Uttar Pradesh govt launches ‘Pravasi Rahat Mitra’ App for migrant workers of state

1.World Migratory Bird Day: 9 May 2020

In 2006, the United Nations decided to observe World Migratory Bird Day on two particular dates in a year, the second Saturday in May and October.World Migratory Bird Day 2020 will be celebrated on 9 May and 10 October this year.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness of migratory birds and the importance of international cooperation to conserve them.

World Migratory Bird Day 2020 theme: “Birds Connect Our World”.

2.UN appeals for USD 6.7 billion to fight virus in poor countries

The United Nations called on governments, companies and billionaires to contribute to a USD 6.7 billion fund for immediate needs in fighting the coronavirus pandemic in vulnerable countries.The UN”s initial USD 2 billion appeal unveiled on March 25 was being increased because there is already evidence of incomes plummeting and jobs disappearing, food supplies falling and prices soaring, and children missing vaccinations and meals.

The USD 6.7 billion will fund the UN”s humanitarian response plan to help the world’s most vulnerable people deal with the pandemic now and in the coming months.

The amount will be updated before the end of June because the pandemic has created “a very fast-moving situation”, and will likely be revised upward again to meet needs in 2020.

3.Comet Halley’s Particles causes Meteor Shower visible till May 28

Two hours before Sunrise, people in India and across the world can witness the Annual Meteor Shower called Eta Aquarids till May 28.Meteor showers are commonly known as shooting stars which are nothing but dust flakes of comet/asteroid entering earth atmosphere.

This Annual Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower peaked whereas presence of Full Moon was an obstacle outshining bright streaks of lights of this meteor shower zipping across the South Eastern sky.

As this meteor shower is active till May 28, people can still watch this celestial spectacle in early morning every day.

As per International Meteor Organization (IMO), 50 meteors per hour are expected to be seen on day of peak.

4.PM Modi pays tributes to Maharana Pratap on his birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Maharana Pratap on his birth anniversary.Mahara Pratap was the 13th Rajput king of Mewar, Rajasthan.

He was born on May 9, 1540, to King Udai Singh II and Queen Jaiwanta Bai.

The famous Battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap and Akbar’s forces led by Man Singh I of Amer on 18 June 1576.

Although the battle was won by Mughals but neither Maharana or any of his close family members were captured by the Mughal thus rendering their victory fruitless.

He owned Chetak (the horse) and Ramprasad (the elephant) who are known for their loyalty to their master.

5.PM Modi pays tributes to Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his birth anniversary

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his birth anniversary.Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on 9 May 1866 in Kotluk village of Guhagar taluka in Ratnagiri district, in present-day Maharashtra.

In 1905, when Gokhale was elected president of the Indian National Congress, he founded the Servants of India Society to specifically further one of the causes dearest to his heart: the expansion of Indian education.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale played a major role in the Morley-Minto reforms.

In 1908, Gokhale founded the ‘Ranade Institute of Economics’.

Gandhi called Gokhale his mentor and guide.

He published English weekly newspaper, The Hitavad (The people’s paper)

6.FM Nirmala Sitaraman launches (INR-USD) F and O contracts on BSE’s India INX & NSE’s NSE-IFSC at GIFT

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman launched INR-USD (Rupee-Dollar) Futures and Options contracts on the two International Exchanges, BSE’s India INX and NSE’s NSE-IFSC, at GIFT International Financial Services Centre in Gandhinagar.Bringing this business to India is clearly beneficial in terms of economic activity and employment gains for India.

This will be available 22 hours across all time zones for all global participants from GIFT IFSC.

Given the world class business environment and competitive tax regime at GIFT-IFSC, it is expected that trading of INR-USD contracts may bring volumes to India.

7.AIIMS Bhopal gets initial positive results of drug Mycobacterium-W

Amidst the growing infection of Corona, good news has come from Bhopal-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences-AIIMS.Initial results of the ongoing clinical trial of drug under the supervision of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-CSIR have been found promising.

The immunity modulator drug Mycobacterium-W or M-W was used on severe patients of COVID-19 by the Doctors of AIIMS.

AIIMS official sources informed that both the serious patients were on ventilator but now both patients have come out of ICU and are out of danger.

A clinic trial of this drug was started a week ago under the supervision of CSIR at AIIMS.

8.Uttar Pradesh govt launches ‘Pravasi Rahat Mitra’ App for migrant workers of state

Uttar Pradesh State Government has launched the ‘Pravasi Rahat Mitra’ App for migrant workers of state who are returning from different parts of country amidst lockdown.The multipurpose App is aimed at providing benefits of government schemes to the migrant workers and it will also help in monitoring their health besides providing jobs and livelihood, related to their skills.

The data collection of these migrant workers will be done through the app that has been developed by the State Revenue Department in collaboration with United Nation Development Programme.

The app will have full details of the persons staying in the shelter homes and also of those migrants who have reached their homes directly from other states.

9.Tiger Population Rises to 96 in West Bengal’s Sundarbans

The number of Royal Bengal Tigers in West Bengal’s Sundarbans has risen to 96, up by eight, according to the latest census.In 2017-18, the total count of Royal Bengal Tiger in Sundarbans was 87.

The Forest Department has taken various steps to increase the mangrove cover in the Sundarbans region to improve the tiger habitat’s condition.

Spread over 4,262 sq km, the Sundarbans has mangrove cover in 2,125 sq km in India alone.

A large part of the Sundarbans forest, the world’s largest mangrove reserve and one of the most unique ecosystems in South Asia recognised as UNESCO World Heritage site, lies in Bangladesh.

It’s a part of the world’s largest riverine delta, formed by Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers.

The whole tract of forest reaches about 100-130 km inland from the confluence.

10.Jharkhand govt bans Pan Masala for 1 year

The Jharkhand government has banned 11 brands of Pan Masala for one year in the state.The order was passed by the Commissioner of Food Safety in the state, Nitin Kulkarni.

The state had collected 41 samples of Pan Masala belonging to different brands from different districts to test and analyse during the year 2019-20.

All samples were found to contain Magnesium Carbonate as an ingredient.

11.Moody’s slashes India’s GDP growth to `zero’ in current FY

Global rating agency Moody’s slashed India’s GDP growth rate at Zero for the current fiscal 2020-21.However, on a positive note, it has forecast India’s GDP growth rate to bounce back to 6.6 per cent in 2021-22.

Its previous estimate was 2.6 per cent.

Indian economy registered the last contraction in 1979-80 with (-) 5.2 per cent growth rate.

However, prolonged financial stress among rural households, weak job creation and, more recently, a credit crunch among non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) have increased the probability of a more entrenched weakening.

12.Founder of Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, Pandanda Kuttappa passes away

Pandanda Kuttappa, who had conceived and started the now famous Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, passed away.The Tournament, being played since 1997, is gaining popularity by each passing year and more than 300 teams are participating in the event every year.

The Kodava Family Hockey Tournament has attracted the attention of sports lovers over the years and had even entered the Limca Book of Records.

Kuttappa used to oversee the tournament for the last 22 years and was taking part in the inaugural ceremony every year.

The district of Kodagu which is the land of the Kodavas is considered as the cradle of Indian hockey.