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INDIAN AFFAIRS
‘India and the world: a history in nine stories’ inaugurated at national museum in New Delhi
On 5th May 2018, ‘India and the world: a history in nine stories’ exhibition was inaugurated by the President, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, (IGNCA), Raam Bahadur Rai, at National Museum, New Delhi.
India and the world: a history in nine stories:
i. The Exhibition marks the collaboration in museum exhibition with the British Museum, London; National Museum, New Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai. It is supported by the Culture Ministry.
ii. The exhibition portrays the evolution of Indian civilization. It provides insights into two million years of history.
iii. This exhibition is a part of commemoration of 70 years of India’s independence and a year of major cultural exchange between India and the UK (UK/India 2017).
iv. A special postal cover was introduced by the Department of Post. It was launched by L.N. Sharma, Chief Postmaster General (Delhi Circle).
v. The exhibition has brail tactile feature of some of the displayed objects for visually challenged visitors.
vi. It was collaborated with Access for ALL, DAG and Radio Mirchi to develop an apparatus to understand various aspects of the exhibition through multiple senses.
viii. The exhibition has installed tactile paintings and 3 D models for interaction with the object on display.
ix. This Exhibition will be held for two months till 30th June 2018. It is open for public on all days from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Mondays and public holidays.
x. Also, theatre workshops, guided tours, thematic walks for kids, treasure hunt and online weekly quiz on the event’s website (https://www.indiaandtheworld.org) are conducted.
Some important museums in India:
♦ Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum – Gujarat
♦ Sabarmati Ashram – Gujarat
♦ Sanskar Kendra – Gujarat
DEPwD to organise ‘Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme’ in Faridabad
On 6th May 2018, a ‘Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme’ was held at Huda Convention Centre, Sector-12, Faridabad, Haryana.
Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme:
i. The Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment along with Indian Red Cross Society and Sarvodaya Hospital & Research Centre.
ii. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment was the Chief Guest of the programme.
iii. The Swar Swagtam event plays a major role in creating awareness among the public about the Cochlear Implant Programme under ADIP Scheme of the Department.
iv. Cochlear Implant is an advanced technology to help children with severe deafness in both ears. But it was costly and unaffordable for common people.
v. Through “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas”, the DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is offering this technology to poor people also.
vi. This Ministry has introduced Cochlear Implant programme under revised Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) for the poor children.
vii. Under Cochlear Implant program by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Mumbai, nearly 1149 surgeries have been performed in India.
viii. This program has reduced the cost of implantation and helps children with deafness to hear and develop speech.
ix. Sarvodaya Hospital & Research Centre, Faridabad is a part of this scheme. It has operated 30 kids from various parts of North India.
Some important National Parks in Haryana:
♦ Kalesar National Park
♦ Sultanpur National Park
LPG Penetration in Odisha has reached to 58.55 % says Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmednra Pradhan said that, LPG penetration in Odisha has reached 58.55 % by 1st May 2018.
LPG Penetration in Odisha has reached to 58.55 %:
i. LPG Penetration in Odisha was at 20% in June 2014. The government has fixed a target of providing gas connections to 80 lac household by the end of December 2018.
ii. Dharmednra Pradhan said that, 24.23 lac connections have been provided under Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojna.
iii. He spoke at the Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat conducted at Mangalajodi in Tangi Block of Khorda district of Odisha as part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan Pradhan.
iv. He added that, at present 4 bottling plants are present in Odisha. Three new bottling plants are planned to be set up in Khorda, Bolangir and Rayagada districts of Odisha.
v. LPG Panchayats are conducted to promote learning through peer group interaction – Kuch Seekhein, Kuch Sikhayei.
Some wildlife sanctuaries in Odisha:
♦ Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Kondakameru Wildlife Sanctuary
Narendra Singh Tomar addresses Kaushal Vikas Melas
On 5th May 2018, Aajeevika and Kaushal Vikas Melas were held in various parts of India as part of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
Narendra Singh Tomar addresses Kaushal Vikas Melas:
i. Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, addressed the gathering at the main event held at Ranchi, Jharkhand.
ii. Narendra Singh Tomar, and his Ministry is working on over 41.2 lakh self-help groups in association with state governments all over India. Nearly 4.86 crore women are engaged in this work.
Some important stadiums in Jharkhand:
♦ JRD Tata Sports Complex
♦ Jamshedpur Keenan Stadium
♦ Birsa Munda Football Stadium
Niti Aayog seeks World Bank’s help to prevent fraud in AB-NHPM
On May 6 2018,With the help of World Bank’s assist NITI Aayog confirmed that there was no cheating of funds occurred in the Centre’s ambitious Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM), expertise on fraud detection and prevention.
i. According to a source in the NITI Aayog by May 15, the World Bank will submit a report on how other countries where such health insurance mechanism is in right place and ensures that there is no fraud or corruption under the scheme.
ii. AB-NHPM chief executive officer Indu Bhushansaid about the acceptance of World Bank’s suggestions, with relevance to Indian context to ensure there is no misuse and fraud under the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) which will provide coverage of Rs5 lakh to Rs10 crore poorest families of the country.
iii. Besides, the health ministry has also proposed that insurance companies will have to mandatorily refund excess premium if the claim ratio turns out to be less than 85% under the scheme to ensure that insurance agencies do not have windfall gain which aims at supporting the poor on health treatment.
iv. As per the latest Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data, will cover around 50 crore people. The sponsored scheme deprived poor rural families and identified occupational category of urban workers’ families, who constitute 8.03 crore in rural and 2.33 crore in urban areas, respectively.
Quick facts about NITI Aayog
♦ It is also National Institution for Transforming India, is a policy think tank of the Government of India.
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Agency executives – Narendra Modi, Chairman & Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman
Skill India organizes an Ajeevika and Kaushal Vikas Mela in Bhubaneswar Array of opportunities for youth to connect to New India vision of the country
On May 6 2018, By celebrating the spirit of New India , Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) joined together to strengthen the “Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan” of the current incumbent government which is promoting social harmony and awareness around the pro-poor initiatives of the government.
i. “SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas”
Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan addressed that our government has complete 4 successful years of governance.Our vision of “SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas” s impact can be seen and we have started this campaign to bring back the focus on our “Graam,” our villages.
ii. Rojgar Mela (Placement Drive)
MSDE organized a Kaushal and Rojgar Mela at New Women’s College in Khordha, Bhubaneswar where more than 5000 participated. Nearly 3000 candidates registered for the Rojgar Mela (Placement Drive), under which 1000+ candidates has been shortlisted by 41 leading corporates such as Eureka Forbes, Flipkart, Ola, Reliance Digital, VLCC, V Mart, Shahi Exports, Talwalkars, Lakme among others.
iii. More than 29 state of art multi-skill ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras’ were launched digitally across the country.
iv. Minister handed over Mudra loan acceptance letters to the youth participating at the event and gave certificates to 10 successful candidates trained under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) at the event.
PCI rejects World Press Freedom Index citing ‘lack of clarity’
Published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), the World Press Freedom Index measures the level of media freedom in 180 countries.Without Borders (RWB), the World Press Freedom Index measures the level of media freedom in 180 countries. As per the Reporters Without Borders’ annual report released on April 25, India dropped down two places from 136 in 2017 to 138 in 2018.
i. “lack of clarity”
Justice C.K Prasad, Press Council of India Chairman mentioned RWB’s annual report has “lack of clarity” on the inputs that weighed in the rankings which were based on “opinion or perception”.
ii. Parameters
The parameters include the level of pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legal framework, transparency, and the quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information.
iii. Mr. Prasad said the PCI had written to the RWB a number of times since 2015 to understand how the index was prepared, but hadn’t received any reply.
iv. “If the ranking is on the basis of statistical data, the council requests you to share it with us, so as to enable us to take remedial measures as it deems proper.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India, Sri Lanka agree on information exchange
On 4th May 2018, India and Sri Lanka agreed on cooperation on exchange of information and other aspects to tackle smuggling of drugs in India and Sri Lanka.
India, Sri Lanka agree on information exchange:
i. Decision regarding this was taken at the third bilateral meeting between delegations from India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) on narcotics, drugs and psychotropic substances and related matters, that started on 4th May in New Delhi.
ii. Both the countries discussed on the latest trends in narcotics smuggling in the India-Sri Lankan region, intelligence, and assistance in tracing those involved in drug smuggling in India and Sri Lanka.
iii. The Indian delegation was led by NCB Director General Abhay. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by PNB Deputy Inspector General Sajeewa Medawatte.
iv. Indian delegation consists of NCB officials, Tamil Nadu Police, Coast Guard and the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs.
About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):
♦ Director General – Abhay
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
California’s economy is world’s 5th biggest
California’s economy has emerged as the world’s fifth largest, as per new federal data revealed on 4th May 2018.
California’s economy is world’s 5th biggest:
i. California’s economy has surpassed the economy of United Kingdom. California’s gross domestic product increased by $127 billion from 2016 to 2017.
ii. California’s economy is concentrated in coastal regions around San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego.
iii. California’s economy is now only behind the economy of the United States, China, Japan and Germany.
Some important temples in India:
♦ Meenakshi Temple – Madurai, Tamil Nadu
♦ Mahakaleshwar Temple – Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
♦ Kamakhya Temple – Guwahati, Assam
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI to banks: Share foreign exchange data with DRI
Reserve Bank of India has directed banks authorised to deal in foreign exchange (Authorised Dealer-I Banks) to share data with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
RBI to banks: Share foreign exchange data with DRI:
i. This decision has been made in line with the government making rules (in December 2017) to exercise powers conferred by the relevant sections of the Customs Act.
ii. This requires a banking company to furnish, electronically, information relating to foreign exchange transactions made or received by any person to the receiving authority (DRI).
iii. DRI is the top intelligence and investigative agency for issues related to violation of the Customs Act.
iv. As per new rules, in case of inward remittances, the agency can seek information relating to a remittee’s name, address, permanent account number (PAN), Goods and Service Tax Identification Number (GSTIN), Aadhaar number, bank account number and Indian Financial System Code (IFSC), remitter’s details like name, address, and SWIFT-BIC (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication – Bank Identifier Code).
v. In the case of outward remittances, the agency can seek information relating to a remitter’s name, address, PAN, GSTIN, Aadhaar number, bank account number and IFSC and the remittee’s details like name, address, and SWIFT-BIC.
About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI):
♦ Director General – Debi Prasad Dash
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
RBI announced Rs.10,000 crore bond purchases
On 4th May 2018, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that, it will buy Rs 10,000 crore of government bonds through open market operation (OMO).
RBI announced Rs.10,000 crore bond purchases:
i. RBI made this decision after failing to sell all the debt it had offered to bidders. It was the third consecutive week when the RBI couldn’t sell everything on offer which lead to a spike in bond yields.
ii. RBI said that, the decision is based on an assessment of prevailing liquidity conditions and also of the durable liquidity needs going forward.
iii. This will infuse more liquidity into the system against the backdrop of persistently high bond yields.
iv. The 10-year government bond yield increased to 7.75 percent from 7.74 percent before the auction result was announced. It had ended at 7.73 percent on 3rd May 2018.
v. Eligible participants should submit their offers in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system on17 May 2018.
vi. RBI said in a notification that, it will buy 8.12 percent 2020 bond, 6.84 percent 2022 bond, 7.72 percent 2025 bond, 6.79 percent 2027 bond, and 8.24 percent 2033 bond through open market operation on 17th May 2018.
Tag lines of some banks:
♦ Axis Bank – Badhti Ka naam Zindagi
♦ Yes Bank – Experience our Expertise
♦ HSBC – The world’s local bank
Growth in bank deposits falls to five-decade low
Bank deposit growth fell to a five-decade low in fiscal year ended March 2018 but attractive of other savings methods such as mutual funds and insurance reduced banking competitiveness.
i. A total deposit of ₹114 lakh crore was reported in the last fiscal .The data showed that cumulative deposits in the banking system grew a mere 6.7% in 2017-18, the lowest since fiscal 1963.
ii. During November-December 2016, banks received Rs 15.28 lakh crore as people deposited highdenomination currency notes that were withdrawn from circulation. As a result, aggregate deposits in the fiscal ended March 2017 grew 15.8% to Rs 108 lakh crore. This pace of growth has now come down by 6.7% with deposits aggregating Rs 114 lakh crore.
iii. Total mutual fund assets under management have increased 22% to Rs 21.36 lakh crore in March 2018 from Rs 17.55 lakh crore in March 2017.
ENVIRONMENT
New snake found in Western Ghats
Uropeltis bhupathyi, a new snake species has been discovered in the Anaikatty hills, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Uropeltis bhupathyi:
i. The new species has been named Uropeltis bhupathyi after the late herpetologist S. Bhupathy, for his contributions to the field.
ii. It is only 40 cm in length. It is brown in colour. It belongs to a family of snakes found only in India and Sri Lanka.
iii. They are non-venomous, burrowing, mostly earthworm-eating. They are called shieldtails because of their large, flat tips of their tails. A study regarding this discovery has been published in Zootaxa.
Some dams in Tamil Nadu:
♦ Mettur Dam – Cauvery River
♦ Bhavanisagar dam – Bhavani River
♦ Vaigai Dam – Vaigai River
SPORTS
Badminton: Saina Nehwal storms into top 10 in world rankings
Saina Nehwal has entered into the top 10 in women’s ranking, according to the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in New Delhi on 3rd May 2018.
Saina Nehwal storms into top 10 in world rankings:
i. Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has reached the third spot with 74,135 points in Men’s section. HS Pronnoy has become second Indian player to enter top 10 after Kidambi Srikanth.
ii. HS Pronnoy is in world number 8 position with 57,000 points. Viktor Axelsen of Denmark has obtained the top rank with 77,570 points.
iii. Saina Nehwal is in World No 10 position in women’s ranking with 55,890 points. PV Sindhu remains at World No 3 with 78,824 points.
iv. The highest ranked Indian pair in men’s doubles are Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty at World No 18.
v. Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy are in 26th position in women’s doubles. Pranaav Chopra and Sikki Reddy are in 23rd spot in mixed doubles rankings.
About Badminton World Federation (BWF):
♦ President – Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen
♦ Headquarters – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
OBITUARY
Renowned Marathi singer Arun Date dies
On May 6 2018 ,Veteran Marathi singer Arun Date, known for his popular song “Shukratara”, has died in Mumbai.
i. Date, famous for non-film ‘bhavgeet’ (lyrical poetry) songs, had crooned numbers like “Shukratara” and “Ya Janmavar”, which became very popular among people.
ii. He was the first recipient of the state government’s ‘Gajananrav Vatave Puraskar’.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International No Diet Day (INDD) – May 6
On 6th May 2018, International No Diet Day (INDD) was observed all over the world.
International No Diet Day (INDD):
i. International No Diet Day (INDD) is a celebration of body acceptance, fat acceptance and body shape diversity.
ii. It is observed every year on 6th May 2018. Its symbol is a light blue ribbon.
iii. The first International No Diet Day was celebrated in 1992 in the UK.
iv. This day promotes a healthy life style. It focuses on health at any size and in creating awareness on dangers of dieting.
Nicknames of some Indian cities:
♦ Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) – Leather City, Manchester of the East
♦ Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) – Sports Capital of India, Scissor City
♦ Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – City of Nawabs, City of Marbels, City of Elephants
