1) World Hemophilia Day observed globally on 17 April
•The theme of World Haemophilia Day 2020: “Get + Involved”. The theme encourages to extend the notice of inherited bleeding disorders and therefore the got to make access to adequate care possible everywhere within the world.
2) MHA issues new activities exempted from lockdown restrictions
The order exempts from lockdown restrictions certain activities as below:
•The government has allowed the Collection, harvesting and processing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP)/ Non-timber Forest Produce (NTFP) by Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers in forest areas.
•The government has allowed the activities regarding Bamboo, Coconut, Arecanut, Cocoa, Spices plantations and their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing.
•The government has allowed several construction activities in rural areas and has permitted non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and Cooperative Credit Societies to function.
3) Chhattisgarh govt launches ‘Cghaat’ website for home delivery
•The vendors of fruits and vegetables, who have an interest in providing services through this portal can register online. Cghaat service is out there free from charge to vendors. Other essential items like milk, groceries, forest-produce, etc are set to be delivered soon through the portal.
4) CeNS develops sensor for heavy metal detection in water
•Lead, mercury and cadmium can easily be accumulated in the body and cannot be detoxified by any chemical or biological processes, and hence it poses severe potential threats to living beings.
5) BSNL CMD P K Purwar takes additional charge of MTNL
•This is the 3rd time Purwar has been given charge of MTNL CMD in the last six years. He has taken over the charge of CMD MTNL from April 15, 2020. He took charge as BSNL chairman in July 2019.
6) RBI announces measures to mitigate impact of COVID-19
•The Reserve Bank of India has announced a set of measures to mitigate the effect of COVID-19. Among the major announcements, the Reserve Bank of India has decided to reduce the reverse repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 4% to 3.75% with immediate effect. While the policy repo rate, MSF rate and the Bank rate will remain same as per decision taken in RBI’s 7th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement for 2019-20.
7) Viswanathan Anand joins WWF India as ambassador
•This year WWF India is celebrating its 50th year of conservation in India. WWF India was found in November 1969. WWF India’s environmental education programme is as old as the organisation itself, starting way back in 1976 with the Nature Clubs of India (NCI) initiative. The environmental education programme currently reaches out to over 5,00,000 children across 2000 schools in the country.
8) “Feifei” to be the mascot for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games
•“Feifei” to be the mascot for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, China. The 4th Asian Para Games are going to be held from October 9-15, 2022, featuring 22 sports with Taekwondo and Para-Canoe to form their Games debuts. The mascot helps to bring the Games to life for everybody, from the athletes to the spectators.