1 India will be the world’s fourth largest arms spender in 2023: SIPRI
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report published on 22 April 2024 , India will be the world’s fourth largest military spender after the United States, China and Russia in 2023. , India was According to SIPRI, India’s military expenditure in 2023 was $83.6 billion. Even in 2022, India was the fourth largest military spender in the world. The Indian government has increased its military spending in recent years. In the interim Union Budget for 2024-25, the Government of India has allocated Rs 6.21 lakh crore for defense expenditure. This allocation on defense was slightly (0.37%) less than the revised estimate of the previous financial year. The allocation for defense in 2024-25 is 1.89% of India’s GDP. The main reasons for the increase in Indian defense expenditure are the ongoing strained relations with China and the government’s policy of modernizing the armed forces. India has prioritized building infrastructure along the Chinese border since the Galwan clash with Chinese troops in May 2020. The government has also focused on modernization of the armed forces by equipping them with rockets, missiles, fighter aircraft, artillery, naval warships, etc.
India’s largest climate clock launched at CSIR Headquarters on the occasion of 2nd Earth Day
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) installed and operationalized India’s largest climate clock at the CSIR Headquarters building at Rafi Marg in New Delhi as a part of a celebration organized on the occasion of Earth Day . The event reflects CSIR’s objective of spreading awareness about climate change and its ill effects. On this occasion, Chetan Singh Solanki, Professor of IIT-Bombay and founder of Energy Swaraj Foundation, said that there is an urgent need for every citizen of the country to be energy literate. He said that every citizen should take steps to avoid or reduce energy use as much as possible. A large number of scientists and staff at CSIR have received energy literacy training under the CSIR-Energy Swaraj Foundation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Climate clocks provided by the Foundation have been installed in more and more CSIR laboratories.
3 Defense Research & Development Organization develops lightest bullet proof jacket for protection against BIS’s highest threat level 6
Defense Materiel and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur, Defense Research and Development Organization has successfully developed the lightest bullet proof jacket in the country for protection against 7.62 x 54 R API (Level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition. . Recently at Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, Chandigarh as per BIS 17051-2018 this bullet proof jacket was successfully tested This jacket is based on a new design approach, where innovative processes as well as new types of materials have been used. The Front Hard Armor Panel (HAP) of this jacket neutralizes multiple bullets (06 shots) of 7.62 x 54 R API (Sniper Round) in both ICW (in-conjunction with) and standalone designs. The ergonomically designed front HAP is made of monolithic ceramic plate with polymer backing, which increases wearability and comfort during engagements with any firearm. The areal density of ICW Hard Armor Panel (HAP) and Standalone HAP is less than 40 kg/m2 and 43 kg/m2 respectively.
4 India’s Geeta Sabharwal appointed as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed India’s Geeta Sabharwal as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia . Sabharwal, with his nearly three decades of experience in supporting development, climate change, sustainable peace, governance and social policy, leveraging digital technology and data to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assumed his post on Monday. Accepted.
5 Rajasthan: Now organ transplant will not happen without unique ID, step taken for transparency in human organ and tissue transplant
Now in human organ and tissue transplantation in government and private hospitals of Rajasthan, unique NOTO-ID of donor and receiver will be generated for each transplant . Without this, transplantation would not be possible. The Health Department has taken this step to ensure complete transparency in human organ and tissue transplantation. Dr. Rashmi Gupta, the authority on human organ and tissue transplantation in Rajasthan, has issued guidelines in this regard to the medical superintendents of government hospitals and managing directors of private hospitals authorized for transplantation of human organs. As per the guidelines, it will be mandatory to generate a unique ID for allocating organs from both living and deceased donors. This ID has to be generated within 48 hours of the implant surgery. It has been asked to ensure that these guidelines are followed within 2 days. These guidelines have been issued to 15 hospitals including Sawai Mansingh Hospital Jaipur.
6 Reserve Bank of India directs Kotak Mahindra Bank to stop issuing new credit cards with immediate effect
The Reserve Bank of India has directed Kotak Mahindra Bank to stop issuing new credit cards with immediate effect . The central bank has also imposed restrictions on adding new customers through online and mobile banking channels. According to the statement of the Reserve Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank has continuously failed to comply with the instructions of the Reserve Bank in the year 2022 and 2023. The statement said that for two consecutive years, Kotak Mahindra Bank did not take necessary action under the regulatory guidelines. For this reason the Central Bank has issued this instruction. However the Reserve Bank has permitted Kotak Mahindra Bank to continue providing services to its existing customers including its credit card customers.
7 Film and Television Institute of India student Chidanand Naik’s film selected for ‘La Cinéf’ competitive section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival
Film and Television Institute of India student Chidanand Naik ‘s film “ Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know ” has been selected for the ‘ La Cinéf ‘ competitive section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival . This section of the festival encourages new talents. This section recognizes films from film institutions around the world. In the film, an elderly woman is exiled from her village by her family for stealing a chicken.
8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Swami Gautamandji Maharaj on his election as the President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Swami Gautamandji Maharaj on being elected as the President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission . In his greeting message, the Prime Minister said that he has full faith that Swami Gautamandji will pave the way for the depth of knowledge and compassion.
9 In-principle approval for PayU to work as ‘payment aggregator’
Digital financial services provider, PayU , has received the coveted in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as a Payment Aggregator (PA) under the Payment Settlement Act, 2007 . This approval, after a year-long process, marks a significant moment for PayU’s operations in India. A ‘payment aggregator’ is a third-party service provider that brings together customers and merchants for payments. It enables customers to make online payments and merchants to accept payments.
Honoring 10 brave men: Brighton’s tribute to Indian soldiers
The Brighton and Hove City Council in England has taken a commendable step to honor the courageous Indian soldiers who fought bravely in the First and Second World Wars . They have decided to organize an annual multi-faith event at the city’s India Gate memorial this October, in recognition of the important role played by these warriors of the undivided Indian subcontinent.
11 Razorpay and Airtel Payments Bank offer UPI switch
Razorpay and Airtel Payments Bank have unveiled UPI Switch , a cutting-edge cloud-based infrastructure designed to revolutionize the digital payments landscape. This innovative product promises to increase success rates by 4-5% and handle an impressive 10,000 transactions per second (TPS), providing businesses with unprecedented efficiency and scalability.
12 Pavuluri Subbarao received Aryabhatta Award in the field of space science
Pavuluri Subba Rao, founder and CEO of Ananth Technologies, has been honored with the ‘ Aryabhata Award ‘. The Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) has instituted an award to recognize outstanding contributions made to the promotion of space science in India. Recently, one recipient was awarded the award and the title of ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in recognition of his significant lifetime achievements. Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri has over 40 years of experience in the Indian Space Program (ISRO) and is an entrepreneur and technologist.
13 Radio broadcast in Hindi language for the first time in Kuwait
In a historic move, Kuwaiti Radio will broadcast programs in Hindi language from 8:30 to 9:00 pm every Sunday from 21 April 2024. The Hindi program is being broadcast on FM 93.3 and AM 96.3. This step of Kuwaiti Radio was highly appreciated. The Indian Embassy said in a post that the Hindi broadcast by Kuwaiti Radio will promote cultural exchange and strengthen relations between the two countries. It also commended the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information for its commitment to promoting cultural diversity and enhancing bilateral relations through this initiative. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, about 9 lakh Indians work and live in Kuwait. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. The Indian expatriate community is present in all sections of Kuwaiti society and is considered disciplined, hard-working and law-abiding.
14 First International Rainbow Tourism Conference held in Nepal
The first International Rainbow Tourism Conference was recently held in Nepal , with the aim of promoting Nepal as a safe and respectful destination for the sexual minority community in South Asia. This one-day conference was organized by Maya Ko Pehchaan Nepal, an NGO in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board . The event is an important milestone in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the tourism industry, and an important step towards making the country a tourism industry that embraces diversity with respect.
Ratan Tata honored with 15 KISS Humanitarian Award 2021
Renowned industrialist and philanthropist, Tata Group Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata was on Monday honored with the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2021 . The award ceremony was organized at his private residence in Mumbai in which he was honored by the great educationist Prof. Achyut Samant, founder of Keet-Kis-Keems and Kandhamal Lok Sabha MP. This is an important recognition of his commitment towards social development and exemplary corporate leadership.
16 World Press Photo Mohammad Salem received the World Press Photo of the Year Award in 2024
Mohammed Salem is a Palestinian photographer who works for the news agency Reuters . In 2024, he won a very important award called the World Press Photo of the Year award. The World Press Photo Awards is a prestigious international competition for photojournalists (photographers who capture news events). Salem won the award for her extremely powerful photograph taken in Gaza on October 17, 2023. In the photo, a 36-year-old Palestinian woman named Inas Abu Maamar is holding the body of her 5-year-old niece Sally. Inas is crying and hugging Sally’s body which is wrapped in a white sheet. This photo was taken in the morgue of a hospital in Gaza after Israeli bombardment.
17 Shompen tribe casts historic vote in Andaman and Nicobar elections
Members of the Shompen tribe, one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), exercised their democratic right for the first time by casting their vote in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency elections. This important event is a milestone for the indigenous community living in the dense tropical rainforests of Great Nicobar Island. Chief Electoral Officer of Andaman and Nicobar Islands B.S. According to. Seven members of Jaglan, Shompen tribe participated in the election process by casting their vote. According to 2011 census data, Shompen has an estimated population of 229 persons. The overall voter turnout in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency was recorded at 63.99%, slightly lower than the 65.09% voter turnout in the 2019 elections.