NATIONAL:
1. Cumbum Grapes
Why in news – Cumbum grapes from Tamil Nadu received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Key Points –
• Famously known as Cumbum Panneer Thratchai.
• This variety is also known as Muscat Hamburg.
• Cumbum valley (Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats) - "Grapes City of South India" and grows the Panneer Thratchai.
• A French monk brought the Panneer grapes to Tamil Nadu in 1832.
2. National Panchayat Awards Week
Why in news – The Ministry of Panchayati Raj would be celebrating National Panchayat Awards Week during April 17 – 21, 2023.
Key Points –
• It is in the run-up to the National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April, 2023).
• Theme - “Panchayaton ke Sankalpon ki Siddhi ka Utsav”.
• Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) - Creation of self-reliant Panchayats to meet the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was started on March 12, 2021.
• GS NIRNAY app was launched.
GS NIRNAY App:
• By - Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Gram Sabha - National Initiative for Rural India to Navigate, InnovAte and Resolve PanchaYat.
• Purpose - to record and upload Gram Sabha proceedings open for public view.
3. Rural Mental Health Program “NAMAN”
Why in news – NIMHANS and NGO Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT) signed an MoU to test the feasibility of “NAMAN”.
Key Points –
• NAMAN - NIMHANS-AHT Comprehensive Mental-Health Action Program for Rural Communities.
• It would be tested in two taluks before rolling it out across the country.
• Selected Taluks –
(a) Munsiyari (Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand).
(b) Belur (Hassan district of Karnataka).
• NAMAN would be implemented over 3 years in 4 different phases.
• NIMHANS would develop and implement the overall road map of the program.
NIMHANS (Established - 1925):
• Full form - National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
• Location – Bengaluru.
• Apex center for Mental Health and Neuro Science education in the Country.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. IASA Program
Why in news – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) retained the "Category 1" status of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India.
Key Points –
• FAA, under its IASA program, conducted an audit of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India from 25th to 29th October 2021.
• Areas covered - Aircraft operations, airworthiness and personnel licensing.
• IASA - International Aviation Safety Assessment.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in USA.
• Chicago Convention (1944) – It established rules of airspace, aircraft registration and safety, security and sustainability.
ECONOMY:
1. WTO IT Tariffs Dispute
Why in news – WTO panel ruled against India in a dispute with the European Union (EU), Japan and Taiwan over import duties on IT products.
Key Points –
• In 2019, the EU, Japan and Taiwan challenged India’s introduction of import duties of 7.5% to 20% for a wide range of IT products.
• India decided to appeal against the ruling.
• WTO's appellate body - Final authority on such trade disputes.
• Appellate body of the WTO is not functioning because USA has been blocking the appointment of the members.
2. “Amrit Kalash” Fixed Deposit Scheme
Why in news – The State Bank of India reintroduced its 400 days fixed deposit scheme ‘Amrit Kalash’ till the end of June 30, 2023.
Key Points –
• It was introduced first in FY22-23, from February 15, 2023 to March 31, 2023.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Global Conference on Compressed Biogas (CBG)
Why in news – The 2-day conference was held on April 17-18, 2023 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Theme - “Towards Progressive Policy Framework for a Robust CBG Foundation and Growth”.
• Organized by - IFGE- CBG Producers Forum.
• Supported by - Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas.
• “SATAT” scheme on CBG - It encourages entrepreneurs to set up CBG plants, produce & supply CBG to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• SATAT Scheme - Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation.
• Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) - It is an umbrella organization that represents the interests of the national renewable energy sector in its totality including bio-energy, solar, wind, mini hydel, tidal, geo-thermal etc.
About CBG (Renewable Fuel) –
• Produced by - Anaerobic decomposition of biomass.
• Produced from - Bio-mass sources like agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc.
• Main Constitutent - Methane (>90%).
• CBG has higher calorific value and can replace CNG as green renewable automotive fuel.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. International Big Cats Alliance
Why in news – Nepal became the founding member of International Big Cats Alliance.
Key Points –
• Nepal has achieved its goal of doubling the tiger population by 2022 as per its commitment made during the first tiger summit in 2010 in St Petersburg.
• Nepal had 335 tigers in 2022.
St. Petersburg Declaration (2010) –
• Tiger Range countries had resolved to double tiger numbers across their global range by 2022.
• Decided to celebrate 29th July as Global Tiger Day.
• 13 tiger range countries - India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Heritage Day 2023
Why in news – It is celebrated on April 18 to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage.
Key Points –
• Theme - Heritage Changes.
• There are 40 World Heritage Sites in India. Cultural – 32, Natural – 7 and Mixed – 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park).
• 2 latest addition (2021) - Ramappan Temple (Telangana) and Dholavira (Gujarat).
• Only China, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France have more locations on the list than India.
STATES/UTs:
1. Chief Minister Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana
Why in news – Chhattisgarh CM launched the “Chief Minister Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana”.
Key Points –
• Provision - Grant by the State Government to the Gram Panchayats for the dignified organization of tribal festivals.
POINTERS:
• The National Panchayat Award has been presented in New Delhi by whom - President Draupadi Murmu.
• Which bank has signed a Master Inter Bank Credit Agreement with Export Import Bank of Korea - HDFC Bank.
• In which country the Indian High Commission has opened the 16th Visa Application Centre – Bangladesh.
• Which space agency has released the picture of “Crab Nebula” – NASA.
• In which country was the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers' meeting held - Sapporo city of Japan.
• In which city was the 2nd India-Peru Joint Commission meeting held - New Delhi.
• In which city is the second meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group being held – Hyderabad.
• Who became the first-ever female umpire to stand in a men's international match between two ICC Full Member countries - Kim Cotton.
• Which country sent equipment for Kudankulam nuclear power project – Russia.
• An estimated 1.5 million working-age people in Japan are living in isolation. What is this phenomenon called – Hikikomori.