India attracts highest ever total FDI inflow of USD 81.72 billion

Government has decided to provide assistance of Rs 1500 to each Transgender person as immediate support to meet their basic requirements in view of Covid pandemic. Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry said that this financial assistance will help the Transgender community to meet their day-to-day needs. Members of the Transgender community have been critically affected by the pandemic majorly because of serious disruption of livelihoods. Any transgender person or Community-based Organisations on behalf of the Transgender Person can apply for financial assistance after providing basic details like Aadhar and Bank Account number. They have to fill a form, which is available on the website of the National Institute of Social Defence. Centre had provided similar financial assistance and ration kits to Transgender persons during last year's lockdown. A total amount of over 98 lakh rupees was incurred which benefitted nearly seven thousand Transgender Persons across the country. The Government has also launched a Helpline number 8882133897 for mental health care of Transgender Persons. This helpline will be functional from Monday to Saturday between 11 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm. 

-India has attracted the highest ever total foreign direct investment, FDI inflow of USD 81.72 billion during the last financial year. The Commerce and Industry Ministry said, it is 10 per cent higher as compared to 2019-20. FDI equity inflow also grew by 19 per cent in last financial year compared to 2019-20. In terms of top investor countries, Singapore is at the apex with 29 per cent, followed by the U.S.A 23 per cent and Mauritius nine per cent. The Ministry said, computer software and hardware has emerged as the top sector during last financial year with around 44 per cent share of the total FDI equity inflow followed by infrastructure activities and services Sector. It said, Gujarat is the top recipient state with 37 per cent share of the total FDI Equity inflows followed by Maharashtra 27 per cent and Karnataka 13 per cent.

-Season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to the United Kingdom by air route on Monday. The fruit is being sourced from farmers in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA collaborated with the Department of Agriculture, Bihar along with other stakeholders such as farmers, exporters and importers for facilitating exports of Shahi Litchi.Shahi Litchi was the fourth agricultural product to get GI certification from Bihar in 2018, afterJardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan. GI registration for Shahi Litchi is held with the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association of Bihar. Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran, Begusarai districts and adjoining areas of Bihar have favorable climate for growing Shahi Litchi. India is the second largest producer of litchi in the world, after China.

-In West Bengal,  51 disaster response teams have been pressed into action and the state is making arrangements to evacuate around ten lakhs people from the coastal areas.Adequate relief materials have been sent to the blocks and the local administration has been asked to stock necessary medicines as well.Around 4 thousand cyclone shelters have been prepared and sanitized in wake of COVID. Dedicated teams have been constituted to restore electricity and telephone connection post cyclone. At the same time, hospitals and vaccination centres have been asked to make back up arrangements for power cuts. Meanwhile, evacuation of people from low lying and coastal areas has been initiated in the 24 Parganas.

-A partial phase of Lunar eclipse will be visible in India on Wednesday. According to the India Meteorological Department, IMD, a total eclipse of the Moon will occur on May 26. It said, from India, just after moonrise, ending of the partial phase of the eclipse will be visible for a short span of time from north eastern parts of India except Sikkim, some parts of West Bengal, Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Science and Technology Ministry said, the eclipse will be visible in the region covering South America, North America, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day when the Earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon and when all the three objects are aligned. The next lunar eclipse will be visible from India on 19th November this year.