CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS 22nd April 2022

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS

22nd April 2022

National News

 

Ajay Kumar Sood named as Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI

Ajay Kumar Sood, a member of the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, has been appointed to the post for a period of three years to succeed renowned biologist K VijayRaghavan.  The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Sood as Principal Scientific Advisor to the government.  The PSA’s office aims to provide pragmatic and objective advice to the prime minister and cabinet on matters related to science, technology and innovation with a focus on the application of science and technology in critical infrastructure, economic and social sectors in partnership with government departments, institutions and industry.

 

PM Modi inaugurated development projects worth Rs 22,000 crores in Dahod, Gujarat 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated the various projects worth 22,000 crore rupees at a function organized at Dahod in Gujarat. Dahod District Southern Area Regional Water Supply Scheme, constructed at Narmada River Basin (Rs 840 crore); Dahod Smart City (Rs 335 crore).  These projects include Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) Building, Stormwater drainage system, Sewerage works, Solid Waste Management System and Rain Water Harvesting System.  Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, benefits worth Rs. 120 crore were provided to 10,000 tribal of Panchmahal and Dahod districts. Prime Minister also inaugurated 66 KV Ghodia substation, Panchayat Houses, and Anganwadis, among others.  Manufacturing project of 9,000 HP Electric Locomotives at the Railway Production Unit in Dahod. 10,000 tribals of Panchmahal and Dahod districts (provided Rs 120 crore under PMAY).

International News

Patrick Achi re-appointed as Prime Minister of Ivory Coast

Patrick Achi has been re-appointed as Prime Minister of Ivory Coast by President Alassane Ouattara. He was appointed prime minister in March 2021.  He was the third prime minister in the West African state (Ivory Coast) in the last three years after Amadou Gon Coulibaly (who died in 2020) and Hamed Bakayoko (who died in 2021).  President has accepted Achi resignation ahead of a government reshuffle. Ivory Coast, also officially known as the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, is a country on the southwest coast of Africa.

BANKING, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

Suman Bery named NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson as Rajiv Kumar steps down

Economist Dr Suman K Bery has been appointed the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog after Dr Rajiv Kumar stepped down from his post on Friday. Kumar took over as Vice Chairperson in 2017 after his predecessor Arvind Panagariya exited the government think-tank to return to academics. Bery was the Director-General of National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) from 2001-2011.

 

World’s largest electric 3-wheeler making plant will set up in Telangana

Biliti Electric Inc (Biliti), based in California, United States of America, has announced its intention to establish the world’s largest electric three-wheeler manufacturing facility in Telangana.  The plant will be built in 2 phases over an area of 200 acres. Phase I of 13.5 acres with a capacity to produce 18000 Electric Vehicles (EV) per year will become operational in 2023 and the larger facility of 200 acres with a production capacity of 240000 EV per year will become operational in 2024.  The facility will produce all the products of Biliti including the cargo model TaskmanTM and the passenger version UrbanTM. The facility is estimated to drive private investment of USD 150 million (around Rs 1,144 crore) and is expected to create more than 3000 obs in Telangana
India Post Payments Bank launched ‘Fincluvation’ to partner with Startups

The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched an initiative called Fincluvation, as a part of the occasion of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence.  Fincluvation is a joint initiative to collaborate with the Fintech Startup community to co-create and innovate solutions for financial inclusion. Fincluvation will be a permanent platform of IPPB to co-create inclusive financial solutions with participating start-ups.  Creditization: Develop Innovative & Inclusive credit products aligned with the use cases of target customers and take them to their doorsteps through the Postal network.  Digitization: Bring convenience through the convergence of traditional services with Digital Payment Technologies such as making the traditional Money Order service an Interoperable Banking service.  Any Market-led solutions that can help solve any other problem relevant to IPPB and/or DoP in serving the target customers.

Sports News

 

RR smash the highest total of IPL 2022, break their own record

Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Friday registered the highest total of IPL 2022 so far after recording 222/2 in their 20 overs against Delhi Capitals (DC). Jos Buttler top-scored for RR with 116(65), while his opening partner Devdutt Padikkal scored 54(35). The previous highest total in IPL 2022 was 217/5 registered by RR against KKR on Monday.

RR defeat DC by 15 runs to jump to the top of IPL 2022 points table

RR defeated DC by 15 runs in their IPL 2022 clash on Friday to jump to the top of the points table. RR put up a total of 222/2 in their 20 overs, the highest total in the tournament so far. DC were restricted to 207/8 in their 20 overs. RR's Jos Buttler smashed a hundred in the match.

A first-of-its-kind mobile app launched for Khelo India University Games 2021

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the second edition of the Khelo India University Games to be held in the tech capital Bengaluru will have its own mobile application.  A brainchild of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) and hosts Jain Deemed-to-be University, the unique ‘Khelo India Uni Games 2021’ mobile app promises to be a one-stop-shop for all information regarding the prestigious event scheduled to begin on the 24th April.  The coveted Games, which will be India’s first largest mass participation sporting event post-pandemic, will witness over 4,500 participants representing a total of about 189 universities vie for top honours in 20 disciplines.

West Indies All-Rounder Kieron Pollard announces retirement

West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard has announced his retirement from international cricket. Pollard, who was the captain of West Indies’ limited-overs teams, played a total of 123 ODIs and 101 T20Is.  He has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League for several years now and was retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction in February this year. He was part of the West Indies team that won the 2012 ICC WT20 and missed out on his second T20 World Cup title in 2016 as he missed the tournament due to injury.

Important Days

International Mother Earth Day observed on 22 April

World Earth Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, is celebrated every year on April 22. The Day will be celebrated all over the world to spread awareness for Earth’s wellbeing and to encourage people to support environmental protection.  The day focuses on the global climate crisis that is worsening with each passing day. World Earth Day 2022 will mark the 52nd Anniversary of the day since it started being observed in 1970. Earth Day was renamed officially by the UN in 2009 as International Mother Earth Day. The theme of Earth Day 2022 is to ‘Invest in our planet’.

World’s largest electric 3-wheeler making plant will set up in Telangana

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