NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Innovative 3D Printed Dummy Ballot Unit unveiled by IIT Guwahati: The Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Cell (SVEEP) of Kamrup Election District has partnered with Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati to develop a innovative 3D printed dummy ballot unit.
The inauguration of the dummy ballot unit was held at the IIT Guwahati campus and was attended by several dignitaries. Crafted with the objective of acquainting citizens, particularly new voters, and senior citizens, with the intricacies of voting procedures, the 3D printed dummy ballot unit aims to dispel any apprehensions, anxiety or uncertainties associated with the voting process.
2. IREDA gets ‘Navratna’ status: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) was granted ‘Navratna’ status by the Department of Public Enterprises. A non-banking financial institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, IREDA is engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance for setting up projects related to new and renewable sources of energy. The Indian government grants Navratna status to premier public sector undertakings (PSUs), empowering them to execute significant investments of up to ₹1,000 crore without requiring approval from the central authority.
3. Dinesh Kumar takes charge as the SAT Presiding officer: Retired Justice Dinesh Kumar took charge as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) for a four-year term. Before taking over as the presiding officer of SAT, Justice Dinesh Kumar was the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court. He retired from the post in February 2024. The SAT has been functioning without a presiding officer for the last four months, as the last presiding officer, Justice Tarun Aggarwal, retired in December 2023.
4. 30 April – Ayushman Bharat Diwas: Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated annually on 30 April in India to raise awareness of the objectives of the government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is also known as the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. It is a healthcare scheme launched by the Indian government to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to about 50 crore people who are economically disadvantaged. The government introduced Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme after it saw the problem of many people facing difficulties in accessing essential medical care due to financial constraints.
5. 30 April – National Honesty Day: National Honesty Day is celebrated on 30 April, every year. It is a day dedicated to promoting honesty and building trust. The day is counterbalanced by April Fools’ Day, which is known for jokes and deception. Honesty Day was first suggested by M. Hirsh Goldberg, the author of The Book of Lies in the early 1990s.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India’s Ecommerce Market will be World’s Third Largest by 2030: India’s e-commerce landscape is poised for a monumental gain by 2030, a report by investment promotion and facilitation agency Invest India has claimed. Forecasting a substantial surge to $325 billion by 2030, the report added that the nation’s digital economy is expected to reach an impressive $800 billion by the same time. Currently valued at $70 billion, India’s online shopping makes up approximately 7 per cent of the country’s total retail market, therefore presenting a huge opportunity for growth.
2. 29 April – World Wish Day: World Wish Day is celebrated on April 29 each year. This national holiday is sponsored by the “Make-A-Wish Foundation” — an organization that focuses on making the wishes of terminally ill children come true. It is a holiday that even children take joy in celebrating — as it primarily has to do with them. World Wish Day was first celebrated on April 29, 2010. It is a holiday inspired by the touching story of a young leukemia patient back in 1980.
3. 30 April – International Jazz Day: International Jazz Day is celebrated every year on 30 April.
This day is dedicated to the city of Tangier, Morocco, and the cultural heritage of jazz in Africa.
Tangier is known for its rich history of jazz and is home to many world-renowned jazz artists. The four-day celebration of International Jazz Day includes a series of educational programs, cultural activities, and performances. The All-Star Global Concert, the highlight of the event, is held at the new Palace of Arts and Culture of Tangier.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Indian men’s team bag historic gold in archery after 14 years: The Indian men’s recurve team has won a historic gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage-1 by defeating the world-champion South Korean team for the first time ever. The gold medal ended a 14-year gold medal drought at the men’s recurve team event at the Archery World Cup. The Indian men’s recurve team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai and Pravin Jadhav defeated the World no.1 ranked South Korean team in the final.
2. V Senthilkumar wins Batch Open Squash Title: National men’s Squash champion Velavan Senthilkumar defeated Melvil Scianimanico of France to win the Batch Open Challenger Squash.
This was the eighth PSA (Professional Squash Association) title for the US-based Indian Velavan Senthilkumar. The Batch Open was organised by the world squash governing body Professional Squash Association with the host French Squash Federation at Jeu de Paume, Paris, France, from 24-28 April 2024.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. FPI limit in G-sec unchanged at 6% of outstanding stocks of securities: RBI: Reserve Bank kept the limits for FPI investment in government securities (g-secs), state government securities (SGSs) and corporate bonds will remain unchanged at 6 per cent, 2 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, of outstanding stocks of securities for the current fiscal (2024-25). As of now, all investments by eligible investors in the ‘specified securities’ will be reckoned under the fully accessible route (FAR). The allocation of incremental changes in the g-sec limit over the two sub-categories – ‘General’ and ‘Long-term’ – shall be retained at 50:50 for 2024-25.
2. Tata Motors partners with South Indian Bank for commercial vehicle finance: Tata Motors has tied up with South Indian Bank to offer financing solutions to its commercial vehicle customers and dealerships. Objective – To empower fleet owners and dealerships to achieve their business goals. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), South Indian Bank will offer financing solutions across the auto major’s entire commercial vehicle portfolio.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Hema Malini, Saira Banu to get Pt. Lacchu Maharaj Award: Noted Hindi film superstars Hema Malini and Saira Banu as well as other prominent personalities from the fields of art and culture, will be honoured with the prestigious Pandit Lacchu Maharaj Award. The award will be given on 31 August 2024 at a ceremony in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The Lacchu Maharaj Award, instituted in memory of the famous kathak exponent Lacchu Maharaj, was not given after 2014. Thus, the Pandit Lacchu Maharaj Ballet Foundation has decided to honour 10 personalities this year.
2. MAHE Confers Honorary Doctorate on K.V. Kamath: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) held a special convocation in Manipal to confer an honorary doctorate upon KV Kamath, Chairman of National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) and Chairman of Jio Financial Services Ltd. This honorary doctorate signifies the profound impact Mr Kamath has had, and we are confident his example will continue to inspire our students to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.
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