NATIONAL:
1. Tagore’s 162nd Birth Anniversary
Why in news - The 162nd birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was celebrated across the globe on May 7.
Key Points –
• Established Visva Bharati University (1921).
• His songs –
(a) “Banglar Mati Banglar Jol” (Soil of Bengal, Water of Bengal) to unite the Bengali population after the Bengal partition in 1905.
(b) “Amar Sonar Bangla” (national anthem of Bangladesh).
(c) “Jana Gana Mana” (national anthem of independent India).
• His works on social evils –
(a) Chokher Bali (widowhood, patriarchy and child marriage)
(b) Aparichita (shunning the practice of dowry)
(c) Manbhanjan (extra-marital affair)
• His notable works - Gitanjali, Ghare-Baire, Gora, Manasi, Balaka, Sonar Tori and Ekla Chalo Re (song).
• Pen name – Bhanusimha.
• In his poem “The Sacred Touch” (in the Harijan) and drama “Chandalika”, he shunned untouchability as being inhumane.
• In 1913 he became the first non-European to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel ‘Geetanjali’.
• Knighthood was given to him by Lord Hardinge in 1915.
• Renounced the Knighthood in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919).
• Tagore nationalism - Humanism, idealism, internationalism and incorporating all the best aspects of Western culture into the best of Indian culture.
2. Shantiniketan
Why in news - International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) recommended Santiniketan for inclusion in UNESCO world heritage list.
Key Points –
• At Shantiniketan, poet Rabindranath Tagore built Visva-Bharati university in 1921.
• It is located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.
• This would formally be announced in the World Heritage Committee meeting to be held at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in September 2023.
Value Addition –
• Santiniketan was originally an ashram built by Tagore’s father Debendranath Tagore.
• Debendranath Tagore was also known as “Maharshi”.
• India has a total of 40 sites which enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage tag.
• World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” Campaign
Why in news - Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a campaign named “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi”.
Key Points –
• Aim - Providing nutrition as well as better education to children in the age group of 3 to 6 years in Anganwadis across the country.
• There are around 13 lakh 90 thousand Anganwadis across the country.
• Under the National Education Policy 2020, Anganwadi workers are being trained by NIPSID.
Value Addition –
• Sanjay Kaul task Force - to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
• The taskforce notes that over 35% of young children in India are stunted, according to the latest NFHS data.
• Till March 2022, a total number of 285.82 lakh children of 3-6 years were covered under the early childhood education.
2. SAKSHAM LMIS
Why in news – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the SAKSHAM, a Learning Management Information System (LMIS).
Key Points –
• Aim –
(a) Providing online training and medical education to all health professionals in the country.
(b) inclusive capacity building of health professionals from primary health centres located in rural and remote areas all the way up to tertiary care and corporate hospitals in metropolitan cities.
• SAKSHAM - Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management.
• Developed by - National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi.
ECONOMY:
1. “BBB-” Rating
Why in news - Fitch Ratings affirmed India’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at ‘BBB-’ with a stable outlook.
Key Points –
• It raised concerns over the country’s higher deficits.
• A ‘BBB’ rating indicates that expectations of default risks are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate.
• India's general government debt remains elevated at Fitch's estimate of 82.8% in FY23 relative to the 'BBB' median of 55.4%.
• Fiscal deficit (excluding divestments) - 8.8% of GDP in FY24 (2023 BBB median: 3.6%).
Value Addition –
• In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by SEBI.
• 6 credit rating agencies registered under SEBI - CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, SMERA, Fitch India and Brickwork Ratings.
• 3 big credit rating agencies of world - Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s and Fitch.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Haritsagar Guidelines 2023
Why in news - The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has introduced "Harit Sagar," the Green Port Guidelines.
Key Points –
• Aim - to reduce trash through the four R's: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle in order to achieve zero waste discharge from port operations.
• Ecosystem Dynamics are envisioned in port development, operation, and maintenance under the "Harit Sagar Guidelines 2023".
• It is in accordance with the "Working with Nature" philosophy.
Value Addition –
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. 25th National Technology Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed annually on May 11 in India.
Key Points –
• Theme 2023 - “School to Startups-Igniting Young Minds to Innovate.”
• Operation Shakti - On May 11, 1998, India successfully conducted its first nuclear tests under Pokhran-II.
• It was first observed on May 11, 1999.
Value Addition –
• PM Modi laid the foundation stone for multiple scientific projects worth more than Rs 5800 crore –
(a) Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory – India (LIGO-India), Hingoli.
(b) Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni, Odisha.
(c) Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Pulitzer Prizes 2023
Why in news - The Pulitzer Prizes recognizing the best of journalism and the arts in 2022 were announced.
Key Points –
• The Associated Press compiled a list of winners in journalism, arts and letters.
• The awards were announced by Marjorie Miller, the administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes.
• There are 22 Pulitzer categories.
JOURNALISM:
BOOKS, DRAMA & MUSIC:
STATES/UTs:
1. Digital Health Cards for Children
Why in news - Uttar Pradesh became the first state to make digital health cards for children.
Key Points –
• The Urban Development Department and Lucknow Smart City launched “School Health Program”.
• Provision - If a child is admitted to the hospital due to illness, he can be treated through a health cover cashless card of Rs 25,000.
2. Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF)
Why in news - Kerala became the first state to launch its own institutional ranking framework.
Key Points –
• It is based on the lines of the National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF).
POINTERS:
• Who has started QR Code Based Paper Ticket for travel - Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
• In which state the Indian Army has conducted the Buland Bharat exercise - Arunachal Pradesh.
• According to a recent report, the fintech sector will become an industry of how many trillion dollar by 2030 - 1.5 trillion dollars.
• Who has become the first cricketer in IPL history to score 7,000 runs - Virat Kohli.
• India and which country have agreed to explore RuPay and "Mir Card" for easy payments - Russia.
• A special campaign "Operation Maryada" is being run by the police of which state – Uttarakhand.
• Which US state has become the first one to ban the use of gas stoves in buildings - New York.
• Which ministry has set up war room for redressal of complaints and grievances - Ministry of Railways.
• Which player has won the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for the month of April - Fakhar Zaman.
• India has jointly inaugurated the Sittwe port with which country – Myanmar.