Andhra Pradesh launches ‘Covid Pharma’ app to keep track of people buying medicines for cough, cold and fever from pharmacies

1.World Intellectual Property Day: 26 April

World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26 April.The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to “raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life” and “to celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe”.

26 April was chosen as the date for World Intellectual Property Day because it coincides with the date on which the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization entered into force in 1970.

The theme for World Intellectual Property Day 2020 is ‘Innovation for Green Future.’

2.Saudi Arabia abolishes flogging as punishment

Saudi Arabia has abolished flogging as a form of punishment.Court-ordered floggings in Saudi Arabia, sometimes extending to hundreds of lashes, have long drawn condemnation from human rights groups.

Previously the courts could order the flogging of convicts found guilty of offences ranging from extramarital sex and breach of the peace to murder.

In future, judges will have to choose between fines and/or jail sentences, or non-custodial alternatives like community service.

3.BRO opens Rohtang Pass after clearing snow

Border Roads Organization (BRO) has opened Rohtang Pass, more than three weeks in advance after clearing snow.It is the arterial road connecting Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh from rest of the country.

Himachal Pradesh Government had approached BRO to expedite the snow clearance to facilitate return of farmers for starting cultivation and movement of essential supplies and to bring relief materials to Lahaul Valley in wake of COVID-19.

Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh.

4.Montek Ahluwalia to head expert group for post-COVID-19 revival in Punjab

The Punjab government has constituted an expert group, headed by former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and economist, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, to form a post-COVID-19 revival strategy for the state.The group, which includes economy and industry experts, shall recommend to the Punjab government a short-term (one year) as well as a medium-term action plan, including a fiscal management strategy, along with other policy measures to revive the state’s economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, as per an official release.

The 20-member group has been mandated to submit its initial set of recommendations by July 31.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia is an Indian economist and civil servant who was the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India

5.Celebrations of Madurai Chithirai festival of Kallalagar temple cancelled

The Kallalagar temple management said that all functions pertaining to the Madurai Chithirai festival in Tamil Nadu, have been cancelled in view of the coronavirus pandemic.In Madurai, the two-week-long Chithirai festival is among the biggest celebrations.

The occasion re-enacts the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi (Lord Vishu’s sister) and Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva)

6.Thuthukudi airport in Tamilnadu upgraded to level 3

The Thuthukudi airport in Tamilnadu, near the strategically important Bay of Bengal coast, has been upgraded to level 3 by the Airport Authority of India.This signifies a rise in the operational potentials of the airport and increases the scope of getting more funds for expansion activities.

The airport runway is at present being extended to 3115 metres to enable bigger planes to use it.

With the work of setting up a 720 acre industrial park in Ththukudi well underway, the upgrading of Thuthukudi airport has been welcomed by the general public, industrialists and the commercial circles.

7.CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan launches Jeevan Shakti Yojana in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan launched the Jeevan Shakti Yojana.

Under this scheme, women in urban areas can earn by making masks at home.The government will pay them Rs 11 per mask.

The Chief Minister said that women wishing to make masks will have to register themselves by calling on the Call Centre number through their telephone or mobile.

After registration, they will get an order to make masks on their mobiles.

They will get orders to make at least 200 masks at a time. The mask should be made of cotton cloth.

After making the mask, they will submit their masks to the nodal officer appointed by the government.

Its payment will be credited to their account on the same day or the next day.

8.Assam govt deposited Rs 2000 to 1.6 lakh people who stranded outside the state

The Assam government has deposited 2000 rupees to 1.6 lakh people who are stranded outside the state under Assam Cares initiative.5 lakh 90 thousand people have responded to the Assam Cares initiative.

Out of these, 1.6 lakh people after verification received the incentive so far.

Apart from that, 758 cancer, heart, kidney  patients who are stranded outside the state due to lock down have also been given 25 thousand rupees each.

9.Andhra Pradesh launches ‘Covid Pharma’ app to keep track of people buying medicines for cough, cold and fever from pharmacies

The Medical and Health Department of Andhra Pradesh launched ‘Covid Pharma’, a mobile application to keep a track of people purchasing medicines over-the-counter (OTC) for cough, cold and fever from medical stores across the state.Using the App, the respective pharmacies will have to take down details of persons, including their mobile number, making OTC purchase of medicines for such common ailments and report to the government.

This will help the government in easily tracing persons with any likely symptoms of coronavirus.

10.Former Pakistan skipper Sana Mir announces retirement from international cricket

Former Pakistan women’s skipper Sana Mir announced her retirement from international cricket, ending a 15 year long illustrious career.Mir featured in 226 international matches for Pakistan, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017.

The right-handed batter made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December 2005, while her last ODI was against Bangladesh in Lahore in November 2019.

Mir rose to number-one on ICC Women’s Rankings for ODI bowlers in October 2018.

She is one of the nine women cricketers to have taken 100 wickets and scored 1,000 runs in ODIs.