NATIONAL NEWS

Website ‘Booth Raabta’ Launched by Punjab

In the district of Malerkotla, Punjab, a unique initiative has been launched by the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Pallavi.

The initiative involves the launch of a special website called 'Booth Raabta', which aims to provide election-related information to the people of the district.

The website, boothraabta.com, not only helps voters but also polling personnel in any circumstances.

The initiative has been appreciated by the Deputy Election Commissioner of India, Hirdesh Kumar, and the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C.

The website, which means 'Booth Contact', is a unique initiative of the Malerkotla district authorities. According to Dr. Pallavi, the Deputy Commissioner of Malerkotla district, Booth Raabta will guide people of the district on various election-related issues.

For the first time, young voters can download certificates through the website, and voters can also rate any polling station.

Union Health Ministry has Recently Launched an iOS App called myCGHS

Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the myCGHS app for the iOS ecosystem of devices.

The app is designed to enhance access to Electronic Health Records, information, and resources for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries.

The myCGHS iOS app is developed by the technical teams of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) Himachal Pradesh and the NIC Health Team.

It is a convenient mobile application offering features aimed at enhancing information and accessibility for CGHS beneficiaries.

The app features security features like 2-factor authentication and functionality of mPIN ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of users' data.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US And UK Sign Agreement on AI Security Testing

The United States and the United Kingdom have signed an agreement to work together on testing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models.

Under AI partnership, both the countries have agreed on many issues related to it, which are as follows:

Sharing important information about the capabilities and risks associated with AI models and systems

Sharing fundamental technical research on AI safety and security fosters collaboration and innovation

They will work on aligning their approach towards safely deploying AI systems

And will work to align their scientific viewpoints

They will work together to accelerate and rapidly iterate a robust suite of assessments for AI models, systems and agents

The US and UK AI security institutes will also create a common approach to AI security testing

Plans have been drawn up to share our capabilities to ensure that these risks can be addressed effectively.

 

BANKING

36.91 Million New Demat Accounts Opened in Fiscal Year 2024

Nearly 7 crore (36.91 million ) demat accounts were added in the fiscal year 2024, marking the largest increase ever, averaging over 30 lakh accounts a month, driven by a rally in the market.

The number of Demat accounts opened with two depositories the Central Depository Services (CDSL) and the National Securities Depository (NSDL) jumped 9% year-on-year, to 15.14 crore from 11.45 crore.

At the same time, the benchmark Sensex and Nifty50 jumped 24.85 percent and 28.61% in FY24, while the broader BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices jumped 63.4% and 60%.

The number of Rs 1-trillion market capitalization stocks increased to 80 from 48 in the previous fiscal year.

Furthermore, there was a substantial increase in coverage by sell-side analysts, with 250 stocks now covered by at least 10 analysts.

A Demat Account or Dematerialised Account provides the facility of holding shares and securities in an electronic format.

A Demat Account holds all the investments an individual makes in shares, government securities, exchange-traded funds, bonds and mutual funds in one place.

Canara Bank Introduces Range of New Products and Services

Canara Bank, a Public Sector Bank has unveiled a series of new products and services aimed at enhancing customer experience and streamlining banking operations.

The bank is launching a healthcare-focused loan product Canara Heal, to meet the shortfall of hospitalization expenditure while settling through Third Party Administrator (TPA) healthcare insurance claims of self and/or dependents.

A customized savings account for women -Canara Angel , with features like Cancer Care policy, pre-approved personal loan Canara ReadyCash and online loan against term deposit product Canara MyMoney.

The bank has also unveiled ‘Canara UPI 123PAY ASI’, a user-friendly payment interface, and ‘Canara HRMS Mobile App for Staff’, an HR management solution for the bank’s employees.

Rajesh Bansal, CEO, Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, launched a Digital SHG initiative named Canara SHG e-MONEY.

Canara Bank is the first Bank to offer seamless doorstep Digital services to SHGs in collaboration with RBIH.

Digital SHG will help the customers to get instant digital credit in their accounts.

State Bank of India and Standard Chartered

The Credit Default Swap (CDS) trade between the State Bank of India (SBI) and Standard Chartered Bank India is significant as it marks the first transaction of its kind following the issuance of fresh guidelines by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regarding CDS instruments.

The CDS trade was valued at ₹25 crore, indicating a substantial financial commitment from both parties involved.

The trade involved a 1-year rupee CDS featuring REC.

This landmark transaction marks a pivotal moment in credit risk management and underscores the growing sophistication of financial instruments in the Indian market.

Credit default swaps are derivative instruments that provide a form of insurance against the risk of default of the issuer of a bond.

A credit default swap (CDS) is a financial swap agreement in which the seller of the CDS will compensate the buyer in the event of a debt default (by the debtor) or other credit event.

That is, the seller of the CDS insures the buyer against some reference asset defaulting.

The buyer of the CDS makes a series of payments to the seller and, in exchange, may expect to receive a payoff if the asset defaults.

 

SPORTS

First Indian Woman Jury Member at The Paris Olympics

Bilquis Mir of Jammu Kashmir has become the first Indian to be appointed a jury member at the 33rd Summer Olympics to be held in Paris, France, from 26 July -11 August 2024.

She is also the first woman from India to be made a jury member in the Olympics games.

Bilquis Mir, who is a qualified jury member, was a jury member at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, last year.

According to the Indian Olympic Association, former canoeist Bilquis Mir was nominated by the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association to officiate at the Paris Olympics.

Apart from performing jury duty at the Paris Olympics, Bilquis Mir will also be a part of the jury at two other international events.

She will serve as a jury member for the Olympic qualifying rounds of Kayaking and Canoeing (Asia) to be held in Tokyo (Japan) from April 18 to 20, 2024.

She will also be a jury member at the 2024 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from August 23 to 25, 2024.

Kazakhstan International Badminton Title

India badminton players Anupama Upadhyaya and M.Tharun won the women’s and men’s singles titles, respectively, at the 2024 Kazakhstan International Challenge tournament, held in Uralsk, Kazakhstan.

The Kazakhstan International Challenge Tournament was organised by the Kazakhstan National Badminton Federation in Uralsk, Kazakhstan, from 2-6 April 2024.

M.Tharun of Telangana won his first international title by defeating Soon Joo Ven of Malaysia 21-10, 21-19.

Anupama Upadhyaya, the Kazakhstan International Title, was her second consecutive international title in 2024 after her win at the Polish International Challenge 2024.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

GI Tag Registration in India Crosses 600

The number of geographical indications (GI) registered products in India has crossed 600, with Uttar Pradesh leading the list with 69 products.

Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the highest number of products with GI tags from a single geographical location.

Varanasi has 30 certified products like Banaras Thandai, Banaras Shehnai, Banaras Tabla, Banaras Lal Peda, Banaras Mural Painting etc.

According to Unnat P Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), the total number of Indian products granted GI Tag as of 31 March 2024 is 635.

Of the 1,158 applications filed over the past 20 years with the patent office, 635 are now GI-registered.

During 2023-24, 160 products were granted GI tags by the patent office, a 300 per cent growth compared to 2022-23.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Raghu Ram Received Fellowship of American Surgical Association (ASA)

The American Surgical Association (ASA) has honored Dr. Raghu Ram with an Honorary Fellowship in Washington DC.

Dr. Raghu Ram is the third surgeon from South Asia to receive the Honorary Fellowship of ASA, America's oldest and most prestigious surgical organization.

Honorary Fellowship is the highest recognition that the American Surgical Association can bestow on a country's surgical affiliate.

Dr. Raghu Ram Pillarisetti is the founder director of KIMS-Ushalakshmi Center for Breast Diseases in Hyderabad. Dr. Raghu Ram is a renowned surgeon in the Asia Pacific region.

Dr. Raghu Ram is the third surgeon from South Asia to receive a high honor in the 144 years’ history of America's oldest and most prestigious surgical organization.

Dr. Raghu Ram has been awarded the Padma Shri and Dr. BC Roy National Award. Dr. Raghu Ram Pillarisetti has a distinguished academic track record, love for his motherland and passion for society.

Dr. Raghu Ram is known for promoting excellence in his field with a compassionate approach and a strong commitment to philanthropy.

 

DEFENCE

Coast Guard Inaugurates Aquatic Centre at Mandapam, Tamil Nadu

Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, Rakesh Pal, inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard Aquatic Centre at the ICGS Mandapam near Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu.

The Director General is on a 4-day visit to the Indian Coast Guard’s bases in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.

During his first visit to Chennai, he reviewed the operational preparedness of the maritime force and infrastructure development in the region.

He also visited the ICG Station Krishnapatnam and reviewed infrastructure projects firsthand.

The Director General Rakesh Pal also interacted with officers and men of the maritime force to share his vision towards the common goal of safe, secure and clean seas.

The Indian Coast Guard was set up on 1 February 1977 under the Union Ministry of Defence.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

‘International Day of Sports for Development and Peace’ (IDSDP) is celebrated every year on 6 April.

It provides an opportunity to recognize the positive role of sport and physical activity in the lives of communities and people around the world.

The theme of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace this year 2024 is the global theme ‘Sport for the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies’.

To commemorate this International Day, an event was organized at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 4 April. The event focused on how major sporting bodies engage in partnerships to make a positive impact on people.

Recognizing the immense contribution of sport in promoting peace, development and well-being in the world, the UNGA adopted a resolution in August 2013.

This date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the first modern Olympic Games on 6 April 1896.

World Health Day

World Health Day is observed annually on 7 April to raise awareness about global health issues and promote healthy living.

This day is celebrated as the anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The purpose of this day is to make people aware about the importance of health. This day is celebrated all over the world to make people aware of health.

It plays an important role in making people aware about the importance of health, motivating them to live a healthy life and working together in the field of health.

Every year a certain theme is declared to celebrate World Health Day. The theme of this year 2024 is ‘My Health, My Rights’.

•