Current Affairs May 2018 - Persons in NEWS
1 - Sikkim's Pawan Chamling becomes India's Longest-Serving Chief Minister
Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling became the longest-serving Chief Minister of any state in India after he completed 25 uninterrupted years in office. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu had held office for 23 years.
Mr Chamling became Chief Minister of the state in December 1994. Mr Chamling formed the Sikkim Democratic Front Party in 1993. He entered into politics at the age of 22 years.
2 - Venkaiah Naidu visited World Heritage city of Old Guatemala
The Vice President of India, Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu visited the historic Antigua (old) Guatemala city for understanding how it’s rich heritage is being maintained since it was declared as a World Heritage City by the UNESCO in 1979.
VP Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu discussed at length the conservation measures with the Mayor of the city. India agreed to Guatemala’s request for supplying solar panels to its airports. A MoU was inked for India to train Guatemalan diplomats and Guatemalan English Teachers in India.
3 - President Kovind became first President of India to visit Siachen in 14 years
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, visited Siachen Base Camp and addressed the soldiers posted there. President Kovind is the second President of India to visit Siachen. The previous visit was undertaken by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in April 2004. This makes President Kovind the first President to travel to Siachen in 14 years.
The President noted that Siachen is the world’s highest battlefield and it is difficult to live even a normal life in the extreme climate. In such a situation, it is extraordinary for soldiers to stay in such state.
4 - Susheela Jayapal became first South Asian to be elected in Oregon
Indian American Susheela Jayapal became the first South Asian to be elected in Oregon in the western US State. She defeated construction contractor Sharon Maxwell to represent North and Northeast Portland commissioner’s seat. She has worked as a financial analyst at an investment bank for 2 years and assisted as a litigator at law firms in San Francisco and Portland.
Susheela Jayapal has experience of working as the General Counsel at Adidas America, serving as the member of the senior executive team responsible for the legal affairs. Oregon is a coastal U.S. state in the Pacific Northwest.
5 - Shivangi Pathak became youngest Indian woman to scale Mount Everest
Haryana’s Shivangi Pathak became youngest Indian woman to conquer Mt Everest from the Nepali side. She has also conquered Stok Khangri, a 6,053-metre peak in Ladakh. She was honoured with a certificate of being the youngest Indian woman to scale the mountain from Nepali side.
Around 244 climbers reached atop Mt Everest, out of which there were 64 Americans, 59 Indians, 54 Chinese, 24 from Brits and 25 Nepalis. Shivangi was among 59 Indian nationals who scaled the peak.
6 - Nima Jangmu Sherpa created world record by scaling 3 highest mountains in single climbing season
Nima Jangmu Sherpa, a Nepali woman created a world record by scaling three highest mountains in a single climbing season. She made her historic ascent on Mt Kanchenjunga, third highest peak of the world on 23rd May.
Nima Jangmu has become only woman in the world to climb three highest peaks in Nepal above 8,000 meters in one season within 25 days. She had successfully scaled Mt Everest on May 14 and Mt Lhotse on April 29.
7 - Sushant Singh Rajput to promote two major initiatives of NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog has collaborated with Sushant Singh Rajput towards promoting two major initiatives of NITI Aayog - BHIM and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
BHIM is a payment app that lets users make simple and quick transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The app was developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Niti Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is a unified access portal which brings together women from countrywide to meet their entrepreneurial ambitions.
8 - Akshay Kumar launched twin pit toilet technology campaign in New Delhi
Film actor Akshay kumar launched the twin-pit toilet technology campaign in New Delhi. The twin pit toilet technology is an Indian invention that collects defecation for a period of five years and then it turns into a valuable organic compost.
The twin pit toilet technology is recommended by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
It is scientifically proven that:
A pit in a standard twin-pit toilet model fills up in roughly 5 years for a 6-membered family
The waste may then be easily re-directed to the second pit
In 6 months to 1 year, the waste in the filled pit decomposes completely
This decomposed waste is safe to handle and rich in NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) nutrients which makes it ideal for use in agriculture
