1 Indian economy will grow at 8.2% in FY 2023-24: NSO
According to the provisional estimates of the National Statistical Organisation (NSO) , the Indian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 8.2 per cent in the financial year 2023-24. The Indian GDP growth rate was 7 per cent in 2022-23. This is the ninth time since 1960-61 that the Indian GDP has grown by 8 per cent or more in a financial year. The Reserve Bank of India had projected the growth rate of the Indian economy to be 7.6 per cent in 2023-24 but the unexpectedly high growth rate of 8.2 per cent in 2023-24 was due to the strong performance of the economy in the fourth quarter (January-March 2024) of the financial year 2023-24. The Indian GDP grew by 7.8 per cent in the fourth quarter (January-March) of 2023-24 as compared to January-March 2023.
2 CG Karhadkar became the director of IGCAR
On May 31, Chandrashekhar Gaurinath Karhadkar took over as the new director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. He was appointed in place of B. Venkataraman, who retired recently. Earlier, Chandrashekhar was the director of the Reactor Group of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. He joined the Reactor Operation Division of the Reactor Group of BARC in 1988. He has worked in various positions in BARC for 36 years. Under Chandrashekhar’s leadership, for the first time in the country, a plan was prepared to shut down a large reactor like CIRUS. Chandrashekhar graduated from the 31st batch of BARC Training University.
3 Major General Harsh Chibber assumes charge as Commandant of College of Defence Management, Secunderabad
Major General Harsh Chhibber has taken over as Commandant , College of Defence Management, Secunderabad from Rear Admiral Sanjay Dutt on 31 May 2024. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Major General Harsh Chhibber was commissioned into the Military Service Corps in December 1988. Major General Harsh Chhibber holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Public Policy as well as two MPhil degrees in Business Management and Public Administration. He has also completed the Technical Staff Officer Course (TSOC), Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) and Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA).
4 Adani Ports to manage Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port for 30 years
Gautam Adani -owned Adani Group has entered the port business in the African country Tanzania by securing a 30-year lease of Container Terminal 2 at Dar es Salaam Port . An agreement for this purpose was signed between Tanzania Ports Authority and Adani International Ports Holdings Private Limited. Adani International Ports Holdings Private Limited is a subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ). Dar es Salaam Port is the main port of Tanzania which is well connected by rail and road infrastructure. Container Terminal 2 of Dar es Salaam Port has four berths and has a cargo handling capacity of 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). This port contributes about 83% of the total ports freight traffic of Tanzania.
5 European banks seek RBI approval for third-party transaction model
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been asked by Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas to approve the third-party transaction model. They have made this demand to resolve the deadlock between their domestic authorities and Indian policymakers on audit oversight rights. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) derecognised the Clearing Corp of India (CCIL) in October 2022, creating the need for an alternative clearing mechanism.
6 Emmanuelle Soubeyran elected as new Director General of WOAH
The French President has elected Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran as Director-General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for the 2024-2029 term . She was elected to the position at the World Assembly of Delegates held in Paris on 28 May, and thanks all Member States and territories for their confidence. Her candidacy reflects France’s commitment to the Organization’s goal of promoting animal health and welfare. France, which worked to establish WOAH, is one of its key partners and hosts the Organization’s headquarters in Paris, will continue to support the Organization’s recognition within the multilateral system and a vision for its future.
7 Shahrukh Khan becomes the new brand ambassador of Muthoot Pappachan Group
Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG) , also known as Muthoot Blue , has announced the appointment of Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador.This strategic collaboration is a significant milestone for MPG, which aims to strengthen its brand presence and establish a new connect with diverse audiences across the country.Muthoot Pappachan Group is the promoter of leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), including Muthoot Fincorp Limited (the flagship company of the Group), Muthoot Microfin Limited, Muthoot Capital Services Limited, and Muthoot Housing Finance Company Limited.
8 BFI takes membership of World Boxing
On 31 May, the Indian Boxing Federation (BFI) took membership of World Boxing . This decision has been taken after the warning of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) . The IOC had said that if the Indian federation remains associated with the International Boxing Association (IBA) , then this sport can be removed from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. BFI President Ajay Singh said that the federation has not separated itself from the suspended IBA. The committee revoked the recognition of IBA in 2019 due to financial and administrative issues. World Boxing was formed in April 2023. Its president is Boris Van Der Vorst, a former contender for the post of IBA President . Boxing events will be organized under the supervision of the IOC in the Paris Olympics starting on 26 July. The International Boxing Association will not be a part of the Olympic Games for the second consecutive time.
9 Nishant got India its first quota in men’s boxing
On May 31, Nishant Dev secured a ticket to the Olympic Games by reaching the semi-finals of the boxing Olympic qualifiers being held in Bangkok . He has become the first Indian men’s boxer to secure a quota for the games to be held in Paris. With Nishant reaching the semi-finals, India secured the 61st quota for the Paris Olympics. This time he defeated Moldova’s Vasil Cebotari 5-0 in the quarter-finals in the 71 kg weight category. World Championship bronze medalist Nishant had missed out on securing a quota by a narrow margin in the previous qualifiers. India thus secured the fourth quota place for the Olympics in boxing. Before Nishant, female boxer Nikhat Zareen (50 kg) had won the quota. Preet Pawar (54 kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) have also secured quotas.
10 Puppet artist Maguni Charan Kuanar passes away
On June 1, famous puppeteer Maguni Charan Kuanar of Keonjhar , Odisha , died at the age of 87. In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Shri for keeping the art of rod puppetry alive. In 2012, Maguni Charan Kuanar was awarded the Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy Award . In 2004, he was also awarded the Central Sangeet Natak Academy Award . Maguni also received the Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman from the Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy . He is also an actor, painter, writer, clay sculptor and wood carver . At the age of 15, he started learning puppetry with instructor Makardhwaj. He performed in many cities including New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati, Meghalaya, Bengaluru. Maguni Charan Kuanar was born on 12 February 1937 in Odisha.