International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023 observed on 29th May

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed annually on May 29th. It is a day dedicated to honoring the contributions and sacrifices of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in maintaining peace and security around the world. The day also serves as a tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers- Theme

The theme of the 75th anniversary “Peace begins with me” recognizes the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers, past and present, including more than 4200 who have given their lives under the UN flag. It also pays tribute to the resilience of the communities that we serve, who continue to strive for peace despite many obstacles.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new Parliament building

On May 28, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the new Parliament building. He arrived at Gate No. 1, wearing traditional attire, and was greeted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Accompanied by priests from Karnataka’s Shringeri Math, the Prime Minister participated in a ceremonial “Ganapati Homam” to seek divine blessings for the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Vedic chants added a spiritual atmosphere to the occasion. PM Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers and CMs of different States attend a multi-faith prayer meeting under way at the new Parliament building. PM Narendra Modi felicitates the workers who helped in the building and development of the new Parliament House.

Installs ‘Sengol’ near Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair

Modi led a procession carrying the “Sengol“ while traditional “nadaswaram” tunes played and Vedic mantras were chanted. The procession made its way to the new Parliament building, where Modi placed the “Sengol” in a dedicated enclosure on the right side of the Speaker’s chair in the Lok Sabha chamber. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also honored select workers who had made significant contributions to the construction of the new Parliament building.

About the Sengol

Made of silver and gold, the five-feet long sceptre was handed over by Lord Mountbatten to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, as a symbol of the transfer of power, according to the government. The Sengol, a symbol of governance in Tamil kingdoms of yore, was then kept for display in The Allahabad Museum.

First Vande Bharat Express Train of Northeast to be Flagged Off by PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off Assam’s first Vande Bharat Express train. The state-of-the-art Vande Bharat train will be flagged off by the Prime Minister through video conferencing. The new service will cover the distance of 411 km between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri in 5 hours 30 minutes reducing the present shortest journey time by the speediest train significantly. Get to know all the features included in the first Vande Bharat Express train of Northeast India.

India Secured Approval to Set Up Second Hydropower Project in Nepal

Nepal has decided to allow India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited to develop a second hydropower project in the country. At present SJVN is developing a 900-MW Arun -III hydroelectric project, a run-of-river located on the Arun River in Eastern Nepal, scheduled to be completed in 2024. A meeting of the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda approved the draft project development agreement (PDA) to be signed with India’s state-owned SJVN to develop the 669-megawatt (MW) Lower Arun Hydropower project in eastern Nepal.

India Observes Veer Savarkar Birth Anniversary 2023

Veer Savarkar Jayanti is celebrated all over India to commemorate Vinayak Damodar “Veer” Savarkar. He is known as one of the Indian freedom fighters, Savarkar is known for performing multiple activities for the development of the Hindu community across the country. Vinayak Damodar birthday celebrations are organized every year. He is a great Marathi legend who has advocated for the abolishment of the caste system and has requested the reconversion of those Hindus who accepted other religions.

Goan writer Damodar Mauzo gets 57th Jnanpith Award

Damodar Mauzo, a Goan short story writer, novelist, critic, and scriptwriter in Konkani, has been awarded the 57th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honor. Mauzo is the second Goan to receive the award, after Ravindra Kelekar in 2008. Mauzo’s 25 books have been published in Konkani and one in English. Many of his books have also been translated in different languages. Mauzo’s famous novel ‘Karmelin’ received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.  Renowned poet Gulzar was present during the function held at the Raj Bhavan near Goa capital Panaji.

Karnataka Bank Appoints Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma as MD & CEO

Karnataka Bank, a prominent Indian banking institution, has announced the appointment of Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With extensive experience spanning nearly four decades in commercial, retail, and transactional banking, technology, and payments, Sarma brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. The appointment is subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting or within a period of three months from the date of assuming charge, whichever is earlier.

Max Verstappen wins Monaco Grand Prix 2023

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, leading all 78 laps from pole position. The victory was Verstappen’s fourth of the season and extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 39 points. The race was held in wet conditions, and Verstappen made the most of it, starting well and pulling away from the rest of the field. He never looked back, and cruised to victory. Fernando Alonso finished second, with Esteban Ocon in third. Charles Leclerc retired from the race after a collision with Carlos Sainz.

Sudarshan Shakti Exercise 2023: Enhancing India’s Defense Capabilities

The Sapta Shakti Command of the Indian Army recently conducted the highly anticipated exercise ‘Sudarshan Shakti 2023’ along the western borders in Rajasthan and Punjab. The exercise aimed to transform the forces into a modern, lean, and agile fighting combination capable of leveraging new-age technologies. With a focus on operational planning in a network-centric environment, this exercise validated the Indian Army’s combat power, combat support, and logistic support capabilities.

Nepal celebrates Bhoto Jatra

Nepal celebrates Bhoto Jatra which is a public holiday in Kathmandu Valley. It is a part of Rato Machhindranath Jatra which is a month-long chariot procession. It originates at Pulchok where chariot made of wood without use of iron nail is created and the procession ends at Jwalakhel. In Bhoto Jatra a “lost & found” bejeweled Nepali vest “bhoto” of Rato Machchindranath is displayed to the public to find its “rightful owner” in accordance with the legend and as per tradition.

About Nepal

Capital- Kathmandu, Currency- Nepalese rupee

President– Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime minister– Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Mega ‘Yoga Festival’ in Hyderabad

Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) under the Union Ministry of AYUSH has organized a mega ‘Yoga Festival’ at NCC Parade Ground, Hyderabad. Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan was the chief guest at the Yoga Festival being organized at NCC Parade Ground, Hyderabad. This event was organized 25 days before the Yoga Festival to be held in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of ‘International Yoga Day’ on June 21, 2023. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal announced the theme of International Day of Yoga this year as ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.