PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI - Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI May-2021 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of May. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI May-2021 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
Website: www.successmantra.in
Mail Id: [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. National Affairs
2. International Affairs
3. Economic Affairs
4. Appointments
5. Awards And Honors
6. Sports
7. Important Dates
8. Reports And Indexes
9. Science & Technology
10. Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM CARES FUND FOR CHILDREN ORPHANED IN COVID-19
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a number of welfare measures for children who lost their parents to COVID-19.
All children who have lost either both parents or surviving parents or legal guardians or adoptive parents due to COVID-19 will be supported under PM-CARES for Children scheme. The welfare measures have been listed below:
Fixed Deposit in the name of the child: The government has announced the “PM-CARES for Children” scheme under which fixed deposits will be opened in the names of such children from the PM-CARES fund.
The total corpus of the fund will be Rs 10 lakh for each child. This corpus will be used to give a monthly financial support/ stipend when the child reaches 18 years of age, for the next five years to take care of his or her personal requirements.
Education: Children under 10 years will be given admission to the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar. Children between 11-18 years of age will be given admission to any central government residential school such as Sainik School and Navodaya Vidyalaya.
Health Insurance: Each child will be enrolled as a beneficiary under Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) with a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh. The premium amount for these children will be paid by PM CARES, till they attain the age of 18 years.
PINARAYI VIJAYAN TAKE OATH AS KERALA CM
Pinarayi Vijayan was sworn as Kerala Chief Minister for the second time in the shadow of the Covid-19 crisis in the state.
The oath ceremony took place with Covid protocols in place at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office to 76-year-old Vijayan. It is the second stint of the Marxist veteran in the top office.
The new Left Democratic Front (LDF) government bucked the trends, as Kerala usually alternates between the Left and a Congress government, by registering a dominant win in the 6 April assembly polls. The LDF won 99 of 140 seats.
INS RAJPUT TO BE DECOMMISSIONED FROM INDIAN NAVY
The first destroyer of the Indian Navy, INS Rajput, will be decommissioned on May 21. It was commissioned on 04 May 1980.
After rendering service for 41 years, it will be decommissioned at the Naval Dockyard of Visakhapatnam. INS Rajput was built by Russia in the 61 Communards Shipyard. Its Original Russian name was ‘Nadezhny’.
INS Rajput served for both Western and Eastern Fleets and its first commanding officer was Capt Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani.
It is the 1st Indian Naval Ship to be associated with an Indian Army regiment – the Rajput Regiment. It participated in many operations including Operation Aman, Operation Pawan, Operation Cactus, etc.
SIX INDIAN HERITAGE SITES ADDED TO UNESCO LIST
The Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel recently announced that around six cultural heritage sites have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
With this, the total number of sites in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tentative list has increased to 48.
The following six places have successfully entered the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Ganga Ghats of Varanasi
• Temples of Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu
• Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra Military Architecture
• Hire Benkal Megalithic site
• Bhedaghat Lametaghat of Narmada Valley in Madhya Pradesh
SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM 'YAAS' TO HIT WEST BENGAL & ODISHA
A category 5 cyclonic storm has been forecasted to make its landfall along the coastline of West Bengal and Odisha between May 26-27.
Once formed, the cyclone will be named ‘Yaas’. Yaas will be as deadly as Amphan which was also formed in the Bay of Bengal in May last year. Yaas, named by Oman as such, refers to a Jasmine-like tree that has a good fragrance.
A rotational list of the names of cyclones is maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), with the names specific for each tropical zone.
If a cyclone is especially deadly then its name is never used and is replaced by another name. The list has a total of 169 names at present which will be used on a rotational basis.
• World Meteorological Organisation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• World Meteorological Organisation Founded: 23 March 1950
• World Meteorological Organisation President: David Grimes.
HARSH VARDHAN CHAIRED 74TH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chairman of WHO Executive Board, Dr Harsh Vardhan, chaired the 74th World Health Assembly in virtual mode.
According to Dr Harsh Vardhan, the executive board has asked for further efforts which can ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX Facility.
Director-General of World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros, also participated in the event.
Board recommended 74th World Health Assembly to consider the report on mental health preparedness and response for the Covid-19 pandemic.
It further recommended endorsing updated comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan for 2013 to 2030 and encouraged WHO to work in collaboration with World Organisation for Animal Health and Food & Agriculture Organisation so that source of zoonotic virus can be identified.
HARYANA GOVT. LAUNCHED 'SANJEEVANI PARIYOJANA'
Haryana government has launched an anti-Covid “Sanjeevani Pariyojana”, which will provide supervised and quick medical care at home for people, with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19, residing in rural areas.
This Pariyojana has been launched to extend medical care in rural areas where awareness regarding the second wave of Covid-19 and related treatment remains low.
It is an important step of bringing medical care for the people who need it most and when they need it most.
Under the initiative: The scope of medical advice will be expanded beyond qualified doctors as it will mobilize 200 final year and pre-final year medical students and interns by connecting them to consultants and experts.
The initiative comprises an Integrated Command and Control Centre to manage critical resources such as ambulance tracking, oxygen supply, hospital beds availability, besides, door-to-door awareness campaign. Thus, it will help the district administration in keeping a bird’s eye view of the entire healthcare system.
KERALA GOVT. INITIATED NEW SMART KITCHEN SCHEME
Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a secretary-level committee will formulate guidelines and recommendations on implementation of the “Smart Kitchen Scheme” in state to fulfil commitments of the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
It aims to account and reduce the workload of women’s domestic labour. Smart Kitchen Scheme will be launched by July 10, 2021.
Under the scheme, women of state will be given loan to refurbish their kitchen. Loan will be provided with a low-interest rate in instalment schemes. Scheme seeks to reduce workload of women’s domestic labour.
RAJNATH SINGH LAUNCHED SEHAT OPD PORTAL
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has launched the ‘Services e-Health Assistance & Tele-consultation (SeHAT) OPD portal, through video conferencing.
The main motive of the portal is to provide telemedicine services to the serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families.
About the Portal: The portal can be accessed at https://sehatopd.in/, to avail the telemedicine services. SeHAT OPD portal is the final version with advanced safety features.
The trial version was launched in August 2020 and more than 6,500 medical consultations have already been carried on the beta version.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
ITALY TO HOST GLOBAL G20 HEALTH SUMMIT
The Global G20 Health Summit was co-hosted by European Commission along with Italy as part of its G20 presidency amid the surge and spread of coronavirus cases.
The summit adopted the agenda to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. It also decided to develop and endorse a Rome Declaration of principles.
As per WHO officials, the future of the pandemic is in hands of G20 leaders. G20 has also contributed to the launch of ACT-Accelerator as it was launched after G20 called for a global mechanism to accelerate the development of tests, treatments and vaccines.
ACT-Accelerator is used for “Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator”. It is also called Global Collaboration to Accelerate Development, Production and Equitable Access to COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
UK LAUNCHED PLAN FOR 'GLOBAL PANDEMIC RADAR'
The United Kingdom will develop an advanced international pathogen surveillance network to identify Covid-19 variants and emerging diseases.
This Global Pandemic Radar will ensure the early detection of new variants and emerging pathogens, so vaccines and treatments needed to stop them can be rapidly developed.
Prime minister Boris Johnson announced the plans, ahead of the Global Health Summit hosted by Italy and the European Union (EU).
About the radar: The radar is expected to be fully up and running with a network of surveillance hubs before the end of 2021, with the aim of significantly improving global health security going into next year.
WHO will lead an implementation group, supported by global health charity the Wellcome Trust, to launch the new international partnership to identify, track and share data on new coronavirus variants and monitor vaccine resistance in populations.
REPUBLIC OF CONGO'S NEW PRIME MINSTER
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso has appointed Anatole Collinet Makosso as the country’s Prime Minister.
He replaced Clement Mouamba, in-office since 2016. Before this appointment, Makosso was the education minister of the Central African country. He was also minister of youth and civic instruction from 2011 to 2016.
Since 2016, he has held the position of Minister of Primary and Secondary Education in charge of literacy. Mr Collinet Makosso was the deputy campaign manager of candidate Sassou Nguesso during the last presidential election.
OPENING OF NEW CONSULATE GENERAL IN MALDIVES
Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the opening of a new Consulate General of India in Addu City, the Maldives in 2021.
India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity. Maldives occupies an important place in the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the Government of India.
About the Consulate General: The opening of a Consulate General in Addu City will help augment India’s diplomatic presence in the Maldives and make it commensurate with the existing and aspired level of engagement.
The momentum and energy in the bilateral relationship have reached unprecedented levels under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Solih.
This is also a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development or ‘SabkaSaathSabka Vikas’ Augmentation of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services.
This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
FDI JUMPS 19% TO USD 59.64 BILLION IN 2020-21
Foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country grew 19 per cent to USD 59.64 billion during 2020-21 on account of measures taken by the government on the fronts of policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business.
Total FDI, including equity, re-invested earnings and capital, rose 10 per cent to the “highest ever” of USD 81.72 billion during 2020-21 as against USD 74.39 billion in 2019-20.
In terms of top investor countries, Singapore is at the top with a 29 per cent share.
It was followed by the US (23 per cent) and Mauritius (9 per cent) during the last fiscal. FDI equity inflow grew by 19 per cent in 2020-21 (USD 59.64 billion), compared to 2019-20 (USD 49.98 billion).
RBI RELEASED ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2020-21
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has published its annual report and highlights “asset quality of banks and their preparedness requires close monitoring for higher provisioning for upcoming quarters”.
In its annual report, the central bank said the country’s growth prospects now essentially depend on how fast India can arrest the second wave of COVID-19 infections.
RBI Annual Report 2021: RBI in its semi-annual financial stability report earlier highlighted bad loan ratio of banks could rise to 13.5% under the baseline stress scenario by September 2021.
The Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) of banks improved from 66.6% in March 2020 to 75.5 % by December 2020, because of prudent provisioning by banks above regulatory prescriptions on accounts availing moratorium and undergoing restructuring.
The capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of banks increased to 15.9% by December 2020, in March it was 14.8%. In its report, RBI cautioned “banks being lenders will have to provide a true picture of bad loans after Supreme Court lifted the interim stay on classifying non-performing assets (NPA) in March 2021.
According to it, waiver of compound interest on all loan accounts opted for a moratorium during March-August 2020 would put stress on the financial health of banks.
The Gross NPA ratio of banks decreased from 8.2% in March 2020 to 6.8% in December 2020. The Gross NPA ratio for non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs) increased from 6.8% in March to 5.7% in December 2020.
The capital adequacy ratio of NBFCs increased from 24.8% in December 2020 to 23.7% in March. Frauds reported by banks fell by 25% in value terms in just one year to Rs 1.38 lakh crore at the end of fiscal year ended March 2021, data released by the RBI as part of it annual report showed.
APPOINTMENTS
RAJESH BANSAL AS CEO OF RESERVE BANK INNOVATION HUB
The Board of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) has appointed Rajesh Bansal as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the RBIH with effect from May 17, 2021, the RBIH said in a statement.
The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub would develop internal infrastructure to promote fintech research and facilitate engagement with innovators and start-ups.
About Rajesh Bansal: Bansal has over twenty-five years of experience in designing technology-led population-scale payment products, electronic cash transfers, digital financial services and digital IDs to enable inclusive development in India and multiple Asian and African markets.
He has earlier served at the RBI in various capacities in the areas of technology, financial inclusion and payment systems. He was a member of the founding team of Aadhaar where he played a key role in designing India’s Direct Benefits Transfer system and electronic KYC (eKYC).
SUBODH JAISWAL APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF CBI
IPS officer, Subodh Jaiswal has been appointed Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He was the most senior officer among the three shortlisted for the post of CBI Director.
Jaiswal, along with KR Chandra and VS Kaumudi, was short-listed out of 109 officers for the top post by the high-powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Other members of the committee include Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has based on the panel recommended by the Committee, approved the appointment of Shri Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS (MH: 1985) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office or until further orders whichever is earlier.
Who is Subodh Jaiswal: Subodh Jaiswal is a 1985-batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer who is the chief of CISF. Earlier, he held the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner and Maharashtra DGP.
He was appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner in 2018 and has also worked with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in the past. Subodh Jaiswal has also served with the Intelligence Bureau, SPG (Special Protection Group) and R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing) for over a decade.
DAVID BARNEA APPOINTED AS NEW HEAD OF MOSSAD
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed David Barnea as the new head of the country’s spy agency, the Mossad.
Barnea, a former longtime Mossad operative, will succeed Yossi Cohen as head of Israel’s intelligence agency on June 1. Cohen has served as Israel’s spymaster since taking office in 2016.
Barnea, who is in his 50s, lives in the Sharon region north of Tel Aviv. He did his military service in the elite Sayeret Matkal special operations force. About 30 years ago, he enlisted in the Mossad, where he became a case officer.
● Prime Minister of Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu.
● Israel Capital: Jerusalem.
● Israel Currency: Israeli Shekel.
BVR SUBRAHMANYAM APPOINTED AS COMMERCE SECY
The appointments committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary Jammu & Kashmir as an officer on special duty in the Department of Commerce.
An order issued by the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Mr Subrahmanyam is a 1987 batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and was sent on deputation to Jammu and Kashmir in June 2018.
He served as Chief Secretary when the State was bifurcated into two Union Territories in 2019. He is a widely experienced bureaucrat having worked in Manmohan Singh Prime Minister’s Office as Joint Secretary.
AWARDS & HONOURS
JANE GOODALL WON TEMPLETON PRIZE 2021
The naturalist Jane Goodall has been announced as the 2021 winner of the Templeton Prize in recognition of her life’s work on animal intelligence and humanity.
Goodall built her global reputation on her groundbreaking studies of chimpanzees in Tanzania in the 1960s.
The Templeton Prize is an annual award granted to a living person, in the estimation of the judges, “whose exemplary achievements advance Sir John Templeton’s philanthropic vision: harnessing the power of the sciences to explore the deepest questions of the universe and humankind’s place and purpose within it.”
About Templeton Prize
• Instituted: 1973
• Presented by: John Templeton Foundation
• Reward(s): £1.1 million
• Currently held by: Francis Collins
• Awarded for: Outstanding contributions in affirming life’s spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works.
SPICEHEALTH WINS GOLD STEVIE AWARD 2020
SpiceHealth, a healthcare company founded by the promoters of SpiceJet, has won the Gold Award at the 2021 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for ‘Most Valuable Medical Innovation’ under Covid19.
At a time when Covid-19 was at an all-time excessive in India in November 2020, SpiceHealth, beneath the management of Avani Singh, disrupted the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing house by providing checks in cell laboratories at ₹499, versus the then-present rate of ₹2,400 in Delhi and helped convey down Covid-19 testing price dramatically throughout the nation.
About the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards: The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the one business awards program to recognise innovation within the workplace in all 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific area.
The Stevie Awards are broadly thought about to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in applications akin to The International Business Awards for 19 years.
1ST INDIAN TO WIN RUDOLF V SCHINDLER AWARD
Padma Bhushan awardee and noted gastroenterologist Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, who is also the chairman of AIG Hospitals, has won the Rudolf V Schindler Award from the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Rudolf V Schindler Award is the highest category in the prestigious Crystal Awards named after Dr Schindler who is considered as “the father of gastroscopy.”
With this, Dr Reddy becomes the first Indian medical practitioner to win this award. Dr Reddy is one of the first to promote endoscopy in India and has led the charge of educating numerous endoscopists all over the world.
BHARAT RATNA CNR RAO HONOURED WITH INT. ENI AWARD
Noted Indian scientist and Bharat Ratna Professor, C.N.R. Rao has been felicitated with the International Eni Award 2020 (also called the Energy Frontier award).
The International Eni Award is considered to be the Nobel Prize in Energy Research. He has been conferred the prize for his work on metal oxides, carbon nanotubes and other materials and two-dimensional systems.
Professor Rao will be presented the Eni Awards 2020 on 14 October 2021, during an official ceremony held at the Quirinal Palace in Rome.
The Eni Award is awarded annually by the Italian oil and gas company Eni to encourage better use of energy sources and increased environmental research.
AMARTYA SEN CONFERRED WITH SPAIN'S TOP AWARD
Indian economist and Nobel Laureate, Amartya Kumar Sen has been conferred with the ‘ 2021 Princess of Asturias Award’ by Spain in the social sciences category.
Princess of Asturias Awards is annual prizes awarded by the Princess of Asturias Foundation in Spain to individuals, entities or organizations from around the world who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs.
The 87-year-old Sen was selected from 41 candidates of 20 nationalities for “His research on famines and his theory of human development, welfare economics and the underlying mechanisms of poverty have contributed to the fight against injustice, inequality, disease and ignorance”.
The award comprises a cash prize of 50,000 Euros along with a Joan Miro sculpture representing and symbolising the award, a diploma and insignia.
INDIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO BE HONOURED WITH UN's MEDAL
Corporal Yuvraj Singh, civilian peacekeeper Ivan Michael Picardo, and Moolchand Yadav are among those to be honoured with the UN’s prestigious medal.
Corporal Yuvraj Singh was serving at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) while civilian peacekeeper Ivan Michael Picardo was associated with UNAMISS as a civil peacekeeper.
Moolchand Yadav was associated with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Three Indian peacekeepers, who laid down their lives while serving in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions last year, are among 129 military, police and civilian personnel honoured with a prestigious UN medal awarded posthumously for courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.
India is the fifth-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping with more than 5,500 military and police serving in peace operations in Abyei, Cyprus, Congo, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan and Western Sahara, according to the UN.
SPORTS
BARCELONA WOMEN BEATS CHELSEA WOMEN
Barcelona Women beat Chelsea Women to win the Women’s Champions League trophy.
Chelsea conceded four goals in the first 36 minutes as Barcelona blew them away to win their first Women’s Champions League in Gothenburg.
Barcelona is the first Spanish side to win the Women’s Champions League. Barcelona becomes the first club to win both the men’s and women’s Champions League, and this was the biggest ever winning margin in a women’s final.
U-17 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP TO BE HELD IN INDIA
The U-17 women’s World Cup will be held in India from October 11 to 30 next year, Fifa Council said on 21st May.
India was earlier scheduled to host the 2020 U-17 World Cup but it was postponed to 2021 before being cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The FIFA Council approved key dates for the international match calendars, including the dates of the 2022 U-17 World Cup in India.
The Council also approved dates for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 (11-30 October 2022), FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 (10-28 August 2022), as well as a 14-team playoff for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, taking place between 19 and 25 June this year and Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 from July 20 to August 20, 2023.
HOCKEY INDIA PRESTIGIOUS ETIENNE GLICHITCH AWARD
Hockey India has won the prestigious Etienne Glichitch Award in recognition of its contribution to the growth and development of the sport in the country.
The awards were announced by the game’s governing body FIH during the HockeyInvites virtual conference. It was part of its 47th FIH Congress which concluded with the FIH Honorary Awards.
Other Awards presented as a part of the 47th FIH Congress:
● Pablo Negre Award ----- Uzbekistan Hockey Federation
● Theo Ikema Award ------- Polish Hockey Association
● HRH Sultan Azlan Shah Award ------- Sharon Williamson of New Zealand
● Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy ------- Ivona Makar
MARY KOM WINS MEDAL AT ASIAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP
Indian pugilist Mary Kom, lost to two-time world champion Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan, to settle for silver medal at the 2021 ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai.
The five-time Asian Championships gold medallist Mary Kom was competing in a high-octane 51kg final.
This is the second silver for Mary Kom at the Asian Championships who has previously won silver in 2008. Apart from this, she won world championship titles on five occasions including 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2017.
Meanwhile, Pooja Rani won the gold medal in the 75kg Women’s Middle category final at the Asian Boxing Championships. She defeated Mavluda Movlonova in the gold medal clash.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
NATIONAL ANTI TERRORISM DAY: MAY 21TH
In India, the National Anti Terrorism Day is observed on May 21 to commemorate the death anniversary of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi.
The day is also observed to spread the message of peace, harmony, and humankind and to promote unity among the people.
Rajiv Gandhi was India’s youngest Prime Minister. He was appointed as the sixth Prime Minister of the country and served the nation from 1984 to 1989.
Mr Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991, by a human bomb. He was killed in Tamil Nadu in a campaign by a terrorist. Then, under the V.P. Singh government, the centre has decided to observe 21st May as Anti Terrorism Day.
WORLD BEE DAY: 20TH MAY
World Bee Day is observed globally on 20th May every year. On this date, 20 May, the pioneer of beekeeping Anton Janša was born in 1734 in Slovenia.
The purpose of the bee day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators in the ecosystem. About 33% of the world’s food production depends on bees thus they are vital for the preservation of biodiversity, ecological balance in nature and helpful in reducing pollution.
The theme of World Bee Day 2021 is “Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees”. The UN Member States approved Slovenia’s proposal to proclaim 20 May as World Bee Day in December 2017.
The resolution called for the adoption of specific conservation measures and highlighted the importance of the preservation of bees and their significance for humanity. The first World Bee Day was observed in 2018.
UNITED NATIONS INT. DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The United Nations celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May every year to raise awareness about the issue of a significant reduction in biological diversity due to certain human activities.
Biological Diversity comprises a wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms including genetic differences within each species, for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock.
This year 2021 the theme is “We’re part of the solution”. The slogan was chosen to be a continuation of the momentum generated last year under the over-arching theme, “Our solutions are in nature”, which served as a reminder that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges.
WORLD HUNGER DAY OBSERVED ON 28TH MAY
World Hunger Day is observed globally on 28 May every year. The objective of this day is to raise awareness about more than 820 million people living in chronic hunger worldwide.
It is observed since 2011 to not only spread awareness about the malaise of chronic hunger but also to solve hunger and poverty through sustainable undertakings.
The initiative recognizes the dire need to save nearly a quarter of a billion lives from malnourishment and chronic hunger. The need to provide outreach globally during the pandemic for the distribution of food is seen as paramount to save those who have been vulnerable even in pre-pandemic times.
History of the day: World Hunger Day is an initiative by The Hunger Project, first started in the year 2011. This year marks the 11th annual WHD to look at hunger as a whole.
India ranked 94 among 107 nations in the Global Hunger Index 2020.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DAY: MAY 28TH
Amnesty International Day is observed every year on May 28, because it was on this day in 1961 that this non-governmental organization was founded in London.
The Amnesty International was founded on 28 May 1961 in London, following the publication of the article “The Forgotten Prisoners” in The Observer, a British newspaper, by the lawyer Peter Benenson.
Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization that focuses on the protection of human rights, by working to prevent abuses to human rights, fight for justice for those whose rights have been violated, expand and enforce human rights protections in international law, by lobbying governments and other powerful groups and publicizing their violations.
The organisation has won the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize for its “defence of human dignity against torture,” and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978.
WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY: 31ST MAY
Every year, on 31st May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).
The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.
This year theme of the 2021 WNTD is “Commit to quit.”
This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
World Health Organization on 15th May 1987 passed a resolution, calling for April 7, 1988, to be the first World No Smoking Day. This date was chosen as it was the 40th anniversary of the World Health Organization.
Then on May 17, 1989, the World Health Organization passed a resolution calling for May 31 to be annually known as World No Tobacco Day. World No Tobacco Day has been observed every year on 31st May since 1989.
• WHO was established on 7 April 1948;
• WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland;
• WHO current President is Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
FAO CELEBRATES WORLD MILK DAY
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations celebrates World Milk Day every year on 01st June to recognize the importance of milk as a global food, and to celebrate the dairy sector.
It aims to encourage people to talk about the advantages of dairy with regards to health including nutrition, accessibility and affordability.
This year, our theme will focus on Sustainability in the dairy sector with messages around the environment, nutrition and socio-economics. In doing so we will re-introduce dairy farming to the world.
History of the day: In 2001, World Milk Day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food, and to celebrate the dairy sector.
Each year since, the benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted around the world, including how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
INDIA AS SECOND LARGEST INSURANCE TECH. MARKET
India is the second-largest insurance technology market in Asia-Pacific and accounts for 35 per cent of the $3.66 billion insurtech-focused venture capital invested in the region, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.
The data showed that at least 335 private insurtechs are operating in Asia-Pacific, with about 122 of them disclosing $3.66 billion in aggregate capital raised via private placement deals. China and India are collectively home to nearly half of private insurtech companies in the APAC region and attracted about 78 per cent of the investments.
Insurance technology investors are attracted to India since it is one of the fastest-growing insurance markets in the world.
INDIA CLIMBS TO THIRD SPOT EY INDEX
India has moved a notch higher at the third spot on EY’s Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index due to exceptional performance on the solar photovoltaic (PV) front.
India has moved one position above (3rd) from the previous index (4th), this is primarily because of the exceptional performance on the solar PV front. The US retains the top position on RECAI 57, China has remained a buoyant market and maintains the second position.
India also committed to setting up 450 GW for renewable energy power capacity (installed) by 2030 in the recent climate summit hosted by the US.
GAUTAM ADANI BECOMES ASIA'S SECOND RICHEST MAN
Billionaire Gautam Adani has edged past Chinese tycoon Zhong Shanshan to become the second-richest Asian, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
China’s Zhong was the richest Asian till February when he lost the crown to Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest person and chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd.
However, while Ambani lost $175.5 million this year, Adani’s wealth surged by $32.7 billion to touch $66.5 billion, against Zhong’s $63.6 billion.
Ambani’s total wealth now stands at $76.5 billion, making him the 13th richest in the world, followed by Adani at 14th.
• Mukesh Ambani ----- $76.3B ----- India
• Gautam Adani ---- $67.6B ---- India
• Zhong Shanshan ----- $65.6B ----- China
FORBES UNVEILED LIST OF HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES
Forbes has unveiled its annual list of the 10 highest-paid athletes of the year.
UFC star Conor McGregor has topped the Forbes list by earning $180 million in the past year beating soccer superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to become the highest-paid athlete in the world.
The factors used by Forbes’ for calculation include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned between May 1, 2020, and May 1, 2021.
Ranking Index
• Conor McGregor (Ireland) MMA $180 million
• Lionel Messi (Argentina) Soccer $130 million
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Soccer $120 million
• Dak Prescott (United States) Football $107.5 million
• Lebron James (United States) Basketball $96.5 million
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DRDO DEVELOPED ANTIBODY DETECTION KIT 'DIPCOVAN'
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a Covid-19 antibody detection kit.
The DIPCOVAN kit can detect both spikes as well as nucleocapsid proteins of Coronavirus with a high sensitivity of 97%.
It has been approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research and has been developed by the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences lab of DRDO in association with Delhi’s Vanguard Diagnostics Pvt Ltd.
About the DIPCOVAN: DIPCOVAN is intended for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies in human serum or plasma, targeting SARS-CoV-2 related antigens.
It offers a significantly faster turnaround time of just 75 minutes to conduct the test without any cross-reactivity with other diseases. The kit has a shelf life of 18 months.
NASA & ISRO DEVELOPS EARTH SYSTEM OBSERVATORY
The US space agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is developing a new system called the Earth System Observatory, to mitigate efforts related to climate change and disaster mitigation.
NASA has also partnered with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) which will provide NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR).
NISAR will carry two radar systems to measure changes in the Earth’s surface, during one of the observatory’s first missions intended as a pathfinder.
The Earth System Observatory will be a set of missions designed to study “designated observables” such as aerosols, clouds and weather, water supply, and the Earth’s surface and ecosystems, for an unprecedented understanding of the critical interactions between Earth’s atmosphere, land, ocean, and ice processes, which determines how the changing climate will play out at regional and local levels, on near and long-term time scales.
Each new satellite under Earth System Observatory will be uniquely designed to create 3D, holistic view of Earth, from bedrock to atmosphere, providing a new architecture to advanced space-borne Earth observation systems.
MISCELLANEOUS
BOOK TITLED "NEHRU, TIBET & CHINA' RELEASED
A book has titled “Nehru, Tibet and China” authored by Avtar Singh Bhasin.
The book based on years of meticulous archival research, this book in fascinating detail, analyses the events from 1949 to the Indo-China war in 1962 and its aftermath to explore the answers to these burning questions.
History of India, Tibet and China: On 1 October 1949, the People’s Republic of China came into being and changed forever the course of Asian history.
Power moved from the hands of the nationalist Kuomintang government to the Communist Party of China headed by Mao Tse Tung. All of a sudden, it was not only an assertive China that India had to deal with but also an increasingly complex situation in Tibet which was reeling under pressure from China.
FASTEST ASCENT OF MOUNT EVEREST RECORD BROKEN
Tsang Yin-hung, a Hong Kong-based mountaineer, has created the record of the world’s fastest ascent of Everest by a woman, within the time of just under 26 hours.
The 44-year-old Tsang, scaled the 8,848.86-metre (29,031 feet) Everest mountain in a record time of 25 hours and 50 minutes on May 23. It was her third attempt of scaling the Himalayan peak.
In 2017, Tsang became the first Hong Kong woman to reach the top of the mountain peak. Before this, the record of fastest woman to conquer Everest was held by Nepali Phunjo Jhangmu Lama, who had completed the climb in 39 hours 6 minutes in 2018.
