PERSONS IN NEWS
A). APPOINTMENTS
Deepak Mishra Appointed as ADG of CRPF
Deepak Mishra, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1984 batch (AGMU cadre), has been appointed as Additional Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Susmita Pande Appointed as Chairperson of NMA
Union Government on 14 April appointed Susmita Pande as the new chairperson of the National Monument Authority (NMA). She is professor a professor at Ujjain’s Vikram University. She will succeed Himanshu Prabha Ray succeed Himanshu Prabha Ray and shall fill the post which was lying vacant for five months after demission of Ray from office.
C P Gurnani named new NASSCOM chairman
The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) on 6 April announced the appointment of CP Gurnani as its Chairman for 2016-2017. He succeeds BVR Mohan Reddy, who served as Chairman of NASSCOM for 2015-16.
Patricia Scotland Takes Over as Commonwealth Secretary-General
Dominica’s Patricia Scotland has taken over as the first woman Secre-tary-General of the 53-member Common wealth, succeeding India’s Kamalesh Sharma.
Permod Kohli Appointed as CAT chairman
Permod Kohli, the retired Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court Justice, has been appointed as the Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for a period of 5 years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 68 years, whichever is earlier.
B). RESIGNS
Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk Resigned
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on 10 April announced his resignation in the wake of a months-long political crisis. His resignation was approved by the President Petro Poroshenko and has selected Parliament speaker Volodymyr Groysman to assume the Prime Minister post.
Iceland PM Gunnlaugsson Resigned
Iceland Prime Minister Sigmun-dur Gunnlaugsson resigned on 5 April 2016. He resigned after the leaked Panama Papers exposed offshore finance and tax evasions by him. The leaks were from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, the world’s fourth biggest offshore law firm.
C). DEATHS
Dutch Soccer Legend Johan Cruyff Died
The Dutch football legend and coach Johan Cruyff passed away in Barcelona, Italy. He was 68. Cruyff was one of the most famous exponents of the football philosophy known as Total Football. He is widely regarded to be one of the greatest players in football history.
Former Intel Chairman and CEO Andrew Grove Died
Andrew Grove, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Intel, passed away. He was 79. He was present at the Intel’s founding in 1968. Later in 1979, he became its president in and CEO in 1987. He served as chairman of the board from 1997 to 2005. Andrew Stephen Grove, also known as Andy, was a Hungarian-born American businessman, engineer, and author. He was also referred to as the ‘guy who drove the growth phase’ of Silicon Valley.
D). VISITORS
Maldives President Abdul Gayoom Visited India
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom visited India on 10-11 April 2016. During the visit, India and Maldives have signed six agreements in different sectors to boost bilateral relations between both maritime neighbouring countries. These agreements were signed after comprehensive talks between Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The bilateral agreements were signed in the fields of avoidance of double taxation, conservation and restoration of ancient mosque, tourism and defence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited USA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited United States of America (USA) from 31 March – 1 April, 2016. During the visit, he attended the 4th Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC. The summit focused on a gamut of issues pertaining to nuclear security. The two-day summit highlighted achievements and commitments of several countries towards safeguarding nuclear devices and technologies and reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism. He also announced a contribution of 1 million US dollars to Nuclear Security Fund of International Atomic Energy Agency.In the visit, India, US signed MoU for setting up Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) observatory in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Saudi Arabia on 2-3 April 2016. During the visit, Narendra Modi met plated replica of the Cheraman Juma Masjid of Kerala. Situated in Thrissur district, the mosque is believed to be the first mosque built in India by Arab traders around 629 AD. India and Saudi Arabia signed five agreements and MoUs.
E). MISCELLANEOUS
Panagarh Airbase Renamed In Honour of Arjan Singh
Panagarh Air Force Base of West Bengal was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh on 16 April 2016. This can be termed as a rare honour to the nation’s oldest soldier Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh. It was renamed on the occasion of 93rd birthday of Arjan Singh. Air Officer Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal C. Harikumar unveiled the rechristening plaque. This is first time in India’s defence history, a military installations has been named after individuals, especially when they are alive.
Priyadarshini Crowned Miss India World 2016
Delhi-based Priyadarshini Chatterjee on 9 April 2016 was announced the winner of the FBB Femina Miss India World 2016 at the 53rd edition of the Femina Miss India beauty pageant held in Mumbai. She was crowned the title by Aditi Arya, Femina Miss India 2015.
Kejriwal On Fortune’s List of ’50 Greatest Leaders’
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been named among the world’s 50 greatest leaders by Fortune magazine. He is sole leader from India in the list and has been placed at 42nd position. 2016 edition is Fortune magazine’s third annual ‘World’s 50 Greatest Leaders’ list and it has been topped by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Robinson Nominated as First US Female Combatant Chief
US Defence Secretary Ash Carter announced that President Barack Obama has nominated General Lori Robinson to lead the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and NORAD. This will make her the first woman to command a major Unified Combatant Command. The position is one of the most senior in the US military and must be confirmed by the Senate. If approved by the Senate, US Air Force General Lori Robinson will be the new North command chief and will be responsible for any missile threats against the homeland.