Current Affairs – May 6, 2018 S.No Topic Page Number 1 Important Days 2 2 World News 3 3 National News 4 - 6 4 State News 7 5 Banking & Economy 8 - 9 6 Sports News 10 7 Awards & Honours 11 8 Appointments & Resignation 12 9 Science & Techonology 13 10 Obituaries 14 1 Important Days International no Diet Day (INDD) – April 6 On 6th May 2018, International No Diet Day (INDD) was observed all over the world. International No Diet Day (INDD) is a celebration of body acceptance, fat acceptance and body shape diversity. It is observed every year on 6th May 2018. Its symbol is a light blue ribbon. The first International No Diet Day was celebrated in 1992 in the UK. This day promotes a healthy life style. It focuses on health at any size and in creating awareness on dangers of dieting. 2 World News India, Sri Lanka agree on information exchange On 4th May 2018, India and Sri Lanka agreed on cooperation on exchange of information and other aspects to tackle smuggling of drugs in India and Sri Lanka. Decision regarding this was taken at the third bilateral meeting between delegations from India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) on narcotics, drugs and psychotropic substances and related matters, that started on 4th May in New Delhi. Both the countries discussed on the latest trends in narcotics smuggling in the India-Sri Lankan region, intelligence, and assistance in tracing those involved in drug smuggling in India and Sri Lanka. The Indian delegation was led by NCB Director General Abhay. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by PNB Deputy Inspector General Sajeewa Medawatte. Indian delegation consists of NCB officials, Tamil Nadu Police, Coast Guard and the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs. California’s economy is world’s 5th biggest California’s economy has emerged as the world’s fifth largest, as per new federal data revealed on 4th May 2018. California’s economy has surpassed the economy of United Kingdom. California’s gross domestic product increased by $127 billion from 2016 to 2017. California’s economy is concentrated in coastal regions around San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego. California’s economy is now only behind the economy of the United States, China, Japan and Germany. 3 National News ‘India and the world: a history in nine stories’ inaugurated at national museum in New Delhi On 5th May 2018, ‘India and the world: a history in nine stories’ exhibition was inaugurated by the President, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, (IGNCA), Raam Bahadur Rai, at National Museum, New Delhi. The Exhibition marks the collaboration in museum exhibition with the British Museum, London; National Museum, New Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai. It is supported by the Culture Ministry. The exhibition portrays the evolution of Indian civilization. It provides insights into two million years of history. This exhibition is a part of commemoration of 70 years of India’s independence and a year of major cultural exchange between India and the UK (UK/India 2017). A special postal cover was introduced by the Department of Post. It was launched by L.N. Sharma, Chief Postmaster General (Delhi Circle). DEPwD to organise ‘Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme’ in Faridabad On 6th May 2018, a ‘Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme’ was held at Huda Convention Centre, Sector-12, Faridabad, Haryana. The Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment along with Indian Red Cross Society and Sarvodaya Hospital & Research Centre. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment was the Chief Guest of the programme. The Swar Swagtam event plays a major role in creating awareness among the public about the Cochlear Implant Programme under ADIP Scheme of the Department. Cochlear Implant is an advanced technology to help children with severe deafness in both ears. But it was costly and unaffordable for common people. Through “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas”, the DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is offering this technology to poor people also. 4 Niti Aayog seeks World Bank’s help to prevent fraud in AB-NHPM On May 6 2018, With the help of World Bank’s assist NITI Aayog confirmed that there was no cheating of funds occurred in the Centre’s ambitious Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM), expertise on fraud detection and prevention. According to a source in the NITI Aayog by May 15, the World Bank will submit a report on how other countries where such health insurance mechanism is in right place and ensures that there is no fraud or corruption under the scheme. AB-NHPM chief executive officer Indu Bhushansaid about the acceptance of World Bank’s suggestions, with relevance to Indian context to ensure there is no misuse and fraud under the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) which will provide coverage of Rs5 lakh to Rs10 crore poorest families of the country. Besides, the health ministry has also proposed that insurance companies will have to mandatorily refund excess premium if the claim ratio turns out to be less than 85% under the scheme to ensure that insurance agencies do not have windfall gain which aims at supporting the poor on health treatment. Skill India organizes an Ajeevika and Kaushal Vikas Mela in Bhubaneswar array of opportunities for youth to connect to new India vision of the country On May 6 2018, By celebrating the spirit of New India, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) joined together to strengthen the “Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan” of the current incumbent government which is promoting social harmony and awareness around the pro-poor initiatives of the government. “SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas” Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan addressed that our government has complete 4 successful years of governance.Our vision of “SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas” s impact can be seen and we have started this campaign to bring back the focus on our “Graam,” our villages. Rojgar Mela (Placement Drive) MSDE organized a Kaushal and Rojgar Mela at New Women’s College in Khordha, Bhubaneswar where more than 5000 participated. Nearly 3000 candidates registered for the Rojgar Mela (Placement Drive), under which 1000+ candidates has been shortlisted by 41 leading corporates such as Eureka Forbes, Flipkart, Ola, Reliance Digital, VLCC, V Mart, Shahi Exports, Talwalkars, Lakme among others. More than 29 state of art multi-skill ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras’ were launched digitally across the country. 5 Minister handed over Mudra loan acceptance letters to the youth participating at the event and gave certificates to 10 successful candidates trained under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) at the event. PCI rejects World Press Freedom index citing ‘lack of clarity’ Without Borders (RWB), the World Press Freedom Index measures the level of media freedom in 180 countries. As per the Reporters without Borders’ annual report released on April 25, India dropped down two places from 136 in 2017 to 138 in 2018. “lack of clarity” Justice C.K Prasad, Press Council of India Chairman mentioned RWB’s annual report has “lack of clarity” on the inputs that weighed in the rankings which were based on “opinion or perception”. ii. Parameters The parameters include the level of pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legal framework, transparency, and the quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information. Mr. Prasad said the PCI had written to the RWB a number of times since 2015 to understand how the index was prepared, but hadn’t received any reply. “If the ranking is on the basis of statistical data, the council requests you to share it with us, so as to enable us to take remedial measures as it deems proper. 6 State News LPG Penetration in Odisha has reached to 58.55 % says Dharmendra pradhan Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmednra Pradhan said that, LPG penetration in Odisha has reached 58.55 % by 1st May 2018. LPG Penetration in Odisha was at 20% in June 2014. The government has fixed a target of providing gas connections to 80 lac household by the end of December 2018. Dharmednra Pradhan said that, 24.23 lac connections have been provided under Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojna. He spoke at the Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat conducted at Mangalajodi in Tangi Block of Khorda district of Odisha as part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan Pradhan. He added that, at present 4 bottling plants are present in Odisha. Three new bottling plants are planned to be set up in Khorda, Bolangir and Rayagada districts of Odisha. LPG Panchayats are conducted to promote learning through peer group interaction – Kuch Seekhein, Kuch Sikhayei. Centre to provide Rs 2,000 cr for Godavari waterway Union Minister for Road Transport and Water Resourceas Nitin Gadkari on Saturday announced that the Central government will sanction Rs 2,000 crore for inland waterway on Godavari River. He asked Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to come forward to take 10 percent equity each in the special purpose vehicle to be formed by the ministry to execute the project. Assam: Tallest flag to be installed in Guwahati under Smart city mission In Assam, 97.3 meter tall national flag, the tallest in the country – will be installed in Guwahati under Smart City Mission. First organised census for Indus dolphins to be carried out in India (Punjab) For the conservation of Indus dolphins – one of the world’s rarest mammals – the Punjab government along with WWF-India are conducting the first organised census on their population.