NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Haryana launched ‘Chaara-Bijaee Yojana’ for fodder cultivating farmers: Haryana
Agriculture Minister, Jai Parkash Dalal launched the ‘Chaara – Bijaee Yojana’,
a scheme launched to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre (Upto
10 acres) to farmers cultivating and supplying fodder to Gaushalas (Cowsheds).
The rationale behind the scheme is to address the State’s fodder shortage and
rising stray cattle. The Subsidy will be directly credited to the farmer’s
account under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Under the scheme:
a)
The
number of cow shelters in the state increased from 175 in 2017 to 600 in 2022.
Most cow shelters remain overcrowded due to an increase in the stray cattle
population.
b)
Also,
the Phosphate-Rich Organic Manure (PROM) prepared from cow dung can be used as
an alternative for synthetic fertilisers. The Prom is also prepared from
various gaushalas of Pinjore, Hisar and Bhiwani districts of Haryana.
c)
The
state government has been taking a number of steps in the interest of farmers,
and the ‘Chaara-Bijaee Yojana’ is another step in that direction. In April, Rs
13.44 crore was distributed among 569 gaushalas in the state for purchasing
fodder.”
Note: Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya;
Haryana Capital: Chandigarh; Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.
2. In
Bharuch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses ‘Utkarsh Samaroh’: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi used video conferencing to address the Utkarsh Samaroh in
Bharuch, Gujarat. The event commemorates the district’s 100 percent saturation
of four main state government initiatives that will help give prompt financial
support to individuals in need. Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Gujarat’s Chief
Minister, was among those in attendance.
Key Points:
a)
Women
from the region gave the Prime Minister with a massive Rakhi, wishing him
health and a long life and thanking him for what he has done for women’s
dignity and ease of life in the country.
b)
The
Prime Minister met with recipients of several government programmes.
c)
The
Prime Minister told the crowd that today’s Utkarsh Samaroh is proof of the
productive results that can be accomplished when the government honestly
reaches out to the beneficiaries with a resolve.
d)
He
praised the Bharuch district administration and the Gujarat government for
fully implementing four social security initiatives. The Prime Minister
remarked on the beneficiaries’ happiness and confidence.
e)
He
claimed that a lack of awareness prevents many tribal, SC, and minority
citizens from benefiting from the initiatives. He further mentioned that the
Sabka Saath Sabka Vishwas mentality and good intentions always yield positive
results.
3.
Outbreak of Tomato Flu in Southern Parts of India: In a few parts of
Kerala, a new virus known as tomato flu has been detected after the covid-19
pandemic. Almost 80 children in Kollam city of Kerala have been diagnosed with
tomato flu and it is spreading rapidly. All the cases that are confirmed have been
diagnosed in children below 5 years. They have been admitted to the local
government hospitals. The number of children admitted to the private hospitals
is not yet been included in the tally it may be higher than 80 cases.
It is recognized as tomato flu because it
causes tomato-shaped blisters on the body. The children diagnosed with tomato
flu are experiencing fever, rashes, and skin irritation. Some children are also
suffering from dehydration. The increasing effect of tomato flu in Kollam the
neighboring districts like Mangaluru, Udupi, Kodagu, Chamrajnagara, and Mysuru
are on high alert and are directed to keep an eye on the daily travelers. The
flu has reached Aryankavu, Anchal, and Nedivathur in Kerala.
4.
5000-year-old jewellery factory rooted out in Haryana’s Indus Valley site Rakhi
Garhi:
With the excavation of a 5000-year-old jewellery-making factory, the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been working in Rakhi Garhi,
Haryana, for the past 32 years, has produced one of its most significant
findings yet. Rakhi Garhi is a village in Haryana’s Hisar district and one of
the oldest Indus Valley Civilisation archaeological sites. Key Points:
a)
The
discovery of the structure of some dwellings, a kitchen complex, and a 5000-year-old
jewellery-making factory indicates that the site was once a very major
commercial centre.
b)
Copper
and gold jewellery that had been concealed for thousands of years were also
discovered.
c)
Graveyards
have been discovered in the excavation sites at Sinauli in Uttar Pradesh, which
gained attention for its Bronze Age solid-disk wheel carts discovered in 2018,
which were interpreted by some as horse-pulled “chariots.”
d)
Archaeologists
say the graveyards show that the civilisation believed in life after death.
e)
In
the previous two months, ASI has made many findings in Rakhi Garhi, indicating
that the civilisation is slowly heading toward maturity.
f)
There
were also thousands of earthen jars, royal seals, and children’s toys
discovered.
5.
Rajiv Kumar appointed as next Chief Election Commissioner: Election
Commissioner Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the next chief election commissioner.
He will assume charge on May 15 after incumbent Sushil Chandra demits office on
May 14, a notification issued by the Law Ministry said. In pursuance of clause
(2) of Article 324 of the Constitution, the President appointed Shri Rajiv
Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from the 15th of May 2022.
Note: Election Commission of India Formed:
25 January 1950; Election Commission of India Headquarters: New Delhi.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Marcos Jr. Wins 2022 Presidential Election in Philippines: Ferdinand
“Bongbong” Marcos Junior, a son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos
claims the victory in the 2022 Presidential Election of the Philippines with
more than 30.8 million votes. A win would return the Marcos dynasty to power.
Hundreds gathered to protest the results of the election.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Leni Robredo are
the president and vice president candidates in the election. Both the
candidates promised economic recovery following the pandemic. Along with the
two main candidates, eight other candidates, including former boxing star Manny
Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former national police chief Sen.
Panfilo Lacson, have lagged far behind in voter preference surveys.
Note: Philippines Capital City: Manila;
Currency: Philippine peso.
2.
International Day of Families: 15th May: The International Day of Families is
observed every year on 15 May to reflect the importance that the international
community attaches to families. The significance of families is highlighted on
this day. The United Nations works on topics that are critical to the
well-being of families worldwide, such as health, education, children’s rights,
gender equality, work-family balance, and social inclusion, among others.
The theme for this year ‘Families and
Urbanization’ aims to raise awareness about the necessity of family-friendly
urban policy. One of the most important emerging trends impacting our planet
and the lives and well-being of families throughout the world is urbanization.
History of the International Day of
Families:
On December 9, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly declared the
International Year of Families in a resolution. In 1993, the United Nations
General Assembly declared May 15 to be the International Day of Families. The
fundamental purpose of reaffirming these goals is to demonstrate the United
Nations’ willingness to inspire people to work for improved living conditions
and social progress for families all around the world.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Italian Cup 2022: Inter Milan Beat Juventus: Inter Milan defeated Juventus 4-2
after extra time in the Italian Cup final. Ivan Perisic scored twice in extra
time after Hakan Çalhanoglu had converted a controversial late penalty. Nicolò
Barella scored the other goal for Inter. The Italian Cup final soccer match
between Juventus and Inter Milan was held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.
Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up from the
penalty spot with 80 minutes on the clock to force extra time before another
spot-kick was converted by Ivan Perisic to put the Nerazzurri within touching
distance of the trophy.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
InspiHE₹: Financial literacy campaign launched by Bharti AXA Life Insurance: Bharti AXA Life
Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s largest
business groups, and AXA, one of the world’s largest insurance companies,
announced the launch of its financial literacy campaign, ‘InspiHE₹– enabling an
empowered future, a special effort to propagate financial awareness among women
as well as allow people to make good investment decisions for a stable future. Key
Points:
a)
According
to research, 55% of women do not make well-informed financial decisions, and
59% of women do not have health or life insurance. Bharti AXA intends to
improve this situation gradually.
b)
In
honour of ‘International Mother’s Day’ and the upcoming ‘International Day of
Families,’ the organisation has launched an initiative to empower women,
particularly moms, by teaching them the fundamentals of financial planning and
saving in order to ensure their future.
c)
The
‘InspiHE₹’ campaign will begin with on-the-ground teaching sessions for a group
of Mumbai moms and will be disseminated through social media channels to
generate interest. The corporation hopes to involve women, particularly moms,
and their families with this campaign.
d)
They
will teach their mothers, housekeepers, and other family members the essentials
of financial planning on their own time, and they will encourage Indians on
social media to promote financial literacy and further this programme.
Note: Bharti AXA General Insurance Company
Limited CEO: Sanjeev Srinivasan
2.
Campbell Wilson named as new MD & CEO of Air India: Campbell Wilson
has been appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) and Managing
Director (MD) of Air India. He has 26 years of aviation industry expertise
across both full service and low-cost airlines. He is the chief executive of
Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. Wilson’s appointment comes after
Turkey’s Ilker Ayci decided not to take on the role of chief executive of Air
India after the announcement of his appointment led to opposition in India over
his previous political links.
Recently, Nipun Aggarwal was appointed as
Chief Commercial Officer and Suresh Dutt Tripathi as Chief Human Resources
Officer. Aggarwal, who is also Senior Vice President at Tata Sons, replaced Air
India veteran Meenakshi Malik, while Tripathi, who was Vice President of Human
Resources at Tata Steel from 2012 to 2021, succeeded AI’s Amrita Sharan.
Note: Air India Founder: R. D. Tata; Air India Founded: 1932; Air India
Headquarters: New Delhi; Air India Chairman: N Chandrasekaran.
3.
Deepika Padukone named as 1st Indian brand ambassador of Louis Vuitton: Actress Deepika
Padukone has become the first-ever Indian brand ambassador of luxury brand
Louis Vuitton. The news was announced by the French brand. The brand unveiled
the role of a 36-year-old Bollywood actress during their new handbag campaign.
It saw Padukone joining in actors Emma Stone and Zhou Dongyu for promotional
shots.
Padukone is often pictured sporting Louis
Vuitton outfits and bags, and she had also modelled for them previously. She
became the first Indian actor to feature in the brand’s campaign in 2020 when
she posed for a mock book cover with stars like Lea Seydoux and Sophie Turner.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Indian Architect B V Doshi honoured with Royal Gold Medal 2022: Indian Architect
Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi was bestowed with the prestigious Royal Gold Medal
2022. Royal Gold Medal, one of the world’s highest honours for architecture, by
the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), London, United Kingdom (UK).
The Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and
the award is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant
influence either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture. About
BV Doshi:
a)
B
V Doshi had a vivid work experience with noted Architect Le Corbusier as a
Senior Designer (1951-54) in Paris, France and supervised projects in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat for four more years. Doshi also worked with Louis Kahn as an
associate to build the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
b)
He
won Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2018 which is considered a Nobel Prize in
Architecture and he will be the only Indian Architect to hold both the Pritzker
Architecture Prize and Royal Gold Medal.
c)
He
was honoured with Padma Shri in 1976 for science and engineering and Padma
Bhushan, India’s third-highest Civilian in 2020 for his contribution to the
field of architecture.
2.
Dr. Frank Wilczek Receives 2022 Templeton Prize: American
Theoretical physicist and author, Dr Frank Wilczek, who won the Nobel Prize (in
Physics) in 2004, has been awarded the Templeton Prize 2022, the world’s
largest individual lifetime achievement award, valued at over USD 1.3 million.
He became the 6th Nobel laureate to receive the Templeton Prize since its
inception in 1972. As a 2022 Templeton Prize laureate he will participate in
several virtual and inperson events, including a 2022 Templeton Prize event.
About Templeton Prize: John Templeton
establishes the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (now known simply as
the Templeton Prize in 1972. This was investor Sir John Templeton’s first major
philanthropic venture. The inaugural Templeton Prize (1973) was presented to
Mother Teresa.
About Dr Frank Wilczek: Dr Frank Wilczek is a distinguished Professor in Arizona State University’s Department of Physics. He continues to pioneer new concepts in physics, naming and developing the theories of anyons, time crystals and axions. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 for the discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of strong interaction. He shared the prize with David J. Gross and H. David Politzer.