19 April 2015 Current Affairs
Nasim Zaidi Takes over as new CEC
Nasim Zaidi has assumed charge as the 20th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on 19 April. He succeeds HS Bramha. A 1975-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, Brahma , who hails from Assam, was elevated as the 19th Chief Election Commissioner in January 2015 and had a stint of a little over three months. Zaidi has earlier served as Election Commissioner since July 2012. Before joining the Election Commission, Zaidi had served the nation as a long time civil servant of the Indian Administration Service (1976- Batch).
Kerala Govt Launched Subodham Project To End Liquor Abuse
Kerala government has launched a major campaign Subodham, in a bid to wean people away from addiction to liquor. Liquor consumption has alarmingly increased in Kerala over the years and has spread to all sections of the society. The Subodham is supported by the UNICEF, as well as, several religious leaders, non-governmental organisations and other stake holders. It is the first step towards Punarjani 2030 Project an initiative of Kerala government to completely eradicate the menace of substance abuse in the state. Besides, the government has also decided to introduce anti-drug and alcohol awareness content in the curriculum from the next academic year.
Lewis Hamilton Won The Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, representing Mercedes, won the Bahrain Grand Prix for the second year in a row on 19 April. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) made his entry into the podium with second place while Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg (Germany) came third.
Sitaram Yechury Elected as new General Secretary of CPI(M)
Sitaram Yechury was elected as the new General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on 19 April at party’s 21st Congress held in Visakhapatnam. Sitaram Yechury was unanimously elected CPI (M)’s new General Secretary to replace Prakash Karat, who has completed three terms as General Secretary of the party.