NATIONAL NEWS

Central Bureau of Narcotics Launches Unified Portal

• The Central Bureau of Narcotics launched the Unified Portal and the portal was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Revenue Secretary.

• The portal has been launched towards strengthening the vision of Digital India during the period of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.

• This portal is a one-stop solution for licensing and ExIM authorizations issued by the Bureau.

• The portal is designed to create efficiency, transparency and accountability among the users of the department to promote the growth of drugs and pharma sector, boost economy for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’, and meet the needs of pharma and chemical industries.

• The launch of the Unified Portal will ease the process of doing business with NDPS and Controlled Substances in the country with transparency and better compliance.

Food Conclave-2023 in Hyderabad

• The two-day 'Food Conclave-2023' will be organized on 28 April and 29 April in Hyderabad, Telangana.

• The objective of the Food Conclave is to identify the main challenges and opportunities for the development of the Indian agri-food sector in the current decade.

• The event will consist of five thematic tracks covering various aspects of the agri-food sector.

• The main focus areas will be agriculture (green), edible oils (yellow), dairy (white), meat and poultry (pink) and aquaculture (blue).
• The Government of Telangana is collaborating with several organizations to organize this session.

‘CM di Yogshala’ Programme in Punjab

• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Mr Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Mr Bhagwant Mann jointly launched the ‘CM di Yogshala’ programme.
• It is to create a mass movement to carve out a healthy and prosperous Punjab
• The initiative was initially launched for 4 cities of punjab: Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Phagwara
• Under this initiative, people will be able to avail free yoga classes in these 4 cities.
• A ‘CM di yogshala’ portal was also launched on the occasion.
• The formation of these Yogshalas will be under a pilot project.
• Trained Yoga instructors will impart free Yoga training to people in open parks and other public places.

Apple BKC to be the First Apple Store in India

• Apple has officially announced its first-ever flagship retail store in Mumbai called ‘Apple BKC’.
• An official teaser has also surfaced on the Apple India Store website.
• Apple has revealed the banner of its first retail store in India at Jio World Drive Mall, Mumbai, marking the opening of Apple BKC.
• The store is inspired by the ‘Kaali Peeli’ taxis art popular in Mumbai.
• The tech giant plans to open the gates of the store later this month.
• Apple is expected to open its second store in India in New Delhi at a later date.
• DescriptionApple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California.
• Timothy Donald Cook is an American business executive who has been the chief executive officer of Apple Inc. since 2011.

BANKING

2nd Most Popular Mode to Repay Digital Loans

• The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the second most preferred method of repaying digital loans, coming at 27%, only after e-NACH or electronic National Automated Clearing House which was the preferred route for 36% of the borrowers.

• As per, the Financial Mood of the Millennials Report by financial services platform CASHe for FY23, 84% customers prefer taking a credit line over personal loans (14%) and BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later 2%).

• Satchetised loans of less than ₹10,000 are preferred by 49% of millennials, the data showed adding that there is significant credit demand from bureau-based prime (44%) and near-prime (38%) millennials.

RBI Excludes Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC from Second Schedule

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that the “Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC” (ADCB) has been excluded from the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934.

• The Second Schedule to the Act lists the banks that are eligible to operate in India and outlines their respective regulatory requirements.

• ADCB is a leading banking institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• However, as of recent times, the bank has been undergoing some significant changes that will affect its operations in India.

• On February 2023, the RBI issued a notification announcing the cessation of ADCB as a banking company under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The ADCB would no longer be able to carry on banking business in India.
• Now the ADCB will no longer be listed in the Second Schedule, and therefore, will not be able to operate in India as a banking company.

SPORTS

World Chess Armageddon Asia and Oceania Event

• Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh emerged winner of the World Chess Armageddon Asia and Oceania tournament after defeating former World Rapid Champion Nodirbek Abdusatarov of Uzbekistan in the final.

• The Armageddon game is a variant of blitz chess, used to determine a winner after a series of drawn games.

• A drawn game in Armageddon is counted as a win for Black.

• Both Gukesh and Abdusatrov have qualified for the Grand Finale of Armageddon, which is scheduled for September.

Street Child Cricket World Cup in September

• The city of Chennai has always welcomed the sport of cricket with open arms, and has played the perfect host to several national and international tournaments.

• Come September, Chennai will witness another cricket tournament, but one with a difference – the Street Child Cricket World Cup 2023.

• Organised by Street Child United in partnership with Shree Dayaa Foundation, the tournament will take place at Amir Mahal, the official residence of the Nawab of Arcot from September 20 to 30.

• This is the second edition of the Street Child Cricket World Cup.

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22

• Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy R. K. Singh released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22 report.

• The SEEI was released during the RPM (Review, Planning and Monitoring) meeting of states and state utility companies in New Delhi.

• Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana are among the top ranked states in the State Energy Efficiency Index-SEEI.

• Four states Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab are in the achiever category with scores between 50 and 60.

• Besides, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Chandigarh are the top performing states in their respective state groups.
• The index is designed to help monitor progress toward state goals for energy savings and emissions reductions.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Maratha Udyog Ratna 2023

• Nilesh Bhagwan Sambre, founder of Jijau Educational and Social Foundation, was recently awarded the ‘Maratha Udyog Ratna’ at the ‘Maratha Entrepreneurs Conference 2023’.

• It was organised by the "Maratha Entrepreneurs Development and Guidance Institute Maharashtra State".

• The award was given to Nilesh Sambre for his impressive achievements in the industry sector and his tireless work in remote areas like Palghar.

• Nilesh Bhagwan Sambre is also known as Appa.
• Jijau Educational and Social Organization is a non-profit organisation that focuses on the upliftment of underprivileged communities in 5 districts of India: Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Indian Navy Conducts Offshore Security Exercise ‘Prashthan’

• Indian Navy conducted the offshore biannual security exercise ‘Prashthan’ in the offshore development area (ODA) off Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The current exercise was conducted on the Greatdrill Chaaya platform about 30 nm South West of Mumbai harbour.

• It is to validate measures and procedures to address contingencies that may occur in oil production platforms.

• The exercise is held every six months under the aegis of the Indian Navy and involves the participation of all stakeholders in the maritime domain.

• This exercise is an important element of ensuring offshore security and aims to integrate the efforts of all maritime stakeholders involved in offshore defence.

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Safe Motherhood Day

• National Safe Motherhood Day is observed every year on 11 April.

• Its main objective is to raise awareness about maternal health, the need for proper medical care during pregnancy and postpartum.

• This initiative was started by the Government of India to reduce the number of maternal and neonatal deaths.

• The day serves as a reminder for both government and society to prioritise the health and safety of mothers and their newborns.

• The primary objective of WRAI was to create awareness about healthy health care practices as well as the availability and accessibility of health care initiatives for women during pregnancy.