India's Gita Sabharwal Appointed as UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, appointed Gita Sabharwal of India as the new UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. Sabharwal brings with her nearly three decades of experience in development, supporting climate transition, sustainable peace, governance, and social policy, while leveraging digital technology and data to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With the host government's approval, Sabharwal's appointment as the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia came after her previous roles as the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand and as the Peacebuilding and Development Adviser for the United Nations in Sri Lanka. Before joining the UN, she served as The Asia Foundation's Deputy Country Representative for the Maldives and Sri Lanka and held positions as the Poverty and Policy Adviser for the United Kingdom's Department for International Development in India and Vietnam.
The UN Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System at the country level. Resident Coordinators lead UN country teams and coordinate UN support to countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference: Bhutan's Earth Day Initiative
On Earth Day 2024, Bhutan is spearheading the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference. With a goal of mobilising $1 billion over a decade, the conference aims to preserve tiger habitats critical for biodiversity and supporting millions of people.
Under the patronage of Bhutan's Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, the conference, co-organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition, will spotlight sustainable finance, UN's Global Biodiversity Framework, and public-private partnerships vital for tiger conservation.
Formed ahead of the 2022 Year of the Tiger, the coalition, comprising leading organisations like IUCN, WWF, and UNDP, supports tiger range countries in ambitious conservation efforts, ensuring impact for both nature and communities.
Karnataka and Gujarat Lead India's Clean Energy Transition: Report
The report assesses India's clean energy transition, highlighting Karnataka and Gujarat's leading roles and the need for improvement in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
A recent report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember evaluates the progress of India's clean electricity transition at the state level. While Karnataka and Gujarat maintain strong performances, states like Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh lag behind, necessitating increased efforts for renewable energy integration and decarbonization.
Karnataka and Gujarat continue to excel in integrating renewable energy sources and decarbonizing their power sectors.
Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh need to enhance renewable energy deployment and strengthen distribution companies.
Cyclical weather patterns and economic growth drive increasing peak electricity demand in India.
States must be prepared to transition to clean energy sources to meet rising demand.
While national progress towards clean energy transition is positive, disparities exist at the state level.
Some states demonstrate readiness for transition but lack progress in decarbonization.
In a significant move, BharatPe unveiled BharatPe One, an innovative all-in-one payment device set to redefine digital transactions. This cutting-edge product integrates POS, QR, and speaker functionalities into a single device, promising unparalleled convenience for merchants and customers alike.
BharatPe aims to roll out BharatPe One across 100+ cities initially, with plans for expansion to 450+ cities within the next six months. This expansion underscores the company's commitment to enhancing payment experiences for millions of offline merchants nationwide.
Designed to simplify transactions, BharatPe One offers a wide array of payment acceptance options, including dynamic and static QR codes, tap-and-pay, and traditional card payments.
RBI Restricts Kotak Mahindra Bank
The Reserve Bank of India, in exercise of its powers under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, directed Kotak Mahindra Bank to cease and desist, with immediate effect, from (i) onboarding of new customers through its online and mobile banking channels and (ii) issuing fresh credit cards. The bank shall, however, continue to provide services to its existing customers, including its credit card customers.
According to the RBI, serious deficiencies and non compliances were found in the bank's IT inventory management, patch and change management, user access management, vendor risk management, data security, and leak prevention strategy, business continuity, and disaster recovery rigor and drill.
Reliance Jio Becomes World's Largest Mobile Operator in Data Traffic
Reliance Jio become the world's largest mobile operator in data traffic consumption, surpassing China Mobile. According to global analytics firm Tefficient, the Indian telecom operator's total traffic reached 40.9 exabytes in the January-March quarter, compared to China Mobile's 38.
Jio also has the second-largest 5G subscriber base globally, with 108 million users. More than 28 per cent of its total wireless data traffic is now consumed by 5G users, said the company in an analyst presentation.
Microsoft Launches Lightweight Artificial Intelligence Model Phi-3-mini
Microsoft launched a lightweight artificial intelligence model, as it looks to attract a wider client base with cost-effective options.
The new version called Phi-3-mini is the first of the three small language models (SLM) to be released by the company, as it stakes its future on a technology that is expected to have a wide-ranging impact on the world and the way people work.
World Championships medallist Narsingh Pancham Yadav was elected as the chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) Athletes' Commission.
Narsingh, who served a four-year suspension due to a doping sanction, was one of the seven wrestlers who were elected in the panel on the sidelines of the Federation Cup being held in Varanasi.
Narsingh was made the chairman, while former India international Nikki was elected as the convenor as they were the two senior-most wrestlers of the group.
The other members of the commission are Sahil (Delhi), Smitha AS (Kerala), Bharti Bhaghel (UP), Khushboo Pawar (Gujarat) and Sweta Dubey (Bengal). There were eight candidates in fray. Jharkhand's Rajiv Ranjan, who polled the lowest with nine votes out of 39, was the one to miss out.
Sift Triumphs in Olympics Trials
Asian Games gold medallist Sift Kaur Samra emerged victorious in the first women's 50m rifle 3 positions Olympics selection trials, while Niraj Kumar overcame tough rivals in the men's section.
Sift, the world record holder in the event, was up against the in-form Ashi Choksey, the qualification topper by a distance. By the end, Sift had shot a 466.3 and was a healthy 3.7 points above Ashi's tally of 462.6.
Niraj turned the tables on some of the favourites en route the win with a final score of 462.2. Paris quota holder and qualification topper Swapnil Kusale (460.9) was second, while Aishwary Tomar (450.5) was third.
India's Largest Climate Clock Unveiled at CSIR HQ for Earth Day Celebration
In celebration of Earth Day, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) unveiled India's largest Climate Clock at its headquarters in New Delhi. This initiative underscores CSIR's commitment to raising awareness about climate change and its adverse impacts.
CSIR was founded in 1942 by the Government of India with the primary goal of fostering scientific research and industrial development within the nation.
Operating as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and Technology, CSIR comprises 38 national laboratories, 39 outreach centers, 3 Innovation Complexes, and 5 units dispersed across India.
India and Japan Discuss Developments in Areas of Disarmament, Non-proliferation
Top officials of India and Japan exchanged views on developments in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation relating to nuclear, chemical and biological domains.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the 10th Round of India-Japan Consultations on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Export Control was held in Tokyo.
The two sides exchanged views on developments in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation relating to nuclear, chemical and biological domains, outer space security, non-proliferation issues, conventional weapons and export control.
The Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, while the Japanese delegation was led by Katsuro Kitagawa, Director General for Disarmament, Non-proliferation and Science Department.
Mission ISHAN, India's Push for 'One Nation, One Airspace', Will Benefit Airlines & Passengers Alike
India has initiated the process of consolidating its four airspace regions into a single entity spanning the entire nation, in order to refine and strengthen air traffic management (ATM).
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has called for expressions of interest to prepare a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative, centered in Nagpur.
This consolidation is expected to streamline operations, enhance capacity, and alleviate congestion, benefiting both airlines and passengers.
Currently this airspace is controlled through four flight information regions (FIRs) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, and a sub-flight information region at Guwahati.
Defence Secretary-led Indian Delegation to Attend SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Kazakhstan (26)
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane led the Indian delegation to Kazakhstan for the annual meeting of the defence ministers of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation during which the regional security issues within the SCO was reviewed. Aramane led the delegation to Astana from April 25-26.
The meeting reviewed the regional security issues, including the defence cooperation initiatives, within the SCO.
The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.
In July 2023, Iran became the new permanent member of the SCO at an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping.
Every year, World Malaria Day is observed on April 25.
Since 2001, African Governments have been celebrating Africa Malaria Day. In 2008, Africa Malara Day was changed to World Malaria Day at the 60th session of the World Health Assembly sponsored by World Health Organisation. They decided that the world needs to be more aware and cautious about the preventive measures against Malaria and mosquito bites. Hence, the day came to be celebrated every year.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2024 is 'Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world'.
National DNA Day
The Human Genome Research Institute established National DNA Day to commemorate the discovery and research on DNA and the subsequent scientific advancements that have led to progress. The day is celebrated annually on April 25.
The history of National DNA Day dates back to 2003, when the Human Genome Project (HGP) was declared complete. The project, which was an international scientific collaboration, had the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA and identifying all of the genes in the human genome.
IIT Kanpur Introduces eMasters Degree in Sustainable Construction Practices and Project Management
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) introduced a new online postgraduate degree programme 'Sustainable Construction Practices and Project Management'. Interested candidates who are seeking to make a career in the construction industry as project managers, construction managers, and sustainability consultants can apply at the official website.
Candidates can complete the programme in one to three years duration. Additionally, students do not require a GATE score.
Candidates should have completed their four-year bachelor's degree in civil, structural, construction, and allied engineering and architecture disciplines with at least 55 per cent marks with 2 years of work experience (an applicant need not be currently employed to be eligible).
BHU Approves 14 New Scholarships and a Gold Medal
Banaras Hindu University's (BHU) academic council approved the proposal for 14 new merit-cum-means scholarships and one gold medal. The council was chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain, along with other members who discussed various issues of academic and research activities in the university and steps to further improve the overall performance and productivity. BHU's council also set up a project monitoring unit to improve the academic and research ecosystem further.
The University received many donations to start scholarships under the Pratidana initiative. The council also approved the Akshaibar and Jogeshwari Giri Gold Medals to be presented to a second-year MBA student securing the highest CGPA.
Goa Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai Releases Book Titled 'Heavenly Islands of Goa'
In a remarkable literary odyssey, P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, the Governor of Goa, embarked on a mission to unveil the state's rich natural heritage through a series of captivating books. His latest offering, "Heavenly Islands of Goa," is a testament to his dedication to preserving and promoting the state's lesser-known facets.
Pillai's book 'Heavenly Islands of Goa' delves into the fascinating world of Goa's avian diversity. Did you know that Goa hosts an astonishing 482 out of the total 1,360 endemic and migratory bird species found in India? This remarkable fact is attributed to the colony of mangroves that has created an ideal and isolated habitat for birds, making Goa their home.
'Heavenly Islands of Goa' is the third book in Pillai's trilogy on Goa's natural heritage, following "Heritage Trees of Goa" and "Discovery of Vaman Vriksha Kala." This trilogy marks a significant milestone in showcasing the state's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Collegium Recommends 1 Additional Judge of Chhattisgarh High Court to be Made Permanent
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended that Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey, currently an additional judge of Chhattisgarh High Court, be made permanent judge of that Court.
The Collegium also recommended that two other additional judges of the same High Court, Justice Sachin Singh Rajput and Justice Radhakishan Agrawal, be given a fresh term of one year as additional judges with effect from May 16 and May 24, respectively.
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