Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 14th April 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 14th April 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- World Chagas Disease Day is observed on 14 April every year.
- President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted people on the occasion of Baisakhi on 14 April.
- The birth anniversary of Dr.B R Ambedkar is celebrated on 14 April.
- The World Bank in its “South Asia Economic Focus report” said that India’s economy is expected to grow 1.5% to 2.8% in the 2020-21 fiscal year which started on 1 April 2020.
- The National Agriculture Market portal, e-NAM completed four years of implementation on 14 April 2020.
- Ministry of Labour and Employment has set up 20 control rooms under the Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) (C) across India.
- The Government of India aims to inject Rs.1 lakh crore into villages.
- The Centre is to pass an ordinance which will allow the state governments the flexibility to increase the work hours of employees across establishments to 12 hours per day from eight hours.
- Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre (NIC) have jointly launched Collaborative CAD Software (CollabCAD).
- The has been set up in India by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh along with Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL), a Government of India Navratna company in the defense sector.
- Kerala becomes the 1st state of India to start clinical trial plasma therapy for COVID-19 treatment.
- World Bank has released a report titled “South Asia Economic Focus”.
- YES Bank has announced the extension of its strategic bancassurance relationship with the Max Life Insurance.
- Shri Birupaksha Mishra took charge as the Executive Director (ED) of Union Bank of India (UBI), after its amalgamation with Corporation Bank and Andhra Bank. Prior to this, he was the ED at Corporation Bank.
- The Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the extension of audio equipment maker, James Bullough Lansing (JBL)’s campaign -”Live it Real, Live it Raw” which went live with the 1st commercial featuring Ranveer Singh.
- According to the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) Executive Director R K Sacheti, India will host the Women’s and Men’s Asian Boxing Championships 2020 in November-December
- CovidGyan, a Science-based website, was launched.
- IIT-Bombay has developed a digital stethoscope called “AyuSynk” to check patients who are infected with COVID-19.
- the University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted 2 expert committees to look after the examinations & academic calendar, and to promote online learning amidst the lockdown due to COVID-19.
- Former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader M.V. Rajashekaran passed away.
- Former India’s Attorney General and senior advocate Ashok Desai passed away.
- Father of modern Iraqi architecture Rifat Chadirji passed away due to COVID-19.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
World Chagas Disease Day is observed on 14 April
- World Chagas Disease Day is observed on 14 April every year.
- The day aims to raise the visibility and public awareness of people with Chagas Disease and the resources needed for the prevention, control or elimination of the disease.
Chagas disease:
- Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis. The disease is common in places where the triatomine bug transmits the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. These places include South America, Central America, and Mexico.
Symptoms:
- The disease can cause swelling and fever. It can be long-lasting. If the disease is left untreated, it can cause congestive heart failure.
Treatment:
- Chagas disease can be treated by taking medication that kills the parasite and on managing symptoms.
Background:
- The first case of Chagas disease was confirmed in a Brazilian girl named Berenice Soares de Moura by Dr. Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas on 14 April 1909. The Chagas community commemorated 14 April as an unofficial day dedicated to people affected by the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared April 14 as World Chagas Disease Day during the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Baisakhi, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi, Puthandu is celebrated on 14 April
- President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted people on the occasion of Baisakhi on 14 April.
- On this auspicious day, people celebrate Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi, Puthandu, Pirappu, which are being celebrated in different parts of the country.
- The festival is a religious festival celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus.
Highlights:
- The harvest festivals are a celebration of the hard work and efforts of the farmers. These festivals show a glimpse of India’s rich and diverse culture.
- The festival celebrates the Solar new year, based on the Hindu Vikram Samvat calendar. The festival is aimed to celebrate farmers as they produce food grains for everyone and bring food security and prosperity through their tireless efforts.
- Baisakhi is the Harvest Festival of Punjab. It is celebrated on 14 April.
- Vishu is the Malayalam New Year. It is celebrated on 14 April.
- Puthandu is the Tamil New Year. It is celebrated on 14 April.
- Poila Boishakh (Naba Barsha) is the Bengali New Year. It is celebrated on 15 April.
- Rongali Bihu is the Harvest Festival of Assam. It is celebrated on 15 April.
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on 14 April
- The birth anniversary of Dr.B R Ambedkar is celebrated on 14 April.
- The day is celebrated to honour his countless contributions in the making of independent India.
- Ambedkar Jayanti is also known as Bhim Jayanti.
- India, amid the lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak, celebrated the birth anniversary of Dr.BR Ambedkar, digitally, to mark their respect.
Dr.B R Ambedkar:
- Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He is the Father of the Indian Constitution.
- He led a crusade for the upliftment and empowerment of Dalits in India.
- He held doctorates in economics from premier institutes like Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
- He was a scholar in various disciplines including economics, law and political science.
- Ambedkar became a key advocate and campaigner for the independence of India from British rule. He fought for Dalits rights.
- He gave significant contributions toward the establishment of the Indian states and the principal architect of drafting the Indian Constitution.
- His ideas served as the foundation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In 1956, he was converted to Buddhism.
- He completed the final manuscript of his book on Buddhism ‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’ in December 1956. He passed away on 6 December 1956. Dr.BR Ambedkar was conferred Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, posthumously in 1990.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
World Bank forecasts FY21 India growth at 1.5-2.8 percent
- The World Bank in its “South Asia Economic Focus report” said that India’s economy is expected to grow 1.5% to 2.8% in the 2020-21 fiscal year which started on 1 April 2020.
- It stated that India might record its worst growth performance since the 1991 liberalization in the current fiscal year 2020-21 due to the coronavirus outbreak which severely disrupted the economy
Report Highlights:
- The report estimated India will grow 4.8% to 5% in 2019-20 fiscal that ended on 31 March.
- COVID-19 pandemic will further slow down the Indian economy which was already slowing due to persistent financial sector weaknesses.
- It also stated that growth is expected to rebound to 5% in the Fiscal year 2022 (FY 2021-22) when the impact of COVID-19 dissipates.
Extra Shots:
- ADB – 4.0% (Previous 5%)
- S&P – 3.5% (Previous 5.2%)
- Moody – 2.5% (Previous 5.3%)
- UNESCAP – 4.8% (Previous 5%)
- Goldman Sachs – 1.6% (Previous 3.3%)
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
e-NAM completes four years of implementation
- The National Agriculture Market portal, e-NAM completed four years of implementation on 14 April 2020.
- The portal aims to achieve the vision of the “One Nation, One Market” for Agri-produce.
Achievements:
- e-NAM has been expanded to cover an additional 415 mandis which will take the total number of e-NAM mandis to 1000 soon.
- The online platform aims to reform the agriculture market in India.
- Over 1.66 crore farmers and 1.28 Lakh traders registered on the e-NAM platform. By registering, the farmers can upload their produce for sale online to the traders across all e-NAM mandis. Traders can then bid for the lots available for sale on e-NAM from any location.
- With this interface, the traders have accessed more than 7.76 lakh trucks through e-NAM Platform.
Extra Shots:
e-NAM:
- e-NAM was launched on 14 April 2016. eNAM is an online trading portal for agricultural products in India.
- It functions under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI.
- The Union Minister responsible is Narendra Singh Tomar.
- The platform facilitates the smooth marketing of their produce.
- e-NAM was an innovative initiative in agricultural marketing to enhance farmers’ accessibility digitally to the multiple numbers of markets and buyers.
- It aims to bring transparency in trade transactions with the intent to improve price discovery mechanism, quality commensurate price realization and also to develop the concept of One Nation One Market for agriculture produce.
Centre sets up 20 control rooms to address wage-related grievances of workers
- Ministry of Labour and Employment has set up 20 control rooms under the Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) (C) across India.
- The aim of the control room is to sort out the issues that are arising in the backdrop of COVID-19.
Highlights:
- The control rooms will address wage-related grievances of workers employed in Central Sphere.
- It will also mitigate the problems of migrant workers through coordination with various state governments.
- The call centers set up by GoI can be accessed by the workers through Phone numbers, Whatsapp and Emails.
- These control rooms are being managed by Labour Enforcement Officers, Assistant Labour commissioners, Regional Labour Commissioners, and Deputy Chief Labour Commissioners of the respective regions.
- The functioning of all the call centers will be monitored and supervised by CLC-C of Head Quarter on a daily basis.
- The concerned officers and officials of the control rooms have been directed to adopt a humane approach to assist the aggrieved workmen to the maximum possible extent. The centers will ensure the delivery of timely relief to the needy ones.
- The centers have been set up in Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Asansol, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Dehradun, Delhi, Dhanbad, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, and Raipur.
Centre to inject Rs.1 lakh crore into rural hands
- The Government of India aims to inject Rs.1 lakh crore into villages.
- The move is to boost the rural economy.
- GoI has also announced a massive grain purchase by official agencies and direct cash transfers.
- It will also support the farmers if the lockdown further delayed the harvest.
Highlights:
- The government initiative aims to ease restrictions on farm products during the lockdown.
- Food Corporation of India (FCI) is to procure grains in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh from 15 April. The massive procurement involves farmers, transporters, traders and labourers. FCI plans to buy 40 million tonnes of wheat at Rs.19,250 per tonne.
- Due to the lockdown, many farmers have suffered the loss of perishable products like fruit and vegetables that could not reach the market.
- Government will also pay around Rs.80,000 crore to farmers in the next three months.
- GoI will also transfer Rs.16,000 crore directly into bank accounts of 80 million farmers in April 2020 under the PM-KISAN scheme. It will give them a cash benefit of Rs.6,000 a year in three equal installments. So far 74.7 million have already been paid the April installment.
Centre to pass ordinance to give states flexibility to raise work hours of employees
- The Centre is to pass an ordinance which will allow the state governments the flexibility to increase the work hours of employees across establishments to 12 hours per day from eight hours.
- The move is aimed to address the issue of labour shortage and facilitate companies to maintain social distancing.
Ordinance Provisions:
- The ordinance will enforce the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) that empowers states or ‘appropriate authority’ to notify work hours. The ordinance is yet to be passed.
- The earlier Act prescribed 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week.
- The ordinance will help address labour shortage. It will help companies adhere to social distancing norms.
- As per the Ordinance, the workers will work in extended shifts.
Background:
- The labour ministry has introduced the bill in parliament in 2019.
- The Bill was then sent to the standing committee.
- The standing committee’s report on the bill was tabled in the budget session and the bill was sent back, but it could not be taken up due to paucity of time as the session was terminated early due to COVID-19.
AIM’s, NITI Aayog & NIC jointly launches “CollabCAD”
- Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre (NIC) have jointly launched Collaborative CAD Software (CollabCAD).
- CollabCAD is a collaborative network, computer-enabled software system, providing a total engineering solution from 2D drafting & detailing to 3D product design.
Objectives of CollabCAD:
- This initiative is to provide a great platform to students of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country to create and modify 3d designs with free flow of creativity and imagination.
- CollabCAD will be used around 5000 schools where Atal Tinkering Labs are established.
- CollabCAD would also enable students to create data across the network and concurrently access the same design data for storage and visualization.
- CollabCAD is a platform for those students, who utilize indigenous, state-of-the-art made-in-India software for 3D modelling/slicing to use 3D Printing.
Extra Shots:
The NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to achieve sustainable development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.
- Website: niti.gov.in
- Formed: 1 January 2015
- Objectives: Foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process by the State Governments of India
- Jurisdiction: Government of India
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Chairperson: Narendra Modi
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
First remote health monitoring system has been set up in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- The has been set up in India by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh along with Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL), a Government of India Navratna company in the defense sector.
- The system is expected to be used in Uttarakhand state to monitor COVID-19 patients.
First remote health monitoring system:
- The digital medical system has been developed so that the doctor sitting in AIIMS can monitor the patient’s body temperature and the amount of oxygen in the blood and the speed of his breath while at home.
- The therapeutic system will not unnecessarily hospitalize the patient. For this purpose, a website and mobile application have been created.
- Using the system, the vital parameters of the patient will be displayed in the AIIMS command & control center.
- The patients can inform the doctors about their illness and the doctors will give proper counseling after seeing the symptoms stated by the patient.
- If the patient is suspicious of the corona infection, then he will be provided with a monitoring kit from the institute. The patient can sit at his home and consult the doctor.
- The kit will issue alert if the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital.
- The system will also show in which parts of the state the disease is spreading in a serious way.
Extra Shots:
Uttarkhand
- Capital- Dehradun
- Governor- Baby Rani maurya
- CM-Trivendra Singh Rawat
- National Park -Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP
Kerala set to trial plasma therapy for COVID-19 treatment
- Kerala becomes the 1st state of India to start clinical trial plasma therapy for COVID-19 treatment.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given approval to Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to start clinical trial convalescent plasma therapy treatment.
About Convalescent plasma therapy
- Convalescent plasma therapy is a technique to take the plasma of patients who have completely recovered from coronavirus because it is going to be rich in antibodies and a few small studies are wiped out China and therefore the United States where that they had tried the plasma therapy technique.
- Their plasma is collected and infused into COVID-19 patients who are critically ill and whose system cannot fight the virus.
Extra Shots:
Kerala:
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
- Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
- Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
- National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
YES Bank extends bancassurance partnership with Max Life Insurance
- YES Bank has announced the extension of its strategic bancassurance relationship with the Max Life Insurance.
- The tie-up has been extended for 5-years in order to reaffirm their commitment to invest in building a digitally-enabled ecosystem, to offer customers a broad range of need-based products and services in order to provide a seamless experience for customers.
- The extended strategic bancassurance relationship aims to enhance business and make investmen
Extra Shots:
Max Life Insurance:
- It is a joint venture between Max Financial Services Ltd and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance.
- CMD: Prashant Tripathy
- Tagline: Karo Jyada ka Iraada.
- Head Office: New Delhi
Yes Bank:
- Establishment: 2004
- Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- CMD: Prashant Kumar
- Tagline: Experience our Expertise
APPOINTMENT
Birupaksha Mishra assumes charge as ED of Union Bank of India
- Shri Birupaksha Mishra took charge as the Executive Director (ED) of Union Bank of India (UBI), after its amalgamation with Corporation Bank and Andhra Bank. Prior to this, he was the ED at Corporation Bank.
- Shri Birupaksha Mishra holds a Postgraduate degree and a CAIIB (Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers).
- In 1984, he started his banking career as a Probationary Officer.
- He has a rich experience of more than three decades in various administrative and functional capacities at many Branches, Regional Offices and mainly at the Corporate Office.
- As a part of his role, he has handled the Credit and Credit Monitoring Portfolio of the Bank and headed the IT vertical of the Bank. He has served in many parts of the country.
Extra Shots:
Union Bank of India:
- Formed on: 11 November 1919
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- MD & CEO: Rajkiran Rai G.
Sara Ali khan appointed as the ambassador of JBL
- The Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the extension of audio equipment maker, James Bullough Lansing (JBL)’s campaign -”Live it Real, Live it Raw” which went live with the 1st commercial featuring Ranveer Singh.
- She lines up with JBL ambassadors and partners from music, sports, and entertainment industries including actor and humanitarian Priyanka Chopra, music mogul AR Rahman, and Olympian Shuttler PV Sindhu in India.
- Mahindra Group’s MeraKisan, an organic Agri producer has partnered with The Vice-Captain of the Indian Test Cricket team Ajinkya Rahane, as part of this, he will own equity & will be its brand ambassador.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
India to host Asian Boxing Championships 2020 in Nov-Dec
- According to the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) Executive Director R K Sacheti, India will host the Women’s and Men’s Asian Boxing Championships 2020 in November-December as he expressed confidence that by then the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic would have been completely under control.However, the host city will be decided by BFI after things return to normal.
- India last hosted the Men’s Asian Championship in Mumbai,Maharashtra in the year 1980, while the Women’s Championship was hosted in 2003 in Hisar, Haryana.
- This competition is usually held once in two years but in the past it has also been held in consecutive years.
Extra Shots:
BFI: Indian Boxing Federation is the Indian national governing body for Olympic boxing and is the India’s member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association. It is headquartered in New Delhi. Indian Boxing Federation is also known as all India boxing association.
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Head: Ajay Singh
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Science-based website CovidGyan on COVID-19 was launched
- CovidGyan, a Science-based website, was launched.
- The website aims to bring the scientific and factual aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak onto the public domain, multi-institutional, multi-lingual science communication.
Website partners:
- The website was launched by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC).
- Many other partners including Vigyan Prasar, IndiaBioscience, and the Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSc), which includes Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) have also joined the initiative.
CovidGyan:
- CovidGyan serves as a hub to bring together a collection of resources in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- These resources are generated by research institutions in India and several associated programs. The content presented on the website provides a scientific understanding of the disease and its transmission.
- The information provided is authentic.
- The main objective of the website is to create public awareness and bring in a holistic approach to the understanding of COVID-19 disease and potential means to mitigate it.
- It will aid as a ‘go-to’ repository of information regarding COVID-19.
- The website was designed with multi-faceted aspects to provide ‘right information’ through talks from eminent scientists in audio or podcast formats, infographics, posters, videos, FAQs and Mythbusters, and even links to scientific papers.
- The website of CovidGyan is https://covid-gyan.in.
IIT-Bombay develops digital stethoscope called “AyuSynk”
- IIT-Bombay has developed a digital stethoscope called “AyuSynk” to check patients who are infected with COVID-19.
- IIT Bombay converts conventional stethoscopes into digital ones.
- The conventional stethoscope may pose a risk of infection to healthcare professionals handling coronavirus patients.
- The device is being deployed for remote auscultation (listening to chest sounds).
- The basic version of the digital stethoscope can also be connected to mobile or laptop through a wire or via Bluetooth.
- The AyuSynk digital device was developed by Ayu Devices, a startup of IIT Bombay, in association with another Biomedical Engineering and Technology incubation Centre (BETiC).
UGC constitutes 2 expert committees for examination & online education: COVID-19
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted 2 expert committees to look after the examinations & academic calendar, and to promote online learning amidst the lockdown due to COVID-19.
About the committees
1st Committee–
- It is a 7 member committee headed by the vice-chancellor of the Central University of Haryana- R.C. Kuhad, to look after the examination & academic calendar of students as Indian education system came to a standstill due to suspended classes, postponed examinations, and closed campuses. Based on the recommendations of the committee, the UGC will publish guidelines for universities.
2nd Committee-
- It is formed in relation to students, teachers and the education system as a whole & also to promote online education.
DRDO develops COVSACK to combat COVID-19 spread
- Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed COVID-19 Sample Collection Kiosk (COVSACK) to combat COVID-19.
COVSACK:
- COVSACK was developed by DRDL in consultation with the doctors of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Hyderabad.
- The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by healthcare workers for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients. The patient under test walks into the Kiosk and a nasal or oral swab is taken by health care professionals from outside through the built-in gloves.
- The Kiosk is automatically disinfected without the need for human involvement, making the process free of infection spread. The shielding screen of the kiosk cabin protects the health care worker from the aerosols/droplet transmission while taking the sample.
- It will reduce the requirements of Personal protective equipment (PPE) change by health care workers.
- After the patient leaves the Kiosk, four nozzle sprayers mounted in the kiosk cabin disinfect the empty chamber by spraying disinfectant mist for a period of 70 seconds. It is further flushed with water and Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection.
- The system is ready for the next use in less than two minutes. Voice command is given through a two-way communication system integrated with the COVSACK. It is possible to configure COVSACK to be used either from inside or outside as required by the medical professionals.
- The COVSACK costs nearly Rs.1 lakh and the identified industry based at Belgaum, Karnataka can support 10 units per day.
- The DRDO has designed and developed two units and handed over these to ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad after successful testing.
Extra Shots:
DRDO: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in Delhi India.
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Motto: बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम्; “Strength’s Origin is in Science” (Sanskrit)
- Founded: 1958
- Director: G. Satheesh Reddy
OBITUARIES
Former Union Minister Rajasekharan passes away
- Former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader M.V. Rajashekaran passed away.
- He had served as Union Minister of State for Planning in the Manmohan Singh Ministry.
- He represented Kanakapura, Karnataka constituency in Lok Sabha.
Former Attorney General of India Ashok Desai passes away
- Former India’s Attorney General and senior advocate Ashok Desai passed away.
- He was Attorney General from July 1996 to May 1998.
- He was served as Solicitor General of India from December 1989 to December 1990.
- He was awarded Padma Bhushan and Law Luminary awards in 2001.
- He started his practice in 1956 before the Bombay High Court and was designated as a senior advocate in August 1977.
Father of modern Iraqi architecture Rifat Chadirji passes away
- Father of modern Iraqi architecture Rifat Chadirji passed away due to COVID-19.
- He was credited to design some of Iraq’s most valuable structures and iconic “Freedom Monument” in the now protest hub of Baghdad’s Tahrir Square.
- He was studied in London and returned to Iraq in the 1950s to design his magnum opus, elegant arch entitled “The Unknown Soldier” as well as the capital’s post office and other public buildings.
