National news
Centre Issues First Citizenship Certificates Under CAA; Home Secretary Hands Over Documents to 14 Applicants
- Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla distributed the first set of citizenship certificates in New Delhi.
- The certificates were issued under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which came into effect on March 11, 2024.
- Eligible applicants belong to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who entered India before December 31, 2014.
- Digital certificates are being issued to applicants through email.
- The move marks a significant step under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and aims to provide citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.
The Ministry of Home Affairs:
- Ministry executive: Ajay Kumar Bhalla, IAS, Home Secretary
- Minister: Amit Shah
Bharat Pavilion Unveiled at 77th Cannes Film Festival, Emphasizing India’s Storytelling Tradition and Global Collaborations
- The Bharat Pavilion, formerly known as the India Pavilion, made its debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
- The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival is a film festival taking place from 14 to 25 May 2024. American filmmaker and actress Greta Gerwig will serve as jury president for the main competition.
- Cannes is a city in France
- The renaming reflects India’s commitment to traditional storytelling and its pursuit of global collaborations in the film industry.
- Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Sanjay Jaju, highlighted India’s dedication to its storytelling heritage and engagement in international partnerships.
- India’s role as the “sutradhar” (narrator) of global narratives was emphasized, showcasing the country’s significant presence at Cannes as a platform for storytelling on a global scale.
Banking news
PhonePe Launches UPI Payments in Sri Lanka in Collaboration with LankaPay
- PhonePe partners with LankaPay to introduce UPI payments in Sri Lanka, facilitating seamless transactions for PhonePe users at LankaPay QR merchants.
- The collaboration aims to provide familiarity and security to PhonePe users while transacting in Sri Lanka, eliminating the need for cash and currency conversions.
- This initiative is expected to enhance the payment experience for Indian tourists and business travelers visiting Sri Lanka, offering a convenient and cost-effective solution.
- Key figures including PhonePe’s CEO, Ritesh Pai, LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva, and Sri Lankan Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe commend the partnership.
Phonepe:
- CEO: Sameer Nigam (Dec 2015–)
- Founded: 2015
- Headquarters: Maharashtra
TATA AIG debuts India’s first satellite liability insurance
- TATA AIG has unveiled India’s first satellite in-orbit third-party liability insurance policy, targeting the specific needs of satellite operators and manufacturers within the country’s rapidly growing space industry.
- This policy offers coverage for third-party injuries and property damage resulting from satellite operations, complying with global standards and practices.
- TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited – a collaborative venture between the TATA Group and American International Group (AIG).
Sports news
Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement from International Football: A Look at His Storied Career
- Sunil Chhetri, one of India’s most prominent sporting figures, declares his retirement from international football following India’s match against Kuwait on June 6, 2024.
- Chhetri, hailing from Secunderabad, has captained the Indian men’s football team, known as the Blue Tigers, and donned Jersey No. 9 during his tenure.
- His retirement marks the conclusion of an illustrious career marked by numerous records and contributions to Indian football.
- Chhetri holds the distinction of being the third-highest goal scorer among active international players, with 94 goals in 150 matches.
- Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal leads the international goal-scoring chart with 128 goals, followed by Argentina’s Lionel Messi with 106 goals.
Honour for Sunil Chhetri
- Sunil Chhetri has been named the All India Football Federation(AIFF) Male Player of the Year seven times.
- He was honoured with India’s second-highest sports award, the Arjuna Award, in 2013
- He was honoured with India’s highest sports award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
- He was awarded India’s third-highest civilian award, Padam Shri, in 2019.
- In 2022, football’s world governing body, FIFA, honoured Sunil Chhetri with a documentary titled “Captain Fantastic.”
Matthews and Waseem named ICC Players of the month for April
- West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews wins her third ICC Women’s Player of the Month for April after previously winning in November 2021 and October 2023.
- UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem has been named as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April and became the first-ever player from UAE to win the ICC Player of the Month
ICC: International cricket council
- Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Founded: 15 June 1909
- CEO: Geoff Allardice
- Chairman: Greg Barclay
Award news
Ruskin Bond Honored with Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
- Ruskin Bond, a renowned author, has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest honor by India’s premier literary organization.
- The award was presented to him at his Mussoorie residence due to his ill health, by Sahitya Akademi President Madhav Kaushik and Secretary K. Sreenivasarao, in the presence of his son.
- Born on May 19, 1934, in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, Bond has been a significant literary figure for over five decades.
- Bond’s extensive body of work includes short stories, novels, autobiographical works, non-fiction, romance, and children’s books, with essays and stories being his favored genres.
IN-SPACe honoured with Geospatial World Forum Leadership Award
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has been honoured with the Geospatial World Forum (GWF) Leadership Award for “Public Policy: Enabling Industry Development.”
- The award was presented at the 2024 Geospatial World Forum in Rotterdam in a special ceremony.
- The award recognizes IN-SPACe’s contributions to the global geospatial industry through its ground-breaking work in fostering the growth and development of India’s space sector and support to non-government entities working in the space economy.
- The GWF Leadership Awards, presented annually at the Geospatial World Forum, acknowledge individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the geospatial field and demonstrated innovation in addressing global challenges.
Appointment news
Maushumi Chakravarty Appointed Director General of Akashvani
- Maushumi Chakravarty, a senior IIS officer, assumes charge as the Director General of Akashvani.
- With a career spanning over three decades, Chakravarty brings vast experience from various media organizations within the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
- She has previously served in roles such as the Press Information Bureau and the Central Bureau of Communication.
- Chakravarty has also worked on deputation with the National Human Rights Commission and served as Personal Secretary to a Cabinet Minister.
Important Days
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024: Theme and Significance
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed annually on May 17 to explore the potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) and the internet in economies and societies.
- The day aims to address the digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who have access to the internet and those who do not.
- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN’s oldest specialized agency, initiated the observance of World Telecommunications Day on May 17, 1969, marking the ITU’s foundation day established in 1865.
- Each year, the ITU selects a theme to highlight specific issues. In 2024, the theme is “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development,” emphasizing the role of innovative digital solutions in advancing sustainable development goals.
International Day of Light 2024: Background and Significance
- Every year on May 16, the International Day of Light is observed, acknowledging the vital role light plays in human life, innovation, creativity, and technology.
- Light is essential in various aspects of human existence, including science, culture, art, education, medicine, communications, and energy.
- The day commemorates the creation of the first working laser by Physicist and Engineer Theodore Maiman on May 16, 1960, at the Hughes Research Laboratories in California, USA.
- In 2017, UNESCO passed a resolution designating May 16 as the International Day of Light, with the first observance taking place in 2018.
Obituary news
Rajasthan’s First Woman Minister and Former Governor Kamla Beniwal Passes Away at 97
- Kamla Beniwal, Rajasthan’s first woman minister associated with the Congress party, passed away on May 15, 2024, in Jaipur.
- Beniwal served in various constitutional posts, including as Governor of Tripura, Gujarat, and Mizoram.