Current Affairs PDF

Current Affairs Today April 27 2018

AffairsCloud YouTube Channel - Click Here

AffairsCloud APP Click Here

We are here for you to provide the important current affairs April 27 2018 which have unique updates of all daily events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, India Today, Indian Express, Business Standard, all Government official websites. Our complete current affairs helps you to get more marks in Banking, insurance, UPSC, SSC, CLAT, Railway and all other competitive Exams.

Click here to try Current Affairs Quiz : April 27 2018

CAT April 27 2018

Click Here to Read Current Affairs April 2018

 INDIAN AFFAIRS

Van Dhan Scheme launched by PM to help increase tribal income
i. On April 14, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) during the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti at Bijapur, Chattisgarh.
ii. This scheme is for socio economic development of tribals living in forests, for whom, collecting Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a major source of livelihood………………………………………….Click here to Read More

Government launches Seed import-export portal
On April 26, 2018, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched a portal to facilitate import-export of seeds and planting material.
More information about Seed import-export portal:
i. This portal will help organisations involved in import-export of seeds to do away with the requirement to submit their applications in 20 copies.
ii. Besides, the portal will expedite fetching remarks from the different departments which will lead to timely disposal of the applications.
iii. Overall, the portal is geared towards making the entire trade related processing, easy and fast.
iv. While launching the portal, Mr. Singh stated that with a view to encourage export of seeds, all prohibitions imposed on the export of seeds of different varieties have been removed.

Tourism Ministry launches 360° Virtual Reality (VR) video on Incredible India
On April 26, 2018, Union Ministry of Tourism launched a 360° Virtual Reality (VR) experience video on Incredible India.
Tourism Ministry launches 360° Virtual Reality (VR) video on Incredible IndiaDetails about 360° Virtual Reality (VR) experience video on Incredible India:
i. Union Ministry of Tourism has launched this video in collaboration with Google India.
ii. This 360° Virtual Reality (VR) experience video on Incredible India takes through a journey across Hampi, Goa, Delhi and Amritsar. The video covers the site-specific as well as the people-aspect associated with these destinations.
iii. Tourism Ministry is planning to make more such VR videos available for low/free of cost viewing.
iv. Minister of State (IC) for Tourism, Shri K. J. Alphons is hopeful that this initiative will lead to an increase in tourist footfalls at the destinations covered in such VR videos.

Comprehensive strategy to implement BharatNet in NE: Sinha
On 27th April 2018, Union Minister Manoj Sinha said that, the Telecom Commission has approved a comprehensive strategy to implement BharatNet in the North East region.
Comprehensive strategy to implement BharatNet in NE:
i. Manoj Sinha said that, as per this Comprehensive strategy, all the uncovered gram panchayats in the North East region, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura will be connected through broadband connectivity on satellite media by December 2018.
ii. The estimated cost for this is Rs 733 crore. 6994 towers will be set up to offer connectivity to 8621 villages and along the national highways at a cost of Rs 5336 crore.
iii. MoU has already been signed between BSNL and USO Fund to establish 2817 towers in Arunachal Pradesh and two districts of Assam.
iv. He said that, the work for establishing 2004 towers in 6 states has already been started by Bharti Airtel since December 2017. It will be completed in 18 months.
v. These information were revealed at a meeting that was held to review the implementation of BharatNet and other telecom projects in the North Eastern states.
vi. He said that, for Meghalaya, the Telecom Commission has recommended setting up of 2173 towers on 2G+4G technology at a cost of Rs 3911 crore.
vii. He added that, to assure reliability and redundancy in the transmission network and expansion of transmission media between state capitals and between state capitals and district headquarters, BSNL will establish 3000 km of OFC (Optical fiber cable) network at a cost of Rs 295.97 crore.
viii. He said that armed forces in the border areas and police will be offered satellite phones to tackle natural disasters and other issues.
ix. He also launched mobile connectivity of unconnected villages of North East and satellite connectivity of gram panchayats under BharatNet.
x. He revealed the vision document of “Ashtamangal” Phase II. Phase II of BharatNet and Ashtamangal will be finished by December 2018 or March 2019.
About Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL):
♦ Chairman & Managing Director- Shri Anupam Shrivastava
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

Manipur’s Shirui Lily festival began
Shirui Lily Festival 2018 is being held in Ukhrul district of Manipur from 24th to 28th April, 2018.
Manipur’s Shirui Lily festival beganHighlights of Shirui Lily festival, Manipur:
i. The festival commemorates the significance of Manipur’s state flower, the Shirui Lily.
ii. Lilium Mackliniae Sealy (locally known as Shirui Lily or Kashongwon) was discovered in 1946 by Frank Kingdom Ward, a botanist from United Kingdom. This flower is found only in Manipur’s Shirui Kashong Peak.
iii. Shirui Lily Festival 2018 is the second edition of this festival. It is sponsored by the Manipur State Department of Tourism to spread awareness about conservation of the endangered Shirui Lily and promote the district of Ukhrul as a tourist destination in Manipur.
iv. Traditional dances, indigenous games and sports competitions like the Shirui Lily Grand Prix and cultural performances by various cultural troupes from across the state will be the key attractions of this five-day festival.
Quick Facts about Manipur:
♦ Capital – Imphal
♦ Current Governor – Najma Heptulla
♦ Current Chief Minister – N. Biren Singh
♦ Important National Park – Sirohi National Park

H.P. to introduce free heli-ambulance services
Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to introduce free Heli-ambulance services in order to help patients in the far flung and inaccessible areas of the State.
H.P. to introduce free heli-ambulance servicesHeli-ambulance services in Himachal Pradesh:
i. Decision in this regard was taken on April 26, 2018, during State Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
ii. The free Heli-ambulance services will be operated by Heli-mission Switzerland with the assistance of Lady Willingdon Hospital, Manali in District Kullu.
iii. Availability of Heli-ambulance will enable timely air lifting of the patients, particularly from remote and tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh.
Quick Facts about Himachal Pradesh:
♦ Capital – Shimla, Dharamshala (Second Capital in Winter)
♦ Current Governor – Acahrya Dev Vrat
♦ Current Chief Minister – Jai Ram Thakur
♦ Important National Park – Great Himalayan National Park

Bhaichung Bhutia launches ‘Hamro Sikkim Party’
On 26th April 2018, former footballer Bhaichung Bhutia launched his political party named “Hamro Sikkim” at the Press Club of India, New Delhi.
Bhaichung Bhutia launches ‘Hamro Sikkim Party’Hamro Sikkim Party:
i. Bhaichung Bhutia had joined Trinamool Congress in 2013, two years after retiring from professional football.
ii. He resigned from the Trinamool Congress in February 2018. He said that “Hamro Sikkim” will focus on corruption and unemployment in Sikkim.
iii. He had contested as Trinamool Congress candidate from Darjeeling in 2014 Lok Sabha elections and Siliguri assembly constituency in 2016, but did not win.
About Trinamool Congress:
♦ Leader – Mamata Banerjee
♦ Headquarters – Kolkata

Maharashtra government to hold Startup Week
On 25th April 2018, the Maharashtra government announced the launch of ‘Startup Week 2018’ from 25th June to 29th June 2018, with an aim to promote entrepreneurial eco-system.
Startup Week 2018:
i. Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Maharashtra, said the startup week will offer new companies a platform to display their innovative products and services to the Maharashtra state government.
ii. Startups from education, skilling, healthcare, agriculture, clean energy, environment, water and waste water management, smart infrastructure, mobility, governance, financial inclusion and cyber security sectors are invited to submit their applications to the Maharashtra State Innovation Society from 25th April to 31st May 2018.
iii. He said that top 100 ventures will be chosen to present their solutions to a panel consisting of members from government, industry, academia and investors.
iv. 10 startups from each sector will showcase their solutions to the panel. Best three among them (a total of 24) will be awarded work orders of up to Rs 15 lakh from the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.
v. The chosen start-ups will be given access to the government machinery and will receive mentoring from its institutional partners for 12 months.
Some National Parks in Maharashtra:
♦ Sanjay Gandhi National Park
♦ Gugamal National Park

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Kazakhstan introduces 72-hour free transit visa for Indian citizens
The Government of Kazakhstan has launched a 72-hour-long transit visa free regime for Indian citizens from 17th April 2018 to 31st December 2018.
Kazakhstan introduces 72-hour free transit visa for Indian citizensKazakhstan introduces 72-hour free transit visa for Indian citizens:
i. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to India Bulat Sarsenbayev said that, only citizens of India are eligible for this facility who fly with Air Astana (Kazakhstan’s national carrier) or any other Kazakh airline and are transiting through international airports in Astana and/or Almaty to a third country or returning from a third country through Astana and/or Almaty.
ii. This 72-hour transit visa free regime is applicable for both individual passengers and tour groups.
iii. Discussions are being held with GMR Group that manages infrastructure-related operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to offer more space to Kazakh airlines.
Statement issued by the embassy says:
i. In order to ensure the 72-hour transit visa free entry, the Kazakh airlines staff at the check-in desk at the airport in your departure city should be informed.
ii. If you decide to stay in Astana or Almaty, book hotel in advance and contact Kazakh airline representative office before departure and provide the name of the hotel and its address information.
iii. After arrival at Almaty or Astana Airport, hand over the following items and register at the border security station of the Kazakhstan National Security Council and get a transit card: Valid air ticket or boarding pass to a third country where you will go within 72 hours, boarding pass receipt of the previous flight, valid passport with at least one blank page in it, visa for the final destination country
iv. Stay exceeding 72 hours will be fined and will call for deportation.
About Kazakhstan:
♦ President – Nursultan Nazarbayev
♦ Prime Minister – Bakhytzhan Sagintayev

BANKING & FINANCE

IISL launches Nifty equity savings index
India Index Services & Products Limited (IISL), index services subsidiary of National Stock Exchange of India has introduced Nifty Equity Savings Index, which can serve as a benchmark for equity savings funds offered by various mutual fund houses.
Salient Feature of Nifty Equity Savings Index:
i. This index captures the performance of a portfolio having exposure to equity, equity arbitrage and debt instruments.
ii. Components and Weightage: Nifty 50 Total Return Index – 35%, Equity arbitrage (long position in Nifty 50 Total Return Index and equivalent short position in Nifty 50 Futures Index) – 30%, Nifty Short Duration Debt Index – 30%, Nifty 1D Rate Index – 5%.
iii. The base date of Nifty Equity Savings Index is April 1, 2005 and value is 1000. It will be calculated on end-of-day (EOD) basis.
Quick Facts about IISL:
♦ Founded in – 1998
♦ Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
♦ Owned by – National Stock Exchange of India

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Bureau of Indian Standards grants first license for Liquid Chlorine on All India Basis
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has granted first licence for Liquid Chlorine on All India basis to M/s Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd.
Bureau of Indian Standards grants first license for Liquid Chlorine on All India BasisAbout Liquid Chlorine and its Licensing:
i. Liquid chlorine is primarily used in paper, pulp, textile bleaching, water sterilization and manufacture of chemicals. As the name indicates, this product is in liquid form, but is used as a gas obtained by evaporating the liquid from a metal container.
ii. License granted to Vadodara-based M/s Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd.  will be operative with effect from April 12, 2018 for a period of one year.
iii. The move will facilitate industry to get a quality Liquid Chlorine with Standard Mark under BIS Certification Marks scheme.
Quick Facts about Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
♦ Formed in – 1986
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Parent entity – Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Indian Oil Corporation Limited, R&D signs Letter of Intent with IFRF, Haryana
Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Research & Development (R&D) centre in Faridabad, Haryana has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with ISKCON Food Relief Foundation (IFRF), Haryana, through which, entire cost of Cooking gas and Delivery Vehicle’s CNG incurred under IFRF, Haryana’s midday meal initiative will be borne by IOC.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited, R&D signs Letter of Intent with IFRF, HaryanaDetails about LoI between Indian Oil Corporation Limited, R&D and IFRF, Haryana:
i. IFRF, Haryana currently serves midday meal to more than two thousand schools across Haryana.
ii. In collaboration with HUDA (Haryana Urban Development Authority) and MCF (Municipal Corporation of Faridabad), domestic waste from the households of Faridabad will be picked, segregated and converted into Biogas by a unique “Bio-Methanation Patented Plant” conceptualized by the IOCL’s R&D centre.
iii. IOC will be undertaking this noble task under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme.
Quick Facts about Indian Oil Corporation Limited:
♦ Founded in – 1964
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

NHAI inks pact with Macquarie
On 26th April 2018, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an agreement with Macquarie for road projects under the highway monetisation initiative.
NHAI inks pact with Macquarie:
i. The agreement has been signed with Macquarie for the first set of highway projects worth USD 1.5 billion. This is one of the highest FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in highways.
ii. Macquarie had won the first set of 9 highway projects under toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model last month. This will bring Rs 10,500 crore cash to NHAI’s account under the first tranche of monetisation initiative.
iii .NHAI’s expectations was Rs 6,258 crore and the winning bid was for Rs 9,681.5 crore. The total funds that will accumulate in government account will be Rs 10,500 crore.
iv. The funds generated from monetisation of highways will be used for new infrastructure programmes like Bharatmala. Bharatmala is a road building initiative of government, worth Rs 7 lakh crore.
v. The first set for monetization was released by NHAI in October 2017. It covered 9 stretches comprising five highways across Andhra Pradesh and four in Gujarat.
vi. TOT model has been introduced to promote private participation in the highways sector.
vii. As per TOT model, the concessionaire will pay a one-time concession fee. This lets the concessionaire to operate and toll the project stretch for the 30 year concession period.
About Macquarie:
♦ MD & CEO – Nicholas Moore
♦ Headquarters – Sydney, Australia

Dalmia Bharat Adopts Red Fort, Delhi
Dalmia Bharat Limited has signed a MoU with the Tourism Ministry to take up Red Fort and Gandikota Fort (Andhra Pradesh) under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project.
Dalmia Bharat Adopts Red Fort, DelhiDalmia Bharat Adopts Red Fort:
i. Dalmia Bharat Limited has become the first corporate to be part of the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project.
ii. Dalmia Bharat will look after the operations and the maintenance of Red Fort and Gandikota Fort for the next five years.
iii. The MoU was signed in the presence of K J Alphons, Minster of State for Tourism (Independent Charge).
iv. Through this adoption the corporate will construct, landscape, illuminate and maintain activities regarding development of tourist amenities.
v. Basic and advanced facilities like public conveniences, clean drinking water, and cleanliness of the monument etc. will be established.
vi. Also, facilities like App based Multi lingual Audio-Guide, easy accessibility to the differently-abled visitors will be launched.
About Dalmia Bharat Group:
♦ MD – Puneet Dalmia
♦ Headquarters – Delhi

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Nadiya Shafi has won the 2018’s Martha Farrell Award for Excellence in women’s empowerment
Nadiya Shafi, a video reporter from Srinagar, has received 2018’s ‘Martha Farrell Award for Excellence in Women’s Empowerment’, with a cash prize of Rs 1.50 lakh.
Nadiya Shafi has won the 2018’s Martha Farrell Award for Excellence in women’s empowermentNadiya Shafi – 2018’s Martha Farrell Award for Excellence in women’s empowerment:
i. This award is given in recognition of Nadiya Shafi’s contribution to gender equality and leading gender discussion clubs in Srinagar.
ii. The award has been instituted in the memory of Dr. Martha Farrell, an eminent activist for gender equality and women’s empowerment. She was killed in Kabul in a terrorist attack in 2015.
iii. The award is co-sponsored by Rizwan Adatia Foundation (RAF) and Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) and supported by Martha Farrell Foundation (MFF).
iv. The ‘best organisation for gender equality’ award, was awarded to Maharashtra-based Resource and Support Centre for Development (RSCD) for promoting inclusion of women in political processes in 30 districts of Maharashtra.
Some important wildlife sanctuaries in Jammu And Kashmir:
♦ Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary

CSIR wins National Intellectual Property Award 2018
On 26th April 2018, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was awarded the National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018 in the category ‘Top R&D Institution/Organisation for Patents and Commercialisation’.
CSIR wins National Intellectual Property Award 2018:
i. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu handed over the award to CSIR Director General Girish Sahni at an event in New Delhi.
ii. The event was organised by the Indian Intellectual Property Office and Confederation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (CII) to celebrate the World IP Day.
iii. CSIR has been ranked 9th in the world among 1,207 government institutions, with an overall global ranking of 75 in the world, covering 5,250 institutions.
iv. IAS officer couple Mayur Maheswari and Ritu Maheswari were awarded a special citation award for their patent invention to enable communication between various health stakeholders. They assigned it to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry for free utilization later.
v. The Indian Intellectual Property Office presents IP Award to outstanding innovators, organisations and companies in the fields of patents, designs, trademarks and geographical indications every year on World IP Day.
About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):
♦ Director General – Girish Sahni
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

Moglix bags SAP ACE AWARD 2018 for Sourcing Excellence
On 26th April 2018, Moglix, a B2B commerce company, announced that it has won 11th edition of SAP ACE Awards 2018 in Sourcing Excellence category.
Moglix bags SAP ACE AWARD 2018 for Sourcing ExcellenceMoglix – 11th edition of SAP ACE Awards 2018:
i. SAP India has given this award to Moglix as a recognition to its extraordinary innovative procurement technology.
ii. SAP ACE awards recognises excellences in IT innovation in various business sectors, bringing a digital impact in India’s economy.
iii. This year, SAP ACE Awards 2018 received more than 300 project nominations in 16 award categories, with focus on large and midsize companies.
About Moglix:
♦ Founder and CEO – Rahul Garg
♦ Type – B2B commerce company

Santosh Gangwar gives away NSCI Safety Awards – 2017
On 27th April 2018, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (Independent charge) Ministry of Labour & Employment presented the National Safety Council’s (NSCI) Safety Awards’ for 2017 at New Delhi.
NSCI Safety Awards – 2017:
i. The function was presided by Satish Reddy, Chairman, National Safety Council & Chairman, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.
ii. The NSCI Safety Awards are national level Awards in occupational safety, health and environment sector.
iii. They are given in recognition for effective Safety Management System and excellent safety & health performance by the organizations in Manufacturing, Construction and MSME Sectors.
iv. The Sarva Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar under Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D and Group E in Manufacturing Sector were won by: Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative Ltd., Bareilly (UP); NPCIL, Kaiga Generating Station 3 & 4, (Karnataka); Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (Automotive Sector), Haridwar, Uttarakhand and Vardhman Acrylics Ltd., Bharuch, Gujarat, respectively.
v. Sojitz – L & T Consortium, Jaipur, Rajasthan was awarded Sarva Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar in Construction Sector.
vi. Parijat Industries (India) Pvt. Ltd., Ambala, Haryana, won the top level award in MSME sector.
vii. A total of 70 organizations won awards in four awards categories: Sarva Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar, Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar, Suraksha Puraskar and Prashansa Patra.
viii. Also, 12 client organizations from Construction Sector were awarded. These Awards were adjudged and declared by the National Safety Council.
About National Safety Council:
♦ Chairman – Satish Reddy
♦ Headquarters – Mumbai

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Gauri became Brand Ambassador for Haryana
Haryana State Government has appointed international female shooter Gauri Sheoran as the brand ambassador for its two health-related programmes viz. measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
Gauri became Brand Ambassador for HaryanaGauri Sheoran – Brand ambassador for Haryana’s two health-related programmes:
i. Under measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, about 80 lakh children aged between nine months and 15 would be vaccinated.
ii. RBSK involves screening children enrolled in government and government-aided schools and anganwadi centres (AWCs) for detecting deficiencies, diseases, and development delays including disability.
iii. Post screening, children found with any of the above stated deficiencies are referred to the nearest health facility or the District Early Intervention Centre for further treatment.
iv. Accomplisments of Gauri Sheoran: won Gold medal in the 7th World University Shooting Championship held in Kuala Lumpur in March 2018, won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Suhl, Germany, clinched two gold and two silver medals in the National Championship at Thiruvananthapuram.
Quick Facts about Haryana:
♦ Capital – Chandigarh
♦ Current Governor – Kaptan Singh Solanki
♦ Current Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar
♦ Important National Park – Sultanpur National Park

Mike Pompeo sworn in as US secretary of state
Mike Pompeo former CIA Director, has been sworn in as the 70th US secretary of state.
Mike Pompeo sworn in as US secretary of stateMike Pompeo – US secretary of state:
i. Mike Pompeo was elected as the US secretary of state by the Senate with votes 57-42. He is a former Army officer.
ii. As soon as he was sworn in as US secretary of state, the State Department said that, he will visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel on the weekend after attending a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) meeting in Brussels on 27th April 2018.

Lt Gen Bipin Puri takes over as Senior Colonel Commandant of AMC
On 26th April 2018, Lt Gen Bipin Puri took charge as Senior Col Commandant of the Army Medical Corps.
Lt Gen Bipin Puri – Senior Col Commandant of the Army Medical Corps:
i. Lt Gen Bipin Puri assumed the appointment of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on 1st November 2017.
ii. Lt Gen Bipin Puri is a paediatric surgeon. He was awarded the GOC-in-C Commendation in 2010 and the COAS Commendation in 2001 and 2012.
iii. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017. He was Honorary Surgeon to The President of India (PHS) from June 2016.
iv. He was awarded ‘Double Helical’s National Health Awards-2017′ by Indian Medical Association.
v. The Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) awarded him the Award of Fellowship ad hominem in November 2017.
Some important airports in India:
♦ Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport – Indore
♦ Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport – Lucknow

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Bhabha Kavach: BARC’s Lightest, Cheapest Bullet Proof Jacket
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed ‘Bhabha Kavach’, a next-generation bulletproof jacket for the Indian armed forces, which is cheaper and much lighter as compared to the ones which are used currently.

Bhabha Kavach: BARC’s Lightest, Cheapest Bullet Proof JacketSalient features of ‘Bhabha Kavach’:
i. Named after nuclear physicist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, the jacket has been developed at BARC’s Trombay centre, Maharashtra.
ii. Bhabha Kavach is made using extremely hard boron carbide ceramics (used for first time in India for making jackets), hot-pressed with carbon nano-tubes and composite polymer. It weighs just 6.6 kg in comparison to the 17-kg jackets in use.
iii. Each Bhabha Kavach costs Rs. 70000, which is almost half the price of jackets of similar strength available in the range of Rs. 1.5 lakh, and that too have to be imported.
iv. BARC has made these jackets on request from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Quick Facts about BARC:
♦ Formed in – 1954
♦ Headquarters – Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra
♦ Parent entity – Department of Atomic Energy

ENVIRONMENT

Fejervarya goemchi: New frog species named after Goa
‘Fejervarya goemchi’, a large-sized brown frog, measuring 41 to 46mm, has been discovered in Goa.
Fejervarya goemchi:
i. Fejervarya goemchi has been named after the state Goa, where it was discovered.
ii. It has been discovered by scientists of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune. It was discovered in Surla, Goa.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Shri Ashwini Choubey releases Handbook on Prevention of Accidents and Awareness of First Aid
On 26th April 2018, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare released a Handbook on Prevention of Accidents and Awareness of First Aid on the occasion of ‘Road Safety Week’ at an event in New Delhi.
Shri Ashwini Choubey releases Handbook on Prevention of Accidents and Awareness of First AidHandbook on Prevention of Accidents and Awareness of First Aid:
i. Ashwini Kumar Choubey stressed on the importance of giving medical trauma care to the injured during the first hour of the accident, known as the golden hour.
ii. He administered an oath to the officers and staff on road safety. A skit was played highlighting the importance of first aid training and administering of first aid.
Some important lakes in India:
♦ Hamirsar Lake – Gujarat
♦ Kankaria Lake – Gujarat
♦ Lakhota Lake – Gujarat