National news
ONDC Startup Mahotsav in New Delhi: Boosting Startup Ecosystem
- Collaboration between Startup India and ONDC.
- Over 5000 startups participated in hybrid mode.
- 12 Unicorns and 125+ startups committed to ONDC
- DPIIT Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh highlights government’s commitment to startup growth and innovation.
- DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv stresses continuous collaboration between startups and ONDC
55th IFFI Poster Unveiled at Cannes Film Festival
- Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju unveils official poster at 77th Cannes Film Festival.
- IFFI scheduled for November in Goa.
- Presence of notable figures including filmmakers Ashok Amritraj, Richie Mehta, singer Shaan, actor Rajpal Yadav, and film veteran Bobby Bedi
- India hosts Bharat Parv at Cannes for the first time, showcasing Indian culture, cuisine, and cinema.
- Over 250 delegates attend the event, highlighting India’s presence on the global platform.
Export Awareness Seminar on Niryat Bandhu Scheme in Arunachal Pradesh
- Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts organized one-day seminar in Itanagar.
- Focus on Niryat Bandhu Scheme by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- Niryat Bandhu program offers crucial support and guidance for global business endeavors.
- Niryat Bandhu officer acts as a mentor, especially for individuals new to international business.
- Aims to facilitate smoother entry into the global market and enhance export opportunities
Banking news
RBI Deputy Governor Highlights Cybersecurity Risks in Banking Sector
- RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J underscores the significant impact of cyberattacks on banks’ operations, reputation, and financial stability.
- Emphasizes the necessity for proactive risk mitigation strategies in the face of evolving risks.
- Addressing the Conference of Heads of Assurance of Urban Cooperative Banks, he notes the emergence of new risks alongside traditional ones in the banking landscape.
- Traditional risks include credit, market, and liquidity risks, while new challenges like cybersecurity threats and operational disruptions are gaining prominence.
- Calls for continuous vigilance and adaptation to mitigate the evolving risks effectively.
RBI Acts to Ease Liquidity Constraints in Banking System
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) responds to tight liquidity conditions in banking system.
- Announces significant reduction in government’s treasury bill sales.
- Introduces new selection of bonds for Centre’s buyback operations.
- Move aims to alleviate cash constraints for banks exacerbated by muted government spending during ongoing general elections.
- Strategy involves reducing supply of treasury bills and offering bonds for repurchase at acceptable prices.
- Objective is to inject liquidity into banking system and ease borrowing costs for banks.
Sports news
Next Generation Squash Players Inducted into TOPS for 2028 Olympics
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Mission Olympics Cell (MOC) inducts Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh, and Velavan Senthilkumar into TOPS Development Group.
- Focus on 2028 Los Angeles Olympics debut for squash.
- Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal, and Joshna Chinappa pass the baton to the new generation.
- Squash Racquets Federation of India (SRFI) Secretary General Cyrus Poncha highlights significance of inclusion in TOPS.
- Marks pivotal moment for squash in India, signifies broader endorsement of the sport.
Indian Players Shine in Thailand Open 2024 Quarterfinals
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advance to men’s doubles semi-finals, defeating Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif & Roy King Yap 21-7, 21-14.
- Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto secure spot in women’s doubles semi-final after defeating South Korea’s Lee Yu Lim and Shin Seung Chan in a tight match 21-15, 21-23, 21-19.
- Meiraba Luwang Maisnam’s journey ends in men’s singles quarter-finals with a loss to world No. 8 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, scoreline 12-21, 5-21.
Indian Pair Wins Mixed Doubles Title at WTT Feeder Tournament
- Poymantee Baisya and Akash Pal claim mixed doubles title at World Table Tennis (WTT) Feeder tournament in Cappadocia.
- Defeated fellow Indians Anirban Ghosh and Swastika Ghosh in a tense battle.
- Baisya and Akash secure victory with a hard-fought 3-2 win, clinching the prestigious title.
International news
12th India-Mongolia Defence Joint Working Group Meeting Concludes
- Meeting held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, co-chaired by India’s Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad and Mongolian counterpart Brigadier General Gankhuyag Davagdorj.
- India’s Ambassador to Mongolia Atul Malhari Gotsurve also present.
- Both sides express satisfaction with ongoing defence cooperation.
- Reviewed progress on bilateral defence initiatives and discussed means to enhance cooperation.
- Exchanged views on current geopolitical situation.
- Mr. Prasad highlights potential of Indian defence industry; Mongolian side expresses confidence in Indian industry.
- Joint Secretary and Indian Ambassador meet with Deputy Defence Minister of Mongolia, B Bayarmagnai, to discuss bilateral cooperation.
- India and Mongolia share deep historical, cultural, and civilizational ties, considering each other as ‘Spiritual Neighbours’.
UAE Introduces 10-Year Blue Residency Visa for Environmental Leaders
- UAE announces new visa program targeting individuals contributing significantly to environmental protection and sustainability efforts.
- The 10-year Blue Residency Visa aims to attract global leaders in environmental research, activism, and technological solutions.
- Visa category extends globally, welcoming champions of sustainability initiatives worldwide.
- Successful applicants can include members of international environmental organizations, award-winning researchers, and distinguished activists.
- Contrast to UAE’s standard two-year residency permits, this visa offers a longer-term stay.
- Joins existing visa programs like the Golden Visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and specialists, and the Green Visa for skilled professionals and business owners.
- Introduction coincides with UAE’s ongoing Year of Sustainability and commitment to environmental initiatives, following landmark consensus at COP28.
Preparations Underway for Seetha Amman Temple Kumbhabhishekam in Sri Lanka
- Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) of Seetha Amman temple in Seetha Eliya, Sri Lanka, scheduled for May 19th.
- Rath Yatra flagged off from Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Amman Kovil in Colombo, set to reach Seetha Amman Temple.
- Presence of senior leaders of Sri Lanka and representatives from Ram Lalla temple, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and World Ramayana Conference.
- Devotees from India and Nepal gather in Colombo for the occasion.
- Five holy kalash of Saryu water from Ayodhya flown in for the ceremony.
- 5000 laddoos brought from Tirumala Tirupati Temple.
- Seetha Eliya, believed to be where Goddess Sita was held hostage by Ravana, also known as Ashok Vatica.
Indo-Bangla Baul Music Festival Celebrates Fakir Lalan Shah
- Nine-day festival in Dhaka honors 250th birth anniversary of mystic saint Fakir Lalan Shah.
- Organized by Lalon Biswasangha to popularize his work and promote research.
- Supported by High Commission of India and Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh.
- Fakir Lalan Shah emphasized humanity’s unity beyond divisions of language, region, and culture, noted by Bangladesh Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni.
- Renowned Baul singer Farida Parveen highlights Lalon’s role as a mystic, philosopher, and social reformer.
- Lalon’s songs blend elements of Islam, Vaishnavism, Sahajiya Buddhism, and Jainism, celebrating humanism.
- Event symbolizes unity with participation of Bauls from both sides of the border.
- Lalon’s influence extends to figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Allen Ginsberg.
- Director of Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Mrinmoy Chakravarty, welcomes the initiative, emphasizing Lalon’s transcendence of boundaries.
Award news
Anmol Rai Crowned Miss Pink Nepal 2024 in Gala Event
- Anmol Rai, a transwoman, named Miss Pink Nepal 2024 in a gala event held in Kathmandu.
- First runner-up: Sarosy Neupane, Second runner-up: Aarohi Basnet.
- Rai to represent Nepal in Miss International Queen 2024 competition in Thailand.
- Event celebrated International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, Transphobia, and Aphobia.
- Organized by Diamond Society Nepal to raise awareness about LGBTQ community struggles.
- Cultural performances showcased Nepal’s rich heritage.
Important Days
International Museum Day: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
- International Museum Day observed annually on May 18.
- Aims to raise awareness about the role of museums in society.
- Established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977.
- Each year, ICOM suggests a theme for the day, addressing topics like globalization, cultural bridging, and environmental care.
- Provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of museums in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
- Encourages public engagement with museums and appreciation of their contributions to education, culture, and community development.
- The theme that was chosen at the ICOM General Assembly for IMD 2024 is Museums for Education and Research!
Obituary news
Padma Shri Awardee Malti Joshi Passes Away at 90
- Renowned storyteller and Padma Shri awardee Malti Joshi dies at 90.
- Passed away at her residence in New Delhi on May 15, 2024.
- Battled oesophagus cancer.
- Known for her work in Hindi and Marathi languages.
- Awarded Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 2018.
