NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM
Modi flagged off India's first water metro in Kochi, Kerala: PM Modi has inaugurated India's first water metro in Kochi
(Kerala), which connects 10 islands around Kochi
through battery-operated electric hybrid boats. The metro project will
start with eight electric hybrid boats developed under Cochin Shipyard
Limited. It was funded by the Kerala govt and the German company KfW.
It consists of 38 terminals and 78 electric boats. The first phase of
this project started from the High Court-Vypin and Vyttila-Kakkanad
terminals.
2. Rajesh
Kumar Singh takes charge as Secretary, DPIIT:
Rajesh Kumar Singh has assumed the charge of Secretary, Department
for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
Industry. He is an IAS officer of the 1989 Batch from the Kerala cadre. Before
this, he served as Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry &
Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. He
has replaced Anurag Jain, who was appointed secretary in the Ministry
of Road Transport and Highways.
3. Union
Minister Bhupender Yadav launched new features in eShram Portal: Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Bhupender
Yadav has launched new features in eShram Portal. Aim: To enhance the
utility of the portal and facilitate ease of registration for unorganized
workers A feature for capturing the family details of migrant workers has
been added to the eShram portal. The eShram-registered workers can
now connect with employment opportunities, pension scheme, digital
skilling, and states’ schemes through the portal.
4. PM Modi laid foundation stone for first Digital
Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram: Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for India’s
first Digital Science Park coming up at the Technocity campus in
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Located adjacent to the Kerala University of
Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology in around 14 acres of land, the
₹1,500 crore Digital Science Park project has been conceived as a
multidisciplinary cluster-based interactive innovation zone focused on digital
technologies. It will house two buildings with a total area of two lakh sq ft.
The first one will spread out over 1.5 lakh sq ft across five floors and host
Centres of Excellence, including research labs and a digital incubator. The
second will house the administrative office and digital experience centres. The
project is to be completed in two years. In the 2022-23 Budget, the State
government had announced the establishment of the Digital Science Park over an
area of 10 lakh sq ft in two blocks. Of total outlay of ₹1,500 crore, it has
already sanctioned ₹200 crore. The rest will be generated from other sources,
including industry partners.
5. 23 April – Khongjom Day: Khongjom Day is an annual event
celebrated on 23 April to commemorate the soldiers who fought in
the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. The event was held at Kheba Ching in Khongjom,
Thoubal district of Manipur. The observance of Khongjom Day commemorates the
sacrifices made by the people of Manipur in the fight for freedom and
independence. The Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 took place at Khongjom and marked
the beginning of colonial rule in the region.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. World
Malaria Day 2023: 25th April: World Malaria Day is observed every
year on April 25 to commemorate the recognition of global efforts to
control malaria. WHO Member States instituted this day during the World Health
Assembly of 2007. Theme 2023: Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate,
implement Malaria is a disease caused by parasites transmitted to people
through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. India has registered
over 85% decline in malaria cases from 2015 to 2022
2. India
launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate stranded citizens from Sudan: India has launched a rescue operation named Operation Kaveri to
evacuate its stranded citizens from Sudan. Two C-130s aircraft and the navy
ship INS Sumedha is on standby to evacuate Indians. The name for rescue
operations in Sudan has been kept Operation Kaveri for the same purpose that
Prime Minister Modi chose to name rescue ops in Ukraine Operation Ganga. Kaveri
is one of the major Indian rivers flowing through Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu.
3. Mongolia
refinery to be built by India by 2025:
Mongolia Ambassador to India Dambajav Ganbold has informed that
the first oil refinery of Mongolia, which is built and funded with
Indian assistance, will be completed by 2025. The first stage of the
Mongol Oil Refinery will be built with a $1.2 billion Indian soft loan. The
development comes with strategic implications as Mongolia is entirely dependent
on Russia for its energy imports. It would help Mongolia meet 70% of its
demand domestically.
4. SIPRI
report on Trends in World Military Expenditure 2022 released: A report on Trends in World Military Expenditure
2022, published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute,
stated that total global military expenditure increased by 3.7% in real terms
in 2022 to reach a new high of $2240 billion The three largest spenders in
2022 are the USA, China, and Russia, accounting for 56% of the total world
The US remains by far the world’s biggest military spender India’s spending
of $81.4 billion was the fourth highest in the world.
5. UK tests emergency alert system on millions of phones:
The UK conducted its first test of a new emergency alert
service with millions of mobile phones set to emit a loud alarm
and vibrate at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT). A message will say: “This is a test of
Emergency Alerts, a new U.K. government service that will warn you if there’s a
life-threatening emergency nearby.” Emergency services and the government hope
to use the system to alert people to issues such as severe flooding and fires. The
national system, modelled on similar schemes in Canada, Japan, the Netherlands,
and the United States, aims to warn the public if there is a danger to life
nearby but has generated criticism over “nanny state” intrusion.
6. “Locked Shields” cyber-defense exercise 2023 organized
in Tallinn: The 2023
edition of the annual exercise “Locked Shields” hosted by the NATO
Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn (Estonia). “Locked
Shields” is the world’s largest cyber defence exercise. It involves protecting
computer systems from real-time attacks and simulating tactical and strategic
decisions in critical situations. More than 3000 participants from 38 countries
including NATO allies and partners took part in the exercise. The exercise
simulates real-time attacks and tests strategic decision making in critical
situations. The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence helps
participating countries and organizations improve their cyber defence
capabilities.
7. 24 to 30 April – World Immunization Week: World Immunization Week, celebrated in
the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action
needed to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases. WHO works with
countries across the globe to raise awareness of the value of vaccines and
immunization and ensures that governments obtain the necessary guidance and
technical support to implement high-quality immunization programmes. The
ultimate goal of World Immunization Week is for more people – and their
communities – to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Theme 2023
– The Big Catch-Up The aim of this week is to increase awareness around
the benefits of immunization and also to encourage people to get vaccinated.
8. 25 April – World Malaria Day: World Malaria Day is observed
on April 25 across the world. Objective – To highlight the significant
impact of malaria on global health and encourage action to prevent and
eliminate the disease. Theme 2023 – Time to deliver zero malaria: invest,
innovate, implement Malaria, which is caused by the Plasmodium parasite and
transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, poses a
serious threat to human life. The United Nations General Assembly declared
April 25th as World Malaria Day in December 2007, and it has been observed
annually on this date since the first World Malaria Day in 2008.
OTHER UPDATES:
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. IndusInd
Bank to launch digital bank 'Indie':
IndusInd Bank is planning to launch its own digital bank 'Indie'. The
necessary approvals for all these expansion plans and other logistics by the
bank are likely to be completed in 2 years. The bank is also planning
to enter the mutual funds, insurance, and broking sector. It is likely to
apply for the license in a few days. The Hindujas-promoted bank is likely to
approach SEBI, IRDAI, and other regulators to obtain the necessary licences. IndusInd
Bank HQ: Mumbai
2. RBI
imposes Rs 44 lakh penalty on 4 co-op banks: The
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties totaling Rs 44 lakh on
four cooperative banks. Bombay Mercantile Co-operative Bank: Penalty of Rs
13 lakh as it failed to transfer the eligible amount to Depositor Education and
Awareness Fund (DEAF). Tamil Nadu State Apex Co-operative Bank: Penalty of
16 lakhs as it failed to transfer eligible amounts to DEAF. Baran Nagrik
Sahkari Bank: A penalty of 2 lahks has been imposed for contravention of
certain norms.
3. HDFC
Bank, Axis Bank sign definitive agreements with Go Digit: Axis Bank and HDFC Bank would acquire up to a 9.94 percent
stake in Go Digit-Life Insurance. HDFC Bank informed that it has executed
definitive agreements to invest ₹69.90 crore in Go Digit-Life
Insurance Ltd in two tranches. The bank has made the first tranche of payment
of ₹10.93 crore for towards the acquisition. Axis Bank has also executed
definitive agreements to invest ₹69.90 crore in Go Digit-Life
Insurance Ltd in two tranches.
4. Zimbabwe
to Introduce Gold-Backed Digital Currency:
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will launch a gold-pegged digital
currency and legalize them in the country. It is believed that the
government took this step for stabilizing the local currency after
its continuous devaluation in comparison to the U.S. dollar. This initiative
taken by Zimbabwe will allow the exchange of Zimbabwean dollars with digital
gold tokens and secure Zimbabweans against currency volatility. Zimbabwe
Capital: Harare; President: Emmerson Mnangagwa
5. Canara Bank partners with Reserve Bank of India
innovation hub: Canara Bank, in collaboration with
Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), has announced the launch of
“Digitalised Submission of Form 15G/15H”. Form 15G (Individual and HUF) and
Form 15H (Individual-Senior Citizen) are self-declaration forms that an
individal submits to the bank requesting not to deduct TDS on interest income
as their income is below the basic exemption limit. At the start of every
financial year, especially in the first few weeks of April, several citizens –
especially senior citizens – make their 15G & 15H submissions to their
banks. Presently, our Bank is accepting submission of these forms through
online Banking/ Mobile banking which requires knowledge and access to Mobile /
Internet Banking. The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) recognized the
problem, engaged with various banks to explore possible solutions, and developed
a blueprint to resolve the issue. The suggested solution employs technologies
that elderly citizens are already familiar with, and uses an OMNI-channel
approach. As a result, all depositors, including senior citizens, can now
conveniently submit their Tax Waiver forms through SMS and Website, using their
registered mobile phone number, from anywhere and at any time.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Sharjah
stadium stand named after Sachin Tendulkar:
The West Stand at the Sharjah cricket stadium has been renamed
after Indian former cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar in a special ceremony in
the UAE, honouring the Indian cricket legend on his 50th birthday. Sharjah
Cricket Stadium holds the Guinness record for most One-Day
internationals played (244). The gate at the Sydney Cricket
Ground was also named after Sachin Tendulkar on his 50th
birthday. CEO of Sharjah Stadium: Khalaf Bukhatir
2. Health Ministry receives PM’s Award for Excellence in
Public Administration: The Union Health Ministry’s National
Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has received the Prime Minister’s
Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2022. The award was in the
innovation category. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan received the award at the
16th Civil Services Day event. As per a statement, over 220 crore doses of
Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far. The nationwide
vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16, 2021, with health workers being
the first to be inoculated. This was followed by vaccines for frontline Covid
workers beginning in February 2021. In March of that year, India opened up
vaccination for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with
specified co-morbid conditions. Vaccination for all (18 years and above) was
opened up May 1, onwards. PM Gati Shakti national master plan initiative
received an award for excellence in public administration 2022 in the
‘Innovation (Central).
OBITUARIES
1. Pakistani-Canadian
journalist Tarek Fatah passes away:
Pakistani-Canadian journalist, Tarek Fatah passed away at the age of 73
due to Cancer. He was emigrating to Canada from Pakistan in 1987. He worked as
a political activist, journalist, and television host. He also
authored several books including, 'Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic
Illusion of an Islamic State' and 'The Jew is Not My Enemy: Unveiling the Myths
that Fuel Muslim Anti-Smitism.' He won various awards such as the Donner Prize,
and Stan Vine Canadian Book Award.
2. Co-founder of Webchutne Sidharth Rao passes away: The co-founder and former CEO of Webchutney, Sidharth Rao passed
away. Rao started Webchutney in 1999 when he was just 19 years old. In 2013,
Webchutney was acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network but Rao stayed on to steer it
as its CEO, going on to become head of the India unit of dentsuMB, the global
creative network of the Japanese multinational media network in 2021. In 2022,
he stepped down as group CEO of dentsuMB India and joined hands and launched a
new venture in the marketing technology (MarTech) space, called Punt Partners
along with serial entrepreneur Madhu Sudan.
Dentsu Webchutney won one of the biggest awards on the advertising stage when it walked away with the Agency of the Year honour at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2022.
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