Daily Current Affairs of 24th April 2018

• Today (24th April) is World Day For Animals In Laboratories (also known as World Lab Animal Day).
• This day was established in 1979 by the British National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS).
• The date 24th April was chosen to observe this day, as it marked the birthday of former NAVS president Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding.
• Today is Pinhole Photography day.
• External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have represented India in the Foreign Ministers & Defence Ministers meets organized by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) respectively.
• Member countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) include China, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan have attended the meetings.

• Today (24th April) is National Panchayati Raj Day.
• This date marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level.
• Note : The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24th April, 1993 has institutionalized Panchayati Raj through the village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats.