1 Growth rate of Indian economy estimated at 6.6% in 2024-25: World Bank
The World Bank has raised its growth rate projection for the Indian economy to 6.6 per cent for 2024-25 in its bi-annual report ” South Asia Development Update ” released on April 2, 2024 . In the previous report, a growth rate of 6.4% was projected for the Indian economy in FY25 (2024-25). The World Bank cited increased public investment in the economy as the reason for upgrading the Indian economic growth rate. However, the World Bank has projected a growth rate of 7.5% for 2023–24, which is higher than the National Statistics Office’s is less than 7.6 percent.
2 Celebration of serving food to four billion people at UN Headquarters
On April 2, 2024, Akshaya Patra Foundation has achieved the historic achievement of serving four billion thalis . This achievement of Akshaya Patra Foundation was also celebrated in the United Nations . India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj organized a special event at the United Nations Headquarters on 2 April 2024. The theme of this event organized at the United Nations was ‘ Achievements in Food Security: India’s Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals ‘. The event showcased India’s innovative strategies, policies and achievements towards achieving food security and nutrition.
3 Mukesh Ambani only Indian in the list of world’s top 10 billionaires: Forbes
According to the recently released ” Forbes 38th Annual World Billionaires List 2024 “, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman and Co-Managing Director (CMD) Mukesh Ambani is the only Indian to make it to the list of world’s top 10 billionaires. . At the top of the list is French luxury company LVMH owner Bernard Arnault and his family while Mukesh Ambani is at the 9th position. At 37, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath is the youngest Indian billionaire in the Forbes list. According to Forbes report, there are 2781 billionaires from 77 countries in the world. The total wealth of billionaires was $14.2 trillion, an increase of $2 trillion from the previous year. The highest number of billionaires were from the United States. The second highest number of billionaires was from China. The third highest number of billionaires were Indian citizens.
4 Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh retired from Rajya Sabha
Former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha , ending his three-decade-long tenure in the Upper House. Manmohan Singh, twice Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, was born on September 26, 1932. He was an economist, educationist, bureaucrat and politician who played an important role in shaping the economy of India. He served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985 and succeeded P.V. He was also the Finance Minister in Narasimha Rao ‘s government. He is widely credited with initiating significant economic reforms in India in 1991 . As a renowned economist, his contribution to the progress of the country is noteworthy. If we look at the political career of Manmohan Singh, Dr. Singh has been a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) of the Indian Parliament since 1991.
5 Sanjay Nair takes over as President of ASSOCHAM in place of Ajay Singh
April 2, 2024 Sanjay Nair, chairman of Sorin Investment Fund, has taken over as president of industry body ASSOCHAM for 2024-25 . Sanjay Nair replaces Ajay Singh, Chairman and MD of SpiceJet. Ajay Singh completed his tenure as President of the Chamber. Earlier, Ajay Singh was the head of SpiceJet. Ajay Singh is also the President of the Boxing Federation of India and the Vice President of the International Boxing Association.
6 Luis Montenegro takes oath as Prime Minister of Portugal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Shri Luis Montenegro on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Portugal . In a post on social media, Mr Modi said he looked forward to working closely with India and Portugal to further strengthen their long-standing bilateral relations. Lewis will lead a minority government, which faces challenges in passing legislation due to the fragmented nature of the country’s parliament.
7 First batch of 64 Indian workers from Haryana, UP leaves for Israel
The first batch of Indian construction workers leaving for jobs during the conflict in Israel left on 2 April 2024. It was flagged off by Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon and government officials. The Israeli government had made an urgent request for construction workers in November 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had discussed expediting the process with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December.
8 Government allowed export of black salt rice
The Government of India has allowed export of up to 1000 tonnes of black salt rice from India . Till now there was a ban on export of black salt. The Government of India has also designated six custom stations through which Kalanamak rice can be exported from India. India had exported about 21 tonnes of black salt rice in 2021-22 before the government banned its export. Kalanamak is a non-Basmati aromatic rice variety grown mainly in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh. Kalanamak rice is also said to be a gift of Lord Buddha. It is said that when Lord Buddha visited Shravasti region after attaining enlightenment, he gifted this variety of rice to the people.
9 Successful testing of Vikram-1 Stage-2
Skyroot Aerospace , a leading Indian aerospace company achieved a significant milestone with the successful test firing of Stage-2 of Vikram-1 Space Launch Vehicle, also known as Kalam-250 , in Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) propulsion. Known to be tested in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh . Stage-2 plays a vital role in transferring the launch vehicle from the atmospheric stage to the deep vacuum of outer space, taking it to its destination with precision and efficiency. The Kalam-250 uses a high-powered carbon composite rocket motor with solid fuel as well as a high-performance ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) thermal protection system (TPS). It also features carbon ablative flex nozzles for precise thrust vector control. Vikram-1 is India’s first private orbital rocket launch after the suborbital space launch of Vikram-S in November 2022.
10 Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024
Recently the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced a space science programme, Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START), 2024. It is an entry level online training program in Space Science and Technology. Under this, graduate and post-graduate students of Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) and Technology (such as Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical) studying in various educational institutions of India will be provided an opportunity to be selected for training. The main objective of this training program is to attract youth in the field of space science and technology.
11 Bindiarani Devi won bronze medal in IWF World Cup
Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medalist Bindiarani Devi won the bronze medal at the IWF World Cup 2024 held in Phuket city, Thailand on 2 April 2024 . Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu, however, finished 12th in the 49 kg weightlifting category. Despite not getting any medal in this competition, Mirabai Chanu became the only Indian weightlifter to qualify for Paris Olympics 2024. Only two Indian weightlifters, Bindiyarani Devi and Mirabai Chanu, participated in the IWF World Cup 2024. The IWF World Cup 2024 is being organized by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) from 31 March to 11 April 2024 in Phuket, Thailand. Both male and female weightlifters are participating in the World Cup.
12 100 years of Vaikom Satyagraha
India recently celebrated the centenary of the Vaikom Satyagraha , an important movement in the history of India that challenged untouchability and caste oppression . The Vaikom Satyagraha was a non-violent movement that took place a century ago in Vaikom, in the princely state of Travancore, Kerala, from 30 March 1924 to 23 November 1925 . The movement stood as a forceful protest against the deep-rooted practices of untouchability and caste discrimination that had long plagued Indian society. This movement started due to the ban on the oppressed class people, especially the Ezhavas, from walking on the roads around the Vaikom Mahadev Temple. Efforts were made to negotiate with the officials of the Queen Regent of Travancore to open access to the temple. This was the first temple entry movement in India, setting the stage for similar movements across the country. It emerged with the nationalist movement and was aimed at increasing political aspirations as well as social reform.