Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I April 2019 Curren 1

Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th April 2019 September 2018

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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th April 2019 September 2018

Table of Contents

Awards &Honours ...... 3 Days & Events ...... 6 International Affairs ...... 9 Personalities in News ...... 16 Government Policies & Schemes ...... 18 Science & Technology ...... 19 Committees & Recommendations ...... 23 Business & Economy ...... 24 Sports ...... 34 Defence ...... 39 Polity ...... 44 National Affairs ...... 44 Environment ...... 52

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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 16thto 22nd Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 19th to 25th April 2019 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018

Awards &Honours  West Bengal government's 'Utkarsh Bangla' scheme was awarded the World Summit on the Information Society Jacques received Ikhamanga Award 2019 (WSIS) award of the United Nations.  Jacques Kallis was honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga  Out of 1062 nominations in 18 categories from all over the in the Silver Division. world, #UtkarshBangla emerged No 1 in the Capacity  The national honour is bestowed by the President of South Building category. Africa on citizens who have made significant contributions  The WB government had received another UN award in to arts, literature, music, journalism, culture, and sports. 2017 for its 'Kanyashree' project.  He was rewarded for his successful cricket career. AIR receive Swacchta Pakhwada Award 2019  He played 166 Tests, 328 ODIs and 25 T20Is, returning 62 hundreds and 577 wickets.  All India Radio, Publication Division and Children's Film Society of India were given Swacchta Pakhwada Awards- Helen get Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2019 in New Delhi on 23 April 2019.  Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, scriptwriter Salim Khan,  Secretary in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Helen were honoured with the prestigious Master Amit Khare gave away the awards. Deenanath Mangeshkar Award on 25 April 2019.  Director General of All India Radio F. Sheheryar and  The award has been instituted by Master Deenanath Director General (News) Ms. Ira Joshi received the Award Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan, a charitable trust. for All India Radio.  The award is given to legends from the fields of music, KAU IPR Cell won National IP Award 2019 drama, art and social work.  The Intellectual Property Rights Cell (IPR Cell) of Kerala Cyril Almeida won IPI's award 2019 Agricultural University (KAU) has been selected for the  Dawn editor and Columnist Cyril Almeida from Pakistan National Intellectual Property Award 2019. won the IPI’s (International Press Institute) World Press  The award, comprising a prize money of ₹1 lakh, will be Freedom Hero award in 2019. presented at in New Delhi on World IP Day on April 26,  He was awarded for his critical and tenacious coverage of 2019. the civil-military relations in Pakistan.  It is conferred on persons and organisations working in the  Mada Masr, an Egyptian news site, has won Free Media field of patents, trademarks, and Geographical Indications. Pioneer Award 2019 of the IPI and International Media Benny Antony won National IP Award Support (IMS).  Benny Antony, Joint Managing Director, Arjuna Natural Rana Dasgupta won Literary prize Ltd, has been conferred with the National Intellectual  Author Rana Dasgupta was awarded the Rabindranath Property Award for 2019 in the category of Top Individual Tagore Literary Prize 2019 for his 2010 novel Solo. for Patents and Commercialization.  It is the second edition of the Rabindranath Tagore Literary  Along with the National IP Award, the Intellectual Property Prize. Office India and the World Intellectual Property  The Prize aims to revive poetry and books that can change Organisation (WIPO) also conferred the ‘WIPO Medal for lives. Inventors’ to Antony.  The prize consists of an amount of $10,000, a Tagore Indian-American scientist in Hall of Fame statue and a certificate for contribution to literature will be given to the awardee.  An Indian-American scientist and social activist has been inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of fame for Goswami received best sportsperson award his contribution in applications in systems biology, global  Jhulan Goswami, world's leading wicket-taker in women's issues and sustainable development. one-day internationals, was awarded the Best  Prof Sree Sreenath was inducted into it, along with five Sportsperson' award by the Calcutta Sports Journalists' other inductees Dr. Akram Boutros, Ingrida Bublys, Paul Club. Burik, Richard Fleischman, and Marilyn Madigan.  Sambaran Banerjee and former India winger Sukumar UN honoured Indian peacekeepers Samajpati won the Lifetime Achievement awards.  Promising Sportsperson of the Year was given to Neelash  United Nations honoured 150 Indian peacekeepers serving Saha. with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) with medals of honour for their dedicated service and sacrifice.  Best footballer was given to Pritam Kotal.  UNMISS is working to deter violence against civilians by WB Govt's scheme won UN award providing a safe and secure environment for South Sudanese people.

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 UNMISS is committed to helping build durable peace in  The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize 2019 South Sudan. has been awarded to Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Police officers awarded for writing book  The prize carries a reward of $25,000 Prize.  A Delhi Police officer has been awarded 'Pandit Govind  It recognises the exceptional courage in reporting on Ballabh Pant Award' for his book 'Samvidhan Kavya'. alleged human rights violations in Myanmar's state of  Bureau of Police Research and Development gave the Rakhine. award to Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) Sunil  The award was established in 1997 and named after Kumar Gautam for 2018-19. Guillermo Cano Isaza  The book presents the provisions of the Constitution in a Budenholzer received NBCA Coach of the Year simple and poetic form.  Budenholzer was named the 2019 recipient of the Michael SFB awarded Clement Model 2019 Award H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year honors.  Fincare Small Finance Bank (SFB) has been awarded  He, in his first year as head coach of the Bucks, led the the Celent Model Bank 2019 Award in the category of franchise to the top record in the entire NBA. Financial Inclusion, for 'Redesigning Lending to Reach  Budenholzer also led the Bucks to their first divisional title Small Businesses'. since the 2000-2001 season.  The award recognizes LAP (Loans Against Property) D.Lite, Digital Sukoon receives Best Digital award a tab-based solution designed and developed in-house by Fincare SFB.  Digital Sukoon founder, Sudhanshu Kumar was honoured  LAP D.Lite is one of the 22 initiatives from around the with the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award by world to receive this award. International Human Rights Council on 10 April 2019.  Aretha Franklin's posthumous win Digital Sukoon received the Best Digital Agency of the Year 2019.  Aretha Franklin received the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation  Digital Sukoon provides a comprehensive 360-degree honor. solution to their clients for the promotional needs by  She became the first individual woman to earn a special creating innovative campaigns and optimum usage of citation prize since the honor was first awarded in 1930. technology tools..  Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at her home in Detroit NMCG awarded at Global Water Summit from pancreatic cancer.  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) or Namami NASA awarded 3 Indian teams Gange was given the ‘Public Water Agency of the Year’  NASA awarded 3 teams from India as part of its annual award by Global Water Intelligence at the Global Water Human Exploration Rover Challenge, Summit in London.  The team from KIET Group of Institutions, Uttar Pradesh,  It is an integrated mission for Ganga rejuvenation, and was won the AIAA Neil Armstrong Best Design Award. approved by the Union Government in June 2014.  The Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and  Global Water Summit is the major business conference for Engineering, Mumbai, Maharashtra, won the Frank Joe the water industry worldwide. Sexton Memorial Pit Crew Award. PM Modi to receive Order of St Andrew  A team from LPU, Punjab, won the STEM Engagement Award.  Russia will confer the Order of St Andrew the Apostle on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Datamatics won IMC award  The award is being given for Mr. Modi’s exceptional  Datamatics Global Services Ltd. (DGSL) won IMC Digital services in promoting special and privileged strategic Technology Awards 2018 under the Excellence in Emerging partnership between the Russian Federation and India. Technology category for TruBot, its Robotic Process  The award is Russia’s highest state decoration. Automation product and TruAI, its AI platform. 64th Railway Week of Railway Board  The award ceremony was held on 12th April 2019 at St Regis, Mumbai.  The 64th Railway Week Function of Railway Board was  The IMC Awards recognize achievements across all areas organized in New Delhi on 13 April, 2019. of the IT industry.  45 officials of Railway Board were presented with awards for their outstanding performances in the year 2018-19. UNESCO Cano Press Freedom Prize announced  V K Yadav is the Chairman of Railway Board. Siva Reddy selected for Saraswati Samman 2018

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 Telugu poet K Siva Reddy has been selected for the  The Global Water Awards are presented at the Global prestigious Saraswati Samman, 2018 for his collection of Water Summit, the major business conference for the poetry titled Pakkaki Ottigilite. water industry worldwide.  The award carries a cash prize of 15 lakh rupees, a citation, and a plaque.  The award, instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991, is given annually for an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language, published during the last 10 years. GIC India Chief awarded  The Chairman and Managing Director of the General Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India, Alice G Vaidyan was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.  She was awarded in recognition of her work to promote insurance ties between India and the UK.  The Freedom of the City of London dates back to the 13th century and is bestowed upon individuals who make an impact in the financial hub of London. Image of toddler won World Press Photo  The haunting image of a little girl crying helplessly as she and her mother are taken into custody by US border officials has won the prestigious World Press Photo Award.  The picture of the wailing toddler was published worldwide and caused a public outcry about Washington's controversial policy to separate thousands of migrants from their children.  The picture was taken by John Moore. 2 Bengal government schemes won UN awards  Two schemes of the West Bengal government for skill Indian Oil bagged AIMA award development and distribution of bicycles to students have  Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) bagged the prestigious 'AIMA won the prestigious World Summit on the Information Managing India Award 2019 for outstanding PSU of the Society awards of the United Nations. year.'  The 2 schemes are the Utkarsh Bangla and Sabooj Sathi  The award was presented by former President Pranab projects for youngsters. Mukherjee to Sanjiv Singh, Chairman, Indian Oil. Dost Education bagged Tech prize  The AIMA awards declared under 11 categories, shortlisted 11 eminent enterprises and  India's education tech startup 'Dost Education' bagged a personalities of the country for their contribution to $25,000 tech prize along with 2 other winners from nation-building. Tanzania and Egypt.  The Next Billion Edtech Prize 2019 recognises the most Vice President conferred awards innovative technology destined to have a radical impact on  Vice President Venkaiah Naidu conferred President’s education in low income. Certificate of Honour and Maharshi Badrayan Vyas  Dost was awarded for its ability to empower parents to Samman Awards at New Delhi, recently. take charge of their child's early education.  The award of the Certificate of Honour was introduced in Namami Gange got global recognition the year 1958 to honour the scholars of Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian Languages.  The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was  Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman was introduced in the awarded the distinction of 'Public Water Agency of the year 2002. Year'.  It was awarded by the Global Water Intelligence at the Virat Kohli: Wisden's Leading Cricketer Global Water Summit in London on April 9, 2019.  Team India captain Virat Kohli has been named as the Wisden Almanack’s ‘Leading Cricketer of the Year’ for the third time in a row. 5 | P a g e

 He smashed 2,735 runs in 47 international innings at an  UAE honoured PM Narendra Modi with its highest average of 68.37 in 2018, including 11 hundred and 9 decoration in recognition of the 'pivotal role' played by fifties. the PM in strengthening ties between the two nations.  Smriti Mandhana has been named the Women’s Leading  He was presented the Zayed Medal by the UAE President. Cricketer of the Year for 2018.  The Zayed Medal is the highest decoration awarded to Kings, Presidents, and heads of states. Neeraj and Sindhu won the ESPN award ET Prime Women Leadership Awards 2019  P V Sindhu and star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra were named as female and male sportsperson of the year in the  GIC India's Alice Vaidyan wins ETPrime 'Woman CEO of ESPN India Multi-Sport Awards for their achievements in the Year'. 2018.  Indra Nooyi wins ETPrime 'Global Indian Woman of the  Neeraj was picked for the top men's award for his gold at Year'. 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.  Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw wins ETPrime 'Business Woman of  Saina Nehwal won the award for the 'Comeback of the the Year'. Year' after bagging the bronze at the 2018 Asian Games.  Anu Aga honored with ET Prime 'Lifetime Achievement' Tata Steel gets Global Slag award Award.  Meera Sanyal won ET Prime 'Lifetime Achievement' award  Tata Steel has been named as the 'Global Slag Company of posthumously. the Year' at the 14th Global Slag Conference and Exhibition  Aarthi Subramanian gets ET Prime 'Technology Leader of 2019. the Year' award.  The award was presented to Tata Steel for its innovative practices in the development of new applications for Steel by-products (Slag). Days & Events  The conference was held in Germany and was attended by World Veterinary Day: 28 April major steelmakers, steel mill service providers & associated companies.  The World Veterinary Day is observed on 28th April.  It celebrates the contributions of veterinarians to the Shah Rukh conferred with Honorary Doctorate health of animals and society.  Eminent Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan conferred with  The theme for 2019 is Value of Vaccination. an honorary doctorate in Philanthropy by the University of  The day was initiated by the World Veterinary Association. Law, London. World Day for Safety and Health: 28 April  He was awarded this for his efforts to give back to society.  He has received the merit during a graduation ceremony  World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a UN which had more than 350 students in attendance. international day that is celebrated every April 28.  It is an annual international campaign to promote safe, Coimbatore student entered Guinness Book healthy and decent work.  Sridhar Muthukrishnan, a 2nd-year student of BSc Visual  It has been observed by the International Labour Communications entered the Guinness Book of World Organization (ILO) since 2003. Records in light painting photography with 1,350 light International Dance Day: 29 April orbs.  His work was submitted to the Guinness Book officials on  April 29 is celebrated as International Dance Day annually. February 13, 2018, and the certificate was issued in March  It aims to bring people together with a common language - 2019. dance.  In 1982, the Dance Committee of International Theatre Vikram Patel got Global Health Award Institute founded International Dance Day.  Vikram Patel, a psychiatrist and professor of global health  The theme for 2019 is Dance and Spirituality. at Harvard Medical School, has won the prestigious John Days and Events Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award.  Laureates receive a $100,000 cash honorarium and will be  World Day For Animals In Laboratories (WDAIL) (also formally presented with their awards on October 24, 2019 known as World Lab Animal Day) is observed every year on at the annual Canada Gairdner Awards Gala in Toronto. 24 April.  International Girls in Information and Communication UAE honoured PM Narendra Modi Technology (ICT) Day was observed on 25 April 2019.

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 World Immunization Week 2019 is observed from 24 to 30  Also called the World Book and Copyright Day, it is an April 2019 and the theme of this year's campaign is occasion to promote the joy of books and the art of 'Protected Together: Vaccines Work!'. reading.  The theme for this year is Share A Story. National Fire Service Day observed World Earth Day: 22 April  The Fire Service Week (FSW) was observed nation-wide from 14 to 20 April 2019.  World Earth Day is observed every year on 22 April.  FSW is observed under the guidance of the Fire Adviser,  On 22nd April 2009 the United Nations General Assembly Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. adopted a resolution declaring 22nd April as the  This is in remembrance of the lives lost in the devastating 'International Mother Earth Day'. fire that erupted and the explosions that followed on 14  World Earth Day 2019 theme is ‘Protect Our Species’. April 1944 at the Victoria Dock in the Bombay Port and  It will mainly focus on saving species which are on the also to prevent fire in all industries. verge of extinction due to climate change, deforestation, World Intellectual Property Day: 26 April pollution and illegal poaching. World Liver Day: 19 April  World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26th April.  The World Liver Day (WLD) is observed every year on April  The theme for 2019 is Reach for Gold: IP and Sports. 19.  The event was established by the World Intellectual  The aim of the day is to build awareness and Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000. understanding the importance of liver in the human body  The aim is to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, and how liver ailments are treated. trademarks and designs impact on daily life.  The liver, which measures about 1,00 grams in weight and 15 cm in length, is the second largest organ and is a key National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April player in our body’s digestive system.  The National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated every year in World Heritage Day: 18 April India on 24th April.  The Constitution of India recognizes Panchayats as  April 18 is annually observed as the International Day for 'Institutions of self-government'. Monuments and Sites (IDMS), also known as World  This day marks the passing of Constitution (73rd Heritage Day. Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect  This day is celebrated to remind the citizens about from 24 April 1993. beautiful places or heritage sites in our country.  The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated in  The theme for 2019 is Rural Landscapes. 2010  The day was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April 1982. World Malaria Day: 25 April Mujibnagar Day observed in Bangladesh  World Malaria Day is observed every year on 25 April, to spread awareness about malaria disease globally and to  In Bangladesh, the historic Mujibnagar day is being promote efforts to prevent malaria around the world. observed on 17 April 2019.  The theme of World Malaria Day 2019 is 'Zero malaria  The day marks the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh's starts with me'. first government in 1971 at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur.  World Malaria Day was developed from Africa Malaria Day  The day is being observed by political parties and social which was first held in 2008. and cultural organisations through various programs across Bangladesh. Int. Day of Multilat and Diplomacy for Peace World Haemophilia Day: April 17  April 24 is observed as the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace every year.  April 17 is observed as the World Haemophilia Day every  It was officially approved on 12 December 2018 through year. resolution A/RES/73/127.  It was started in 1989 by the World Federation of  The day is a reaffirmation of the UN Charter and its Hemophilia (WFH) which chose to bring the community principles of resolving disputes among countries through together on April 17 in honour of WFH founder Frank peaceful means. Schnabel’s birthday.  World Hemophilia Day theme for the year 2019 is World Book Day: 23 April ‘Outreach and Identification’.  World Book Day is celebrated by UNESCO and other Important days related organisations every year on the 23rd of April.

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 National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed  On this day, in 1965, a small contingent of 2nd Battalion of annually on 11 April. CRPF successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a  The theme of 2019 NSMD is "Midwives for Mothers". Pakistani Brigade on Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch in  The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the proper Gujarat. healthcare of women and maternity facilities to pregnant  On the Occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage and lactating women. to the martyrs of police at National Police Memorial in  International Day of Human Space Flight is observed on 12 New Delhi. April World Health Day: 7 April World Allergy Week 2019 : 7-13 April  World Health Day is observed every year on 7 April under  World Allergy Week 2019 was observed from 7 to 13 April the sponsorship of WHO. 2019.  The theme for World Health Day 2019 is ‘Universal  The theme for World Allergy Week 2019 is “The Global Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere’ to ensure that no human Problem of Food Allergy”. being will ever have to make a choice between the two.  World Allergy Week is a global campaign of the World  The day celebrates the establishment of the WHO and this Allergy Organisation (WAO), which aims to raise year it marks the end of the World Health Organization’s awareness of the impact of allergy in our communities. 70th-anniversary celebrations. Baisakhi festival being celebrated today National Handloom Week: April 7-14  The festival of Baisakhi is being celebrated with  The National Handloom Week is being observed from April enthusiasm in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh today. 7-14, 2019.  It is a spring harvest festival for the Sikhs.  National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7  Baisakhi also commemorates the formation of Khalsa August to mark a 1905 movement that boycotted British Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. products in favour of the revival of domestic ones. Jallianwala Bagh massacre centenary Int day of sports development: 6 April  The nation is paying homage to martyrs of Jallianwala  International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is Bagh massacre on its hundredth anniversary on 13 April, observed on 6 April. 2019.  The adoption of this Day signifies the increasing  Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will release a recognition by the UN of the positive influence that sport Commemorative Coin and Commemorative Postage can have on the advancement of human rights, and social Stamp. and economic development.  Hundreds of innocent people were killed by Brigadier  This date commemorates the inauguration, in 1896, of the General Dyer during a peaceful meeting at the Jallianwala first Olympic games of the modern era, in Athens (Greece). park on this day in 1919. April 5: National Maritime Day of India Rama Navami being celebrated in the country  In India, the National Maritime Day is celebrated every  Sri Rama Navami is being celebrated with great year on April 5. enthusiasm across the country on 13 April, 2019.  On this day in 1919, navigation history was created when  The festival marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Company Ltd travelled to the UK.  President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra  The day was first celebrated on April 5, 1964. Modi wished people on the occasion.  The theme of the 56th edition of the National Maritime Day is 'Indian Ocean-An Ocean of opportunity'. World Homeopathy Day: 2-day convention Prevention of Blindness Week 2019  World Homeopathy Day is observed on 10 April to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of  Prevention of Blindness Week 2019 is being observed from Homeopathy, Dr Christian Fredrich Samuel Hahnemann. 1st of April to 7th of April 2019.  On the occasion, the Central Council for Research in  It is celebrated for increasing the awareness towards the Homeopathy, CCRH, organized a two-day convention in blind people. New Delhi.  There are 10 million people who are suffering from blindness in India. The worldwide number of blind people CRPF celebrated 54th Valour Day is approximately 37 million.  Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 54th  It was first started by the Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Valour Day on 9 April 2019. Amrit Kaur in the year 1960.

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International Mines Awareness Day: 4 April International Affairs  International Mines Awareness Day is observed every year Twitter announced premium content deals on 4 April.  The theme for IMAD 2019 is 'United Nations Promotes  Twitter has announced premium content deals with SDGs – Safe Ground – Safe Home'. Univision, The Wall Street Journal, NFL, ESPN, and Viacom  On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that for live-streaming videos on its platform. 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International  The deals will showcase new live and on-demand premium Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. video programming, offering advertisers new opportunities to connect with influential and receptive audiences. China hosted 2nd Belt and Road Forum  The second edition of Belt and Road Forum (BRF) was held in Beijing, China from April 25th to April 27th, 2019.  The theme of this event was 'Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future'.  The Belt and Road Forum is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).  The idea of BRI was first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. New species of crab found  Scientists have discovered a new species of crab that swam the sea 95 million years ago.  The small, pocket-size crab, named Callichimaera perplexa, was very different from its modern-day cousins.  The crab fossils were discovered in 2005 in the Andes Mountains in Colombia. Sumatra floods killed 17: Indonesia  In Indonesia, at least 17 people have been killed and nine are missing after days of heavy rain triggered floods and landslides on the island of Sumatra.  Some 12,000 people have been evacuated, and hundreds World Autism Awareness Day: 2 April of buildings, bridges and roads damaged.  World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally  The severe weather has affected nine districts across recognized day on the second of April every year. Bengkulu province.  The United Nations General Assembly unanimously International News declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of  Srilankan President has banned the National Thawheed those with autism. Jamath (NJT) and Jamathei Milathu Ibrahim (JMI) two of  The theme for this year is ‘Assistive Technologies, Active the fundamentalist terror networks linked with attacks. Participation’.  Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has issued an order for a ban on burqa, veil or covering of the face in a Earth Hour 2019 celebrated worldwide manner which prevents anyone from being identified.  Earth Hour 2019 was celebrated in 188 countries Floating nuclear power plant launched worldwide  To mark this day, cities worldwide turned their lights off  A floating nuclear power plant that is also known as for one hour from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time. 'Chernobyl on ice' is ready to begin supplying the  It was the 13th edition of Earth hour and the campaign of electricity in Russia. Earth Hour 2019 was ‘Connect2Earth’  The Akademik Lomonosov is reportedly destined to  It was aimed at building mass awareness on the provide power for a region in Russia’s far east. importance of nature and create an unstoppable  The ship’s 70-megawatt reactors could power a city of movement for nature. 200,000 people.  China is constructing a similar floating power station. 9 | P a g e

USA secure ODI status for first time UAE's sewage plant inaugurated  The United States secured the One-Day International (ODI)  The UAE's biggest sewage treatment plant, Jebel Ali STP, status. built by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has been inaugurated.  There will be 20 ODI nations after the end of the  The 3,75,000 cum/day Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Jebel tournament, with the top four sides to join Scotland, the Ali (Phase 2) is the biggest in the UAE, built by L&T for the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, and the Netherlands in Dubai Municipality. having temporary status.  The Jebel Ali treatment facilities have a total treatment  Oman has also secured their ODI status, leaving Namibia, capacity of 675 MLD which includes existing 300 MLD of Papua New Guinea, Canada, and Hong Kong to fight it out Phase - 1. for the remaining two places. Archaeologists uncovered an ancient tomb Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary resigned  In Egypt, archaeologists have uncovered an ancient tomb  Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigned with mummies believed to date back about 2,000 years in on 25th April after the Easter attacks. the southern city of Aswan.  He took the responsibility for the deadly serial bombings.  The tomb is from the Greco-Roman period, which began  The new Secretary is yet to be named. with Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.  Mr.Fernando is the first official to step down after both  Archaeologists found artefacts, including decorated masks, President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil statuettes, vases, coffin fragments and cartonnages- Wickremesinghe said they were unaware of the imminent chunks of linen or papyrus glued together. threat. US recorded 695 measles cases in 2019 Etihad: 1st to operate plastic-free flight  The United States has recorded 695 cases of measles in  Etihad Airways has become the 1st airline in the Gulf 2019, the most of any year since the disease was declared region to operate a flight EY484 without any plastics on eliminated in 2000. board, in a bid to raise awareness about pollution on Earth  The high number of cases in 2019 is primarily the result of Day (April 22). a few large outbreaks in Washington State and in New  Etihad identified that over 95 single-use plastic products York that started late 2018. are used across its aircraft cabins.  Outbreaks in the US have been confined to tight-knit  By the end of 2019, it will have removed 100 tonnes of communities where vaccination rates are lower. single-use plastics from its inflight service. Malawi to undertake the RTS 2 new bird species found in Indonesia  Malawi, the African Nation, is to undertake large scale  Zoologists at Trinity College Dublin discovered 2 new bird pilot tests for the world's most advanced experimental species named as the Wakatobi white-eye and the Wangi- malaria vaccine in a bid to prevent the disease. Wangi white-eye in the Wakatobi Archipelago of Sulawesi,  The RTS, S vaccine, the first to give partial protection to Indonesia. children, trains the immune system to attack the malaria  Details of their discovery were published in the Zoological parasite. Journal of the Linnean Society.  RTS, S vaccine under the trade name Mosquirix has been  In the same journal, Alfred Wallace and Charles Darwin developed by GlaxoSmithKline. published their original ideas about speciation in 1858. Arab League pledged $100 mn to PA Russia and North Korea held first summit  The Arab League has pledged $100 million per month to  Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un held the Palestinian Authority (PA) to make up for funds first summit talks in Vladivostok. withheld by Israel.  Its aim was to strengthen ties that date back to the Soviet  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Arab Union's support for the founder of North Korea, Kim's League in Cairo, as part of a diplomatic effort to rebuff the grandfather Kim Il Sung. Trump administration’s Middle East peace plan.  Israel collects taxes on behalf of the PA but withheld Sri Lanka banned drones after Easter bombings $138m in transfers in February.  Sri Lanka banned the use of drones and unmanned aircraft Indonesia's Mount Agung erupted again following the Easter bombings that killed over 350 people and injured more than 500.  The active volcano of Indonesia Mount Agung has erupted  The ban will be in effect until further notice. again to a height of 2km.  Ranil Wickremesinghe is the PM of Sri Lanka, while Maithripala Sirisena is its President. 10 | P a g e

 Two other volcanoes popular with tourists Mount Bromo  In November, the US reimposed sanctions on exports of in East Java and Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta also Iranian oil after President Trump unilaterally pulled out of continues to erupt. a 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and six world powers.  Mount Agung is an active volcano in Bali of Indonesia. Saudi Aramco to acquire Royal Dutch Shell New community in Golan be named after Trump  Saudi Aramco will acquire Royal Dutch Shell's 50% stake in  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a their Saudi refining joint venture SASREF for $631 million. new community in the Golan Heights would be named  Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Co (SASREF), based in Jubail after US President Donald Trump. Industrial City in Saudi Arabia, has a crude oil refining  Israel has also stated it intends to name a proposed train capacity of 305,000 barrels per day (bpd). station near Jerusalem’s Western Wall after him.  Shell has sold over $30 billion of assets in recent years as it  Israel captured the Golan from Syria in a 1967 war and shifts its focus to lower carbon businesses. annexed it, in a move not recognized internationally. 290 dead in Sri Lanka bomb blasts Pak Navy successfully test fired missile  A series of 8 devastating bomb blasts ripped through high-  Pakistan Navy successfully test-fired an indigenous cruise end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri missile in the Arabian Sea on 23 April 2019. Lanka on 21 April 2019.  The indigenously developed cruise missile has anti-ship  The blasts killed 290 people, including dozens of foreigners missile and land attack capability. and injured 500.  Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Kaleem Shaukat  At least two of them involved suicide bombers, including witnessed the live firing, which was conducted by the one who lined up at a hotel breakfast buffet before Navy's fast attack craft. unleashing carnage. Iran brands US military as terrorist Zelensky won Presidential elections  Iranian lawmakers approved a Bill that labels U.S. military  In Ukraine, comedian and political newcomer Volodymyr forces as terrorist. Zelensky secured a victory in the Presidential election.  173 out of 215 lawmakers at the Parliament session in  Exit polls indicated that he is going to take 73% of the Tehran voted for the new Bill. votes while incumbent Petro Poroshenko securing 25%.  The Bill also demands the Iranian government take  His victory will open a new chapter in the history of a unspecified action against other governments that country that has gone through two popular uprisings in the formally back the U.S. designation. last 20 years.  Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Israel have all supported the Saudi Arabia to host G20 leaders' summit Trump administration’s designation.  Saudi Arabia will host the annual G20 leaders' summit on Sri Lanka declared emergency 21-22 November 2020 in Riyadh.  Sri Lanka enforced a state of emergency from 22 April  The G20 is made up of 19 of the world's biggest 2019 in the wake of the deadly Easter blasts that killed 290 economies, as well as the European Union. people and wounded more than 500 others, enhancing the  It was formed in 1999 to discuss policy matters and counter terrorism powers of the security forces. financial stability.  The decision was made during a meeting of the National  Japan will host the 2019 G20 summit in Osaka. Security Council (NSC) chaired by President Maithripala  In 2018, the conference was held in Buenos Aries, Sirisena. Argentina. Iran, Pakistan declare joint border reaction World’s first armed amphibious drone boat  Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran and  China has successfully tested the world’s first armed Pakistan will create a joint ‘reaction force’ on the border amphibious drone boat. between the two countries, for combatting terrorism.  It could be used in land assault operations and is capable  The announcement came during a two-day visit to Iran by of forming a combat triad with aerial drones and other Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, the first of his drone ships. tenure.  The drone ship has been named Marine Lizard.  Iran and Pakistan share a 959 km land border.  The Marine Lizard can be remotely controlled via satellites. US to end sanction waivers to India  It can reach a maximum speed of 50 knots while maintaining stealth.  The United States announced that all buyers of Iranian oil will have to end their imports shortly or face sanctions. Asian Tea Alliance launched in China

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 The Asian Tea Alliance, a union of 5 tea-growing and  Though the coin has no real value, hence the description consuming countries, was launched in Guizhou, China on pseudo-token. 19 April 2019. Scientists elected fellows of Royal Society  The members of the alliance are the Indian Tea Association, China Tea Marketing Association, Indonesian  51 eminent scientists have become Fellows of the Royal Tea Marketing Association, Sri Lanka Tea Board and Japan Society, as well as ten new Foreign Members and one Tea Association. Honorary Fellow for their exceptional contributions to  It plans to work towards enhancing tea trade, cultural science. exchanges and globally promoting tea.  This year’s newly elected Fellows and Foreign Members of the Royal Society have been drawn from diverse fields of Walmart, Amazon kicked off pilot program enquiry - epidemiology, geometry, climatology.  Amazon and Walmart kicked off a 2-year government pilot Boeing conducted test flight of 737 MAX program allowing low-income shoppers on government food assistance in New York to shop and pay for their  Boeing has conducted a final test flight of a 737 MAX groceries online for the first time. model with an updated anti-stall system prior to its  ShopRite will join the 2 retailers on the program. certification by aviation authorities.  The pilot program will test both online ordering and  Test pilots have completed 120 flights totaling more than payment. 203 hours of airtime with the software fix for the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System 7th China Int Tech Fair kicked off (MCAS).  The 7th China International Technology Fair opened on 18 Mt Everest to get an eco-friendly toilet April 2019 in Shanghai, a national-level professional fair focused on international technology trade.  Mount Everest will get an eco-friendly toilet at a Chinese  With an exhibition space covering 35,000 square meters, campsite 7,028 m above sea level in an ongoing campaign the fair has five exhibition areas including professional to deal with the peak’s waste problem. technologies, technological innovation, and trade services.  Decades of commercial mountaineering have turned Mount Everest into the world’s highest rubbish dump. WHO issued guidelines on digital health tech  The toilet will make it easy to collect the human waste  The WHO has released new recommendations on 10 ways produced by the climbers. countries can use digital health technology, accessible via Mujibnagar Day observed in Bangladesh mobile phones, tablets and computers, to improve people’s health and essential services.  In Bangladesh, the historic Mujibnagar day is being  The guidelines demonstrate that health systems need to observed on 17 April 2019. respond to the increased visibility and availability of  The day marks the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh's information. first government in 1971 at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur.  The day is being observed by political parties and social Nepal launched its first satellite from USA and cultural organisations through various programs  Nepal successfully launched its first satellite NepaliSat-1 across Bangladesh. into space from America on 18 April 2019. Notre Dam in Paris caught fire  The satellite developed by the Nepalese scientists was launched from Virginia in the US, according to Nepal  A major fire engulfed the medieval cathedral of Notre- Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). Dame in Paris, one of France's most famous landmarks.  Nepali scientists, Aabhas Maskey and Hariram Shrestha  The 850-year-old Gothic building's spire and roof have developed the satellite under the BIRDS project of their collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell institute. towers, has been saved.  Notre-Dame has stood tall above Paris since the 1200s. IMF and WB launched learning coins  A Unesco World Heritage site, it was built in the 12th and  The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank 13th centuries. have together launched a private blockchain with a Uber to launch IPO pseudo-token.  The new token, called 'Learning Coin' and only accessible  Uber revealed the paperwork for its giant IPO. within the IMF and World Bank, has a purpose to teach  This paperwork doesn't yet include key details, like how relevant individuals within the organizations about much the company expects to charge for each share of its blockchain. stock, or how many shares it will sell. Unique oil-eating bacteria discovered 12 | P a g e

 At the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of  Lapin is the third head of government under president the Earth’s oceans, scientists have discovered unique oil- Moise, who has led the Caribbean island nation since eating bacteria. February 2017.  But the new research reveals the Mariana Trench is home UAE & Saudi Arabia agencies to help Iran to the greatest concentration of these life forms anywhere in the world.  UAE & Saudi Arabia relief agencies announced a joint  The 2,550km long ocean trench is located in the western initiative to help people in flood hit Iran. Pacific Ocean and reaches a maximum depth of about  The Emirates Red Crescent will coordinate with its Saudi 11,000 metres. counterpart on the best ways of implement the initiative.  The operation is being undertaken within the framework World's biggest airplane took flight of Islamic brotherhood and in solidarity with the Iranian  The largest airplane ever created and its record-breaking people. 385-foot wingspan took off for the very first time on 13 SpaceX carries first commercial launch April 2019.  The aircraft, from the company Stratolaunch, has been  SpaceX carried out its first commercial launch with its eight years in the making. Falcon Heavy rocket which took a Saudi satellite in orbit.  By 2022, the company hopes to use the twin-fuselage, six-  The launch took place in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. engined, catamaran-style aircraft to launch satellite-  The rocket carried a Saudi Arabian satellite operated by bearing rockets into space. Arabsat.  Elon Musk is the founder of SpaceX. Last female of rare turtle species died UNSC votes to end peacekeeping in Haiti  The only known female member of one of the world’s rarest and most endangered turtle species died on 13 April  The UN Security Council voted unanimously to completely 2019. It was more than 90 years old. end its peacekeeping operations in Haiti by October 15,  The female Yangtze giant softshell turtle died at the 2019. Suzhou Zoo in Suzhou, China.  It will continue to support government efforts to promote  The death means only three giant softshell turtles remain order and development in the country. in the world.  Haiti is Latin America's poorest country and its capital is Port-au-Prince. IMO’s new rule on information exchange Image of toddler won World Press Photo  A new global rule mandated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for national governments to introduce  The haunting image of a little girl crying helplessly as she electronic information exchange between ships and ports and her mother are taken into custody by US border took effect from 8 April 2019. officials has won the prestigious World Press Photo Award.  The rule seeks to make cross-border trade simpler.  The picture of the wailing toddler was published  The rule is mandatory under IMO’s Convention on worldwide and caused a public outcry about Washington's Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL controversial policy to separate thousands of migrants Convention). from their children.  The picture was taken by John Moore. Abdelkader: Interim President of Algeria EU, UK agreed to delay Brexit  The Algerian Parliament on 9 April 2019 confirmed upper house Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah as the interim  Britain didn't leave the EU on April 12, 2019, after Britain President of the country. and the EU agreed to an extension till the end of October  The interim President has to conduct the elections within 2019. 90 days and cannot legally contest in the polls.  The period is longer than the extension till June 30 that  On 2 April 2019, Bouteflika resigned as Algeria's president Prime Minister Theresa May had sought. before his mandate was to end on April 28, after  Leaders made clear that the onus was very much on remaining in power for about 20 years. Britain to find a solution and deliver within this period. Lapin confirmed as Haiti’s new Prime Minister UK introduced online safety regulations  Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise confirmed Jean-Michel  The UK government introduced the world’s first Lapin as the country’s new Prime Minister. framework designed to hold internet companies  Lapin, the former culture and communications minister, accountable for the safety of those using their services. was named acting prime minister on 21 March 2019.

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 The Online Harms whitepaper is a joint proposal from the  The investment takes Dream11’s valuation at over $1 Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) billion making it first Indian gaming company to enter the and the Home Office. Unicorn club.  Various technology companies will be subject to the laws,  In terms of total user base on a fantasy sports platform, including social media platforms. Dream11 is the market leader with over 50 million users. Cyclone Idai's death toll rose to 1000 Etihad Airways to seek loan  The death toll from the cyclone Idai is now above 1,000.  Etihad Airways PJSC is seeking a loan of about $600 million  Mozambique has reported 602 deaths while 59 people to help make initial payments for planes. have died in Malawi.  Etihad Airways has 43 unfilled orders from the Boeing  Cyclone Idai smashed into the coast of central Co.’s 787 family, according to a Boeing January report. Mozambique in March 2019. It unleashed hurricane-force  The airline is also being sued over an August 2017 winds and rains that flooded the hinterland and drenched decision. eastern Zimbabwe. US to designate IRG as terrorist organization  Around 2 million people have been affected in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.  The US will designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRG) as a terrorist organization. Dogs can sniff out cancer with 97% accuracy  The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was formed  Dogs can pick out blood samples from people with cancer after the 1979 Islamic revolution with a mission to defend with 97% accuracy, as per a study. the clerical regime.  Dogs have smell receptors 10,000 times more accurate  IRGC is in charge of Iran's ballistic missiles and nuclear than humans', making them highly sensitive to odours we programmes. can not perceive.  The IRGC has an estimated 125,000-strong military with  For the study, the team used a form of clicker training to army, navy and air units. teach four beagles to distinguish between normal blood Global coalition for clean cooling launched serum and samples from patients with malignant lung cancer.  The first-ever global coalition on clean and efficient cooling was launched at the First Global Conference on London implemented pollution charge zone Synergies between the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement,  London became the first city in the world to implement a which concluded on April 3, 2019, in Copenhagen, special Ultra Low Emission Zone that would charge an Denmark. entry fee for older vehicles if they do not meet the  The Global Coalition links action across the Kigali emission standards. Amendment, Paris Agreement and Sustainable  In an attempt to reduce air pollution and protect public Development Goals. health, the ULEZ will be operational for 24 hours and  India has developed its National Cooling Action Plan. 7 days a week. First secure link between India, US navies  A vehicle that does not meet the new emission standard will have to pay daily charge.  India & the US have set up the first ever secure communication link between the Indian Navy & US Alphabet launched public drone service Central.  Wing, the drone delivery company owned by Google’s  US has also activated the Selective Availability Anti- parent company Alphabet, is launching its first public Spoofing Module GPS system in some of C-130 and C-17 drone delivery service in Canberra, Australia. transport aircraft  Around 100 homes in the suburbs of Crace, Palmerston,  COMCASA - COMmunications, Compatibility And Security and Franklin will initially have access to the service. Agreement is the Indo-US military-information sharing  Drones will not be allowed to fly over main roads, they will pact and was signed at the 2+2 bilateral summit in 2018 only be allowed to fly between 7 am and 8 pm from Japan names new imperial era as 'Reiwa' Monday to Friday.  'Reiwa' will be the name for the new era when Prince Dream 11 entered Unicorn Club Naruhito succeeds his father Emperor Akihito, whose  Dream11, online gaming firm, announced the completion abdication on April 30 will end the 31-year 'Heisei' era of a secondary investment by Steadview Capital, an Asia- (Since 1989). focused alternative asset manager.  While 'Rei' means "good" and "beautiful" as well as "order" or "command", 'Wa' means "peace" or "harmony".

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 Japan imported the imperial calendar system from China  Bureau of Police Research and Development gave the about 1,300 years ago. award to Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) Sunil Kumar Gautam for 2018-19. Arab leaders condemn U.S. move on Golan  The book presents the provisions of the Constitution in a  Arab leaders condemned on Sunday a U.S. decision to simple and poetic form. recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights and Book on Khooni Vaisakhi released in UAE said West Asia’s stability depended on creating a Palestinian state.  India's Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri has  Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz told Arab commended the launch of a book containing the english monarchs, Presidents and Prime Ministers at the meeting translation of the Punjabi poem, Khooni Vaisakhi. that his country ”absolutely rejects” any measures  The poem was translated by Suri whose grandfather affecting Syria’s sovereignty over the Golan Height Nanak Singh, a Jallianwala Bagh survivor, wrote it after witnessing the events.  The book was released in New Delhi on April 13, 2019, marking 100 years of the massacre. Atul Jalan's book hit the stands  Entrepreneur, technologist and science storyteller, Atul Jalan launched his new book titled, 'Where will man take Us? - A Bold story of the Man Technology is creating'.  It is published by Penguin Random House Books.  Authored by Atul Jalan, CEO of Manthan Systems, the book looks at the immediate future of mankind and what lies in wait. Prasar Bharati Chairman releases booklet  Prasar Bharati Chairman, A Surya Prakash released a booklet of the 'Selected speeches of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly', in New Delhi on 12 April 2019.  The event was organised to commemorate the contributions of Baba Saheb in the upliftment of underprivileged in the country.  The event was organised to mark the 128th birth anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar. Autobiography of social worker released  'Ashakiranam,’ an autobiography of noted social worker Sankurathri Chandrasekhar, was released on 10 April 2019.  Penned by Dr. Chandrasekhar in English with the title ‘A Books & Authors Ray of Hope’ the autobiography was translated into Telugu by Godavarthi Satyamurthy. Konkani version of Constitution released  Religious scholar Chaganti Koteswara Rao released the  A Konkani translation of the Indian Constitution was book while writer and literary critic Vadrevu Veeralakshmi released by the Mangaluru Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha. Devi reviewed the work.  The translation has been done by Professor Stephen Jeff Kinney out with new book Quadros Permude, author of several books in Konkani.  The book was brought out by the Mangaluru Diocesan  Renowned author Jeff Kinney has come out with a new Commission, led by its convener Father J.B. Crasta. book 'Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal', Police officers awarded for writing book  It was announced by publishers Puffin, the children's  A Delhi Police officer has been awarded 'Pandit Govind imprint of Penguin Books on 11 April 2019. Ballabh Pant Award' for his book 'Samvidhan Kavya'.  It is written from the point of view of Rowley Jefferson, the best friend of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' protagonist Greg Heffley.

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'Game Changer' to hit stands on April 30  Assocham was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in New Delhi.  Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi's biography 'Game Changer' will hit the stands on April 30, 2019. Yogi won assembly elections in Japan  The biography is written by well-known TV anchor and  An Indian-origin Japanese has been elected to Tokyo's broadcaster, Wajahat S Khan. Edogawa Ward assembly, becoming the first Indian to win  He retired from all cricket in April 2016 after a 20-year an election in Japan. international career in which he appeared in 27 Tests, 398  Puranik Yogendra, a naturalised Japanese, secured 6,477 ODIs and 99 T20 internationals. votes, the fifth highest of the 226,561 valid ballots cast, in Garuda Prakashan launches ‘Saffron Swords’ the April 21 poll.  Over 34,000 Indians live in Japan.  The Indian Publishing company, Garuda Prakashan Private Limited, launched its book ‘Saffron Swords- Centuries of Britain's youngest accountant: Ranveer Singh Indic Resistance to Invaders’.  A 15-year-old Indian-origin boy has been lauded as  Written by Manoshi Sinha Rawal, it is a book on 52 unsung Britain's youngest accountant after setting up a successful warriors of India from the last 1300 years. accountancy firm while still at school.  Ranveer Singh Sandhu, based in south London, has set himself a goal of becoming a millionaire by the time he Personalities in News turns 25 after he set up his first business when he was Dominic won Barcelona Open Title aged just 12 years.  He charges between 12-15 pounds per hour for his  Dominic Thiem clinched the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell services. 2019 title held at Barcelona, Spain which was held from April 22- 28, 2019. Vijender Singh: Congress Candidate  He secured 6-4, 6-0.  The Congress fielded champion boxer Vijender Singh, who  He became just the fourth player in the past 15 years to lift won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, from the title in Barcelona, joining Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori, the South Delhi constituency. and Fernando Verdasco.  He will take on BJP’s sitting MP Ramesh Bidhuri and AAP’s  He’s also the first Austrian winner at this event since Raghav Chadha. Thomas Muster in 1996.  In all, the Congress has so far declared candidates for 422 Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary resigned Lok Sabha seats.  Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigned Nasim Zaidi quit Jet Airways board on 25th April after the Easter attacks.  The non-executive and non-independent director of Jet  He took the responsibility for the deadly serial bombings. Airways, Nasim Zaidi has quit the board, citing personal  The new Secretary is yet to be named. reasons and time constraints.  Mr.Fernando is the first official to step down after both  Zaidi, the former Chief Election Commissioner and ex- civil President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil aviation secretary, joined the Jet Airways board in August Wickremesinghe said they were unaware of the imminent last year. threat. Hardik, Rahul fined Rs. 20 lakh Uber Asia Pacific head Amit Jain resigned  Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and K.L. Rahul were fined  AmitJain, Uber’s Asia-Pacific region Head, announced his 20 lakh rupees each by the BCCI ombudsman Justice D.K. resignation at the end of May 2019 after four-year service Jain. to spend time with his family.  They were fined for their sexist comments on a popular TV  Uber’s head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Pierre- chat show. Dimitri Gore-Coty will take over the additional charge of  Pandya and Rahul have already served a provisional APAC. suspension and tendered an unconditional apology for Uday Kumar resigned from Assocham post their loose comments on women. Maldivian President visited Bangalore  Uday Kumar Varma resigned from the post of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry  Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visited (Assocham) Secretary-General. Bengaluru on 21 April 2019 to attend an IPL match on the  Currently, Assocham’s Deputy Secretary-General Saurabh invitation of BCCI. Sanyal is discharging the duties of secretary general.

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 He was accompanied by two of his cabinet members  The Time 100 most influential people of 2019 includes including foreign minister Abdulla Shahid. lawyers Arundhati Katju and Menaka Guruswamy.  He watched the match between the Royal Challengers  They were instrumental in the Supreme Court partly Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.  Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani Longest spaceflight by a woman also featured in the TIME magazine's list of 100 most  A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) influential people. astronaut is all set to set a record for the longest MS Dhoni: Brand ambassador of redBus spaceflight by a woman.  NASA astronaut Christina Koch is going to have her mission  Bus ticketing platform redBus has appointed cricketer icon on the International Space Station (ISS) extended to 328 MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador. days.  He will drive all major campaigns for the brand across  This would set a record for the longest single spaceflight media platforms and will soon appear in his first by a woman. promotional concept for the brand.  Christina Koch will remain in orbit until February 2020.  The CEO of redBus is Prakash Sangam.  redBus commands a strong foothold in the Indian online Hamied receives UK Royal Society honour bus ticketing segment.  Prominent scientist and businessman Yusuf Hamied was Julian Assange arrested in London honoured in the 2019 list of new fellows of the UK's Royal Society.  Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange has been arrested at  He is Chairman of pharmaceutical major Cipla. the Ecuadorian embassy in London.  The Royal Society is an independent scientific academy of  He took refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition the UK and the Commonwealth, dedicated to promoting to Sweden over a sexual assault case that has since been excellence in science. dropped.  He will face up to five years in US prison if convicted on Indian-American scientist in Hall of Fame the charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.  An Indian-American scientist and social activist has been Cairn India CEO and CFO resigned inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of fame for his contribution in applications in systems biology, global  Vedanta-owned Cairn India’s CEO and CFO, Sudhir Mathur issues and sustainable development. and Pankaj Kalra have resigned in quick succession.  Prof Sree Sreenath was inducted into it, along with five  The frequency of exits in the company since Anil Agarwal’s other inductees Dr. Akram Boutros, Ingrida Bublys, Paul Vedanta took over it in 2011 has raised many questions. Burik, Richard Fleischman, and Marilyn Madigan. Varun Dhawan: Navratna brand ambassador Rakesh Suryakant resigned as Adani CFO  Emami has roped in Varun Dhawan to endorse Navratna  Adani Enterprises' CFO Rakesh Suryakant Shah has Cool brand. resigned.  Emami will launch Dhawan as its new brand ambassador  Rakesh Suryakant Shah has tendered his resignation as of Navratna Cool and he would feature in the new chief financial officer (CFO) with effect from April 16, 2019. commercial.  Adani Enterprises is a diversified conglomerate with  Navratna brand, over the years, has been endorsed by business interests across integrated coal management and leading actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh mining, solar cells and module manufacturing, agri-storage Khan, Govinda, and Shilpa Shetty. infrastructure and food products.  Some of its products are Navratna Oil and Navratna Cool. FIFA banned former football President Isaak Hayik set new record  FIFA banned former Brazilian Football Confederation  Isaak Hayik became the world's oldest player to take part president Jose Maria Marin from all football-related in a professional game at the age of 73. activities for life.  He set the record by playing as a goalkeeper for Israeli  In August 2018, Marin who led Brazil’s organizing team Ironi or Yehuda recently. committee for the 2014 World Cup, was sentenced to 4  He received the Guinness World Records prize at a years in prison for racketeering, money laundering, and ceremony after the match, just days ahead of his 74th wire fraud. birthday.  Earlier Marin was arrested at a luxury Zurich hotel in May US Homeland Secretary stepped down 2015. Time 100 most influential people report 17 | P a g e

 US President Donald Trump announced that US Homeland  He was in power for 20 years and was under mounting Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is stepping down. pressure to step down since his decision to seek a fifth  She would be temporarily replaced by Customs and Border term. Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan.  Mr. Bouteflika was rarely being seen in public after  Ms. Nielsen's department was responsible for suffering a stroke in 2013. implementing the proposed border wall and the Malaysia's ex-PM went for trial separation of migrant families.  Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak went on trial Coimbatore student entered Guinness Book on 3 April 2019 over a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal.  Sridhar Muthukrishnan, a 2nd-year student of BSc Visual  He faced the first of several trials over his alleged Communications entered the Guinness Book of World involvement in the looting of sovereign wealth fund. Records in light painting photography with 1,350 light  In the trial, Najib faced seven charges of corruption and orbs. money laundering over the alleged theft of some 10.3  His work was submitted to the Guinness Book officials on million dollars. February 13, 2018, and the certificate was issued in March 2019. Government Policies & Schemes London exhibition paid tribute to Mary Quant SBI launched Green Car Loan  Mary Quant was the subject of a major retrospective opening at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum this week.  State Bank of India (SBI) launched ‘Green Car Loan’ to  She was the fashion queen of Britain’s Swinging Sixties. encourage customers to buy electric vehicles (EVs) in the  The 85-year-old has gone down in history for popularising country. the mini-skirt and for making women’s clothes fun and  The interest rates on the loan will be 20 basis points (0.2%) affordable. lower than SBI’s existing auto loans.  Thus, the equated monthly instalment (EMI) per Rs 1 lakh 'Game Changer' to hit stands on April 30 will be lower at Rs 1,468 for 96 months.  Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi's biography 'Game  The scheme comes with the longest repayment period of Changer' will hit the stands on April 30, 2019. up to 8 years.  The biography is written by well-known TV anchor and Farmers received 1st tranche under PM Kisan broadcaster, Wajahat S Khan.  He retired from all cricket in April 2016 after a 20-year  Around 3.10 crore small farmers have so far received the international career in which he appeared in 27 Tests, 398 first tranche of Rs 2,000 each under the PM-Kisan scheme. ODIs and 99 T20 internationals.  2.10 crore peasants have got the second installment as well, costing Rs 10,500 crore to the exchequer. Sana Dua: Brand ambassador J&K election dept  The government had announced that 12 crore farmers  Lawyer-turned-model Sana Dua would be the brand would be covered under the Rs 75,000-crore Pradhan ambassador of the Jammu and Kashmir election Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. department for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. WB Govt's scheme won UN award  She was the first runner-up in the Femina Miss India 2017 contest and has also participated in the Miss United  West Bengal government's 'Utkarsh Bangla' scheme was Continents 2017 and figured among the top 10 awarded the World Summit on the Information Society contestants. (WSIS) award of the United Nations.  Out of 1062 nominations in 18 categories from all over the Lori Lightfoot: First black woman Mayor world, #UtkarshBangla emerged No 1 in the Capacity  Chicago created history by electing an African-American Building category. woman as its mayor for the first time.  The WB government had received another UN award in  She will take over office from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who 2017 for its 'Kanyashree' project. previously served as chief of staff under former President Jan Dhan Bank deposits to cross Rs 1 lakh cr Barack Obama.  She will also be Chicago's first openly gay mayor.  The total deposits in bank accounts opened under the Jan Dhan scheme are set to cross Rs 1 lakh crore soon. Algerian President resigned  The cumulative balance in 35.29 crore accounts under the  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned after flagship programme of the Modi government reached Rs weeks of mass protests. 97,665.66 crore as on April 3, 2019.  The Modi government launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) on August 28, 2014. 18 | P a g e

New Urea Policy 2015 extended  Once the Bill is passed, it would enable and regulate the activities related to space by the private players.  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved to extend the duration of New Urea Policy 2015 for existing Japan created 1st artificial crater gas-based urea unit from 1 April 2019 until further orders.  Japanese scientists succeeded in creating the first-ever  The move will facilitate the continuation of operations and artificial crater on an asteroid, a step towards shedding regular supply of urea to farmers. light on how the solar system evolved.  At present, there are 31 urea units in the country of which  The crater from images captured by the probe is located 28 units are gas-based. 1,700 metres (5,500 feet) from the asteroid's surface. 2 Bengal government schemes won UN awards  NASA's Deep Impact probe succeeded in creating an artificial crater on a comet in 2005, but only for  Two schemes of the West Bengal government for skill observation purposes. development and distribution of bicycles to students have won the prestigious World Summit on the Information NASA's InSight detected quake on Mars Society awards of the United Nations.  NASA's robotic Mars InSight lander has recorded a likely  The 2 schemes are the Utkarsh Bangla and Sabooj Sathi mars quake for the first time ever. projects for youngsters.  The US space agency said the faint seismic signal, detected 85% Ujjawala beneficiaries use earthen stoves by the lander's Seismic instrument, was recorded on April 6, 2019.  A study from the Research Institute for Compassionate  This is the first recorded trembling that appears to have Economics shows that 85% of Ujjwala beneficiaries in rural come from inside the planet, as opposed to being caused Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh still use solid fuels by forces above the surface, such as wind. for cooking.  The survey, conducted in late 2018, covered a random Dark matter search: Xenon unstable sample of 1,550 households in 11 districts of the four  In a spectacular discovery, the XENON collaboration States, which collectively have two-fifths of the country’s publicly announced the discovery that xenon-124, an rural population. isotope of the element Xenon, is fundamentally unstable. App launched to facilitate elderly voters  Its half-life is 1.8 × 1022 years: more than 1 trillion times the present age of the Universe.  Sahulat, a mobile app aimed to facilitate voting by elders  was launched in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on 3 It’s the longest half-life humanity has ever measured April 2019. directly, and its implications for the nature of reality couldn’t be more profound.  District Election Officer Mohammad Aijaz Asad launched the Android-based application to reach out to the voters Mercury has solid inner core who are 90 years old or above.  The smallest planet in our solar system, Mercury, has a  The app has a simple and user-friendly interface with very massive solid inner core. simple login operation making it convenient for everyone.  Mercury has a solid inner core about 2,000 kilometers in diameter, making up about half of Mercury’s entire core.  The planet has a weak magnetic field generated by Science & Technology circulation of molten metal in that liquid core. BepiColombo mission completed tests  The solid inner core makes up about half of the total core. The entire core is 85% of the planet.  The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s BepiColombo New level of complexity in dolphins: Study mission has successfully completed a series of test.  A new study has found that there are hundreds of sound  It has completed its near-Earth commissioning phase. that the dolphins use to communicate.  It is now ready for the operations that will take  The study was published in the Journal ‘PeerJ’. place eventually for its scientific investigations at Mercury.  The Araguaian dolphins, also called botos, are hard to find Skyroot to test Vikram series of rockets and difficult to study.  They identified 237 different types of sounds that the  Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad startup, is gearing up to dolphins make. test-launch its 'Vikram' series of rockets to send satellites into space by mid-2021. PIO-led team's CubeSat to be launched by NASA  The aerospace company is betting big on the proposed Space Activities Bill-2017 which is under discussion at the Cabinet-level. 19 | P a g e

 A team led by Keshav Raghavan has been chosen by NASA  When put under pressure, plastic crystals of to have their CubeSat flown into space on future missions neopentylglycol yield huge cooling effects, and are of NASA. competitive with conventional coolants.  CubeSats are miniature satellites intended as a standard,  The material is inexpensive, widely available and functions inexpensive design that can easily fit alongside larger at close to room temperature. satellites aboard launch vehicles. Nepal launched its first satellite from USA  The team's CubeSat BLAST (Bouchet Low-Earth Alpha/Beta Space Telescope) is named for physicist Edward A Bouchet.  Nepal successfully launched its first satellite NepaliSat-1 into space from America on 18 April 2019. Sri Lanka’s 1st satellite ‘Raavana-1’ launched  The satellite developed by the Nepalese scientists was  Sri Lanka’s first satellite ‘Raavana-1’ was launched into launched from Virginia in the US, according to Nepal space from NASA’s Flight Facility on 18 April 2019. Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).  ‘Raavana 1’ weights around 1.05 kg and the lifespan of the  Nepali scientists, Aabhas Maskey and Hariram Shrestha satellite is around one and a half years. developed the satellite under the BIRDS project of their  The launch marks Sri Lanka’s entry into the global space institute. age. IMF and WB launched learning coins  Its mission is to capture images of Sri Lanka and its neighbouring countries.  The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have together launched a private blockchain with a Universe’s first molecule detected in space pseudo-token.  Scientists have detected the most ancient type of  The new token, called 'Learning Coin' and only accessible molecule in our universe in space for the first time ever. within the IMF and World Bank, has a purpose to teach  Helium hydride ion (HeH+) was the first molecule that relevant individuals within the organizations about formed almost 14 billion years ago. blockchain.  It was detected by NASA's flying observatory SOFIA  Though the coin has no real value, hence the description towards a planetary nebula. pseudo-token.  Helium combined first with free electrons to form the first Mars based simulator unveiled in Gobi Desert ever neutral atom.  In the middle of China’s Gobi desert sits a Mars base Antares launches Cygnus on ISS cargo mission simulator, the facility is full of teenagers on a school trip.  A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket successfully  Surrounded by barren hills in northwestern Gansu launched a Cygnus spacecraft on 17 April 2019 carrying 3.5 province, Mars Base 1 opened on 17 April 2019 metric tons of cargo bound for the International Space  Its aim is to expose teens and soon tourists to what life Station (ISS). could be like on the planet.  The Antares lifted off from the Mid-Atlantic Regional SpaceX to fly its DART mission Spaceport.  The Cygnus is scheduled to be captured by the ISS’s  NASA announced that SpaceX will fly its Double Asteroid robotic arm. Redirection Test (DART) planetary-defense mission.  It will remain at the station for about 90 days.  The total launch cost for NASA is estimated to be about $69 million. 220 million yr old dinossaur fossils found  DART - Double Asteroid Redirection Test.  A site containing the 220-million-year-old fossilised  It is a planned space probe that will demonstrate the remains of nearly a dozen dinosaurs has been discovered kinetic effects of crashing an impactor spacecraft into an in western Argentina. asteroid moon for planetary defense purposes.  There are almost ten different individuals, it's a mass of IDRBT set up 5G lab for banking sector bones, there's practically no sediment.  This discovery is doubly important because there are at  The Institute for Development and Research in Banking least seven or eight individuals of dicynodonts, the Technology (IDRBT) has launched a 5G Use Cases Lab for ancestors of mammals, the size of an ox. banking and financial sector.  The 5G technology, along with blockchain, will be Scientists identified green material progressively adopted by banks.  Researchers have identified an eco-friendly solid that  The use of 5G will change a range of technologies and could replace the inefficient and polluting gases used in applications including point of sale machines in the most refrigerators and air conditioners. banking sector which were now using 2G. Deepest radio images of sun created 20 | P a g e

 Scientists have captured the deepest radio images of the  Scientists have designed a first-of-its-kind 3D-printed Sun, an advance that may help reliably predict space device that can produce electricity from falling snow. weather and its possible effects on Earth.  The device designed by researchers at the University of  Sun's emission can change within a second and can be very California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US is inexpensive, different, even across nearby frequencies. small, thin and flexible like a sheet of plastic.  The Sun has some of the most powerful explosions in the  The device can work in remote areas because it provides solar system. its own power and does not need batteries. Titan has 100 m deep methane lakes New sensor can detect dangerous chemicals  Saturn's largest moon Titan has small liquid lakes that run  Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the more than 100 metres deep, perched atop hills and filled US have developed a spectrometer that can be used in with methane. smartphone-sized devices to detect dangerous chemicals.  This was founded by scientists using data from NASA's  Spectrometer could be integrated with the camera of a Cassini spacecraft. typical cellphone.  The findings are published in the journal Nature  The device collects information about each individual pixel Astronomy. in an image to identify materials or detect specific objects  They provide new information about the way liquid Impact of space travel on astronauts revealed methane rains on, evaporates from and seeps into Titan.  Scientists have found no major epigenetic differences in Earth's surface heating up: NASA study astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent a year in space aboard  Satellite measurements by NASA researchers have verified the International Space Station, and his twin brother, Mark the ground-based data which shows the Earth's surface Kelly, who remained on Earth. has been warming globally over the past 15 years.  Epigenetic changes involve chemical tweaks to DNA that  The team used measurements of the 'skin' temperature of can influence gene activity. the Earth taken by a satellite-based infrared measurement  The changes affect when and how a gene is read, or system called AIRS from 2003 to 2017. expressed, for its protein-encoding instructions.  The study was published in the journal Environmental A new human ancestor species discovered Research Letters.  Scientists have identified a new human ancestor species Google opened AI lab in Ghana named 'Homo luzonensis' in the Philippines.  Ghana and Google have cooperated to open Africa’s first  They are classified as a separate species on the basis of 13 AI research laboratory, which, experts hope, will take on bones and teeth from two adults and one child found in a some of the region’s struggles. cave on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.  Africa has many challenges where the use of AI could be  They are estimated to be three to four feet tall. beneficial, sometimes even more than in other places. SpaceX carries first commercial launch  The AI research lab will work to create solutions for healthcare, educations, and agriculture.  SpaceX carried out its first commercial launch with its Falcon Heavy rocket which took a Saudi satellite in orbit. NASA found Alien World  The launch took place in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA.  NASA's newest planet hunter has discovered its first Earth-  The rocket carried a Saudi Arabian satellite operated by size alien world. Arabsat.  The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) spotted  Elon Musk is the founder of SpaceX. the planet, as well as a weird sub-Neptune world, circling First ever image of black hole released the star HD 21749, which lies about 53 light-years from Earth.  Scientists have taken the first ever image of a black hole located in the distant galaxy. Astronomers discovered 3rd planet  The image has been captured by a network of eight  Astronomers have discovered a third planet in the Kepler- telescopes across the world, known as the Event Horizon 47 system, securing the system’s title as the most Telescope Project. interesting of the binary-star worlds.  The feat was achieved by global collaborators at Center for  Using data from NASA’s Kepler space telescope, a team of Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian. researchers, led by astronomers at San Diego State SpaceX carried out first commercial launch University, detected the new Neptune-to-Saturn-size planet orbiting between two previously known planets. Electricity from falling snow created 21 | P a g e

 SpaceX has carried out its first commercial launch with its  IIT Madras will be developing advanced coatings meeting Falcon Heavy rocket tasked with placing a Saudi satellite in specifications of the aerospace standard. orbit. Elements can be solid and liquid at same time  The rocket exerts 5.1 million pounds of thrust -- that of more than a dozen jetliners.  Scientists have discovered a new state of physical matter  The rocket carried a Saudi Arabian satellite operated by in which atoms can exist as both solid and liquid Arabsat. simultaneously.  Until now, the atoms in physical material existed typically Google launched new cloud platform in one of three states – solid, liquid or gas.  Google launched Anthos, a new open platform from  A team led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh Google Cloud, that lets users run applications from used powerful computer simulations to study the anywhere, on 10 April 2019. existence of the state – known as the chain-melted state.  It allows users to run applications, unmodified, on existing New feature of Whatsapp tested on-premise hardware or on the public cloud and is based on the Cloud Services Platform.  In a bid to minimize fake news on its platform, WhatsApp  It is a complete software-based solution. Users can set it is now testing a new feature within its Groups Settings to up on existing hardware. help users stop sending 'Frequently Forwarded' messages.  It is working on 2 features that will help over 1.5 billion Yutu travelled 170 m on Moon users know how many times a message has been  China's lunar rover Yutu-2 traveled 170.92 meters on the forwarded. far side of the Moon, as per the Lunar Exploration and  When the feature is enabled, nobody will be able to send a Space Program Center of the China National Space Frequently Forwarded message in the group. Administration (CNSA). CCMB scientists make major breakthrough  It has run a total of 163 meters during the previous three lunar daytime periods.  Researchers at the Center for Cellular and Molecular  During the third one, the rover conducted scientific Biology (CCMB) proclaimed new discovery on new examination over stones and tracks on the Moon. antimicrobial approaches.  They are studying the cell growth in bacteria and have Black Hole photograph released discovered a new enzyme 'Murein EndopeptidiaseK' which  The first ever photograph of a black hole was released on would cut the bacteria cell wall. 10 April 2019.  The researchers had identified a new enzyme which would  Scientists working in the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) act on the protein of cell wall in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Collaboration presented their observations at 6:30 PM IST. Scientist discovers 'death-switch' in plants  Sagittarius A, a supermassive black hole site is 26,000 light years away, while the second is at the centre of the  Chinese scientists have discovered a possible "death supergiant elliptical M87 galaxy in the Virgo constellation. switch" mechanism in the plant's immune system that triggers infected cells to self-destruct. DEO Puducherry app launched  This will limit the spread of the disease and keeping other  The Elections Department of Puducherry has launched parts of the plant healthy. DEO Puducherry, an IT application.  Scientists said the discovery provides clues to cell death  This will help voters with details of all polling stations in 25 control and immunity for plants. Assembly constituencies in Puducherry district Japan's probe drops explosive on asteroid  The new app was launched by Senior Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) Apoorva Gupta.  Japan's space agency has said its Hayabusa2 spacecraft  The app features messages from the DEO, propaganda, released an explosive onto an asteroid to make a crater on law and order regulations. its surface.  It will also collect underground samples to find possible IIT Madras tied up with GE clues to the origin of the solar system.  IIT Madras and General Electric (GE) have collaborated for  The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said that establishing a ‘Cold Spray’ SMART (Surface Modification Hayabusa2 dropped a "small carry-on impactor" made of and Additive Research Technologies) Laboratory. copper onto the asteroid and safely evacuated and  This is the first of its kind High-Pressure Cold Spray (HPCS) remained intact facility that is being installed in any academic institute in Vacuum assisted airplane toilet invented India.

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 Scientists have invented a vacuum-assisted toilet that is  China launched its first data relay satellite, the Tianlian I- about half as loud as the regular airplane commode. 01  It took researchers at the Brigham Young University (BYU)  China has successfully launched the first of its new- in the US two years of trial and error, three academic generation data relay satellites into orbit that will provide publications and thousands of flushes to figure out how to data relay, measurement, and control services for its make toilets quieter. manned spacecraft.  An air-water mix in vacuum-assisted toilets travels more  The satellite is developed by the China Academy of Space than 483 kilometres per hour. Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. China deployed new missile destroyer ISRO’s PSLV-C45 launched today  China deployed its latest guided missile destroyer and frigate in the fleet of naval ships participating in anti-piracy  ISRO’s PSLV-C45 has successfully put the electronic operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somalian coast in the intelligence satellite EMISAT in the 749 km orbit. Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.  PSLV-C45 took off from Satish Dhawan Space Center in  China's 32nd convoy fleet to the Gulf of Aden and Somali Sriharikota with EMISAT as well as 28 satellites from waters set sail from a military port in Zhoushan, East Spain (1), Lithuania (2), Switzerland (1) and the United China's Zhejiang Province on 4 April 2019. States (24) as part of its payload.  This will be the 47th mission for ISRO’s PSLV programme Study: Dark matter not made of black holes Hyper local connectivity app - Bhonga  Scientists have put the Stephen Hawking theory to its most rigorous test to date, saying dark matter is not made up of  The Mumbai-based company Linkus Infratech has primordial black holes smaller than a tenth of a millimetre. launched a hyper-local connectivity app called "Bhonga" to  About 85% of the matter in the universe is believed to be connect users to people in their neighborhood in the city made up of dark matter. even without an Internet connection.  Its gravitational force prevents stars in our Milky Way from  Bhonga" is a word in the Marathi language that translates flying apart. to meaning megaphone or loudspeaker.  The app is in the process of collaborating with partners like South Korea to launch 5G network blood-banks, ambulances.  South Korea launched the world's first fully-fledged 5G mobile networks.  The superfast communications heralded by fifth- Committees & Recommendations generation wireless technology will ultimately underpin CPWD set up committee everything from toasters to telephones; from electric cars to power grids.  The Central Works Public Department (CPWD) constituted  It will bring smartphones near-instantaneous connectivity - an expert committee to formulate a design policy for - 20 times faster than the existing 4G. building construction and infrastructure development.  The committee has been set up under the chairmanship of ISRO to launch defence satellite CPWD’s Additional Director General M K Sharma.  Starting May 2019, ISRO plans to send up at least eight  The move is aimed at reviving building construction and earth observation (EO) satellites of varied hues and at the infrastructure development at all levels in the CPWD. rate of almost one a month. Anti-hijack panel revamped  Communication satellite GSAT-32 is also in the offing next year to replace GSAT-6A, which was lost in a failed launch  The government of India has revamped its high-level anti- and was meant to mainly serve the ground forces. hijack panel to include top officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, especially National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. FB launches ‘Why am I seeing this post'?  He will be empowered to coordinate any immediate  Facebook has introduced a new feature titled “Why am I military response. seeing this post”  The panel will be called the Committee of Secretaries on  This will help users understand and control the kind of Aircraft Hijack (COSAH). posts surfacing on their News Feed from friends, Pages,  The panel will be headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha. and Groups. All public payments digital: RBI panel  This means people will be able to tap on posts and ads in News Feed, get context on why they’re appearing and  A RBI committee may recommend that all government further take action to personalize what they see. payments to citizens should be made digitally, one person aware of the matter said, requesting anonymity. China launches 2nd gen relay satellite 23 | P a g e

 The move seeks to ensure higher adoption of digital  The nodal agency for coordination and compliance will be payments among the masses. the principal secretary of the Haryana Irrigation and Water  The 5-member panel called Committee on Deepening of Resources Department. Digital Payments was led by former Unique Identification  The joint report may be furnished within 1 month by e- Authority of India chairman Nandan Nilekani. mail so that matter can be taken up before monsoon. Panel set up to oversee Essar Steel  Essar Steel’s committee of creditors (CoC) has set up a monitoring committee to oversee the operations of the steel firm and ensure a smooth transition to ArcelorMittal.  The monitoring committee is headed by resolution professional Satish Gupta.  The lenders — SBI, IDBI Bank, ICICI and Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company — have their representatives as members of the monitoring committee.

Business & Economy India raised import duty on wheat to 40%  India has raised its import duty on wheat to 40% from 30% to support local farmers.  India is the world’s No. 2 producer of the grain.  Local wheat prices have fallen over 11% in 2019 due to ample supply from last year’s crop and forecasts of record output. RBI proposed strict rules  India’s Central Bank, the RBI would tighten rules on

opening and operating current accounts of corporate Jalan Panel report in June borrowers  A 6-member panel looking into the appropriate capital  This would be done to prevent the diversion of funds. reserves the RBI should maintain is likely to submit its  The rules would be applicable to corporates who have report by June. borrowed and used credit facilities of more than Rs 50  The committee, headed by former RBI governor Bimal crore from the banking system. Jalan, was appointed on December 26, 2018, to review the Wirecard expands partnership with RBL Bank RBI’s economic capital framework (ECF).  It was to submit its report in 90 days from the first day of  Wirecard, a digital financial technology provider, its meeting held on January 8. announced an expanded partnership with RBL Bank to promote financial inclusion in India. NGT set central monitoring panel  This partnership will make digital payment and banking  The National Green Tribunal (NGT) constituted a Central transactions more readily accessible to all Indian citizens. Monitoring Committee to ensure the implementation of  Wirecard will empower its retail agents, who serve as action plan meant for reducing pollution stretches across customer service representatives in various areas across the country. the country,  It will undertake a national initiative by way of preparation IndusInd Bank & BFI merger approved and enforcement of a national plan to make river stretches pollution-free.  National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the  The panel will coordinate with States to oversee the action merger of IndusInd Bank with Bharat Financial Inclusion plans. (BFIL).  The merger will be completed within 2-4 weeks. NGT formed committee  Post-merger, BFIL will become a subsidiary of the Bank.  The National Green Tribunal formed a committee to look  Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited BFIL is a non-banking into the alleged erosion of Yamuna floodplain in Haryana's finance company, licensed by the Reserve Bank of India. Sonipat district. 24 | P a g e

Platform for Cryptocurrency Trading launched  Shares in Microsoft rallied some 5% to USD 130.59 in early Wall Street trade after a robust earnings report a day  BuyUcoin, the second oldest Cryptocurrency Exchange in earlier. India, has announced the launch of a new and unique  That gave Microsoft a market capitalization of just over platform for wholesale cryptocurrency trading. USD 1 trillion, before dipping back slightly.  The platform allows its users to trade on a large scale with low price fluctuations. Textile Ministry  It currently works on free trading model i.e. charges zero  The Union Ministry of Textiles is in talks with the Japanese fees on any trade. Government and some companies in the U.S. to support  The platform is aptly described and known as OTC (Over- the Indian textile industry with technology for speciality the-counter) desk. fibre and related products. RBI first to begin interest rate easing cycle  Two committees have been formed in regard to this: One for speciality fibre and one to see how to take the segment  The Reserve Bank of India is the first central bank in the forward. Asia-Pacific region to begin an explicit interest rate easing cycle buoyed by benign food inflation and easier global RBI asked banks to disclose NPA results financial condition.  RBI has asked banks and financial institutions to disclose  The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has cut rates in the non-performing assets (NPA) stemming from their February and April 2019. exposure to Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services  The RBI has cut policy interest rates twice by 0.25% each Limited (IL&FS) in their upcoming results announcements. to a one-year low of 6%.  An account becomes non-performing if repayment is due Kotak Bank launches debit card-based e-mandate for more than 90 days.  Banks have to set aside capital as provisions for NPAs.  Kotak Mahindra Bank launched a debit card-based authentication solution on NPCI’s e-Mandate API platform. 'Plaints to RBI ombuds increased 25% in FY18  With this, the bank has become the first Destination Bank  The number of complaints by bank customers to the to go live with Net Banking and Debit Card-based e- RBI's banking ombudsman increased by 24.9% in the mandate authentication. financial year 2017-18 as compared to the previous year.  It will enable its customers to create electronic mandates  The major grounds of complaints received during the year via both the Debit Card and Net Banking channels. were non-observance of fair practices code (22.1%), ATM Global warming shrank economy by 31% and debit card issues (15.1%), credit card issues (7.7%), failure to meet commitments (6.8%).  According to a Stanford study, global warming has caused the Indian economy to be 31% smaller than it would have Agriculture prices to fall 2.6%: World Bank been.  Agriculture prices are projected to fall 2.6% this year but  The study shows how Earth's temperature changes have are estimated to rebound in 2020 due to lower crop increased inequalities. production and higher costs for energy and fertilisers.  It showed that growing concentrations of greenhouse  Agricultural and food prices are expected to remain stable gases in Earth's atmosphere since the 1960s have enriched over the medium term. cool countries like Norway and Sweden.  The outlook by the World bank also adds that in 2020, 'Total Health Secure Goal' plan launched agricultural prices are expected to rise by 1.7%.  Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Bajaj Allianz Life RBI sold entire stake in NHB Insurance in collaboration launched their first product  RBI has exited the National Housing Bank (NHB) and the 'Total Health Secure Goal'. National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development  The new insurance product is a combination of two (Nabard), by selling its entire stakes to government for Rs existing plans: Health Guard policy by Bajaj Allianz General 1,450 crore and Rs 20 crore. Insurance, and iSecure from Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance.  With this divestment, the government now holds 100  A customer can opt for a Plan with a sum insured that percent stake in both these financial institutions. ranges from Rs 1.5 to Rs 50 Lakh RBI has Rs.3 lakh cr in excess reserve Microsoft topped trillion-dollar mark  Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofAML) notified the  Microsoft hit the trillion-dollar value mark for the first excess reserves that RBI holds could be up to Rs.3 lakh time, becoming the third technology giant to reach the crore ($43 billion) or 1.5% of the GDP (Gross Domestic symbolic milestone. Product).

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 This also includes the excess capital in contingency  The second dollar-rupee buy/sell auction saw healthy reserves and revaluation reserves. demand with the RBI getting 255 bids worth $18.65 billion  The BofAML report stated that capping overall reserves at compared with the notified amount of $5 billion. 20% from 25.5% will release Rs. 1.96 lakh crore.  The cut-off premium was 838 paisa compared with 776 paisa the last time. ICRA estimated 7-7.5 GW solar power addition  The liquidity injected in the first leg was Rs. 34,874 crore.  Rating agency ICRA has estimated 7-7.5 GW solar power Leather exports rose 8% in FY19 capacity addition during the current financial year, which includes 1 GW of rooftop solar power.  India registered about 8% growth in export of leather,  Solar capacity addition is estimated to have remained leather products and footwear during 2018-19 and is subdued at around 6 GW to 6.5 GW in the financial year aiming to achieve 9% to 10% growth during the current 2018-19. fiscal.  Tendered project awards for solar PV (photovoltaic)  In rupee terms, exports during 2018-19 grew to Rs. projects during CY 2018 stood at about 11 GW against 4.5 36,562.34 crore from Rs. 33,894.71 crore in the GW in CY 2017. corresponding year-earlier period.  For the current year, CLE is aiming to achieve 9% to 10% Money Loji launched app to offer loans growth.  Money Loji, has launched its App, which offers quickest SEBI tweaked norms for REITs, InvITs and the most secure loans to salaried professionals for an immediate requirement.  SEBI has reduced the minimum subscription requirement  It has flexible repayment options starting from 7 days to a as well as defined trading lots for Real Estate Investment maximum of 90 days. Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts  The eligibility criterion is a minimum in-hand salary of Rs (InvITs). 20,000 per month and a minimum age of 23 years.  REITs have to offer their units in lots worth at least Rs. 50,000 in initial and follow-on public offers. Pharma exports rose to 11% in 2018-19  The minimum value of a single lot should be Rs. 1 lakh in  The country's pharmaceutical exports rose by 11% to USD the case of InvITs. 19.2 billion in 2018-19, mainly driven by higher demand in HDFC to hold 9.9% stake in Bandhan Bank regions such as North America and Europe.  The pharma exports in 2017-18 stood at USD 17.3 billion  The RBI has given its nod to HDFC Ltd. for acquiring up to and USD 16.7 billion in the previous fiscal. 9.9% stake in Bandhan Bank following the Gruh Finance  North America constitutes about 30% of Indian pharma deal. exports, followed by Africa and the European Union with  Gruh Finance, the affordable housing finance arm of HDFC 19% and 16% share. Ltd., was taken over by Bandhan Bank in a share-swap deal in January 2019. Authorised capital of Allahabad Bank raised  After the announcement of the deal, an application was  State-owned Allahabad Bank said the government has made by HDFC to the RBI for holding shares in Bandhan increased its authorised capital by ₹5,000 crore to ₹8,000 Bank, HDFC Ltd. crore. SBI GI launched cyber defense insurance  The central government increased the authorised capital of the bank from ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 through Gazette  SBI General Insurance launched its new product – cyber Notification. defence insurance to protect businesses from financial and  The increase in authorised capital will help enable the reputational losses due to cyber attacks. bank to raise further fund up to a maximum ceiling of  The main focus on SMEs and mid-market businesses to ₹8,000 crore. larger businesses.  This offers protection against the growing threat of cyber Import of milk products from China banned breaches like hacking attacks, identity theft, and business  The government extended the ban on import of milk and interruption. its products, including chocolates, from China. Sixth Sense Ventures invested in MyHealthcare  Food regulator FSSAI had recommended extending the ban until all labs at ports are modernised to test the  MyHealthcare, a digital integrated healthcare ecosystem chemical. has raised $3 million from Sixth Sense Ventures, as part of  The ban was first imposed in September 2008 and its ongoing Series A fundraise. extended subsequently from time to time. RBI swap auction got bid more than thrice 26 | P a g e

 MyHealthcare works with hospitals, diagnostics, and  CRISIL Ltd, a diversified global analytics company, will speciality health institutions in building their digital health transfer its rating business to its proposed new wholly- business. owned subsidiary.  It had raised $2 million in 2018, led by Hunch Ventures and  The board of CRISIL gave the nod for the transfer, which is Ajay Nanavati. being done to comply with SEBI norms of last year.  SEBI modified its regulations for credit rating agencies and IL&FS to sell wind portfolio to GAIL mandated the segregation of rating and non-ratings  Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) businesses of credit-rating agencies. has agreed to sell its 874 megawatts (MW) operational Non-life insurers witness 13% rise in premium wind energy portfolio to GAIL (India) Ltd for ₹4,800 crore.  GAIL’s offer of ₹4,800 crore at 100% enterprise valuation  According to data from IRDAI, Non-life insurance firms implies that the accumulated debt of ₹3,700 crore on the registered a rise of 13% in their collective premium income wind power special purpose vehicles (SPVs) will be fully to Rs 1.70 lakh crore in March 2019. repaid.  The 34 non-life insurers had a gross premium of Rs 1.51 lakh crore in 2017-18. ZestMoney raised $20 million funding  Among these insurers, as many as 25 are categorised as  ZestMoney has raised $20 million in its Series B round led general insurers, seven private sector insurers while the by Quona Capital, a venture capital firm focused on rest of the two are government-owned insurers. financial technology products. Reliance retail crosses Rs 1L cr revenue  Australian fintech investor, Reinventure, and existing investors Ribbit Capital, Omidyar Network and PayU also  Reliance retail has become the first Indian retail company participated in the round. to clock more than Rs 1 lakh crore in annual revenues.  The new funding will support the company’s expansion  The retail venture of Reliance Industries reported an plans for 2019. income of Rs 1,30,556 crore for 2018-19, 89% more than the previous year. Saudi Aramco to acquire Royal Dutch Shell  It reported Rs 6,201 crore as profit before depreciation,  Saudi Aramco will acquire Royal Dutch Shell's 50% stake in interest, and taxes (PBDIT) for the year against Rs 2,529 their Saudi refining joint venture SASREF for $631 million. crore in FY18, an increase of 145%.  Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Co (SASREF), based in Jubail Tata Sponge to shift base to Kolkata Industrial City in Saudi Arabia, has a crude oil refining capacity of 305,000 barrels per day (bpd).  Tata Sponge Iron Ltd has decided to shift its registered  Shell has sold over $30 billion of assets in recent years as it office from Keonjhar in Odisha to Kolkata. shifts its focus to lower carbon businesses.  Tata Sponge has recently acquired Kolkata- based Usha Martin's steel business at a cost of Rs 4,090 crore. BoM joins M1Xchange TReDS platform  In 1991, Tata Steel acquired Ipicol's entire stake and Tata  Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) partnered with M1Xchange Sponge became an associate company of Tata Steel. Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform Gold imports dipped 3% in FY19 for MSME bill discounting.  TReDS is a digital platform to support micro, small and  The country’s gold imports dipped about 3% in value terms medium enterprises (MSMEs) to get their bills financed at to $32.8 billion during 2018-19, which trend is expected to a competitive rate through an auction where multiple keep a lid on the current account deficit. registered financiers can participate.  Total imports of the precious metal in 2017-18 had stood  TReDS platform facilitates a smooth flow of liquidity. at $33.7 billion, according to data from the Commerce Ministry. Cholamandalam Insurance gets ISO certification  After recording negative growth in February, the imports  Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited grew 31.22% to $3.27 billion in March. has been certified with ISO 31000:2018. Funds to implement 10% EWS quota approved  ISO 31000:2018 is an international risk management standard.  Union cabinet approved the sanction of Rs 4315.15 crore  The standard provides guidelines, principles, framework, for the 158 Central Educational Institutions for and a process for managing risk. implementation of reservation in admission to students  It can be used by any organization regardless of its size, belonging to Economically Weaker Section (EWS). activity or sector.  Over 2 lakh additional seats will be created in 158 CEIs  The Certificate is valid for a period of 3 years. across the country to implement 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). CRISIL to transfer rating business 27 | P a g e

Fintech startups to test regulatory sandbox  It is the first public sector bank to shift to EMV chip and PIN for card present transactions across the country’s vast  RBI proposed that fintech start-ups could set up a ATM network. regulatory sandbox or live-testing of innovative products  The EMV shift is aimed at reducing lost and stolen card and services. fraud and making counterfeit card fraud more difficult.  This would be done in segments such as retail payments, money transfer, artificial intelligence and data analytics in Mitsui to buy Reliance ethane carrier fleet the financial sector.  Reliance Industries Ltd' wholly owned subsidiary Reliance  A regulatory sandbox (RS) refers to live-testing of new Ethane Holding Pte. Ltd is selling its fleet of six very large products or services in a controlled and test regulatory ethane carriers (VLECs) through an investment deal with environment. Japanese shipping group Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. Exim Bank funded projects in Rawanda  RIL has 100% holding in six limited liability companies (LLCs) which own the VLECs.  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said Exim Bank has provided soft loans of USD 266.60 million to Rawanda for FMCG growth to slow down in 2019 various projects.  India's fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is  The funding is done in 3 separate tranches to support likely to grow at a slower pace at 11-12% in 2019, almost agricultural projects, development of special economic 2% lower than that in 2018, as per a report. zones (SEZs) and for financing road projects.  The industry is also expected to grow at 12-13% during the  USD 66.60 million will be funded for the Base-Butaro- April to June quarter of the calender year 2019, according Kidaho Road Project. to Nielsen. I-T Dept proposes new norms for taxing MNCs  In line with the FMCG growth forecast for Q1 2019 at 13- 14%, this sector grew at 13.6%.  The income tax department proposed a change in the methodology for taxing multinational companies (MNCs). Govt bonds issuance jumped to Rs. 64,192 cr.  This includes digital firms, having permanent  The issuances of government-fully serviced bonds (GoI- establishment in India by giving weightage to factors like FSBs) rose to ₹64,192 crore in the year ended March 2019 domestic sales, employee strength, assets and user base. as compared to ₹15,095 crore during the last fiscal.  MNCs that are incurring global losses or a global profit  These borrowings are estimated to have accounted for margin of less than 2% will be deemed to have made a 0.34% of GDP for FY19 as compared to 0.09% of GDP for profit of 2%. FY18. UPI payments now live on ETMONEY app  The total outstanding value of these GoI-FSBs stood at ₹88,454 crore at the end of FY19, according to Icra.  ETMONEY has integrated Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a payment option on the application. Govt targetes IRCTC, IRFC IPOs  The company hopes to simplify the user journey through  The government is targeting to raise about ₹1,500 crore the app, especially for making payments for mutual funds. from initial public offerings (IPOs) of two railway  It has set a target to grow to Rs 5,000 crore in mutual fund companies, IRCTC and IRFC, by September 2019. transactions in the next 12-18 months and is targeting 10  Earlier in April 2019, the government raised about ₹480 million users by the end of the current year. crore by selling 12.12% stake in Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd Uber won $1bn investment from Toyota (RVNL).  The government has budgeted to raise ₹90,000 crore by  Toyota and SoftBank Vision Fund unveiled an investment way of CPSE disinvestment in the current financial year. of $1 billion in U.S. company Uber to drive forward the development of driverless ridesharing services. IDRBT set up 5G lab for banking sector  Toyota has already invested $500 million in Uber as the  The Institute for Development and Research in Banking firm races Google-owned Waymo and a host of other Technology (IDRBT) has launched a 5G Use Cases Lab for companies, including major automakers, to develop self- banking and financial sector. driving vehicles.  The 5G technology, along with blockchain, will be Canara Bank: 1st to meet RBIs EMV mandate progressively adopted by banks.  The use of 5G will change a range of technologies and  Canara Bank has successfully rolled out major new applications including point of sale machines in the functionality to support EMV card acquiring across its ATM banking sector which were now using 2G. network and Aadhaar Authentication. Banks must flag bad loans

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 RBI told the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal  Volkswagen announced the expansion of its corporate (NCLAT) that banks had an obligation to mark bad loans as business centre (CBC) programme in India with the non-performing asset (NPA) after the default of 90 days. addition of 10 more such outlets across its sales network  The banking sector regulator has moved the NCLAT over the next three months. seeking a modification of its February 25 order.  The company had first introduced CBC as a pilot project in  An asset is tagged as non performing when it ceases to Kochi. It was further introduced in Coimbatore. generate income for the lender. 12 months to sell non-crore assets China's GDP grew by 6.4%  State-run companies will have 12 months to monetise  China's economy grew 6.4% in the first quarter of 2019, non-core assets identified by a ministerial panel, failing slightly more than expected. which the finance ministry may restrict budgetary  China's GDP reached 21.343 trillion yuan in the first 3 allocations to the CPSEs. months of 2019, and the growth pace was the same with  The Department of Investment and Public Asset that of the fourth quarter of 2018. Management (DIPAM) issued the guidelines for  The first quarter GDP growth was in the range of 6% to monetisation of non-core assets of CPSEs and immovable 6.5% target fixed by the Chinese government for this enemy properties, following a Cabinet decision in year. February. Commerce industry laid down new procedure India's service exports rose 5.5%  The commerce ministry has laid down a procedure for  India's services exports rose 5.5% to $16.58 billion in import of a few varieties of pulses for the current fiscal February 2018-19 from $15.71 billion in the same month a and has invited applications from millers. year ago, as per the data from RBI.  According to the ministry's foreign trade arm DGFT, millers  However, the exports during February 2019 were lower and refiners of these pulses need license for imports. than January's USD 17.75 billion.  Procedure for import of 2 lakh tonne pigeon peas/toor dal,  Services imports in February 2018-19 declined by 3.3% to 1.5 lakh tonne urad dal, & 1.5 lakh tonne moong dal, is laid USD 9.81 million, as per the RBI data on 'India's down. International Trade in Services: February 2019'. Eligible NBFCs to get license Exports outspace imports at 11%  Systematically important non-deposit taking NBFCs  India’s exports rose to a five-month high of 11% in March offering foreign exchange transactions on individual on account of higher growth mainly in pharma, chemicals accounts will be eligible to obtain Authorised Dealer (AD) and engineering sectors. Category-II licence from it.  It marked the outbound shipments at $331 billion for FY  AD-Cat II means entities that are authorised by the RBI to 2018-19. deal in foreign exchange for specified purposes.  Merchandise exports in March stood at $32.55 billion as  These include upgraded full-fledged money changers against $29.32 billion last year. (FFMCs), and select regional rural banks.  This is the best growth rate for exports since October 2018, when shipments grew by 17.86% ADB provided loan to India NBFCs raised Rs. 26,000 crore  ADB committed to provide $3 billion in sovereign loans to India in 2018, the highest level of assistance since  Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and microfinance sovereign operations began in the country in 1986. companies (MFIs) raised about Rs. 26,200 crore through  The Asian Development Bank (ADB), owned by 68 member securitisation in FY19, a growth of 170% over FY18. countries, committed a total of USD 3.88 billion.  In FY18, NBFCs and MFIs raised Rs. 9,700 crore through  New commitments included USD 21.6 billion in loans, securitisation. grants and investments from ADB's own resources.  The sectors faced tight liquidity conditions in FY19 after a series of defaults by Infrastructure Leasing and Finance RBI put Rs 50 notes into circulation Services (IL&FS).  The RBI has put into circulation 50 rupees denomination India narrowed trade deficit with China banknotes signed by its Governor Shaktikanta Das.  The design of these notes is similar in all respects to 50  India cut its trade deficit with China by the most in more banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi new series. than a decade.  All banknotes in the denomination of 50 issued by the  India's exports to China jumped 31% year-on-year to $17 Reserve Bank in the past will continue to be legal tender. billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2019. Volkswagen to expand corporate business 29 | P a g e

 In the process, it cut the bilateral trade deficit by $10  Retail inflation rose to 2.86% in March this year due to billion to $53 billion. increase in prices of food articles and fuel.  Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Major decline in India's steel export reported that the inflation based on Consumer Price Index  India's steel export to the US in 2018 declined by 49% to was 2.57% in February 2019. USD 372 million, while that of aluminum increased by 58%  It was 4.28% in March 2018. to USD 221 million. RBI issues norms for currency chests  The Report was given by the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS).  Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines for banks to  In 2018, the US imports of steel and aluminum products set up new currency chests. totaled USD 29.5 billion and USD 17.6 billion respectively.  These guidelines include a minimum area of 1,500 square feet for strong room and a processing capacity of 6.6 lakh WPI inflation spiked to 3.18% in March pieces of banknotes per day.  Wholesale price-based inflation rose for the second  For banks situated in hilly or inaccessible places, this consecutive month to 3.18% in March on costlier food and capacity should be 2.1 lakh pieces of banknotes per day. fuel, as per a government data. SEBI came up with system audit framework  The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation was at 2.93% in February. It was 2.74% in March 2018.  Sebi came out with revised guidelines for system audit to  Inflation in ‘Fuel and power’ category also spiked to 5.41%, be conducted by mutual funds and asset management from 2.23% in February. companies (AMCs).  Besides, mutual funds (MFs)/ AMCs have been directed to Industrial growth declines to 20-month low constitute a technology committee entrusted with the task  Industrial growth slowed In February 2019 to 0.1%, driven of reviewing the cyber security and cyber resilience by an across-the-board slowdown, especially in key sectors framework for MFs and AMCs. like manufacturing, mining, capital goods, and Indian foreign investment rose by 18% infrastructure.  Growth in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) slowed in  Foreign investment of Indian companies grew 18% to USD February from 1.44% in January. 2.69 billion in March as compared to the year-ago period,  Within the Index, the mining and quarrying sector saw according to an RBI data. growth slowing to 2% from 3.92% over the same period.  The domestic firms made investment of USD 2.28 billion in their subsidiaries and wholly-owned units abroad during Banks close FY19 with 13.24% credit growth March 2018.  According to the Reserve Bank data released on 11 April  In February 2019, the investment by Indian firms stood at 2019, bank credit rose 13.24% to Rs 97.67 lakh crore for USD 1.71 billion. the fortnight to 29 March 2019. Reinsurance brokers can open FC accounts  The deposits grew by 10.03% to Rs 125.72 lakh crore during the same period.  Reinsurance brokers have been permitted by RBI to open  In FY17, aggregate deposits in the banking system grew a non-interest bearing foreign currency accounts with banks mere 6.7% in 2017-18, while credit grew still lower at for undertaking transactions. 4.54%, the lowest since fiscal 1963.  Foreign currency account refers to a bank account held or maintained in currency other than the currency of India or Hong Kong is third-largest stock market Nepal or Bhutan.  Hong Kong beat Japan to become the world's third-largest  Earlier, the Insurance Regulatory and Development stock market. Authority of India had issued a notification in this regard.  It is now only behind the US and mainland China. GPF interest retained at 8% for April-June  Hong Kong’s market cap was $5.78 trillion compared with $5.76 trillion for Japan.  The government has retained the interest rate for General Provident Fund (GPF) and other related schemes at 8% for Jet Airways halts international flights the April-June quarter.  Jet Airways cancelled all international flights until 15th  The interest rate will be applicable on provident funds of April. central government employees, railways and defence  This includes flights from London, Paris and Amsterdam. forces.  Jet Airways is saddled with more than $1billion of debt.  The rate is in line with that of the Public Provident Fund.  Vinay Dube is the CEO of Jet Airways. EI launched banking via Whatsapp Retail inflation up to 2.86% in March 30 | P a g e

 Emirates Islamic announced the launch of Chat Banking  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that services for customers via WhatsApp, marking a global first global growth will be 3.3% in 2019, down from 3.6% in in the Islamic banking sector. 2018 and 4% in 2017.  The bank’s customers will now be able to conduct daily  This lower projection is due to lower global expansion in banking activities via WhatsApp in a seamless and hassle- the second half of 2018 caused because of factors free manner. like U.S.-China trade tensions.  It is supported by Infobip and allows customers to use  India’s growth is projected to pick up (from 7.1% in 2018) features such as checking account balances and more. to 7.3% in 2019 and 7.5% in 2020 HDFC AMC ranked 1st India's gold reserves increased  HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd has claimed the top spot  India has marginally increased its gold holding in February with an average AUM of Rs.3.42 trillion. while maintaining the tenth position among countries in  It overtook ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co. Ltd terms of yellow metal reserves, as per the World Gold with an average AUM of at Rs.3.20 trillion. Council.  India’s asset management companies (AMCs) own assets  India added 1.7 tonnes in February 2019 while most other under management (AUM) worth Rs24.46 trillion, countries, barring Russia and China, saw their reserves according to data released by the Association of Mutual unchanged in the recent past. Funds in India (Amfi).  As per WGC, India had total gold reserves of 608.7 tonnes in February. GlowRoad got $10 mn funding YouTube's largest growing market: India  Social commerce platform GlowRoad has raised $10 million in a Series B funding round led by China’s CDH  India has become YouTube’s largest and fastest growing Investment. market with 265 million Indians watching the video-  CDH Investment's other investments in India include sharing website every month. Mayfair and Cashify, an online platform for selling used  In the last one year, YouTube’s consumption on mobile has electronic products. increased to 85%, with 60% of the watch time coming  GlowRoad was founded in 2017 by Sonal Verma, Kunal from outside the six largest metros in India. Sinha, Nitesh Pant, Shekhar Sahu, and Nilesh Padariya.  YouTube has more than 1,200 Indian creators crossing the million subscriber-milestone. BSNL collected Rs 6500 crore revenue Avaada Energy raised Rs.1000 crore from ADB  BSNL has collected a record revenue of ₹6,500 crore from enterprise segment, making it sufficiently funded, which  Avaada Energy Pvt Ltd raised ₹1,000 crore from investors will help in meeting its various requirement. such as the Asian Development Bank on 9 April 2019.  BSNL has been ailing because of a high revenue-to-wage  The equity raised is for financing Avaada Energy’s 2.4 ratio as a large number of government employees were gigawatt (GW) renewable energy portfolio. transferred by the telecom department to the telecom  Avaada Group is targeting a 5 GW capacity and has PSU. executed 2 GW of renewable energy project in India. SC to pay $1.1 billion for violations PNB Housing Stake sale to boost PNB capital  Standard Chartered agreed to pay $1.1 billion to US and  The PNB's 13% stake sale in PNB Housing Finance for ₹18.5 British authorities for illegal financial transactions. billion will strengthen the bank's capital, as per Moody's.  A former banker at the Dubai branch pleaded guilty in New  The report said that it estimates the sale will increase York state court in connection with the conspiracy to PNB's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio by about 40 basis violate sanctions. points from the 6.9% reported in December 2018.  SC paid US authorities $667 million in 2012 for illegally  The bank's pro forma CET1 ratio exceeds the Basel III moving millions of dollars through the US financial system. March 2019 regulatory requirement of 7.375%. SBI cut interest rates on home loans Singapore sold 6.8 crore shares of DLF  The State Bank of India has re-priced home loans up to Rs  Singapore government sold 6.8 crore shares of DLF for 30 lakh by 10 basis points. ₹1,298 crore through open market transaction, with its  Accordingly, the interest rate on housing loans of such size stock price tumbling sharply by over 8%. will now be in the range of 8.6 to 8.9%.  Singapore government held around 7.32 crore shares in  The bank has also lowered its lending rates by a nominal DLF as on December 31, 2018 quarter, which were worth five basis points across all tenors. 4.11% stake in the realty company. IMF forecasts dipped in global growth 31 | P a g e

 Shares of the company closed at ₹184.60, 8.43% lower on  Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) agreed to buy a 30% the NSE. stake in NIIT Technologies Ltd for about ₹2,627 crore ($381 million). Coffee Day formed joint venture with Impact  Funds affiliated with BPEA have signed definitive  Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd, along with its subsidiary Coffee agreements to purchase the stake totalling 18.85 million Day Global Ltd, announced that Japanese company Impact shares of NIIT Technologies from NIIT Ltd and other HD will acquire a 49% stake Coffee Day Consultancy promoter entities. Services Pvt. Ltd for $15 million.  Baring will acquire the shares at ₹1,394 apiece.  Post subscription of equity shares by Impact HD, CDEL and India's eco growth driven by domestic demand CDGL will hold 51 % of the paid-up equity capital of CDCSPL.  According to World Bank India's economic growth has  Coffee Day group will have 51% stake in the joint venture. been driven by domestic demand and its exports were about one-third of its potential. PVs grew 2.7% in FY19  According to World Bank the next government needs to  The passenger vehicle (PV) segment grew 2.7% in 2018-19, focus on export-led growth in India. the slowest pace in the last five years, according to the  In the last five years, India's overall growth was "too Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). much" driven by domestic demand.  According to SIAM data, passenger vehicle sales in the last Fitch affirms India's rating at BBB- fiscal stood at 33,77,436 units, compared to 32,88,581 units in 2017-18.  Fitch Ratings kept India's sovereign rating unchanged at  This is the slowest pace of growth for the industry since the lowest investment grade of BBB- with a stable outlook. 2013-14, when sales declined 6.7%.  Fitch expects growth of 6.8% in the fiscal year ending March 2020 (FY 20) and 7.1% in FY 21. RBI issued norms for banks  Gross FDI inflows into India of 1.4% of GDP in the year  The Reserve Bank of India came out with guidelines for through the third quarter of FY 18 were below 1.7% of banks to set up new currency chests, which include a GDP four years earlier. minimum area of 1,500 square feet for a strong room. RBI sets WMA Limit for Government  Besides, the new chests should have a processing capacity of 6.6 lakh pieces of banknotes per day.  The Reserve Bank of India has decided that the limits for  For those situated in the hilly/ inaccessible places, a Ways and Means Advances (WMA) for the first half of the capacity of 2.1 lakh pieces of banknotes per day. financial year 2019-20 will be Rs 75000 crore.  The interest rate on WMA will be Repo Rate and overdraft SEBI gave nod for Airport fund will be 2% above the Repo Rate.  SEBI has approved an ‘Airport’ specific fund of capital up  RBI may trigger fresh flotation of market loans when the to Rs 10,000 crore as a Category II AIF. Government of India utilises 75% of the WMA limit.  Chennai-based ‘Taking Off To The Future Investment L&T gets CCI approval Management LLP’ is the sponsor and the investment manager of the fund.  The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved  The management and operation of ‘Sponsor/Investment Larsen and Toubro Ltd's (L&T's) takeover bid for Mindtree Manager’ is led by its designated partner Gigi George. Ltd.  The L&T-Mindtree deal is the first hostile takeover bid in Coal import rose to 8% in Apr-Feb FY 2019 the Indian IT industry.  India's coal import increased by 7.8% to 212.11 million  The L&T will purchase up to 66.32% stake in the tonnes in the April-February period of FY19 as per a Bengaluru-based IT services firm for around ₹10,700 crore. report. RBI lowered GDP growth forecast to 7.2%  The country produced 196.59 million tonnes (MT) of coal in the April-February period of fiscal 2017-18, according to  The RBI lowered the GDP growth forecast for the current the report by mjunction services. fiscal to 7.2% from the earlier estimate of 7.4% amid  Coal imports in the month of February was at 18.31 MT probability of El Nino effects on monsoon rains and (provisional) as compared to 21.15 MT (revised) in January uncertain global economic outlook. 2019.  It had projected the GDP growth for 2019-20 at 7.4%, BPEA to acquire 30% stake in NIIT Tech RBI tweaked LCR norms to boost liquidity  RBI provided additional 2% liquidity window to the lenders by tweaking liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) norms.

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 The LCR indicates the proportion of highly liquid assets  The government permitted import of feed grade maize at held by banks to ensure their ability to meet short-term a concessional import duty of 15% with a view to meet the obligations. shortage of the poultry feed in the country.  NBFCs-NDSI in the category of Investment and Credit  The import of up to 1 lakh tonne of it will be allowed on Companies (ICCs) will be made eligible to apply for actual user condition. Authorised Dealer Category II licence.  Keeping in view the urgency, the feed grade maize is proposed to be imported under TRQ (tariff rate quota) IL&FS arm’s gross NPAs stand at 90% with certain relaxations and conditions.  IL&FS Financial Services Ltd. (IFIN), reported a gross non- ADB cut India's growth by 7.2% in 2019-20 performing asset (NPA) ratio of 90% as at end December 2018.  Asian Development Bank (ADB) lowered India’s growth by  The gross NPAs were around 5% in March 2018. 40 basis points to 7.2% in fiscal year 2019-20.  IFIN’s total exposure as on March 31, 2019 was ₹18,805  It will still be the fastest growing economy in the world. crore, of which external exposure was ₹10,656 crore and  For entire Asia, the growth will soften to 5.7% in 2019 and exposure to the group, ₹6,949 crore. About ₹1,300 crore is 5.6% in 2020. categorised as ‘other assets.’ RBI circulars to banks BSNL got license for in-flight connectivity  The Supreme Court struck down a February 2018 Reserve  BSNL has received in-flight and maritime Bank of India (RBI) circular giving lender banks six months connectivity (IFMC) license from the department of to resolve their stressed assets or move under the telecommunications (DoT). Insolvency Code against private entities who have  People will soon be able to surf the net and send mails and defaulted in loans worth over Rs. 2000 crore. WhatsApp messages while flying in and over Indian  The judgment ranges from power to telecom to steel, airspace. infrastructure, sugar, and fertiliser.  BSNL has partnered with Inmarsat, a leading global mobile Manufacturing at 6-month low satellite communications player.  Manufacturing activity slowed to a six-month low of 52.6 SCUF to raise Rs 750 crore in March 2019 due to lower levels of new orders and  Shriram City Union Finance plans to raise up to ₹ 750 production, according to a private sector survey. crores through non-convertible debentures (NCD).  The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’  The base size of the issue is ₹ 100 crore with an option to Index came in at a lower reading in March from 54.3 in retain oversubscription of ₹ 650 crore. February 2019  The company is offering three bonds maturing in 2, 3 and  A reading over 50 implies expansion while one below that 5 years with coupons ranging between 9.55% to 9.75 %, on denotes a contraction in activity. an annual basis. 4th session of IU-WGTEC held RBI cut policy rates by 25 basis points  The 4th Meeting of India-Ukraine Working Group on Trade  RBI has reduced its key policy rate by 25 basis points in and Economic Cooperation (IU-WGTEC), was held on 2 order to boost private investments and support domestic April 2019 in New Delhi. growth.  A protocol was signed at the end of the meeting which  It has left the cash reserve ratio unchanged despite a deals with the review of trade, and cooperation in the field downward revision to growth outlook. of small and medium entrepreneurship and more.  For FY21, the RBI expects inflation to move in the range of  The Indian delegation was led by Bidyut Behari Swain, 3.8-4.1 %. Additional Secretary, Foreign Trade (CIS). Paytm to offer insurance by June Kotak Mahindra Bank to Charge For UPI Use  Paytm Payments Bank is planning to launch risk-free  Kotak Mahindra Bank (Kotak) stated that it will charge insurance and mutual fund products by June 2019. customers for UPI transactions starting 1st of May 2019.  As on date, the Paytm Payments Bank has 4.4 crore  For each Kotak Bank account, the first 30 UPI fund savings bank account with a deposit of over Rs 400 crore; transfers will be free, after which a charge will be levied on and there are as many as 26 crore wallet accounts. all fund transfers from the bank account.  Paytm Payments Bank was incorporated in August 2016  This will be applicable across all platforms, including and formally began its operations in May 2017 from a Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay or Truecaller Pay among branch in Noida. others. Govt permitted import of maize at 15% duty Hyundai unveils BlueLink connectivity in India 33 | P a g e

 Hyundai will soon roll out the ‘BlueLink’ connectivity  The last time India hosted a World Championships was feature in India. way back in 1987.  This will allow users to interact with their cars using voice.  The last big ITTF event was staged in India was in 2012  BlueLink is Hyundai’s global technology which will be when Hyderabad hosted the World Junior Championships. introduced in the Indian market with 33 features, of which Indian para-athletes clinched medals 10 would be India-specific features such as a panic button, for most practical and holistic connectivity.  Indian para-athletes secured a silver and two bronze medals at the Asian Road para-cycling championships at RBI tweaks NPA divergence disclosure rules Tashkent, Uzbekistan.  RBI asked banks to disclose bad loan divergences in their  Divij Shah clinched silver while Asian Para Games bronze financial statements if the additional provisioning exceeds medallist Gurlal Singh and Hand cyclist Sudhakar Marathe 10% of profit before provision and contingencies. claimed bronze.  Earlier, banks were to make suitable disclosures if the Petra won Maiden Grand Prix 2019 additional provisioning requirements assessed by RBI exceeded 15% of the published net profits.  World number three tennis player Petra Kvitova (Czech  RBI will inject long-term liquidity worth $5 bn into the Republic) beat Anett Kontaveit (Estonia) to win Stuttgart’s banking system. Porsche Grand Prix for her second title of the year.  Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon champion. Reliance MF launched Voice-Based Transactions  The championship was held at Stuttgart, Germany.  Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management (RNAM) has Dominic won Barcelona Open Title joined hands with Google to enable the customers of Reliance Mutual Fund to carry out voice-based financial  Dominic Thiem clinched the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell transactions. 2019 title held at Barcelona, Spain which was held from  With this, RNAM became the first company in India, to April 22- 28, 2019. provide a conversational interface that would help  He secured 6-4, 6-0. customers regarding funds transactions.  He became just the fourth player in the past 15 years to lift  Sundeep Sikka is the CEO of Reliance Nippon Life Asset the title in Barcelona, joining Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori, Management. and Fernando Verdasco.  He’s also the first Austrian winner at this event since GST recorded highest collection in FY 2018-19 Thomas Muster in 1996.  Total Gross GST revenue collected in the month of March, Eliud Kipchoge won London Marathon tilte 2019 is Rs. 1,06,577 crore  CGST is Rs. 20,353 crore, SGST is Rs.27,520 crore, IGST is  Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge clinched his fourth London Rs.50,418 crore (including Rs. 23,521crore collected on Marathon 2019 crown on 28th April 2019 at London, UK. imports) and Cess is Rs. 8,286 crore (including Rs. 891crore  Kipchoge strode clear of the field to win with the second collected on imports). fastest-ever time of 2:02:37.  The total number of GSTR 3B Returns filed for the month  He set the world record time of 2:01.39s at Berlin in 2018. of February up to 31st March, 2019 is 75.95 lakh.  In the women’s section, Brigid Kosgei won the title. PNB sells 13.01% stake - housing finance  She finished the course in 2:18:20 and defeated Vivian Cheruiyot and Roza Dereje.  PNB is selling part of its stake in PNB Housing Finance to global private equity firm General Atlantic Group and Valtteri Bottas won Azerbaijan Grand Prix investment firm Varde Partners for Rs 1,851.60 crore.  Valtteri Viktor Bottas of Mercedes won Formula 1 State Oil  PNB will sell 10.89 million equity shares each to General Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Azerbaijan Atlantic and Varde Partners at Rs 850 per share, Grand Prix 2019. aggregating to Rs 1851.60 crore.  He defeated Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton at the  PNB is an Indian multinational banking and financial Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan. services founded in 1894  Bottas finished the race 1.5 seconds ahead of Hamilton Sports Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari finished with 3rd position and Max Verstappen Red Bull gained 4th position. India to bid for 2024 World TTC NZ Open Badminton Tournament began  Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has decided to bid  The New Zealand Open Badminton tournament began in for the 2024 edition of the biennial World Team Auckland on 30 April 2019. Championships.

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 Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will be aiming to win her  India wrapped up their campaign at the Asian Wrestling second title this year. Championships at Xi'an, China, on a resounding note with  Parupalli Kashyap, B Sai Praneeth, HS Prannoy, Subhankar 16 medals. Dey and Laskshya Sen will be seen in action in the Men's  Men's freestyle wrestlers bagged eight medals comprising section. one gold, three silver and four bronze. Women wrestlers claimed four bronze. Raheem: Footballer of the year 2019  These included Harpreet Singh's silver in 82kg and bronze  Raheem Sterling has been named the 2019 footballer of by Gyanender in 60kg on the final day of the competitions. the year by the Football Writers' Association (FWA).  The Manchester City and England forward topped the poll of the 400-strong FWA membership as a winner, with 62% of the votes.  He was more than 100 votes ahead of Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk. Claire to become first women umpire  Australia’s Claire Polosak created history as the first woman umpire ever to stand in a men’s One-Day International  She took the field in the final of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2.  She was the first woman to stand in a men’s domestic fixture in Australia in her first List A match in Australia in 2017. Hima Das included in World Relays team  Hima Das was named in India's women 4x400m relay team for the World Relays to begin in Yokohama, Japan next month.  Hima made the cut despite pulling out of the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha earlier this month due to lower back pain.  She was dropped out midway through her 400-metres heats and was later ruled out of the Women's 4x400m relay and Mixed 4x400m relay races. India ends with 13 medals at ABC ISSF World Cup: India won 3 golds, 1 silver  India has won 13 medals, including two gold, four silver  India topped the standings at the International Shooting and seven bronze at the Asian Boxing Championships. Sport Federation, ISSF World Cup on the final day in  Boxer Amit Panghal picked up his second successive gold Beijing, bagging four medals- 3 Gold and a Silver. medal of the year, claiming the top honours in the 52-  Anjum Moudgil and young Divyansh Singh Panwar won a kilogram category. gold in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team competition.  National champion Deepak Singh and Kavinder Singh Bisht  Abhishek Verma won India's third gold in men's 10m Air in 56-kilogram category signed off with silver medals after Pistol event. close losses. Kento Momota won Badminton Championship Ajinkya Rahane to join Hampshire  World number one Kento Momota retained his Badminton  Ajinkya Rahane became the first overseas player from Asia Championships title in Shanghai. India to join Hampshire as South Africa batsman Aiden  He defeated Shi Yuqi of China 21-12, 11-11, 21-18. Markram's replacement.  Yamaguchi, a silver medallist two years ago, won the  With this, Rahane becomes the first Indian cricketer to women's crown with a victory over He Bingjiao 21-19, 21- represent Hampshire. 9.  Rahane will feature in eight county matches from May to July, subject to visa clearance India ended with 16 medals at AWC Stephanie Frappart first woman referee

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 French official Stephanie Frappart will become the first  Anjum Moudgil and Divyansh Singh Panwar opened the woman to referee a Ligue 1 football match. country's gold account in the 10 metres Air Rifle Mixed  She has been selected for the game by the French Football Team event. Federation. International Hockey Tournament 2019 held  She will officiate at her second Women's World Cup later this year.  2nd Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial  Frappart, 35, was the first woman to referee a Ligue 2 International Hockey Tournament was held at Astro Turf fixture in 2014. Hockey Ground, Chandigarh from 15-25 April 2019.  A Total of 16 teams participated in this tournament. Fabio Fognini won Rolex Montecarlo Masters  Air Force teams from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also  Fabio Fognini became the first Italian to win an ATP participated in this edition, making it truly an international Masters 1000 title at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. event.  He defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 38 Goswami received best sportsperson award minutes.  Fognini is the eighth player to win his first Masters 1000  Jhulan Goswami, world's leading wicket-taker in women's title over the past 17 events at the elite level. one-day internationals, was awarded the Best  In the 92 ATP Masters 1000 events prior to 2017 Rome, Sportsperson' award by the Calcutta Sports Journalists' only eight players won their first Masters 1000 crown. Club.  Sambaran Banerjee and former India winger Sukumar ICF won Arjan Singh Int Hockey Tournament Samajpati won the Lifetime Achievement awards.  Integrated Coach Factory, Chennai beat South Central  Promising Sportsperson of the Year was given to Neelash Railway, Hyderabad via penalty shootout in the final to win Saha. the 2nd Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh  Best footballer was given to Pritam Kotal. Memorial International hockey tournament title. Jadhav bagged bronze: AAC  A total of 16 teams participated in this tournament.  ICF Chennai won 7-5 in the penalty shootout after the two  Asian Games gold medallist heptathlete Swapna Barman sides were tied 2-2 at the end of the regulation time. and the 4x400m mixed relay team clinched a silver each on the 3rd day of the Asian Athletics Championships. Advani won Asian Snooker Tour title  Sanjivani Jadhav won a bronze in 10000m race on 23 April  India's ace cueist Pankaj Advani defeated Ehsan Heydari 2019. Nezhad of Iran 6-4 to claim the inaugural Asian Snooker  Barman logged 5993 aggregate points from the seven Tour title. events to finish second behind Ekaterina Vornina (6198  Advani, a 21-time world snooker and billiards champion, points) of Uzbekistan. beat Nezhad 52-40, 66(58)-0, 1-63(62), 78-4, 35-47, 0-51, Bajrang Punia won gold in AWC 47-35, 38-39, 53(49)-35, 51(50)-20 in the final.  Advani had earlier won the second leg of the Tour in  India clinched one gold, one silver and bronze at the Asian China. Wrestling Championship in China's Xian on 23 April 2019.  World number one Bajrang Punia claimed a gold medal in Divya, Manju won bronze medals in AWC it.  In Wrestling, India's Divya Kakran and Manju Kumari  He defeated Kazakhstan's Sayatbek Okassov 12-7 in a nail- bagged bronze medals for the country in the women's biting 65kg men's freestyle final. competition of the Asian Championships in Xi'an, China.  In 97 Kg category Satywart Kadian, picked a bronze medal  It was double delight for India as Manju also secured a defeating Haobin Gao of China by 8-2. bronze medal earlier in the day by beating Vietnam's Thi AWC: Jhili won silver Huong Dao 11-2.  Kakran defeated Battsetseg Soronzonbold of Mongolia via  Youth Olympics gold medallist Jeremy Lalrinnunga went on fall in the playoffs of the 68-kilogram category. a record-smashing spree at the Asian Weightlifting Championship. India bagged 2 gold at ISSF World Cup  Jeremy secured second place in group B of the 67Kg men’s  In Shooting, India opened its medal account with gold each event. During his record-smashing spree, he claimed three in 10 m Air Rifle Mixed Team and 10 m Air Pistol Mixed world marks. team events on the 3rd day of ISSF World Cup in Beijing.  Jhili Dalabehera opened India’s medal account, claiming a  Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary took the top spot in silver medal in the women’s 45kg category. the 10 m Air Pistol Mixed Team. BCCI shifted finals to Hyderabad

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 The IPL final scheduled on May 12 was shifted from  Bajrang Punia regained the world number one spot in the Chennai to Hyderabad after the Tamil Nadu Cricket men’s 65kg freestyle category in the rankings issued by Association (TNCA) failed to get requisite permission from United World Wrestling. the government to open the three closed stands.  He won gold in the Asian Games and Commonwealth  The 3 stands make up for more than 12,000 tickets and Games as well as a silver in the World Championships BCCI would have lost out on a few crores of the gate 2018. money.  He won a gold at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament in Bulgaria in March 2019. Asian Badminton Championships began Mirabai to superhead India's campaign  The Asia Badminton Championships began at Wuhan in China on 23 April 2019.  Former World Champion, Mirabai Chanu will spearhead  It will continue till 28 April 2019. India’s challenge at the Asian Weightlifting Championship,  India will be represented by Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer 2019 that began at Ningbo, China on 20 April 2019. Verma in men's singles and P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal  She will be competing in the 49kg category from 48kg in women's singles. following the International Weightlifting Federations’s rejig of weight categories. India bagged 5 medals in the opening day: AAC  Among male weightlifters, India’s hopes will be on Jeremy  India won five medals on the opening day of the Asian Lalrinnunga. Athletics Championships on 21 April 2019. Int. Hockey Fed imposed fine on Pakistan  Annu Rani and Avinash Sable led the charge with a silver medal.  The International Hockey Federation (FIH) imposed a fine  M P Poovamma, 5000m runner Parul Choudhary and of 1,76,000 Euros on Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for 10000m runner Gavit Murali Kumar bagged a bronze each. not honouring the Pro League commitments.  The FIH has given the Pakistan sports body time until 20th Asian Weightlifting Championships began June to pay the fine or else the penalty would be doubled.  The Asian Weightlifting Championships began in Ningbo,  PHF was fined for not sending the national team for the China on 20 April 2019. Pro League matches in Argentina, Australia, and New  The competition will continue till the 28 April 2019. Zealand.  As many as 278 participants from 28 nations and regions, Karnataka, Punjab win in Santosh Trophy including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Iran and North Korea have registered for the competition.  Punjab defeated Sikkim 1-0 while Karnataka thrashed  Former World Champion, Mirabai Chanu will spearhead Assam 5-1 in Group B matches on the 8th day of the 73rd India’s challenge at the Championship. National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy.  In the first match of the day, Karnataka proved too good Services lifted Santosh Trophy for Assam in a lopsided match.  In Football, the Services lifted the Santosh Trophy, beating  Punjab skipper Taranjit Singh scored the all-important goal Punjab 1-nil in the final at Ludhiana on 21 April 2019. in the 20th minute.  In the first half, both the teams were goal-less. Harsheel Dani won Dutch Title  In the second half, Services scored the lone goal and held on till the final whistle.  India’s Harsheel Dani defeated Mads Christophersen of  Services beat Karnataka 4-3 in the semis via a penalty Denmark, world no 149, to clinch the 20th Victor Dutch shootout to book a place in the title clash for the 11th International Badminton title in Wateringen. time.  He won the Ghana international crown in 2018 and Karvy All India junior-ranking badminton tournament in 2012. Christian Garin claimed his first ATP title  The Victor Dutch International is the Netherlands’ second  Christian Garin claimed his first ATP title at the US Men's biggest badminton event Prize money of $10.000. Clay Court Championships. Prajnesh Gunneswaran rose to ranking 80  With this, Garin becomes first Chilean ATP champion in a decade.  In tennis, India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran achieved a career-  He defeated Casper Ruud in the final match. high ranking of 80 in the latest ATP rankings released on  Garin also won their only previous career meeting last 15 April 2019. month in Sao Paulo, Brazil and earned his first title in just  He broke into the top 100 in February 2019, improved his 11th career tournament. 2 places to become the sixth highest in terms of singles ranking in the history of Indian tennis. Bajrang at top spot in world wrestling

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 Another Indian Ramkumar Ramanathan dropped 16 spots  Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mark Boucher, the former South to slip out of the top 150. He is now at the 157th position. Africa wicketkeeper, were made Honorary Life Members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on 12 April 2019. Lewis Hamilton won Formula One's 1,000th race  The two have been included in recognition of their  In motor racing, Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese Grand outstanding achievements in cricket. Prix for a record sixth time on 14 April 2019.  Inzamam is now the fifth Honorary Life Member of the  He seized the overall lead from his Mercedes teammate MCC from his country, after Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Valtteri Bottas in Formula One’s 1,000th world Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi. championship race. Eni Nuraeni: Best Athletic Coach in Asia  Valtteri Bottas was second for his team’s third one-two finish in as many races this season. Ferrari’s Sebastian  Indonesian Eni Nuraeni was named by Asian Athletic Vettel took third place. Association (AAA) as the best athletic coach in Asia for the short-haul run category in 2019. Meena Kumari clinched gold in Boxing World Cup  It was announced by Indonesian athletic sports association  India finished with 5 medals in the Boxing World Cup (PB PASI). which concluded at Cologne, Germany on 13 April 2019.  Eni coaches young sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri to win  Meena Kumari Maisnam won gold in the 54 kg category. the 100m gold medal in 10.20 seconds in the 2019 Grand  Sakshi (57 kg) and Pwilao Basumatary (64 kg) settled for Prix Malaysia Open athletics championships. the silver. Paralympics medallist won Fellowship  Pinki Rani (51 kg) and Parveen ( 60 kg) won bronze.  Rio Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik was named as Tiger Woods clinched his 5th Masters the recipient of the New Zealand Prime Minister's Sir  Golfer Tiger Woods clinched his fifth Masters and a 15th Edmund Hillary Fellowship for 2019 in recognition of her major title. 'inspiring achievements'.  He is just three majors behind the all-time record of Jack  She will work to promote sporting, cultural as well people- Nicklaus. to-people relationship between India and New Zealand.  She is a recipient of India's civilian honour Padma Shri and Burka and Milaw won Paris Marathon the Arjuna Award.  Ethiopians Abrha Milaw and Gelete Burka won the men Virat Kohli: Wisden's Leading Cricketer and women’s races to end Kenya’s dominance at Paris Marathon on 14 April 2019.  Team India captain Virat Kohli has been named as the  Milaw won it in 2 hours, 07 minutes and 04 seconds. Wisden Almanack’s ‘Leading Cricketer of the Year’ for the  Clémence Calvin of France settled fourth in a personal best third time in a row. of 2:23:36.  He smashed 2,735 runs in 47 international innings at an average of 68.37 in 2018, including 11 hundred and 9 Kento Momota won Singapore Open fifties.  Japan's Kento Momota won the Singapore Open final 10-  Smriti Mandhana has been named the Women’s Leading 21, 21-19, 21-13 on 14 April 2019. Cricketer of the Year for 2018.  The World champion dug deep to fight back from 16-11 Muguruza claimed Monterrey Open Title behind in the second game to force a decider.  In the women's final, Tai Tzu-ying claimed her second  Garbine Muguruza of Spain successfully claimed back-to- Singapore Open title with a 21-19, 21-15 victory over back Monterrey Open title 2019 as Victoria Azarenka Japan's Nozomi Okuhara. succumbed to injury in the final.  Asia Muhammad & Maria Sanchez claimed women's Anand secured 5th place in chess doubles title in Monterrey Open.  Viswanathan Anand secured 5th place in the Shamkir  The Monterrey Open is a professional women's tennis Chess 2019 tournament, Shamkir, Azerbaijan. tournament played on outdoor hard courts.  He drew with Veselin Topalov in the ninth round to finish Kushagra Rawat qualified for 2020 Olympics fourth with 4.5 points, the same as Alexander Grischuk and Teimour Radjabov.  Indian swimmer Kushagra Rawat qualified for 2020  He was placed fifth in the rankings behind Magnus Carlsen, Olympics on 7 April 2019. Ding Liren, Sergey Karjakin, and Grischuk.  He did so after achieving the B standard of the 800m freestyle event at the Speedo Thailand Age Group Inzamam become MCC Honorary Life Members Championships in Bangkok.

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 Rawat clocked 08.07.99 to cross the Olympic Games B  Charles Leclerc was finished at the third position and standard qualifying time of 08:08.54 for the men's 800m became Ferrari’s youngest ever race winner at the age of freestyle event. 21. Lin Dan clinched Malaysia Open Asian Airgun Championships  Chinese badminton ace Lin Dan clinched the Malaysia  India ended the 12th Asian Airgun Championships 2019 in Open in Kuala Lumpur on 7 April 2019. Taiyuan, Taipei, with an overall tally of 25 medals including  After an electric performance, he beat countryman Chen 16 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze. Long 9-21, 21-7, 21-11.  On the concluding day of the championship, Yash Vardhan  The title is Lin's first win this year, and also his first major and Shreya Agrawal struck gold in the men’s and women’s success since taking the Malaysia Open in 2017. junior 10m air rifle event respectively.  They also won the team gold in the events with their Rasikh: 2nd cricketer from J&K to play in IPL respective partners.  Rasikh Salam Dar has become second ever cricketer from South Korea won Azlan Shah Hockey Cup Jammu & Kashmir to play in Indian Premier League.  He made his debut for Mumbai Indians in the tournament.  South Korea won the Azlan Shah hockey cup 2019 by  Parvez Rasool is the first player from Jammu and Kashmir defeating India. to play in the Indian Premier League.  South Korea won this for the 3rd time, earlier in 1996 and shared with India in 2010. Indian women's team registered win: Football  The host country for Azlan Shah hockey cup was Malaysia  In Football, the Indian women's national team registered a which finished 3rd after defeating Canada by 4-2 goals. 2-0 win over Indonesia in its opening match of the Olympic Sports Qualifiers Round two in Mandalay, Myanmar on 4 April 2019.  Sanju Samson became the first player to hit a century in  With this win, India went a step closer to making it to the the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League. 2020 Tokyo Games.  England's Football captain Harry Kane received an MBE  India will face Nepal in the second match of the group award from Prince William at Buckingham Palace following stage on 6 April 2019. the Three Lions' World Cup heroics.  Roger Federer wins Miami Open with 6-1 6-4 victory over India won ICC Test Championship mace John Isner.  India has won ICC Test Championship mace for the third Sports year in a row after finishing at the top of ICC Test team rankings on the cut-off date of April 1.  Elavenil Valarivan dominated the women’s air rifle in  India has also been awarded $1-million cash prize. winning the gold in the 12th Asian Airgun championships.  New Zealand, who are ranked second, won $500,000 prize  Divyansh dominated the men’s air rifle in winning the gold money after finishing with 108 points, eight behind India. in the 12th Asian Airgun championships.  South Africa finished 3rd with 105 points.  Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team. India Open 2019 concluded

 The 2019 India Open, officially the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2019 badminton tournament concluded. Defence  It took place in New Delhi, India. GRSE to build 8 ASWSWCs for Indian Navy  Viktor Axelsen of Denmark won in the men’s singles  Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) has category while India’s Srikanth Kidambi became the been awarded a ₹6,311 crore contract to build 8 anti- runners-up. submarine warfare shallow watercraft for the Indian Navy.  Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand won in Women’s singles  These crafts are designed for a deep displacement of 750 category. tons, speed of 25 knots and complement of 57. Lewis Hamilton won Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 ICF won Arjan Singh Int Hockey Tournament  Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton won Bahrain  Integrated Coach Factory, Chennai beat South Central Grand Prix 2019. Railway, Hyderabad via penalty shootout in the final to win  He defeated Valtteri Bottas of Finland who secured the the 2nd Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh second position. Memorial International hockey tournament title.  A total of 16 teams participated in this tournament.

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 ICF Chennai won 7-5 in the penalty shootout after the two  Battleships from India and countries like Singapore and sides were tied 2-2 at the end of the regulation time. Australia arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao on 21 April 2019. Army to induct women as military police  They will be taking part in a maritime parade to mark the  In a historic first, the Army began the process to induct 70th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. women in the military police, nearly two years after Army  China will display new warships, including nuclear Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said women will be recruited as submarines, destroyers, warplanes and the country’s first jawans. aircraft carrier, at the parade.  The Army started the online registration for recruitment in Naval Commanders Conference to begin the Corps of military and the last date for filing application has been fixed as June 8.  The first edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2019 is scheduled at New Delhi from 23 to 25 April 2019. International Hockey Tournament 2019 held  The Chief of the Naval Staff will review major activities  2nd Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial undertaken during the previous 6 months. International Hockey Tournament was held at Astro Turf  The themes of 'Functional Reorganisation of Indian Navy Hockey Ground, Chandigarh from 15-25 April 2019. towards improving Operational Efficiency' and 'Optimal  A Total of 16 teams participated in this tournament. Manning' will form the core of discussions.  Air Force teams from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also Guided missile destroyer INS Imphal launched participated in this edition, making it truly an international event.  The Indian Navy launched its third guided missile destroyer 'INS Imphal' as part of its Project 15B on 20 April 2019. Indian Coast Guard Vessel commissioned  The Navy had launched INS Vishakhapatnam, the first  A new Coast Guard vessel was commissioned by Chief Project 15B ship, in April 2015, while the second ship, INS Secretary, Government of Kerala Sri Tom Jose at Vizhinjam Mormugao, was launched in September 2016. harbour, on 24 April 2019.  The INS Imphal was designed indigenously by the Indian  Indian Coast Guard Ship C-441 is capable to undertake Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design. multifarious tasks such as close coast surveillance, and IN seek access to French base in Djibouti interdiction.  The ship is commanded by Assistant Commandant Amit K  After operationalising the Mutual Logistics Support Choudhary and has 13 crew onboard with specialisation in Agreement (MLSA) signed with France, the Indian Navy is various fields. looking for access to French naval base in Djibouti.  Pak Navy successfully test fired missile Indian Navy Mig-29K fighters and French Navy Rafale-M fighters operating off their aircraft carriers will exercise  Pakistan Navy successfully test-fired an indigenous cruise together off Goa coast in May under the bilateral exercise missile in the Arabian Sea on 23 April 2019. Varuna.  The indigenously developed cruise missile has anti-ship 2nd edition of IN – VPN BILAT EX concluded missile and land attack capability.  Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Kaleem Shaukat  The 2nd edition of 'Indian Navy-Vietnam Peoples’ Navy witnessed the live firing, which was conducted by the Bilateral Exercise' (IN – VPN BILAT EX) off Cam Ranh Bay, Navy's fast attack craft. Vietnam from 13-16 April 2019.  The exercise was undertaken as a part of the ongoing Medical assistance to ANA Overseas Deployment of Eastern Fleet ships to South East  Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India presented 100 Asian countries. motorized wheelchairs to the Afghan National Army on 22  IN Ships Kolkata participated in the exercise, comprising a April 2019. harbour and a sea phase.  India also remains committed to extending medical relief Sunil Lanba on a visit to Thailand and assistance to the ANA personnel.  Till date, Indian Army has also trained 4880 ANA personnel  Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba will be on a 3- in various professional, educational and military training day bilateral visit to Thailand from 17 April 2019. programs, including training ANA doctors & medical  The visit is intended to consolidate and enhance the technicians. maritime bilateral relations between India and Thailand and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation. Indian battleships arrived in China  He will visit the Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in Bangkok. Coast Guard ship Veera commissioned 40 | P a g e

 Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat commissioned the  The Memorandum of Understanding renews a previous Indian Coast Guard Ship Veera at a ceremony held at Naval Defence Equipment Cooperation MoU signed on April 1, Jetty, Visakhapatnam. 1997 which was renewed on April 20, 2007.  Veera, third in the series of offshore patrol vessels of the INS Kozhikode decommissioned Coast Guard, was built by L&T at its shipbuilding facility at Kattupalli in Chennai.  Indian Naval Ship Kozhikode was decommissioned in a  Its induction will give a fillip to the maritime protection of grand ceremony conducted at Naval Jetty in India’s vast coastline of Eastern Seaboard. Visakhapatnam.  Vice Adm S N Ghormade, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Govt granted financial powers to buy weapons Command was the chief guest for the occasion.  In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, the government  INS Kozhikode was commissioned on 19 December 1988 at has granted emergency powers to the three services to Riga (erstwhile USSR) and was the sixth and the last of the procure weapons and military hardware. modified NATYA class of minesweeper.  This would enhance their operational preparedness along DRDO successfully test-fired Nirbhay the border with Pakistan.  The threshold granted to the three forces a couple of  India successfully test-fired its first Sub-sonic cruise weeks ago for each proposal is around Rs 300 crore. missile, Nirbhay on 15 April 2019.  The launch was conducted from a test range in Odisha at Army to hold joint exercise with coast guard 11:44 am.  Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat said the army is  The missile can be deployed from multiple platforms and planning to carry out joint training and exercise with the was launched by DRDO from complex-3 of the Integrated Indian Coast Guard. Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.  He said the coast guard and the Indian Navy maintain  The last successful trial of ‘Nirbhay’ cruise missile was coastal security and maritime surveillance. conducted on November 7, 2017.  After commissioning the coast guard's offshore patrol Half Marathon organised by IAF vessel (OPV) Veera, he said Veera would help the coast guard monitor maritime boundaries more effectively.  A Half Marathon was conducted in Delhi on 14 April 2019 to mark the 100th birth centenary of the legendary INS Magar reached Mozambique Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) Arjan Singh.  Another Indian naval ship INS Magar reached  A total of 800 air warriors from all the Air Force Stations Mozambique's Beira city loaded with suitable relief and Units of the IAF in the Delhi NCR participated in the material. event.  The ship handed over 250 tonnes of rice and 500 kg of  The Half Marathon was flagged off by Air Marshal R epidemic medicines for the population of Beira affected by Nambiar, from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 0530h. Cyclone Idai. Virtual Reality Centre launched by Indian Navy  The material was received by Mozambican Minister of Agriculture Higino Francisco de Marrule.  Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba inaugurated a new state- of-the-art, Virtual Reality Centre (VRC) in New Delhi. Marshal Arjan Singh's anniversary celebrated  It will provide a major boost to indigenous warship design  A bust of the late Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan capabilities of the Navy. Singh, was unveiled at the Vayu Bhawan by Air Chief  The project will facilitate collaborative design reviews to Marshal B S Dhanoa to mark the birth centenary of the improve design and ergonomics onboard warships. celebrated war hero. AFC Conference inaugurated  Various events have been planned over a period of one year to commemorate the occasion.  The first bi-annual Commanders’ Conference of IAF for the  As a tribute to his vision, a seminar on 'Air Power in the year 2019 began on 11 April 2019 at the Air Headquarters 2040: Impact of technology' was also held on 15 April (Vayu Bhawan). 2019.  Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa welcomed the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala India, UK renewed MoU Sitharaman to the conference.  In an effort to further expand defence cooperation, India  The theme of the conference is ‘Enhancing our operational and the U.K. have renewed the Defence Equipment capability in the short and long term’. Memorandum between the two countries. Procurement of 464 T-90 tanks cleared

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 The government has cleared the procurement of 464 T-90 Pakistani Brigade on Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch in tanks from Russia in a deal worth over Rs 13,500 crore, Gujarat. despite the tensions with Pakistan.  On the Occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage  Under the new deal, the tanks would be provided to the to the martyrs of police at National Police Memorial in Armoured Corps of the force which will use them for New Delhi. deployment along the border with Pakistan. Expedition to Karakoram Pass flagged off  The new deal would increase the number of T-90s in the Army to close to 2,000.  The Himalayan Heights Expedition was flagged off on 7 April 2019 from Karu Military Station. INS Shikra hosted Naval Investiture Ceremony  14 days, 11 bikes and 1 dream expedition, the expedition  The Naval Investiture Ceremony was held at the naval from Leh to KK Pass will cover over 1,000 km and is likely helicopter base INS Shikra of Western Naval Command to qualify for inclusion in the record books. (WNC), Mumbai on 10 April 19.  The expedition is led by Indian Army team comprising  Admiral Sunil Lanba conferred Gallantry and non-Gallantry riders from Army Service Corps, Royal Enfield, and Awards to meritorious personnel, as well as citations to Himalayan Motorsports. Naval units which have distinguished themselves during NC won air weapon championship for 4th time the past year.  A 50-men Guard of Honour was paraded during the  Udhampur-based Northern Command has won the 15th ceremonial parade. edition of General J J Singh air weapon championship for the fourth consecutive time. India-Singapore joint exercise conducted  The championship was conducted at Army Marksmanship  Armed forces of India and Singapore kicked off a joint Unit, Mhow between March 25 and April 3, 2019. military exercise, ‘Bold Kurukshetra–2019’, in Jhansi’s  Over 100 male and female young shooters from across the Babina Cantonment on 8 April 2019. Indian Army competed in the 10-meter air rifle and air  The 3-day exercise is aimed at bolstering cooperation pistol categories. against terrorism, developing defence technology and INS Shakti to take part in Chinese celebration improving maritime security.  India and Singapore entered into an official agreement in  Two Indian naval ships INS 'Kolkata' and 'Shakti' would November 2017 to strengthen defence ties. take part in the Chinese Navy's 70th anniversary of celebrations later in April 2019. Indo-Sri Lanka joint exercise concluded  The two ships are scheduled to visit Chinese port of  The 6th edition of the joint military training exercise Qingdao from 21 to 26 April to participate in an between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, International Fleet Review to celebrate the 70th Exercise Mitra Shakti concluded in Sri Lanka on 8 April anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. 2019. India evacuated CRPF contingent from Libya  The 2-week long training had commenced on 26th March 2019  India evacuated its entire contingent of 15 CRPF personnel  The 2 army contingents also shared the best practices of from Tripoli after the situation suddenly worsened in each other to further enhance their learning experiences. Libya.  The CRPF contingent was deployed as a peacekeeping Army gets more fire power with Dhanush force in Tripoli.  The Indian Army received the first batch of six 'Dhanush'  The military conflict in Libya escalated after forces of Field artillery guns from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). Marshal Khalifa Haftar launched an air strike in an area in  The guns were handed over by Saurabh Kumar, Director Tripoli. General, Ordnance Factories and the OFB chairman, at a  Indian Ambassador in Tunisia has the concurrent charge of ceremony organised in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Libya.  The 155mm x 45 calibre modern artillery gun system was BAC Conference began developed by the Ordnance Factories jointly with the Army.  The biannual Army Commanders’ Conference began in New Delhi on 8 April 2019. CRPF celebrated 54th Valour Day  Important issues were discussed such as the management  Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 54th of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future Valour Day on 9 April 2019. security threats and enhancement of combat edge over  On this day, in 1965, a small contingent of 2nd Battalion of potential adversaries. CRPF successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a

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 Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered her  The submarines should have the ability to carry and launch opening address at the conference. 18 heavyweight torpedoes in the sea.  For the Indian Navy, the Project 75I-class submarine is a Battle of Kangla Tongbi: Platinum Jubilee follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarines.  The Battle of Kangla Tongbi, considered one of the fiercest New tug Bahadur in Navy fleet battles of World War II, was fought by Ordnance personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot (AOD) on the night of 6/7  To meet the growing needs of Indian Naval ships, a new April 1944. 10-tonne bollard pull tug 'Bahadur' was inducted into  The Platinum Jubilee of the Battle of Kangla Tongbi War service at the naval ship repair yard (NSRY) on 4 April was commemorated on 7 April 2019 by Army Ordnance 2019. Corps at Kangla Tongbi War Memorial near Imphal.  The vessel has been designed and built at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Visakhapatnam, and has steerable rudder

propulsion (SRP) with advanced remote control.  The NSRY provides technical and services support to all the ships. Indian Army discovered wreckage of aircraft  A 12-member Indian Army patrol along with a police representative recovered wreckage of a World War II US Air Force aircraft in Roing district of Arunachal Pradesh recently.  The patrol located the aircraft debris covered by thick undergrowth and buried under five feet of snow.  Its discovery and other warlike stores will definitely lead to revelation of some historical inputs. US approved sale of 24 helicopters  The US approved the sale of 24 multi-role MH-60 Romeo Seahawk helicopters to India at an estimated cost of 2.4 billion US dollars.  It is considered the world's most advanced maritime helicopter.  The choppers will provide the Indian defence forces with the capability to perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions. AUSINDEX-19 set to begin  The 3rd edition of AUSINDEX ( Australia India Exercise) commenced at Visakhapatnam on 2 April 2019. Army Commanders' Conference: April 2019  The aim of the exercise is to strengthen and enhance mutual cooperation and interoperability between the IN  The biannual Army Commanders’ Conference shall and RAN. commence on 8 April 2019.  The arrival of HMAS Canberra (L02), a Landing Helicopter  Army Commanders’ Conference, chaired by Chief of the Dock, and HMAS Collins, a conventional submarine Army Staff is held biannually for formulating important plenishment oiler, was also seen. policy decisions through collegiate deliberations.  It is an important event for the planning and execution Sri Lankan Navy Commander visited India process of the Indian Army.  Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, Commander of the Sri Lanka Indian Navy to acquire 6 lethal submarines Navy visited India from 30 March to 02 April 2019 on an official visit.  Indian Navy will acquire 6 lethal submarines under Project-  This is the first visit of the Admiral to India after taking 75. over as Commander, Sri Lanka Navy.  Under Project 75-India, the Navy wants to build six  The aim of the visit was to consolidate bilateral naval conventional diesel-electric submarines. relations between India and Sri Lanka as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.

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Polity National Affairs 15th FC met Ministry of Panchayati Raj DD-Kashir launched kashmiri version of KBC  The Ministry of Panchayati Raj made a presentation to the  DD-Kashir launched the Kashmiri version of 'Kaun Banega Chairman of 15th Finance Commission, Shri N.K. Singh, its Crorepati' at the Doordarshan Kendra's Srinagar Studios on Members and senior officials of the Commission. 29 April 2019.  The Ministry has proposed an allocation of Rs. 10,00,000  The show is named, 'Kus Bani Koshur Karorpaet'. crores to Panchayats by the 15th Finance Commission.  The broadcast will be at 8 PM from Monday to Saturday  It is a hike of 399% from that given by the 14th Finance and will be repeated the following day at 7 am and 2 PM. Commission. IGNOU to launch course on GST Vijender Singh: Congress Candidate  The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will  The Congress fielded champion boxer Vijender Singh, who launch an awareness programme on Goods and Services won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, from Tax (GST) in collaboration with Bombay Stock Exchange the South Delhi constituency. Institute Limited.  He will take on BJP’s sitting MP Ramesh Bidhuri and AAP’s  The programme will be launched from its July 2019 Raghav Chadha. session.  In all, the Congress has so far declared candidates for 422  It aims to impart the basic knowledge and skills required to Lok Sabha seats. fulfill various requirements under the GST Act. Voter Park inaugurated in Gurugram Aurobindo got environmental nod  India's first-of-its-kind 'Voter Park' was inaugurated in  The ₹250-crore expansion plan of Aurobindo Pharma's Gurugram on 11 April 2019. manufacturing facility in Srikakulam district of Andhra  It is aimed at increasing voter awareness and educating Pradesh has been accorded environmental clearance. people about the electoral process.  The project also involves installation of a captive power  Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Rajeev Ranjan inaugurated plant of 8.85 MW. the park in Vikas Sadan building complex.  The project is expected to create jobs for 600 people directly and 120 indirectly. Lok Sabha elections 2019 begin India to develop certification facility  Voting began in 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and 2 union territories in the first phase.  The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is developing  In Odisha, voting for 28 out of 147 assembly seats and four India’s own certification facility for air pollution monitoring Lok Sabha seats was also held on 11 April 2019. equipment.  Voting for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven  The move could boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative. phases: April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12  At least 40,000 such machines are being used by the and May 19. Counting will be done on May 23, 2019. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other government agencies to monitor air pollution levels, DEO Puducherry app launched including both ambient and source-based emissions.  The Elections Department of Puducherry has launched IRDAI formed 13 member panel DEO Puducherry, an IT application.  This will help voters with details of all polling stations in 25  Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India Assembly constituencies in Puducherry district (IRDAI) has set up a 13 member committee under IRDAI  The new app was launched by Senior Superintendent of Executive Director Suresh Mathur. Police (Law and Order) Apoorva Gupta.  It will review the regulatory framework on microinsurance  The app features messages from the DEO, propaganda, & recommend measures to increase the demand for such law and order regulations. products.  It has been formed in the backdrop of a less-than-desired EC to raise random sampling of EVMs offtake of microinsurance products despite their inherent  The Supreme Court ordered the Election Commission to benefits. increase random sampling of EVMs using VVPAT from the Cyber Exercise conducted in New Delhi current one EVM per assembly segment to 5.  The order came on a plea filed by 21 Opposition parties  Directorate of Indian Defence University organised a 2-day that have sought directions to the poll body to randomly Cyber Exercise on Scenario Building & Response on 29-30 verify at least 50% of electronic voting machines (EVMs) April,19 at Purple Bay, New Delhi. using voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips. 44 | P a g e

 The Exercise was represented by Services, NSCS, NTRO,  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recommended CERT-in, DRDO, NIC, CSRC, Academia and Industry. that the government should take necessary steps to  The scope of the exercise would encompass the threat include the regional language in the medicine labels. landscape and its impact, incident reporting & response  The aim is to curb fake, sub-standard and expired drugs. framework, and more.  Initially, the proposal will be implemented for Iron tablets and polio drops as they are the drugs most commonly Dentists can practice as Gen. physicians administered to children at government centres.  Niti Aayog has agreed to the proposal of the Dental Vedanta to expand its plant in Rajasthan Council of India which had sought to allow dentists to practice as general physicians after a bridge course.  Mining firm Vedanta Ltd. has received environment  The proposal was made to explore unconventional clearance for the expansion of its oil and gas operation in methods to address the shortage of doctors in the country, Rajasthan. particularly in rural areas.  This would entail the company an investment of Rs.12,000  Indian Medical Association vehemently opposed the crore. proposal.  The proposal is to expand onshore oil and gas production from 3,00,000 BOPD (barrels oil per day) to 4,00,000 BOPD ICMR launched MERA India in Barmer and Jalore districts.  The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has DPIIT proposed Startup India Vision 2024 launched the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India.  The Commerce and Industry Ministry has proposed a host  It is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria of measures such as tax incentives to promote budding control in order to eliminate the disease from India by entrepreneurs as part of the 'Startup India Vision 2024'. 2030.  The vision document aims at facilitating setting up of  The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program 50,000 new start-ups in the country by 2024 and creating (NVBDCP) of India has also developed a framework to 20 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities. achieve the target of Malaria free India by 2030. SC asked RBI to disclose information Cyclone Fani likely to intensify  The Supreme Court directed the RBI to disclose  The Cyclone Fani in South East Bay of Bengal is expected to information pertaining to its annual inspection intensify into a severe cyclonic storm. report under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.  India Meteorology Department said it will further intensify  A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao also directed into a very severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow morning. it to review its policy to disclose information relating to  It is moving in a north westwards direction at a speed of banks under RTI. 21 kilometres per hour.  In January 2019, SC had issued contempt notice to RBI for not disclosing annual inspection report of banks under RTI. New Rs. 20 notes to be issued soon 2.9 mn children missed measles vaccine  The RBI would soon issue new Rs 20 notes in greenish- yellow colour.  India has 2.9 million children who have missed out on the  The banknote in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series will first dose of measles vaccine between 2010 and 2017 have a motif of Ellora Caves on the reverse, depicting the despite over 80% of immunisation coverage. country’s cultural heritage.  India, with its large annual birth cohort of 25 million, is  The dimension of the new Rs 20 note will be 63 mm x 129 followed by Pakistan and Indonesia - 1.2 million each. mm.  In 2017 Nigeria had the highest number of children under 1 year of age who missed out on the 1st dose of vaccine. Mr. Naidu visited National Museum of Cinema Meghalaya to augment fish production  The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu visited the National Museum of Indian Cinema, in Mumbai on 26 April  The Meghalaya government will invest Rs 378 crore in fish 2019. production for meeting a supply deficit of 15,000 metric  Exhibits at the museum would take the visitors down the tonnes. memory lane of their favorite movies, actors and the  The state has been able to produce 12,000 MT of fish music. annually against the demand of over 27,000 MT.  Cinema being the most loved and watched platform by the  An investment of Rs 161 crore was made in the first almost every Indian can act as an instrument of social edition of the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission change. (MSAM) that had benefited 21,000 persons in 2012. Regional language on the medicine labels Centre invested in cell based mutton project 45 | P a g e

 The Centre has approved a Rs. 4.5 crore grant to two  State Transport Commissioner Sudesh Kumar asked all premier Hyderabad-based institutions for research into Enforcement Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to form 3- technology that involves growing animal cells in a member squads under a Motor Vehicles Inspector. laboratory to produce slaughter-free meat. BCCI shifted finals to Hyderabad  The grant, from the Department of Biotechnology, is for an 18-month project, which will look into developing  The IPL final scheduled on May 12 was shifted from methods to cultivate stem cells from tissue samples of Chennai to Hyderabad after the Tamil Nadu Cricket sheep, to produce mutton. Association (TNCA) failed to get requisite permission from the government to open the three closed stands. Gujarat Govt to pay Rs 50 lakh to Bilkis Bano  The 3 stands make up for more than 12,000 tickets and  The Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to BCCI would have lost out on a few crores of the gate make a payment of ₹50 lakh as compensation to Bilkis money. Bano, who was gang-raped during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Himalayan expedition flagged in Leh  She was 21 years old when the horrific incident happened with her.  The 14 days, 11 members Himalayan Heights Motorcycle  In January 2008, a special court sentenced 11 men for Expedition from Leh to Karakoram Pass was flagged in at raping Bano and killing her family members, but acquitted Leh by Lt Gen YK Joshi. seven people.  The expedition began on 7 April 2019 and traversed over 1000 Km in the forbidding landscape of Eastern Ladakh. Online courses to be offered in 482 schools  The expedition team comprised six motorcyclists from the  University of Cambridge approved worldwide assessment Army Service Corps. system, which will offer 482 schools across India the Chennai central station's name is not longest chance to use a wider new range of online courses.  Pamoja Education has received its approval by Cambridge  The Chennai Central railway station, officially known as Assessment International Education. Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway  The market for online learning in India is currently growing Station, lost the distinction of having the world’s longest at 20% per year. railway station name by an alphabet.  The record for the longest railway station name, which is Tata Global to acquire Dhunseri Tea 58 letters long, is held by  Tata Global Beverages Ltd (TGBL) has entered into a non- ‘Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogog binding agreement to acquire the branded tea business of och’ in Wales. Dhunseri Tea and Industries Ltd, for up to Rs 101 crore. Election Commission launches Voter Turnout app  The proposed acquisition will be subject to due-diligence, signing of definitive binding agreements and applicable  The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the approvals. Voter Turnout app on 19 April 2019.  Dhunseri's branded tea business include 'Lalghoda' and  The mobile app is for the voters across the country to see 'Kalaghoda' brands in Rajasthan. the real-time availability of voter turnout during the election season in the country. J&K: Campaign Sweep inaugurated  The app captures the real-time information gathered by  In J&K, under a unique Initiative under SVEEP, District the Returning Officers following which it calculates the Election Officer Kargil Baseer Ul Haq inaugurated the estimated totals. Campaign Sweep for voters education and awareness from Chemists and druggists are passe TFC Kargil.  Under the initiative, more than 1000 employees  First coined in 1945, the words ‘chemist’ and ‘druggist’ are conducted a sanitation drive along the banks of River Suru headed for a change, with the Union Health Ministry covering an area of more than 4 Km. replacing them with ‘pharmacy’.  The campaign will continue till 5th of May 2019.  The phrase ‘chemists and druggists’ was coined over seven decades ago, is quite old, and has lost its relevance in the Operation Night Riders began current scenario.  The Motor Vehicles Department’s Operation Night Riders  The matter was deliberated upon by the Drugs Technical began on 24 April 2019. Advisory Board (DTAB).  It will keep tabs on 500 tourist omnibuses operating from 14 products receied GI tags key cities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to the State.  Himachali Kala Zeera, Jeeraphool from Chhattisgarh and Kandhamal Haldi from Odisha are among the 14 products

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that have received Geographical Indication (GI) tag from Indiabulls got IRDAI approval the government for 2019.  Indiabulls General Insurance has received preliminary  The other products which received this tag include Coorg approval from regulator Irdai to foray into non-life Arabica coffee from Karnataka, Wayanad Robusta coffee business. from Kerala, Araku Valley Arabica from Andhra Pradesh,  In January, another subsidiary Indiabulls Life Insurance and Sirisi Supari from Karnataka. Company had received R1 approval from Insurance Delhi Police launched 2 helpline numbers Regulatory and Development Authority of India.  The company is in the process of moving ahead with the  The Delhi Police launched 2 helpline numbers as a next step of filing its application for registration with Irdai. precautionary measure to curb noise pollution and incidents of mob lynching in the national capital. Thunderstorm leaves 50 dead in 4 states  The 2 helpline numbers 155270 and 155271 are operated  Over 50 people were killed as rain, coupled with by the Police Control Room. thunderstorm and lightning, hit several parts of Rajasthan,  These will remain operational 24x7 to ensure quick Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra overnight. response and action into complaints of mob violence or  The unseasonal rain and storm also caused damage to calls related to noise pollution. property and crops in Gujarat and Rajasthan. 20 states joined helpline number 112  Rajasthan witnessed 25 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 15 and10 people were killed in Gujarat, three  20 states and UTs have so far joined a pan-India network were killed in Maharashtra. of single emergency helpline number '112' on which immediate assistance can be sought by anyone in distress. Jet Airways seek Rs. 400 crore  The '112' helpline is an integration of police (100), fire  The Jet Airways board authorised its management to (101) and women (1090) helpline numbers and the project engage with lenders to secure at least a few hundred crore is being implemented under the Nirbhaya Fund. rupees of interim funding to continue operations.  It is similar to '911' in the United States.  The CEO approached the lenders to release Rs.400 crore HAL resumed tests of jet trainer for the sake of the employees and to prevent a shutdown.  Jet requires at least Rs.1,000 crore to meet its immediate  Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has resumed test-flying needs. its intermediate jet trainer (IJT) in a modified version after a gap of almost 3 years. IDBI Bank launched paperless account  It had halted flight tests of the IJT in 2016 after the aircraft  The NRIs living in nearly 40 countries will now be able to encountered problems while undergoing critical spin tests. open an account in IDBI Bank without submitting paper  The trainer aircraft, called the HJT-36, is being documents. developed for new pilots of the Indian Air Force and the  IDBI Bank has launched 'NRI-Insta-Online' account opening Indian Navy. process for NRIs residing in the Financial Action Task Force Guwahati fuel stations go cashless (FATF) member countries.  The person will not be required to furnish physical  In a major step towards Digital India, the petrol pump documents as well as KYC proofs for opening an account owners of Guwahati, have decided to go cashless with the bank. completely from 18 April 2019.  The petrol pump owners have been facing trouble over Durjanpur to be renamed as Shivdham cash transaction after the enforcement of Model Code of  The MHA approved a proposal to change the name of a conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha Elections. village in Madhya Pradesh from 'Durjanpur' to 'Shivdham'.  The owners expressed that they had to face numerous  The move came after the Home Ministry got no objection hassles during cash deposits into the banks. from the Geographical Survey of India (GSI), the Govt targetes IRCTC, IRFC IPOs Department of Post, the Ministry of Railways.  Some of the name change proposals cleared by the Home  The government is targeting to raise about ₹1,500 crore Ministry in recent past include Arikkod as Areekode and from initial public offerings (IPOs) of two railway Laxman Garh as Adawala. companies, IRCTC and IRFC, by September 2019.  Earlier in April 2019, the government raised about ₹480 BBC India launched Chatbot crore by selling 12.12% stake in Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd  BBC India launched an experimental interactive election (RVNL). chatbot in Hindi and English on Facebook's Messenger  The government has budgeted to raise ₹90,000 crore by platform as part of a series of Indian General Election- way of CPSE disinvestment in the current financial year. related content. 47 | P a g e

 The chatbot allows users to interact with the BBC, ask  AM International Group Founder-Chairman Ashwin questions and get regular updates as the elections unfold. Muthiah laid the foundation stone for the power plant,  The special election coverage will be available on which would lead to significant energy savings. smartphones.  The 24 MW floating solar power plant would be one of its kind and the first floating renewable energy initiative to TikTok blocked by Google in India optimise energy production in industrial plants.  Google has complied with an Indian court order to block Himachal Pradesh celebrated 72nd state day access to the popular app TikTok over government concerns with illicit content.  The 72nd Himachal Day was celebrated with gaiety and  The move could handicap the app's owner, China's fervour in the state on 15 April 2019. Bytedance Ltd., the world's most highly valued startup, in  Governor Acharya Devvrat unfurled the national flag at an one of its most promising markets. event on the historic Ridge maidan in Shimla to mark the day. Home Expo India 2019 began  He inspected an impressive parade led by Parade  The 8th edition of HOME EXPO INDIA 2019 opened at India Commander Deputy Superintendent of Police Shakti Singh. Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida on 16 April 2019. Rotary Club of Madras North started project  The 3-day exhibition has been organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).  Project Kannamma is the initiative of the Rotary Club of  Buyers from more than 50 countries including USA, Madras North to provide sanitary napkins to the students. Europe, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, UAE, Lebanon,  It was started in August 2018 by providing free, Iran, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, will be visiting the biodegradable sanitary napkins to 82 students at the home expo. Government High School in Uthandi of Tamil Nadu.  The sanitary napkins are provided by the Irula Tribal Workshop on Loss & Damage conducted Women's Welfare Society (ITWWS).  A 1-day National Consultation on Loss and Damage was 4th RC Asia-Pacific Congress began hosted by the Ministry of Environment in New Delhi on 16 April 2019.  The 4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 started  India has been experiencing weather and climate-related in New Delhi. loss and damage, the Kerala floods and Ockhi being the  It is organised by the International Council for Local rarest of the rare events. Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and co-hosted by South  The workshop had 2 technical sessions on topics including Delhi Municipal Corporation. ‘Strengthening response to address loss and damage’.  It will conclude on 17th April 2019.  SC banned mining activities in Kaziranga park It offers a lot of innovative solutions that build resilience to climate change at the sub-national level.  The Supreme Court has banned all mining activities along Bamboo rice in Odisha after four decades the Kaziranga National Park and catchment area of rivers originating in Karbi Anglong Hills in Assam.  Bamboo rice has shown up in Odisha nearly after four  A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak decades. Gupta issued a notice to the Assam government and  Odisha had last witnessed Bamboo rice in 1979. sought its reply within 3 weeks.  The Forest Authorities of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife 100 sanitary pad machines to be installed Sanctuary in Cuttack district have opened up the gates for the forest dwellers to collect the Bamboo rice.  As part of a police welfare scheme, Mumbai Police is set to  The rare rice grows out of a dying bamboo shoot. install over 100 sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators for women police officers across the city. Medical devices to get CDSCO certification  Action Committee Against Unfair Medical Practices along  All imported, as well as locally manufactured medical with Brihan Mumbai police have launched a project "Smart devices sold in India will soon be required to clear specific Maitrin". safety and quality standards.  Under this project,140 sanitary pad machines will be  The move is aimed at preventing fiascos such as the one installed at 93 police stations across the city. involving Johnson and Johnson hip implants. Greenam Energy set up power plant  The import, manufacture, and sale of all medical devices will need to be certified by the Central Drugs Standard  Greenam Energy has set up its first floating solar power Control Organisation (CDSCO). plant at Tuticorin. RBI employees not government servants

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 The Madras High Court observed that the employees of  The apex court also directed all political parties to share RBI cannot be referred to as 'government servants' while details of the amount and bank accounts of donors by 30th identifying their employment status. May.  The observation came after an RBI employee, E. Manoj  The Centre had notified the Electoral Bond Scheme in Kumar, moved the High Court seeking the declaration of January 2018. his result in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission  Bonds may be purchased by any person, who is a citizen of (TNPSC). India or established in India. Essel World launched bird park 69.43% voter turnout: phase 1 of LS election  Essel World launched an interactive bird park in Gorai  A voter turnout of 69.43 per cent was recorded in phase recently. one of Lok Sabha elections held on 11 April, 2019.  The first-of-its-kind rain forest-themed park spread across  A total of 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 1.4 acres is home to over 500 exotic birds from more than states and two Union territories had gone for polls in the 60 species. first phase.  The park is equipped with small ponds for aquatic birds, Reinsurance brokers can open FC accounts dense cover of trees for birds to incubate their eggs and a water stream that offers drinking water to birds.  Reinsurance brokers have been permitted by RBI to open non-interest bearing foreign currency accounts with banks Apollo Hospitals launched advanced centre for undertaking transactions.  On World Parkinson’s Day, Apollo Hospitals launched an  Foreign currency account refers to a bank account held or advanced centre for movement disorders. maintained in currency other than the currency of India or  It will offer medical and surgical treatment for patients Nepal or Bhutan. affected by various movement disorders including  Earlier, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Parkinson’s Disease. Authority of India had issued a notification in this regard.  The centre would offer Deep Brain Stimulation surgeries National Symposium held in Delhi and other services to treat a wide spectrum of diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy, and dystonia.  A national symposium on evidence synthesis began in Delhi on 11 April 2019. Jet Airways halts international flights  Its focus was on making science and synthesised  Jet Airways cancelled all international flights until 15th knowledge the bedrock of all societal and policy April. interventions in the areas of public health, medicine, and  This includes flights from London, Paris and Amsterdam. social development.  Jet Airways is saddled with more than $1billion of debt.  The symposium is being organised by The George Institute  Vinay Dube is the CEO of Jet Airways. for Global Health and the Campbell Collaboration. Retail inflation up to 2.86% in March WB Govt fined for virtual ban on a film  Retail inflation rose to 2.86% in March this year due to  The West Bengal government was slapped with a fine of increase in prices of food articles and fuel. Rs. 20 lakh by the Supreme Court for imposing a  Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation 'virtual' ban on the public screening of a Bengali film. reported that the inflation based on Consumer Price Index  The court had asked Mamata Banerjee's government in was 2.57% in February 2019. March to ensure that the satirical film is screened without  It was 4.28% in March 2018. obstruction.  The film, 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot' had disappeared from 64th Railway Week of Railway Board movie halls a day after its release on February 15, 2019.  The 64th Railway Week Function of Railway Board was CRPF Veer Pariwar app launched organized in New Delhi on 13 April, 2019.  45 officials of Railway Board were presented with awards  President Ram Nath Kovind launched ‘CRPF Veer Parivar’ for their outstanding performances in the year 2018-19. app, a mobile application for families of CRPF personnel  V K Yadav is the Chairman of Railway Board. killed in the line of duty.  He also paid homage to the martyrs at National Police Parties to share info on electoral bonds Memorial in New Delhi on the occasion of 54th Valour Day  SC has directed all political parties to provide receipts of of Central Reserve Police Force, CRPF. electoral bonds to the Election Commission.  The app will render all assistance to the families of the martyred CRPF personnel. River Periyar witnessed decolorisation 49 | P a g e

 The River Periyar in Kerala is witnessing decolorization.  Six colleges of the Delhi University have figured in the top  The Pollution Control Board (PCB) has attributed the 10 rankings by the HRD Ministry. change in colour to the poor quality of water as a result of  Miranda House scored a hattrick in bagging the first rank. eutrophication.  Hindu College has been ranked second.  1500 Indian railway stations WiFi enabled IIT Delhi has been ranked third in the overall ranking of higher education institutions and the second best among  RailTel has provided free high-speed Wi-Fi services to as the engineering institutions. many as 500 stations in just seven days. India Rankings - 2019 released  Sahibabad has become the 1500th station in the country to get free Wi-Fi facility provided by RailTel, as per an ANI  The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, released the report. India Rankings – 2019 on 8 April 2019.  RailTel Corp. of India is a PSU under the Ministry of  He also presented the India Rankings awards to the top Railways which focuses on providing broadband and VPN eight institutions in different categories at a function held services. in New Delhi.  ICMR's ethical guidelines mandatory He also released the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) and presented the ARIIA  The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National awards to the top two institutions. Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research is now mandatory and needs to be adhered to for all biomedical research in India.  This was decided as per the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules 2019.  This will help bring about much-needed transparency and accountability. Adani Power received LoI  Adani Power received the Letter of Intent (LoI) to acquire the insolvent Korba West Power Company (KWPCL) on 8 April 2019.  The LoI dated April 6, 2019, was issued by the resolution professional appointed by the Ahmedabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).  KWPCL owns and operates a 600 megawatt (MW) thermal power plant in Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh. NGT formed committee  The National Green Tribunal formed a committee to look into the alleged erosion of Yamuna floodplain in Haryana's Sonipat district.  The nodal agency for coordination and compliance will be the principal secretary of the Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department.  The joint report may be furnished within 1 month by e- mail so that matter can be taken up before monsoon. BARC resumed viewership data publication Tata Motors launched initiative for drivers  Television viewership monitoring agency BARC (Broadcast  Tata Motors Monday launched an initiative to promote Audience Research Council) has resumed the publication driving profession in the trucking space. of viewership data on its websites.  Under the Tata Motors Samarth initiative, the company  On 1 April 2019, TRAI had issued a show-cause notice to plans to address four critical areas -- health and wellness, BARC for not complying with its direction on the release of insurance, education and financial planning for the drivers' TV viewership data. well-being.  It is related to the sector's migration to the new tariff  The auto major aims to reach to five lakh drivers every regime. year under the programme. Café Scientifique to be launched in Kerala Delhi scored high in HRD rankings 50 | P a g e

 A group of science experts of the Hume Centre for Ecology TRAI asks Telcos to submit plan details and Wildlife Biology will launch ‘Café Scientifique’ in  The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has Kerala. directed operators to submit before it all tariff plans that  Café Scientifique, the first such initiative in the State, aims they offer to select segments of customers at the end of to promote science among the public in an interesting every month. way.  TRAI also directed service providers to share with it the  Café Scientifique is a grassroots public science initiative number of subscribers at the end of each month who have based on the French Café Philosophique model. availed the segmented offer. India's first A.I enabled motorcycle Tata Projects bagged $321 million order  Revolt Intellicorp will manufacture India's first AI-enabled  Tata Projects has received order worth USD 321 million electric motorcycle in June 2019. (around ₹2,182 crore) from Nuclear Power Corporation of  Revolt Intellicorp has been founded by Micromax's co- India (NPCIL). founder Rahul Sharma.  This 2x700 MW power plant order is the company's third  The headquarters of the company is at Gurgaon. contract in the nuclear power sector.  The manufacturing facility of the company is located in  The scope of work involves construction of main plant Manesar. buildings, structures and other associated works of Roadis, NIIF to invest $2 billion Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana.  Roadis, a private investor and operator of transport 1.2 M deaths in India due to air pollution infrastructure worldwide and the National Investment and  Over 1.2 million people died in India due to air pollution in Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) have jointly set up a platform to 2017, as per a global report on air pollution. invest in road projects in India.  As per the State of Global Air 2019, overall long-term  The platform would invest up to $2 billion of equity exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution contributed targeting toll-operate-transfer models, acquisitions of to nearly 5 million deaths in 2017. existing road concessions and investment opportunities in  The report was released by the US-based organisation the road sector. Health Effects Institute. WhatsApp launches tip line feature Odisha received GI tag for Kandhamal Haldi  WhatsApp launched an India-focused fact-checking  'Kandhamal Haldi', a variety of turmeric indigenous to feature called tip line feature on 2 April 2019. southern Odisha, has earned the Geographical indication  It was developed to combat fake news and rumors starting (GI) tag from Intellectual Property India. with the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.  The recognition coincided with the state's Foundation Day  The tip line feature will help create a database of rumors (Utkal Divas). to study misinformation during elections.  Odisha, on April 1 1936, was carved out as a separate state  It has been developed in collaboration with India-based in the then British India on a linguistic identity. media skilling startup PROTO. Centre to set up TMG in J&K Chennai Central railway station renamed  The Union Home Ministry has announced setting up of a  The Chennai Central railway station has been renamed as Terror Monitoring Group to ensure synergised and Dr. MG Ramachandran Chennai Central railway station. concerted action against terror-related activities in Jammu  Dr. MG Ramachandran is the former state chief minister and Kashmir. and founder of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam  TMG will act against all registered cases related to terror (AIADMK). and bring them to a logical conclusion.  The no-objection certificate was issued by the Ministry of  It will identify all key persons including leaders of the Home Affairs for renaming the railway station. organisations who are involved in supporting terrorism. Rinzin Dwar inaugurated in Shimla Deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar extended  Army's Western Command chief inaugurated Rinzin Dwar,  The government has extended the last date to link the entrance to Pirthi Military station, named after a slain Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar number Army officer, in Shimla district. by six month till 30th of September.  It is situated at Averipatti in Rampur and is named after  Earlier, March 31st was the last date. late Sub Rinzin Dorje of Dogra Scouts.  The CBDT has also made it clear that it is mandatory to  He was an accomplished mountaineer who summited Mt quote and link Aadhaar number from April 1, 2019 in filing Everest and several other prominent peaks. the Income Tax Return. 51 | P a g e

ISRO opens its 1st visitors gallery  President, Vice President, and Prime Minister have greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of statehood day,  In a first, ISRO opened a visitors' gallery with 5,000 Utkal Diwas. capacity at Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota island on Sunday.  The gallery has a clear line of sight to two launch pads and Environment large screens to explain launcher and satellite features, ISRO said. Global warming shrank economy by 31%  This comes as ISRO launched defence satellite EMISAT  According to a Stanford study, global warming has caused along with 28 foreign satellites. the Indian economy to be 31% smaller than it would have Supply of Euro-VI grade fuels begins in NCR been.  The study shows how Earth's temperature changes have  Supply of ultra-clean Euro-VI grade petrol and diesel has increased inequalities. begun in cities adjoining the national capital.  It showed that growing concentrations of greenhouse  Delhi in April 2018 became the first city in the country to gases in Earth's atmosphere since the 1960s have enriched leapfrog from Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel to Euro-VI cool countries like Norway and Sweden. fuels.  Rest of the country will follow suit from April 2020. East Asian birds make Andaman stopover Tribunal to adjudicate ban on Jamaat-e-Islami  Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcites basalis) was sighted at the Andamans and Nicobar Islands.  The Centre has set up a tribunal to adjudicate if there  It is distinguished by the green and brown plumage on its exists sufficient cause to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu back, the diminutive Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcites and Kashmir and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front- basalis) is a native of Australia and New Guinea. Yasin Malik faction.  The sighting was the first recorded instance of the bird in  The tribunal will be headed by Justice Chander Shekhar of India. the Delhi High Court.  The decision to constitute a tribunal was taken while India, ASEAN to boost maritime ties exercising the powers conferred under the Unlawful  India and ASEAN have vowed to strengthen ties by Activities Act. deepening cooperation in the maritime sector and IAF MIG-27 (Upgrade) Crash boosting connectivity.  The two sides met at the 21st ASEAN-India Senior Officials’  An Indian Air Force MiG-27 (Upgrade) aircraft got airborne Meeting (SOM) held in New Delhi on April 11-12. from Air Force Station Uttarlai, Rajasthan for a routine  The two sides also decided to hold an ASEAN-India sortie. Conference on Renewable Energy in 2019.  The aircraft crashed approximately 120 km south of Jodhpur. River Periyar witnessed decolorisation  The pilot ejected safely and has been recovered by Search  The River Periyar in Kerala is witnessing decolorization. and Rescue helicopter.  The Pollution Control Board (PCB) has attributed the  A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the change in colour to the poor quality of water as a result of cause of the accident. eutrophication. Int airport in goa suspended by SC Yellow weather warning for Himachal Pradesh  SC suspends eco clearance for an international airport in  The Meteorological Department issued a yellow weather Goa. warning for rain in Himachal Pradesh.  The health of the environment is key to preserving the  The weather department forecast thunderstorm with hail right to life, the Supreme Court has observed in a recent in isolated places of mid hills, including Shimla, Mandi, judgment and suspended the environmental clearance Kullu, Chamba, Solan, and Sirmaur. granted for an international airport at Mopa in Goa.  Yellow is the least dangerous of the weather warnings - it Odisha statehood day, Utkal Diwas indicates the possibility of severe weather over the next few days that could affect people.  Utkala Dibasa or Odisha Day is celebrated on 1 April across the state with great fervor and gaiety in the memory of Melting of Arctic ice impacts India the formation of the state. The Indian state of Odisha  Researchers found that rising temperatures in the region is came into being on April 1, 1936. causing the sea-ice to melt faster than expected.  It is also called Orissa Foundation Day and Vishuva Milan.  The study was conducted by Germany-based Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research. 52 | P a g e

 The faltering of Transpolar Drift could lead to weather implications across countries, including India. Global coalition for clean cooling launched  The first-ever global coalition on clean and efficient cooling was launched at the First Global Conference on Synergies between the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement, which concluded on April 3, 2019, in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The Global Coalition links action across the Kigali Amendment, Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.  India has developed its National Cooling Action Plan. CO2 levels highest in 3 million years  The levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere were higher on 4 April 2019 than ever before in the past three million years.  A study found that ice age onset, and the start of the glacial cycles from cold to warm and back, was mainly triggered by a decrease of CO2-levels.  Global mean temperatures never exceeded by more than 2 degree Celsius in the past 3 million years.

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