National
Book titled ‘Modi @ 20: Dreams Meet Delivery’
⇒ The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled ‘Modi @ 20: Dreams Meet Delivery’ on 11 May 2022.
The book is a compilation of 21 articles by 22 domain experts bringing out various aspects of the thinking and performance of Shri Modi in various domains as Chief Minister of Gujarat and Prime Minister for 20 years since 2021.
Logo Design Contest for India’s forthcoming G20 Presidency
⇒ The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) invited logo designs for the forthcoming G20 Presidency of India.
Logo Design Criteria:
The Logo should reflect, nationwide and internationally, a uniquely “Indian” G20.
In this context, logo should represent the following elements:
- One or more of India’s G20 thematic priorities such as sustainable development for all, human-centric approach, equitable and resilient growth, lifestyle for environment, world as one family and multilateral partnerships;
- Amritkaal – India’s next 25 years journey from 75 to 100, which is both futuristic and inclusive;
- The logo design should include artistic expressions of colour combination/arrangements in the National Tricolour;
- ‘G20’ should be reflected prominently in the logo;
In addition, the following elements were desirable:
- The Indian symbols derived from or reflecting the Indian culture, heritage, philosophy, architecture, national symbols, economic progress, scientific achievement, unity in diversity etc.
- India’s G20 Presidency as a guiding voice for the world, navigating through contemporary global challenges.
- Texts used in the logo design should be in English.
- Submissions for Logo Design Contest has been closed on 07 June 2022.
About G20:
- G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation that plays an important role in global economic governance.
- India will hold the Presidency of the G20, for the first time, from 01 December 2022 to 30 November 2023, culminating in the G20 Summit in 2023.
- During its Presidency, India will set the agenda for the year, and have an opportunity to shape discussions and outcomes in a range of global issues ranging from climate and environment, trade and investment, health, agriculture, digital economy, energy, etc.
Long-term purchase agreement between OMCs - BPCL, IOCL and HPCL
⇒ The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) – Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have entered into a long-term purchase agreement for upcoming dedicated ethanol plants across India.
The first set of Tripartite-cum-Escrow Agreement was signed among OMCs, project proponents and Banks of the respective ethanol plant projects.
- State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and Indian Bank are three banks who are involved in this tripartite agreement with OMCs and project proponents.
- As per the agreement, ethanol produced by these dedicated ethanol plants shall be sold to OMCs for blending with Petrol as per Govt of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program.
Key Points:
- In Ethanol Supply Year 2021-22, India achieved 9.90% ethanol blending, consuming 186 Cr Ltr of ethanol, saving over 9000 Crores of foreign exchange.
- However, the Government has advanced the target of achieving 20% blended ethanol by 2025, which is commonly known as E20 target.
- The major challenge is the deficit of ethanol to achieve this target. As per E20 scenario, the country requires 1,016 crore litre of ethanol to achieve the target in 2025-26. But there is a deficit of approx 650 crore of ethanol as per the current availability.
- These five projects are likely to contribute to around 23 crore litres of ethanol per annum.
International
New Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities
⇒ India has been unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) for 2022-2024 at the meeting of the Executive board and General Assembly held in Manila, Philippines on May 7, 2022.
- Commission on Elections, Manila was the current chair of AAEA.
» The new member in the Executive Board now includes Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Taiwan and Philippines.
About AAEA:
- In pursuance of the resolution passed by participants of the Symposium on Asian Elections in the 21st Century held from January 26-29, 1997 in Manila, Philippines, the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) was established in 1998.
- Currently 20 Asian EMBs are members of AAEA.
- The mission of the AAEA is to provide a non-partisan forum in the Asian region for sharing experiences and best practices among election authorities to discuss and act upon ways to promote open and transparent elections with the objective of supporting good governance and democracy.
- ECI (Election Commission of India) is a founder member EMB of the AAEA and also served on the Executive Board of the AAEA as the Vice Chair during 2011-13 and Chair during 2014-16.
- AAEA is also an Associate Member of the 118-member Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB).
Sports
2022 Miami Grand Prix
⇒ The 2022 Miami Grand Prix took place at the Miami International Autodrome in Florida, USA, on May 8, 2022.
Winner:
Red Bull Racing RBPT Driver, Max Verstappen won 2022 Miami Grand Prix (Formula 1 CRYPTO.COM Miami Grand Prix 2022).
Archi Factory Open squash tournament at Lorient
⇒ Abhay Singh of India won his first PSA tour title, defeating Robin Gadola of Switzerland in the men’s final of the Archi Factory Open squash tournament at Lorient (France) on 07 May 2022.
Abhay saved three match-points in the fifth and final game to triumph.
Important Day
National Technology Day 2022
⇒ National Technology Day is observed on May 11 every year to commemorate the nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran in 1998.
National Technology Day is observed with an aim to commemorate the achievements of scientists, researchers, engineers and all others involved in the field of science and technology.
Theme:
The theme for National Technology Day 2022 was ‘Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for Sustainable Future’.
- The first National Technology Day was observed in 1999.