22-23 April 2018 - Daily Current Affairs

The World Book & Copyright Day being observed today

The ‘World Book and Copyright Day’ (WBCD) is being observed every year on 23^rd April to raise awareness about the importance of reading and promote publishing and the protection of copyright around the globe.
The aim is to make books accessible to the city’s entire population, including migrants and refugees.
The capital of Greece ‘Athens’ has been designated ‘World Book Capital 2018’, for the quality of its activities, supported by the entire book industry.
It is on this date (in 1616) that Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all passed away.

Note: UNESCO at its General Conference held in Paris chose 23rd of April to celebrate World Book Day as it is a highly symbolic date for world literature in 1995.

23rd April: United Nations English Language Day

The United Nations English Language Day is being observed annually on 23 April across the world to entertain as well as inform people about the culture, history, and achievements associated with the English language.
It is the date traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of the greatest writer ever known in the English language ‘William Shakespeare’.
English has official or special status in at least 75 countries that have a total population of over two billion.

Note: The day was established in 2010 by the Department of Public Information, as a result of its efforts to establish language days for each of United Nation’s six official languages.

The days are as follows:

Arabic days: 18 December
Chinese day: 20 April
French day: 20 March
Russian day: 6 June
Spanish day: 23 April

22 April: International Mother Earth Day

The International Mother Earth Day has been celebrated every year around the world on ‘22nd April’ to remind each of us that the Earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance.
The Day (the largest secular world event) provides an opportunity to raise public awareness around the world to the challenges regarding the well-being of the planet and all the life it supports.
The theme for 2018 is "'End Plastic Pollution" and dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally.

Note:

International Earth Day was established in 2009, by the United Nations General Assembly.
The term Mother Earth is used because it "reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit".

International Affairs

Canada & EU to host world's first female foreign ministers meeting in September

According to the Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Canada and the European Union (EU) will host the two days world's first female foreign ministers' meeting on September 21st in Canada.
Female foreign ministers from about 30 countries will be invited to the gathering, which is aimed at deepening global discussion on women's empowerment.

Banking & Finance

Deposits in Jan Dhan accounts cross Rs 80,000 cr

According to the finance ministry official data, the total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts crossed Rs. 80,000 crore marks with more people joining the flagship financial inclusion programme (as on April 2018) Jan Dhan.
The World Bank data indicate that 55% of new bank accounts opened are from India.
The number of account holders increased to 31.45 crores (as on April 11, 2018) from 26.5 crores at the beginning of 2017.
As per the Global Findex Report, adult bank account holders in India increased to 80% (in 2017) as compared to 53 % (in 2014) and 35% (in 2011).

Note:

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (P.M.J.D.Y) is India's National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely Banking Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner.
The scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 15th August 2014 and the Slogan of the Scheme is "Mera Khatha, Bhagya Vidhatha (My Account brings luck to me).

RBI revises its KYC guidelines

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised "Know Your Customer" (KYC) norms to update the 'Prevention of Money Laundering' rules in June 2017.
The RBI made linking of national biometric ID Aadhaar to bank accounts mandatory.
However, it said this will be subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court on making of Aadhaar mandatory.
Till now, an Officially Valid Document (OVD) for address proof together with Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued by the Income Tax department and a recent passport size photograph were the key KYC documents.
But in the amended Customer Due Diligence (CDD) procedure, The Aadhaar number, the PAN or Form No. 60 need to be obtained from an individual who is eligible for applying for the biometric ID.
According to the Aadhaar Act, a person who is residing in India for more than 180 days is eligible for applying for an Aadhaar number.

National Affairs

Punjab CM inducts nine new members into Council of Ministers

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has inducted nine new members into the Council of Ministers.
Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore administered the oath to 11 MLAs as cabinet ministers, including two state ministers Aruna Choudhary and Razia Sultana (elevated as Cabinet ministers).
Mr. O P Soni would (Five-time MLA) hold the charge of school education and freedom fighter department while Randhawa Kangar will be the new power minister.

Nitish Kumar launches 3 Books on Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran movement

The Chief Minister of Bihar ‘Nitish Kumar’ has released three books based on Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran movement of 1917.
The books titled 'Mister M K Gandhi Ki Champaran Diary' (written by Arvind Mohan), 'Champaran Andolan 1917' (edited by Ashutosh Partheshwar) and 'Pir Muhammad Munis: Kalam Ka Satyagrahi' (collected and edited by Srikant)
The Champaran movement is recognized as the first Satyagraha movement inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.

Obituaries

Noted Telugu poet-composer Balantrapu Rajanikantha Rao passes away

Noted Telugu poet-composer, musicologist and artist Balantrapu Rajanikantha Rao (98-year) passed away in Vijayawada due to old age.
He wrote and composed the first ever Telugu song (Mroyimpu Jayabheri) to be broadcast in Independent India post midnight of August 14, 1947.
Rao worked for decades in All India Radio and headed its Vijayawada division as the Director.

World's oldest person Nabi Tajima passes away at age of 117

The world's oldest person Nabi Tajima (117-year) passed away in Japan.
She became the world's oldest person seven months ago after the death of Violet Brown (also at 117-year) in Jamaica
Tajima was born on August 4, 1900, and reportedly had more than 160 descendants, including great-great-great grandchildren.

Sports

India win 10 gold medals at 8th South Asian Judo Championship

India has won 10 gold medals (7-women & 3-men) at 8th South Asian Judo Championship in Lalitpur, Nepal.
A total 102 players (from six Countries) will compete for 7 gold, 7 Silver, and 14 bronze medals each in men’s and women’s individual categories.
While they will also contest for one gold, one silver, and two bronze each in the men’s and women’s team events.
Indian men Divesh, Vijay Kumar Yadav and Ajay Yadav won gold for the country.

Note: Nepal (hosting 4^th time), Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participating in a three-day South Asian Judo Championship.

Rafael Nadal beats Kei Nishikori to win Monte Carlo Masters

The Spanish professional tennis player Rafael Nadal (31-year) has won the Men's Singles title of Monte Carlo Masters Tennis tournament.
He defeated Kei Nishikori (Japan) 6-3, 6-2.
Now, Nadal became the first man in the Open era to win the Monte Carlo title 11 times.

Note: The Monte-Carlo Masters is an annual tennis tournament for male professional players held in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, a commune that borders on Monaco.