1. Janaushadhi Diwas is being celebrated across the country
- Today, Janaushadhi Diwas has been celebrated across the country.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in Jan Aushadhi Diwas celebrations through video conferencing from New Delhi.
- Janaushadhi Kendras is considered the biggest retail pharma chain in the world with around 6,200 outlets in 700 districts.
- Total sales in the financial year 2019 - 20 has crossed 390 crore rupees and lead to a total savings of approximately 2,200 crore rupees for common citizens.
National Affairs
2. Lt Gen Milind Hemant Thakur unviels renovated Animal Memorial in Bengaluru
- LG Milind Hemant Thakur (DG of Supply and Transport Corps of the Indian Army) unveiled a renovated Animal Memorial for mules and horses of the Indian Army in Bengaluru.
- Erected in 2006, the first of its kind animal memorial in Asia signifies the pivotal role played by the mules and horses belonging to the Army Service Corps.
- These army trained animals have rendered yeoman service in relentlessly hauling war stores up the goat tracks of the treacherous Himalayas.
National Affairs
3. I&B Ministry suspends 48 hour ban on both Asianet News and Media One
- According to Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, the ban on the two TV channels from Kerala has been lifted.
- Earlier, The Ministry had put a ban of 48 hours on both Asianet News and Media One for their coverage of violence in North East Delhi which was stated to be in contravention to the Cable Television Network Rules.
National Affairs
4. Fourth Global Ayurveda Festival to be held at Kochi from 16th May
- The Fourth Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) will be held at Kochi in Kerala from 16th to 20th May this year.
- The theme for the five-day event is ‘Ayurveda Medical Tourism: Actualizing India's credibility’.
- It will be the largest Ayurvedic event ever to be held anywhere across the world and will witness the largest gathering of experts, stakeholders and business explorers from the field of Ayurveda.
National & International Appointments
5. Kareena Kapoor becomes new brand ambassador of Puma
- German sportswear brand Puma has signed Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan as its new brand ambassador.
- Khan will be the face for Puma’s soon-to-be launched collection of low-intensity training apparel collection targeted at workouts such as yoga, barre, and pilates.
- Puma sells performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as football, running and training, basketball, golf, and motorsports.
National & International Appointments
6. Prashant Kumar takes charge as Yes Bank administrator
- Prashant Kumar (former deputy managing director and CFO of State Bank of India) has taken charge as its administrator of Yes Bank.
- Kumar taking charge as the Yes Bank administrator is in line with notifications issued by Department of Financial Services and the RBI.
- Earlier, private sector lender Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.
National & International Appointments
7. Bimal Julka is new Chief Information Commissioner
- Former IAS officer, Bimal Julka was sworn in as the new Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission.
- The oath of office was administered by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind at an even in the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.
- Information Commission includes 1 Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and not more than 10 Information Commissioners (IC) who are appointed by the President of India.
International Affairs
8. Annual Festival of St Antony’s Shrine begins in Katchatheevu Island
- The annual festival of St Antony’s Shrine begins in Katchatheevu Island of Sri Lanka.
- The festival began with the traditional flag hoisting ceremonies.
- St Antony is being worshipped by the devotees as the patron saint of seafarers.
- Priests from both India and Sri Lanka conducts the mass and car procession in connection with the festival.
Agreement
9. India, US sign Rs 1200 crore deal for protection system of new VVIP aircraf
- India and the United States have signed a Rs 1200 crore deal for acquiring missile protection suites for the new Boeing VVIP planes for the President and the Prime Minister.
- The deal was signed between the two countries around the two-day visit of US President Donald Trump to Ahmedabad and New Delhi.
- A new 28-acre facility will also be created at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for housing the new Boeing 777 wide-bodied aircraft.
State Affairs
10. Gujarat govt announces hike in payment of Anganwadi women
- Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel has announced (under rule 44) in the state assembly, the hike in payment of Anganwadi women in the state.
- Anganwadi women will get Rs.7800, Tedagar women will get Rs.3,950 and mini Anganwadi women will get Rs. 4400 with effect from March 2019.
- The payment of Anganwadi women will be increased by Rs. 600 per month, while the payment of Tedagar and Mini-Anganwadi workers will be increased by Rs.300 per month.