Current Affairs 12 May 2022

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 12 May 2022, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2022 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MSME Minister Narayan Rane launches 2nd Phase of MSME RuPAY Credit Card

Union Minister Narayan Rane, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (M/oMSME) launched the second phase of MSME RuPAY Credit Card with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and four banks, viz. Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bank of Baroda, SBM Bank (India) and HDFC Bank.

• The launch was made during the ‘National conference of MSME- Development Institutes, Testing Centres and Technology Centres’, that held in New Delhi, Delhi.

Key Points:
i.This card will provide a simplified payment mechanism to MSMEs to meet their business-related operational expenses.
ii.This conference is a part of Enterprise India under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Campaign.
iii.The aim of this conference was to have interaction with officials of field offices of Development Commissioner (MSME), Ministry of MSME for future planning of MSME schemes. 
iv.The RuPay Card offers benefits like anytime digital payments, interest-free period of up to 50 days and will carry interest rate similar to the rate charged for loans, among others.
Other Participants:
Minister of State (MoS) Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma; senior officers of Ministry of MSME and officials of MSME-Development Institutes, Testing Centres, Technology Centres, NPCI and bank executives.  

RailTel launches PM-WANI based access to its Wi-Fi at 100 Railway Stations 

On May 9, 2022, RailTel, a mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under Ministry of Railways launched Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme based access of its Public WiFi services across 100 Railway Stations in India having 2384 WiFi hotspots. 

• It was launched by Puneet Chawla Chairman, and Managing Director, RailTel.
• These(100) railway stations are spread in 22 states and include 71 Category A1, A railway stations as well as 29 railway stations of other categories.

Key Points:
i.To access this WiFi network, an android based Mobile App named ‘Wi-DOT’ can be used which is available on Google Play Store. It has been developed in closed coordination with C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics).

• This access of Wi-Fi through mobile app is an alternative method to the existing conventional method of selecting RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID).

ii.PM-WANI based access will facilitate the ease of use through one time KYC to avoid OTP based authentication, every time one tries to use WANI based Public Wi-Fi service. 

• PM-WANI is an ambitious program of the Department of Telecom (DoT) to connect all silo Wi-Fi networks for ease of use and proliferate broadband usage for the masses.

iii.PM-WANI based access of the public Wi-Fi services would be extended to all 6102 railway stations across the country where Wi-Fi facility is already available in a phased manner by the end of June 2022 (a total of 1000 railway stations by 10 June 2022, 3000 railway stations by 20 June 2022 as well as all 6102 stations by 30 June 2022).

Etsy Inc. and NEHHDC inks MoU to Support Traditional Artisans, Weavers of North Eastern India

Etsy Inc., an American e-commerce company focused on handicrafts and vintage products, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Government of India to support small and traditional artisans, weavers and sellers of the North Eastern India by providing them online market access and enablement support to sell their products (categorised into Textiles, Bamboo and Sugarcane). 

• The North Eastern States includes – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

About the MoU:
i.The Etsy aims to upskill the artisans, weavers and small entrepreneurs of the Handicrafts sector of North Eastern India with the necessary tools and resources to start and manage their online businesses.
ii.Under the MoU, Etsy and NEHHDC will collaborate to set up digital enablement programs and services, specifically catering to the needs of sellers in North Eastern India, to spur entrepreneurial mindset and sell their products online reaching millions of buyers on the Etsy Platform.
iii.Also, Etsy envisaged conducting various training programs for the sellers to familiarise them with their online platform and how to sell on their marketplace, which consist of a community of 5.5 million sellers.
iv.As part of the programme, a fixed amount of free ad credits will be credited to the sellers.
v.The MoU will approx. benefits 21 Lakh weavers and 14.5 Lakh artisans present in the North Eastern region of India.
Note:
i.According to the analysis by the website Statista – The market value of the e-commerce industry in India was approximately USD 22 billion in 2018 and this number was estimated to reach USD 200 billion by 2027.

New UK India Industry Taskforce launched to Facilitate Free Trade Deal 

The London, United Kingdom (UK)-based Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and India’s Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have created a new UK India Industry Taskforce, a joint commission to increase cross-industry collaboration, and to push the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

• This taskforce is a part of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a critical forum for discussion to ensure the FTA benefit the businesses of both nations.
• The FTA deal is expected to be signed by October 2022.

Key Points:
i.The collaboration between CII and CBI will cover joint efforts in areas such as advancing technology and digitalization, climate change and sustainability, multilateral collaboration, alignment on FTA and education.
ii.This partnership will also address shared concerns, identify common interests and foster greater understanding and to develop capacity to address the issues of economic and global concerns.
Key Expectation from India-UK FTA:
i.Double India-UK bilateral trade to about $100 billion by 2030. 
ii.Boost Britain’s total trade by as much as 28 billion pounds (USD 34 billion) a year by 2035 and increase wages across the UK regions by 3 billion pounds (USD 3.6 billion),
iii.Both nations represent over 300,000 businesses of all sizes across both countries.

AIM, NITI Aayog launches AIM-PRIME Playbook to Support Academicians to Launch Deep-tech enterprisesAtal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog, have launched the AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers in Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship) Playbook – a practical guide to science-based entrepreneurship, at the event organised at the Dr Ambedkar International Center, New Delhi, Delhi. 

• The playbook was launched by Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

AIM-PRIME Playbook:

• AIM-PRIME Playbook is synthesised based on the knowledge shared by these experts as well as additional content contributed by the Chief editor.
• This playbook aims to be a comprehensive resource for academic researchers, entrepreneurs and incubators involved in developing science-based enterprises from lab to market.

Event:
This event marks the culmination of the nationwide AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers in Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship) program which aims to promote and support science-based deep-tech startups and ventures across India, through training and guidance over a period of 12 months.

• AIM-PRIME, an initiative of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, implemented through Venture Center, Pune and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Office of Principal Scientific Advisor(PSA). 

Key People:
The playbook was launched in the presence of Dr Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, Dr Vinod K. Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, Dr. Ajay Sood, PSA to Government of India, and Dr Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, AIM.
About AIM-PRIME: 
i.AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers in Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship), an initiative of AIM and NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was launched in 2021. 
ii.The programme included several lectures and hands-on sessions on various topics related to the lab-to-market journey.
iii.The first year of AIM-PRIME aimed to explore and demonstrate methods and content for accelerating such startups that are India-appropriate and making them available to all innovators and entrepreneurs.
iv.This also led to the creation of a Playbook and course videos (available under an open access model).

Mumbai Gets India’s First EV Charging Station Powered By Food WasteIndia’s first EV charging station powered by bio-gas was inaugurated in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This station be will expected to generate 220 units of electricity from food waste collected from its nearby areas, mostly from bulk generators like hotels and offices.

• This energy plant will be utilized to powering street lights and also to charge electric vehicles.
• It was inaugurated by Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray.

New EV Charging Station in Mumbai
i.Country’s first organic waste-powered EV charging station at Keshavrao Khadye road near Haji Ali in Mumbai.
ii.The project is a joint venture between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and AeroCare Clean Energy.
iii. This EV Charging Plant is connected with the Waste-Energy Unit at Minatai Thackeray Park.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

South Korea, First Asian country joins in NATO Cyber Defence GroupSouth Korea became the first Asian country joins in North Atlantic Treaty Organization Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (NATO CCDCOE). South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) is joined as a contributing participant for NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.
i.Now, the total NATO CCDCOE has 32 countries as its official members which includes 27 NATO member countries and 5 five non-NATO states as contributing participants.
ii.South korea has participated in the Locked Shields 2022, the largest and most complex annual international live-fire cyber defence exercise in the world. It has been participating two years in a row since 2020.

• The exercise was a training and cooperation between members of the CCDCOE, NATO and partner nations. Finland Wins Cyber Defence Exercise Locked Shields 2022.

Background :-
South Korea had been trying to join CCDCOE since 2019 to learn more about threat response methods and ways to defend critical infrastructure, with the overarching goal of having world-class capabilities to respond to those threats.
ii.Experts say that this move follows the 2021 incident of North Korea hacking South Korea’s Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) with the help of China’s technology.
iii. South Korea joining the CCDCOE would help it counter the cybersecurity threat perception due to North Korea.
About CCDCOE
i.CCDCOE means Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. 
Headquarters – Tallinn, Estonia
Established in – 2008
Director –  Colonel Jaak Tarien
About NATO
i.The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European states.
Founded – 1949.
Headquarter – Brussels, Belgium

India elected as Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities for 2022-24

On 7th May 2022, India has been elected as the Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) for 2022-2024 at AAEA’s general assembly and executive board meeting held in Manila, Philippines. India was represented by Election Commission of India(ECI).

• Commission on Elections, Manila, Philippines was the current chair of AAEA.

Key Points:
i.The 3-member delegation of the Election Commission of India(ECI), led by Nitesh Vyas, Deputy Election Commissioner, presented the work schedule for 2022-23 and the future plan of action for 2023-24 before the Executive board.
ii.They also presented on ‘Gender Issues in Elections’ highlighting the various interventions by India to overcome the socio-political barriers in electoral and political processes for inclusive and participative elections.
Note – ECI served on the Executive Board of the AAEA as the Vice-Chair during 2011-13 and Chair during 2014-16.
Training programmes:
i.India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) regularly conducts International Training Programmes which are attended by several AAEA member countries. 
ii,More than 250 officials from AAEA member countries have attended these programmes since 2019. 
iii.IIIDEM also conducts customized capacity development training programs for AAEA members. During 2021-2022, 50 officials of the Bangladesh Election Commission were trained under this programme. 
About Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA):
The AAEA was established in 1998 following the resolution passed by the participants of the Symposium on Asian Elections in the 21st Century held from 26th to 29th January 1997 in Manila, Philippines.

• AAEA is also an Associate Member of the 118-member Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB).
• Current Chairperson – Sheriiff M.Abas (Philippines-Current Chair)
• Headquarter – Manila, Philippines

Members of Executive Board of AAEA -Member Countries- 20 Countries’ Election commission viz, – Philippines, Russian Federation, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, R.O.C., Indonesia, Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, South Korea, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea.
Note: The newly added Executive board member of AAEA includes Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Taiwan and the Philippines.

BANKING & FINANCE

ICICI Bank Join Hands with Santander UK for India-UK Business Ease 

On May 10, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ICICI  Bank, and London-based Santander UK (United Kingdom) Plc, under which, a framework will be established between both the banks to ease the financial service requirements of corporate customers operating within the India-UK corridor.
Signatories:
It was signed by Sriram H Iyer, Head of the International Banking Group, ICICI Bank, and John Carroll, Head of International and Transactional Banking at Santander UK, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Key Points:
i.ICICI Bank will provide banking solutions across trade, cross-border payments, supply chain, treasury solutions and retail banking to the UK corporates operating in India.
ii.On the other hand, Santander UK will support Indian corporates and new age businesses for their banking requirements in the UK.
iii.According to official government statistics, the UK is the 6th largest investor in India’s economy, with cumulative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows of USD 31.7 billion and contributing 6% to India’s total FDI inflows.
Click Here for Official Notification 
About ICICI Bank:
Managing Director & CEO– Sandeep Bakhshi
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline– Khayal Apka

Bharti AXA Life Insurance Launched Financial Literacy Campaign ‘InspiHE₹’

Bharti AXA Life Insurance has launched the financial literacy campaign ‘InspiHE₹-Enabling an empowered future’, a special initiative to enhance financial awareness among women and empower them to make informed financial decisions for a secure future.
The campaign was launched in line with “International Mother’s Day” (May 8, 2022) and ahead of the “International Day of Families” (May 15, 2022).

• Bharti AXA Life Insurance is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s leading business groups, and AXA, a French multinational insurance firm headquartered in Paris, France.

Significance of financial literacy among women: Financial literacy is crucial for women since it is the backbone of empowered women, notably mothers, who are selfless caregivers in society.

• This campaign will help them prepare for emergencies, manage rising living costs and inflation, make confident financial decisions, and educate their children how to achieve financial independence.

Note: According to research, 55% of women do not make well-informed financial decisions, & 59% of women do not have health or life insurance. Bharti AXA intends to improve this situation gradually.
Salient Features of The Campaign:
i.Through this campaign, the company hopes to increase awareness of a financially secure future for women by engaging with women, notably mothers, their families, and close to 1 million citizens of India on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
ii.The ‘InspiHE₹’ campaign will commence in Mumbai, Maharashtra, with on-the-ground education sessions for a group of mothers.
iii. In addition to the on-ground education initiative, employees of Bharti AXA Life Insurance contribute to this initiative by voluntarily educating their mother, house helps, and other family members the fundamentals of financial planning.
About Bharti AXA Life Insurance:
MD & CEO – Parag Raja
Establishment – 2006 
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

Bank Of Maharashtra Launches Range of Digital Products 

The Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), a public sector bank, has introduced a series of digital products, including Mahabank Leads, Digital Mahabank Kisan Credit Card (MKCC), Virtual Visiting Card (V-Card), and others, with the goal of strengthening its digital channels and improving customer convenience.
Understanding the Digital Platforms

• ‘Mahabank Leads’ is an application for enhanced customer engagement and direct sales of various loan products.
• The ‘Mahabank Kisan Credit Card’ (MKCC) digital facility aims to provide farmers with adequate and timely credit support through a simple digital experience.
• A ‘V-card’ is a virtual visiting card that allows BoM employees to keep their visiting cards on fingertips and access them on the go, fostering a paperless environment that can be shared with a simple click via WhatsApp.

Key Points:
i.By effectively exploring digital channels, the BoM intends to be among India’s top three banks in terms of efficiency.
ii.The bank has also launched applications to improve procedural efficacy, such as a TAT (turnaround time) monitor, private cloud, marketing kit, customer handbook, and collection application.
iii. The bank anticipates a significant boost in its efforts to capture the evolving digital business and to establish a robust digital ecosystem with the purpose of providing a smooth and hassle-free digital journey.
About Bank of Maharashtra (BoM):
MD & CEO – A S Rajeev
Establishment – 16 September 1935
Headquarters – Pune, Maharashtra
Tagline – Ek Parivaar, Ek Bank (One Family One Bank)

SEBI Grants Recognition to NDML As an Accreditation Agency 

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML), a wholly owned subsidiary of National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), recognition as an accreditation agency for a term of three years, with effect from May 10, 2022.

• The recognition was granted under Regulation 2(1) (aa) of the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations 2012, and its renewal is subject to satisfactory performance by NDML.

Previously, in August 2021, SEBI introduced the framework for ‘Accredited Investors’ in the Indian Securities Market.

• An accreditation agency issues an accreditation certificate to investors requesting accreditation.
• The accreditation agency will be in charge of verifying applicants’ documentation, processing applications on time and issuing accreditation certificates, maintaining data on accredited investors, and verifying accreditation status.

Accredited Investors Framework:
i.Under the Accredited Investors framework, accredited investors may benefit from flexibility in the minimum investment amount (lower ticket size) or concessions from specific regulatory requirements applicable to investment products.

• It is subject to the terms and conditions that apply to certain products or services.
• The investment providers include Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and investment advisors.

ii.According to the norms, a person will be identified as an accredited investor based on their net worth or income.

• Individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), family trusts, sole proprietorships, partnership firms, trusts and body corporates can get accreditation based on financial parameters specified by SEBI.

iii. Earlier, SEBI had granted recognition as an accreditation agency to BSE Administration and Supervision Ltd (BASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of BSE Ltd and CDSL Ventures Limited (CVL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL) for a period of three years with effect from February 1, 2022.Click here to read more about the eligibility Criteria.
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
Chairperson – Madhabi Puri Buch
Establishment – 12 April 1992
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS      

Indian Architect B V Doshi Conferred with Royal Gold Medal 2022 for Architecture

On May 10 2022, The Indian Architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi was bestowed with the prestigious Royal Gold Medal 2022, one of the world’s highest honours for architecture, by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), London, United Kingdom (UK).

• The Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by Queen Elizabeth II of UK and the award is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture.
• The award was presented by Simon Allford, President, RIBA presented the award at his residence in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. As Doshi cannot receive the award by travelling to London, UK.

About Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi:
i.B V Doshi born on 26 August 1927 in Pune, Maharashtra. Studied at JJ School of Architecture, Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay), Maharashtra.
ii.He had a vivid work experience with noted Architect Le Corbusier as a Senior Designer (1951-54) in Paris, France and supervised projects in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for four more years.
iii.Doshi also worked with Louis Kahn as an associate to build the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
iv.BV Doshi founded his own practice, Vastushilpa in 1956 with two architects. Which is now a multi-disciplinary practice with five partners spanning three generations and has sixty employees.
Awards Won:
i.Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2018 which is considered as Nobel Prize in Architecture and he will be the only Indian Architect to hold both the Pritzker Architecture Prize and Royal Gold Medal.
ii.He was honoured with Padma Shri in 1976 for science and engineering and Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest Civilian in 2020 for his contribution to the field of architecture.
iii.He also received the French ‘Global Award for Lifetime Achievement for Sustainable Architecture’ by the Institut Francais d’Architecture, Paris, France.
Notable Works:

• Shreyas Comprehensive School Campus (1958-63), Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Atira Guest House (1958), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, low cost housing
• The Institute of Indology (1962), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, a building to house rare documents
• Ahmedabad School of Architecture (1966, with additions until 2012) – renamed CEPT University in 2002 – which focused on creating spaces that promote collaborative learning
• Tagore Hall & Memorial Theatre (1967), a 700 seat Brutalist auditorium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Premabhai Hall (1976), Ahmedabad, India, former theatre and auditorium
• Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore (1977 – 1992), a business school
• Kanoria Centre for Arts (1984), an arts and creative hub
• Aranya Low Cost Housing (1989), Indore, India, which won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995
• Amdavad ni Gufa (1994), a cave-like art gallery that exhibits the work of artist Maqbool Fida Husain

Note: 
i.The Royal Gold Medal for architecture is awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects on behalf of the British monarch, in recognition of a lifetime’s work.
ii.It was first awarded to the English Architect Charles Robert Cockerell in 1848.  

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS       

Marcos Jr. Wins 2022 Presidential Election in Philippines

Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Junior (commonly known as Bongbong Marcos), a son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos claims the victory in 2022 Presidential Election of Philippines with more than 30.8 million votes. A win would return the Marcos dynasty to power. Hundreds gathered to protest the results of the election.
Presidential Election in Philippines
i.Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Leni Robredo are the president and vice president candidates in the election.
ii.Both the candidates promised for economic recovery following the pandemic.
iii. Along with the two main candidates, eight other candidates, including former boxing star Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former national police chief Sen. Panfilo Lacson, have lagged far behind in voter preference surveys.
Philippines
An archipelagic country in Southeast Asia.
National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang
Capital City: Manila   
Currency – Philippine peso

SPORTS

Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi Finishes Second In Tepe Sigeman Chess Tournament

Indian Grand Master (GM) Arjun Erigaisi from Telangana finished second in the 2022 TePe Sigeman Chess Tournament, an 8-player single round-robin tournament taking place from 3-9 May 2022 in Malmo, Sweden.

• Hans Moke Niemann from United States of America is the champion of the tournament.

Finishing Second
i.Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi secured four points from seven rounds to finish second in the Tepe Sigeman round-robin chess tournament.
ii.Erigaisi drew his final round game against higher-rated Czech opponent David Navara in 59 moves to end up with four points.
iii. Erigaisi tied with two others — Nils Gandelius (Sweden) and veteran Englishman Michael Adams for the second spot and took the runner-up position thanks to a superior tie-break score.

OBITUARY

Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Independent Ukraine Passed Away Independent Ukraine’s first president Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk (Leonid Kravchuk) passed away at the age of 88 in Kyiv, Ukraine.  He was born on 10th January 1934, in Velykyi Zhytyn, Rivne region, Ukraine.
About Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk:
i.Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk served as the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Ukraine (1990-1991).
ii.He played a major role in Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. 
iii.On 24 August 1991, under the chairmanship of Leonid Makarovich, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a historical document Act of the State Independence of Ukraine.
iv.In 1991, he won the first-ever national presidential election in Ukraine and became the first-ever President of Ukraine. He served as the President from 1991 to 1994. 
v.He lost the 1994 presidential election to former prime minister Leonid Kuchma.
Note:
i.Leonid Kravchuk was the last survivor of the three leaders who signed the 1991 declaration that dissolved the Soviet Union.
ii.Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin died in 2007 and Stanislav Shushkevich, former President of the Republic of Belarus died on 3rd May 2022. 

Former Union Minister & Veteran Politician Pandit Sukh Ram Passed Away

Pandit Sukh Ram, former Union Minister of Communication and Information Technology and Congress Party veteran died at the age of 94 in New Delhi, Delhi.
About Sukh Ram:
i.Sukh Ram was born on 27 July 1927 in Kotli town of Mandi district Himachal Pradesh (HP) and belongs to the Indian National Congress (INC) Party.
ii.He held the portfolio of Minister of Communication and Information Technology (Independent charge) from 1993 to 1996, representing Mandi Lok Sabha Constituency. During which he was credited with leading a telecom revolution in the country.
iii.He represented the Mandi Legislative Assembly Constituency from 1963 to 1984.
iv.Sukh Ram, as an Animal Husbandry minister, imported cows from Germany which led to the increase in income of HP’s farmers.
v.On Total he won Vidhan Sabha elections five times and Lok Sabha elections three times.

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Technology Day 2022 – May 11National Technology Day is annually observed across India on 11th May to commemorate the achievements of scientists, researchers, engineers and others involved in the field of science and Technology and to celebrate the major technological advancements of India. 
National Technology Day commemorates the day on which India successfully conducted the Pokhran nuclear test (Pokhran II) code-named Operation Shakti on 11th May 1998. 

• The theme of National Technology Day 2022 is ‘Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for Sustainable Future’.
• Technology Development Board(TDB) has stated the theme of National Technology Day 2022 is “PRAGATI: Promoting Avenues for Growth through Technological Innovations”. 

The theme of the National Technology Day event is decided by the Technology Development Board(TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology(DST).
Background:
i.On 11th May 1998, India successfully conducted underground nuclear tests in the Pokhran range, Rajasthan. 
ii.Then Prime Minister(PM), Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared the 11th May of every year as the National Technology Day as a reminder of the anniversary of the Pokhran II tests. 
iii.The first National Technology Day was observed on 11th May 1999. 
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STATE NEWS

Haryana Govt Launched ‘Chaara-Bijaee Yojana’ Incentivising Fodder Cultivating Farmers

On May 10 2022, The Haryana Agriculture Minister, Jai Parkash Dalal launched the ‘Chaara – Bijaee Yojana’, a scheme launched to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre (Upto 10 acres) to farmers cultivating and supplying fodder to Gaushalas (Cowsheds).

• The rationale behind the scheme is to address the State’s fodder shortage and rising stray cattle.

Key Points:
i.The Subsidy will be directly credited to the farmers account under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
ii.Also the Phosphate-Rich Organic Manure (PROM) prepared from cow dung can be used as an alternative for synthetic fertilisers. The Prom is also prepared from various gaushalas of Pinjore, Hisar and Bhiwani districts of Haryana.
iii.The use of Prom eventually reduces the exchequer’s fertiliser subsidy burden on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilisers. Currently DAP fertiliser costs around Rs 3,850 a packet, of which Rs 2,500 is being given as subsidy to the farmers.
iv.Also the total subsidy of DAP fertilisers in India has reached Rs 2 Lakh Crore.
Stats:
i.In April 2022, for purchasing the fodder a sum of Rs 13.44 crore was distributed among 569 gaushalas in the state.
ii.The number of cow shelters in Haryana has increased from 175 in 2017 to 600 in 2022.
About Haryana:
Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary
Dams – Hathnikund barrage, Anagpur Dam

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