NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Britannia NutriChoice launches health
monitoring app NutriPlus in India: In a
bid to deepen engagement with consumers, biscuit brand Britannia
NutriChoice has launched the health-tech app ‘NutriPlus’. The app has
been designed in partnership with Aktivo Labs, and enables monitoring of health
and wellness metrics. The NutriPlus app harnesses evidence-based technology and
has been built with an aim to democratise health monitoring in the country. Quantified
health empowers people across cultures, languages, and geographies to live long
and healthy lives.
2. Future Generali India Insurance appoints Ramit Goyal
as CDO: Future Generali India Insurance Company
(FGII) named Ramit Goyal as Chief Distribution Officer (CDO). Ramit
succeeds Raghavendra Rao, who retired on March 31st, after 14 years of service.
Ramit has an incredible 25 years of sales expertise, including over a decade
with Future Generali. Within the insurance industry, he has a genuine
enthusiasm for customer satisfaction and delight, as well as strong
partnerships with distributors and channels.
3. Punjab & Sind Bank names Arnab Goswamy as CFO: Punjab & Sind
Bank has appointed Arnab Goswamy as its Chief Financial Officer,
replacing Mahima Agarwal for a three-year term. Arnab Goswamy is a seasoned
finance professional with esteemed credentials as a Chartered accountant. Arnab
Goswamy is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant. He has worked
at IndusInd Bank, and ICICI Bank. Prior to joining Punjab & Sind Bank, he
was associated with Bandhan Bank as vice president.
4. 5 April – National Maritime Day: National Maritime Day is celebrated
every year on 5 April. The day is celebrated with the intention of spreading
awareness and recognising the efforts and contributions of India’s maritime
sector in improving the country’s economic growth and development. Theme 2024 –
Navigating the future: safety first On April 5, 1919, the first Indian
commercial ship, SS Loyalty, embarked on a journey to the United Kingdom,
breaking the British monopoly on sea routes. This event was a crucial step in
the development of India’s shipping industry.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Rakesh Mohan appointed a member of World Bank economic
advisory panel: The World Bank Group has appointed former
Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Rakesh Mohan member of the Economic Advisory Panel, according
to a statement released by New Delhi-based think tank Centre for CSEP. Currently,
Mohan is serving as president emeritus and distinguished fellow at CSEP and is
also part-time member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.
2. International Day of Conscience 2024: 5 April: ‘International Conscience Day’ is celebrated
every year on 5 April to remind people to introspect, follow their conscience
and do the right thing. The theme for the International Day of Conscience in
2024 is ‘Promoting a Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience’. This theme
emphasizes the importance of cultivating a global mindset focused on peace,
compassion, and moral integrity.
3. Japan launches e-Visa for Indian Tourists : Japan has
officially launched its e-Visa program
for several countries, including India. This single-entry visa grants a
validity of up to 90 days and is specifically designed for travellers planning
to enter Japan by air and holding an ordinary passport. For individuals seeking
short-term tourism in Japan, the process of obtaining a visa has been
streamlined through the introduction of electronic visas (e-Visas) via the
Japan e-Visa system.
4. Romania unveils World’s most Powerful Laser: A research centre
in Romania has recently unveiled “the
world’s most powerful laser”, which is based on the inventions of
2018 Nobel Physics Prize winners Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland. The laser,
as per the Romanian research centre, is expected to revolutionize everything
from the health sector to space exploration. The laser at the research centre,
situated near the Romanian capital Bucharest, is operated by the French company
Thales, using Nobel prize-winning inventions.
5. 5 April – International Day of Conscience: International Day
of Conscience is celebrated every
year on 5 April. The United Nations established this day to draw
attention to the importance of self-examination and acting morally. The day
also offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in promoting peace
and social justice and to identify areas where more work needs to be done. Theme
2024 – Promoting a Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience The inaugural
International Day of Conscience was first commemorated in 2020 by the United
Nations General Assembly. This annual observance was established to encourage
people around the world to introspect, follow their conscience, and do what is
right.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Ajit Doval leads the Indian delegation at SCO Meeting:
The Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval led
the Indian delegation at the meeting of the Secretaries of the Security
Councils of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The 19th annual
meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the SCO member states
was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. He also met Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev, the current Chairman of SCO. President Tokayev advocated adopting a
Cooperation Programme to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism for
2025-2027 and the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029.
2. NATO celebrates 75 Years of collective defense: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) has celebrated the anniversary of its establishment on April
4. On this day in 1949, western nations gathered in Washington, DC, to commit
their nations to one another’s defence.
Key
areas of focus for NATO’s 75th anniversary are recommitting to the alliance’s
core values of democracy, freedom and rule of law, addressing evolving security
challenges like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and charting the course for
NATO’s future adaptation.
3. Army Medical Corps celebrates 260th Raising Day: The Army Medical Corps (AMC) marked its 260th
Raising Day on April 3, 2024, commemorating a significant milestone in its
history. The Army Medical Corps was established in the year 1764. The Army
Medical Corps has rendered selfless service to the nation through progress,
development, dedication and sacrifice over the centuries, both in times of war
and peace. The Corps’ motto is ‘Sarve Santu Niramaya’ meaning ‘let all be free
from disease’.
SPORTS
1. Bindyarani Devi bags bronze in Weightlifting World
Cup: Commonwealth Games medallist weightlifter Bindyarani Devi won a bronze medal at the IWF World Cup 2024 in Phuket, Thailand.
Devi
is a first Indian to win Bronze
Medal in Weightlifting World Cup 55kg event. Competing in the
non-Olympic women’s 55kg category, Bindyarani Devi recorded a total lift of
196kg (83kg snatch + 113kg clean and jerk) to finish third in the standings. The
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Kang Hyon Gyong won the gold medal in
Phuket with a lift of 234kg (103kg snatch + 131kg clean and jerk).
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Power Finance pays Rs 2,033 crore interim dividend to
Govt for FY24: State-owned Power Finance Corporation
(PFC) has paid a total dividend of ₹2,033 crore to the government for
the financial year 2023-24. The company has paid the dividend in three
instalments of Rs 554 crore, Rs 832 crore and Rs 647 crore. PFC pays the
highest-ever interim dividend of ₹2,033 crore to the Government of India for
the FY24. PFC has so far paid interim dividend amounting to ₹3,630 crore to its
shareholders for the financial year 2023-24, the highest-ever interim dividend
paid by the company.
2. Canara Bank launches loans for healthcare, savings
accounts for women: Canara Bank has unveiled a series of new products and
services aimed at enhancing customer experience and streamlining banking
operations. The bank launched a healthcare focused loan product ‘Canara
Heal’, to meet the shortfall of hospitalization expenditure while settling
through Third Party Administrator (TPA) healthcare insurance claims of self
and/or dependents. A customized savings account for women — ‘Canara Angel’
–– with features like Cancer Care policy, pre-approved personal loan Canara
ReadyCash and online loan against term deposit product Canara MyMoney.
3. Star Health Insurance collaborates with PhonePe to provide ‘Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy’: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd. (Star Health Insurance), India’s leading retail health insurance provider, joins hand with PhonePe. Under the agreement, Star Health’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Policy will be available on the PhonePe app with a monthly and annual payment option, with coverage up to Rs.1 crore. This is an industry-first initiative. The move allows customers to choose quality health insurance coverage with flexible payment choices, providing access to quality healthcare throughout the country.
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