OBITUARY

South Africa's zulu Queen Mantfombi passed away

• The Zulu royal family in South Africa has announced the death of its monarch Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu just a month after she became regent.

• Queen Mantfombi, 65, became interim leader of the country's largest ethnic group last month after the death of her husband, King Goodwill Zwelithini.

American Astronaut Michael Collins Passed Away

• The American astronaut, Michael Collins, who was the command module pilot for the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, has passed away, after losing his battle to cancer.

• During the three-man Apollo 11 crew mission in 1969, Collins kept the command module flying while the other two members, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. Collins spent seven years of his career as an astronaut with NASA.

TV Journalist and news anchor Rohit Sardana Passed Away

• Renowned TV journalist and news anchor, Rohit Sardana, has passed away, due to a heart attack, following the deadly C-19 infection. The young journalist was just 41-year-old. Sardana was associated with Zee News since 2004, before moving to AajTak in 2017.

• With Zee News, he hosted Taal Thok Ke, a programme that discusses contemporary issues in India, while with AajTak, he was hosting the debate show ”Dangal.” Sardana was awarded the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Puraskar by the Indian government in 2018.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Niraj Bajaj Appointed as Bajaj Auto Chairman of the board

• Bajaj Auto has announced the appointment of Neeraj Bajaj as its new Chairman of the Board with effect from May 1, 2021. The automaker has also announced Rahul Bajaj as its Chairman Emeritus. This will be taken up at the ensuing annual general meeting for the approval of the shareholders.

• Rahul Bajaj, Non-executive Chairman of the Company, having been at the helm of the Company since 1972 and the Group for five decades, considering his age, has tendered his resignation as a non-executive director and Chairman of the Company with effect from close of business hours on 30 April 2021.

Amitabh Chaudhry Re-appointed as MD & CEO of Axis Bank for three years

• Amitabh Chaudhry has been re-appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of the private sector lender Axis Bank for three more years by the bank board. His second 3 years term will begin with effect from January 1, 2022, up to December 31, 2024.

• Chaudhry was first appointed as Managing Director (MD) and CEO of Axis Bank for a period of three years, with effect from January 1, 2019 up to December 31, 2021. Prior to that, he was the MD and CEO of HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company.

IMPORTANT DAYS

1st May: Maharashtra day and Gujarat Day

• Each year, the Marathi community celebrates Maharashtra Day all around the world on May 1. Most people are aware that May 1 is Labour Day but not many people know that this day is also celebrated as Maharashtra Day.

• Along with Maharastra Day, Gujarat Day is also celebrated on May 1 each year as the states of Maharashtra and Gujrat were formed on May 1.

International Workers’ Day or May day: 1st May

• International Labour Day (also known as May Day or International Workers’ Day) is celebrated across the world on the 1st of May every year. The day celebrates the struggle, dedication and commitment of the working class and is an annual public holiday in several countries.

• On 1 May 1886, Chicago and a few other cities were the sites of a major union demonstration in support of the eight-hour workday demand. In 1889, the International Socialist Conference declared that in commemoration of the Haymarket affair, 1 May would be an international holiday for the labour force, now known as International Workers’ Day.

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

TRIFED inks MoU with ‘The LINK Fund’ for tribal development

• Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The LINK Fund, for a collaborative project titled “Sustainable Livelihoods For Tribal Households in India”.  Under the project, both the organisations will work together towards.

• Tribal Development and Employment Generation, by providing support to tribals for increasing value addition in their produce and products.

• Sustainable livelihoods and value addition, for the increase in income and employment generation through technological intervention for efficiency in value addition for MFPs, produce and crafts diversification, skill training and enhancement of value additions in minor forest produce.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

SIDBI launched SHWAS and AROG Loan Schemes for MSMEs

• The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), has launched two loan products for MSMEs to help them with the required financial support in the fight against the C-19. These two new quick credit delivery schemes will facilitate funding for production and services related to the supply of oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oximeters and essential drugs by MSMEs.

Two new loan products:-

• SHWAS – SIDBI assistance to Healthcare sector in War Against Second wave of COVID19.

• AROG – SIDBI Assistance to MSMEs for Recovery & Organic Growth during COVID19 pandemic.

Brand Finance Insurance report 2021: LIC Among Top Ten Most-Valuable Insurance Brand Globally

• The state-owned insurance behemoth ‘Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)’ has emerged as the third strongest and the tenth most valuable insurance brand globally, in Brand Finance Insurance 100 report for 2021. The annual report is released by London-based brand valuation consultancy firm Brand Finance, to identify the most valuable and strongest insurance brands globally.

• The brand value of LIC increased by almost 7 per cent to $8.65 billion in 2021.

• Chinese firm ‘Ping An Insurance’ emerged as the world’s most valuable insurance brand, despite recording a 26 per cent drop in brand value in 2021 over the previous year.

NATIONAL

Vaishali is the first woman officer to Appointed in BRO

• Vaishali S Hiwase became the first woman officer to be appointed as officer commanding in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) where she will be responsible for providing connectivity through an Indo-China border road.

Odisha government has started ambitious initiative of crop diversification

• Odisha government has started ambitious initiative of crop diversification in mega lift point ( MLIP) ayacut areas of the State.

• The action plan for coming Khariff season towards this effect was discussed in a high level meeting held on digital mode under the chairmanship of chief secretary Suresh Chnadra Mahapatra here in Lokseba Bhawan wherein agriculture secretary Suresh Kumar Vashishth outlined the issues for discussion.

SPORTS

ASBC Asian boxing championship 2021 will be held in Dubai

• In the wake of international travel restrictions to India, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), in consultation with Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC), has decided to conduct the upcoming 2021 edition of the ASBC Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships in Dubai.

• The event will now be organised by BFI in association with UAE Boxing Federation.

• The prestigious tournament was earlier scheduled to take place between May 21 to 31 at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi. BFI had also received the NOC from the Sports Ministry to host the tournament and the preparations were in full swing.

OBITUARY

Allahabad high court judge passed away due to C-19

• Justice Virendra Kumar Srivastava of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court died of Covi-19 on Wednesday. He was 59.

• Srivastava, who had tested positive for coronavirus, was undergoing treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute (SGPGI) in Lucknow.

Eminent Indian educationist, popular columnist Manoj Das Passed Away

• Eminent Indian educationist, popular columnist and prolific author, who wrote in Odia and English, Manoj Das has passed away.

• The first book of Das was of poetry called ‘Satavdira Artanada’, in Odia, which was published when he was in high school. He was honoured with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2020 for his contributions in the field of literature and education.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Ravindra Jadeja has appointed ASICS brand ambassador

• Japanese Sportswear brand ASICS announced that it has appointed Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder of the Indian cricket team and Chennai Super Kings as its brand ambassador. The company, which focuses on sporting gear for the running category.

• ASICS has been working with young and fresh athletic talent across various genres of sports. In India, ASICS is promoted by actor Tiger Shroff. In Asia, ASICS currently has over 55 stores across India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Ayushman Bharat Diwas: April 30

• Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated on April 30 ever year in India. The Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated to achieve twin missions. They are to promote health and wellness to the poor and also to provide insurance benefits to them. The day aims to promote affordable medical facilities in remote areas of the country based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census database. It will also promote health and wellness and provide insurance benefits to the poor.

• The Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2018.

• According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme has so far operationalised 75,532 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre. It has fixed a target of 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centre by 2022.

International Jazz Day: 30 April

• The International Jazz Day is celebrated on 30 April every year to highlight the importance of jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people in all corners of the globe. The 2021 celebration marks the 10th Anniversary of International Jazz Day. The day was created on the idea of jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.

• The musical form of Jazz was developed by African Americans. It was influenced by both European harmonic structure and African rhythms. It originated in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

Project Ladakh Ignited Minds: Indian Army signs MoU with HPCL & NIEDO

• Ladakhi youth Army under the aegis of Fire and Fury Corps signed MoU for Ladakh Ignited Minds project with corporate partner Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and executing agency National Integrity and Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO) HQ 14 Corps Leh.

• The project Ladakh Ignited Minds: A Centre of Excellence and Wellness has been conceptualized to secure a better future for the youth of UT of Ladakh.

• The programme under the aegis of Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army would be executed by National Integrity & Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO) a Kanpur-based NGO.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Wild Innovator Award 2021: Krithi Karanth becomes 1st Indian woman

• Dr. Krithi K Karanth, Chief Conservation Scientist at Bengaluru-based Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), has been chosen as the first Indian and Asian woman for the 2021 ‘WILD Innovator Award’. This award given by the ‘‘WILD ELEMENTS Foundation” brings together a coalition of innovators, advocates and partners to “disrupt the status quo and identify solutions to global sustainability and conservation,”.

• The Foundation’s distinctive approach to addressing climate change is the “Power of Three,” recognising the interconnectedness of animal-kind, humankind, and plantkind for the future planetary wellness of our shared home.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

ICICI Bank launched Digital banking Platform ‘Merchant Stack’

• The ICICI Bank has announced the launch of a digital and contactless banking platform, especially for retail merchants. The service, called ‘Merchant Stack’, is targeted at the over 2 crore retail merchants in the country, covering grocers, supermarkets, large retail store chains, online businesses and large e-commerce firms.

• Retail merchants can avail the ‘Merchant Stack’ services on InstaBIZ, the mobile banking application of ICICI Bank for businesses.

• The wide range of banking, as well as value-added services, will enable merchants to meet their banking requirements seamlessly so that they can continue to serve their customers in the challenging times during the pandemic.

INTERNATIONAL

China Launched Robot Prototype ‘NEO-01’ Clear Space Debris

• The Chinese government has launched a robot prototype named as ‘NEO-01’, in the Earth’s low orbit, on its Long March 6 rocket. The 30kg robot prototype has been developed by Shenzhen-based space mining start-up ‘Origin Space’.

• To observe small celestial bodies in deep space and to experiment with space debris removal techniques.

Time magazine's 100 most influential firms

• Two Indian firms, Reliance Industries’ technology arm Jio Platforms and e-learning startup Byju’s have figured in the Time Magazine’s first-ever list of 100 most influential companies. On its website, Time said companies shaping the future are at the heart of the first ever TIME100 Most Influential Companies.

• It listed Jio Platforms under the Innovators category alongside Zoom, Adidas, TikTok, Ikea, Moderna and Netflix. “Over the past few years, Reliance Industries, the Mumbai-based conglomerate, has built India’s largest 4G network.

NATIONAL

Uttar Pradesh Govt. won “E-Panchayat Puraskar 2021”

• The Uttar Pradesh government won the “E-Panchayat Puraskar 2021”, ranking first in Category I. It was followed by Assam and Chhattisgarh at the second position, while Odisha and Tamil Nadu stood third.

• Every year, the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj awards those states, which ensure maximum use of information technology to keep a tab on the work done by gram panchayats.

India's first 3d printed house at Madras

• India’s first 3D printed house built by IIT-Madras startup Tvasta was inaugurated on the campus.

• The house, which has a built-up area of 600 square feet, has a bedroom, a hall and a kitchen. The entire house was designed using software and printed using concrete 3D printing technology.

• Using this technology, a new house can be built in five days against four or five months in conventional mode. Further, the cost of the house is reduced by around 30% and life of the building can exceed 50 years.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Arun Raste has appointed new MD & CEO of NCDEX

• Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved to the appointment of Arun Raste as MD and CEO of National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) for a period of five years.

• Raste is currently associated with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as an Executive Director and prior to NDDB, he has worked with organisations like IDFC First Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, NABARD, ACC Cement, and a non-profit NGO IRFT.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw joins the board of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

• Biocon Ltd has announced that its Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a leader in cancer treatment and research, based in New York, US. She will serve for a term of three years.

•  Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is among the 52 members on the board and will serve for a term of three years with effect from April 14, 2021 and she is the first woman of Indian nationality to be appointed for this prestigious role.

T V Soma Nathan new finance secretary

• Expenditure Secretary TV Somanathan has been designated as the Finance Secretary.

• He is a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre.

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved designating Mr Somanathan, Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance as the Finance Secretary, the order said.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Dance Day 29 April 2021

• The International Dance Day is observed globally on 29 April every year. The day celebrates the value and importance of the dance and encourages participation and education in this art form through events and festivals. The day 29 April has been chosen as it marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), who is known as the creator of modern ballet.

• The theme of International Dance Day 2021: ‘Purpose of dance’.

• The day was created in 1982, by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO.

RANKING

India Ranked 49th in CGGI 2021

• India has been placed at 49th position among 104 nations in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2021. Finland has topped the CGGI Index 2021 and Venezuela is the last ranked country at 104.

• The Chandler Good Governance Index is released by the Chandler Institute of Governance headquartered in Singapore. The index is prepared based on seven pillars namely leadership and foresight, strong institutions, robust laws and policies, attractive market place, financial stewardship, helping people rise, global influence and reputation.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Oxford Economics has revised downwards the GDP growth forecast for India

• The Global forecasting firm Oxford Economics has revised downwards the GDP growth forecast for India to 10.2 per cent for fiscal 2021-22.

• Earlier it predicted this at 11.8 per cent. The downward revision is based on the country’s serious health burden, weak vaccination rate and lack of a convincing government strategy to contain the pandemic.

Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited commenced operations as a Small Finance Bank

• The UP-based Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited commenced operations as a Small Finance Bank (SFB) with effect from April 26, 2021. It must be remembered that the Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank (SMCB) is the first urban co-operative bank (UCB) in India to receive licence from RBI to operate as a Small Finance Bank (SFB).

• The bank has received the licence from RBI under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to carry on the business of small finance bank in India. Shivalik SFB area of operation is Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

INTERNATIONAL

David Beckham the ambassador of UNICEF, leads global vaccination drive

• UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham, is fronting a global initiative to inspire confidence in vaccines and encourage parents around the world to vaccinate their children against deadly diseases.

• In a powerful video released ahead of World Immunization Week, Beckham talks about the loss of everyday activities due to C-19, such as hugs with family, spending time with friends, and being with the people we love, and encourages parents to vaccinate themselves so that they can be safe.

SPORTS

Rafael Nadal wins 12th Barcelona Open title

• Rafael Nadal beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 to win his 12th Barcelona Open title. It was Nadal’s 87th career title, and his 61st title on clay.

• This is the second tournament where Nadal has captured 12 or more titles. The 13-time Roland Garros champion will return to No. 2 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.

Manchester City won League Cup football tournament fourth time

• Manchester City won the League Cup for a record-equalling fourth time in succession with a deserved victory over a disappointing Tottenham Hotspur side at Wembley.

• City’s victory equalled Liverpool’s achievement in the early 1980s of winning the competition four years in a row.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

India retained its position as the third biggest military spender

• India has retained its position as the third biggest military spender in the world in 2020, according to new data titled ‘SIPRI Military Expenditure Database’ published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on April 26, 2021.

• As per the new report, the top five biggest spenders in 2020 were the United States ($778 billion), China ($252 billion), India ($72.9 billion), Russia ($61.7 billion) and the United Kingdom ($59.2 billion) respectively.

• These five nations together accounted for 62 per cent of global military expenditure.

OBITUARY

Renowned Gujarati poet Dadudan Gadhvi Passed Away

• Veteran Gujarati poet and folk singer Dadudan Pratapdan Gadhvi has passed away. He was 80 years old. He was also known as Kavi Dad.

• He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021 for his contribution in literature and education. Besides, he had written songs for 15 Gujarati films.

Former MD of Maruti Suzuki, Jagdish Khattar Passed Away

• Jagdish Khattar, the former Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki, has passed away. He had served at Maruti Suzuki India Limited from 1993 to 2007. He is credited for establishing Maruti as India’s largest car company.

• Khattar joined Maruti in July 1993 as Director, and was eventually elevated as Managing Director in 1999, first as government nominee, and then in May 2002, as Suzuki Motor Corporation nominee. After his retirement from Maruti in October 2007, Khattar launched an entrepreneurial venture named Carnation Auto.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Amit Banerjee becomes CMD, BEML

• At a Public Enterprise Selection Board meeting that was held on April 26, 2021, Amit Banerjee was selected to be posted as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). Presently, he is serving as Director (Rail & Metro), BEML Limited.

• Banerjee is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from IIT (BHU), Varanasi. He had joined BEML as an assistant engineer in 1984.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Workers’ Memorial (International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers) Day: 28 April

• The Workers’ Memorial Day, also known as International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers occurs every year on 28 April. The day has been organized worldwide by the International Trade Union Confederation since 1996.

• Theme 2021: ‘Health and Safety is a fundamental workers‘ right.’

• Its purpose is to remember workers killed in incidents at work or by diseases caused by work and honour the victims of occupational accidents and diseases by organizing worldwide mobilizations and awareness campaigns on this date.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed every year on 28 April

• World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed globally on 28 April every year. This day is observed to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally and raise awareness to ensure health and safety at the workplace.

• The theme for 2021 is “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises – Invest Now in Resilient Occupational Safety and Health Systems”.

• The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is persisted 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

A new book title “Living Mountain” written by Amitav Ghosh

• “The Living Mountain” is a new story by Jnanpith winner and internationally renowned author Amitav Ghosh, written during the course of the pandemic. It is a fable for the current times: a cautionary tale of how humans have systematically exploited nature, leading to an environmental collapse.

• HarperCollins Publishers India will publish The Living Mountain as a special standalone edition in January 2022 under its prestigious Fourth Estate imprint. The book will also be published simultaneously in Hindi, and as an ebook and an audiobook.

Jhumpa Lahiri’s New Novel ‘Whereabouts’

• Renowned American author Jhumpa Lahiri has launched her new novel titled “Whereabouts”. The book is an English translation of the Italian novel ‘Ias Dove Mi Trovo’ which was written by the author Jhumpa Lahiri itself and published in 2018.

• The novel has been translated into English by the author herself. The book is about an unnamed female protagonist over 45 years as she looks at her life, glancing, sideways, back and forth, chronicling life, relationships and burden of relationships, in short, succinct chapters.

NATIONAL

Government Extended Deadline for making payment under ‘Vivad se Vishwas’ scheme till 30 June 2021

• The government has once again extended the deadline for making payment under the direct tax dispute settlement scheme ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ by two months till June 30, 2021 to provide relief to the taxpayers facing hardships amid the pandemic. This is the fourth time that the deadline is being extended by the Ministry of Finance, since the launch of the scheme. The deadline was extended for the first time from March 31, 2020, to June 30, 2020, followed by December 31, 2020, and then again till March 31, 2021.

• The ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2020, as per which a taxpayer would be required to pay only the amount of the disputed taxes and will get a complete waiver of interest and penalty provided he pays by 31st March 2020.

Panchayati Raj Day: PM Modi Launched the distribution of e-property cards under the Extension of ‘SVAMITVA scheme’ Across India

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the distribution of e-property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme on National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, 2021, through video conferencing. SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. The launch marked the rollout of the implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme across the entire country. About 4.09 lakh property owners were given their e-property cards during the event, in more than 5 thousand villages.

• The Svamitva Scheme was launched by Prime Minister on 24 April 2020 as a Central Sector Scheme to promote a socio-economically empowered and self-reliant rural India.

• It was launched on pilot basis in the 6 states, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Indian Navy has joined the rescue operation for an Indonesian submarine

• The Indian Navy has joined the rescue operation for an Indonesian submarine and its 53-person crew that went missing more than 4 days ago. 

• Indonesia had sought assistance from India after its 44-year-old submarine, KRI Nanggala-402, went missing while conducting a torpedo drill north of the island of Bali. The Navy’s Deep-Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSVR) left from Visakhapatnam.

OBITUARY

Justice M Shantanagoudar passed away

• Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar passed away. Justice Shantanagoudar was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on February 17, 2017. He would have remained in office till May 5, 2023.

• Shantanagoudar was born on May 5, 1958, in Karnataka and got himself enrolled as an advocate on September 5, 1980. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court on May 12, 2003, and became a permanent judge in the court in September 2004. Later, Justice Shantanagoudar was transferred to the Kerala High Court, where he assumed charge as the acting chief justice on August 1, 2016. He became the chief justice of the Kerala High Court on September 22, 2016, before being elevated as an apex court judge.

Veteran Scientist Krishnamurthy Santhanam Passed away

• Indian nuclear scientist Krishnamurthy Santhanam, who played a noteworthy role in the 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran, has passed away. He was deeply associated with Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

• Santhanam was the field director of Defence Research and Development Organization during the tests of Pokhran-II. He was awarded with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, in 1999 by the Government of India.

Hindustani classical singer Pandit Rajan Mishra Passed Away

• Renowned Hindustani classical singer, from ‘Banaras Gharana’ of India, Pandit Rajan Mishra, has passed away. He was a vocalist in the khyal style of Indian classical singing.

• Mishra was awarded Padma Bhushan in the field of art in 2007. Pandit Rajan Mishra was also a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Gandharwa National Award and the National Tansen Samman.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed every year on April 26

• The International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed every year on April 26 to raise awareness of the consequences of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the risks of nuclear energy in general.

• The United Nations (UN) proclaimed the day on April 26, 2016, that marked the 30th anniversary of the 1986 nuclear disaster. On this day in 1986, a reactor exploded at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine with devastating consequences.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

National Panchayat Awards 2021 conferred by PM Modi

• The National Panchayat Awards 2021 was conferred by PM Modi. Prime Minister will transfer the award money (as Grants-in-Aid) through the click of a button, ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.50 lakh. The amount will be directly transferred to the bank account of the Panchayats concerned in real-time. This is being done for the first time.

The National Panchayat Awards 2021:

• Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar to 224 panchayats,

• Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar to 30-gram panchayats, Gram

• Panchayat Development Plan Award to 29-gram panchayats, Child-friendly Gram

• Panchayat Award to 30 Gram Panchayats and e-Panchayat Puraskar to 12 states.

93rd Academy Awards 2021 announced in Los Angeles

• The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, also known as the Oscars Award, took place in Los Angeles on April 25, 2021. The award is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 2021 Oscars honoured the best films of 2020 and early 2021.

• American drama ‘Nomadland’ won most honours with three awards. Chloe Zhao, who directed “Nomadland”, was crowned best director, and with this, she became the only second woman to claim the title and the first woman of colour to win that award. Indian film personalities Irrfan Khan and Bhanu Athaiya were honoured in the “In Memoriam” montage showcased at the event.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

RBI cancelled licence of Bhagyodaya Friends Urban Co-operative Bank Limited due to inadequate capital

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Maharashtra-based Bhagyodaya Friends Urban Co-operative Bank Limited due to inadequate capital. On liquidation, every depositor is entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakhs from the DICGC subject to the provisions of the DICGC Act, 1961.

• According to the regulator, the bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in the full and public interest would be adversely affected if the bank is allowed to carry on its banking business any further. The bank has failed to comply with the requirements and the continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors.

INTERNATIONAL

Italy bans entry of travelers from India

•Italy has joined other countries by imposing restrictions on travel from India to avert the spread of a C-19 variant as the Asian nation struggles with a surge in infections.

•Italy's Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Twitter he had signed an order barring foreign travellers who have been in India in the past 14 days from entering the country.

•India, which is facing a health crisis, is battling a "double mutant" strain of C-19. On Sunday, the country posted the world's highest single-day increase in cases for a fourth day.

NATIONAL

19th India-French Naval Exercise “VARUNA” begins in the Arabian Sea

•The 19th edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ conducted in the Arabian Sea from 25 to 27 April 2021. During the three day exercise, the units of both the navies will undertake high tempo-naval operations at sea, which will include advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, intense fixed and rotary wing flying operations, tactical manoeuvres, surface and anti-air weapon firings, underway replenishment and other maritime security operations.

•The Indian Navy will participate with its guided-missile stealth destroyer INS Kolkata, guided-missile frigates INS Tarkash and INS Talwar, Fleet Support Ship INS Deepak, with Seaking 42B and Chetak integral helicopters, a Kalvari class submarine and P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

OBITUARY

Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar passed away at 62

•He was born in 1958 and enrolled as an advocate in 1980 and was the ninth seniormost judge of the Supreme Court.

•Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar died at a private hospital in Gurugram on Sunday.

•He was 62. He was admitted to the Medanta Hospital on developing a lung complication and was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit. There is no official confirmation whether Justice Shantanagoudar’s demise was related to C-19.

Hindustani classical singer Rajan Mishra passed away at 70

•Rajan Mishra, renowned classical singer and a Padma Bhusan awardee, passed away on April 25, 2021, at St. Stephen hospital in Delhi.

•He was 70 years old. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, “His passing away is an irreparable loss to the art and music world.”

Former SSB chief Arun Chaudhary passed away at 66

•Former Sashastra Seema Bal chief Arun Chaudhary has succumbed to coronavirus on Sunday. He was 66.

•A 1977-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Bihar cadre, Chaudhary served for nearly two decades in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) where he headed the Jammu and Kashmir desk.

•In his early service days, he served in various positions in his cadre state and also had a stint with the Central Industrial Security Force, where he headed its airport security unit.

•In December 2012, he was appointed director general of the SSB and retired from service on April 30, 2014.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Intellectual Property Day: 26 April 2021

•World Intellectual Property Day is observed globally on April 26 every year. It was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to “raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life” and “to celebrate creativity and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the world”.

•Theme 2021: ‘Intellectual property and small businesses: Taking big ideas to market’.

•WIPO proclaimed, 26 April was chosen as the date for World Intellectual Property Day because it coincides with the date on which the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization entered into force in 1970.

International Delegate’s Day: 25 April 2021

•International Delegate’s Day observed globally on 25 April every year. This day is observed to raise awareness of the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations. International Delegate’s Day marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference which is also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organization.

•On 25 April 1945, delegates from 50 countries came together for the first time in San Francisco. The conference happened after the devastation of the second world war. The delegates aimed to set up an organization that would restore world peace and imposes rules on the post-war world order. On 2 April 2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 25 April as International Delegate’s Day.

World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed globally on 25 April each year

•The World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed globally on 25 April each year to recognize the efforts of the people worldwide to control malaria. The Day was established in May 2007 at the 60th session of the World Health Assembly, WHO’s the decision-making body. The theme of World Malaria Day 2021 is ‘Reaching the zero malaria target’.

•World Malaria Day was developed from Africa Malaria Day which was first held in 2008. It is basically an occasion that had been observed since 2001 by African governments. They worked towards the progress goal which aimed toward controlling malaria and reduces its mortality in African countries.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Oscars 2021: Chloe Zhao becomes second woman to win best director for 'Nomadland'

•Chloé Zhao has made history at the Academy Awards. Zhao won the Oscar for best director for "Nomadland," becoming just the second woman and the first woman of color to win the award.

•Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman to win, for "The Hurt Locker," in 2009.

•This was the only year in Oscar history with two female nominees, Zhao and "Promising Young Woman" director Emerald Fennell. Only seven women have ever been nominated.

INTERNATIONAL

4chan founder Chris Poole leaves Google

•4chan founder Chris Poole no longer works at Google. Google hired Poole in 2016 to work on the company's doomed social media project, Google+.

•Poole lasted just five years at Google, which CNBC notes is usually just long enough for any employee's shares attached to hiring to vest. It sounds like Poole never found a solid landing spot at Google, as he had three different positions during his five years.

NATIONAL

PM Modi Participated in Leaders’ Summit on Climate hosted by Joe Biden

•Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the “Leaders’ Summit on Climate”, hosted by the President of the U.S.A. Joe Biden. The two-day conference has been organised virtually, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Paris Agreement on climate change for signature.

•The theme of the summit: Our Collective Sprint to 2030.

•A total of 40 national leaders have been invited by Biden to attend this two-day virtual climate summit.

•The Summit is being held in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) that will take place in November 2021 in Glasglow.

Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 held

•The opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 was held in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. The theme of the conference – “A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation”.

•The forum, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, has not only played a unique role in pooling consensus and putting forward valuable “Boao proposals,” but also engaged countries in addressing global issues and promoting world development and prosperity.

OBITUARY

Iconic composer duo of “Nadeem-Shravan” Fame Shravan Rathod Passed Away

•Veteran music composer Shravan Rathod of Nadeem-Shravan fame has passed away due to coronavirus complications. The iconic composer duo Nadeem-Shravan (Nadeem Saifi and Shravan Rathod), were among the most sought-after composers of the 90s.

•Together they composed some of the iconic hits for movies such as Aashiqui (1990), Saajan (1991), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Pardes (1997) and Raja Hindustani (1996), among others. The Nadeem-Shravan duo parted ways in the 2000s, however, they again reunited to compose for David Dhawan-directed Do Knot Disturb in 2009.

Gujarati and Hindi Film Actor Amit Mistry Passed Away

•Popular Gujarati and Hindi film actor Amit Mistry, who was last seen in the Amazon Prime Video series “Bandish Bandits”, has passed away. The actor was a prominent face in the Gujarati theatre circuit.

•He was also known for his memorable performances in Bollywood films like Kya Kehna, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, 99, Shor In The City, Yamla Pagla Deewana and A Gentleman as well as TV-like Tenali Rama, Ssshhh…Koi Hai, Maddam Sir and Shubh Mangal Savadhan, besides OTT shows.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Veterinary Day is observed on the Fourth Saturday of April every year

•The World Veterinary Day is observed on the Fourth Saturday of April every year. In 2021, the day falls on April 24, 2021.

•The theme of the 2021 World Veterinary Day is ‘Veterinarian response to the COVID-19 crisis.’ The day was created by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) in 2000 to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians to the health of animals and society.

National Panchayati Raj Day observed every year on 24 April

•Nation celebrates National Panchayati Raj Day on 24 April every year. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organizes the National Panchayati Raj day or the National Local Self Government Day. India celebrates the first National Panchayati Raj Day or the National Local Government Day on April 2010.

•24th April 1993 marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of power to the grassroots, with the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj, through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 which came into force with effect from that day. Ministry of Panchayati Raj commemorates the 24th April of every year as the National Panchayati Raj Day(NPRD), as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment came into force on this date. Rajasthan was the first state that carried the Panchayati Raj System in 1959 during the times of late Prime Minister Jawarharlal Nehru.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Chithra Thomas appointed HR head at Tesla India

•Tesla has appointed its new country HR leader, Chithra Thomas. With 18 years of experience in HR backing her, Thomas has moved from Reliance Retail where she was the VP-HR, handling the HR operations for AJIO, an e-commerce initiative of Reliance Retail.

•At Reliance Retail, she led a team of 90 members and looked after total rewards, talent acquisition and designing of learning and development initiatives. She also handled the core HR operations for 25,000 employees.

•After completing an MBA in HR, Thomas started her career with HPE India and worked with them for six years.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Author Aakash Ranison launched his E-Book “Climate Change Explained – For One And All”

•The climate activist-author, Aakash Ranison has come out with a new e-book titled “Climate Change Explained – for one and all”, on the occasion of Earth Day. Through the e-book, the author explains the impact of climate change and aims to motivate readers to reduce its outcome with the help of simple sustainable solutions.

•The book is a mix of facts, data, and information about climate change, having topics like “Greenhouse effect, global warming, Carbon footprint” and their effects on earth in the near future.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

RBI has Cancelled Licence of Sambandh Finserve

•Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a show-cause notice prior to cancelling the licence of fraud-hit Sambandh Finserve Pvt Ltd. after its networth eroded below the regulatory minimum and financial situation worsened beyond redemption over the recent months. Sambandh is registered as an NBFC-MFI.

•The Managing Director and CEO of Sambandh, Deepak Kindo, who was allegedly the main perpetrator of the fraud, has been arrested by Economic Offence Wing, Chennai. According to the RBI norms, NBFC is required to maintain minimum capital levels consisting of Tier-I and Tier-II capital, of not less than 15 per cent of their aggregate risk-weighted assets.

NATIONAL

Rekha Menon is the First Woman Chairperson of NASSCOM

•IT industry’s apex body Nasscom on Thursday appointed Rekha M. Menon, chairperson and senior managing director at Accenture in India, as its chairperson for 2021-2022. With this, she becomes the first woman to take on the role of chairperson for Nasscom in its 30-year history.

•Menon, earlier the vice chairperson, succeeds U.B. Pravin Rao, chief operating officer, Infosys Ltd, who served as chairman of Nasscom for 2020-2021.

Indian Navy deployed DSRV

•The Indian Navy deployed a deep submergence rescue vessel to support the Indonesian Navy's hunt for a submarine that went missing with 53 people on board.

•They said the Indian DSRV is fitted with latest technology and that it has a side scan sonar for locating the position of submarines in distress at sea.

SPORTS

Tamil Nadu’s, Arjun Kalyan became India’s 68th Chess Grandmaster

•Tamil Nadu’s, Arjun Kalyan became India’s 68th Chess Grandmaster when he crossed the 2500 ELO mark after beating Dragan Kosic in the fifth round of GM Round Robin “Rujna Zore-3” in Serbia.

•Arjun is coached by IM Saravanan and Ukrainian GM Aleksandr Goloshchapov and began playing chess at the age of nine and got his FIDE rating a year later. Viswanathan Anand became the country’s first Grandmaster, in 1988.

OBITUARY

President of the Republic of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno, has passed away

•The President of the Republic of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno, has passed away, following a confrontation with rebels after which he suffered wounds on the battlefield.

•He had ruled the central African nation for more than three decades and was even declared winner of the 2021 presidential election, paving the way for him to stay in power for six more years. Deby first won elections in 1996 and 2001. After this, he continued to win in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021.

Veteran actor Kishore Nandlaskar passed away

•Veteran actor Kishore Nandlaskar, who was a popular face in both Marathi and Hindi films, has passed away due to C-19 complications. The actor made his debut with Marathi film in 1982 titled ‘Navare Sagle Gadhav’ and went to act in movies like ‘Bhavishyachi Aishi Taishi: The Prediction’, ‘Gaon Thor Pudhari Chor’ and ‘Jara Japun Kara’.

•In Hindi films, Nandlaskar is known for his roles in Khakee (2004), Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Singham (2011), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain (2000), Simmba (2018) and many more. He was last seen in the Mahesh Manjrekar web series ‘1962: The War In The Hills’.

Eminent Bengali poet Shankha Ghosh passed away

•Noted Bengali poet, Shankha Ghosh has passed away following C-19 complications. He was known by his pen name Kuntak.

•He was honoured with numerous awards for his contribution to Bengali literature, some of which includes: Padma Bhushan in 2011, the Jnanpith Award in 2016, and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977 for his book ‘Babarer Prarthana‘, as well as Saraswati Samman and Rabindra Puraskar among other awards.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Revolut names Paroma Chatterjee as India CEO

•UK-based  fintech company Revolut, which was valued at $5.5 billion last year, has named Paroma Chatterjee as its CEO in India as it eyes an expansion in the country this year.

•Chatterjee was previously Lendingkart’s Chief Business Officer. She has also held senior executive roles at Airtel Money, Flipkart and Via.com.

Puma ropes two cricketers as brand ambassadors

•Global sportswear brand Puma has signed long-term endorsement deals with cricketers Washington Sundar and Devdutt Padikkal. Puma India, which recently announced its partnership with Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been consistently investing in India’s sports ecosystem.

•The duo will be joining the company’s roster of brand ambassadors that include Indian captain Virat Kohli; wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul; women’s national cricketer, Sushma Verma and veteran cricketer Yuvraj Singh.

IMPORTANT DAYS

UN English Language Day & UN Spanish Language Day : 23 April

•The UN English Language Day and UN Spanish Language Day is observed annually on 23 April. For English, 23 April has been chosen to mark both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare. For the Spanish Language, the Day was chosen because the day is also observed as Hispanic Day in Spain, meaning the Spanish speaking world.

•They are one of the six official languages used by the United Nations throughout the Organization. These are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

•Each language has been assigned a day of celebration by the UN’s Department of Public Information in 2010 to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization.

World Book and Copyright Day organized on April 23

•The World Book and Copyright Day (also known as ‘International Day of the Book’ and ‘World Book Day’), is an annual event organized on April 23 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.

•April 23 is chosen because it marks the birth and death of several prominent authors. For instance, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Josep Pla died on April 23 and Manuel Mejia Vallejo and Maurice Druon were born on April 23.

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

Australia and India for Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative

•Australia has announced a grant of Rs 81.2 million (AUD 1.4 million) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). IPOI was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Modi at the East Asia Summit in November 2019 and Australia is co-leading New Delhi in the marine ecology pillar of the initiative.

•The initiative will help to support a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

•The Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership forms the core of this “shared vision” of both countries.

RANKING

WEF Global Energy Transition Index 2021 released: India Ranks 87th

•India is placed at the 87th position among 115 countries in the 2021 Energy Transition Index (ETI). The report is published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), prepared in collaboration with Accenture to track nations on the current performance of their energy systems across various aspects.

•The index benchmarks 115 countries on the current performance of their energy systems across three dimensions — economic development and growth, environmental sustainability, and energy security and access indicators — and their readiness to transition to secure, sustainable, affordable, and inclusive energy systems.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

India elected to three bodies of U.N. Economic and Social Council

•India has been elected by acclamation, to three bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022.

1.Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

2.Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women)

3.Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP)  

NATIONAL

CAG GC Murmu has been chosen as an external auditor by OPCW

•Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, GC Murmu has been chosen as the external auditor by a prestigious intergovernmental organisation working for the elimination of chemical weapons.

•According to the External Affairs Ministry, the Hague-based Conference of State Parties of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) selected the CAG as its external auditor for a three-year term starting 2021.

•The appointment was made through an election process at the OPCW conference yesterday where India received overwhelming support ahead of others.

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh launched Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme

•The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan Mohan Reddy released the first tranche of Rs 672 crores under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme for the year 2021-22. This reimbursed the fees for 10.88 lakh students. So far, a total of Rs 4, 879 crores have been disbursed under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme.

•The main objective of the Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme is to provide scholarships to all the students who are not able to pay their fees because of their financial burden.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is the first party to declare name of electoral bonds donor

•The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is the first party that has declared the name of the entity which made donations to it through electoral bonds. A declaration of a ₹1 crore donation was made in the party’s 2019-2020 contribution report. According to the contribution report of the ruling party in Jharkhand, the donation was made by aluminium and copper manufacturing company Hindalco.

•The association said the most common and popular source of income for national and regional political parties in 2019-20 were donations through electoral bonds. This raises the question as to whether political parties are aware of the identity of the donors who have contributions through electoral bonds, as can be seen in this case.

(WSAI) has been established by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Tehri Dam

•Water Sports and Adventure Institute (WSAI) has been established by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand. The institute was inaugurated on by Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. ITBP’s Mountaineering and Skiing Institute at Auli will independently run this institution, which will impart training in aero, water and land-related sports and adventure activities.

•Training in kayaking, rowing, canoeing, water skiing, para-gliding, para-sailing, speed boating, kite surfing, jet skiing, etc, will also be provided at this institute. Apart from this, water rescue and life-saving courses will be conducted here. It has been targeted to train at least 200 youth in water sports at this institution every year.

Priyanka Mohite : first Indian woman to scale Mount Annapurna

•Priyanka Mohite from Satara in western Maharashtra has scaled Mount Annapurna, the tenth highest mountain peak in the world, became the first Indian woman climber to achieve the feat.

•Mount Annapurna is a massif in the Himalayas located in Nepal that includes one peak over 8,000 metres and is considered to be one of the toughest mountains to climb.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NASA successfully flew its tiny helicopter Ingenuity on Mars

•NASA successfully flew its tiny helicopter Ingenuity on Mars, the first powered flight on another planet and a feat a top engineer called “our Wright brothers’ moment.” Data and images from the autonomous flight were transmitted (278 million kilometres) back to Earth where they were received by NASA’s array of ground antennas and processed more than three hours later. Ingenuity was on autopilot for its entire flight, out of sight, direct control, or contact with the men and women on Earth who had ordered it aloft—because radio signals take too long to travel between the planets for any human operator to intervene.

OBITUARY

Qawwali singer Farid Sabri passed away on 58.

•Qawwali singer Farid Sabri of the renowned musical duo 'Sabri Brothers' from Rajasthan passed away on Wednesday morning at a hospital in Jaipur.

•He was reportedly admitted to the facility on Tuesday night due to sudden deterioration in his condition, as the singer was allegedly suffering from pneumonia for the past few days. Sabri was 58.

•His brother, singer Amin Sabri confirmed that Farid had not tested positive, but was suffering from lung infection and kidney ailments, besides being diabetic. Doctors have confirmed the same.

•The singer was cremated at the Miskin Shah Cemetery, after his body was taken to the Sabris' ancestral place of Mathura Walon ki Haveli in Jaipur.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mother Earth Day observed globally on 22 April

•Earth Day (International Mother Earth Day) is observed globally on 22 April every year. The Day will be celebrated all over the world to spread awareness for Earth’s wellbeing and to encourage people to support environmental protection. World Earth Day 2021 will mark the 51st Anniversary of the day since it started being observed in 1970. Earth Day was renamed officially by the UN in 2009 as International Mother Earth Day.

•The theme of 2021 International Mother Earth Day is Restore Our Earth.

International Girls in ICT Day is observed on 22nd April 2021

•International Girls in ICT Day marked annually on the fourth Thursday of April. This year International Girls in ICT Day is observed on 22nd April 2021. International Girls in ICT Day aims to inspire a global movement to increase the representation of girls and women in technology. Today, let’s recommit to the goal of equal access for young women and girls to opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

•The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is highlighting the need to promote technology career opportunities for girls and women in the world’s fastest-growing sector.

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

GOI-Germany enter into an agreement to prevent plastic waste entering oceans

•The Government of India and Germany Government have signed an agreement for Technical Cooperation in enhancing practices to prevent plastic from entering the marine environment at a virtual ceremony in New Delhi India. The project titled ‘Cities Combating Plastic Entering the Marine Environment’ will be implemented for a period of 42 months.

•The outcome of the project is completely in line with the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban focusing on sustainable solid waste management and Prime Minister Modi’s vision to phase out single-use plastic by 2022.

•The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

RANKING

World Press Freedom Index 2021, released: India at 142nd 

•India has been placed at 142nd position among 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index (WPFI)2021, released on April 20, 2021. India was at 142nd position in 2020 as well. Norway has retained its top spot for the fifth year running, followed by Finland and Denmark at second and third place respectively. Eritrea is at the bottom of the index at 180th place.

•The index is published every year by the international journalism not-for-profit body, “Reporters without Borders (RSF)”, to evaluate the press freedom situation in 180 countries and territories.

INTERNATIONAL

Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel has been officially sworn in as the ‘First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba’

•Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel has been sworn as the ‘First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba’, following the resignation of Raul Castro. The Secretary of the Communist Party is the most powerful position in one party ruling Cuba. Díaz-Canel now holds Cuba’s two most important positions, head of the party and president of the state.

•Raúl Castro announced that he would step down from the key position of the party and hand over the leadership to a younger generation. Díaz-Canel is almost thirty years younger than his predecessor and will now hold Cuba’s two most important positions, head of the party and president of the state. Castro had been in the post since 2011 when he took over from his older brother, Fidel Castro.

NATIONAL

Punjab Planned to ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State by 2022

•Punjab State reiterated the commitment of the State to achieve the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ target by 2022 as planned. Punjab has 34.73 lakh rural household, out of which 25.88 lakh (74.5%) have tap water supply. In 2021-22, the State plans to provide 8.87 lakh tap connections, thereby providing tap connection to every rural household. So far, 4-districts, 29 blocks, 5,715 panchayats and 6,003 villages in Punjab have been declared ‘Har Ghar Jal’, which means every rural household has access to water through the tap.

•To ensure transparency and accountability, Punjab has set up a well-equipped digital 24×7 call centre with Interactive Voice Responsive System. This analog grievance redressal system was upgraded in December 2020. Last year, the redressal rate was 97.76%. The pending complaints daily monitoring is done by sending reminders to the Executive Engineer via SMS, What’s App messages, e-mail and over the phone.

OBITUARY

American politician Walter Mondale Passed Away

•Former American politician, diplomat, and lawyer Walter Mondale, who served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States, has passed away recently.

•He served as Vice President from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter. He also served as U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1996 under Bill Clinton.

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Maidavolu Narasimham passed away

•The former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Maidavolu Narasimham, has passed away recently. He was famously known as the “Father of Indian Banking Reforms”.

•He was the 13th Governor of RBI and served from May 2, 1977, to November 30, 1977.  He was known for being the chair of two high-powered committees on banking and financial sector reforms.

Senior BJP leader Bachi Singh Rawat Passed Away

•The senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Bachi Singh Rawat has passed away. He was a four-time MP from the Almora-Pithoragarh constituency in Uttarakhand.

•He had served as the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed globally on: 21 April

•World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed on 21 April every year. This day is celebrated to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation in problem-solving with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals, also known as the “global goals”.

•The main objective of the day is to encourage people to use new ideas, make new decisions, and do creative thinking. Creativity is what makes the world go ‘round.

National Civil Services Day is celebrated on April 21 every year:

•In India, ‘Civil Services Day is celebrated on April 21 every year. It is a day to appreciate the tremendous work done by officers engaged in public administration, in various departments of the central and state governments.

•The Government of India chose April 21 as the National Civil Service Day as on this day the country’s first home minister, Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel addressed the newly appointed Administrative Services Officers in 1947. The historic occasion took place at the Metcalf House in Delhi. In his address, he called Civil Servants, the ‘Steel Frame of India’.

SPORTS

Stefanos Tsitsipas has won his first ATP Masters 1000 series

•Stefanos Tsitsipas has won his first ATP Masters 1000 series after a flawless performance against Andrey Rublev in Monte Carlo. The Greek star had lost his previous two finals at this level, with Rafael Nadal denying him in Toronto and Novak Djokovic beating him in Madrid.

•Rublev beat 11-time Monte Carlo champion Nadal in the quarter-finals. Rublev knocked out Roberto Bautista Agut, Rafael Nadal and Dan Evans en route to the final but could not find a way past Tsitsipas.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

The new Book of JK Rowling “The Christmas Pig” released in October

•JK Rowling has a new book coming this autumn, a festive children’s story with all new characters. The story is about a boy named Jack and his toy Dur Pig, who goes missing on Christmas Eve.

•The book is set to be released worldwide on October 12. “The Christmas Pig” is Rowling’s first children’s novel since Harry Potter.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

LIC has appointed homegrown payments player Paytm to facilitate its digital payments

•State-run Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has appointed homegrown payments player Paytm to facilitate its digital payments. Following a tie-up with another payment gateway earlier, the country’s largest life insurer has sought a new deal as the majority of its payments have moved to digital modes.

•LIC has witnessed an upsurge in e-payments following the C-19 pandemic. The PSU insurer collects premiums worth Rs 60,000 crore via digital mode, which doesn’t comprise payments made through banks.