HISTORY

Important Days

World Sickle Cell Day – June 19

The International awareness day is observed annually with the goal to increase public knowledge about sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients, families & caregivers.

About Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited health condition and one of the most common blood disorders globally.
It is a chronic single gene disorder causing a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction and chronic organ damage and by a significant reduction in life expectancy.

SCD in India

India has the second-highest global prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease, wherein 1 in 86 births have Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
In India, at least 14 lakh people are afflicted by it with tribals having a much higher incidence compared to the general population.

Note

In the 2023-24 Union Budget, Indian Finance Minister had announced India’s aim to eradicate sickle cell anaemia by 2047.

Sports and Games

First Indian to win Asian c’ship medal

Olympian C.A. Bhavani Devi created history by securing India’s first-ever medal, a bronze at the Asian fencing championships in Wuxi, China.
Bhavani’s next assignment will be the World championships in Milan July 2023.

Awards and Honours

Gandhi Peace Prize

Gita Press was conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 by Union Culture Ministry.
The recipients get Rs.1 crore, a citation, a plaque, and an exquisite traditional handicraft or handloom item.

About Gandhi Prize

Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the Government of India in 1995, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, as a tribute to the ideals espoused by him.

Note:

Gita Press is one of the world’s largest publishers of Hindu religious texts Established in 1923.

Appointments

Next Chief of RAW

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ravi Sinha as Secretary, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country’s external intelligence agency.

Note:

A 1988-batch IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, Mr. Sinha is currently Special Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.
Tenure – 2 years

About RAW