Current Affairs,English, april 2018, 22-30 April,

1. World Book Day: 23 April

World Book Day or World Book and Copyright Day is a yearly event on April 23rd, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to promote reading, publishing and copyright.

• In the United Kingdom, the day is recognized on the first Thursday in March.
• World Book Day was celebrated for the first time on 23 April 1995.
• In 2018, World Book Day's theme is “Reading, it's my right”.

2. 15th SCO Defence Ministers meeting in China

India is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers Meeting for the first time.

• The 15th SCO Defence Ministers Meeting was held at Beijing in China on 24 April 2018.
• Speaking at the meeting, Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s keen interest in developing an expanded partnership with the broader Eurasian region.
• In doing so, India has sought to build on her long-standing ties of deep mutual trust and confidence with Russia, vibrant historical and cultural linkages with countries of Central Asia and closer development partnership with China and to further enhance and deepen ties with all the member countries for mutual benefit.

3. Bangladesh's first satellite to go aloft on May 7

Bangladesh is all set to become a member of the exclusive club of satellite-owning countries as its first commercial satellite "Bangabandhu-1" will likely be flying to space on May 7 from the US.

• Bangladeshi Telecommunication and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar made the announcement.
• The satellite will be launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral.
• In September 2016, Bangladesh signed a 14-billion-taka (about $180 million) loan agreement with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) to finance the country's first-ever satellite "Bangabandhu-I".

4. World Malaria Day: 25 April

World Malaria Day is an international observance commemorated every year on 25 April and recognizes global efforts to control malaria.

• Globally, 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria.
• WMD is one of eight official global public health campaigns currently marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day and World AIDS Day.
• World Malaria Day 2018 theme is ‘Ready to beat malaria’.

5. India ranks 138 in World Press Freedom Index

India slipped in the annual World Press Freedom Index 2018 for the second straight year, falling two places to rank 138th among 180 countries in the latest list.

• The country was ranked 136th in 2015, gained three places to 133rd in 2016, and fell back to 136th last year.
• Norway once again topped the list, while North Korea found itself at the bottom.

6. World Intellectual Property Day: 26 April

World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26 April.

• The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to "raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life".
• 26 April was chosen as the date for World Intellectual Property Day because it coincides with the date on which the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization entered into force in 1970.

7. Morocco to host 2021 annual meetings of World Bank, IMF

Morocco has been designated to host the 2021 annual meetings of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• The choice, the second of its kind for the African continent since 1973, coincided with the 60th anniversary of Morocco's joining the two institutions on April 25, 1958.
• The announcement came after a long process, which involved the evaluation of 13 countries' bid.

8. India-China Informal Summit

Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and President of People's Republic of China Mr. Xi Jinping held their first Informal Summit in Wuhan on April 27-28, 2018.

• The aim of the summit is to exchange views on overarching issues of bilateral and global importance, and to elaborate their respective visions and priorities for national development in the context of the current and future international situation.
• They shared the view that peaceful, stable and balanced relations between India and China will be a positive factor for stability amidst current global uncertainties.

9. Suresh Prabhu to Chair First Meeting of Think Tank on Framework for National Policy on E-Commerce

Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, will chair the first meeting of the think tank on the Framework for National Policy on E-commerce to be held on April 24th, 2018.

• Senior officers of the ministries/ departments of the Government of India involved in different aspects of e-commerce; high level representatives from the industry bodies, e-commerce companies, telecommunication companies and IT companies; Reserve Bank of India; and independent experts have been invited to participate in the meeting.
• The think tank on the Framework for National Policy on E-commerce has been established recently by the Department of Commerce.
• It will provide a credible forum for an inclusive and fact-based dialogue leading to recommendations for informed policy making, so that the country is adequately prepared to take advantage of the opportunities, and meet the challenges, that would arise from the next wave of advancements in digital economy.

10. AFSPA revoked in Meghalaya

The Centre has revoked The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Meghalaya since April 1.

• Earlier the AFSPA was effective in 20 km area along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
• In Arunachal Pradesh, the impact of AFSPA was reduced to eight police stations instead of 16 police stations and in Tirap, Longding and Changlang districts bordering Assam.
• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is effective in whole of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur (excluding seven assembly constituencies of Imphal) and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

11. National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April

National Panchayati Raj Day is the national day of India celebrated by Ministry of Panchayati Raj on 24 April annually.

• Then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh inaugurated the first National Panchayati Raj Day in 2010.

12. Diu Smart City becomes first to run on 100% Renewable Energy during Daytime

Diu Smart City has become the first city in India, that runs on 100% renewable energy during daytime setting a new benchmark for other cities to become clean and green.

• Diu had been importing 73% of its power from Gujarat until last year.
• It has now adopted a two-pronged approach whereby a 9 MW solar park spread over 50 hectares rocky barren land has been developed besides installing solar panels on the roof tops on 79 government buildings thereby generating 1.3 MW annually.
• To further enhance its solar capacity, Diu offers its residents a subsidy of Rs 10, 000-50,000 for installing 1-5KW roof top solar panels.
• Diu is saving about 13,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year. Due to low-cost solar energy, power tariffs have been cut in residential category by 10% last year and 15% this year.

13. International SME Convention – 2018 begins in New Delhi

Delegates from 37 countries are participating in the first ever International SME Convention being held in New Delhi from 22nd to 24th April 2018.

• Some of the participating countries are Australia, Austria, France, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, South Africa and UAE.
• The Convention will be also hosting over 400 entrepreneurs from India.
• During the 2 days’ Convention a Khadi fashion show called “Transcending Boundaries” will be held.

14. Railways to hand over century-old heritage bridge to UP government

In a bid to save its heritage structures, the Railways has decided against dismantling the 113-year old Lord Curzon Bridge in Allahabad and will hand it over the Uttar Pradesh government for its preservation.

• The construction of the 61-metre- long Lord Curzon Bridge that caters to both rail and vehicular traffic was sanctioned in 1901 as a state railway bridge.
• The engineer-in-charge was Robert Richard Gales.
• It opened for railway traffic on June 15, 1905, and for road traffic on December 20, 1905.

15. PM launches Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, at a public meeting, in Mandla in Madhya Pradesh.

• He unveiled a Road Map for overall development of tribals during the next five years.
• He laid the foundation stone of an LPG bottling plant of Indian Oil Corporation at Maneri, Mandla District. He also launched a Local Government Directory.  
• The Prime Minister felicitated the Sarpanches of villages which have achieved 100 percent smokeless kitchens, 100 percent vaccination under Mission Indradhanush, and 100 percent electrification under Saubhagya Scheme.

16. Conclusion of Exercise Gaganshakti-2018

The Indian Air Force conducted pan India Exercise Gagan Shakti-2018 from 08-22 Apr 2018.

• The aim of the exercise was real time coordination, deployment and employment of air power in a short and intense battle scenario. 
• During Gagan Shakti-2018, lAF exercised its entire war fighting machinery to validate its concept of operations and war waging capability.
• The focus of the exercise was to check the viability of our operational plans and learn meaningful lessons.

17. Rajnath Singh chairs third meeting of Island Development Agency

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, chaired the third meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA) In Delhi.

• The Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards preparation of Development Plans for identified Islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis and five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).
• For these Islands, Final Site Suitability Reports have been prepared, Carrying Capacity determined and Environmental zoning carried out to ensure sustainable development.

18. 2 Day Secure India Conclave underway in New Delhi

The two-day Secure India Conclave got underway in New Delhi on 24 April 2018.

• The conclave is being organised by Global Counter Terrorism keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of New India : Secure India 2018.
• Several sessions on Left Wing Extremism, internal security situation on Jammu and Kashmir, cyber security and other areas will be chaired by eminent personnel during the summit.

19. Foreigners can now travel to Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur without a permit

Foreign tourists, except those from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, would now be allowed to visit some of the most pristine locations of the country.

• The home ministry has decided to relax the six-decade-old Protected Area Permit regime from Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur for five years with effect from April 1.
• Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, all areas falling between the Inner line and the International Border of some states were declared as protected areas.

20. Human Resource Development Ministry Launches Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0

Human Resource Development Ministry has launches Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 in New Delhi.

• Addressing the launching ceremony at AICTE headquarters through video message, Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the students are the real agents of change who can develop, empower and brighten the future of the country.
• Shri Javadekar said that Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 is in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision to transform India, in which students from colleges and universities will go to nearby villages to get acquainted with the life of the village people and the problems faced by them in day to day life.

21. Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI 2018

As part of ongoing Indo-Malaysian defence cooperation, a joint training exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI will be conducted in the dense forests of Sengai Perdik, Hulu Langat, Malaysia from 30 April 18 to 13 May 18.

• The exercise is aimed at bolstering cooperation & coordination between armed forces of both the nations and to share the expertise of both the contingents in conduct of counter insurgency operations in jungle terrain.

22. NITI Aayog announces the launch of Atal New India Challenges

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of the NITI Aayog today announced to launch the Atal New India Challenges, which came into being following Prime Minister’s clarion call to bring innovations and technologies relevant to the people. 

• Applicants showing capability, intent, and potential to productize technologies will be awarded grants up to Rs. One crore.
• This grant support will be supplemented by mentoring, handholding,incubatingand other support as neededat various stages of commercialisation. while generatingwider deployment. 

23. Rajnath Singh chairs 23rd meeting of Western Zonal Council at Gandhinagar

The 23rd meeting of the Western Zonal Council was held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat today under the Chairmanship of the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.

• The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Administrator of the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and senior officers from Central and State Governments.
• The Union Home Minister stated that the Zonal Councils were established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 with the objective to develop the habit of cooperative working among the States and between the Centre and the States. 
• The Zonal Councils are mandated to discuss and make recommendations on any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning.

24. Coastal security exercise 'Sagar Kavach' held in Kerala

A two-day coastal security exercise 'Sagar Kavach' was held to strengthen and assess the loopholes in the coastal security mechanism along Kerala shores.

• Apart from the Coast Guard, the Navy, Coastal Police and Marine Enforcement wing and various other security stakeholders were also participating in the exercise.
• Three ships of the navy, 10 of Coastguard, four fishing boats, besides 20 coastal police stations from Vizhinjam to Kasaragod were among those took part in the drill held twice a year.

25. 15th World Rural Health Conference held in New Delhi

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the 15th World Rural Health Conference held in New Delhi.

• He said that approximately half of the global population lives in rural areas, but those areas are served by only 38% of the total nursing workforce and by less than a quarter of the total physician workforce.
• Its Theme is “Healing the Heart of Healthcare: Leaving No One Behind”.

26. Kerala CM launches Pravasi Pension Scheme

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally launched the Pravasi Pension Scheme of the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board at a programme.

• The programme was organised by the All India Malayalee Association (AIMA), Telangana unit.
• The scheme gives those hailing from Kerala but living outside the state or country, a pension of Rs. 2,000 a month.
• People over the age of 60 years are eligible for the pension.

27. Israeli Modern Art Exhibition to be inaugurated in the Capital

The National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel in India and the Petach Tikva Museum of Art, Israel is organizing an exhibition titled ‘To the End of Land’-contemporary art from Israel on the occasion of 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

• The exhibition will be inaugurated on 28th of April, 2018 at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
• The exhibition is a collection of art creations of 19 Israeli artists, including the internationally acclaimed Shahar Marcus who will perform at the exhibition opening.

28. Van Dhan Scheme launched by PM

The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi launched the Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED at Bijapur, Chattisgarh. 

• Emphasizing the important role of value addition in increasing tribal incomes, he stated that Van Dhan, Jan Dhan and Gobar-Dhan Schemes had the potential to change the tribal-rural economic system.
• All these three schemes in tandem need to be promoted for this purpose by the State Governments.
• The establishment of “Van Dhan Vikas Kendra” is for providing skill upgradation and capacity building training.

29. Andhra Govt holds Cyber Security Summit in Visakhapatnam

The Andhra Pradesh government and MasterCard, along with Fintech valley, held the Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security Summit in Visakhapatnam.

• The summit was a part of the MoU between Andhra Pradesh government and MasterCard to implement the best practices for cybersecurity.

30. Sikkim's Pawan Chamling becomes longest serving Chief Minister

Sikkim Chief Minister and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) founder Pawan Kumar Chamling has surpassed the record of former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu by becoming the longest serving Chief Minister of any Indian state.

• Veteran communist Jyoti Basu ruled West Bengal for 23 years from June 21, 1977 till November 6, 2000.
• Pawan Kumar Chamling became Chief Minister of the Himalayan state on December 12, 1994 and completed his 24th year in office now.
• He founded SDF in 1993 and formed the state government next year.

31. Meeting of Inter-Governmental Committee between India and Nepal

An India-Nepal Inter Government Committee (IGC) on Trade, Transit and Cooperation to Control Unauthorised Trade, led by Commerce Secretaries of the two Governments, is functioning under the India-Nepal Treaty of Trade and India-Nepal Treaty of Transit.

• A meeting of the IGC was held on 26-27 April 2018 in Kathmandu, Nepal with the Indian delegation led by Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary.
• Both countries agreed to initiate, by July 2018,a comprehensive review of the bilateral Treaty of Trade which governs the bilateral trade and was last revised in 2009.

32. India highest recipient of remittances in 2017

India retained the top position as recipient of remittances with its diaspora sending about USD 69 billion back home last year, the World Bank said.

• Remittances to India picked up sharply by 9.9 per cent, reversing the previous year's dip, but were still short of USD 70.4 billion received in 2014.
• India was followed by China the Philippines, Mexico, Nigeria and Egypt.

33. BoI ties up with NeSL

Bank of India has entered into an agreement with National e-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL) for availing NeSL’s  Information Utility (IU) service to expedite the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process.

• This is in compliance with the the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.
• MD&CEO of Bank of India, Dinabandhu Mohapatra, said the operationalisation of IUs will mark a new era in Indian banking and the IU infrastructure will strengthen lenders.

34. India and World Bank Signs Agreement to Improve Rural Road Network in MP

The Government of India, the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the World Bank have signed a $210 million loan agreement for the Madhya Pradesh Rural Connectivity Project.

• The Project is expected to improve the durability, resilience and safety of the gravel surfaced rural roads and enhance the capacity of the state to manage its rural roads network. 
• The Project will cover 10,510 km stretch of rural roads in Madhya Pradesh that fall under the Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (CMGSY) program.
• Of this 10,000 km will be upgraded from existing gravel to bituminous surface roads, while 510 km of new roads will be built to the same bituminous surface standard. 

35. PNB to hire detective agencies to locate untraceable borrowers

Fraud-hit Punjab National Bank (PNB) has invited applications for empanelment of detective agencies to locate its untraceable borrowers.

• In its efforts to recover NPAs, the PNB has also resorted to 'Gandhigiri' wherein its staff hope to 'name and shame' defaulting borrowers to recover up to Rs 150 crore worth bad loans every month.
• The Delhi-headquartered bank has been at the receiving end of the over Rs 13,000 crore fraud involving diamond merchants Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

36. India signs loan agreement with World Bank for US$ 125 million

A Loan Agreement for IBRD credit of US$ 125 (equivalent) for the “Innovate in India for Inclusiveness Project” was signed with the World Bank on 24th April, 2018 in New Delhi.

• The Objectives of the project is to nurture indigenous innovation, foster local product development and accelerate commercialization process by bridging critical skill and infrastructure gaps to promote affordable and innovative healthcare products generation for inclusive development and increasing competitiveness in India.  
• The project would support consortia of public, private, and the academic institutions to overcome the key market failures currently holding back the development of an innovative biopharmaceutical and medical devices industry in India.

37. Govt to acquire RBI’s stake in National Housing Bank

The government will soon acquire the stake of Reserve Bank of India in housing finance regulator National Housing Bank (NHB).

• The stake transfer would be cash neutral and there would be no cash outgo. RBI currently holds 100 per cent stake in the NHB.
• The Finance Bill 2018 has amended the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, for transferring RBI’s stake in the NHB to the government.

38. Google most trusted Internet brand in India: Report

Online search engine Google is the most trusted Internet brand in India, followed by Facebook, a report said.

• With 1.2 trillion searches per year, Google has become the first port of call for all things on the Internet.
• According to the report, e-commerce major Amazon ranked third among the most trusted Internet brands in the country and e-Bay ranked fourth.

39. India’s GDP to grow 7.3% in FY19: Fitch

India’s economy will grow 7.3% in the current financial year and gain pace to 7.5% next year as the “temporary drag” from demonetisation and the goods and services tax fades away, Fitch Ratings forecast.

• The rating company reaffirmed India’s ‘BBB-’ rating with a stable outlook as it pointed to India’s growth potential and lauded the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary management.
• Fitch said GST is an important reform that would support growth in the medium term when teething issues dissipate.

40. Dalmia Bharat Group adopts Red Fort

Dalmia Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ministry of tourism to adopt the iconic Mughal-era monument Red Fort for the next five years at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

• As per the agreement, the corporate giant would build basic infrastructure around the monument and maintain it.

41. Mario Abdo Benitez elected as Paraguay's president

Conservative candidate Mario Abdo Benitez of Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party narrowly defeated his opposition in the country's presidential elections.

• The group has dominated the country's political landscape for more than 70 years.
• Benitez vowed to focus on Paraguay's persistent poverty by stimulating foreign investment.

42. Indu Malhotra first woman lawyer to be Supreme Court judge

The government is learnt to have cleared the appointment of senior advocate Indu Malhotra as a judge of the Supreme Court.

• She will be the first woman to be appointed to the top post directly from the bar.
• With this development, the government has decided to put on hold the elevation of Justice K M Joseph, who heads the Uttarakhand High Court.

43. Rahul Bhatia named interim CEO of Indigo

Aditya Ghosh has resigned as the President and whole-time director of IndiGo and will leave the company by July 31, 2018.

• While Interglobe Chairman Rahul Bhatia has been appointed as the interim CEO of the company, Greg Taylor will be appointed as president and CEO of the company.

44. Gauri Sheoran made brand ambassador for Haryana's health programmes

The Haryana government has appointed international shooter Gauri Sheoran the brand ambassador for its two health-related programmes.

• The decision was announced by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the launch of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign.
• Under the campaign, about 80 lakh children aged between nine months and 15 would be vaccinated.

45. Narinder Chauhan appointed Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic

Ms. Narinder Chauhan (IFS: 1985) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic.

• She is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Presently she is Ambassador of India to the Republic of Serbia.

46. Krishan Kumar appointed as the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Norway

Shri Krishan Kumar (IFS: 1984) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Norway.

• He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. She is presently Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic.

47. Rajiv Kumar Nagpal appointed Ambassador of India to Venezuela

Shri Rajiv Kumar Nagpal has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

• He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. He is presently Ambassador of India to Iceland.

48. Kavinder Gupta to be new Jammu and Kashmir deputy CM

BJP has decided to replace its Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh in the restive Jammu and Kashmir.

• Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta is going to be the new deputy chief minister.
• Gupta, a senior BJP leader who represents Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency of the winter capital city of Jammu, will be sworn in on April, 30.

49. Egyptian photojournalist wins 2018 World Press Freedom Prize

Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, is the recipient of the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

• Abu Zeid, a freelance photographer who has worked for photo agencies such as Demotix and Corbis, is one of the longest-detained journalists in Egypt.
• He was arrested on August 14, 2013, when hundreds were killed as security forces cleared two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo.

50. CSIR bags National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is awarded the National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018 in the category “Top R&D Institution / Organization for Patents and Commercialization”.

• Dr. Girish Sahni, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR received the award at the hands of Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister, Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 
• The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is a contemporary R&D organization.

51. Amjad Ali Khan, Anupam Kher get Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle and veteran actor Anupam Kher were among the prominent personalities who were conferred the 'Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards' on the occasion of his 76th death anniversary .

• Bhosle was conferred the award for life achievements, while Anupam was acknowledged by a Special Award honouring his contributions to cinema and theatre.

52. Sitanshu Yashaschandra’s "Vakhar" chosen for Saraswati Samman

Eminent Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandra’s poetry collection "Vakhar" has been chosen for the Saraswati Samman for 2017, the K K Birla Foundation has announced.

• The selection for the 27th award is made by a high level Chayan Parishad (selection committee), presided over by former secretary general of Lok Sabha, Subhash C Kashyap.
• Instituted in 1991, the prestigious award recognises an "outstanding" literary work every year written in any Indian language and published during the last 10 years.
• Born in 1941 in Bhuj, Yashaschandra is one of the most eminent representatives of contemporary Gujarati literature.

53. BCCI to honour Diana Edulji with CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award

A three-man BCCI panel has recommended former India women's team captain and current CoA member, Diana Edulji, for the prestigious CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Along with Edulji, former India opener late Pankaj Roy will also be awarded posthumously.
• Diana Edulji is a member of Supreme Court appointed BCCI committee of Administrators.

54. Budgam shortlisted for PM Modi's excellence award

Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district has been shortlisted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's excellence award for promoting digital payments and cashless economy.

• Under the supervision of District authorities, digital payments facility has been installed at 670 places across the district so far.
• The places include 372 ration shops, 285 fertilizer shops and 13 Revenue (Tehsil) offices across Budgam.

55. India win 8th South Asian Judo Championship

India have clinched the title of team champion in the 8th series of South Asian Judo Championship in Kathmandu.

• In the men's team category, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 3-2 in the finals to claim the title.
• Under the women's team category, India thrashed hosts Nepal 5-0 to seal the title.
• India ended their campaign in the tournament with a total of 12 Gold medals and three Bronze medals.

56. 2021 Champions Trophy to be held in India

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to convert the 2021 Champions Trophy into a World T20 event scheduled in India.

• Earlier it was an eight-team ODI tournament.
• ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson said the global body had “unanimously agreed” that the 2021 meet in India would now be a 16-team event in the shortest format.

57. Rafael Nadal wins 11th Barcelona Open title

Rafael Nadal continued his clay-court dominance by collecting a record-extending 11th title in Barcelona.

• His 6-2 6-1 victory over Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas enabled the Spaniard to hold onto his world No 1 ranking.
• This is his 19th successive win on clay and he has now won 46 consecutive sets on the red dirt.

58. Lewis Hamilton wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton was handed victory in Azerbaijan Grand Prix during which both Red Bulls sensationally collided with each other.

• A puncture denied Valtteri Bottas his first win of the season. Raikkonen finished second while Perez finished third in the race.

59. TV actor Amita Udgata passes away

TV actor Amita Udgata breathed her last due to lung failure. The veteran actor has many popular TV shows to her credit.

• Amita Udgata became a household name after playing the role of ‘Amma’ in Star Plus’ popular social drama Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya.
• Amita was also seen in films like Sarbjit and Hasee Toh Phasee.

60. Vice President Releases the Book ‘Smart Cities Unbundled’

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the Smart Cities Mission is the beginning of India’s urban renaissance.

• He was addressing the gathering after releasing the Book ‘Smart Cities Unbundled’ authored by Dr. Sameer Sharma.
• The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (I/C), Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

61. Former PM Manmohan Singh launches economist Rao’s book

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released a book titled ‘My Journey from Marxism-Leninism to Nehruvian Socialism’.

• The Book is authored by former Planning Commission and Finance Commission member C H Hanumantha Rao.
• While launching the book, Singh called Rao a most creative thinker, social activist, and distinguished economist.