IMPORTANT DAYS

World Art Day 2024 celebrated on 15 April

• Every year on April 15, World Art Day is celebrated.

•The genesis of this celebration stems from the 40th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2019, where April 15th was designated as a day to honor artistic expression.

•In 2012, the first World Art Day was celebrated.

• World Art Day coincides with the birthday of the illustrious Italian polymath, Leonardo da Vinci.

• UNESCO, in collaboration with the International Association of Art, spearheads festivities on this significant day, aiming to galvanize creative fervor across the globe.

• Embracing the diverse tapestry of human creativity, World Art Day recognizes seven esteemed categories of artistic expression: Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Music, Literature, Cinema, and Dance.

• Through this celebration, the world unites to honor the profound impact of art on our lives and societies, fostering a culture that reveres and cherishes artistic endeavors in all their forms.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

British-American author Salman Rushdie releases his memoir "Knife".

• Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie’s memoir "Knife" has been released.

• In 'Knife', the Salman Rushdie has an imaginary conversation with his attacker.

• On this occasion, has spoken in detail about the moment he was attacked by a man with a knife on a stage in New York in 2022.

• In this attack, Rushdie's damaged liver and hands and nerves in his right eye.

• After the 1988 publication of the controversial 'The Satanic Verses', Rushdie had spent several years in hiding.

• Rushdie's second novel, Midnight's Children (1981), won the Booker Prize in 1981.

• "Knife" emerges not only as a memoir of survival but also as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in the face of adversity.

INDEX AND RANKING

Delhi airport has been named among the world's top 10 busiest airports for 2023: Airports Council International (ACI).

• Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has secured a position among the world's top 10 busiest airports for the year 2023, as recognized by the Airports Council International (ACI).

• It clinched the tenth spot on the esteemed list.

• Topping the charts is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which boasted a staggering 10.46 crore passengers passing through its gates in 2023.

• Following closely behind are Dubai International Airport and Dallas Airport, securing the second and third positions respectively, with impressive passenger volumes.

• London's Heathrow Airport, Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Denver International Airport, and Istanbul Airport also earned spots on this illustrious list, capturing the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh positions respectively.

• The collective global passenger forecast for 2023 stood at a remarkable 8.5 billion, representing a notable surge of 27.2% compared to the previous year.

• Delhi airport, with a commendable tally of over 7.22 crore passengers, showcased significant growth and retained its position among the world's busiest airports, despite stiff competition. It's worth noting that in 2022, Delhi airport held the ninth spot.

• These top 10 airports collectively catered to approximately 10% of global air traffic, serving a staggering 806 million passengers, underscoring their pivotal role in facilitating global connectivity and mobility.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Russia successfully launched first Angara-A5 space rocket.

• Russia has achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its inaugural Angara-A5 space rocket from the VostochnyCosmodrome in the Far East.

• This achievement follows a series of technical challenges that necessitated the cancellation of two previous launch attempts.

• The Angara-A5 space rocket represents a leap forward in Russia's space exploration capabilities, specifically designed to transport substantial payloads into low Earth orbit.

• With a capacity exceeding 20 tonnes, it promises to facilitate a wide array of missions and scientific endeavors.

• In recent years, Russia's space programme has been hit by a number of high-profile setbacks.

• The Angara family of rockets has been developed to replace the Soviet-designed Proton rockets.

GUJCOST designated as Nodal Centre for ISRO’s START programme

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has appointed the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) as the Nodal Centre for its 'Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START)‘ programme.

• This initiative, conceived by ISRO, aims to provide introductory-level online training.

• Under the START programme, GUJCOST will conduct live classes, serving as the central platform for disseminating knowledge.

• Furthermore, four Regional Science Centres situated in Rajkot, Patan, Bhavnagar, and Bhuj will play a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating the programme, thus enhancing its outreach across the region.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

HDFC becomes first private bank to open branch in Lakshadweep

• HDFC Bank becomes the first private sector bank to establish a branch in Lakshadweep, setting a milestone in banking accessibility for the Union Territory.

• The branch at Kavaratti Island will offer a comprehensive range of services, including personal banking and digital solutions tailored to the needs of the local population.

• As of December 31, 2023, the HDFC Bank’s distribution network was at 8,091 branches.

• With a distribution network spanning over 8,000 branches and 20,000 ATMs across numerous cities, HDFC Bank aims to serve the financial needs of individuals, families, and businesses in Lakshadweep while contributing to the overall development of the island.

SPORTS

RashmiKumari Wins National Women’s Carrom Title For The 12th time

• World Champion RashmiKumari beat K Nagajothi in the women’s final of the 51st National carrom championship.

• Rashmi works at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as the Chief Manager.

• The Madhya Pradesh Carrom Association hosted the 51st National Carrom Championship.

• The men’s title was bagged by K Srinivas as he beat S Aditya 25-0, 19-6 in the final.

• It was the fourth national men’s singles title for Srinivas who was brilliant in the tournament, executing seven white slams.

• The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board and the SYNCO carrom firm sponsored the championship.

• There were 174 ladies and 237 men that participated from 12 institutions and 27 States.