The government is committed to building a drug-free India by 2047, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on  Apr 19 . Attending the first National Conference of Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Force of States and Union Territories, the home minister said it is very important to guard the future generations and this necessitates strict action against drug dealers who are ruining the young generation and destabilising the economy Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is “committed to building a drug-free India by 2047”, he said, adding that the “vision of drug-free India is important for the future generations, and at this crucial stage in the fight against drugs, if we move forward with determination, collective efforts,

“Team India” and “Whole of Government Approach”, then our victory is certain” Shah said while many countries across the globe have failed in the battle against narcotics, India is at a stage where we can win against this fight by moving forward with the determination of 130-crore people. The home minister said we have two important weapons in the fight against drugs – PITNDPS and confiscation of property. He said that “ruthless action should be taken against the drug dealers only then this fight will gain momentum.” He said the states should work in coordination with the central agencies to curb the use of dark net and cryptocurrency.

Along with this, all the states should also work together with the National Forensic Science University to use modern technologies like block chain analysis, map intelligence and digital forensics. He said that if we work well along with these techniques, we will find ourselves two steps ahead in this fight. Shah said that we have to move forward with the ‘Bottom to Top’ and ‘Top to Bottom’ approach to destroy the entire network of narcotics. 

Singer and rapper Aaron Carter accidentally drowned in his bathtub as a result of sedatives he’d taken and gas used in spray cleaners he had inhaled, a coroner’s report said.

Carter, the younger brother of the Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter, was found submerged and dead at age 34 in the bathtub of his home in Lancaster, California, on Nov. 5, the autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner said.

Carter began performing as a child in the 1990s, opening for acts including his brother’s boy band and Britney Spears. His career peak came in 2000 with the triple-platinum album “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It),” which produced hit singles including the title song and “I Want Candy.”

He also acted on television shows including “Lizzie McGuire,” and appeared on the family reality show “House of Carters” and “Dancing With the Stars.”

Carter for years had been open about his substance abuse struggles, detailing his issues with inhalants in a 2019 episode of the talk show “The Doctors.” He also said in the interview that he was taking medications for acute anxiety and bipolar disorder.

India has surpassed China to become the world's most populous nation with 142.86 crore people, according to the latest UN data.

China now has a population of 142.57 crore, thus being the second most populous country, the UN world population dashboard showed.

According to UNFPA's State of the World Population Report (SWOP) 2023, about 25 per cent of India's population is in the age group of 0-14 years, 18 per cent in the 10 to 19 age group, 26 per cent in the age bracket of 10 to 24 years, 68 per cent in 15 to 64 years age group, and 7 per cent above 65 years.

The population demographics of India vary from state to state.

Kerala and Punjab have an ageing population while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have a young population.

This is the first time that India has topped the UN list of most populous countries since it started collecting population data in 1950.

According to the United Nations' World Population Prospects-2022, India's population was 86.1 crore while China's population was 114.4 crore in 1950.

The report also states that by 2050, India's population is expected to rise to 166.8 crore while China's population would dip to 131.7 crore.

The report also stated that the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen under one per cent in 2020.

According to the UNFPA, the life expectancy at birth for male in India is 71 while for female it is 74 years.

The contraceptive prevalence rate of women aged 15-49 by any method as of 2023 is 51 per cent.

State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, on Apr 18   said the board has approved raising up to USD 2 billion for the financial year 2023-24 via foreign currency bonds in single or multiple tranches.

SBI had raised  Rs 3,717 crores last month via its third Basel III compliant Additional Tier 1 bond issuance for FY23, at a coupon rate of 8.25%. 

It's not always that big-time bookies or punters approach cricketers to influence the outcome of matches. Sometimes it's done by small-time punters too. In a bizarre incident, a punter sought help from a cricketer to turn around his fortunes.

Having lost a lot of money on betting, a man recently approached India pacer Mohammed Siraj seeking his help to get out of the mess. The 29-year-old pacer from Hyderabad immediately reported the issue to the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit, which in turn sought help from cyber cops and local police to nab the person in question.

Hellen Obiri took one key lesson away when she ran her first major marathon in New York this past November: Be patient.

She put it to use late in Apr 17’s Boston Marathon, breaking away over the final 2 miles to win the title during a foggy and wet 127th edition of the race.

Obiri, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters, claimed the women’s top spot on the podium, maneuvering down the 26.2-mile course in 2 hours, 21 minutes and 38 seconds. Amane Beriso of Ethiopia was second, 12 seconds back, followed another seven seconds behind by Israeli Lonah Salpeter. Obiri’s victory also completed a Kenyan sweep on the day, with Evans Chebet winning his second straight title in the men’s race.

Q.1) Banga Darshan – a monthly magazine – was started in 1872 from Behrampur by:

1. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
2. Umakant desai
3. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
4. None of these

Q.2) What is the total number of High Courts in India at present?

1. 21
2. 22
3. 25
4. 28

 Q.3) The river Godavari is often referred to as Vridha Ganga because

1. it is the older river of India
2. of its large size and extent among the peninsular rivers
3. there are a fairly large number of pilgrimage centres situated on its banks
4. its length is nearly the same as that of the river Ganges

 Q.4) Which is the capital of Bulgaria ?

1. Belgrade
2. Sofia
3. Bucharest
4. Warsaw

 Q.5) To which king belongs the Lion capital at Sarnath?

1. Chandragupta
2. Ashoka
3. Kanishka
4. Harshavardhan

Answers

1--------------------3    Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

2---------------------3     25

3----------------------2    of its large size and extent among the peninsular rivers

4------------------------2  Sofia

5-----------------------2    Ashoka

The UP finance secretary and special secretary, finance, were taken into court custody on Apr 19  for criminal contempt of court following an order of the Allahabsad High Court in connection with delaying the facilities such as providing domestic help to the former Chief Justice and former judges of the Allahabad HC on one pretext or the other.

Taking serious note of the non-compliance of the court’s order despite specific direction passed by it earlier, the High Court ordered to take UP’s secretary finance Shahid Manzoor Abbas Rizvi and special secretary, finance, Saryu Prasad Mishra into custody.

The order was passed by a division bench, comprising Justice Suneet Kumar and Justice Rajendra Kumar, giving directions that the two officers should be produced before the court on , April 20, 2023, for framing of charges.

Besides, the bench also issued bailable warrant against UP’s chief secretary and additional chief secretary finance, Dr Prashant Trivedi, through the Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned to ensure their presence before the court on April 20, 2023.

However, while passing the order, senior advocate, representing the officers made a request that the officers, taken into custody, be released on bail.  The court then said that this request shall be considered on the date fixed for hearing, which is April 20.