1. Webinar on“Challenges in Thalassemia 2022”
Tags: National Summits Important Days
On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day on 9 May Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda addressed the webinar “Challenges in Thalassemia 2022” in New Delhi.
It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with various ministries and Thalassemia Association.
Experts from different parts of India and the world participated in the conference.
About Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the human body to have less haemoglobin than normal.
World Thalassemia Day is observed every year on 8 May to spread awareness about this condition.
This year, it is celebrated with the theme ‘Be Aware. Share, Care: Working with the global community as one to improve thalassaemia knowledge.’
Iron deficiency is the most common and can cause extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness and cold hands and feet.
Iron is a mineral that our body needs for growth, development and making haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.
Iron is a cofactor for neurotransmitters and is important for the synthesis and metabolism of hormones.
2. PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY complete seven years of providing social security net
Tags: National Government Schemes Latest
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) completed seven years of providing social security on 9 May.
All these three schemes were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9th May 2015 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
These schemes have been successful in providing affordable insurance and security to the people.
These three social security schemes are dedicated to the welfare of citizens, recognizing the need to secure human life from unforeseen risks or losses and financial uncertainties.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
It is a one year life insurance plan which is renewed year after year
It provides coverage for death due to any reason.
Persons in the age group of 18-50 years having a savings bank or post office account are eligible to enrol under this scheme.
Life cover of Rs 2 lakh in case of death due to any reason with a premium of Rs 330 per annum.
As on 27 april 2022, the cumulative enrolments under the scheme have been more than 12.76 crore and an amount of Rs 11,522 crore has been paid for 5,76,121 claims.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
It is a one year accident insurance plan which is renewed year after year.
It provides coverage for death or disability due to accidents.
Persons in the age group of 18-70 years having a savings bank or post office account are eligible to enrol under this scheme.
Accidental death cum disability cover of Rs 2 lakh (Rs 1 lakh in case of partial disability) for death or disability due to accident.
As on 27 april 2022, the cumulative enrolments under the scheme have been more than 28.37 crore and an amount of Rs 1,930 crore has been paid for 97,227 claims.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
It is open to all bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years and the contribution varies depending on the pension amount chosen.
After joining the scheme, the subscribers will get a minimum monthly pension of Rs 1000 or Rs 2000 or Rs 3000 or Rs 4000 or Rs 5000 at the age of 60 years depending on the contribution made by the subscriber.
More than 4 crore persons have subscribed to this scheme till 27th April 2022.
3. G7 countries pledge to phase out imports of Russian oil
Tags: Russia-Ukraine International News
The Group of Seven (G7) countries have pledged to ban or phase out Russian oil imports over the Ukraine dispute.
The announcement came as the G7 held its third meeting this year via video conference, which was also attended by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The meeting was called to discuss support for Ukraine, and additional measures against Moscow, including on energy.
G7 leaders have personally criticised President Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine.
The leaders celebrated the end of World War II in Europe following the surrender of German forces to the Allied Powers on 9 May 1945.
Russia has been accused of violating international rules-based order, in particular the United Nations Charter.
All participants were called upon to join the G7's support for the Ukrainian people and refugees and help rebuild Ukraine.
About G7
The G7 or the Group of Seven is a group of the seven most advanced economies.
The seven countries are Canada, the USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and Italy.
It was formed in 1975.
G7 countries meet annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
All the G7 countries and India are a part of G20.
The G7 does not have a fixed headquarters.
The UK currently chairs the G7 and has invited India along with Australia, the Republic of Korea and South Africa as guest countries for the G7 summit.
4. National Conference on PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Park (PM MITRA) Scheme
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Recently a National Conference on PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Park (PM Mitra) Park Scheme was organised by the Ministry of Textiles.
The conference was inaugurated by U.P Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles.
The conference provided a platform for presentations by officials of 13 state governments.
13 states viz Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh participated in the conference.
Each state government showcased its strengths in the textiles sector.
About PM MITRA Park Scheme
Under the project, PM Mitra Parks will be set up by a special purpose vehicle owned by the State Governments and the Centre in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Seven Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM Mitra) parks will be set up at greenfield or brownfield sites located in different states.
It is motivated by PM Modi’s 5F vision of farm to fibre, fibre to factory, factory to fashion and fashion to foreign.
This integrated vision will help drive the growth of the textile sector in the economy.
Aim of the scheme
To create a world class industrial infrastructure that will attract cutting edge technology and promote FDI and local investment in the sector.
The objective of this scheme is to generate about 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs per park.
Funding
The Centre will provide capital support for common infrastructure development of Rs 500 crore for each greenfield Mitra park and Rs 200 crore for each brownfield.
5. Sri Lankan president declares state of emergency for second time
Tags: Latest International News
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency for the second time in five weeks on 6 May. Extensive powers have been given to the security forces.
Trade Unions halted public transport, blaming Rajapaksa for the economic crisis.
There has been unrest in Sri Lanka for several weeks due to the economic crisis.
As street protests intensified in Sri Lanka, Gotabaya first declared a state of emergency on 1 April, as citizens went through an economic crunch for food, fuel and medicines.
Process of declaring an Emergency in Sri Lanka
The power to declare a state of Emergency is vested in the President.
It is imposed under Article 155 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
The Public Security Ordinance (PSO) of 1947 provides the legal framework for a proclamation of emergency.
Under the Ordinance, a state of emergency may be declared "where the President is of the opinion that it is expedient to do so in the interest of public safety and the preservation of public order."
Emergency rules are valid for one month, but the President must seek ratification every 14 days for proclamations or extensions beyond one month.
Causes of economic crisis in Srilanka
Organic agricultural policy cut the government’s tax revenue.
Policy failure
COVID-19 hit Sri Lanka’s key foreign revenue earning sectors
Fast draining foreign reserves, a glaring trade deficit, and a related Balance of Payments problem.
Huge foreign loan and the drop in domestic production
The value of the Sri Lankan rupee has fallen to 300 against the US dollar, putting importers in trouble.
6. ISRO's plan to make Venus mission special
Tags: National Science and Technology
After the Moon and Mars mission, India is now going to participate in the journey of Venus along with America and other countries.
The purpose of this campaign is to gather information about the atmosphere of Venus.
The project report of 'Shukrayan-1', the name given to the Venus mission of ISRO, is ready and the budget has also been fixed for this.
The cost of the Venus mission is likely to be between ₹500 crore to ₹1,000 crore, depending on the level of equipment.
About Shukrayaan-I Mission
Shukrayaan will be India's first orbiter mission to Venus.
It will be similar to Moon and Mars missions.
The mission aims to study the surface of the hottest planet in our solar system.
It also aims to unravel the mysteries under the Sulphuric Acid clouds enveloping on Venus.
Its atmosphere is highly toxic and corrosive.
Studying the structure, composition, and dynamics of the atmosphere.
ISRO is planning to launch orbital manoeuvres in December 2024 when Earth and Venus will converge.
About Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and Earth’s closest planetary neighbour. Mercury is closer to the Sun.
Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system.
The surface temperature on Venus is about 900 °F (475 °C), high enough to melt lead.
Its dense atmosphere is filled with the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, and contains clouds of sulfuric acid.
Venus is sometimes called Earth's twin because it is similar in size and composition, but the planet differs greatly in other respects.
7. Rooftop solar energy panels to be set up in all CAPF establishments
Tags: National News
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) in New Delhi on 6 May 2022, in order to realise the objectives of green energy and the efforts of the Government of India towards a carbon-neutral economy.
This umbrella MoU envisages cooperation between the two sides for jointly setting up solar rooftop PV power plants.
The move will help generate up to 71.68 MW of solar power and facilitate the use of green energy in a large number of security installations across India.
There are around 10 lakh personnel in CAPFs - CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB and they are deployed in different areas of security in different parts of the country.
Based on the available data, SECI has estimated a total solar power capacity of 71.68 MW in the campuses of CAPFs and NSG.
The SECI has expertise in the field of solar power projects.
8. PM Modi urges people to participate in Logo Design Contest for G-20 Presidency of India
Tags: Popular National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to participate in the logo design competition for the G-20 Presidency of India.
He said, it is a special competition which celebrates the creativity of the youth of the country.
The logo design competition window is open to the participants from today till 7th of next month.
The Ministry of External Affairs has invited logo designs for the upcoming G20 Presidency of India.
The first winner will get a prize of one lakh 50 thousand rupees and the next five best entries will receive 15 thousand rupees each.
The logo design should include artistic expressions of colour combination and arrangement in the national tricolour.
About G-20
The "Group of 20" (G20) is made up of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union.
Member countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America.
It is a major forum for international economic cooperation.
The G20 plays a strategic role in achieving future global economic growth and prosperity.
Origins of the G-20
In the wake of the 1997 economic crisis, the G7 finance ministers announced the creation of a "Group of 20".
The first official meeting of the G20 was held in Berlin in December 1999.
G-20 leaders have met every year since 2010.
Contribution of G -20
G20 member countries represent more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of international trade and 60% of the world's population.
Presidency of G -20
Its presidency rotates with each member country.
India will hold the Presidency of the G-20, for the first time, from 1st December 2022 to 30 November 2023 culminating in the G-20 Summit in 2023.
9. Border Roads Organisation celebrates Raising Day
Tags: National Important Days
Border Roads Organisation celebrating Raising Day today on 7th May, 2022.
About Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
BRO, a pioneer in the field of infrastructural development in the border areas of the country, is celebrating its 63 years of illustrious service to the nation.
BRO is a major road construction agency under the Ministry of Defence with the primary objective of providing road connectivity to the border areas.
BRO was formed on 7th May 1960.
It develops and maintains the road network in India's border areas and friendly neighbouring countries.
This includes operating infrastructure in 19 states and three union territories (including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.
One of the biggest infrastructural achievements of BRO - longest highway tunnel built in Himachal Pradesh, and its name is Atal Tunnel.
Atal tunnel under Rohtang Pass is an 8.8-kilometer-long tunnel.
This will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kms and will save on transportation costs.
Lieutenant General Rajeev Chaudhry assumes the position of Director General of BRO.
10. India's first Regional Rapid Transit System train
Tags: National News
The first train of the 'Regional Rapid Transit System' (RRTS) was handed over to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) on May 7 at a function in Savli, Gujarat.
These state-of-the-art RRTS trains are being manufactured in the country under the 'Make in India' initiative at Alstom's factory in Savli, Gujarat.
Alstom is a French multinational company that acquired Bombardier Transportation early last year.
The Canadian-German company Bombardier built the Metro car for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
The RRTS trains are capable of running at a top speed of 180 kilometre per hour.
The train set will be brought to the Duhai depot in Uttar Pradesh and will be maintained and operated from there.
The fully air-conditioned train comes with several modern commuter-centric features including cushioned seating, laptop-mobile charging, luggage racks and dynamic route-maps.
About NCRTC
National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is a joint venture company of the Government of India and the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP under the administrative control of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It is empowered to implement the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project in NCR of India.
It ensures balanced and sustainable urban development through better connectivity and accessibility.
