National News
Assam’s new chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Himanta Biswa Sarma was named as the 15th Chief Minister of Assam replacing the existing CM, Sarbananda Sonowal.
He will take the charge of the office with effect from May 10, 2021.
The BJP party won a second straight term in the 2021 assembly polls in the state.
Quick Fact: Assam Governor: Jagdish Mukhi.
India and the World
Virtual India-EU Leaders’ Meeting attended by PM Narendra Modi
PM Narendra Modi participated in the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting, held in a hybrid format.
The India-European Union Leaders’ Meeting is hosted by Portugal, which currently holds the chair of the grouping.
PM Modi attended the event at the invitation of the President of the European Council Mr Charles Michel.
Quick Fact: European Union Headquarters location: Brussels, Belgium;
National News
Covid Management Cell set up for real time response by Indian Army
The Indian Army has set up this Cell to coordinate real-time responses to address the continuous rise in Covid cases across the country.
It helps in assistance to civil administration in the form of testing, admissions in military hospitals, and transportation of critical medical equipment.
The Army has hired additional doctors, including specialists, super specialists and paramedics, at various hospitals.
Quick Fact: Lt Gen Chandi Prasad Mohanty is the Vice Chief of the Indian Army Staff.
International News
Kami Rita from Nepal scaled Everest for 25th time building a record
Kami Rita scaled Mount Everest for the 25th time, breaking his own record for the most ascents of the world’s highest peak.
Rita, 51, first scaled Everest in 1994 and has been making the trip nearly every year since then.
He is one of many Sherpa guides whose expertise and skills are vital to the safety and success to hundreds of climbers.
Quick Fact: Nepali name of Mt. Everest: Sagarmatha; Tibetan name: Chomolungma.
National News
Global Prime Residential Index by Knight Frank ranks New Delhi on 32
This London-based property consultant had ranked New Delhi and Mumbai on 32 and 36 positions respectively in the index.
Bengaluru moved down by four places in Q1 2021 and is ranked 40 and Delhi and Mumbai dipped one place each in the same period.
Three Chinese cities – Shenzhen, Shanghai and Guangzhou lead the index this quarter.
Quick Fact: Chairman and Managing Director at Knight Frank India: Shishir Baijal. Knight Frank Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; Knight Frank Founders: Howard Frank, John Knight, William Rutley.
National News
‘Forest Ponds’ to Harvest Rainwater built by Himachal Pradesh
Under the Parvat Dhara scheme, the government aims to renew water sources and recharge aquifers through the forest department with an outlay of Rs 20 crore.
The work was started in 10 forest divisions of the state.
Efforts are also being made to improve the green cover by planting fruit-bearing plants.
Quick Fact: Himachal Pradesh Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya; Himachal Pradesh CM: Jai Ram Thakur.
National News
Anti-Covid drug 2-DG by DRDO, receives DCGI’s approval for emergency use
The anti-COVID-19 drug developed called drug2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) was given emergency approval by the DCGI.
The INMAS, a lab of DRDO, had developed the drug, in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad.
The drug comes in the form of a powder in a sachet & is supposed to be dissolved in water.
Quick Fact: Chairman DRDO: Dr G Satheesh Reddy; DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi.
Literature
Kalki Koechlin’s Debut Book – ‘Elephant In The Womb’
This Bollywood actress is making her debut as an author, with her first book titled ‘Elephant In The Womb’.
The book, in pipeline to be released, is a non-fiction on motherhood and is illustrated by Valeriya Polyanychko.
The book narrates about pregnancy and parenting for mothers, expectant mothers, and ‘anyone even thinking about motherhood’.
Quick Fact: Kalki Koechlin’s nationality is French.
Awards
Best actor at New York City International Film Festival won by Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher won the Best Actor award for his performance in the short film Happy Birthday.
The film has been directed by Prasad Kadam and produced by FNP Media.
The film also won the Best Short Film award at the festival.
Quick Fact: Anupam Kher was presented the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution in the field of cinema and arts.
 Sports News
Arzan Nagwaswalla becomes the 1st Parsi on Indian cricket team since 1975
The 23-year-old left-arm seamer from Gujarat, has been picked as a reserve player in the Indian Test squad named for the WTC final.
He hails from a Parsi community in a village near the Maharashtra border.
He is the first Parsi cricketer to break into the national team since 1975 and the only active Parsi cricketer.
Quick Fact: Farokh Engineer played his final Test for India in 1975, while Diana Edulji’s last game in the women’s team came in July 1993. They were both Parsi.
