Current Affairs April 29th 2022| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Girls in ICT Day -28th April

• The fourth Thursday in April is designated as International Girls in ICT Day.
• This year’s International Girls in ICT Day is April 28th, 2022.
• The theme for this year is “Access and safety.”
• International Girls in ICT Day aims to inspire a global movement to increase the representation of girls and women in technology.
• International Girls in ICT Day is a global movement encouraging girls and young women to pursue science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education, inspiring STEAM careers, including career pathways, career attainment and advancement and engaging the community and promoting collaboration through partnerships.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work- 28^th April

• The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated annually on 28 April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.
• The theme for this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022 is “Act together to build a positive safety and health culture”.
• The theme stresses encouraging the workplace for strong work health with a safe and healthy work environment.
• In 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO), began to observe World Day in order to stress the prevention of accidents and diseases at work, capitalizing on the ILO’s traditional strengths of tripartism and social dialogue.
• 28 April is also the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers organized worldwide by the trade union movement since 1996.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Minister Giriraj Singh launches ‘Azadi Se Antyodaya Tak’ campaign:

• Azadi Se Antyodaya Tak was launched by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh in New Delhi.
• The 90-day campaign is launched with a mission to saturate 75 Districts across 28 States and UTs with beneficiary schemes of nine central ministries.
• Celebrating the spirit of the year-long Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the identified districts are aligned with the birthplace of 99 Freedom Fighters, who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation during its struggle for independence.
• The goal of the campaign is to take up 17 select schemes with direct assistance to beneficiaries in saturation mode, reaching out to the person at the bottom of the pyramid in rural areas by each of the participating ministries and departments.
• The 75 districts, marginally lagging behind in the development parameters, have been shortlisted through Monthly per Capita Indicators and Socio-Economic Caste Census data.

MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar launches Digital India RISC-V Microprocessor (DIR-V) Program:

• Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar has launched Digital India RISC-V Microprocessor (DIR-V) Program.
• Its overall aim is to enable the creation of Microprocessors for the future in India, and for the world and achieve industry-grade silicon and Design wins by December 2023.
• DIR-V program will see partnerships between Startups, Academia and Multinationals, to make India not only a RISC-V Talent Hub for the World but also a supplier of RISC-V systems on Chips for Servers, Mobile devices, Automotive and Microcontrollers across the globe.
• The Minister unveiled the Blueprint of the roadmap for the design and implementation of the DIR-V Program as well as the strategic Roadmap for India’s Semiconductor Design and Innovation to catalyze the semiconductor ecosystem.

Cabinet approves 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric projects in J&K’s Kishtwar:

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the construction of the 540-Megawatt Kwar Hydro Electric project located on river Chenab in the Kishtwar district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The project will be implemented by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited which is a joint venture company between NHPC and JKSPDC.
• The project has been approved with an investment of over 4 thousand 526 crore rupees.

India made Guinness Record for synchronic Waving of More than 78,000 National Flags:

• According to the Ministry of Culture, India entered the Guinness Book of World Records by simultaneously waving 78,220 flags at the ‘Veer Kunwar Singh Vijayotsav’ program in Bhojpur, Bihar.
• By simultaneously flying the maximum number of national flags, India created history and joined the Guinness Book of World Records.
• The Guinness World Records certificate says, “The most people waving flags was accomplished by Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Government of India (India), to commemorate Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ at Jagdishpur, Bhojpur, Bihar, India on April 23, 2022”.
• 78,220 persons raised the national flag simultaneously at Dalaur ground in Bihar’s Bhojpur district in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, setting a new record and making history.

India’s first Amrit Sarovar was established in UP:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to a local pond in Shahabad’s Patwai area of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh being transformed into an ‘Amrit Sarovar’ – the name the PM has given to an initiative that seeks to focus on the need for water conservation, among other things.
• With the efforts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh, India`s first ‘Amrit Sarovar’ has been completed in Rampur`s Gram Panchayat Patwai.
• Under the Amrit Sarovar initiative, 75 water bodies will be developed and rejuvenated in each district as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised water conservation in the country in his 88th monthly radio address, ‘Mann ki Baat’ and it is critical to the country’s prosperity.

India to host accountants World Congress for the first time in 118 years:

• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is set to host the 21st World Congress of Accountants (WCOA), the kumbh of accountants, for the first time in 118 years of its existence.
• The event will be held from November 18 to 21 after outbidding France.
• About 6000 top accountants from 130 countries will participate in the programme physically.
• The event will take place in the newly built Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
• The theme for 2022 would be “Building Trust Enabling Sustainability”.
• The WCOA, a forum for thought leadership and global exchange of views, is held every four years since it started in 1904.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Estonia hosts the world’s largest cyber exercise – Locked Shields 2022

• North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) organises the Exercise Locked Shields 2022.

About Locked Shields 2022 :

• The Locked Shields 2022 is the annual largest and most complex international live-fire cyber defence exercise in the world.
• More than 2,000 participants from 32 countries are practicing the protection of national IT systems and critical infrastructure under the pressure of a large-scale cyberattack.
• The exercise is a unique opportunity for participants to practice protection of national civilian and military IT systems and critical infrastructure.
• It is conducted under conditions of intense pressure with teams countering a series of sophisticated cyberattacks.
• The exercise provides an opportunity to practice cooperation in a crisis situation between both civilian and military units, as well as public and private sectors, as in the event of a large-scale cyber-attack these tactical and strategic decision-makers must work together.

About NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence :

• Established : 14 May 2008
• Located at : Tallinn, Estonia
• Director : Mart Noorma

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

FinMapp ties up with Bajaj Finance to launch fixed deposit feature

• Fintech firm FinMapp has collaborated with Bajaj Finance to launch a fixed deposit feature on its application by adding a new icon for an improved customer experience.
• The fintech firm is offering to provide an interest rate of 7.35 percent on the fixed deposit of app users.
• Now investors have multiple tenures to choose from as they can now make fixed deposits for 15, 18, 22, 30, 33, and 44 months, or opt for tenures of one, three, and five years, respectively.
• It is giving the highest interest rates to new, existing, and senior citizen customers, offering a fixed income product with high-interest rates for the diverse client base.

About FinMapp :

• Founded : 2020
• Headquarters : Gurgaon, Haryana
• CEO & Co Founder : Kumar Binit

About Bajaj Finance Limited :

• Headquarters : Pune, India
• Founder : Rahul Bajaj
• Bajaj Finance Limited (BFL), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, is an Indian non-banking financial company.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Generali Asia appoints Bruce de Broize as MD and CEO of Future Generali India Life Insurance

• Generali Asia has appointed Bruce de Broize as managing director and chief executive officer, Future Generali India Life Insurance (FGILI).
• He will take over from Miranjit Mukherjee who has been serving as interim CEO since September 2021.
• The appointment follows Generali’s move to consolidate its position in FGILI by completing the transaction to become the majority stakeholder.

About Bruce de Broize :

• Bruce de Broize has a career spanning over 34 years of life and property and casualty (P&C) insurance experience.
• He has held a range of senior leadership roles to drive strategic initiatives across Asia.
• He had also worked at the global insurance organization AIG for more than 11 years playing different roles such as the senior vice president and regional vice president.
• Prior to this, Broize was the regional head of distribution for Generali Asia based in Hong Kong.

About FGILI :

• Launched : 2006
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Ltd, offers total insurance solutions across both the individual and the group front.

Nasscom Appoints Krishnan Ramanujam as Chairperson for 2022-23        

• The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), has appointed Krishnan Ramanujam, president, Enterprise Growth Group at Tata Consultancy Services, as its chairperson for 2022-23.
• Ramanujam succeeds Rekha M. Menon, Chairperson and Senior Managing Director of Accenture in India.
• Previously Krishnan served as the Vice-Chairperson of NASSCOM.
• Nasscom also announced the appointment of Anant Maheshwari, president, Microsoft India as its vice chairperson for 2022-23.
• Maheshwari will succeed Ramanujam in this role.
• The new Nasscom leadership, along with President Debjani Ghosh, will lead the industry body to carry out its diverse array of priorities to achieve the 2025 vision for the industry.
• In line with the changing industry landscape, the key priorities will be to re-align and re-calibrate the course of the technology industry to maximise growth from technology potential to technology impact, reimagine India as the preferred hub for digital talent, innovation and impact at scale, and shape the next frontiers of digital next to catalyse future-readiness for the techade.

About Nasscom :

• Established : 1 March 1988
• Headquarters : Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
• President : Debjani Ghosh

CURRENT AFFAIRS : AWARDS & HONORS

Meghalaya govt’s e-Proposal System’ wins UN Award      

• The Meghalaya government’s Planning Department’s key initiative of “e-Proposal System”, wins the coveted UN Award – World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum Prizes 2022.
• Meghalaya was selected among the top 360 projects across the world & out of these, UN selects the top five in 18 categories and awards them as Champion Project.
• Meghalaya has been selected by the UN as Champion Project in the category of “The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of Information and Communication Technologies for development,” along with projects from Australia, China, Argentina and Tanzania.

About e-Proposal System :

• The “e-Proposal System”, part of Meghalaya Enterprise Architecture (MeghEA), eliminates 75 percent physical work of files in government departments.
• Meghalaya e-Proposal System is poised to win the winner award also, for which the award giving ceremony would be held on May 31 in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The e-Proposal system automates sanctions and administrative approvals of all the departments and directorates in Meghalaya and delivers government services with desired outcomes to all the citizens and other stakeholders across Meghalaya in an integrated and seamless manner.

Note :

• MeghEA is a flagship initiative of Meghalaya Government, supported by National e-Gov Division (NeGD), a first of its kind in the country.

About World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2022 :

• The WSIS Forum 2022 started from 15 March 2022 in a virtual format & the final week being held physically with enhanced remote participation from 30 May to 3 June 2022 at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The Forum held under the theme of ICTs for Well-Being, Inclusion and Resilience: WSIS Cooperation for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs.
• The Forum represents the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community.
• The WSIS Forum, co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line Facilitators/Co-Facilitators.

About Meghalaya :

• Capital: Shillong
• Governor: Satya Pal Malik
• Chief minister: Conrad Sangma

Bidyanondo Founder Kishor Kumar Das Received 223rd Commonwealth Points of Light Award

• Kishor Kumar Das, the founder of the humanitarian organization Bidyanondo, has been awarded the 223rd Commonwealth Point of Light.
• As Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II conferred the honor on Kishore in honor of his exceptional voluntary service through ‘Bidyanondo,’ which has improved access to education for over 1,200 children from marginalized backgrounds.

About Bidyanondo :

• Kishor Kumar Das setup ‘Bidyanondo’ in 2013.
• It started with only 22 students and now runs five primary schools which are free to access, as well as running free academic coaching sessions and scholarship programmes to help children continue into Higher Education.
• Kishore has also instigated a meal programme, “Ek takay aahar” (Meal for one penny), which has provided more than 10,000 nutritious meals for vulnerable people, particularly children and those who are homeless.

About Commonwealth Points of Light Award :

• Commonwealth Point of Light Awards recognise outstanding individual volunteers who are making a change in their community.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : MOU & AGREEMENTS

NHLML & RTDC signs MoU for Development Of Ropeways In Himachal

• The National Highways Logistic Management Limited (NHLML) and the Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation of Himachal Pradesh (RTDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on seven ropeway projects in the state under the Parvatmala Yojna.
• The ropeway projects of total length 1 kilometres will be constructed in the state of Himachal Pradesh at a total cost of Rs 3,232 crore.
• The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.
• The MoU will facilitate a unique, scenic, environment-friendly and seamless travel experience for tourists.
• Initially, possibilities will be explored to prepare a feasibility report of seven ropeway projects in Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Sirmour and Bilaspur districts at an estimated cost of ₹2,264 crore.

The seven ropeway projects are:

• Ropeway project from Palampur Thatri to Chhunja Glacier of length 13.5 km will be developed at a cost of Rs 605 crore
• Ropeway project from Shirgul Mahadev Temple to Chudhar (District – Sirmour) of length 8 km will be developed with a cost of Rs 250 crore
• Ropeway project from Lunhu to Bandla (District – Bilaspur) of length 3 km will be developed with a cost of Rs 150 crore
• Ropeway project from Himani to Chamunda (District – Kangra) of length 6.5 km will be developed with a cost of Rs 289 crore
• Ropeway project at Bijli Mahadev Temple (District – Kullu) of length 3.2 km will be developed with a cost of Rs 200 crore
• Ropeway project from Bharmour to Bharmani Mata Temple of length 2.5 km will be developed with a cost of Rs 120 crore
• Ropeway project from Killar to Sacch Pass (District – Chamba) of length 20.4 km will be developed with a cost of Rs 1,618 crore

About Parvatmala :

• Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting Union Budget for 2022-23 announced Parvatmala project that will be taken up on PPP (Public Private Partnership)
• Parvatmala is a National Ropeways Development Programme proposed to create a modern system of transportation and connectivity on the mountains.

Additional Info :

• In February 2021, the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 were amended, and enabled the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways to look after the development of ropeway and Alternate Mobility Solutions.

About NHLML :

• NHLML previously known as Cochin Port Road Company Limited.
• It is a 100% owned SPV of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was incorporated on 19th January 2004 under Companies Act, 1956
• Chairman : Shri Manoj Kumar

About RTDC :

• Ropeway & Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RTDC) H.P. Ltd. is a company registered under Companies Act, 2013.

Aim :

• To decongest major urban hubs in the state such as Shimla, Dharamshala, and Manali by devising innovative transport solutions.
• Headquarters :Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Ta ziz and India’s Reliance sign shareholder agreement for $2bn Ruwais project                                         

• Reliance Industries has signed a shareholder agreement with Abu Dhabi Chemicals Derivatives Company RSC Ltd (TA’ZIZ) for an investment of $2 billion for the TA’ZIZ EDC & PVC project.
• The oil-to chemicals conglomerate is a strategic partner with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, in TA’ZIZ EDC & PVC, a chemicals development at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais.
• Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of RIL and Sultan Al Jaber, minister of industry and advanced technology and ADNOC managing director and group CEO, in their meeting at ADNOC headquarters discussed opportunities for partnership and growth in upstream, new energies and decarbonisation across the hydrocarbon value chain.

About the Agreement :

• Under this agreement, TA’ZIZ EDC & PVC joint venture will construct and operate a Chlor-Alkali, Ethylene Dichloride (EDC) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) production facility.
• These chemicals will be produced in the UAE for the first time, unlocking new revenue streams and opportunities for local manufacturers to “Make it in the Emirates.
• The TA’ZIZ EDC & PVC project is making solid progress towards the detailed design phase in advance of the Final Investment Decision (FID) which is expected to be taken in 2022.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR

A new book titled ‘Chinese Spies: From Chairman Mao to Xi Jinping’ authored by Roger Faligot:

• A new book ‘Chinese Spies: From Chairman Mao to Xi Jinping’ Written by Roger Faligot translated by writer, editor and translator, Natasha Lehrer.
• It traces the history of the modern Chinese secret service while looking at segments linked to Chinese espionage and the relationship between the country’s intelligence agencies and party leadership.
• Published by HarperCollins India, the book will be released on 29 April.
• The book ‘Chinese Spies’ was originally published in French in 2008 and later translated into English from the updated 4th edition by Natasha Lehrer.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARIES

Padma Shri Awardee Structural Biologist M. Vijayan passes away:

• Vijayan, the DAE Homi Bhabha Professor of structural biology at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), died in Bengaluru.
• He was 80.
• Vijayan, was a pioneer in macromolecular crystallography in India.
• Born in Cherpu, Thrissur, in 1941, Prof. Vijayan graduated from the Kerala Varma College, and continued his studies at Allahabad University, before pursuing his PhD in X-ray Crystallography from IISc, Bangalore.
• A recipient of the Padma Shri and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Prof. Vijayan was the president of the Indian National Science Academy from 2007 to 2010.

Daily CA on April 29 :

• The fourth Thursday in April is designated as International Girls in ICT Day.
• The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated annually on 28 April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.
• Azadi Se Antyodaya Tak was launched by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh in New Delhi.
• Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar has launched Digital India RISC-V Microprocessor (DIR-V) Program.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the construction of the 540-Megawatt Kwar Hydro Electric project located on river Chenab in the Kishtwar district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• According to the Ministry of Culture, India entered the Guinness Book of World Records by simultaneously waving 78,220 flags at the ‘Veer Kunwar Singh Vijayotsav’ program in Bhojpur, Bihar.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to a local pond in Shahabad’s Patwai area of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh being transformed into an ‘Amrit Sarovar’ – the name the PM has given to an initiative that seeks to focus on the need for water conservation, among other things.
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is set to host the 21st World Congress of Accountants (WCOA), the kumbh of accountants, for the first time in 118 years of its existence.

• North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) organises the Exercise Locked Shields 2022.
• Fintech firm FinMapp has collaborated with Bajaj Finance to launch a fixed deposit feature on its application by adding a new icon for an improved customer experience.
• Generali Asia has appointed Bruce de Broize as managing director and chief executive officer, Future Generali India Life Insurance (FGILI) & he will take over from Miranjit Mukherjee who has been serving as interim CEO since September 2021.
• The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), has appointed Krishnan Ramanujam, president, Enterprise Growth Group at Tata Consultancy Services, as its chairperson for 2022-23.
• The Meghalaya government’s Planning Department’s key initiative of “e-Proposal System”, wins the coveted UN Award – World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum Prizes 2022.
• Kishor Kumar Das, the founder of the humanitarian organization Bidyanondo, has been awarded the 223rd Commonwealth Point of Light.
• The National Highways Logistic Management Limited (NHLML) and the Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation of Himachal Pradesh (RTDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on seven ropeway projects in the state under the Parvatmala Yojna.
• Reliance Industries has signed a shareholder agreement with Abu Dhabi Chemicals Derivatives Company RSC Ltd (TA’ZIZ) for an investment of $2 billion for the TA’ZIZ EDC & PVC project.

• A new book ‘Chinese Spies: From Chairman Mao to Xi Jinping’ Written by Roger Faligot translated by writer, editor and translator, Natasha Lehrer.
• Vijayan, the DAE Homi Bhabha Professor of structural biology at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), died in Bengaluru.