1 India-France joint military exercise ‘Shakti’ launched in Meghalaya
The 7th edition of India-France joint military exercise Shakti began at a fully developed and modern foreign training node at Umroi, Meghalaya . This military exercise will be conducted from 13 to 26 May 2024 . The inaugural ceremony of the joint exercise was attended by His Excellency Thierry Mathew, Ambassador of France to India and Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area . Exercise Shakti is a biennial training program conducted alternately in India and France. Its previous edition was held in France in November 2021. The main objective of Exercise Shakti is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides for diverse field operations in sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
2 IPS Idashisha Nongrang becomes the first woman DGP of Northeast India
On May 11, the Meghalaya Security Commission appointed senior IPS officer Idashisha Nongrang as the first Deputy General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya . She will replace Dr. Lajja Ram Bishnoi , who is retiring on May 19. Idashisha Nongrang’s tenure as DGP will last till May 19, 2026. In 2021, Idashisha was serving as the acting DGP of Meghalaya. He has also worked in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) . Idashisha Nongrang is a 1992 batch IPS officer, and belongs to the Khasi tribe . The Khasi tribe is one of the three major tribal communities of Meghalaya.
3 Long-term master contract signed between India Port Global Limited (IPGL) and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) for the development of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal, Chabahar
India and Iran signed a long-term agreement for the operation of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar . Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal was present on the occasion of the agreement signed between India Ports Global Limited and Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran . This has opened a new trade route between South Asia and Central Asia via Iran. Through Chabahar Port, Indian goods got a new way to reach the markets of Afghanistan and Central Asia. Through this port, India will be connected to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe. Chabahar Port is located in southeastern Iran on the Gulf of Oman. This is the first deepwater port located in Iran, which connects Iran to other countries by sea route.
4 Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated Andrei Belousov as the new Defense Minister.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has nominated 65-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as the new Defense Minister . Mr. Belousov is basically an economist. The post of Defense Minister was earlier held by Sergei Shoigu. President Putin wants to hand over the responsibility of the military-industrial complex to Mr. Shoigu by making him the Security Council Secretary. This change seems appropriate given that the military and law enforcement authorities account for seven point four percent of Russia’s GDP.
5 N Chandrasekaran becomes chairman of Tata Electronics
Tata Group has appointed Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran as the Chairman of Tata Electronics . Chandrasekaran will replace Banamali Agarwal. Banamali will now play the role of advisor in Tata Group. N Chandrasekaran has been the CEO and Executive Director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He has also been the Chairman of Tata Motors and Tata Global Beverages. Natarajan was appointed as a director on the board of Tata Sons in 2016. He became the first non-Parsi chairman to lead the Tata Group. Tata Electronics, established in 2020, is the only Indian company to assemble iPhone enclosures for Apple.
6 EPFO launches auto-mode settlement of advance claims for education, marriage and housing with an aim to make life easier for crores of its members
Employees Provident Fund Organisation- EPFO has started auto-mode settlement of advance claims for education, marriage and housing with an aim to make life easier for crores of its members . Under EPFO’s Auto Claim Solution, claims will be settled through information technology without any human intervention. Auto mode was introduced in April 2020 in which there was a provision to take advance amount for illness. The Ministry of Labor and Employment has said that now this amount has been increased to Rs 1 lakh. In the current year, two crore twenty-five lakh members can avail this facility.
7 Kaner flowers cannot be offered in Kerala temples
Recently a woman died after accidentally chewing poisonous oleander leaves , prompting Kerala to introduce oleander flowers (Nerium Oleander) (locally known as Arali ) in temple offerings. Use is banned . Oleander, also known as rosebay , is a widely cultivated plant found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions throughout the world. It is popular for its ability to withstand drought and is commonly used for landscaping and ornamental purposes. It is prescribed by Ayurveda for the treatment of intractable and persistent skin diseases such as leprosy. Bhavaprakasha (a famous treatise on Ayurveda) mentions it as a poisonous plant and recommends its use in the treatment of infected wounds, skin diseases, germs and parasites, and scabies. This plant contains cardiac glycosides (a type of chemical), which include elements like oleandrin, folinerin and digitoxygenin, which can have medicinal effects on the heart. Symptoms of canner poisoning include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, confusion, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, slow heartbeat, and in severe cases, death.
8 Diksha made national record in 1500 meter race
On May 11, KM Deeksha of Bhopal created a national record of 1500 meters by participating in the Sound Running Track Fest in Los Angeles, America . 25 year old Diksha took 4 minutes 04.78 seconds and stood third . KM Deeksha broke the record made by Harmilan Bains in 2021. Harminal had taken a time of 4 minutes 05.39 seconds in the nationals. In men’s, India’s Avinash Sable finished second in 5000 meters . Avinash completed the race in 13 minutes 20.37 seconds . It is a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze level event.
9 International Tennis Confederation-ITF Junior 30 tournaments launched
International Tennis Confederation-ITF ‘s Junior 30 tournament started in Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh . State Additional Director General Traffic B.D. Paulson was the chief guest of the ceremony. Around one hundred and 25 international players are participating in the competition. There are many players from Uttar Pradesh also.
10 Japan defeated Pakistan to win the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy
Japan won its first Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Trophy by defeating Pakistan 4–1 in a penalty shootout in the final . The final was played on 11 May 2024 at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh city , Malaysia . The Japanese men’s hockey team defeated Pakistan to win its first Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy. In the final, the match ended 2-2 after the expiry of the stipulated time. After that, Japan defeated Pakistan 4-1 in the decisive penalty shootout. The Pakistani team, popularly known as the Green Shirts, was participating in the Azlan Shah final for the 10th time. She last played a final in 2011, which she lost to Australia. Pakistan has won the Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy three times so far.
11 International Plant Health Day
In March 2022, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) decided to mark 12 May as the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to raise awareness about the importance of plant protection and protecting plant health. A resolution was passed for. Protecting plant health will help eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity, and promote economic growth and development. This is because plants contribute 80% of the food needs and 98% of the oxygen.