1 President Draupadi Murmu presents Padma Awards at the second civil investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi
President Draupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards at the second civil investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi . The President honored renowned artist Dr. Vyjayantimala Bali and Telugu film actor Konidela Chiranjeevi with Padma Vibhushan . M Fathima Beevi, the first female Supreme Court judge in Asia, was also awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously . Renowned cardiologist Dr. Ashwin Balchand Mehta and veteran political leader O. Rajagopal was also given the third highest civilian honour. Togdan Rinpoche was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan for his exemplary contribution in the field of spirituality . Sportsperson Joshna Chinappa , agriculturalist K Chellammal , Hindustani classical singer Som Dutt Battu and sculptor A Velu Anand Chari were also awarded the Padma Shri. President Smt. Draupadi Murmu presented 2 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri awards at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II.
2 India is the third largest country in the world in solar energy production, leaving behind Japan.
Global energy think tank AMBER has released the Global Electricity Review 2024 report. According to the report, India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third largest solar energy producing country in 2023. India has moved up from ninth position to third position compared to 2015. This report has been prepared on the basis of national level data 2023. The report covered 80 countries representing 92 percent of global electricity, as well as historical data from 215 countries. The report states that India’s growth in solar energy production in 2023 will make the country overtake Japan to become the world’s third largest solar energy producer. According to the report, solar energy is expected to generate a record 5.5 percent of global electricity in 2023. Whereas India has planned to generate 5.8 percent of its electricity from solar energy in 2023. India has achieved the world’s fourth-highest growth in solar power generation in 2023 (+18 terawatt hours or TWh), after China (+156 TWh), the United States (+33 TWh) and Brazil (+22 TWh). The top four solar developing countries together have achieved 75 percent growth by 2023.
3 EU and India hold counter-terrorism talks in New Delhi on May 7
EU and India held counter-terrorism talks in New Delhi on 7th of this month . The Ministry of External Affairs said that this dialogue is an opportunity for strategic partnership between India and the European Union to combat terrorism. The European Union and India have strongly condemned terrorism and stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation in combating its challenge. Both sides agreed to cooperate against global terrorism in multilateral fora such as the United Nations.
4 The majority population in India declined by 7.8-2 percent from 1950 to 2015.
The majority population in India has declined by 7.8-2 percent from 1950 to 2015. This is the second biggest decline in South Asian countries after Myanmar . A report by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council said India has seen an increase in the share of minority groups – Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Sikhs – and a decline in the population of Jains and Parsis . The report said that in the year 1950, the Hindu population was 84.6-8 percent, which decreased to 78.0-6 percent in 2015 . During the same period, the Muslim population in the country increased by 43.1-5 percent and the Christian population increased by 5.3-8 percent . The report provides a detailed analysis of the share of religious minorities in 167 countries. It said that the minority population in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan has reduced significantly. Between 1950 and 2015, the population of majority religious communities in 167 countries has declined by an average of 22 percent.
5 Indian Army and Air Force conducted Exercise Gagan Strike – II in Punjab
Khadga Corps of the Indian Army, under the aegis of the Army’s Western Command, successfully conducted a three-day joint exercise with the Indian Air Force (IAF) at multiple locations in Punjab . The objective of this exercise is to refine procedures and validate the employment of combat helicopters in support of mechanized operations in developed terrain. The exercise titled “ Gagan Strike-II ” involved various force multipliers including Apache and ALH-WSI helicopters, unarmed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and special forces of the Indian Army.
6 IREDA incorporated “IREDA Global Green Energy Finance IFSC Limited” at GIFT City, Gujarat
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in the International Financial Services Center (IFSC) located at GIFT City, Gujarat . The subsidiary company named “IREDA Global Green Energy Finance IFSC Limited” was officially incorporated on May 7, 2024. Earlier, on February 8, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India had given its approval to set up a finance company in IFSC GIFT City. No objection letter was given. Shri Pradeep Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director, IREDA, said that IREDA’s presence at GIFT City marks an important step in its mission to pioneer innovative approaches to green financing.
7 Mumbai and Delhi among world’s 50 richest cities: Henley and Partners
In a reflection of the continued economic growth in India, two Indian cities, Mumbai and Delhi, have been included in the top 50 richest cities in the world for the first time . In the recently released Richest Cities Report 2024, Mumbai was ranked 24th and Delhi 37th among the richest cities in the world . The Wealthiest Cities Report 2024 has been compiled by Henley & Partners in collaboration with global data intelligence firm New World Wealth . The wealthiest are defined as HNWIs (high net worth individuals) who have liquid investable assets of USD 1 million or more. Cent millionaires are individuals who have more than USD 100 million in assets to invest, and billionaires have more than USD 1000 million to invest. According to the report, New York City of the United States remains the wealthiest city in the world. According to the report, a total of 349,500 millionaires in New York City have a combined wealth of more than $3 trillion. The United States has 11 cities in the top 50 cities and three cities in the top 10. Dubai has emerged as the wealthiest city in West Asia and is ranked 21st in the list.
8 IAF conducts Bambi Bucket operation to tackle forest fire in Uttarakhand
Despite the Uttarakhand government ‘s submission to the Supreme Court that the emergency situation regarding forest fires is now over, the state forest department reported 40 new cases of fire on May 8, 2024 . This contradictory situation highlights the ongoing challenges in controlling raging wildfires in the region. Responding to the seriousness of the situation, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took strict action against 17 junior forest officers, suspending 10 and initiating disciplinary inquiry against seven. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively assisting the state in combating the forest fires. In response to the massive fire in the Pauri Garhwal sector, the Indian Air Force provided much-needed relief by launching Operation Bambi Bucket using its Mi 17 V5 helicopters. During eight sorties lasting more than four hours, the Indian Air Force helicopters searched the forest area. 17,700 liters of water was poured on the ground to extinguish the fire. In the last few days, the Air Force has flown a total of 23 sorties over a period of 11.5 hours and used 44,600 liters of water to control the fire raging in the mountains.
9 Setu unveils India’s first BFSI-centric large language model, Sesame
Setu , an Indian fintech company and part of Pine Labs Group , has unveiled Sesame, India’s first Large Language Model (LLM) designed specifically for the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector . Developed in collaboration with indigenous AI research firm Sarvam AI, this groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in the adoption of advanced AI technologies in the financial services industry. Sesame leverages the rich data ecosystem enabled by India’s digital infrastructure to power various features including better credit underwriting, fraud detection, loan monitoring, upsell or cross-sell and personal finance advice.
10 P-notes investment in Indian markets reaches six-year high
Investments through participatory notes (P-notes) in Indian capital markets reached Rs 1.5 lakh crore at the end of February 2024 , the highest level in almost six years . This surge in P-notes investments, which includes Indian equity, debt and hybrid securities, is driven by the strong performance of the domestic economy. Participatory Notes (P-Notes) are financial instruments issued by registered foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to foreign investors who wish to participate in the Indian stock market without directly registering themselves. However, these investors must go through the due diligence process to invest through this route.
11 India leads in global remittances, crosses $100 billion mark
Indians living abroad have broken all records. He has sent 111 billion dollars to his country in one year . This figure is said to be the year 2022. The UN migration agency said it has become the first country in the world to reach and surpass the $100 billion mark . The International Organization for Migration has said in a report that India, Mexico, China, Philippines and France were the top five remittance (money sent home by migrants) recipient countries in 2022. Pakistan and Bangladesh were the sixth and eighth largest recipients in 2022, receiving $30 billion and $21.5 billion, respectively. Three South Asian countries, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, are among the top ten recipients of international remittances in the world. This underlines labor migration from the region.
12 Appointment of Subodh Kumar (IAS) as Director in the Ministry of AYUSH
Subodh Kumar (IAS), a 2010 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, has been appointed Director in the Ministry of AYUSH . The appointment, effective from the date of assumption of charge, is initially till October 8 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Currently, Kumar is on ‘compulsory wait’ at the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
13 Yuzvendra Chahal created history, became the first Indian bowler to take 350 T-20 wickets.
In the current edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) , Rajasthan Royals ‘ veteran leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has achieved a remarkable feat. He has become the first Indian bowler to take 350 wickets in the shortest format of the game . The historic moment unfolded at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi , when Chahal dismissed Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant . This wicket also took him to 11th place in the all-time list of highest wicket takers in T20 cricket, making him the only Indian in the top 15. By the way, the record of taking most wickets in T20 format is held in the name of former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo . Bravo has taken 625 wickets in 573 matches. Afghanistan’s star leg spinner Rashid Khan took 572 wickets in 424 matches and is second in terms of taking the most wickets in the T20 format.
14 Maharana Pratap Jayanti
Maharana Pratap Singh was the king of Mewar (present day Rajasthan). He is considered one of the most successful kings of India. He was born on May 9, 1540 . Maharana Pratap fought hard throughout his life to protect his kingdom from the Mughals. He ate grass in the forest and spent the night sleeping on the ground but did not accept defeat in front of Akbar.
