NATIONAL:
1. State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22
Why in news - The Ministry of Power has released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22.
Key Points –
• Index developed by - Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE).
• It assesses the energy efficiency (EE) progress of the 36 states and UTs for FY 2020-21 and 2021-22 using 50 indicators across 7 sectors.
• There are four categories in the index i.e., Front Runner, Achiever, Contender and Aspirant.
• Front Runner category (>60 points) - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana.
• Achiever category (50-60 points) - Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab.
About BEE –
• Set up on March 1, 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• Statutory body under the Ministry of Power.
• BEE star labels are found on ceiling fan, Frost Free (No-Frost) Refrigerator, Tubular Fluorescent Lamps, Room Air Conditioners (Cassette, Floor Standing Tower, Ceiling, Corner AC), Distribution Transformer, Color TV, CST AC, Direct Cool Refrigerator and Electric Geyser.
2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Why in news – April 13, 2023, marked the 104th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Key Points –
• A memorial has been set up by the government in 1951 at Jallianwala Bagh.
About the Massacre –
• The Rowlatt Act (Black Act) was passed on March 10, 1919.
• On April 7, 1919, Gandhi published an article called Satyagrahi, describing ways to oppose the Rowlatt Act.
• On April 10, 1919, Miss Sherwood, Superintendent of the Mission School in Amritsar was beaten by a mob which screamed “Kill her, she is English”.
• Despite General Dyer’s orders that prohibited unlawful assembly, people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh.
• Two resolutions were to be discussed, one condemning the firing on April 10 and the other requesting the authorities to release their leaders (Dr Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr Satyapal).
• Brigadier-General Dyer ordered troops to open fire without giving any warning.
• Madan Mohan Malviya committee - It put the figure of dead at over 500.
• Disorders Inquiry Committee (Hunter Commission, October 14, 1919) – It was formed to inquire about the massacre.
• On March 13 1940, Udham Singh killed Michael O'Dwyer who had approved Dyer's action and was believed to have been the main planner.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. H3N8 Bird Flu
Why in news - A Chinese woman has become the first person to die from a type of bird flu H3N8.
Key Points –
• The strain does not appear to spread between people (rare in humans).
• Avian flu viruses constantly circulate in huge poultry and wild bird populations.
• H3N8 is a subtype of avian influenza.
2. Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project
Why in news - EAM S Jaishankar launched the project of Varanasi during his visit to Uganda’s Kampala.
Key Points-
• Uganda has been selected to chair the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for the period of 2022 to 2025 on behalf of Africa.
ECONOMY:
1. Cross-Border Digital Payments
Why in news - Nepal and India are set to sign an agreement for cross-border digital payments using e-wallet.
Key Points –
• The National Payment Corporation of India and its international arm International Payments had joined hands with Gateway Payment Service and Manam Infotech to deploy a unified payment interface in Nepal.
• It would allow Indian tourists in Nepal to make digital payments using Indian e-wallets like BharatPe, PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS)
Why in news - Suhelwa WLS is a new area where photographic evidence of tigers has been recorded for the first time.
Key Points –
About Suhelwa WLS –
• Location - Shravasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts (Indo-Nepal border) of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is located in Bhabar-Tarai Eco-System area which is rich in biodiversity.
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1988.
SECURITY:
1. Operation Cookie Monster
Why in news - International law enforcement agencies have seized a sprawling dark web marketplace popular with cybercriminals.
Key Points –
• 17 countries were involved in the operation led by the FBI and Dutch National Police.
• Genesis Market – It is one of the world's biggest criminal marketplaces used by online fraudsters to buy passwords.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Swatantrya Veer Gaurav Din
Why in news - Maharashtra would celebrate V D Savarkar’s birthday, May 28, as ‘Swatantrya Veer Gaurav Din’.
Key Points –
About V D Savarkar –
• Born – May 28, 1883 in Bhagur, a village near Nashik in Maharashtra.
• Studied in Fergusson College, Pune.
• Arrested in 1909 on charges of plotting an armed revolt against the Morley-Minto reform (Indian Councils Act 1909).
• Arrested in 1910 for his connections with the revolutionary group India House
• Following the two trials, Savarkar was sentenced to 50-years transported in 1911 to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Founded a secret society called Abhinav Bharat Society in 1904 (earlier name - ‘Mitra Mela’ in 1899).
• Founded the Free India Society based on the thoughts of the Italian nationalist Giuseppe Mazzini.
• He also wrote the book ‘Hindutva: who is hindu?’
• He popularized the term ‘Hindutva’ (previously coined by Chandranath Basu).
• Savarkar composed the epic poem “Kamala” and “Jayostute” (Victory to you!) when he was imprisoned in the Cellular jail in the Andamans.
APPS & PORTALS:
1. Bhoroxa Mobile App
Why in news - President Droupadi Murmu launched the 'Bhoroxa' mobile app for women safety at the Gauhati High Court.
Key Points –
• It would help women in distress seek immediate help.
• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma released the Assamese version of the book "Gauhati High Court: History and Heritage."
POINTERS:
• Which state government has decided to recruit teachers in government schools through the commission – Bihar.
• Who has been appointed as Warrant Officer of UK Royal Air Force - Subby Subramaniam.
• RBI has imposed a penalty of how many lakh rupees on Indian Bank for non-compliance of Know Your Customer (KYC) directions – Rs 55 lakh.
• Which day is observed all over the world on 12th April 2023 - International Day of Human Space Flight.
• Which drone startup has become the first company to receive agricultural drone support for its agricultural drones - Garuda Aerospace.
• What is the name of India's first semi high-speed regional rapid transit system (RRTS), which will connect Delhi with NCR, including Meerut, Alwar and Panipat – RAPIDX.
• Which bank launched its Coffee Table Book “The Banker to Every Indian” – SBI.
• Who has been conferred with “Maratha Udyog Ratna 2023” by Maharashtra State - Nilesh Sambre.
• What is the name of Hellenic (Greek) Air Force Military Exercise in which IAF will participate for the first time - INIOCHOS.
• What is name of China’s 3-days of military drills around Taiwan with air and sea blockade training involving an aircraft carrier and simulated strikes by warplanes carrying live ammunition under “actual combat conditions.” - Exercise Joint Sword.