NATIONAL:
1. Ludhiana Gas Leak
Why in news – On April 30, 2023, 11 people died due to a gas leak in the Giaspura area of Ludhiana, Punjab.
Key Points –
• Gas detected - Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) (neurotoxin).
About Neurotoxins –
• Poisonous substances which can directly affect the nervous system.
• Neurotoxic gases - Hydrogen sulphide, Carbon monoxide etc.
• Hydrogen sulphide has a pungent odour.
• To remove hydrogen sulphide from wastewater, chemical oxidation is done, where oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are added to the wastewater.
2. “Mata Ni Pachedi” Textile Art
Why in news - Gujarat’s ancient textile folk art, Mata Ni Pachedi, was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Key Points –
• “Pachedi” is a religious textile folk art.
• It features Mother Goddess at the centre and her stories and legends filling the remaining cloth.
• Hand-painted or block-printed on cotton.
• Natural and mineral colours are utilized for filling the spaces and in the dyeing process.
3. 100W FM Transmitters
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi commissioned Low Power FM Transmitters of the capacity of 100 Watt at 91 locations.
Key Points –
• Installed in 84 districts of 18 States and 2 Union Territories adding 2 crore listeners.
• With this, the network of transmitters with All India Radio has increased from 524 to 615.
• It further boosted the coverage of AIR to 73.5% of the population of the country.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Mahila Samman Savings Certificate 2023
Why in news - The union finance ministry has released the notification for the scheme.
Key Points –
• It was introduced during the 2023-24 budget speech.
About the Scheme –
• One-time small savings plan for girls and women.
• Offers a fixed interest rate of 7.5% over a 24-month tenure (April 2023 to March 2025).
• Implemented through - State-owned banks beginning April 1, 2023.
• One can deposit a maximum of Rs.2 lakh.
• It would be available in over 1.59 lakh post offices across the country.
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. World Development Report 2023
Why in news - World Bank released the World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies.
Key Points –
• People living outside their country of nationality - About 2.3% of the world’s population i.e., 184 million people (37 million refugees).
• Around 120% surge in income has been recorded among Indians working overseas as compared to a 40% increase due to internal migration
• Low-skilled Indians who migrated to the United States tended to see a significant gain in their income of around 500%.
• It categorised the migrants into 4 types –
(a) Refugees with skills in demand
(b) Economic migrants with skills that match with demand
(c) Distressed migrants
(d) Refugees.
• Top migrant corridors - India-US, India-Bangladesh and India-GCC.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. 3 New Wildlife Reserves
Why in news - The Rajasthan Forest Department declared three new wildlife conservation reserves.
Key Points –
• They are –
(a) Sorsan in Baran
(b) Khichan in Jodhpur
(c) Hamirgarh in Bhilwara.
• Sorsan is an important conservation reserve for the Great Indian Bustard (IUCN - Critically endangered).
• Khichan is now India’s first conservation reserve for Demoiselle cranes.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Arjun Vajpai
Why in news - Indian professional mountaineer Arjun Vajpai has become the first Indian man to summit Mt. Annapurna.
Key Points –
• Mt. Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) above sea level in Nepal.
• He has now become the first Indian mountaineer to scale 7x8000m peaks.
• Mt. Annapurna happens to be the most dangerous mountain out of the 14x8000m Summit Mountains.
• Earlier, he was roped in as a Fit India Champion in 2023.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Labour Day 2023
Why in news - It is celebrated every year on May 1 to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of the workers' and labours' movement.
Key Points –
• It is also known as May Day.
About Labour Day –
• On May 1, 1886 workers in Chicago organized a strike to demand an eight-hour workday.
• Haymarket affair, 1886 (Chicago, USA) - A peaceful rally in support of workers led to a violent clash with the police.
• In 1889, the 2nd International congress of socialist parties met in Paris and decided to celebrate Labour Day on May 1.
Labour Day in India –
• First celebrated on May 1, 1923.
• Organized by - Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan (leader - Comrade Singaravelar).
• Singaravelu Chettiar is one of the leaders of the Self Respect movement in the Madras Presidency.
SECURITY:
1. Cybersecurity Skilling Program
Why in news - IIT Kanpur to launch a Cybersecurity Skilling Programme in collaboration with its cybersecurity Technology and Innovation Hub (C3iHub).
Key Points –
• It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology under NM-ICPS Mission.
• National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) – It aims to create an ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, develops next-generation skilled manpower, catalyses translational research, and promotes the commercialization of CPS technologies.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. 68th Filmfare Awards 2023
Why in news - The 68th annual Filmfare Awards ceremony was concluded in Mumbai.
Key Points –
• Hosted by - Salman Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana and Maniesh Paul.
Award Winners –
• Best Film: Gangubai Kathiawadi.
• Best Film (Critics’): Badhaai Do.
• Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male): Rajkummar Rao for Badhaai Do
• Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female): Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Prem Chopra.
BIHAR:
1. Darbhanga Airport
Why in news - Darbhanga airport has emerged as the top airport in the country under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN.
Key Points –
• It has handled 14,13,510 passengers and 9,610 flights in 2.5 years till April 15, 2023.
• The airport was inaugurated on November 8, 2020.
• It has the longest runway of 9,000 feet in the state and is under the control of IAF.
About UDAN (October 21, 2016) –
• UDAN – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.
• Launched by - Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Aim - to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses.
• First flight under UDAN - Between Delhi and Shimla (April 27, 2017).
POINTERS:
• Who has written the book titled “A Resurgent Northeast: Natives of Change” - Ashish Kundra.
• Which union minister has opened a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) account by visiting Sansad Marg Head Post Office in New Delhi - Smriti Irani.
• Who became the youngest fast bowler to take 200 T20 wickets - Shaheen Afridi.
• Where has the Academic Center of Excellence been inaugurated by DRDO - IIT Hyderabad.
• Who has become the first Indian to score a century in IPL 2023 - Venkatesh Iyer.
• Which US state has declared Diwali as an official holiday – Pennsylvania.
• The International Exhibition and Conference "INDIA STEEL 2023" was held in which city - Mumbai.
• Where in Uttar Pradesh will PM Mitra Park be inaugurated - Lucknow and Hardoi.
• Which European country’s research rocket accidentally hit Norway – Sweden.
• Which country's health ministry has approved the country's first abortion pill – Japan.