1 President Draupadi Murmu presented gallantry awards to Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State and Union Territory Police personnel
President Draupadi Murmu presented eight Kirti Chakras , five of them posthumously, to Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State and Union Territory Police personnel at the Defense Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan . Five of the 29 Shaurya Chakras awarded are also posthumous. Gallantry Awards to personnel for gallantry, indomitable courage and conspicuous devotion to duty provided. After independence, the initial three gallantry awards – Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra – were instituted by the Government of India on 26 January 1950, which were deemed to be effective from 15 August 1947. After this, in the year 1952, other three gallantry awards – ‘Ashoka Chakra Class-I’, ‘Ashoka Chakra Class-II’ and ‘Ashoka Chakra Class-III’ were established, which were considered effective from August 15, 1947. In January 1967 these awards were renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra respectively. The Ashoka Chakra is the highest military award for gallantry, courageous action or self-sacrifice during peacetime. The Kirti Chakra is the second highest peacetime gallantry award and is awarded for acts of courage or self-sacrifice in peacetime. The Shaurya Chakra is awarded to personnel of the armed forces for acts of extraordinary bravery.
2 All India Radio will now be known as Akashvani
The central government has ordered that the country’s public broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) be exclusively referred to as Akashvani in all broadcasts and programmes. The move is in line with the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, passed by Parliament , and is aimed at bringing the name and title of the broadcaster in line with statutory provisions. This name change is long pending and is in accordance with a law that came into force in 1997. The renaming exercise rids the organization of its colonial history. Radio broadcasting in India began in 1923 when the Radio Club of Bombay started the first commercial broadcast. In the same year, the Calcutta Radio Club and the Madras Presidency Radio Club were established, but the ambitious Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) faced bankruptcy in 1930. After the intervention of the government, the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS) started its operations in 1930 on an experimental basis. Lionel Fielden, a senior BBC producer, was appointed as India’s first Controller of Broadcasting in 1935 and introduced major advances in programming. Finally, on June 8, 1936, ISBS was renamed as All India Radio. At the time of independence, India had only six radio stations, covering only 2% of the country’s land area and reaching only 11% of its population. Since then, All India Radio has grown rapidly and now has a network of over 262 radio stations,
3 Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana complete eight years
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana have completed eight years on 9th May . These schemes are playing an important role in providing affordable insurance cover and social security to the people. These three schemes were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9, 2015 in Kolkata, West Bengal. was did. The government launched Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to provide financial security to people in the unorganized sector. The government had also started the Atal Pension Yojana to provide financial assistance in old age. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana is a one-time payment life insurance plan, which is renewable every year. On paying an annual premium of Rs 436, in case of death of the insured due to any reason, an amount of Rs two lakh is given to the family of the deceased. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is a once a year paid accident insurance scheme, Which is renewed every year. The premium for this insurance is Rs 20 per year. Two lakh rupees are paid to the next of kin of the insured in case of death or disability due to the accident. Under the Atal Pension Yojana, on the basis of the contribution of the subscriber, he will be given a monthly pension of one thousand to five thousand rupees after the age of sixty years.
4 India Post signs MoU with All India Chamber of Commerce and Tripta Technologies for logistics services
India Post ties up with All India Trade Federation and Tripta Technologies for logistics services A memorandum of understanding has been signed with This MoU will be beneficial for small and medium traders. These merchants will be able to use India Post as a logistics service provider. India Post, The partnership of Confederation of All India Traders and Tripta Technologies will be helpful for traders. The partnership will facilitate last mile service delivery to the small and medium businesses in the unorganized sector and the strong business base of the Confederation of All India Traders. This MoU can prove to be important in taking e-commerce to small towns and rural areas. Thousands of traders can be benefited from this. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Communications, Devusingh Chauhan termed this MoU as an important initiative in the direction of streamlining the parcel work of India Post. Shri Chouhan said that along with financial inclusion services, banking and insurance services have also been linked to India Post.
5 India extends one billion dollar line of credit to Sri Lanka for import of essential commodities for one year
India extends one billion US dollar line of credit for one year to bail out Sri Lanka facing severe financial crisis Is. This is part of India’s $4 billion emergency assistance to Sri Lanka last year. This amount was to be given in full by March this year but now it has been extended till March 2024. According to Sri Lanka’s Deputy Finance Minister Priyantha Ratnayake, this will help Sri Lanka pay for essential imported goods. The line of credit given by India is a reflection of India’s commitment to help the people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was hit by the worst financial crisis last year. There were also difficulties in paying for important imported items such as fuel, cooking gas and medicines. However, the situation has now improved. Sri Lanka had received an economic package of about US$ 3 billion from the International Monetary Fund in March.
6 UK to launch Carbonsar spy satellite next year
British companies Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd and Oxford Space Systems are teaming up to launch a low-cost radar satellite next year. The satellite, called CarbSar, is designed to fill a gap in Britain’s spying capability . The Ukraine crisis has demonstrated the importance of such techniques, which have been used to monitor Russian locations. However, Britain lacks its own system, making it the only permanent member of the United Nations Security Council without one. The launch of Carbsar will solve this problem.
7 COP28 conference will be held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023.
The upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) will assess health issues in detail. COP28, which will be held in Dubai this November , will dedicate a day to health, making it the first COP to focus on health issues in such depth. The conference is also expected to host a health and climate minister. The decision comes after years of discussions highlighting the impact of climate change on public health.
8 INSV Tarini to complete 17,000 nautical miles voyage
Indian Navy sailing ship Tarini will complete a 6-month long transoceanic transcontinental expedition covering a route of 17,000 nautical miles after its arrival at Goa on 24 May . The ship travels to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil via Cape Town, South Africa. Left for India, participating in the Cape to Rio Race 2023. The expedition was challenging, with Tarini encountering storms, challenging seas, strong winds and heavy weather conditions. Tarini’s crew consisted of six officers, including two lady officers, who displayed their spirit, grit and determination throughout the voyage. INSV Tarini is known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in a historic expedition named Navika Sagar Parikrama that began in 2017. During its 254-day expedition, the six members of Navika Sagar Parikrama covered a distance of 22,000 nautical miles. INSV Tarini is the second sailboat of the Indian Navy, built at the Kumbh Shipyard in Divar, Goa. The ship was handed over to the Navy on 18 February 2017 and christened after the Tara Tarini Temple.
9 Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan arrested from Islamabad High Court premises in Al-Qadir Trust case
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Imran Khan was detained by Pakistani Rangers. Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi and leaders of his party – PTI are facing probe by the National Accountability Bureau regarding a deal made with a property baron. This has reportedly caused a loss of Rs 50 billion to the national exchequer. He is also accused of receiving undue benefits from over 458 kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala in Sohawa for the establishment of Al Qadir University.
10 Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Sittwe Port in Myanmar
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar and Minister of Transport and Communications Admiral Tin Aung San jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port in Myanmar ‘s Rakhine State . On this occasion, the first Indian cargo ship from Kolkata ‘s Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port reached Sittwe Port. The commissioning of this port will enhance the bilateral and regional market between the two countries. Along with this, the local economy of Rakhine province will also get a boost. With the opening of the port, connectivity will increase, which will increase employment opportunities in the area.
11 External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen held talks in New Delhi
External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Israel ‘s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen held talks in New Delhi . During the meeting, both the leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthen the ties between India and Israel. Meanwhile, Mr. Cohen has decided to cut short his three-day visit to India due to the security situation in his country.
12 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the program organized by Sarvodaya Foundation in Mumbai
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated a program organized by Sarvodaya Foundation in Mumbai . Hearing aids to deaf children studying in government schools under this initiative named Dhvani Ka Uphaar by the Foundation led by renowned singer Anuradha Paudwalare being distributed. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gadkari said that everyone should work in a sensitive manner to help the underprivileged, so that they can live their lives with dignity. Congratulating Anuradha Paudwal and her colleagues for this initiative, he said that this will bring a new ray of hope in the lives of children. Shri Gadkari said that giving back to the society is ingrained in the Indian culture and everyone should try to give something back to the society after a certain point of time. According to Sarvodaya Foundation, the objective of the Dhvani ka Uphaar initiative is to improve the hearing ability of school children who are deprived of it.
13 All Ministries and Departments to organize Nationwide Pension Adalat on 17th May for redressal of pension related grievances of pensioners
On the instructions of the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, all the Ministries and Departments will organize a nationwide Pension Adalat on May 17 to settle the pension related grievances of the pensioners. On this occasion, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs will also organize a Pension Adalat in the Parliament House through virtual medium.
14 Ministry of Women and Child Development to organize a national event in New Delhi to strengthen early childhood care and education
The Ministry of Women and Child Development will organize a national event in New Delhi to strengthen early childhood care and education . This is an important part of the second phase of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan . Ministry of nutrition and education on this occasion will launch the initiative. This is a significant step in the early childhood care and education program to ensure India has the world’s largest, accessible, high-quality pre-school network. ‘Poshan Bhi Padhi Bhi’ program to promote holistic and quality early childhood encouragement and early-primary education, ensure the use of developmentally appropriate pedagogy, and promote health and nutrition in early childhood along with primary education Will focus on the emphasis on services. ‘Poshan Bhi Padhi Bhi’ program provides various types of teaching-learning materials (visual aids, audio aids,
15 Accenture appoints Ajay Vij as Country Managing Director in India
Accenture has appointed Ajay Vij as country managing director and Sandeep Dutta as lead for its India market unit . As Managing Director, Mr. Vij will expand his current responsibilities as Corporate Services and Sustainability Lead for India to provide overall leadership and coordinated decision making for key company priorities. Accenture’s senior managing director and chairperson in India Rekha M. Menon will retire on June 30 and the primary responsibilities of the chairperson will now be fulfilled by new appointees, according to the company.
16 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah released the film ‘Luminaries of Bengal’ in Kolkata, West Bengal
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah released the film ‘ Luminaries of Bengal ‘ in Kolkata , West Bengal . Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated Projection Mapping Show of Victoria Memorial Hall , Guest House of National Library, New Building of Anthropological Survey of India and Exhibition on Abanindranath Tagore.
17 India’s G20 Presidency: 3rd Meeting of the Development Working Group (DWG)
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs , has organized an exhibition showcasing India’s women-led initiatives, during the 3rd meeting of the G20 Development Working Group in Goa . Its basic theme is ” ECHO ” – ie ( ECHO – Economy with Safe Climate and Health Leads to Greater Opportunities ). Economy with safe climate and health leads to greater opportunities. The theme “Eco – reflects the impact of women-led development and its important role in sustainable development.
18 India considering foreign investment in nuclear energy
A government panel set up by NITI Aayog has recommended that India should remove restrictions on foreign investment in the nuclear power industry and increase the participation of domestic private companies., Under India’s Atomic Energy Act of 1962, the government plays a central role in developing and running nuclear power stations. “Junior Equity Partners” by supplying components to domestic private companies and helping them build are allowed to participate. India currently does not allow foreign investment in the nuclear power sector and the state-run Nuclear Power Corp of India Limited (NPCIL) and Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam are the only two nuclear power generators in India. The panel has recommended changes to the Act and India’s foreign investment policies to allow private companies, both domestic and foreign, to complement nuclear power generation by public companies. It aims to reduce carbon emissions and focus on nuclear energy as it can supply energy 24/7 unlike solar energy. Nuclear power generation accounts for 3 percent of total production, while coal accounts for about 75 percent. India is a signatory to international conventions on nuclear safety and has to ensure that private companies follow the standards. While the share of coal is about 75 percent. India is a signatory to international conventions on nuclear safety and has to ensure that private companies follow the standards. While the share of coal is about 75 percent. India is a signatory to international conventions on nuclear safety and has to ensure that private companies follow the standards.
19 Haunted Heritage Walk starting from Malcha Mahal
The Delhi Tourism Department has launched its much-awaited ‘ Haunted Walk ‘, for which Malcha Mahal has been chosen as the first destination for the tour. Malcha Mahal or Vilahat Mahal is a hunting lodge from the Tughlaq era , built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century . This is Chanakyapuri of Delhi Inside a forest, 1.5 km from the main road. It is situated far away. It is named after Malcha Marg, which houses the city’s elite, including diplomats, merchants and writers. Firoz Shah Tughlaq, a Sultan of Delhi from the Tughlaq dynasty, ruled from 1351 to 1388. He is more famous for introducing architecturally shaped buildings, which were seen as unorthodox during his era. He was also considered by the British to be the father of irrigation system in India for channelizing rivers to provide water through canals to a large part of the country.
20 INTACH demands heritage status for Paralakhemundi railway station
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has opposed the decision of the Ministry of Railways to demolish and reconstruct one of the oldest railway stations in Odisha, Paralakhemundi (Heritage Station), which was built in 1899 by the then made by royals Was. Redevelopment of this station and construction of a new building may reduce the importance of the existing heritage structure. INTACH has requested to give heritage tag to the old station and preserve it as it is. INTACH is a non-profit organization based in India that was established in the year 1984 with the objective of preserving India’s cultural heritage. The organization promotes awareness of India’s diverse cultural heritage, protects and preserves historical buildings, monuments and sites of archaeological importance, and supports traditional art forms and crafts.
