1) International Day for Biological Diversity 2022: 22 May
•International Day for Biological Diversity or World Biodiversity Day is observed on 22nd May every year to increase awareness and understanding of the issues of biodiversity. Biodiversity is essential for sustaining the balance of the planet. It is the cornerstone of ecosystem services, which are completely tied to human well-being.
2) India Celebrates 250th Birth Anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
•The 250th birth anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy was celebrated and commemorated by the Ministry of Culture under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The ministry of Culture organized an inaugural ceremony on 22nd May 2022. The inaugural ceremony was organized at the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, Salt Lake, Kolkata, and at Science City Auditorium, Kolkata.
•According to the press release by the ministry, it was the 250th birth anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and the 50th foundation day of the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation. Several ministers including the Governor of West Bengal, Jagdeep Dhankar were also present at the inaugural ceremony. The union minister of culture, tourism, and development of the North-eastern Region (DoNER), G Kishan Reddy, also joined the ceremony virtually.
•The ministry inaugurated an iconic Statue of Raja Ram Mohan Roy at the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation. It was inaugurated by Union minister G Kishan Reddy virtually. The union Minister addressed the celebration and said that ” Today, on the 250th birth anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, on behalf of Prime minister Narendra Modi and the Central government, I would thank and pay my regards for his great contribution to the emancipation of our society. It is wonderful confidence that today is the 250th Birth Anniversary of the great reformer and the historical 50 years of the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation is also being completed.”
3) 4th edition of India-Bangladesh Navy Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) commences
•The fourth edition of the Indian Navy-Bangladesh Navy Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) commenced. The patrolling drill commenced in the northern Bay of Bengal and would continue between May 22 and 23. Both units will undertake joint patrolling along International Maritime Boundary Line. The last IN-BN CORPAT was conducted in October 2020.
•Indian Navy’s indigenous warships, INS Kora and INS Sumedha along with Bangladesh Navy’s warships BNS Ali Haider and BNS Abu Ubaidah would touch the waters during patrolling. Maritime Patrol Aircraft of both navies will also undertake joint patrol along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) during CORPAT. The regular conduct of CORPATs has strengthened mutual understanding and enhanced interoperability between both the navies in countering transnational maritime threats at sea.
4) Piyush Goyal to lead India at the WEF in Davos for 2022
•The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting kicks off in Davos, Switzerland. The Indian delegation will be led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal throughout the five-day meeting. This event will assist to strengthen India’s status as a vital and relevant player in creating the global narrative, especially as it prepares to take over the G-20 presidency next year.
5) India overtakes Germany to become 4th largest vehicle market 2022
•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. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, India sold 3,759,398 vehicles in 2021 as compared to 2,973,319 vehicles in Germany. This is almost 26 per cent of growth and the only country to register double-digit growth among the top 5 countries.
6) India’s State of Inequality Report Released
•Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council Chairman Dr. Bibek debroy, launched the State of Inequality in India Report (EAC-PM). The Institute for Competitiveness authored the research, which provides a comprehensive examination of the level and type of inequality in India. The study combines data on inequality in the health, education, household characteristics, and labour market sectors. Inequities in these areas, according to the research, render the population more vulnerable and lead to multidimensional poverty.
7) Statue of Unity- ‘Loha’ Campaign and Milestones
•Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was a role model of unity and statesmanship. The Statue of Unity is the tallest in the world and is located in Gujarat. The statue faces the Sardar Sarovar dam and stands on the Isle of Sadhu Bet in the river Narmada in district Rajpipla in Gujarat. The statue is naturally decorated by Vindhyachal and Satpura mountain ranges in the background. The statue aims to inspire a generation with Sardar vallabhbhai’s vision of unity, patriotism, and growth of good governance. The statue was inaugurated on 31st October 2018 by prime minister Narendra Modi. The Statue of Unity is a tribute to the iron man of India and it is 182 m high. The task of construction of the Statue of Unity was under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust which was created by the chief minister of Gujarat.
•Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta trust has executed the project and undertaken all the activities wish were related to the statue of Unity through Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited. SVPRET is a powerful governing body that is headed by the chief minister of Gujarat and executive committee members who take care of various project-related decisions. SVPRET appointed project management consulted with Turner project management India private limited, Meinhardt India private limited, and Michael Grace and association Inc. These project management consultants has been involved in developing some of the world’s tallest structures including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
•The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam limited has built one of the tallest concrete gravity dams in the world and an irrigation system that is one of the top irrigation systems in the world. The noted sculpture Ram V Sutar who is a Padma Bhushan awardee and had created over 40 monumental structures over the past 40 years was designated as the chief sculpture of the Statue of Unity.
8) Anthony Albanese sworn in as Australia’s new prime minister
•Australia’s Labor Party leader, Anthony Albanese was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister. Albanese claimed the victory in the election, ending his wait for power after nine years and with this Anthony Albanese became the country’s 31st Prime Minister. Outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was heading the Liberal-National coalition has conceded defeat.
•The 59-year-old new prime minister was sworn in at a brief ceremony lasting in Government House, Canberra. Other members of his team to take office included Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who will join Albanese at the Quad summit, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.
9) Vijay Shekhar Sharma re-appointed as MD and CEO of Paytm
•Vijay Shekhar Sharma has been re-appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Paytm for another 5 years term. His tenure will be from December 19, 2022, to December 18, 2027. One 97 Communications which is listed under the Paytm brand, also announced the appointment of Madhur Deora as Additional Director of the company for a tenure of 5 years from May 20, 2022, to May 19, 2027.
•Further, the Board has also approved the appointment of Deora as the Whole-time director designated as “Whole-time Director and Chief Financial Officer” of the Company. Deora is the President and Group Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
10) Salil Parekh re-appointed MD & CEO of Infosys
•IT major Infosys announced that its Board of Directors has reappointed Salil S. Parekh as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO & MD) of the Company effective from July 1, 2022, for a period of five years till March 31, 2027, subject to the approval of shareholders. This is based on the recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) and is subject to the approval of shareholders.
•Salil Parekh has been the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys since January 2018 and has successfully led Infosys over the last 4 years. He has more than thirty years of global experience in the IT services industry with a strong track record of driving digital transformation for enterprises, executing business turnarounds, and managing successful acquisitions.
11) North East Research Conclave 2022 inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan
•Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development, launched the North East Research Conclave (NERC) 2022 at IIT Guwahati. In his remarks, Shri Pradhan stated that the conclave will enhance the ties between industry, academics, and policymakers, as well as re-energize the research, start-up, and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the resource-rich Northeastern Region states and the country.
