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.