Complete APRIL 2024

The Tri-Service conference ‘Parivartan Chintan’ will be held in New Delhi. This conference will be the first-ever gathering of heads of all tri-services institutions, chaired by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan.

World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is observed annually on April 18. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the world’s cultural heritage and the need for its preservation.

North Korea recently conducted tests of advanced missiles, including the Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missile and the Hwasal-1 Ra-3 strategic cruise missile. These tests, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, have heightened tensions with South Korea and the United States. As a response, military cooperation among allies has increased, and joint exercises have been conducted to address the escalating situation in the region.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull dominated the Japanese Grand Prix in the 2024 season, leading a one-two finish for his team alongside teammate Sergio Perez, showcasing impressive control and performance throughout the race.

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise, received the SKOCH ESG Award 2024 in the ‘Renewable Energy Financing’ category, highlighting its commitment to sustainable financing and promoting renewable energy projects.

Professor Meena Charanda, Principal of Kalindi College, Delhi University, has been awarded the prestigious ‘International Culture Award’ for the year 2024 in recognition of her remarkable contributions to education, social service, and research in political science.

International Dance Day is celebrated annually on April 29th, commemorating the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre, considered the progenitor of modern ballet. It serves as a global tribute to the art of dance, promoting its cultural significance and fostering participation worldwide through various events and festivals.

India has secured operational control over the Sittwe Port in Myanmar, enhancing its maritime presence and connectivity. This strategic move follows approval from the Ministry of External Affairs and positions India strategically in the Indian Ocean region.

World Quantum Day is celebrated on April 14 to raise awareness and appreciation of quantum science and technology, highlighting India’s commitment to advancements in this field through initiatives like the National Quantum Mission (NQM).

Maldives hosted the ‘Dosti-16′ trilateral exercise, showcasing collaboration and interoperability among the coast guards of India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka to address shared maritime security concerns. The exercise aimed to enhance cooperation, strengthen friendship, improve mutual operational capability, and develop interoperability among the participating nations’ Coast Guard personnel

Radhika secured the silver medal in the 68kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2024, where India’s overall medal tally reached 5, including earlier victories in men’s freestyle events.

The Indian Air Force is demonstrating its capability to carry out high-octane operations during the ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’ exercise, emphasizing its readiness and prowess in executing intense and dynamic military operations.

Derek Underwood, who passed away at the age of 78, was a legendary cricketer known for his exceptional skills as a spinner while representing England for over 15 years, making him an icon in the cricketing world.

NATO was founded in 1949, marking its 75th anniversary this year, with a special event in Brussels to commemorate seven decades of collective defence and expansion, emphasizing the significance of Article 5 in ensuring member states’ security.

World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26th by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This day is dedicated to promoting the role of intellectual property (IP) in stimulating innovation and creativity, emphasizing its significance in fostering innovation and creativity for progress and sustainable development.

The coastal security exercise Sagar Kavach 01/24 was conducted off the Lakshadweep Islands, specifically in the waters surrounding the islands. This exercise involved multiple maritime security agencies such as the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, and other security agencies. Its primary objective was to evaluate and validate the effectiveness of the coastal security mechanism in dealing with asymmetric threats that may arise from the sea, showcasing the collaborative efforts and readiness of various stakeholders to safeguard the coastal areas around Lakshadweep Island.

Novak Djokovic achieved the milestone of becoming the oldest World No. 1 in ATP Rankings history at 36 years and 321 days, surpassing Roger Federer’s record. His dedication to training, recovery, and holistic health practices has contributed to his enduring success in tennis.

The Sittwe port is situated in Myanmar, specifically in the Rakhine State. It plays a crucial role in the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, offering connectivity advantages for cargo transportation to Northeastern states, bypassing Bangladesh.

The Nilgiri Tahr was designated as an endangered species and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972. This legal protection signifies the recognition of the species’ threatened status and the need for conservation efforts to safeguard its survival.

GAIL (India) Limited was honoured with the 15th CIDC Vishwakarma Award for its Barauni – Guwahati Natural Gas Pipeline project, a significant milestone in connecting North-East India to the National Gas Grid and delivering environmentally friendly natural gas to the region.

Pavuluri Subba Rao, the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Ananth Technologies, has been honoured with the ‘Aryabhatta Award’ by the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) for his significant contributions to astronautics in India. This recognition highlights Rao’s entrepreneurial success and pioneering contributions to the Indian space program through Ananth Technologies.

The new species of clouded tiger cat, named Leopardus pardinoides, was discovered in the dense rainforests of Brazil. This discovery has sparked interest among scientists and conservationists, leading to renewed efforts to protect the region’s biodiversity

Takshvi Vaghani, a young skating sensation from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, set a new world record for the lowest limbo skating over 25 metres on April 18, 2024. Her remarkable achievement highlights her exceptional talent, flexibility, and determination in the field of roller skating.

Indian chess prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh, aged 17, recently made history by winning the FIDE Candidates tournament and becoming the youngest-ever challenger in the history of the World Chess Championship. His exceptional performance and victory at the tournament have positioned him as a formidable contender for the world chess crown, showcasing his remarkable talent and potential in the chess world.

Mykolas Alekna achieved a distance of 74.35 meters in discus throw, breaking the men’s world record previously held by Jürgen Schult at 74.08 meters. This remarkable feat occurred at the Oklahoma Throws Series meeting in Ramona, showcasing Alekna’s exceptional talent and dedication.

International Mother Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. This date holds historical significance as it marks the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The theme for Earth Day 2024, “Planet vs. Plastics,” underscores the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its detrimental impact on ecosystems and human health. By commemorating this day, individuals and communities worldwide join hands to advocate for a healthier and more sustainable planet.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is establishing a test centre for weapon systems in Junput village, West Bengal. This initiative aims to alleviate the testing workload at Odisha’s Chandipur Integrated Test Range (ITR) and enhance operational capabilities.

The Archery World Cup 2024, also known as the Hyundai Archery World Cup, has commenced in Shanghai. This event, organized by World Archery, is the 18th edition of the international archery circuit and includes four events scheduled from 23 April to 20 October 2024. India has sent a 16-member archery team, comprising eight men and eight women, to participate in the first stage of the World Cup in Shanghai.

World Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2nd annually, aims to increase understanding and support for individuals with autism worldwide.

INSV Tarini, crewed by Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A, made history by completing a landmark 2-month transoceanic expedition, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat. The expedition started from INS Mandovi in Goa and concluded in Port Louis, Mauritius, showcasing the capabilities of INSV Tarini and the skill of its crew members.

The International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries took place in Paris on April 15, 2024. This conference was organized in response to the United Nations’ funding appeal and aimed to address the profound humanitarian crisis in Sudan and its neighbouring regions.

World Hemophilia Day is observed annually on April 17th to raise awareness about hemophilia, a rare and inherited bleeding disorder. This date was chosen by the World Federation of Hemophilia to honour the birth of Frank Schnabel, the organization’s founder, who advocated for hemophilia awareness and better treatment options.

India ranked third globally in unicorn creation with 67 unicorns, trailing behind the United States with 703 unicorns and China with 340, as per the Hurun Global Unicorn Index. This position reflects India’s status in the global startup ecosystem, despite a decline in unicorn creation for the first time since 2017.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) convened in Ottawa as per the UN Resolution in 2022, which mandates the creation of an INC to develop a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.

World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated annually on April 23rd. This day aims to promote reading, books, and copyright, originating from a tradition in Catalonia and recognized by UNESCO since 1995 in honour of renowned authors like William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) signed a contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the supply of six sets of LM2500 gas turbines and GT Auxiliaries, spares, and tools for the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project.

The Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act (THOTA) was enacted in 1994, to regulate organ transplants involving foreign nationals in India and ensure compliance with the law by hospitals and authorities.

Dipendra Singh Airee achieved the remarkable feat of hitting six sixes in an over during the ACC Men’s T20I Premier Cup clash against Qatar, solidifying his position as a rising star in Nepali cricket and joining the elite club of cricketers with this accomplishment.

The inaugural Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship commenced in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, featuring teams from 32 states. This event, held at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, is pivotal in nurturing young football talent for professional leagues and potential selections in prestigious tournaments like the Asian Games U23 category.

South Africa’s decision marks a significant shift in wildlife conservation practices, particularly regarding captive breeding and the exploitation of lion populations for various purposes.

Uttarakhand’s government is proactively addressing Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks by monitoring high-risk glacial lakes and employing advanced early warning systems. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of potential GLOFs and prevent disasters in the region.

The fifth edition of Exercise DUSTLIK takes place in Uzbekistan, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan through joint training sessions focusing on subconventional operations.

Maldives hosted the ‘Dosti-16′ trilateral exercise, showcasing collaboration and interoperability among the coast guards of India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka to address shared maritime security concerns. The exercise aimed to enhance cooperation, strengthen friendship, improve mutual operational capability, and develop interoperability among the participating nations’ Coast Guard personnel.

India ranked fourth globally in military spending in 2023, allocating $83.6 billion for defence. This expenditure surge reflects India’s strategic focus on modernizing its military infrastructure, particularly after the Ladakh standoff in 2020, to enhance defence capabilities and address evolving regional security challenges.
Category : Defence