Latest Current Affairs For Sunday 8th May, 2022

Railway Protection Force signs MoU with AVA for trafficking free nation

Railway Protection Force (RPF) has signed MoU with Association for Voluntary Action (AVA) for a trafficking free nation.

It will enhance the scale, reach and effectiveness of Operation AAHT (Action against Human Trafficking) launched by RPF across the nation.

RPF is entrusted with the responsibility of security of railway property, passenger area and passengers.

RPF has also set up Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) at more than 740 locations across India. 

MHA and SECI sign MoU to realize India’s green energy initiative

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has signed MoU with Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) to promote renewable energy thereby moving towards a carbon neutral economy in Delhi

This MoU envisages collaboration between the two parties for jointly undertaking installation of Solar Rooftop PV Power Plants.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has estimated the total solar power potential of 71.68 MWs in the campuses of CAPFs & NSG.

Khelo India Mascot and Logo launched at Panchkula in Haryana

Mascot, Logo and Jersey and theme song of Khelo India Youth Games were launched in a special ceremony held at Indra Dhanush Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana. 

The Mascot and theme was launched by Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal along with Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur.

More than 8,000 athletes will be participating in the Khelo India Youth Games scheduled to take place from 4th to 13th of June at Panchkula, Ambala, Shahbad, Chandigarh and Delhi.

L&T Infotech announced to merge with Mindtree to become 5th-largest IT firm

L&T Infotech and Mindtree, two independently listed IT services companies under Larsen & Toubro Group have announced merger that would create India's fifth-largest IT services provider.

This combined entity will be known as LTIMindtree

This proposed integration will see Mindtree and LTI join strengths to create an efficient and scaled up IT services provider exceeding USD 3.5 billion. 

It will create a more distinctive employee value proposition.

Conference of Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) in Jaipur

Union Minister, Kailash Choudhary has inaugurated Conference of Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) under Scheme of Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur.

Focus areas: expectations from CBBOs, Knowledge sharing by CBBOs on best practices, discussion on Training and Capacity Building of Stakeholders, and Open discussion on various issues/ suggestions.

Sudarshan Venu appointed Managing Director of TVS Motor

Sudarshan Venu has taken over as the Managing Director of TVS Motor Company.

Prior to this, he was the Joint Managing Director of the company.

His elevation coincides with the appointment of Prof Sir Ralf Dieter Speth as the Chairman of the company.

He succeeded Venu Srinivasan, who has become the Chairman Emeritus of the company.

TVS Motor Company: Indian motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is the 3rd largest motorcycle company in India. 

India's first Regional Rapid Transit System to be handed over to NCRTC

India's first semi-high-speed train set for Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) has been handed over to National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) at Alstom's Savli plan in Gujarat.

RRTS train sets are being manufactured under Make In India initiative and are capable of running at speed of 180 km per hour.

It will be brought to Duhai Depot in Uttar Pradesh.

Implementing agency of India's first RRTS corridor between Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut: NCRTC.

UN-Energy Plan of Action Towards 2025 launched

United Nations has launched UN-Energy Plan of Action Towards 2025 to catalyze large-scale action and support needed for transition to clean, affordable energy for all and net-zero emissions.

Energy Compact Action Network was also launched to match those govt seeking support for their clean energy goals with those govt and businesses that have pledged over $600 billion. 

It sets out a framework for collective action by nearly 30 UN and international organizations. 

NASA climate research scientist wins World Food Prize

NASA climate research scientist, Cynthia Rosenzweig has been awarded World Food Prize.

She is an agronomist and climatologist and spent much of her career explaining how global food production must adapt to a changing climate. 

She was awarded $250,000 prize in recognition of her innovative modeling of the impact of climate change on food production.

She is a senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Alkesh Kumar Sharma assumes charge as new Secretary for MeitY

Alkesh Kumar Sharma (1990 batch IAS of Kerala cadre) has assumed charge as Secretary of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).

Prior to this, he served as the Additional Secretary and Secretary in Cabinet Secretariat.

He was also chairman of Indian Highways Management Company and implemented FASTAG system of toll collection.

Minister of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY): Ashwini Vaishnaw.

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy.