academies, individuals and NGOs
will be roped in to provide free training in fields selected by the schools. They
will also be allowed to train private students during these sessions and charge
them, but government school students will have to make up 50 per cent of the
total students enrolled and no student of the concerned school will be denied
admission into hobby classes being conducted in their own school.
Note: Delhi Chief Minister: Arvind
Kejriwal; Delhi Governor: Anil Baijal;
3.
Pixxel a space data startup launches its first satellite aboard SpaceX: Pixxel, a space
data startup, launched its first fully operational satellite, TD-2, on SpaceX’s
Transporter-4 mission. TD-2 is Pixxel’s first full-fledged satellite, carrying
one of the highest-resolution hyperspectral commercial cameras ever flown,
taking the company one step closer to developing a global health monitoring
system that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The launch, according to the business,
brings it closer to completing its aim of assembling one of the world’s most
advanced constellations of low-earth-orbit imaging satellites and bringing the
benefits of space to Earth.
About TD-2:
a)
TD-2
will begin gathering data and discovering the invisible changes wreaking havoc
on our worlds, such as natural gas leakages, deforestation, melting ice caps,
pollution, and poor crop health.
b)
Pixxel’s
hyperspectral constellation will be able to cover any place on the world every
48 hours, thanks to six satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) around a
550-kilometre altitude.
c)
Dimensions
of TD-2: TD-2, which weighs less than 15 kilogrammes, can capture orbital
images in more than 150 bands of colour from the visible and infrared spectrum
with a resolution of 10-meters per pixel, far exceeding the specificity of
30-meter-per-pixel hyperspectral satellites launched by a few select
organisations such as NASA, ESA, and ISRO, according to the company.
4.
PharmEasy’s appoints Amir Khan Brand ambassador: PharmEasy, a
consumer healthcare “super app,” has unveiled its new campaign, which
introduces Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador. API Holdings
Limited is in charge of the PharmEasy brand. This partnership will aid in the
development of the brand and raising consumer awareness of healthcare in India.
PharmEasy is dedicated to offering a
hassle-free healthcare experience. Aamir will promote the PharmEasy brand in a
variety of ways. The IPL campaign in 2022 will also include TV commercials
starring Aamir Khan. Amir Khan will also emphasise how medicines, diagnostic
tests, and healthcare goods are easily accessible to clients as the brand’s
face.
5. A
new book titled “Queen of Fire” authored by Devika Rangachari: Award-winning
children’s writer and historian, Devika Rangachari has authored a new novel
titled “Queen of Fire”, which explores the story of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.
The book focuses on the journey of Rani Lakshmibai as a queen, soldier, and
statesman. The book provides a detailed account on how the queen took over the
kingdom as a widow and joined the revolutionaries to rebel against the East India
Company. Devika Rangachari is a historian who has conducted post-doctoral
research on gender in early medieval Indian history.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India-Turkmenistan inks four agreements during President Ram Nath Kovind’s
3-day official visit to Turkmenistan: India and Turkmenistan witnessed signing of
four agreements, during the state visit of President of India, Shri Ram Nath
Kovind to Turkmenistan. He is the first-ever President of India to visit
independent Turkmenistan. The agreement was signed in the presence of Indian
President Mr. Kovind and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. President
Kovind is on a week-long state visit to two nations, Turkmenistan (April 01-03)
and the Netherlands (April 04-07).
The four MoUs signed between India
and Turkmenistan includes:
a)
MoU
between the Financial Monitoring Service at the Ministry of Finance and
Economy, of Turkmenistan and Financial Intelligence Unit of India
b)
Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) between Governments of Turkmenistan and India for
cooperation in the field of Disaster Management.
c)
Program
of Cooperation in the Fields of Culture and Arts between Governments of
Turkmenistan and India for the period 2022-2025.
d)
MoU
between Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy, Turkmenistan and Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports, India for cooperation in Youth Matters.
Note: Capital: Ashgabat; President: Serdar
Berdimuhamedow; Currency: Turkmenistani manat
2.
World Health Day: 7th April: World Health Day is a global health awareness day
celebrated on the 7th April every year. Every year, World Health Day focuses on
contemporary health issues that require immediate attention, with varied
themes. The theme for World Health Day 2022 is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. This
year’s theme aims to direct global attention toward the well-being of our
planet and the humans living in it.
History of the day: The World Health
Organization (WHO) convened the first World Health Assembly in 1948, which
called for the establishment of a “World Health Day.” The first World Health
Day was held on April 7, 1950, and it has been observed on that date every year
thereafter. The main goal of the day is to raise awareness about a certain
health topic in order to highlight a World Health Organization priority area of
concern.
Note: World Health Organization
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; World Health Organization Founded: 7 April
1948; World Health Organization Director-General: Tedros Adhanom.
3.
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda: 7th April: International Day
of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is commemorated
by UNESCO on April 07, every year. 2022 marks the 28th anniversary of the
genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, one of the darkest chapters in human history.
On April 7th, the date where the genocide against members of the Tutsi began.
History of the day: The day was
established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. The day
commemorates the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the
Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government. Within just over 100 days,
more than 1 million Tutsi were systematically murdered. Moderate Hutu and
others who opposed the massacres were also killed during this period.
Note: UNESCO formation: 4 November 1946;
UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France; UNESCO Director-General: Audrey Azoulay.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Miami Open Tennis Tournament 2022 Overview: The 2022 Miami Open tennis
tournament was the 37th edition of the men’s and women’s event, held from March
22 to April 3, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami Open is classified as an
ATP Masters 1000 event on the 2022 ATP Tour and a WTA 1000 event on the 2022
WTA Tour.
The Miami Open (also known as the Miami
Masters, and currently branded as the Miami Open presented by Itaú for
sponsorship reasons) is a tennis tournament held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
Gardens, Florida. It is part of the men’s ATP Tour Masters 1000 circuit, and
part of the women’s WTA 1000 circuit. The Miami Open is usually held between
March and April.
Here is the complete list of
winners:
|
Award |
Winner |
Runner-Up |
|
Men’s Single |
Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) |
Casper Ruud (Norway) |
|
Women’s Single |
Iga Świątek (Poland) |
Naomi Osaka (Japan) |
|
Men’s Double |
Hubert Hurkacz / John
Isner |
Wesley Koolhof / Neal
Skupski |
|
Women’s Double |
Laura Siegemund / Vera
Zvonareva |
Veronika Kudermetova /
Elise Mertens |
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
HDFC Bank adjudged as Best Performing Bank in SHG Linkage by DAY-NRLM: HDFC Bank Limited
has been adjudged Best Performing Bank in Self Help Group (SHG) Linkage by
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India at the event organised at
the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. HDFC Bank is the only private bank to be honoured
with the award for their contribution in SHGs by NRLM.
Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Rural
Development presented the award to K Venkatesh, Head of Sustainable Livelihood
Initiative of HDFC Bank. National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched
by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in June 2011 is a poverty
alleviation project. This rural income generation scheme is also known as
Aajeevika Mission.
Note:
HDFC Bank Headquarters: Mumbai; HDFC Bank
Founded: August 1994; HDFC Bank CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan; HDFC Bank Chairman:
Atanu Chakraborty
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. HP
acquires Poly with the goal of becoming a full-service hybrid work ecosystem
provider:
HP has completed its acquisition of Poly for $1.7 billion in an all-cash deal
worth $3.3 billion when debt is factored in. Poly is a manufacturer of office
communication devices such as headsets, AV conference room equipment such as
desk phones, and software.
Key Points:
a)
The
decision comes eight months after HP acquired Teradici, a remote desktop
software supplier, with the goal of accelerating HP’s entrance into hybrid
work. The resulting ecosystem will be able to deliver entire workforce
solutions in a hybrid work environment that necessitates seamless transitions
between office and home settings.
b)
HP
and Poly, according to Lores, establish a “leading portfolio of hybrid work
solutions across big and expanding markets, with Poly’s strong technology,
complementary go-to-market, and experienced team helping to drive long-term
profitable growth as we continue to build a better HP.”
c)
While
the agreement would help Poly save production and overhead expenses, it will
also assist improve sales because of the devices’ compatibility with PCs and
laptops. According to this source, HP estimates that the purchase will boost
Poly’s annual growth to 15% in the three years following the deal’s closing.
DEFENCE
1.
Vice chief Lt Gen Manoj Pande all set to become next Army chief: Vice Chief
Lieutenant General, Manoj Pande is all set to become Chief of the Army Staff as
the incumbent Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, who is being seen as the
frontrunner for the Chief of Defence Staff’s post, is due to retire by the end
of this month. Being senior-most in the office after General Naravane, Lt Gen
Pande will take over the reign. Lt Gen Pande became the senior-most after a few
top officers retired in the last three months. The incumbent Lt Gen Raj Shukla
who was commanding Army’s training command (ARTRAC) retired on March 31.
Meanwhile, present Army Chief, Gen MM Naravane is ahead in the race for the post of Chief of Defence Staff after the post fell vacant in December last year as the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat passed away in a helicopter crash near Coimbatore.
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