Important Days
World Day for Safety and Health at Work: 28 April
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed globally on 28 April every year. This day is observed to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally and raise awareness to ensure health and safety at the workplace.
The theme for 2021 is “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises – Invest Now in Resilient Occupational Safety and Health Systems”.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is persisted 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Headquarters of International Labour Organization: Geneva, Switzerland.
- President of International Labour Organization: Guy Ryder.
- International Labour Organization Founded: 1919.
Workers’ Memorial Day: 28 April
The Workers’ Memorial Day, also known as International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers occurs every year on 28 April. The day has been organized worldwide by the International Trade Union Confederation since 1996.
Theme 2021: ‘Health and Safety is a fundamental workers‘ right.’
Its purpose is to remember workers killed in incidents at work or by diseases caused by work and honour the victims of occupational accidents and diseases by organizing worldwide mobilizations and awareness campaigns on this date.
International
China names its first-ever Mars rover “Zhurong”
China has named its first-ever Mars rover “Zhurong” after an ancient fire god ahead of a landing attempt on the Red Planet in May.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) revealed the name at the sixth China Space Day held in Nanjing. The Chinese name for Mars, “Huoxing,” literally means “fire star.”
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- China Capital: Beijing.
- China Currency: Renminbi.
- China President: Xi Jinping.
Appointment
PESB selects Amit Banerjee as CMD of BEML
Public Enterprise Selection Board selected Amit Banerjee as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Earth Movers Limited, (BEML) an Indian Public Sector Undertaking.
The PESB announced on meeting held on April 26, 2021. Currently, he is serving as Director (Rail & Metro), BEML Limited.
In his professional career spanning over three decades in BEML, Shri Banerjee has worked in R&D and manufacturing functions. His experience involves the design & development of various products like SSEMU, Metro cars, Catenary Maintenance Vehicle, etc.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Bharat Earth Movers Limited Headquarters: Bengaluru;
- Bharat Earth Movers Limited Founded: May 1964.
Arun Raste named new MD & CEO of NCDEX
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given approval to the appointment of Arun Raste as MD and CEO of National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) for a period of 5 years.
Raste is currently associated with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as an Executive Director and prior to NDDB, he has worked with organisations like IDFC First Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, NABARD, ACC Cement, and a non-profit NGO IRFT.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- NCDEX Founded: 15 December 2003.
- NCDEX Headquarters: Mumbai.
- NCDEX Owner: Government of India (100%)
Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited Begins Operations
The UP-based Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited commenced operations as a Small Finance Bank (SFB) with effect from April 26, 2021.
It must be remembered that the Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank (SMCB) is the first urban co-operative bank (UCB) in India to receive licence from RBI to operate as a Small Finance Bank (SFB).
The bank has received the licence from RBI under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to carry on the business of small finance bank in India.
Shivalik SFB area of operation is Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited MD and CEO: Suveer Kumar Gupta.
Economy
Goldman Sachs Downgrade India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 10.5% for FY22
Wall Street brokerage, Goldman Sachs revised downward the GDP growth forecast of India for the fiscal year 2021-22 (FY22) to 10.5 per cent from the earlier estimate of 10.9 per cent.
The downward revision is due to the increasing number of pandemic cases and a host of key states announcing stricter lockdowns, thus affecting economic activities.
Oxford Economics Projects India’s FY22 GDP Growth Forecast to 10.2%
The Global forecasting firm Oxford Economics has revised downwards the GDP growth forecast for India to 10.2 per cent for fiscal 2021-22.
Earlier it predicted this at 11.8 per cent. The downward revision is based on the country’s serious health burden, weak vaccination rate and lack of a convincing government strategy to contain the pandemic.
Banking
RBI Caps Tenure of Private Banks MD & CEO at 15 Years
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has capped the tenure of Managing Director and Chief Executive of commercial banks to 15 years. The same limit will also be applicable to whole-time directors (WTD). This means that the same incumbent cannot hold the post for more than 15 years.
The revised instructions will be applicable to all the Private Sector Banks including Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and wholly owned subsidiaries of Foreign Banks. However, it will not be applicable to foreign banks operating as branches in India.
Defence
India Joins Rescue Ops For Missing Indonesian Submarine “KRI Nanggala-402”
The Indian Navy has joined the rescue operation for an Indonesian submarine and its 53-person crew that went missing more than 4 days ago. Indonesia had sought assistance from India after its 44-year-old submarine, KRI Nanggala-402, went missing while conducting a torpedo drill north of the island of Bali.
The Navy’s Deep-Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSVR) left from Visakhapatnam.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Indonesia President: Joko Widodo;
- Indonesia Capital: Jakarta;
- Indonesia Currency: Indonesian rupiah.
DRDO develops single crystal blades for helicopter engines
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed single-crystal blades technology for helicopters and has supplied 60 of these blades to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as part of their indigenous helicopter development programme for engine application. The DRDO will develop a total of five sets (300 blades) of single-crystal blades.
This is part of a programme taken up by the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) to develop five sets of single-crystal high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades using a nickel-based superalloy.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Chairman DRDO: Dr G Satheesh Reddy.
- DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi.
- DRDO Established: 1958.
Ranks and Reports
India third highest military spender in 2020
India has retained its position as the third biggest military spender in the world in 2020, according to new data titled ‘SIPRI Military Expenditure Database’ published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on April 26, 2021.
As per the new report, the top five biggest spenders in 2020 were the United States ($778 billion), China ($252 billion), India ($72.9 billion), Russia ($61.7 billion) and the United Kingdom ($59.2 billion) respectively.
These five nations together accounted for 62 per cent of global military expenditure.
Globally, the military spending in 2020 rose to $1981 billion. This value is an increase of 2.6 per cent in real terms as compared to 2019.
Awards
93rd Academy Awards (Oscars Awards 2021) announced
The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, also known as the Oscars Award, took place in Los Angeles on April 25, 2021.
The award is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 2021 Oscars honoured the best films of 2020 and early 2021.
American drama ‘Nomadland’ won most honours with three awards. Chloe Zhao, who directed “Nomadland”, was crowned best director, and with this, she became the only second woman to claim the title and the first woman of colour to win that award.
Indian film personalities Irrfan Khan and Bhanu Athaiya were honoured in the “In Memoriam” montage showcased at the event.
Complete List of Winners:
- Best Picture: Nomadland
- Best Director: Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
- Best Actress: Frances McDormand, Nomadland
- Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins, The Father
- Best Supporting Actress: Youn Yuh-jung, Minari
- Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya, Judas And The Black Messiah
- Best Original Screenplay: Promising Young Woman
- Best Adapted Screenplay: The Father
- Best Animated Feature Film: Soul
- Best International Feature Film: Another Round
- Best Original Score: Soul
- Best Original Song: Fight For You, Judas And The Black Messiah
- Best Documentary Feature: My Octopus Teacher
- Best Documentary Short: Colette
- Best Live Action Short: Two Distant Strangers
- Best Animated Short: If Anything Happens I Love You
- Best Sound: Sound Of Metal
- Best Production Design: Mank
- Best Cinematography: Mank
- Best Makeup And Hair: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- Best Costume Design: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- Best Film Editing: Sound Of Metal
- Best Visual Effects: Tenet
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Tyler Perry
Uttar Pradesh won e-panchayat award
The Uttar Pradesh government won the “E-Panchayat Puraskar 2021”, ranking first in Category I. It was followed by Assam and Chhattisgarh at the second position, while Odisha and Tamil Nadu stood third.
Every year, the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj awards those states, which ensure maximum use of information technology to keep a tab on the work done by gram panchayats.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- UP Capital: Lucknow;
- UP Governor: Anandiben Patel;
- UP Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath.
Sports
Rafael Nadal clinches 12th Barcelona Open title
Rafael Nadal beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 to win his 12th Barcelona Open title. It was Nadal’s 87th career title, and his 61st title on clay.
This is the second tournament where Nadal has captured 12 or more titles. The 13-time Roland Garros champion will return to No. 2 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.
Manchester City won League Cup football tournament
Manchester City won the League Cup for a record-equalling fourth time in succession with a deserved victory over a disappointing Tottenham Hotspur side at Wembley.
City’s victory equalled Liverpool’s achievement in the early 1980s of winning the competition four years in a row.
Books and Authors
A new book title “Living Mountain” by Amitav Ghosh
“The Living Mountain” is a new story by Jnanpith winner and internationally renowned author Amitav Ghosh, written during the course of the pandemic. It is a fable for the current times: a cautionary tale of how humans have systematically exploited nature, leading to an environmental collapse.
HarperCollins Publishers India will publish The Living Mountain as a special standalone edition in January 2022 under its prestigious Fourth Estate imprint. The book will also be published simultaneously in Hindi, and as an ebook and an audiobook.
Jhumpa Lahiri Comes Out With New Novel ‘Whereabouts’
Renowned American author Jhumpa Lahiri has launched her new novel titled “Whereabouts”. The book is an English translation of the Italian novel ‘Ias Dove Mi Trovo’ which was written by the author Jhumpa Lahiri itself and published in 2018.
The novel has been translated into English by the author herself. The book is about an unnamed female protagonist over 45 years as she looks at her life, glancing, sideways, back and forth, chronicling life, relationships and burden of relationships, in short, succinct chapters.
Obituary
Veteran Indian Nuclear Scientist Krishnamurthy Santhanam Passes away
Indian nuclear scientist Krishnamurthy Santhanam, who played a noteworthy role in the 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran, has passed away.
He was deeply associated with Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).
Doyen of Indian Classical Music Pandit Rajan Mishra Passes Away
Renowned Hindustani classical singer, from ‘Banaras Gharana’ of India, Pandit Rajan Mishra, has passed away.
He was a vocalist in the khyal style of Indian classical singing. Mishra was awarded Padma Bhushan in the field of art in 2007.
Pandit Rajan Mishra was also a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Gandharwa National Award and the National Tansen Samman.
Former Maruti Suzuki MD Jagdish Khattar Passes Away
Jagdish Khattar, the former Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki, has passed away. He had served at Maruti Suzuki India Limited from 1993 to 2007. He is credited for establishing Maruti as India’s largest car company.
Khattar joined Maruti in July 1993 as Director, and was eventually elevated as Managing Director in 1999, first as government nominee, and then in May 2002, as Suzuki Motor Corporation nominee.
After his retirement from Maruti in October 2007, Khattar launched an entrepreneurial venture named Carnation Auto.
Renowned Gujarati poet and folk singer Dadudan Gadhvi Passes Away
Veteran Gujarati poet and folk singer Dadudan Pratapdan Gadhvi has passed away. He was 80 years old. He was also known as Kavi Dad.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021 for his contribution in literature and education. Besides, he had written songs for 15 Gujarati films.
Miscellaneous
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham leads global vaccination drive
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham, is fronting a global initiative to inspire confidence in vaccines and encourage parents around the world to vaccinate their children against deadly diseases.
In a powerful video released ahead of World Immunization Week, Beckham talks about the loss of everyday activities due to COVID-19, such as hugs with family, spending time with friends, and being with the people we love, and encourages parents to vaccinate themselves so that they can be safe.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- UNICEF Headquarters: New York, United States of America.
- UNICEF Executive Director: Henrietta H. Fore.
- Daily Current Affairs in English 11 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 10
- 11 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- 10 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 9
- Daily Current Affairs in English 10 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
