NATIONAL NEWS

APEDA Signs MoU with NRDC

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).

• The MoU has been signed for the implementation of the Agri Export Policy and to strengthen the export value chain.

• Both the organizations will cooperate in collaborative projects for the commercialization of innovative technology related to Agri and food processing at various levels of the value chain for boosting the export of Agri products.
• NRDC is an enterprise of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research which was established in 1953.

DefConnect 2.0 Organised by iDEX-DIO

• On 22 April 2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated DefConnect 2.0 organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence, Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) in New Delhi.

• The event will attract a large number of innovators and investors from country’s leading industries in the defence sector.

• The DefConnect will provide a unique opportunity for innovators associated with iDEX-DIO to showcase their capabilities, products and state-of-the-art technologies to the industry leaders.
• It will be organized under the aegis of Department of Defence Production (DDP).
• The iDEX was launched in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to provide a unified platform for various stakeholders in the defence and aerospace sectors.

NTPC Collaborates with Delhi Jal Board

• National Thermal Power Corporation signed an agreement with Delhi Jal Board to utilize the sludge produced in the sewage treatment plants of DJB to convert it into green energy.

• The use green technological solution is an innovative way to convert STP sludge into energy through environment-friendly way to reduce CO2 emissions.

• NTPC is taking various steps to make its energy portfolio greener and plans to have 60-GigaWatt capacity through Renewable Energy sources by 2032.

NITI Aayog Signs an Agreement with UNICEF

• NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a focus on children.

• Child-focused initiative builds on government's effort of monitoring progress through the SDG India Index and Dashboard, which continues to be a unique data-driven initiative for triggering policy action.
• It also seeks to formalize a framework of cooperation to launch the first report on the State of India’s Children - Status and Trends in Multidimensional Child Development.

All India Police Science Congress in Bhopal

• On 22 April 2022, Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated All India Police Science Congress in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

• The 48th All India Police Science Congress meeting was organized at Central Police Training Academy (CPTA), Bhopal.
• Various programs like Police Technology Mission, Forensic Science University, and Finger Print Based NAFEES system was launched during the congress for modernization of police.
• Amit Shah also participated in several programs during his day-long visit to Bhopal and addressed the 'Conference of Forest Committees'.

BANKING

NEOPAY in UAE

• NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payment Corporation of India announced that BHIM UPI is being operated at NEOPAY terminals across the United Arab Emirates.
• This initiative will empower millions of Indians who travel to the UAE, to safely and conveniently make payments using BHIM UPI.
• NIPL and NEOPAY, the payment subsidiary of Mashreq Bank partnered to create the acceptance infrastructure in the UAE.
• Indian tourists can now make seamless payments through BHIM UPI across NEOPAY enabled shops and merchant stores.
• This partnership will play a key role in transforming the P2M (person- to- merchant) payment experience for Indian travelers in the UAE.

SPORTS

Mathias Boe as Badminton Doubles Coach

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approved to re-hire Mathias Boe as the badminton doubles coach of India with financial assistance of seven lakh rupees per month.

• The appointment is to strengthen Asian Games and Commonwealth Games preparations.

• The assistance has been approved under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
• He will specifically train the men's doubles pair of Satwik and Chirag Shetty and also other members of the doubles team.
• Boe was appointed until Asian Games 2022.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Earth Lifetime Achievement Award 2021

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced David Attenborough as the recipient of Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award.

• He has been dedicated his life from a broadcaster to natural historian and author to environmental advocate for more than seven decades.
• In addition, his advocacy to preserve and restore biodiversity, transition to renewable energy, mitigate climate change and promote plant-rich diets, contribute to the realization of many of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• His work with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, includes documentaries such as Life on Earth, the Living Planet, Our Planet and Our Blue Planet.

Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration

• The Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration were instituted by the Government of India.
• It is to acknowledge, recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts as well as organisations of the Central and State Governments.
• In the category of “Promoting excellence in sports and wellness through Khelo India Scheme”: Churu, Rajasthan has emerged as the best performing district and Bishnupur, Manipur secured the second spot.
• The Awards were given to recognize the achievements of the districts towards promoting citizens’ well-being, nurturing the culture of sports and physical fitness, which leads in improving the entire sports eco-system.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award 2022

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is among five people emerged as recipients of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for acting to protect democracy.

• It was organized by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

• He was selected for the spirit, patriotism and untiring sacrifice of the Ukrainian people in a life-or-death fight for their country.
• The other four people namely Liz Cheney of Wyoming, Jocelyn Benson, Rusty Bowers and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss Wandrea “Shaye” Moss are four U.S. officials were chosen for standing up for free and fair elections.
• The awards will be presented on May 22 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, USA and will be presented by Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

C Muhammed Faizi as Member of Haj Committee of India

• The Central government has appointed C Muhammed Faizi as a member of the Haj Committee of India for a period of three years with effect from 21 April 2022.

• The move was taken by exercising the power of the Haj Committee Act, 2002.

• Ministry of Minority Affairs announced the appointment of Faizi as a member of the Haj Committee of India "under sub-section (11), of Section 4 of Haj Committee Act, 2002".
• Ministry of Minority Affairs is the nodal ministry to conduct the Haj pilgrimage in India.
• Haj pilgrimage for the Indian pilgrims is conducted either through the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), which is a statutory organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs or through the Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) approved by Ministry.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mother Earth Day

• Earth day also known as International Mother Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22.

• The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the growing concerns of overpopulation, loss of biodiversity and depleting quality of the environment.

• The theme for the year 2022 is ‘Invest in our planet’.
• Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 when Senator Gaylord Nelson raised concerns regarding the degrading environmental conditions.
• World Earth Day 2022 will be the celebration of 52nd anniversary.