1) BIMSTEC celebrates its 25th anniversary
•The Secretariat of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Dhaka celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the regional organisation on BIMSTEC Day. The evolution of BIMSTEC over the last 25 years from the signing of the Bangkok Declaration on June 6 in 1996, and highlighted milestones such as the establishment of the Secretariat in Dhaka in 2014 and the signature of the BIMSTEC Charter during the Fifth Summit in Colombo on March 30, 2022.
2) Himachal Pradesh becomes the first Indian state to approve a policy for drones
•The Himachal Pradesh government gave nod to a drone policy as it seeks to enable the use of drones and similar technology for different public services in the hill state. The ‘Himachal Pradesh Drone Policy 2022’ was approved by the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur. The policy envisions creating a holistic drone ecosystem built upon the foundation of Governance and Reforms Using Drones (GARUD). With this new drone policy, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to formally acknowledge the public use of drones.
3) Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched new Logo for ‘Ayurveda Aahar’
•The ‘Ayurveda Aahar’ logo was launched by Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, on the occasion of World Food Safety Day. The Ayurveda Aahar Logo will allow for easy identification. Thus, it will help in creating a unique Identity of ‘Ayurveda Aahar’. The logo will also reinforce the quality of Ayurvedic products. As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ayurveda Aahar is food prepared in line with the recipes or ingredients or processes given in the authoritative books of Ayurveda.
4) ‘Gaganyaan’ India’s first human space mission scheduled to launch in 2023
•India will attain the unique distinction of launching the first Human Space Mission ‘Gaganyaan’ as well as the first Human Ocean Mission in 2023, according to Space and Earth Sciences Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. Testing for both the Space and Ocean manned missions have evolved to an advanced stage, and that the remarkable accomplishment would be performed in the second half of 2023, while speaking at the World Oceans Day festivities in New Delhi.
5) World’s First ‘Right To Repair’ Law For Digital Electronics Passed by New York Legislature
•New York state legislature is a world first, to pass the law for Digital Electronics. The “right to repair” bill enacted by the requiring digital electronics makers to make parts, tools, information, and software available to customers and independent repair businesses. After government pressure to safeguard customers’ rights to repair and refurbish their purchased products, the “Fair Repair Act” was enacted.
6) Assam celebrates Baikho festival for good harvest and rain
•The Baikho festival is celebrated in the state of Assam, which is called as gateway to northeast India. It is celebrated by Rabha tribes of India. The Baikho festival is celebrated annually. It is celebrated to bring in auspicious harvest season and to fill it with abundant crops and good health. This is a celebration of good harvest. It is an ancient tradition. It is predominantly observed by Rabha Tribe. However, people from other communities also harmonise in the celebrations.
7) Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan released books titled ‘Loktantra ke Swar’ & ‘The Republican Ethic’
•Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan along with Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Sports Anurag Thakur released books ‘Loktantra ke Swar’ and ‘The Republican Ethic, having selected speeches of the President of India Ram Nath Kovind. This is the fourth volume of the series featuring the fourth year of the presidency of Ram Nath Kovind. The compilation includes speeches on a wide range of subjects. E-books were also released on the occasion.
8) NASA’s DAVINCI Mission is set to launch in 2029
•NASA is set to launch a mission called “DAVINCI Mission”. DAVINCI stands for “Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry and Imaging Mission”. The mission will fly by Venus and explore its harsh atmosphere in 2029. It will be the first mission to study Venus by means of both flybys and descent. Spacecraft is likely to explore layered Venusian atmosphere. It will reach Venusian surface by June 2031. The mission would capture data about Venus, that scientists are trying to measure since early 1980s.
9) Prasar Bharati CEO Mayank Kumar Agrawal assigned additionally as DD Director
•Mayank Kumar Agrawal, director general of Doordarshan and Doordarshan News, has been assigned additional responsibility as Prasar Bharati’s chief executive officer. Agrawal succeeds Shashi Shekhar Vempati, who served as CEO of the state broadcaster for five years. Following permission from Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, the decision was made to grant the extra charge to the 1989-batch Indian Information Service official until further orders or regular appointment to the post.
10) AR Rahman appointed ambassador of Indo-UK culture platform
•Music Maestro, AR Rahman has been appointed as ambassador of The Season of Culture, which marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. It was officially launched, by Britain’s Deputy High Commissioner to India Jan Thomson and Director (India) of the British Council Barbara Wickham. The Season of Culture aims to strengthen India-UK collaboration in the areas of arts, English and education.
11) India’s Krishna Srinivasan to head IMF’s Asia-Pacific dept
•International Monetary Fund, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has announced the appointment of Indian national Krishna Srinivasan as director of the Asia and Pacific Department (APD) from June 22. Srinivasan will succeed Changyong Rhee whose retirement from the Fund was announced on March 23.
