“IMPORTANT DAYS”

World Heritage Day 2024

World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is observed annually on April 18. This year, the special day falls on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The observance of this day aims to raise awareness about the diversity and importance of the world’s cultural heritage, and the need to protect and preserve it for future generations.

Theme: “Disasters & Conflicts Through the Lens of the Venice Charter”

Since 1983, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has set a theme around which events and activities are centered on World Heritage Day. For 2024, the theme is “Disasters & Conflicts Through the Lens of the Venice Charter”. This theme highlights the challenges and threats that heritage sites and monuments face, ranging from natural disasters to human-induced conflicts, and the importance of the principles and guidelines outlined in the Venice Charter for their protection and conservation.

“AWARD”

Ram Charan Honored with Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Vels University

In a prestigious ceremony, Vels University in Chennai conferred an honorary doctorate in literature upon renowned Indian actor Ram Charan. This distinguished recognition celebrates Charan’s remarkable contributions to the world of cinema and his profound impact on audiences across the globe. The 14th Annual Convocation of Vels University witnessed the conferment of this honorary degree, along with several other distinguished awards. The event was graced by the presence of eminent personalities, including Dr. P. Veeramuthuvel, the Project Coordinator at Chandrayaan, Dr. GSK Velu, the Founder and CMD of Trivitron Healthcare, and table tennis player and Padma Shri awardee Achanta Sharath Kamal.

“SPORTS”

Pat Cummins and Sciver-Brunt Named Wisden’s Top Cricketers

In the 2024 edition of the prestigious Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, two exceptional talents have been crowned as the Wisden Leading Cricketers in the World, Australian captain Pat Cummins and England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt. Australian skipper Pat Cummins has cemented his place as one of the premier fast bowlers in the world, leading his side to remarkable achievements in the past year.

“FESTIVAL”

2nd edition of Janakpurdham Cultural Festival held in Nepal

The 2nd edition of the Janakpurdham Cultural Festival was organized by the Embassy of India in Nepal coinciding with the Bikram Sambat Nepali New Year 2081. The festival was held at the Mahendranarayan Nidhi Mithila Cultural Center in Janakpur and comprised two sessions. Saroj Kumar Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, inaugurated the first session of the Festival as the Chief Guest.

“DEFENCE”

DRDO & Indian Army conduct successful trials of MPATGM weapon system

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) carried out successful trials of the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Weapon System at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan. The Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Weapon System was indigenously designed and developed by DRDO. It consists of MPATGM, the Man Portable Launcher, the Target Acquisition System (TAS), and the Fire Control Unit (FCU).

 “APPOINTMENTS”

World Economic Forum names Nykaa’s Adwaita Nayar as a 2024 Young Global Leader

The World Economic Forum has named Adwaita Nayar, the co-founder of Nykaa and CEO of Nykaa Fashion, as a ‘2024 Young Global Leader’. This prestigious recognition highlights Nayar’s remarkable achievements as a change-maker and entrepreneur, solidifying her place among the most influential young leaders in the world. The World Economic Forum’s Forum of Young Global Leaders celebrates individuals under the age of 40 who are making a significant impact in their respective fields.

Vandita Kaul appointed as Secretary, Department of Posts

Senior Bureaucrat Vandita Kaul has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Posts. She will succeed Vineet Pandey upon his superannuation. Kaul, a 1989-batch Indian Postal Service officer, currently serves as Member (Banking & Direct Benefit Transfer) of the Postal Services Board.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

Dharamsala to get India’s first ‘hybrid pitch’

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in Dharamshala has become the first BCCI-accredited venue to install a state-of-the-art ‘hybrid pitch’. This new technology is set to transform the game, as future international and IPL matches will be played on this innovative track. The Netherlands-based ‘SISGrass’, a part of the SIS Pitches group of companies, has been brought in to install the first-ever hybrid pitch in India. This cutting-edge technology combines natural turf with a small percentage of polymer fibre, creating a more durable and consistent playing surface.

Alia Bhatt Named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 List: A Testament to Global Impact

Alia Bhatt’s inclusion in TIME Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People of 2024’ underscores her remarkable ascent as a global icon. Renowned director Tom Harper, lauding her as a “truly international star,” highlights her multifaceted talent and magnetic presence both on and off-screen.

Delhi Airport among top 10 Busiest Airports in World

The Airports Council International (ACI) World, a global organization which measures and assesses airport standards–ranked Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport as the tenth busiest airport in the world in 2023. The IGI Airport was ranked 9th in 2022, 13th in 2021, and as the 17th busiest airport in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic. The IGI airport in the capital handled 7.22 crore passengers annually. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States held the top rank with 10.46 crore passengers.