NATIONAL NEWS

MG Motor India with BPCL

• MG Motor India has partnered with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to bolster the EV charging infrastructure across the country.

• With this agreement, MG Motor India becomes the first passenger car company to tie up with BPCL to rapidly enhance the adoption of ‘green mobility’.

• This collaboration aims to provide innovative EV charging solutions for customer convenience in India within the next 4 to 5 years.
• In line with its vision to “ChangeWhatYouCan” MG Motor India is taking next step toward strengthening electric vehicle adoption in India.
• The two entities can combine to strategically identify charging sites, garner consumer insights, devise loyalty programs and create technology to manage charging systems.

Retirement Age Increased for IIM Directors

• The Centre has revised the retirement age for the directors of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) by five years to 70 years.

• Earlier, the retirement age for IIM directors was 65 years.

• According to an official notification released by the Education Ministry, also informed that the minimum age limit to apply for the post has also been dropped by the authority.
• The notification further added that IIM directors normally appointed for five years will hold office through their tenure or until they attain the age of 70.

AAHAR 2022

• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in association with the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) organized Asia’s biggest international food and hospitality fair AAHAR-2022 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

• Commerce and Industry Ministry announced, more than 80 exporters from different segments of agricultural products which include geographical indication products, processed food, organic, and frozen food products will participate in the fair.

• APEDA has created dedicated stalls for exporters from North East Region and Himalayan states like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, women entrepreneurs, Farmer Producers Organizations, Start-Ups, and exporters of millets.

India’s 1st Bus Service with ‘Tap In, Tap Out’ Facility

• Tourism Minister of Maharashtra Aditya Thackeray inaugurated India’s first bus service with ‘Tap In, Tap Out’ or the fully digital ticketing facility.

• Under the ‘Tap In, Tap Out’ service, a passenger will have to 'Tap In' his Chalo smartcard or the Chalo mobile app in front of the machine installed at the entrance.
• A green tick will allow the passenger to board the bus while the fare will be deducted when the passenger deboards the bus after 'Tapping Out' the smart card or mobile app.
• It also aims to go completely green by 2027.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India with EU

• On 25 April 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi.

• The bilateral talks are to launch the EU-India Trade and Technology Council to strengthen the strategic partnership.
• The two leaders also reviewed progress in the vibrant India-EU Strategic Partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas of trade, climate, digital technology & people-to-people ties.

Paris Book Festival 2022

• India was designated as the Guest of Honour Country at the Paris Book Festival 2022 that was held from 21st to 24th April, 2022.
• This Festival reflects the extraordinary diversity of French publishing, the formidable creativity of authors.
• This festival comprises various enlightening sessions like book readings, interviews, literary and gastronomic walks, musical readings, and more such interesting sessions.
• India’s participation was announced under the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi – President Emmanuel Macron Joint Statement released in 2018 during the French President’s visit to New Delhi.
• At the festival, the India Pavilion which was designed by National Institute of Design (NID) included more than 15 digital and physical exhibitions displaying over 400 books published in various Indian languages representing the works of 65 Indian publishers.
• France is the guest country for the 30th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) to be held in May 2022.

BANKING

SIDBI signs MoU with WBSIDCL

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the leading financial institution for MSME sector has entered into an MoU with West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (WBSIDCL).

• The objective of the MoU is to develop the eco-system for micro and small enterprises in the state.

• This MoU would be beneficial to the MSMEs in the state of West Bengal, in terms of acceleration in setting up their units and getting institutional support in a faster way.
• It is also to enhance cooperation between the state government and SIDBI to further accelerate the development of MSMEs in West Bengal in a structured and planned manner and facilitate the entrepreneurs with handholding support and financial assistance.

SPORTS

Khelo India University Games - Weightlifting

• Weightlifter Govind Sunil Mahajan won gold and Uday Anil Mahajan won silver medal in Khelo India University Games.
• They represented Kaviyatri Bahinabai Chaudhuri North Maharashtra and it topped the medal table.
• Komal Kohar who represented Maharshi Dayanand University won gold in the women’s weightlifting 45kg class.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Award by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce

• Dr Bina Modi was emerged as the 'Woman Transforming India' Award at Indo-American Chamber of Commerce 6th Entrepreneur & Leadership Awards 2022.
• She was the Chairperson of Modi Enterprise.
• The Award was presented by the Honourable Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri JyotiradityaScindia.
• She has also founded and built several successful brands including Bina Fashions, Ego Chain of Specialty Restaurants, along with luxury and lifestyle businesses.
• Founded by Rai Bahadur Gujarmal Modi in 1930's, Modi Enterprises is multi-billion-dollar global enterprise.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Head of MDAC Constituted by SEBI

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has restructured its advisory committee on market data that recommends policy measures pertaining to areas like securities market data access and privacy.
• The panel will be chaired by S Sahoo, Professor at National Law University, Delhi and former chairperson, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). The restructured committee will now have 21 members.
• The 20-member committee was earlier headed by Madhabi Puri Buch, ex-whole-time member of SEBI.
• The scope of the work of the committee includes identifying segment-wise data perimeters, data needs and gaps, recommending data privacy and data access regulations applicable to market data.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

• International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is celebrated every year on 24 April.
• The aim of this day is to acknowledge the use of multilateral decision-making and diplomacy in achieving peaceful resolutions to conflicts among nations.
• The day was first observed on 24 April 2019.

World Malaria Day

• World Malaria Day is observed every year on 25 April.

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared World Malaria Day in 2007 as part of its initiative to raise awareness regarding the disease.

• The theme for the year 2022 is ‘Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.
• The 60th session of the World Health Assembly converted Africa Malaria Day to World Malaria Day.

International Delegate’s Day

• International Delegate’s Day is celebrated every year on 25 April.
• It was officially established by UN General Assembly in 2019 and the first celebration took place in 2020.
• It is celebrated to create awareness about the role of representatives and delegates of the Member States to the UN.
• It is also the anniversary of the opening day of the UN Conference of International Organization, commonly known as the San Francisco Conference.

OBITUTARY

World's oldest Person Japan's Kane Tanaka

• A Japanese woman Kane Tanaka certified the world's oldest person has died at the age of 119 years.

• Kane Tanaka, was born on 2nd January 1903.

• Tanaka ran various businesses including a noodle shop and a rice cake store.
• The Guinness World Records recognised her as the oldest person alive in 2019.
• Japan has the world's most elderly population, according to World Bank data.