Chhattisgarh tops in term of providing employment under MGNREGA
- The Chhattisgarh state has ranked first in the terms of providing employment to more than 18 lakh unskilled labourers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). the Union Rural Development Ministry shared the data among public.
- Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh state remained at 2nd and 3rd place with providing employment to 10.79 lakh and 9.06 lakh workers respectively.
The Famous Kashmiri Saffron Gets GI Tag
- Kashmiri saffron, the pride of Jammu & Kashmir, has finally been granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag, thus symbolizing its exclusivity in the international market.
- These saffrons are cultivated and harvested in the Karewas (high lands) of Jammu & Kashmir, by the local farmers, and are known for its unique qualities, which can only be found in saffrons grown and produced in J&K.
- The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron – longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour of stigmas, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing and high quantity of crocin (colouring strength), safranal (flavour) and picrocrocin (bitterness).
CSIR-CRRI Launches Kisan Sabha App to Connect Farmers to Supply Chain and Freight Transportation Management System
- The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi has developed a mobile app Kisan Sabha to connect farmers with supply chain and freight transportation management system, in the present situation of COVID 19.
- The app will enable the farmers in seed/ fertilizer procurement as well as their harvest reaching the market, among other things and thus facilitate the timely delivery of the produce at the best possible prices.
- The Kisan Sabha App will also help in providing best market rates of crops by comparing nearest mandis, booking of freight vehicle at cheapest cost thereby giving maximum benefit to the farmers.
CAIT to launch e-commerce platform ‘bharatmarket’
- Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) will soon launch a national e-commerce marketplace named ‘bharatmarket’ for all retail traders.
- The aim of the portal is to bring 95 percent of retail traders onboard the platform, who will be the shareholders. The portal will be run exclusively by the traders.
- The pilot of this project has been started in six cities — Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur and Bengaluru.
RBI permits Visa, Mastercard and NPCI for contact-free payments for any amount
- The Reserve Bank of India has permitted the country’s payment networks — Visa, Mastercard and NPCI to allow tap-and-go functionality on card payments for all purchases at retail stores and shopping centers.
- Earlier this facility was available for card payment up to amount Rs 2000. Now tap-and-go functionality will be available even for purchases made above Rs 2000.
- However, the transactions with are about Rs 2,000 shall be authenticated by PIN.
HDFC Bank releases song #HumHaarNahiMaanenge to keep up hopes up amidst Covid-19 pandemic
- HDFC Bank has launched a song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge to keep up hopes up amidst the ongoing national lockdown and coronavirus pandemic.
- The lyrics of the song has been penned by Prasoon Joshi and music has been composed by AR Rahman. #HumHaarNahiMaanenge means We will not lose.
- HDFC Bank has announced that it will contribute Rs 500 each time the song is shared via social media towards the PM-CARES Fund.
World Bank Announces USD 400 million to enhance India’s Coastal & Marine Resources
- The World Bank has approved USD 400 million multi-year financial support to India to enhance and safeguard the coastal and marine resources of the country.
- The financial aid will help to enhance the coastal resources by focusing on the rehabilitation of coastal beaches and mangroves; protect coastal populations from pollution, erosion, and sea-level rise; and improve livelihood opportunities for coastal communities..
- In the first phase, eight coastal States and 3 coastal Union Territories.
- They are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, and Puducherry, Andaman, and Nicobar and Daman and Diu.
- These states and UTs will get USD 180 million in funding, for Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Efficiency (ENCORE).
Neeraj Dhawan appointed as Chief Risk Officer at Yes Bank
- Neeraj Dhawan has been appointed as the chief risk officer of Yes Bank with immediate effect.
- He will replace Ashish Agarwal and serve at the position for 3 years.
Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel Launches e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered”
- The Union Culture Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel released an e-book titled “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered” on 2 May 2020 in New Delhi, on the occasion of centenary year of great archaeologist Professor B. B. Lal.
- The book has been prepared by Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee, as a tribute for his immense contribution to the field of archaeology.
- Prof. B. B. Lal was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in the year of 2000.
- He had also served as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1968 to 1972.
International Spring Astronomy Day 2020: 02 May
- The International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year. One in autumn season and another in spring season.
- The Spring Astronomy Day 2020 is being celebrated on May 2, 2020. It occurs on Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, such that the day falls at or close to the first quarter Moon.
- The Autumn Astronomy Day 2020 will be held on September 26, 2020. It is scheduled to occur on a Saturday between mid-September and mid-October so as to be on or close to the first quarter Moon.
- The idea to observe the day was started in 1973 by Doug Berger, the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, whose intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passersby could enjoy views of the heavens.
- Since then the event is being observed to create awareness and educate people about the beautiful universe.
World Tuna Day: 2 May
- World Tuna Day is observed on May 2 every year to raise awareness about the Tuna fish and its importance to humans and earth and also to promote more sustainable fishing practices.
- The United Nations (UN) officially recognised the World Tuna Day in 2017.
- The first World Tuna Day was observed in the year 2017.
- Tuna is a saltwater fish comprising of some 15 different species across five genera.
