NATIONAL NEWS

Semicon India Conference-2022

• The three-day Semicon India conference-2022 inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• According to a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), it is organised to take forward the vision of Prime Minister to make India a leader in the electronics manufacturing, semiconductor design, manufacturing and innovation.
• The conference is envisioned to make India, the global semiconductor hub and nurture the chip design and manufacturing ecosystem.

PM SVANidhi Till December 2024

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the continuation of lending under the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) from March 2022 to December 2024.

• Through the Scheme, affordable collateral-free loans are being facilitated to the Street Vendors.

• The approval has increased the loan amount to Rs. 8,100 crore, thereby providing the Street vendors working capital to further expand their business and making them AtmaNirbhar.
• The extension of lending till December 2024, will reduce the impact of potential NPAs on the Lending Institutions and providing holistic socio-economic upliftment for the Street Vendors and their families.

Telecommunication in Indian Railways

• On 28 April 2022, Ministry of Railways signed a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).

• It is to establish a strong collaborative working partnership for coordination and resource sharing with respect to provision of Telecommunication facilities in the delivery and implementation of C-DOT’s Telecom Solutions and services in Railways.

• CDoT and Ministry of Railways will work together for modernization of Telecommunication in Indian Railways for Public Safety and Security Services using LTE-R.
• To boost make in India initiative of Government of India, it will help in providing indigenous affordable telecom equipment and services for train operation, public safety and security applications by lowering the total cost of ownership.

LOGISEM VAYU-2022

• Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Chaudhari inaugurated the logistics seminar LOGISEM VAYU-2022 in New Delhi.

• It is to enhance logistics capabilities and develop a focused approach towards indigenisation of critical components to achieve self-reliance in Defence.

• A document on logistics philosophy of IAF titled 'Tenets of Logistics' and a book on history of Logistics in IAF titled 'Footprints in Sands of Time' were released during the seminar.

HAL and BEL

• The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a contract in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

• The main objective is for the co-development and co-production of the Long-Range Dual Band Infra-Red Search and Track System (IRST) for the Su-30 MKI under the MAKE-II procedure of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 as a part of the Make in India initiative.

• The proposed IRST system will be a high-end strategic technology product in the field of defence equipment and technically competitive to existing IRST system.
• Television Day Camera, Infrared and LASER sensors in single window for air to air and air to ground target tracking and localization.
• The system will enhance the Indian Air Force’s air superiority.

NTPC with Energy Vault

• NTPC Ltd., India's largest power utility signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Energy Vault Holdings a leader in sustainabl and grid-scale energy storage solutions.

• The objective of the MOU is to collaborate and formalise a long-term strategic partnership for deployment of Energy Vault’s EVx™, a gravity-based energy storage technology and software solutions based on the outcome of a joint feasibility study.

• The technology also offers beneficial utilisation of coal ash for manufacturing of composite blocks.

Google Joins Hands with Telangana

• Google signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangan.

• It is to support and accelerate its vision of leveraging technology for sustainable economic development and inclusive social development.

• Under this new initiative, Google will collaborate with the Government through its various arms to extend scholarships for Google Career Certificates to Telangana’s youth, support women entrepreneurs through digitalplatform.
•  As part of the joint effort, Google will also support the Telangana government’s efforts to improve public transportation and use of digital technologies in agriculture.
• Provide Google Career Certificate Scholarships to underserved youth in order for youth to become job-ready for the demand for digital talent.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

MoU Between India and Chile

• The Union Cabinet of India approved the signing of the MoU between India and Chile for cooperation in Disability Sector.

• Chile was the first country in South America to sign a trade agreement with India, in 1956.

• The bilateral Memorandum of Understanding will encourage cooperation between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India and Government of Chile through joint initiatives in the disabilities sector.
• The year 2019-20 marked 70th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

BANKING

Contactless Rupay Card by Pencilton

• Pencilton, a teen-focused fintech startup has launched PencilKey which is a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) in accordance with RuPay contactless keychain.

• Pencilton in partnership with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Transcorp launched the card.

• Users can activate and manage their PencilKey through the Pencilton app which is also used to load money, check spends, block or unblock the account, set limits, etc.,
• PencilKey is linked to the PencilCard which is an all-in-one prepaid card, metro card, and bus card.
• Users can purchase the PencilKey for Rs. 150 and the PencilCard for Rs. 100.
• PencilKey is equipped with the benefits of NCMC which works at the Delhi Airport Metro line and Goa’s buses currently.

BOB Launches bob World Gold

• Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks launched the bob World Gold – a new feature of mobile banking platform designed especially for seniors and the elderly.

• bob World Gold is a unique digital banking platform that has been designed especially for this demographic and provides its senior customers with a simple, smooth and secure mobile banking experience.

• Features of bob World Gold include Simple and Easy User Interface, Customisation and Preferential research-based service.
• bob World Gold has easy navigation, large fonts, sufficient spacing and clear menus with added features like ready-to-assist voice-based search service.
• These include services such as deposit renewal, comparison of savings accounts, retirement & succession planning services, health services/ pharmacy search etc.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Highest Diplomatic Award by The Government of Peru

• The former Honorary Consul of Peru in Mumbai, Ardeshir B.K. Dubash, received the Order of “Merit in the Diplomatic Service of Peru Jose Gregorio Paz Soldan”, highest diplomatic award by the Government of Peru.

• The award was conferred by the Ambassador of Peru in India, H.E. Carlos R. Polo.

• Dubash was designated as Honorary Consul of Peru on 13 August 1973. His career as Honorary Consul, has seen 14 Presidents of Peru and 15 Ambassadors of Peru to India.
• He played an important role in strengthening the image of Peru in India and fostering consular, commercial and cultural ties between both countries.
• The Order of Merit, which was instituted in 2004, takes its name from Jose Gregorio Paz Soldan.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

• World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated every year on 28 April.
• It is to create the awareness and promotion of ways that help prevent occupational diseases and accidents worldwide.
• It represents the development and maintenance of a robust Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management system.
• The Annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work was first observed in 2003 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
• The theme for this year 2022 is 'Act together to build a positive safety and health culture'.
• The theme plays an important role in encouraging the workplace for strong work health with a safe and healthy work environment.

International Girls in ICT Day

• International Girls in ICT Day is observed every year on the fourth Thursday in April. 28 April 2022, is celebrated as the International Girls in ICT Day in 2022.
• It is celebrated every year, to encourage equal participation in ICT technologies.
• The theme for this year 2022 is ‘Access and Safety’.
• The day promotes the initial step for girls to be able to access the digital environment in a safe way.

OBITUTARY

Former India Women’s Hockey Captain Elvera Britto

• Former India women’s hockey captain, Elvera Britto passed away. She was at the age of 81.

• Elvera played for Karnataka State between 1960 to 1967 during which she won seven National titles.

• Elvera was conferred with the Arjuna award in 1965 and played for India against Australia, Sri Lanka, and Japan.