VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF MAY 21^st, 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF MAY 21^st, 2019

1.      (21st May) is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

a.      This day is a United Nations–sanctioned international holiday to help people learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.

2.     In Serbia, lawmakers today amended the penal code to introduce a life sentence without parole, despite concerns voiced by the Council of Europe. 

a.      Until now, the maximum sentence in Serbia, which seeks to join the European Union, was 40 years in prison.

b.     According to the new law, those sentenced to life imprisonment will be able to ask a tribunal to review their sentence once they have spent 27 years behind bars. 

c.      But those convicted of rape followed by murder, or serious crimes against children or pregnant women, will not have that option.

3.     Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King TabinShweHtee (773) and UMS Inlay (OPV-54) have arrived Port Blair for the ‘Opening Ceremony’ of the 8th Indo-Myanmar coordinated patrol (IMCOR), at Andaman and Nicobar Command.

a.      The CORPAT (Co-ordinated Patrol) initiative between the two navies is meant to address issues of terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, poaching and other illegal activities inimical to interest of both nations. 

b.     Started in Mar 2013, the CORPAT series has enhanced the mutual understanding and fostered improved professional interaction between the two navies for maritime interoperability.

4.     Anti-Terrorism Day being observed across India today (21st May 2018).

a.      Former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated by a female suicide bomber on this day (21st May) 1991, while conducting an election campaign in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. 

b.     The bomb attack was carried out by Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, also known as Dhanu, who was reportedly a member of the Sri Lankan militant organisation Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

5.     Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao today signed an ordinance promulgated by the state government that upholds admissions given to students under the Maratha quota in postgraduate medical and dental courses. 

a.      The ordinance is good news for 253 students whose seats were confirmed under the quota. 

6.     Asia's richest person Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has toppled state-run Indian Oil to become India's largest company by revenue. 

a.      Reliance reported revenue of ₹6.23 lakh crore for 2018-19 compared to Indian Oil's ₹6.17 lakh crore. 

b.     Note : With this milestone, Reliance has achieved the number one position in India in terms of revenue, profit and market capitalisation.

7.     State-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) could take control of two-three small state-run banks.

a.      These small lenders could include Oriental Bank of Commerce, Andhra Bank and Allahabad Bank. 

b.     The country's third-largest public sector lender could start the process of taking control of the banks in the next three months.

8.     The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s central has decided to create a specialised supervisory and regulatory cadre within the RBI to strengthen the supervision and regulation of commercial banks, urban cooperative banks and non-banking financial companies. 

a.      A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Central Board here under the Chairmanship of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. 

9.     Only 6 days after making a record 23rd ascent to Mount Everest, Nepalese Kami Rita Sherpa bettered his record on Tuesday while guiding a team of Indian police. 

a.      He first summited the 8,848-metre peak in 1994 while working for a commercial expedition. 

b.     The 49-year-old guide has made 35 summits on five 8,000-metre peaks, including K2, the world's second-highest mountain peak.

10.                       Paris St-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, who has already scored 32 goals this season, was named both the best player and best Under-21 player for the 2018-19 season. 

a.      German midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan, who helped Olympique Lyonnais' women's team to a record-extending 13th consecutive league title and fourth straight Champions League crown, was named the best first division female player.

11. An Indian peacekeeper is among the 119 military, police and civilian personnel who will be honoured with a prestigious UN medal 2019 for courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.

a.      Police Officer Jitender Kumar made the supreme sacrifice while serving in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Central African country of Congo. 

b.     He will be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on Friday as the world organisation observes the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

12.                       Former Formula One driver Niki Lauda (70) passed away.

a.      Lauda, who had suffered serious burns in a near-fatal crash at German Grand Prix in 1976, won three championships (1975, 1977 and 1984). 

b.     The Austrian competed in a total of 171 races, winning 25.

13. Filmmaker and film historian Vijaya Mulay (98) passed away.

a.      The filmmaker was best known for her 7-minute animated film 'Ek Anek Aur Ekta', which was first aired on Doordarshan in 1974.

14.                       Pakistan today appointed Moin-ul-Haque as the High Commissioner to India. 

a.      Haque's appointment comes after Sohail Mahmood left the High Commission to take over as Pakistan's Foreign Secretary. 

b.     He earlier served as Pakistan's Ambassador to France. Besides India, Pakistan also announced appointments of High Commissioners to China, Japan and Brussels.

15. Indonesia's Joko Widodo has been re-elected as president of the country, defeating rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general.

16.                       9 Indian boxers, including Mary Kom have won their respective bouts in the Second India Open International Boxing tournament being held in Guwahati.

a.      In her first competitive bout in the new 51 kg category, MC Mary Kom defeated Nepal's Mala Rai. 

17. The Committee of Administrators(CoA) announced in New Delhi today that the much-awaited elections of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)  will be held on October 22.

18. A 3-member team led by 2010 Asian Games bronze medallist Ashish Kumar will represent India at the second World Challenge Cup Series gymnastics tournament in Osijek, Croatia from May 23 to 26.

a.      Besides Ashish, the Indian contingent will also have Rakesh Kumar Patra and Shraddha Talekar.

b.     Note : The World Challenge Cup is a major FIG event with a broader participation of 110 gymnasts from 30 different countries.