Khongjom Day was observed in Manipur at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex
Rich tributes were paid in Manipur to the valiant sons of the state who made tremendous sacrifices fighting against the British in the battle of Khongjom during the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri War to maintain Manipur’s independence.
KEY POINTS:
- Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, as well as the general public, attended the state-level Khongjom Day ceremony at Khongjom War Memorial Complex in Khebaching, Thoubal district.
- Every year on the 23rd of April, Manipur commemorates Manipuri warriors who battled against the British, especially Major Paona Brajabashi.
- The Governor and Chief Minister of Manipur joined the people of Manipur in a floral homage to the heroes. At Khebaching, two minutes of silence were held, as well as a gun salute.
- Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, speaking at the event, stated that the younger generation must remember our forebears’ sacrifices and always fight for a united nation.
- Chief Minister also thanked the Centre for renaming Mount Harriet in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as Mount Manipur. He explained that the decision was made in honour of Manipur fighters’ sacrifice.
Important Takeaways:
- Chief Minister of Manipur: Biren Singh
- Governor of Manipur: Ganeshan
India’s participated as the Guest of honour at the Paris Book Festival 2022
As announced in the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi – President Emmanuel Macron Joint Statement released in 2018 during the French President’s visit to New Delhi, India has been designated as the Guest of Honour Country at the Paris Book Festival 2022, which will take place from April 21 to April 24, 2022.
Key Points:
- On April 21, 2022, the Paris Book Festival was launched. On the same day, the India Pavilion at the Paris Book Festival
- The National Institute of Design (NID) developed the India Pavilion, which comprises over 15 digital and physical exhibitions showing over 400 books published in various Indian languages, representing the work of 65 Indian publishers.
Important Takeaways:
- Prime Minster of India: Shri Narendra Modi
- PrimeMinister of France: Jean Castex
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2022: 26 April
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 day not only informs us about the man-made disaster but also educates human beings about the risks of nuclear energy in general.
How did this incident happen?
Built-in 1977, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was used to make electricity for the then Soviet Union, or in modern-day Pripyat, Ukraine. Before the horrifying incident, in 1982 the Chernobyl plant had a partial meltdown of reactor 1, which caused some damage and it took a few months to repair. This incident wasn’t reported until the Chernobyl disaster happened. In 1986, an explosion at the nuclear power plant spread a radioactive cloud over the large territories of Belarus, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. The seriousness of the disaster can be known by the fact that around 8.4 million people in the three European nations were exposed to the radiation.
History of the day:
After the 30th anniversary of the accident, on December 8, 2016, the United Nations adopted the resolution and proclaimed April 26 as the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. The General Assembly in its resolution recognised that even after three decades of the 1986 disaster, the long-term consequences remained seriously persistent and the affected communities and territories continued to experience the related needs.
Naveen Patnaik released 2 books “The Magic of Mangalajodi” & “My Research Works on Sikh History and Philosophy”
Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik released 2 books, a coffee table book titled “The Magic of Mangalajodi” by Avinash Khemka; and a compilation of the Sikh history of eastern India titled “My Research Works On Sikh History & Philosophy”, authored by Abinash Mahapatra. The coffee table book “The Magic of Mangalajodi” provides a bird’s eye view of Mangalajodi in Chilika lake through various images and descriptions.
The essence of the book “My Research Works On Sikh History & Philosophy”:
The book, rigorous research work on Sikh history and philosophy, is a compilation of five books authored by Mahapatra himself. It’s an extensive study on the Sikh history of east India, Deccan, Delhi, Baisakhi and Afghanistan. Mahapatra, a scholar of Sikh history based in Odisha, has authored 38 books on Sikh history, theology and principles. The coffee table book is published by Punjabi Global Foundation’s Odisha chapter.
Elon Musk to acquire Twitter in $44 Billion 2022
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, agreed to acquire Twitter for $44 billion, ending a drama that included hostile takeover threats before handing him personal control of one of the world’s most powerful social media networks.
Key Points:
- According to Twitter, the publicly traded corporation will now become a private entity owned by Musk, who negotiated a $54.20 per-share purchase price.
- Musk secured $46.5 billion in funding last week to complete the deal, and Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, predicted earlier in the day that the board would likely approve his offer because no other buyer could be found.
- Twitter stock was trading 5.9% higher on Wall Street.
Elon Musk and Twitter:
Musk, who has blasted Twitter’s overzealous moderation, bought a 9% interest in the firm in April and then offered to buy the entire company altogether, citing a goal to preserve free speech.
Important Takeaways for All Competitive Exams:
- Twitter Founder: Jack Dorsey is an American Web developer and entrepreneur who co-founded the online microblogging service Twitter with Evan Williams and Christopher Stone in 2006.
- Twitter CEO: Parag Aggarwal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gets John F. Kennedy Award
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, for the first time ever, awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award 2022 to five individuals. The award will be presented by Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg on May 22, 2022, at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Boston, USA.
These five individuals are:
- Ukrainian President: Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- United States (US) Representative: Liz Cheney
- Michigan Secretary of State: Jocelyn Benson
- Arizona Representative: Russell “Rusty” Bowers
- Fulton County, Georgia, elections worker: Wandrea “Shaye” Moss
Important point:
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President is named for his valour to protect the Ukrainian people during the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.
About the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award:
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award was created by the family of the late president John Fitzgerald Kennedy to honour public figures who risk their careers by embracing unpopular positions for the greater good, and is named after Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, ”Profiles in Courage”.
UNESCO’s World Book Capital 2022: Guadalajara, Mexico
Guadalajara, Mexico was named World Book Capital for the year 2022 by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, on the recommendation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee. The city, already a UNESCO Creative City since 2017, was selected for its comprehensive plan for policies around the book to trigger social change, combat violence and build a culture of peace.
As a UNESCO Creative City of Media, Arts Guadalajara has supported its local talents and advancing creative industries through initiatives that place media arts at the core of their programmes including in its world-famous International Book Fair. Cities designated as UNESCO World Book Capital undertake to promote books and reading and to organize activities over the year. As the twenty-second city to bear the title since 2001, Guadalajara follows Tbilisi (2021) Kuala Lumpur (2020).
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945;
- UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France;
- UNESCO Members: 193 countries;
- UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay.
Smart Cities India expo 2022
Smart cities India expo
The Smart Cities India Expo combines transformational technology with essential pillars of urban development, such as green buildings, clean energy, clean environment, water, urban mobility, and the use of smart ICT for resource optimization and making cities smart and sustainable.
Since its debut in 2015, the Smart Cities India Expo has grown to become Asia’s largest Expo and Conference on the topic. The event is a carefully designed forum that allows for more in-depth communication and a more practical approach to solving urban concerns. The expo, which includes simultaneous conference sessions, startup chances, and specific industry zones, provides organisations aiming to make smart cities a reality with unrivalled business opportunities. Under one roof, the world’s and India’s smart cities will change city living. It is India’s Largest Technology & Infrastructure Event to accelerate nation-building.
Smart cities awards 2022
The Smart Cities India 2022 Awards are a one-of-a-kind platform that honours, recognises, and encourages individuals, policymakers, businesses, municipalities, government organisations, and associations for their efforts in both the urban and rural sectors. The 3-day expo comes to a close with the Awards Ceremony.
| Categories | Winners | Projects |
| Best Green Buildings Project | Faridabad Smart City Limited | ICCC Building |
| Best Healthcare Initiatives | Bhopal Smart City Development Corporation Limited | COVID Management through ICCC |
| Best Startup Initiatives | Bhopal Smart City Development Corporation Limited | B-Nest Foundation |
| Best Water Management | Solinas Integrity Private Limited | Pipeline Management Project for 24×7 Water Supply |
| City Innovation | Ujjain Smart City Limited | Digital Center |
| COVID 19- Recovery Innovation Award | Jabalpur Smart City Limited | Leveraging ICCC against COVID Pandemic |
| Digital City | New Town Kolkata Green Smart City Corporation | Digital Services in New Town Kolkata |
| Governance and Economy | Pimpri Chinchwad Smart City Limited | Smart Sarathi |
| Public Private Partnership Initiatives | Indore Smart City Development Limited | She Kunj |
| Safe City | Dehradun Smart City Limited | DICCC |
| Smart Energy Project | Jabalpur Smart City Limited | Smart Light Project |
| Smart Parking Initiatives | Indore Smart City Development Limited | Two Wheeler Multi-Level Parking |
| Smart Urban Mobility | Silvassa Smart City Limited | E-Bus Project |
| Smart Waste Disposal and Clean City | New Town Kolkata Green Smart City Corporation | Integrated Solid Waste Management System in New Town Kolkata |
| Smart City of the Year | Ujjain Smart City Limited | MRIDA |
| Best City Leader of the Year | Athar Aamir Khan, IAS, CEO, Srinagar Smart City Limited | |
Smart cities in India
The Government of India’s National Smart Cities Mission is an urban redevelopment and retrofitting programme with the goal of developing smart cities across the country that are both citizen-friendly and sustainable. The mission will be carried out by the Union Ministry of Urban Development in partnership with the state governments of the individual cities. The programme began with 100 cities, with a completion date set for the projects between 2019 and 2023. As of 2019, the effective cumulative completion rate of all projects is 11 percent. As of March 2022, 3577 projects had been completed out of a total of 6939 tendered projects, utilising 60,073 crore out of a total tendered cost of 191,294 crore.
| State/Union Territory | Number of Nominations Allocated | Names of Cities |
| Andhra Pradesh | 4 | Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Tirupati |
| Gujarat | 6 | Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Dahod |
| Madhya Pradesh | 7 | Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Satna, Ujjain, Sagar |
| Tamil Nadu | 12 | Chennai, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode, Madurai, Salem, Thanjavur, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Vellore |
| Karnataka | 7 | Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Shivamogga, Hubbali-Dharwad, Tumakuru, Davanagere |
| Kerala | 2 | Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi |
| Telangana | 2 | Warangal, Karimnagar |
| Maharashtra | 18 | Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Nashik, Amravati, Solapur, Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad |
| Uttar Pradesh | 14 | Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Raebareli, Jhansi, Aligarh, Saharanpur, Bareilly, Agra, Rampur, Moradabad, Meerut |
| Rajasthan | 4 | Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Kota |
| Punjab | 3 | Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar |
| Bihar | 4 | Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Biharsharif |
| Haryana | 2 | Karnal, Faridabad |
| Assam | 1 | Guwahati |
| Odisha | 2 | Bhubaneshwar, Rourkela |
| Himachal Pradesh | 1 | Dharamshala |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Dehradun |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Ranchi |
| Sikkim | 1 | Namchi |
| Manipur | 1 | Imphal |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1 | Port Blair |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 1 | Pasighat |
| Chandigarh | 1 | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | 3 | Raipur, Bilaspur, Naya Raipur |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 1 | Silvassa |
| Daman and Diu | 1 | Diu |
| Delhi | 1 | New Delhi |
| Goa | 1 | Panaji |
| Lakshadweep | 1 | Kavaratti |
| Meghalaya | 1 | Shillong |
| Mizoram | 1 | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | 1 | Kohima |
| Puducherry | 1 | Oulgaret |
| Tripura | 1 | Agartala |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 2 | Srinaga |
Prasar Bharati signed MoU with Public Broadcaster of Argentina
Prasar Bharati has signed an MoU with the Public Broadcaster of Argentina Radio Television Argentina (RTA) for collaboration in the field of broadcasting. The MoU encompasses a range of fronts in Media and Broadcasting that is set to exemplify the communication and transmission networking of both nations. India and Argentina share cordial relations and developmental partnerships in the areas of political, economic, scientific and technological cooperation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati, Shashi Shekhar Vempati and the president of RTA, Rosario Lufrano, signed the agreement in the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Argentina Dinesh Bhatia.
About this MoU:
- The MoU will allow expanding cooperation between both media systems, with the exchange of programs, formats and cultural initiatives and share knowledge and experiences in the fields of culture, education, science, entertainment, sports and news.
- It also opens the doors for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as audiovisual platforms, documentaries, animation, comedies, series, installations and incentives for TV production, among others. It also has the possibility of developing personnel exchange for training.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Prasar Bharati CEO: Shashi Shekhar Vempati (2017–);
- Prasar Bharati Founded: 23 November 1997, New Delhi;
- Prasar Bharati Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Prasar Bharati Subsidiary: Doordarshan.
F-1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2022 won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen
Formula One champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Netherlands) won the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Italy. It was Verstappen’s second win this season after Saudi Arabia, which has also included two retirements, and the 22nd of his career. Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Mexico) finished second and Lando Norris (McLaren-UK) finished third.
List of 2022 F1 Race Winners:
- Bahrain Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari-Monaco);
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands);
- Australian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari-Monaco).
India becomes the only country among top 10 steel growth
Mr. Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, Minister of Steel, praised India’s steel sector on its remarkable performance on a global scale and encouraged it to continue at this level in the year 2022. This production momentum will help India to meet the predicted level of 500 million tonnes of production capacity in the following 25 years.
Key Points:
- According to data released by the World Steel Association on April 22, India is the only country among the top ten steel-producing nations in the world that grew steel output from January to March 2022 over the same period last year.
- India produced 9 million tonnes of steel, up 5.9% over the previous year.
- India’s growth rate is 4.4 percent, with 9 million tonnes of steel produced in March 2022.
- The only other country in the top 10 that saw a rise in steel production in March is
Important Takeaways for All Competitive Exams:
- Union Minister of Steel: Mr. Ram Chandra Prasad Singh
Noted Padma Shri writer Binapani Mohanty passes away
Eminent writer of Odisha and Padma Shri awardee (2020), Binapani Mohanty passed away at the age of 85. She was born in Berhampur and started her teaching career as a lecturer in Economy in 1960. Her many short stories have been translated into various languages (including Hindi, English, Kannada, Marathi). She had founded an organisation of Odia women writers named ‘Odisha Lekhika Sansad.’
Her work:
Pata Dei, Khela Ghara, Naiku Rasta, Bastraharana, Andhakarara, Kasturi Murga O Sabuja Aranya and Michhi Michhika are some of her best-known stories.
Awards and Honour she received:
Binapani Mohanty was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2020 for her contribution to Odia literature. She also was awarded the Adibadi Jagannath Das Puraskar – the highest literary award by the Odisha Sahitya Akademi, in 2019. Her collection of short stories ‘Pata Dei’ has won the Sahitya Akademi award. She also received Sarala Samman from the Government of Odisha.
Serbia Open title: Andrey Rublev defeated Novak Djokovic
Andrey Rublev (Russian) has defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) to win his third title in the Serbia Open. Andrey Rublev has saved five set points in the second set to force a tie-break, but he was unable to prevent Djokovic from levelling the match. Rublev has now equalled Rafael Nadal (Spain) for the most tour-level titles in 2022 He also clinched crowns in Marseille and Dubai in February 2022.
Former President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki Passes Away
Former president of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki passed away at the age of 90. He led the country from 2002 to 2013. During his rule, more than 1,100 people died in bloody ethnic battles after disputed 2007 polls, but to prevent such unrest he adopted a new constitution with reforms. His rule was ruined by uncontrolled corruption and lavish spending on flagship projects which increased the country’s debt.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Kenya Capital: Nairobi;
- Kenya Currency: Shilling;
- Kenya President: Uhuru Kenyatta.
NITI Aayog released draft battery swapping policy 2022
NITI Aayog has released a draft battery swapping policy, under which all metropolitan cities with a population above 40 lakh will be prioritized for the development of a battery swapping network under the first phase. All major cities such as state capitals, UT headquarters, and cities with populations above 5 lakh will be covered under the second phase.
Importance has been given to the two-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicle segments in growing cities. According to the draft policy, vehicles with swappable batteries will be sold without a battery, providing the benefit of lower purchase costs to potential EV owners.
What is Battery Swapping?
- Battery swapping is an alternative which involves exchanging discharged batteries for charged ones. Battery swapping de-links the vehicle and fuel (battery in this case) and hence reduces the upfront cost of the vehicles.
- Battery swapping is popularly used for smaller vehicles such as 2 and 3 wheelers which have smaller batteries that are easier to swap compared to other automotive segments wherein the same can be implemented mechanically.
- Battery swapping offers three key advantages relative to charging: it is time, space, and cost-efficient, provided each swappable battery is actively used.
- Further, Battery Swapping provides a level playing field for innovative and sustainable business models such as “Battery As a Service”.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- NITI Aayog Formed: 1 January 2015;
- NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi;
- NITI Aayog Chairperson: Narendra Modi;
- NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson: Suman Bery;
- NITI Aayog CEO: Amitabh Kant.
Karnataka govt launched Social Awareness Campaign “SAANS”
Health and Medical Education Minister of Karnataka, Keshava Reddy Sudhakar has launched the ‘Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully’ (SAANS) Campaign. SAANS is a campaign that has been launched to ensure early detection and greater awareness of pneumonia in children under the age of five. As per SRS 2018, Karnataka’s under-five mortality is at 28 per 1000 live births.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that is caused due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. By 2025, the state’s goal is to reduce the under-five mortality to 23 per 1,000 live. Also, to achieve the National Health Policy goals, pneumonia mortality has to be reduced to less than 3 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Karnataka Capital: Bengaluru;
- Karnataka Chief Minister: Basavaraj S Bommai;
- Karnataka Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot.
