NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Randhir
Thakur appointed as CEO & MD of Tata Electronics: Tata Group has appointed Dr. Randhir Thakur as
the CEO and managing director of Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd (TEPL). Before
this, he was associated with the global electronic chip and circuits
manufacturing giant Intel. He has also held leadership and technical
positions at Applied Materials Inc., SanDisk Corp, and Micron Technology
Inc. TEPL was founded in 2020 as a greenfield venture of the Tata Group
with expertise in manufacturing precision components.
2. Assam,
Arunachal signs MoU on the border dispute:
Assam government has signed an MoU with the Arunachal
Pradesh government to resolve the long pending border dispute between
both states. The MoU was signed in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in
New Delhi on April 20. The Assam cabinet has approved the recommendations
of 12 Regional Committees formed by the state government to resolve the
decades-long border dispute issues with Arunachal Pradesh. Assam shares
an 804 km long boundary with Arunachal Pradesh.
3. HSBC
India ropes in Virat Kohli as their brand influencer: Former Indian men's cricket team captain, Virat Kohli has
been appointed as the brand influencer of HSBC India. HSBC India is also
set to launch a multimedia campaign featuring Kohli, aimed at
re-establishing the value proposition of banking with the company. Virat Kohli
will help to amplify HSBC’s purpose of opening up a world of opportunity as it
strives to support the ambitions of an aspirational India going global. HSBC
India CEO: Hitendra Dave
4. Agriculture
Minister launched SATHI Portal & Mobile App:
Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar launched the SATHI Portal and
Mobile App to deal with the challenges of seed production, quality
seed identification, and seed certification. SATHI refers to Seed
Traceability, Authentication, and Holistic Inventory. It has been developed on
the theme of Uttam Beej - Samriddh Kisan. The minister highlighted that
the government is constantly trying to overcome the challenges and difficulties
faced by farmers.
5. NHAI
to create around 10,000 km of Digital Highways by FY 2024 – 25: NHAI is working towards the development of around 10,000 km
of Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) infrastructure across the country by FY2024-25. The network
of Digital Highways will be implemented by the National Highways Logistics
Management Limited (NHLML), a fully owned SPV of NHAI. Under the pilot
routes for the Digital Highway development, around 1,367 km on Delhi -
Mumbai Expressway and 512 km on Hyderabad - Bangalore Corridor have been
identified.
6. IIT
Roorkee signs pact with Taiwanese centre: IIT
Roorkee has signed an MoU with the National Science and Technology
Centre for Disaster Reduction (NCDR), Taiwan. Aim: To develop scientific
and academic cooperation and scientific research to promote relations and
mutual understanding between NCDR and the Centre of Excellence in Disaster
Mitigation and Management of IIT Roorkee The main objective is to develop a
technological solution to natural hazards, including earthquakes,
landslides, and compound disasters.
7. Kerala adopts Water Budget to tackle summer water
shortage: Kerala has become the first state to
adopt a water budget in a bid to come up with a solution to water scarcity
in certain regions. The first phase would cover 94 gram panchayats and 15-block
panchayats. The Public Water Budget was released by Chief Minister Pinarayi
Vijayan along with the launch of the third phase of the Ini Njan Ozhukatte (Let
me flow now) project, for the rehabilitation of irrigation networks in the
Western Ghats. The idea of a water budget was first mooted by the state in
2019. The current Budget was prepared based on the availability and consumption
of water in the state. The state has recovered hundreds of water bodies and
will be using satellite data to assess the status of water bodies in 230 gram
panchayats in its third phase. During the first and second phases, around 7,290
km of irrigation networks had been rejuvenated. Though the state has around 44
rivers and several other water bodies, some parts face severe water shortages during
the summer season.
8. Manipur CM inaugurates Hun Thadou cultural festival: The 5th edition of HUN- a Thadou
Cultural Festival 2023 kicked off at Thomas Ground in Kangpokpi district
of HUN festival is an annual cultural festival and a civilizing act of the
Thadous community of Manipur and it is celebrated at the arrival of the new
year according to the community. The festival celebrates the culture and
traditions of the Hun Thadou tribe, one of the major ethnic groups in the
state. The festival features traditional dance performances, music, food, and
handicrafts.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Cuba's
President Miguel Diaz-Canel wins second term in polls: President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel (62) has clinched a
second five-year term in a parliamentary vote for which he was
the sole candidate in the country. His bid was confirmed by
97.66% of votes cast in the Communist Party of Cuba-aligned National
Assembly. He took over the reins in 2018 as the first civilian leader of
Cuba. His first five years in office were marked by the worst economic crisis
in three decades. Cuba Capital: Havana; Currency: Cuban Peso
2. India
surpasses China as world’s most populous nation: UN:
According to the UN data, India has surpassed China to become
the world's most populous nation with 142.86 crore people. China has
a population of 142.57 crore. In 2016, China ended its strict "one-child
policy" and started letting couples have three children in 2021. According
to the UN data, the global population will have hit 8.045 billion by
mid-2023. Factors Influencing population growth: Fertility rate,
Increasing longevity, International migration
3. World's
Wealthiest Cities Report 2023 released:
According to the World's Wealthiest Cities Report 2023, published by
Henley & Partners and New World Wealth, New York City has emerged
as the wealthiest city in the world, with 340,000 resident
millionaires. Tokyo with 290,300 resident millionaires, ranked second, followed
by The Bay Area, London, and Singapore. While the US has topped the list
in the number of wealthy cities, with 10 out of the top 50 cities in the
world, followed by China, and Australia.
4. India overtakes China as world’s most populous
country: India has become the world’s most
populous country, overtaking China, according to the United Nations. According
to UN estimates, India’s population is 142.86 crore against China’s 142.57
crore. This is the first time that India has topped the UN list of most
populous countries since it started collecting population data in 1950. Nearly
1/4th of India’s population is under the age of 14, according to the UN data.
68 percent of the population is in the 15 to 64 age group, while 7 percent is
above the age of 65. Estimates by different agencies have suggested that
India’s population is expected to keep rising for nearly three decades before
it peaks at 165 crore and then would start declining. The new UN report also
estimated that the global population will have hit 8.045 billion by mid-2023. The
United States is a very distant third, with an estimated population of 340
million. By 2050, eight countries will account for half the projected growth in
global population: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia,
India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania.
5. 20 April – Chinese Language Day: The United Nations (UN) is celebrating
the 13th annual Chinese Language Day on 20 April 2023. Theme 2023
– Chinese Wisdom for a Green World This day is dedicated to honoring
Cangjie, the inventor of Chinese characters, and his legend of creating the
characters amidst cries from deities and ghosts and rain of millet. Chinese was
recognized as one of the official languages of the United Nations in 1946. In
1973, the General Assembly designated Chinese as a working language, which was
later followed by the Security Council in 1974. Since then, an increasing
number of UN offices and staff members have been working with the Chinese
language.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Cricketer
Faf du Plessis's autobiography is to be released in May 2023: South African cricketer, Francois ‘Faf’ du
Plessis's memoir 'Faf Through Fire' is all set to release
in India in May 2023. The book is published by Penguin Random House India.
Presently, he is the captain of the Indian Premier League’s Royal
Challengers Bangalore team. He is also the former Captain of the South African
National Cricket team. In his upcoming memoir, he has shared his journey as a cricketer,
love for the game, and also reveals his struggles and triumphs.
2. Chennai to host 2023 Men’s Hockey Asian Champions
Trophy: The Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy
2023 will be hosted in Chennai, India. The seventh edition of the
prestigious continental event, which was inaugurated in 2011, will serve as a
precursor to the Asian Games hockey competition in Hangzhou, China in
September. Chennai last hosted an international hockey event in 2007 when the
Asia Cup was held at Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium where India clinched the title
after beating Korea 7-2 in the final. India have also won the tournament three
times (2011, 2016 and joint winner with Pakistan in 2018) while South Korea
clinched the last edition title in 2021 in Dhaka.
3. Gary Ballance announces retirement from all forms of
cricket: Former England cricketer
Gary Ballance has announced his retirement from all forms of the
game. He had recently moved to Zimbabwe, his country of birth, and played a few
matches for them. Ballance played 1 Test, 1 ODI and 5 T20 Internationals for
Zimbabwe and also scored a Test ton (137*) during his stint with the team. Overall,
Gary Ballance played 24 Tests (23 for England), 21 ODIs and 1 T20I in his
international career. He was well known for his contribution in red-ball
cricket scoring 1653 runs at an average of 40.32 with five tons to his name.
4. Argentina to replace Indonesia as under-20 FIFA World
Cup host: Argentina will host
the under-20 soccer World Cup. Argentina has replaced Indonesia, which
was supposed to host it earlier. FIFA announced the decision to remove
Indonesia as host after the country’s FA cancelled the draw to be held in Bali
as its governor refused to host Israel’s team. The Argentine FA formally
submitted its bid to host the May 20-June 11 tournament one day later at the
South American Football Confederation Congress. Argentina hosted the under-20
World Cup in 2001 when they won the fourth of their record six titles. They are
also seeking to jointly host the World Cup finals in 2030 with Uruguay, Chile
and Paraguay.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI
allows AU SFB, Equitas Bank to deal with foreign exchange: RBI has approved the AU Small Finance Bank and Equitas Bank to
deal in foreign exchange.bAU SFB informed that RBI has granted the Licence
to act as Authorized Dealer Category-I (AD-I) under section 10 of FEMA, 1999 to
deal in foreign exchange. The permission is subject to compliance with
applicable regulations. Equitas Small Finance Bank has also received
Authorized Dealer Category-I (AD-I) License from RBI. AU Small Finance Bank
CEO: Sanjay Agarwal
2. South
Indian Bank debuts 2 flexible savings accounts for NRIs: South Indian Bank has introduced SIB
SEAFARER and SIB PULSE, two flexible saving accounts,
for NRI customers.
SEAFARER:
Flexibility
to maintain a minimum balance of Rs.10,000/- in linked accounts No minimum
balance is required for the maintenance of the NRI Term Deposit of Rs.2 lakh
and above
PULSE:
Flexibility
to maintain a minimum balance of Rs.10,000/- in linked accounts NR Term Deposit
above Rs.2 Lakh or RD with minimum monthly installment above Rs.20,000/-
3. AU Small Finance Bank launches bill payments via video
banking: AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) has integrated
with the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) to launch bill payment services
through video banking. The primary aim of this initiative is to promote digital
accessibility and enhance economic capability, leading to greater financial
inclusions. Customers can use this platform to pay their bills without having
to go to a branch, which is especially useful for senior persons and others
with mobility challenges. AU SFB’s video banking service underscores its
commitment to providing innovative solutions to its customers. This platform
enables customers to pay bills without the need to visit a branch, which is
particularly beneficial for those with mobility issues or residing in remote
areas and senior citizens.
3. Chennai ranks among top 5 in digital payment
transactions in 2022: Report: Chennai has emerged as one of the top digital payment
transactions cities in 2022 in the country, a report by payment services
firm Worldline India. The capital city in terms of volume has made 14.3 million
transactions with a value of USD 35.5 billion. Bengaluru emerged on top with 29
million transactions worth USD 65 billion followed by New Delhi 19.6 million
transactions worth USD 50 billion, Mumbai (18.7 million transactions worth USD
49.5 billion), Pune (15 million transactions valued at USD 32.8 billion). According
to the report, in 2022, frequently visited physical merchant categories like
grocery stores, restaurants, clothing and apparel, pharmacey, household
appliances together accounted for over 43 percent in terms of volume and about
40 percent in terms of value, across the country.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Angela
Merkel receives Germany's highest Order of Merit:
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel received the highest Order of Merit
of Germany from the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The
award has only been given twice before, to former
chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl. All three former leaders belong to
the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The Order of Merit
entails no financial reward. Merkel led Germany from 2005 to 2021, totalling
four terms in office
2. Karnataka bags National Award For Fasal Bima Yojana: Karnataka has bagged the national award for the best
implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the
country. According to the authorities, between the kharif season 2021 and 2022,
the state recorded a 47.74% increase in the enrolment of farmers under the
scheme. while the area covered under the scheme increased by 41.80%. In the
Kharif season 2021, 16.15 lakh farmers had enrolled under the scheme. It
increased to 23.86 lakh in 2022. The extent of areas covered under the scheme
increased from 13.35 lakh hectares to 18.94 lakh hectares. For Kharif 2022
season, 5.60 lakh farmers whose fields were affected by natural calamities have
already been compensated within the same year itself (which was not being done
in the previous years) with crop insurance claims being settled to the tune of
Rs 298.57 crore under add-on coverages such as prevented sowing, localized
calamities, mid-season adversity and post-harvest loss claims.
1. Sonam Wangchuk conferred with Prestigious Santokbaa
Humanitarian Award: Sonam Wangchuk has been awarded the prestigious Santokbaa Humanitarian
Award for his contributions to society. The award, which carries a cash prize
of Rs 1 crore, has been instituted in memory of SRK and SRKKF’s Founder
Chairman Govind Dholakia’s mother Late Santokbaa Dholakia. The award was
presented to Shri Sonam Wangchuk on the death anniversary of Santokbaa on April
10, 2023, at an award ceremony at Hotel Zen in Ladakh. He is best known for his
work on the Ice Stupa project, which aims to address water scarcity in the
Himalayas. The Santokbaa Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals who have
made significant contributions to society in the areas of education,
healthcare, and social welfare.
2. Asha Bhosle to be honoured with Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar: Legendary singer Asha Bhosle will be awarded the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award on 24 April 2023. This award, known as the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, is given every year to an individual who has made a path-breaking contribution towards the nation, its people and society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was its first recipient. Veteran ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas will receive the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for his contribution to Indian music.
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