Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 19 May 2022, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
Daily Quiz on Current Affairs by Gkseries – 19 May 2022
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 19 May 2022
WCR develops battery-operated dual-mode locomotive ‘Navdoot’
West Central Railway has developed a battery-operated dual-mode locomotive named Navdoot. This engine runs on both modes i.e. battery and electricity. Currently, it is being used during shunting of trains at Jabalpur, Mudwara, and other stations on a trial basis. AIR correspondent reports that this e-engine can pull 18 coaches at a speed of 30 kmph. It has 84 batteries and has a capacity to pull 400 tonnes at present. Chief Public Relations Officer of West Central Railway Rahul Jaipuria told AIR that this innovation has been performed by the Electric Department of New Katni Junction.
This Dual Mode Locomotive has also received the Best Innovation Award from the Railway Board. Railways will save 1000 litres of diesel every day with this new locomotive. After clearing all the trials, it will be used more widely.
PSBs frauds decline by 51% to Rs 40,295 crore
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Public sector banks have reported over a 51% dip in the amount involved in frauds to Rs 40,295.25 crore during the financial year ended March 2022. The 12 PSBs had reported frauds worth Rs 81,921.54 crore in the preceding fiscal 2020-21.
But, the number of fraud cases has fallen slightly as a total of 7,940 frauds were reported by the PSBs in 2021-22, against 9,933 incidents reported in FY21.
Naveen Srivastava appointed as new ambassador to Nepal
Naveen Srivastava, presently working as an additional secretary in the external affairs ministry has been appointed as the next ambassador to Nepal. He succeeded Vinay Kwatra, who has recently become the foreign secretary.
He has played a key role in diplomatic and military talks with China to tackle the military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). During the recent visit of PM Modi to Nepal, both countries have signed six agreements to strengthen ties.
World AIDS Vaccine Day Or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 2022
World AIDS Vaccine Day is celebrated each year to raise awareness about the importance of HIV vaccinations in preventing HIV infection and AIDS. It is observed on May 18 each year and is also known as the HIV Vaccine Awareness Day.
The observance of this day is led by the National Institutes of Health(NIH) – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), United States of America. The Red Ribbon is an internationally recognized symbol of AIDS awareness. It is worn in support of people living with HIV and in remembrance of those who have died.
History:
The origin of the World AIDS Vaccine Day is rooted in a speech delivered by former US President Bill Clinton on May 18, 1997, at the Morgan State University, Maryland. The first-ever World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day was observed on 18th May 1998, as a commemoration of U.S. President Bill Clinton’s 1997 declaration.
Emirates Telecom buys 9.8% stake in Vodafone for $4.4 billion
Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC “e&” (Etisalat Group) has acquired approximately 2,766 million shares in Vodafone Group Plc aggregating to $4.4 billion. The shares represent 9.8% of Vodafone’s issued share capital.
The transaction is in process with e&’s ambition to be a global player in telecom and technology. Vodafone Headquarters: Berkshire, United Kingdom; Chairman: Jean-Françols van Boxmeer.
Sebi notifies rules to strengthen the regulatory framework for CIS
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has enhanced the net worth criteria and track record requirements with an aim to strengthen the regulatory framework for collective investment schemes.
The SEBI has mandated a minimum of 20 investors and a subscription amount of at least Rs 20 crore for each Collective Investment Scheme (CIS). SEBI has put a cap on cross-shareholding in Collective Investment Management Company (CIMC) to 10% to avoid conflict of interest.
World bank sanctions USD 350 billion to Gujarat’ SRESTHA-G project
The World Bank has approved USD 350 million as financial aid for the Systems Reform Endeavors for Transformed Health Achievement in Gujarat -SRESTHA-G project. The project will include transforming key health delivery systems in the state.
Focus area: Improve the quality, equity, and comprehensiveness of primary healthcare, services for adolescent girls and the capacity of disease surveillance systems.
Gujarat Governor: Acharya Devvrat; CM: Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel.
India overtakes Germany to become 4th largest vehicle market
According to the report released by Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), India has surpassed Germany to become 4th largest vehicle market in the world. The 1st was occupied by China, followed by the US and Japan. According to the latest numbers sourced from OICA, the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles – the international trade association formed of 39 national automotive industry trade associations – India saw 3,759,398 vehicles sold in 2021, compared to 2,973,319 vehicles in Germany. This translates to a difference of almost 26 percent.
Key points of the report:
- Interestingly, it was in 2019 when India had first grabbed the fourth spot and was expected to become the third-largest by 2025. It’s still possible for the country to reach the place, but it would mean surpassing Japan which saw sales of 4,448,340 units in 2021.
- The personal mobility space is around 33 vehicles per 1,000 which is one of the lowest compared to the developed market.
- The topmost position is secured by China however the automobile sales remained stagnant. Similarly, the United States of America (USA) too reported 4 per cent growth. v.Thirdly, Japan holds the 3rd position however it shrunk compared to both 2020 and 2019.
Adani Group to buy Ambuja Cements, ACC for $10.5 bn
Billionaire Gautam Adani on Sunday won the race to acquire Swiss cement major Holcim’s stake in Ambuja Cements and its subsidiary ACC for $10.5 bn (around Rs 81,361 crore), including the open offers. The value for the Holcim stake and open offer consideration makes this the largest ever acquisition by Adani and India’s largest-ever Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) transaction in the infrastructure and materials space. “Our move into the cement business is yet another validation of our belief in our nation’s growth story
Holcim owns 63.19 per cent in Ambuja Cement and 4.48 per cent in ACC. Ambuja Cement, in turn, owns 50.05 per cent in ACC. The Adani family will make an open offer to buy 26 per cent in these two companies from non-promoter shareholders, as per market regulator, the Sebi’s norms.
PM Modi unveils India’s first 5G test bed, estimated to be worth Rs 220 crore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the country’s first 5G testbed to enable startups and industry players to test and validate their products locally and reduce dependence on foreign facilities. The testbed has been set up at a cost of around Rs 220 crore. The Prime Minister said the 5G testbed is a significant step toward self-reliance in the direction of critical and modern technologies while speaking at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s silver jubilee celebrations.
The 5G testbed has been developed as a multi-institute collaborative project by eight institutes led by IIT Madras. Because there was no 5G testbed in the United States, entrepreneurs and other industry players had to fly abroad to test and certify their products before they could be installed in a 5G network. IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bangalore, Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), and Centre of Excellence in Wireless Technology were among the other institutions involved in the research.
Dr Kamal Bawa Elected to US’ National Academy of Sciences
Dr. Kamal Bawa, a noted, Indian born, conservation biologist and President of the Bengaluru-based Ashoka Trust for Research and Ecology and Environment (ATREE) was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Election to the 170-year-old Academy is a recognition of the significant contributions to science by its members. Dr. Kamal Bawa is also an elected fellow of the Royal Society (London) and the American Philosophical Society.
Dr Bawa had brought together a few scientists from India’s leading institutions to develop the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing under the banner of the Biodiversity Collaborative which got the backing of the office of the principal scientific adviser to the Government of India and is currently funded by the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.
Gram Unnati appoints former CEC Sunil Arora as non-executive chairman
Gram Unnati (Agritech startup) has appointed former chief election commissioner Sunil Arora as the new non-executive chairman of its board. He is a retired civil servant (IAS) with an experience of over 36 years.
He has served as secretary in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Gram Unnati was founded by IIT Kharagpur graduate Aneesh Jain in 2013.
CEO of Gram Unnati: Aneesh Jain
Government announces formation of Cotton Council of India
The Government has announced the formation of the Cotton Council of India under the Chairmanship of veteran cotton man Suresh Bhai Kotak. The first meeting of the proposed council has been scheduled for the 28th of May 2022.
The council will discuss, deliberate, and prepare a robust action plan for bringing out a tangible improvement in this field. The import of cotton will be permitted duty-free till the bill of lading is dated September 30, 2022.
Punjab CM launches ‘Lok Milni’ for redressal of public grievances
Punjab CM, Bhagwant Mann has launched the first-of-its-kind public interaction programme Lok Milni to hear the grievances of people and issued directions for their redressal.
Aim: Providing a single-window platform to the people for redressal of their complaints.
Previously, the Lok Milni program was named ‘janta darbar’. This event helps to facilitate the people for resolving their long-pending administrative issues.
