Daily GK Update- 16th May, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Contributes USD 800,000 To Promote the Hindi Language At UN: The government of India has contributed USD 800,000 to the United Nations (UN) as part of the initiative which aims to enhance public outreach of the organisation in Hindi. R Ravindra, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, handed over a cheque for the ‘Hindi @ UN’ project to Mita Hosali, Deputy Director and Officer-In-Charge (News and Media Division), UN Department of Global Communications (DGC).

About the ‘Hindi @ UN’ project: The project was launched by India in 2018 in collaboration with the UN Department of Public Information to disseminate information about the UN to the Hindi-speaking population across the world. Since 2018, India has been partnering with the UN DGC by providing an extra-budgetary contribution to mainstream news and multimedia content of DGC in Hindi.

 

2. Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy launched by Prime Minister Modi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy and spoke to the startup community via video conferencing at the Madhya Pradesh Startup Conclave in Indore. The Prime Minister also unveiled the Madhya Pradesh Startup Portal, which would ease and promote the startup environment in the state. The event was attended by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, as well as key officials and entrepreneurs. According to the official, Madhya Pradesh has 1,937 start-ups recognised by the Union government, with women running 45 percent of them.

Various pillars of the startup ecosystem represented at the Madhya Pradesh Startup Conclave, including government and private sector policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, academicians, investors, mentors, and other stakeholders.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pardesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

 

3. In Manipur, the Indian Army will open a coaching center for poor pupils: The Indian Army has started providing residential tutoring to children from economically disadvantaged and deprived areas of the northeast to prepare them for all-India competitive tests such as engineering and medical admission.

The Indian Army’s Red Shield Division has inked a tripartite Memorandum of understanding with enterprise partner State Bank of India Foundation and mentoring partner National Integrity and Educational Development Organization to develop the Red Shield Centre for Excellence and Wellness, according to Lt Col Mohit Vaishnava, a spokesman for the Indian Army’s Red Shield Division.

The centre will be in the Manipur’s Bishnupur district.According to Lt Col Vaishnava, the scheme should be completely operational for the first batch of 50 students by the first week of July. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Manipur Governor La Ganesan, GOC Red Shield Division Maj Gen Navin Sachdeva, and others.

 

4. State of Chhattisgarh to reinstate an old pension scheme: In his Budget statement, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the government’s plan to revert to the old pension scheme (OPS) for state employees and quadruple the monthly MLA local area development money. He carried the Budget papers in a cow dung powder briefcase.

Key Points:

a)      Over three lakh individuals who started work after January 1, 2004 will profit from the change. It will not, however, apply to members of the All India Services, such as the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service.

b)      The fundamental distinction between the two pension systems is that, while an employee must make a voluntary contribution to their pension by deducting 10% of their basic income and dearness allowance, there is no such deduction under OPS.

c)       The Chief Minister proposes in this Budget to restore the former pension programme for government employees.

d)      The Chhattisgarh Rojgaar Mission will be given a sum of 2 crore to work on the prospects of creating new jobs through coordinating skill development programmes.

 

5. Ravinder Singh Dhillon appointed CMD of REC Ltd: REC Limited, (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited) a Navratna company under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power, announced it has named Ravinder Singh Dhillon as Chairman and Managing Director of the company, with effect from May 10, 2022. He is serving as the CMD of Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC). With over 36 years of varied experience spread across the entire value chain of the power sector, he is very diversified in his work.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan appointed President of UAE: The Supreme Council of the Union elected Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, as President of the UAE. The Council held a meeting at the Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He has replaced Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who died at the age of 73.

Sheikh Mohamed began wielding power in a period when his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa suffered bouts of illness, including a stroke in 2014. Under his low-key direction, the UAE has put a man in space, sent a probe to Mars, and opened its first nuclear reactor.

Note: UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi; UAE Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham; UAE Prime minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

 

2. International Day of Living Together in Peace: 16th May: The International Day of Living Together in Peace is held on 16th May every year. The day is celebrated on the 16th of May throughout the world and with its annual observance, it aims to urge people to live together in a united and peaceful way. Individuals can attain this by listening to each other and respecting one another despite their differences.

History of the International Day of Living Together in Peace: The day first came into being after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare 16 May as the International Day of Living Together in Peace on 8 December 2017. The first International Day of Living Together in Peace was observed in 2018. Ever since the end of World War II, the United Nations has been on a mission to work towards world peace. The year 2000 was recognised as ‘The International Year for a Culture of Peace and from 2001 to 2010, the UN declared it the “International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World.”

 

3. International Day of Light: 16th May: The International Day of Light is celebrated on 16 May each year, the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. This day is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development. The laser is a perfect example of how a scientific discovery can yield revolutionary benefits to society in communications, healthcare and many other fields.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. ISSF Junior World Cup: Esha Singh and Saurabh Chaudhary won gold in Mixed Team Pistol event: Indian pistol pairs Esha Singh and Saurabh Chaudhary clinched the mixed team pistol gold at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany. Esha and Saurabh came through after topping a 38-field qualification round of 60 shots with scores of 578 and 575 respectively. The team of Palak and Sarabjot Singh has settled for the silver medal in the same event. Ramita and Paarth Makhija also won silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team competition. In all, India has so far won 10 medals, including four gold.

Note: ISSF Founded: 1907; ISSF Headquarters: Munich, Germany; ISSF President: Vladimir Lisin.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Union Bank of India launches Online Platform ‘Trade nxt’: The Union Bank of India (UBI) has launched an online platform, ‘Trade nxt’, which enables corporate, and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) to transact all cross-border export-import transactions from the comfort of their place, i.e. eliminates the need for companies to visit a bank branch for the same. It offers seamless entry and processing of letters of credit (LC), bank guarantees, export/import bills, disbursement of export credit, outward & inward remittances, dealer financing etc.

About the ‘Trade nxt’ platform: ‘Trade nxt’ platform will also enable the regulatory online auto reporting through Import Data Processing & Monitoring System (IDPMS), Export Data processing & Monitoring System (EDPMS) and other statutory reporting to Overseas Direct Investment (ODI)/ Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)/ Liberalised Remittance Scheme LRS) which will make the process much more convenient.

Note: Union Bank of India Managing Director & CEO: Rajkiran Rai G; Union Bank of India Merged Banks: Andhra Bank, and Corporation Bank; Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Retail Inflation Surges To 7.79% In April, Highest In 8 Years: India’s retail inflation surged to 7.79 per cent in April, largely driven by rising fuel and food prices, government data showed. The consumer price-based inflation figure stayed well above the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) upper tolerance limit for the fourth consecutive month. In April, the CPI inflation expanded at its highest pace in eight years. The previous high was recorded at 8.33 per cent in May 2014. April’s print was higher than 6.95 per cent in March and 4.23 per cent a year ago.

Reasons:

a)      The rate of price rise in ‘fuel and light’ category in the retail inflation basket quickened to 10.80 per cent in April this year from 7.52 per cent in the preceding month.

b)      In the ‘oils and fats’ category, inflation remained at an elevated level of 17.28 per cent in April as Ukraine is one of the major sunflower oil producers in the world and India imports a major portion of the commodity from the war-ravaged country. Besides this, Ukraine is also a key supplier of fertiliser to India.

c)       Vegetables witnessed an inflation print of 15.41 per cent during the month as against 11.64 per cent in March.

 

2. Morgan Stanley cuts India’s FY23 growth forecast to 7.6%: Morgan Stanley downgraded India’s growth forecast to 7.6% from 7.9% for FY2023 amid a slowdown in global growth, higher commodity prices and risk aversion in global capital markets. This 7.6% forecast is a baseline forecast for India while its bearish and bullish growth projections are 6.7% and 8%, respectively.

Key points:

a)      For FY24, it lowered its growth forecast to 6.7% from the 7% estimated earlier.

b)      However, the Indian economy will expand at above pre-pandemic growth rates in FY23 and FY24.

c)       On the global front, it projected growth at 2.9% in the calendar year 2022 as compared to 6.2% growth in 2021.

d)      Within Asia, India would be the economy which will be most exposed to upside risks to inflation.

e)      CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation is expected to be 6.5% for FY23.

f)        The current account deficit to widen to a 10-year high of 3.3% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in FY23.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. UAE President, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, passes away: UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away. He served as the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi since November 3, 2004.

About Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Born in 1948, Sheikh Khalifa was the second President of the UAE and the 16th Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He was the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed. He was elected to succeed his father, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as the UAE’s first president since the union in 1971 until he passed away on November 2, 2004. Since becoming the president of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa has presided over a major restructuring of both the Federal Government and the government of Abu Dhabi. Under his reign, the UAE witnessed an accelerated development that ensured decent living for the people calling the country home.

 

2. Eminent Sanskrit and Hindi Scholar, Padma Shri Dr Rama Kant Shukla Passes Away: Padma Shri Dr Rama Kant Shukla, a profound Sanskrit and Hindi Scholar, has passed away in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh (UP). He was born in Khurja city in Bulandshahr district, UP. Dr Rama Kant Shukla is the founder and general secretary of Devavani Parishad in Delhi, and the founding chairman and editor of “Arvacinasamskrtam”, a quarterly journal in Sanskrit. He was conferred the titles of Sanskrit Rashtrakavi, Kaviratna, and Kavi Siromani by literary and Sanskrit organizations.

Daily GK Update- 15th May, 2022

 

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.

Daily GK Update- 14th May, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India elected a new Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities for 2022-24: India has been unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) for 2022-2024 at the meeting of the Executive Board and General Assembly in Manila, Philippines. Commission on Elections, Manila was the current chair of AAEA. The new member of the Executive Board now includes Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Election Commission of India 3-member delegation headed by Deputy Election Commissioner Shri Nitesh Vyas, along with CEO Manipur Shri Rajesh Agrawal and CEO Rajasthan Shri Praveen Gupta, attended the Executive Board meeting at Manila and presented the work plan for 2022-23 as also futuristic activities for 2023-24 to the Executive Board.

What is the work of the Association of Asian Election Authorities: According to ECI, the mission of the Association of Asian Election Authorities is to provide a non-partisan forum in the Asian region for sharing experiences and best practices among election authorities to discuss and act upon ways to promote open and transparent elections with the objective of supporting good governance and democracy.

 

2. Mumbai Gets India’s First EV Charging Station Powered by bio-gas: India’s first EV charging station powered by bio-gas was inaugurated in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This station be will expected to generate 220 units of electricity from food waste collected from its nearby areas, mostly from bulk generators like hotels and offices. This energy plant will be utilized to power street lights and also to charge electric vehicles. It was inaugurated by Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray. The Biogas Electricity Generation Plant, set up in the year 2021, uses about 1.5 lakh kilograms of food waste to generate electricity. Also, to promote electric vehicles, BMC is planning to set up organic waste-powered EV charging stations in its 24 administrative wards.

Country’s first organic waste-powered EV charging station at Keshavrao Khadye road near Haji Ali in Mumbai. The project is a joint venture between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and AeroCare Clean Energy. This EV Charging Plant is connected with the Waste-Energy Unit at Minatai Thackeray Park.

 

3. RailTel introduced PM-WANI based access to its Wi-Fi at 100 Railway Stations: RailTel, a micro Ratna PSU, launched the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme, providing access to its Public WiFi services across 100 train stations in 22 states. PM-WANI is a Department of Telecom (DoT) initiative to connect all silo Wi-Fi networks for simplicity of use and to increase broadband adoption among the general public.

Key Points:

a)      Android users can connect to this WiFi network by downloading the ‘Wi-DOT’ app from the Google Play Store. The software was created in close collaboration with C-DOT.

b)      This means of connecting to Wi-Fi via the ‘mobile app’ would be in addition to the present technique of connecting to WiFi at these stations by selecting the RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID).

c)       PM-WANI-based access will make it easier to use WANI-based Public WiFi by allowing one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) to bypass one-time password (OTP) based authentication.

d)      The RailTel WiFi network now covers 6,102 railway stations across the country and has 17, 792 WiFi hotspots, with more on the way.

 

4. VP Venkaiah Naidu releases ‘Modi @20: Dreams Meeting Delivery’ book: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has released the book “Modi@20 Dreams Meet Delivery” in New Delhi. ‘Modi@20’ is an anthology edited and compiled by BlueKraft Digital Foundation, and is a compilation of chapters authored by eminent intellectuals and domain experts, Rupa Publications.

The essence of the book: The book encompasses the experiential journey of Modi since he left his house at the tender age of 17 and set out on a mission of knowing himself, and his country and finally define the mission of transforming India. In 2021, Modi completed twenty continuous years as the head of a government. This book, a compilation of chapters authored by eminent intellectuals and domain experts, attempts a definitive and expansive exploration into the fundamental transformation of Gujarat and India over the last twenty years due to Modi’s unique model of governance.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. South Korea becomes 1st Asian country join NATO Cyber Defence Group: South Korea became the first Asian country join in North Atlantic Treaty Organization Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) is joined as a contributing participant in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

Now, the total NATO CCDCOE has 32 countries as its official members which include 27 NATO member countries and 5 five non-NATO states as contributing participants. South Korea has participated in the Locked Shields 2022, the largest and most complex annual international live-fire cyber defence exercise in the world. It has been participating two years in a row since 2020. South Korea joining the CCDCOE would help it counter the cybersecurity threat perception due to North Korea.

About the NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European states. Founded in 1949. Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

 

2. Intersolar Europe 2022 to be attended by Bhagwant Khuba: Shri Bhagwant Khuba, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, has arrived in Munich, Germany for Intersolar Europe 2022. In Munich, the Indian Union Minister will deliver a keynote talk at the investment promotion event India’s Solar Energy Market. The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) is organising the event. Key Points:

a)      The event is critical in terms of possible benefits for India, such as solar technology transfer, international investor investments in solar manufacturing, KfW development bank financing, and knowledge exchange pacts with Europe.

b)      Intersolar is the world’s largest solar industry and partner show series. It brings together individuals and businesses from all over the world with the goal of boosting the use of solar energy in our energy supply.

c)       Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together participants of the solar business from all over the world, thanks to its more than 30 years of expertise.

d)      Munich, So Paulo, Long Beach, Gandhinagar, Dubai, and Mexico City all host Intersolar fairs and conferences. Intersolar Summits, which take place in emerging and developing markets around the world, supplement these global gatherings.

e)      More than 20,000 individuals are expected to participate, including ministers and secretaries from several countries. Major renewable energy international firms such as ABB, Siemens, Ercon, 3S Swiss Solar Solutions, Meyer Burger Technologies AG, BayWa r.e. GmbH, Engie, Enel, and Wacker are expected to be represented at the event through their CEOs.

 

3. World Migratory Bird Day: 14th May: World Migratory Bird Day is marked twice a year since its inauguration in 2006. International Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on 14 May and 8 October 2022. The day is celebrated with an aim to safeguard migratory birds’ breeding, non-breeding as well as stopover habitats while preserving a healthy bird population. The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2022 is light pollution. As artificial lighting has been increasing globally by at least 2 per cent per annum, this has had an adverse impact on many birds. Light pollution is a major threat to migratory birds as it leads to disorientation when they fly at night, this, in turn, leads to collisions and also interferes with their long-distance migrations.

History of International Migratory Bird Day: International Migratory Bird Day was marked in 2006 when the United Nations decided that the world’s population needs to be made aware of the worldwide migratory linkages. Since then, 118 countries participated in and organised the event. The United Nations (UN) Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds had envisioned the World Migratory Bird Day.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India won 14 medals in Archery Asia Cup 2022 Stage 2: Indian archers wrapped up a highly successful Asia Cup 2022 Stage-2 campaign in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq with a total of 14 medals – eight golds, four silvers and two bronze. The Indian team of women archers Parneet Kaur, Aditi Swami, and Sakshi Chaudhary has won India’s first gold medal of the continental meet after defeating Kazakhstan in Iraq. The men’s team of Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav, and Jawkar Samadhan has won the second gold for India. The compound mixed duo of Prathmesh Fuge & Parneet Kaur won the third Gold Medal at Asia Archery Cup.

India medal winners:

Women’s team compound: gold (Sakshi Chaudhary, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Gopichand Swami)

Men’s team compound: gold (Rishabh Yadav, Prathamesh Fuge, and Prathamesh Jawkar)

Mixed team compound: gold (Prathamesh Fuge and Parneet Kaur)

Men’s individual compound: Prathmesh Fuge (gold); Rishabh Yadav (silver); Jawkar Samadhan (bronze)

Women’s individual compound: Sakshi Chaudhary (gold); Parneet Kaur (silver)

Women’s team recurve: gold (Avani, Bhajan Kaur and Laxmi Hembrom)

Men’s team recurve: gold (Mrinal Chauhan, Parth Salunkhe and Juyel Sarkar)

Mixed team recurve: silver (Parth Salunkhe and Bhajan Kaur)

Men’s individual recurve: Mrinal Chauhan (gold); Parth Salunke (bronze)

Women’s individual recurve: Bhajan Kaur (silver)

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ICICI Bank and Santander UK Partner for business ease between India and UK: ICICI Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, established a partnership with Santander Bank in the United Kingdom, aimed at making banking easier for businesses operating in both countries. The ICICI and Santander UK Plc signed a MoU in Mumbai to build a framework of partnership between the banks to satisfy the financial service needs of corporate clients operating along the India-UK corridor. Key Points:

a)      ICICI Bank said it will offer UK corporates operating in India banking solutions in trade, cross-border payments, supply chain, treasury solutions, and retail banking, while Santander UK will support Indian corporates and new age firms with their banking needs in the UK.

b)      ICICI Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group, Sriram H Iyer, who signed the MoU on behalf of the bank, stated that India and the United Kingdom have long had strong bilateral relations and that India has long been a favoured foreign investment destination for British companies.

c)       This MoU enables corporates in the UK-India corridor to receive smooth banking services. They are convinced that ICICI Bank would support Santander UK and assist its customers build their businesses in India, and make India one of their main markets, thanks to their extensive network, industry-first digital services, and comprehensive suite of corporate ecosystem banking.

d)      According to the banking executive, the cooperation will serve the financial needs of the corporate ecosystem in the booming UK-India corridor.

Note: Non-Executive (part-time) Chairman of ICICI Bank: Mr. Girish Chandra Chaturvedi; Chief Executive Officer of Santander UK: Mike Regnier; ICICI Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group: Sriram H Iyer

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Saudi Aramco overtook Apple Inc. as the world’s most valuable company: Oil giant Saudi Aramco has dethroned Apple Inc. to become the world’s most valuable company, underscoring the recent surge in oil prices that have boosted the energy giant this year. Aramco traded near its highest level on record, with a market capitalization of about $2.43 trillion, surpassing that of Apple for the first time since 2020. The iPhone maker fell 5.2% to close at $146.50 per share, giving it a valuation of $2.37 trillion.

Even if the move proves short-lived and Apple retakes the top spot again, the role reversal underscores the power of major forces coursing through the global economy. Soaring oil prices, while great for profits at Aramco, are exacerbating rising inflation that is forcing the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at the fastest pace in decades. The higher rates go, the more investors discount the value of future revenue flows from tech companies and push down their stock prices.

Note: Saudi Aramco Founded: 1933; Saudi Aramco Headquarters: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Saudi Aramco CEO: Amin H. Nasser.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Mamata Banerjee recieved Special Bangla Academy Award: West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee received the Bangla Academy Award for her “relentless literary pursuit”. The award, introduced this year by Sahitya Academy, was presented to Banerjee for her book “Kabita Bitan”, which pays tribute to the best writers of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Kabita Bitan’ was launched at the 2020 Kolkata Book Fair. The book contains 946 poems written by the TMC supremo. Despite being on the stage, Mamata Banerjee did not accept the award on her own and it was received by state Education Minister Bratya Basu on her behalf.

Banerjee was given the award at the “Ravi Pranam” function organised by the government’s information and culture department on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary. Bangla Academy has decided to reward those who are working tirelessly for the betterment of literature as well as other sectors of society.

 

2. President confers 13 Shaurya Chakras, Param Vishisht Seva Medal to Army Chief: President of India, Ram Nath Kovind conferred 13 Shaurya Chakras which included six posthumous to the personnel of the Indian Armed forces for their conspicuous courage displayed during operations. Army Chief General Manoj Pande was conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his distinguished service of exceptional order at a defence investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The President also conferred 14 PVSM, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM) and 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM) for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

These awards of Gallantry and other Defence decorations conferred were approved by the President in January on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day celebrations this January. Gen Manoj Pande assumed the charge of the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on April 30. Before that, he was serving as the Vice Chief of Army Staff for three months and was the General Officer Commander in Chief, Eastern Command of the Army before that.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Independent Ukraine Passes Away: Leonid Kravchuk, a former communist who helped sign the Soviet Union’s death warrant and then served as the first president of independent Ukraine, passed away at the age of 88. Kravchuk was known as the “wily fox” as he rose through the ranks of Ukraine’s Communist Party and take over as head of the parliament in 1990. He signed the Belovezha accords with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian leader Stanislav Shushkevich in December 1991 which effectively triggered the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Note: Ukraine Capital: Kyiv; Ukraine Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia; Ukraine President: Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Ukraine Prime minister: Denys Shmyhal.