DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: MAY 18, 2018

NATIONAL

Union Environment Ministry launches Green Skill Development Programme

The Union Environment Ministry has launched its full fledged Green Skill Development Programme(GSDP). It aims to train over 5.5 lakh workers in environment and forest sectors in the country through 30 courses by 2021.

Environment minister Harsh Vardhan also unveiled a related mobile app (GSDP-ENVIS), terming it an ambitious programme of the ministry that will help boost employability and entrepreneurship of the youth in the country.

Around 80,000 youths in the country will be trained at 80 institutions in next one year. The number will be raised to over 2 lakh in the following year.

Constituency of Environment Ministry: Chadni Chowk, New Delhi


Gujarat govt to launch free treatment scheme for road accident victims

The Gujarat government would start bearing medical expenses of up to Rs 50,000 for each victim of road accident in the state for the first 48 hours.

Even people hailing from other states or citizens of other countries will get free treatment in Gujarat, regardless of their income, if they meet with a road accident and admitted to a government or a private hospital.

The move is aimed at providing timely and better treatment and thereby minimising the loss of life due to road accidents.

Gujarat

Capital: Gandhinagar

Chief minister: Vijay Rupani

Governor: Om Prakash Kohli


India’s 1st Solar Powered Railway Station in Guwahati

Assam’s Guwahati now has India’s first railway station run by solar power. The project of installing solar panels was commissioned last year in April 2017.

Around 2352 solar modules with a capacity of generating 700 kwp has been set up over the roof of the Guwahati railway station. Solar panels have been installed at the roof-top solar power plant.

The solar-powered station is aimed at reducing carbon-footprint as well as cut down power costs drastically. The project cost is estimated to be Rs 6.7 crore, as per Indian Railways. The solar power plant will save Rs 67 lakh worth of electricity.


Himachal govt sanctions Rs 25 cr for renovating Bantony Castle

The Himachal Pradesh government will spend Rs 25 crore on renovating and developing the historic British Raj ‘Bantony Castle Estate’ here as a major tourist attraction.

The castle was one of the historic and monumental buildings of Shimla town with a very rich history.

The Bantony Castle, owned by a business family and housing the state police headquarters, was acquired by the government for Rs 27.84 crore two years ago.

Himachal Pradesh

Capital: Shimla

Chief minister: Jai Ram Thakur

Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat


INTERNATIONAL

Guatemala opens its embassy in Jerusalem

Guatemala has opened an embassy in Jerusalem. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the embassy’s opening.

Guatemala

Capital: Guatemala City

Currency: Guatemalan quetzal


APPOINTMENTS

Uttam Pacharne Appointed Regular Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi

Artist and sculptor Uttam Pacharne was appointed as the chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi. It was announced by Culture Ministry.

Currently, he is member of the advisory committee, Kala Academy, Goa and member of advisory committee, P L Deshpande State Lalit Kala Academy and director, Janseva Sahakari Bank, Borivali.

He is the recipient of National Lalit Kala Award 1985.


AWARDS AND HONOURS

John Gregory receives LMA special achievement award

Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory has been honoured by the League Managers’ Association (LMA) following the Marina Machans triumphant campaign last Indian Super League (ISL) season.

The LMA honoured John Gregory by presenting him with a Special Achievement of the year Award for being the first English manager to win the Indian Super League (ISL).

The League Managers’ Association (LMA), is the union for Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and national team managers in English football.


IMPORTANT DAYS

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day – May 17

The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed on May 17.

The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) .

2018 Theme: Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence for All


Hypertension Day – May 17

The WHD was first inaugurated in May 2005 and has become an annual event ever since. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic.

The theme for World Hypertension Day is Know Your Numbers with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world.


OBITUARY

Govind Lal has passed away

Veteran journalist from Chhattisgarh, Govind Lal Vora has passed away.

He had a long association with journalism of about six decades and was the proprietor-editor of the Hindi daily “Amrit Sandesh” for the last 34 years.


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