Daily Current Affairs Updates: 2 April 2015

1) World Autism Awareness Day observed:

--> World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2 April every year since 2008.

-->  It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution.

--> This day was adopted on 18 December 2007, it was proposed by Qatar, and supported by all UN member states.

--> The theme for 2015 is "Employment: The Autism Advantage".

2) India ranked 119 on global business resilience index:

--> India has been ranked a low 119 out of 130 countries on an index that measures business resilience of nations based on economic, risk quality and supply chain factors, dropping seven notches from last year.

--> The 2015 FM Global Resilience Index has been topped by Norway for being the country best suited for companies seeking to avoid disruptions in their global supply chain operations.

--> Venezuela is ranked last on the list. India, "despite its scope and global potential", ranks 119, falling from 112th rank in 2014. 

3) Poster girl of India's anti-tobacco campaign Sunita Tomar died:

--> Sunita Tomar, poster girl of India’s anti-tobacco campaign passed away at her hometown in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh.

--> She was 28 and was diagnosed with oral cancer.

--> She had appeared in government’s 30-second video titled ‘Sunita’ which had highlighted the devastating effect of smokeless tobacco.

--> The video had shown her personal testimony before and after an operation to remove the cancerous growth and a part of her mouth.

4) International Children's Book day celebrated:

-->  International Children’s Book Day was celebrated on April 2 in memory of Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday.

--> The theme for 2015 is ‘Many cultures, One Story.’

--> A Danish writer, Mr. Anderson has written 150 stories for children and in his memory, the International Children’s Book Day is being celebrated since 1967 around the world to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books.

5) Anoop Kumar Sharma took over as CEO of Essar Shipping:

--> Capt Anoop Kumar Sharma has taken over as Whole Time director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Essar Shipping Ltd (ESL).

--> He replaces Ramakrishnan A R who retired from service on March 31, the company said in a statement. 

6) Mahavir Jayanti celebrated across India:

--> Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of 24th and last Jain Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir was celebrated across the country on 2 April 2015.

--> President, Vice President and the Prime Minister have greeted the nation on the occasion.

--> In his message, President Pranab Mukherjee said “When the world is faced with multiple challenges, the philosophy and teachings of ahimsa, truth and compassion enunciated by Bhagwan Mahavira hold great significance.

7) Andhra Pradesh government approved Amaravathi as new capital:

--> Andhra Pradesh Government on 1 april 2015 decided to name the new capital of the state which is coming up in Vijayawada-Guntur region as 'Amaravathi', after the ancient seat of power of the Satavahanas.

--> The resolution to this effect was passed by the state cabinet which met under chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

--> Amaravathi is located in Guntur district and the same name is adopted for the capital in view of its historical, spiritual and mythological significance, Naidu said.

8) RBI celebrated its 80th Anniversary:

--> Reserve Bank of India (RBI) celebrates it's 80th Anniversary on 2 April 2015.

--> Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

--> The Reserve Bank was set up on 1 April 1935 when India was under British rule.

--> In 1943, Chintaman Dwarkanath Deshmukh, one of India’s finest financial minds, was appointed as the first Indian governor of the Reserve Bank.

9) Saina Nehwal officially confirmed as World No. 1:

--> Indian ace Saina Nehwal's ascent to the top of women's badminton was officially confirmed on 2 April 2015 with the release of the latest rankings by the game's international governing body.

--> In becoming the first Indian woman shuttler to attain the number one spot in world rankings, Saina took over the reins from China's Li Xuerui, who slipped to third with Spain's Carolina Marin claiming the second position.