Important Days:
1. On 15th April 2018, South Western Command celebrated its
14th Raising Day. Lt Gen Vijay Singh, chief
of staff, South Western Command and other officers paid tributes to the
martyrs of Indian Army at a ceremony at ‘Prerna Sthal’ in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on
the 14th raising day of South Western Army Command. It was formed
on 15th April 2004. It is named as the Sapta Shakti. Its motto
is Forever Victorious.
2. April 15 – Foundation day of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur hoisted
the Indian national flag at the Ridge Maidan in Shimla to mark
state’s 71st foundation day. The state of Himachal was founded on
April 15, 1948. Mr. Thakur, presented awards to the best performers
in the field of administration, sports, health and social work. Alpine
skier Aanchal Thakur from Manali was awarded Himachal Gaurav
Puruskar. Aanchal Thakur is the only Indian who has won a medal in skiing.
3. April 17-- World Haemophilia Day was observed all over the world
to create awareness about haemophilia and other inherited
bleeding disorders with the theme of 2018 is Sharing Knowledge Makes Us
Stronger.
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National:
1.
“Gram Swaraj Abhiyan-
Special Interventions”, an high-intensity outreach programme to deliver welfare
schemes to select villages which need particular attention launched by the
Union Government. The abhiyan was launched on
the lines of rural development schemes like Antyodaya based on principle of
convergence and saturation. The initiative aims for 100% coverage of seven
schemes launched by Central Government for eligible beneficiaries in three-week
window from April 14 to May 5, 2018. The objective of abhiyan is to promote social
harmony, reach out to poor rural households, obtain feedback on ongoing
programmes, enrol in new initiatiatives, focus on doubling farmers’ income,
enhance livelihood opportunities and re-emphasise national priorities such as
cleanliness and strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions.
2. The first regional conference of eastern states on Water
Resources was held in Kolkata, West Bengal in bid to address outstanding water
resources issues. The conference was aimed at
addressing outstanding water resources issues, inter-state issues, intra and
inter-basin issues among five eastern states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
Odisha, and West Bengal.
3. The biannual Army Commanders’ Conference will began in New Delhi
on April 16, 2018. Chaired by Army Chief General
Bipin Rawat, the senior commanders will deliberate on specific issues to Army
formations and Army as a whole at the conference. The
Army Commanders’ Conference is held biannually for formulating important policy
decisions through collegiate deliberations. It is an important event for
planning and execution process of the Indian Army. The important issues that are likely to come up for discussion
include management of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future
security threats and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries.
4. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) was on April
16, 2018 inducted to the Ayush Ministry's empowered committee with an objective
to control misleading advertisements and exaggerated claims of its drugs. The seven-member committee of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga
and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) will be empowered to
review and monitor the implementation of the provisions of The Drugs and Magic
Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954.The committee will make
recommendations for regulatory action against misleading advertisements and
advise the Central government for issuing any specific directions.
5. A MoU was signed by India Tourism Development Corporation
(ITDC) with Hyderabad based firm M/s Suraas Impex Pvt. Ltd. for
developing a Mega Tourism Destination project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The
proposed Mega Tourism Destination project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh will be
implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 550 crore.
6. Bengaluru has emerged as the highest paying city in India, with
an average annual cost to company (CTC) for talents through all levels and
functions at Rs 11 lakh, as per the report of Randstad Insights. Pune ranks second with an average annual CTC at Rs 10
lakh. NCR occupies the 3rd position with an average annual CTC
figure of a little under Rs 10 lakh. Mumbai has come fourth with an
average annual CTC of Rs 9 lakh. Chennai (Rs 8 lakh), Hyderabad (a little under
Rs 8 lakh) and Kolkata (around Rs 7 lakh) are the other three cities in the
list of Indian cities paying the highest average salaries for professionals.
7. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a 2.5-km-long bridge built over the Ib river in Sambalpur
district on 15th April 2018. This is Odisha’s second longest bridge and has
been built at a cost of Rs. 117.50 crore. The bridge has
enabled direct road connectivity between Sambalpur and Brajarajnagar in
Jharsuguda district. By Commuting through this bridge, distance between these
two places is reduced by 50 km.
8. Central government along with state government and private
partners is working to promote Goa as a tourism destination and a cargo hub. Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu said
that, Mopa airport will start operations by September 2020. Dabolim
Airport will continue to operate along with Mopa Airport. At Dabolim airport,
renovation work worth Rs 300 crore is being done. New multi-layer parking
complex will start operation by July 2018. He said that, under the Skill
Development and Startup India initiative, Civil Aviation Ministry is in
discussion with World Bank and other major institutions to promote Goa as a
market destination.
9. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has
notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2018. The amended Rules state that, the phasing out of
Multilayered Plastic (MLP) is now applicable to MLP that are non-recyclable, or
non-energy recoverable, or with no alternate use. Rule 15 of the Plastic Waste
Management (Amendment) Rules 2018 on “explicit pricing of carry bags” has been
omitted. The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018, was
notified by the ministry on 27th March 2018. The amended Rules state
that i) a central registration system for the registration of the
producer/importer/brand owner is prescribed ii) any mechanism for the
registration should be automated and should take into account ease of doing
business for producers, recyclers and manufacturers iii) the centralised
registration system will be developed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
for the registration of the producer/importer/brand owner iv) a national
registry is prescribed for producers with presence in more than two states v) a
state-level registration has been prescribed for smaller producers/brand owners
operating within one or two states
International:
1.
India was added in the
monitoring list of United State’smajor
trading partners that merit close attention to their currency practices and
macroeconomic policies. The US Treasury Department
report is required by Congress to identify countries that are trying to
artificially manage value of their currency to gain trade advantage, for
example by keeping exchange rate low to promote cheaper exports.
2.
The India-Wiesbaden
Conference 2018 with the title ‘Securing Global Supply Chains through
Government-Industry Partnerships towards Effective Implementation of UNSC
Resolution 1540’ was held from April 16-17, 2018, in New Delhi. The Conference provided opportunity to participants to share
experiences on their export control systems and identify legal and technical
assistance, action plans & challenges in national implementation of UNSC
1540. The Wiesbaden Process was initiated by Government of Germany in 2012 to
strengthen implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 through Government-Industry
partnerships.
3. British Prime Minister Theresa May on April 16, 2018 opened the
Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) in London, marking the start of the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).India is among 52 other member-countries participating in the
summit hosted by the UK in London around the theme of "Towards a Common
Future".United Kingdom, which is the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth
for two years, also unveiled a range of new initiatives and networks to mark
the launch of CHOGM.
4. India on April 16, 2018 won the elections conducted by UN’s
Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations in the Asia Pacific States category.India amassed the highest number of votes -46, followed by
Pakistan 43, Bahrain 40 and China 39. India would now be required to serve a
four-year term in the committee along with few other nations beginning on
January 1, 2019.India was also elected by acclamation to other subsidiary UN
bodies in five separate polls including United Nations Development Programme
and United Nations Population Fund.
5. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations
has designated 14 new sites as Globally Important
Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) since 2016. These systems highlight
agricultural traditions that promote sustainability, protect biodiversity and
the environment and support the social and economic development required for
stable, decent livelihoods.
Science & Technology/
Defence:
1.
Babur Weapon System-1 (B),
an enhanced version of indigenously-built Babur cruise missile was test
fired successfully by Pakistan. It is an
unmanned self-propelled (till the time of impact) guided missile. The missile
has been named after the first Mughal emperor Babur. It can deliver
conventional and non-conventional weapons with range of 700 kilometres (brings
many important Indian cities within its range.). It is low-flying,
terrain-hugging missile, which carries certain stealth features, making it
important force multiplier for Pakistan’s strategic deterrence.
2.
Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled beta version of portal
(www.tariff.trai.gov.in) to enable consumers see tariffs of different TSPs
(telecom service providers) and different Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) at
single place. The portal’s beta version (now
available only for Delhi circle) shows regular tariffs, special tariff
vouchers, promotional tariffs and value-added service packs among others. The
portal will not only benefit consumers but also help other stakeholders do a
comparative analysis.
3. A new 3D conic device that can greatly increase the solar-thermal
conversion efficiency named as ‘Artificial Transpiration’ have developed by a
team of Chinese scientists led by Zhu Jia. This
device is inspired by the transpiration process of trees. The device is fixed with a special 1D water path which can reduce
the energy loss in conduction. As 10 to 50 percent of sunlight is diffusive,
the cone structure of the device could collect more sunlight throughout the
day, compared with a flat device.
4. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of ‘Acuvue
Oasys Contact Lenses’ with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology, world’s
first contact lens that automatically darkens when exposed to bright light. It is first of its kind contact lens that incorporates same
technology that is used in eyeglasses that automatically darken in the
sun.These contact lens are indicated for daily use to correct vision of people
with non-diseased eyes who are nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic).
5. A group of researchers recently developed a plastic-eating enzyme,
which can be used to fight one of the world’s biggest pollution problems. The discovery was made by the researchers from Britain's
University of Portsmouth and the US Department of Energy's National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) while examining the structure of a natural enzyme that
was found in a waste recycling centre a few years ago in Japan.The enzyme -
Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6, is able to eat polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
which was patented as plastic in the 1940s.
6. A team of scientists has recently discovered that Indian
mosquito, when contaminated with the Zika Virus (ZIKV), can transmit the
infection to suckling mice. The study demonstrated
that how the Indian Aedes Aegypti mosquito, known for infecting people with
dengue and chikungunya, is vulnerable to the Zika virus. As part of the
study, mosquitoes were experimentally infected with Zika virus (African Strain
MR-766) through the oral-feeding route.
7. China will launch Fengyun-II 09 satellite, a new meteorological
satellite, in 2018 to enhance its weather forecasting capabilities. The satellite will be launched from Xichang Satellite Launch
Centre in Sichuan Province of China. The Fengyun satellites are a series of
remote-sensing meteorological satellites developed by China. Fengyun-I and
Fengyun-III are polar orbiting weather satellites. Fengyun-II and Fengyun-IV
function in geostationary orbit. The Fengyun-II 09 satellite is the last in the
Fengyun-II series. It will collect meteorological, maritime, and hydrological
data to help weather forecast in China and neighbouring regions.
Economy:
1.
The E-Way Bill system for
all inter-State movement of goods valued over Rs 50,000 was rolled-out from 1st
April 2018. At that time, Karnataka was
only state which had rolled out e-way bill system for intra-state movement of
goods. The E-Way Bill system for Intra-State movement of goods was rolled out
in five more states‑Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Telangana and Uttar
Pradesh. The roll-out of e-Way Bill system in these States will facilitate
trade and industry so far as the transport of goods is concerned. This will
also help in paving way for nation-wide single e-Way Bill system.
2.
India is coordinating with
China and other Asian countries to raise voice against Asian premium charged by
Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Asian Premium is extra charge being collected by OPEC countries
from Asian countries when selling oil in comparison to western countries. India
sources about 86% of crude oil, 75% of natural gas and 95% of LPG from OPEC
member nations. It has been voicing its dissent against this discriminatory
practice and has called for replacing Asian Premium with Asian Discount
(dividend).\
3.
A loan Agreement with
World Bank for IBRD loan of US $48 million for Meghalaya Community – Led
Landscapes Management Project (MCLLMP) has been signed by the Union Government
(Finance Ministry). The project aims to strengthen
community-led landscapes management in selected landscapes in Meghalaya by
2023. Meghalaya’s natural resource such as land, water sources and forests is
source of livelihood for majority of state population. It will help manage
these depleting resources, by strengthening communities and traditional
institutions.
4. The first tranche of sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) for current
fiscal (FY 2018-19) was launched by the Union Government (Finance Ministry) in
consultation with Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It will be sold through banks, designated post offices and
recognised stock exchanges namely NSE and BSE and Stock Holding Corporation of
India Limited( SHCIL). SGB Scheme is aimed at providing alternative to buying
physical gold. Under it, bonds are denominated in units of one gram of gold and
multiples thereof. These gold denominated bonds are restricted for sale to
resident Indian entities, including individuals, Hindu undivided families
(HUF), trusts, universities.and charitable institutions. The minimum
subscription for individual and HUF is 1 gram and maximum is 4 kg. For trusts
and similar entities, maximum subscription is 20 kg per fiscal.
5.
FIEO GlobalLinker, a
digital platform for MSME exporters to digitise their businesses and join
global community of growing businesses has been developed by Federation of
Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).It was launched
by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. FIEO GlobalLinker aims to make
the business growth of SMEs simpler, more profitable and enjoyable.
6. Suzlon, a renewable solution provider, said that it has
commissioned 626 MW of wind power projects in 2017-18 (FY18), the highest
installations by any firm in this fiscal year. Suzlon has
stated that, with this, Suzlon has gained a market share of 35 % despite an
extremely challenging year. Various obstacles were faced due to the shift from
feed-in-tariff (FiT) to bidding regime.
Awards:
1.
The 2018 Pulitzer Prizes
were awarded by Pulitzer Prize Board for work during 2017 calendar year. List of 2018 Pulitzer Prize Winners are : Journalism Public
Service: New York Times. Breaking News Reporting: Staff of
The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Cali Investigative Reporting: The
Washington Post Explanatory Reporting: The Arizona Republic and USA Today
Network. Local Reporting: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff National
Reporting: New York Times and Washington Post International Reporting:
Clare Baldwin, Andrew R.C. Marshall and Manuel Mogato of Reuters Feature
Writing: Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, freelance reporter, GQ Commentary:
John Archibald of Alabama Media Group, Birmingham, Ala. Criticism: Jerry
Saltz of New York magazine Editorial Writing: Andie Dominick of The Des
Moines Register. Editorial Cartooning: Jake Halpern, freelance writer
and Michael Sloan, freelance cartoonist, New York Times. Breaking News
Photography: Ryan Kelly of The Daily Progress Feature Photography:
Photography Staff of Reuters. Letters, Drama & Music Fiction: Less,
by Andrew Sean Greer. Drama: Cost of Living, by Martyna Majok. History:
The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea, by Jack E. Davis (Liveright/W.W.
Norton) Biography or Autobiography: Prairie Fires: The American Dreams
of Laura Ingalls Wilder, by Caroline Fraser. Poetry: Half-light: Collected
Poems 1965-2016, by Frank Bidart. General Nonfiction: Locking Up Our Own: Crime
and Punishment in Black America by James Forman Jr. Music: by Kendrick
Lamar.
2.
Veteran Bollywood actor
Dharmendra will be conferred with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Lifetime
Achievement award and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani will be conferred with the Raj
Kapoor Special Contribution award. The awards,
instituted by the Maharashtra state government, will be given away at the 55th
Maharashtra state Marathi Film Festival.
3. The production team of “Game of Thrones” drama will be awarded
the BAFTA Special Award at this year’s British Academy Television Craft Awards. The BAFTA Craft Awards will be held on 22nd April 2018 in
London. Hannah Murray and John Bradley will receive the award on behalf of the
“Game of Thrones” production team. “Game of Thrones” is being
honoured for revolutionising several aspects of production in shooting the
drama.
Sports:
1.
The 21st Commonwealth
Games concluded on April 15, 2018 at Gold Coast, Australia. Legendary boxer Mary Kom was the flagbearer for the Indian
delegation at the closing ceremony.India with a final haul of 66 medals
including 26 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze finished at the third place.
Australia stood first with 198 medals, followed by England with 136 medals. The
final day of the event was action-packed for India, with two of India’s star
shuttlers P V Sindhu and Saina Nehal battling it out in the women’s singles
final and recently crowned world no.1 Kidambi Srikanth fighting for the top
spot in the men’s singles.
2. Indian tennis star Yuki Bhambri on April 16, 2018 broke back
into the top-100 of ATP men’s singles ranking for the first time since February
2016.As per the latest ranking, he jumped 22 places to his
career-best rank of 83. This is also the best rank that any Indian has achieved
in the ATP singles chart since Somdev Devvarman touched a career-high of 62 in
July 2011.
Bhambri’s sudden jump in rankings follows his title win at the Santaizi ATP
Challenger that was held recently in Taipei City,Taiwan.
3. Sampanna Ramesh Shelar, a 17-year-old swimmer from
Pune has set a world record to double cross the Bangla Channel. Sampanna Ramesh Shelar accomplished this feat on
April 13, 2018 by completing the journey of 32.2 kilometers in 9 hours and
10 minutes. Water stretch from Saint Martin’s Island Jetty to Teknaf
in Bangladesh is known as the Bangla Channel.
Appointments:
1.
Prince Harry was appointed
as a youth ambassador for the Commonwealth by
Queen Elizabeth.
Books&
Authors:
1. Vice
President M. Venkaiah Naidu formally released the book on ‘Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: Vyakti Nahin
Sankalp’ at a function at Rashtrapati
Bhavan, New Delhi. to mark Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. President
Ram Nath Kovind received the first copy of the book
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