NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Gujarat
and Maharashtra celebrate their 63rd Foundation Day: The states of Gujarat and Maharashtra commemorated
their 63rd Foundation Day on 1st May 2023. Gujarat celebrates its 63rd
foundation day as Gujarat Gaurav Divas and Maharashtra are also
celebrated as 'Maharashtra Din'. During the event, Gujarat CM Bhupendra
Patel virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various
projects in Jamnagar worth Rs. 300 crore. Gujarat was carved out of the Bombay
State on May 1, 1960, after the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960.
2. National
SC-ST Hub Scheme crossed over 1 lakh beneficiary registration: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the National
SC-ST Hub Scheme, which crossed over one lakh beneficiary
registrations. About National SC-ST Hub Scheme: Launched on: October
2016 It is an initiative of the Union MSME Ministry. Aim: To empower
and promote entrepreneurs among SC, ST Communities It is implemented by
the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), a public-sector
undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of MSME.
3. NTPC,
NPCIL ink pact for joint development of nuclear power plants: NTPC has signed a supplementary joint venture agreement with
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to develop nuclear
power projects. The JV company shall develop two pressurized heavy-water
reactors (PHWR) projects, Chutka Madhya Pradesh Atomic Power
Project 2x700 MW and Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power
Project 4x700 MW. Presently, NTPC has a total installed power generation
capacity of 71.644 GW, of which 3.01 GW is renewable energy.
4. IIT
Madras researchers develop tool to detect tumours in brain, spinal cord: Indian Institute of Technology-Madras
(IIT-M) researchers has developed a machine learning-based
computational tool for better detection of cancer-causing tumors in
the brain and spinal cord. The web server known as ‘GBMDriver’ (GlioBlastoma
Mutiforme Drivers) is now publicly available online. The GBMDriver
was developed specifically to identify driver mutations and passenger
mutations (passenger mutations are neutral mutations) in Glioblastoma.
5. -Kanpur launches cybersecurity skilling programme: IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub, a cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub, formally
inaugurated its Cybersecurity Skilling Programme with support from
the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under
the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems
(NM-ICPS). The C3iHub-incubated start-ups Threat Guardians Pvt Ltd and Worker
Union Support provide additional assistance to the Cybersecurity Skilling
Programme. The programme focuses on models, tools, and techniques for enforcing
security and strives to provide students with a greater grasp of the
technological fundamentals of cyberspace and cyber problems. It also introduces
real-time cybersecurity approaches and procedures. The course includes live
classes, online assignments, and practical training. Students will obtain a
C3iHub certificate upon completion of the programme, which will add credibility
to their professional profile. Internship opportunities will also be available
to the top 100 students.
6. Sinthan Snow Festival 2023 organized in J&K: The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and
Kishtwar Tourism Development Authority (KTDA) has organized a
two-day Sinthan Snow Festival-2023 at Sinthan Maidan, Kishtwar,
J&K. The snow festival has been organized in collaboration with the
District Administration Kishtwar, the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art,
Culture, and Languages (JKAACL), and the Army. This festival hosts a variety of
activities like a Bike Rally, Paragliding, Snow Kayaking, and much more. The
Sinthan Maidan is becoming a significant hub for skiers, trekkers, etc and the
festival is likely to bring this wonderful tourist spot, with stunning natural
surroundings, into the limelight and capture the attention of the visitors.
7. Goa govt organized 3-day Heritage Festival: The Goa tourism department has
inaugurated a three-day heritage festival, which will showcase art forms,
dances and cuisine of the coastal state. The Goa Heritage Festival truly
captures the essence of the rich cultural heritage, showcasing the vibrant
traditions and customs that make Goa so unique. The festival aims to promote
cultural tourism in Goa by presenting the traditions, culture and arts in the
state. A unique craft bazaar will also be set up where local businesses will
showcase Goa’s diverse handicraft, art, and traditional products.
8. PM Modi launches 91 FM Transmitters of capacity of 100
Watt: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has virtually commissioned 91 FM Transmitters of capacity of 100
Watt at Diphu in Karbi Anglong district of The transmitter will act as a
vehicle to convey information about programs and policies of the government as
well as entertainment content to every nook and corner of the country. This
will strengthen cultural connectivity as well as intellectual bonding and is
expected to benefit the underprivileged who may not have had access to this
facility earlier. This is the 1st FM transmitter of Karbi Anglong and a
long-cherished dream of the district.
9. 30 April – Ayushman Bharat Diwas: Ayushman Bharat Diwas is a day dedicated to celebrating the success
and achievements of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which is also known as the
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The day is observed on April 30
every year to commemorate the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme by the
Government of India on April 30, 2018. The Ayushman Bharat scheme is a flagship
healthcare initiative of the Government of India, which aims to provide
financial protection to more than 10 crore poor and vulnerable families in the
country by providing them with cashless and paperless access to secondary and
tertiary healthcare services. Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries can
avail of medical services up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year at any of the
empanelled hospitals across the country. The scheme is funded by the Government
of India and is implemented in partnership with the state governments.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Santiago
Pena wins Paraguay Presidential election: An
economist, Santiago Peña (Colorado Party) has won
the presidential election of Paraguay, defeating Efraín Alegre, the
candidate of the Concertación Nacional coalition. He got more than 42% votes,
while his opponent Efraín Alegre received nearly 28%. The Colorado Party has
dominated the political scene in Paraguay's landlocked South American nation
for more than 70 years. Paraguay's economy is expected to grow by more than 4%
this year.
2. India, UK to jointly create India-UK ‘NET Zero’
Innovation Virtual Centre: India and the United
Kingdom have agreed to create India-UK NET Zero Innovation Virtual
Centre. This centre will provide a platform for stakeholders of both countries
to work together in areas like the decarbonization of manufacturing processes,
transport systems, and green hydrogen as a renewable source. Both countries
will also join to launch the first-ever UK-India scientific ‘deep sea voyage’
and ‘space parks’ partnership.
3. Pakistan is the largest recipient of ADB loans in Asia: Pakistan has become the largest
recipient of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded programmes/projects
in the year 2022. According to the ADB Annual Report 2022, out of total
disbursement of over USD 31.8 billion to 40 countries, Pakistan received loans of
USD 5.58 billion. Pakistan is in a deep economic crisis and out of the total
lending of USD 5.58 billion, Pakistan received concessional funding of USD 2.67
billion from the bank last year. However, these loans have been used by
Pakistan to avert default. These loans were conditional on Pakistan obtaining
loans from the IMF, which imposed its own conditionalities.
4. 1 May – International Labour Day :
International Labour Day or Worker’s Day is
observed every year on 1 May. It is celebrated to highlight the importance
of workers and their contribution to building society. it has its origins in
the labour union movement in the United States in the 19th Century –
specifically the eight-hour day movement. While New York was the first state to
introduce a bill recognizing Labour Day, Oregon was the first to pass a law on
it on February 21, 1887. Later in 1889, the Marxist International Socialist
Congress adopted a resolution for a great international demonstration in which
they demanded that the workers should not be made to work for more than 8 hours
a day. With this, it was also decided that May 1 would be declared as a
holiday. India began celebrating Labour Day on May 1, 1923, in Chennai, and is
also known as ‘Kamgar Divas’, ‘Kamgar Din’, and ‘Antrarashtriya Shramik Divas’.
The day was first observed by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan and is
considered a national holiday in the country.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Satwiksairaj-Chirag
pair wins gold at Badminton Asia Championships 2023: The Indian pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj
Rankireddy clinched the men’s doubles title at
the Badminton Asia Championship 2023 held in Dubai, UAE from 25
to 30 April 2023. They defeated eighth-seeded Malaysian
pair Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin in the final. They become the first Indian
men's doubles pair to win the Badminton Asia Championships title. With
this win, they also clinched India's second-ever Badminton Asia
Championships title after Dinesh Khanna in 1965.
2. Ding
Liren becomes China's first male world chess champion: Ding Liren has become China's first male world chess
champion, after defeating his Russian rival Ian
Nepomniachtchi in the fourth rapid game of the first tie-breaker at
Astana, Kazakhstan. He succeeded as the winner of the World
Chess Championship from Norway’s Magnus Carlsen. His victory makes him the 17th
winner of the world chess tournament. In 2009, he became China's youngest chess
champion at national level.
3. Sergio
Pérez wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Red
Bull’s driver, Sergio Perez won the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
2023 World Championship, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He defeated his
teammate Max Verstappen to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ferrari’s
Charles Leclerc finished third and Fernando Alonso finished in
fourth place.
Previous
Grand Prix:
· Australian GP: M. Verstappen (Red Bull)
· Saudi Arabia GP: Sergio Pérez (Red Bull)
· Baharin GP: M. Verstappen (Red Bull)
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. GST
collection for April 2023 highest ever at Rs 1.87 lakh crore : The gross Goods and
Services Tax (GST) revenue collection increased 12% in April 2023 to
Rs 1.87 lakh crore. It is the highest monthly mop-up since the
inception of the indirect tax regime in July 2017. The government has
collected CGST of Rs 38,440 crore, SGST of Rs 47,412 crore, and IGST
of Rs 89,158 crore (including Rs 34,972 crore collected on import of
goods) and cess is Rs 12,025 crore. The highest GST collection was
recorded in April 2022 at Rs 1.68 lakh crore.
2. Home
Ministry cancels LIFE's FCRA licence: The
Home Ministry has canceled the Foreign Contribution Registration
Act (FCRA) license of the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment
(LIFE).
About
FCRA:
· Enacted in: 1976
· Validity: 5 years
It
requires every person/NGO seeking to receive foreign donations to be: Registered
under the Act To open a bank account for the receipt of foreign funds in SBI,
Delhi To utilize those funds only for the purpose they have been received and
as stipulated in the Act.
3. Shivalik SFB partners with Arya.ag to empower small
farmers : Shivalik Small Finance Bank has partnered with
grain commerce platformag to finance small farmers against warehouse
receipt.
With
this business correspondent model partnership, Arya.ag, will further its
mission to drive financial inclusion for farmers and Farmer Producer
Organizations (FPOs) and offer loans through Shivalik Small Finance Bank under
Warehouse Receipt Finance. To bridge the trust deficit in the ecosystem,
Arya.ag partners with various financial institutions to offer loans to small
and marginal farmers including women, who fall out of the consideration of
formal banking.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Rajasthan Housing Board got National Award for Real
Estate : The Rajasthan Housing Board has received a
national award for registering the highest number of home projects with
the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and selling the highest
number of housing units in the country. The National Real Estate Development
Council gave away the award to Housing Board Commissioner Pawan Arora in New
Delhi. The Housing Board has bagged as many as 15 national and international
awards during the last four years for its achievements. The National Real
Estate Award was presented to the Rajasthan Housing Board by the
Central Government Agency National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO).
2. Russian poet Maria Stepanova wins Leipzig Book Prize
2023: Maria Stepanova, a powerful
contemporary voice of Russian literature now living in exile in Berlin, has
been awarded the prestigious Leipzig Book Prize for European
Understanding in 2023. She was honored in Leipzig for her volume of poetry
“Madchen ohne Kleider” (Girls Without Clothes). It is described as a sensitive
and highly poetic study of often hidden violence against the female body and
the power imbalance that drives this oppression. The prize has been granted
since 1994 with the aim of promoting reconciliation in Europe, and it was
previously won by another Russian exile, Masha Gessen, a journalist residing in
the United States, for her book The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism
Reclaimed Russia in 2019. Prize money: 20,000 euros.
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