Daily GK Update- 3rd May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt appoints Justice TS Sivagnanam as Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court: The government of India has cleared the appointment of Justice T. S. Sivagnana (Senior Most judge of the Calcutta HC) as the Chief Justice of the High Court. Presently, he is serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. On 25 October 2021, he took oath as a Judge of Calcutta High Court. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of Madras High Court and later he was appointed Permanent Judge on 29 March 2011.

 

2. India's unemployment rate at a four-month high in April 2023: According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate of India has surged to a four-month high of 8.11% in April, compared to 7.14% in March 2023. The rise in the unemployment rate came on the back of higher labor participation, which has risen to 41.9% from 39.7% in March. Rural India: 20.3 million people entered the workforce and 95% of them got jobs Urban India: 5.2 million people entered the workforce, but only half of them got jobs

 

3. Manipur CM launches facial recognition system for Inner Line Permits: Manipur CM N Biren Singh launched the Facial Recognition System (FRS) for Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and flagged off two camera-mounted mobile FRS vehicles. It will help in the effective checking of ILP holders whose validity has expired and in better management of the system. The system has been implemented on a trial basis. In addition, two mobile vehicles will be stationed at different locations in Imphal East and West districts to identify ILP defaulters

 

4. Devendra Fadnavis unveiled Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mauritius: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has unveiled a statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mauritius. The sculpture was created in India by a Delhi-based artist and sent to Mauritius in a container ship. Fadnavis also announced a grant of 44 million Mauritius rupees for building a multi-purpose hall and a scholarship for 10 students. Also, an MoU was signed between the Economic Development Board of Mauritius and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation to establish a platform for investment between the Western State and the island nation.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Bharti Airtel to merge Sri Lanka operations with Dialog Axiata: Sri Lanka’s mobile telecommunication firm, Dialog Axiata, and India’s Bharti Airtel have signed a binding term sheet for the merger of their Sri Lankan subsidiaries. With this merger, Bharti Airtel will get access to a large customer base in Sri Lanka. Bharti Airtel started its operations in 2009 in Sri Lanka and has a customer base of 1 million in the country. Dialog Axiata is a subsidiary of Malaysian Axiata. Dialog accounts for 57% of the mobile market in Sri Lanka.

2. World Press Freedom Day 2023: 3rd May: World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3 to raise awareness about the importance of freedom of the press. This year marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. Theme 2023: Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights This day was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1991 in response to the increasing number of attacks on journalists around the world. In 1993, UNGA declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.

 

3. India slips in World Press Freedom Index, ranks 161 out of 180 countries: According to the latest report released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, India’s ranking in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries. In 2022, India was ranked at 150. Norway is ranked first for the seventh consecutive year, followed by  Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland Last three: North Korea (180th), China, and Vietnam It is based on five indicators-Political, Economic, Legal Framework, Sociocultural, and Safety

 

4. Indian job market to witness 22% churn In 5 Years: WEF: According to the WEF's latest Future of Jobs report, the Indian job market is estimated to witness 22% churn over the next five years, with top emerging roles coming from AI, machine learning, and data segments. Globally, the job market churn is estimated at 23%, with 69 million new jobs expected to be created and 83 million eliminated by 2027. Almost a quarter of jobs are expected to change in the next five years through a growth of 10.2% and a decline of 12.3%

 

5. Vanessa Hudson appoints as CEO of Qantas: Australia’s flagship carrier, Qantas has named its finance chief Vanessa Hudson as its new chief executive officer, making her the first woman to lead the airline. Hudson will succeed Alan Joyce, who will retire in November 2023. Hudson, who joined Qantas 28 years ago, had held several senior roles there, including chief customer officer and senior vice president for the Americas and New Zealand.

 

6. Maiden ASEAN-India Maritime exercise starts in Singapore: India has participated in the inaugural edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise with its two frontline warships- INS Satpura and INS Delhi. The harbor phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at the Changi Naval Base (Singapore) from May 2-4, while the sea phase will be conducted from May 7-8 in the South China Sea. The ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) will provide an opportunity to the Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work closely with each other and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain. INS Delhi is India’s first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, is also indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate and are fitted with state-of-the art weapons and sensors.

 

7. 2 May 2023 – World Asthma Day: World Asthma Day is observed every year on first Tuesday of May. This year, World Asthma Day celebrated on May 2. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) observed the first World Asthma Day in 1998 to raise awareness about the disease. Theme 2023 – Asthma care for all. May is chosen as the month to celebrate this day as it coincides with the spring and the fall season – the time of the year when asthma symptoms worsen. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition which is usually caused by the airways becoming inflamed, narrow or swollen. This makes the airways produce extra mucus, making it difficult for breathing. The most common symptoms of asthma are difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough and wheezing. In some cases, asthma can have minor difficulties in daily activities, while in other cases, it can be a life-threatening disease.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India surpasses Australia to become No.1 Test team in the ICC rankings: Indian Men's team has surpassed Australia to become the number one Test team in the latest rankings released by ICC on May 2, 2023. Currently, India has topped the ranking with 121 points, while Australia ranked second with 116 points. Earlier this year, India posted a 2-1 series win against Australia to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the fourth consecutive time. England, South Africa, and New Zealand placed third, fourth, and fifth spots respectively.

 

2. Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Ganemat Sekhon win gold for India: Shooters Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Ganemat Sekhon have won India its first medal in the ongoing International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Shotgun World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. They won the gold medal by defeating Mexicans Luis Raul Gallardo Oliveros and Gabriela Rodriguez 6-0 in the skeet mixed team event.

The Indian mixed doubles pair defeated Luis Raul Gallardo Oliveros and Gabriela Rodriguez 6-0 in the final of the Skeet Mixed Team event. Italy took bronze through their crack pair of two-time world championship silver medallist Simona Scocchetti and Rio Olympic champion Gabrielle Rossetti.

 

3. Nepal wins ACC Men’s Premier Cup: Nepal have qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 after winning the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. The team, led by Rohit Paudel defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by seven wickets in the final that was played across two days at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Nepal, therefore, joined India and Pakistan in Group A of the Asia Cup to be played in September. Nepal, UAE and Oman will also take part in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in July where they will face ‘A’ teams of five full-member teams.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. World Bank to provide 2.25 billion dollars to Bangladesh : The World Bank will provide financial aid of 2.25 billion dollars to Bangladesh for five projects Accelerating transport and trade connectivity in Eastern South Asia worth $753.45 million USD 500 million for Resilient Infrastructure Building Project  USD 500 million First Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development USD 250 million Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation USD 250 million Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation

 

2. Airtel Payments Bank rolls out face authentication for AePS: Airtel Payments Bank has collaborated with the National Payments Corporation of India to roll out Face Authentication for Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS). AePS allows customers to carry out financial and non-financial transactions at any banking point using their Aadhaar number/ virtual ID to access their Aadhaar-linked bank account. This facility will enable customers to validate the transaction by undertaking face authentication along with the Aadhaar number.

 

3. Asia-Pacific to grow 4.6% in 2023: IMF: According to the IMF report, the growth of the Asia-Pacific region is expected to increase to 4.6% in 2023 from 3.8% in 2022. The two largest emerging market economies (India & China) of the region are expected to contribute around half of global growth in 2023. 2023 will be challenging for the global economy, with global growth decelerating as the effects of monetary policy tightening and Russia's war in Ukraine continue to weigh on economic activity.

 

4. Nirmala Sitharama attends 56th Annual General Meeting of Board of Directors of ADB: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attends the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in South Korea. The meetings are attended by official delegations of ADB members, observers, non-governmental and civil society organizations, financial institutions and banks, and other private sector companies. During the four-day visit, Sitharaman will also participate in annual meeting focal events like the Governors’ Business, and also as a panelist in the ADB Governors’ Seminar on Policies to Support Asia’s Rebound.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. British actress-author Meera Sayal receives BAFTA Fellowship : UK-based Indian-origin actor-writer Meera Syal has been conferred a BAFTA Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Recognition: For an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film/television She was honored with an MBE and then a CBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to drama and literature. She is best known for television shows such as 'Goodness Gracious Me' and 'The Kumars at No. 42'.

 

2. Meera Syal to receive a BAFTA fellowship in London: Popular UK-based Indian-origin actor-writer Meera Syal has been conferred a BAFTA Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film and television. The 61-year-old, who was born to Punjabi parents and grew up in the West Midlands region of England, was honoured with an MBE and then a CBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to drama and literature.

Best known for television shows such as ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and ‘The Kumars at No. 42’, Syal has made her mark as an award-winning actor, screenwriter and novelist over the years. The fellowship will be presented to her during the BAFTA Television Awards ceremony as part of a special commemoration of her work to-date at the Royal Festival Hall in London on May 14.

Daily GK Update- 2nd May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India's manufacturing PMI at 4-month high in April on output : According to the monthly survey, Manufacturing activities in India have been accelerated further and touched a four-month high in April 2023. Reason: Boosted by robust new business growth, mild price pressures, better international sales, and improving supply-chain conditions The S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index has been increased from 56.4 (March 2023) to 57.2 (April 2023). It reflecting a robust and quicker expansion in new orders.

 

2. NITI Aayog released “Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023”: NITI Aayog has released the “Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023” in collaboration with the UNDP. Reason: To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence and highlight and laud the efforts of Union Ministries and State Governments. This compendium includes 75 case studies cutting across 14 key social sectors. The aim of this exercise has been to synthesize lessons for the future to expand, enhance and improve life at the grassroots level. 

 

3. First test launch of new low-cost star sensor successfully conducted: A new low-cost star sensor, named ‘StarBerrySense’, developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) from off-the-shelf components, has started functioning properly in its first test launch. It was put into space by Isro’s PSLV C-55 on April 22, 2023. Function: Quickly and accurately calculate where a satellite is pointing in space as for any space mission The start sensor can find its pointing direction in space by identifying the stars in its field of view.

 

4. India sees exports to UAE surging to $50 billion by FY 26/27: India's exports to the UAE are expected to reach $50 billion by 2026-27 from $31.3 billion at present on the back of the free trade agreement between the countries. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal has informed that the trade between India and the UAE has grown significantly after the implementation of the trade agreement on May 1, 2022. The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which was signed between the two nations on 18 February 2022.

 

5. DRDO & Indian Navy conduct successful of Air Droppable Container ‘ADC-150’: DRDO and Indian Navy conducted the successful maiden test trial of ‘ADC-150’ from IL 38SD aircraft, Goa. It is an indigenously designed and developed Air Droppable Container with a 150 kg payload capacity. The trial was conducted to enhance the naval operational logistics capabilities by providing quick responses to meet the requirement of critical engineering stores to ships. It reduces the requirement for ships to come close to the coast to collect spares and stores.

 

6. Three new wildlife conservation reserves declared in Rajasthan: Rajasthan’s Forest Department has announced three new conservation reserves that will protect the rare and endangered wildlife of Rajasthan. These three new wildlife conservation reserves are Sorsan in Baran, Khichan in Jodhpur, and Hamirgarh in Bhilwara. With these three new additions, now there are 26 wildlife conservation reserves in Rajasthan. Some of the well-known conservation reserves are Bisalpur Conservation Reserve in Tonk, Jodbeed Gadhwala Bikaner Conservation Reserve in Bikaner, Khetri Bansyal Conservation Reserve in Jhunjhunu, and Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve in Pali.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Inaugural ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea: India has participated in the inaugural edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise with its two frontline warships- INS Satpura and INS Delhi. The harbor phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at the Changi Naval Base (Singapore) from May 2-4, while the sea phase will be conducted from May 7-8 in the South China Sea INS Delhi is India's first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer, while INS Satpura is an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate.

 

2. Australian announced Government Grant for Project in Kargil: For the first time in the history of Ladakh the Australian High Commission in India has announced its Government Grant for a Project in Kargil. This was announced during a Special Meeting at Srinagar chaired by the Australian high commissioner to India,  Barry O'Farrell. The project "Return to Roots" aims to integrate traditional knowledge with the current school science curriculum in alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP).

 

3. Qantas names Vanessa Hudson as next CEO: Australia’s flagship carrier, Qantas has named its finance chief Vanessa Hudson as its new chief executive officer, making her the first woman to lead the airline. She will succeed Alan Joyce, who will retire in November 2023. She has been market-facing as CFO since October 2019. She had held several senior roles there, including chief customer officer and senior vice president for the Americas and New Zealand.

 

4. India to join international climate action in civil aviation from 2027 : India will join the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and Long-Term Aspirational Goals (LTAG) from 2027. This announcement was made in the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Parliament of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the chairmanship of Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The ICAO has been tasked to reduce carbon emissions from international civil aviation as one of its focus areas. In order to mitigate carbon emissions from aviation and its impact on climate change, the global body has adopted several key aspirational goals. Among them are a two percent annual fuel efficiency improvement through 2050, carbon neutral growth and net zero by 2050. The ICAO has clubbed them under CORSIA and LTAG.

 

5. India to hand over fast Patrol Vessel ship & landing Craft to Maldives: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over a fast patrol vessel and a landing craft to the Maldives as India’s “gift” during his visit to the island nation from May 1 to 3. The Fast Patrol Vessel, capable of coastal and offshore surveillance at high speeds, was commissioned as MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee. Maldives is one of India’s major maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region and overall bilateral relations between the two countries, including in the areas of defense and security, have been on the rise over the years. Singh also reviewed the implementation of various India-aided projects in the Maldives and interact with the Indian expatriate.

 

6. Margherita Della Valle appointed as CEO of Vodafone: Vodafone Group Plc has announced Margherita Della Valle, a 29-year veteran of the company, as its next Chief Executive Officer. Della Valle began her career as one of the first employees of Italian telecom startup Omnitel, which was acquired by Vodafone in 2001. Margherita’s previous roles within Vodafone were Deputy Chief Financial Officer from 2015 to 2018, Group Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer for Vodafone’s European region and Chief Financial Officer for Vodafone Italy.

 

7. 2 May – World Tuna Day: World Tuna Day is observed every year on 2 May. Objective – To spread awareness about Tuna fish and its importance to humans and planet earth. Theme 2023 – The Global Tuna Industry: Trailblazing through Tough Times The day also promotes the importance of sustainable fishing practices and educates the world on how tuna have become endangered species due to the high demand for their meat. World Tuna Day was established in December 2016 by the United Nations General Assembly, with an aim to preserve endangered species. This is after the UN general assembly officially voted to observe the day in its resolution 71/124. In 2017, the first World Tuna Day was observed. As per the UN, around 7 million metric tons of tuna and tuna-like species are harvested every year.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Ganemat Sekhon win gold in ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2023: The Indian shooters, Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Ganemat Sekhon won India's first gold medal in the ongoing ISSF World Cup Shotgun 2023, held in Cairo, Egypt. The Indian mixed doubles pair defeated Luis Raul Gallardo Oliveros and Gabriela Rodriguez 6-0 in the final of the Skeet Mixed Team. While the duo of Simona Scocchetti and Gabrielle Rossetti from Italy secured their bronze medal in the tournament.

 

2. Ding Liren becomes China’s first world chess champion : Ding Liren has become 17th world chess champion – the first from China – defeating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi in a tie-breaker. Ding defeated Nepo in the last of the four Rapid tiebreaks. Ding takes over as winner of the World Chess Championship from Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, who chose not to defend his title after a 10-year reign. The 30-year-old is the highest-rated Chinese player in history and the chess world champions in both the open and women’s category now come from China.

 

1. Satwiksairaj and Chirag Shetty won men’s doubles at the Badminton Asia Championships: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty created history by becoming the first Indian men’s doubles pair to win a gold medal at the Badminton Asia Championships. The World No. 6 pair defeated the 8th-ranked pairing of One Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi of Malaysia in a stunning 3-game battle at Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall, Al Nasr Club. This historic achievement is only the second gold medal India has won at the Badminton Asia Championships; the first gold medal being won by Dinesh Khanna in 1965 in the men’s singles category.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India, Russia explore accepting RuPay and Mir cards for easy payments: India and Russia have agreed to explore the possibility of accepting each other's payment cards, RuPay (India) and Mir (Russia). Reason: For hassle-free payments between the two countries This decision was made during the meeting of the Internal Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). This meeting was chaired by the External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar and Russia's Deputy PM Denis Manturov.

 

2. Tamil Nadu tops market borrowing for third consecutive year: RBI: For third year in a row, Tamil Nadu has topped the list of States with the highest market borrowings. According to RBI data, Tamil Nadu’s gross market borrowings through State Development Loans (SDLs) stood at ₹68,000 crore during April-February FY23. Andhra Pradesh is in 2nd place with Rs 51,860 crore. Maharashtra is at 3rd place with Rs.50 thousand crore among the states that have borrowed the most in the country. It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu was the state that borrowed the most in the previous 2 financial years i.e. 2020-21 and 2021-22.bIt has been mentioned in the information published by the Reserve Bank that Tamil Nadu had borrowed Rs.87,977 crore in the last fiscal year 2020-21 and Rs.87 thousand crore in 2021-22 At the same time, compared to the previous financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, the loan taken by Tamil Nadu in the financial year 2022-23 has decreased slightly, and at the same time,  Tamil Nadu has received a loan below the amount recommended by the Finance Commission.

 

3. HDFC Bank to roll out e-distribution network, cover 50K more villages: HDFC Bank will start onboarding agents of its corporate business correspondents digitally who can extend services to semi-urban and rural areas, a move that will help the lender achieve its priority sector (PSL) lending targets. It is a digital distribution platform that leverages technology and brings in ease for business correspondents and agents. With this, they can deliver a host of banking products and services to customers, especially in semi-urban and rural areas. Right now, HDFC Bank’s services are available in 150,000 villages. With the launch of Smart Saathi, we aim to cover 200,000 villages over the next 12-15 months. Around 70 percent of the rural economy is in these villages.

 

4. GST collection for April 2023 highest ever at Rs 1.87 lakh crore: The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collection increased 12% in April 2023 to Rs 87 lakh crore. It is the highest monthly mop-up since the inception of the indirect tax regime in July 2017. The gross GST revenue collected in the month of April, 2023 is ₹ 1,87,035 crore of which CGST is ₹38,440 crore, SGST is ₹47,412 crore, IGST is ₹89,158 crore (including ₹34,972 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is ₹12,025 crore (including ₹901 crore collected on import of goods). The government has settled ₹45,864 crore to CGST and ₹37,959 crore to SGST from IGST. The total revenue of Centre and the States in the month of April 2023 after regular settlement is ₹84,304 crore for CGST and ₹85,371 crore for the SGST. The revenues for the month of April 2023 are 12% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year. During the month, the revenues from domestic transactions (including import of services) are 16% higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            

Daily GK Update- 1st May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gujarat and Maharashtra celebrate their 63rd Foundation Day: The states of Gujarat and Maharashtra commemorated their 63rd Foundation Day on 1st May 2023. Gujarat celebrates its 63rd foundation day as Gujarat Gaurav Divas and Maharashtra are also celebrated as 'Maharashtra Din'. During the event, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects in Jamnagar worth Rs. 300 crore. Gujarat was carved out of the Bombay State on May 1, 1960, after the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960. 

 

2. National SC-ST Hub Scheme crossed over 1 lakh beneficiary registration: Prime Minister  Narendra Modi has praised the National SC-ST Hub Scheme, which crossed over one lakh beneficiary registrations. About National SC-ST Hub Scheme: Launched on: October 2016 It is an initiative of the Union MSME Ministry. Aim: To empower and promote entrepreneurs among SC, ST Communities It is implemented by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC),  a public-sector undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of MSME.

 

3. NTPC, NPCIL ink pact for joint development of nuclear power plants: NTPC has signed a supplementary joint venture agreement with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to develop nuclear power projects. The JV company shall develop two pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWR) projects, Chutka Madhya Pradesh Atomic Power Project 2x700 MW and Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project 4x700 MW. Presently, NTPC has a total installed power generation capacity of 71.644 GW, of which 3.01 GW is renewable energy.

 

4. IIT Madras researchers develop tool to detect tumours in brain, spinal cord: Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) researchers has developed a machine learning-based computational tool for better detection of cancer-causing tumors in the brain and spinal cord. The web server known as ‘GBMDriver’ (GlioBlastoma Mutiforme Drivers) is now publicly available online. The GBMDriver was developed specifically to identify driver mutations and passenger mutations (passenger mutations are neutral mutations) in Glioblastoma.

 

5. -Kanpur launches cybersecurity skilling programme: IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub, a cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub, formally inaugurated its Cybersecurity Skilling Programme with support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). The C3iHub-incubated start-ups Threat Guardians Pvt Ltd and Worker Union Support provide additional assistance to the Cybersecurity Skilling Programme. The programme focuses on models, tools, and techniques for enforcing security and strives to provide students with a greater grasp of the technological fundamentals of cyberspace and cyber problems. It also introduces real-time cybersecurity approaches and procedures. The course includes live classes, online assignments, and practical training. Students will obtain a C3iHub certificate upon completion of the programme, which will add credibility to their professional profile. Internship opportunities will also be available to the top 100 students.

 

6. Sinthan Snow Festival 2023 organized in J&K: The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and Kishtwar Tourism Development Authority (KTDA) has organized a two-day Sinthan Snow Festival-2023 at Sinthan Maidan, Kishtwar, J&K. The snow festival has been organized in collaboration with the District Administration Kishtwar, the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL), and the Army. This festival hosts a variety of activities like a Bike Rally, Paragliding, Snow Kayaking, and much more. The Sinthan Maidan is becoming a significant hub for skiers, trekkers, etc and the festival is likely to bring this wonderful tourist spot, with stunning natural surroundings, into the limelight and capture the attention of the visitors.

 

7. Goa govt organized 3-day Heritage Festival: The Goa tourism department has inaugurated a three-day heritage festival, which will showcase art forms, dances and cuisine of the coastal state. The Goa Heritage Festival truly captures the essence of the rich cultural heritage, showcasing the vibrant traditions and customs that make Goa so unique. The festival aims to promote cultural tourism in Goa by presenting the traditions, culture and arts in the state. A unique craft bazaar will also be set up where local businesses will showcase Goa’s diverse handicraft, art, and traditional products.

 

8. PM Modi launches 91 FM Transmitters of capacity of 100 Watt: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually commissioned 91 FM Transmitters of capacity of 100 Watt at Diphu in Karbi Anglong district of The transmitter will act as a vehicle to convey information about programs and policies of the government as well as entertainment content to every nook and corner of the country. This will strengthen cultural connectivity as well as intellectual bonding and is expected to benefit the underprivileged who may not have had access to this facility earlier. This is the 1st FM transmitter of Karbi Anglong and a long-cherished dream of the district.

 

9. 30 April – Ayushman Bharat Diwas: Ayushman Bharat Diwas is a day dedicated to celebrating the success and achievements of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which is also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The day is observed on April 30 every year to commemorate the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme by the Government of India on April 30, 2018. The Ayushman Bharat scheme is a flagship healthcare initiative of the Government of India, which aims to provide financial protection to more than 10 crore poor and vulnerable families in the country by providing them with cashless and paperless access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services. Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries can avail of medical services up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year at any of the empanelled hospitals across the country. The scheme is funded by the Government of India and is implemented in partnership with the state governments.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Santiago Pena wins Paraguay Presidential election: An economist, Santiago Peña (Colorado Party) has won the presidential election of Paraguay, defeating Efraín Alegre, the candidate of the Concertación Nacional coalition. He got more than 42% votes, while his opponent Efraín Alegre received nearly 28%. The Colorado Party has dominated the political scene in Paraguay's landlocked South American nation for more than 70 years. Paraguay's economy is expected to grow by more than 4% this year.

 

2. India, UK to jointly create India-UK ‘NET Zero’ Innovation Virtual Centre: India and the United Kingdom have agreed to create India-UK NET Zero Innovation Virtual Centre. This centre will provide a platform for stakeholders of both countries to work together in areas like the decarbonization of manufacturing processes, transport systems, and green hydrogen as a renewable source. Both countries will also join to launch the first-ever UK-India scientific ‘deep sea voyage’ and ‘space parks’ partnership.

 

3. Pakistan is the largest recipient of ADB loans in Asia: Pakistan has become the largest recipient of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded programmes/projects in the year 2022. According to the ADB Annual Report 2022, out of total disbursement of over USD 31.8 billion to 40 countries, Pakistan received loans of USD 5.58 billion. Pakistan is in a deep economic crisis and out of the total lending of USD 5.58 billion, Pakistan received concessional funding of USD 2.67 billion from the bank last year. However, these loans have been used by Pakistan to avert default. These loans were conditional on Pakistan obtaining loans from the IMF, which imposed its own conditionalities.

 

4. 1 May – International Labour Day : International Labour Day or Worker’s Day is observed every year on 1 May. It is celebrated to highlight the importance of workers and their contribution to building society. it has its origins in the labour union movement in the United States in the 19th Century – specifically the eight-hour day movement. While New York was the first state to introduce a bill recognizing Labour Day, Oregon was the first to pass a law on it on February 21, 1887. Later in 1889, the Marxist International Socialist Congress adopted a resolution for a great international demonstration in which they demanded that the workers should not be made to work for more than 8 hours a day. With this, it was also decided that May 1 would be declared as a holiday. India began celebrating Labour Day on May 1, 1923, in Chennai, and is also known as ‘Kamgar Divas’, ‘Kamgar Din’, and ‘Antrarashtriya Shramik Divas’. The day was first observed by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan and is considered a national holiday in the country.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Satwiksairaj-Chirag pair wins gold at Badminton Asia Championships 2023: The Indian pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy clinched the men’s doubles title at the Badminton Asia Championship 2023 held in Dubai, UAE from 25 to 30 April 2023.  They defeated eighth-seeded Malaysian pair Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin in the final. They become the first Indian men's doubles pair to win the Badminton Asia Championships title. With this win, they also clinched India's second-ever Badminton Asia Championships title after Dinesh Khanna in 1965.

 

2. Ding Liren becomes China's first male world chess champion: Ding Liren has become China's first male world chess champion, after defeating his Russian rival Ian Nepomniachtchi in the fourth rapid game of the first tie-breaker at Astana, Kazakhstan. He succeeded as the winner of the World Chess Championship from Norway’s Magnus Carlsen. His victory makes him the 17th winner of the world chess tournament. In 2009, he became China's youngest chess champion at national level.

 

3. Sergio Pérez wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Red Bull’s driver, Sergio Perez won the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023 World Championship, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He defeated his teammate Max Verstappen to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished third and  Fernando Alonso finished in fourth place.

Previous Grand Prix:

·       Australian GP: M. Verstappen (Red Bull)

·       Saudi Arabia GP: Sergio Pérez (Red Bull)

·       Baharin GP: M. Verstappen (Red Bull)

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GST collection for April 2023 highest ever at Rs 1.87 lakh crore : The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collection increased 12% in April 2023 to Rs 1.87 lakh crore. It is the highest monthly mop-up since the inception of the indirect tax regime in July 2017. The government has collected CGST of Rs 38,440 crore, SGST of Rs 47,412 crore, and IGST of Rs 89,158 crore (including Rs 34,972 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is Rs 12,025 crore. The highest GST collection was recorded in April 2022 at Rs 1.68 lakh crore.

 

2. Home Ministry cancels LIFE's FCRA licence: The Home Ministry has canceled the Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA) license of the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE).

About FCRA:

·       Enacted in: 1976

·       Validity: 5 years

It requires every person/NGO seeking to receive foreign donations to be: Registered under the Act To open a bank account for the receipt of foreign funds in SBI, Delhi To utilize those funds only for the purpose they have been received and as stipulated in the Act.

 

3. Shivalik SFB partners with Arya.ag to empower small farmers : Shivalik Small Finance Bank has partnered with grain commerce platformag to finance small farmers against warehouse receipt.

With this business correspondent model partnership, Arya.ag, will further its mission to drive financial inclusion for farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and offer loans through Shivalik Small Finance Bank under Warehouse Receipt Finance. To bridge the trust deficit in the ecosystem, Arya.ag partners with various financial institutions to offer loans to small and marginal farmers including women, who fall out of the consideration of formal banking.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Rajasthan Housing Board got National Award for Real Estate : The Rajasthan Housing Board has received a national award for registering the highest number of home projects with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and selling the highest number of housing units in the country. The National Real Estate Development Council gave away the award to Housing Board Commissioner Pawan Arora in New Delhi. The Housing Board has bagged as many as 15 national and international awards during the last four years for its achievements. The National Real Estate Award was presented to the Rajasthan Housing Board by the Central Government Agency National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO).

 

2. Russian poet Maria Stepanova wins Leipzig Book Prize 2023: Maria Stepanova, a powerful contemporary voice of Russian literature now living in exile in Berlin, has been awarded the prestigious Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding in 2023. She was honored in Leipzig for her volume of poetry “Madchen ohne Kleider” (Girls Without Clothes). It is described as a sensitive and highly poetic study of often hidden violence against the female body and the power imbalance that drives this oppression. The prize has been granted since 1994 with the aim of promoting reconciliation in Europe, and it was previously won by another Russian exile, Masha Gessen, a journalist residing in the United States, for her book The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia in 2019. Prize money: 20,000 euros.