GK Snapshots on 18 May 2021

UN Global Road Safety Week 2021 – 17-23 May

United Nations(UN)’s Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial global road safety campaign hosted by the World Health Organisation(WHO). The day aims to create awareness of road safety and make changes that will reduce the number of road deaths.

The Global Road Safety Week 2021 observed from 17th to 23rd May 2021 marks the 6th UNGRSW.

The theme of UN Global Road Safety Week 2021 is “Streets for Life #Love30”, which calls for 30 km/h default speed limits where people and vehicles mix.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2021:May 17

Every year on 17th May is celebrated as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) throughout the world.

The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

The theme of World Telecommunication Day 2021 : “Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times”.

The coronavirus pandemic has indeed highlighted the critical role of information and communication technologies more than ever.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2021 – May 17

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) is annually observed across the globe on 17th May to commemorate the World Health Organization(WHO)’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990. The day aims to celebrate sexual and gender diversity and campaign against the violence and discrimination experienced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people across the globe. The theme of the 2021 IDAHOTB is “Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!”.

World Hypertension day 2021: May 17

World Hypertension day is celebrated annually on May 17 to raise awareness about the symptoms of hypertension to prevent and control it. It was first initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL) an affiliated section of the International Society of Hypertension(ISH), on May 14, 2005.

• The theme for 2021: ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer’

• The focus of 2021: Combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle-income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods.

• In India, 1 in every 3 Indian adults above the age of 60 is being affected by hypertension and the estimated prevalence of hypertension is about 8 percent.

International Day of Living Together in Peace 2021 – May 16

The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Living Together in Peace is annually observed across the globe on May 16 to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.

The day aims to support the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.

National Dengue Day 2021: May 16

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observes, May 16 as ‘National Dengue Day’ annually across the country to create awareness about measures on dengue prevention and to control the spread of the vector-borne disease and to reaffirm nationwide efforts to tackle the scourge by using both education and medical intervention.

International Day of Light 2021 – May 16

The International Day of Light(IDL) is annually observed across the globe on 16th May to celebrate the role of lights in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, medicine, communications, and energy. The day also marks the anniversary of the first successful operations of the laser in 1960 by Physicist and Engineer Theodore Maiman.

Background:

i.The resolution on International Day of Light was prepared and adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) Executive Board at its 200th session on 19th September 2016.

ii.The UNESCO Executive Board resolution was endorsed by the UNESCO General Conference at its 39th session on 7 November 2017.

iii.The first IDL was observed on 16th May 2018.

World Agri-Tourism Day 2021 – May 16

The World Agri-Tourism Day is annually observed across the globe on 16th May to promote Agritourism. The day aims to educate the tourists on how agricultural activities are done in farms.

16th May 2021 marks the 14th World Agri Tourism Day.

International Conference on Agri Tourism:

i.As a part of the 14th World Agri Tourism Day, the Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra and Agri Tourism Development Corporation(ATDC) has organised an International conference on Agri Tourism on 15th and 16th May 2021.

• The theme of the conference is – “Rural Women Sustainable Entrepreneurship Opportunities through Agri”

ii.This conference will provide a platform for national and international experts, researchers and farmers to share experience on the successful agritourism practices from various countries.

iii.The theme celebrates the excellence and success of women farmers and agritourism practitioners.

iv.“World Agri Tourism Awards 2021” were distributed during the 2-day conference.

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank gets ‘International Invincible Gold Medal 2021’

Union Education Minister, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was awarded International Invincible Gold Medal 2021 by Maharshi Organisation.He has been recognised for his extraordinary commitment and outstanding service to humanity through his writings, social and illustrious public life.

Key points:

i.The award will be formally presented to Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Guru Purnima this year(24th July 2021).

ii.Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was selected for this award by a high-powered committee duly constituted under the leadership of worldwide president of Maharshi Organisation, Dr Tony Nader.

Andrea Meza of Mexico Crowned with Miss Universe 2020

Mexican Model Andrea Meza was crowned as the Miss Universe 2020 at the televised event held in Florida, US. She became the 3rd Mexican woman to be crowned as Miss Universe. She is a software engineer.

• Miss Universe 2020 was the 69th Miss Universe pageant.

Miss Universe 2020:  
 

Moctor Ouane reappointed as Prime Minister of Mali

Moctor Ouane was reappointed as Prime Minister of Mali by President Bah Ndaw. Moctor had submitted his resignation letter on May 14, 2021.

• He will be incharge of forming a new cabinet.
• He was appointed as Prime Minister of Mali in September 2020, following the military coup which overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August, 2020.
• The Interim Government of Mali is set to hold a constitutional referendum on October 31, 2021 followed by elections in February, 2022.

Tennis – Overview of 2021 Italian Open

Spain’s Rafael Nadal defeated Serbia’s Novak Djokovic to win the Men’s Singles Title of 2021 Italian Open (78th Edition), also known as Rome Masters. This is Nadal’s 10th Italian Open Title.

• In the Women’s Category, Iga Swiatek (Poland) defeated Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) to win the Women’s Singles Title of Italian Open 2021.
• The Italian Open 2021 (also known as Rome Masters or Internazionali BNL d’Italia) took place at the Foro Italico venue in Rome, Italy from May 8-16, 2021.
• The Clay court Tournament is an ATP Tour Masters 1000 event & a WTA 1000 event.
• Nadal’s 1st Italian Open Title came in 2005.

Doubles Category

• Men’s – Croatian pair of Nikola Mektic & Mate Pavic defeated Rajeev Ram (US) & Joe Salisbury (UK) to win the Men’s Doubles Title of the 2021 Italian Open.
• Women’s – Sharon Fichman (Canada) & Giuliana Olmos (Mexico) defeated Kristina Mladenovic (France) & Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) to win the Women’s Doubles Title of the 2021 Italian Open.
 

Cricket : England player Harry Gurney announces Retirement

England’s Fast bowler Harry Frederick Gurney announced his retirement from Cricket at the age of 34.

• He has represented the England Cricket Team in 10 One Day Internationals (ODIs) & 2 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

• He picked up 11 wickets in 10 ODIs & 3 wickets in his T20I career.

• He has played for clubs like Nottinghamshire, Melbourne Renegades ( BBL – Big Bash League), Quetta Gladiators (PSL – Pakistan Super League), and Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL – Indian Premier League).

Preet Mohan Singh Malik’s Book about Sikkim – ‘Sikkim: A History of Intrigue and Alliance’

Preet Mohan Singh Malik’s book about Sikkim named ‘Sikkim: A History of Intrigue and Alliance’ was published by HarperCollins India, on May 16, 2021, the day on which Sikkim Day is being celebrated.

About the Book:

i.Objective: The book’s objective is to clarify the strategic issues behind India’s decision to accept Sikkim’s demand to be merged with India.

ii.The book focuses on the history of Sikkim along with the story of how it merged with India in 1975.

iii.It examines the relationship between its original inhabitants, the Lepchas, and the Bhutias (people of Tibetan origin). iv.About the 1967 military exchange between India and China at Chumbi valley (the Sikkim border) and the military standoff in 2017 between India and China in Doklam Plateau were also discussed in the book.

MCCIA, NABARD launch India’s 1st Agriculture Export Facilitation Center in Pune

Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries & Agriculture (MCCIA) in partnership with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched India’s 1st Agriculture Export Facilitation Center (AEFC) in Pune, Maharashtra (at MCCIA office, Senapati Bapat Road).

• AEFC will help in boosting Maharashtra’s agricultural and food exports and wil help in meeting Global Standards.
• It will act as a one-stop-shop for the export of agri-food productions.
• The center was virtually inaugurated by Dr G.R. Chintala, Chairman of NABARD.
• India ranks 13th in the world in the agricultural export.

Pune ranks 1st among urban cities of India with adequate Health Infrastructure – Housing.com Report

According to ‘State of Indian Healthcare – Indian Cities through the lens of healthcare 2021’ report released by Housing.com, an real estate portal – Pune, Maharashtra is the healthiest city among the top 8 urban cities of India with regard to parameters like number of hospital beds, ease of living, water quality, and local body performance.

• The top 3 cities are – Pune, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bengaluru (Karnataka).
• At 8th, Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) was ranked the least among the 8 cities.
• The other cities are Mumbai Metropolitan Region – MMR (4th Rank); Hyderabad, Telangana (5th); Chennai, Tamil Nadu (6th); Kolkata, West Bengal (7th).
• The report also states that India has the lowest number of doctors (0.86) per 1, 000 people (Developed economies have between 2-4 doctors per 1, 000 people).

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

In May 2021, the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry reported a 3-fold increase
In India’s export for the month of April 2021, to $30.63 billion from $10.36 billion of April 2020, due to healthy growth in sectors like gems and jewellery, and engineering.

Comparison between Exports and Imports in April 2020 and 2021:

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