Current Affairs Daily Digest – April 25 2020
1. Sanjay Kothari took oath as Chief Vigilance Commissioner
Sanjay Kothari took oath as Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). The oath office was administered by President Ram Nath Kovind on 25 April 2020 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, and others were also present at the ceremony. Social distancing was also ensured there as chairs were kept apart.
2. Shilpa Medicare launched the anti-cancer drug Dasashil
Shilpa Medicare launched its generic version of cancer drug Dasashil. The monthly therapy cost of Rs.6,440. The company launched the Indian branded generic of Dasatinib, an anti-cancer drug with a brand name “Dasashil.”
3. IMMA appoints Rakesh Sharma as Vice President
International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA), based out of Geneva, has elected Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto as its Vice President.
Sharma will represent the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) during Annual General Assembly held on May 8 in Indonesia.
4. World Malaria Day 25 April
On World Malaria Day 2020, WHO joins the RBM Partnership to End Malaria in promoting “Zero malaria starts with me”, a grassroots campaign that aims to keep malaria high on the political agenda, mobilize additional resources, and empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and care.
Theme: Zero Malaria Starts with me
5. SVP Institute becomes first to carry out plasma research in view of Covid-19
In Gujarat, the total number of Covid 19 cases crossed 2000 mark with 127 fresh case. Maximum 67 cases have been reported from Surat followed by 50 from Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad based Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Science and Research became the first authorized study centre in the country to carry out plasma research under trial in view of Covid 19.
6. Manipur commemorated Khongjom Day at Khongjom War Memorial Complex
Manipur state government commemorated Khongjom Day at Khongjom War Memorial Complex, Thoubal on 23 April. The state paid tribute to the valiant people who fought in the Anglo-Manipuri War in 1891.
Khongjom Day:
The last battle fought between the Manipur kingdom and the British Empire was the 1891 armed conflict. The battle was fought in Kheba Hill of Khongjom in the Thoubal district. Manipur Kingdom lost the war. It marked the beginning of British rule in the then princely state. Since then, the Manipur state government has been observing 23 April as ‘Khongjom Day’ every year.
7. Malayalam actor Ravi Vallathol passes away aged 67
Malayalam actor Ravi Vallathol, who was the son of late Malayalam author-dramatist TN Gopinathan Nair and the nephew of late poet Vallathol Narayana Menon, has passed away at the age of 67. He was reportedly undergoing treatment for Alzheimer’s disease at a hospital in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram. Vallathol was known for films like ‘Chathurangam’, ‘Samantharangal’ and ‘Dada Sahib’, among others.
8. HDFC acquires 6.43% stake in Reliance Capital by invoking pledged shares
Mortgage lender HDFC has said that it has acquired 6.43% stake in Reliance Capital by invoking pledged shares. The shares were pledged by security trustee against a loan given by the lender in its normal course of business, HDFC said. The company acquired 25.27 crore shares of ₹10 each, taking the total value of shares to ₹252 crore.
9. World Immunization Week
Every year, last week of April is marked as the World Immunization Week. The Week is celebrated to increase awareness of immunization. This year, the week is being marked under the theme
Theme: Vaccines work for All
10. Hubble Space Telescope: NASA’s longest living Space Telescope celebrates 30th anniversary
NASA celebrated its 30 years of launch of Hubble Space Telescope. It is one of the longest living Space Telescopes in the world.
About Hubble Space Telescope –
The Hubble Space Observatory is run in partnership with European Space Agency. The telescope has played a crucial role in the discovery of accelerating expansion of the cosmos. Also, it was Hubble Telescope that gave the evidence of existence of black holes in the centres of the galaxy.
11. April 25: International Delegate’s Day
For the first time, the United Nations marked the International Delegate’s Day. The Day is being marked to celebrate the 75th anniversary of San Francisco Conference.
San Francisco Conference –
On April 25, 1945, delegates from 50 countries came together in San Francisco for the first time. The main aim of the conference was to come together to restore world peace and impose rules post world war. More than 850 delegates participated in the conference. They represented 80% of the world population.
