Current Affairs April 20-22, 2015

ICICI & Tech Mahindra, launched 'Tap-n-Pay' service

ICICI Bank in partnership with Tech Mahindra launched a payment service 'Tap-n-Pay' based on the near-field communications (NFC) technology.It enable customers to make over-the-counter payments without using cash. It can be used for merchant payments by merely tapping a NFC-enabled mobile phone or a tag on the counter.

New York Times won Pulitzer prize for Ebola coverage

The New York Times won two prestigious Pulitzer prizes for coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.The Pulitzer board describe it as courageous and vivid journalism that engaged the public and held authorities accountable.

The New York Times staff won the prize for international reporting and freelancer Daniel Berehulak won for feature photography.

Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand declared as India's 48th Tiger Reserve

Uttarakhand, the State with the second highest tiger population after Karnataka, now has a second tiger reserve, besides the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

The Rajaji National Park has now been notified as the Rajaji Tiger Reserve by the Centre. 

Cricket South Africa launched Africa T20 Cup

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the Africa T20 Cup. The tournament featuring Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia, hosts South Africa and 12 CSA affiliates will run from 4th of September October 4th.

Neeraj Kumar appointed BCCI's Anti Corruption & Security Unit chief

Former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar appointed as chief advisor of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Anti Corruption & Security Unit (ACSU) for a term of one year.

Civil Services Day observed

Civil Services Day observed in all over the nation on 21st April 2015. The day was organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

Interest rate for GPF retained at 8.7% for current fiscal

Government of India retained the rate of interest for General Provident Fund (GPF) and other related schemes at 8.7% for the current fiscal. According to the notification issued by the Finance Ministry; he 8.7 percent interest will apply on Provident Funds of central government employees, railways and defence forces. The rate of interest will be effective from 1st April 2015.

‘E-Samiksha’ launched by Indian Railways

The online monitoring mechanism namely ‘E-Samiksha’ launched by Indian Railways on 21st April 2015 to monitor all the railway projects online.

China & Pakistan launch economic corridor link worth $46 bn

China and Pakistan launched a plan for energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan worth $46 billion, linking their economies and underscoring China's economic ambitions in Asia and beyond. The agreements aimed at establishing a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor between Pakistan's southern Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea and China's western Xinjiang region.

Former CM of Odisha passed away

Former Odisha Chief Minister and ex-Assam Governor Janaki Ballabh Patnaik passed away in Tirupati at the age of 89. He became chief minister of Odisha in 1980 and was in power till 1989.

NASA to send submarine to Saturn's moon Titan

NASA is planning to send a nuclear-powered submarine to explore one of the methane seas located on Saturn's moon Titan. The single-ton concept robot submarine is equipped with a seafloor camera and sampling system. The submarine could fit into a space plane such as Boeing X-37 (also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle), which was recently used for a classified Air Force mission.

Sugarcane fair price hikes to Rs 230 per quintal for 2015-16

The government hiked the sugarcane Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for the sugar season 2015-16 to Rs 230 per quintal. The FRP for the last sugar season was Rs 220 per quintal.

Earth Day celebrated across the globe

Earth day observed across the globe which is celebrated on 22nd April every year. April 22 is the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. Theme for this year is "It's Our Turn to Lead." It was first celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is being observed in more than 192 countries.

Aroon Purie awarded as Editor of the Year

The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group, Aroon Purie was selected as the 'Editor of the Year' by the Jury for the International Advertising Association (IAA) India.

NTCA approved Rajaji National Park as India's 48th Tiger Reserve

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand as India's 48th Tiger Reserve, now Uttarakhand has got second tiger reserve after the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Government has removed Indira, Rajiv names from two Hindi awards

The government of India has decided to discontinue two awards named after former PMs Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, conferred until last year on those doing outstanding work for promoting the progressive use of Hindi language now it has introduced two new awards scheme, offering the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar and Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar for propagating the national language.

Bhagwant Mann appointed as a leader in Lok Sabha of APP party

Aam Aadmi Party on appointed Bhagwant Mann, an MP from Sangrur, Bhagwant Mann replaced Dharam Vira Gandhi. 

Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express,PIB