International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2022
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is marked on 25 March every year to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice. The Day is observed with ceremonies and activities at United Nations Headquarters in New York and at United Nations offices around the world.
2022 Theme: “Stories of Courage: Resistance to Slavery and Unity against Racism”.
History of the day:
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a United Nations international observance designated in 2007 to be marked on 25 March every year. It was first observed in 2008 with the theme “Breaking the Silence, Lest We Forget”.
Former Chief Justice of India R C Lahoti passes away
Former Chief Justice of India Ramesh Chandra Lahoti passed away at the age of 81 years. Justice Lahoti was appointed as the 35th chief justice of India on June 1, 2004. He retired on November 1, 2005.
Career of Justice Lahoti:
- Born on November 1, 1940, he joined the Bar in Guna district in 1960 and enrolled as an advocate in 1962. He was recruited directly to the bench in April 1977, from the Bar to the State Higher Judicial Service and was appointed as a district and sessions judge.
- After serving in the post for a year, Justice Lohati resigned in May 1978 and returned to the Bar to practice mainly in the High Court.
- He was appointed an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 3, 1988, and made a permanent judge on August 4 the next year.
- He was transferred to Delhi High Court on February 7, 1994, and later appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on December 9, 1998.
Pralay Mondal named as interim MD and CEO of CSB Bank
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Pralay Mondal as the interim Managing Director and CEO of CSB Bank. Presently he is the Managing Director at CSB Bank. The post of MD and CEO at CSB Bank was lying vacant after its full-time MD and CEO, C V R Rajendran announces early retirement on health grounds (w.e.f March 31, 2022). RBI has approved the appointment of Pralay for three months from April 1, or till the appointment of a regular Managing Director and CEO of CSB Bank, whichever is earlier.
Creator of the GIF format, Stephen Wilhite passes away
Stephen Wilhite, the creator of the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) format passed away at the age of 74 years due to Covid-19 related issues. Wilhite devised the Graphics Interchange Format, or GIF, in 1987 while working at Compuserve. The Oxford American Dictionary named GIF the word of the year in 2012. He was honoured with a Webby Lifetime Achievement award in 2013.
Hisashi Takeuchi named as MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki
Hisashi Takeuchi (from Japan) has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki for a period of three years with effect from April 1, 2022. Takeuchi will succeed Kenichi Ayukawa as the MD and CEO. Ayukawa will now be designated as Executive Vice-Chairman for a period of six months with effect from 1st April, 2022 till 30th September 2022. Ayukawa joined as MD, MSIL in 2013.
Takeuchi, is a graduate from the Faculty of Economics, Yokohama National University, Japan. He joined Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in 1986 and started his professional journey with Overseas Marketing Department, Europe Group of SMC. Prior to his joining as Joint Managing Director (Commercial) in MSIL in April last year, he was working as Managing Officer, Executive General Manager- Asia Automobile Marketing/ India Automobile Department at SMC.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Maruti Suzuki Founded: 1982, Gurugram;
- Maruti Suzuki Headquarters: New Delhi.
Mario Marcel wins the Governor of the year award 2022
Mario Marcel, the Governor of the Central Bank of Chile, has won the Governor of the year award at the Central Banking Awards 2022. Banco Central de Chile is the name of the central bank of Chile.
When Mario Marcel was named governor of the Central Bank of Chile (BCCh) in October 2016, he took over the leadership of an institution that had secured a reputation as one of the most independent and well-run central banks in Latin America. Marcel took steps to further improve the institution. He changed its internal management structure, reducing the number of monetary policy meetings from 12 to eight. The BCCh also improved the quality of its communications in both English and Spanish. But the BCCh’s reputation, as well as Marcel’s own, would be put to a severe test from 2019.
First wildlife bond issued by World Bank to save Africa’s black rhino
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has issued the Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) to support of South Africa’s efforts to conserve endangered species of Black Rhino. Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) is also known as “Rhino Bond”. It is a five-year $150 million Sustainable Development Bond. It includes a potential performance payment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The bond will contribute to protecting and increasing black rhino populations in two protected areas in South Africa namely the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) and the Great Fish River Nature Reserve (GFRNR).
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States.
- World Bank Formation: July 1944.
- World Bank President: David Malpass.
Malaysia to host 4 nations for Bersama Shield 2022 military exercise
Malaysia will host armed forces from 4 nations namely, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom in the annual Bersama Shield 2022 training exercise. The exercise, referred to as BS22, is conducted within the framework of the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) – a series of bilateral and multilateral defence agreements established in 1971. Bersama means together in Malay.
About the exercise:
The exercise will involve sea and air drills, mostly in international waters but also in part of Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. The exercise, referred to as BS22, is conducted within the framework of the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA). The FPDA is the oldest defense arrangement in the region and includes counter-piracy operations as well as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Malaysia Capital: Kuala Lumpur;
- Malaysia Currency: Malaysian ringgit;
- Malaysia Prime Minister: Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Yogi Adityanath take Oath as UP Chief Minister for 2nd Term
Yogi Adityanath takes oath as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for his second term in office. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adityanath at Lucknow’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and other central ministers.
Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak also took oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers in the new government. The BJP-led NDA secured 274 seats out of 403, becoming the first party in over three decades to form a government for a second consecutive time in the state.
The Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government created history with its comeback as no other CM has been able to repeat a government in the state in 37 years. The Congress had returned to power with a majority in the state 37 years ago. After this, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has not just made history by completing five successful years of governance but by also returning to power with a thumping majority. He has become the first such BJP leader to become the CM for the second consecutive term.
Ahmedabad IIM sets up retail tech consortium
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad’s Centre for Digital Transformation recently launched a retail tech consortium, with intentions to partner with a number of retail and technology companies in India. The consortium, according to the centre, will strive to improve collaboration among retail technology firms in the country.
Key Points:
• Flipkart has joined the consortium as a main partner for the first year, bringing its industry knowledge, experience, and consumer insights into the internet ecosystem to the table.
• This collaboration would bring neutral customer perspectives on retail digitalization to the fore, allowing merchants to better understand their customers.
• The retail industry has experienced considerable change in the two years after the outbreak began. Retail digitalisation has occurred at a rapid speed, affecting both online and traditional businesses.
• Consumer surveys will be conducted around the country, case studies will be prepared, field experiments and research studies will be conducted, and retail technology webinars and conferences will be held.
• Inventory management, labour shortages, supply-chain logistics, and sustainable practices are just a few of the issues that most internet retailers face.
• The centre was established last year to focus on initiatives “that deepen a knowledge of the digital ecosystem and catalyse leadership, as it uses its expertise in research and development to give digital transformation thought leadership.”
PFRDA and Irdai granted licence to FinMapp to sell NPS, insurance
FinMapp, a financial services firm, announced that it has been granted a licence under the National Pension Scheme by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). It has also obtained a registration certificate as a corporate agent from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai).
On its app, the organisation offers a variety of financial goods, from mutual funds to bank accounts. “A one-stop marketplace for all financial products made digitally available by prominent banks, NBFCs, insurance companies, mutual funds institutions, and capital markets,” according to the company.”
Key Points:
● The licences would allow FinMapp to provide insurance and NPS products to its clients as a verified seller, allowing the company to extend its customer base, according to the company’s statement.
● In the next months, the company will make NPS available as an investment tool on its app.
● The IRDAI & PFRDA certificate marks a crucial milestone in our development.
● It will assist us in strengthening our financial services and validating our status as a legitimate seller of NPS and other similar products.
● It will aid with the strengthening of our financial services and the validation of our status as a legitimate vendor of NPS and insurance products.
A Children’s Book ‘The Little Book of Joy’ authored by Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu
A picture book edition co-authored by Nobel Peace Prize winners 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) & Archbishop Desmond Tutu, titled “The Little Book of Joy” will be released in September 2022. The illustrations provided by artist Rafael López and Rachel Neumann & Douglas Abrams collaborated on the text. This book focuses on the meaning of true happiness, which is not in the materialistic world but lies in the nature of human beings.
In 2016, they also co-authored the book titled “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World”, which became a bestseller & sold more than 1 million copies and translated into more than 40 languages.
Indian Army with Maharashtra Police conducted “Suraksha Kavach 2” Exercise
Indian Army’s “Agnibaaz Division” organized a joint exercise “Suraksha Kavach 2” with Maharashtra Police at Lullanagar, Pune. The exercise aimed to counter any terrorist actions in Pune. The exercise involved the participation of the Counter-Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) of the Indian Army, Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra Police along with Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), Dog Squads, and Bomb Disposal Teams of both agencies. The exercise aimed to harmonize the drills and procedures undertaken by Army and Police to counter-terrorism.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw named for Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the executive chairperson of Biocon and Biocon Biologics, has been elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) in Scotland. She will be joining RSE’s current fellowship of around 1,700 fellows who are recognised as being some of the greatest researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland.
RSE is one of the world’s oldest and most respected academic societies. Fellows are elected to join the RSE from across the fields of science, arts, education, business and public life in recognition of their impact in improving the world around them. The Biocon chief is among the 80 luminaries to be appointed to the RSE’s Fellowship this year.
Atomic Structure (Notes) Theories 2022
Atomic theory has progressed since ancient Greek times. Scientists have used Greek scholars’ ideas as a starting point for their research. They’ve made numerous discoveries and speculations about the atom. It also comes from the Greek word “atomos,” which means “undivided.” Since then, scientists have discovered that these particles can be broken down further into protons, neutrons, and electrons. Despite this, the term “atom” has endured.
Theories of Atomic Structure:
1. Ancient Greeks Belief:
“All matter is made up of atoms, which are small units of matter.” All substance is made up of smaller units called atoms, as hypothesised by Leucippus and Democritus in the fifth century B.C. They further claim that these were solid particles with no interior structure that came in a variety of shapes and sizes. They also say that they were solid particles with no interior structure and that they appeared in a range of shapes and sizes. In addition, they created intangible attributes such as taste and colour.
2. The Dalton Atomic Theory:
In 1808, English scientist John Dalton based his work on the Greek concept of atoms. He proposed that matter is made up of atoms, which he defined as minuscule, indivisible units. He also argued that, while all atoms of one element are identical, those of other elements are completely different.
3. The Theory of J.J. Thomson:
The “plum pudding” idea of the divisible atom was proposed by English scientist Joseph J. Thomson in 1904. After finding electrons in 1897, he did so. In addition, his model suggested that atoms are made up of a large positively charged sphere studded with negatively charged electrons (dubbed “corpuscles”), similar to the fruit in a plum pudding.
He also claimed that the charge of the positive sphere is equivalent to the charge of the electrons’ negative charges. Today, positively charged particles are referred to as protons, while negatively charged particles are referred to as electrons.
4. Rutherford’s Theorem:
In 1911, British physicist Ernest Rutherford suggested a nuclear hypothesis for atoms. A nucleus is a part of an atom. He already identified the central part of the atom’s activity, such as the movement of protons and electrons. He also proposed that the number of protons and electrons in an atom are equal.
5. Bohr’s Theory
Niels Bohr, a Danish physicist, presented a planetary model in 1913, in which electrons rotate around the nucleus in the same way that planets orbit the sun. The electrons have “constant energy” when they are in orbit. This hypothesis refers to these atoms as “stimulated” electrons when they grasp the energy and go into a higher orbit. They leave this energy as electromagnetic radiation when they return to their initial orbit.
The electrons inside atoms are put in discrete orbits called “stationery orbits,” according to the following postulates:
- Quantum numbers can be used to represent the energy levels of these shells.
- Electrons can absorb energy to move to higher energy levels and lose or release energy to go to lower energy levels.
- There will be no energy absorption or emission as long as an electron remains stationary.
- Only in these stationary orbits do electrons spin around the nucleus.
- The stationary orbits’ energy is quantised.
Bohr’s Atomic Theory’s Limitations:
- Only single electron species such as H, He+, Li2+, Be3+, etc. work with Bohr’s atomic structure.
- Each line spectrum was seen to be a composite of a number of smaller distinct lines when the emission spectra of hydrogen was studied using a more accurate spectrometer.
- Bohr’s theory failed to explain both the Stark and Zeeman effects.
6. Quantum Mechanics and Einstein, Heisenberg
- According to previous beliefs, the atom consists of a central and hefty nucleus surrounded by a number of electrons. Previously, electrons and other small particles were thought to be fixed solid “lumps.”
- Modern quantum theory, on the other hand, refers to them as statistical “clouds.” Furthermore, one can precisely measure their speed as well as their location. We can’t, however, accomplish both at the same time.
- According to Heisenberg, no two conjugate physical values can be measured with 100 percent accuracy at the same time. There will always be some measurement error or uncertainty.
Drawback: Bohr accurately measured two such conjugate quantities: position and momentum (theoretically).
- The Stark effect is a phenomenon that occurs when electrons are deflected in the presence of an electric field.
- The Zeeman effect is a phenomenon that occurs when electrons are deflected by a magnetic field.
Matter: Dual Nature
The photoelectric effect reveals that the electrons that were viewed as particles also have a wave nature. With the use of his double-slit experiment, Thomas Young demonstrated this. De-Broglie concluded that because nature is symmetrical, light or any other matter-wave should be as well.
Quantum Mechanics:
The orbital number or shell number of an electron is denoted by the principal quantum number (n).
Azimuthal Quantum Numbers (l): It denotes the electron’s orbital (sub-orbit).
The number of energy levels in each orbit is denoted by the magnetic quantum number. The direction of spin is denoted by the quantum number(s) S = -112 = Anticlockwise and 12 = Clockwise.
Atom Electronic Configuration:
The electrons in the s, p, d, and f must be filled according to the following rule.
- The Aufbau principle states that electrons should be filled in the ascending order of energy of orbitals: The lower energy levels should be filled first, followed by the higher energy levels.
The energy of orbital α(p + l) value it two orbitals have same (n + l) value, E α n
Ascending order of energy 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, . . .
- Pauli’s exclusion principle: No two electrons can have the same four quantum numbers, and if two electrons must be placed in the same energy state, they must be in opposite spies.
- Hund’s maximum multiplicity rule: Hund’s maximum multiplicity rule states that when filling degenerate (same energy) orbitals, all degenerate orbitals must be singly filled first, followed by pairing.
