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-2022 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-2022 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)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Affairs
International Affairs
Economic Affairs
Appointments
Awards & Honor
Sports
Dates & Days
Report & Indexes
Science & Technology
Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM MODI INAUGURATED SEMICON INDIA 2022 CONFERENCE
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day Semicon India 2022 conference, which was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
It was organized by India Semiconductor Mission in partnership with industry associations. The theme is catalyzing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem.
What is the aim of the conference?
To make India a global hub for Semiconductor Design, Manufacturing, and Technology Development which will help propel the vision of the India Semiconductor Mission.
What is the “India Semiconductor Mission”?
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is an Independent Business Division within Digital India Corporation having administrative and financial autonomy to formulate strategies for developing the semiconductor ecosystem.
What is the “Semicon India program”?
In March 2022, the Union Cabinet approved the Semicon India program for the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.
CYCLONE ASANI TO HIT INDIA
On May 9th the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the severe cyclonic storm ‘Asani’ is likely to weaken. Asani is the first cyclonic storm of the season.
Which country gave the name Asani?
Sri Lanka.
The cyclonic storm ‘Asani’ was situated about 680km in direction of the south-southeast of Puri and 580km from Visakhapatnam as of noon on May 9th. It is moving northwest at a speed of 25km per hour in the Bay of Bengal towards coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Tropical cyclone is a low-pressure system formed over warm tropical waters. Tropical cyclones can continue for many days, even weeks, and may follow quite erratic paths. A cyclone will dissipate once it moves over land or cooler oceans.
MAHARASHTRA FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND GENE BANK
Maharashtra Cabinet approved the ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank’, a first-of-its-kind project in India. To conserve genetic resources in Maharashtra including marine diversity, seeds of local crops, and animal diversity.
In the next five years, an amount of Rs 172.39 crores will be spent on these seven focus areas.
What are the seven focus areas?
The ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank Project’ will work on seven themes:
Marine biodiversity
Local crop/seed varieties
Indigenous cattle breeds
Freshwater biodiversity
Grassland, scrubland, and animal grazing land biodiversity
Conservation and management plans for areas under forest right
Rejuvenation of forest areas.
The project will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) and will be overseen by committees under the chief secretary and the principal secretary (forests).
The MSBB will coordinate with institutions like the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa to document and conserve rare and endangered marine species.
WHAT IS SECTION 144 OF CRPC?
Recently, the administration of Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 near the town of Roorkee.
This law empowers the magistrate of any state or union territory in India to pass an order prohibiting the gathering of four or more people in a specified area.
It is imposed in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger of some event that has the potential to cause trouble or damage to human life or property. This order can be passed against a particular individual or general public.
Duration of Section 144 Order:
No order under this section can remain in force for a period of more than 2 months. Under the state government’s discretion, it can choose to extend the validity for two more months with the maximum validity extendable to six months.
Once the situation becomes normal, Section 144 levied can be withdrawn.
What is the Difference between Section 144 and Curfew?
Section 144 prohibits the gathering of four or more people in the concerned area, while during curfew people are instructed to stay indoors for a particular period. The government puts a complete restriction on traffic as well.
Markets, schools, colleges and offices remain closed under the curfew and only essential services are allowed to run on prior notice.
1ST STATE TO REACH 10 GW OF SOLAR INSTALLATION
According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, Rajasthan became the first state in India to reach 10 GW of cumulative large-scale solar installations.
The state has a total installed power capacity of 32.5 GW, with renewables accounting for 55 percent, thermal energy for 43 percent, and nuclear energy accounting for the remaining 2%.
Solar is the most common energy source, accounting for roughly 36 percent of total capacity and 64 percent of renewables.
The thermal contribution was largest in the first quarter of FY 2021-22.Rajasthan has some of the highest sun irradiation levels in the country, as well as other advantages such as land availability and few power outages.
These favourable conditions have prompted neighbouring states, such as Maharashtra, to establish power-generation plants in Rajasthan.
Other notable projects include those created by NTPC and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), as well as those developed as part of the Rajasthan State Solar Policy.
Rajasthan has about 16 GW of solar projects under development, according to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker. The total amount of SECI-awarded projects is 11.6 GW, with 6.2 GW being interstate transmission system (ISTS) projects.
Despite numerous projects being stuck owing to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) issue, installations grew.
About Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy:
Rajasthan’s Solar Energy Policy 2019 was issued in 2019, with the goal of achieving a 30 GW solar power target by FY 2024-25.
Utility or grid-scale solar parks will account for 24 GW, distributed production will account for 4 GW, rooftop solar and solar pumps will each account for 1 GW.
7 YEARS KG PMJJBY, PMSBY & APY
Social security schemes Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have completed seven years of their launch.
These three schemes were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9, 2015 in Kolkata.
What is Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)?
It is a life insurance scheme that offers coverage for death due to any reason. Any individual in the age group of 18-50 years having a savings bank or a post office account are eligible to enroll under the scheme.
It provides life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh against a premium of Rs 330 per annum.
What is Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)?
It is an accidental insurance scheme that offers coverage for death or disability due to an accident. Any individual in the age group of 18-70 years having a savings bank or a post office account is eligible to enroll under the scheme.
What is Atal Pension Yojana (APY)?
APY is an initiative of the Government to provide financial security for the people in the unorganized sector.
All bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years are eligible. The contributions to APY differ, based on pension amount chosen.
A guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 or Rs 2,000 or Rs 3,000 or Rs 4,000 or Rs 5,000 at the age of 60 years will be provided to the subscribers, based on the contributions made by the subscriber after joining APY.
MADHYA PRADESH LAUNCHED LADLI LAXMI SCHEME
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister launched the second phase of the Ladli Laxmi scheme (Ladli Laxmi scheme-2.0) on May 8th, 2022.
Ladli Laxmi scheme – 2.0 is an innovative initiative to encourage girl children to pursue higher education and make them self-dependent.
The Ladli Laxmi Scheme has been implemented by the government of Madhya Pradesh since 2007 to enhance the economic and educational status of the girls.
Ladli Laxmi scheme is a comprehensive scheme that offers financial assistance for a girl from birth until her marriage in installments.
MAHARASHTRA & GUJARAT STATEHOOD DAY
Maharashtra and Gujarat celebrated their statehood day on 1st May 2022. On May 1st, 1960, the bilingual state of Bombay was divided into two separate states by the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960: Maharashtra for Marathi speaking people and Gujarat for Gujarati speaking people. Gujarat was established as the 15th state of the Indian Union.
Maharashtra
Capital: Mumbai
Arabian Sea guards the western boundary of Maharashtra, while Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are on the northern side. Chhattisgarh covers the eastern boundary of the State. Karnataka and Telangana are on its southern side.
The State has been identified as the country’s powerhouse and Mumbai, its capital as the centre point of India’s financial and commercial markets.
Maharashtra has two major ports, Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) both located in Mumbai harbour.
Gujarat
Capital: Gandhinagar
The state is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, Pakistan and Rajasthan in the north and north-east respectively, Madhya Pradesh in the south-east and Maharashtra in the south.
Gujarat is the first state in the nation to start a separate department of ‘climate change’ to tackle the issue of global warming.
Kandla Port is the major port in Gujarat along with 41 minor ports. Gamit, Bhils, Dhodias, Bawcha, and Kunbi are the major tribes present in the state.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
CHINA'S GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward a new Global Security Initiative.
According to the Chinese president, the initiative is to promote security for all in the world and to oppose unilateralism, and group politics and bloc confrontation.
The initiative is aimed at countering the initiatives of the West like the Indo-Pacific strategy of the USA, the Quad and the AUKUS (Australia-U.K.-U.S.) security pact.
What is Quad?
Quad is an informal strategic security dialogue comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Quad is viewed as a response to increased Chinese economic and military power.
China responded to the Quad by issuing formal diplomatic protests to its members. China called the Quad as “Asian NATO”.
FRANCE PROPOSAL FOR 'EUROPEAN POLITICAL COMMUNITY'
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, is of the belief that a “European political community” must be established which would be much broader than the present European Union (EU).
The political community will also be including the nations that are not EU members. Currently, the EU has 27 members
The main goal of the political community will be to maintain the region’s stability. It will also be looking to further the European Union as relying solely on it will not be enough.
The vision of the community was outlined by President Macron in a speech that he presented to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
This community will allow the democratic European nations to cooperate in a new space politically in the fields of
Energy
Security
Infrastructure investment
Transport
Freedom of movement
INDIA & NORDIC COUNTRIES SUMMIT
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Second India-Nordic Summit. The summit was held in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
What are the highlights of the summit?
The Nordic countries reiterated their support for India’s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The leaders agreed to work together to fight and address climate change. They reiterated their commitment to ambitious cooperation on renewable energy, energy diversification, smart grids, and energy efficiency.
The leaders affirmed their strong commitment to multilateralism and cooperation. Prime Minister Modi invited Nordic companies to invest in the blue economy sector, especially in the Sagarmala Project.
He also invited the sovereign wealth funds of the Nordic countries to invest in India. The PM also noted that India’s Arctic Policy provides a good framework for the expansion of India-Nordic cooperation in the Arctic region.
Which are the Nordic countries?
The Nordic countries are a geographical and cultural region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic. The Nordic countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands (an archipelago of islands as an autonomous country within the kingdom of Denmark).
JOHN LEE KA CHIU AS NEW HONG KONG HEAD
John Lee Ka-Chiu has been confirmed as Hong Kong’s next chief executive. He will replace Carrie Lam. He will be the first security official to hold the Chief Executive position of Hong Kong which witnessed years of political unrest and recent debilitating pandemic controls.
Lee resigned from his position as the city’s No 2 official last month to run and was the only contender to secure Beijing’s backing.
The 64-year-old was sanctioned by the United States in 2020 for his role in implementing a Beijing-imposed national security law that has crushed the city’s democracy movement.
His election places a security official in Hong Kong’s top job for the first time. The former secretary for security in Hong Kong ran under the slogan “Starting a new chapter for Hong Kong together” and was the sole candidate in the polls.
KATALIN NOVAK: FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF HUNGARY
Katalin Novak has been elected as the first female President of the country. She is also Hungary’s youngest President at 44 years of age.
Janos Ader was replaced by Katalin Novak as the new President of the country. Novák will be holding this post for a five-year term.
On 10th March Novak was elected as the president of the country by the Parliament of Hungary.
Peter Rona was her opponent during the 2022 Presidential election. He was nominated by United for Hungary, a political alliance that was created for the president’s post.
She is a member of Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance. She has also served as a member of the National Assembly from the year 2018 to 2022.
Under the fourth Viktor Orbán Government, she had also served as the Minister for Family Affairs from the year 2020 to 2021.
RUSSIA CELEBRATES VICTORY DAY ON 9TH MAY
Russian President Vladimir Putin commemorated the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over Nazi Germany with a magnificent military display and a speech from Moscow’s Red Square.
In a speech that blamed the West for the crisis but featured no new escalations, Russian President Vladimir Putin tied his war in Ukraine to that historic fight.
Russia Victory Day is a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany. Following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on May 8, 1945, it was initially inaugurated in the Soviet Union’s 15 republics (after midnight, thus on 9 May Moscow Time).
After the signing ceremony in Berlin, the Soviet government announced the victory early on May 9th. Although the holiday was officially established in 1945, it was only in 1965 that it became a non-working day, and then only in a few Soviet countries.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
IMF'S WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
The latest edition of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook cut its forecast for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in FY 2022-23 to 8.2%, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world, almost twice faster than China’s 4.4 %.
What is the IMF’s Growth Forecast?
Indian Scenario: It has also lowered India’s growth projection by 0.8 % points for 2022-23 from its previous forecast (9%) for the same period in 2021.
In 2021, India registered a growth rate of 8.9 %. In 2023-24, India is estimated to grow at 6.9 %. With import bills rising due to high commodity and fuel prices, the IMF estimates India’s current account deficit to widen to 3.1% in FY 2022-23 from 1.6% in FY 2021-22.
India was “suffering like many other countries because of the Russia –Ukraine war and negative terms of trade shock "due to higher food and energy prices weighing down trade balances.
Global Scenario:
The IMF has projected global growth at 3.6 % in 2022 and 2023, 0.8 and 0.2 % lower than in the January 2022 forecast, respectively.
A deceleration in global growth dampens India’s growth prospects especially because it would lead to lower demand for Indian exports.
The downgrade largely reflects the war’s direct impacts on Russia and Ukraine and global spillovers.
RBI HIKES CRR & RR SINCE MAY 2020
In an unscheduled meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, the central bank, however, retained the accommodative monetary policy.
The sudden RBI move — the first hike after August 2018 — is expected to push up interest rates in the banking system.
Equated monthly instalments (EMIs) on home, vehicle and other personal and corporate loans are likely to go up. Deposit rates, mainly fixed term rates, are also set to rise.
All six members of the MPC unanimously voted for a rate hike while maintaining the accommodative stance.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the decision was taken in view of rising inflation, geopolitical tensions, high crude oil prices and shortage of commodities globally, which have impacted the Indian economy.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held between May 2-4, 2022 has decided to increase the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 40 basis points (bps) to 4.40 per cent with immediate effect from 4.00% earlier. RBI has also hiked the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basis points to 4.50 per cent effective from May 21, 2022.
Consequently, the various rates are as under:
Policy Repo Rate: 4.40%
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)= 4.15%
Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 4.65%
Bank Rate: 4.65%
CRR: 4.50% (Effective from May 21, 2022.)
SLR: 18.00%
1ST INDIAN COMPANY TO CROSS $100 BILLION REVENUE
Reliance Industries became the first Indian company to record annual revenue of more than a whopping $100 billion. The company has recorded a 22.5% rise in net profit for the quarter ended March 2022.
Reliance has recorded strong growth in retail, digital services, and the oil & gas business. The company has also reported the highest-ever quarterly EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of Rs 33,968 crores (28% up) year-on-year.
Reliance’s earnings also rose because of a rise in broadband subscribers, online retail gaining traction and new energy investment picking roots.
Consolidated revenue of the nation’s biggest company by market value rose 35 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2.32 lakh crore in the fourth quarter of FY22.
For the full fiscal 2021-22 (April 2021 to March 2022), Reliance reported a net profit of Rs 60,705 crore on a revenue of Rs 7.92 lakh crore (USD 102 billion). It is the first Indian company to have crossed USD 100 billion in revenue in a year.
RECORD DEPRECIATION OF INDIAN RUPEE
On May 9th Indian Rupee fell to its all-time low against the US Dollar, closing at 77.50 per USD.
Due to rising inflation, the US Federal Reserve increased the interest rate. This led to the strengthening of the US Dollar.
There is a sustained outflow of capital from India, which also led to the depreciation of the rupee.
The data from NSDL showed that so far in 2022, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold more than Rs 1.3 lakh crore worth of Indian equities. Recently, India’s foreign exchange reserves also fell below $600 billion.
Depreciation of the Indian rupee will give a boost to exports as exporters will get better value for their foreign shipments pegged to the US dollar.
Imports will become costlier. As India is a net importer, a depreciating rupee will worsen inflation. For example, India relies on imports to meet around 85% of its oil requirements. If the rupee depreciates, fuel will become costlier.
DELHI APPROVED 'DELHI START-UP POLICY'
The Delhi cabinet has approved the “Delhi Startup Policy” with an aim to create an ecosystem for people to launch startups and provide them with fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, collateral-free loans, and free consultancy from experts, lawyers, and CA.
The 20 members task force will be set up to oversee the startup policy. This committee will be headed by Delhi’s Finance Minister. To encourage, facilitate, and support 15,000 startups by 2030.
The Delhi Government will pay up to 50% of the rent of a startup’s office lease or pitch in for a portion of the salaries that these startups will pay to their employees. We will also reimburse them for the costs incurred on applying for patents, copyrights and trademarks.
Monitoring committee
The government will form a monitoring committee to oversee the startup policy. This committee will be headed by Delhi’s Finance Minister.
The composition of this committee will be – 85% representatives from the private sector, 10% from educational institutions and 5% from the government.
APPOINTMENTS
LT GEN. BS RAJU AS VICE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
The Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations, Lieutenant General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju has been appointed as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from May 1.
He was an alumnus of Sainik School Bijapur and National Defence Academy and commissioned in the Jat Regiment on December 15, 1984.
He had commanded a battalion during Operation Parakram in the Western Theatre and J&K. He has been awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Yudh Seva Medal.
Before taking over the new role, Lt General BS Raju was serving as the Director-General of Military Operations during the standoff on the LAC, the de facto border between India and China. The two countries have been locked in a standoff since June 2020 when both sides lost several troops.
APPOINTMENT OF TWO NEW SC JUDGES
The Union government of India has notified the appointment of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, the chief justice of Gauhati High Court, and Justice Jamshed Burjor Pardiwala, a judge of the Gujarat High Court, as judges of the Supreme Court.
The Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana had recommended their names for appointment on May 5.
The other members of the Collegium are Justices UU Lalit, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao.
At present, the Supreme Court has a strength of 32 judges as against a sanctioned strength of 34 judges. The fresh appointments will help regain the 34-judge strength, but two other vacancies will arise soon with Justice Vineet Saran set to retire on May 10 and Justice Nageswara Rao on June 7.
AWARDS & HONOURS
CHARUDUTT MISHRA WINS WHITLEY GOLD AWARD
Noted snow leopard expert and wildlife conservationist Charudutt Mishra has won the prestigious Whitley Gold Award for his contribution to involving indigenous communities in the conservation and recovery of big cat species in Asia’s high mountain ecosystems.
Princess Anne presented the award to Mishra at London’s Royal Geographic Society. This is his second Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) Award. He got the first in 2005.
UK-based wildlife conservation charity WFN said Mishra was given the award for his work in 12 snow leopard range countries including Afghanistan, China, and Russia.
In 2017, Mishra wrote a paper on eight approaches to community-based conservation that helped involve local communities in snow leopard protection in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, leading to a reduction in retribution killings of the big cats. The UN Biodiversity Conference recognised his approach as an outstanding global practice.
WORLD FOOD PRIZE 2020
The World Food Prize is an award that is given with the aim of recognizing the achievements of individuals from across the world that have helped in advancing the development of humans by improving the quantity, quality, or availability of food across the world.
Cynthia Rosenzweig, NASA’s head of the Climate Impacts Group and a senior research scientist at Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) received this year’s prize from the World Food Prize Foundation on 5th May 2022.
She received USD 250,000 along with a commemorative sculpture and a diploma.
She received the award for her research that helped understand the relationship between food systems and climate and the forecast of how both will be changing in the future.
Her work has provided policymakers across the globe to come up with strategies that will help mitigate climate change and help the food systems adapt to the changing planet.
This award was conceived by Norman Borlaug, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. In the year 1986, this prize was established with the support of General Foods. The first prize was given in the year 1987.
INDIA AS 'COUNTRY OF HONOUR' IN CANNES FILM FEST.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur has announced that India will be the official Country of Honour at the upcoming Marche’ Du Film, organized alongside the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, in France.
The Country of Honour Status thereby ensured India’s presence as Focus Country at the Opening Night of Marche Du Films being organized at the Majestic Beach with a spotlight on India, its cinema, its culture & heritage.
India is also a “Country of Honour at the Cannes Next, under which 5 new Start-Ups would be given an opportunity to pitch to the Audio-Visual Industry.
Ten professionals will participate in the Animation Day networking.
In another highlight of India’s participation at this edition of the Cannes Film Festival is the World Premiere of the Movie “Rocketry” produced by Shri. R. Madhavan. The movie would be showcased at the Palais des Festivals of the market screening on the 19th of May 2022.
SPORTS
ASIAN GAMES 2022 POSTPONED TO 2023
The Asian Games 2022, due to be held in Hangzhou, China in September, has been postponed to 2023 due to rising COVID-19 cases in the country, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced.
The Olympic Council of Asia, the governing body for the Asian Games, said it will announce the new dates for the 19th edition of the Games. The Asian Games 2022 were originally scheduled from September 10 to 25.
The host city of Hangzhou is less than 200km away from Shanghai, which is currently fighting another major COVID-19 outbreak and has strict restrictions in place, including a weeks-long lockdown.
The OCA also announced that the third edition of the Asian Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Shantou in December, have been cancelled. The World University Games 2021, to be held from June 26 to July 27 in Chengdu this year, have also been pushed to 2023.
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS MIAMI GRAND PRIX
F1 world champion Max Verstappen has won the inaugural Miami Grand Prix for Red Bull after defeating the Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc (Ferrari) finished second and Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) placed third in the Miami Grand Prix 2022.
The victory cut Leclerc’s lead over Verstappen to 19 points in the championship, while Monegasque's Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz completed the podium.
List of 2022 F1 Race
Bahrain Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari-Monaco)
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands)
Australian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Max Verstappen
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY OBSERVED ON 1ST MAY
International Labour Day is observed globally on 1st May every year. It is also known as International Workers Day and May Day.
The day is celebrated to spread awareness about Labour’s rights and mark their achievements. The day aims to pay tribute to workers’ sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights all over the world.
History of International Labour Day:
This all started in 1886 when on 1st May when people in the United States of America started a strike to fix the working duration to a maximum of 8 hours per day. Soon, there was a bomb blast that took place on 4th May in Haymarket Square of Chicago in which many people died and many others were severely injured.
With respect to those who died in the incident, the socialist pan-national organization started on 1st May as International Labour Day which also promoted labour welfare throughout the world.
In India, the first Labour Day or May Day was celebrated in Madras (now known as Chennai) by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923. It was also the first time when the Red Flag which symbolises Labour Day was used in India for the first time.
In Hindi, Labour Day is also known as Kamgar Din or Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas, Kamgar Divas in Marathi and Uzhaipalar Naal in Tamil.
WORLD ASTHMA DAY OBSERVED ON 3RD MAY
World Asthma Day is observed every year on the first Tuesday of May to spread awareness and care about asthma in the world. This year it falls on 3rd of May 2022.
An annual event is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma. This year the theme is ‘Closing Gaps in Asthma Care’. Asthma, the chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, affects 300 million people worldwide and India alone has 15 million asthma patients.
World Asthma Day is annually organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). In 1998, the first World Asthma Day was celebrated in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that causes breathing problems. Symptoms of asthma include breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
WORLD ATHLETICS DAY OBSERVED ON 7TH MAY
World Athletics Day is celebrated every year globally on the 7th of May to raise awareness about the importance of fitness and encourage them to play sports, especially athletics.
The basic objective of World Athletics Day is to boost the participation of youths in athletics.
The World Athletics Day gave a chance to schools, colleges and various other institutions to promote their children’s interests in various other sports from running to shot put and various other sports which require stamina.
History of World Athletics Day
In 1996, World Athletics Day was started by the then International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) President Primo Nebiolo.
The World Athletics federation and an international governing body for the field of athletics, IAAF, organises and sponsors this day every year since then, with a focus on fitness and health.
WORLD RED CROSS DAY OBSERVED ON 8TH MAY
World Red Cross Day is observed globally on 8th May every year. The day aims to broaden the public’s understanding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Red Crescent Societies are affiliated and work in cooperation with the World Red Cross to assist in the activities of the movement. National Red Crescent societies and Red Cross Societies are found in almost every nation worldwide.
The theme of World Red Cross Day 2022:
The theme of World Red Cross Day 2022 is #BeHUMANKIND (Believe in the power of Kindness). The theme of World Red Cross Day 2022 focuses on the power of kindness and how it can impact the whole world.
Red Crescent Movement:
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide, which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering.
Henry Dunant was born on 8th May, 1828 and also was the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. World Red Cross Day is also known as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. In 1863, Henry Dunant established the Red Cross Committee International in Geneva, Switzerland.
In 1934, the principles of the Red Cross Truce were presented at the 15th International Conference. It was approved at the same conference. World Red Cross Day is annually celebrated on May 8, 1948. In 1984 it was named World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
WORLD THALASSEMIA DAY OBSERVED ON 8TH MAY
Every year, May 8th is celebrated as World Thalassemia Day.
The theme for World Thalassemia Day 2022 is, “Be Aware. Share. Care: Working with the global community as one to improve Thalassemia knowledge”.
The event was first organised by the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) in 1994, in memory of George Englezos, the son of Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) founder, who lost his life to the Thalassemia. Since then, the day is observed every year on May 8th.
World Thalassemia Day aims to create awareness about Thalassemia and support patients, their families and health care workers with information to combat it.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder passed to a child by either of the parents. Thalassemia causes defective red blood cell production leading to low haemoglobin and such patients require lifelong blood transfusion to cope with their lives.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
INDIA RANKED 150 IN WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX
India ranked 150 on the World Press Freedom Index 2022. This index is released by the Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF).
This index was published on 3rd May 2022 which also coincides with the World Press Freedom Day 2022. This index evaluates press freedom levels in 180 territories and countries across the globe.
In this year’s index, the country slipped eight positions from 142 to 150th position. India is said to be one of the most dangerous countries for the press. In the country, an average of 3 to 4 journalists is killed each year. In this index’s inaugural edition, India was ranked 80th.
This index has been published annually since the year 2020. This index is published by the Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders.
This index is used to rank countries according to the press freedom levels available to the journalists of a country. The index doesn’t serve as an indicator of journalism quality.
The rankings are based on scores that range from 0 to 100. A score between the ranges is assigned to each country or region. 100 is the maximum score that can be given while 0 denotes the worst.
Each region or country is evaluated by using five indicators which are:
legal framework
political context
sociocultural context
economic context
safety
Which are the top 5 countries in the index?
Norway
Denmark
Sweden
Estonia
Finland
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS GAGAN SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY?
India has achieved a major landmark after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) successfully conducted a trial by applying the latest indigenous satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) technology named GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation).
IndiGo became the first airline in Asia that used the indigenously developed satellite-based navigation system while landing at the Kishangarh airport, Rajasthan. India is the first country in the Asia Pacific region that has achieved this.
GAGAN has been jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). By using uplink and reference stations, this system provides corrections to the global positioning system (GPS) signal so as to improve the management of air traffic.
It is a Satellite-Based Augmentation System that provides Satellite-based Navigation services with integrity and accuracy that is required for civil aviation applications. Through the usage of this system better Air Traffic Management can be provided over the Indian Airspace.
ISRO PLANNING TO LAUNCH VENUS MISSION
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch a spacecraft to Venus in December 2024.
The objective of the ISRO Venus mission is to study what lies below the surface of Venus & to study Venus’ atmosphere, which is toxic and corrosive in nature as clouds of sulfuric acid cover the planet
Investigation of the surface processes and shallow subsurface stratigraphy, including active volcanic hotspots and lava flows. Studying the structure, composition, and dynamics of the atmosphere.
Investigation of solar wind interaction with the Venusian Ionosphere (where the atmosphere meets space).
If the spacecraft is launched in December 2024, orbital manoeuvre can be planned in 2025. In 2025, the Earth and Venus would be aligned in a manner that it would require a minimum amount of propellant for the spacecraft to enter the orbit of Venus.
INDIAN NAVY TO PURCHASE GISAT-2 SATELLITE
The Indian Navy plans to purchase a specialised earth imaging satellite Geo Imaging Satellite-2 (GISAT-2), this fiscal year as part of its modernisation and network-centric combat and communications programme.
The satellite, if operational, is likely to improve the navy’s operating capabilities in the Indian Ocean region, which is strategically and geopolitically crucial, especially given China’s growing influence.
According to information from the Ministry of Defence, the GISAT-2 is one of 21 planned procurements, including several long-term buys.
In addition, the navy’s capabilities development/modernization is being carried out in line with the long-term objectives in place for the next decade.Under the budget projections for 2022-23, the navy would receive Rs 45,250 crore for modernisation.
With a 10% annual growth rate, it is expected to receive more Rs 2.7 lakh crore for upgrading by 2026-27. According to the Ministry of Defense, the navy’s total committed liabilities are Rs 1.20 lakh crores, and modernization schemes worth more than Rs 1.9 lakh crores and Rs 2.5 lakh crores (under Part A and B of the annual acquisition plan) are being advanced for contract conclusion over the next five years.
Aside from GISAT-2, the navy plans to buy: Next-generation missile vessels, fleet support ships (FSS), high and medium altitude long endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems, multi-role carrier borne fighters, indigenous aircraft carrier-2; next-generation fast attack craft; next-generation corvettes, destroyers, fast interceptor craft, and survey vessel; national hospital ship; electronic warfare system; extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle; anti-ship missiles (cons).
MISCELLANEOUS
STATUE OF UNITY IN 8 WONDERS OF SCO LIST
India’s Statue of Unity has become a part of the ‘8 Wonders of SCO’ list. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has included the Statue of Unity in its ‘8 Wonders of SCO’ list.
The Statue of Unity is the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of independent India. The 182-meter tall statue is the world’s tallest statue located in Kevadia, Gujarat. The statue was inaugurated on the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 2018.
Statue of Unity
The project for a statue of unity was first announced in the year 2010 and the construction of the statue started in October 2013.
The total construction cost of the statue of unity was 2700 crores and it was started by the company Larsen and Toubro. The statue of unity project was initiated by Narendra Modi to mark the beginning of his 10th year as the chief minister of Gujarat.
The chief minister of Gujarat was made the chairman of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta trust to execute and supervise the project.
LANDMARK JUDGEMENT OF ROE V. WADE
Recently, a leak by political journalism company Politico has revealed that, the US Supreme Court has decided to overturn Roe v. Wade, 1973 the court’s landmark 1973 judgment that made abortion a constitutional right.
In 1973, in the landmark Roe vs Wade judgment, the Supreme Court of the United States made the right to abortion a constitutional right, establishing a benchmark for abortion laws across the world.
In this case, the US Supreme Court struck down laws that made abortion illegal in several states and ruled that abortion would be allowed up to the point of foetal viability, that is, the time after which a foetus can survive outside the womb.
Foetal viability was around 28 weeks (7 months) at the time of the Roe judgment, experts now agree that advances in medicine have brought the threshold down to 23 or 24 weeks (6 months or a little less).
Foetal viability is often seen as the point at which the rights of the woman can be separated from the rights of the unborn foetus.
Abortion laws across the world rely on this metric but those opposing abortions argue that this is an arbitrary timeframe that legislation and the court in Roe adopted.
