National and International News :
1. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Inaugurates India’s 1st IAF Heritage Centre in Chandigarh
India's first-of-its-kind Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre was inaugurated by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence, during his one-day visit to Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh on May 08, 2023. The centre is located in Chandigarh's Sector 18 and showcases the IAF's various aircraft and contributions in various wars. Spread across 17,000 square feet at the Government Press Building, the heritage centre includes five vintage aircraft, cockpit exposure, and flight simulators to provide visitors with a realistic experience.
- The IAF Heritage Centre features the first IAF-made patent aircraft, Air Force 'Kanpur-1 Vintage Prototype Aircraft', a single-engine indigenous flying machine designed and built by the late Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh in 1958 at Base Repair Depot Kanpur. Accompanying the Defence Minister were Banwarilal Purohit, V R Chaudhari, Air Chief Marshal, and Kirron Kher, Member of Parliament (MP). During the visit, the Defence Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several other projects in Chandigarh.
- In addition to the aircraft and simulators, a souvenir shop equipped with the IAF's memorial and scale models has been set up at the heritage centre.
2. NITI Aayog’s Best Practices in Social Sector : A Compendium, 2023 includes 14 Union Govt Initiatves
The 'Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023', a compilation of 75 initiatives of the Centre and the states/Union Territories (UTs) in the social sector, was released by NITI Aayog (National Institute for Transforming India) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on May 1, 2023. The compendium comprises 14 initiatives launched by the Union government, two joint initiatives by the Centre and state governments, and the remaining initiatives from 26 states and UTs.
- The 75 initiatives are the innovations in policymaking at national and state levels in 14 key social sectors such as health, education, agriculture, science and technology, the environment, Disaster mitigation,Sports, COVID–19, Energy conservation, E- governance and digitization, Women’s empowerment, Financial inclusion, Skill development, and Social welfare.
- 75 initiatives have benefitted a large segment of the society and are replicable.
- Key Initiatives under Social Sector :
(i) Union Government’s Initiatives :
DigiLocker
UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance)
Direct and full benefit of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers
Department of Food and Public Distribution
Academic Bank of Credits
National Academic Depository
A life, less ordinary: Ganga Prahari - Guardians of the Ganga
National Artificial Intelligence Portal-A critical hub for everything AI in India
Innovations for Defence excellence
Combating drug addiction – Nasha Mukt Bharat
Prayatna : Special Project for Transgenders
Financial inclusion for street vendors under PM SVANidhi
Ethanol – A success story
Portability of Ration Cards : One Nation One Ration Card
(ii) Government of NCT of Delhi’s Initiatives :
Home based education to children with multiple disabilities and profound/severe disabilities
Electric vehicle policy and Induction of Electric Buses –A measure to improve Delhi’s air quality
Bio Decomposer Solution and Spray Programme – Fighting stubble burning
Delhi pushes towards sustainable power eco-system
(iii) Government of Karnataka’s Initiatives :
Kalika Chetarike – Activity based learning in Karnataka
Solving dry waste handling Materials Recovery Facility at Nitte Gram Panchayat, Zila Panchayat, Udupi District
Santhe Kaushalkar - Self Help Group and Artisan Profiling Platform
Farmer Registration and Unified beneficiary Information System (FRUITS)
Kutumba : Social Protection cum Entitlement Management System
Akanksha : An integrated online platform for SDG and CSR alignment
(iv) Government of Uttar Pradesh’s Initiatives :
Black Rice Initiative in Chandauli
Reducing Maternal and Newborn Deaths (ReMiND) through mobile application
SARTHI & SAKHI - Mental Health Helpline
Shifting Gears from Disaster Management to Disaster Risk Reduction in Chitrakoot District
Number of Best Practices in Social Sector :
1. Union Government - 14
2. Union and State Government Joint initiatives - 2
3. Karnataka - 6
4. Assam, Madhya Pradesh - 5 each
5. NCT of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh - 4 each
6. Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan - 3 each
7. Andaman and Nicobar, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Manipur - 2 each
8. Jammu and Kashmir, TamilNadu, Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tiripura, Nagaland - 1 each
3. WHO launched PRET initiative to be better prepared for future pandemics
On 26th April , 2023 WHO (World Health Organisation) launched a new initiative called PRET (Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats) to ensure the world is prepared for future outbreaks like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aim : To help world countries by providing guidance on integrated planning for responding to respiratory pathogens and their recovery by supporting to strengthen the systems and capacities.
- PERT is a Call to Action to accelerate preparedness for pandemics and emerging threats globally. The PRET Initiative’s first module focuses on respiratory pathogens, including influenza, coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus.
- The PRET initiative was announced at the Global Meeting for Future Respiratory Pathogen Pandemics held on 24-26 April 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
4. GRFC 2023 : People Facing Acute Hunger in 58 Food Crisis Countries Rise to 258 Million in 2022
The 'Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2023', the flagship publication of the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) and the seventh edition of the annual report produced by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), estimates that the number of people facing acute food insecurity at crisis or worse levels (IPC/CH Phase 3-5) in 2022 has risen to nearly 258 million people, which is 22.7% of the analysed population in 58 food-crisis countries/territories, up from 193 million people in 53 countries and territories in 2021. This is the highest number in the seven-year history of the GRFC.
- GNAFC, an international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working to tackle food crises together, launched the report. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification- Cadre Harmonisé (IPC-CH) Dashboard, a visual display of the total number of people experiencing or facing high levels of acute food insecurity classified in Crisis or worse (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above), was also released.
- The report's key findings reveal that economic shocks became the primary driver in 27 countries with 83.9 million people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above, while conflict/insecurity was the most significant driver in 19 countries/territories, where 117 million people were in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above. Weather/climate extremes were the primary driver of acute food insecurity in 12 countries, where 56.8 million people were in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above.
- The report projects that up to 153 million people, or 18% of the analysed population, will be in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above in 38 of the 58 countries/territories. Around 310,000 people are projected to be in IPC/CH Phase 5 across six countries: Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mali, parts of Nigeria (26 states and the FCT), Somalia, and South Sudan. Three-quarters of them will be in Somalia.
In short :
- GRFC 2023 : a joint assessment of acute food insecurity by 16 partners in 58 countries/territories
- GNAFC : an international alliance of UN, EU, governmental and non-governmental agencies working to tackle food crises together
- IPC-CH Dashboard : a visual display of the number of people in Crisis or worse (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above) due to acute food insecurity
- Key findings :
(i) 258 million people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above in 2022, up from 193 million in 2021
(ii) Economic shocks: primary driver in 27 countries with 83.9 million people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above
(iii) Conflict/insecurity: primary driver in 19 countries/territories with 117 million people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above
(iv) Weather/climate extremes: primary driver in 12 countries with 56.8 million people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above
- Projections :
(i) Up to 153 million people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above in 38 countries/territories
(ii) Around 310,000 people in IPC/CH Phase 5 across six countries: Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mali, parts of Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan
5. BMC & MGL Partners to set up Asia’s largest bio-gas plant in Mumbai ; to Treat 1,000 Tonnes of Wet Waste Daily
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), a Public Sector Undertaking of the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), are joining hands to set up Asia’s largest bio-gas plant in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The upcoming plant will be able to scientifically treat the segregated 1000 tonnes of wet-waste per day into compressed bio-gas (CBG).
- The proposed plant will recycle 3,500 tonnes of damp, organic, and degradable waste, from the 6,000 tonnes of solid waste that are generated per day in Mumbai.
- The BMC will supply the segregated wet waste to the plant, which MGL will treat to produce gas and supply it back to Mumbai. The BMC will provide the land parcel, and MGL will bear the capital expenditure.
6. King Charles III & Queen Camilla crowned at Westminster Abbey, UK
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were crowned at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023, becoming the 40th monarchs to be crowned at the location since 1066. Charles received the St Edward's Crown and took an oath, while Camilla had a simpler ceremony and wore a modified version of Queen Mary's Crown. They travelled to Buckingham Palace in a state procession and appeared on the balcony with other members of the royal family. The coronation was attended by over 2,000 guests and broadcasted worldwide, celebrating the start of a new era for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Key notes :
(i) During the historic coronation ceremony, King Charles III donned St Edward’s Crown.
(ii) St Edward's Crown was previously worn by King Charles III's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her coronation in June 1953 and his late grandfather, King George VI, at his coronation in May 1937.
(iii) At the Coronation, Queen Camilla wore Queen Mary’s Crown. This is the first instance of a Consort's crown being reused since the 18th century.
Banking and Finance News :
1. BharatPe Rebrands Multi-Brand Loyalty Program PAYBACK India as ‘Zillion’
On 4th May 2023, BharatPe Group, a fintech startup, announced the rebranding of its loyalty program, PAYBACK India, the multi-brand loyalty program to “Zillion”. The new web address for Zillion is - https://zillionrewards.in/.
- This new brand identity is in line with BharatPe’s vision to make Zillion ubiquitous to loyalty and rewards across India.
- Zillion aims to target customers across age groups and add a new dimension to their overall shopping experience, across categories and brands.
- Zillion will have a wide range of options for customers to earn and redeem points at a variety of partners across India.
- Customers will be able to earn ‘Zillion coins’ across the network of offline and online partners, including groceries, fuel, entertainment, travel, apparel, and more.
2. ADB announces IF - CAP programme to facilitates billions in climate change financing
The Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific (IF-CAP) program has been launched by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expedite climate change funding in the region. The program's partners are Denmark, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- The IF-CAP funding will aid ADB's goal of mobilizing $100 billion from its resources to combat climate change from 2019 to 2030.
Other News :
1. International No Diet Day 2023 – 6th May
International No Diet Day (INDD) is annually observed across the globe on May 6 to promote body positivity, self-acceptance, and the acceptance of all body shapes and sizes, as well as raise awareness about the dangers of dieting.
Ribbon : The symbol of International No Diet Day is a light blue ribbon.
Aim :
(i) The aim of INDD is to promote a healthier and more sustainable approach to health and well-being that focuses on self-love, body acceptance, and mental and emotional well-being.
(ii) The day also aims to raise awareness of eating disorders, a major mental health problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
2. World Athletics Day 2023 - 7th May
- World Athletics Day 2023 was observed on 7th May 2023 under the theme “Athletics for All - A New Beginning”.
The theme focuses on promoting diversity and inclusivity in athletics and making sports accessible to people of all genders, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
- The day is annually observed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), formerly the International Amateur Athletic Federation (1912–2001).
- The IAAF was renamed World Athletics in 2019.
3. 64th Raising Day of Border Roads Organisation - 7th May, 2023
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 64th Raising Day on 7th May 2023 to commemorate its formation on the same date in 1960. The day honours the BRO personnel for their contribution and encourages them to continue their excellence in building and maintaining roads and bridges in the border areas.
- BRO is a leading road construction agency in India under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) since 2015. It also supports the strategic needs of the armed forces by developing and maintaining infrastructure in a cost-effective and dedicated manner.
- BRO has built over 61,000 kms of roads, over 900 Bridges, four Tunnels and 19 airfields along India’s borders and in friendly foreign countries, such as Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Tajikistan . It has also constructed some of the great engineering marvels like Atal Tunnel, Atal Setu, Col Chewang Rinchen Setu and Umling La .
Important :
(i) As part of the ‘Digital India’ initiative, BRO-centric softwares were launched to improve the functioning and transparency of the BRO. These softwares are: Recruitment Management System, Electronic Measurement Book & Work Management System. They help in automating various processes of the BRO, such as recruitment, measurement and work management, for better efficiency and output.
(ii) A new agreement was reached between the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited on the occasion of the BRO's 64th Raising Day. The agreement involves the construction of 27 indigenous Class 70R Double Lane Modular Bridges along the Northern and North Eastern border states. These bridges are designed to carry a load of 70 tons and can be erected within 45 days of site handover. They will enhance the operational readiness of the Armed Forces in the strategic areas. The Class 70R Double Lane Modular Bridge is the first of its kind in India and is 100 per cent indigenous .
4. World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023 - 8th May
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is annually observed across the globe on 8th May to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The theme of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023 is “Everything we do comes #fromtheheart” .
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