- National:
- On April 14, 2024, the Union government of India ordered an investigation into organ transplants involving foreign nationals due to concerns over commercial dealings. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed authorities to investigate these cases and take necessary actions against hospitals found violating regulations.
- The Indian government is promoting Kasturi Cotton as a global brand. As part of this initiative, dedicated testing laboratories for Kasturi Cotton will be set up in six states: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka. These labs will ensure the premium quality of Kasturi Cotton and bolster its global acceptance.
- According to the Global Forest Watch, India lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover from 2000 to 2023, a 6% decrease. The loss includes 4.14% of humid primary forest, contributing to 18% of the total loss. Despite this, forests in India remained a net carbon sink, removing more carbon dioxide than they emitted. However, tree cover loss still resulted in significant carbon dioxide emissions. The most substantial losses occurred within natural forests and peaked in 2017.
- Banking:
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has sold its entire 51% stake in L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Limited (L&T IDPL) to M/s Epic Concesiones Private Limited, an investee company of Edelweiss Infrastructure Yield Plus Strategy. This move is part of L&T’s strategy to exit non-core businesses and reduce its exposure to asset-heavy projects, thereby enhancing its Return on Equity.
- Economy:
- India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose from 0.2% in February 2024 to 0.53% in March 2024. This inflation data was officially reported on April 15, 2024. The increase indicates a rise in the prices of wholesale goods.
- Sports:
- The 2024 Badminton Asia Championships took place from 9th to 14th April 2024 at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in Ningbo, China. Indonesian player Jonatan Christie won the Men’s Singles title by defeating China’s Li Shi Feng. In the Women’s Singles, China’s Wang Zhi Yi emerged victorious by beating her compatriot Chen Yufei.
- Indian athlete Aishwarya Mishra’s bronze medal in the women’s 400m sprint event at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 is set to be upgraded to silver. This is due to the disqualification of Farida Soliyeva from Uzbekistan, who originally won the silver medal but failed a dope test. Soliyeva tested positive for meldonium, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA).
- On April 14, 2024, Bayer Leverkusen made history by winning their first-ever Bundesliga title. The title was secured with a resounding 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen at their home ground in Leverkusen, Germany. This victory ended Bayern Munich’s 11-year title streak and marked the first time since Borussia Dortmund in 2011/12 that a team other than Bayern won the Bundesliga.
- Mykolas Alekna, a Lithuanian discus thrower, broke the longstanding men’s world record with a throw of 74.35 meters on April 14, 2024. The event took place at the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational in Ramona, Oklahoma. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 74.08m set by Jurgen Schult in 1986.
- Stefanos Tsitsipas won his third Monte Carlo Masters title on April 14, 2024, at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France. He defeated Casper Ruud in the final with a score of 6-1, 6-4. This marked his 11th ATP Tour title.
- Important Days:
- The 40th Siachen Day was observed on 13th April 2024 to commemorate the anniversary of ‘Operation Meghdoot’, launched by the Indian Army in 1984 to secure the strategic Siachen Glacier. The theme for the day was to honor the "grit and determination" of the Indian Army. It pays tribute to the soldiers who have served in the Siachen Glacier and acknowledges those who laid down their lives to secure the icy heights.
- World Art Day is celebrated annually on 15 April to promote the development, distribution, and enjoyment of art worldwide. The day also marks the birthday of the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci. The theme for World Art Day 2024 is ‘A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art’.
- Appointments:
- Kristalina Georgieva, the Bulgarian national, has been reappointed as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a second five-year term starting from October 1, 2024. She was the only candidate nominated for the position.
- Awards & Honours:
- On 14th April 2024, Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), presented Gallantry and Distinguished Service awards to 35 Naval personnel at INS Hansa, Goa. The recipients of the Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) included Cdr Manish Singh Karki, Cdr Kaustab Banerjee, Lt Cdr Panneerselvam Vishnu Prasanna, and Lt Cdr Bhaskar.
- Mamta G. Sagar, a renowned Kannada poet, playwright, and academic, has been honored with the prestigious World Literary Prize. This award was given by the World Organization of Writers (WOW)12 on April 6. The award ceremony was part of the first Congress of WOW held in Abuja, Nigeria.
- Books:
- Salman Rushdie’s memoir, “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder”, was published on April 16, 2024. The book reflects on a traumatic incident in 2022 when Rushdie was attacked by a knife-wielding assailant. It explores his healing process and the impact of the attack on his life.
- “Maker of Modern Goa: The Untold Story of Pratap Singh Rane” is a book authored by Vijayadevi Rane. The book was published by Rupa Publications India on 29th January 2024. It is a dynamic and engaging biography that delves into the untold story of Pratap Singh Rane, offering a captivating chronicle of Goan history and politics.
- “The Law and Spirituality: Reconnecting the Bond” is a book authored by Prof. Raman Mittal and Dr. Seema Singh. It was released on April 14, 2024. The book explores the relationship between law and spirituality. It aims to reconnect the bond between law and spirituality in various facets of human activity.
- Obituaries:
- Derek Underwood, legendary English cricketer, has passed away at the age of 78. Known as one of the greatest spin bowlers in England’s Test history, he claimed 297 wickets in 86 Tests. He played his entire first-class career at Kent, taking 2,523 wickets.
Question:
Q.1 Who are the authors of the book “The Law and Spirituality: Reconnecting the Bond”?a. Prof. Raman Mittal and Dr. Seema Singh
b. Dr. Seema Singh and Prof. Raman Mittal
c. Prof. Raman Mittal and Dr. Raman Singh
d. Dr. Seema Mittal and Prof. Raman Singh
Q.2 How much tree cover did India lose from 2000 to 2023 according to the Global Forest Watch?
a. 1.33 million hectares
b. 2.33 million hectares
c. 3.33 million hectares
d. 4.33 million hectares
