7^th UN Global Road Safety Week

• During the 7^th UN Global Road Safety Week taking place from May 15 to 21, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments to boost their funding for sustainable and healthy mobility solutions such as walking, cycling, and public transportation.
• However, to implement these solutions, safe roads must be ensured for everyone who uses them.
• Road traffic accidents remain a significant cause of death and disability across the globe, with approximately 1.3 million people losing their lives and 50 million sustaining injuries annually.
• Shockingly, pedestrians and cyclists make up one in every four fatalities worldwide.

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Cyclone Mocha

• An alarming situation is unfolding as Cyclone Mocha approaches the coasts of Myanmar and Bangladesh.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that the cyclone could bring winds with speeds of up to 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour upon landfall, making it equivalent to a category 4 hurricane.
• The World Meteorological Organization, which is a United Nations agency, has issued a warning stating that the super cyclone could result in heavy rain, floods, and landslides in the coastal areas of both countries.
• To prepare for the storm, both Bangladesh and Myanmar have already evacuated thousands of people, including Rohingya refugees, and provided them with shelter in over 4,000 safety camps.

India Meteorological Department (IMD)

• India Meteorological Department was established in 1875. It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
• To take meteorological observations and to provide current and forecast meteorological information for optimum operation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, etc.
• To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, norwesters, duststorms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves, etc., which cause destruction of life and property.
• To provide meteorological statistics required for agriculture, water resource management, industries, oil exploration and other nation-building activities.
• To conduct and promote research in meteorology and allied disciplines.

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International Day of Families 2023

• The International Day of Families is celebrated every year on May 15th to promote the critical role of families in society.
• It serves as an occasion to raise awareness about the various social, economic, and demographic changes that impact families worldwide.
• The family is the foundation of society, and this day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and governments to recognize and celebrate the contributions of families.
• The origins of the International Day of Families can be traced back to 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared May 15^th as the International Day of Families.
• The day aims to highlight the importance of families as basic units of society and to promote family-oriented policies and programs.
• On this day, various events and activities are organized to celebrate the contributions of families. These activities range from seminars, workshops, and family-oriented events to promote awareness about the importance of strong, healthy, and supportive families.
• The theme of the day varies each year and highlights different aspects of family life. In 2023, the theme for International Family Day is 'Demographic Trends and Families'. In the previous year, the theme was 'Families and Urbanisation'.

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Training Program on Legislative Drafting

• Home Minister Amit Shah is set to inaugurate a Training Program on Legislative Drafting in New Delhi, organized by the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies in collaboration with the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies.
• The program aims to provide officers of Parliament, State Legislatures, various ministries, statutory bodies, and other government departments with an understanding of the principles and practices of legislative drafting.
• The art of legislative drafting has a significant impact on the interpretation of policies and regulations that are implemented for the welfare of society and the State.
• Legislative draftsmen play a critical role in producing legislation that promotes democratic governance and gives effect to the rule of law.
• Hence, the program is expected to enhance the skills of officers responsible for legislative drafting, ultimately leading to better-quality legislation.
• Through this program, participants will gain an understanding of the principles of legislative drafting, including clarity, simplicity, and precision, and learn to draft laws that are effective and enforceable. It will also provide an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and learn from each other's experiences.

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4^th Positive Indigenization List for DPSUs

• The Ministry of Defence has approved the 4^th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 928 strategically important Line Replacement Units (LRUs), sub-systems, spares and components, including high-end materials and spares, with import substitution value worth ₹715 crore.
• This move is part of the Defence Ministry's efforts to minimize imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU).

Defence Public Sector Undertakings

• The Government of India is responsible for ensuring the defence of India and every part thereof. The Supreme Command of the Armed Forces vests in the President. The responsibility for national defence rests with the Cabinet.
• This is discharged through the Ministry of Defence, which provides the policy framework and wherewithal to the Armed Forces to discharge their responsibilities in the context of the defence of the country.
• The Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) is the head of the Ministry of Defence. The principal task of the Defence Ministry is to obtain policy directions of the Government on all defence and security related matters and communicate them for implementation to the Services Headquarters, Inter-Services Organisations, Production Establishments and Research and Development Organisations.
• It is also required to ensure effective implementation of the Government’s policy directions and the execution of approved programs within the allocated resources.
• Ministry of Defence comprises of five Departments viz. Department of Defence (DOD), Department of Defence Production (DDP), Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Department of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D) and Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare and Finance Division.

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Vice President Unveils Statue of Former Union Minister Late Nathuram Mirdha

• Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar unveiled the statue of former Union Minister Late Nathuram Mirdha in Nagaur, Rajasthan.
• The unveiling of the statue of Nathuram Mirdha is seen as a tribute to his legacy and his contributions to the country. The event was attended by several political leaders, as well as members of the public.
• The Vice-President's address highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of leaders like Nathuram Mirdha, who worked tirelessly for the betterment of society.
• The event is expected to inspire future generations to follow in the footsteps of leaders like Nathuram Mirdha and continue to work towards the development and progress of the country.

Nathuram Mirdha

• Nathuram Mirdha was a prominent Indian politician who served as a member of Parliament and as a Union Minister in the Indian government.
• He was known for his contributions to the development of the state of Rajasthan and his efforts to improve the lives of the people in the region.

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MoPSW Ranked 2^nd among 66 Ministries

• In the Q3 of FY23, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has been ranked second out of 66 ministries in the assessment of Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI).
• The ministry scored 4.7 out of 5, indicating its strong dedication towards achieving high standards in data governance.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)

• Maritime Transport is a critical infrastructure for the social and economic development of a country. It influences the pace, structure, and pattern of development.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways encompass within its fold ports, shipping, and waterways sectors which include Shipbuilding and Ship-repair, Major Ports, National Waterways, and Inland Water Transport.
  Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has been entrusted with the responsibility to formulate policies and programs on these subjects and their implementation.
• A comprehensive policy package is necessary to address the diverse issues facing the Maritime transport sector.

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Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar gets Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award

• The recipient of the first-ever ASI Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement award is Professor Jayant V. Narlikar, a distinguished astronomer and former President of the ASI who founded the IUCAA in Pune.
• This award was established by the Astronomical Society of India in 2022 during its 50th-anniversary celebration to recognize the outstanding contributions made by Indian astronomers and astrophysicists to the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics in India over the course of their careers.
• The award is named after Professor Govind Swarup, the pioneer of Indian radio astronomy, who is known for his innovative and cost-effective ideas in the construction of the Ooty Radio Telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, as well as his advocacy for the Square Kilometre Array.
• Professor Swarup was the founding director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics in Pune and co-developed the proposal for science education institutes, which has since materialized into the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research.
• The award includes a citation, a plaque, and a monetary prize, which was generously donated by Professor Swarup's family.

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DGP Praveen Sood appointed next CBI director

• Praveen Sood, who is currently the director general of police (DGP) in Karnataka, has been
• selected as the next head of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• Praveen Sood is 59 years old. He will replace outgoing CBI chief Subodh Kumar Jaiswal after the completion of his term on May 25 and will serve in this position for two years starting from the date, he assumes office.