International Girls in ICT Day: 22 April
International Girls in ICT Day marked annually on the fourth Thursday in 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.
Care Ratings Projects India’s GDP growth forecast at 10.2% for FY22
Care Ratings has revised downwards the GDP growth forecast of India to 10.2 per cent in 2021-22 (FY22). Earlier this was estimated between 10.7-10.9 per cent. This cut in the GDP is based on the fact that economic activities are getting affected across the country due to curbs imposed by states amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
ICRA Slashes India’s GDP Forecast by 0.5% to 10.5% in FY22
The domestic rating agency ICRA has cut the growth estimate of India for 2021-22 by 0.5 per cent on the upper end and now expects the economy to grow 10-10.5 per cent in 2021-22 as against 10-11 per cent estimated earlier. The downward revision in the forecast follows the lockdowns and restrictions which are getting imposed once again due to rising COVID-19 cases.
India elected to 3 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.
- Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)
- Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
- Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP)
These UN Bodies are:
- Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice:
- India was elected by acclamation to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022.
- Established in 1992, it is the principal policy-making body of the UN in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice.
- Chair (at the 30th session) – Alessandro Cortese of Italy | Headquarters – Vienna, Austria.
2. Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women):
- India was elected by acclamation to the Executive Board of the U.N. Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (U.N. Women) for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2022.
- It became operational in 2011, it is a United Nations entity working for the empowerment of women.
- Executive Director – Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka | Headquarters – New York, USA.
3. Executive Board of the World Food Programme
- India was elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme, along with France, Ghana, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Sweden by acclamation for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2022.
- Established in 1961, WFP is the food assistance branch of the United Nations.
- Executive Director – David Beasley | Headquarters – Rome, Italy.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- UN Economic and Social Council President: Munir Akram;
- UN Economic and Social Council Headquarters: New York, USA.
Puma ropes in Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal 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.
Tamil Nadu’s Arjun Kalyan becomes 68th Indian 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.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- The World Chess Federation, known as FIDE headquarters: Lausanne (Switzerland).
Eminent Bengali poet Shankha Ghosh passes away
Noted Bengali poet, Shankha Ghosh has passed away following COVID-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.
Australia announces partnership with 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.
About the partnership:
- 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.
- To apply for the grant, the company or organization should be located in either India or Australia and have partners in either of the two countries.
- Up to $350,00 is anticipated to be available for allocation in 2020-21. All applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Australia Capital: Canberra.
- Australia Currency: Australian dollar.
- Australia PM: Scott Morrison.
Chad President Idriss Deby passes 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 passes away
Veteran actor Kishore Nandlaskar, who was a popular face in both Marathi and Hindi films, has passed away due to COVID-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’.
