1. Air Marshal Sandeep Singh appointed Military Advisor to National Security Council
Tags: Defence Person in news
Former Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sandeep Singh (Retd) has been appointed as the new Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). He will assume charge on April 24.
An overview of the news
He will replace General Anil Chauhan, who was appointed Chief of Defense Staff in October last year.
Sandeep Singh retired as the Vice Chief of the Air Force on January 31, 2023, after a military career of four decades.
Sandeep Singh, an alumnus of the National Defense Academy, who was appointed as the new military advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in December 1983 as a fighter pilot.
He has flown a number of aircraft, and has close to 4,900 hours of operational and test flying experience on Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, MiG-21, AN-32, Avro, Jaguar and Mirage 2000.
He also played a key role in the induction, production and arming of the Su-30 MKI aircraft in India.
In recognition of his services of an exceptionally high order, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.
2. Arun Sinha appointed as new chairman of NTRO
Tags: Person in news
Arun Sinha was appointed as the new chairman of the National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) by the Government of India.
An Overview of the News
Arun Sinha, a 1984 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre, was the acting chairman of NTRO before becoming the chairman.
NTRO is a technical intelligence agency based in India.
It works under the National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office and was established in 2004.
The agency follows the same "norms of conduct" as other intelligence agencies in India such as the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing.
As a technical intelligence agency, NTRO specialises in the interception and analysis of electronic communications.
The agency also conducts research and development of technology to support its intelligence gathering activities.
About National Technical Research Organization (NTRO)
Formed - 2004
Headquarters - New Delhi, India
Motto - Aano Bhadra Kritvo Yantu Vishwatah (Meaning - May good thoughts come to me from all four directions)
Responsible Minister - Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
Agency Executive - Anil Dhasmana
Parent Agency - Cabinet Secretariat
3. Rowan Wilson Appointed As New York's First Black Chief Justice
Tags: Person in news International News
Rowan Wilson was appointed as the first black Chief Justice of New York on April 18, 2023 by the State Senate.
An Overview of the News
Wilson has been an Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals since 2017.
Wilson's confirmation as the state's first black chief justice followed the resignation of Judge Janet DiFiore in August.
Wilson's appointment comes two months after the initial nomination of Governor Cathy Hochul for the position was rejected by lawmakers.
In 2014, Kathy Hochul was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York, serving alongside Governor Andrew Cuomo.
After Cuomo's resignation in August 2021, Hochul became the governor of New York and became the first woman in the state's history to hold the office.
About New York
It is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the state of New York and it is the most populous city in the United States.
The city is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.
The city is divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, each with its own unique character and charm.
Mayor - Eric Adams
Capital - Albany
4. Miguel Diaz-Canel re-elected as the President of the Republic of Cuba
Tags: Person in news International News
Miguel Díaz-Canel has been re-elected as President of the Republic of Cuba for a second five-year term on April 19, 2023 by the National Assembly of the People's Power.
An Overview of the News
Salvador Valdés Mesa has also been re-elected as Vice President.
Díaz-Canel received 97.66% of the vote, while Valdés Mesa received 93.4%.
The leadership body of the National Assembly was re-elected by parliamentarians.
Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, Ana María Mari Machado and Homero Acosta Álvarez were re-elected as President, Vice President and Secretary of the National Assembly, respectively.
The deputies also elected 18 members to the Council of State, including eight re-elections and ten new appointments.
About Cuba
President - Miguel Diaz-Canel
Capital - Havana
Currency - Cuban peso
Prime Minister - Manuel Marrero Cruz
Official language - Spanish
5. Karnataka Bank appoints Sekhar Rao as interim CEO
Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news
Karnataka Bank has appointed Sekhar Rao as the interim Managing Director and CEO after the completion of the tenure of the current CEO.
An overview of the news
Mahabaleshwar M S, the current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD and CEO) of Karnataka Bank, left the office on April 14 after the successful completion of his second term of three years.
Rao takes over as interim MD & CEO with effect from April 15, 2023, subject to RBI approval on April 12, 2023.
He has been appointed for a period of three months or till the appointment of a regular MD and CEO, whichever is earlier.
About Karnataka Bank
It is'A' Class Scheduled Commercial Bank in India.
It was incorporated on February 18th, 1924 at Mangaluru.
Headquarter - Mangaluru
6. Nandini Gupta crowned Femina Miss India 2023
Tags: Awards Person in news
Nandini Gupta of Rajasthan won the title of Femina Miss India World 2023.
The first runner-up of the competition was Shreya Poonja from Delhi and the second runner-up was Thounaojam Strela Luwang from Manipur.
An Overview of the News
The 59th edition of India's most prestigious pageant marked the Grand Finale of Femina Miss India World 2023 in a historic ceremony at the Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak, Imphal, Manipur.
Bollywood actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday gave a stellar performance at the Femina Miss India 2023 event.
Nandini Gupta will represent India at the 71st Miss World pageant, which is going to be held in the United Arab Emirates.
About Femina Miss India
It is a national beauty pageant held annually in India since 1952 and is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
The winner represents India in the Miss World pageant.
About Rajasthan
It is a state in northern India and is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population.
It is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the northeast; Madhya Pradesh in the southeast; and Gujarat in the southwest.
Rajasthan is also home to three national tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota.
The state was formed on 30 March 1949 when Rajputana was merged with the Dominion of India.
Formation - 30 March 1949
Capital- Jaipur
District - 33
Governor - Kalraj Mishra
Chief Minister - Ashok Gehlot (INC)
State Legislature - Unicameral
Legislative Assembly - Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (200 seats)
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 25 seats
Symbol of Rajasthan
Bird - Godawan
Flowers - Rohida
Tree - Khejri
7. 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar: 14 April
Tags: Person in news
The 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is observed as Ambedkar Jayanti in India on April 14, 2023.
An Overview of the News
- Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist and social reformer.
- He was the first Law and Justice Minister of independent India and the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
- He was born in 1891 in a Dalit family.
- He received several degrees, including a PhD in economics, from Columbia University in New York City.
- She dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of oppressed and marginalised communities, including Dalits, women and labourers.
- Ambedkar played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution and was a strong advocate of social justice, equality and democracy.
- Dr. Ambedkar passed away in 1956.
Some of his notable books:
- Annihilation of Caste
- Buddha and his Dhamma
- Who were the Shudras?
- Reflections on Linguistic States
- Partition of Pakistan or India
- Castes in India: Their System, Origin and Development
- Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India
- Riddles in Hinduism
- Untouchables: Who were they and why did they become untouchables?
8. New York City Appoints Its First "Rat Czar"
Tags: Person in news
New York City appointed Kathleen Corradi as its inaugural "Rat Czar" to tackle the city's serious rodent issue.
An Overview of the News
- Koradi was given the responsibility of reducing the rat population and creating a clean environment for the residents.
- The Adams administration is dedicating $3.5 million to the Harlem Rat Mitigation Zone, a new initiative to ramp up rat control measures throughout Harlem.
About New York
- It is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the state of New York and it is the most populous city in the United States.
- The city is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.
- The city is divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, each with its own unique character and charm.
9. Ratnakar Patnaik appointed as new Chief Investment Officer of LIC
Tags: Person in news
On 11 April 2023 Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) appointed Ratnakar Patnaik as its new Chief Investment Officer.
An Overview of the News:
- Patnaik has replaced PR Mishra on this post. Earlier, Patnaik had joined LIC in September 1990 as a direct recruit officer.
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC):
- Establishment: 1956
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- It is a wholly owned company by the Government of India.
- It is the country's largest life insurance company as well as the largest investor company.
- It provides health insurance, life insurance, mutual funds, investment related services as its products.
10. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhary passed away in Dhaka
Tags: Person in news
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhary passed away on April 13, 2023 in Dhaka at the age of 81.
An Overview of the News
- Dr. Zafarullah Chowdhury was a renowned public health activist and vascular surgeon and established the Gnosasthya Center in 1972 to provide affordable and quality treatment to the underprivileged in Bangladesh.
- Gnosasthya Kendra has expanded into a network of seven hospitals and 50 sub-centres, providing affordable healthcare services to the people of Bangladesh.
- Dr. Zafarullah has received international acclaim for his work in the field of public health, having been awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 and the Right Livelihood Award in 1992.
- He was known as the "Poor People's Doctor" for his excellent work in providing health services to the poor.
- He established a large field hospital near Melaghar in Tripura during the Bangladesh Liberation War to treat war-injured freedom fighters and refugees.
- In 1977, he was awarded the Freedom Award, the highest civilian award in Bangladesh.
About Bangladesh
- It is located in South Asia and is bordered by India to the north, east and west and Myanmar to the southeast.
- The country is home to several major rivers, including the Padma (Ganges), the Meghna and the Jamuna, which flow through the country and form important fertile plains for agriculture.
- Capital - Dhaka
- Currency - Bangladeshi taka
- Official languages - Bengali, English
- Population -16.94 crore (2021) World Bank
- Prime Minister - Sheikh Hasina
