Daily Current affairs - April 1st and 2nd, 2018 for all competitive exams
International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is a
yearly event sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People
(IBBY), an international non-profit organization. Activities include writing
competitions, announcements of book awards and events with authors of
children's literature.
- Each
year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the
international sponsor of ICBD.
- Theme: Let
Us Grow With the book
Founded in 1967, the day is observed on or
around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, April 2.
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April 2 - World Autism Awareness Day
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously
declared 2 April as to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life
of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral
part of society.
- World
Autism Day is one of only four official health-specific UN Days. The day
itself brings individual autism organizations together all around the
world to aid in things like research, diagnoses, treatment, and overall
acceptance for those affected by this developmental disorder.
- The
theme for WAAD 2018 is “Empowering Women and Girls with Autism”.
It was designated by the United Nations
General Assembly resolution "62/139. World Autism Awareness Day",
passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007. It was
proposed by the United Nations representative from Qatar. This resolution was
passed and adopted without a vote in the UN General Assembly, mainly as a
supplement to previous UN initiatives to improve human rights
Autism is a lifelong neurological condition
that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or
socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of
characteristics.
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April 1 to 7 - Prevention of Blindness Week
April 1 to 7 is observed as Prevention of
Blindness Week in India.
- It
is observed to alert and awaken the society towards various factors which
causes blindness.
- The
week also educates people about various eye injuries, visual impairments,
their prevention, cure and treatment.
The Prevention of Blindness Week campaign is planned by the
Government of India which is held from 1st to 7th April for increasing the awareness
towards the blind people. Blindness is a big issue and painful condition for
the people who are suffering from it which cannot be felt by those who have
eyes.
Prevention of Blindness Week was first started by the
Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur in the year 1960 under the
Societies Registration Act of 1860. Another campaign “The Right to Sight” was
launched by the WHO for the prevention of the blindness.
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SIDBI Foundation Day- Launches 'Samridhi-
virtual assistant' & ' Bankability Kit'
SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of
India) has celebrated its foundation day on April 2(1990).
- Chairman
Managing Director of SIDBI Mohammad Mustafa launched a series of
initiatives from its Lucknow bank headquarters.
- An
MoU was signed with The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. and
two MSMEs were issued insurance policies. Chairman SIDBI also launched
'Samridhhi- the virtual assistant' on banks revamped universal loan
portal www.udyamimitra.in. During the day, a ‘Bankability Kit’
(brought in partnership with Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank) was also
launched.
Odisha celebrates 83rd formation day
Odisha celebrated its 83rd formation day with
much fanfare on April 1. Congratulatory messages poured in from across the
country while Ministers dedicated new infrastructure projects to the people of
the State on the occasion.
- Odisha
become a separate State on April 1, 1936. It was created on the basis of
language.
On the occasion, Mr. Patnaik inaugurated a
bridge on the Mahanadi river connecting Chahata and Nuapatana in Cuttack
district. The new bridge would reduce the distance between Cuttack and Dhenkanal
by around 16 km.
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Govt. extends deadline for Condonation of Delay
Scheme
Defaulting firms have been given more time to
submit their filings under the companies law, with the government extending the
condonation of delay scheme till April 30.
- Following
requests from stakeholders, the Corporate Affairs Ministry extended the
deadline for the scheme, that ended on March 31.
- The
scheme was introduced in the wake of the crackdown on firms allegedly
being used as conduits for illicit fund flows.
Initially,
The scheme will be operational for period of three months only. During this
period, DIN (Director Identification Number) of disqualified directors will
be re-activated temporarily to facilitate Directors of defaulting companies
to file all overdue annual returns. If Director of defaulting company fails
to utilise scheme and regularise compliance after the end of the three month
window period, his DIN will be deactivate and he will be disqualified for
period of 5 years.
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Government launches Swachh Bharat Summer Internship
Government is going to launch Swachh Bharat
Summer Internship (SBSI) 2018 aimed at engaging college youth with Swachhata
work in villages in coming Summer vacation.
- The
initiative will be launched by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation,
the convening and coordinating Ministry of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in
association with Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Fast track task Force set to target achieve 500mn phone production
The fast
track task Force, a body under Ministry of Electronics and IT, has set target to achieve around 500 million mobile phone
production in India by 2019, with value estimated to be around USD 46 billion.
- Department
of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) formed a Fast Track Task
Force to re-establish growth in the country’s mobile handset
and component manufacturing eco-system.
It has members from industry and government. It promotes large-scale manufacturing/assembling
activity to achieve production of 500 million units by 2019. This can create additional employment opportunities for 1.5
million approximately.
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Verification of National Register of Citizens (NRC) has begun
The
verification of citizenship documents of 29 lakh married women, mostly migrant
Muslims, for the Supreme Court-monitored exercise to update the 1951 National
Register of Citizens (NRC) has begun in Assam.
- The
verification of family trees and the documents of married women has to be
completed by May 31, the deadline set by the court.
The NRC was
introduced to identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and recognise the
Indian citizens in Assam. It was first prepared in 1951 and Assam is the only
state having this arrangement.
Under NRC,
immigrants who have documents proving that they entered Assam before 1971
will be considered Indian citizens and others have to show that they their
ascendants have lived in Assam even before 1971.
National
Register of Citizens (NRC) updation basically means the process of enlisting
the names of those persons (or their descendants) whose names appear in any
of the Electoral Rolls up to 1971, 1951 NRC or any of the admissible
documents stipulated.
The NRC will
be updated as per the provisions of The Citizenship Act, 1955 and The
Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards)
Rules, 2003.
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E-Way Bill for Inter-State movement of goods comes into force
With the beginning of the financial year
2018-19, the e-way Bill System for Inter-State movement of goods comes into
force; An E-way Bill will be required for moving goods worth over 50,000 rupees
from one state to another.
- The
electronic way Bill system has come into effect across the country. Under
this system businesses and transporters have to produce before a GST
inspector e-way bill for moving goods worth over Rs 50,000 from one state
to another.
NHAI awards Rs. 1.22 lakh cr. projects
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
said it has awarded projects worth Rs. 1.22 lakh crore for constructing about
7,400 km of highways in the fiscal 2017-18.
- In
last five years, the average length of road projects awarded by NHAI was
2,860 Km with 4,335 Km awarded in the last financial year.
- In
comparison, the length of projects awarded in FY 2017-18 is [at] an
all-time high since its inception in 1995
Kalamkari art museum opened in Andhra Pradesh
A ‘Kalamkari
art museum’ has been opened at Pedana in Andhra Pradesh.
- The
museum traces the history of the art and displays the process of
extraction of natural colours from various sources.
Kalamkari
is an ancient style of hand painting done on
cotton or silk fabric with a tamarind pen, using natural dyes. The word Kalamkari is derived from a Persian word where
‘kalam‘ means pen and ‘kari‘ refers to craftsmanship.
There
are two identifiable styles of Kalamkari art in
India – Srikalahasti style and Machilipatnam style.
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Ration portability across Telangana State
Around 2.75 crore beneficiaries of the
Telangana Civil Supplies Department will be able to buy rice and essential
commodities from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the State from Sunday (April 1).
- Commissioner
of Civil Supplies C. V. Anand announced that while the ‘Ration From
Anywhere’ facility was introduced within each district on an experimental
basis, it would be rolled out across all districts of the State from
Sunday. The decision had been taken, keeping in mind the migration of
cardholders from one place to another.
U.P. CM Inaugurates India’s longest elevated
road in Ghaziabad
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath inaugurated a 10.30-km-long elevated road, touted to be
the longest of its kind in the country, connecting UP Gate and
Rajnagar Extension, Ghaziabad.
- Built
at a cost of Rs1,147 crore, the six-lane elevated road is supported on 227
pillars. The road will make it easier to commute between Delhi and
Ghaziabad.
West Bengal government launches ‘Rupashree’ Scheme
The government of West Bengal has launched
‘Rupashree’ Scheme.
- This
Scheme is for Unmarried girls. According to this Scheme total amount of
Rs. 25,000/- will be credited to the bank account of the girl before her
marriage.
- This
Scheme will benefit about six lakh women. The government has allotted Rs.
1500/- Crore for this Scheme. This Scheme will provide one-time financial
support to the marriages of poor girls. This Scheme is for the girls who
are over 18 years old.
Delhi becomes 1st city to Roll-Out Euro VI Fuel
With an aim to combat the rising levels of air
pollution in Delhi-NCR region, petrol pumps in the capital started
supplying ultra-clean Bharat Stage VI grade fuel (both petrol and
diesel).
- This
move makes New Delhi the first city in the country to switch from
BS-IV grade fuels to BS-VI (equivalent to fuel meeting Euro-VI
emission norms).
India gets first US LNG shipment at Dabhol, Maharashtra
India received its first LNG cargo from the US
under a long-term supply deal when a ship carrying super-cooled natural gas
arrived at Dabhol in Maharashtra.
- GAIL
India has contracted 3.5 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas
(LNG) from US energy firm Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass liquefaction
facility in Louisiana.
- The
first cargo from the project arrived at Dabhol, the cite of India’s
biggest gas-fired power plant.
Foundation Stone of Naitwar Mori Hydro Electric
Project laid In Uttarakhand
R K Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and
New & Renewable Energy, laid the foundation stone of the 60 MW Naitwar
Mori Hydro Electric Project (NMHEP) along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister
Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat in Uttarkashi.
- The
Proposed NMHEP is located on the river Tons – a tributary of the
Yamuna, in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
This run-of-the-river project was allocated to SJVN Ltd by the
Government of Uttarakhand.
USA and South Korea Begin joint military
exercise- 'Foal Eagle'
The United States and South Korea began
their joint military training exercise named 'Foal Eagle.
- More
than 11,500 U.S. troops and nearly 300,000 South Korean forces will take
part in the four-week exercises.
Foal Eagle, the largest annual joint military
exercise in South Korea, usually runs about two months. Its start was delayed
this year at the request of South Korea until after the Winter Olympics.
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Tiangong-1: China’s space lab plummets to earth, burns up over
Pacific Ocean
China’s out-of-control Tiangong-1 space lab has
re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, landing in middle of the South Pacific Ocean
near world’s ‘spacecraft cemetery or graveyard’.
- Most
of its parts were burned up during gravity-propelled re-entry process.
- The
Tiangong 1 module is China’s first spacecraft designed for orbital docking
tests and space research. It’s name translates to “Heavenly Palace” in
English. The Tiangong 1 space lab intended to serve as a space station
module prototype for China, which is the third country (after Russia and
the United States) to develop the capability to launch astronauts into
space and return them safely to Earth.
Scientists were initially planning to push the
Tiangong-1 satellite to Point Nemo. Point Nemo, or “ocean point of
inaccessibility,” is a region
in the South Pacific that is the loneliest place on the planet. It is used as a graveyard for controlled re-entries and a
place where space junk can be dropped safely. Point Nemo, named after the
submarine captain in Jules Verne’s classic science fiction novel 20,000
Leagues Under The Sea, is about 2,688 kilometers from the nearest land –
Pitcairn Islands – which lies to the north of this point. Also, Motu Nui —
one of the Easter Islands — lies to the northeast and Maher Island, part of
Antarctica, to the south.
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BABUR III: Pakistan tests nuclear-capable, submarine-launched
missile
Pakistan has successfully test-fired its
indigenously designed and built nuclear-capable, submarine-launched cruise
missile (SLCM) Babur III.
- The
missile was fired from underwater dynamic platform and successfully
engaged its target with precise accuracy, meeting all the flight
parameters.
ISRO confirms losing contact with communication
satellite GSAT-6A
The Indian Space Research
Organisation (Isro) lost the contact with GSAT-6A in less than 48
hours after it launched.
- While
Isro says it is trying re-establish link, sources attributed the failure
to a power system failure.
- The
initial analysis points to a power system failure, but Isro has not
officially confirmed anything.
- This
was Isro’s first launch after Sivan took charge, even as the mission
itself was conceived and developed before his time.
RemoveDebris system set to head into orbit
RemoveDebris
system, a UK-led experiment to tackle space junk is set to head into
orbit. The system is going to the International Space Station where astronauts
are expected to set the experiment running in late May.
- RemoveDebris
is aimed at performing key ADR technology demonstrations (e.g., capture,
deorbiting) representative of an operational scenario during a low-cost
mission using novel key technologies for ADR. The project is based on and
aimed at contributing to global/European ADR roadmaps.
RemoveDebris
is an EU (European Union) research project to develop and fly a low cost
in-orbit demonstrator mission that aims to de-risk and verify technologies
needed for future ADR (Active Debris Removal) missions.
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A
microsatellite called here RemoveSAT, will release, capture and deorbit two
space debris targets, called DebrisSats, in sequence using various
rendezvous, capture and deorbiting technologies thus demonstrating in orbit,
key ADR technologies for future missions in what promises to be the first ADR
technology mission internationally.
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Google to kill its URL shortener ‘goo.gl’
Google has announced it is winding down its URL
shortener named goo.gl starting April 13.
- FDLs
are smart URLs that allow one to send existing and potential users to any
location within an iOS, Android or web platform.
- The
goo.gl URL Shortener is very common and was first launched by the search
engine giant in 2009.
RBI changes methodology for bond valuation to
check manipulation
In a bid to prevent the possibility of
manipulation in the prices of securities, especially government securities
(G-Secs), the Reserve Bank of India has changed the methodology used by
debt market players, including banks and primary dealers, for their valuation.
- As
per a central bank directive, security/bond valuation will be based
on the weighted average price of the last half-an-hour of trading on
the last trading day of every quarter against the last traded price
earlier.
India is world’s second largest mobile phone
producer
India is now the second largest mobile phone
producer in the world after China, as per information shared by the Indian
Cellular Association.
- ICA
national president Pankaj Mohindroo said India has now emerged as the
second largest producer of the mobile handset by volume.
- ICA
referred to data available from market research firm IHS, China’s National
Bureau of Statistics and Vietnam General Statistics Office.
- India
replaced Vietnam to become the second largest producer of mobile phones in
2017.
- With
the rise in mobile phone production, imports of devices in the country
also reduced to less than half in 2017-18.
Mangaluru airport adjudged India's cleanest
airport
The Mangalore International Airport has been
adjudged the cleanest airport in the country. Airport director VV
Rao received the award during the 23rd annual day
celebrations of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in New
Delhi.
- In
the survey conducted across 53 airports in the country by AAI, Mangaluru
airport was adjudged the cleanest.
Kerala to host Asia's largest startup conclave
Asia's largest startup
ecosystem congregation, Huddle Kerala, will be held at Kovalam.
- The
initiative is envisaged to provide a platform for start-ups to pitch their
products and interact with a wide array of technology and industry leaders
from around the world.
- Chief
Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the conclave, being
organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) in association
with Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IAMAI
Startup Foundation.
Guntur doctor wins Natgeo award for physical
therapy app
A neuro physical therapist from Guntur has won
the National Geographic Chasing Genius Challenge in the U.S. for designing a
web/mobile application that helps patients with home exercise programmes in
their native language.
- Dr.
Asha’s web application — Therax Portal — is now helping physiotherapists
to prescribe, customise and share home exercise programmes with their
patients in their native language. Thousands of people living in rural
areas across the world now use the app to get access to physiotherapy and
rehabilitation exercises. In places where there is no internet facility,
people are taking printouts of the programmes.
The Natgeo challenge is part of a marketing
strategy to popularise a television series — Genius — and rewards innovative
ideas. Participants have to create a one-minute video about an idea they had
to solve a problem using wireless connectivity. Over 1,050 entries competed
for the award, and of them, 10 ideas were considered for final round held in
March and the winner was chosen based on votes through social media platforms
such as Facebook.
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J.C. Daniel award for Sreekumaran Thampi
Lyricist and director Sreekumaran
Thampi has been selected for the J.C. Daniel
Award, the Kerala government’s highest honour for lifetime
contribution to Malayalam cinema. The award comprises of Rs5 lakh and
a citation.
- The
award was distributed at the Kerala State Film Award distribution function
in Kollam. Thampi made his debut in 1966 with Kattumallika.
MP Tendulkar donates entire salary to PM’s
Relief Fund
Sachin Tendulkar, whose term as Rajya Sabha
MP ended recently, has donated his entire salary and allowances to the Prime
Minister’s Relief Fund.
- In
the past six years, Tendulkar has drawn nearly Rs 90 lakh in salaries and
other monthly allowances.
- Tendulkar,
along with veteran actress Rekha, has been criticised for their poor
attendance in the Parliament all these years.
IOC president meets North Korean
leader Kim
International Olympic Committee President Thomas
Bach met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang.
- The
North Korean leader is committed to having his country participate in the
2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
- That
was Kim’s first known trip abroad since he assumed power after the death
of his father in late 2011.
- Kim
is to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27.
Nepali
Sherpa aims for record 22nd Everest summit
A Nepali Sherpa is hoping to summit Mount Everest
for a record-breaking 22nd time next month.
- But
to Kami Rita Sherpa, who has worked as a guide on Everest for over two
decades, climbing to 8,848 metres (29,029 feet) is a job not a
record-shattering feat.
- When
48-year-old Kami Rita first summited Everest in 1994, he was one of just
49 climbers to reach the peak.
Chandra Bhushan appointed Deputy election
commissioner
Senior bureaucrat Chandra Bhushan Kumar has
been appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner as part of a major
bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the government.
- A
total of 13 officers have been appointed as joint secretaries in different
central government departments. Bhushan has been appointed to the post for
five years.
Debjani Ghosh appointed new president of Nasscom
Debjani Ghosh, former managing director of
Intel South Asia, is the new president of Nasscom. She has replaced
R.Chandrashekhar upon completion of his term.
- A
big propagator of gender diversity and equal representation in corporate
India, Ms Ghosh was the first woman to lead Intel India and MAIT
(Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology).
US diplomat DiCarlo becomes 1st female UN
political chief
Long-serving American diplomat Rosemary
DiCarlo was appointed to become the first woman to head UN political
affairs, one of the most high-profile positions at the world body. DiCarlo
has replaced Jeffrey Feltman.
- DiCarlo
also served as deputy assistant secretary of state for European and
Eurasian affairs and director for United Nations affairs at the national
security council in Washington.
Amul Dairy MD resigns amid corruption &
allegations
The managing director of Anand-based Kaira
District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited has resigned.
- While
K Rathnam’s resignation comes amidst allegations of an Rs 450-crore
corruption in allocation of tenders.
- A
statement issued by the Amul Dairy said Jayen Mehta, senior general
manager (planning and marketing), has been appointed as in charge MD of
Kaira Milk Union.
- Rathnam
said he resigned as he wanted to spend time with family living in Tamil
Nadu and the United States.
Film Director C.V. Rajendran Passes Away
Tamil film director C.V. Rajendran, who was
part of late C.V. Sridhar’s unit died aged 81.
- He
directed a few memorable films like Calatta Kalyanam, Sumathi En Sundari
and Raja starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa and Ponoonjal.
- His
career as a director began with the film Anubhavam Pudhumai.
Pilot of 1971 flight hijacked to Pakistan
passes away
Captain M. K. Kachru, pilot of the Indian
Airlines plane hijacked to Pakistan in January 1971, died here on Saturday
after a prolonged illness. He was 93.
- Captain
Kachru was flying the aircraft carrying 26 passengers and a crew of four
from Srinagar to Jammu, when two Kashmiris hijacked it and forced him to
fly to Lahore. Though the passengers and the crew were transported back to
India by land via Amritsar, the plane was set on fire
Mithali Raj adjudged ‘Sportsperson of the year’
Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj
was adjudged ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ while ace shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth
and P V Sindhu bagged the best senior male and female athletes at the Telangana
Sports Journalists Association annual awards for 2017 in Hyderabad.
- Former
Indian cricketer VVS Laxman presented ‘best coach of the year’ award to
Pullela Gopichand, who received this award for the second time in a row.
- Triple
Olympian and former national Hockey player N Mukesh Kumar was honoured
with the Lifetime Achievement award at the event.
Pakistan thrash West Indies and register record
2nd biggest win in T20 Internationals
Pakistan downed a depleted West Indies side by
143 runs in the first of three Twenty20s in Karachi.
- The
hosts had equalled their highest-ever T20 score of 203-5, with Hussain
Talat top-scoring with a 37-ball 41.
- The
West Indies were bowled out for their lowest T20 total of 60 in 13.4
overs.
Kerala lifts their 6th Santosh trophy
Kerala has lifted their sixth Santosh
Trophy Football title. In a thrilling final at the Salt Lake Stadium in
Kolkata.
- Kerala
held their nerves to beat defending champions and 32-time winners
Bengal via penalty shootout. Locked 2-2 after extra time, Kerala
goalkeeper V Mithun put up a stellar show in the tie-breaker to help his
side win 4-2.
Miami Open 2018- Winners
The Miami Open, sometimes known as the Miami
Masters, is an annual tennis tournament for men and women currently held
in Florida, the USA.
- American
John Isner won his first ever Masters 1,000 title with a victory
over German Alexander Zverev in the Miami Open final.
- S.
Stephens won in the Women's singles category.
