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

Correct Answer :   1st May

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Maharashtra Day, also known as Maharashtra Diwas, is celebrated annually on May 1 to commemorate the formation of the state in 1960, when it was carved out of the erstwhile Bombay State.

The day marks the formation of the state of Maharashtra, which occurred on May 1, 1960, following the partition of the Bombay State into the linguistic states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Maharashtra Day is a public holiday in the state and it is celebrated with great fervour across the state.

Maharashtra Day History :

* Maharashtra has a rich and diverse history, with the Maratha Empire ruling over much of the region from the 17th to the 19th Century.

* After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, the Bombay Presidency was formed, which included the present-day states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka.

Maharashtra Day Significance and Celebrations :

* Maharashtra Day is a significant event in the history of the state and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and pride. It is an occasion for people to celebrate their cultural heritage and the achievements of the state. The day is marked by parades, cultural events, and flag-hoisting ceremonies in schools, colleges, and government buildings.

* The state government also confers awards and honours to eminent personalities for their contribution to various fields such as literature, art, and science. The Maharashtra Day parade is held at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai, with colourful processions featuring traditional dancers, floats, and marching bands...

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   ₹1.87 lakh crore

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GST collection grew by 12 per cent in April 2023 to ₹1.87 lakh crore, the highest monthly mop-up since the rollout of the indirect tax regime.

* The gross GST revenue collected in the month of April, 2023 is ₹ 1,87,035 crore of which CGST is ₹38,440 crore, SGST is ₹47,412 crore, IGST is ₹89,158 crore (including ₹34,972 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is ₹12,025 crore (including ₹901 crore collected on import of goods).

* The government has settled ₹45,864 crore to CGST and ₹37,959 crore to SGST from IGST. The total revenue of Centre and the States in the month of April 2023 after regular settlement is ₹84,304 crore for CGST and ₹85,371 crore for the SGST.

* The revenues for the month of April 2023 are 12% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year. During the month, the revenues from domestic transactions (including import of services) are 16% higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year.

* For the first time gross GST collection has crossed ₹1.75 lakh crore mark. The total number of e-way bills generated in the month of March 2023 was 9.0 crore, which is 11% higher than 8.1 crore e-way bills generated in the month of February 2023.

* Month of April 2023 saw the highest ever tax collection on a single day on 20th April 2023. On 20th April 2023, ₹ 68,228 crore was paid through 9. 8 lakh transactions. The highest single day payment last year (on the same date) was

* ₹ 57,846 crore through 9.6 lakh transactions.

* The chart below shows trends in monthly gross GST revenues during the current year. The table shows the state-wise figures of GST collected in each State during the month of April 2023 as compared to April 2022..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Ajit Kumar Mohanty

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Renowned physicist and director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Ajit Kumar Mohanty has been appointed as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and the secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.

* Mohanty succeeds K N Vyas to the posts that oversee India's nuclear programme and forays into harnessing atomic power for civilian needs.

* "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, as Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission tor a tenure up to the age of 66 years i.e. till 10.10.2025 or until further orders, whichever is earlier," said a government order issued late on Saturday.

* Mohanty was appointed as the BARC director in March 2019.

* Born in Odisha in 1959, Mohanty completed his graduation in 1979 with Honours in Physics from the MPC College in Baripada and post-graduation from Cuttack's Ravenshaw College.

* In 1983, he joined the "Nuclear Physics Division" of the BARC after graduating from the 26th batch of the BARC Training School. He obtained his doctorate from the Mumbai University.

* Mohanty worked in several areas of nuclear physics, covering collision energy from the sub-Coulomb barrier to the relativistic regime using the Pelletron accelerator at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), PHENIX and CMS experiments at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in the United States and CERN, Geneva.

* Mohanty held several honorary positions in various organisations. He served the Indian Physics Association (IPA) as its general secretary and later, as its president. He was the spokesperson fort the India-CMS collaboration, director, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, and director, Physics Group, BARC. He has twice been the CERN Scientific Associate, first during 2002-2004 and again during 2010-2011..

Source : Times of India