DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: May 17, 2024

Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai Becomes Fourth Prime Minister of Singapore

Tags: Person in news International News

Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai, a US-trained economist and former civil servant, was sworn in as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister on May 15, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Oath of Office: The oath was administered by the President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

• Predecessor: Wong succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2024.

• Leadership Role: Wong will lead the fourth generation People's Action Party (PAP) government, known as the 4G government, as both Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

• Term Duration: He is expected to hold the post until the general election, which is set to be held by November 2025.

About Lawrence Wong

• Political Career: Wong was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in 2011.

• Previous Positions:

  • Deputy Prime Minister

  • Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth

  • Minister in the Ministry of National Development

  • Minister in the Ministry of Education

• Other Roles:

  • Deputy Chief Executive in the Energy Market Authority

  • Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore

  • Co-chaired the Multi-Ministry Taskforce overseeing the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

About Singapore

• President - Tharman Shanmugaratnam

• Prime Minister - Lawrence Wong

• Capital - Singapore

Renowned Author and Padma Shri Awardee Malti Joshi Passes Away at 90

Tags: Person in news

Famous writer and story writer Malti Joshi, awarded with Padmashree award, passed away at the age of 90.

An Overview of the News

• Joshi was awarded the prestigious 'Padma Shri' in 2018 for his contribution to literature and education.

About Malti Joshi:

Early life:

• Born on 4 June 1934 in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

• Famous as 'Meera of Malwa'.

Writing Career:

• Started writing stories in adolescence.

• In 1969, his story won an award and was published in the children's Hindi magazine 'Parag'.

• In 1971, his first story was published in the prestigious Hindi literary magazine 'Dharmyug' produced by the Times Group.

Notable works: 

• 'Madhyaantar', 'Pataakshep', 'Parajay', 'Ek Ghar Sapno Ka', 'Woh Tera Ghar, Ye Mera Ghar',and Novel: 'Aurat Ek Raat Hai'

Publication:

• Joshi's stories and novels have been published in leading publications such as Weekly Hindustan, Manorama, Kadambini and Sarika.

Broadcast Media:

• Many of his stories have been presented on radio and television, including 'Saat Phere', 'Kirdaar' and 'Bhavna'.

Other honours:

• Shikhar Samman (2006)

• Dushyant Kumar Sahitya Samman (2011)

• Ojaswini Samman (2011)

• National Maithili Sharan Gupta Award (2013-2014)

• Kamleshwar Memorial Award (2016)

• Hindi Sevi Samman (2018)

Anuradha Mascarenhas Unveils book 'At The Wheel of Research'

Tags: Books and Authors

Anuradha Mascarenhas, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, has authored a new book titled "At The Wheel of Research: An Exclusive Biography of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan".

An Overview of the News

• The book is published by Bloomsbury Publishing India Pvt. Ltd.

• The biography chronicles the life journey of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan.

About Dr. Soumya Swaminathan

• She served as the inaugural Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) from 2019 to 2022.

• Dr. Swaminathan also held the position of Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) from 2015 to 2017.

• She is an Indian pediatrician and currently the Chairperson of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).

• Dr. Swaminathan is the daughter of Dr. Monkumbu Sambasivan (MS) Swaminathan, renowned as the "Father of the Green Revolution in India".

About Anuradha Mascarenhas

• Anuradha Mascarenhas is a seasoned journalist.

• She has been recognized with awards such as the Press Council of India National Awards for Excellence in Journalism for Gender-Based Reporting in 2019.

International Day of Light - 16 May

Tags: Important Days

The International Day of Light is observed annually on May 16 to recognize the significant role of light in science, culture, art, education, and sustainable development. 

An Overview of the News

• It also highlights its impact on fields such as medicine, communications, and energy.

• 2024 Edition: May 16, 2024, marks the 7th edition of UNESCO's International Day of Light.

Significance of May 16

• Historical Event: May 16 commemorates the anniversary of the first successful laser operation in 1960 by American physicist and engineer Theodore Harold Maiman.

Background of International Day of Light

• UNESCO Resolution: On November 7, 2017, the UNESCO General Conference adopted a resolution (39 C/Resolution 16) officially proclaiming May 16 as the International Day of Light.

• Inaugural Observance: The first International Day of Light was observed on May 16, 2018.

About UNESCO

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN).

• It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG), a coalition of United Nations agencies and organisations that aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Headquarters:- Paris, France

  • Director General: Audrey Azoulay

  • Founded: 16 November 1945in London, United Kingdom

  • The organisation has -193 members and 11 associate members.

National Dengue Day - 16 May

Tags: Important Days

National Dengue Day is observed annually across India on May 16 to raise awareness about Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infectious disease, and to promote preventive measures.

An Overview of the News

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) leads the observance of National Dengue Day.

• The 2024 theme for National Dengue Day is "Connect with Community, Control Dengue."

Background of National Dengue Day:

• The MoH&FW, Government of India (GoI) observes National Dengue Day on May 16 to initiate pre-monsoon activities and community sensitization.

• Anti Dengue Month is observed in July to raise community awareness and encourage keeping homes and surroundings free from mosquito breeding.

Dengue Management in India

• Program Management: Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) are managed under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).

• Nodal Agency: The National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) administers NVBDCP and oversees prevention and control strategies for vector-borne diseases, including Dengue.

• Other Diseases Covered: NVBDCP also addresses Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Chikungunya, Kala-azar, and Lymphatic Filariasis.

• 2023 Dengue Cases: As of November 30, 2023, NCVBDC reported 2,34,427 cases of dengue fever in India.

Related Observances

• ASEAN Dengue Day: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) observes June 15th as ASEAN Dengue Day to raise awareness about Dengue.

  • Conception: The event was conceived in 2010 during the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in Singapore.

  • First Launch: Indonesia hosted the inaugural ASEAN Dengue Day in Jakarta in 2011.

• WHO Involvement: In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined ASEAN in marking ASEAN Dengue Day on June 15th.