1. New Zealand’s Kim Cotton becomes first woman on-field umpire in full-member men’s T20Is
Tags: Sports Person in news Sports News
New Zealand’s Kim Cotton on 5th April became the first woman on-field umpire in a full-member men’s T20I during New Zealand’s second match against Sri Lanka in Dunedin.
An overview of the news
The 48-year-old Cotton has officiated as both on-field and TV umpire since 2018, in addition to 24 women's ODIs and 54 women's T20Is.
Cotton first made an appearance in the men's game in 2020 as a TV umpire for the tied match between India and New Zealand in Hamilton.
Cotton has also officiated in three T20 World Cups and an ODI World Cup since 2018, including the finals in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
Previously, Australia’s Claire Polosak had become the first female match official in a men’s Test match when she donned the fourth umpire’s role during the 2021-22 Border Gavaskar Trophy Test between India and Australia in Sydney.
2. Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu banned for 4 years by NADA
Tags: Sports Person in news Sports News
Indian weightlifter and two-time Commonwealth Games winner Sanjita Chanu has been banned for four years by India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
An Overview of the News
The ban was imposed after Chanu tested positive for the anabolic-androgenic steroid Drostanolone, banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), during the National Games to be held in Gujarat in September-October 2022.
Chanu's provisional suspension was announced by NADA soon after the sample collection, and her four-year ban has now been formally announced.
As a result of the ban, Chanu would be stripped of her silver medal from the National Games.
Several other Indian athletes who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics last year including Shivpal Singh, Kamalpreet Kaur, and Dhanalakshmi Sekar, Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Navjit Kaur Dhillon and long jumper Aishwarya Babu have also been found to have violated anti-doping rules.
Drostanolone is primarily used to treat advanced inoperable breast cancer in women, but is often abused by athletes as a performance-enhancing drug.
About National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)
It is the national anti-doping organisation of India and is responsible for ensuring that athletes in India compete in a doping-free environment and the organisation was established in 2005 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
It is affiliated with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and follows the WADA Code for Anti-Doping Measures.
Its main functions include testing for prohibited substances, educating athletes and coaches about anti-doping measures, and sanctioning athletes who violate anti-doping rules.
It has a team of trained Doping Control Officers (DCOs) who test athletes in various sporting events.
The organisation also has a Registered Testing Pool (RTP) of elite athletes who are subject to testing at any time, both in competition and out of competition.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Establishment - 24 November 2005
Affiliation - Indian Olympic Association
Chairman - Sports Minister (India)
official language - English; Hindi
Purpose - Anti-doping in sports
3. Sudha Shivakumar appointed as National President of FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO)
Tags: Person in news
Sudha Shivakumar has been appointed as the 40th National President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organization (FLO), a women-led and women-focused business chamber from South East Asia.
An Overview of the News
She is an investment banker and lawyer and his appointment was announced on 3 April.
As National President, Shivakumar's main focus will be on empowering women by creating an enabling environment that promotes entrepreneurship, industry participation and economic growth of women.
About FLO
It is the women's wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), a non-profit organisation established in 1927 to promote trade and commerce in India.
Its mission is to empower women through entrepreneurship, leadership and economic independence.
FLO organises workshops, seminars, conferences and networking events to promote women's entrepreneurship and leadership.
It has branches across India and partners internationally with women's organisations.
FLO has partnered with governmental and non-governmental organisations to support women entrepreneurs and promote their businesses.
4. San Francisco drag performer Heklina passes away
Tags: Person in news
On April 4, 2023, San Francisco drag performer Heklina passed away in London.
An Overview of the News
Heklina, whose real name was Stephen Grijelko, was a prominent member of the San Francisco drag community since 1996.
She was best known for hosting the weekly series "Mother", which became a popular fixture in the city's drag scene.
In 2015, Heklina co-opened Oasis, a popular drag venue in San Francisco, which became a centre for the city's LGBTQ community.
About LGBT Community
This community is made up of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.
This community is often defined by its shared culture, history and social movements.
Many organisations and support networks exist to address the needs of the LGBT community, including advocacy groups, community centres, and healthcare providers who specialise in LGBT health issues.
5. Sheenu Jhawar becomes first woman president of TiE Rajasthan
Tags: Person in news
Dr. Sheenu Jhawar has been appointed as the new President of TiE Rajasthan for a two-year term from 2023 to 2025.
An Overview of the News
Dr. Jhawar is the first woman to hold this position in the 21 year history of TiE Rajasthan.
He succeeds Dr. Ravi Modani, who was leading it with effect from 2021.
She has been associated with TiE Rajasthan for many years and has contributed significantly to its growth and success.
As chairman, Dr. Jhawar aims to continue promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in Rajasthan and support women entrepreneurs in particular.
About The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Rajasthan
It is a chapter of TiE Global and has been recognized as the best chapter in 2021.
TiE Rajasthan since its inception in 2002 has been a pioneer in the state of Rajasthan and has contributed significantly to the start-up ecosystem.
TiE Rajasthan was honoured with the highly coveted Best TiE Chapter Award in 2021.
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) is a non-profit organisation established in 1992 in Silicon Valley, working globally with 58 chapters in 14 countries, with the main objective of promoting entrepreneurship.
Through various initiatives such as mentoring, networking, education, incubation and funding, TiE aims to support and foster the next generation of entrepreneurs around the world.
6. Sumil Vikamsey appointed as MD of Hitachi Payment Services
Tags: Person in news
Hitachi Payment Services has announced the appointment of Sumil Vikamse as the new Managing Director of the company.
An Overview of the News
Vikamse was earlier the CEO of Cash Business at Hitachi Payment Services.
He takes over from Rustam Irani, who retires on March 30, 2023.
Vikamsey was inducted on the board of the company on 1 April 2023.
During his tenure at Hitachi Payment Services, Vikamse has been responsible for various functions including finance, strategy, development, analysis, white-label ATM program and allied business domains.
About Hitachi Payments
It is a payment solutions company which is working since 15 years.
The company offers a range of payment solutions that cover various stages of the payment process, including ATM services, Cash Recycling Machines, White-label ATMs, POS solutions, Toll and Transit solutions, Payment Gateway solutions, SoftPOS, Value-added POS Services and digital merchant onboarding included.
The Reserve Bank of India has recently given in-principle approval to Hitachi Payments to start its payment aggregator business.
Hitachi Payments has set up its first in-house cash management unit in Noida.
7. Dr RG Patel appointed as expert member of National Board for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy
Tags: Person in news
Eminent Gynecologist and Obstetrician Dr. RG Patel has been appointed by the Union Health Ministry as an expert member of the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board on April 2, 2023.
An Overview of the News
The National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board is a regulatory body constituted under the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.
The board functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and is responsible for regulating and overseeing the assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy industry in India.
About the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021
It is a law passed by the Government of India to regulate ART and surrogacy.
The Act aims to promote ethical and safe practices, prevent exploitation and ensure legal rights for children born through ART and surrogacy.
It bans commercial surrogacy and sets up a National Surrogacy Board and State Surrogacy Boards.
Children born through ART and surrogacy have legal rights, including the right to know the identity of their biological parents and the right to inherit property.
8. Vice Admiral S. J. Singh appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Indian Navy
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Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh has taken over as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff in the Indian Navy on 1 April 2023.
An Overview of the News
He is a distinguished Naval Officer and a graduate of the National Defense Academy, Pune.
Vice Admiral Singh was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy in 1986, and has since served in various leadership roles.
His contribution to the Indian Navy has been recognized with Nao Sena Medal in 2009 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.
As Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Singh will play a key role in leading the Indian Navy and shaping its future direction.
About Indian Navy
It is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces and the President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, a four-star admiral, commands the Navy.
By March 2023, the Indian Navy is expected to have a fleet of 150 ships and submarines and 300 aircraft.
The Indian Navy was established on 26 January 1950.
The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral R Hari Kumar.
The motto of the Indian Navy is "Sham no Varunah".
9. Malayalam novelist Sarah Thomas passes away
Tags: Person in news
On April 1, 2023, renowned Malayalam short story writer and novelist Sarah Thomas passed away.
She was a prolific writer, writing 17 novels and over 100 short stories.
An Overview of the News
Sarah Thomas was widely acclaimed for her literary contributions and received several awards throughout her career including the prestigious Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
One of his most popular novels, "Muripadukal" was adapted into a film titled "Manimuzhakkam" by PA Bakkar.
Additionally, his other novels such as "Asthamayam," "PavizhaMuthu," and "Archana" were also adapted into films.
About Sarah Thomas
She was a Malayalam short story writer and novelist from Kerala, India.
She is known for her realistic portrayal of the lives and struggles of women in contemporary society.
Her stories have subtle humour and a deep understanding of human relationships.
Some of her popular works include Jivithamena Naadi (1968), Narmadi Pudav (1978), Daivamakkal (1982), Agni Shuddhi (1988), Chinnamu (1988), Valakkar (1994), Neelakurinjikal Chuvakkam, Neram (1995), Guneetham Thetiya Kanakku, Grahanam, Thanneer Panthal, Yatra, Kaveri.
She has received several awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award and Padmarajan Award for his contribution to Malayalam literature.
10. PTC India appoints Rajeev K Mishra as new CMD
Tags: Person in news
On 30 March 2023, Rajeev K. Mishra has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director of Power Trading Corporation of India (PTC) Limited.
An Overview of the News
Mishra has been associated with PTC India Limited since October 2011, when he took over as Executive Director. In this role, he was responsible for managing operations, business development, retail and advisory services.
On February 24, 2015, he was appointed to the PTC Board as Director of Marketing and Business Development.
About PTC India Limited
It is an Indian company that specialises in Power Trading Solutions, Cross Border Power Trading and Consultancy Services.
The company was initially known as Power Trading Corporation of India Limited but later renamed as PTC India Limited and has operations in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
PTC India Limited plays a vital role in the Indian power sector by facilitating the smooth flow of electricity across the country's power grid.
The company also provides consultancy services to various entities in the power sector including state electricity boards, power utilities and central and state government agencies.
Establishment- 16 April 1999
Founder- Government of India
Headquarters- New Delhi, India
Subsidiaries- PTC India Financial Services Limited, PTC Energy Limited, Barak Power Private Limited
