#Daily #Current #Affairs

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, designated as first woman President of Mauritius

Government of Mauritius has designated internationally renowned biodiversity scientist and biologist Ameenah Gurib-Fakim as their new President. This designation will make her Indian Ocean island nation’s first woman and sixth President, a top ceremonial position. Now this appointment is subject to Mauritian Parliament approval. She will succeed Former president Kailash Purryag, who had stepped down as the island’s figurehead and was appointed in 2012 by then Labour party government of former premier Navin Ramgoolam.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee to be conferred ‘Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War Award’

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be conferred with Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War Award by Bangladesh government. He will be bestowed this award for his outstanding support for the Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971 when he was member of Lok Sabha. Bangladesh Government will hand over this award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to the country from June 6, 2015. Besides, Bangladesh Government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also honour the families of the members of Indian armed forces who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of Bangladesh’s independence. In this regard, a letter alongside a certificate to be signed by the Bangladesh PM will be sent to the martyrs’ family members.

India, Sweden ink six agreements during President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit

India and Sweden inked six agreements, during the visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to Sweden, key Arctic Council member. It should be noted that Mr. Pranab Mukherjee is the first Indian President to visit Sweden.

Following agreements were signed

·         MoU on Cooperation in the field of Sustainable Urban Development- It aims to foster closer and long term cooperation between both nations in the field of sustainable development and protection of the environment.

·         MoU on cooperation in the field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) – It aims at promoting partnership projects, institution and enterprise level cooperation related to MSMEs. It also seeks development of MSMEs and facilitating exchange of business mission by initiating technology transfer and sustainable business alliances.

·         Agreement on Visa Exemption for diplomatic passports- It aims to strengthen the friendly relations by facilitating the entry of citizens of both nations holding diplomatic passports.

·         Letter of Intent (LoI) on Collaboration in Polar and Ocean Research- It seeks to encourage collaboration in the areas of Polar (Antarctic and Arctic) and Ocean Research. Signatory parties are Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) of India and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SPRS) Memorandum of Intent (MoI) between Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare (FORTE) for cooperation in the field of ageing research and health.

·         MoI between India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) for complimentary cooperation between both nations in the area of health, electronic submissions, pharmacovigilance, drugs, clinical trials, medical devices and diagnostic kits etc.