World No Tobacco Day 2023 observed on 31st May

World No Tobacco Day is an annual event held on May 31, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote awareness about the detrimental consequences of tobacco usage and advocate for policies aimed at reducing tobacco consumption. The primary goal of this initiative is to educate the public about the health hazards associated with tobacco use, encompassing both smoking and smokeless tobacco products. It emphasizes the significance of quitting tobacco and urges governments, organizations, and individuals to actively combat tobacco use.

World Tabacco Day 2023- Theme

This year the theme for World No Tobacco Day is “We need food, not tobacco”. The 2023 global campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops. It will also aim to expose the tobacco industry’s efforts to interfere with attempts to substitute tobacco growing with sustainable crops, thereby contributing to the global food crisis.

Praveen Kumar Srivastava Sworn In as Central Vigilance Commissioner

Praveen Kumar Srivastava, a retired 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been officially sworn in as the Central Vigilance Commissioner. The ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Srivastava. He had been serving as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner since December, following the completion of Suresh N Patel’s tenure as the chief of the probity watchdog. Srivastava brings with him a wealth of experience and a stellar career in public service. Having superannuated as the secretary (Coordination) at the Cabinet Secretariat on January 31 last year, he has served in various capacities throughout his tenure.

Justice Rao Sworn In As Himachal Pradesh High Court CJ

Justice Mamidanna Satya Ratna Sri Ramachandra Rao has officially become the 28th Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. In a ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla administered the oath of office to Justice Rao. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was also present at the event. The proceedings of the oath ceremony were conducted by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, who read out the Warrant of Appointment issued by the President of India in both Hindi and English languages.

Sachin Tendulkar now ‘smile ambassador’ for Maharashtra govt

The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government named cricket great Sachin Tendulkar as Maharashtra’s ‘Smile Ambassador’ under the state’s ‘Swachh Mukh Abhiyan’ to spread awareness about oral health and hygiene across the state. The batting legend will be the face of the state medical education and drug department’s Swachh Mukh Abhiyan (SMA) and has offered his association free of cost, and for the entire duration the government wishes to run the programme. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sachin Tendulkar. The former Indian cricketer will be the campaign’s brand ambassador for the next five years.

India clinches title of CAVA Women’s Challenge Cup 2023

India has won the title of NSC-CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup held in Kathmandu. India won the title by defeating Kazakhstan in the final at the National Sports Council’s Covered Hall in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. India defeated Kazakhstan in a shared set of 3-0. India won the first set 25-15, the second set 25-22, and the third set 25-18. Along with this, India finished the competition by remaining undefeated.

A book titled ‘NTR: A Political Biography’ by Ramachandra Murthy Kondubhatla

Journalist, editor and writer, Ramachandra Murthy Kondubhatla, has authored a new book titled “NTR-A Political Biography” which presents a realistic picture of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), the star figure in the discourse on cinema and politics in the two Telugu States (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). The book, published by HarperCollins India, commemorates the centenary year of NTR. The book uncovers many facets of, NTR’s life and his impact on Politics at the state and national level.

India to Host 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation Meeting alongside G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial in Goa

India is set to host the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM-14) and 8th Mission Innovation (MI-8) meeting in Goa from July 19th to 22nd, 2023. The event will take place on the sidelines of the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting. With the theme “Advancing Clean Energy Together,” this year’s CEM and MI meetings will bring together global stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, private sector entities, academia, innovators, civil society, and policymakers.

Nigeria: Bola Tinubu Sworn in as President

Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the President of Nigeria on May 29, amidst mounting pressure to address the country’s persistent economic and security issues. The inauguration ceremony, held at Eagles Square in the capital city of Abuja, was attended by both local and foreign dignitaries. However, Tinubu’s victory in the February elections has been met with challenges, as his opponents have raised allegations of electoral fraud. As the new leader, Tinubu must confront the country’s economic distress, security concerns, and the need for political stability.

Angshumali Rastogi India’s representative to global civil aviation org

Senior bureaucrat Angshumali Rastogi was appointed India’s representative to the council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, according to a Personnel Ministry order. Rastogi, a 1995 batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has been appointed in place of Shefali Juneja for three years. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved 12 appointments for filling up various foreign posts, the order said.

57th Jnanpith Award was given to Goan writer Damodar Maujo

Goan writer Damodar Maujo has been honoured with the 57th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour. He is a renowned short story writer, novelist, critic and screenwriter in Konkani language. Damodar Maujo is the second Goan to receive the Jnanpith Award after Ravindra Kelekar in 2008. Mauzo’s famous novel ‘Karmelin’ received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983. He has written 25 books in Konkani and one in English, many of which have been translated into various languages.