Current Affairs 14 May 2024

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 14 May 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 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

Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023 Enforcedi.The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023enforced by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) from May 10, 2024, aligns with the Government’s theaterisation plan, aiming to integrate the Indian Army (IA), Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indian Navy (IN) capabilities.
ii.This legislation grants disciplinary and administrative powers to the heads of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) to ensure efficient resource utilization during wars and operations.
iii.Passed during the Monsoon Session of 2023 and assented by the President on August 15, 2023, it empowers Commanders-in-Chief (CIC) and Officers-in-Command (OIC) of ISOs to exercise disciplinary and administrative control over service personnel.
About Ministry of Defence:
Union Defence Minister– Rajnath Singh (Constituency – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State– Ajay Bhatt (Constituency- Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Uttarakhand)
>> Read Full News

China emerged as Largest Trading Partner of India in FY24 with USD 118.4 Billion: GTRI Report
As per the data  published by think tank Global Trade Research Initiative(GTRI), China emerged as the largest trading partner of India with USD 118.4 billion two way commerce in FY24 (2023-24). While, The United States of America(U.S.A.) with USD 118.3 billion was the 2nd largest trading partner of India in 2023-24.
Key Points:
i.For FY24, China replaced the U.S.A. to become India’s largest trading partner after a gap of 2 years.
ii.India-U.S. bilateral trade stood at USD 118.3 billion in 2023-24. The U.S.A. was India’s top trading partner during FY22 and FY23.
iii. The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) with USD 83.6 billion, was the 3rd largest trading partner of India in FY24, then followed by Russia(USD 65.7 billion), Saudi Arabia (USD 43.4 billion), and Singapore (USD 35.6 billion).
About Global Trade Research Initiative(GTRI):
GTRI’s mission is to produce high quality jargon- free outputs for governments and industry on trade, technology and investment issues from the standpoint of development and poverty reduction.
Co-founder: Ajay Srivastava
>> Read Full News

MSDE and Mahindra & Mahindra launch Pilot Projects to Empower Women in Drone TechnologyOn May 10, 2024, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) to initiate two Pilot Projects under the Drone Didi Yojana.
Key Points:
i.Under this partnership, agricultural expertise of M&M will be leveraged through comprehensive training.
ii.2 Centres of National Skill Training Institue (NSTI) in Hyderabad, Telangana and Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP) were selected for the Pilot Projects, focusing on empowering rural women in agriculture.
iii.The partnership plans to skill 500 women across exclusive batches of 20 women each at NSTI centres, through a 15-day curriculum approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

• The curriculum will be delivered through Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) instructors at these Centres.

iv.NSTIs will offer infrastructure, hostel facilities, and engage local Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for participant mobilization.
v.Mahindra Group will furnish initial setup support, including simulation machinery, drones, simulator controllers, software, desktop computers with i5 processors, trainers, and cover operating costs during the Pilot Projects, including DGCA License Holder Instructors’ expenses at the centres.
Drone Didi Yojana:
Drone Didi Yojana, launched in 2023,  aims to train 15,000 women in drone operations for agricultural purposes like fertilising the crop, monitoring crop growth and planting seeds and creating livelihood opportunities for women in new technology areas.

ICG Signed MoU with Hindalco For Indigenous Marine-Grade Aluminium  
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hindalco Industries Limited for the manufacturing and supply of indigenous marine-grade aluminium to Indian public and private shipyards for ship construction.

• The MoU will provide benefits such as quarterly pricing, priority in supplies and turnover discount and also aims to facilitate better planning and cost management for shipbuilding projects by providing stable and predictable pricing over time.
• The ICG fleet currently has 67 ships with aluminium hulls capable of operating in shallow waters.
• It has planned to introduce more of these vessels, which will use indigenously made marine-grade aluminium, to enhance coastal security.

Note:
i. Indian Coast Guard, an Armed Force, Search and Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement agency under the Ministry of Defence.
ii.Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of Aditya Birla Group.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

WHO Releases 1st Global Guidelines to Reduce Bloodstream Infections from Catheter UseThe World Health Organization (WHO) has published the 1st global guidelines titled “Guidelines for the prevention of bloodstream infections and other infections associated with the use of intravascular catheters: part I: peripheral catheters”, to combat bloodstream, and other infections stemming from catheter usage in minor blood vessels during medical procedures.

• WHO prioritises global collaboration to implement best practices and mitigate bloodstream infections, ensuring safe care for all patients globally.

About WHO’s Guidelines:
The guidelines encompass 14 good practice statements and 23 recommendations on key areas for health workers, including:

• education and training of health workers;
• techniques of asepsis and hand hygiene practices;
• insertion, maintenance, access, and removal of catheters; and
• catheter selection.

Risk Factors and Complications:
i.Poor practices in catheter insertion, maintenance, and removal carry a high risk of introducing germs directly to the bloodstream.

• Infections can lead to severe conditions like bloodstream infections, sepsis, and complications in major organs.

ii.Soft tissue infections at catheter insertion sites can also occur.
Scope of the Issue:
i.Up to 70% of inpatients require use of a catheter inserted into a peripheral vein or artery, also known as peripherally inserted catheters (PIVCs) during hospital stays.
ii.Patients reliant on catheters are especially vulnerable due to illness or weakened immunity.
Mortality and Antibiotic Resistance:
i.WHO estimated that between 2000–2018, healthcare-associated sepsis had a mortality rate of 24.4%.
ii.Antibiotic-resistant bacteria contribute significantly to bloodstream infections, causing millions of deaths annually.
Note: Bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) directly caused at least 1.27 million deaths and contributed to an additional 4.95 million deaths in 2019.
About World Health Organisation (WHO):
Director General- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Established on– 7 April 1948
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland

BANKING & FINANCE

BOI Signed MoU with Indian Coast Guard for “BOI Rakshak Package”On 9th May 2024, Bank of India(BOI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Coast Guard (ICG), to offer a Defence service salary package through “BOI Rakshak Salary/ Pension Savings Scheme”.

• The minimum balance required is zero or nil for the account.

Key People: The MoU was signed in the presence of Narendra Singh, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Principal Director (Administration), ICG, Sharda Bhushan Rai, Chief General Manager (CGM) Head Office (Resource/ Marketing), BOI, Mumbai, Maharashtra , among others at ICG Headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
BOI Rakshak Salary/ Pension Savings Scheme:
i.The scheme will cover all the ranks of ICG, veterans, recruits and agniveers are also eligible under the scheme along with ex- servicemen.
ii.BOI will offer various benefits such as:

• Personal Accidental Insurance coverage up to Rs 1.5 crore
• Air Accidental cover up to Rs 1 crore
• Permanent Total Disability cover up to Rs 50 lakhs
• Partial Disability cover up to Rs 25 lakhs

iii.Bank will also provide concessions in retail loans, processing charges and locker rentals.
iv.All permanent employees of defence forces, i.e. Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Paramilitary Forces and Coast Guards.
v.All permanent employees of the central and state police, civil police, home guards, traffic police and reserve police of all states, police force of the union territories, Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police.
vi.The scheme also features BOI Mobile Omni Neo app which will enable the defence personnel at borders and at remote areas can easily access various financial solutions.
About BOI Mobile Omni Neo app:
The app was launched by Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB), BOI in September 2023. It offers more than 200 services to its customers.
Key Features:
i.It offers 24×7 fund transfer using Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)/ National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT)/real-time gross settlement (RTGS).
ii.Customer can instantly transfer up to Rs 25,000 without adding beneficiary.
iii.Customer can open savings account online.
About Bank of India(BOI):
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO): Rajneesh Karnatak
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Founded: 1906
Tagline: “Relationship Beyond Banking”
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
ICG formed on 1st February, 1977
Director-General: Rakesh Pal
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

HDFC Bank & AIM Empower Social Sector Start-Ups with Rs 19.6 Crore GrantsHDFC Bank, Indian’s largest Private Sector Bank (PSB), in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission(AIM), under National Institution for Transforming India(NITI Aayog), supports social sector startup with grants worth Rs 19.6 crore in FY24 (FY 2023-24).

• Under the 7th “HDFC Bank Parivartan Start-up Grants Programme”, 170 social start-ups received grants worth a total of Rs 19.6 crore, through 41 incubators.

Key Points:
i.The programme outlined key areas for the 2024 grants such as: Climate Innovation, Financial Inclusion, Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Economy, Accessible and Affordable Healthcare, Education and Livelihood Enhancement, Gender Diversity and Inclusion.
ii.The start-ups that have received grants belong to different states such as: Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana.
Note: Over 50% of the 170 start-ups hail from over 60 tier-II/ tier-III cities in India.
iii.The grants were awarded to the incubators like,

• Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre(HITC) at Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Madras, TN
• Agriculture  & Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH) at IIT Ropar, Punjab
• Technology-Hub(T-Hub), Hyderabad, Telangana
• Foundation for Innovation and Technology-Indian Institute of Technology(FIT-IIT Delhi)
• Research Innovation and Scientific Entrepreneurship (RISE) Foundation at Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research(IISER) Kolkata, WB
• Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute(VJTI), Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Forge Forward, Coimbatore, TN.
• NTIBF at National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management(NIFTEM), Kundli, Haryana.

iv.For FY24, high-impact tracks were developed in collaboration with nodal agencies: Reserve Bank Innovation Hub(RBI–H), Ministry of Food Processing Industries(MoFPI), National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC) and Goa Start-up mission.
HDFC Parivartan Start-up Grants Programme:
It is the annual grants programme for social startups launched by HDFC Bank in 2017. So far, the initiative has supported more than 120 incubators from around 400 start-ups across India.
Aim: To identify startups that are working towards social impact and to support them through monetary grants  to incubators.
About HDFC Bank :
Chairman- Atanu Chakraborty
Headquarter- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline- “We Understand Your World”
Established in 1994

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Dileep Sanghani Re-elected as Chairman of IFFCO; Balvir Singh Retains Vice Chairman Position The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has re-elected Dileep Sanghani as its Chairman during the 15th Representative General Body (RGB) elections for its Board of Directors at IFFCO Sadan, New Delhi, Delhi.

• Balvir Singh has been retained as the Vice Chairman of IFFCO.

Note: IFFCO, a leading fertilizer company, is the world’s number one cooperative (as of February 22, 2024).
About Dileep Sanghani:
i.In 2022, Dileep Sanghani was elected as the 17th Chairman of IFFCO. He was elected as Vice Chairman of IFFCO in 2019.
ii.In 2021, he was elected as the President of the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), the apex body of the Cooperatives in India.
iii.He is a Senior Co-operator from Gujarat and the Chairman of Gujarat State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd (GUJCOMASOL) since 2017.
iv.He represented the Amreli constituency 4 times in Lok Sabha from 1991-2004 and served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Amreli (Gujarat).
v.He served in a number of important ministries within the Gujarati government’s cabinet, including agriculture, cooperation, animal husbandry, fisheries, etc.
About Balvir Singh:
i.Balvir Singh represents IFFCO as Director of Adarsh Krishi Vipran Sahakari Samiti Ltd, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
ii.He was elected as Vice-Chairman of IFFCO in 2022.
iii.He is an Advocate by profession and nominated Director of the National Cooperative Housing Federation board.
iv.He served on the board of Shahjahanpur District Cooperative Bank.
v.He was elected as Director of the UP Cooperative Federation Ltd, known as PCF (Pradeshik Co-operative Federation) in 1990.
About Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Dr. U S Awasthi
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established in– 1967

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO successfully tests AM PS4 Engine, a 3D Printed Rocket Engine at Mahendragiri, TNThe Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested a liquid rocket engine, ‘AM PS4 Engine’, produced using Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology, commonly known as 3D printing at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu (TN).

• The engine underwent hot testing for 665 seconds, and demonstrating expected performance parameters.
• Notably, AM PS4 Engine is the redesigned version of the PS4 engine of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) upper stage.
• It is redesigned with Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) principles by the ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and the engine is manufactured by M/s WIPRO 3D.
• The engine will be integrated with ISRO’s regular PSLV program.

Key Notes:
i.The Laser Powder Bed Fusion technique utilized in AM PS4 Engine reducing part count from 14 to a single piece and eliminating 19 weld joints.
ii.AM also cut raw material use by 97% per engine (from 565 kg to 13.7 kg of metal powder) and slashed production time by 60%.
iii.The use of 3D printing will streamline manufacturing processes and enhance performance metrics.
Background of PS4 Engine:
The PS4 engine, traditionally manufactured through machining and welding, serves as the fourth stage propulsion system for the PSLV, generating 7.33 kN (kilonewton) of thrust in vacuum conditions.  It also powers the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the first stage (PS1) of PSLV.

• The engine uses the earth-storable bipropellant combinations of Nitrogen Tetroxide as oxidizer and Mono Methyl Hydrazine as fuel in pressure-fed mode.

What is 3D Printing?
3D printing, an AM process, constructs three-dimensional objects layer by layer from computer-generated designs. Utilizing materials such as plastic, composites, or bio-materials, 3D printers fabricate objects of diverse shapes, sizes, rigidity, and colors.

• Users design objects using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, which are then printed using a 3D printer connected to a personal computer.
• This layering technique is in contrast to subtractive manufacturing methods, offering flexibility and efficiency in production workflows.

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman – Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Establishment– 1969

ISRO Chief S. Somanath Launched Zero Emission Initiative of SFO TechnologiesOn 11th May 2024, Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary, Department of Space, Government of India (GoI) launched the carbon reduction initiative of Kochi(Kerala)-based SFO Technologies, the flagship company of the NeST Group.

• This initiative is in line with the objective of United Nation(UN) i.e. achieving 50% carbon reduction by 2035 and Zero emission by 2040.

Key Highlights:
i.He also unveiled a replica of Chandrayaan which signifies the cooperation of SFO Technologies and ISRO.
ii.During the event, S.Somanath highlighted that the Indian space industry is offering tremendous opportunities for the private sector in India.
iii.He also underscored that Centre Government envisages the space industry in India as a USD 9 to 10 billion industry in the next 5 to 10 years.

• At present, Indian space industry is valued at USD 2 billion.

iv.ISRO had previously collaborated with SFO Technologies for various programmes such as: RF sub-systems for Chandrayaan mission and Aditya, India’s 1st mission to Sun, the manufacturing of antenna systems and cryogenic control systems for launch vehicles.
About SFO Technologies:
It offers Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) plus solutions to various industries such as Aerospace and Defence, Communications, Energy and Industrial, Healthcare and Transportation.
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Manufacturing Business)- Altaaf Jehangir
Headquarters- Kochi, Kerala
Established in 1990
About Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO):
Chairman- Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established in 1969

DMSRDE Developed Liquid Ramjet Fuel For Advanced Air-Breathing Engine
On May 9 2024, The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that one of its labs, Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) has made a ‘Landmark Achievement’ by developing liquid Ramjet fuel for an advanced air-breathing engine.

• The ramjet fuel has been tested successfully for the first time at the Ramjet Testbed at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) on May 8 2024.
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Mineral Oil Company Private Limited are the industry partners in this development.
•  The fuel will not freeze even in the very low temperature ranging from -50 to -55 degrees.

Note: The application of this fuel will power the BrahMos missile and will also be used in the upcoming Supersonic TARget(STAR) missile of DRDO.

NASA-JAXA XRISM Mission Discovered Iron Fingerprints in NGC 4151
XRISM (X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission), an X-ray space telescope mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have discovered the presence of Iron fingerprints in the active galaxy NGC 4151.

• The XRISM’s Resolve instrument captured crucial data from the centre of galaxy NGC 4151, where a supermassive black hole is slowly consuming material from the surrounding accretion disk.
• The resulting spectrum reveals the presence of iron in the peak around 6.5 kiloelectron volt (keV) and the dips around 7 keV, light thousands of times more energetic.

About NGC 4151: NGC 4151 is a spiral galaxy, around 43 million light-years away in the northern constellation Canes Venatici.  The supermassive black hole at its centre holds more than 20 million times the Sun’s mass. It is an active galaxy, where its centre is unusually bright and variable.
Note: XRISM was formerly known as the X-ray Astronomy Recovery Mission (XARM).

OBITUARY

Renowned Punjabi Poet & Padma Shri Awardee Surjit Patar Passed AwayPadma Shri Awardee Surjit Singh Hunjan, a renowned Punjabi poet known by his pen name ‘Surjit Patar’ passed away at the age of 79 in Ludhiana, Punjab. He was born on 14th January 1945 in Pattar Kalan village, Jalandhar, Punjab.
About Surjit Singh Hunjan
i.Surjit Singh Hunjan has translated the three tragedies of Federico Garcia Lorca, Girish Karnad’s play Nagmandala, and poems of Bertolt Brecht and Pablo Neruda into Punjabi.
ii.He has also wrote television scripts on Punjabi poets like Sheikh Farid and Shiv Kumar Batalvi.
iii.He also served as the president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi and president of the Punjab Arts Council.
iv.Some of his notable poetic works: ‘Birkh Arz Kare’ (Thus Spake the Tree), ‘Patjhar Di Pazeb’ (Anklet of Autumn), ‘Lafzaan Di Dargah’(Shrine of Words) and ‘Surzameen'(Music Land).
Awards & Honours 
i.He received Padma Shri in 2012 for his contributions to literature and education.
ii.He was awarded ‘Gyani Gurmukh Singh Musafir Poetry Award’ by Language department,Patiala, Punjab in 1980 for his work ‘‘Hawa Vich Likhe Harf’(Words written in the Air),
iii.He also got ‘Kartar Singh Dhaliwal’ Award by Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana in 1985 and Bhartiya Sahit Akademi, New Delhi in 1993 for ‘‘Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varanmala’(Words Smouldering in the Dark).
iv.He also got ‘Shiromni Punjabi Kavi’ Award by Language department,  Patiala, Punjab in 1997.
v.He also received other prestigious awards like Saraswati Samman by K.K.Birla foundation (2009), Panchnad Puruskar by Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad (1999), Kusumagraj Literary Award (2014).

Hollywood Film Producer & Director Roger Corman Passed Away Roger William Corman, an American film producer, director, and actor passed away at 98 in Santa Monica, California, the United States of America (USA). He was born on 5 April 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Awards:
In 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Academy Award (Oscar) for his unparalleled contribution to nurturing aspiring filmmakers, surpassing the impact of any film school.
About Roger William Corman:
i.Initially, he served in the USA Navy from 1944 to 1946.
ii.In 1953, he started his film career as a messenger at the 20th Century Fox, and became a story analyst, and later a screenwriter.
iii.He started directing films in 1955 and got his first producer credit on “The Fast and the Furious” (1955).
iv.After many commercial successes, he expanded his operations as an independent distributor.
v.In 1970, Roger Corman and Gene Corman founded an independent film production and distribution company named New World Pictures.
vi.He holds the record for the fastest professional 35mm feature film shoot.

• Corman’s original version of “The Little Shop of Horrors” (1960) set the record, completed in 2 days and 1 night.

Notable Works:
Frankenstein Unbound (1990, Director, Producer); Galaxy of Terror (1981, Producer); Death Race 2000 (1975, Producer); and Big Bad Mama (1974, Producer).

Renowned Chess trainer & Kerala’s 1st International Master Varugeese Koshy Passed Away
A renowned chess trainer and Kerala’s first International Master, Varugeese Koshy, has passed away at the age of 66 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN). He was born 3rd October 1958 in Adoor, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.

• Varugeese secured the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) title – International Master (IM) in 1993.
• He represented India in several International tournaments and he also served as the President of Chess Players Forum India (formed in 2020-21).
• He has mentored several Indian chess players including Grandmaster P. Harikrishna, S. L. Narayanan and N.R. Visakh
• He worked with the Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) in Mt. Abu, Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand) and ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) from where he retired in 2018.

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Technology Day 2024 – May 11  National Technology Day is annually observed across India on 11 May to honour the remarkable achievements of the nation’s scientists, engineers, innovators, and others involved in the field of Science and Technology, and celebrate and recognise the major technological advancements of India.

• This Day also commemorates the anniversary of the successful nuclear test (Pokhran II) in Pokhran, Rajasthan under the assigned code name Operation Shakti in 1998.

11 May 2024 marks the 26th year of National Technology Day.

• The theme for this annual event is chosen by the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• The 2024 event was celebrated under the theme, Promoting Clean and Green Technologies for a Sustainable Future‘.

Background:
i.The then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee designated the 11 May of every year as the National Technology Day in 1998, to commemorate the Pokhran II nuclear tests conducted by the Indian Army.
ii.The Council for Technology organised the 1st National Technology Day on 11 May 1999.
>> Read Full News

World Migratory Bird Day 2024 – May 11 World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), the United Nations (UN)-backed campaign is biannually observed across the globe on the 2nd Saturday in May and October, to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them and their habitats.
i.WMBD 2024 falls on 11th May 2024 and 12th October 2024.
ii.The theme of WMBD 2024 is, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds“.
Background:
i.International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), now WMBD, was created in the USA in 1993 by visionaries at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
ii.It is organised by a collaborative partnership among 2 UN treaties –the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS); the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), and Environment for the Americas (EFTA).
iii.On the occasion of its 10th anniversary in 2005, the AEWA Secretariat initiated the Migratory Waterbird Days (MWD) which were held in Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia.
iv.The 1st ever WMBD was launched by AEWA and CMS on the weekend of 8-9 April 2006 on Ms. Kuki Gallmann’s famous wildlife reserve ‘Ole Ari Nyiro’ in Laikipia, Kenya.
>> Read Full News

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