National & International Appointments
1. Krishnan Ramachandran appointed as MD and CEO of MAX Bupa
- Max Bupa Health Insurance has appointed Krishnan Ramachandran as its new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO).
- He succeeds Ashish Mehrotra.
- Ramachandran has over 23 years of experience in health insurance, healthcare and life sciences segments.
- He last served as the CEO of Apollo Munich Health Insurance.
Honours & Awards
2. Saurabh Lodha received Young Career Award in Nano Science & Technology 2020
- IT Bombay Professor Saurabh Lodha has received Young Career Award in Nano Science & Technology 2020 for Advanced Transistor Technologies by DST.
- His work includes development of logic transistor technologies beyond silicon and nanoelectronic devices based on 2D Van der Waals materials.
- These transistors can alleviate efficiency & reliability bottlenecks in diverse applications from high voltage power grids, electric trains, to strategic defense, & medical.
Agreement
3. CSIR-IGIB & TATA Sons signs MoU for licensing of COVID rapid diagnosis
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) and TATA Sons signed a MoU for licensing of KNOWHOW for FNCAS9 EDITOR LINKED UNIFORM DETECTION ASSAY (FELUDA) for rapid diagnosis of COVID-19.
- The license shall include transfer of the knowledge for scaling up the KNOWHOW in the form of a kit that can be deployed for COVID-19 testing on ground as early as end of May.
- FELUDA has been designed for mitigating COVID-19 by mass testing with affordability & ease.
Defense
4. Indian Navy launches Operation ‘Samudra Setu’
- Indian Navy has launched Operation “Samudra Setu” (Sea Bridge), as a part of national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas.
- Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are presently enroute to the port of Malè, Republic of Maldives to commence evacuation operations.
- This operation is being progressed in close coordination with Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Health, MHA and various other Government agencies and State governments.
Honours & Awards
5. The Marcus Wallenberg Prize 2020 announced
- Marcus Wallenberg Prize 2020 has been announced to recognize, encourage and stimulate scientific achievements that broaden the knowledge of forestry and forest industries.
- Joseph J Landsberg, Richard H Waring and Nicholas C Coops won 2020 Marcus Wallenberg Prize for a model to predict forest growth in a changing climate.
- The prize 2020 will be presented by King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden during a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden & the prize money is 2 million Kronor.
National & International Appointments
6. Lt Gen Raj Shukla assumes charge of ARTRAC
- Lt Gen Raj Shukla assumed the command of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).
- A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, General Shukla was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in December 1982.
- The Army Training Command or ARTRAC, is one of the seven commands of the Indian Army based at Shimla.
National & International Appointments
7. Ashok Michael Pinto nominated as a representative to IBRD
- US President Donald Trump has nominated Indian American Ashok Michael Pinto as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
- He was appointed as the US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for a term of two years.
- Pinto currently serves as Counselor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the United States Department of the Treasury.
National Affairs
8. SIDBI to launch digital platform for SMEs
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is all set to launch a digital platform that will educate stakeholders in the small and medium enterprises (SME) ecosystem.
- 'India SME Services Platform' will give MSMEs information of operations, finance, credit and other services.
- It's webpage will show all schemes implemented by the govt, banks, and associations.
- It will give an opportunity to look for marketplace, documentation support and loan management.
National Affairs
9. MCA constituted committee to enhance audit independence and accountability
- The Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) has constituted a 7 member committee to examine the comments on the consultation paper floated by it for enhancing audit independence and accountability in the country.
- It will make recommendations for amendments in law, rules and standards.
- The panel has been asked to submit its report by June 30.
- It will address 5 “threats” for auditor independence: self-interest, self-review, advocacy, familiarity, and intimidation.
National Affairs
10. IRDAI sets up panel to frame standard professional indemnity policy
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a panel to frame standard professional indemnity policy for insurance intermediaries that can be issued by all the insurers.
- It is headed by Yegnapriya Bharat.
- Professional indemnity policy offers protection to professionals against potential claims for injury or loss.
- Other members of the panel are Umesh Rathod, Kasturi Sengupta, Surbhi Goel, and Najim B.
- HQ of IRDAI: Hyderabad, Telangana.
State Affairs
11. Jharkhand launches three schemes for job creation
- Jharkhand launched 3 schemes: Birsa Harit Gram Yojana (BHGY), Neelambar Pitambar JAL Sammridhi Yojana (NPJSY) and Veer Sahid Poto Ho Khel Vikas Scheme (VSPHKVS) to create wage employment in rural areas using MGNREGA.
- BHGY: Brings unused government fallow land under the afforestation.
- NPJSY: Aims at creating agro-water storage units by arresting rainwater and runaway groundwater.
- VSPHKVS: Links sports with rural job schemes for creation of assets in the rural areas.
National Affairs
12. Bamboo Conclave held via Video Conferencing
- A Bamboo Conclave addressed by Union Minister of State (I/C) DoNER, Dr Jitendra Singh was held through Video Conference.
- It featured the participation of representatives of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Union Ministry of Agriculture and various stakeholders from different sectors.
- Bamboo is vital to India's Post- COVID economy and will provide an opportunity for India to emerge as an economic power with the support of its Bamboo resources.
State Affairs
13. Uttar Pradesh launches ‘Ayush Kavach-Covid’ app
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched ‘Ayush Kavach-Covid’ app to help people get health remedies which can be useful in fight against COVID-19.
- The app has been developed by AYUSH ministry.
- The ‘Ayush Kavach-Covid’ App will provide measures to boost immunity based on natural resources such as tulsi, clove and cinnamon to fight COVID-19.
- It also offers users the opportunity to seek advice from experts.
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