1. Indian Railways Hands Over 20 Broad Gauge Locomotives to Bangladesh
In a bid to strengthen bilateral relations, Indian Railways has handed over 20 broad gauge (BG) locomotives to Bangladesh. The virtual handing over ceremony, held at Rail Bhavan, was attended by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bangladesh’s Minister of Railway, Md Nurul Islam Sujan. This gesture fulfills a commitment made by the Indian government during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in October 2019. The locomotives, valued at over Rs 100 crore, will help augment Bangladesh’s railway network and improve passenger and freight train operations.
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2. Bangladesh-US Joint Naval Exercise held in Chattogram
The ‘Tiger Shark 40’ Joint Bangladesh-US Naval drill Exercise commenced at BNS Nirvik in Chattogram. The main aim of the exercise is to enhance the strategic capabilities of both countries and promote mutual exchange of technical and procedural knowledge. According to a press release from the Bangladesh Inter Services Press Relations (ISPR), the exercise seeks to strengthen the existing positive relations between the armed forces of the two nations.
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3. Namdev Shirgaonkar elected unopposed President of Taekwondo India
Namdev Shirgaonkar of Maharashtra was re-elected unopposed as the President of India Taekwondo in elections for the executive committee. Shirgaonkar, who holds a black belt in Taekwondo is also secretary-general of Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA), voiced his approval of being elected unopposed as chief of India Taekwondo.
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4. Sourav Ganguly named as brand ambassador of Tripura Tourism
Former India cricket captain and ex-BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly was roped in as the brand ambassador for Tripura Tourism. Ganguly expressed his willingness to be the brand ambassador for Tripura tourism after the state’s Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury met him at his residence in Kolkata. Ganguly’s selection as the brand ambassador for Tripura Tourism is expected to draw significant attention to the state’s unexplored tourist destinations.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Tripura Capital: Agartala;
- Tripura Governor: Shri Satyadeo Narain Arya;
- Tripura CM: Dr. Manik Saha.
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5. Dr K. Govindaraj Elected As New President of Basketball Federation of India
Dr K. Govindaraj elected as the President of International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Asia. He is a Congress MLC. He is also the President of Basketball Federation of India and President of Karnataka Olympic Association. Govindaraj was unanimously nominated to take over as President of FIBA Asia. This is the first time that an Indian has been nominated as the President of FIBA Asia. The nomination was ratified at the FIBA Asia Congress making Govindaraj, the first Indian to lead the International Basketball Federation in Asia, which includes 44 countries.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- International Basketball Federation Founded: 18 June 1932;
- International Basketball Federation Headquarters: Mies, Switzerland;
- International Basketball Federation President: Hamane Niang.
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6. Google Pay Introduces Support for RuPay Credit Cards on UPI, Expanding Digital Payment Options
Google Pay, in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has announced the integration of RuPay credit cards onto the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform. This new feature allows users to link their RuPay credit cards with Google Pay, enabling them to make payments at both online and offline merchants that accept RuPay credit cards. With this development, Google Pay aims to provide users with greater flexibility and choice in their payment options, ultimately driving the adoption of digital payments in India.
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7. Paytm Money Launches Bonds Platform, Making Investing Easier for Retail Investors
Paytm Money, a subsidiary of One97 Communications, the parent entity of Paytm, has recently announced the launch of a bonds platform for retail investors in India. This new platform aims to provide investors with a comprehensive and user-friendly interface to invest in government, corporate, and tax-free bonds. With a focus on innovation and leveraging technology, Paytm Money aims to make bond investing more accessible and transparent for retail investors.
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8. RBI Projects Robust Economic Growth in India, Expects Q1 GDP Growth at 7.6%
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced its economic activity index nowcast, forecasting a strong GDP growth rate of 7.6% for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023-2024 (Q1 FY24). The central bank’s analysis indicates that India’s domestic economic conditions have sustained the momentum witnessed in the previous quarter of FY23. The overall economic activity, as captured by the RBI’s index, remains resilient. This article delves into the key factors contributing to this positive outlook and highlights the potential areas of growth.
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9. AFSPA in News: Assam CM Aims to Withdraw AFSPA by End of 2023
AFSPA, which stands for the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, is a controversial legislation in India that grants special powers and immunity to the armed forces deployed in “disturbed areas.” It was enacted by the Indian Parliament in 1958 to combat separatist movements and insurgencies in certain regions of the country.
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10. Digital India Programme: National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is planning to host a two-day National Workshop on the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) on May 24th and 25th, 2023. The workshop will take place at the Convention Hall, The Hotel Ashok, in New Delhi. The main objective of this workshop is to promote the adoption of the NeVA platform by all State and Union Territory Legislatures. By utilizing technology, the aim is to bring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to their legislative proceedings.
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11. Logo and Theme of India’s G20 Presidency: Navigating Global Challenges Together
India’s presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) holds immense significance as it assumes a central role in shaping global economic policies and addressing critical global challenges. As a platform that brings together the world’s major economies, the G20 represents a unique opportunity for India to lead global discussions and drive impactful change. The theme chosen for India’s G20 Presidency, “Navigating Global Challenges Together,” reflects the nation’s commitment to fostering international cooperation in addressing pressing global issues.
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12. Third Edition of Khelo India Games Kicks Off in Uttar Pradesh
The highly anticipated third edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) has commenced in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the state’s sporting endeavors. With over 4,000 athletes and officials from 207 universities across the country participating in 21 disciplines, the event is set to span 12 action-packed days. While the majority of events will take place in five cities of Uttar Pradesh, the shooting competitions will be held in New Delhi.
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13. Axiom Space’s Private Astronaut Mission to Test Cancer Drugs in Space
Axiom Space, a private space habitat company, recently launched their latest mission, Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission aims to conduct experiments on human stem cell ageing, inflammation, and cancer in the unique microgravity environment of space. The findings from these experiments not only contribute to the well-being of astronauts but also hold potential for advancing cancer treatment on Earth.
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