Venkaiah Naidu confers Sangeet Natak Akademi and Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowships and Awards
The Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu has presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Sangeet Natak Awards for the year 2018 to 43 eminent artists (4 Fellows and 40 awardees). Naidu also presented Fellowships and National Awards of Lalit Kala Akademi for the year 2021 to 23 people (3 Fellows and 20 National Awards ).
The awards were presented during the 62nd National Exhibition of Art, organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi and inaugurated by Minister of Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy on April 09, 2022, in New Delhi.
To read the complete list of winners:
India successfully flight-tested Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System
The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Army successfully flight-tested a new version of the Pinaka rocket system at the Pokhran firing ranges. These included Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems. With these trails, the initial phase of technology absorption of EPRS by the industry has successfully been completed and the industry partners are ready for user trials/series production of the rocket system.
The Pinaka rocket system has been developed by DRDO lab- Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune in collaboration with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune.
About the EPRS system:
- The EPRS is the upgraded version of the Pinaka variant, which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been upgraded with advanced technologies enhancing the range to meet the emerging requirements.
- After establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range version of Pinaka, the technology was transferred to the industries viz. Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Economic Explosives Limited Nagpur.
- Rockets manufactured by MIL under Transfer of Technology from DRDO were flight tested during this campaign. Different variants of munitions and fuzes which can be used in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully test evaluated in the Pokhran Field Firing Range.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chairman DRDO: Dr G Satheesh Reddy;
- DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi;
- DRDO Established: 1958.
RBI issues guidelines for setting up full day Digital Banking Units
The Reserve Bank of India announced that current banks can open digital banking units to provide products and services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both self-serve and assisted modes. The government announced in the Union Budget that at least 75 such units will be established in 75 districts to commemorate the country’s 75th anniversary of independence as the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Key Points:
- The products and services to be supplied at a DBU, according to the requirements for the formation of Digital Banking Units (DBUs), include account opening, cash withdrawal and deposit, KYC updation, loans, and complaint registrations.
- Scheduled commercial banks with digital banking experience are allowed to open DBUs in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centres without obtaining RBI clearance, according to the guidelines.
- Each DBU must be housed separately, with its own entry and exit points. According to the recommendations, these units would be different from conventional banking outlets and will have forms and designs that are most ideal for digital banking consumers.
What is DBU?
‘DBU’ stands for Digital Banking Unit, which is a specialised fixed point business unit/hub that houses specific basic infrastructure for delivering digital banking goods and services to consumers in a simple and cost-effective manner.
Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates scientific convention on ‘Homoeopathy: People’s Choice for Wellness’
The Union Minister of AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated a two-day scientific convention on the theme ‘Homoeopathy: People’s Choice for Wellness’ in New Delhi. The convention has been organised jointly by the three apex bodies under the Ministry of Ayush namely, the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, the National Commission for Homoeopathy and the National Institute of Homoeopathy to mark the occasion of the World Homoeopathy Day.
Key points of the convention:
- This convention is an opportunity to review the achievements in the field of Homoeopathy and to formulate future strategies for the development of Homoeopathy.
- There is an imminent need to initiate a dialogue among the major stakeholders of Homoeopathy to address much-needed practice standards in clinical research informatics, data standards in clinical research, policy issues, educational standards, and instructional resources.
- This can be achieved by merging clinical care delivery and research as a part of a changing paradigm in global healthcare delivery in the context of rapid innovations in technology. A necessity to identify and propose strategic actions toward an effective and efficient inclusion of Homoeopathy in integrative care is indispensable.
F1 Australian Grand Prix 2022 won by Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari- Monaco) has won the Formula One (F1) 2022 Australian Grand Prix, held on 10 April 2022 in Melbourne, Victoria. It was the third round of the 2022 Formula One World Championship. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing-RBPT – Mexico) came second while George Russell (Mercedes – Britain) came third.
Verstappen was on course for second place when his car failed with 18 laps to go. The second Red Bull of Sergio Perez finished second, ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Sri Lanka Crises: Foreign Debt and Remedies 2022
Anger over Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s handling of the island nation’s mounting economic crisis degenerated into violence, with hundreds of protestors clashing with police for several hours. Due to a significant lack of foreign money, Rajapaksa’s government has been unable to pay for basic imports, like as fuel, resulting in power outages lasting up to 13 hours. After the country depreciated its currency last month ahead of talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan programme, ordinary Sri Lankans are also suffering with shortages and rising inflation.
KEY POINTS:
- According to critics, the foundation of the crisis, which is the worst in decades, is economic mismanagement by successive governments, which established and maintained a dual deficit – a budget deficit as well as a current account deficit
- According to a working paper published by the Asian Development Bank in 2019, Sri Lanka is a classic twin deficits economy.
- When a country’s national expenditure exceeds its national income, it indicates that the country’s production of tradable products and services is insufficient.
- However, massive tax cuts promised by Rajapaksa during his 2019 election campaign and implemented months before the COVID-19 pandemic, which wiped out swathes of Sri Lanka’s economy, has worsened the current catastrophe.
- With the pandemic decimating the country’s vital tourism industry and foreign workers’ remittances, credit rating agencies downgraded Sri Lanka, virtually shutting it out of international capital markets.
- Sri Lanka’s debt management programme, which relied on access to those markets, fell apart, and the country’s foreign exchange reserves plunged by about 70% in just two years.
The decision by the Rajapaksa government to ban all chemical fertilisers in 2021, which was later reversed, harmed the country’s farm economy and resulted in a decline in the key rice production.
Foreign Debt:
The country now has only $2.31 billion in reserves, but has $4 billion in debt obligations due in 2022, including a $1 billion international sovereign bond (ISB) due in July. The Asian Development Bank, Japan, and China are among the other main lenders, with ISBs accounting for the highest share of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt at $12.55 billion.
Citi Research said in a note late last month that the IMF report’s conclusion and the government’s recent efforts were insufficient to restore debt sustainability, implying that debt restructuring is required.
Remedies:
Despite mounting concerns, Rajapaksa’s administration and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) have rebuffed requests from experts and opposition leaders to seek IMF assistance. However, with rising oil prices in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February, the administration devised a strategy to approach the IMF in April.
Rajapaksa has also sought aid from China and India, particularly in the area of petroleum. On Saturday, a fuel cargo is anticipated to arrive under a $500 million credit line inked with India in February. Sri Lanka and India have agreed to a $1 billion credit line for basic imports such as food and medicine, and the Rajapaksa government has asked New Delhi for at least another $1 billion.
China is considering offering the CBSL a $1.5 billion credit facility and a separate loan of up to $1 billion after supplying the government with a $1.5 billion swap and a $1.3 billion syndicated loan.
Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Saurav Ghosal wins first-ever gold medal at World Doubles Squash championships
The second-seeded Indian duo Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Saurav Ghosal won the mixed double title at the 2022 WSF World Doubles Squash championship at Glasglow, Scotland. The Indian duo thrashed the fourth-seeded pair of Adrian Waller and Alison Waters of England in the mixed doubles finals in straight sets 11-6, 11-8. This is the first gold medal for India at the WSF World Doubles Squash championship, which the country had never won before this.
Meanwhile, England’s Declan James and James Willstrop beat Scotland’s Greg Lobban and Rory Stewart, 11-10; 11-6, to win the men’s doubles final. Apart from this, Dipika and Joshna Chinappa paired to win the women’s doubles final, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8 defeating England’s Sarah Jane Perry and Waters.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav chairs the 20th NTCA meeting
The 20th NTCA in Arunachal Pradesh is chaired by Bhupender Yadav. The 20th Meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was held in Pakke tiger reserve in Arunachal Pradesh and was led by Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.
Key Points:
- The first-ever NTCA meeting was held in Arunachal Pradesh, outside of the National Capital.
- He also released a technical manual on MEE of Tiger Reserves in India, as well as standard operating procedures for tiger reintroduction and supplementation in the wild, a forest fire audit protocol for tiger reserves, and a standard operating procedure for tiger reintroduction and supplementation in the wild.
Important Takeaway for exam:
The NTCA has released a Forest Fire Audit Protocol for Tiger Reserves, which will assist tiger reserve managers in assessing their fire preparation and managing forest fires throughout their whole life cycle.
South-Central Railway launches ‘One station One Product’ initiative
The SCR has introduced the “One Station, One Product” campaign at six main stations across its six divisions. Arun Kumar Jain, SCR in-charge General Manager, has opened stalls at Secunderabad Station as part of the new initiative.
Key Points:
- In addition to Vijayawada, Guntur, and Aurangabad, stalls have been set up in Kacheguda.
- The new programme was introduced by the government in the General Budget 2022-23 and is currently being tested in Tirupati.
- The Railway stations are ideal for promoting indigenous and local products, and the programme aims to turn them into a sales and promotional centre.
- The stalls will be open for two phases, starting on the 7th of next month and ending on the 7th of the following month.
- In Telangana, freshwater pearl jewellery and Hyderabad bangles will be promoted at Secunderabad stations, while Pochampally items will be promoted at Kachiguda stations.
Thailand Open Boxing Tournament 2022: India Bags 10 medal with 3 gold
The 15-member Indian boxing contingents ended their campaign at the Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament 2022 in Phuket with 10 medals, including three golds, four silvers, and three bronze. Gold medal winners earned USD 2000 while silver and bronze medallists took home USD 1000 and USD 500 respectively as the tournament witnessed thrilling competition with the participation of 130 top boxers including 74 males and 56 females, from Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa.
Medal Winners include:
Gold
- Govind Sahani (48kg),
- Ananta Pralhad Chopde (54kg)
- Sumit (75kg)
Silver
- Amit Panghal (52kg)
- Monika (48kg),
- Varinder Singh (60kg)
- Ashish Kumar (81kg)
Bronze
- Manisha (57kg),
- Pooja (69kg)
- Bhagyabati Kachari (75kg)
UIDAI tieup with ISRO for technical collaboration
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), MeitY has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, Hyderabad for technical collaboration. NRSC will develop a Bhuvan-Aadhar portal for providing information and locations about the Aadhaar centres across India.
The portal will provide the facility of complete geographic information, retrieval, analysis, and reporting for Aadhaar centres with a high-resolution backdrop of natural-colour satellite images. UIDAI has, so far, issued Aadhaar numbers to more than 132 crore residents and facilitates over 60 crore residents who have updated their Aadhaar.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- ISRO Founded: 15 August 1969;
- ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru;
- ISRO Chairman: S Somanath.
IndusInd Bank’s ‘Indus Merchant Solutions’ App won Digital CX Awards 2022
‘Indus Merchant Solutions’, a mobile app for merchants of IndusInd Bank, got the Digital CX Awards 2022 for ‘Outstanding Digital CX – SME Payments’. The Digital CX Awards is organized by Digital Banker, a globally trusted financial news service provider. Indus Merchant Solutions being adjudged as a winner is a testament to its strength in offering customers a seamless banking experience, which aligns with the Bank’s ethos of ’customer-centricity.
About the ‘Indus Merchant Solutions’:
‘Indus Merchant Solutions’ was launched in November 2021. It is a mobile application (app) to enable merchants, retailers, and professionals to various facilities such as Accepting instant cashless payments through multiple digital modes, Tracking inventory via in-built dashboards, Apply for an exclusive Point of Sale (POS) machine to facilitate card-based payments, Avail small ticket business loans from the Bank, etc.
About the Digital CX Awards:
The Digital CX Awards is organised by Digital Banker, a globally trusted financial news service provider that recognises the world’s leading Financial Services Organisations (FSO) that blend the best of technology, and innovation, with the power of their people to provide a superior customer experience and reinvent their industry. This year, the awards received over 600 submissions from 127 marquees FSOs across the globe.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- IndusInd Bank Founded: 1994;
- IndusInd Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- IndusInd Bank MD & CEO: Sumant Kathpalia;
- IndusInd Bank Tagline: We Make You Feel Richer.
Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra Tea will get GI Tag from European Commission
Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra Tea will soon get a European Commission Geographical Indication Tag (GI Tag); this tag helps Kangra tea to get an opportunity to enter the European market. Kangra tea received the Indian GI tag in 2005. Since 1999, the cultivation and development of tea have improved constantly in the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh.
The development and cultivation of Kangra tea is being promoted and looked after by four departments iTea Board of India Regional office Palampur, cooperative and agriculture departments of the state and CSIR, IHBT Palampur and Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University, Palampur.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Himachal Pradesh Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter);
- Himachal Pradesh Governor: Rajendra Arlekar;
- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘1064 Anti-Corruption Mobile App’
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has launched an anti-corruption mobile app named 1064 Anti-Corruption Mobile App. This mobile application has been developed by the vigilance department, Uttarakhand. It helps the citizens to lodge corruption-related complaints directly with the authorities.
Currently, the app is available in both Hindi and English language. Registered complaints, data and the identity of the complainant will be protected. Government is committed to making the state corruption-free and ensuring that governance in the state is carried out in a transparent manner.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Uttarakhand Capitals: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer);
- Uttarakhand Governor: Lt Gen Gurmit Singh.
Veteran Bengali Author Amar Mitra Wins Prestigious O. Henry Award
Veteran Bengali author Amar Mitra was awarded this year’s O.Henry prize for a short story he wrote 45 years back. He bagged the award for his short story titled ‘Gaonburo’- a Bengali short fiction, which was translated into English (The Old Man Of Kusumpur) earlier. The translated work was published in an American magazine in 2020. Mitra was awarded the Sahitya Academy award in 2006.
Mitra was born in Kolkata and is a well-known writer of Bengali literature. He spent some of his childhood in the districts of Bengal where he came across the Adivasi culture and their struggle. This is the background to Mitra’s award-winning story.
Eminent scholar-academician Manoj Soni new UPSC chairman
Currently a Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Dr Manoj Soni has been appointed the chairman of the country’s premier government recruiting agency. He has been associated with the Swaminarayan sect’s Anoopam Mission, at Mogri in Anand district, since a young age and received diksha (initiation) as a nishkarma karmayogi (selfless worker) on Jan 10, 2020.
Dr Soni has been appointed to replace the previous UPSC chairman Pradip Kumar Joshi. Prior to this assignment, Soni has also served as the vice-chancellor of two universities and has earned several national and international awards and recognitions.
M K Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, inaugurates the Periyar Memorial Samathuvapuram
M.K. Stalin, the Deputy Chief Minister, launched a Periyar memorial samathuvapuram at Pilipakuttai in Namagiripettai panchayat union. Allottees were given the keys at the function. 100 dwelling units with all basic amenities were built at the cost of 2 crores 88 lakh rupees. Stalin, who gave Rs. 30.42 crore in financial assistance and other benefits to 2,671 Namakkal residents, said that the current administration has issued loans totalling Rs. 8,080 crore to 3,24,024 women self-help groups across the state.
KEY POINTS:
- Stalin promised that all 1,601 developmental works under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam will be finished shortly after laying the foundation for them at a cost of Rs. 19.32 crore.
- In addition, Mr. Stalin dedicated 7,392 works that had been completed under various projects.
- He had previously opened and handed over the key to a house built under the Kalaignar Housing Scheme in Iyampalayam hamlet near Namakkal.
- Mr. Stalin and the DMK administration were praised by Pattali Makkal Katchi MLA K. Nedunchelian, who noted that his constituency has gotten different initiatives worth roughly Rs. 50 crore.
- Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare S. Gandhiselvan to approve the district’s long-standing demand for a medical college.
GoI launched the ‘Broadcast Seva’ platform to increase transparency
The Broadcast Seva Portal was developed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to improve the convenience of doing business in the broadcast industry. This will be an online portal option for broadcasters to quickly file and process applications for various types of licences, permissions, registrations, and other things.
KEY POINTS:
- The digital approach, will make it easier for stakeholders to obtain authorization, apply for registration, track applications, calculate fees, and make payments. Private satellite TV channels, teleport operators, MSOs (multiple system operators), and community and private radio channels will all benefit from this.
- End-to-end processing, integration with payment systems, E-Office, and stakeholder ministries, analytics, reporting, and management information systems, an integrated helpdesk, application forms and status tracking, downloading letters or orders from the portal itself, and SMS and email alerts to stakeholders will all be included.
The new platform, according to Apurva Chandra, secretary, ministry of I&B, has significant upgrades over the previous version and has been incorporating comments from stakeholders throughout a one-month testing period.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Minister of Information and Broadcasting: Anurag Singh Thakur.
