International
India Wins Elections to CPC and ECOSOC
India has won elections to two subsidiary bodies. They are. Committee for programme (CPC), Coordination and UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Both are focussed on social and economic issues. India, along with 12 other members, was elected the country gamered the most number of votes in the Asian group, with 49 out of 50 members of ECOSOC voting in its favour. The CPC is the main subsidiary organ of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly for planning, programming and coordination
India has won elections to two subsidiary bodies. They are. Committee for programme (CPC), Coordination and UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Both are focussed on social and economic issues. India, along with 12 other members, was elected the country gamered the most number of votes in the Asian group, with 49 out of 50 members of ECOSOC voting in its favour. The CPC is the main subsidiary organ of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly for planning, programming and coordination
2017 BRICS Film Festival at China
The 2017 Brics Film Festival will be held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province from June 23 to 27, 2017. There will be 30 films from BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) screened during the festival. The first BRICS Film Festival was held in New Delhi, India, 2016 September.
The 2017 Brics Film Festival will be held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province from June 23 to 27, 2017. There will be 30 films from BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) screened during the festival. The first BRICS Film Festival was held in New Delhi, India, 2016 September.
10 countries team up to protect ancient heritage from terrorism
Ten countries formed a new group aimed at protecting ancient heritage from extremism. They are iraq, Inan, Egypt, Greece, Italy China, India, Bolivia, Mexico and Peru. All these countries are home to some of the world's most cherished archaeological sites. This group is due to meet again in Bolivia next year.
Ten countries formed a new group aimed at protecting ancient heritage from extremism. They are iraq, Inan, Egypt, Greece, Italy China, India, Bolivia, Mexico and Peru. All these countries are home to some of the world's most cherished archaeological sites. This group is due to meet again in Bolivia next year.
National
Legal Aid and Empowerment initiatives launchedMinister of Law & Justice and Electronics & IT, Ravi Shankar Prasad launched three key legal aid and empowerment initiatives of the Department of Justice including Pro bono legal services, Tele law service' and 'Nyaya Mitra' scheme. The Pro bono legal services initiative is a web based platform, through which interested lawyers can register themselves to volunteer pro bono services for the underprivileged tigants, who are unable to afford it. Tele- Law service. It aims to connect marginalized communities with lawyers through video conferencing facilities, to be set up at Common Service Centers (CSCs). Naya Mitra Project aims to reduce pendency in lower courts, with a special focus on cases which are more than ten years old.
India notifies compliance of UN sanctions against North Korea
India has notified the compliance of the UN resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea which include prevention of direct or indirect supply, sale, transfer or export of all weaponry and related material through its territories or by its nationals to that country. The notification, which was put out by the external affairs ministry, also banned supply, sale or export of other items, materials, equipment, goods and technology, which could contribute to North Korea's nuclear-related, ballistic missile related or other weapons of mass destruction related programmes.
India has notified the compliance of the UN resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea which include prevention of direct or indirect supply, sale, transfer or export of all weaponry and related material through its territories or by its nationals to that country. The notification, which was put out by the external affairs ministry, also banned supply, sale or export of other items, materials, equipment, goods and technology, which could contribute to North Korea's nuclear-related, ballistic missile related or other weapons of mass destruction related programmes.
Free exchanges of ideas advocated
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the inaugural function of centenary celebrations of Osmania University in Hyderabad on 26th April; he said that Universities are as temples of higher learning. Wilfred Sewen Blunt, educationist from Great Britain originally proposed a university in the erstwhile Nizam's dominion, In 1916 the then Home Secretary Akbar Hydari Ali, made petition to the Nizam VIi, Mir Osman Ali Khan to set up a university and based on his plea a firman (Government Order or Royal Charter was issued on 26 April, 1917 for the establishment of Osmania University
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the inaugural function of centenary celebrations of Osmania University in Hyderabad on 26th April; he said that Universities are as temples of higher learning. Wilfred Sewen Blunt, educationist from Great Britain originally proposed a university in the erstwhile Nizam's dominion, In 1916 the then Home Secretary Akbar Hydari Ali, made petition to the Nizam VIi, Mir Osman Ali Khan to set up a university and based on his plea a firman (Government Order or Royal Charter was issued on 26 April, 1917 for the establishment of Osmania University
India 136 in Press freedom Index
India has slipped three notches in the World Press Freedom Index 2017, a report released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. In the list of 180 countries, India stands at 136, down from last year's 133, colour-coded again in red to show the situation as difficult.
India has slipped three notches in the World Press Freedom Index 2017, a report released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. In the list of 180 countries, India stands at 136, down from last year's 133, colour-coded again in red to show the situation as difficult.
Bilateral
Agreement to strengthen counter terrorism cooperationEuropean Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, agreed to strengthen cooperation for counter-terrorism with India. In a meeting, the two sides discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest and agreed on the need to strengthen the security cooperation between India and EU, particularly on the issue of counter-terrorism
Economy
15 year road map presented NITI Aayog has presented a 15 year road map, during the third governing meeting of the NITI Aayog on 23rd April. Also presented seven year strategy document for 2017 to 24, out lined as National Development Agenda, a three year Action Agenda from 2017-18 financial year to 2019-20 financial year was also presented, the major points are. Fair deal for farmers, in marketing, for this proposed major changed in marketing committee act. The panel has also drawn up an agricultural marketing and farmer-friendly reforms index to assess and encourage states to implement new rules. Increasing crop yields to feed 1.23 billion Indians is high on the agenda of the government. The panel suggested reforms in land leasing policies, ramping up of land records and land titles, preparing the country for second "Green Revolution" in eastern states. A new initiatives to push for digital payments.
The plan panel came up with indices for measuring states' performance in health, ducation and water management. The Aayog also suggested clubbing various social programmes and centrally-sponsored schemes under 28 umbrella projects. The panel suggested changes in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, skill development, poverty measurement, Atal Innovation Mission.
Flight under UDAN Scheme launched
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27th April inaugurated the maiden Shimla-New Delhi flight under a government scheme to boost regional air connectivity. The flight is being operated by Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India. Under the UDAN scheme, the operators would be extended viability gap funding (VGF). The amount is estimated to be around Rs 205 crore per annum for the operators chosen in the first round of bidding.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27th April inaugurated the maiden Shimla-New Delhi flight under a government scheme to boost regional air connectivity. The flight is being operated by Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India. Under the UDAN scheme, the operators would be extended viability gap funding (VGF). The amount is estimated to be around Rs 205 crore per annum for the operators chosen in the first round of bidding.
Science and Technology
Brahmos supersonic cruise missile tested successfullyThe Indian Navy conducted its first test-firing of the sea-to-land attack version of its advanced supersonic cruise missile Brahmos on 21st April. The Brahmos missile is developed by a joint-venture between Russia's Mashinostroyenia and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The name Brahmos is a portmanteau of the Brahmaputra and the Moskva rivers
Sports
Sports to be a medal event at 2022 Asian GamesSports will be an official medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games in China, in the boldest step yet toward mainstream recognition of competitive gaming. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced a partnership with Alisports, the sports arm of Chinese online retail giant Alibaba, to introduce eSports as a demonstration sport at next year's games in Indonesia, with full-fledged inclusion in the official sporting programme at the Hangzhou Games in 2022
Rafael Nadal triumph
Rafael Nadal has won the Men's singles title or Montefarlo Masters Tennis tournament defeating Ramos Vinolas on 23rd April. In Men's doubles India's Rohan Bopanna and his Uruguayan partner Pablo Cuevas defeated Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez in Monaco
Rafael Nadal has won the Men's singles title or Montefarlo Masters Tennis tournament defeating Ramos Vinolas on 23rd April. In Men's doubles India's Rohan Bopanna and his Uruguayan partner Pablo Cuevas defeated Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez in Monaco
Awards
K. Vishwanath: Renowned director Kasina dhuni Viswanath was chosen for 2016 Dada Saheb Phalke Award. He became the 48th recipient of the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, which consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs.10 lakhs and a shaw He was known for award-winning movies like Sankarabharanam "Sagara Sangamam" and "Swati Mutyam, which was India's official entry to the 59th Academy awards in the best foreign films category.
Award for Nizamabad Market Committee:
The Nizamabad Agriculture Market yard was selected for the national level award for the effective implementation of reforms for strengthening the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), eNAM is a national e-market platform created by Union Govemment for transparent sale transactions and price discovery in State Agriculture Market Committee.
The Nizamabad Agriculture Market yard was selected for the national level award for the effective implementation of reforms for strengthening the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), eNAM is a national e-market platform created by Union Govemment for transparent sale transactions and price discovery in State Agriculture Market Committee.
Prafulla samantara: Top environmental activist Prafulla Samantara of Odisha has been selected for Goldman Environmental Prize or Green Nobel from Asia region for championing the cause of State's Dongria Kondh tribals and safeguarding their land and culture
Sankha Ghosh: President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the 52nd Jnanpith Award on eminent Bengali poet Professor Sankha Ghosh.
Persons in news
Ranjit Sinha: He was former CBI director. CBI on 25th April filed an FIR against on the coal block allocations scam caseRajeev Rai Bhatnagar: IPS officer Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar iias been appointed as the Director- General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Obituary
Vinod Khanna: Veteran Bollywood actor Vinod Khanna passed a on 27th April. He was stting Bharatiya Janata Party member of the Lok Sabha from the Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab. 
