NATIONAL:
1. Yoga Mahotsav
Why in news – Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the International Yoga Mahotsav at Dibrugarh, Assam on April 10,2023.
Key Points –
• It marked the upcoming International Day of Yoga 2023 which is just 75 days away.
• An MoU was signed between the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and Dibrugarh University to develop an ecosystem of Yoga practitioners.
• International Day of Yoga is observed on June 21.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI)
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi addressed the 5th ICDRI 2023.
Key Points –
• Theme - Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure.
Infrastructure for Resilient Island State (IRIS):
• Part of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• Focus – Capacity building in small island developing states (SIDS).
• SIDS – A distinct group of 38 UN Member States and 20 Non-UN Members/Associate Members of United Nations regional commissions.
• Barbados Programme of Action (1994) - To assist the SIDS in their sustainable development efforts.
• SIDS’ vulnerabilities were highlighted in “The Future We Want”, adopted at UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 summit) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012.
Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF):
• CDRI Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
• Launched at - COP27 Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in 2022.
• Established with the support of UNDP and UNDRR.
• Managed by - United Nation Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (UN MPTFO), New York.
• Aim - to support global action on disaster resilience of infrastructure systems.
• One of the first initiatives to be supported by IRAF is the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS).
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre (JCBC)
Why in news - World's first Asian King Vulture Conservation and Breeding Center to be inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh.
Key Points –
• Location - Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh (spread - 1.5 hectares).
• The use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine in India has led to a population decline in recent years.
About Asian King Vulture –
• Also known as the Red-headed Vulture, Indian black vulture or Pondicherry vulture.
• IUCN - Critically endangered.
• It is not a migrant bird but a resident species in the Indian subcontinent except Sri Lanka.
SCIENCE – TECHNOLOGY:
1. Tianlong-2 (Sky Dragon-2)
Why in news - Space Pioneer has become the first Chinese private launch firm to achieve orbit with a liquid propellant rocket.
Key Points –
• Space Pioneer full name - Beijing Tianbing Technology Co Ltd.
• Space Pioneer became the first private company to reach orbit with its first launch.
• The rocket used coal-derived kerosene instead of fuel refined from oil.
• The three-stage Tianlong-2 is capable of carrying 2,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO).
SECURITY:
1. Exercise Cope India 2023
Why in news - The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) kicked off the first phase of Exercise Cope India 23 on April 10, 2023.
Key Points –
• Venue - Arjan Singh (Panagarh, WB), Kalaikunda (WB) and Agra (UP).
• Panagarh sector (Eastern Command) -It is home to India’s only mountain strike corps aimed at China.
• The Pacific command of the US military coordinates with India in the Indo-Pacific sector.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. National Safe Motherhood Day 2023
Why in news - It is observed on April 11 to promote healthy pregnancy and motherhood.
Key Points –
• Launched by - White Ribbon Alliance (WRAI).
• Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India – 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20. (National Health Policy 2017 target - to bring the MMR in India below 100/lakh live births by 2020).
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target - to reduce the global MMR to less than 70/lakh live births by 2030.
• 8 states achieved MMR SDG target - Kerala (19), Maharashtra (33), Telangana (43) Andhra Pradesh (45), Tamil Nadu (54), Jharkhand (56), Gujarat (57) and Karnataka (69).
• Institutional deliveries have increased from 79% in 2015-16 to 89% in 2019-20. (Rural - 87% and Urban - 94%).
Government Initiatives –
(a) POSHAN Abhiyaan (Launched from - Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, 8th March 2018)
(b) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) (Cash incentive of Rs 5000 in 3 instalments, 2017).
(c) Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) (12th April 2005)
(d) Surakshit Matritva Anushasan (SUMAN)
(e) Labour Room & Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya)
(f) Anaemia Mukt Bharat Program – To reduce anaemia by 3% points per year in adults, children, and adolescents from 2018 to 2022 through 6X6X6 strategy.
STATES/UTs:
1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Powerloom Electricity Flat Rate Scheme
Why in news – Uttar Pradesh approved the scheme for flat rate for powerloom electricity.
Key Points –
• Budget – Rs 400 crore.
• Implemented from – April 1, 2023.
Benefits –
• 80% subsidy on handloom and 60% on the installation of power-loom.
• Powerloom connection holders with a load of more than 5 kw would be given a subsidy of Rs 700 per horsepower, a maximum of Rs 9100 per month.
Jhalkari Bai Kori Handloom and Powerloom Development Scheme –
• Aim - to link the unemployed with employment opportunities.
• Weavers would be given a grant of Rs 50,000 and Rs 80,000 on two estimated prices of handlooms.
BIHAR:
1. Safe Motherhood
Why in news – It is observed on April 11 to promote healthy pregnancy and motherhood.
• MMR in Bihar – 118 per lakh live births in 2018-20. (165 in 2014-16 and 130 in 2017-19).
• It shows a reduction of nearly 25% in the deaths on an average.
• Bihar’s rank in MMR national index – 15th (as per Sample Registration System 2018-20).
POINTERS:
• In which state 'Food Conclave 2023' will be organized – Telangana.
• Which union minister has launched the 'Vibrant Villages Programme' in Arunachal Pradesh border village Kibithu - Amit Shah.
• Draupadi Murmu has become the President of which order to fly on Sukhoi fighter jet - Third President and second woman President.
• Which city will host the second edition of 'Street Child Cricket World Cup' - Chennai.
• Which state government has formed a panel to frame rules for app-based taxi services – Maharashtra.
• Which country has become India's largest crude oil supplier for the sixth consecutive month – Russia.
• Which state has been awarded as the best performing state for e-procurement in the North Eastern region – Tripura.
• Which Hyderabad-based company is executing the Zoji La tunnel that is likely to be completed by December 2026 - Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL).
• Who will start Guru Kripa Yatra train for Sikh pilgrims, which will take Sikh pilgrims from Amritsar to Patna Sahib via Bidar in Karnataka and Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra – IRCTC.
• Which Indian has won the title of "World Chess Armageddon Asia and Oceania Event" - D Gukesh.
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