Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 22 2019

1. Twenty two Indian women boxers enter semis of 2nd India Open International Boxing tournament

Twenty two Indian women boxers enter semis of 2nd India Open International Boxing tournament. Twenty-Two Indian women boxers including MC Mary Kom have assured medals by entering the Semi-Finals of India Open International Boxing tournament in Guwahati. Ace boxer Mary Kom had an easy win against Nepal’s Mala Rai in the Quarter Final last night. She will face compatriot Nikhat Zareen in the much anticipated Semi-Final in the 51 kg category.

Assam girls Jamuna Boro, Ankushita Boro, and Pwilao Basumatary have also entered the Semi-Finals. Another crowd favorite L Sarita Devi also defeated her opponent in the 60 kg category and stormed into the Semi-Final.

2. Govt. invites nomination for Vayoshreshtha Samman for Senior Citizens 2019

GOvt. invites nomination for Vayoshreshtha Samman for Senior Citizens 2019. The Department of Social Justice And Empowerment had invited nominations for the Vayoshreshtha Samman awards 2019. Nominations for Vayoshreshtha Samman- National Awards for Senior Citizens 2019 for individuals/institutions should be sent by 31st May 2019.

The Ministries/Departments of Government of India and their autonomous organisations/State Govts. or UT Administration can nominate the suitable individuals/institutions for the said Awards.

3. IMCOR 2019 began in Port Blair at Andaman and Nicobar Command

IMCOR 2019 began in Port Blair at Andaman and Nicobar Command. The 2019 Indo-Myanmar coordinated patrol (IMCOR) is taking place from 20 May to 28 May 2019 in Port Blair at Andaman and Nicobar Command. This is the 8th edition of the coordinated patrol (CORPAT) between India and Myanmar.

CORPAT:

• The coordinated patrol (CORPAT) initiative between the Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy seeks to address issues of terrorism, human trafficking, poaching, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and other illegal activities harmful to interest of both nations.
• The CORPAT series was first started in Mar 2013. Since then it has fostered improved professional interaction and enhanced mutual understanding between the two navies for maritime interoperability.

4. Helo becomes team sponsor of Indian Wheelchair Cricket Association for Asia Cup

Helo becomes team sponsor of Indian Wheelchair Cricket Association for Asia Cup. Helo, India’s social media platform became team sponsor of Indian Wheelchair Cricket Association(WCA) for Team India for Asia Cup 2019. It was scheduled from May 15 to 18 in Nepal. Through this partnership with team India. Helo became the first social media app to host and promote Indian Wheelchair Cricket.

Helo broadcasts the cricket updates, information, behind-the-activity and upcoming matches on its platform. The Wheelchair Cricket Association(WCA) is affiliated to the Disabled Sporting Society. It has 1 6 state teams playing under it. The players are 70-90% physically challenged and will do batting, bowling, fielding and running on wheelchairs only.

5. ISRO successfully launched earth observation satellite RISAT 2B

ISRO successfully launched earth observation satellite RISAT 2B. ISRO launched Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C46) from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota on its 48th mission, carrying RISAT-2B on 22nd May. The earth observation satellite RISAT-2B is capable of observing Earth during the day, night and even under rainy and cloudy conditions.

The launch of the PSLV marks the third launch in 2019. It was the 72nd launch vehicle mission from Sriharikota and also marked the 36th launch from the first launch pad.

RISAT-2B:

The RISAT-2B (Radar Imaging Satellite-2B), meant for application in fields such as surveillance, agriculture, forestry, and disaster management support, was released into the orbit successfully. It would replace the RISAT-2, which was successfully launched in 2009.

6. Tech Mahindra signed a defence contract worth Rs.300 crore with Indian Navy

Tech Mahindra signed a defence contract worth Rs.300 crore with Indian Navy. IT major, Tech Mahindra has signed a defence contract worth Rs.300 crore with Indian Navy. This contract is its biggest agreement to date. The IT major will implement RFID-based access control system across all naval bases and ships as part of ‘Armed Forces Secure Access Card (AFSAC)’ Project.

AFSAC will replace the existing paper-based identity card for all Navy personnel, including dependents and ex-servicemen. As part of the AFSAC Project, Tech Mahindra will implement RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) based access control system across all naval bases and ships.

7. Nepal banned popular Chinese digital wallets Alipay and WeChat

Nepal banned popular Chinese digital wallets Alipay and WeChat. Nepal banned popular Chinese digital wallets Alipay and WeChat to prevent the loss of foreign currency earnings from tens of thousands of Chinese tourists. The reason cited is Nepal was losing out since the actual transactions took place in China.

Over 1,50,000 Chinese holidaymakers visited Nepal in 2018, many using digital wallets to pay in hotels, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas, especially in Chinese-run businesses.

8. World Biodiversity Day is observed on 22 May

World Biodiversity Day is observed on 22 May. The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations-sanctioned international day to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The day is observed on May 22 every year. The theme for 2019 is 2019 – Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health.

Biological Diversity falls within the scope of the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. Agrobiodiversity and its potential to support human nutrition and good health is a critical component of the global sustainability agenda. The critical role of biodiversity in sustainable development was recognized in a Rio+20 outcome document, The World We Want: A Future for All.

Theme 2019: Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health

9. Saray Khumalo became the first black african women to conquer Mt. Everest in her fourth attempt

Saray Khumalo became the first black african women to conquer Mt. Everest in her fourth attempt. Saray Khumalo became the first black African women to conquer Mt. Everest in her fourth attempt. She climbed the 8,848 meter mountain after three previous attempts. She was born in Zambia and now is a Johannesburg resident.She has also conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia.

She is on a hunt to conquer the highest peaks on each continent. In 2003, South African park ranger Sibusiso Vilane became the first black person to reach the top of Mount Everest.

10. Oman author Jokha Al Harthi wins Booker International Prize

Oman author Jokha Al Harthi wins Booker International Prize. Oman Author Jokha Al Harthi won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for “Celestial Bodies”, the story of three sisters of a desert country confronting its slave-owning past and a complex modern world. Jokha Alharthi, the first Arabic-language writer to take the prize, will split the 50,000 pounds or 64,000 US dollar purse with her UK-based translator, Marilyn Booth.

About Man Booker International Prize

Country: United Kingdom
Awarded for: Best book in English translation
Presented: by Man Group

11. UN honors Late Chancy Chitete with Highest Peacekeeping Award

The Malawian soldier Chancy Chitete will be honoured with the United Nation’s (UN) highest peacekeeping award, dubbed as “Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage”. He will be awarded posthumously in New York, US on May 24 2019.

About Chancy Chitete

• The late UN peacekeeper from Mali is being honoured for his “brave and selfless” action demonstrated in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• In an operation undertaken November 2018, he sacrificed his life while saving his fellow comrade ‘blue helmet’ during operation against local armed group named Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

12. ‘Golden Card’ PR Scheme: launched by UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched ‘Golden Card’ Permanent Residency Scheme in an attempt to woo wealthy individuals and exceptional talents from all over the world.

About ‘Golden Card’ Programme

• It is open to investors and ‘exceptional talents’ like scientists, engineers, doctors, students and artists.
• As part of initiative, the first group of 6800 investors from more than 70 countries with investments of about 100 Billion Dirhams (USD 27 billion), were being given permanent residency.

13. Japan’s 2nd Highest National Award conferred to Shyam Saran

Former Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran is selected for Japan’s Second Highest National Award called ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver star. The Government of Japan recently announced in its 2019 Spring Imperial Decorations, that it will confer the 72-year-old Former foreign secretary Shyam, ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star’.

He will be conferred for his contributions in strengthening strategic ties and enhancing mutual understanding between India and Japan.

About Shyam Saran.

• He served as India’s Foreign Secretary from year 2004 to 2006 during which he played an important role in elevating India-Japan relationship to a strategic partnership.
• During his tenure as Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of India in Japan he contributed in strengthening mutual understanding between India and Japan. His contributions includes “India Festival“, that was held in Japan in 1988.

14. Taj Mahal to be 1st Indian monument to have breastfeeding room

A breastfeeding room will be set up in Taj Mahal by July, making it the first Indian monument to have the facility. Archaeological Survey of India official VK Swarnkar said it’ll help the “millions of mothers who visit with their babies”. Swarnkar said he got the idea when he spotted a mother hiding under a staircase to breastfeed her baby.