Australia wins ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022
Australia beat England by 71 runs in the finals to claim their seventh Women’s World Cup on April 03, 2022, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand. Australia posted a record of 356 on the board. In reply, Nat Sciver waged a lone battle and remained unbeaten on 148 but it was not enough as England was bowled out for 285 in 43.4 overs.
Alyssa Healy of Australia scored 170 runs in the match, the highest individual score made by any cricketer, male or female, in the World Cup Final. She was also the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 509 runs.
The Player of the Tournament went to Alyssa Healy. Sophie Ecclestone of England was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 21 dismissals. The 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was the 12th edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. The tournament was held in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April 2022.
Iga Swiatek wins Miami Open tennis title 2022
Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek defeated Naomi Osaka of Japan, 6-4, 6-0. in the final match to claim the 2022 Miami Open tennis tournament. For Swiątek, this is her fourth career WTA 1000 title and the sixth singles title overall. Also, this is her 17th straight title win. The victory will now place Swiatek to the No. 1 spot in the women’s rankings.
With the victory, the 20-year-old Swiatek becomes only the fourth woman to win the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments back-to-back, a feat known as the “Sunshine Double” given the tournaments’ respective locations in California and Florida.
Vikas Kumar named as Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Vikas Kumar has been appointed as the new Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). He succeeds Mangu Singh, whose tenure ended on March 31, 2022. Singh was the managing director of DMRC since January 1, 2012, and his famed tenure ended. Kumar is the third managing director of the DMRC after E Sreedharan and Mangu Singh. He will hold the post for a term of five years.
About Vikas Kumar:
Kumar, who was holding the position of the Director (Operations) in the DMRC, has over three decades of experience in rail based urban transportation projects. He has worked with the Indian Railways in various capacities before joining the DMRC in September 2004. He has been associated with the urban transporter for more than 17 years in key management positions. In the DMRC, Kumar has headed the operations wing of the organisation since 2007 in various leadership capacities, such as general manager (operations), executive director (operations) and director (operations). He has played a key role in ensuring the smooth commencement of metro services in Delhi-NCR.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- DMRC Opened: 24 December 2002.
FICCI estimate India’s GDP growth rate for FY23 at 7.4%
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has estimated India’s GDP to grow at 7.4 per cent in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23). The Ficci’s Economic Outlook Survey was released on April 03, 2022. The report has stated that rising prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the biggest challenge to the global economic recovery.
According to the survey, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to start a rate hike cycle in the second half of 2022, while a repo rate hike of 50-75 bps is expected by the end of the current fiscal. The RBI is expected to continue supporting the ongoing economic recovery by keeping the repo rate unchanged in its April policy review.
4th edition of India Boat & Marine Show (IBMS) concludes in Kochi
The 4th edition of the India Boat & Marine Show (IBMS) was held at Bolgatty Palace in Kochi in Kerala. IBMS is India’s only and most influential Boat and Marine industry related exhibition. The event is organised by Kochi-based Cruz Expo. The IBMS 2022 showcased leading international brands as well as indigenous boat manufacturers from across the country. Around 45 exhibitors from all over India and two international exhibitors participated in the expo.
Several PSUs and agencies like Cochin Port Trust, Indian Cost Guard, Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard took part in the expo. The focus of the IBMS expo 2022 was the requirements for MSME in the marine and boating sector.
The event showcase leading international brands as well as indigenous boat manufacturers from across the country. In addition to marinas, engines, navigational and other systems and equipment, mainstream craft such as motorboats, speed boats, jet skies, kayaks, water scooters, scuba diving and fishing boats & trawlers and other marine equipment will be on display.
India’s unemployment rate falls to 7.6% in March from 8.1% in Feb 2022
As per the data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the overall unemployment rate in India fell to 7.6 per cent in March 2022. This rate was 8.10 per cent in February 2022. The report also stated that though the overall unemployment rate in the country is falling, it is still high for a “poor” country like India. The decrease in the ratio shows that the economy is getting back on track after being hit by COVID-19 for two years.
Haryana recorded the highest unemployment rate in March 2022, at 26.7 per cent. It was followed by Rajasthan (25%) and Jammu and Kashmir (25 %), Bihar (14.4%), Tripura (14.1%) and West Bengal (5.6%). Chhattisgarh has registered an unemployment rate of 0.6 per cent this March, which is the lowest so far. CMIE is a Mumbai-based independent non-government entity that serves both as an economic think-tank as well as a business information company.
PharmEasy’s appoints Amir Khan brand ambassador
PharmEasy, a consumer healthcare “super app,” has unveiled its new campaign, which introduces Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador. API Holdings Limited is in charge of the PharmEasy brand. This partnership will aid in the development of the brand and raising consumer awareness of healthcare in India.
Key Points:
- PharmEasy is dedicated to offering a hassle-free healthcare experience.
- Aamir will promote the PharmEasy brand in a variety of ways.
- The IPL campaign in 2022 will also include TV commercials starring Aamir Khan.
- Amir Khan will also emphasise how medicines, diagnostic tests, and healthcare goods are easily accessible to clients as the brand’s face.
About the Campaign:
- The #GharBaitheBaitheTakeItEasy campaign presents Aamir Khan as the new brand ambassador of PharmEasy, a healthcare brand, through a series of eccentric, subversive, and’mad-humour’ genre TVCs.
- FCB India came up with the idea for this campaign. Aamir plays a triple role as a PharmEasy delivery person who appears in the strangest places and in the strangest ways to inform clients about the PharmEasy brand’s offerings and how all they have to do now is ‘Take It Easy’ (at least when it comes to their healthcare needs).
- The goal of this collaboration is to make PharmEasy a household name in India when it comes to healthcare. Collaboration with Aamir Khan will reinforce the brand’s commitment to making healthcare available to people in every corner of the country.
IAF celebrates 60 years of Glorious Service by Chetak Helicopters
The Indian Air Force organised a conclave at Air Force Station, Hakimpet on 02 April 2022, to commemorate 60 years of glorious service by Chetak Helicopter in IAF. The conclave was inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. Raksha Mantri released a Special Cover, a Coffee Table Book and a Commemorative Movie on Chetak Helicopters during the conclave.
About the chetak helicopter:
The Chetak helicopter is the oldest operational flying machine with the Indian Air Force. It has been made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the licence agreement. The Chetak Helicopter was inducted into the Indian Air force in 1962.
Celebrating the event:
A remarkable fly-past by 26 aircraft including Chetaks, Pilatus, Kirans, Hawks, Advanced Light Helicopters and a Light Combat Helicopters was an eye-catcher for everyone. The finale was a diamond formation flypast by eight Chetak helicopters, the machine which continues to render yeomen service across the length and breadth of the country. This magnificent machine still operates across all the terrains and is the basic training helicopter for pilots of the three Services.
Pixxel a space data startup launches its first satellite aboard SpaceX
Pixxel, a space data startup, launched its first fully operational satellite, TD-2, on SpaceX’s Transporter-4 mission. TD-2 is Pixxel’s first full-fledged satellite, carrying one of the highest-resolution hyperspectral commercial cameras ever flown, taking the company one step closer to developing a global health monitoring system that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The launch, according to the business, brings it closer to completing its aim of assembling one of the world’s most advanced constellations of low-earth-orbit imaging satellites and bringing the benefits of space to Earth. ” Life has certainly come full circle for us, from being one of the few finalists in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition in 2017 to now launching our own satellites as part of SpaceX’s fourth dedicated rideshare mission.
About TD-2:
- TD-2 will begin gathering data and discovering the invisible changes wreaking havoc on our worlds, such as natural gas leakages, deforestation, melting ice caps, pollution, and poor crop health.
- The launch also prepares Pixxel for the launch of its first commercial phase satellites in early 2023, as well as the commercial sale of its data.
- The launch also prepares Pixxel for the launch of its first commercial phase satellites in early 2023, as well as the commercial sale of its data.
- Pixxel’s hyperspectral constellation will be able to cover any place on the world every 48 hours, thanks to six satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) around a 550-kilometre altitude.
Dimensions of TD-2:
TD-2, which weighs less than 15 kilogrammes, can capture orbital images in more than 150 bands of colour from the visible and infrared spectrum with a resolution of 10-meters per pixel, far exceeding the specificity of 30-meter-per-pixel hyperspectral satellites launched by a few select organisations such as NASA, ESA, and ISRO, according to the company.
Ministry of Culture launches ‘Temple 360’ website
The Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi has launched a website ‘Temple 360’. During an event organized by the Ministry of Culture at IGNCA Ampitheatre, Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
About the Temple 360:
- Temple 360 is a digital platform where anyone can visit or do darshan of 12 Jyotirlinga and Char Dham from any location, making everyone’s life convenient while also keeping people connected.
- The website also allows a devotee to perform e-Darshan, e-Prashad, e-Aarti and several other services. Temple 360 is a website where one can visit a temple of their choice, anytime and from anywhere from India.
- With the help of this website, one can digitally witness the magnificence of some of the most pious Hindu pilgrimages that exist. The website also allows a devotee to perform e-aarti and several other services.
RPF arrests touts for illegal ticketing under Operation Upalabdh
As part of a month-long pan-India operation on illicit ticketing, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) detained 1,459 touts and blocked 366 IRCTC agent IDs and 6,751 personal IDs, the Railways announced on the 2nd of April, 2022. The RPF’s field units gathered information from the field, the digital world, and the cyber world, then consolidated, vetted, and analysed it before launching the campaign across the country on March 1, 2022.
Key Points:
- The operation was a huge success, resulting in the arrest of 1,459 touts, 341 of whom were authorised IRCTC agents who were also hawking train tickets.
- The process of blacklisting these IRCTC agents is currently underway, with 366 IRCTC agent IDs and 6,751 personal IDs being blocked.
- The number of arrests is almost 3.64 times that of the previous month.
- Future voyage tickets worth more than Rs 65 lakh that were illegally seized by these touts were recovered and blocked, making these seats available for the bonafide passengers.
About Operation Upalabdh:
The ‘Operation Upalabdh’ push was launched following the reinstatement of long-distance train services, with the expectation that the festival and summer rush would result in a sharp increase in demand for reserved train tickets. In response to the feedback, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) increased its efforts and launched a pan-India offensive against touting practises in March 2022.
Grammy Awards 2022: Check the list of Winners
The 64th annual Grammy Awards are being held for the first time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Trevor Noah as host. The 64th GRAMMY Awards recognizes recordings (including musical artists, compositions and albums) released between September 01, 2020, to September 30, 2021. Jon Batiste received the most nominations with eleven and Batiste also received the most awards with five.
Here is the list of winners of the 64th annual Grammy Awards:
| S.No | Category | Winners |
| 1. | Album Of The Year | ‘We Are’ by Jon Batiste |
| 2. | Record Of The Year | ‘Leave the door open’ by Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak |
| 3. | Best New Artist | Olivia Rodrigo |
| 4. | Best Rap Album | “Call Me If You Get Lost,” Tyler, the Creator |
| 5. | Best R&B Album Winner | “Heaux Tales,” Jazmine Sullivan. |
| 6. | Best Rap Song | “Jail,” Kanye West featuring Jay-Z |
| 7. | Best Country Album | “Starting Over,” Chris Stapleton |
| 8. | Song Of The Year | “Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic (Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II and Bruno Mars) |
| 9. | Best Rock Album | “Medicine at Midnight,” Foo Fighters |
| 10. | Best Rock Song | “Waiting On a War,” Foo Fighters |
| 11. | Best Dance/Electronic Album | “Subconsciously,” Black Coffee |
| 12. | Producer of the Year, non-classical: | Jack Antonoff |
| 13. | Best Music Video | “Freedom,” Jon Batiste |
| 14. | Best Country Song | “Cold,” Chris Stapleton |
| 15. | Best Folk Album | “They’re Calling Me Home,” Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi |
| 16. | Best Comedy Album | “Sincerely Louis CK,” Louis C.K. |
| 17. | Best rap performance: | “Family Ties,” Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar |
| 18. | Best rock performance: | “Making a Fire,” Foo Fighters |
| 19. | Best music film: | “Summer of Soul” |
| 20. | Best musical theater album: | “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” |
| 21. | Best global music: | “Mohabbat,” Arooj Aftab |
| 22. | Best global music album: | “Mother Nature,” Angélique Kidjo |
| 23. | Best historical album: “Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 1: | The Early Years (1963-1967) |
| 24. | Best Pop Duo / Group Performance: | Doja Cat and SZA for “Kiss Me More” |
| 25. | Best American roots performance: | “Cry,” Jon Batiste |
History of Grammy Award:
The Grammy Award is an award presented by the Recording Academy to recognize achievements in the music industry. The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, to honour and respect the musical accomplishments of performers for the year 1958. The trophy represents a gilded gramophone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques1. Did BTS win the Grammy 2022?
Ans. BTS didn’t win the prize, but they showed their support for Doja Cat by hugging each other.
Ques2. Who won the pop grammy 2022?
Ans. Olivia Rodrigo, Jon Batiste, and Doja Cat win big at the Grammy Awards 2022.
Ques3. Who performed at the Grammys 2022?
Ans. Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo (who received three trophies), K-pop supergroup BTS, and country star Chris Stapleton all performed on the webcast for “music’s biggest night,” which works more like a massive concert than an award presentation (who also picked up three Grammys).
Ques4. What happened at ?
Ans. Jon Batiste, Silk Sonic, and Olivia Rodrigo Triumph at the Grammys in 2022. Batiste took home album of the year, Silk Sonic took home record of the year, and Olivia Rodrigo took home best pop vocal album and best new artist awards. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky presented an impassioned speech in which Taylor Hawkins was highlighted.
A new book “Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National Security Crises” by Sreeram Chaulia
Dr Sreeram Chauliahas authored a new book titled “Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National Security Crises”. The book was released by Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs at the India International Centre in New Delhi, Delhi. The book highlights the much needed public faith in the state to protect the country from security threats posed by India’s external adversaries. The book analyses PM Modi’s series of decision-making moves during the crises with China and Pakistan.
Other Books of Sreeram Chaulia:
- Trumped: Emerging Powers in a Post-American World
- International Organizations and Civilian Protection: Power, Ideas and Humanitarian Aid in Conflict Zones
- Politics of the Global Economic Crisis: Regulation, Responsibility and Radicalism
- People Who Influenced the World Over the Past 100 Years
- Modi Doctrine: The Foreign Policy of India’s Prime Minister
Haryana govt launched crop insurance portal of ‘Mukhya Mantri Bagwani Bima Yojana’
The Haryana Agriculture Minister J P Dalal launched the portal of Mukha Mantri Bagwani Bima Yojana’ with an initial corpus of Rs 10 crore for the scheme. Under this the farmers will be compensated for the damage caused to their crops due to adverse weather and natural calamities.
About the scheme:
- The scheme compensates a sum of Rs 30,000 per acre for vegetables and Spices and Rs 40,000 per acre for fruits, which will be compensated to the farmers upon claim via four categories such as 25 per cent, 50 per cent, 75 per cent and 100 per cent based on the survey.
- The farmer’s contribution will be only 5 per cent of the insured amount i.e., Rs 750 per acre for vegetables and Spices and Rs 1000 per acre for fruits.
- The Scheme covers 21 crops – 14 vegetables, 2 spices, and 5 fruits. The scheme will be optional for all those farmers who will get registered under ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ (a web portal through which the problems of the farmers of the state will be resolved).
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya;
- Haryana Capital: Chandigarh;
- Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.
Andhra Pradesh’s First ‘She Auto’ Stands Set Up
In a move to provide safe transport to women and girl students, the police in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor have set up three ‘She Auto’ stands, the first of its kind in the state. The three ‘She Auto’ stands have been set up in RTC Bus Stand, Mahila University, and Ruia Hospital in Tirupati.
Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, MLA, along with city Mayor Dr R Sireesha and Urban Superintendent of Police Venkata Appala Naidu inaugurated the dedicated auto stands at the RTC Bus Stand, Mahila University and Ruia Hospital. Tirupati is the first city in the state to set up special auto stands for women like this. Proved that women have a special place in society by setting up auto stand in RTC bus stand in Tirupati, Women’s University and Rua Hospital. Earlier, women, auto drivers used to keep their vehicles with men at other auto stands.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Andhra Pradesh Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan;
- Andhra Pradesh Chief minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed by India-Australia
India and Australia signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA), hailing it as a watershed moment and one of the biggest economic doors there is to open in the world. It will provide zero-duty access to 96 per cent of India’s exports to Australia, including shipments from key sectors like engineering goods, gems and jewellery, textiles, apparel, and leather.
Key Points:
- According to a government estimate, the agreement will increase bilateral trade in products and services to $45-50 billion over the next five years, up from roughly $27 billion, and create over one million employees in India.
- Around 85% of Australia’s exports, including coal, sheep meat, and wool, will have zero duty access to the Indian market, while Australian wines, almonds, lentils, and select fruits would have lower duty access.
- Under the deal, zero-duty access for Indian goods will be expanded to 100% over the next five years.
- It is India’s first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a large developed country in more than a decade. India inked an FTA with the UAE in February and is actively negotiating FTAs with Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
- In a virtual ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan signed the deal.
- Indian STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates will be awarded extended post-study work visas under the deal. Australia will also establish a programme to provide visas to young Indians who wish to spend their vacations working in the country.
Highlights of the Trade Agreement:
- The pact will increase bilateral trade to $45-50 billion in five years and create over one million jobs in India.
- Many labour-intensive Indian exports currently face a tariff disadvantage of 4-5 percent compared to competitors — those with FTAs with Australia — such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Officials claim that removing this barrier would greatly boost merchandise shipments.
- In FY2021, bilateral goods and services trade between India and Australia was $27.5 billion. In FY2022, merchandise exports to Australia grew at a quicker rate than exports to any other country.
- Exports of Indian goods and services to Australia are predicted to hit $20 billion in FY2027 and $35 billion in FY2035, up from around $10.5 billion in FY2021.
About Trade Agreement:
- Under the agreement, Australian wine imports, almonds, lentils, oranges, mandarins, pears, apricots, and strawberries will all benefit from decreased duties.
- However, in order to protect “sensitive sectors,” India has excluded a number of Australian items from tariff reductions, including dairy products, wheat, rice, chickpeas, beef, sugar, apples, toys, and iron ore.
- Australia will profit from zero-free access to coal, which now accounts for roughly 74% of Australia’s exports to India and is subject to a 2.5 percent charge.
- The abolition of taxes on coking coal, which accounts for around 73% of all coal imports, is projected to increase Indian steel exports’ competitiveness. Over the next ten years, Australia’s zero-duty access will expand to cover 91% of its exports by value and over 70% of India’s tariff lines.
- When the deal takes effect, taxes on LNG, wool, sheep meat, alumina, and metallic ores will be erased, while duties on avocados, onions, pistachios, macadamias, cashews in shell, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries will be eliminated over a seven-year period.
- Tariff-rate quotas would be used to provide lower charges on products like cotton, lentils, oranges, almonds, and mandarins, with tariffs returning to pre-agreement levels for imports exceeding threshold quantities.
- For example, lentil imports from Australia up to 1.5 lakh tonnes will only be subject to a 15% total import duty, compared to 30% charges on lentil imports from countries with whom India does not have trade agreements.
- The agreement also contains tight origin restrictions to prevent products from being routed through other countries and a safeguard system to manage any abrupt increases in product imports.
Advantage of the Agreement:
- Duty reductions on Australian wines would be phased gradually over time dependent on pricing. Wines with a minimum import price of $5 per 750 ml bottle will see a reduction of 150 per cent to 100 per cent when the agreement goes into effect and a further 50 per cent reduction over the next ten years. When the deal takes effect, tariffs on wine priced above $15 per 750 ml bottle will be reduced to 75%, and over the next ten years, they will be reduced to 25%.
- The deal will also help Australian authorities to approve Indian medications more quickly because they have agreed to use inspection reports and approvals from Canada and the EU in their examination of Indian pharmaceuticals and manufacturing facilities.
- Australia has also agreed to alter local taxation regulations to avoid the taxation of offshore revenue of Indian enterprises providing technical services to Australia, addressing a long-standing complaint of Indian IT firms about double taxation.
Four agreements and launch multiple projects signed between India- Nepal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese colleague Sher Bahadur Deuba met in New Delhi, initiating a number of projects and signing four important agreements across a variety of fields. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and Nepal Oil Corporation Ltd. signed agreements on Nepal becoming the 105th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), technical cooperation in railways, petroleum product delivery, and technical experience sharing in the petroleum sector.
Key Points:
- The two Prime Ministers also observed the first passenger train service between India’s Jayanagar and Nepal’s Kurtha, the handover of India’s Solu corridor transmission project to Nepal, and the progress of 132 health facilities being built across 10 districts in Nepal under a GoI grant.
- The two countries announced the debut of the Indian RuPay card in Nepal, with the domestic variation of the RuPay card (about 83 percent of all RuPay cards issued) being compatible with approximately 1400 POS machines in Nepal.
- After Bhutan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, Nepal is now the fourth country outside of India to accept RuPay.
Jaynagar- Kurtha Railway:
- The Jaynagar-Kurtha railway line is part of the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas train link, which is being built with a grant of INR 548 crore from the Indian government.
- It’s a 35-kilometre rail stretch, with 3 kilometres in Bihar, India, and the rest in Nepal.
- The project will be the first broad-gauge passenger rail link between the two countries, bringing a whole new level of cross-border connectivity to the region.
- This was an existing rail service between Jaynagar and Janakpur on a metre-gauge rail link until 2014.
- One of the biggest projects in Nepal under the Government of India’s Line of Credit is the Solu Corridor 132 kV power transmission line and substation (LoC).
- The 90-kilometre 132-kV Double Circuit line connects Nepal’s national electrical system to the remote Solukhumbu, Khotang, and Okhaldhunga districts in North Eastern Nepal.
- The transmission line will transmit electricity from existing and upcoming hydro projects in the area into the national grid, as well as supply power to adjacent districts’ rural electrification networks, once it is operational.
- The project is expected to be critical for Nepal’s rural socio economic development, as well as contributing to the country’s overall economic and industrial development.
About Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba:
- Sher Bahadur Deuba is a long-serving Nepali Congress politician with a political career spanning seven decades.
- This is Deuba’s fifth term as Prime Minister. From September 1995 to March 1997, he served in the Senate.
- He has visited India multiple times, both when he was in office and when he was not.
Arunabha Ghosh appointed by UN Chief to high-level expert group on net-zero emissions commitments
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres appointed Arunabha Ghosh (India) to a High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities. Arunabha Ghosh is the CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a climate and energy think tank. He has been appointed to the Government of India’s G20 Finance Track Advisory Group for India’s G20 Presidency in 2023. In 2021, he was appointed as Co-Chair of the T20 Task Force on climate and energy for Indonesia’s G20 2022.
The group was launched by Antonio Guterres on 31 March 2022. Dr Ghosh will be among three Asians (and the only South Asian) serving on the expert group. It will be chaired by former Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna. The 16-member expert group comprises independent experts, drawn from different countries.
Aim of the group:
To develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-state entities including businesses, investors, cities and regions and speed up their implementation.
