02nd and 3rd May 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

Economy News

3. GST revenues touch all-time high of ₹1.41 lakh in April

• Gross revenues from the Goods and Services Tax hit a record high of ₹1.41 lakh crore in April 2021 in India, suggesting economic activity may not yet be as badly affected amidst the ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as last year.
• April’s GST collections surpassed the previous highest collections of ₹1.24 lakh crore in March 2021 by 14%, and mark the seventh month in a row since October that GST revenues have crossed ₹1 lakh crore.

Defence News

4. Indian Navy launches Operation Samudra Setu-II

• The Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu-II to help in faster transportation of medical oxygen and other requirements from other countries to India, amid its worsening COVID-19 pandemic.
• As a part of operation ‘Samudra Setu II’, seven Indian Naval ships have been deployed for shipment of liquid medical oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment from various countries. These warships are Kolkata, Kochi, Talwar, Tabar, Trikand, Jalashwa and Airavat.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.
• Indian Navy Founded: 26 January 1950.

Awards News

5. Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun honour to Shyamala Ganesh

• The Japanese Government recently awarded the “Order of Rising Sun” to a Bengaluru based Japanese teacher, Shyamala Ganesh. She is a Japanese teacher at the Septuagenarian institution and also at the Ohara School of Ikebana in RT Nagar, Bengaluru.
• She has tutored more than hundreds of students since its inception 38 years ago. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement.
• The award is presented to those who have made distinguished achievements in the promotion of Japanese culture, achievements in international relations, advancements in their field and conservation of the environment.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Japan Capital: Tokyo;
• Japan Currency: Japanese yen;
• Japan Prime minister: Yoshihide Suga.

Sports News

6. Lewis Hamilton wins Portuguese Grand Prix

• Lewis Hamilton overtook title rival Max Verstappen and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas to win the Portuguese Grand Prix.
• Verstappen finished second, while Bottas, who started from pole, came in a disappointing third place. Sergio Perez took the flag in fourth, with Lando Norris fifth for McLaren.
• The reigning Formula One champion dropped to third in the opening laps but made two impressive moves in nine race-winning laps to claim his second victory of the season.

Important Days

7. World Laughter Day 2021: 02 May

• World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year. It is a day to raise awareness about laughter and its many healing benefits. In 2021, the day falls on 02 May 2021.
• World Laughter Day was first celebrated on May 10, 1998, in Mumbai upon the initiation of Dr Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement.

8. World Tuna Day: 2 May

• World Tuna Day is observed globally on 2nd May every year. This day is established by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness about the importance of tuna fish. It is observed for the first time in 2017.
• According to the UN, an outsized number of nations worldwide depend upon tuna for both food security and nutrition. At the same time, more than 96 countries have tuna fisheries, and their capacity is constantly growing.

9. World Press Freedom Day observed globally on 3 May

• World Press Freedom Day is observed globally on 3 May every year. It is also known as World Press Day. The day also pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives.
• They risk their lives at times or may even have to face tough situations in order to bring the news from different corners of the world in front of the public.
• This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme “Information as a Public Good”.
• The General Assembly in the United Nations established World Freedom Day in 1993 to promote the independence of the Africa Press.

Obituaries New

10. Sitar maestro Pandit Devabrata Chaudhuri Passes Away

• Sitar maestro Pandit Debu Chaudhuri has passed away following COVID-19 related complications.
• The Legend of Sitar belonged to the Senia or Gharana style of music. He had been awarded the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri. He was also a teacher and writer and had penned six books and composed many new ragas.

11. Film and TV Actor Bikramjeet Kanwarpal Passes Away

• Actor Bikramjeet Kanwarpal, who has been a popular character in many films, TV shows and web series, has passed away due to Covid-19 complications. The actor was latest seen in Anil Kapoor’s series 24 and web series Special OPS.
• He was a retired Army officer. Some of his well-known films include Creature 3D, Horror Story, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Bypass Road and Shortcut Romeo.

Miscellaneous News

12. Anand Mahindra launches Project ‘Oxygen on Wheels’

• The Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra has rolled out a project titled ‘Oxygen on Wheels’ to ease the transportation of oxygen from producing plants to hospitals and homes, following acute oxygen shortage amid a severe second wave of coronavirus.
• The ‘Oxygen on Wheels’ initiative will bridge the gap between oxygen production and its transportation in India, especially in Maharashtra.
• Mahindra has lined up around 70 Bolero pickup trucks to connect oxygen producers with hospitals and homes, to deliver oxygen cylinders.
• The project is being implemented through Mahindra Logistics.
• Apart from this, an operations control centre has been established and the storage location is replenished from the local refilling plant. A direct-to-consumer model is also being conceived.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: