1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participates in the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable – GSDR in Washington DC
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable-GSDR in Washington DC . Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund – IMF and David Malpass, President, World Bank were also present on the occasion. This meeting was organized along with the Spring Meeting-2023. Addressing the meeting, Smt. Sitharaman said that there is a need to boost global efforts, including the G-20 forum, to deal with the growing debt crisis around the world. He stressed on the need for loan transparency and sharing of information and clarity on the process and timeliness of forecasting in the debt restructuring process. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed investors at the roundtable on ‘Investing in India’s Decade’ in Washington DC.
2. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attends Development Committee meeting of World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington DC
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the Development Committee meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC . According to the tweet message of the Ministry of Finance, Smt. Sitharaman has said that India is concerned about the global economic scenario and geopolitical situation, despite the estimated growth rate of more than six percent for its economy this year. The Finance Minister has said that The release of the ‘Report to the Governors on the Development of the World Bank Group’ provides a historic opportunity for collective deliberations.
3. Two-day 2nd Women-20 International Conference begins in Jaipur, Rajasthan
The two-day 2nd Women-20 International Conference has begun in Jaipur , Rajasthan . Women-20 is an official working group within the G-20. The conference focuses on the theme of Women-Led Development – Leveraging Women’s Potential to Build an Inclusive and Sustainable Future. Addressing the summit, India’s Sherpa at G-20 Amitabh Kant said that women-led development is a priority for India, as we have seen women as key drivers of prosperity and inclusive growth. He said that women must set the agenda for development and they must act as agents of growth.
4. ‘A-Help’ program started in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘ A-HELP ‘ ( Accredited Agent for Health and Expansion of Livestock Production ) program in the state of Uttarakhand . Addressing a gathering at Survey of India Auditorium, Dehradun, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami said that women have made a significant contribution in building up the livestock sector and in its overall development, especially in Uttarakhand . Mid-day meals and vaccination programs are already being successfully run in Anganwadis and schools by ASHA workers /women . In this context, under the A-Help scheme envisaged by the Government of India Women have been selected to strengthen livestock related activities in remote rural areas . Trained A-Help workers under this program will contribute significantly in prevention of various infectious diseases in animals, artificial insemination under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), animal tagging and animal insurance.
5. Doordarshan to telecast ‘Dharohar Bharat Ki – Story of Resurgence’, a documentary on the achievements of the government
Doordarshan a two part documentary ‘ Dharohar Bharat Ki – The story of resurgence’‘ will broadcast. Its first episode will air on Doordarshan National on 14 April 2023 at 8:00 PM and the second episode will air on 15 April 2023 at 8:00 PM. The documentary will be presented by popular digital media presenter Kamiya Jani. This documentary will showcase the significant efforts made by India during the last few years towards reviving India’s sense of cultural unity and pride. ensuring the sanctity as well as the security of patriotic sites such as Jallianwala Bagh; reviving the glorious spirit of our civilizational centers like Ram Janmabhoomi, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Somnath Dham and Kedarnath Dham, paying respect to spiritual sites like Kartarpur Sahib, celebrating the lives of our freedom fighters at inspiring sites like Cellular Jail;
6. National Museum of Natural History and State Museum, Lucknow sign MoU to work towards environmental education and conservation
National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), New Delhi and State Museum, Lucknow today signed an MoU to work together towards environmental protection and environmental education among the public . Under the MoU, multi-pronged efforts will be made to organize programs for school and college students to create awareness about nature.
7. DST institute to partner with Indian Navy to develop secure maritime communication using quantum technology
Quantum technology may soon be used for secure maritime communication in a joint effort by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) and the Indian Navy Will be done to develop. RRI, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE), a research and development establishment of the Indian Navy during an event held in New Delhi. Did it The MoU, scheduled for a period of five years, was signed by Professor Tarun Souradeep, Director, RRI and Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy. Under this agreement, RRI’s Quantum Information and Computing (QUIC) Lab will lead the research efforts towards developing quantum key distribution technologies that will benefit the Indian Navy in the country’s efforts towards achieving free space communication. can do.
8. GI tag for Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh
The Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been given to the traditional Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh , which will help in the conservation of the art form and the artists who make it. These paintings made by the Gond tribe depict their way of life along with nature, animals and religious themes. Dindori district is the main center of Gond painting, although its expansion can be seen in other areas. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) will take the art of Gond painting to a wider audience through greeting cards, mobile covers and bag covers.
9. According to the fifth cycle of Management Effectiveness Assessment 2022, Periyar Tiger Reserve ranked 1st
According to the fifth cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for the year 2022, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) ranked first, Satpura and Bandipur ranked second and Nagarhole third (92.42%) in the MEE cycle stayed in place All five reserves in Tamil Nadu are well managed, with Annamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) ranked fifth and eighth respectively out of 51 tiger reserves in the country, improving their ranking to “very good”. Have done These two tiger reserves are classified as “outstanding” among the 12 tiger reserves. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) and Kalakkad and Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) have retained themselves as “very good”. Although the newly declared Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur-Megamalai has been ranked “Good”. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) methodology served as the foundation for MEE assessment, which focused on six assessment components—context, plan, input, process, output and outcome.
10. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Purushottam Rupala to launch Animal Health Systems Support Project in New Delhi
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Purushottam Rupala in New Delhi on “ Animal Epidemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) ” and “ Animal Health System Support (AHSSOH)” under World Bank funded National One Health MissionWill launch the project. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has signed a collaborative project for Animal Health Systems Support with the World Bank, which aims to develop a robust ecosystem for animal health management systems using best practices approaches. The ministry has said that the project aims to cover 151 districts of the five states involved. This project will upgrade 75 district and regional laboratories and develop 300 veterinary hospitals and dispensaries. Under this, nine thousand para-veterinarians and clinical professionals and five and a half thousand veterinary professionals will be trained.
11. Indian Air Force contingent leaves for France to participate in Exercise Orion
Indian Air Force contingent leaves for France to participate in Exercise Orion . The exercise is being conducted at the Air Force Base of the French Air and Space Force Mont-de-Marsan . According to the Defense Ministry, this exercise will be done from 17th of this month to 5th of next month. The IAF contingent will include four Rafale aircraft, two C-17, two IL-78 aircraft and 165 air warriors. The ministry has said that this will be the first foreign exercise for Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The air forces of Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and the US will participate in Exercise Orion .
12. Union Minister Shripad Naik inaugurated Shanghai Cooperation Organization Millet Food Festival in Mumbai
Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik inaugurated the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Millet Food Festival in Mumbai . Various chefs from India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan prepared various traditional dishes using millets in this festival. Shri Naik said that under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India had proposed the International Year of Millets which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly . India Presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the year 2023 is hosting. The Ministry of Tourism has organized this festival. The festival will continue till April 19 in Mumbai. Hotel Taj Mahal Palace is hosting the festival to mark the International Year of Millets.
13. Britain will give an additional loan guarantee of 500 million dollars to Ukraine
Britain ‘s Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt said that Britain will give an additional loan guarantee of 500 million dollars to Ukraine . The British debt guarantee is necessary to get a four-year aid package of $15.6 billion from the International Monetary Fund .
14. Under the G20 presidency of India, the second webinar was organized on the subject of conservation of living heritage.
The Culture Working Group (CWG) under India’s G20 Chairmanship, in collaboration with UNESCO as a Knowledge Partner , ” Using Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future”The importance of living heritage in maintaining cultural diversity and promoting social cohesion along with its contribution to economic development was highlighted during the webinar. Experts discussed traditional cultural practices and knowledge systems Emphasizes the need to strengthen written evidence and improve research for the conservation and promotion of biodiversity. Prepared a consolidated report of four global theme-based webinars at the 3rd CWG meeting to be held in Hampi, Karnataka from 15-18 July 2023 and will be shared with G20 members, guest nations and international organizations. The purpose of this report is to continue the legacy of joint work, deliberations and discussions of the CWG process, with a view to ensuring that knowledge is built over time.
15. Compared to 2021-22, the country’s total exports registered a growth of 13.84 percent in 2022-23.
The country’s overall exports are estimated to reach new heights in the financial year 2022-23, registering a growth of 13.8-4 per cent over the previous year. Exports are estimated to be worth US$ 770.18 billion in the last financial year despite global headwinds and steady domestic demand. India’s total exports in the financial year 2021-22 were over US$ 676 billion. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, annual exports of over US$ 447 billion have been recorded during the financial year 2022-23, with a growth of over six per cent. The ministry has said that the contribution of services exports to the overall exports remained high. It is estimated to set a new record of US$ 322.72 billion with a growth rate of 26.79 per cent over the previous financial year.
16. US designates veterinary tranquilizer xylazine as an emerging hazard
The US has designated the veterinary tranquilizer xylazine as an emerging hazard . When it’s taken with the powerful opioid fentanyl If mixed with, it proves to be extremely dangerous. The Office of Drug Control Policy said this. This is the first time the office has designated it an emerging threat since the category was created for rapidly growing drug threats in 2019. Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the US National Drug Control Policy, said that xylazine has become increasingly common in all regions of the world. It was found in nearly 800 drug deaths in the US in 2020 and by 2021, it was present in more than three thousand deaths, reports the country’s Drug Enforcement Administration. We cannot ignore what we are seeing and we must act now, Mr Gupta said. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the 12 months ending November 30, 2022, more than one lakh seven thousand people died of its overdose.
17. US-Philippines Joint Military Exercise
Recently the US and the Philippines have started their annual ” Balikatan ” military exercises and it aims to improve the respective armies’ ability to jointly respond to threats in the Indo-Pacific region. This exercise was first conducted in the year 1991. Balikatan means “shoulder to shoulder”. The foreign policy of the Philippines is leaning towards the US, away from its previous pro-China stance. Overall, the joint military exercise reflects the Philippines’ efforts to enhance its military capabilities and defend against Chinese assertiveness in the region.
18. Good Friday Agreement marks 25 years
The Good Friday Agreement , also known as the Belfast Agreement, is a historic peace settlement that ended sectarian violence in Northern Ireland , commonly referred to as ” the Troubles “. . The agreement was signed on 10 April 1998 by the British and Irish governments along with the political parties in Northern Ireland. The accord was aimed at establishing a power-sharing government and ending decades of conflict that has killed more than 3,500 people.
19. Indian women wrestlers win seven medals, finish third in Asian Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan
Indian women wrestlers have won a total of seven medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan . These include two silver and five bronze medals. With this, India has secured the third position in the women’s team rankings. Last Panghal has won silver in 53 kg weight category and Nisha Dahiya in 68 kg weight category . Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Manisha and Ritika have secured bronze medals in the competition. In the previous edition of this championship, India had won 5 medals and finished fourth.
