Current Affairs search results for tag: person-in-news
By admin: July 12, 2022

1. Parameswaran Iyer takes over as new Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog

Tags: Person in news

Former drinking water and sanitation secretary Parameswaran Iyer, who led the Centre’s Swachh Bharat Mission, took charge as chief executive officer (CEO) of Niti Aayog on 11 July.

  • Important facts

  • His appointment to the post was approved by the Cabinet Appointments Committee on June 24.

  • Iyer replaces Amitabh Kant, who stepped down on June 30.

  • A 1980 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, Amitabh Kant was appointed as the CEO of NITI Aayog in 2016 for a tenure of two years.

  • Kant has been appointed as the new Sherpa of India for the G20.

  • A 1981-batch officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Iyer will serve as the CEO of NITI Aayog for two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

  • Iyer has over 25 years of experience in the water and sanitation sector.

  • Iyer led the implementation of the country's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission, which successfully provided 550 million people access to safe sanitation.

  • The Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog is appointed by the Prime-minister for a fixed tenure.

  • About NITI Aayog

  • It is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, it provides directional and policy inputs.

  • It designs strategic and long-term policies.

  • It also provides relevant technical advice to the Centre, States, and Union Territories.

  • The Governing Council of NITI Aayog is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories and the Lieutenant Governors of other Union Territories. 

  • It was constituted on January 1, 2015.

  • NITI stands for National Institution for Transforming India.

  • The Government of India constituted the NITI Aayog to replace the Planning Commission, which was set up in 1950.

  • This step was taken to better meet the needs and aspirations of the people.

Kindly see 23 April 2022 post

By admin: July 9, 2022

2. R. Dinesh elected as President of CII for 2022-23

Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news

R Dinesh, Executive Vice President, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, has been named as the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2022-2023.

  • Important facts

  • He previously served as the Chairman of National Committees on Logistics, CII Family Business Network India Chapter Council, CII Tamil Nadu State Council and CII Institute of Logistics Advisory Council.

  • From 2018 to 2019, he also served as the President of CII Southern Region.

  • ITC's Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Puri has been elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the financial year 2022-23.

  • Sanjeev Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Limited will continue as the chairman of the organisation for the current financial year.

  • About Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

  • CII is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation.

  • The objective of CII is to achieve a conducive environment for the development of industry and civil society in India.

  • It was established in 1895.

  • It has over 8,000 members from both the public and private sectors.

By admin: July 8, 2022

3. OPEC chief Mohammad Barkindo dies in Nigeria at 63

Tags: Person in news International News

Mohamed Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has died in Nigeria at the age of 63.

  • Important facts

  • Barkindo was on a visit to his home country of Nigeria to attend the Energy Conference where he passed away.

  • Born in April 1959 in Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria, Barkindo assumed the position of Secretary General of OPEC in 2016.

  • His term was to end in July.

  • About OPEC

  • It is a permanent, intergovernmental organisation that was established in 1960 at the Baghdad Conference by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

  • The purpose of this organisation is to coordinate and integrate the petroleum policies of its member countries and to ensure the stabilisation of oil markets to ensure efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to the consumer.

  • Headquarters - Vienna (Austria)

  • OPEC has 14 member states (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Angola, Ecuador and Venezuela).

  • OPEC plus

  • It is a coalition of OPEC members and the world's 10 major non-OPEC oil exporting countries.

  • Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan.

By admin: July 7, 2022

4. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee 121st Birth Anniversary

Tags: Person in news

The 121st birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who served as the first Industry Minister of independent India, was observed on 6th July.

  • Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Modi have paid tributes to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary.

  • Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee

  • Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born on July 6, 1901 in Calcutta in a Bengali Hindu family.

  • The name of his father was Ashutosh Mookerjee who was a judge of the High Court of Calcutta.

  • His father was also Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta.

  • He graduated in English in 1921 from Presidency College.

  • In 1923, he also completed his MA in Bengali.

  • Youngest Vice-Chancellor

  • In 1934, he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University.

  •  Rabindranath Tagore gave the convocation address in Bengali during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor.

  • This marked the beginning of the end of English dominance over Bengali and other Indian languages.

  • Political career

  • He began his political career in 1929 when he entered the Bengal Legislative Council as a candidate of the Indian National Congress.

  • However, the INC chose to boycott the legislature the following year and he resigned. 

  • Thereafter, he contested as an independent candidate and was elected.

  • In 1941–1942, he served as Bengal Province’s Finance Minister for A K Fazlul Haq’s Progressive Coalition government, which was formed as a result of the resignations of the Congress government.

  • Syama Prasad Mookerjee joined the Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal in 1939 and became its acting president.

  • He opposed India's policy of autonomy of Jammu & Kashmir. 

  • He was arrested during Jana Sangh’s agitation against Kashmir policy and died during detention.

  • His efforts resulted in the formal formation of the All India Bharatiya Jana Sangh in October 1950.

  • He died on 23 June 1953.

By admin: July 4, 2022

5. Yair Lapid Officially Becomes New Prime Minister Of Israel

Tags: Person in news International News

Yer Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid party, has been officially elected as the 14th Prime Minister of Israel.

  • Lapid's term could be shortened as he is made the head of the caretaker government ahead of the November 1 election.

  • Lapid replaces outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

  • Lapid is an Israeli politician and a former journalist.

  • He has also previously served as the alternate Prime Minister of Israel and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2021 to 2022.

  • Before joining politics in 2012, Lapid was a writer, TV presenter and news anchor.

  • About Israel 

  • Israel is a country located in Southwest Asia. It is located at the eastern end of the Southeast Mediterranean Sea.

  • The modern nation of Israel was established in 1948.

  • Parliament is elected on the basis of universal suffrage by proportional representation method every four years.

  • Israel is considered the most advanced country in Southwest Asia and the Middle East in economic and industrial development.

  • Capital- Jerusalem

  • President- Isaac Herzog

  • Currency- Israeli new shekel

By admin: July 4, 2022

6. BJP’s Rahul Narvekar elected Maharashtra Assembly Speaker

Tags: Person in news State News

After the formation of the new government, BJP candidate Rahul Narvekar won the election for the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly during a two-day special session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

  • Rahul Narvekar (164 votes) defeated Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress joint candidate Rajan Salvi (107 votes).

  • He is an MLA from the Colaba Assembly seat of Maharashtra.

  • In the assembly elections held in 2019, Rahul became an MLA for the first time.

  • Rahul Narvekar is the youngest Speaker of the entire country.

  • In the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the post of the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was vacant since February 2021 after the resignation of Congress leader Nana Patole.

  • About Maharashtra State 

  • This state was created on May 1, 1960, on the demand of Marathi speaking people.

  • Maharashtra is the top sugar producing state of India.

  • Its capital is Mumbai which is also known as the largest city of India and the economic capital of the country.

  • The only salt water lake formed by the collision of meteorites is Lunar Lake which is in Maharashtra itself.

  • Asia's first train started on 16 April 1853 between Mumbai and Thane.

  • Godavari and Krishna are the major rivers of the state.

  • The highest peak of Maharashtra is Kalsubai Peak.

  • Governor- Bhagat Singh Koshyari

  • Chief Minister- Eknath Shinde

  • Deputy Chief Minister- Devendra Fadnavis

  • Legislative Council Member - 78

  • Member of Legislative Assembly - 288

By admin: July 4, 2022

7. Karnataka’s Sini Shetty is Femina Miss India World 2022

Tags: Latest Awards Person in news

Sini Shetty from Karnataka was crowned Femina Miss India World 2022 at the grand finale of VLCC Femina Miss India on July 3.

  • First runner-up

  • In the ceremony held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Rubal Shekhawat from Rajasthan became the Femina Miss India 2022 first runner-up.

  • Second runner-up

  • Shinata Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh was declared Femina Miss India 2022 second runner-up.

  • Jury panel

  • Actors Neha Dhupia, Dino Morea and Malaika Arora, designers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, choreographer Shiamak Davar and former cricketer Mithali Raj were member of the jury panel.

  • Sini Shetty

  • The 21-years old Sini Shetty was born in Mumbai and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance.

  • At present, she is pursuing a professional course called Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

  • She is also a trained Bharatnatyam dancer.

  • Sini Shetty will now present India at the prestigious 71st Miss World pageant.

  • She was crowned Femina Miss India World 2022 by her predecessor Miss India 2020, Manasa Varanasi from Telangana. 

  • Femina Miss India 

  • Miss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India that selects representatives to participate in Miss World every year.

  • It is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by The Times Group.

  • Since 2013, Femina has also organized Miss Diva as a separate contest, with its representatives competing in Miss Universe.

  • In addition to Miss Diva, the organization organizes a contest every two years to select an Indian representative for Mr. World.

  • The first Miss India was Pramila (Esther Victoria Abraham) of Calcutta, who won in 1947.

By admin: July 4, 2022

8. PM Unveil Legendary Freedom Fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju’s Statue

Tags: Person in news

Prime Minister Modi launched the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebration of legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju at Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh on 4 July.

  • The Prime Minister also unveiled a 30 feet tall bronze statue of Alluri Sitarama Raju.

  • As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the government is committed to give due recognition to the contribution of freedom fighters and to make people across the country aware of them.

  • The government has also approved the construction of the Alluri Meditation Temple at Mogallu, which houses an idol of Alluri Sitarama Raju in meditation posture, depicting the story of his life through murals and an AI-enabled interactive system.

  • Who is Alluri Sitarama Raju? 

  • He was born on 4 July 1897 near Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh.

  • Alluri Sitarama Raju is remembered for his rebellion against the British to protect the interests of tribal communities in the Eastern Ghats region.

  • He had led the Rampa Rebellion that was started in 1922.

  • The Rampa Rebellion was fought between 1922 and 1924.

  • In 1924, Raju was taken into police custody, tied to a tree and shot, thus effectively ending the armed rebellion.

  • For his courage he was awarded the rank of Manyam Veerudu, or "Forest Hero".

By admin: July 2, 2022

9. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is sworn in as the Philippines 17th president

Tags: Person in news International News

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sworn in as the 17th President of the Philippines.

  • Ferdinand Marcos Jr took the oath at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.

  • Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will serve as president until 2028.

  • Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has replaced Rodrigo Duterte, who served as the President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

  • Sara Duterte Carpia has been elected Vice President.

  • Marcos Jr. won the presidential election in May with 60 percent of the vote over rival Maria Leonor Robredo.

  • The President is the head of the executive branch of the Philippine government. The President is directly elected by the people.

  • The term of the President in the Philippine Constitution is six years.

  • About Philippines 

  • The Philippines is a country located in Southeast Asia.

  • It got complete independence on 4 July 1946 after the Second World War.

  • It is the country with the fifth longest coastline in the world.

  • The Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world, after the United States.

  • Capital - Manila

  • Currency - peso

By admin: July 2, 2022

10. Indian origin T Raja Kumar takes over as President of FATF

Tags: Person in news

Indian-origin T Raja Kumar has taken over as the chairman of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the world's anti-terror financing agency.

  • He has over 35 years of experience in leadership and operations in Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Forces.

  • Raja Kumar will replace Dr. Marcus Pleier as head of the FATF and will hold the position for two years.

  • Raja Kumar has played a major role in the field of security with strategic partners such as Interpol and the UN.

  • Since July 2018, he has also been a member of the Steering Group, which advises the FATF President.

  • Since 1992, Singapore has been a member of the FATF.

  • Raja has been instrumental in directing Singapore's efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

  • Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

  • It was formed in the year 1989 at the meeting of G-7 countries held in Paris.

  • It works to generate the necessary political will to bring about legislative and regulatory reforms in the world on issues like money laundering, terror funding.

  • Headquarters - Located in the headquarters of the Organization for the Development of Economic Co-operation (OECD) in Paris.

  • Member Countries - 39 member countries including India and 2 regional organizations (European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council).

  • India became a member of FATF in the year 2010.

  • Its sessions are held three times a year.