Current Affairs 22nd April 2016

Current Affairs 22nd April 2016 - Important Points

• Who inaugurated 10th Civil Services Day - PM Narendra Modi
• On 22 April 2016 which day is observed across the world - International Mother Earth Day
• According to WHO which country has became world’s first region to end malaria – Europe
• Union Commerce Ministry launches what for Start-Ups - Twitter Seva
• ISRO Scientists made what to keep soldiers warm in Siachen - Silica Aerogel
• BCCI appointed whom as its CEO – Rahul Johri

Details - 

Who inaugurated 10th Civil Services Day - PM Narendra Modi

On 21 April 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th Civil Services Day in New Delhi. Here, in the ceremony, Modi asked for experiments to bring change in society and creating an atmosphere where everyone can contribute.

Well, PM Modi also conferred awards to civil servants for excellence in implementation of Priority Programmes of the Government of India namely Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY), Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), Swachh Vidyalaya and Soil Health Card Scheme.

For the first time, a new category of Excellence in implementing a Priority Programme has been added to the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration.

Know About Civil Services of India –

• The Civil Services of India, which is refer to the civil service and the permanent bureaucracy of the Government of India. 

• This service system is the backbone of the administrative machinery of the country.

On 22 April 2016 which day is observed across the world - International Mother Earth Day

On 22 April 2016, The International Mother Earth Day is observed across the world with the theme ‘Trees for the Earth’. 

Year 2016 theme sets the goal of planting about 7.8 billion trees over the next five years.

International Mother Earth Day aims to raise awareness that humans have a collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature and to balance the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations.

2016 Earth Day coincided with the signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which took place at UN Headquarters in New York.

About International Mother Earth Day – 

• It was year 2009, when International Mother Earth Day was established by the General Assembly under Resolution A/RES/63/278.

• This Resolution was introduced by The Plurinational State of Bolivia and endorsed by over 50 member states.

According to WHO which country has became world’s first region to end malaria – Europe

On 20 April 2016, WHO (The World Health Organization) announced that the European Region became the first in the world to have achieved interruption of indigenous malaria transmission. 

According to report, the number of indigenous malaria cases in the region dropped from 90712 in 1995 to zero cases in 2015.

Know About Malaria -

• Disease Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals, which is caused by parasitic protozoans (a group of single-celled microorganisms) belonging to the Plasmodium type.

• It causes symptoms which includes fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death.

• If malaria is not treated properly, then people may have recurrences of the disease months later. 

Union Commerce Ministry launches what for Start-Ups - Twitter Seva

Twitter Seva, which is a new service, has been launched by The Union Commerce and Industry Ministry to address issues and grievances of startups, exporters and importers, and other stakeholders.

Twitter Cell, which is an institutionalized mechanism has been created in the Ministry which is manned by a set of dedicated officers of the Ministry.

About Twitter Seva –  

•Twitter Seva is all set to address various queries of startups in a time-bound manner. 

•In this seva, anyone who wants to access government irrespective of any department, they can put their questions or any cinfusions using the hashtag – ‘#mociseva’ on micro blogging site twitter. 

•The Union Commerce and Industry Ministry would try to respond to the queries within 48 to 72 working hours.

ISRO Scientists made what to keep soldiers warm in Siachen - Silica Aerogel

At the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, scientists indigenously manufactured the world's lightest synthetic material called ‘silica aerogel’ which can also be known as ‘blue air’ or ‘frozen smoke’.

According to scientists Silica Aerogel has excellent thermal resistance and if it is used as a filler in soldier’s uniforms it can possibly help save many lives at the Siachen glacier.

This material can be used both in space and on Earth.

Know About Silica Aerogel –

•Silica Aerogel is so light weight that it can be easily placed on a flower head.

•With an excellent thermal resistance, it can also be used as filler in soldiers' uniforms it can save many lives at the Siachen glacier.

•Scientists also hope it can be used to insulate rocket engines.

BCCI appointed whom as its CEO – Rahul Johri

On 20 April 2016, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) appointed Rahul Johri as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Rahul Johri, who was earlier working as Discovery Networks Asia Pacific’s Executive Vice-President and General Manager for South Asia, will take on his new role starting 1 June 2016 onwards. He will be reporting to the BCCI Secretary.

Know About Rahul Johri – 

•Rahul Johri before becoming CEO of BCCI, he has worked with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific as Executive Vice-President and General Manager.

•On February 24, 2016 he resigned from Discovery Networks.

•Johri will continue to work with Discovery Networks as a senior advisor to Arthur Bastings, President and Managing Director, until the end of 2016.