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Monthly Current AffairsTitle Capsule & Quiz

MayTitle 2020

 The countries placed on the list by the Trump administration on intellectual property (IP) related issues are Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Venezuela.  According to the World Intellectual Property International Labour Day: 1 May Right Organization, the Intellectual Property is the creation of literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images.

World Tuna Day: 02 May

Labour Day or International Workers' Day is observed each year on the first day of May to celebrate achievements of the working class.

 The day, also called 'May Day', is also observed as a public holiday in many countries.  On 1 May, 1886, labour unions in the US decided to go on a strike demanding that World Tuna Day is observed on May 2 every year. workers should not be made to work for more than 8 hours a day.  The United Nations (UN) established the  Just three days after the strike began, a blast World Tuna Day to raise awareness about the occurred in Chicago's Haymarket Square tuna fish and its importance to humans and leaving many dead. earth.  To honor those who died in the blast, the  It is also observed to promote more International Socialist Conference declared 1 sustainable fishing practices. May as a day designated for labourers.  The United Nations general assembly officially voted in favour of observing World US places India on priority watch list for Tuna Day in the year 2016. intellectual property protection  World Tuna Day was observed for the first time in the year 2017. The US placed India on the ‘Priority Watch List’ for lack of sufficient measurable improvements to its World Press Freedom Day: 03 March intellectual property framework on the “longstanding” and “new challenges” that have negatively World Press Day is observed every year on 3 May. affected American right holders over the past year.  Each year this special day is observed to  The US placed 10 countries, including some celebrate the spirit of journalism and to pay of its major trading partners like India and gratitude to those journalists who lost their China, on the list.

lives in order to bring us honest and real news about happenings in the nation, city or state.  The freedom of expression of the media/ press helps in creating awareness amongst the general population.  This year the theme of world press freedom day 2020 is ‘Journalism without Fear or Favour’.

International Astronomy Day: 02 May

According to the researchers from the University of Western Ontario in Canada that the new method overcomes shortfalls of existing processes while saving money.

 The team collaborated with Canadian integrated energy company Suncor to develop algae as a production factory to make necessary proteins to identify COVID-19 antibodies in someone previously infected with the disease. International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a  The researchers noted that one of the limiting year, one in autumn and another in spring. factors in developing large-scale serological testing is the ability to make significant  The Astronomy Day 2020 is celebrated on quantities of the viral proteins on a cost- May 2. The world will celebrate the next effective basis. Astronomy Day on September 26.  Algae are cheap to grow and can easily be  On this day, museums, societies, engineered to produce the viral proteins. astronomical institutions and planetariums organise seminars, workshops and other fun- International Firefighters' Day: 04 May filled activities to spread awareness about the world of astronomy.  According to starwalk.space, in 1973, Doug Berger, president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, had organised the celebration of first Astronomy Day.  The idea behind observing the day is to create awareness and educate people about the beautiful universe.

Researchers in Canada using algae to produce low-cost COVID-19 test kits International firefighters day (IFFD) is observed on May 4 in order to honour the work and sacrifice made by firefighters.

 The day also pays respects to those who have African countries to import Madagascar’s herbal lost their lives while performing their duty. tonic dubbed as Covid-19 ‘cure’  On this day, people sport a symbolic red and blue ribbon badge.  These two colours denote the main elements of a firefighters work.  The red colour symbolises fire while the blue is for water. The combination of red and blue is also globally recognised for representing emergency service.  The International Firefighters Day came into existence after five firefighters lost their lives while they were trying to control a wildfire in Australia's Victoria's Linton.  The incident occurred on December 2, 1998, African countries including Tanzania, Congo- in which Garry Vredeveldt, Chris Evans, Brazzaville, and Guinea-Bissau are set to import a Stuart Davidson, Jason Thomas, and herbal tonic from Madagascar dubbed as the world’s Matthew Armstrong lost their lives. first Covid-19 ‘cure’. Russia to launch first Arktika-M satellite for  Madagascar last week had announced that it monitoring Arctic climate this year was launching its herbal tonic as a cure to the novel coronavirus even as the World Health Organization has warned that there is no proof of any definitive cure of Covid-19.  The tonic is made from the artemisia plant - the source of an ingredient that is used in the treatment of malaria.  The tonic was launched as Covid-Organics and was marketed as a cure for the infection after being tested on less than 20 people over a period of three weeks.

Russia will launch its first Arktika-M satellite for African Swine Flu reaches India; 2,500 pigs died monitoring the Arctic climate and environment at the in Assam end of the year.

 The number one Arktika-M spacecraft has been developed and is undergoing radio- electronic testing.  The second Arktika-M satellite is still under development and will be launched in 2023.  Russia's Arktika-M remote-sensing and emergency communications satellites will gather meteorological data in the polar regions of the Earth, which will allow to improve weather forecasts and will enable scientists to better study climate change.

The Assam government informed that the first case World Asthma Day: 05 May 2020 of African Swine Flu has been detected in the state that has killed more than 2500 pigs in 306 villages.

 The National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, has confirmed that it is African Swine Flu (ASF).  African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, double-stranded DNA virus in the Asfarviridae family.  It is the causative agent of African swine fever (ASF). The virus causes a hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs. World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May. This year, the World Asthma Day is International Day of the Midwife: 5 May observed on May 5, 2020.

 It is a global initiative to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. Asthma is a long term disease that affects the lungs.  This disease causes inflammation in the airways and narrows them making it difficult to breathe.  As per the WHO, about 80%of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle-income countries.  The theme for World Asthma Day 2020 is ‘Enough Asthma Deaths’.

International Midwife Day is celebrated on the 5th of World Red Cross Day: 8 May May every year, to appreciate the work of midwives.

 Midwives are women who have practical knowledge of helping pregnant women give birth.  In the early times when there were no highly professional and equipped hospitals for pregnant ladies, they used to give birth to a child at home with the help of these midwives.  To celebrate these brave women and respect their work, International Midwife Day is celebrated. May 8 is observed as the World Red Cross and Red  2020 theme: ‘Midwives with women: Crescent Day. celebrate, demonstrate, mobilise, unite – our time is NOW!’.

 Every year, the day celebrates the principles in gas business, gas infrastructure and of the “International Red Cross and Red petrochemicals, to invest in India. Crescent Movement”.  The celebrations aim to pay tribute to the World Migratory Bird Day: 9 May 2020 volunteers who participated in the event as well as welcome their precious contribution to helping people in need.  Mainly, World Red Cross Day focuses on the food shortage, natural calamities, war as well as diseases of the epidemic.  This day commemorates the birth anniversary of the Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Henry Dunant.  Henry Dunan won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

 The Red Cross Society has won the Nobel Prize thrice: in 1917, 1944 and 1963. No In 2006, the United Nations decided to observe other organisation has won the Peace Prize World Migratory Bird Day on two particular dates in more than the Red Cross. a year, the second Saturday in May and October.

India, Russia signs MoU on coking coal  World Migratory Bird Day 2020 will be celebrated on 9 May and 10 October this year.  The aim of the day is to raise awareness of migratory birds and the importance of international cooperation to conserve them.  World Migratory Bird Day 2020 theme: “Birds Connect Our World”.

UN appeals for USD 6.7 billion to fight virus in poor countries

India and Russia are in talks to expand their energy partnership by increasing crude oil imports from Russia.

 Both the countries signed a memorandum of understanding to import coking coal to meet requirements of Indian steel industry.  Delhi is seeking a long-term agreement for supply of crude oil from Russia as it seeks to diversify its sources for hydrocarbons.  India has begun negotiations with Russia on long-term assured supplies of crude oil, The United Nations called on governments, especially from Russia’s Far East, and has companies and billionaires to contribute to a USD also invited Russian companies, particularly 6.7 billion fund for immediate needs in fighting the coronavirus pandemic in vulnerable countries.

 The UN''s initial USD 2 billion appeal  As per International Meteor Organization unveiled on March 25 was being increased (IMO), 50 meteors per hour are expected to because there is already evidence of incomes be seen on day of peak. plummeting and jobs disappearing, food supplies falling and prices soaring, and WHO, UN postal agency release commemorative children missing vaccinations and meals. postage stamp on 40th anniversary of eradication  The USD 6.7 billion will fund the UN''s of smallpox humanitarian response plan to help the world’s most vulnerable people deal with the pandemic now and in the coming months.  The amount will be updated before the end of June because the pandemic has created "a very fast-moving situation", and will likely be revised upward again to meet needs in 2020.

Comet Halley's Particles causes Meteor Shower visible till May 28 The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN's postal agency have released a commemorative postage stamp on the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox.

 In May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly issued its official declaration that the world and all peoples have won freedom from smallpox.  It ended after a 10-year WHO-spearheaded global effort that involved thousands of Two hours before Sunrise, people in India and across health workers around the world to the world can witness the Annual Meteor Shower administer half a billion vaccinations to called Eta Aquarids till May 28. stamp out smallpox. Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi expands  Meteor showers are commonly known as shooting stars which are nothing but dust powers, citing coronavirus outbreak flakes of comet/asteroid entering earth atmosphere.  This Annual Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower peaked whereas presence of Full Moon was an obstacle outshining bright streaks of lights of this meteor shower zipping across the South Eastern sky.  As this meteor shower is active till May 28, people can still watch this celestial spectacle in early morning every day.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has approved  The poet also composed the poem that later amendments to the country's state of emergency that became the national anthem of India. grant him and security agencies additional powers.  Interestingly, the national anthem of Bangladesh, 'Amar Sonar Bangla', was also  The government says the amendments are written by the same Bengali poet. needed to combat the coronavirus outbreak.  The new amendments allow the president to Saudi Arabia to raise VAT from 5% to 15% from take measures to contain the virus, such as 1st July suspending classes at schools and universities and quarantining those returning from abroad.  But they also include expanded powers to ban public and private meetings, protests, celebrations and other forms of assembly.  The amendments also allow military prosecutors to investigate incidents when army officers are tasked with law enforcement or when the president orders it.  The amended law would also allow the president to postpone taxes and utility payments as well as provide economic In a significant decision , the Kingdom of Saudi support for affected sectors. Arabia has decided to raise value added tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 15 percent starting from 1st July. Israel names street after Tagore  It also has taken a decision to suspend the cost of living allowance starting from 1st June.  The decision has been taken as part of measures aimed at shoring up state finances, battered by low oil prices and a severe coronavirus-driven slowdown.  The kingdom first introduced VAT two years ago as part of efforts to cut its reliance on world crude oil markets.

International Nurses Day : 12 May

On the 159th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Israel paid him a heartwarming tribute by naming a street after him in Tel Aviv.

 Israel named it 'Tagore Street' to commemorate the poet's birth anniversary on 08 May.  Tagore, who wrote his poetry, novels, stories and plays in Bengali, In 1913 he won the prestigious Nobel prize in literature and till now, he is the only poet from India to have done so. International Nurse Day is observed globally on 12 May every year.

 This day is observed to commemorate the  The re-opening of the Victoria Falls has been birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. welcomed by travel agencies and tour  She was the founder of modern nursing and operators who have promised to adhere to was a British social reformer and statistician. health guidelines issued by the government.  2020 theme: “Nursing the World to Health”.  The Victoria Falls has lately recorded its  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highest volumes of water in a decade, further designated the year 2020 as the International enhancing its natural splendor. Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.  The 108 meter tall Victoria falls is located on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border and is one of Italy develops 'iFeel-You' bracelet for social the world's largest waterfalls in terms of distancing water volume, it measures 1,708 metres in width.

International Family Day: 15th May

The Genoa-based Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) has come up with iFeel-You, an intelligent bracelet which will help users respect social distancing rules. International Family Day observed globally on 15th  The bracelet has been developed as the May every year. measures for safeguarding against the coronavirus lockdown is being gradually  The day was proclaimed by the UN General lifted. Assembly in 1993 with the aim to highlight  It uses a radio signal only when another the importance attached to families by the bracelet is approaching, it does not use GPS international community. and therefore does not keep track of user  This day provides an opportunity to promote locations. awareness of issues relating to families and to  It just reminds us when needed that we are increase the knowledge of the social, not observing social distancing rules. economic and demographic processes affecting families. Zambia reopens Victoria Falls for tourists UN forecasts pandemic to shrink world economy Zambia has re-opened the majestic Victoria Falls for by 3.2 percent tourists, nearly two months after closing the world famous tourist destination due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International Day of Light is celebrated on 16 May each year.

 The day marks the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman.  This day is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development.  It is a global initiative that provides a platform for the continued appreciation of The United Nations is forecasting that the light and the role it plays in science, culture coronavirus pandemic will shrink the world economy and art, education and sustainable by 3.2 percent this year. development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy.  It is the sharpest contraction since the Great Depression in the 1930s. World Telecommunication and Information  COVID-19 is expected to slash global Society Day: 17 May economic output by nearly $8.5 trillion over the next two years, wiping out nearly all gains of the last four years.  In January, the U.N. forecast a modest growth of 2.5 percent in 2020.  The United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects report said the pandemic is also "exacerbating poverty and inequality," with an estimated 34.3 million people likely to fall below the extreme poverty line in 2020 - 56 percent of them in Africa. World Telecommunication and Information Society  An additional 130 million people may join the ranks of people living in extreme poverty Day is observed to raise awareness about the use of by 2030, dealing a "huge blow" to global technology and the importance it plays in the current efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and scenario. hunger by the end of the decade.  The world is connected despite being International Day of Light :16 May geographically distant because today we can connect to each other at any time using the technology.  The theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2020 is “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.  May 17 is celebrated as the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, as it marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union.

International Day of Living Together in Peace: 16 violators can receive up to three years May imprisonment.  Incidents of Israeli national flag being burnt on the streets of Berlin, and the European Union flag being publically set ablaze by Euro-sceptics spurred lawmakers to pass this legislation.  They claimed that the legislation interfered with the citizen's freedom of expression and artistic creativity.

World Hypertension Day : 17 May

International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed every year on 17 May.

 In 2017, the United Nations declared this Day to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity across the world.  The Day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and

diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony. World Hypertension Day is observed on May 17 every year to help raise awareness about high blood Germany outlaws flag burning as a form of pressure, how it can be prevented and managed. protest  The main aim of celebrating the day is to promote public awareness of increasing high blood pressure (BP) and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer.  The day was celebrated for the 1st time in May 2005.  World Hypertension Day (WHD) is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL), an affiliated section of the International Society of Hypertension.  2020 theme : ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer’. Germany has banned flag burning as a manner of protest; designating this as an act to "stir up hatred, World AIDS Vaccine Day: 18 May anger and aggression." World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine  The Bundestag (German parliament) passed Awareness Day, is observed on May 18 across the a law making burning of flags of foreign world. countries a punishable offense, as per this law

 It is primarily celebrated to emphasise upon the need for a vaccine for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and recognises the efforts of health professionals and researchers who have been working towards this goal.  The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on May 18, 1998.  Exactly one year ago, on May 18, 1997, the then United States president Bill Clinton had asserted upon the importance of creating a

vaccine for the deadly disease. Israel's parliament swore in a new unity government International Museum Day: 18 May led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz, ending the longest political crisis in the nation's history.

 After more than 500 days without a stable government and three inconclusive elections, lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament approved a three-year coalition, with 73 voting for and 46 against.  The new government was set to confront serious crises in its first weeks, including the economic devastation wrought by the International Museum Day 2020 is celebrated every coronavirus and a looming battle over Israel’s year on 18 May. possible annexation of large parts of the occupied West Bank.  Every year, all the museums across the globe  Under the coalition deal, Netanyahu will are invited to participate in the International serve as prime minister for the coming 18 museum day to promote the role of museums. months.  The IMD provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and Lassa fever claims 41 lives in Nigeria alert them as to the challenges that museums face.  International Museum Day serves as a platform to raise public awareness on the role museums play in the development of society today, on an international level.  The theme for International Museum Day 2020 is Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion.

Israel’s parliament swears in new unity government with PM Netanyahu at helm A total of 41 people have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria's northeastern state of Bauchi since the

outbreak of the viral disease in the country early this year.

 A case of COVID-19 that has been detected early has a greater chance of getting cured than cases of Lassa fever cases.  The state government is training health staff on carrying out fumigation and spraying processes to prevent the spread of the disease.  Lassa fever is believed to be transmitted to humans when they come in contact with the saliva, urine and excreta of rats.

 In certain cases, its symptoms can be similar to malaria. In Japan, where the government has been fiercely engaged in tackling the novel coronavirus pandemic, China announces USD 2 billion in coronavirus a centuries-old ritual is sharing the blame for help at WHO assembly impeding social distancing efforts.

 The extensive and almost unavoidable use of the ‘hanko’– a personal seal generally made from wood or plastic, for authorising official documents ranging from contracts, marriage registrations and even delivery slips, has been forcing several employees to go to the office to get work done.  The hanko is a personal stamp that is equivalent to a signature in other countries, and is an essential part of several transactions.  Small-sized and circular or square-shaped, China will provide USD 2 billion over two years to the stamp is wet by an ink pad called fight the coronavirus pandemic. ‘shuniku’, and the mark that it leaves on a document is called ‘inkan’  The USD 2 billion over the next two years  Even today, when many countries have seen will support COVID-19 response efforts, a push towards paperless systems and particularly in developing countries. adopting digital signatures, the hanko  The announcement came as China faced remains popular in Japan. growing global pressure over the lockdowns, death toll and a huge increase in coronavirus World Bee Day: 20 May cases that has brought the world to a standstill. World Bee Day 2020 is observed across the globe on 20 May every year. Traditional ‘Hanko’ practice is coming in the way of Japan’s Covid-19 response  The World Bee Day celebration is done in order to raise awareness amongst the people about the importance of bees in the universe.  The World Bee Day was started by the United Nations General Assembly so that bees'

conservation is highlighted for sustainable  On this day, many nations internationally development. collaborate to create awareness about  World Bee Day 2020 theme is “Save the metrology and any advancement in the Bees”. respective field.  The World Metrology Day celebrates the Nepal approves new map including Lipulekh, contribution of individuals engaged in field Kalapani, Limpiyadhura amid border row with metrology nationally or on a global scale India  The World Metrology Day 2020 theme is Global trade.

International Tea Day: 21 May

Nepal's cabinet has endorsed a new political map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura under its territory, amid a border dispute with India. International Tea Day is observed annually on May  The move announced by foreign minister 21. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali came weeks after he said that efforts were on to resolve the border  The concerning resolution was adopted on issue with India through diplomatic December 21, 2019 and calls on the United initiatives. Nations Food and Agriculture Organization  The Lipulekh pass is a far western point near (FAO) to lead the observance of the Day. Kalapani. Both India and Nepal claim  The move could provide the much-needed Kalapani as an integral part of their territory push to create awareness for tea - India as part of Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh consumption. district and Nepal as part of Dharchula  The International Tea Day aims to raise district. awareness of the long history and the deep  India has said that the recently-inaugurated cultural and economic significance of tea road section in Pithoragarh district in around the world. Uttarakhand lies completely within its  Also, December 15 is celebrated as territory. International Tea Day in tea producing nations such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, World Metrology Day: 20 May Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India and Tanzania. Every annual year on May 20, the World Metrology However, this was not really official and was Day is observed across the globe. done by an NGO.

 It commemorates the anniversary of signing International Day for Biological Diversity: 22 the famous Metre Convention in the year May 1875 in Paris, France.

The US President Donald Trump ordered that the US flag to be flown at half-staff over the next three days as the death toll from COVID-19 surpasses 95,000.

 Flags will be lowered on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half- staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans lost to the Coronavirus.  The flags will continue to be flown at half- staff on Memorial Day, observed on 25th May every year, in honor of those in the US military who died serving their country. The International Day for Biodiversity is observed  The stripes on the US flag represent the on May 22 to raise awareness on various issues original 13 Colonies and the stars represent related to threats that stare biodiversity in the face. the 50 states of the Union. World Turtle Day: 23 May  The first International Day for Biological Diversity, also known as World Biodiversity day, was created in a UN General Assembly in 1993.  Biodiversity or Biological diversity means the life on Earth constitutes a variety of living organisms.  There are at least 8 million species on this planet including plants, animals, fungi, bactere to name a few.  The biodiversity we have today was formed through billions of years of evolution.  The theme for the year 2020 is "Our solutions are in nature".

Trump orders US flag to be flown at half-staff over next 3 days The World Turtle Day is celebrated annually on May 23, since 2000.

 The main aim behind the celebration of this day is to spread awareness about the protection of the natural habitat of turtles and tortoises.  Every year since 2000, American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit organization established in 1990, sponsors the celebrations for World Turtle Day.  This year is the 20th anniversary of World Turtle Day.

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula: 23  The shipment also includes around 10 tonnes May of Ayurvedic medicines.  An Indian Medical Assistance Team has also reached on board INS Kesari to work with the Mauritius Health authorities through mutual sharing of experience and expertise.  The supply of these medicines and the medical team has been arranged by India at the request of Mauritius.  The shipment underscores the unique ties between India and Mauritius and longstanding partnership in the public health care sector.  Mauritius Prime minister: Pravind Jugnauth Every year May 23 is observed as International Day  Capital: Port Louis to End Obstetric Fistula.  Currency: Mauritian rupee  The observance holds immense importance International Missing Children's Day: 25 May because the need to end obstetric fistula is extremely urgent.  It is a health burden that is not given much attention, however, it as per the UN it is "one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth.  As per WHO, obstetric fistula is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without treatment.  2020 theme: "End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula now!".

2nd consignment of essential medicine supplies Every year, 25 May is commemorated as from India reach Port Louis, Mauritius International Missing Children's Day.

 The proclamation followed the 1979 disappearance of a six-year-old boy, Etan Patz, on his way to school in New York City.  It was first observed in 2001 through the efforts of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), European Commission and the Missing Children Europe.  Two out of three missing children in India remain untraced and the number has increased by almost 84 per cent between 2013 and 2015. Second consignment of essential medicine supplies from India reached Port Louis aboard INS Kesari. World Thyroid Day: 25 May

economic and social integration among the family of African States, and to eradicate colonialism, apartheid and neo-colonialism from the African continent.  The organisation was transformed into the African Union on 09 July 2002 in Durban, South Africa, to achieve greater unity, cohesion and solidarity between African countries and nations.

Myanmar to seek 700 million dollar IMF loan for COVID-19 spending

World Thyroid Day is observed globally on 25 May every year.

 The main purpose of the WTD is to be aware of the importance of Thyroid and the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases.  The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat that produces T3 (Thyroxine) and T4 (Triiodothyronine) and maintained by the Thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH).  It regulates the metabolism of the body and abnormalities in this may cause The parliament of Myanmar approved the proposal dysfunctioning body systems. to seek a 700 million dollar loan from IMF to finance its spending on fighting COVID-19 in the country. 57th Africa Continent Day: 25 May  Myanmar has sought the loan from IMF under its Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) and Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) which offers quick loan facility at concessional rates for Low Income Countries.  The loan will be used to cover the deficit incurred by the government due to increased spending on social security, health services and economic assistance in the wake of the Corona pandemic outbreak.  Myanmar has decided to allocate up to 10 percent of its current budget to fight COVID- On 25 May 2020, the African continent marked the 19. 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Japan completely lifts nationwide emergency

 The day is marked annually as Africa Day. Japan has completely lifted the nationwide  The OAU was established on 25 May 1963 emergency imposed following the CoronaVirus with the aim of promoting political, pandemic.

 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe study the atmosphere, among other announced that the emergency will be lifted objectives. in the remaining five prefectures including  The Tianwen-1 mission will lift off on a Long Tokyo. March 5 rocket.  He warned that a state of emergency can be  The success of the mission will make China re-imposed if the infection starts spreading the third country to achieve a Mars landing rapidly again. after the USSR and the United States.  Japanese government had declared the state  The Chinese mission is expected to take off of emergency for Tokyo and six in late July, around the same time when neighbouring prefectures in early April and NASA is launching its own Mars mission– later expanded it to cover the entire country. the ambitious ‘Perseverance’ which aims to collect Martian samples and bring them back International Day of Action for Women's Health: to Earth in a two-part campaign. 28 May Myanmar to seek 700 million dollar IMF loan for COVID-19 spending

International Day of Action for Women’s Health (or International Women’s Health Day) has been The parliament of Myanmar approved the proposal observed every year on May 28 since 1987. to seek 700-million-dollar loan from IMF to finance its spending on fighting COVID-19 in the country.  The main agenda of this day is to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights  Myanmar has sought the loan from IMF (SRHR) of all women all over the world. under its Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) and  Action is taken to stand up for sexual and Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) which reproductive rights that are also part of our offers quick loan facility at concessional rates human rights. for Low Income Countries.  The loan will be used to cover deficit incurred China will launch its first Mars mission, the by the government due to increased spending ‘Tianwen-1’ in July on social security, health services and economic assistance in the wake of Corona In July, China will launch its first Mars mission, the pandemic outbreak. ‘Tianwen-1’, which is expected to land on the Red  Myanmar has decided to allocate up to 10 Planet’s surface in the first quarter of 2021. percent of its current budget to fight COVID- 19.  Tianwen-1, an all-in-one orbiter, lander and rover will search the Martian surface for International Everest Day: 29th May water, ice, investigate soil characteristics, and

 The assistance is provided under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rapid Financing Instrument provisions of the IMF.  The money will help Bangladesh to meet its health, social protection and macro- stabilization measures.  This is the largest amount of loan assistance for Bangladesh to deal with the Covid-19 fallout. Earlier ADB provided 500 million

assistance to Bangladesh to deal with the International Everest Day is being observed on 29th Corona pandemic. May. Meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities held  Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary had climbed the Mt. Everest on this day (29th May) in 1953, as the first humans to achieve the feat.  Nepal decided to observe the day as International Everest Day since 2008 when the legendary climber Hillary passed away.  The day is celebrated with memorial events, processions, and special events in Kathmandu and the Everest region.

IMF approves 732 million emergency assistance The meeting of the Heads of Tax Authorities of the to Bangladesh for COVID-19 BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa was held.

 The meeting was hosted by the Federal Tax Service of Russia, which currently holds the BRICS Presidency, to discuss the response of BRICS Tax Authorities to the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore potential areas of cooperation in tax matters.  The meeting was scheduled to be held in Moscow, but was held through video conference in view of COVID-19.  Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey The IMF Executive Board approved an emergency represented India at the meeting. financial assistance worth dollar 732 million for Bangladesh to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Missile Park 'Agneeprastha' to be set up at INS the country. Kalinga

 The assistance has been approved for Foundation Stone for a Missile Park " Bangladesh to meet its urgent Balance of AGNEEPRASTHA" was laid at INS Kalinga. payment and fiscal needs as Corona pandemic has led to sharp decline in its  The Missile Park "AGNEEPRASTHA" once exports and income from remittances. completed will be dedicated to all the

Officers, Sailors and Support Staff of INS Kalinga, who have served in this premier op- support Base of the ENC since its establishment in 1981.  The Park also commemorates the award of the prestigious Unit Citation to INS Kalinga India at 53rd position in budget transparency, for the year 2018-19. accountability  'AGNEEPRASTHA ' aims to capture glimpses of Missile History of INS Kalinga since 1981 till date.  'AGNEEPRASTHA' will also provide a one- stop arena for motivation and stimulation of inquisitive minds regarding the missiles and related technologies, from school children to Naval personnel and their families.

World No Tobacco Day: May 31

India has been placed at 53rd position among 117 nations in terms of budget transparency and accountability, according to the Open Budget Survey.

 The survey, which was conducted by International Budget Partnership (IBP), has provided India's Union Budget process a transparency score of 49 out of 100, which is higher than the global average of 45.  New Zealand tops the chart with a score of 87.  The survey, covering 117 countries, rates the World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world level of budget transparency across countries every year on 31 May. on a scale of 0-100, based on several normative, internationally comparable  The day spreads awareness about the harmful indicators. effects of tobacco and to discourage people from using tobacco products. Ramayan becomes highest viewed entertainment  Tobacco use is considered to be one of the program globally leading preventable causes of mortality in the world. The popular television show ‘Ramayan’ based on  According to the World Health Organisation Valmiki’s Epic Ramayana has become the highest (WHO), nearly eight million people in the viewed entertainment program globally. world die each year of tobacco use.  It registered record breaking viewership and created a world record when 77 million people watched the show in a single day.

 The record was created on the 16th of April  The joint programme aims to fight against at 9 p.m. Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan aired corona through simple and time tested on Doordarshan for the first time between Ayurveda immunity boosting measures. 1987 and 1988.  These measures are as per the advisory issued  Prasar Bharti CEO Shashi Shekhar by the Ministry of AYUSH. announced last month that his team was  The recommended formulations like working out the logistics of telecasting the Chyawanaprasha (Amla as main content), Ramayana after the nationwide lockdown Anu Taila and SanshamaniVati (prepared was announced. from Guduchi) have simple herbs which are time tested and scientifically proven for GI tag to Manipur black rice, Gorakhpur enhancing immunity. terracotta  Delhi Police has come forward with a proposal for maintaining the health of front line COVID warriors like Delhi police personnel through Ayurveda immunity boosting measures.

Gujarat Maharashtra on statehood day : 01 May

Chak-Hao, the black rice of Manipur and the Gorakhpur terracotta have bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

 Chak-Hao, a scented glutinous rice which has been in cultivation in Manipur over centuries, On May 1, 1960, the Government of India divided is characterised by its special aroma. the Bombay State into two states under the 'Bombay  It is normally eaten during community feasts Reorganization Act 1960' namely Maharashtra and and is served as Chak-Hao kheer. Gujarat.  The terracotta work of Gorakhpur is a centuries-old traditional art form, where the potters make various animal figures like,  Bombay State was dissolved and split on linguistic lines into the two states of Gujarat, horses, elephants, camels, goats, ox, etc. with hand-applied ornamentation. with Gujarati speaking population and Maharashtra, with Marathi speaking population. AYURAKSHA-Corona Se Jung- Delhi Police Ke  Maharashtra is the second-most populous Sang launched by All India Institute of Ayurveda state and third-largest state by area.  Gujarat is the fifth largest Indian state by area The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the and the ninth largest state by population. Ministry of AYUSH and Delhi Police organised the AYURAKSHA programme for Delhi Police personnel at New Delhi. Government extends nationwide lockdown till May 17

commerce marketplace 'bharatmarket' soon for all retail traders in collaboration with several technology partners.

 The marketplace will integrate capabilities of various technology companies to provide end-to-end services in the logistics and supply chains from manufacturers to end consumers, including deliveries at home.  The e-commerce portal will include a nationwide participation by retailers and aims

to bring 95 per cent of retail traders onboard the platform, who would exclusively run the The Centre extends the ongoing nationwide portal. lockdown by two weeks from 4th of this month. Government hikes MSP for 49 Minor Forest  The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order Produce to this effect under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to extend the lockdown further.  The prohibited activities include travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road, running of schools, colleges, and other educational and training hospitality services, cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes.  All social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings and religious places or places of worship for the public will also remain shut.  Movement of persons by air, rail and road is allowed for select purposes and for purposes as permitted by MHA.

CAIT to launch national e-commerce marketplace 'bharatmarket' for retail traders Government has raised the minimum support price for Minor Forest Produce of 49 items in view of circumstances arising out of COVID-19.

 The increase across various items of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) ranges from 16 per cent to 66 per cent.  The increase is expected to provide an immediate and much needed momentum to procurement of Minor Tribal Produce in at least 20 States.  The MSP for Minor Forest Produces is Traders' body Confederation of All India Traders revised once in every three years by the (CAIT) has announced to launch a national e- Pricing Cell constituted under the Ministry.

CSIR launches Kisan Sabha App to connect Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has farmers to supply chain, transportation approved the integration of five more States and Management System Union Territories with the National Cluster under the One Nation, One Ration Card plan.

 These States and UTs are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.  12 states have already under One Nation, One Ration Card plan namely - Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tripura.  With this, the facility of national and inter- state portability will be available for nearly Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 60 Crore beneficiaries of 17 States and UTs. has launched the ‘Kisan Sabha’ App to connect  They will now lift their entitled quota of farmers to the supply chain and freight transportation foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop of their Management System. choice, anywhere in these 17 States and UTs by using their existing ration card under One  It aims to provide the most economical and Nation, One Ration Card plan. timely logistics support to the farmers and increase their profit margins by minimizing Green nod to Rs 922 crore new Parliament interference of middlemen and directly complex connecting with the institutional buyers.  It will also help in providing best market rates of crops by comparing nearest mandis, booking of freight vehicles at cheapest cost thereby giving maximum benefit to the farmers.

Five more States, UTs integrates with National Cluster under "One Nation, One Ration Card" plan

A green nod has been given to construction of the new Parliament building at a cost of Rs 922 crore- the environment ministry’s Expert Appraisal committee cleared the controversial project.

 Meanwhile, the Central Vista committee also approved the new plan which has been strongly opposed by civil society organisations and opposition parties.  The expert panel of the environment ministry has said the clearance for the project to build

a new Parliament is subject to the apex court’s decision.  CPWD has said that the existing Parliament Building was constructed 93 years ago and is in ‘dire need of retrofitting’’ and that development of a new building is of utmost importance.  The department has further justified the increase in project costs form Rs 776 crore to Rs 922 crore citing changes in project specifications which have been approved after the application submission. The Maharashtra Government announced that cent per cent inclusion of population from the state will be provided free health treatment under the Mahatma Kashmir saffron gets GI tag Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana.

 With this Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to provide free and cashless insurance premium to the people of the state.  Meanwhile, the Mumbai civic body has asked its staff above the age of 55 years to work from home or abstain from field duties, while those with comorbidities have been given leave for two weeks in view of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Kashmir saffron, which is a spice and health Nation celebrates birth centenary of filmmaker rejuvenator and the pride of Jammu and Kashmir, has Satyajit Ray been given geographical indication (GI) tag, protecting the uniqueness of the farm produce.

 The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron are described as longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour of stigmas, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing and high quantity of crocin (colouring strength), safranal (flavour) and picrocrocin (bitterness).  Kashmir saffron is cultivated and harvested in the Karewas (highlands) of Jammu and Kashmir by local farmers. Nation celebrates the birth centenary of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray on 02 May. Maharashtra becomes first state in country to provide free and cashless insurance premium to  Ray was born on this day in 02 May 1921. people of the state  He directed 36 films in his lifetime.  Ray got Oscar award in 1991 besides he was recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke , Bharat Ratna and many other international awards.

 Satyajit Ray created a separate style in filmmaking in the country.  France Government conferred him the country's highest civilian award Logion of Honour for his outstanding contributions in the field of film at a function in Kolkata.

India placed 3rd in scientific publication

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized an IDEAthon on “The future of River Management’ to explore how the COVID-19 crisis can shape River Management strategies for the future.

 The IDEAthon examined how the social angle of rivers can be leveraged on to address other crises. What lessons for river India’s gross expenditure in R&D has tripled management has the pandemic taught us? between 2008 & 2018 driven mainly by the Govt And what response mechanisms are needed sector and scientific publications have risen placing in the event of a river crisis? the country internationally among the top few.  The international webinar conducted brought together close to 500 participants.  National Mission for Clean Ganga had  This is as per the R&D Statistics and Indicators 2019-20 based on the national initiated this IDEAthon to garner more S&T survey 2018 brought out by the National attention towards river management and also Science and Technology Management highlight the interconnectivity of Cities with Information (NSTMIS), Department of the River. Science and Technology (DST). Ministry of Tourism hosts 13th webinar titled  The report shows that with the rise in publication, the country is globally at the ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve’ of "Dekho 3rd position on this score as per the NSF Apna Desh" series database, 3rd in the number of Ph.D. in science & engineering.  India occupies 3rd rank in terms of number of Ph.D.’s awarded in Science and Engineering (S&E) after the USA (39,710 in 2016) and China (34,440 in 2015).  Number of researchers per million population in India has increased to 255 in 2017 from 218 in 2015 and 110 in 2000.

NMCG & NIUA organized IDEAthon on ‘The Future of River Management’ The 13th session of Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho ApnaDesh webinar on 1st May 2020, titled, ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve’ was a

presentation and virtual tour of wildlife adventure, safari experience for the traveller within the Sariska Tiger Reserve’ in Alwar district, Rajasthan.

 Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Aravalli Hills, 35 km from Alwar, 250 km SW of Delhi and 110 km NE of Jaipur.  The former hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Alwar, the Sariska valley is home to a variety of flora and fauna.  The park has populations of tigers, leopards, Nilgai, Sambar, chital etc. The Himachal Pradesh government decided to launch a programme guaranteeing at least 120 days' Umaria police launches 'Sankalp Scheme' to employment to those living in urban areas. provide 24-hour help to elderly  The cabinet decided to launch the Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna, under which 120 days' assured employment will be provided to people living in urban areas.  If required, adequate training will be given to them for their skill upgrade.

Indian-origin girl gets honour of naming Nasa's first Mars helicopter

In Madhya Pradesh, along with strict implementation of the lockdown, the humanitarian face of the police is also being praised by one and all.

 The Umaria police have launched a Sankalp Scheme to provide 24-hour help to the elderly.  Under the Sankalp Scheme, the Superintendent of Police has instructed all police officers to identify and help one or two Nasa's first Mars helicopter has a name now and the elderly families who are living alone and are credit goes to 17-year-old Indian-origin girl Vaneeza worried about their everyday needs during Rupani. the lockdown.  Under the Sankalp Scheme police personnel  Rupani, a high school junior from Northport, are connected along with every elderly Alabama, earned the honour of naming the member of the family. helicopter after she submitted her essay into NASA's "Name the Rover" contest. Himachal Pradesh govt to launch employment  Destined to become the first aircraft to scheme for urban areas attempt powered flight on another planet, NASA's Mars Helicopter officially named: Ingenuity, as suggested by Rupani.

 While NASA announced in March that its next rover would be named Perseverance based on seventh-grader Alexander Mather's essay, the agency decided to also choose a name for the helicopter that will accompany the rover to Mars.

PM Modi participate in NAM Summit through Video Conferencing

The central government has notified the establishment of the International Financial Services Centres Authority.

 The head office of the unified regulatory authority will be in Gandhinagar, which already houses the country’s first IFSC at GIFT City.  Both national and international institutions dealing in international financial services will utilize the IFSC platform for inbound and Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the outbound investments with improved ease of Virtual Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit doing business, thereby making GIFT IFSC a through Video Conferencing. global financial hub.  At present, entities operating in the IFSC are  The summit discussed and decided on the regulated by multiple regulators such as The enhanced coordination of the member states Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and in their fight against the coronavirus Exchange Board of India (Sebi), and pandemic. Insurance Regulatory and Development  The special online summit of the heads of Authority of India (Irdai). state and government of the NAM member states has been convened at the initiative of UP govt makes Arogya Setu app must for those in President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, in his hotspot areas capacity as current chair of the Movement.  The summit will conclude with a political declaration of the Movement as Uniting Against COVID-19.  NAM represents the biggest grouping of countries outside the United Nations comprising 120 developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America.

IFSC Authority headquarters will be in Gandhinagar

Uttar Pradesh government has made it compulsory to download Arogya Setu app for those living in hotspot areas of the state.

 State government has issued instructions regarding opening of offices, and resuming work in industrial areas.  Administrative and health department officials have been directed for contact mapping of every case in the hotspot area.  Five or more persons will not be allowed to gather at any point as part of the covid-19 management.

Hyderabad-based NIAB develops tool to detect While train services have been suspended across the Covid country in view of COVID-19, the railway employees have engaged themselves in the maintenance and repair work of the Pamban Railway bridge in Rameswaram.

 The railway employees here are working in full swing in the absence of rail traffic.  Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge which connects the town of Mandapam in mainland India with Pamban Island, and Rameswaram.  Opened on 24 February 1914, it was India's first sea bridge, and was the longest sea Researchers from Hyderabad-based National bridge in India until the opening of the Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) have Bandra-Worli Sea Link in 2010. developed a portable device ‘eCovSens’ that could possibly be used as a diagnostic tool for detection of Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launches COVID-19 antigens from saliva samples of multimedia guide 'COVID Katha' suspected coronavirus patients within 30 seconds.

 Developed by a group of scientists, led by Sonu Gandhi from NIAB, Department of Biotechnology, the device is named as ‘eCovSens’ and is at present in the validation stage.  The biosensor device has the potential to directly detect a specific protein of the SARS-CoV-2, even when the proteins are present in low concentrations in the human saliva.  The researchers said that in subsequent tests, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched the device has proved itself to be stable and 'COVID Katha', a multimedia guide on the COVID- quite efficient in detecting the virus. 19 disease.

Maintenance work at Pamban Railway Bridge  The book is a multimedia guide on COVID- underway amid lockdown 19 in which visual representation of themes, developed and researched by Assam-based Dr Anamika Ray Memorial Trust (ARMT)

team and illustrated by Assam cartoonist DRDO develops Ultra Violet Disinfection Tower Nituparna Rajbongshi, have been used to for rapid and chemical free disinfection spread the message of science and health in simple ways.  Vardhan said the book is extremely useful and an exemplary science communication solution for the people at large in the current scenario.

Facebook and Bollywood collaborate on ‘I FOR INDIA’ concert

Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO has developed an Ultra Violet Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical free disinfection of high infection prone areas.

 The equipment named UV blaster is an Ultra violet based area sanitiser designed and developed by Laser Science and Technology Centre. Social media networking site Facebook has  The UV Blaster is useful for high tech collaborated with some of the biggest names in surfaces like electronic equipment, Indian entertainment to put together a home-to-home computers and other gadgets in laboratories fundraiser concert, ‘I For India’. and offices that are not suitable for disinfection with chemical methods.  The product is also effective for areas with  100 percent proceeds from the fundraiser concert will go to the India COVID Response large flow of people such as airports, Fund managed by GiveIndia, to support on- shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories and ground relief efforts. offices.  GiveIndia (www.giveindia.org) is India’s largest giving platform with reach across 23 Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches states. “The Saras Collection” on GeM portal  It is associated with over 100 NGOs, working on-ground to support the required interventions with the prevention, healthcare infrastructure, livelihood support, and essentials for people in need, the company mentioned.  The vision for the concert by leaders from the entertainment industry is three-pronged: to entertain those locked down in their homes. To pay tribute to those who are working on the frontlines. And, to raise funds for those who have no work and no home and do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Union Minister of Rural Development and to less than 3 minutes from remote locations Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar launched immediately. “The Saras Collection” on the Government e  With a video-based consumer identification Marketplace (GeM) portal. process, businesses can reduce their cost of operations by up to 90% by eliminating field  The Saras Collection showcases daily utility agent travel and documentation costs. products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs) and aims to provide SHGs in rural Over 5 million people internally displaced in areas with market access to Central and State India in 2019: UN report: Government buyers.  It is a unique initiative of GeM and the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).  Under this initiative, the SHG sellers will be able to list their products in 5 product categories, namely handicrafts, handloom and textiles, office accessories, grocery and pantry and personal care and hygiene.  In the first phase, 913 SHGs from 11 States have already registered as sellers and 442

products have been on-boarded. More than five million people were internally Ameyo launches RBI compliant video KYC displaced in India due to natural disasters, conflict engagement platform and violence in 2019.

 India constituted the highest number of new internal displacements in the world during the period followed by the Philippines, Bangladesh and China.  The ‘Lost at Home’ report, published by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that almost 33 million new displacements were recorded in 2019, around 25 million were due to natural disasters and 8.5 million as consequence of conflict and violence.  In India, the total number of new internal Ameyo, a customer engagement technology displacements in 2019 stood at 5,037,000 - provider, announced the launch of video-based KYC including 5,018,000 due to natural disasters for businesses to eliminate the need for physical and 19,000 because of conflict and violence. KYC following the latest RBI guidelines issued in Jan 2020. Indian Navy launches Operation Samudra Setu to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas  Ameyo's video KYC is an end-to-end solution with omnichannel capabilities of Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu scheduling and reminding customers to as a part of a national effort to repatriate Indian complete the KYC process, thus enabling citizens from overseas. brands to reduce the drop-offs by 20%.  With this platform, companies can reduce the onboarding process from the current 5-7 days

 Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are Himachal Pradesh govt to launch 'Nigah' to presently enroute to Malè in Maldives to aware family members of migrant returnees commence evacuation operations as part of Phase-1.  Indian Mission in Maldives is preparing a list of Indian nationals to be evacuated by Naval ships and will facilitate their embarkation after requisite medical screening.  A total of one thousand persons are planned to be evacuated during the first trip, catering for COVID- related social distancing norms vis-a-vis the carrying capacity and medical facilities available onboard.

 The ships have been suitably provisioned for the evacuation operation. In Himachal Pradesh, the state government is planning to launch a new programme Nigah, in order NITI Aayog starts 'Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana- to sensitize and educate the family members of the Nani Abhiyan' to protect senior citizens during people coming to the state from other parts of the COVID-19 country.

 Under this programme Asha, health and anganwadi workers would be deployed to create general awareness in maintaining social distancing during home quarantine.  The stringent action would also be taken against those individuals who will not follow home quarantine.  Under the Nigah programme a team of ASHA, health and Anganwadi workers would sensitize the family members of persons arriving from other States regarding Government think tank NITI Aayog in association the importance of social distancing, so that with Piramal Foundation launched a campaign they could be saved from any possible ''Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan'' infection. focussed on ensuring well being of senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jharkhand govt launches 3 schemes to spike man- days for MGNREGA to help returnee migrant  The campaign will reach over 2.9 million workers senior citizens in 25 districts across Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, Maharashtra, The Jharkhand government has launched three Rajasthan & UP. schemes to generate 25 crore man-days for  The campaign is aimed at creating awareness MGNREGA to enable the workers earn wages as about various aspects of senior citizens' well as bring in a long-term plan to provide steady health and lifestyle including preventive income to the poor households. measures and requisite behavioral changes in view of COVID-19 pandemic.  Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched the ''Birsa Harit Gram Yojana'' (plantation scheme), ''Nilamber-Pitamber Jal Samridhi

Yojana'' (water scheme) and ''Veer Shahid  A large number of people from other states Poto Ho Khel Vikas Yojana (sports scheme) are stuck in West Bengal due to the on with an aim to develop rural Jharkhand. lockdown, they can access the app for online  The three schemes of the state’s rural permission to leave the state. development department set a target of  Persons willing to go back to their native creating 25 crore man-days for the Mahatma states can apply online through this ''Exit Gandhi National Rural Employment app''. Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme with about Rs 20,000 crore. Vesak Day: 7 May 2020

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launches ‘Ayush Kavach-Covid’ App

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched ‘Ayush Kavach-Covid’ app to help people Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti get health remedies which can be useful in fight commemorates the birth, enlightenment against COVID-19. (Buddhahood), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.  The app has been developed by AYUSH ministry.  This year Vesak day falls on 7th may in India.  The ‘Ayush Kavach-Covid’ App will provide  It was on this day that Gautam Buddha was measures to boost immunity based on natural born in 623 BC. It is believed that this was resources. also the day he attained enlightenment.  The app is designed to tell users how  Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha at commonly available kitchen ingredients such Lumbini near Kapilavastu (in present Nepal) as tulsi, clove and cinnamon can be used to in 566 BC. enhance the body’s immunity to fight against  He gave his first sermon at Sarnath near COVID-19. Varanasi.

West Bengal govt launches exit app for stranded Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's 159th birth people of other states anniversary

The West Bengal government launched an app for Every year May 7 is celebrated as Rabindranath people from other states who are stranded in West Tagore Jayanti. Bengal due to the lockdown and want to return to their native place, state.  He started writing poetry at the age of 8 and published his first collection at the age of 16.

 His compositions were chosen by two nations  Priority will be given to those who need as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana emergency medical care, have lost jobs or are and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla. stranded tourists.  The Sri Lankan national anthem was inspired by his work. Government begins evacuation exercise 'Vande  He became in 1913 the first non-European to Bharat Mission' win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Cuckoos of Mongolia travel 5,000 km to enjoy environment of Madhya Pradesh

In one of the largest evacuation exercises named the The cuckoos of Mongolia are currently enjoying the Vande Bharat Mission, the government will operate environment of Madhya Pradesh. 64 flights till May 13 to bring home nearly 14,800 Indian nationals stranded abroad due to the  For this they have been travelled thousands of coronavirus lockdown. km to arrive in the state.  The cuckoos are now in a mood to stay in  The preparations for the operation have Madhya Pradesh after flying 5,000 km in commenced and also urged the stranded only 5 days from African country Kenya. individuals to stay in touch with the Indian  Under the Mongolia Cuckoo Project, embassies in their countries. transmitters have been fitted to five cuckoos  The 64 flights will include 10 flights from the at the Khorkh Bird Banding Center in UAE, 2 from Qatar, 5 from Saudi Arabia, 7 northern Mongolia to study their migration from the UK, 5 from Singapore, 7 from the routes and their habitat during winter. United States, 5 from the Philippines, 7 from Bangladesh, 2 from Bahrain, 7 from Indian Navy Ship INS Jalashwa reaches Male for Malaysia, 5 from Kuwait and 2 flights from evacuation of Indian Nationals Oman.  Maximum number of flights in the first week Indian Navy Ship INS Jalashwa has reached Male for of repatriation will bring back citizens from evacuation of Indian Nationals as part of Samudra the Gulf countries. Setu program. IIT- Kanpur joins hands with Bharat Dynamics  The ship will leave for Kochi carrying around Ltd for development of affordable ventilators for 700 indians. Covid-19 treatment  Indian high commission in Male is coordinating final arrangements for In Uttar Pradesh, Indian Institute of Technology emigration and local transport. Kanpur has joined hands with Bharat Dynamics

Limited for the development of affordable ventilators for Covid-19 treatment.

 A startup of IIT Kanpur designed and developed a high-end and affordable, indigenous ventilator necessary for providing life support to critically ill COVID-19 patients under the overall supervision of IIT Kanpur team led by Prof Amitabha Bandyopadhyay.  Apart from providing support to the critical patient, the ventilator’s design also has Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has unique features to safeguard the frontline launched an online portal scholarships.gov.in under healthcare workers from exposure to the ‘Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana’. virus.  Under the Yojana, the state government will Private schools in Mizoram to reduce fees by provide Rs. 5,000 to 14,608 youths who are 50% during lockdown period in final year in colleges or Universities as a grant for Smartphones.  He hoped that the students will be benefited by the scheme and students will use the smartphones in positive ways.

Tamil Nadu govt to turn Jayalalithaa's iconic residence into a memorial

In Mizoram, all private schools have decided to reduce the school fees from the students by 50% during the lockdown period.

 This is also resolved that those schools, which have already taken full monthly fees from the students for April, will not charge fees for the month of May.  This was decided jointly by the education department officials and representatives from The Tamil Nadu government has formally student bodies and Independent School commenced the process of acquiring the sprawling Association at a meeting chaired by the state three-storeyed residence of late Chief Minister J education Minister Lalchhandama Ralte. Jayalalithaa, 'Veda Nilayam' here, to convert it into a memorial. Tripura CM launches online portal scholarships.gov.in  A Rs 50 crore phoenix-themed memorial was already coming up for the late AIADMK general secretary at the Marina, where she

was laid to rest following her demise on December 5, 2016.  Fondly addressed as 'Amma', meaning mother in Tamil, by her supporters, Jayalalithaa died in December 2016 after receiving treatment at the Apollo Hospitals for 75 days.  Jayalalithaa lived in 'Veda Nilayam' for over 30 years till her final days.

Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the World War II: 08-09 May

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Link Road to Kailash Mansarovar via video conferencing.

 The link road connects Dharchula to Lipulekh, China Border which is known as Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra Route.  Mr Singh congratulated the Border Roads Organization (BRO) engineers and personnel whose dedication made this achievement possible.

The Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Dr Harsh Vardhan launches ‘AYUSH Sanjivani’ Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second App World War is an international day of remembrance organised to pay tribute to the victims of World War II.

 This year, the observance begins on May 8, the anniversary of the date when the World War II Allies accepted the surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich and ends on May 9.  The day pays tribute to all the victims of the Second World War.

 May 8 marks the day when Nazi Germany decided to surrender while the Allies Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health & Family Welfare accepted it. Minister launched the ‘AYUSH Sanjivani’ App.

Rajnath Singh inaugurates Link Road to Kailash  The ‘AYUSH Sanjivani’ mobile app will Mansarovar via video conferencing help to generate data on acceptance and usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures among

the population and its impact in prevention of  Any person can apply for an e-token through COVID 19. the link www.qtoken.in.  It is developed by the Ministry of AYUSH  Name and phone number will be required and MEITY and shall reach out to a target of while applying and the e-token will be sent at 50 lakh people. the registered mobile number.

Tamil Nadu raises retirement age of government UP becomes first state to provide facility of beds employees to 59 with ventilators in each district of state

Tamil Nadu government increased the retirement age Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the of its staff from 58 years to 59 years to defer an outgo country to provide the facility of beds with of Rs 5,000 crore towards retirement benefits for the ventilators in hospitals of each and every district of current fiscal. the state.

 More than 25,000 government employees  Now, all 75 districts of the state can provide were set to superannuate this financial year. higher levels of care to the patients of  The order has come into immediate effect and COVID-19. will be applicable to all government  Uttar Pradesh has 24 testing labs for COVID- employees, teaching and non-teaching staff 19 now and around 1,300 beds with a in government and aided educational ventilator to fight with this disease. institutions, and employees of constitutional  The government tries to save the lives of statutory bodies, PSUs, corporations, local people from COVID-19 through community bodies, boards, commissions and societies. surveillance.  Those who are due for retirement on May 31  For this, the government has constituted a this year will now retire on May 31, 2021. Village Supervision Committee or Gram Nigrani Samiti in every village to curb the Delhi govt launches e-token system for liquor sale spread of Corona.

Delhi Government launched an e-token system for Uttar Pradesh brings ordinance to suspend most liquor sale in the national capital to ensure social labour laws for 3 years distancing and to stop overcrowding. Uttar Pradesh has suspended labour laws for the next  The decision was taken to encourage people 3 years. to avoid long queues by applying for an e- token with a time slot at any nearby shop to  The move is aimed at boosting industrial buy liquor. investment as well employing the large number of migrant workers that have come back to their native villages in the state.

 The government has accordingly passed an ordinance to this effect that will apply to all factories and manufacturing facilities as well as fresh investments coming into the state.  The ordinance however will not apply to certain laws like the Bonded Labour Act, Building and other Construction Workers Act, Section 5 of Payment of Wages Act and Workmen Compensation Act. Labour laws related to children and women will also not be affected. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his birth anniversary. PM Modi pays tributes to Maharana Pratap on his birth anniversary  Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on 9 May 1866 in Kotluk village of Guhagar taluka in Ratnagiri district, in present-day Maharashtra.  In 1905, when Gokhale was elected president of the Indian National Congress, he founded the Servants of India Society to specifically further one of the causes dearest to his heart: the expansion of Indian education.  Gopal Krishna Gokhale played a major role in the Morley-Minto reforms.  In 1908, Gokhale founded the ‘Ranade Institute of Economics’.  Gandhi called Gokhale his mentor and guide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to  He published English weekly newspaper, The Maharana Pratap on his birth anniversary. Hitavad (The people's paper)

 Mahara Pratap was the 13th Rajput king of FM Nirmala Sitaraman launches (INR-USD) F Mewar, Rajasthan. and O contracts on BSE’s India INX & NSE’s  He was born on May 9, 1540, to King Udai NSE-IFSC at GIFT Singh II and Queen Jaiwanta Bai.  The famous Battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap and Akbar’s forces led by Man Singh I of Amer on 18 June 1576.  Although the battle was won by Mughals but neither Maharana or any of his close family members were captured by the Mughal thus rendering their victory fruitless.  He owned Chetak (the horse) and Ramprasad (the elephant) who are known for their loyalty to their master.

PM Modi pays tributes to Gopal Krishna Gokhale Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman launched INR- on his birth anniversary USD (Rupee-Dollar) Futures and Options contracts on the two International Exchanges, BSE’s India

INX and NSE’s NSE-IFSC, at GIFT International Financial Services Centre in Gandhinagar.

 Bringing this business to India is clearly beneficial in terms of economic activity and employment gains for India.  This will be available 22 hours across all time zones for all global participants from GIFT IFSC.  Given the world class business environment and competitive tax regime at GIFT-IFSC, it is expected that trading of INR-USD Uttar Pradesh State Government has launched the contracts may bring volumes to India. 'Pravasi Rahat Mitra' App for migrant workers of state who are returning from different parts of country amidst lockdown. AIIMS Bhopal gets initial positive results of drug Mycobacterium-W  The multipurpose App is aimed at providing benefits of government schemes to the migrant workers and it will also help in monitoring their health besides providing jobs and livelihood, related to their skills.  The data collection of these migrant workers will be done through the app that has been developed by the State Revenue Department in collaboration with United Nation Development Programme.  The app will have full details of the persons staying in the shelter homes and also of those Amidst the growing infection of Corona, good news migrants who have reached their homes has come from Bhopal-based All India Institute of directly from other states. Medical Sciences-AIIMS. Tiger Population Rises to 96 in West Bengal's  Initial results of the ongoing clinical trial of Sundarbans drug under the supervision of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-CSIR have been found promising.  The immunity modulator drug Mycobacterium-W or M-W was used on severe patients of COVID-19 by the Doctors of AIIMS.  AIIMS official sources informed that both the serious patients were on ventilator but now both patients have come out of ICU and are out of danger.  A clinic trial of this drug was started a week ago under the supervision of CSIR at AIIMS. The number of Royal Bengal Tigers in West Bengal's Sundarbans has risen to 96, up by eight, according to the latest census. Uttar Pradesh govt launches 'Pravasi Rahat Mitra' App for migrant workers of state

 In 2017-18, the total count of Royal Bengal Tiger in Sundarbans was 87.  The Forest Department has taken various steps to increase the mangrove cover in the Sundarbans region to improve the tiger habitat's condition.  Spread over 4,262 sq km, the Sundarbans has mangrove cover in 2,125 sq km in India alone.  A large part of the Sundarbans forest, the world's largest mangrove reserve and one of the most unique ecosystems in South Asia recognised as UNESCO World Heritage site, Troops of India and China were involved in a fierce lies in Bangladesh. face-off near Naku La Pass in the Sikkim sector of  It's a part of the world's largest riverine delta, the Sino-India border. formed by Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers.  A number of personnel on both sides  The whole tract of forest reaches about 100- sustained injuries as they exchanged punches, 130 km inland from the confluence. they said.  It was the first case of troops from both sides Jharkhand govt bans Pan Masala for 1 year exchanging blows after a similar incident had taken place in Pangong Lake in Ladakh in August 2017.  It is learnt that a total of 150 soldiers were involved in the face-off on.  The troops of India and China were engaged in a 73-day stand-off in Doklam tri-junction in 2017, which even triggered fears of a war between the two neighbours.

India sends INS Kesari with Medical Assistance Teams, essential medicines, food items The Jharkhand government has banned 11 brands of Pan Masala for one year in the state.

 The order was passed by the Commissioner of Food Safety in the state, Nitin Kulkarni.  The state had collected 41 samples of Pan Masala belonging to different brands from different districts to test and analyse during the year 2019-20.  All samples were found to contain Magnesium Carbonate as an ingredient. India has sent Indian Naval Ship Kesari to Maldives, Indian, Chinese troops clash near Naku La in Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles, Sikkim sector carrying on board two Medical Assistance Teams, consignments of COVID related essential medicines and essential food items.

 This was in response to requests by the countries for assistance in dealing with the pandemic.  The Medical Assistance Teams will be deployed in Mauritius and Comoros and help the governments deal with COVID emergency and dengue fever.  In case of Mauritius, a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines is also being sent.

India's fuel consumption dips 46% in April Considering representations from certain industries and industry associations, the Odisha government decided to provide relaxation for industries and commercial activities and approved a 12-hour work shift instead of 8 hours.

 Payments will be made for overtime for a period of three months during the lockdown.  This relaxation will not be applicable to areas declared hotspots and containment zones in different cities of the state.  Also it has directed the factories that no female workers shall be allowed or required India's fuel consumption fell almost 46 per cent in to work in a factory between 7 pm to 6 am April as all petroleum products, except LPG. unless specifically permitted by the Government in this regard.  It massively erased demand following the nationwide lockdown that halted economic Bengaluru launches Pranavayu programme to activity and travel. create awareness on need to self examine  India's fuel consumption fell 45.8 per cent to respiratory health 9.929 million tonnes in April, down from 18.32 million tonnes of fuel consumed in the same month a year back.  Fuel consumption during March, when travel restrictions began to be imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus, stood at 16.08 million tonnes.  Petrol sales were down 60.43 per cent to 9,73,000 tonnes in April.  The demand for the fuel had fallen 64 per cent in the first half of the month, but there was some pick up in sales after reopening of some offices brought a few more vehicles back on road. Bengaluru Urban district cooperation in Karnataka city corporation has launched Pranavayu programme Odisha ups working hours to 12 to create awareness on the need to self examine the respiratory health for Bangaloreans.

 Pranavayu programme launched by the City Corporation in Bengaluru has been creating awareness through advertisements in the media about the need to carry out self examination for early detection of any ailment that could aggravate the situation if contracted with the viral infection.  Several deaths due to COVID-19 are reported due to Severe Acute Respiratory illness or SARI.  Pranavayu awareness programme is an attempt to help people with low oxygen level in their blood to get themselves checked early before their ailments become fatal. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR is leading the fight against COVID-19 using a multi- Madhya Pradesh policemen to be honoured with pronged approach and multiple models of Karmaveer Medal for fighting against Corona engagement.

 CSIR labs themselves are developing technologies and products and are working with industry and PSU partners for deployment while CSIR is also supporting new ideas and projects from other academic and industries through its flagship New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative, NMITLI programme.  Given the importance of deploying multiple strategies against COVID-19, CSIR through the NMITLI programme has approved a In Madhya Pradesh, all those policemen who project towards development of human rendered their services for thirty days in the fight monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) that can against Corona will be honoured with the Karmaveer neutralize Coronavirus. Medal. ICMR, Bharat Biotech to develop a fully  At the same time, the problems of families of indigenous vaccine for CoronaVirus martyrs and other deceased police personnel in Madhya Pradesh will now be resolved through the help-desk.  The help desk has been set up at the police headquarters in Bhopal.  Four police personnel have sacrificed their lives in the fight against Corona while 91 employees of the police department are infected with Corona and are undergoing treatment.

CSIR approves project to develop 'hmAbs' that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in patients

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and a Hyderabad based leading Vaccine manufacturing company Bharat Biotech International Limited have partnered to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19.

 The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain which has been isolated at ICMR's National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.  The details of the virus strain has been successfully transferred from NIV, Pune to Bharat Biotech. National Fertilizers Limited, NFL, a PSU under the  NIV will provide continuous support to ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers registered a 71 Bharat Biotech for vaccine development. percent growth in fertilizer sales last month.

National Technology Day: 11 May  Despite the stringent restrictions in the country in April due to COVID-19 lockdown, the company recorded fertilizer sales of 3.62 Lakh tonne last month compared to 2.12 Lakh tonne in the same period last year.  Chairman and Managing Director of NFL, Manoj Mishra has appreciated the efforts of the marketing team for achieving this highest-ever growth in sales in April 2020.  NFL produces urea at its five plants located at Nangal and Bathinda in Punjab, Panipat in Haryana and two plants at Vijaypur in Madhya Pradesh.

Every year, May 11 is observed as National Ministry of Tourism releases 17th webinar titled Technology Day. 'Exploring River Nila'

 This day marks the anniversary of Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 and India’s technological advancements in space.  Pokhran nuclear tests were a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by the Indian Army at the Pokhran Test Range.  The day highlights the important role of Science in our daily lives and encourages students to embrace Science as a career option.

 Hansa 3, India’s first indigenous aircraft was first tested on the same day in 1998 in The Ministry of Tourism's 17th session of 'Dekho Bangalore. Apna Desh' webinar titled 'Exploring River Nila' showcased meaningful travel experiences for NFL's fertiliser sales jump 71% to 3.62 lakh travelers that are offered by relatively unvisited tonnes in April places.

 The webinar took the participants on a National Institute of Virology develops country's journey into lesser known towns and villages 1st indigenous antibody-based testing kit COVID along the River Nile Also known as KAVACH ELISA Bharathapuzha in Kerala which offers authentic and unique experiences to the discerning travellers and explorers.  The story 'Exploring River Nila' was modelled on showcasing the tenets of responsible tourism that involves finding uniqueness about a place, the people who live in it, and sharing it with the people who come to visit.  Bharathappuzha, also known as the Nila, is a river in India in the state of Kerala.  With a length of 209 km, it is the second longest river in Kerala, after Periya.

Sowing area coverage of Summer Crops increased significantly in country: Agriculture National Institute of Virology, Pune, has developed Ministry the first indigenous antibody-based ELISA test kit - COVID KAVACH for diagnosis of novel CoronaVirus.

 This test is expected to change the dynamics of COVID-19 testing in the country.  The kit has displayed high sensitivity and accuracy in the validation tests at different sites.  It can test around 90 samples in approximately two and half hours.  ELISA based testing can easily be operated even at district level. The Agriculture Ministry has said that sowing area  The technology has been transferred to coverage of Summer Crops has increased pharmaceutical manufacturing companies for significantly in the country. mass-scale production.

 About 34.87 lakh hectare area have been DRDO lab develops automated UV systems to brought under summer rice coverage as sanitise electronic gadgets, papers & currency compared to 25.29 lakh hectare during the notes corresponding period last year.  Pulses have been sown in nearly 10.35 lakh Hyderabad based Defence Research and hectare area as compared to 5.92 lakh hectare Development Organisation (DRDO) lab has during the corresponding period of last year. developed automated Ultraviolet systems to sanitise  Coarse Cereals have been sown in about 9.57 electronic gadgets, papers and currency notes. lakh hectare area while about 9.17 lakh hectare area have been brought under  The device - Defence Research Ultraviolet oilseeds coverage. Sanitiser (DRUVS) has been designed to sanitise mobile phones, iPads, laptops,

currency notes, cheque leafs, challans, COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant passbooks, paper and envelopes. difficulties.  Bundles of currency notes can be sanitised  SAGAR highlights the importance accorded using DRUVS. by India to relations with her neighbouring  The DRUVS is having contactless operation countries and further strengthens the existing which is very important to contain the spread bond. of virus.  It provides 360 degree exposure of Centre releases Rs 6,195 crore to 14 states UltraViolet to the objects placed inside the cabinet.  Once the sanitisation is done, the system goes in sleep mode hence the operator need not wait or stand near the device.

India launches Mission Sagar to assist island nations in Eastern Indian Ocean

The Centre has released over 6 thousand 195 crore rupees to 14 states as the second equated monthly installment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant.

 Office of the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a tweet said that the amount will provide the States additional resources India launched Mission Sagar as part of the during the COVID-19 crisis. government’s outreach initiative towards five Island  The grant was recommended by the 15th nations in the Indian Ocean amidst the ongoing Finance Commission. COVID-19 pandemic.  The grant has been released to the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand,  Indian Naval Ship Kesari has departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, West Bengal, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Food Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim. Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Atal Pension Yojana completes 5 years Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams embarked." Atal Pension Yojana (APY), the flagship social security scheme of the government has completed  Also, as part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari would enter the Port of Male in five years of successful implementation. the Republic of Maldives, to provide them 600 tons of food provisions.  Launched on May 9, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the APY aims at delivering  This deployment as ‘Mission Sagar’ is in line with India’s role as the first responder in the old age income security particularly to the region and builds on the excellent relations workers in the unorganised sector. existing between these countries to battle the

 As per official data, over these five the total  It has a built-in biocompatible “3D printed enrolment under the APY scheme stood at manifold & coupler” with Highly Efficient 2,23,54,028. Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.  APY can be subscribed by any Indian citizen in the age group of 18-40 years having a bank Newly born Olive Ridley turtles along Odisha account. coast start their journey back to sea  It provides a minimum guaranteed pension ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 on attaining 60 years of age.  Secondly the amount of pension is guaranteed for lifetime to the spouse on death of the subscriber.

CSIR-NAL develops Non-Invasive Ventilator 'SwasthVayu'' to treat COVID-19 patients

The newly born Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coast, have started their journey back to sea.

 As of late March, Olive Ridley turtles settled in the Gahirmatha and Rushikulya rookery in the eastern state and laid their eggs in the sand.  From the start of May, the tiny hatchlings

begin emerging from the sand and making The National Aerospace Laboratories said it has their journey towards the water without developed a non-invasive BiPAP ventilator to treat facing any human interference. COVID-19 patients, in ''record'' 36 days.  Nearly 2 crore plus olive Ridley hatchlings have emerged & made their way to sea from  The ventilator named ''SwasthVayu'' is the half of about 4 lakh nesting at Nasi-2 islands, culmination of efforts of a team of Gahirmatha rookery Odisha. technocrats, medical practitioners and scientists at NAL. MP Home Minister launches country's first ever  The major advantage of this device was that 'FIR Aapke Dwar' Yojana it was simple to use without any specialized nursing, cost effective, compact and configured with majority of indigenous components.  It was ideal for treating COVID -19 patients in wards, make-shift hospitals, dispensaries and homes in the current Indian scenario.  A BiPAP Non Invasive Ventilator “SwasthVayu” is a microcontroller-based precise closed-loop adaptive control system.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr Narottam Production work at Sports equipment industry in Mishra launched the country's first ever 'FIR Aapke Meerut started Dwar Yojana' in Bhopal.

 Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to implement such an innovative scheme.  'FIR Aapke Dwar' scheme has been started as a pilot project in 23 Police Stations including one urban and one rural Police Station at 11 Divisional Headquarters.  Dial 100 vehicle would have trained Head Constables to lodge FIR.  FIRs in complaints of general nature will be lodged on the spot.

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launches Central In Uttar Pradesh, production work at the famous University of Odisha helpline 'Bharosa' to help sports equipment industry in Meerut has started students in distress again after relaxation in Lockdown.

 There is a huge rise in indoor game equipment and the trend is going to remain due to new work for home culture.  Production work has started at almost 500 out of around 3 thousand units of the sports industries of Meerut which supplies fitness and sports equipment to the world.  Meerut is one of the largest producers of sports goods, and the largest producer of musical instruments in India.  The city is also known as the "Sports City Of Union Minister for Human Resource Development India". Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the Central University of Odisha Helpline 'Bharosa' to relieve WHO warns countries for reopening of their distress of the student community during the difficult economies without setting up strong contact time of COVID-19 pandemic. tracing

 The Helpline Number 08046801010 was launched through a virtual platform in New Delhi.  The helpline aims at providing Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services to all University Students of Odisha.  Mr Nishank asserted that the mental health concern of the students is of great importance and the Helpline launched by the Central University of Odisha is a great step towards that.

WHO has warned that countries are essentially government’s Ministry of Health and Family driving blind in reopening their economies without Welfare to control HIV, TB, and malaria, setting up strong contact tracing to beat back flare- eradicate polio, and prepare responses to ups of the coronavirus. influenza and other pandemic diseases.

 The warning came as France and Belgium PM Modi announces special economic package emerged from lockdowns, the Netherlands worth Rs 20 lakh crore to kick-start economy sent children back to school, and a number of US states continued to lift their business restrictions.  Robust contact tracing measures adopted by Germany and South Korea provide hope that those countries can detect and stop virus clusters before they get out of control.  WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland  Founded: 7 April 1948  Director-General: Tedros Adhanom

US’ CDC commits USD 3.6 million to India''s COVID-19 fight Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a special economic package worth 20 lakh crore rupees for an 'Atma-Nirbhar Bharat' or self-reliant India.

 The Prime Minister noted that this package, together with earlier announcements by the government during COVID crisis and decisions taken by RBI, is to the tune of 20 lakh crore rupees.  This is equivalent to almost 10 percent of India’s GDP.  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce details of this special economic The US'' Centres for Disease Control and Prevention package. (CDC) has committed USD 3.6 million to assist  The package will also focus on land, labour, India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. liquidity and laws.  He said Lockdown-4 will be different and  The funds will also be used to support the have new rules. He added that new rules will development of Infection Prevention and be framed on the basis of recommendations Control (IPC) centres of excellence that can received from states, and the people will be improve the ability of hospital networks to informed about it before May 18. detect COVID-19 and strengthen local health systems through enhanced surveillance and ICCR Releases New Song 'United We Fight' To monitoring systems. Strengthen India's Fight Against COVID-19  The CDC is the national public health institute of the United States. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)  It is a federal agency under the US'' has launched a new song to help people stay united Department of Health and Human Services. and encourage them to think positive amid the  The CDC has a long-standing relationship coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged havoc across and technical collaboration with the Indian the world.

 The song 'United We Fight' is written and composed by Joe Alvares and is sung by Usha Uthup, Salim Merchant, Shefali Alvares Rashid, Benny Dayal, Sonam Kalra, Chandan Bala Kalyan, Joe Alvares, Salome, and Samira.  The music is created by Tubby, Pandit Ravi Chari, Pandit Rakesh Chaurasiya, and Ustad Faisal Qureshi.  The 3.33 minutes long song features the above-mentioned singers and composers who shot their individual parts from the confinement of their homes which was later The TVS group, Sundaram Medical Foundation and created into one single video. IIT-Madras have jointly developed a low-cost, automated respiratory assist device called ‘The UP Postal department creates a record of Sundaram Ventago’. reaching maximum number of persons in a single day to provide cash at doorstep  This was done in collaboration with hospitals like Kauvery Hospital and the Madras Medical College and with guidance from global educational institutions like MIT- Boston.  It provides respiratory support to patients via the controlled and automated squeezing of a self-inflating or AMBU bag.  It has been functionally validated to international standards and an extensive risk analysis has been performed with the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre of Postal department in Uttar Pradesh has made a record IIT Madras. of reaching the maximum number of persons in a single day to provide cash at their doorstep. India up at 74th place on WEF’s global energy transition index  The UP circle of Postal department made a transaction of 30 crore rupees to 2.74 persons in state through Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS).  This is the cash transaction for the highest number of persons in a day.  A mega drive to provide money to the needy persons at their doorstep was launched by the UP circle of postal department.  Total 2.74 lakh persons in the state benefited from it which was the highest number of beneficiaries in a single day in the country. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), TVS Group, Sundaram Med, IIT-M develop low- India has moved up two positions to rank 74th on a cost, automated respiratory assists global ‘Energy Transition Index’ with improvements

on all key parameters of economic growth, energy medicine, medical equipment, and security and environmental sustainability. pharmaceutical sector.  The SCO FMs meet happened days after  The WEF study measures readiness for clean BRICS FMs met. During the BRICS FMs energy transition in 115 economies showed meet, all the countries agreed to set up a $15 that 94 have made progress since 2015, but billion loan instrument to finance projects for environmental sustainability continues to lag. the economic rebuilding of BRICS countries  Sweden has topped the Energy Transition due to COVID-19crisis. Index (ETI) for the third consecutive year and is followed by Switzerland and Finland in the 25% cut in TDS and TCS rates till 31st of March top three. 2021  Surprisingly, France (ranked 8th) and the UK (7th) are the only G20 countries in the top ten.  For India, gains have come from a government-mandated renewable energy expansion programme, now extended to 275 GW by 2027.  India is one of the few countries in the world to have made consistent year-on-year progress since 2015.

EAM S Jaishankar participates in SCO Foreign Ministers' video conference In a major announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) have been reduced by 25 per cent till 31st March of next year.

 This decision will increase cash flow of over 50 thousand crore rupees benefitting common people.  The date for filing Income Tax return for the last financial year has also been extended till 30th November, while the last date for filing

tax audits has been extended from 30th External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took part in an September to 31st October. extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the  The Finance Minister also announced eight member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation reduction of statutory provident fund (SCO) including Pakistan and China. contribution by both employers and employees to 10 percent of basic wages from  The meeting emphasised on cooperation to the existing 12 per cent for the next three fight the deadly coronavirus including months. sharing of best practices.  The decision has been taken to facilitate more  The eight countries reportedly discussed take-home salary for employees and give sharing of information on best practices on relief to employers in payment of PF dues, containing COVID-19, particularly in the resulting in a liquidity ease of 6,750 crore rupees.

Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) canteens to flow of 90 thousand crore rupees to the PFCs and sell only indigenous products RECs .

 Vivaad se Vishwas scheme has also been extended up to 31st December without obligation of any extra payment.  India's power distribution sector is passing through a turbulent phase on the back of large accumulated dues to be paid to generators, liquidity issues due to restricted cash flow.  Discom payables to power generation and transmission companies currently stand at Rs 94,000 crore.  The commercial and industrial sector in India Home minister Amit Shah appealed to people to use consumes around 52 per cent of electricity, products made in India and ordered all Central followed by 24 per cent by domestic Armed Police Forces (CAPF) canteens to sell only households and 18 per cent by agriculture indigenous products. sector.

 He asked people to make the country self- President Kovind pays homage to former reliant and use local products (products made President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on his birth in India) which pave the way for India to lead anniversary the world in the times to come.  The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that all CAPF canteens will now sell only indigenous products across the country from next month.  The CAPFs -- CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles, canteens together sell products worth about ₹2,800 crore annually.

Power distribution companies to get emergency liquidity infusion of Rs 90,000 crore

President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to former President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

 Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was the fifth President of India from 1974 to 1977 and also the 2nd President of India to die in office.  Ahmed was chosen for the presidency by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974, and on 20 August 1974, he became the second Muslim to be elected President of India. In a relief to Power Distribution companies, Finance  Zakir Husain was the first muslim president Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a liquidity of India.

 Zakir Husain was also the first president of India to die in his office.  Husain was also the shortest-serving President.

Uttar Pradesh govt decides to give 50 percent subsidy on PPE kits

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister has informed that the Get CETgo online coaching portal for students appearing for CET and NEET has received overwhelming response.

 The portal has been helpful to students aspiring to get entry into professional courses for the next academic year.  COVID-19pandemic induced lockdown had deprived students aspiring to study professional courses from going to coaching Uttar Pradesh government has decided to give 50 classes. percent subsidy on PPE kits to those nursing homes  Hence Karnataka Higher Education and registered hospitals who will provide treatment department had started GetCETgo online to the patients on the rates decided under Ayushman portal, mobile app and youtube channel to Bharat scheme. impart coaching for CET and NEET.  The platform is also helpful to students in  Government will also extend the registration small towns and rural areas as the lectures can for 6 months to those hospitals who are be downloaded. registered under Ayushman Bharat.  Also, All 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh are ICMR to participate in Global Solidarity Trial by now corona infected as one positive case was WHO for COVID-19 treatment found in Chandauli district. It was the only district left where no cases were found till date.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials.  PPE prevents contact with an infectious agent or body fluid that may contain an infectious agent, by creating a barrier between the potential infectious material and the health care worker. Indian Council for Medical Research, ICMR has fast Karnataka's ‘Get CETgo’ online coaching portal tracked the roll out of the Global Solidarity Trial received overwhelming response launched by the World Health Organization, WHO to help in finding an effective treatment for COVID- 19.

 The ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute, NARI is the national coordination site for the trial in India.  Four potential antiviral agents, Remdesivir, Chloroquine-Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir-Ritonavir and Lopinavir-Ritonavir with interferon are to be evaluated in the trial.  Global Solidarity Trial is an international clinical trial to compare four treatment options to assess their effectiveness against COVID-19.  The trial aims to discover whether any of the drugs slow down the disease progression and A low cost personal protective equipment (PPE) improve survival rate. developed by Indian Navy has been successfully patented by the Defence Ministry in a step towards its rapid mass production amid the coronavirus India to Begin Clinical Trial for 4 Ayurvedic pandemic. Drugs to Treat Covid-19

 The low-cost PPE has been developed by a doctor of Indian Navy, posted at the recently created Innovation Cell at Institute of Naval Medicine (INM), Mumbai.  A pilot batch of PPEs has already been produced at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.  India has been reeling with the PPE shortage since the beginning of the pandemic.

Dr Harsh Vardhan dedicates COBAS-6800 testing machine to the nation

The Government of India is working on four ayurvedic medicine formulations to treat COVID-19.

 The Ministry's announcement came two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of India to be "vocal for local", implying more support for India's indigenous businesses.  These formulations will be tried as an add-on therapy and standard care for COVID-19 Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan dedicated patients. to the nation the COBAS-6800 Testing Machine for  The four formulations which will be used as COVID-19 cases. a potential treatment for coronavirus include Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu (Mulethi),  This is the first such testing machine that has Guduchi +Pippali (Giloy) and AYUSH-64. been procured by the government for testing of COVID-19 cases and is installed at the Defence Ministry patents low-cost PPE developed National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC. by Navy to move towards its mass production

 COBAS-6800 is a sophisticated machine enabled with robotics that minimizes the chance of contamination as well as the risk of infection to the health care workers.  COBAS-6800 will provide quality, high- volume testing with around 1,200 samples in 24 hours. It will largely increase the testing capacity with reduction in pendency.

Dr Harsh Vardhan participates in 32nd

Commonwealth Health Ministers’ meeting through video conference National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, will implement e-Governance platform, SAMARTH (Enterprises Resource Planning) ERP, to automate the processes of the Institute.

 This initiative will enhance productivity through better information management in the institute by seamless access to information, and its utilisation for various purposes.  ERP, SAMARTH, is an Open Standard Open Source Architecture, Secure, Scalable and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan participated in the Evolutionary Process Automation Engine for 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting Universities and Higher Educational through Video conference. Institutions.  It caters to faculty, students and staff at a University/Higher Educational Institutions.  He highlighted the timely, graded and Now, the ERP, SAMARTH, has been proactive measures taken by India towards implemented at National Institute of COVID-19 management. Technology, Kurukshetra, a participating  India has been the first country to urge unit under the World Bank-supported consolidated global action to fight the Technical Education Quality Improvement challenge of COVID-19. Program (TEQIP).  Dr Harsh Vardhan said, India has provided essential medicines such as Hydroxychloroquine to almost 100 needy Gujarat CM announces Aatmanirbhar Gujarat countries, extending solidarity and support Sahay Yojana during this time of crisis.  The Commonwealth of Nations, generally known simply as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 54 member states, nearly all former territories of the British Empire.

NIT Kurukshetra implements Enterprises Resource Planning (ERP), SAMARTH

In Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced  The state government has decided to use this Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana. for horticulture and pisciculture involving the locals.  The scheme is for small shopkeepers and  Farmers will be involved in constituting self-employed those who were hit by the cooperative societies, which will get financial lockdown. support from the cooperative banks.  Under the scheme, one lakh rupees collateral free loan will be given at two per cent for the WTO Chief Roberto Azevedo decides to resign a beneficiaries for three years. year before his term expires  The beneficiaries will have to make only one application to avail the loan from state and District Cooperative Banks and credit agencies.  They won’t have to pay any installment during the moratorium period for the first six months.  The State Government will pay the remaining six per cent interest to the banks.  There won’t be any processing fees for the loans.  Over 10 lakh self-employed people, small traders, shopkeepers will be benefited from In an unprecedented move, the Head of the World the scheme. Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo has decided to resign, a year before his term expires. West Bengal govt launches scheme to utilise 50,000-acre barren land in six districts  Mr Azevedo, a former diplomat from Brazil, said he will step down on August 31st, cutting short a seven-year tenure marked in recent years by intense pressure from US President Donald Trump.  Trump had accused the Geneva-based trade body of an anti-US bias and other complaints.

National Dengue Day: 16 May

The West Bengal government launched 'Matir Smristi’ scheme to utilise 50,000 acres of barren land in six districts for income-generating activities like horticulture and pisciculture.

 The scheme which will benefit around 2.5 lakh people in rural Bengal.  There is at least 50,000 acre of barren land India observes Nation Dengue Day on May 16 as which cannot produce anything naturally nor suggested by the Union Health Ministry to create can the farmers cultivate on the strip. awareness about the disease.

 Measures to prevent and preparing to control HRD Minister e-launches seven titles on "Psycho- the spread of dengue are among a few things Social Impact of Pandemic & Lockdown and How that are discussed and shared on this day. to Cope With"  Dengue fever starts with sudden onset of fever, followed by severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash.  Though there are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue, early clinical diagnosis by physician puts the fatality rate from this disease below 1%.  Dengue is spread by several species of female mosquitoes of the Aedes type.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs launched ‘GOAL’ programme for Digital Skilling of Tribal Youth Human Resources Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank e-Launched print as well as e- editions of the set of seven titles on "Psycho-Social impact of pandemic and lockdown and how to Cope With".

 It has been published under the corona studies series published by National Book Trust, NBT India.  To counter the formidable circumstances that the world is facing these days, NBT has brought out these remarkable and unparalleled set of books.  He hoped that these books serve as guides to The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun mental well-being of people at large. Munda “GOAL (Going Online As Leaders)” programme has been launched for Digital Skilling of Landing Craft Utility Ship 'INLCU L57' Tribal Youth. commissioned into Indian Navy

 The Going Online As Leaders (GOAL) is a joint initiative of Facebook India with the Ministry of Tribal affairs.  The programme aims to offer mentorship to tribal youth via digital mode and intends to act as a catalyst to explore hidden talents of the tribal youth.  The program has a target to empower 5,000 tribal youths in the present phase in order to harness the full potential of digital platforms as well as tools to understand new ways of doing business, explore and connect with Landing Craft Utility Ship 'INLCU L57' domestic and international markets. commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair.

 The indigenously designed ship have been Delhi police launches 'Thermal Corona Combat built by Garden Reach Shipbuilder and Drone-(TCCD)' Engineers, GRSE, Kolkata.  This is the seventh Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK-IV class to be inducted into Indian Navy.  It is an amphibious vessel with a designated primary role of transporting and deploying main battle tanks like Arjun, T72 etc. armoured vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore.  The ship can also be deployed for multirole activities like search and rescue, disaster relief operation, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant islands. The Delhi Police has also launched a 'Thermal  The ship is fitted with state-of-art equipment Corona Combat Drone-(TCCD)' in collaboration and an advanced system. with Indian Robotics Solution (IRS).

Sikkim celebrates statehood day  The drone is fitted with a day-vision camera that can see the real image of the personnel, a disinfectant tank to sanitise an area when a suspected person is taken away for further tests, a spotlight with a night utility camera, a loudspeaker for giving instructions and a medical box to carry essentials like medicines or portable coronavirus testing kits.  It also launched ‘Thermal Corona Combat Headgear’ through which police personnel will be able to detect the temperature of a large number of people from a distance of 10- 15 metres.  With the help of this equipment, live imagery Sikkim celebrates its statehood day on 16 May. can also be sent to a centralised control centre.  It marks the day in 1975 when Sikkim transitioned to become the 22nd state of the IIT-Gandhinagar develops COVID-19 dashboard country from being a monarchy earlier. to help contain community infection post  The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by the lockdown Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century.  It was ruled by a Buddhist priest-king known as the Chogyal.  It became a princely state of British India in 1890.  After 1947, Sikkim continued its protectorate status with the Republic of India.  In 1975, the monarchy was deposed by the people. A referendum in 1975 led to Sikkim joining India as its 22nd state.

Researchers at IIT-Gandhinagar have developed an interactive COVID-19 dashboard "MIR AHD Covid- 19 Dashboard".

 The dashboard can help administrators, hospitals as well as the public in planning optimised testing for the novel coronavirus, and containing community infection in various post-lockdown scenarios.  The dashboard provides different epidemiological scenario-specific information at a city-scale. The India Meteorological Department has warned  It is aimed at helping various stakeholders in that the cyclonic storm Amphan is likely to intensify optimised testing efforts and post-lockdown into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours and operations to contain community infection. into a very severe cyclonic storm.

Government allocates Rs 40,000 crore more for  Weathermen have warned of heavy rain in MGNREGS Odisha and West Bengal under its impact.  The coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal, including North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, East and West Midnapore, Howrah and Hooghly will experience heavy rain.  The fishermen in Odisha have been asked not to venture into the deep sea in view of the impending cyclone.

President Ram Nath Kovind decides to forego 30% of his salary for a year

The government announced an additional Rs 40,000 crore allocation for the rural employment guarantee scheme to help provide jobs to migrant workers returning home.

 Announcing the fifth and final tranche of the economic stimulus package, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the allocation for MGNREGS is being increased by Rs 40,000 crore over and above the Rs 61,000 cr budgeted earlier. In a bid to make more resources available for  Also, borrowing limit of states has been coronavirus COVID-19 relief measures, President raised from 3 percent of Gross State Ram Nath Kovind has decided to forego 30 percent Domestic Product to 5 percent in 2020-21. of his salary for a year.

Cyclone Amphane to intensify into severe cyclonic storm

 The President took the step after contributing one month’s salary to the PM-CARES Fund in March.  President Kovind has given instructions to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to set an example by economising the expenditure, making optimal usage of resources, and dovetailing the saved money to combat COVID-19 and mitigate the people’s economic plight.

Kerala brings Mission Grand Care to spread message of elderly safety Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Operation Green will be expanded with an additional fund of Rs 500 crore and extended from tomatoes, onions and potatoes to all fruits and vegetables.

 The scheme will feature a 50% subsidy on transportation from surplus to deficient markets and 50% subsidy on storage, including cold storage.  It will be piloted for six months and expanded and extended thereafter.  It looks at bringing better price realisation to farmers, reducing wastage and affordability In Kerala, as the COVID-19 preventive measures of products for consumers. enter the next stage, a new Mission Grand Care is being launched, spreading the message of elderly NDMA launches online dashboard for tracking safety across the state. migrants’ movements

 The Kudumbasree Mission, had launched the scheme of Grand Care a massive awareness programme, prioritizing the safety and care of the elderly in the state and those arriving from abroad and other places.  Kudumbasree, the women Self-Help Group is the pillar of COVID-19 awareness activities in the state from the beginning.  This special campaign aims at a social change that prioritizes the well being of self and others, which is the need of the hour. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Operation Greens to be extended to all fruits, has developed an online dashboard - National vegetables Migrant Information System (NMIS) on the existing NDMA-GIS portal.

 The portal will maintain a central repository and help the sending as well as receiving

State/district to ask for and give their acceptance in an online format seamlessly.  It has been launched to capture the information regarding movement of migrants and facilitate their smooth movement across States.  This system will help in speedy communication between States without creating additional work at the level of the field officers.  This system will allow States to upload a India is among 62 countries that have moved a batch file of individual data on the portal. proposal at the World Health Assembly to “identify  As many States have already collected the zoonotic source” of the coronavirus. migrant data, this can be integrated through Application Programming Interface (API).  China and the US are not part of the resolution. FDI limit in defence sector raised to 74%  The proposal is part of a seven-page draft resolution moved by 35 countries and the 27- member European Union, and is likely to be taken up at the Assembly, which is the decision-making body of the WHO.  The resolution is being backed by three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — UK, Russia and France — along with Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey, among others.  This is the first time India has taken a position in an international forum on the origin of the In a major step towards opening the Indian defence virus and the need for an independent manufacturing sector, the government permitted evaluation of WHO’s response to the crisis. foreign companies to have a majority stake in Indian defence companies through the automatic route. 'One In A Million': Super Earth Found 25,000 Light Years Away From Our Planet  It also announced that the government-owned Ordnance Factory Board would be corporatized.  Defence FDI cap through the automatic route is being raised from 49 per cent to 74 percent subject to security clearances.

At WHO, India joins 61 nations to seek source of coronavirus

The Astronomers from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand have found a new planet in the

galaxy that bears several similarities to our planet ceremonial unit” that also engages in sporting Earth. activities like polo.  The famous 61st Cavalry is being converted  The planet is reportedly called 'One In A into a regular armoured regiment on the basis Million planet', as mankind has always been of a recommendation made by the Lieutenant searching for a planet similar to Earth. General DB Shekatkar (retd) committee in a  However, as per their observations, the planet report on sharpening the army’s combat edge is huge and bigger in comparison to our and trimming its revenue expenditure. planet.  The Jaipur-based 61st Cavalry is likely to be  The Astronomers from the University of equipped with T-72 tanks Canterbury have recently discovered a new  The 61st Cavalry was raised in Jaipur in planet orbiting around a dim dwarf star or a October 1953 by putting together mounted brown dwarf which is located 25,000 light- elements of cavalry regiments of the years away from us, which is in the centre of erstwhile princely states of India. the Milky Way.  Rich in sporting history, the regiment  The planet takes around 617 Earth days to accounts for one Padma Shri, 10 Arjuna complete a full orbit around its host star. Awards, 11 Asian Games medals and a raft of  The Super-Earth is significantly larger than representations at the Polo World Cup and Earth and can be considered to be as big as international equestrian competitions. Neptune.  It has been a part of the annual Republic Day  The distance between the newly found alien parade for several decades. planet and the host star is similar to between where Earth and Venus orbit around the sun. ‘PM eVidya’ Programme for digital education in  It is unclear if the planet can host any type of India life as the temperature of its star is unknown.

Army’s only cavalry unit to replace horses with tanks

In order to promote digital education in the country and make e- learning feasible for students and teachers, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the PM eVidya programme. The Army is planning to convert its famous 61st Cavalry, the only active serving horse cavalry  With this scheme, students and teachers will regiment in the world, into a regular armoured get multimode access to digital education. regiment with tanks.  The government will earmark one TV channel for each grade as part of the PM  A senior officer at the Army headquarters eVidya program. said the aim was to transform the Jaipur-  The top 100 universities in India will be based 61st Cavalry into “a combat force” permitted to “automatically” start online from its present role of being “largely a courses by May 30.

Centre Approves Modified Project Report Of Ujh  Further, a sufficient number of Army, Air Dam In Jammu And Kashmir Force, Navy and Coast Guard teams have been put on to meet any contingency and provide support to the State Government.  These include timely evacuation of people from the areas likely to be affected, having a 24x7 Control Room, provision of adequate food items and preparations for timely restoration of essential services.

Harsh Vardhan to represent India at 73rd World Health Assembly

The centre has given approval to a modified detailed project report (DPR) of the Ujh Multipurpose Project (MPP) in Jammu and Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 9,167 crore.

 The Central Advisory Committee for consideration of techno-economic viability of major and medium irrigation, flood control and multipurpose project proposals accepted the project proposal subject to certain conditions.  The proposal was approved keeping in view Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan will represent its strategic importance from Indus Waters India at the 2-day World Health Assembly of the Treaty angle for utilisation and regulation of World Health Organisation (WHO). waters flowing across the border.  The modified Ujh MPP is located on river  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Ujh, one of the main tributaries of river Ravi, has announced that the 73rd World Health in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. Assembly will be held virtually.  A 116.00 m high dam is proposed at the river  The Health Assembly is held annually in with full reservoir level (FRL) at 608 m. Geneva, Switzerland.  Coronavirus will be the agenda of the Rajiv Gauba chairs National Crisis Management meeting, which will be attended by all 194 Committee meeting, discusses preparedness and WHO member states plus observers. requirements for Super Cyclone Amphan intensifies into Super Cyclone Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a National Crisis Management Committee meeting and Cyclone Amphan intensified into a super cyclone as discussed the preparedness and requirements for the it moved further North-North Eastwards over West upcoming Super Cyclone. Central Bay.

 As per state's request, 13 teams of NDRF  The Met Department of Bangladesh forecast have already been pre-positioned in West that the cyclonic storm is likely to move in a Bengal. North-Northeasterly direction.  Four teams are enroute and four teams are on  It is likely to cross the Bangladesh coast standby. between Khulna-Chattogram during late

night on 19 May to afternoon or evening of Government implements Shekatkar Committee 20 May. recommendations related to creating border  Amphan is the first super cyclone to hit the infrastructure region in the last two decades since a super cyclone hit Odisha in 1999 causing widespread damage and loss of life.  The bulletin said that maximum sustained speed within 90 km of the storm centre is 225 kilometers per hour (kmph) rising to 245 kmph in gusts.  The cyclonic storm is also likely to impact North Odisha coastal districts including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore districts.

India provides US$ 2 million to UNRWA for The Union Government has implemented Lt. welfare of Palestine refugees General D B Shekatkar Committee's recommendations related to creating border infrastructure.

 These were related to speeding up road construction leading to socio-economic development in the border areas.  On the matter related to creating border infrastructure, the Centre has implemented recommendations to outsource road construction work beyond optimal capacity of Border Roads Organization.  It has been made mandatory to adopt Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) mode for execution of all works costing more India has given USD 2 million in aid to the United than 100 crore rupees. Nations Relief and Works Agency working for the  The other recommendation relating to welfare of Palestinian refugees in support of its core introduction of modern construction plants, programmes and services, including education and equipment and machinery has been health, amidst the coronavirus crisis. implemented by delegating enhanced procurement powers from 7.5 crore rupees to  India had increased its annual contribution to 100 crore rupees to BRO, for domestic and the UNRWA from USD 1.25 million in 2016 foreign procurements. to USD 5 million in 2019.  It pledged another USD 5 million for 2020 Madhya Pradesh launches Charan Paduka which opens its way to become a member of initiative for migrant labourers the agency's advisory commission.  About 3.1 million Palestine refugees depend In Madhya Pradesh, in a first of its kind of initiative, on health services provided by the UNRWA. Charan Paduka campaign has been started for the  At the same time, the agency's schools migrant labourers passing through the state. educate 526,000 students every year, of which half are female.

 Under this campaign, the migrant labourers going barefoot are being provided shoes and slippers to reduce their pain.  The most notable thing is that this campaign is being conducted by the police at most places.  Now this human initiative has spread in many cities of MP including Damoh, Umaria and Sagar.

 Migrant labourers are also very happy with this initiative of the police. The Centre has notified the reduction in statutory rate of contributions from 12 per cent to 10 per cent for Govt launches National Test Abhyas mobile app wage months period from May to July, 2020 for all for candidates to take mock tests for JEE Main class of establishments covered under the Employees and NEET Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

 Earlier, the government had announced to reduce the rate as part of the Atma-Nirbhar Bharat package.  As a result of reduction in statutory rate of contributions, the employee will have a higher take home pay and employers will also have their liabilities reduced by 2 percent of wages of the employees.

Union Human Resource Development Minister South Central Railway Develops 'Rail-Bot' To Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched a new mobile Provide Better Health Care To COVID Patients app named - the ‘National Test Abhyas'.

 The App has been developed by National Testing Agency-NTA to enable candidates to take mock tests for upcoming exams such as JEE Main and NEET under the NTA’s purview.  The app has been launched to facilitate candidates’ access to high quality mock tests as there was a demand for making up the loss

to students due to closure of educational institutions and NTA’s Test-Practice Centers In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, the South due to the lockdown. Central Railway zone has developed a robotic  Students across the country can use the App device, "RAIL-BOT" (R-BOT). to access high quality tests, free of cost, in a bid to be fully prepared for the upcoming  The device has been developed to assist in the JEE, NEET and other competitive exams. functions of hospital management so that they can provide better health care to the Centre reduces EPFO contributions from 12 COVID patients. percent to 10 percent from May to July this year

 R-BOT is being used to provide medicines, medical accessories and to serve food to the patients, without any need for physical contact.  Using this device will enable doctors, nurses and other support medical staff to stay away from the risk of contracting infections.  The R-BOT is operated through a unique mobile application developed as part of the Innovation, supported by Wi-FI- facility.  The R-BOT holds sensor-based features to read the body temperature of patients and transmit the same for display on Mobile phones. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed globally on 21 May every J&K starts an initiative ‘SUKOON’ - COVID-19 year. Beat the Stress  The day is a reminder of the world’s cultural richness and of the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.  It provides an opportunity to celebrate all forms of cultural diversity and expression and to reflect on how these contribute to dialogue and development.

National Anti-Terrorism Day: 21 May

In order to spread awareness about the psychological impact of lockdown and measures to be adopted to overcome them, the Department of Information and Public Relations, J&K has started an initiative ‘SUKOON’ - COVID-19 Beat the Stress".

 The programme will be telecast on Doordarshan Kashir Channel every Tuesday at 9.00 PM during which psychiatrists, eminent doctors and scientists will share their knowledge on psychological health and how to keep the mind anxiety free and the May 21 is observed as Anti-terrorism day across measures which people can adopt to keep India to commemorate the death anniversary of the stress level under control. former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.  The aim is to ensure that people stay mentally fit and cope with the fears related to COVID-  He was assassinated on this day in 1991, by 19 with a sound mind. LTTE cadres in a suicide bombing attack at a rally at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue  First announced under V.P. Singh and Development: 21 May government after the assassination of Rajiv

Gandhi, the day has been observed every year Union HRD Minister launches IGNOU's Online with the aim to highlight the importance of MA Hindi Programme fighting with the activities of terrorism.  Rajiv Gandhi was the sixth PM of India after his mother Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984.  He served the nation as the prime minister from the year 1984 to 1989.

Cabinet approves Scheme for Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises

Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has launched IGNOU's Online Programme, MA (Hindi) through Facebook Live session.

 This would strengthen our 'Padhe India' Online initiative and commended IGNOU's role in promoting online education.  He stressed on the role Hindi language plays not in India but in other countries including Union Cabinet gave its approval to a new Centrally Mauritius, Fiji, Surinam etc. Sponsored Scheme named Scheme for Formalization  Apart from MA in Hindi, the university has of Micro Food Processing Enterprises for the also launched programmes in MA in Gandhi Unorganized Sector on All India basis with an outlay and Peace Studies, BA in Tourism Studies, of Rs. 10 thousand crore. certificate course in Arabic, certificate in information technology, certificate  The expenditure will be shared by the Centre programme in Library and Information and the States in a ratio of 60:40. Science.  The objectives of the scheme is to increase in  The session was broadcast live through access to finance by micro food processing IGNOU’s Gyan Darshan TV Channel, Gyan units, increase in revenues of target Dhara, and Facebook page. enterprises, enhanced compliance with food quality and safety standards, strengthening Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Matsya capacities of support systems and transition Sampada Yojana from the unorganized sector to the formal sector, special focus on women entrepreneurs and aspirational districts, encourage Waste to Wealth activities and focus on minor forest produce in tribal districts.  Scheme will be implemented over a five-year period from 2020-21 to 2024-25 and two lakh micro-enterprises are to be assisted with credit linked subsidies.

The Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri 2020-21 per annum and thereafter to be reset Matsya Sampada Yojana. every year.  PMVVY is a social security scheme for  The scheme aims to bring about Blue senior citizens intended to give an assured Revolution through sustainable and minimum pension to them based on an responsible development of fisheries sector assured return on the purchase price or subion in the country. amount.  It will be implemented at a total investment over Rs. 20 thousand crore . UP govt launches ‘Startup Fund’ to encourage  The investment will comprise a Central share youth for entrepreneurship of nine thousand 407 crore rupees, State share of Rs. 4,880 crore and beneficiaries' share of Rs 5,763 crore.  The scheme will be implemented during a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024- 25.  It will create direct employment opportunities to about 15 lakh fishers, fish farmers, fish vendors and other rural and urban populations in fishing.  The scheme will also help in doubling the incomes of fish farmers and fish workers by 2024. Uttar Pradesh government has launched the ‘Uttar Pradesh Startup Fund’ to encourage the youth of the Cabinet approved extension of Pradhan Mantri state for entrepreneurship. Vaya Vandana Yojana up to 31st March, 2023  Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath handed over the first installment of 15 crore rupees to Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) at a function in Lucknow.  A MoU has been signed between the state government and SIDBI as a step in this direction, which will further strengthen the possibilities of job creation in the state.

Rural Livelihood Mission begins Didi Vehicle Service for safe delivery of rural women

Union Cabinet has approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, PMVVY for the welfare of and to enable old age income security for senior citizens.

 The scheme has been extended up to 31st March, 2023 for a further period of three years beyond 31st March, 2020.  Cabinet to allow initially an assured rate of

return of 7.40 per cent per annum for the year

In the tribal-dominated Jhabua district of Madhya  The Scheme will meet all the energy Pradesh, the women of Rural Livelihood Mission requirements of Konark town with solar have started Didi Vehicle Service for rural women energy. for safe delivery. This vehicle service is completely free. DGCA issues seven bands of ticket pricing; minimum price Rs 2,000  Women of Rural Livelihood Mission have started this service for 29 villages of 10 Gram Panchayats of Petlawad development block of Jhabua.  The women are bearing the expenses of Didi vehicle service through the interest, they earn on their savings.  At a time of COVID-19 outbreak, when vehicles are not available for free even in cities, Didi vehicle service is proving to be a lifeline for pregnant rural women in tribal

areas. Aviation regulator DGCA has issued seven bands of Centre launches scheme for 100% solarization of ticket pricing with lower and upper fare limits. Konark Sun Temple & Konark town in Odisha The first such band will consist of flights that are less than 40 minutes in duration.

 A DGCA order said that the lower and the upper fare limits for the first band is 2 thousand rupees and 6 thousand rupees.  For flights with duration of 40 to 60 minutes the lower and upper limits will be, 2 thousand 500 rupees and 7 thousand 500 rupees.

FDC aids forest dwellers to sell 'Timru leaves’ amid lockdown Union Government has launched a scheme for 100 per cent solarization of Konark Sun Temple and Konark town in Odisha.

 The scheme is launched with an objective to take forward the Prime Minister’s vision to develop the historical Sun Temple town of Konark as Surya Nagri.  The scheme envisages setting up of 10 Megawatt grid connected solar projects and various solar off-grid applications like solar trees and solar drinking water kiosks.  25 crore rupees has been earmarked for this project.

In Gujarat, when the forest dwellers of Chhota bank accounts of farmers as agriculture Udepur district were finding it difficult to sell the assistance grant for sowing crops such as ‘Timru leaves’ also called Tendu leaves amid the paddy, maize and sugarcane lockdown, Forest Development Corporation came  The scheme was inaugurated through video forward for their help. conferencing on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.  FDC not only ensured the purchase of the  The scheme aims to ensure minimum income Timru leaves from the tribal people, but also availability to farmers growing one rabi and helped them earn income amid the lockdown. 13 kharif season crops in the state.  Every year, the wholesaler traders from the neighbouring states such as Maharashtra Tripura gets its first international waterway with come to Chhota Udepur for purchasing the River Gomti approved as Indo-Bangla protocol Timru leaves. route  In view of the lockdown, when the traders could not come, FDC along with district administration purchased the minor forest produce.  This initiative by Forest Development Corporation indeed reduce the hardship of Rathva tribe of Chhota Udepur which is dependent on minor forest produce for their livelihood.

Chhattisgarh launches Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay scheme Tripura got its first ever international waterway as five new protocol routes were announced between India and its eastern neighbour Bangladesh.

 Sonamura-Daudkandi route on Tripura’s River Gomti and Rajshahi-Dhulian-Rajshahi routes were added to the list of Indo- Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes.  The Protocol on Transit and Trade (PTT) through inland waterways was first signed between the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Republic of India in 1972. The Chhattisgarh government launched the Rajiv  At present, there are 10 Indo-Bangla Protocol Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojna, by transferring Rs 1,500 routes. crore into the accounts of more than 18,000 farmers. Over 2L medical, engineering aspirants  This was the first installment of a Rs 5,750- downloaded ‘National Test Abyaas’ App within crore scheme, meant to benefit farmers 72 hours of launch sowing 14 types of crops.  Under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, Over 2 lakh medical and engineering aspirants based on registered area and area under downloaded the National Test Abyaas App within 72 cultivation during Kharif crop season 2019, hours of its launch by the National Testing Agency Rs 10,000 per acre will be deposited in the (NTA).

 The National Test Abyaas App launched by and treatment of COVID-19 and household HRD Ministry''s NTA for students preparing contacts of laboratory confirmed cases. for JEE (Mains) and NEET has become very  The revised advisory issued by the ICMR popular and within less than 72 hours of its however, cautioned that the intake of the launch, more than 2,00,000 students have medicine should not instill a sense of false downloaded this app. security.  Over 80,000 students have also appeared for  The drug is not recommended for prophylaxis mock tests. in children under 15 years of age and in  Students get three hours to complete the pregnancy and lactation, the advisory said. mock question paper, which students can  Rarely the drug causes cardiovascular side give anytime after downloading the app. effects such as cardiomyopathy and rhythm Internet facility is not needed to take the (heart rate) disorders, it said. mock tests.  Universities and schools across the country Govt allocates Rs 500 crore towards beekeeping have been closed and exams postponed since under Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan March 16 when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as one of the measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

ICMR issues revised advisory on use of hydroxychloroquine

Government is promoting beekeeping as part of its aim to double farmers’ income and it has allocated 500 crore rupees towards beekeeping under the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan.

 India is among the world’s top five honey producers and compared to 2005-06 honey A revised government advisory has recommended production in the country has risen by 242 use of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive percent and exports shot by 265 percent. medication for asymptomatic healthcare workers  As evident by the rising honey exports, working in non-COVID-19 hospitals, frontline staff beekeeping will be an important factor in on surveillance duty in containment zones and achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ paramilitary/police personnel involved in income by 2024. coronavirus infection related activities.  The Government has launched the Honey Mission as part of sweet revolution which has  As was mentioned in the earlier advisory, the four components and even small and drug against the infection is also marginal farmers can adopt beekeeping since recommended for all asymptomatic investment is low and returns high. healthcare workers involved in containment  The National Bee Board has created four modules to impart training as part of the

National Beekeeping and Honey Mission and and those labourers who have gone out of the 30 lakh farmers have been trained in state in search of employment, in their village beekeeping. and gram Panchayat area itself.  For this, a large number of employment IMD launches weather services in UMANG app oriented activities have been started under MNREGA scheme.  4 lakh 82 thousand labourers of Madhya Pradesh stranded in different states have returned so far.

Locusts from Pakistan threaten cotton crops, vegetables; Rajasthan worst affected

WeatherSeven services hosted on the website of Indian Meteorological Department, IMD have been onboarded to UMANG application.

 These services are Current Weather,

Nowcast, City Forecast, Rainfall Information, Tourism Forecast, Warnings, The Environment and Forest Ministry said, Locust Cyclone. Swarm from Pakistan have entered Rajasthan,  The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh threatening Governance, UMANG, is a unified, multi- major damage to standing cotton crops and channel, multi-platform, multi-lingual, multi- vegetables. service mobile app.  The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi launched  Rajasthan is the most-affected state. the UMANG App in 2017 to bring all  During the current year, the swarm of locust government services on a single mobile App have entered India earlier than their normal with a larger goal to make the government time of June and July. accessible on the mobile phone of our  States are adopting various means for citizens. controlling the swarm of locust.

Madhya Pradesh CM inaugurates 'Everybody ‘Break the Chain’ cartoon campaign will get employment' scheme inaugurated by Kerala

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja inaugurated the Chouhan inaugurated the 'Everybody will get Kerala Cartoon Academy’s ‘Break the Chain’ employment' scheme through video conferencing. campaign.

 Under this scheme, MNREGA job cards will  A number of well-known cartoonists be distributed to the labourers. participated in the event and painted cartoons  The state government is committed to provide employment to migrant labourers

on walls to spread awareness amongst people about the campaign.  In the first phase, 14 cities in 14 districts are selected to complete cartoon drawings. In the next phase, it will be extended to 28 cities.

Hunar Haat to restart from September this year: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

After the well known herb Ashwgandha, now, Kangra tea has been marked as a potential coronavirus blocker.

 A senior research professional associated with a reputed bioresource technology institute has claimed that Kangra Tea, well known for its other medicinal properties, may also be able to boost immunity against The Hunar Haat will restart from September this year coronavirus by blocking the virus activity with the theme of “Local to Global” and better than the anti-HIV drugs. comparatively larger participation of artisans.  The endorsement of Kangra tea as a potential virus killer or fighter comes days after a  It will be organised after a gap of about five group of researchers of IIT-Delhi revealed months. that herb Ashwagandha contains certain bio-  Due to CoronaVirus pandemic and lockdown actives that interact with SARS-CoV-2 virus the event is not being organised now. in a way that prevents it from multiplying.  Hunar Haat has become an Empowerment  According to experts, Ashwagandha, which Exchange of artisans and craftsmen from is also popular as an aphrodisiac, has a across the country and it has provided natural compound called withanone (Wi-N), employment and employment opportunities with the potential to block Covid-19’s to more than 5 lakh Indian artisans, enzyme responsible for replication. craftsmen, culinary experts and other people associated with them in the last 5 years. India’s KHUDOL declared one of Top 10 Global  Social distancing, hygiene, sanitisation and Initiatives to fight COVID-19 use of masks will be ensured at Hunar Haat.  In the coming days, Hunar Haat will be organized in many cities including Delhi, Prayagraj, Bhopal, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and other places.

Scientists claim chemicals in Kangra tea could lower coronavirus activity better than HIV drugs

The United Nations listed the KHUDOL initiative of Manipur as one of the top 10 global initiatives to fight against COVID-19.

 KHUDOL is an initiative of a NGO called Ya_All.  Under the initiative, the NGO provides food, hygiene and health of LGBTQ community, daily wage workers, people with AIDS.  Through the volunteers the organization distributed 1000 health kits, 1500 condoms and 6500 sanitary pads.

Naxal-affected Balaghat district of Madhya In a historic development after the formation of Pradesh secures 1st position in providing Union Territory of Ladakh, separate Ladakh Police employment under MNREGA has come into being.

 Police in Leh and Kargil districts now will be called Ladakh police.  The newly formed Ladakh Police after separating from Jammu and Kashmir will have its new symbols, insignia, formation sign and flag with a separate identity.  Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur has approved the new insignia of Ladakh Police.  The Logo has Ashoka with Satyameva Jayate, LP in symmetric design and Juniper In Madhya Pradesh, Naxal-affected Balaghat district leaves (incense offered on religious has secured the first position in the state in terms of occasions) covering the Ashoka and LP. providing employment to rural job card holders  Flap pattern starts with the name of Ladakh under MNREGA. as common practice with police forces across the country.  One lakh 23 thousand 64 laborers are getting  The red and blue colored Ladakh police flag employment. In the current financial year with 'Khidmat aur Himmat' reads service and 2020-21, an amount of Rs 20 crore has been courage is ready to fly high. spent on wages for MGNREGA works in this district. UP administration start farmer awareness  A total of 5,246 works are in progress in 684 campaign to protect crops from locust or gram panchayats in Balaghat district. grasshopper  Due to this one lakh 23 thousand 64 laborers of the district have got employment. In Uttar Pradesh, the administration and agriculture department have started farmer awareness Ladakh Police comes into existence, LG approves campaigns to protect the crops from locust or new insignia of Police grasshopper pests in the state.

 In view of the pest outbreak in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, administration has issued instructions to

conduct awareness campaigns among authorities were advised to treat such farmers to protect the crops in the state. documents valid till 30th of June, 2020.  Farmers have been advised to remain vigilant  But now this extension has been increased to and take adequate precautions to thwart the 31 July. possible attack of the grasshopper insect.  The District Magistrate of Lucknow has Dept of Posts and Horticulture in Bihar join appealed to the farmers to clean the grass on hands to supply Shahi Lichi and Zardalu Mango the boundary of fields and plough their fields to people at doorstep to protect it from Grasshoppers.  In the event of their widespread outbreak, drum, plate etc. should be played so that they run away with fear.  Farmers have been advised to inform local administration to inform about any attack of locust and take help of fire department also to deal with the problem.

Govt extends validity of vehicle documents till July 31 The Department of Posts and Department of Horticulture, Bihar have joined hands to supply Shahi Lichi and Zardalu Mango to the people at doorstep.

 Bihar Postal Circle has made an agreement with the Department of Horticulture for logistics of Shahi Litchi from Muzaffarpur and Zardalu Mango from Bhagalpur and its delivery to the doorstep of the people.  In view of lockdown to contain the spread of Coronavirus, Litchi and Mango cultivators are facing problems to carry and transport The government has extended the validity of various their fruits to the markets for sale. motor vehicles related documents till July 31.  The Shahi Litchi of Muzaffarpur and Zardalu Mango of Bhagalpur are famous  No additional or late fee will be charged for in the world by virtue of their unique delays in validation of documents pending fragrance and demand everywhere. from February 1.  The ministry has earlier issued an advisory on Govt notifies BS-VI emission norms for March 30, 2020, to all regarding extension of quadricycles validity of the documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor The government has notified BS-VI emission norms Vehicle Rules, 1989. for quadricycles, paving the way for higher  It was advised that documents whose production of the new category of vehicle that was extension of validity could not or not likely introduced less than two years ago. be granted due to lock-down and which have expired since 1st of Feb, 2020 or would expire till 30th June 2020, Enforcement

 The emission norms are on the lines of the Former SC judge Justice Sikri inaugurates Indian European Union’s World Motorcycle Test Dispute Resolution Centre Cycle (WMTC).  In 2018, the government had introduced the quadricycle segment with necessary standards to produce the vehicle.  According to the road transport ministry, a quadricycle is the size of a three-wheeler but with four tyres and is fully covered like a car.  A quadricycle cannot be more than 3.6 metres long, should have an engine smaller than 800cc, and should not weigh more than 475 kilograms.  Currently, only a few automobile players In India manufacture quadricycles. Former Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri has  After the government had allowed the introduction of the vehicle in 2018, Bajaj inaugurated the Indian Dispute Resolution Centre Auto Ltd was the first to commercially (IDRC), which provides a paperless dispute launch 'Qute’ under this segment. resolution environment.

 The centre offers offline as well as e-alternate Mizoram grants ‘industry’ status to sports dispute resolution (ADR) facility through its state-of-the-art e-arbitration, e-meditation and e-conciliation software portal.  It provides a completely paperless dispute resolution environment.  The IDRCs are located at strategic commercial places in the country with its head office in Connaught Place in New Delhi.

MoHFW constitutes committee to reform Drug Regulatory System

The northeastern state of Mizoram has accorded ‘industry’ status to sports.

 The Cabinet cleared the Sports and Youth Service department’s proposal to recognise sports as an ‘industry’ in the state.  The main aim of the decision is to professionalise sports in the state.  Mizoram is known for its love for sports, especially football which is played competitively through the Mizoram Premier League, the state’s highest football league. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  At least 100 Mizo players are part of the (MoHFW) has constituted a committee to reform the Indian Super League, one of the top premier Drug Regulatory System. football leagues in India.

 The committee comprises 11 members including the senior health officials, scientists and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.  The committee is headed by Rajesh Bhushan, Officer on Special Duty to the Union health minister.  The committee has been tasked with examining the current drug regulatory system and to give recommendations for reforms in order to bring the system more efficient and to streamline it with global standards.

Gadkari inaugurates breakthrough event of Indian Association in Uganda, with help of the Chamba Tunnel under Chardham Pariyojana Indian Military training team, set up a military war game centre in Jinja district.

 Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni inaugurated the war game centre conceptualised by Indian military team for Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF).  The war game centre is named 'INDIA' and is a type of strategy game that simulates warfare realistically, as opposed to abstract strategy games such as chess.  The war game centre, constructed with an amount of over 1 billion Ugandan Shillings ($265,000), has been funded by voluntary contributions from Ugandans of Indian In a boost to the Rs 12,000 crore ''Char Dham'' origin. project to connect Gangotri, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Badrinath, the Border Roads Organisation IIT-M researchers develop high performance (BRO) has achieved a milestone in construction of a magnesium alloy, could replace steel, aluminium tunnel below the densely populated Chamba town on in auto, aerospace industry Rishikesh-Dharasu road (NH-94) in Uttarakhand.

 Latest Austrian technology has been used in construction of the Chamba tunnel.  The tunnel will be through for traffic by October 2020 almost three months before its scheduled date of completion of January 2021.  The 6 km road and 450 metre tunnel is being constructed at a cost of Rs 88 crore.

India helps Uganda to set up military war game centre The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) researchers in association with the University of

North Texas and US Army Research Laboratory get the latter's support for newer have developed an engineered magnesium alloy with technological innovations and ideas. significantly improved properties. PM Modi pays tributes to former PM Jawaharlal  It could replace steel and aluminium alloys in Nehru on his death anniversary automotive and aerospace components.  The current industrial application of wrought magnesium alloys in structural components was very limited due to their poor moderate, low strength, poor ductility, yield strength asymmetry and lack of high strain rate superplasticity.  The research team has made headway in solving this challenging problem by formulating a magnesium alloy with almost zero yield asymmetry and high ductility.

Zaggle partners with Visa to launch payment Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 May paid solutions for SMEs, startups tribute to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 56th death anniversary.

 Nehru was born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) on November 14, 1889. He died in Delhi on May 27, 1964.  One of the principal leaders of the Indian freedom struggle along with Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru became the first prime minister of the country after Independence, a post which he held till his death. He died at the age of 74.  Nehru is known as an architect of modern Fintech startup Zaggle has partnered with payments India. technology major Visa to launch innovative payment solutions for SMEs and startups. Govt open-sources code for Aarogya Setu Android app  Under this partnership, both the companies will jointly create solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups to improve productivity, efficiency, automate processes, and reduce costs, along with focussing on easy and faster credit through a unique card which will have forex, prepaid along with credit.  Zaggle will leverage Visa's expertise in the payments space to co-create and build new solutions for SMEs, and will also be able to acquire new customers and merchants, and

India will release the code for the Android version of and administrative challenges and chart the its contact tracing app Aarogya Setu on open-source future course for Indian Army. code repository Github.  The Army Commanders' Conference was scheduled for April and had to be postponed  The government also rolled out a bug bounty due to COVID-19. programme, promising a reward of ₹1 lakh  It is an apex biannual event that facilitates for those who discover bugs or loopholes in conceptual level deliberations leading to the app. important policy decisions.  The government said all subsequent updates  The conference’s first phase will be held at will be made open-source through this the South Block in Delhi. repository and the iOS and KaiOS (on JioPhone) versions of the app will also be India set to locally produce RT-PCR testing kits made open-source soon. for Covid-19  On 2nd April 2020, India launched Aarogya Setu mobile App for helping augment the efforts of limiting the spread of COVID19, with an objective of enabling Bluetooth based contact tracing, mapping of likely hotspots and dissemination of relevant information about COVID19.

Army Commanders' Conference to be organised in two phases

A public-private partnership in India has yielded an important breakthrough, that will help produce RT PCR test kits for testing COVID 19 patients.

 Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shah, the chairperson of Governing Council of National Biomedical Resource Indigenisation Consortium, NBRIC has said that two enzymes namely Taq Polymerase and Reverse Tranase needed for RT PCR test kits are developed in The Army Commanders' Conference, an apex level partnership with Bengaluru based Indian biannual event which was scheduled for April 2020 Institute of Science and private partner and postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, will now Richcore life sciences company. be organised in two phases.  India is set to locally produce RT-PCR testing and rapid antibody detection test kits  The first phase of the conference will for Covid-19, reducing dependence on commence from 27 May which will continue imports. till 29th of this month.  The two enzymes developed by them form a  The second phase will be held in the last key to India’s efforts to produce the test kits. week of June 2020.  The apex level leadership of Indian Army will brainstorm on current emerging security

Webinar on “Van Dhan Scheme: learnings for In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the post COVID-19” Annual Kheer Bhawani Mela on 30th May this year in Tulmulla village of Ganderbal district has been cancelled because of outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.

 The devotees have been asked to cooperate with the authorities and perform the worship of the Goddess at their homes only.  However, the holy rituals and Aarti of the Deity will be conducted as per the tradition which will be shared with the devotees via social media.  Kheer Bhawani Mela is one of the biggest The Department of Science and Technology, religious functions of Kashmiri Pandit Government of Rajasthan has organized a webinar Community. on “Van Dhan Scheme: Learnings for post COVID-  It is believed and rather has been seen that the 19” in assciation with TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal colour of the water in the spring around the Affairs, Government of India. Kheer Bhawani Temple changes its colour with the change in the circumstances of the  The webinar was organised under the Know Kashmir valley. Your Scheme-Lecture Series.  The webinar was addressed by Pravir Chhattisgarh to give agriculture status to lac Krishna, Managing Director of TRIFED, cultivation Ministry of Tribal Affairs.  TRIFED has partnered with UNICEF to initiate “Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyaan“.  Under this initiative tribals will be provided with relevant information regarding COVID- 19 along with several guidelines, nationwide and state-specific webinars and instructions on safety measures to be followed.

J&K’s Dharmarth Trust cancels annual "Kheer Bhawani Mela" The Chhattisgarh government has decided to consider lac cultivation as an agriculture activity in the state and promote its farming as a livelihood option for farmers, particularly those living in remote and forest areas.

 Lac is a scarlet-coloured resin secreted by an insect called 'laccifer' or 'kerria lacca' that makes its home on trees.  The resin is scraped off from trees, dried and processed to form lac which is used in jewellery and leather industries.

 Once lac farming gets the status of President and Chief Risk Officer and agriculture, farmers associated with its membership expansion. production would be able to avail loans via  The Finance Minister appreciated Mr. K. V co-operative societies, like other cultivators. Kamath, the outgoing President of NDB for his stellar stewardship in very quickly giving Salman Khan launches grooming and personal shape to the vision stated by the BRICS care brand FRSH Leaders in 2014.  The Finance Minister congratulated newly- elected President Mr. Marcos Troyjo from Brazil and newly-appointed Vice President and CRO, Mr Anil Kishora from India.

PM pays tributes to Savarkar on birth anniversary

Superstar Salman Khan has launched his own grooming and personal care brand FRSH.

 Considering the importance of hygiene and sanitisation during the coronavirus pandemic, Salman said he decided to launch a sanitiser

as the first product under the brand.  Other products will also be launched soon Prime Minister, Narendra Modi paid their tributes to and can be purchased from Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on his birth anniversary http://frshworld.com.  The products will also be available at various  In Pune, Savarkar founded the “Abhinav stores across the country once the supply Bharat Society”. begins.  He was also involved in the Swadeshi  Salman already owns an apparel brand under movement and later joined Tilak’s Swaraj Being Human - The Salman Khan Party. Foundation, a charitable trust devoted to  In 1920, many prominent freedom fighters education and healthcare initiatives for the including Vithalbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi underprivileged in India. and Bal Gangadhar Tilak demanded the release of Savarkar. FM Sitharaman attends Special Board of  On May 2, 1921, Savarkar was moved to Governors meeting of New Development Bank Ratnagiri jail, and from there to the Yeravada jail. In Ratnagiri jail Savarkar wrote the book Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs ‘Hindutva: who is hindu?’ Nirmala Sitharaman attended the Special Board of  Vinayak Savarkar was a president of Hindu Governors meeting of the New Development Bank Mahasabha from 1937 to 1943. (NDB) through video-conference. Validity period of hotel approval & classification  The agenda included the election of the next extended till June 30 President of NDB, appointment of Vice-

and power components of 12 major multipurpose projects in the state.  The government of Madhya Pradesh has conducted the pre-feasibility study of these projects and has provided approval for their execution.  Some of the major multipurpose projects that will be financed under the MoU are Basaniya Multipurpose Project Dindori, Chinki Boras Multipurpose Project Narsinghpur Raisen Hoshangabad, Sakkar Pench Link Narsinghpur Chhindwara, Dudhi Project In a major relaxation to the tourism industry, the Chhindwara Hoshangabad, etc. validity period of approval and classification of hotels and accommodation units has been extended Uttar Pradesh govt to develop 800 km roads as till 30th June by the Government. Herbal roads

 The Ministry of Tourism classifies hotels under the star rating system.  Under this system, hotels and accommodation units are given various ratings ranging from one to five stars, five Star deluxe, legacy vintage, home stays , guest houses including others.  The Government has decided that validity of

approval or certifications of hotels and other accommodation units whose project Uttar Pradesh government will develop 800 km roads approvals and classification status have as Herbal roads in the state. expired or are likely to expire in the period from 24th March till 29th June will be  These herbal roads will have medicinal and extended till 30th June. herbal trees on both sides.  In addition to this, the tourism ministry has  These herbal roads will have trees like also allowed a six month extension to the Peepal, Neem, Sahjan along with other herb approvals granted to all categories of tour varieties like brahmi, ashwagandha and operators, travel agents and tourist transport jatropha. operators. RIL launches WhatsApp chatbot to answer rights PFC signs MoU with NBPCL to fund projects issue queries worth ₹22,000 cr in Madhya Pradesh Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has launched a Power Finance Corporation (PFC) entered into an “WhatsApp chatbot” to address rights issue queries agreement with Narmada Basin Projects Company of its 2.6 million shareholders on the offering. Ltd NBPCL is a wholly-owned company of Madhya Pradesh government, to fund projects worth ₹22,000  With a task of executing a massive Rs 53,125 crore in the state. crore rights issue amid a nationwide lockdown, RIL has turned to WhatsApp  The funds will be deployed by NBPCL for Chatbot which has been developed by Jio setting up hydroelectric projects of 225 MW Haptik Technologies.

 This chatbot is the first one which has been  Headquarters: Mumbai rolled out for a public offering and is  Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi available on WhatsApp.  As with the lockdown it would have been 22nd Financial Stability and Development difficult to manage sufficient call centre Council meeting chaired by Finance Minister service, this chatbot will address the queries of the shareholders such as: important dates related to its rights issue, rights entitlement a shareholder is eligible for, how to trade their rights entitlement, and what to do if one has physical shares and sample forms, etc.

SEBI imposes a penalty of Rs 7,00,000 on NHAI

On May 28, 2020, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman chaired Financial Stability and Development Council meet.

 The meeting reviewed current domestic and global economic situation, financial vulnerabilities issues, liquidity of Micro financial institutions, Non- Banking Financial corporations, regulatory responses, Capital markets regulator SEBI imposed a penalty of etc. Rs 7 lakh on the National Highways Authority of  The financial stability and development India (NHAI) for delay in making timely disclosure council is an apex body constituted by GoI. about financial results.  The Council was set up in 2010 by the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee.  SEBI had conducted an examination in the  The Council deals with issues such as matter of NHAI from the financial year 2015- financial sector development, financial 16 to 2018-19. stability, inter-regulatory coordination,  During its investigation, SEBI found that financial inclusion, financial literacy. NHAI delayed filing of its half-yearly financial results by 4 days to 78 days between May 29: International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2015-16 to 2018-19.  The regulator had advised NHAI for strict Every year, the United Nations celebrates compliance with the LODR (Listing International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29. Obligations andDisclosure Requirement) This year the day is being celebrated under the theme Regulations in future. Women in Peacekeeping: A key to Peace.  However, despite the advisory by SEBI, NHAI did not submit the financial results on  The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is time with respect to the half year ending on celebrated to honour more than 3,900 September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2019. peacekeepers that lost their lives serving  The results were submitted with a delay of 19 under the United Nations. days and 78 days, respectively.  The first UN Peace Keeping mission was  SEBI Founded: 12 April 1992 established on May 29, 1948. The Peace

keeping mission was established to monitor The World Health Organization recently suspended the Armistice Agreement that was signed its trials on the efficacy of the drug between Israel and Arab. Hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19. The HCQ trial is one of the four mega trials initiated by First of its Kind State Health Register to be the organization. launched by Karnataka Government  The four mega trials include HCQ, Lopinavir and Ritonavir, Lopinavir and Ritonavir along with Interferon and Remdesivir.  In India the drug is mainly recommended for asymptomatic health care workers. It is not used to treat COVID-19 patients.

New Fresh water fish “Punitus Sanctus” found

The Karnataka State Government announced that it will launch a “State Health Register” to collect data of all its citizens.

 The register is first of its kind in the country.  The register will hold names of all the

citizens of the state.  The need to maintain such a register has been A new fresh water fish called Punitus Sanctus was raised by COVID-19. found in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu. The fish was  The project is to be launched from found in a small water body. Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka.  The survey is to be conducted through ASHA  Sanctus means ‘holy’ in Latin. Punitus is a workers, educational department staffs, staffs species of fish that are commonly found in in primary health centre and revenue the drains of western and eastern ghats and officials. also in Eastern Himalayas.  The Genus Punitus is locally known as Kende WHO suspended Hydroxycloroquine trials in Tamil Nadu and Paral in Kerala.  The Punitus belongs to the family of Cyprindae.  Cyprindae is a family of fresh water fish. They are collectively called Cyprinids.  The family includes barbs, goldfish, bitterlings and carps.

Finance Minister launches free instant e-PAN card facility through Aadhaar

Centre has approved 445 crore rupees for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman formally implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in launched the facility for instant allotment of PAN on Chhattisgarh during 2020-21. a near to real time basis.  The aim of the mission is to provide adequate  This facility is now available for those PAN potable drinking water of prescribed quality applicants who possess a valid Aadhaar on regular and long-term basis to every rural number and have a mobile number registered household of the country by 2024. with Aadhaar.  A budget of 3 lakh 60 thousand Crore rupees  The allotment process is paperless and an has been allocated for this scheme. electronic PAN, e-PAN is issued to the  Chhattisgarh has planned to have 100 Percent applicants free of cost. Functional Tap Water Connection by 2023-  The beta version of the facility of instant 24. PAN through Aadhaar based e-KYC was  Chhattisgarh has been battling with the issue started on 12th of Feb on the e-filing website of rapid groundwater depletion and chemical of Income Tax Department. contamination of Arsenic, Fluoride and Iron  A total of 50.52 crore PANs have been in water since many years. allotted to the taxpayers, out of which, around 49.39 crore are allotted to the individuals and MP Govt creates 'Rojgar Setu Yojana' to employ more than 32.17 crore are seeded with migrant workers Aadhaar so far.  The instant PAN applicants are required to access the e-filing website of the Income Tax Department to provide their valid Aadhaar number and then submit the OTP received on their Aadhaar registered mobile number.  On successful completion of this process, a 15-digit acknowledgment number is generated. If required, the applicant can check the status of the request anytime by providing a valid Aadhaar number and on successful allotment, can download the e- PAN. The Madhya Pradesh Government has created 'Rojgar Setu Yojana' to employ migrant workers, Centre approves Rs. 445 cr for implementation of who have come back to the State from other states Jal Jeevan Mission in Chhattisgarh amid coronavirus-induced lockdown.

 The State Government is preparing details will be forwarded to banks with immediate after surveying skilled labourers. subsidy which will be 25% in the hill districts  With the help of this description, they will be and 15% in the plain districts. provided employment in small, cottage  The scheme will offer credit facility through industries or factories. nationalised banks, scheduled commercial  The Swamitva Scheme is now being banks and cooperative banks. implemented in the state too.  Under the Yojana, the margin money will be  Under this scheme, the survey of the entire provided as a grant by the MSME rural population will be done, then the department. records will be prepared and people will be given ownership rights over their lands. Google launches app ‘Sodar’ to help people  The Swam maintain social distancing  itva Scheme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day 2020.  The Scheme will ensure the demarcation of inhabited land in rural areas with the use of the latest surveying methods including the drones.

Uttarakhand govt starts “Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana” for returnee migrants

Google has launched ‘Sodar’ app that will help people maintain distance in real life using augmented reality.

 The app has been developed under Experiments with Google and is not available on the Google Play Store but can be side- loaded separately.  The app called ‘Sodar’, will create a visual boundary using the user’s smartphone To retain the migrants who have returned to the state camera and constantly show who’s breaching during the lockdown, Uttarakhand chief minister that distance. Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the  The company claims Sodar uses “WebXR to Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana. help visualise social distancing guidelines in your environment.  It is self-employment opportunities to youth  Using Sodar on supported mobile devices, and a boost to reverse migration, especially create an augmented reality two meter radius entrepreneurs returning to Uttarakhand and ring around you. encouraging skilled and unskilled artisans,  Once another person breaches the circle, the handicrafts and unemployed youths to start screen will visually alert the user. their own business.  The migrants who apply under this Next phase of Operation Samudra Setu to programme will get quick approval from the commence on June 1 authorities concerned and their applications

project, envisaged to provide free internet will be launched in December 2020.

 Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the decision after a meeting with the heads of companies of the consortium executing the Rs 1,500 crore K-FON project.  Kerala is the first state to declare the internet as a fundamental right of the citizen.  As part of this, the K-FON project was launched to provide quality internet free of

cost to the poor and at affordable rates to The Indian Navy will start the next phase of others. Operation Samudra Setu from June 1 to repatriate  The project is being implemented by Kerala Indians who are stranded overseas amid the State IT Infrastructure Limited and Kerala coronavirus pandemic. State Electricity Board.

 In this phase, Indian Navy Ship Jalashwa will repatriate 700 personnel from Colombo, Republic of Sri Lanka to Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu and subsequently repatriate another 700 personnel from MalÃ¨, Republic of Maldives to Tuticorin. RBI extends regulatory benefits under SLF-MF  The Indian Navy has already repatriated scheme to all banks 1,488 Indian nationals from MalÃ¨ to Kochi during the previous phases of the operation.  After disembarkation at Tuticorin, the evacuated personnel will be entrusted to the care of the state authorities.

Kerala to launch free internet project K-FON in December

The Reserve Bank of India extended regulatory benefits to all banks including those deploying their own resources to extend liquidity support to the mutual funds under the Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds SLF-MF scheme.

 Earlier in the week, the Reserve Bank had announced Rs 50,000-crore SLF-MF scheme to bailout the mutual funds facing redemption The Kerala government has announced that its pressure. ambitious Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON)

 The scheme was announced in the backdrop of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund deciding to shut several schemes.  Under the SLF-MF scheme will be extended to all banks, irrespective of whether they avail funding from the Reserve Bank or deploy their own resources under the SLF- MF scheme.

Output of eight core infrastructure industries shrank by 6.5 % in March

The Reserve Bank of India suspended operations of CKP Co-operative Bank and cancelled its licence.

 RBI reasoned that the financial position of the bank is highly adverse and unsustainable.  There is no concrete revival plan or proposal for merger with another bank.  With the cancellation of licence and commencement of liquidation proceedings, the process of paying the depositors of The CKP Co-operative Bank LtdMumbai, as per the DICGC Act, 1961 will be set in motion. The output of eight core infrastructure industries  On liquidation, every depositor is entitled to shrank by 6.5 percent in March due to fall in repayment of his/her deposits up to a production of crude oil, natural gas, refinery monetary ceiling of Rs 5,00,000 from the products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity amid Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee the coronavirus lockdown. Corporation (DICGC) as per usual terms and conditions.  The eight core sectors had expanded by 5.8 per cent in March 2019. HDFC Bank releases song to keep up hopes up  Production of crude oil dropped 5.5 percent; amidst Covid-19 pandemic production of natural gas tanked 15.2 percent; growth of refinery products slipped 0.5 percent; fertiliser production dropped 11.9 percent, steel production declined 13 percent, cement production slumped 24.7 percent and electricity generation plunged 7.2 percent.  Coal production fell 4.1 percent in March, from 9.1 per cent in March 2019.  During the April-March 2019-20 period, core

industries recorded 0.6 percent growth, against 4.4 percent in 2018-19. HDFC Bank released a collaborative song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge (We will not lose). RBI cancels CKP Co-operative Bank's licence

 Composed by Oscar and Grammy Award- winning musician AR Rahman, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi, the song is “a tribute to the indomitable spirit of India and millions of Indians who are standing together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic”.  The song was conceptualised as a clarion call to spread hope, positivity and motivation.

US-Based Silver Lake To Invest Rs 5,656 Crore In Jio Platforms Global rating agency Moody's slashed India's GDP growth rate at Zero for the current fiscal 2020-21.

 However, on a positive note, it has forecast India's GDP growth rate to bounce back to 6.6 per cent in 2021-22.  Its previous estimate was 2.6 per cent.  Indian economy registered the last contraction in 1979-80 with (-) 5.2 per cent growth rate.  However, prolonged financial stress among rural households, weak job creation and, Reliance Industries said that private equity firm more recently, a credit crunch among non- Silver Lake will invest Rs 5,656 crore ($746.74 bank financial institutions (NBFIs) have million) in its digital arm, giving it a valuation of Rs increased the probability of a more 4.90 lakh crore. entrenched weakening.

 The deal comes days after Facebook SBI General Insurance launches Aarogya announced an investment of Rs 43,574 crore Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy to buy a 9.99 per cent stake in Jio Platforms - the digital services entity that houses Reliance's telecoms arm Jio Infocomm, as well as its news, movie and music apps, along with other businesses.  The deal values Jio Platforms at Rs 4.90 trillion on equity basis and Rs 5.15 trillion on enterprise value basis  Jio Platforms is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries and Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, which provides SBI General Insurance launched the standard health connectivity platform insurance policy - Aarogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy SBI General Insurance. Moody’s slashes India’s GDP growth to `zero' in current FY  The policy provides hospitalisation cover anywhere in India with sums insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs.  This is a product which has been designed at the instance of Insurance Regulatory and

Development Authority of India (IRDAI) end fully integrated, zero-contact, completely with standard coverage and affordable digital and paperless account opening + Full premiums. KYC journey.  The Video KYC process to onboard new Borrowing limit of states raised from 3% of Gross customers will be extended to other products State Domestic Product to 5% in 2020-21 in a phased manner.  With Video KYC, verification of KYC documents and recording of the customer’s signature are completed via a video call with the bank, eliminating the need for a visit to the branch or in-person interaction, biometric verification or sharing of physical documents.

Canara Bank launches gold loan business vertical to ease liquidity

The government has decided to increase the borrowing limits of states from 3% to 5% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the year 2020-21.

 The state governments, so far, have borrowed only 14% of the limit which is authorised to them while 86% of the limit remains unutilized.  The finance minister said that part of the borrowing will be linked to specific reforms like increasing job creation through investment and promoting urban Public sector Canara Bank has launched a business development, health and sanitation. vertical dedicated for gold loans to meet emerging  Rs 15000 crore have been announced for financial needs of customers in view of the current states, essential items, testing labs and kits, challenges and uncertainties. along with rolling out of teleconsultation services, the launch of Aarogya Setu app and  It said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed protection to health care workers with the socio-economic order of the country and adequate PPEs. managing everyday expenses, business continuity, health and family care are a Kotak 811 Launches India’s First Zero-Contact, challenge for many. Video KYC Savings Account  With this objective, the bank has launched a special gold loan campaign till June 30 with Kotak Mahindra Bank (Kotak) announced the an interest rate of 7.85 per cent per annum. introduction of Video KYC to open a full-fledged  The loans are payable within a period of one Kotak 811 savings account, a first in Indian banking. to three years with flexible repayment options.  This initiative, presently being launched on a  The credit can be utilised for agriculture and pilot basis for savings accounts, is in line with allied activities, business needs, health Kotak’s digital-first strategy and is a start-to- emergencies and personal needs.

 The loan facility can be availed from all designated branches pan India, the bank said in a statement.  After the amalgamation of Syndicate Bank on April 1, Canara Bank has attained the position of fourth-largest public sector bank in the country with a total business of Rs 15.53 lakh crore.

NABARD to Provide Financial Aid worth Rs 20,500 Crore for Agricultural Operations for Pre- Monsoon & Kharif The Indian Railways' most powerful 12000 HP Made in India locomotive made its maiden commercial run between Deen Dayal Upadhaya and Shivpur stations in Uttar Pradesh.

 Built by French company Alstom under the government's Make in India programme at the Railways' Madhepura factory in Bihar, these engines are the highest-powered locomotives that will run on Indian rails.  All 800 of these locos are being manufactured indigenously while they have NABARD has decided to provide financial been designed at the company's engineering assistance to Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural centre in Bengaluru. Banks (RRBs) in order to increase the efficacy of  The locomotive is capable of working on their pre-monsoon Kharif operations. railway tracks with conventional OHE lines as well as on Dedicated Freight corridors  The financial aid is worth Rs 20,500 crores. with high rise OHE lines.  While Rs 15,200 crores out of the total  The locomotive has air-conditioned driver amount will be provided to the farmers cabs on either side. through cooperative banks, the remaining amount of Rs 5,300 crore will be allocated Flipkart ties up with Bajaj Allianz General through RRBs as a special liquidity facility Insurance for digital motor cover across various states.  The fund will be given as a means of front- loading the resources of these banks in order to maintain adequate liquidity with the banks for financing the farmers in the future.

Railways' Most Powerful 12,000 HP Made in India Locomotive Begins Commercial Run

Flipkart and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Reserve Bank extends Rs 15,000-cr credit line to Company have partnered to offer a digital motor EXIM Bank insurance policy to customers of the e-commerce major.

 Consumers can buy this motor-insurance policy using their Flipkart app.  This partnership between the insurance company and an e-commerce major, will provide seamless, accessible as well as flexible insurance solutions to the customers of Flipkart in order to safeguard their vehicles.  With this partnership, the Bajaj Allianz The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to extend General Insurance Company will have a a ₹15,000 crore line of credit to the Export-Import wider distribution base on the e-commerce Bank of India (EXIM Bank) for 90 days to meet its platform, hence enabling it to offer best in foreign currency resource requirements. class services to the customers of Flipkart by offering them suitable solutions.  The Export-Import Bank of India provides financial assistance to exporters and RBI cuts repo rate by 40 bps to 4 pct importers with a view to promoting the country''s international trade.  In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, global trade has contracted sharply and global financial markets have turned highly volatile and risk averse.

US private equity giant KKR picks 2.32% stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 11,367 crore

The Reserve Bank of India cut the repo rate by 40 basis points from 4.4 per cent to 4 per cent.

 It also reduced the reverse repo rate at 3.35 per cent to maintain accommodative stance.  The six-member Monetary Policy Committee voted 5:1 in favour of 40 bps cut in interest rate.  Private consumption has seen the biggest blow due to COVID-19 outbreak, following Reliance Industries announced the sale of a 2.32 per investment demand has halted big time cent stake in its digital unit to US private equity giant impacting the government revenues severely KKR for Rs 11,367 crore. due to slowdown in economic activity.  This is the fifth deal in four weeks that will inject a combined Rs 78,562 crore.

 This is KKR’s largest investment in Asia. including offshore wind, in India and  This transaction values Jio Platforms at an overseas, and explore opportunities in the equity value of Rs 4.91 lakh crore and an fields of sustainability, storage, e-mobility enterprise value of Rs 5.16 lakh crore. and ESG (Environmental, Social and  The deal follows Facebook picking up a 9.99 Governance) compliant projects. per cent stake in the firm, housing India’s youngest but largest telecom company, on India's crude steel output declines 65 pc to 3.13 April 22 for Rs 43,574 crore. MT in April  Within days of that deal, Silver Lake, the world’s largest tech investor, bought a 1.15 per cent stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 5,665.75 crore.  On May 8, US-based Vista Equity Partners bought 2.32 per cent stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 11,367 crore.  On May 17 global equity firm General Atlantic picked up 1.34 per cent stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 6,598.38 crore.

ONGC, NTPC to set up joint venture for renewable energy business

According to the World Steel Association, India's crude steel output declined over 65 per cent to 3.13 million tonnes (MT) during April.

 The government imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 25 to prevent spread of the coronavirus pandemic which has impacted production, demand and supply of steel in India.  India had posted a 14 per cent decline in steel output at 8.65 MT in March as compared with India's top oil and gas producer ONGC and country's 10.04 MT in March 2019. biggest electricity generator NTPC have signed a  Global steel output also declined 13 per cent preliminary agreement to set up a joint venture to 137.09 MT as compared with 157.67 MT company for renewable energy projects. in April 2019.

 Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and 2,749 Khelo India athletes given Rs 30,000 each: NTPC Ltd "entered into a memorandum of SAI understanding (MoU) to formalize this arrangement. Sports Authority of India (SAI) has deposited 30,000  The MoU will enable both companies to rupees each as out of pocket allowance in accounts achieve their respective targets in renewable of 2,749 Khelo India athletes. energy business.  As per the MoU, NTPC and ONGC will  The amount added up to 8.25 crore rupees in explore and set up renewable power assets all.

 SAI said that the money has been transferred Airtel group ties up with Mastercard for to the bank accounts of the athletes. customized products for farmers, SMEs  A total of 2,893 athletes will be given the pocket allowance with the funds for the remaining 144 athletes to be transferred by the end of this month.  Athletes from 35 states and union territories have been given the allowances in 21 sporting disciplines with the maximum number of them from Maharashtra (386), Haryana (381), Delhi (225), Punjab (202) and Tamil Nadu (165).  The out of pocket allowance is 1.20 lakh rupees annually and is a part of the Khelo India scholarship of 6.28 lakh rupees that is Airtel Payments Bank (APBL) has partnered with given to each athlete selected under the Mastercard to develop customized products for the scheme. underbanked spectrum including farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and retail customers. Fitch Ratings, CRISIL, SBI Research see India economy shrinking in FY21  The collaboration aims at building a digital platform which provides farmers with knowledge about advanced farming techniques and connection to marketplaces.  The tie-up will bring together Mastercard’s global and local experience in developing advanced financial solutions and Airtel Payments Bank’s strong distribution network to reach the last mile and its large customer base.

Flipkart, Karnataka Mango Board tie up to help farmers sell online

Fitch ratings, CRISIL, and SBI Research have drastically cut India’s economic growth forecast in the current fiscal year due to a prolonged lockdown.

 Both Fitch and CRISIL projected the economy to contract 5 per cent, from their earlier estimates of the economic growth at 0.8 per cent and 1.8 per cent, respectively.  SBI Research slashed economic contraction to 6.8 percent from earlier 4.7 per cent.  The lockdown extension, higher economic Flipkart and Karnataka State Mango Department and costs, and an economic package that lacked Marketing Corporation signed a memorandum of muscle are the three key reasons why CRISIL understanding (MoU), enabling mango farmers sell has downgraded the GDP forecast.

their fresh produce online through the Flipkart platform.

 This mango season, consumers would have access to various varieties of the fruit across the districts of Bengaluru urban, Kolar, Former Axis Bank CEO Shikha Sharma named Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belgaum. advisor to Google Pay India  Under the MoU, the farmers would be provided market access to consumers, creating a potential revenue stream during these testing times.  Consumers can place orders on Flipkart's platform for several varieties of mangoes, including Alphonso, Badami, Apoos, Banganpalli, Kesar, Neelam, Himam Pasand, Sendur and Mallika, in batches of 3 kg.

NPCI launches AI virtual assistant ‘PAi’

Google Pay India named Shikha Sharma, former Axis Bank CEO, as an advisor to digital payments app.

 Google Pay has been leading UPI Payments adoption in India.  During the ongoing lockdown, Google launched its “Nearby Spot” to help users in Bengaluru find local stores selling essentials National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has like groceries that are open, amid the launched an artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbot, lockdown. ‘PAi’.  The Nearby Spot will be launched in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi soon.  The chatbot has been created to spread awareness around its products like FASTag, RuPay, UPI, AePS on a real time basis. President Trump nominates Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as OECD envoy  This is yet another NPCI’s initiative to improve digital financial inclusion in India. United States President Donald Trump has  The AI virtual assistant, PAi is available round the clock helping users with access to nominated senior Indian-American diplomat accurate information on NPCI products. Manisha Singh as his envoy to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).  Customers can ask their queries in English and Hindi, via text or voice on the websites of NPCI, RuPay, and UPI Chalega.  Ms Singh is currently Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs at  PAi is developed by Bengaluru based startup CoRover Private Limited. the State Department.  She will be the US Representative to OECD with the rank of an Ambassador.

 Paris-based OECD is an intergovernmental  Ramachandran has over 23 years of economic organisation with 36 member experience in health insurance, healthcare countries to stimulate economic progress and and life sciences segments. world trade.  He last served as the CEO of Apollo Munich Health Insurance. President Trump nominates Indian-American as US representative to IBRD RBL names Deepak Kumar as CRO

US President Donald Trump has nominated Indian- American Ashok Michael Pinto as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Ratnakar Bank Limited (RBL) has named Deepak Development. Kumar as its new Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for a tenure of two years.  Pinto was nominated as US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for a term of two  He will be replacing Ramnath Krishnan as years. the lender’s CRO as decided in its Board of  Pinto would replace Erik Bethel, who has Directors meeting. resigned from the post. Pinto currently serves  Deepak Kumar has over 37 years of as Counselor to the Under Secretary for experience. International Affairs at the United States  He was a part of the Reserve Bank of India’s Department of the Treasury. resolution committee for the PMC crisis and  Pinto was Special Assistant and Associate also has experience as Chief General Counsel to President George W Bush during Manager of the State Bank of India. private practice at two international law firms. Iraqi Parliament confirms Mustafa Al Kadhimi as new Prime Minister Max Bupa appoints Krishnan Ramachandran as MD, CEO Former intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi has been approved as Iraq's new prime minister. Max Bupa Health Insurance has appointed Krishnan Ramachandran as its new managing director (MD)  Former PM Adil-Abdul Mahdi resigned in and chief executive officer (CEO). late November following widespread anti- government protests that spread across Iraq's  He succeeds Ashish Mehrotra, who has central and southern provinces. decided to pursue another opportunity after a  The Iraqi parliament approved Kadhimi’s successful stint of almost five years. government at an emergency session.

 Serving as the head of Iraq's National producer Dia Mirza's term as its National Goodwill Intelligence Service (NIS) from 2016, Ambassador for another two years till the end of Kadhimi had revised his proposed cabinet 2022. several times in recent weeks to appeal to various political factions in Baghdad.  The actress is also the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Advocate. DPS Negi takes over as Director General Labour  As a Goodwill Ambassador, Mirza will Bureau continue work with the UN to further spread the message on key areas including clean air, clean seas, wildlife protection and climate change.  One of Dia's big campaigns during her first tenure as the ambassador was #BeatPlasticPollution helped in highlighting the issue at the highest levels and led to a clarion call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India Single Use Plastics free by 2022.

Kumar Sangakkara set for second term as MCC Indian Economic Services officer D P S Negi took President charge as Director General of Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

 The Labour Bureau collects and analyses data related to workers, employment, and retail inflation.  Besides Negi also assumed charge as Senior Labour & Employment Advisor of the ministry.  Negi is an Indian Economic Services (IES) officer of the 1985 batch.

Dia Mirza's tenure as UNEP Goodwill The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) decided to Ambassador extended till 2022 recommend a second term for its President Kumar Sangakkara as the current activities at the club have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman became the first non-British President of the club when he assumed office on October 1 last year.  Sangakkara is all set to enter an elite list of people who have served multiple terms.

Narinder Batra's Term As FIH President Extended To May 2021 The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) extended environmentalist and actor-

 He succeeds Anand Kumar, who earlier took charge as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture.  Prior to this appointment, Chaturvedi was serving as Additional Chief Secretary and Additional Secretary (Climate Change Department) of the Ministry of Climate Change Department, Environment & Forest, Government of Jharkhand.

Manoj Ahuja appointed as the new CBSE chairman Narinder Batra will remain President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) until May 2021.

 The Presidential election for the world body had been due to take place at this year's Congress in New Delhi but it has now been pushed back in the wake of COVID-19 crisis.  Consequently, the current terms of the FIH President and of the EB members which were due to end in October 2020 have been prolonged until the upcoming Congress in May 2021. Odisha cadre IAS Manoj Ahuja has been appointed the new chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi takes charge as MNRE Education (CBSE). Secretary  Ahuja is currently working as Special Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Department of Personnel and Training.  Ahuja will replace Anita Karwal as the chairman of the CBSE.

SAI forms committee to prepare SOP to resume training post lockdown

Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi has assumed charge as Secretary in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).

 Chaturvedi is a 1987 batch IAS officer and belongs to Jharkhand cadre.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) has formed a PCB appoints Babar Azam as ODI skipper committee to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure to resume training in all SAI Centres in all sporting disciplines after the lockdown is lifted.

 All training had been suspended across SAI Centres in view of the on-going Corona pandemic.  A separate committee has been formed to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure for swimming, since the sport requires athletes to train in water and may have different health risks involved, as compared to other sports.  The SOPs will include in detail the guidelines to be followed on entry norms, sanitation The Pakistan Cricket Board announced Babar Azam guidelines, precautions to be taken in as their captain in the ODI format, confirming his common areas and by athletes while role as skipper in both white-ball formats. travelling to and from the centre.  SAI Headquarters: Delhi  Babar Azam would lead the ODI and T20I  Founder: Ministry of Youth Affairs and sides for the 2020/21 season, while Azhar Ali Sports will continue to be Test captain.  Founded: 25 January 1984  Babar, who was one of the world's leading  Director General: Sandip Pradhan batsmen across formats last year and already the T20 skipper, replaced wicket-keeper V. Vidyavathi becomes new DG of Archaeological batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed as the ODI captain Survey of India for the 2020-21 season.

Rajesh Goel appointed as director general of NAREDCO

IAS officer V. Vidyavathi is appointed as the new Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) effective from 12th May 2020.

 She is a 1991 batch Karnataka cadre officer.  Vidyavathi will be serving in the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.  Her appointment is confirmed by the order of Realtors body National Real Estate Development the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Council (NAREDCO) has appointed Rajesh Goel as headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. director general (DG) of the association.

 Earlier, Goel was serving as the chairman and managing director, Hindustan Prefab Ltd.  Rajesh Goel is a professional with over 37 years of experience in leading PSUs under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, superannuated in November 2019 as the chairman and managing director of Hindustan Prefab Ltd.  NAREDCO and CREDAI are the two major associations of real estate developers across the country. Indian Steel Association (ISA) appointed Dilip Oommen as its new President with immediate effect. Zubair Iqbal appointed MD J-K Bank  An extraordinary board meeting was called to decide on the leadership of the association after Tata Steel CEO TV Narendran stepped down as President on May 1, months before the end of his term in August.  Oommen was unanimously appointed as President for the next two years.  Oommen is a veteran of the steel industry with more than 37 years of experience and an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-K). The Jammu and Kashmir administration approved Thomas Thabane resigns as Lesotho's prime the appointment of senior vice president of HDFC minister Bank Zubair Iqbal as the new managing director of Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

 R K Chibber will continue as the bank''s chairman for the next three years.  Iqbal will have a three-year tenure.  In another order, Chibber, who is currently MD and Chairman of J&K bank, has been reappointed as the chairman for the period of three years.  Both of them were appointed as director and nominee of the government in the J&K Bank Board. Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has  The RBI had extended the tenure of Chibber formally resigned more than a week after his as MD of the bank for a period of three coalition government fell apart. months in April.  This move could help end a long-running Indian Steel Association names Dilip Oommen as political crisis in the country. next President  Thabane, the leader of All Basotho Convention (ABC) party, was facing mounting pressure to step down over a case in which he and his current wife are suspected

of involvement in the 2017 murder of his previous, estranged wife.  Thabane's ruling coalition collapsed on May 11, and he had been expected to resign by May 22 when a new government is due to be installed.  Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro, 58, is expected to replace him.

World Bank names Carmen Reinhart as chief economist and vice president The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) has provisionally suspended two powerlifters, Savita Kumari and Ankit Shishodia, for violating anti- doping rules.

 Athletes were given an opportunity to present themselves before the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and explain their cases on the date and time fixed by the panel for a hearing.  However, due to COVID 19, followed by lockdown in the country no sitting of the The World Bank named former Bear Stearns panel could take place in April. executive Carmen Reinhart as its new vice president  As per the Anti-Doping Rules of NADA, an and chief economist. appeal can be filed by the athlete and other parties against the order of the ADDP.  Reinhart, now a professor at Harvard  However, due to COVID-19, followed by University, published a book entitled "This lockdown in the country no sitting of the Time is Different: Eight Centuries of panel could take place in April. Financial Folly," together with economist Kenneth Rogoff of Harvard University in UP govt to set up a commission for employment 2009. of migrant labourers  Reinhart's experience and insights would prove invaluable during the current unprecedented crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and the economic havoc it is wreaking around the globe.  Reinhart has a Ph.D. from Columbia University and currently teaches international economics at the Harvard Kennedy School.

NADA provisionally suspends Savita Kumari, Ankit Shishodia for violating anti-doping rules The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set up a Migration Commission for employment of migrant labourers in the state.

 The commission has been proposed to look Govt appoints PK Nair as envoy to Niger into various factors associated with migrant workers' rights and to prevent exploitation while providing an official framework to ensure socio-economic-legal support for them.  Over 23 lakh workers and migrants have returned to the state.  Adityanath also directed officials that migrant workers be given insurance so that their life is secured.  The chief minister suggested that a scheme be launched to ensure their job security. The government announced the appointment of Prem Jahnabi Phookan appointed as National K Nair as Indian Ambassador to Niger. President of FICCI FLO  Mr Nair is currently posted as Consul General of India to Hambantota  He is expected to take up the assignment shortly.  Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa named after the Niger River.  Capital: Niamey  Currency: West African CFA franc

Sandip Pradhan's tenure as SAI Director General extended by two years

Jahnabi Phookan has been appointed as National President of FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO).

 It is the oldest women-led and -focused business chamber of Southeast Asia and the women’s wing of the apex chamber Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).  She took over from outgoing National President Harjinder Kaur Talwar at the 36th FLO Annual Session - Rising Above Covid The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has Challenges. extended the tenure of Sandip Pradhan as Director  FICCI FLO represents over 8000 women General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) by two entrepreneurs and professionals across 17 years. chapters nationally and works aggressively towards promoting economic empowerment  The extended tenure will come into effect and equal opportunities for women. from 6 June 2020.  Phookan is the 37th National President of FICCI FLO.

 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet  The appointment of Aiman Ezzat was made has approved the proposal of Ministry of at the close of the Annual General Meeting of Youth Affairs and Sports for extension. Shareholders.  Aiman Ezzat was earlier serving as the Chief Indian long-distance runner Kiranjeet Kaur Operating Officer of the Capgemini Group handed four-year ban after being tested positive and has also served as the Chief Financial for doping Officer of the company in the past.

JP Morgan's new chairman, Leo Puri

Long-distance runner Kiranjeet Kaur, who won the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K among the Indians last year, has been handed a four-year ban by World Athletics' Leo Puri has been announced to become the new anti-doping body for returning positive for a banned Chairman of JP Morgan South Asia and SouthEast substance in a test conducted in Doha. Asia.

 The National Dope Testing Laboratory has  He will replace Kalpana Morparia who will been under suspension from the World Anti- be serving as the chairman until the 1st Doping Agency and so Kaur's samples were Quarter of 2021. tested in the WADA accredited laboratory in  Leo Puri has earlier served as the Chief Doha. Executive Officer (CEO) of UTI Mutual  The 32-year-old Kaur will be stripped of the Fund. top prize she won at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K. IndiGo appoints Venkataramani Sumantran as  Her ban period has begun from 15 December, independent director the date of in-competition sample collection.

Aiman Ezzat becomes new CEO of Capgemini Group

Aiman Ezzat has become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French technology major Capgemini Group.

 He has replaced the presently serving Paul Hermelin who will continue to serve as the

Chairman of the Board.

Venkataramani Sumantran, the chairman and Manipuri Doctor Conferred 'Order of Rising managing director of Chennai-based Celeris Sun' by Japan Technologies, has been appointed the independent director of IndiGo.

 Sumantran will hold the post for the next five years.  He serves as an adjunct professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is on several statutory and advisory boards in India, Europe and the US.  Before the coronavirus hit the country, IndiGo had around 48 per cent share of the domestic air passenger market. Thangjam Dhabali Singh from Manipur has been R Sreelekha to become Kerala's first woman DGP conferred the 'Order of Rising Sun' by the Japan government for promoting a better understanding of Japan in India and deepening ties between the two countries.

 The 'Order of the Rising Sun' is conferred on persons with achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, environmental preservation, welfare or achievements in their fields.  It was constituted by Japanese Emperor Meiji in 1875.  Thangjam Dhabali Singh is an allopathic doctor by profession and founder of the Kerala Police will get its first woman Director Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF). General when R.Sreelekha assumes office as the new  Singh had organised the 70th anniversary of head of the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services on June the Battle of Imphal of the Second World 1. War. Several Japanese citizens, including officials from the Embassy of Japan in India,  Presently an Additional Director General of had participated in the event. Police, she currently heads the Jail Department. Russian President Putin Honours Kim Jong Un  The Kerala government elevated her as DGP, With Commemorative WWII Medal as two DGP will be retiring from service soon. Russian President Vladimir Putin has honoured  An 1988 batch IPS officer, she became the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a first woman Superintendent of Police in 1991 commemorative World War II medal to mark the and since then, has had a glittering career. 75th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.

 That the medal was awarded to Kim for the role he played in safeguarding the memories of Soviet soldiers who died in the territory of North Korea.

 Last year, Kim was invited to Russia on May Government extends last date for receipt of 9 to attend the military parade in Moscow for Gandhi Peace Prize-2020 nominations up to June the 75th anniversary. 15  The Russian government's honour for Kim came when his sudden public disappearance recently had fueled conflicting media reports about his health being in grave danger.

IIT Bombay professor wins Young Career Award by the government for his work in nano science

Union Government has extended the last date for the receipt of nominations for the Gandhi Peace Prize-

2020 up to 15th of June. Professor Saurabh Lodha from electrical engineering, IIT Bombay, has received the Young  The Ministry of Culture invites nominations Career Award in Nano Science & Technology for the for awarding Gandhi Peace Prize every year. year 2020 instituted by the Department of Science  For the year 2020, the last date for receiving and Technology (DST), Government. of India. the nominations was 30th of April.  Due to COVID-19 lockdown throughout the  This award recognises his pioneering country, the last date for receipt of contributions in the development of logic nominations for the Prize has now been transistor technologies beyond silicon and extended up to 15th of June. nanoelectronic devices based on two-  The International Gandhi Peace Prize, named dimensional Van der Waals materials. after Mahatma Gandhi, is awarded annually  Professor Lodha’s recent work in the area of by the Government of India. advanced transistors has been driven by  As a tribute to the ideals espoused by Gandhi, strong industry partnerships. the Government of India launched the  Specifically, he has developed new materials International Gandhi Peace Prize in 1995 on and processes to improve the thermal stability the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of and reliability of the heart of the transistor to Mohandas Gandhi. lower the resistance of metal contacts to the  This is an annual award given to individuals transistor and also to achieve higher levels of and institutions for their contributions electrical impurities while keeping leakage towards social, economic and political currents under check. transformation through non-violence and  These advances help future electronic other Gandhian methods. devices such as mobile phones, servers,  The award carries ₹ 1 Crore (10 million) in desktops and laptops, to perform tasks faster, cash, convertible in any currency in the consume less power, and last longer with world, a plaque and a citation. lower failure rates.

IFF nominates Sandesh Jhingan, Bala Devi for Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar has been honoured Arjuna Award with the 2019 Alexander Dalrymple Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian hydrography and across the wider Indian Ocean region.

 He is the National Hydrographer to the government of India.  The award, first presented by the UK Ministry of Defence-sponsored UKHO in 2006, is named after the first Hydrographer of the Admiralty, Alexander Dalrymple.  The recipients of the award are selected by the chief Committee of the UK Hydrographic Office(UKHO) for his or her efforts in raising the standards of hydrography, cartography The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has and navigation around the world. nominated Sandesh Jhingan and N Bala Devi for this year's Arjuna Award. In a first, Indian Army Major to be honoured with UN Military Gender Advocate award  Arjuna Award is an honour bestowed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognise the achievement of athletes.  In January this year, Bala became the Indian woman professional footballer to play in Europe.  She was signed by Scottish club Rangers for an 18-month deal.  Also, Bala is the top scorer for the Indian women's team, netting 52 goals in 58 appearances since 2010.  Jhingan, who made his international debut in football in 2015 and is a regular in the Major Suman Gawani, an Indian Army officer and national team. woman peacekeeper who has served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has India's Chief Hydrographer Vice Admiral Vinay been selected for the prestigious United Nations Badhwar wins UK award Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award (2019).

 She has been awarded for her outstanding contribution to peacekeeping efforts in the UNMISS.  This is the first time that an Indian peacekeeper is being given the UN Military Gender Advocate award.  Created in 2016, the award honours the dedication and effort of individual military peacekeepers in promoting the UN principles on Women, Peace and Security in peace

operations as nominated by Heads and Force Programme of Research in South Africa Commanders of peace operations. (CAPRISA), which she heads.  Major Gawani was scheduled to visit New  The Christophe Merieux Prize is one of York for the award ceremony but due to France’s top science prizes. COVID-10 pandemic, she will receive the award during an online ceremony.

Indian-American IBM scientist Rajiv Joshi wins Inventor of the Year Award 2020 for improving AI capabilities Australia restrict use of saliva, sweat to shine ball under COVID-19 guidelines

An Indian-American inventor Dr. Rajiv Joshi has bagged the prestigious Inventor of the Year award for the year 2020 for his pioneering work in advancing the electronic industry and improving artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Australia will not allow the use of saliva or sweat to shine the ball once cricket training resumes in the post-COVID-19 world.  Dr Joshi works at the IBM Thomson Watson Research Center in New York.  There is speculation that the use of saliva to  The $5,000.00 award is presented every year by the New York Intellectual Property Law shine the ball will be stopped to cut down the Association (NYIPLA) in recognition of the risk of the highly contagious infection with contribution that the invention has and/or will reports suggesting that the ICC is considering make towards society as a whole. the possibility of allowing the use of artificial substances to polish the red ball under the South African AIDS researcher Quarraisha supervision of umpires. Abdool Karim wins France’s Christophe Merieux  Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Prize consultation with medical experts has come up with guidelines, restricting the use of A South African HIV researcher Quarraisha Abdool saliva and sweat to shine the ball. Karim, who found that a topical gel could stop many women catching the virus has been awarded one of Badminton World Championships postponed to France's top science prizes. November 2021 The 2020 badminton World Championships has been  He won the half a million-euro ($551,000) Christophe Merieux Prize for her work for postponed to November this year. the Durban-based Centre for the AIDS

 The tournament is traditionally held in tennis event organised or recognised by the August but will now take place from governing bodies of the sport. November 29 to December 5, 2021.  The tournament is scheduled to take place at FINA postpones 2021 Fukuoka world the Carolina Marin Stadium in Huelva, Spain. championships to May 2022  Earlier it had announced that all tournaments that were scheduled to take place in the months of May, June and July stood suspended.  Most of the tournaments that were suspended were qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics.

Egypt's tennis player Youssef Hossam gets life ban for match-fixing

Swimming's world governing body FINA rescheduled the 2021 Fukuoka aquatics world championships to May 2022 to avoid a clash with the postponed Tokyo Olympics.

 The new dates for the swimming event in the Japanese city are May 13-29, 2022.  Lausanne-based FINA had to move the championships because the 2021 slot of Jul The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) banned Egyptian 16 to Aug 1 clashed with the new date for the tennis player Youssef Hossam for life after being Tokyo Games, which were postponed due to found guilty of "multiple match-fixing" and other the COVID-19 pandemic. corruption charges. Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari gets 4-year ban  The Unit's investigation established that from for dope flunk a period between 2015 and 2019, Hossam conspired with other parties to carry out an extensive campaign of betting-related corruption at the lower levels of professional tennis.  Hossam was found guilty for 21 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program which included eight cases of match-fixing, six cases of facilitating gambling, two cases of soliciting other players not to use best efforts, three failures to report corrupt approaches, two failures to co-operate with a TIU Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari has been slapped investigation. with a four-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit  The 820-ranked player in ATP singles, for flunking a dope test, nearly two years after her Hossam, is now permanently excluded from sample was deemed clean by the NDTL. competing in or attending any sanctioned

 The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) had failed to detect the banned substance, a steroid, which was present in her blood sample, collected by NADA officials during the National Inter-State Championships in June 2018 in Guwahati.  Kumari had won the gold with a throw of 58.41m.  The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) then decided to test the sample of Kumari at its Montreal Laboratory in Canada and it returned positive for anabolic steroid French cyclist Rémy Di Gregorio has been banned Methenolone in November 2018. for four years after the conclusion of a doping case which began in 2018. China Wins FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup  Di Gregorio was provisionally suspended after testing positive for darbepoetin, a form of the blood booster erythropoietin (EPO).  The substance is often known under the brand name Aranesp.  Di Gregorio, now 34, was arrested by French police at the 2012 Tour de France, leading to his then team Cofidis suspending and withdrawing him from the race.

Akhil Kumar re-inducted into NADA disciplinary panel China won the inaugural FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup.

 Their Superfinal with the USA ended 2-2 with China having drawn odds for winning the round-robin phase.  Co-organized by FIDE and Chess.com, the event had a peak of over a million concurrent viewers across all languages and broadcast partners.  The FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup Former Commonwealth Games gold-winning boxer was a team competition held from May 5-10, Akhil Kumar has been re-inducted into the National 2020 on Chess.com featuring Russia, USA, Anti-Doping Agency’s Disciplinary Panel. Europe, China, India, plus a team representing the "Rest of the World."  Akhil, who is also serving in Haryana Police  The total prize fund was $180,000, sponsored as ACP Gurugram, was formerly in the panel by Chess.com. from 2017 to 2019.  The Arjuna award-winning Olympian is French cyclist Di Gregorio given four-year ban among the most accomplished names in after conclusion of 2018 doping case Indian boxing and has also been the

government observer for the sport between nation) for all international matches, as DRS 2017 and 2019. ensures more accurate decision making.  In line with its proposal, the committee has Maharashtra and UP to host National Hockey recommended an increase in the use of DRS Championship review per innings, from two to three.

Despite COVID-19, Meghalaya prepares for National Games 2022

Hockey India finalised the hosts for the Men and

Women National Hockey Championship for 2021. Meghalaya is continuing its efforts in preparing for  Hockey Maharashtra will host the 11th the 39th edition of the National Games in 2022 Hockey India Senior Men National despite the prevailing health scenario caused by Championship 2021, while Uttar Pradesh COVID-19. Hockey will host 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021.  The Union Ministry for Social Justice and  The 11th Hockey India Junior Men National Empowerment has sanctioned Rs 200 crore Championship 2021 and the 11th Hockey for construction of adisabled-friendly India Sub Junior Men National stadium for hosting of the National Games Championship 2021 will be hosted by 2022. Hockey Haryana.  A significant progress has been made in  The 11th Hockey India Junior Women infrastructure planning and team preparation. National Championship 2021 and 11th  The 39th Edition of the National Games is Hockey India Sub Junior Women National slated to be held in the year 2022 in the State Championship 2021 will be hosted by of Meghalaya. Hockey Jharkhand.  Recently, doubts have been raised on the conduct of the 36th National Games to be Anil Kumble-led ICC committee recommends hosted by Goa even as the Indian Olympic ban on saliva due to COVID-19 pandemic Association (IOA) has finalised October 20, next as the start date for the Goa National Cricket is set to do away with one of its oldest Games. practices, the use of saliva to shine the ball, as an Anil Kumble-led ICC committee recommended banning Spanish footballer Aritz Aduriz announces it owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. retirement

 However, the ICC Cricket Committee saw no Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz announced his health hazard in continuing with the use of retirement. sweat.  The committee also pushed for bringing back two non-neutral umpires (both from the host

 Aduriz, in August last year, said that he will the next chapter of her life which will be retire from the game at the end of the 2019- attending college. 20 season.  The 39-year-old revealed in a social media Virat Kohli only cricketer in Forbes’ top 100 post that he has made the decision after highest-paid athletes of 2020 doctors advised him to have hip replacement surgery.  Aduriz started his senior career with Athletic but also enjoyed spells with Real Valladolid, Real Mallorca and Valencia.  He won his first Spain cap in 2010 before earning a recall six years later at the age of 35, winning a spot in Vicente del Bosque's squad for Euro 2016.

American tennis player Jamie Hampton announces retirement India captain Virat Kohli remained the only cricketer to be included in the list of top 100 highest-paid athletes of 2020 put forward by Forbes magazine.

 According to Forbes, Kohli had an estimated total earnings of $26 million ($24m from endorsements and $2m from salary/winnings).  He made a jump of over 30 places from 2019, as he was positioned at the 66th spot in this year’s list.  This is the second year in a row that Kohli has

become the only Indian to feature in the American tennis player and former world number 24 Forbes’ list of top 100 highest-paid athletes. Jamie Hampton has announced her retirement from  In 2019, he was positioned at the 100th place the game. with an estimated earnings of $25 million.  Meanwhile, Swiss tennis great Roger Federer  She had undergone numerous surgeries in the has become the first from his sport to top past few years, but those operations were not Forbes’ list of highest paid athletes. successful enough for her return to  With an estimated $106.3 million earned over professional tennis. the past 12 months, Federer edged out  Hampton clinched five International Tennis Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Federation (ITF) titles during her Ronaldo from the top spot. professional tennis career.  However, numerous injuries in the last five 36th National Games postponed indefinitely due years as well as six surgeries over an 18- to COVID-19 pandemic month period in 2014 and 2015 brought a sudden halt to her career. The much-delayed 36th National Games, scheduled  Hampton, who reached career-high ranking for October-November in Goa, was postponed of World No.24 in July of 2013, concluded indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. by saying that she is now looking forward to

 The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recently asked the Goa government to host the National Games as scheduled from October 20 to November 4 this year.  The previous edition of the Games was held back in 2015 in Kerala.  The upcoming Games, facing uncertainty for long, was originally scheduled for November 2018 but was postponed to April 2019.  However, due to the general election, the government of Goa ordered another Legendary Footballer Chuni Goswami died in cancellation. Kolkata after prolonged illness. Sri Lanka suspends fast bowler Shehan  Chuni Goswami was the captain of the gold Madushanka after heroin arrest medal winning Indian football team of Jakarta Asiad held in 1962.  He was awarded Arjun, Padmasree and several others prestigious awards for his outstanding contributions in the field of Sports .  He received Mohun Bagan Ratna awards in 2005.  The West Bengal Government conferred him the highest civilian award Banga Bibhusan in 2013.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Shehan Madushanka has been South African anti-apartheid veteran Denis suspended from all forms of cricket with immediate Goldberg dies effect after he was arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

 Madushanka was in possession of two grams of heroin when he was caught.  The 25-year-old took a hat-trick in his first one-day international against Bangladesh in January, 2018, in Dhaka and played two more Twenty20 internationals on that tour before being sidelined with injuries.

Veteran South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg, who stood trial alongside late President Legendary footballer Chuni Goswami passes Nelson Mandela, has died. away at 82

 Apartheid was a legalised form of racism in which white people were privileged above all others.  It governed every aspect of life in South Africa, and only white people were able to vote until the first democratic elections in 1994 when Mandela was elected president.  He was considered a stalwart of the South African liberation struggle and was the only white member of the African National Congress's (ANC's) military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), to be arrested Former Union Minister Dalit Ezhilamalai passed and sentenced for armed resistance to white- away in Chennai. minority rule.  According to sources, the 74-year-old died Lokpal member Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. dies due to coronavirus  Ezhilamalai was a leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, and was Union Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare (Independent Charge) during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1998–99.  He was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha from Chidambaram.  As an army officer he took part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He was a recipient of the Sainik Seva Medal from the President for meritorious service in the Army.

Creator of Finding Nemo, Rob Gibbs passes away

Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi who tested positive for Covid-19, died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

 Justice AK Tripathi was a judicial member of Lokpal and former Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court.  He tested positive for COVID-19 at AIIMS last month.  He had been in the AIIMS Trauma Centre, which has been converted into a dedicated Rob Gibbs, who worked on films like Toy Story 2, Covid-19 hospital, since the first week of Finding Nemo, Inside Out, Onward, Monsters, Inc. April. and Incredibles 2 died at the age of 55.

Former Union Minister Dalit Ezhilmalai passes  The Pixar director, story artist and writer away worked at the Pixar studios for 20 years.  Gibbs’ also has the short film Tokyo Mater (2008), the series Mater’s Tall Tales and

Tales From Radiator Springs, all emanating Achievement Award in 1993 from the from the Cars franchise, Brave (2012), Recording Academy. Monsters University (2013), Incredibles 2  Tutti Frutti was Little Richard’s debut single (2018) and the upcoming Monsters at Work released in November 1955. The record was series for Disney+ to his credit. an instant hit, climbing in the charts in both the US and the UK and is still known as one Founder of Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, of his most iconic songs to date. Pandanda Kuttappa passes away Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan dies of COVID-19 in Kolkata

Pandanda Kuttappa, who had conceived and started the now famous Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, passed away. Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan died  The Tournament, being played since 1997, is after he had tested positive for novel coronavirus on gaining popularity by each passing year and May 6. more than 300 teams are participating in the event every year.  He was considered one the foremost names in  The Kodava Family Hockey Tournament has Russian and Central Asian history. attracted the attention of sports lovers over  Vasudevan was the author of Shadows of the years and had even entered the Limca Substance: Indo-Russian Trade and Military- Book of Records. Technical Cooperation (2010), and Footsteps  Kuttappa used to oversee the tournament for of Afanasii Nikitin: Travels through Eurasia the last 22 years and was taking part in the and India in the Early 21st Century (2015). inaugural ceremony every year.  The district of Kodagu which is the land of Former MP Raja Rangappa Naik dies the Kodavas is considered as the cradle of Indian hockey.

Little Richard founding father of rock famous for ‘Tutti Frutti’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’ dies

Little Richard, the pioneering artist who set the template for rock and roll, has died aged 87.

 Little Richard, full name Richard Wayne Pennima, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first group of inductees in 1986 and he picked up a Lifetime

Former Lok Sabha member and senior JD(S) leader  Manmeet became the national champion in Raja Rangappa Naik passed away. 1989 when he beat S Sriram in the men's singles final in Hyderabad.  He had represented the Raichur Lok Sabha  He had represented the country at multiple seat, when he had won the seat in the 1996 international events after making his debut at General election as the Janata Dal. the Asian Championships in 1980 along with  He had strived hard for the development of eight-time national champion Kamlesh Kalyana Karnataka (old Hyderabad- Mehta. Karnataka region). Actor Sai Gundewar, 42, passes away after Actor Shafique Ansari Passes Away prolonged battle with brain cancer

Actor Shafique Ansari, who starred in Sony TV’s Bollywood actor Sai Gundewar, who has worked in show Crime Patrol, has died. a couple of movies including Aamir Khan-starrer PK, Saif Ali Khan’s Bazaar and Rock On, passed  He was suffering from stomach cancer for a away. few years and he lost the battle to the deadly disease.  The actor breathed his last in the US after a  Ansari also worked as an assistant director prolonged battle with brain cancer. and writer.  Sai was seen in many TV shows before the  He was among the screenwriters for 2003’s popular film PK. Baghban, starring Amitabh Bachchan and  In 2010, he participated in MTV Splitsvilla. Hema Malini. Then he was seen in the Indian version of American reality show, Survivor in 2011. Former National Table Tennis Champion Manmeet Singh Walia Dies Sahitya Akademi winner Debesh Roy passes away

Former national table tennis champion Manmeet Singh Walia, who was suffering from rare ALS disease for nearly two years, has died.

 Manmeet was suffering from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a disease that causes motor neuron degeneration, leading to voluntary muscle impairment.

Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy died at a private hospital in Kolkata.

 He was conferred the Sahitya Akademi award for his novel 'Teesta Parer Brittanto'.  He was born in Pabna in present-day Bangladesh on December 17, 1936. He had five decades of career as a writer.  Besides Teesta Parer Britanta', he will be remembered for books like Borisaler Jogen Mondal , Manush Khun Kore Keno and Samay Asamayer Brittanto. Iran’s OPEC governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili National Professor Anisuzzaman passes away in died after suffering a brain hemorrhage and spending Dhaka nearly two weeks in a coma.

 Kazempour, 68, had served as Iran’s governor to OPEC since 2013 and was seen as a key aide to Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.  Kazempour Ardebili was a key figure in Iran’s oil industry and served as the country’s deputy foreign minister and deputy oil minister in the 1980s.  He was ambassador to Japan in the early 1990s, while at the same time serving as OPEC governor. Noted literary personality, educationist and national Professor Anisuzzaman passed away in Dhaka. Noted Marathi writer Ratnakar Matkari passes away  He was a reputed scholar and leading intellectual of Bangladesh who made great contributions in the field of Bangla language and literature.  Prof. Anisuzzaman was a liberation war fighter. He also participated in the language movement against Pakistan.  Born in Kolkata in 1937, his family moved to Bangladesh shortly after the independence of India in 1947.  He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the government of India in 2014.

Iran’s OPEC governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili passes away Noted Marathi dramatist, litterateur, theatre personality and National Award-winning director, Ratnakar Matkari passed away in Mumbai.

 He had tested COVID-19 positive four days ago and was undergoing treatment.  A versatile writer, Mr. Ratnakar Matkari has the honour of being decorated by both Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi for his wide range of works.  His film ‘Investment’ bagged the National Award in the Regional Category section.  Some of his noted Marathi dramas include ‘Arannyak’ based on Mahabharata, ‘Lok Katha 78’, ‘Dubhang’, ‘Ashwamedh’, Chaar Diwas Premache’ and ‘Indira’. Former Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Minister and former BJP MP Dr. Nepal Singh passed away Australian Tennis Great Ashley Cooper Dies due to a heart attack.

 He was the Member of Lok Sabha from Rampur seat of Uttar Pradesh as Bhartiya Janata Party Candidate.  He was elected five times as Member of the State Legislative Council elected from Bareilly-Moradabad Division Graduates' constituency.  Dr Nepal Singh had played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Ready actor Mohit Baghel passes away Eight-time Grand Slam tournament winner Ashley Cooper has died aged 83.

 The former Australian, Wimbledon and US singles titleholder, was part of the golden era of Australian men's tennis in the 1950s, winning four major singles titles and four in doubles.  Competing against fellow Australian greats Laver, Lew Hoad, Ken Rosewall and Neale Fraser, Cooper won three of those singles titles in 1958, when he triumphed at Wimbledon and the Australian and USA Actor Mohit Baghel, best known for playing Amar championships. Chaudhary in superstar Salman Khan’s Ready, has died of cancer. Former Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Minister and former BJP MP Dr. Nepal Singh  He was 26. passes away  He began his career with the comedy show "Chote Miyaan". The actor has also appeared in Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra starrer "Jabariya Jodi".

Jitendra Nath Pande, famed ex-AIIMS doctor,  Singh, who was member of the 1948 London dies of Covid-19 Olympics gold medal-winning Indian hockey team, apart from being the vice-captain of the 1952 victorious side and skipper of the 1956 champions, had been admitted to the hospital earlier this month on May 8 due to pneumonia and was on ventilator support.  Singh was also the oldest surviving Olympic medallist from India, a record which now passes on to his 1948 London Olympics team-mate Keshav Dutt.  He had started his career as a goalkeeper with his school team at Moga before playing as a defender and later a centre forward.  As a five-year-old, Singh was given a hockey Dr Jitendra Nath Pande, eminent pulmonologist and stick by his freedom fighter father and he former head of the department of medicine at AIIMS recalled it fondly in his autobiography “The Delhi, who had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier Golden Hat-trick”. this week, died. Japanese pro wrestler Hana Kimura dies aged 22  Dr Pande and his wife tested positive with mild symptoms and decided to remain in home isolation.  Pande, who had authored hundreds of papers on respiratory medicine, had treated various famous personalities, including the President of India.  After retirement from AIIMS, he was practising at Sitaram Bhartia Research Institute.

Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr passes away Japanese professional wrestler Hana Kimura died at the age of 22.

 While the cause of death is yet to be ascertained, Kimura had posted a number of troubling social media posts in recent days.  Kimura is said to have been the target of hundreds of abusive tweets on a daily basis.  Kimura began her professional career in 2016 when she played in Wrestle-1 against classmate Reika Saiki in a losing effort.  Kimura was featured as a cast member on the Triple Olympic gold medallist Balbir Singh Senior Netflix reality series “Terrace House: breathed his last at Mohali hospital. Tokyo,”.

Former Tamil Nadu footballer Shanmugam Veteran lyricist Yogesh Gaur, known for his famous passes away songs like 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye' and 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli' in 'Anand', passed away.

 Known by his first name in film circles, Yogesh was a prominent lyricist in '70s Hindi cinema and gave some of his best songs in the middle-of-the-road films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee.  Some of his evergreen hits are 'Badi Sooni Sooni Hai', 'Maine Kaha Phoolon Se' from Mukherjee's 'Mili'; 'Rajinigandha Phool Tumhare', 'Kai Baar Yunhi Dekha Hai' from from 'Rajinigandha' and 'Na Jaane Kyon Hota Hia Yeh Zindagi Ke Saath' and 'Jaaneman Former Tamil Nadu footballer and coach R. Jaaneman Tere Do Nayan' from 'Chhoti Si Shanmugam passed away. Baat'.  Shanmugam, who was born in Burma in 1943, represented the Burmese junior and Rajya Sabha member and Mathrubhumi chief M senior National teams in 1966-67. P Veerendra Kumar passes away  He played for Mohun Bagan in 1968, Indian Railways in the 1969 Nowgong senior Nationals, Tamil Nadu in the 1970 Jalandhar & '71 Chennai senior Nationals.  He played for the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) from 1969-77 in the top-tier of the Chennai Football Association (CFA) league.  He has coached ICF, Tamil Nadu and Indian Railways for the Santosh trophy, and the National team for the International Jawaharlal Nehru trophy.  Shanmugam has also served as the president of the Football Coaches Association in Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Kumar passed away at Chennai. the age of 84 in Kozhikode due to cardiac arrest.

Veteran lyricist Yogesh passes away  Kumar was the Managing Director of the leading Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi.  He was born to Marudevi Avva and Padmaprabha Gowder, a leader of Socialist Party on July 22, 1936, in Kalpetta. He was also arrested during the Emergency.  In 1996, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kozhikode constituency and served as Minister of State (MoS) for Labour and later Finance.

 The book is“first-ever” biography giving a rare insight into the heart and mind of one of India’s bravest soldiers.  The book has been penned by Vijyant’s father Colonel VN Thapar and writer Neha Union Culture Minister releases ebook “Prof. B. Dwivedi, a martyr’s daughter herself. B. Lal -India Rediscovered” in New Delhi  Captain Vijyant Thapar was only 22 when he was martyred in the Kargil war in 1999.

Book titled “Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from a Quarantined City” authored by Fang Fang

On the occasion of the centenary year of the great archaeologist Professor B. B. Lal, Union Culture Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel released an e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered” in New Delhi.

 Prof Lal was born on 02nd may 1921 in An eyewitness account of events as they unfolded in village Baidora, District Jhansi, Uttar Wuhan during the COVID-19 outbreak is now Pradesh. available as an ebook in India, published by  The book is a centenary special edition which HarperCollins. has been prepared by the Ministry of culture in collaboration with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee.  The book, Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from a Quarantined City, is a compilation of online  The book is a tribute from the Ministry of culture for his immense contribution to the diary entries and social media posts by field of archaeology. Chinese literary writer Fang Fang.  Documenting 60 days of lockdown during the  Braj Basi Lal, better known as B. B. Lal, is an Indian archaeologist. He was the Director COVID-19 epidemic, the book captures the General of the Archaeological Survey of challenges of daily life and the changing India from 1968 to 1972 and has served as moods and emotions of being quarantined Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced without reliable information. Studies, Shimla.  On January 25, after the central government imposed a lockdown in Wuhan, Fang Fang began publishing an online diary. “Vijyant at Kargil: The Life of a Kargil Hero”:  Translated by Michael Berry, the book biography of Captain Vijyant Thapar documents the author’s voice against social injustice, abuse of power that impeded the Penguin Random House will publish the e-book response to the epidemic. titled as “Vijyant at Kargil: The Life of a Kargil Hero”. Ruskin Bond's new book released on his 86th birthday

 The first two chapters of The Ickabog are available for free. Rowling has pledged to donate all royalties when the book is published to “groups who’ve been particularly impacted by the pandemic.  The Harry Potter author said she would release a couple of chapters at a time, so that children could read it online during Covid- 19. Monthly English Quiz (May 2020) Popular author Ruskin Bond turned 86 on May 19 and to celebrate the occasion, publisher Speaking Q. International Labour Day is observed every year Tiger has brought out his new book which is about his adventures on boats, trains and planes. on ______.

 In "Hop On: My Adventures on Boats, Trains 29 April and Planes", Bond narrates some of his memorable travel adventures from his 30 April childhood.  The book takes readers on a journey with 01 May young Bond that is as hilarious as is wonderful. 02 May  It was released in an e-book format on his 86th birthday. 03 May

Q. Which of the following country has placed India

JK Rowling to release her latest book “The on priority watch list for intellectual property Ickabog” protection?

France

USA

China

Germany

South Africa

Q. According to the Open Budget Survey, Which of Author JK Rowling will release her latest children’s book, The Ickabog, online for free. the following country topped in terms of budget transparency and accountability?

Norway Uttar Pradesh

Denmark Rajasthan

New Zealand Chandigarh

Austria Delhi

Switzerland Jammu and Kashmir

Q. Ramayan becomes the highest viewed Q. In March 2020, The output of eight core entertainment program globally. It created a world infrastructure industries shrank by ______. record when ______people watched the show in a 3.8 % single day. 2.4 % 13 million 5.9 % 42 million 6.5 % 55 million 7.9 % 77 million Q. Recently, Who among the following has been 92 million named advisor to Google Pay India? Q. Recently black rice, ‘Chak-Hao’ got a Usha Sangwan Geographical Indication (GI) tag from which of the following Indian state? Shikha Sharma

Manipur Amitabh Chaudhry

Karnataka Arundhati Bhattacharya

Rajasthan Rana Kapoor

Assam Q. Who among the following has been conferred 'Order of Rising Sun' by Japan? Nagaland Thangjam Dhabali Singh Q. Which of the following state/UT police has launched Ayuraksha- ‘Corona se jung - Delhi Police W. A. Shishak ke sang’ in partnership with All India Institute of Bidyananda Singh Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH?

Jitendra Singh Q. Recently, the government has raised the minimum support price for Minor Forest Produce of ______Khogen Singh items. Q. Recently, Chuni Goswami passed away. He was 25 a famous ______. 24 Journalist 80 Cricketer 37 Footballer 49 Painter Q. Recently, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Actor Research (CSIR) has launched ______App to Q. World Tuna Day is observed every year on connect farmers to the supply chain, transportation ______. management System.

29 April Unnati

30 April Farm Produce

01 May Kisan Sabha

02 May Sugam

03 May None of these

Q. Along with Gujarat, Which of the following state Q. Recently, Which of the following states/UT has observes its statehood day on 01 May? been connected with the National Cluster under the

Maharashtra One Nation, One Ration Card plan?

Odisha Uttar Pradesh

Telangana Bihar

Assam Punjab

Madhya Pradesh Himachal Pradesh

All of these

Q. Recently, the environment ministry’s Expert Q. Which of the following country has recently Appraisal committee gave nod to the new Parliament restricted the use of saliva, sweat to shine a ball under complex worth ______. COVID-19 guidelines?

Rs 878 crore India

Rs 389 crore Australia

Rs 803 crore New Zealand

Rs 922 crore South Africa

Rs 652 crore None of these

Q. Recently, saffron from ______got a Q. Recently, Denis Goldberg passed away. He was Geographical Indication (GI) tag? ______.

Sikkim President of Zambia

Himachal Pradesh Social Activist

Jammu and Kashmir NASA Scientist

Uttarakhand Basketball player

Manipur None of these

Q. Which of the following country became the first Q. What is the theme of World Press Freedom Day state in the country to provide free and cashless 2020? insurance premium to people of the state? Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice Uttar Pradesh Media for Democracy Maharashtra Keeping Power in Check Jharkhand Journalism without Fear or Favour Odisha None of these Telangana Q. In the Spring season, the International Astronomy Day is observed every year on ______.

01 May

02 May 6th

03 May Q. The Ministry of Tourism hosted the 13th webinar titled ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve’ of "Dekho 04 May Apna Desh" series. Sariska Tiger reserve is in 05 May ______.

Q. Researchers in Canada are using ______to Madhya Pradesh produce low-cost COVID-19 test kits. Odisha Fungi Rajasthan Dolphins Maharashtra Algae Assam Bats Q. Which of the following district police in Madhya Hippopotamus Pradeshhas launched 'Sankalp Scheme' to provide Q. Nation celebrated the birth centenary of legendary 24-hour help to elderly? filmmaker Satyajit Ray on 02 May. He was awarded Bhopal an oscar award in the year ______. Indore 1957 Gwalior 1984 Umaria 1991 Vidisha 1962 Q. The Himachal Pradesh government decided to 1959 launch a programme guaranteeing at least

Q. India is at ______place in terms of number of ______employment to those living in urban Ph.D awarded in Science and Engineering (S&E)? areas.

2nd 90 days

3rd 100 days

4th 120 days

5th 150 days

180 days Q. Which of the following country has decided to launch the first Arktika-M satellite for monitoring Q. The Reserve Bank of India suspended operations Arctic climate this year? and licence of which of the following Co-operative Bank? China

Adarsh Co-operative Bank USA

CKP Co-operative Bank Russia

Anyonya Co-operative Bank Japan

Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank France

Pune District Central Cooperative Bank Q. Recently, African countries have decided to import a herbal tonic dubbed as COVID-19 ‘cure’ Q. Recently, Ajay Kumar Tripathi died due to which has been prepared by ______. coronavirus. He was ______. Egypt Member of Parliament Madagascar Member of Lokpal Kenya Election commissioner Ghana Member of UPSC Ethiopia None of these Q. Recently, Which of the following Indian state has Q. International Firefighters' Day is observed every observed the first cases African Swine Flu? year on ______Kerala 01 May Telangana 02 May Andhra Pradesh 03 May Assam 04 May Bihar 05 May

Q. Indian-origin girl Vaneeza Rupani got the honour used as a diagnostic tool for detection of COVID-19 to name Nasa's first Mars helicopter. She named the antigens? helicopter as ______. National Institute of Virology Vogue Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Ingenuity Indian Institute of Science Bangalore Interceptor National Institute of Animal Biotechnology Scout None of these None of these Q. India's first sea bridge, Pamban Railway Bridge is Q. The International Financial Services Centres associated with which of the following place? Authority will be headquartered in ______. Puri Gandhinagar Rameswaram New Delhi Chennai Mumbai Coimbatore Hyderabad Thiruvananthapuram Chandigarh Q. Which of the following bank has released a Q. Which of the following state governments has collaborative song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge made it mandatory to download Arogya Setu apps to keep hopes up amidst COVID-19 pandemic? mandatory for those in hotspot areas? ICICI Bank Madhya Pradesh Axis Bank Haryana State Bank of India Uttar Pradesh Yes Bank Kerala HDFC Bank None of these Q. What is the theme of World Asthma Day 2020? Q. Which of the following institute has developed a STOP for Asthma portable device ‘eCovSens’ that could possibly be You Can Control Your Asthma

Enough Asthma Deaths None of these

Better air better breathing Q. Which of the following has recently launched RBI compliant video KYC engagement platform? None of these Oodles Technologies Q. Which of the following company has collaborated with Bollywood on ‘I FOR INDIA’ concert? EasySIGN

Facebook GetEase

Google Ameyo

Apple None of the above

Microsoft Q. After Facebook, Which of the following company has decided to invest Rs 5,656 crore in Jio Platforms? Twitter Blackstone Group Q. Which of the following organisation has recently developed an Ultra Violet Disinfection Tower for Bain Capital rapid and chemical free disinfection? Silver Lake IIT Madras General Atlantic Indian Space Research Organisation TPG Capital Defence Research and Development Organisation Q. Who among the following Indian-American has Ordnance Factory Board been nominated as the envoy of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) None of these by the US President? Q. Recently, the Union Minister Narendra Singh Rohit Desai Tomar has launched “The Saras Collection” on which of the following portal? Manisha Singh

GeM portal Ankit Singh eNAM portal Anjii Das

SUGAM Portal None of these

UMANG Portal

Q. Who among the following Indian-American has Q. According to the ‘Lost at Home’ report by the UN been nominated as US representative to the Children’s Fund (UNICEF), What is the number of International Bank for Reconstruction and people internally displaced in India due to natural Development? disasters, conflict and violence in 2019?

Sanjeev Arora 1 million

Pranab Bardhan 3 million

Raj Chetty 5 million

Ashok Michael Pinto 6 million

S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan 10 million

Q. Recently, Egypt's Youssef Hossam got a life ban Q. Recently, Indian Navy has launched ______for match-fixing. He was associated with which of to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas. the following sports? Operation Sagar Milan Badminton Operation Ghar Waapsi Football Operation Samudra Setu Hockey Operation Sagar Manthan Golf None of these Tennis Q. Which of the following organisation has started Q. Recently India Sandeep Kumari got a 4-year ban 'Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan' to after failing in a dope test. She was associated with protect senior citizens during COVID-19? which of the following sports? Ministry of Human Resource Development Swimming NITI Aayog Boxing Reserve Bank of India Weightlifting National Human Rights Commission of India Discus throw None of these 100m running

Q. Which of the following state government has Q. Which of the following state government has launched the 'Nigah' program to aware family launched an ‘Exit app’ for people who wanted to members of migrant returnees? return to their native place?

Rajasthan Rajasthan

Haryana West Bengal

Himachal Pradesh Nagaland

Bihar Kerala

Uttar Pradesh None of these

Q. Recently, the Jharkhand government has launched Q. Recently, Krishnan Ramachandran has been ______scheme to spike man-days for appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) and MGNREGA to help returnee migrant workers? Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ______.

Birsa Harit Gram Yojana ICICI Lombard

Nilamber-Pitamber Jal Samridhi Yojana Iffco Tokio General Insurance

Veer Shahid Poto Ho Khel Vikas Yojana HDFC ERGO General Insurance

A and B Max Bupa Health Insurance

A, B and C None of these

Q. Which of the following state government has Q. Who among the following has been appointed as launched the ‘Ayush Kavach-Covid’ App? the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of Ratnakar Bank Limited (RBL)? Rajasthan Ajeet Dubey Uttar Pradesh Manoj Chaudhary Telangana Rajeev Desai Madhya Pradesh Deepak Kumar Assam None of these

Q. Who among the following has been awarded with Q. Which of the following Indian Navy Ship reached the Commemorative World War II Medal by Russia? Male for evacuation of Indian Nationals?

Xi Jinping INS Shardul

Kim Jong Un INS Vajra

Shinzō Abe INS Saathi

Emmanuel Macron INS Jalashwa

None of these INS Chetak

Q. In India, 7 May 2020 was observed as Vesak Day Q. Indian government has started one of the largest to mark the birth, enlightenment and death of evacuation exercises named as ______to bring Gautama Buddha. He gave his first sermon at home nearly. 14,800 Indian nationals stranded ______. abroad due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Vaishali Watan Wapsi

Sarnath Vande Bharat Mission

Lumbini Operation Thunderbolt

Gaya Operation Shanti Doot

Kushinagara Operation Sahayog

Q. Every year May 7 is celebrated as Rabindranath Q. IIT- Kanpur has joined hands with which of the Tagore Jayanti. He won the Nobel Prize in the year following company for the development of ______. affordable ventilators for COVID-19 treatment

1910 Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers

1902 Defence Research and Development Organisation

1919 Bharat Dynamics Ltd

1913 Mishra Dhatu Nigam

1917 Electronics Corporation of India Limited

Q. Private schools in which of the following Indian Rs 10,000 state’s Private schools decided to reduce fees by 50% Q. Mustafa Al Kadhimi has been appointed as the as during the lockdown period? new Prime Minister of ______Rajasthan Iraq Maharashtra Egypt Mizoram New Zealand Manipur Laos Telangana Vietnam Q. The Tamil Nadu government commenced the Q. Who among the following took over as Director process of acquiring a three-storeyed residence 'Veda General Labour Bureau? Nilayam' to convert it into a memorial. 'Veda Nilayam' was the residence of ______. DPS Negi

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Ajeet Mohan

J Jayalalithaa Rahul Verna

C. Rajagopalachari Yash Desai

Velupillai Prabhakaran None of these

C. V. Raman Q. World Red Cross Day is observed every year on ______. Q. Tripura government has launched an online portal scholarships.gov.in under ‘Mukhyamantri Yuba 06 May Yogayog Yojana’ to provide______to youths who 07 May are in final year in colleges or Universities as a grant 08 May for Smartphones. 09 May Rs 3,000 10 May Rs 5,000 Q. India has signed an MoU with which of the Rs 6,000 following country to import coking coal to meet Rs 8,000 requirements of Indian steel industry?

Russia Gujarat

USA Jammu and Kashmir

China Q. Which of the following state became the first state to provide a facility of beds with ventilators in each Indonesia district of state? Oman Rajasthan Q. Who among the following has recently launched Maharashtra ‘AYUSH Sanjivani’ App? Uttar Pradesh Amit Shah Telangana Rajnath Singh Kerala Ramesh Pokhriyal Q. Whose tenure as the United Nations Environment Harsh Vardhan Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador has been None of these extended till 2022?

Q. Recently, Tamil Nadu has raised the retirement Priyanka Chopra age of government employees from 58 to ______. Akshay Kumar 59 years Dia Mirza 60 years Deepika Padukone 60.5 years None of these 61 years Q. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government brought 62 years an ordinance to suspend most labour laws for Q. Which of the following State/UT government has ______. launched an e-token system for liquor sale? 1 year

Delhi 2 year

Uttar Pradesh 3 year

Rajasthan 4 year

5 year Q. PM Modi pays tribute to Maharana Pratap on his birth anniversary. The battle of Haldighati was Q. Recently, Who among the following got a second fought by Maharana Pratap in the year ______. term as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) President? 1542

Ricky Ponting 1584

Brian Lara 1576

Kumar Sangakkara 1621

Shane Warne 1555

None of these Q. PM Modi pays tributes to Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his birth anniversary. Which of the following Q. Recently, Rob Gibbs passed away. He was a/an statement is not true to Gopal Krishna Gokhale? ______. He was elected as the president of INC in 1910 Scientist Gandhi called Gokhale his mentor and guide. Football player He published English weekly newspaper, The Musician Hitavad Film maker In 1908, Gokhale founded the ‘Ranade Institute of None of these Economics’

Q. What is the theme of World Migratory Bird Day All are correct 2020? Q. Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution launched INR-USD (Rupee-Dollar) Futures and

Birds Connect Our World Options contracts on the two International Exchanges, BSE’s India INX and NSE’s NSE-IFSC Unifying our Voices for Bird Conservation in ______. Their Future is our Future Mumbai None of these GIFT, Gandhinagar

Lavasa, Pune

Greater Noida Q. After the presence of Magnesium Carbonate as an ingredient, Which of the following state government None of these has banned Pan Masala for 1 year? Q. Recently, which of the following institutes gave Odisha initial positive results of drug Mycobacterium-W? Assam AIIMS Bhopal West Bengal King George's Medical University, Lucknow Jharkhand AIIMS Rishikesh Rajasthan AIIMS Delhi Q. Global rating agency Moody's slashed India's None of these GDP growth rate at ______for the current fiscal Q. Which of the following state government has 2020-21. launched 'Pravasi Rahat Mitra' App for migrant 0.8% workers of state? 0.3% Maharashtra 0% Bihar -0.3% Rajasthan -0.8% Uttar Pradesh Q. Recently, Pandanda Kuttappa passed away. He None of these was associated with which of the following sports? Q. According to a recent survey, the number of Royal Football Bengal Tigers in West Bengal's Sundarbans has risen to______. Hockey

63 Cricket

96 Badminton

59 None of these

88 Q. WHO and the UN postal agency release commemorative postage stamps on the 40th 101

anniversary of eradication of which of the following items to Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros diseases? and Seychelles?

Smallpox INS Shardul

Tuberculosis INS Airavat

Malaria INS Jalashwa

Dengue INS Kesari

None of the above None of these

Q. Recently, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi expanded his Q. In April 2020, India's fuel consumption dips by powers, citing the coronavirus outbreak. He is the ______. president of ______. 27% Indonesia 33% Nigeria 46% South Africa 26% Egypt 52% Brazil Q. Recently, The Odisha government has decided to Q. Recently, Indian, Chinese troops clashed near provide relaxation for industries and commercial Naku La pass. Naku La is in ______. activities and approved a ______work shift instead of 8 hours. Arunachal Pradesh 9 hour Sikkim 10 hour Jammu and Kashmir 11hour Ladakh 11.5 hour West Bengal 12 hour Q. India sends which of the following ship with Medical Assistance Teams, essential medicines, food Q. Which of the following city administration has launched the Pranavayu programme to create

awareness on the need to self examine respiratory Q. ICMR has partnered with which of the following health? drug manufacturers to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for CoronaVirus? Indore Panacea Biotech Guwahati Bharat Biotech Bengaluru Biocon Jaipur Piramal Group None of the above None of these Q. Which of the following state government has decided to honour the policeman with the Karmaveer Q. Which of the following country has paid a tribute Medal who has rendered their services for thirty days by naming a street after Rabindranath Tagore on his in the fight against Corona? 159th birth anniversary?

Rajasthan Japan

Uttar Pradesh Vietnam

Madhya Pradesh Israel

Tamil Nadu Afghanistan

Punjab Sri Lanka

Q. CSIR has approved a project to develop 'hmAbs' Q. Which of the following country has recently that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in patients. hmAbs raised the value added tax (VAT) from 5 percent to stands for ______. 15 percent starting from 1st July? human monoclonal antibodies Oman human multidimensional antibodies UAE human multilateral antibodies South Africa human monochromatic antibodies Saudi Arabia

None of these Brazil

Q. National Technology Day is observed every year COVID KAVACH ELISA on ______. COVID RAS ELISA 09 May COVID LITE ELISA 11 May COVID SAATHI ELISA 08 May COVID AAROGYA ELISA 10 May Q. Which of the following institute has recently 07 May developed automated UV systems ‘DRUVS’ to sanitise electronic gadgets, papers & currency notes? Q. Recently, the Ministry of Tourism released the 17th webinar titled 'Exploring River Nila'. River Nila IIT-Kharagpur is in ______. Defence Research and Development Organisation Rajasthan Indian Space Research Organisation Kerala National Institute of Virology Odisha Ordnance Factory Board West Bengal Q. What is the name given to the operation launched Maharashtra by the Indian government to assist island nations in Eastern Indian Ocean? Q. According to a recent data by the Agriculture Ministry, Around ______lakh hectare area have Mission Sanjeevini been brought under summer rice coverage. Mission Sagar 87.87 lakh hectare Mission Inderdhanush 66.52 lakh hectare Mission Maitri 34.87 lakh hectare None of these 16.63 lakh hectare Q. Who among the following will remain the 24.67 lakh hectare President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) until May 2021? Q. What is the name given to India’s 1st indigenous antibody-based testing kit? Sanjay Asthan

Rajeev Tripathi Rs 2,377 crore

Narinder Batra None of these

Ajay Garg Q. Atal Pension Yojana was released in the year ______. Mohit Suri 2014 Q. Recently, Richard Wayne Pennima who was popularly known as Little Richard passed away. He 2015 was a famous ______. 2016 Athlete 2017 Painter 2018 Singer Q. Recently, the National Aerospace Laboratories Journalist has developed a non-invasive BiPAP ventilator named as ______to treat COVID-19 patients. None of these PranaVayu Q. International Nurses Day is observed every year on ______. AJAY

10 May NirogiKaya

09 May SwasthVayu

12 May None of these

11 May Q. Which of the following states has launched the country's first ever 'FIR Aapke Dwar' Yojana? 13 May Andhra Pradesh Q. In the second equated monthly installment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant, the Center Madhya Pradesh has released ______to 14 states. Tamil Nadu Rs 3,792 crore Uttar Pradesh Rs 9,266 crore Himachal Pradesh Rs 6,195 crore

Q. Recently, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched Q. Government has extended the last date for receipt the Central University of Odisha Helpline of Gandhi Peace Prize-2020 nominations up to June ______to relieve distress of the student 15. What is the prize money given to the recipient of community during the difficult time of COVID-19 Gandhi Peace Prize? pandemic. 50 lakh Nirogi 75 lakh Aashray 1 crore Aarogya 2 crore Bharosa 2.5 crore Himmat Q. Recently, Raja Rangappa Naik passed away. He Q. Which of the following city of Uttar Pradesh is was a/an ______. known as the ‘Sports City Of India’? Author Agra Film Maker Kanpur Poet Meerut Politician Prayagraj Singer Bhadohi Q. WHO has recently warned countries for Q. Who among the following assumed charge as reopening of their economies without setting up Secretary in the Ministry of New & Renewable strong contact tracing. WHO is headquartered in Energy (MNRE)? ______.

Prashant Pandey Geneva

Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi Paris

Rajeev Desai New York

Ajeet Panwar Zurich

None of these Washington D.C.

Q. Recently, PM Modi has announced a special Q. Recently which of the following automobile economic package worth ______to kick-start the company in partnership with Sundaram Medical economy. Foundation and IIT-M develop low-cost, automated respiratory assists ‘The Sundaram Ventago’? Rs 10 lakh crore TATA Motors Rs 15 lakh crore Maruti Suzuki Rs 20 lakh crore Ashok Leyland Rs 25 lakh crore Mahindra & Mahindra Rs 30 lakh crore TVS Group Q. Recently, Which of the following organisations has launched the 'United We Fight' song to Q. Who among the following has been appointed the strengthen India's Fight against COVID-19? new chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)? Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Rajeev Garg Indian Council for Cultural Relations Manoj Ahuja NITI Aayog Aman Shrivastav Central Board of Secondary Education Anuj Anand None of these None of these Q. Recently, Which of the following state postal departments has created a record of reaching the Q. Recently, Di Gregorio has been given a four-year maximum number of persons in a single day to ban after the conclusion of the 2018 doping case. He provide cash at doorstep? is associated with which of the following sports?

Uttar Pradesh Boxing

Madhya Pradesh Weightlifting

Rajasthan Wrestling

Gujarat Cycling

Maharashtra None of these

Q. Sports Authority of India (SAI) has formed a Q. Which of the following countries has recently committee to prepare SOP to resume training post developed the 'iFeel-You' bracelet for social lockdown. Who among the following is the current distancing? Director General of SAI? Russia Dharmendra Shastri France Sandip Pradhan Italy Manoj Tyagi Iran Ajeet Chaudhary USA Vishnu Singh Q. Recently, Victoria Falls has been opened for Q. Who among the following has been nominated by tourists after lockdown due to COVID-19 the India Football Federation (AIFF) for this year's pandemic. Victoria Falls is in ______. Arjuna Award? USA Sandesh Jhingan Zambia N Bala Devi Ghana Nikhil Poojari Botswana A and B Namibia A, B and C Q. India has been placed at ______spot on Q. Recently, Shafique Ansari passed away. He was a World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Energy famous ______. Transition Index?

Actor 56th

Painter 85th

Journalist 91st

Football Player 74th

None of these 54th

Q. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took part Q. ‘Get CETgo’ online coaching portal received in the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of Shanghai overwhelming response. The ‘Get CETgo’ scheme Cooperation Organisation (SCO). SCO has ______was launched by ______. members. Karnataka 4 Rajasthan 6 Maharashtra 8 Assam 11 Tamil Nadu 12 Q. Recently, Akhil Kumar has been re-inducted into Q. The finance minister has announced a NADA disciplinary panel. Akhil Kumar is related to emergency liquidity infusion of ______for the which of the following sports? Power distribution companies Weightlifting Rs 80,000 crore Hockey Rs 90,000 crore Football Rs 70,000 crore Wrestling Rs 65,000 crore Boxing Rs 60,000 crore Q. Who among the following has been appointed as Q. Recently, President Kovind paid homage to the new Director-General of Archaeological Survey former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on his of India (ASI)? birth anniversary. He served as the ______V. Vidyavathi president of India. Manoj Raghuvanshi 4th Mansi Asthana 5th Kalpana Joshi 6th None of these 7th

8th

Q. Which of the following state will host the 11th Solidarity Trial includes ______potential antiviral Hockey India Senior Men National Championship agents. 2021? 2 Rajasthan 3 Odisha 4 Maharashtra 5 Karnataka 6 Kerala Q. India will start clinical trial for which of the Q. International Family Day is observed every year following ayurvedic drugs to treat Covid-19? on ______. Ashwagandha 15 May Yashtimadhu (Mulethi) 11 May Guduchi +Pippali (Giloy) 14 May AYUSH-64 16 May All of these 13 May Q. The Defence Ministry patents low-cost PPE to Q. The United Nations is forecasting that the move towards its mass production. This PPE kit was coronavirus pandemic will shrink the world economy developed by ______. by ______this year. DRDO 1.3% India Navy 1.8% Army Medical Corps 2.4% Ordnance Factory Board 3.2% None of these 4.7% Q. Recently, Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Q. ICMR will participate in the Global Solidarity dedicated a COVID-19 testing machine named as Trial by WHO for COVID-19 treatment. The Global ______to the nation.

INDCOVID-1200 barren land for income-generating activities like horticulture and pisciculture? COBAS-6800 Kerala SANKALP-4400 Telangana NCCD-3333 Andhra Pradesh None of these West Bengal Q. Which of the following institutes will implement e-Governance platform, SAMARTH (Enterprise None of these Resource Planning) ERP to automate the processes Q. Recently, Roberto Azevedo has decided to resign of the Institute? a year before his term expires. He is serving as the IIT Kharagpur Chief of ______.

NIT Srinagar Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development NIT Kurukshetra World Economic Forum IIT Ropar World Trade Organization IIT Varanasi International Monetary Fund Q. Which of the following state has launched ‘Aatmanirbhar Sahay Yojana’ for small shopkeepers Food and Agriculture Organization and self-employed those who were hit by the Q. International Day of Light is observed every year lockdown? on ______. Rajasthan 14 May Madhya Pradesh 16 May Gujarat 15 May Assam 13 May Bihar 17 May Q. Which of the following state has launched the Q. National Dengue Day is observed every year on 'Matir Smristi’ scheme to utilise 50,000 acres of ______.

14 May Port Blair

16 May Goa

15 May Mumbai

13 May None of these

17 May Q. Sikkim observed its statehood day on______.

Q. The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs launched 13 May the ‘GOAL’ programme for Digital Skilling of Tribal 14 May Youth in partnership with ______. 15 May Google 16 May Microsoft 17 May Facebook Q. Which of the following State/UT police has Apple launched 'Thermal Corona Combat Drone-(TCCD)'? Samsung Delhi Q. Which of the following ministry has e-launches Uttarakhand seven titles on "Psycho-Social Impact of Pandemic & Lockdown and How to Cope With"? Uttar Pradesh

Ministry of Home Affairs Rajasthan

Ministry of Human Resource Development None of these

Ministry of Women and Child Development Q. Which of the following institutes have developed an interactive COVID-19 dashboard "MIR AHD Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Covid-19 Dashboard"? None of these IIT-Gandhinagar Q. Recently, Landing Craft Utility Ship 'INLCU L57' IIT Ropar has been commissioned into Indian Navy in ______. IIT Mandi

Chennai IIT Madras

IIT Kanpur Germany

Q. Recently, Debesh Roy passed away. He was a Bangladesh famous writer of which of the following language? Sri Lanka Tamil Italy Kannad Q. Recently, government of India allocated Telugu ______more for MGNREGS?

Bengali Rs 20,000 crore

Gujarati Rs 30,000 crore

Q. Recently, Anisuzzaman passed away. He was a Rs 40,000 crore renowned ______. Rs 50,000 crore Theater artist Rs 60,000 crore Professor Q. Recently, The India Meteorological Department Scientist has warned about a cyclone ______that will likely intensify into a severe cyclonic storm? Politician Kyarr Journalist Amphan Q. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed every year on ______. Sidr

13 May Pabuk

14 May Nilofar

18 May Q. President Ram Nath Kovind has decided to forego ______of his salary for a year. 17 May 10% 15 May 20% Q. Which of the following country has recently outlawed flag burning as a form of protest? 25%

France 30%

40% Q. The government has recently permitted ______FDI in Indian defence companies Q. Which of the following state has launched through the automatic route? ‘Mission Grand Care’ to spread the message of elderly safety? 66%

Rajasthan 58%

Himachal Pradesh 74%

Kerala 65%

Tamil Nadu 82%

Assam Q. Who among the following has been appointed as the director general of National Real Estate Q. Recently the government of India has decided to Development Council (NAREDCO)? extended Operation Greens to ______. Akshay Tyagi Rice Manoj Raj Wheat and Rice Rajesh Goel All fruits Abhay Kumar All vegetables None of these All fruits, vegetables Q. World Hypertension Day is observed every year Q. Which of the following organisation has launched on ______. a National Migrant Information System (NMIS) portal for tracking migrants’ movements? 15 May

National Disaster Management Authority 16 May

NITI Aayog 17 May

Ministry of Rural Development 18 May

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research 19 May

None of these Q. World AIDS Vaccine Day is observed every year on ______.

15 May Russia

16 May France

17 May US

18 May Japan

19 May Q. Indian finance minister has launched the ______Programme for digital education in Q. International Museum Day is observed every year India. on ______. ePathshala 15 May eBharat 16 May eShiksha 17 May eVidya 18 May None of these 19 May Q. Indian government has increased the limit of Q. Israel’s parliament swears in a new unity states raised from 3% of Gross State Domestic government with ______as Prime Minister. Product to ______in 2020-21. Yaakov Litzman 3.8% Reuven Rivlin 4.0% Benjamin Netanyahu 4.3% Benny Gantz 5% Naftali Bennett 5.5% Q. India has joined the group of 62 countries that Q. The Centre has approved a modified project report have moved a proposal at the World Health of Ujh Dam.Ujh Dam is in ______. Assembly to “identify the zoonotic source” of the coronavirus.Which of the following country is not a Assam part of this proposal? Nagaland UK Jammu and Kashmir

Arunachal Pradesh None of these

Sikkim Q. Recently, China has announced to provide ______over two years to fight the coronavirus Q. Recently,Hossein Kazempour Ardebili passed pandemic particularly in developing countries. away. He was the OPEC governor of ______. USD 1 billion Saudi Arabia USD 2 billion Oman USD 3 billion Iran USD 4 billion Russia USD 7 billion Nigeria Q. ‘Hanko’ is a personal seal generally made from Q. Who among the following is the author of wood or plastic, for authorising official documents. “Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from a Quarantined The process of ‘Hanko’ is practiced mainly in City”? ______. Mo Yan China Fang Fang Japan Wan Huang Russia Yu Hua South Korea None of these None of these Q. Recently, a total of 41 people have died from Q. Who among the following chaired the National Lassa fever in Nigeria. Lassa fever is mainly Crisis Management Committee meeting discussing transmitted to humans when they come in contact the preparedness and requirements for Super with the saliva, urine and excreta of ______. Cyclone? Bats Arvind Panagariya Dog Nripendra Misra Rat Rajiv Gauba Pig Amitabh Kant

None of these Q. Which of the following banks has launched India’s First Zero-Contact, Video KYC Savings Q. India will provide ______to the United Account? Nations Relief and Works Agency for the welfare of Palestine refugees. Kotak Mahindra Bank

US$ 1 million Dena Bank

US$ 2 million ICICI Bank

US$ 3 million IndusInd Bank

US$ 4 million Axis Bank

US$ 5 million Q. Which of the following banks has launched a gold loan business vertical to ease liquidity? Q. Government implements the recommendations of which of the following committee related to creating Dena Bank border infrastructure? Punjab National Bank Abhijit Sen Committee Axis Bank Shekatkar Committee Canara Bank Bhurelal Committee Bank of Baroda Dhanuka Committee Q. Who among the following led the ICC committee None of these that recommended a ban on saliva due to COVID-19 pandemic? Q. Which of the following state governments has launched the Charan Paduka initiative for migrant Ricky Ponting labourers? Anil Kumble Bihar Sourav Ganguly Madhya Pradesh Brian Lara Uttar Pradesh None of these Maharashtra Q. World Bee Day is observed every year on Rajasthan ______.

17 May North Western Railway

18 May South Central Railway

19 May North Eastern Railway

20 May None of these

21 May Q. Which of the following government has started an initiative ‘SUKOON’ - COVID-19 Beat the Stress’? Q. The Indian government has launched a mobile app named ______for candidates to take mock Maharashtra tests for JEE Main and NEET? Jammu and Kashmir National Test Portal Tamil Nadu Crack JEE Portal Uttar Pradesh National Test Abhyas None of these National Mock Book Q. NABARD has decided to provide financial None of these assistance worth ______for Agricultural Operations for Pre-Monsoon & Kharif. Q. Recently, Centre has reduced EPFO contributions from 12 percent to ______from May to July this Rs 8,500 Crore year. Rs 11,500 Crore 11.5 percent Rs 18,500 Crore 11 percent Rs 20,500 Crore 10.5 percent Rs 25,500 Crore 10 percent Q. Railways' most powerful 12,000 HP made in India 9.5 percent locomotive begins commercial run. It has been manufactured in the Railway manufacturing factory Q. Which of the following railway division has ______. developed 'Rail-Bot' to provide better health care to COVID patients? Durgapur

Western Railway Madhepura

Perambur Q. What is the theme of World Metrology Day 2020?

Kapurthala Constant evolution of the International System of Units None of these Measurements for transport Q. Recently, Thomas Thabane resigned. He was serving as the Prime minister of ______. Global trade

Liberia The International System of Units

Botswana None of these

Namibia Q. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed every year on Mozambique ______. Lesotho 18 May Q. Who among the following has been named as the 19 May president of Indian Steel Association? 20 May Anil Kumar Jha 21 May Anil Kumar Chaudhary 22 May Sanjeev Singh Q. Union Cabinet gave its approval to a new Dilip Oommen Centrally Sponsored Scheme named Scheme for None of these Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Q. Who among the following is the author of the for the Unorganized Sector. The expenditure of this book "Hop On: My Adventures on Boats, Trains and scheme will be shared between Center and State in Planes"? the ratio ______.

Arundhati Roy 50:50

Vikram Seth 60:40

Ruskin Bond 70:30

Vishal Bhardwaj 80:20

None of these 90:10

Q. Which of the following Universities has launched Q. Which of the following state government has an Online MA Hindi Programme through Facebook launched a ‘Startup Fund’ to encourage youth for live session? entrepreneurship?

Lovely Professional University Madhya Pradesh

Annamalai University Rajasthan

IGNOU Uttar Pradesh

Sikkim Manipal University Tamil Nadu

None of these Karnataka

Q. Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved Q. The women of Rural Livelihood Mission have Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana with an started Didi Vehicle Service for rural women for safe outlay of ______. delivery in which of the following districts of Madhya Pradesh? Rs. 10 thousand crore Bhopal Rs. 20 thousand crore Indore Rs. 30 thousand crore Jhabua Rs. 40 thousand crore Gwalior Rs. 50 thousand crore None of these Q. Cabinet has approved the extension of Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana up to ______. Q. The Centre has launched a scheme for 100% solarization of Konark Sun Temple. Konark Sun 31st March, 2021 Temple is in ______. 31st March, 2022 Chhattisgarh 31st March, 2023 Odisha 31st March, 2024 Andhra Pradesh None of these Tamil Nadu

Karnataka

Q. Which of the following company has tied up with Q. Aviation regulator DGCA has issued bands of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance for digital motor ticket pricing with minimum price as ______for a cover? flight duration less than 40 minutes.

Amazon India Rs 2,000

Flipkart Rs 2,500

Myntra Rs 3,500

PayTm Rs 4,000

PhonePe Rs 4,500

Q. International Day for Biological Diversity is Q. Which of the following state Forest Development observed every year on ______Corporation came forward to help forest dwellers to sell 'Timru leaves’ amid lockdown? 19 May Maharashtra 20 May Gujarat 21 May Telangana 22 May Rajasthan 23 May Uttar Pradesh Q. Which of the following country has ordered its flag to be flown at half-staff over the next three days Q. Which of the following state has recently due to COVID-19? launched the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojna’?

Italy Punjab

China Rajasthan

US Madhya Pradesh

Russia Chhattisgarh

France None of these

Q. Recently, Tripura got its first international Rs 5,000 crore waterway with which of the following rivers as the Rs 10,000 crore Indo-Bangla protocol route? Rs 15,000 crore Harora Rs 20,000 crore Khowai None of these Gomti Q. Recently, Savita Kumari, Ankit Shishodia has Sunai been suspended for violating anti-doping rules by the Manu National Anti Doping Agency (NADA)?

Q. Who among the following has been recently Boxing named as the chief economist and vice president of Swimming the World Bank? Powerlifting Carlos A. Vegh Wrestling Kenneth Rogoff None of these Carmen Reinhart Q. World Turtle Day is observed every year on Morris Goldstein ______. None of these 21 May Q. After the recent reduction by the Reserve Bank of 22 May India, Repo rate stands at ______. 23 May 4.6% 24 May 4.2% 25 May 4.0% Q. Government has launched the ‘National Test 3.9% Abhyaas’ App for ______. 3.6% Students preparing for UPSC Q. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India extended the Students of Pre Nursery classes ______credit line to EXIM Bank. Students preparing for Board Examinations

Students preparing for JEE (Mains) and NEET Q. Which of the following state government has launched the 'Everybody will get employment' None of these scheme? Q. Recently, ICMR has issued revised advisory on Odisha use of ______vaccine. Rajasthan Hydroxychloroquine Madhya Pradesh Remdesivir Uttar Pradesh Ritonavir Telangana Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Q. Which of the following Indian state is currently None of these most affected from the locusts attack? Q. Government has allocated ______towards West Bengal beekeeping under Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan. Rajasthan Rs 100 crore Punjab Rs 200 crore Gujarat Rs 500 crore Uttar Pradesh Rs 700 crore Q. Recently, US private equity company KKR has Rs 1000 crore picked 2.32% stake in which of the following Q. Recently, Indian Meteorological Department, company for Rs 11,367 crore? IMD has launched seven services hosted on the OYO Rooms website on which of the following government applications? Jio Platforms

UMANG OLA Cabs

MyGov Tata Motors

Sangam None of these

Hamraaz eVigil

Q. ONGC has signed up an MoU with which of the Q. Recently, the 2nd consignment of essential following organisations to set up a joint venture for medicine supplies from India reached Mauritius. renewable energy business? What is the capital of ______Mauritius.

NTPC Limited Victoria

Indian Oil Corporation Port Louis

Gail Limited Praia

Reliance Petroleum Antananarivo

None of these None of these

Q. Recently, legendary Australian Ashley Cooper Q. The Hunar Haat will restart from September this passed away. He was associated with which of the year with the theme of ______. following sports? Tribes of India Cricket Local to Global Football North East to Northern Hemisphere Badminton Cultural Exchange Tennis None of these None of these Q. According to a recent claim, Which of the Q. International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is following could lower coronavirus activity better observed every year on ______. than HIV drugs?

21 May Kangra tea

22 May Clove

23 May Gurmar

24 May Amacha

25 May None of these

Q. India’s KHUDOL declared one of Top 10 Global Q. Which of the following state administration has Initiatives to fight COVID-19. The KHUDOL recently started a farmer awareness campaign to initiative has been started in ______. protect crops from locust or grasshopper?

Asam Uttar Pradesh

Rajasthan Uttarakhand

Manipur Bihar

Nagaland Jharkhand

Odisha None of these

Q. Which of the following district of Madhya Q. Which of the following Indian state will host the Pradesh secures 1st position in providing National Games 2022? employment under MNREGA? Himachal Pradesh Dhar Odisha Morena Sikkim Balaghat Meghalaya Rewa None of these Betul Q. Recently, Mohit Baghel passed away. He was Q. Which of the following statement is not correct in a/an ______. reference to Ladakh Police? Journalist After the formation of Union Territory of Ladakh, Actor separate Ladakh Police has come into being. Film Director Police in Leh and Kargil districts now will be called Ladakh police. Doctor

The Logo of Ladakh Police has Pine leaves Politician

Ladakh police flag has 'Khidmat aur Himmat' written Q. International Missing Children's Day is observed on it every year on ______.

All are correct 22 May

23 May Mahindra & Mahindra

24 May None of these

25 May Q. Which of the following state has accorded ‘industry’ status to sports? 26 May Assam Q. Recently, the government has extended the validity of various motor vehicles related documents Manipur till ______. Mizoram 30 June Odisha 10 July Haryana 20 July Q. Which of the following state will set up a 31 July commission for employment of migrant labourers?

10 August Rajasthan

Q. Zardalu Mango is grown in ______. Telangana

West Bengal Uttar Pradesh

Uttarakhand Andhra Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh None of these

Bihar Q. Who among the following has been appointed as the National President of FICCI Ladies Organization Odisha (FLO)? Q. The government has notified BS-VI emission Shobhana Bhartia norms for quadricycles. Which of the following company was the first to commercially launch Jahnabi Phookan quadricycles in India? Chiki Sarkar Tata Motors Vinita Bali Ashok Leyland None of these Bajaj Auto

Q. In April 2020, India's crude steel output declines 21 May by ______. 22 May 15 % 23 May 25 % 24 May 45 % 25 May 65 % Q. Recently, Indian Dispute Resolution Centre 75 % (IDRC), which provides a paperless dispute resolution environment has been inaugurated. IDRC Q. Recently, Sports Authority of India (SAI) has is headquartered in ______. deposited ______each as out of pocket allowance in accounts of Khelo India athletes. Kolkata

Rs 20,000 Mumbai

Rs 70,000 New Delhi

Rs 40,000 Agra

Rs 30,000 Lucknow

Rs 25,000 Q. Who among the following will head the committee to reform the Drug Regulatory System. Q. Recently, Aritz Aduriz announced his retirement. He was associated with which of the following Mohit Kumar sports? Kailash Das Cricket Rajesh Bhushan Badminton Sachin Taneja Football None of these Badminton Q. Recently, In a major breakthrough the None of these construction of Chamba Tunnel in Uttarakhand has been completed under Chardham Pariyojana. The Q. World Thyroid Day is observed every year on Chardham Pariyojana has an outlay of ______. ______.

Rs 1,000 crore Zaggle

Rs 5,000 crore Mswipe

Rs 8,000 crore ezetap

Rs 12,000 crore Billdesk

Rs 20,000 crore Cred

Q. Recently, India has helped which of the Q. Recently, the government has announced the following country to set up a military war game appointment of Prem K Nair as Indian Ambassador centre? to Niger. What is the capital of Niger?

Maldives Luanda

Uganda Algiers

Madagascar Niamey

Niger Maputo

Mozambique Tunis

Q. Researchers from which of the following Q. Who among the following Indian Army officers institutes have developed high performance has become the first to be selected for the magnesium alloy that could replace steel, prestigious United Nations Military Gender aluminium in auto, aerospace industry? Advocate of the Year Award (2019)?

Indian Institute of Technology-Madras Priya Jhingan

Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi Divya Ajith Kumar

Indian Institute of Technology-Kolkata Padmavathy Bandopadhyay

Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur Suman Gawani

None of these None of these

Q. Recently, which of the following fintech startups Q. Recently, Jamie Hampton announced her has partnered with Visa to launch innovative retirement. She was associated with which of the payment solutions for SMEs and startups? following sports?

Badminton eVigil

Hockey Aarogya Setu

Tennis Q. The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has partnered with Football ______to initiate “Van Dhan Samajik Doori Snooker Jagrookta Abhiyaan“.

Q. Which of the following country has completely Tata Trusts lifted its nationwide emergency? UNICEF Japan UNESCO USA NITI Aayog Saudi Arabia None of these UAE Q. Which of the following state/UT has canceled its None of these annual "Kheer Bhawani Mela"?

Q. PM Modi paid tribute to former PM Jawaharlal Assam Nehru on his death anniversary. Nehru was born in Nagaland ______. Jammu and Kashmir Varanasi New Delhi Allahabad None of these Kanpur Q. For the FY21, CRISIL has projected the economy Agra to contract ______. None of these 3.2% Q. Government has announced open-sources code 2.4% for which of the following app 5.0% UMANG 1.3% MyGov 6.1% Sangam

Q. Recently, Which of the following has partnered Q. International Day of Action for Women's Health with Mastercard to develop customized products for is observed every year on ______. farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and 23 May retail customers? 27 May Paytm Payments Bank 28 May Airtel Payments Bank 25 May India Post Payments Bank. 26 May Fino Payments Bank. Q. China will launch its first Mars mission named Jio Payments Bank as ______. Q. Who among the following has launched his own ExoMars grooming and personal care brand ‘FRSH’? Dragonfly Hritik Roshan Tianwen-1 Virat Kohli Hope Mars Mission Salman Khan None of these Aamir Khan Q. Recently, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Akshay Kmar entered into an agreement with Narmada Basin Q. Who among the following Indian-American has Projects Company Ltd NBPCL to fund projects won Inventor of the Year Award 2020 for improving worth ______in Madhya Pradesh. AI capabilities? ₹10,000 crore Ashok Puri ₹15,000 crore Vikrant Kumar ₹17,000 crore Rajiv Joshi ₹22,000 crore Sanjeev Tyagi ₹30,000 crore Navdeep Gill Q. Which of the following state governments has decided to develop 800 km roads as Herbal roads?

Haryana Amazon India

Rajasthan Big Basket

Uttar Pradesh Zomato

Madhya Pradesh Flipkart

Uttarakhand Paytm

Q. Which of the following company has launched a Q. Which of the following organisations has “WhatsApp chatbot” to address rights issue queries recently launched an artificial intelligence (AI) of its 2.6 million shareholders on the offering? based chatbot, ‘PAi’?

Tata Group National Payment Corporation of India

Indian Oil Corporation Securities and Exchange Board of India

Reliance Industries Ltd Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

State Bank of India National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development None of these Union Public Service Commission Q. Recently, SEBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 7,00,000 on NHAI for delay in making timely Q. Recently, R. Shanmugam passed away. He was disclosure about financial results. Who among the associated with which of the following sports? following is the current chairperson of SEBI? Cricket Ajay Tyagi Hockey Subhash Chandra Khuntia Football MR Kumar Chess Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Volleyball None of these Q. Who among the following is the author of the Q. Which of the following e-commerce company book “The Ickabog”? has recently signed an MoU with Karnataka Mango Stephen King Board to help farmers sell online? JK Rowling

Suzanne Collins 2016

Nicholas Sparks

Tom Wolfe Q. On which of the following date International Day of UN Peacekeepers is celebrated every year? Q. Recently the parliament of Myanmar approved the proposal to seek How much loan from IMF to 29 June finance its spending on fighting COVID-19 in the 28 July country? 12 May 500-million-dollar 29 May 700-million-dollar 6 May 1000-million-dollar Q. Which State Government will launch a “State 1200-million-dollar Health Register” to collect data of all its citizens? 900-million-dollar Karnataka Q. Who chaired Financial Stability and Bihar Development Council meet? Rajasthan Union Home Minister Tamil Nadu President Andhra Pradesh Prime Minster Q. In which of the following state New Fresh water Union Finance Minister fish “Punitus Sanctus” is found? RBI Governor Bihar Q. In which of the following year Financial Kerala Stability and Development Council was set up? Telangana 2010 Tamil Nadu 2012 Jharkhand 2000 Q. Where is the headquarters of World Health 2014 Organisation?

Geneva 1964

Paris Q. International Everest Day is observed every year on ______. New York 26 May London 27 May Rome 28 May Q. What is the theme of International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2020? 29 May

Protecting Civilians, Protecting Peace 30 May

70 Years of Service and Sacrifice Q. The IMF has recently approved ______emergency assistance to Bangladesh for COVID-19. Investing in Peace Around the World 378 million Women in Peacekeeping: A key to Peace 822 million Honouring our Heroes 732 million Q. Where is the Capital of Myanmar? 382 million Colombo 121 million Naypyitaw Q. Which of the following countries recently hosted Male virtual BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities’ meeting? Kathmandu India Kabul Brazil Q. In which of the following year the first UN Russia Peace Keeping mission was established? China 1954 South Africa 1968 Q. Recently, the foundation stone for a Missile Park 1944 " AGNEEPRASTHA" was laid at ______. 1948 INS Kalinga

INS Taj None of these

INS Vela Q. Who among the following is the current Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI)? INS Karanj Santosh Tyagi None of these Ajeet Chaudhary Sandip Pradhan Q. Who among the following launched a free instant e-PAN card facility through Aadhaar? Rohan Shah Prateek Kaushik Finance Minister Q. Kiranjeet Kaur has been handed a four-year ban Governor of the Reserve Bank of India by World Athletics'. She is associated with which of the following sports? CEO of NITI Aayog Running

Cabinet Secretary of India Wrestling Swimming None of these Weightlifting Q. Recently, Centre has approved 445 crore rupees None of these for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in which of Q. Recently, Veerendra Kumar passed away. He was the following states during 2020-21? the Managing Director of which of the following newspapers? Madhya Pradesh Dinamani

Jharkhand Uthayan Mathrubhumi Rajasthan Janmabhumi Uttar Pradesh Mangalam

Chhattisgarh Q. World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on ______. Q. Which of the following state government has May 31 started “Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana” for returnee migrants? May 30 Assam May 29 Manipur May 28 Uttarakhand May 27 Himachal Pradesh Q. Which of the following has launched the ‘Sodar’ app to help people maintain social distancing?

Facebook Maneesh Singh Apple None of these Google Q. Recently, Venkataramani Sumantran has been appointed as the independent director of which of Microsoft the following airlines? None of these IndiGo Q. The next phase of Operation Samudra Setu will GoAir start from ______. SpiceJet 1 June Vistara 08 June None of these 10 June Q. R.Sreelekha will become the first woman 15 June Director General of Police (DGP) of ______. 21 June Assam Police Q. Kerala will launch ‘K-FON’ project in Telangana Police December 2020. ‘K-FON’ is related to ______. Kerala Police Enhanced cultivation of Spices Jharkhand Police Free internet to poor None of these Enhancement of sports activities at school level Q. Who among the following has recently won the Buyers for forest produce Christophe Merieux Prize for her research on None of these AIDS? Q. Who among the following has been appointed as James Clark the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French Quarraisha Abdool Karim technology major Capgemini Group? Edman Tsang Arvind Krishna Paul Anastas Aiman Ezzat Michale North Ginni Rometty Q. Who among the following is the only cricketer in Paul Cormier Forbes’ top 100 highest-paid athletes of 2020? None of these Chris Gayle Q. Who among the following will become the new Sachin Tendulkar Chairman of JP Morgan South Asia and SouthEast Asia? Virat Kohli Shashank Mathews MS Dhoni Leo Puri AB de Villiers Utkarsh Dhariya