National and International News :
1. PM Dedicated Various Projects Worth Rs 4850 cr in Dadra and Nagar Haveli
On April 25, 2023, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects worth more than Rs. 4850 crore in Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Haveli .
- The development projects include projects related to health, housing, tourism, education, and urban development.
- PM inaugurated the new campus of NAMO Medical Education & Research Institute, the first and only medical college in the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- The PM laid the foundation stone and dedicated 96 projects worth more than Rs. 4850 crores to the nation at Sayli ground, Silvassa.
Some of the projects include government schools, engineering college, and fish market and shopping complex in various parts of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- The projects also include beautification, strengthening and widening of various roads and augmentation of water supply scheme in Nani Daman.
Key initiatives :
(i) PM mentioned that an allocation of Rs. 5500 crores has been made for the physical and social infrastructure of the UT in the last few years.
(ii) He highlighted the initiatives undertaken in the UT, such as LED-lit streets, door-to-door waste collection, 100% waste processing, and the new Industrial Policy, which has increased industry and employment in the UT.
(iii) PM informed that a new 300-bed hospital is under construction, and permission has been granted for a new Ayurvedic hospital in the UT.
(iv) He also referred to the International Year of Millets and highlighted the UT's local millets like Nagali and Nachni.
(v) The PM noted that more than 1200 families have received their own houses under PM Awas Yojana in Daman, Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and women are given an equal share in the houses. He handed over the house keys to beneficiaries of PMAY Urban from Diu and Silvassa.
(vi) PM mentioned the educational institutions that are opening campuses in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, such as NIFT, Gujarat National Law University, and IIIT Vadodara (Gujarat) in Diu.
2. India’s FIEO sign MoU with Business Russia to promote trade & FDI
India's Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) signed an MoU with Russian business chambers to promote bilateral trade and FDI between the two countries.
- The MoU was signed during the visit of a 50-member Indian delegation from the agriculture and food processing sector to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.
- The delegation explored trade opportunities in diverse business ventures of Russia, including ready-to-eat meals, fish meal, animal feed, and soybean, to establish business tie-ups with Russian companies, including large departmental stores in the agro and food processed sector.
- Exporters are looking to increase agro and processed food exports from $750 million to over $3 billion in the next three years.
- FIEO aims to take exports to Russia to USD 5 billion in FY24.
- Exports to Russia stood at USD 2.8 billion during April-February 2022-23, while imports aggregated at USD 41.6 billion during the same period.
About Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) :
Director General & CEO : Ajay Sahai
Headquarter : New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment : 1965
3. PM Narendra Modi launches a Book 'Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamprashastih'
PM Narendra Modi launched the book " Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamprashastih " (सौराष्ट्र-तमिलसङ्गमप्रशस्ति) (Saurashtra Tamil Sangam Praise) on April 26, 2023.
- The book has 113 verses and was prepared by Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Gujarat.
- The book was launched via video conferencing during the closing ceremony of a 10-day Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam.
- The event was held from April 17-26, 2023 in Somnath, Gujarat.
4. 28 States/UTs adopts National Generic Document Registration System for Land Records
The National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) for Land Records has been adopted by 28 States and Union Territories.
- These States/UTs are either implementing eRegistration or sharing data with the national portal of NGDRS via User Interface /Application Programming Interface (API).
- The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) (14- digit alpha-numeric unique ID) or Bhu-Aadhar has been adopted by 26 States/UTs.
- Pilot testing of ULPIN has been done in 7 more States/UTs.
- Some states in the SVAMITVA portal also use ULPIN.
5. SRO completes PMD operation of GSAT-12 satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed the post-mission disposal (PMD) operation of the communication satellite GSAT-12 on March 23, 2023. GSAT-12 was the 23rd GEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbital) satellite to undergo PMD before decommissioning.
- It carried 12 extended C band transponders and was launched on July 15, 2011. The satellite served for more than a decade and after the launch of its replacement satellite CMS-01 in 2020, it was relocated to 47.96° E longitude from its previous position at 83° E longitude, where it was stationed until March 2021.
6. Tennis legend Jaidip Mukerjea launches his Autobiography “Crosscourt”
Retired professional tennis player Jaidip Mukerjea launched his autobiography "Crosscourt" on April 21, 2023, at an event attended by well-known Indian tennis players such as Ramesh Krishnan and Somdev Devvaraman.
- The book, which is co-authored by journalist-writer and translator Papri Sen Sri Raman , was published by Vitasta Publishing Private Limited.
7. Ratan Tata honoured with Order of Australia(AO), highest civil honour of Australia
Ratan Tata, the Indian industrialist, philanthropist, and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) on April 22, 2023. This is Australia's highest civilian honour, which recognizes his efforts to strengthen the bilateral ties between India and Australia in the areas of trade, investment, and philanthropy.
- The announcement of his award was made by Mr. Barry O’ Farrell, the Australian Ambassador to India. Previously, in March 2023, Ratan Tata was appointed as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
8. Government appoints Arun Sinha as Chairman of NTRO
Arun Kumar Sinha , a 1984 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Kerala cadre, has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) by the government.
- He was an advisor in NTRO for two years and was serving as an Acting Chairman of NTRO before this appointment. Arun Sinha has been working as the chief of the Special Protection Group (SPG) since March 2016.
9. Winners of Goldman Environmental Prize - 2023
The winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize 2023 were announced on April 24, 2023, at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, USA.
- The prize was awarded to six individuals representing different continents : Alessandra Korap Munduruku from Brazil, Chilekwa Mumba from Zambia, Delima Silalahi from Indonesia, Diane Wilson from the USA, Tero Mustonen from Finland, and Zafer Kızılkaya from Turkey.
- This year marks the 34th anniversary of the prize, which recognizes grassroots environmental activists.
- The Goldman Environmental Prize is also known as the " Green Nobel Prize " .
- The ceremony was hosted by Rue Mapp, founder of Outdoor Afro, an organization dedicated to celebrating Black connections and leadership in nature.
Awards :
(i) Pollution & Waste - Diane Wilson from United States (North America)
(ii) Oceans & Coasts - Zafer Kizilkaya of Türkiye (Asia)
(iii) Environmental Justice - Chilekwa Mumba from Zambia (Africa)
(iv) Forests - Delima Silalahi from Indonesia (Islands & Island Nations)
(v) Climate & Energy - Tero Mustonen from Finland (Europe)
(vi) Drilling & Mining - Alessandra Korap Munduruku of Brazil (South & Central America)
Banking and Finance News :
1. Canara Bank & RBIH Collaborates to Launch ‘Digitalised Submission of Form 15G/15H’
Canara Bank and the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) have collaborated to launch a new customer-friendly service called 'Digitalised Submission of Form 15G/15H' to simplify the process of submitting self-declaration forms.
- The forms, Form 15G and Form 15H, are submitted by individuals to request that their bank does not deduct TDS on interest income as their income is below the basic exemption limit.
- The submission of PAN (Permanent Account Number) is necessary for the form submission. This service aims to make the process easier for customers.
2. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, actyv.ai Partners to offer Insurance Product
actyv.ai , a Singapore-based licensed corporate agency under IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), has partnered with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to provide insurance products to MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) and their business partners through their technology platform.
- The collaboration will use the actyv.ai SaaS (Software as a service) platform with embedded B2B (Business to Business) BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) and insurance to offer affordable insurance products.
- Bajaj Allianz General Insurance will use the technology stack of actyv.ai platform to provide innovative insurance products to promote the sustainability of suppliers, distributors, and retailers. Commercial insurance products like Fire and Burglary, as well as health products like Personal Accident, Hospital Cash, Credit Linked Health Plan, and Group Health Plans, will be offered.
3. Hindujas Gets In-Principal Approval from RBI to Raise Stake in IndusInd Bank
The promoters of IndusInd Bank, Hinduja Group, have received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to increase their stake in the bank.
- Currently, they hold a 16.5% stake, and the RBI raised the cap on the stake promoters can hold in a bank to 26% in 2021.
- The due diligence process takes about 90-180 days as per RBI norms. IndusInd International Holdings Ltd, an entity belonging to Hinduja Group, has a 12.57% stake, while IndusInd Ltd has a 3.93% stake.
4. Monetary Authority of Singapore clears merger of HDFC Investments with HDFC
The central bank and financial regulatory authority of Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has given its approval for the merger of HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited with their parent company, Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Limited.
- In addition, as part of the composite scheme of amalgamation, MAS has approved HDFC Bank's acquisition of a 20% or more stake in Griha Pte. Limited.
Other News :
1. Five-time Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal passed away
Parkash Singh Badal, the veteran Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and five-time Punjab Chief Minister (CM), passed away on April 25, 2023, at the age of 95 in Mohali, Punjab. He was born on December 8, 1927, in Abul Khurana, near Malout in Punjab.
Parkash Singh Badal : Brief Political Career Overview
(i) Parkash Singh Badal, a veteran Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader, started his political career in 1947 and was elected to Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1957.
(ii) He served as the Chief Minister of Punjab for five terms and holds the record for being the youngest CM at the age of 43 and the oldest CM at the age of 90.
(iii) He briefly served as the 11th Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare under the Morarji Desai-headed government in 1977.
(iv) He was the patron and president of the SAD political party from 1995 to 2008.
(v) Parkash Singh Badal contested 13 state assembly elections, won 11, and won ten polls back-to-back between 1969 and 2017.
(vi) He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan , India's second-highest civilian award, in 2015 (public affairs) and returned it in 2020 to support the Indian farmers' protest against the farm laws.
2. Pakistani-Canadian journalist Tarek Fatah Passes Away
Renowned Pakistani-born Canadian journalist Tarek Fatah passed away in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 24, 2023, at the age of 73. He was known for his criticisms of Islamic extremism and the Pakistani establishment and was a celebrated advocate of LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights.
- Fatah started his career as a reporter in Karachi Sun media in 1970 and later became an investigative reporter for Pakistan Television. He fled to Saudi Arabia in 1977 after being charged with sedition by the Zia-ul-Haq administration and settled in Canada in 1987. Fatah authored two books, " Chasing a Mirage " and " The Jew is not my enemy " .
3. World Intellectual Property Day 2023 - 26th April
World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26 every year to acknowledge the significance of intellectual property rights including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and copyright in fostering innovation and creativity worldwide. It also commemorates the formation of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
- The theme for World Intellectual Property Day 2023 is “ Women and IP : Accelerating Innovation and Creativity ” , highlighting the critical role of women in driving innovation and creativity in various fields.
4. International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2023 - 26th April
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed on April 26 every year to commemorate the anniversary of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. The 2023 observance will mark the 37th anniversary of the incident.
- The United Nations (UN) recognizes this day to promote awareness of the long-term consequences of the disaster.
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