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  • Current Affairs 24th April 2015

    Updated : 24-Apr-2015

    Current Affairs 18th April 2015 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 18th April 2015 - Details

    Which day is observed by UN on 23rd April across the world- World Book and Copyright Day

    On 23rd April 2015, United Nations (UN) observed World Book and Copyright Day worldwide. The day is a chance to identify the power of books to transform our lives for the better and to support books and those who produce them.

    Incheon, South Korea has been appointed as the World Book Capital 2015 by UNESCO in recognition of its programme to promote reading between people and underprivileged sections of the population.

    Various programs were organized by UNESCO to promote reading habits between people. The programs also concentrated on debating various issues concerning the world of publishers, distributors, authors as well as promoting their works and causes.

    On 23rd April 1995, World Book Day was celebrated for the first time and is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote copyright, publishing and reading.

    Name the Indo-French Naval exercise which has commenced in Goa - VARUNA

    On 23rd April 2015, The fourteenth edition of Indo-French Naval Exercise named VARUNA-15 commenced in Goa. The joint naval exercise is 10 day long and will end on 2nd May 2015. The aim is to further derive mutual benefit from the experiences of the two navies and strengthening the bilateral ties between India and France.

    Two destroyers Chevalier Paul and Jean de Vienne, Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle, a maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2 and replenishment tanker Meuse will represent the French Navy. Complement of Strike Aircraft Super Etendard, fighter aircraft Rafale M, E2C Hawkeye AWACS and Alouette 3 and helicopters Dauphin will be carried by the Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle.

    Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat, replenishment tanker INS Deepak, stealth frigate INS Tarkash, submarine INS Shankul, guided missile frigate INS Gomati, destroyer INS Mumbai and a few Fast Attack Craft will represent the Indian Navy. Aviation assets including carrier-borne fighter aircraft maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8 I, Sea Harriers and Dornier along with integral helicopters Seaking 42B and Chetak of the Indian Navy will participate in VARUNA-15.

    Which day is observed on 24th April 2015 - National Panchayati Raj Day

    On 24th April 2015, National Panchayati Raj Day was observed across India. On thid day the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into power with effect from 24 April 1993 was passed.

    The Amendment institutionalized Panchayati Raj through Intermediate and District levels Panchayats. This records a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level.

    On the day, the best performing Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats were honoured with Panchayat Sashaktikaran Award 2015 and Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award 2015.

    World Happiness Report 2015 released

    On 23rd April 2015, The World Happiness Report 2015 was released. Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) an initiative under the United Nations published the report.

    Switzerland is at the top of the report followed by Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Canada respectively. The World Happiness Report examined 158 countries and is aimed at influencing government policy. Togo, Burundi, Rwanda and Benin, with civil-war wracked Syria, were least happy.

    An average score of 5.1 (out of 10) was revealed on a scale running from 0 to 10, surveyed by Gallup on people in over 150 countries over the period 2012-15 .