Current Affairs 12 April 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Meghalaya’s Ryndia & Khasi Handloom Products Received GI Tag for Indigenous TextilesIn April 2025, Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based Geographical Indications (GI) Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), officially granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Meghalaya’s indigenous textile, ‘Ryndia’ silk and Khasi handloom products.

• The Meghalaya Department of Textiles spearheaded this initiative with support from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and technical assistance from GI expert Dr Rajnikanth. The department actively facilitated joint applications submitted by the Textiles Department and the Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Association.

i.“Ryndia” is the Khasi name for eri, named after the ryndia (castor) plant that nourishes the eri silkworms.
ii.Ryndia or Eri silk, commonly known as Peace or Ahimsa Silk. It derived its term, Peace Silk, from the age-old tradition of extracting silk from the cocoons without killing the silkworm.
About Meghalaya:
Chief Minister (CM)- Conrad Kongkal Sangma
Governor– Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar
Zoological Parks– Lady Hydari Park((Meghalaya Zoo), Nehru Park Cum Mini Zoo
Airports– Shillong Airport,  Baljek Airport
>> Read Full News

India Global Forum’s NXT25 Summit 2025 held in MaharashtraThe India Global Forum(IGF) hosted its ‘NXT25 Summit 2025’-Leading the Leap was held from April  7–8, 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The summit was supported by the United Kingdom (UK) Government, the Government of Maharashtra, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) of the Government of India (GoI).

i.The event was graced by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, along with the presence of several other dignitaries.
ii.During the IGF NXT25 Summit, the Government of Maharashtra signed 5 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth approximately USD 50 billion with leading domestic and global investors to accelerate infrastructure development, economic growth, and innovation in the state.
About Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC):
Chairman & Managing Director(CMD) –  Manoj Kumar Dubey
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established –  1986
>> Read Full News

8th Session of India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects held in New DelhiIn April 2025, the 8th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP) under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held in New Delhi, Delhi.

• Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) on behalf of the Government of India (GoI) co-chaired the session along with Vladimir Ilichev, Deputy Minister of the Ministry for Economic Development, Government of Russia.
• The 2nd edition of the India-Russia Investment Forum was also organised on the sidelines of the session in New Delhi.

Key Details:
i.During the WG meeting, India and Russia have agreed on 6 new strategic projects, which aimed to enhance bilateral investment cooperation.
ii.Also, co-chairs of the session signed a protocol which highlighted these projects of strategic importance to both countries and reviewed the outcomes of the 7th session of IRWG-PIP.
iii.These initiatives aim to enhance mutual investments, strengthen sector-specific partnerships, and foster deeper economic ties.
iv.Both countries discussed various initiatives to bolster bilateral economic ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expand investment collaboration across key sectors.
India-Russia Investment Forum 2025 :
i.It was organised by New Delhi (Delhi)-based Invest India, which operates under DPIIT (MoC&I) and Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)-based Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, Russia.
ii.The forum saw robust participation from over 80 stakeholders, including business leaders, financial institutions, logistics firms, trade bodies, and senior officials from both countries.
About Russia:
President– Vladimir Putin
Capital– Moscow
Currency– Russian Ruble (RUB)

India-Australia Signed MoU to Boost Bilateral Cotton TradeIn April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Cotton Association of India (CAI) and Queensland (Australia) based Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a meeting at Cricket Club of India Limited (CCI) in Mumbai (Maharashtra) to enhance cooperation in cotton production, trade trends, pricing, and market insights.

• The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade and streamline market access under the Australia- India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which has been operational since 29 December 2022.
• The MoU was signed by Atul S. Ganatra, President of CAI and Cliff White, Chair of ACSA, during a visit by an Australian trade delegation to India, led by Jules Willis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ACSA.

Trade Under AI-ECTA:
i.AI-ECTA allows duty-free access for 51,000 tonnes (t) of Australian cotton annually to India, of which 50,000 tonnes are under an ‘allocated’ quota and 1,000 tonnes under a ‘first-come, first-served’ provision.
ii.As per Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) data, the final export volume for 2024 reached 50,719 tonnes, nearly identical to the 50,690 tonnes recorded in 2023.
Note: According to the latest ASCA Market Report, India ranked as Australia’s third-largest cotton export market, accounting for 12% of total exports, after China (28%) and Vietnam (26%).
About Australia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Anthony Norman Albanese
Capital – Canberra
Currency – Australian Dollar (AUD)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025: Singapore’s Changi Named World’s Best Airport for 13th TimeOn 9 April 2025, Singapore Changi Airport (Singapore) was named the World’s Best Airport in 2025 during the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025, held at the Passenger Terminal Expo at Institución Ferial de Madrid (IFEMA) in Madrid, Spain. This marks the 13th time Singapore Changi Airport has won the title, a record in the history of the awards.

• Doha’s (Qatar) Hamad International Airport (HIA), a former three-time winner of the World’s Best Airport award, is ranked second, and Japan’s Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) is ranked third.

Indian Airports in Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025:
i.New Delhi’s (Delhi) Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), or Delhi International Airport, was ranked 32nd and also earned the title of Best Airport in India and South Asia in 2025.
ii.Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru (Karnataka), was ranked 48th. It has also been named the Best Regional Airport in India & South Asia.

• T2 of the KIA has received Skytrax’s 5-star airport terminal rating, making it the 1st airport in India to receive its 5-star rating.

iii.Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad (Telangana), was ranked 56th.

• GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), Hyderabad, which operates the RGIA, was honoured with the ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2025’ award for the 4th time.

About Skytrax:
Headquarters– London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Established– 1989
>> Read Full News

Union Agriculture Minister Sihvraj Singh Chouhan Represented India at 3rd BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture in NepalIn April 2025, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) led the Indian delegation at the 2025 BIMSTEC(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (BAMM) held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

• The meeting was attended by agriculture ministers and senior officials of BIMSTEC member countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

i.While addressing the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister reiterated India’s commitment to regional agricultural cooperation and underscored the alignment of BIMSTEC with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies.
ii.India has proposed to set up a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Agriculture Cooperation in India.

• The key focus areas for the proposed CoE are: accurate farming, natural and organic agriculture, climate risk mitigation, gender equality, climate risk mitigation and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture.

iii.On the sidelines of 3rd BAMM, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, MoA&FW (India) and Ramnath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (Nepal) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  to enhance cooperation in the field of agriculture, which will further strengthen the bilateral relations of two countries.
About Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW):
Union Minister- Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Constituency- Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Ram Nath Thakur (Rajya Sabha- Bihar); Bhagirath Choudhary (Constituency- Ajmer, Rajasthan)
>> Read Full News

Mauritius Becomes the 1st African Country to Sign ISA’s Partnership Framework In April 2025, Mauritius became the first African country and  fourth country globally after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba, to sign a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a treaty-based intergovernmental organization jointly launched by India and France in 2015.

• The signing of CPF took place during the two-day event Global SolarX Accelerator Programme hosted by the ISA in Mauritius.
• This strategic partnership was formalized by Barakat Ahmed, Regional Programmes Head for Africa at the ISA, and Zeenat Guness-Goolbar, Permanent Secretary of Mauritius’ Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius.

Note: The CPF, introduced by the ISA, is a strategic three-year renewable framework aimed at strengthening long- and medium-term collaboration with its member countries.
Key Points:
i.Under this CPF, a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) will be developed to promote solar energy projects tailored to Mauritius’s specific needs.

• The focus areas will include: Floating solar, Rooftop solar systems, Solar-powered water pumping systems, Agrivoltaics and Green hydrogen technologies.

ii.The agreement aims to create a country-specific roadmap that supports Mauritius’s transition to clean energy in alignment with its national priorities.
iii.The CPF also envisions the establishment of a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) in Mauritius. This centre will act as a hub for innovation, training, and investment in solar technologies.
iv.Mauritius previously collaborated with ISA under the ISA CARES (Creating Accessible and Resilient Energy Systems) initiative.

• One notable achievement under this program was the solarisation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in June 2024, helping reduce energy costs and enhance sustainability in the healthcare sector.

About Global SolarX Accelerator Programme:
​i.The Global SolarX Accelerator Programme is an initiative by the ISA in collaboration with Business Mauritius.
ii.It aims to support and accelerate startups developing innovative, scalable, and cost-effective solar energy solutions across Africa and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions.
About International Solar Alliance (ISA):
ISA was launched by India and France, aims to mobilize USD 1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
Director General (DG) – Ashish Khanna
Headquarters – Gurugram, Haryana
Founded – 2015

Bangladesh Signs Artemis Accords with NASA for Non-Military Space Exploration
In April 2025, Bangladesh became the 54th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a set of non-binding agreements established by the Washington, D.C., United States of America (USA) based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in October 2020, to promote peaceful, transparent, and cooperative civil exploration of outer space.

• The agreement was signed by Bangladesh’s Defence Secretary Md Ashraf Uddin in the presence of Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), and Tracey Ann Jacobson, Chargé d’Affaires at the United States of America (USA) Embassy in Dhaka (Bangladesh).

What are the Artemis Accords?
The Artemis Accords are a framework grounded in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, and the Rescue and Return Agreement, aiming to ensure that space exploration activities are safe, sustainable, and conducted in accordance with international law.
Key Highlights:
i.Technology Transfer: Collaboration with NASA will enhance access to cutting-edge space technology, satellite systems, and scientific research.
ii.Capacity Building: Strengthen Dhaka-based Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO), established in 1980, through technical assistance in developing earth observation satellites for disaster management (e.g., floods, cyclones).
iii.Academic Opportunities: Bangladeshi universities and scientists can collaborate globally, with students gaining access to NASA training programs and exchange initiatives.
iv.Global Alignment: Bangladesh joins with 53 nations, including the USA, India, Japan, and United Arab Emirates (UAE), in fostering responsible space exploration.

BANKING & FINANCE

Highlights of RBI’s 1st Bi-monthly Monetary Policy of FY 2025-26The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held its 54th meeting from April 7 to 9, 2025 under the chairmanship of Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor, Reserve Bank of India.

• The meeting was attended by the MPC members Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Shri Saugata Bhattacharya, Prof. Ram Singh, Dr. Rajiv Ranjan, and Shri M. Rajeshwar Rao.
• The committee revised the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection for FY 2025-26 (FY26) to 6.5%, maintaining the same rate as estimated for FY2024—25.

Key highlights:
i.The committee unanimously decided to:
Reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.00 per cent with immediate effect.
ii.Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) was adjusted to 5.75 per cent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate were set to 6.25 per cent.
RBI’s Policy Rate:

>> Read Full News

SEBI Constituted HLC to Review Conflict of Interest for Officials and MembersIn April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based market regulator, Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI)has announced the constitution of 6-member High-Level Committee (HLC) under the chairmanship of Pratyush Sinha, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)to review provisions for its  officials to disclose  any conflicts of interest.

• The HLC is expected to submit its recommendations within 3 months from the date of constitution, following which SEBI’s board will consider the proposals.
• The HLC has been tasked to conduct comprehensive review of regulations governing property, investments, and liabilities of board members.

i.SEBI has relaxed disclosure norms for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) by doubling the asset threshold limit for granular beneficial ownership (BO) disclosures from existing Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 50, 000 crore.
ii.Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based hBits Investment Management Private Limited, a platform for frictional investment in commercial real estate, has received a license from SEBI to launch its Small & Medium Real Estate Investment Trust (SM-REIT) public issue.

• The company plans to raise up to Rs 500 crore via Initial Public Offering (IPO) by June 2025.

>> Read Full News

SEBI Clarifies Rs 10 Lakh Minimum Investment for SIFs at PAN LevelIn April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) -based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced a regulatory framework for Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs), effective from April 1, 2025.
Key Features of the Revised SIF Framework:
1.PAN-Level Aggregation:
i.Investors must maintain a minimum total investment of Rs. 10 lakh across all SIF strategies under one AMC, calculated at the Permanent Account Number (PAN) level.

• The revised rule applies across all strategies under a single Asset Management Company (AMC) and not on a per-scheme basis.

ii.Exempted accredited investors and mandatory AMC employee investments.
2.Systematic Investment Flexibility:
i.Allows Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs), and Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs).
ii.Requires immediate redemption if market fluctuations cause investments to drop below Rs. 10 lakh.
About Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs):
i.SIFs are an investment product, bridging the gap between Mutual Funds (MFs) and Portfolio Management Services (PMS).
ii.Designed for High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) with tailored strategies like long-short equity, sectoral rotation, and multi-asset diversification.
Eligibility Criteria for AMCs to Launch SIFs:
i.The AMC must have a minimum of 3 years of operational history
ii.Must maintain an Average Assets Under Management (AUM) of Rs 10,000 crore or more over the last 3 years.
iii.Each AMC is permitted to launch only one Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) strategy per category – equity, debt, or hybrid.
Note: In March 2025, SEBI revised the minimum investment limit for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) Instruments listed on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,000.
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
Chairperson – Tuhin Kanta Pandey
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded – 1988

NaBFID Signs MoU with NDB to Strengthen Infrastructure Financing in IndiaIn April 2025, the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) India’s leading Development Financial Institution (DFI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Shanghai (China) based New Development Bank (NDB) to establish a strategic framework for cooperation in infrastructure financing and development.
Key Highlights:
i.Purpose of the MoU: To create a deep and sustainable infrastructure financing market in India and develop a supportive ecosystem around it.​ii.Focus Areas:

• Clean Energy: Renewable energy initiatives, sustainable water, and sewage management.
• Transportation: Development of eco-friendly urban mobility solutions.
• Capacity Building: Joint seminars, workshops, and research to enhance institutional capabilities.

iii.Collaboration Elements: NaBFID and NDB will partner in research and capacity-building initiatives, including seminars and workshops, to promote knowledge sharing and enhance institutional capabilities.
Note: NDB, a multilateral development bank established  in 2015 by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). The bank mobilizes resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs).

Razorpay Partners with NBSL & Axis Bank to Launch ‘Turbo UPI Plugin’ on BHIM Vega
In April 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based fintech firm Razorpay Software Private Limited partnered with NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Axis Bank Limited to launch the ‘Razorpay Turbo Unified Payments Interface(UPI) plugin’ on the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) Vega platform.

• With this, Razorpay has become the first payment gateway to integrate the new in-app UPI solution.
• The partnership aims to address friction in online payments by minimizing drop-offs and increasing transaction success rates. It streamlines user onboarding and delivers a faster, more efficient payment process for businesses and customers.

Note: BHIM Vega is a next-generation UPI plugin developed by NBSL and is built on the existing BHIM infrastructure.
Key Features:
i.Seamless In-App Transactions: The Turbo UPI plugin eliminates the need for customers to switch to third-party applications during payments, thereby reducing transaction drop-offs and enhancing user experience.​
ii. Enhanced Reliability: By utilizing smart routing through multiple banking partners, the plugin ensures higher transaction success rates, even if one bank’s system encounters issues.
iii. Improved Onboarding: The integration simplifies the onboarding process for businesses, allowing for quicker adoption and implementation of the payment solution.

Piramal Finance & ICICI Bank Collaborate to Enhance Credit Access 
In April 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Piramal Finance Limited (formerly known as Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Ltd.), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), entered into a co-lending partnership with Mumbai based ICICI Bank Limited, a prominent private sector bank headquartered in Mumbai (Maharashtra).

• This strategic alliance aims to improve credit accessibility for middle and low-income borrowers, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions, focusing on Home Loans and Loan Against Property.​
• This partnership is part of Piramal Finance’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in India’s semi-urban regions and reinforces its commitment to providing easy and affordable credit solutions.

Key Objectives:

• Enhancing Credit Accessibility: The collaboration seeks to provide affordable credit solutions to borrowers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, thereby contributing to financial inclusion and economic growth.​
• Combining Strengths: Piramal Finance brings its innovative ‘High Tech + High Touch’ approach, leveraging technology and personalized customer service, while ICICI Bank contributes its extensive financial and banking expertise.​
• Expanding Reach: With over 510 branches across 13,000 pin codes, serving approximately 4.5 million customers in 26 states, Piramal Finance’s strong presence will bolster outreach and accessibility.​

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

GAIL Establishes ‘GAIL Global IFSC Limited’ for Global Operations
In April 2025, New Delhi(Delhi)-based GAIL (India) Limited, a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary named GAIL Global IFSC Limited at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gujarat.

• This strategic move aims to diversify GAIL’s operations beyond its traditional natural gas and energy infrastructure businesses.​
• This new entity will function as a finance company within the IFSC, adhering to all guidelines of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. 

Key Details:

• Incorporation Date: 7 April 2025​
• Authorised Share Capital: Rs 17 crore​
• Initial Paid-up Capital: Rs 8.5 crore
• Ownership: 100% by GAIL (India) Limited, with shares issued at a face value of Rs 10 each
• Regulatory Approvals: Received from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas(MoPNG) and the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) under the Ministry of Finance(MoF) in March 2025​.

Strategic Intent:
i.GAIL Global IFSC Limited is established to undertake global and regional corporate treasury functions and ship leasing activities.
ii.This initiative allows GAIL to enhance its global presence and capital management capabilities through structured financial channels within India’s premier financial hub. ​

OBITUARY

Former President of Lao PDR Khamtay Siphandone Passed AwayIn April 2025, General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, passed away at the age of 102 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. He was born on February 08, 1924 in Huakhongphayai village, Siphandone province (now Champasack province) in Lao PDR.

• He was among the 1st generation of leaders of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party that led the Lao People in their revolutionary struggle for national liberation.

About General Khamtay Siphandone:
i.Khamtay Siphandone began his career as a postman and later trained as a telegrapher in Saigon, working in Phongsaly province by 1944.
ii.In 1944, he joined the Lao Issara movement and became a member of the Indochinese Communist Party in 1954 and joined the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in 1956.
iii.Hhe was elected as a member of the Politburo, the apex body of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party at the 2nd Party Congress in 1972 and later, became the Commander-in-Chief of the Lao People’s Liberation Army.
ii.After seizing power nationwide in 1975, he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Ministers of National Defence and Commander-in-Chief of the Lao People’s Liberation Army.
iii.The 6th session of the 2nd Supreme People’s Assembly appointed Khamtay as Prime Minister (PM) of the Lao PDR on August 15, 1991.
iv.He was elected President of Lao PDR in 1998 and retired from this post as well as chairman of the party in 2006.
v.In recognition of his contributions, he received numerous honors, including the Order of José Martí from Cuba and the Gold Star Order from Vietnam.​
About Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR):
President- Thongloun Sisoulith
Prime Minister (PM)- Sonexay Siphandone
Capital- Vientiane
Currency- Laotian Kip (LAK)

Renowned Publicist and Honorary Academy Awardee Marvin Levy Passed Away
In April 2025, Marvin Levy, the Oscar-winning American publicist, passed away at the age of 96 in Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA).

• Levy became the first and only publicist to receive an Honorary Academy Award in 2018, recognizing his distinguished career and contributions to the film industry.

About Marvin Levy:
i.Born in 1928, Marvin Levy began his career in the entertainment industry during the golden age of Hollywood, eventually rising to become one of the most respected names in film publicity.
ii.He started out as a publicist for film studios and TV networks, later joining Columbia Pictures, where he worked on campaigns for classic films like Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Funny Girl (1968).
iii.His iconic collaboration with Steven Spielberg began with Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and continued with celebrated films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Schindler’s List (1993), Saving Private Ryan (1998), and Lincoln (2012), among many others.
Awards and Honors:
i.Honorary Academy Award (2018): Awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), recognizing his lifetime achievements and being the only publicist to ever receive this distinction.
ii.Les Mason Award (1994): Highest honour from the Publicists’ Guild.

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Safe Motherhood Day 2025– April 11

National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed annually in India on 11 April to emphasize the importance of maternal healthcare, promote safe delivery practices, and reduce maternal mortality rates.

• The day coincides with the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi(born 11 April 1869),  the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, symbolizing India’s commitment to safeguarding the health of mothers.
• In 2025, NSMD focussed on accelerating efforts to achieve equitable access to quality maternal care.

Background:
i.New Delhi(Delhi)-based White Ribbon Alliance India (WRA India), a grassroots organization advocating women’s health rights, initiated NSMD.
ii.The Government of India (GoI) officially declared 11 April as NSMD in 2003, marking the first observance that year.
Note: India remains the only country with a nation-specific motherhood day, reflecting its unique dedication to maternal welfare.
Maternal Health Challenges in India:
India accounts for 15% of global maternal deaths, with approximately 44,000 annual fatalities linked to inadequate prenatal care.
Key challenges include:

• Limited access to healthcare in rural areas.
• Poor nutrition and lack of awareness about antenatal services.
• Inequitable distribution of medical resources.

Government Initiatives:
To address these issues, the GoI launched several programs:
1.Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Launched in April 2005 as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). It is a conditional cash transfer scheme to incentivize institutional deliveries.
2.Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Introduced in 2016 to provide free antenatal check-ups on the 9th of every month.
3.Poshan Abhiyaan: Launched in 2018, aiming to improve maternal and child nutrition through community participation.
4.LaQshya Initiative: Initiated on 11th December 2017 to enhance the quality of care in labor rooms and maternity operation theatres.
5.National Health Mission (NHM): Established in 2013, encompassing the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural regions.
6.Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS): Introduced in December 2009 to digitally monitor health services for pregnant women and children.
About White Ribbon Alliance India (WRA India): 
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1999​

World Parkinson’s Day 2025 – April 11World Parkinson’s Day (WPD) is observed globally on 11 April annually to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease (PD), a chronic degenerative disorder of the central nervous system affecting motor and non-motor functions.

• The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. James Parkinson, the English surgeon who first described PD as “paralysis agitans” in his 1817 publication ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.’

Background:
i.The inaugural WPD was held in April 1997, co-founded by the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA), now known as Parkinson’s Europe, and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO).
ii. The 1997 event launched the Parkinson’s Europe Charter, uniting patients, families, and healthcare professionals to raise PD’s global profile.
iii.In December 2003, the WHO established a Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease, which led to the Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease, launched in Mumbai, Maharashtra  to shift societal attitudes toward PD.
Symbols and Awareness Initiatives:
i.The red tulip with a white fringe became PD’s official symbol during the 9th WPD Conference in Luxembourg (2005).
ii.In 2022, global PD organizations introduced ‘The Spark,’ a unified logo to strengthen advocacy and symbolize hope.
Parkinson’s Disease:
i.Parkinson’s disease disrupts dopamine production in the brain, impairing movement control. Symptoms include tremors, rigidity, and balance issues. While no cure exists, treatments like medication (e.g., levodopa), surgery, and lifestyle adjustments improve the quality of life.
ii.Over 10 million people live with PD globally, with cases projected to double by 2050.
Global Impact and Milestones:
i.WHO’s 2003 Global Declaration emphasized PD as a public health priority, urging nations to enhance research and care.
ii.According to the report by the Parkinson’s Disease Society, United Kingdom(UK), states that over 10 million individuals worldwide are currently living with various forms of Parkinson’s disease.

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