Notes:
In a significant victory, India’s Jagjit Pavadia has been re-elected to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for a 5-year term beginning 2nd March, 2020. She posted the highest number of votes at 44. Ms Pavadia has been a member of the INCB since 2015 and her current term is set to expire in 2020. The victory added to India’s successful record of winning crucial elections at the UN and to the world organisation’s subsidiary bodies. Established in 1968, the INCB is an independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the UN’s international drug control conventions. INCB consists of 13 members who are elected by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and who serve in their personal capacity.

Notes:
The World Red Cross Day (WRCD) is observed every year on May 8 to recognize the extraordinary contribution and incredible achievements of the stalwarts and volunteers around the world for helping the people in need anytime, anywhere. It is a gentle nod to all the volunteers who have made unparalleled contribution to people in need. The day is also known as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. This date is the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828. He was the founder of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize. The 2019 theme is “#love” or simply “love”, which will focus on broadening people’s understanding of the society by highlighting diversity and universality of work and approach of Red Cross. On this special day, several blood donation camps will be organised around the world and this day also offers an opportunity to provide voluntary medical services to society.

Notes:
On 7th May 2019, India has been re-elected as an observer to inter-governmental forum Arctic Council at the 11th Arctic Council ministerial meeting at Rovaniemi, Finland. Indian researchers have been studying whether there is a co-relation between Indian monsoon and the Arctic region. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, an Indian institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has set up a research station, ‘Himadri’, in Svalbard in Norway that works on the mass balance of glaciers, the effect of the warming on the marine system, the formation of clouds and precipitation, and the effect on biodiversity. The Arctic Council promotes cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic states on common issues, particularly on sustainable development and environmental protection. It addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic. It consists of 8 members countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

Notes:
The Desert Storm 2019 is touted to be the longest Cross-Country Rally in India, which is started from Bikaner in Rajasthan on 8th May. The 4-day-long Rally will see over 100 teams competing in high temperatures, treacherous dune crossings and fast technical gravel straights and fast technical gravel straights which will pose an exciting challenge to the competitors. It comprises 600 km of extremely harsh Special Stages in addition to over 900 km of Transport Stages.

Notes:
India’s first natural Ice Cafe has started at a height of 14,000 feet in Leh, Ladakh. The ice cafe is located on the Manali-Leh Highway. It is created by natural process by the Border Road Organisation (BRO) officials, with the help of some locals during winters. It is built in the shape of a mound with the purpose of saving water in winter and using it later for irrigation purposes when the ice melts in spring. The cafe utilises the same concept as used by Sonam Wangchuk for his ice stupa project in Ladakh and has been attracting a large number of tourists.