NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. FSSAI launches extensive Awareness & Sensitization
Program Targeting Major Markets: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI) has launched an extensive
awareness and sensitization program targeting major markets in the
New Delhi. The awareness campaign will focus particularly on the detection and
mitigation of pesticide residue and contaminants in food products. During the
programme, the food business operators were sensitized about the importance of
organic farming, raw material testing, ill effects of pesticide residues,
artificial ripening and wax coating using unapproved chemicals.
2. Air India, BIAL sign agreement to develop Bengaluru
airport as hub: Air
India and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have signed a pact to develop the Bengaluru airport as an aviation hub, encompassing the construction of a dedicated domestic lounge,
expansion of international services, and establishment of a maintenance,
repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility.
Air
India (along with other Tata Group airlines – AIX and Vistara) and BIAL will
collaborate to enhance international connectivity, operational efficiency, and
passenger experience over the next five years.
3. Najmi Waziri appoints as head of committee to protect
Delhi’s forests: The Delhi High Court has appointed
its former judge, Justice Najmi Waziri
as the head of the internal departmental committee tasked with protection of
forests in the national capital. This decision follows concerns about
various government departments not fully cooperating with efforts to protect
these vital natural resources. On December 21, 2023, the high court had while
observing that the “deemed and protected forest area needs to be protected”
said that it is the “responsibility of this committee to do so”.
4. Sam Pitroda’s released his new book ‘The Idea of
Democracy’: Sam
Pitroda has launched ‘The
Idea of Democracy’, expressed concern over democracy’s state in the
US and India, highlighting 2024’s global elections. He discussed political
challenges worldwide, including authoritarian regimes and social media’s role
in misinformation. Highlighted cycle of elite regimes falling to public
dissent, suggesting the current political-business elite facing rejection.
5. 9 April – National Mature
Women’s Day: National
Mature Women’s Day is observed every year on 9 April. It’s a special holiday for the special
older women in our lives — a day to recognize mature and confident women. This
day is all about reminding women that they are special regardless of their
advancing years. It was celebrated since 2021.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Cochin Shipyard signs repair agreement with US: The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a government enterprise,
has signed the Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the United
States Navy. This will facilitate repair of US Naval vessels under Military
Sealift Command in Cochin Shipyard. CSL (Cochin Shipyard) has been qualified
for entering into the Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) after a detailed
evaluation process and capability assessment by the US Navy – Military Sealift
Command.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Coast Guard inaugurates Aquatic Centre in Tamil
Nadu: Indian Coast Guard’s DG Rakesh Pal has
inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard Aquatic Centre at ICGS Mandapam, Tamil
Nadu. This is as part of his four-day visit to the maritime force’s bases in
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. The visit aimed to review
operational preparedness and infrastructure development in the region, with a
focus on ensuring safe, secure, and clean seas.
2. 9 April – CRPF Valour Day: Every year April 9 is celebrated
as Bravery Day (Valour Day) to pay tribute to the brave soldiers of
the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This year, CRPF is celebrating its
59th Bravery Day. In 1965, a group of Pakistani soldiers attacked some other
Indian soldiers near the Rann of Kutch. The Indian soldiers were unaware of
this sudden attack, as they did not know that the attack was going to happen. During
this attack, a CRPF officer named Bhavana Ram had saved a place called Sardar
Post from infiltrators. in a fight.
SPORTS
1. New Zealand teams win men’s and women’s titles at the
Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand won the men’s and
women’s titles at the Hong Kong Sevens to cap off a tournament that sets
a scene for rugby at the Paris Olympics. The All Blacks Sevens scored the first
two tries in a 10-7 win over France in the men’s final to successfully defend
their title. New Zealand’s 36-7 win over the United States lifted the women’s
title. For the New Zealand men, it was the 68th tournament title in the world
series. The Australian women won bronze with a late 24-21 win over France.
2. Sumit Nagal becomes first ever Indian to win main draw
match in Monte Carlo Masters: Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal stuns 35th ranked Matteo Arnaldi and becomes first ever Indian to win main draw match at Monte Carlo
Masters. He defeated Arnaldi. The unseeded 95th-ranked Nagal, is only
the third Indian to feature in the main draw in Monte Carlo after Vijay
Amritraj in 1977 and Ramesh Krishnan in 1982. He became the first-ever male
Indian singles player to win a Masters 1000 match on clay
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Union Bank raises 4200 cr from DIFC to fund overseas
business growth: State-owned Union
Bank of India has raised $500
million (about Rs 4,200 crore) from foreign markets to fund
overseas business growth. The fund was arranged by Dubai International
Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Branch, Union Bank of India said in a regulatory
filing. A syndicated term loan of $ 500 million ($400 million and Green Shoe of
$100 million) would be drawn in two tranches with tenure of 3 and 5 years. This
is the maiden syndicated term loan raised by Union Bank of India at an overseas
centre.
2. J&K Bank partnered with Paymart India to launch
virtual ATM Facility: J& K Bank has partnered with Paymart India Pvt Ltd to
introduce a Virtual ATM (VATM)
facility. The partnership aims to introduce cardless cash withdrawal for
the Bank’s customers through their neighbourhood merchants. The goal of the
collaboration is to enhance banking convenience for its customers across its
areas of operations especially in J&K and Ladakh. The move is to leverage
technology to enhance banking accessibility and convenience for the bank
customers. The bank’s customers would be able to avail this facility through
its mobile banking app.
3. Piramal Alternatives invests Rs 110 crore in Biodeal
Pharmaceuticals: Piramal
Alternatives, the investment arm of Piramal Group, has announced an investment of Rs 110 crore in Biodeal Pharmaceuticals.
The funding will be directed towards improving infrastructure and capacities,
upgrading technology, and underlay a dedicated nutraceuticals manufacturing
facility. Biodeal is a contract development and manufacturing organisation. The
investment is aimed at fuelling Biodeal’s development of solutions, enhancing
its production capabilities, and operations, positioning it as a leading nasal
spray manufacturer.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. INS Sharda awarded “On The Spot Unit Citation” for anti-piracy ops: Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has awarded an ‘On-the-spot Unit Citation’ to INS Sharda for successful conduct of anti-piracy operations at sea. The ship was involved in the safe release of all 19 crew members (11 Iranian and 8 Pakistani) of Iranian fishing vessel “Omari” which was held hostage by pirates off the east coast of Somalia. The ship was tasked to investigate the Iranian fishing vessel “Omari” that was likely hijacked by pirates.
No comments:
Post a Comment