4.5/5
Current Affairs 21st April 2026
Important Inventions: Inventors
-
Television: John Logie Baird
-
Radio: Guglielmo Marconi
-
Telephone: Alexander Graham Bell
-
Calculator: Blaise Pascal
-
Computer: Charles Babbage
-
Bicycle: Kirkpatrick Macmillan
-
Fountain Pen: Lewis Waterman
-
Motor Car: Karl Benz
-
Aeroplane: Wright Brothers
-
Electric Bulb: Thomas Edison
-
Sewing Machine: Elias Howe
1. Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao Conferred 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award
-
Recognition of Excellence: The award recognizes Dr. Rao's pioneering work in climate-resilient agriculture, dryland farming, and soil health management. His research has been instrumental in developing strategies for carbon sequestration and sustainable land use in India.
-
Prestigious Legacy: Named after the "Father of the Green Revolution in India," this biennial award is given to eminent scientists who have made significant impacts on food security and agricultural sustainability. It carries a gold medal and a cash prize of ₹2 lakh.
-
Ceremony Details: The award was presented by the Retired ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA) in Hyderabad. During the event, Dr. Rao's leadership in managing National Agricultural Projects and his role in policy-making for rainfed areas were specifically lauded.
2. MoT Launches ‘Vishwa Sutra’ to Promote Indian Handlooms Globally
-
Global Fusion of Design: The initiative features 30 distinct handloom weaves from across India, each creatively reinterpreted with design inspirations from 30 different countries. For example, it pairs Odisha Ikat with Greek silhouettes and Kanchipuram with Norwegian lines.
-
Strategic Collaboration: Developed by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the collection was showcased at the 61st Femina Miss India (April 2026) to gain national and international visibility.
-
Alignment with "5F Vision": The project supports the Prime Minister’s 5F Vision (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) and the "Vocal for Local to Global" approach, aiming to transform traditional weaving into a globally competitive fashion industry.
3. Ravi Shankar appointed as Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic of Greece
-
Academic Excellence: Before entering the diplomatic service, Shri Ravi Shankar earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Chemical Engineering from IIT Delhi (1993) and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi.
-
Strategic Policy Leadership: Prior to his recent field postings, he held high-level policy roles at the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters, serving as Additional Secretary in charge of South East Asian countries and as Joint Secretary in the President’s Secretariat.
-
Strengthening the Maritime Gateway: His appointment comes as India and Greece enhance their Strategic Partnership, specifically focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
4. Singapore emerges as top FDI source in Apr-Dec FY26
-
Dominant Market Share: Singapore contributed approximately $12.3 billion in FDI during this nine-month period, maintaining its position as the largest investor, followed by Mauritius and the United States.
-
Key Growth Sectors: The majority of these inflows were directed toward the Services sector (including finance, banking, and insurance), Computer Software & Hardware, and Non-Conventional Energy.
-
Ease of Doing Business: The surge is attributed to the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and the efficient tax and regulatory framework in Singapore, which makes it a preferred hub for multinational corporations to route investments into India.
Footnotes: Singapore's President: Tharman Shanmugaratnam, PM: Lawrence Wong
5. Apple Inc. names John Ternus as next CEO
-
Succession Timeline: John Ternus, currently the Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will officially take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Tim Cook will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the board, focusing on long-term strategy and global policy engagement.
-
Hardware-Led Vision: Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and has been instrumental in the development of the iPhone, iPad, and the transition to Apple Silicon. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to keep product innovation and engineering at the core of Apple’s future, especially as the company pivots toward an AI-driven hardware ecosystem.
-
Leadership Reshuffle: As part of this transition, Johny Srouji (previously SVP of Hardware Technologies) has been named the new Chief Hardware Officer, effective immediately. He will oversee the Hardware Engineering division previously led by Ternus, consolidating Apple’s chip and product design under a single vertical.
Footnotes: Apple Inc.'s Previous CEO: Tim Cook, HQ: California, Estd: 1976
6. NLC India CMD Prasanna Kumar Motupalli Receives Pride of Telangana Award
-
Occasion and Organizers: The award was presented during the 4th Telangana Public Relations Conference and National Public Relations Day celebrations in Hyderabad. It was organized by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), Hyderabad Chapter.
-
Leadership in Energy: The honor recognizes his leadership in advancing lignite mining, thermal power generation, and renewable energy. Under his tenure, NLC India has become a key contributor to regional energy security, supplying approximately 400 MW of power to the Telugu states.
-
Personal and Professional Milestone: A native of Bhadrachalam, Motupalli expressed pride in receiving the award in his home state. He dedicated the achievement to the employees of NLC India, highlighting the company's recent progress in digital transformation and sustainable "Navratna" growth.
7. BECIL Signs MoU with C-DAC to Strengthen Collaboration in Digital Transformation
-
Focus on Emerging Tech: The partnership centers on joint project implementation and technical support in cutting-edge fields, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), and Cloud Computing.
-
Strategic Turnkey Solutions: The collaboration aims to develop turnkey solutions across various sectors, facilitating technology transfer and the commercialization of innovative products to build a future-ready digital ecosystem.
-
Capacity Building: A significant portion of the MoU is dedicated to workforce upskilling and skill development initiatives, designed to strengthen technical capabilities and prepare a specialized workforce for India's growing digital economy.
Footnotes: BECIL's Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw, HQ: New Delhi, Estd: 1947
8. Padma Shri awardee and Bundeli Martial Arts Pioneer Bhagwandas Raikwar passed away
-
Guardian of Tradition: Raikwar was the foremost pioneer of Bundeli Martial Arts, a weapon-based art form originating from the Bundelkhand region. In 1964, he established the Chhatrasal Bundelkhand Akhada in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, where he trained over 1,000 students in traditional combat skills using the lathi (staff), talwar (sword), and bhala (spear).
-
Padma Shri Recognition: He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2026 (under the Sports category) as one of the "Unsung Heroes" for his lifelong commitment to preserving and globalizing indigenous Indian martial arts, which were on the verge of extinction.
-
Stage Transformation: He is credited with modernizing the ancient "Akhada" tradition by transforming it into a format suitable for stage performances, thereby bringing international visibility to the cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY
National Civil Services Day: 21st April
-
Theme 2026: "Empowering the Last Mile: Civil Services as the Engine of Inclusive Growth."
-
Recognizes excellence in governance and motivates civil servants to serve citizens efficiently.
2 likes |
0 comment
