Daily Current Affairs Capsule

8 May 2019
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1. World Red Cross Day: 8 May

Every year the 8th of May is celebrated as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

• The day is celebrated as it marks the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross and
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
• World Red Cross Day commemorates the principles of “International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement”.
• It is celebrated on May 8 to pay tribute to the people participated in the event as well as remembering their
contribution to helping people in need.
• 2019 Theme: #love

Points to remember

• International Committee of the Red Cross Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

2. NIOS, NHMPH ink MoU in Mumbai

The National Institute of Open Schooling Ministry of Human Resources Development and National Health
Mission of Public Health Department of Government of Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding
in Mumbai.

• The MOU focused on offering Vocational programmes to the Health Service Providers of National Health
Mission (NHM) through National Institute of Open Schooling.
• It aims to impart uniform structured and quality training to Multipurpose Health Workers, Class Ill Male
Health Workers and Community Health Workers followed by their assessment evaluation and
certification.

3. India re-elected as an observer to inter-governmental forum Arctic Council

India has been re-elected as an observer to inter-governmental forum Arctic Council.

• The Arctic Council promotes cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic states on common
issues, particularly on sustainable development and environmental protection.
• At the 11th Arctic Council ministerial meeting at Rovaniemi, Finland and India re-elected as Observer of
the Arctic Council.

4. India, Bangladesh to jointly produce a movie on life, works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

India and Bangladesh will co-produce a film on the life and works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and
a documentary on Bangladesh Liberation War.

• The co-production was earlier announced by the Prime Ministers of both the countries.
• The movie will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal, along with the writer Atul Tiwari.
• Co-production of a documentary on Bangladesh Liberation War was also discussed.
5. 59th BRO Raising Day

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 59th Raising Day on 7 May 2019.

• It was formed on 7 May 1960.

• BRO is a leading road construction agency under the Ministry of Defence with a primary role of providing
road connectivity in border areas.
• It executes road construction and maintenance works along the Northern and Western frontiers primarily
to meet the strategic requirements of the Army.
• It is responsible for over 53,000 Km roads.

Points to remember

• BRO Director General: Lt. Gen.Harpal Singh

• Parent organisation: Ministry of Defence

6. MNRE holds ‘Chintan Baithak’ with the stakeholders of Renewable Energy (RE) sector

Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) held a ‘Chintan Baithak’ with the stakeholders of the Renewable
Energy sector in New Delhi.

• The ‘Baithak’ (meet) was chaired by Secretary, MNRE, Shri Anand Kumar.
• The meeting deliberated upon various issues pertaining to the RE sector viz. solar, wind, bio-energy,
small-hydro, regulatory issues, bidding & pricing, demand forecasting, financing of RE projects, energy
storage, Make in India, skilling India’s RE workforce etc.
• Various policy interventions were suggested for the sector by the stakeholders at ‘Chintan Baithak’ and
MNRE will consider these suggestions.

7. Drug firm Merck Ltd renamed as Procter & Gamble Health Ltd
Drug firm Merck Ltd has been renamed as Procter & Gamble Health Ltd.

• The name has been changed following P&G's global acquisition of the consumer health business of Merck
KGaA, Germany.
• The company has received approval from the Registrar of Companies, Mumbai, Maharashtra, for change
of name from Merck Ltd to Procter & Gamble Health Ltd.

8. Desert Storm 2019 started

Desert Storm 2019, touted to be the longest Cross-Country Rally in India started.

• The four-day-long Rally will see over 100 teams competing in high temperatures, dune crossings and fast
technical gravel straights.
• It comprises 600 km of extremely harsh Special Stages in addition to over 900 km of Transport Stages.
• The first stage, covering a distance of 158 km, is starting from Bikaner in Rajasthan.