National and International News :
1. MoA&FW and NAFED launched First ever Millets Experience Centre
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) joined forces on April 28, 2023 to inaugurate the inaugural ‘Millets Experience Centre’ (MEC) at Dilli Haat, INA (Indian National Airways), New Delhi. The goal of this initiative is to increase public awareness of Millets and promote their usage. The launch of the MEC in New Delhi, Delhi was celebrated by Narendra Singh Tomar, the Union Minister of MoA&FW, and Rajbir Singh, the Managing Director of NAFED.
India's First Millets Experience Centre Opens in Delhi, Promoting Healthy Eating and Start-up Community -
(i) The establishment of the MEC at DilliHaat, also known as the food bazaar of Delhi and a cultural hub for visitors from around the globe, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness India's 'Millet Movement'.
(ii) The MEC aims to broaden consumers' perspectives by providing healthier alternatives and highlighting India's vibrant millet-based start-up community.
(iii) The MEC concept is likely to expand to other states and retail chains, hotels, and the food and beverage industry through collaboration.
(iv) The MEC enables consumers to enjoy an extensive millet menu and an immersive in-store shopping experience with a wide range of millet-based products, promoting a nutritious and healthy diet.
Key notes :
(i) The Government of India began the National Year of Millets declaration in 2018, which has been continued with IYM 2023. This initiative aims to establish India as a "Global Hub" for Millets, thanks to the visionary efforts of the government.
(ii) IYM 2023 will feature a range of activities focused on increasing awareness about the environmental, health, and economic advantages of millet farming.
About National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) :
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), established in 1958 is registered under the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act., to promote Cooperative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit the farmers.
Managing Director : Rajbir Singh Panwar
Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
2. UNICEF Report: 9 out of 10 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Low-income Countries have No access to Internet
The report ‘Bridging The Gender Digital Divide: Challenges and an Urgent Call for Action for Equitable Digital Skills Development’ by UNICEF reveals that most of the youth in low- and middle-income countries lack internet access, digital skills, and mobile phones. The situation is worse for adolescent girls and young women, who face significant gender disparities in the digital world.
The report shows that :
(i) Only 10% of adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in low-income countries are online, compared to 22% of adolescent boys and young men of the same age group.
(ii) Across 54 countries and territories analysed, only eight have achieved gender parity in internet use among youth. South Asia has the largest gender gap, with 27% more adolescent boys and young men online than adolescent girls and young women.
(iii) For every 100 male youth who have digital skills, only 65 female youth do, across 32 countries and territories analysed. The median values for the share of female and male youth who have digital skills are 9% and 20% respectively, a difference of 11 percentage points.
(iv) Across 41 countries and territories analysed, female youth are nearly 13% less likely to own a mobile phone than male youth within the same household, limiting their ability to participate in the digital world.
3. Indian Navy’s Warships Starts Inducting Indigenous Naval Anti-Drone Systems
The Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS), a product of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Indian Navy and the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), is being deployed on the Surface warships of the Indian Navy.
- This system, which can detect and neutralize hostile drones, is the first of its kind to be developed in India and used by the Indian Armed Forces.
4. Indian Air Force participates in exercise INIOCHOS-23 in Greece
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking part in Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multinational air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) of Greece at its Andravida Air Base in the western Peloponnese. The exercise runs from April 24, 2023, to May 4, 2023.
- The IAF is participating with four Su-30 MKI fighter jets and two C-17 transport planes.
- INIOCHOS is a major air exercise in Europe and the Mediterranean that provides high-level training and a unique participation experience.
- The primary aim of the exercise is to enhance international cooperation, synergy, and interoperability among the participating air forces.
The following countries are participating in the exercise :
- Cyprus with an AW139 helicopter
- France with Rafale fighter jets
- India with four Su-30 MKI fighter jets and two C-17 transport planes
- Italy with Tornado fighter jets
- Jordan with F-16 fighter jets
- Saudi Arabia with F-15 fighter jets
- Slovenia with PC-9 trainer planes
- Spain with EF-18 fighter jets
- USA with F-16 fighter jets and MQ-9 drones
- Austria with INTEL personnel and Canada with Air Battle Managers.
Key notes :
(i) The exercise is divided into three phases: Detachment Deployment (April 18-23, 2023), Execution Phase (April 24 - May 4, 2023), and Force Redeployment (May 5-7, 2023).
(ii) INIOCHOS-23 will involve Hellenic Army, Navy, and Special Operations assets and personnel to create complex and realistic combat scenarios involving multiple types of air and surface assets.
(iii) The exercise is based on the Single Base Concept, which means that the entire exercise takes place from a single air base.
(iv) It will also enable the participating contingents to engage in professional interactions and share each other's best practices.
5. Emirates Airline Unveils World’s First Robotic Check-In Assistant - Sara
Emirates has introduced Sara, a portable robotic check-in assistant, at its new City Check-in and Travel Store in Dubai's financial district . Sara can assist customers with booking, checking-in, and dropping off their luggage using facial recognition technology . The store also offers a range of services and facilities for travellers, such as shopping, discounts, and access to lifestyle amenities .
- The City Check-in and Travel Store is located at ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), near popular attractions such as Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. Customers can use the store to check in and drop off their luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before their flight . They can also choose to use self check-in kiosks or dedicated desks with Emirates agents .
- Sara is the world's first robot check-in assistant and a testament to Emirates' commitment to providing innovative and convenient travel solutions . Sara can match faces with scanned passports, check passengers in, and guide them to the luggage drop area at the centre . Sara is designed to make the check-in process faster and more seamless for customers.
6. Shantanu Roy to be the Next CMD of BEML Limited
Shantanu Roy has taken charge as the new Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Limited (formerly known as Bharat Earth Movers Limited), a Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- He was recommended by the Public enterprises selection board (PESB) on 18th April 2023 for the position.
- He was previously serving as Director (Mining & Construction Business) in BEML Limited. He succeeded Amit Banerjee, who was holding the additional charge of CMD along with his role as Director (Rail & Metro) .
7. Golden Globe Race 2022: Indian Sailor Abhilash Tomy 1st Indian & Asian to Complete Golden Globe Race
Commander Abhilash Tomy, a retired Naval officer, made history on 29th April 2023 by becoming the first Indian and Asian to complete the Golden Globe Race, a solo around-the-world sailing competition.
- The race began on 4th September 2022 from Les Sables-d'Olonne in France, and Commander Tomy secured second place, taking 236 days, 14 hours, and 46 minutes to accomplish the feat.
- The 2022 Golden Globe Race is the third edition of the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. South African Kirsten Neuschäfer became the first woman ever to win a solo around-the-world race by finishing first in the Golden Globe Race, taking 235 days, 5 hours, 44 minutes, and 4 seconds to complete.
8. DRDO & IN conducted successful maiden test trial of ADC-150 from IL-38SD Aircraft off Goa coast
An indigenous Air Droppable Container with a payload capacity of 150 kg, named ‘ADC-150’, was successfully tested for the first time by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy (IN) from an IL 38SD aircraft near Goa.
- The container was designed and developed by three DRDO labs : Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh; and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The flight clearance certification was issued by Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, under the supervision of Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) in Bengaluru.
9. NTPC and NPCIL signed agreement for developing Nuclear Power Plants
A supplementary JV agreement for nuclear power projects was signed on May 1, 2023 by NTPC Ltd., formerly National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, and NPCIL, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.
- This agreement will support India's Clean Energy Commitments and help achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
- The collaboration aims to reach a 20 GW nuclear power generation capacity by 2030.
- The signatories were Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, Director Projects of NTPC Ltd. and Ranjay Sharan, Director Projects of NPCIL in New Delhi, Delhi.
10. DRDO conducts Design Validation Trial of Vertical Shaft based Underground Ammunition Storage Structure
The Centre of Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), a Delhi-based laboratory of DRDO, has successfully conducted the Design Validation Trial Vertical Shaft based Underground Ammunition Storage Facility.
- The underground facility was tested by detonating 5,000 kgs of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in one of its chambers. This facility has been designed to ensure that any explosion within a chamber will not cause damage to the adjacent chamber and will enable upward vertical dissipation of blast effects, thereby ensuring the full operability of the remaining facility.
- The Armed Forces face challenges in storing ammunition due to the lack of enough land, which makes it hard to maintain safety distances. However, underground storage can reduce safety distances, as seen in trials.
- Using a new design, the facility can safely store 120 metric tons of ammunition per chamber with a lower safety distance.This design is also 50% cheaper and safer from attacks or sabotage.
11. WEF Future of Jobs Report 2023: Indian Job Market to Witness 22% Growth in 5 Years
The Future of Jobs Report 2023 Insight Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) reveals that the Indian job market is expected to grow by 22% over the next five years, with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data segments driving job creation. Globally, the job market is expected to expand at 23%, with the creation of 69 million new jobs in the next five years. However, the report also estimates that 83 million jobs will be eliminated by 2027.
- Key findings for India show that job growth will be driven by broader applications of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) standards, increased adoption of new technologies, broadening digital access, and climate-change induced investments. In India, 97% of respondents preferred training funded by the organization, compared to the global average of 87%.
- Globally, the report covers 803 companies employing over 11.3 million people across 45 economies and 27 sector clusters. The study shows that almost a quarter of jobs (23%) are expected to change in the next five years, with 10.2% expected to grow and 12.3% to decline. Six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half of employees currently have access to adequate training opportunities.
- The report highlights that big data, cloud computing, and AI feature highly on the likelihood of technology adoption, and e-commerce and digital trade are expected to be adopted by 75% of businesses. Jobs in the education industry are expected to grow by 10%, leading to 3 million additional jobs, while jobs for agricultural professionals, especially agricultural equipment operators, are expected to increase by around 30%, leading to an additional 3 million jobs.
In short -
(i) The Indian job market is set to grow by 22% over the next five years, with AI, machine learning, and data segments driving job creation.
(ii) Globally, the job market is expected to expand at 23%, creating 69 million new jobs in the next five years, but 83 million jobs will be eliminated by 2027.
(iii) Job growth in India will be driven by ESG standards, new technology adoption, digital access, and climate-change induced investments.
(iv) In India, 97% of respondents prefer organization-funded training, compared to the global average of 87%.
(v) The report covers 803 companies employing over 11.3 million people across 45 economies and 27 sector clusters.
(vi) Almost a quarter of jobs (23%) are expected to change in the next five years, with 10.2% expected to grow and 12.3% to decline.
(vii) Big data, cloud computing, and AI are highly likely to be adopted by businesses, and e-commerce and digital trade are expected to be adopted by 75% of them.
(viii) Jobs in the education industry are expected to grow by 10%, leading to 3 million additional jobs, and agricultural equipment operators' jobs are expected to increase by around 30%, leading to an additional 3 million jobs.
About World Economic Forum (WEF) :
Founder & Executive Chairman : Professor Klaus Schwab
Managing Director (MD) : Saadia Zahidi
Headquarters : Cologny, GenevaCanton, Switzerland
Establishment : 1971
12. UK based Indian origin actor-author Meera Syal receives BAFTA Fellowship
Meera Syal, a 61-year-old actor and writer of Indian origin based in the UK, has received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship. This is the highest honour bestowed by the BAFTA, an independent arts charity that celebrates excellence in films, games and television. The fellowship recognises Meera Syal's outstanding and exceptional contribution to these fields.
- The BAFTA Television Awards ceremony on May 14, 2023 will honour Meera Syal's work at the Royal Festival Hall in London, UK. Meera Syal will also collaborate with the arts charity for the next year to mentor and support emerging creatives through BAFTA's learning, inclusion and talent initiatives.
About Meera Syal :
Meera Syal is a renowned British-Indian writer and actor who was born on 27 June 1961 in Wolverhampton, England. She is a recipient of the MBE (1997) and CBE (2015) awards from the late Queen Elizabeth II for her services to drama and literature.
- She has also been honoured with the Women In Film and TV Award for Creative Innovation, and honorary doctorates from SOAS, Manchester and Birmingham Universities. She was the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine’s College, Oxford University in 2012.
- She has a versatile career spanning television, radio, novels and theatre. Some of her most popular works include the novels ‘Anita and Me’ and ‘Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee’, and the TV shows ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and ‘The Kumars at No. 42’.
Banking and Finance News :
1. BOI Launches Shubh Arambh FD scheme for Senior citizens
The Bank of India (BoI) has introduced a retail term deposit plan named 'Shubh Arambh Deposit' for senior citizens.
- It has revised its interest rates and now offers an additional interest rate of 0.50% for senior citizens and 0.65% for super senior citizens.
- Effective from April 1, 2023, the bank is offering an interest rate of 7.65% for senior citizens aged 60-80, and 7.80% for super senior citizens aged above 80 for 501-day fixed deposits.
- General customers can avail of a 7.15% interest rate on a 501-day term. Other tenures ranging from 7 days to 10 years will receive interest rates up to 7.25% for senior citizens, 7.40% for super senior citizens, and up to 6.75% for regular customers.
2. ACC names Siddhartha Mohanty as LIC Chairperson and First CEO
Siddhartha Mohanty, who was serving as the Managing Director and interim chairperson of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), has been appointed as the Chairperson of the state-owned insurer by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on April 28, 2023. The proposal was made by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance. He will hold the position till June 29, 2024.
- He will also become the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of LIC after this, with a tenure lasting till June 7, 2025 or until he reaches the age of 62 years, whichever comes first. He will receive a fixed pay scale of Rs 2,25,000 per month.
Other News :
1. International Workers’ Day 2023 – 1st May
A global celebration of workers and their achievements, International Workers’ Day or International Labour Day, takes place every year on 1st May.
- The day is also known as May Day or Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din in some regions. It honors the importance of workers and their role in society.
2. Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2023 – 30th April
Ayushman Bharat Diwas is a day to celebrate the achievements of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. The scheme aims to provide affordable and quality healthcare to over 50 crore beneficiaries, especially those who live in remote areas and below the poverty line. The day is observed on April 30 every year as part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
- The day also highlights the importance of universal health coverage and aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The scheme has two components: the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which covers hospitalisation costs for poor and vulnerable families, and the Health and Wellness Centres, which provide primary healthcare services at the grassroots level.
(i) Ayushman Bharat –Pradhan Mantri Jan AarogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY) :
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan AarogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY) is a flagship scheme of the Government of India (GoI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) aimed at achieving the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- The scheme was launched on 23rd September 2018 by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in Ranchi, Jharkhand with the main goal of providing quality healthcare services through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
- Ayushman Bharat comprises two interrelated components, Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
(ii) Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres :
The Government of India (GoI) announced the establishment of 150,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in 2018 by transforming existing Sub-Centres and Primary Health Centres, which would serve as the foundation of Ayushman Bharat.
- These facilities aim to provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) to people by bringing healthcare services closer to their homes. They cover maternal and child health services as well as non-communicable diseases and provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services.
(iii) Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana :
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is a government-funded health insurance/assurance scheme that aims to provide financial protection for secondary and tertiary care to approximately 40% of households in India.
- PMJAY is the largest such scheme in the world, offering coverage of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family for hospitalization across both public and private healthcare institutions.
- The scheme covers over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families, which equates to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries.
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