Correct Answer :   Geoffrey Hinton

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* Geoffrey Hinton, the Godfather of Artificial Intelligence (AI) left his job at Google and indicates the alarming dangers of technological robotic devices or chatbots.

* 75-year-olf Hinton tweets that he did not resign to criticize the company in fact he wants to spread awareness about the possible outcomes of advancement in machinery systems.

* Mr Hinton has worked extensively on neural networks and is widely known as a computer scientist and a renowned name in cognitive psychology.

Note : Geoffrey Hinton has left Google and spoken about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Correct Answer :   Lakshadweep

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India has said that to promote universal holistic health, it is important to recognize and respect cultural diversity and integrate traditional healing practices into modern healthcare systems.

Addressing the opening session of the Science 20 Thematic Conference on Universal Holistic Health at Bangaram Island in "Lakshadweep", co-chair of Science 20 and President of Indian National Science Academy Prof. Ashutosh Kumar Sharma said this approach will promote not only health and well-being, but also helps to maintain cultural identity and values.

A bouquet of approaches is needed to achieve holistic health care delivered to everyone in an inclusive, equitable and just fashion.

Prof Sharma also called for a strong mental health policy to promote mental health, prevent mental illness and ensure access to quality mental health services for all. He said mental health is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right that affects individuals, families, communities and societies as a whole.

He observed that mental health is often overlooked, stigmatized and neglected in many parts of the world, leading to a global mental health crisis. He urged the scientific community to prioritize mental health and take concrete steps to address the challenges.

48 delegates from G-20 countries are participating in the two-day meet, held as part of India's G20 Presidency..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   JP Morgan Chase & Co

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. said on Monday (1st May 2023) that it had acquired a substantial majority of assets and assumed certain Liabilities of First Republic Bank.

* First Republic Bank’s 84 branches in eight states will reopen Monday as branches of JPMorgan Chase Bank.

* First Republic specializes in private banking that caters to wealthier people, much like Silicon Valley Bank, which failed in March, focused on venture capital firms.

* San Francisco-based First Republic has struggled since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in early March, as investors and depositors grew increasingly worried the bank may not survive as an independent entity. First Republic is the third major US bank to collapse in recent months.

* The bank has been bought and sold several times over the years, with Merrill Lynch & Co. paying $1.8 billion to acquire First Republic in 2007. Ownership passed to Bank of America when it bought Merrill Lynch in 2009, and changed hands again in mid-2010, when investment firms including General Atlantic and Colony Capital purchased First Republic for $1.86 billion and then took it public.

* Eleven US banks had tried to keep First Republic afloat by pledging $30 billion of fresh deposits on March 16, with JPMorgan, Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. pitching in $5 billion each. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley and other banks offered smaller amounts as part of a plan devised along with US regulators...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   NITI Aayog

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NITI Aayog 1st May 2023 released the “Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023” in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.

Reason : To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence and highlight and laud the efforts of Union Ministries and State Governments, this compendium includes 75 case studies cutting across 14 key social sectors.

* The case studies have been sourced from all States and Union Territories and 30 Ministries and Departments of the Government of India. The aim of this exercise has been to synthesise lessons for the future to expand, enhance and improve life at the grassroots level.

* In his address, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Suman Bery said that this publication is an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning among states, to applaud the efforts of innovations taking place in the States and to adopt practices that are best suited to the context. He added that this document should be made a living document and should be an active tool for innovation and scale-up.

* Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog BVR Subrahmanyam said that the utility of the compendium lies in the potential of its case studies being replicated across States and Union Territories.

* In his remark on the compendium, Resident Representative of UNDP India, Shoko Noda said that this document is not only significant for peer learning among states, but also an important source for other countries to learn from India’s successes.

* NITI Aayog said that the seventy-five best practices highlight models which are innovative, sustainable, replicable and impactful..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   $50 billion

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India's exports to the UAE are expected to reach $50 billion by 2026-27 from $31.3 billion at present on the back of the free trade agreement between the countries.

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal has informed that the trade between India and the UAE has grown significantly after the implementation of the trade agreement on May 1, 2022.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which was signed between the two nations on 18 February 2022...

Source : Outlook India

Correct Answer :   Vanessa Hudson

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Australia's flagship carrier, Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX), on Tuesday (2nd May 2023) named finance chief Vanessa Hudson as its next chief executive officer, making her the first woman to lead the century-old airline.

Hudson will in November take over from Alan Joyce, whose 15 years in the job has made him one of the longest-serving current CEO of a major Australian company, and a high-profile figure in the global aviation industry.

Hudson will be one of the few female executives leading a major company in Australia, although rival carrier Virgin Australia also has a woman as its CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka...

Source : Reuters

Correct Answer :   Australia

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* For the first time in the history of Ladakh the Australian High Commission in India has announced its Government Grant for a Project in Kargil.

* This was announced during a Special Meeting at Srinagar chaired by the Australian high commissioner to India,  Barry O'Farrell.

* The project "Return to Roots" aims to integrate traditional knowledge with the current school science curriculum in alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy which includes increasing scientific engagement among school children of the tribal background...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   India and Russia

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India and Russia have agreed to explore the possibility of accepting each other's payment cards, RuPay (India) and Mir (Russia), for hassle-free payments between the two countries.

During the latest meeting of the Internal Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), which was jointly chaired by External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, the decision was made.

Mutual acceptance of RuPay and Mir cards will facilitate transactions in Indian rupees and Russian rubles, making it easier for citizens of both countries to carry out cross-border payments.

In addition, the meeting also explored the possibility of interaction between India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Russia's Faster Payments System (FPS).

Both countries also agreed to explore the adoption of the Russian financial messaging system, the Services Bureau of Financial Messaging System of the Bank of Russia, for cross-border payments.

Currently, overseas payments from India and Russia are made through the SWIFT network, and exploring alternative payment options is necessary to minimize the impact of sanctions imposed on Russia by the West.

The meeting's participants also discussed the recent launch of the cross-border connectivity between UPI and Singapore's PayNow. This linkage enables people in both countries to undertake faster and cost-efficient digital transfers, benefiting the Indian diaspora in Singapore, including migrant workers and students...

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   1st May

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International Labour Day is celebrated every year on 1 May to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of the workers' and labours' movement. It is also known as May Day.

The origins of Labour Day can be traced back to the late 19th century when workers across the globe began demanding better working conditions, fair wages, and shorter working hours.

International Labour Day is celebrated in more than 80 countries, including India, Cuba, and China. People in different parts of the world hold marches on this day to promote the rights of working-class people and to protect them from exploitation.


International Labour Day History :

* The tradition of Labour Day dates back to 19th century America. On May 1st, 1886 workers in Chicago organized a strike to demand an eight-hour workday. However, workers across the US came together to demand their rights and to fight for better working conditions after a bomb exploded at a labour rally in Haymarket Square.

* In 1889, the International congress of socialist parties met in Paris and decided to celebrate Labour Day or Worker's Day on May 1.


International Labour Day Significance :

* Labour Day is celebrated around the world to raise awareness of the rights of working people and to protect them from exploitation. It also serves as a reminder of the important role played by the working class in our society.


India connection :

* The first labour day was celebrated in India on May 1, 1923, in Chennai. The first May Day celebrations were organized by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.  The leader of the party, Comrade Singaravelar arranged two meetings to celebrate this occasion.

* Labour Day is celebrated by many different names in the various Indian states with most popular name being May Day. Labour Day is known as Kamgar Din in Hindi, Karmikara Dinacharane in Kannada, Karmika Dinotsavam in Telugu, Kamgar Divas in Marathi, Uzhaipalar Dhinam in Tamil, Thozhilaali Dinam in Malayalam, and Shromik Dibosh in Bengali..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   1st May

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Every year on May 1, the state celebrates Gujarat Day or Gujarat Sthapana Diwas, which marks the formation of the state of Gujarat in 1960.

* It stands for the Gujrati people’s history and culture. On this day, a number of events are planned to honour the celebrations.

Gujarat Day History :

Gujarat Day is celebrated on May 1 every year to mark the foundation day of the Indian state of Gujarat.

The state was established on May 1, 1960, after the State Reorganization Act was passed by the Indian government. Gujarat was carved out of the larger bilingual Bombay state, which was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Gujarat Day 2023 Significance :

* The significance of Gujarat Day 2023 lies in the fact that the state reorganization led to the creation of a separate administrative unit for the Gujarati-speaking people.

* This move was aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Gujarat, who had been demanding a separate state for many years.

* The foundation of Gujarat marks the beginning of a new phase in the history of the state, as it embarked on a journey of development and progress.

* Over the years, Gujarat has emerged as one of the most prosperous and dynamic states in India, with a thriving economy and a rich cultural heritage.

* Gujarat Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fanfare across the state, with people taking part in cultural programs, exhibitions, and other events.

* The day is an occasion to showcase the achievements of the state and to renew the commitment towards its development and progress.

State Reorganization Act, 1956 :

* Under the 1956 States Reorganization Act, the majority of states were reorganized along linguistic lines. Additionally, this act brought together Gujarati and Marathi-speaking regions, causing unrest in both of these areas.

* The bilingual Bombay state of India was called upon by a local political movement known as the Mahagujarat movement to create a separate state for the Gujarati-speaking population.

* Finally, the movement was successful, and the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra were created.

* The States Reorganization Act, 1956 was passed on November 1, 1956, creating a new state called Bombay that included the Marathi-speaking regions of the former Bombay State, the Vidarbha region of the former Madhya Pradesh State, the Marathwada region of the former Hyderabad State, and the former States of Saurashtra and Kutch.

* The previous States of Kutch and Saurashtra were then removed from the State of Bombay to form the new State of Gujarat, while the State of Bombay was renamed Maharashtra as a result of the Bombay Reorganization Act, 1960, which was passed on May 1, 1960...

Source : India Times