CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS 12th April 2022

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS
12th April 2022

National News

Retail inflation rises to 17-month-high of 6.95% in March 2022

India's retail inflation jumped to a 17-month-high of 6.95% in March 2022 due to higher food and oil prices, data released by the government on Tuesday showed. This is the third consecutive month in which retail inflation has breached the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) upper margin of 6%. The country's retail inflation stood at 6.01% for February 2022.

PM to receive 1st award named in memory of Lata Mangeshkar on Apr 24

PM Narendra Modi will receive first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award for selfless service to nation on April 24. The award has been instituted in memory of veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar, who died at the age of 92 in February. "This award will be given every year to only one individual who has made path-breaking...contributions to our nation," a statement said.

300 new One-Stop Centres to open for violence-hit women: Irani

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday said that the government plans to open additional One-Stop Centres (OSCs) to provide support to women affected by violence in private or public spaces, family, community, or at the workplace. Irani said that in collaboration with Women's Helplines, about 70 lakh women have been helped by the Central and state governments so far.

President Ramnath Kovind Inaugurates Madhavpur Ghed Fair

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the five-day long Madhavpur Ghed Fair, at Madhavpur Ghed, Porbandar in Gujarat.  The Madhavpur Ghed Fair is being organised by the Government of Gujarat in association with the Ministry of Culture since 2018 every year to celebrate the sacred union of Lord Krishna and Rukmini.  The Madhavpur Fair connects Gujarat with the northeast region in an integral bond. The Madhavpur Ghed fair was organised in the village associated with the life of Shri Krishna and near Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.  The folk story of the marriage of Shri Krishna and Rukmini shows how ancient is the cultural unity of India and how deep were the roots of our social harmony.

 

PM Modi virtually addressed 14th Foundation Day of Umiya Mata Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Umiya Mata Temple, a religious site in Gujarat's Junagadh, has now become a central focus for social consciousness. He explained that the temple helps the underprivileged members of the community by providing free health treatment as well as religious and social activities.  On Ramnavami, Prime Minister Modi was virtually speaking at the 14th foundation day festivities of Umiya Mata Temple in Junagadh. Mr Modi also presided over the temple's inauguration in 2008, when he was Gujarat's, Chief Minister.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to practise natural farming for the sake of future generations. He stated that we should not exploit our homeland for personal gain.

International News

World Bank is preparing $1.5 bn aid package for Ukraine: Official

The World Bank is preparing a nearly $1.5 billion aid package for Ukraine to support the continuation of essential government services, its President David Malpass said. The World Bank is also planning to provide aid to developing countries struggling to keep up with surging food and energy prices, he added. The spike in food prices needs immediate attention, he claimed.

Russia warns Sweden, Finland against NATO membership

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday warned Sweden and Finland against joining NATO amid reports that both Nordic countries are looking to join the military alliance. Further expansion of NATO would "not bring stability to the European continent", Peskov added. "If they decide to apply, I expect that all allies will welcome them," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

US retail inflation rose 8.5% in FY22, highest since 1981

Retail inflation in the US rose 8.5% in FY22, its highest level since 1981, and rose 1.2% in March 2022, the highest since 2005. Increase in prices of gasoline, food and housing contributed the most to rise in retail inflation in March. While gasoline prices rose 48% in FY22, food and housing inflation rose 8.8% and 5% respectively.

Shehbaz Sharif elected as 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan 

Pakistan’s opposition leader, Shehbaz Sharif has been elected unopposed as the 23rd Prime Minister of the country through voting in the National Assembly.  The 70-year old Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Chief will succeed Imran Khan, who has been removed by a no-trust vote recently in the National Assembly. Shehbaz Sharif is the brother of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  Sharif has secured 174 votes and has been declared as prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In the House of 342, the winning candidate should get the support of at least 172 lawmakers.

Banking, Business and Economy

Vikas Siri Sampat-1111 scheme introduced by the KVGB 

P Gopi Krishna, Chairman, during the launch of the 'Vikas Siri Sampat-1111' plan in Dharwad announced that the 1,111-day deposit pays 5.70 percent interest to the general public and 6.20 percent to senior citizens. This scheme allows for a minimum deposit of ten thousand rupees and a maximum deposit of two crore rupees.  Customers should take advantage of the lower interest rate while it lasts because it is only available for a limited time, according to Gopi Krishna.  He noted that the bank's purpose is to encourage customers to save, and he anticipates a positive response throughout the current fiscal year.  In the Karnataka districts of Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada, the bank has 629 branches.  The bank's whole business in 2021-22 was Rs 30,750 crore. The entire amount of deposits was Rs 17,647 crore, with advances totaling Rs 13,103 crore.

Defence News

Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Seema Darshan Project at Indo-Pak border 

Union Home and Cooperative Minister, Amit Shah has inaugurated the Seema Darshan Project at Nadabet on the Indo-Pak border in Banaskantha District of Gujarat.  The project was launched with the aim to provide an opportunity for the citizen to observe the life and work of the BSF personnel on our border. The tourist can see missiles, tanks, aircraft etc which are used by the Indian Army and BSF at Nadabet.  The project was initiated with the objective of giving the citizens of the nation an opportunity to see firsthand the lifestyle of the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel who are constantly protecting their motherland, as well as to observe their living conditions, and their duties and their patriotism.  The idea to develop another border viewing point for tourists was mooted when Vijay Rupani was chief minister of Gujarat in 2018. It took three years for the state government to develop the point.  Under the Seema Darshan Project, Nadabet, located on the India-Pakistan border, is being developed as a tourist attraction destination at a cost of Rs 125 crore by the state tourism department.

DRDO conducts successful flight-test of anti-tank guided missile ‘Helina’

A team of scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) jointly conducted the successful flight test of the indigenously developed helicopter launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ at high-altitude ranges.  The flight trials were conducted from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and the missile was fired successfully, engaging a simulated tank target in the Pokhran desert ranges, Rajasthan.  HELINA is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world. The missile has a maximum range of 7 kilometres. It has been developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.

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Awards News

Assamese poet Nilamani Phookan conferred with 56th Jnanpith Award 

Assam Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the country's highest literary award, the 56th Jnanpith for the year 2021 to one of the most celebrated poets of Assam, Nilamani Phookan.  Nilmani Phookan is the third person to win the Jnanpith Award from Assam after Mamoni Roisom Goswami and Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya.  The Award carried a Citation, a shawl, and Rs. 11 lakh. Novelist Damodar Mauzo was chosen for the 57th Jnanpith Award 2022 for his contribution to Indian literature.  The 77-year-old writer was conferred with the country’s highest literary award for his “outstanding contribution to literature”.

NITI Aayog’s State Energy and Climate Index: Gujarat tops

NITI Aayog has launched the State Energy & Climate Index (SECI) Round I. The State Energy & Climate Index (SECI) Round I ranks the states’ performance on 6 parameters, namely, (1) DISCOM’s Performance (2) Access, Affordability and Reliability of Energy (3) Clean Energy Initiatives (4) Energy Efficiency (5) Environmental Sustainability; and (6) New Initiatives.

Top Three States among Larger States Category

Gujarat
Kerala
Punjab

Top Three States among Smaller States Category

Goa
Tripura
Manipur

Top Three UTs

Chandigarh
Delhi
Daman & Diu/Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Sports News

ICC Players of the Month for March 2022: Babar Azam, Rachael Haynes crowned

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and Australia’s run-machine Rachael Haynes were named the ICC Men’s and Women’s Players of the Month for March 2022.  Fans can continue to vote every month for their favourite male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket as part of the ICC Player of the Month initiative.  The International Cricket Council (ICC) presents the ICC Player of the Month to recognise male and female cricketers who have best performed across all forms of international cricket in a particular month.

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Defending champs CSK record their 1st win in IPL 2022, end RCB's 3-match winning streak

Defending champions CSK defeated RCB by 23 runs to record their first win in IPL 2022 after having lost four matches in a row. With the win, CSK ended RCB's three-match winning streak. The match witnessed CSK record the highest total (216/4) in IPL 2022 so far. RCB were restricted to 193/9 in their 20 overs.
CSK record highest total of IPL 2022, break DC's record

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) put up a total of 216/4 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Tuesday to record the highest total of IPL 2022 so far. The previous highest total in IPL 2022 was 215/5, which was recorded by Delhi Capitals (DC) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Shivam Dube top-scored for CSK with 95*(46), while Robin Uthappa scored 88(50).

Science and Technology News

KADAM: India's first indigenous polycentric prosthetic knee made by IIT-Madras

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, have unveiled India's first Polycentric Prosthetic Knee, which seeks to improve the conditions for thousands above the amputees. 'Kadam,' a polycentric knee for above Knee Prosthesis created in collaboration with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India, and is also a 'Made in India' product.  It was created by a team at IIT Madras' TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), which also created and commercialised the country's first standing wheelchair, 'Arise,' and the NeoFly-NeoBolt: active wheelchair and motorised add-on for seamless indoor-outdoor mobility.  Kadam, which was produced locally, is both affordable and of good quality and performance, meeting ISO 10328 criteria and undergoing 30 lakh cycles of fatigue testing. Its innovative shape is specifically optimised for use on uneven terrains, providing stability and reducing the chance of stumbling.

 

 

 

Important Days

World Parkinson’s Day 2022

Every year, April 11 is observed as World Parkinson’s Day to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease, which is a progressive nervous system disorder. This year, the theme is integrated healthcare.  The day marks the birthday of Dr James Parkinson from London, who was the first person to systematically described the six individuals with the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Additionally, the month of April is observed as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

National Safe Motherhood Day 2022

In India, the National Safe Motherhood Day is observed every year on April 11 to raise awareness about adequate access to care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal services.  National Safe Motherhood Day is an initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI), to enforce that women must have availability and adequate access to care during pregnancy childbirth and postnatal services.  The day also marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of the father of the Nation Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi.  In 2003, upon the initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance, the Government of India declared the national safe motherhood day to be held on April 11.  2022 marks the 19th anniversary of the day. The first observation was held in 2003. India is the first country in the world to officially declare National Safe Motherhood Day.

International Day of Human Space Flight celebrates globally on 12 April

The International Day of Human Space Flight is celebrated annually on April 12 to mark the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. The day was proclaimed at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 7, 2011, a few days before the 50th anniversary of the flight.  In the Soviet Union, the day is observed as the International Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics.' On 12 April 1961, was the date of the 1st human space flight was carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen, who became the first person to journey into outer space.  This historic incident opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all mankind. 12 April was also the date of the 1st Space Shuttle STS-1 of Columbia launched in 1981, which is also commemorated on this date.

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