NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Arjun
Ram Meghwal replaces Kiren Rijiju as Law Minister: In a
cabinet reshuffle, Arjun Ram Meghwal has been appointed as
the new union law minister. He is a retired IAS officer, social worker,
and farmer, who later turned politician from Rajasthan. Currently, he
is serving as the MoS for Parliamentary Affairs and MoS for Culture. He
has also served as the Union Minister of State, and Ministry of Finance from
2016 to 2017. He has replaced Kiren Rijiju, who will now handle the
Ministry of Earth Sciences.
2. Paytm
appoints Bhavesh Gupta as president and COO: One 97
Communications Ltd (parent company of Paytm) has appointed Bhavesh
Gupta as its president and chief operating officer (COO). He has served as the
CEO of Clix Capital (formerly known as GE Capital) and head of SME &
business banking at IDFC Bank. He will be responsible to lead verticals of
lending, insurance, payments – online and offline, consumer payments, and
drive key initiatives including user growth, operations risk, fraud risk, and
compliance.
3. HPCL
to set up Rs 500 cr ethanol plant in Una:
Himachal Pradesh CM, Sukhvinder Sukhu has informed that an ethanol
plant would be set up in Una district by Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation Limited (HPCL) with an outlay of Rs 500 crore. The government
will invest 50% equity in the project and would extend cooperation to
the company for setting up the plant The plant would provide employment and
self-employment opportunities to the local people and farmers from Kangra,
Hamirpur, and Bilaspur HPCL CMD: Pushp Kumar Joshi
4. MoS
for Communications launched ORAN test bed project: MoS
for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan has launched the Open Radio
Access Network (ORAN) testbed project for conformance, certification,
and interoperability testing of O-RAN-based solutions. It will facilitate
the testing of ORAN elements and will facilitate the development
of a fully indigenous 5G radio network in India. He has also released a Postal
Stamp to mark the glorious 20 Years of Universal Service Obligation Fund
of the Ministry of Communications.
5. Online
education program ‘Pahal’ for rural children inaugurated: Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary, Durga Shankar Mishra has inaugurated an
online rural education program ‘Pahal’ at Government UP Sainik Inter
College, Sarojini Nagar. The Department of secondary education has prepared
this program in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Free online education will
be provided at 10 government secondary schools in the initial phase. The
rural area students will be able to get the latest information related to
science and mathematics.
6. Govt
to set up 1,100 new Farmer Producer Organizations:
The Ministry of Cooperation has informed that government will
form 1,100 New Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the Cooperative Sector. These
additional 1100 FPOs have been allocated to National Cooperative
Development Corporation (NCDC) under the FPO Scheme. Under the FPO
Scheme, financial assistance of 33 lakh rupees is provided to each FPO. Further, financial
assistance of 25 lakh rupees per FPO is provided to
the Cluster-Based Business Organizations.
7. G20's
RIIG Conference on Scientific Challenges and Opportunities: G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG)
Conference on Scientific Challenges and Opportunities for sustainable blue
economy held at Diu on 18 May 2023. The main theme of RIIG
during India’s G-20 Presidency in 2023 is “Research and Innovation for an
Equitable Society”. Secretary, Department of Science and Technology
(DST), Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar has chaired the G20 RIIG conference.
8. Andhra Pradesh launches ‘e-Chits’ app: Andhra Pradesh government has introduced an electronic service
delivery system, e-Chits’ to regulate and usher in transparency in the
sector. The initiative through which transactions can be done only online, will
enable the registration department officials to verify subscribers and only
then give approval. The app will also ensure that subscribers know which
registered companies are operating in the chit fund business. Subscribers can
verify whether a chit run by a company is registered with the authorities or
not, including enabling them to enquire about the registered chits directly
from regulating officials such as the assistant registrar of chits located at
each district headquarters.
9. Indian Army conducts Flood Relief Exercise Jal Rahat
in Assam: Gajraj Corps of the Indian
Army conducted a Joint Flood Relief ‘Exercise Jal Rahat’ at Hagrama
Bridge on Manas River, Assam. Objective – To validate joint drills and
coordinate preparedness by multi-agency flood relief columns. Apart from Indian
Army- SSB, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response
Force (SDRF), District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and police
representatives took part. The event included coordination and rehearsals for
rescue missions of people from inundated areas by joint efforts of specialist
teams from Army, NDRF, and SDRF.
Notably,
the Indian Army has been at the forefront during flood relief operations over
the years has evacuated thousands of lives.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Govt
approves signing of Project Collaboration Agreement between DHR & WHO: The Union Government has approved the signing of
the Project Collaboration Agreement between the Department of Health
Research (DHR) and the WHO on Assistive Technology. Aim: Working towards
drawing global attention toward access to assistive technology, fostering
research and innovation, and developing and disseminating appropriate training
programs. The government has also approved an MoU between the CCI and the
Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA).
2. UNEP
suggests measures to reduce 80% of world's plastic pollution by 2040: According to the UNEP report, 'Turning Off The Tap', plastic
pollution across the world can be reduced by up to 80% by 2040, if
companies and countries make policy and market shifts using existing
technologies. The magnitude and nature of changes required to end plastic
pollution and to create a circular economy to replace the widespread use
of single-use plastics and their inappropriate disposal. About 400 million
tonnes of plastic waste are generated every year.
3. International
Museum Day 2023: 18 May: International Museum Day is observed
annually on May 18 in order to recognize the vital role that museums
play in fostering cultural exchange.
2023
theme: Museums, Sustainability, and Well-being This theme highlights the
crucial role that museums can assume in advancing the concepts of well-being
and sustainability. This day was first celebrated four decades ago in
1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
4. PM inaugurates International Museum Expo 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the International
Museum Expo 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The International Museum
Expo is being organized as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate
the 47th International Museum Day. The theme for this year is ‘Museums, Sustainability
and Well Being’. The Museum is a comprehensive effort to highlight and showcase
historical events, personalities, ideas and achievements related to India’s
past that have contributed to the making of India’s present. PM also unveiled
the Mascot of the International Museum Expo, the Graphic Novel – A Day at the
Museum, the Directory of Indian Museums, the Pocket Map of Kartavya Path, and
Museum Cards. The Mascot of the International Museum Expo is a contemporized
version of the Dancing Girl made of wood in the Chennapatnam art style.
5. India & Bangladesh launch ’50 Start-ups Exchange
Programme’: India and
Bangladesh have recently jointly launched the ’50 Start-up Exchange
Programme’ to promote collaboration and exchange between the start-up ecosystems
of the two countries. The objective of the program is to strengthen bilateral
relations between India and Bangladesh by promoting cooperation in start-up and
innovation sectors. It provides a platform for entrepreneurs, investors and
stakeholders from both countries to connect and collaborate These Startups
belong to sectors such as e-commerce, health, transport and logistics, energy,
education, and skill development. Under this programme, 50 Start-ups from
Bangladesh and 50 Startups from India will exchange visits to each other’s
countries to explore partnerships, expand business relations, share experience
and knowledge, and expand youth and entrepreneurial cooperation. The framework
of the programme was decided by the Prime Ministers of the two countries during
their recent bilateral summits.
6. 17 May – World Hypertension Day: World Hypertension Day is observed every
year on May 17.
Objective
– To raise awareness about hypertension or high blood pressure, its
consequences, and preventive measures. Theme 2023 – Measure Your Blood
Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer WHL established World Hypertension
Day and marked it for the first time on May 14, 2005. “Know Your Numbers!” was
the theme the league chose for the first event. The date was changed from May
14 to May 17 from 2006 onwards. The WHL provides information regarding
prevention of hypertension, its detection and treatment. According to the WHO,
hypertension affects around one billion people worldwide, with complications
resulting in over 7.5 million deaths annually.
OTHER UPDATES:
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI
allows SBI Funds Management to acquire up to 9.99% stake in HDFC Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed SBI Funds
Management (SBIMFL) to acquire up to 9.99% of the paid-up share
capital or voting rights of HDFC Bank. SBIFML has been advised by RBI to
acquire the aforesaid major shareholding in the bank within a period of
six months i.e. by November 15, 2023. SBIFML must ensure that the aggregate
holding in HDFC Bank remains below 10% of the paid-up share capital
or voting rights of the Bank at all times.
2. Morgan
Stanley: India to contribute 16% to global GDP growth over 2023-24: According to Morgan Stanley, India is expected
to contribute 16% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) growth over
2023-24. The Indian economy is a key contributor to Asian economic growth
outperformance and the broad-based recovery in demand runs counter to the
weakness seen outside Asia. In recent months, a wide variety of indicators
suggest that India’s recovery is strong and broad-based, and is
well-placed to sustain growth rates of above 6%.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Tata
Chairman N Chandrasekaran honored with France's highest civilian award: Tata Sons chairman, N Chandrasekaran (59) was conferred
with France's highest civilian honor, 'Chevalier de la Légion
d’Honneur', by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine
Colonna. He was awarded for his role in developing and fostering
commercial links between India and France. N Chandrasekaran was appointed the
chairman of Tata Sons in 2017 and later, was given a second term in the role
for another five years.
OBITUARIES
1. BJP Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria passes away: Former Union minister and the BJP's Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria passed away at 71. He has served as minister of state in the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment from May 2019 till July 2021. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Ambala in 1999, 2014, and 2019. He also served as the party's Haryana unit chief from 2000 to 2003. He was also a minister in the Haryana government.
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