1 President launches India’s first domestic gene therapy for cancer treatment
President Smt. Draupadi Murmu launched India ‘s first indigenous gene therapy for cancer treatment at the Indian Institute of Technology- IIT Bombay . Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the launch of India’s first gene therapy is a major breakthrough in our fight against cancer. This series of treatments is named “ CAR-T cell therapy ”, which is cancer immunotherapy treatment. It is accessible and affordable, hence providing a new ray of hope for the entire mankind. He expressed confidence that this therapy will be successful in giving new life to countless patients. The President was pleased to note that India’s first CAR-T cell therapy has been developed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in collaboration with industrial partner ImmunoAct and has been developed through a collaboration between Tata Memorial Hospital . He said, this is a commendable example of academia-industry partnership, which should inspire many such efforts.
2 New Generation Ballistic Missile Agni-Prime successfully test-fired off the coast of Odisha by Strategic Forces Command and DRDO
Strategic Forces Command (SFC) in collaboration with Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) test – fired New Generation Ballistic Missile Agni-Prime from Dr. Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on 03 April 2024 at approximately 1900 hrs. successfully test-fired . The test met all test objectives verifying its reliable performance as confirmed by data recorded by multiple range sensors deployed at various locations including two downrange vessels positioned at the terminal point. The launch was witnessed by the Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Strategic Forces Command and senior officers of DRDO and Indian Army.
3 Union Health Ministry launches MyCGHS iOS app
Shri Apoorva Chandra , Secretary, Health & Family Welfare launched the MyCGHS App for iOS ecosystem of devices . The app is designed to enhance access to electronic health records, information and resources for beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). is designed to beneficiaries. Expressing his enthusiasm for the launch, the Union Health Secretary said that the MyCGHS app is a must for CGHS in the health services sector. It empowers CGHS beneficiaries with convenient access to essential healthcare facilities at their fingertips. This initiative is in line with the government’s vision of leveraging technology to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.
4 Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav took oath as Rajya Sabha MPs.
Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav took oath as Rajya Sabha MPs. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar administered the oath to him. 12 other newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs also took oath. Among them, Bharatiya Janata Party’s R.P.N. Singh, Sanjay Kumar Jha of Janata Dal (United) and Ajay Maken of Congress.
5 NATO Collective Treaty marks 75 years today, special ceremony to be held in Brussels
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) marks 75 years of collective defense treaty in Europe and North America . On this occasion, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other foreign ministers will cut the cake in a special ceremony organized in Brussels . The NATO Treaty was signed by alliance leaders in Washington on April 4, 1949 . In this regard, a big celebration has been planned during the meeting of NATO leaders in Washington from 9 to 11 July. Initially the number of founding members of NATO was 12. But in more than seven decades, the number of its members has increased three times. Article 5 of the Washington Treaty states that any attack on any member of the organization will be responded to collectively . This article has been used only once so far, when Al Qaeda attacked the United States in 2001.
6 Korean fusion reactor ‘Artificial Sun’ sets new record
South Korean scientists have set a new world record using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device , an “ artificial sun ” nuclear fusion reactor . During tests conducted between December 2023 and February 2024, they generated a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for a duration of 48 seconds . The achieved temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius is seven times hotter than the Sun’s core, which has a temperature of about 15 million degrees Celsius.
7 Balco becomes the first Indian company certified with ASI performance standards
Bharat Aluminum Company Limited (BALCO), a unit of Chhattisgarh -based Vedanta Aluminum, has achieved Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard V3 certification. This recognition establishes BALCO as the first Indian company to receive this certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices across the aluminum value chain.
8 Growth in Indian engineering exports: UAE, Russia and Saudi Arabia leading
India’s engineering exports grew 15.9% year on year in February 2024 , marking the third consecutive month of growth and reaching a record high of $9.94 billion for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Notably, this increase surpassed the figures for December 2023. Despite a 7% decline in UAE exports in February 2024, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Saudi Arabia Indian engineering exports reached a record high of $9.94 billion due to strong growth in the
9 Governor R.N. Ravi inaugurated Paramveer Chakra Garden
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi inaugurated the Paramveer Chakra Garden and Aikyam Exhibition at Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir in Tambaram . Ravi was also accompanied by Lieutenant General Karanbir Singh Brar, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), General Officer Commanding (South India Area) and V. Shankar, Chairman of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Trust. The garden displays the history and statues of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, India’s highest military honor for gallantry. Unveiled by Sub Major and Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav, PVC, Sub Major Sanjay Kumar, PVC, Late Major R. The incident took place in the presence of Parameswaran’s relatives, PVC and several armed forces personnel.
10 AU Small Finance Bank and Fincare Small Finance Bank announce merger
Fincare Small Finance Bank of AU Small Finance Bank , strengthening its presence in South India. Shareholders exchanged shares as per RBI approval. The merger has created a customer base of 1 crore.
11 Germany legalized the use of cannabis
On April 1, 2024 , Germany became the largest European Union (EU) country to legalize the use of cannabis , despite facing opposition from politicians and medical associations. became Under the new law, adults over the age of 18 are now allowed to carry up to 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.
12 PepsiCo India announces investment of Rs 1266 crore to set up flavor manufacturing facility in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
PepsiCo India makes major investment of ₹1,266 crore to set up state-of-the-art flavor manufacturing facility in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh announced . Scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026, the plant marks a significant moment for both PepsiCo and the local economy.
13 International Mine Awareness Day 2024: 4 April
International Mine Awareness Day is observed on 4 April each year to raise awareness about the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war. is observed . This day was first celebrated in 2006 after it was established by the United Nations General Assembly. The theme of International Mining Awareness Day 2024 is “Protecting Life. Building Peace” (Protecting Lives. Building Peace.).
14 Blindness Prevention Week 2024: 1 to 7 April
The Government of India has declared April 1 to April 7 as Blindness Prevention Week . The aim of this week is to create awareness about the importance of taking care of our eyes and getting regular eye checkups done to prevent eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration. In 1960, Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur started the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness. It is a voluntary organization that accepts donations and works with other groups to fight blindness. India was the first country to take a loan from the World Bank to end blindness.