18th APRIL CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Indian PM Modi in Sweden for first India-Nordic summit

Indian Prime Minister Modi is in Sweden, where he will meet with the five Nordic prime ministers for the first India-Nordic Summit.

• The Nordic countries are generally considered to refer to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven have held talks that focused on trade, growth, global security and climate.

2. List of MOUs signed on the occasion of the visit of Prime Minister to Stockholm

MOUs/Agreements between India and Sweden

•  Joint Declaration on India-Sweden Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future

MOUs/Agreements between India and Denmark

• MOU on Cooperation in the field of Sustainable and Smart Urban Development
• MOU on Cooperation in the fields of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
• MOU on Food Safety Cooperation
• MOU on Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education

MOUs/Agreements between India and Iceland

• MOU on the Establishment of the ICCR Chair for Hindi Language

3. World heritage day: 18 April

Every year, 18th April is celebrated Worldwide as World Heritage Day to create awareness about Heritage among communities.

• This year the theme is “Heritage for Generations” emphasizing on inter-generational transfer of knowledge.
• UNESCO established 18 April as the International Day for Monuments and Sites in 1983.

4. Sushma Swaraj and Shri Prakash Javadekar to launch ‘Study in India’ portal of HRD Ministry

In another ground-breaking initiative, the ‘Study in India’ portal (www.studyinindia.gov.in) of HRD Ministry will be launched at the India Habitat Centre on 18th April 2018 by the Minister of External Affairs, Smt. Sushma Swaraj in the presence of Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar.

• The portal will enable students from 30 countries across South Asia, Africa, CIS and Middle East to select and apply for different courses from 150 select Indian institutions which are high on NAAC and NIRF ranking.
• The Study in India is aimed at making India a preferred destination for the foreign students to pursue their education.

5. First Meeting of National Council under POSHAN Abhiyaan

First meeting of National Council on India's Nutrition Challenges under POSHAN Abhiyaan to be held on April 18, 2018 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

• It will see the participation of Shri Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman NITI Aayog,  Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog apart from representatives of various ministries of the Central and State Governments. 
• The POSHAN Abhiyaan targets reduction in the level of under-nutrition and other related problems by ensuring convergence of various nutrition related schemes.

6. Suresh Prabhu launches digital platform for MSME Exporters

The Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Suresh Prabhu launched the FIEO Global Linker- a digital platform for MSME exporters to digitise their businesses and join a global community of growing businesses in New Delhi.

• FIEO GlobalLinker is setup with a view to make the business growth of SMEs simpler, more profitable and enjoyable.
• It is a growing global network currently comprising over 140,000 SME firms, who are seeking business collaboration and growth opportunities through the use of their electronic business card and digital profiles created on the platform.
• FIEO is available free of cost and it offers exporters a range of features and benefits.

7. DARPAN-PLI App launched by Shri Manoj Sinha

Hon’ble Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha launched here the DARPAN-PLI App, which will help in collection of premium for PLI and RPLI policies at Branch Post Offices anywhere in India, with online updation of the policies.

• Further, with launch of this App, indexing of maturity claims in respect of PLI and RPLI polices can be done at Branch Post Office itself.
• Shri Sinha said, with a view to achieve total digitisation of postal operations in the country, under the IT Modernisation Plan, Department of Posts has launched DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT OF RURAL POST OFFICE FOR A NEW INDIA (DARPAN) Project, which aims at connecting all 1.29 lakh Rural Branch Post Offices in the country to enable them to do online Postal and Financial Transactions.

8. IMF forecasts India growth at 7.4 per cent for FY19

India’s economic growth will accelerate in the current and next fiscal years, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its latest forecast.

• India’s economy is forecast to grow 7.4% in the current fiscal from 6.7% in FY18 and accelerate further in FY20 to 7.8%, shows the IMF’s latest forecast.

9. Lt Gen PP Malhotra takes over as DG NCC

Lieutenant General PP Malhotra assumed charge as Director General of National Cadet Corps (NCC), the largest uniformed youth organization in the world.

• Lt Gen Malhotra’s distinguished professional career includes various regimental, staff and command appointments. 
• Prior to assuming his present appointment, he was the Chief Engineer of the Army’s premier Northern Command.

10. Aditi Rao Hydari to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Award

Aditi Rao Hydari added another trophy to her achievements as she will receive Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Award 2018 for the Best Leading Lady (Critics Award) for her memorable performance in Bhoomi.

• The award ceremony is scheduled on April 21, 2018, at St. Andrews Auditorium in Mumbai.
• The film also starred Sanjay Dutt and was about the protective father who saved his daughter from all the evils that surrounded her.