Table of Contents:
1. First Indian City to Track Progress Towards Meeting SDGs – Bhopal 
2. India Operation to Assist Myanmar - Operation Karuna 
3. RBI Announces Withdrawal of Rs 2000 Note from Circulation 
4. World's Oldest Tree is Situated at – Chile 

First Indian City to Track Progress Towards Meeting SDGs – Bhopal 

Bhopal becomes the first city in India to adopt the localisation of the United Nations-mandated sustainable development goals (SDG). The state will now have voluntary local reviews (VLR) to demonstrate the local government’s capacity and commitment towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

SDG 

• SDG - Sustainable Development Goals 

• Adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. 

• Also known as: Global Goals 

VLR Process 

The VLR process is a tool that can help cities to track their progress on the SDGs and identify areas where they need to improve. The process is voluntary, but it can be a valuable way for cities to demonstrate their commitment to the SDGs and to engage with stakeholders in a meaningful way. The VLR process in Bhopal was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and a number of other local stakeholders. It involved a comprehensive assessment of the city’s performance on the SDGs, including a review of data, interviews with stakeholders, and public consultations. 

India Operation to Assist Myanmar - Operation Karuna 

India launched ‘Operation Karuna’ to assist Myanmar which has been devastated by Cyclone Mocha. On May 18th, three ships, namely Indian Naval Ships Shivalik, Kamorta, and Savitri, arrived in Yangon with emergency relief material. Indian Navy Committed to Ensuring Security and Growth for All in the Region 

Cyclone Mocha 

• An Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm. 

• Classified as a 'Super Cyclone' by the global weather website Zoom Earth. 

• Mocha originated in the Bay of Bengal. 

• The name of the storm 'Mocha' has been suggested by Yemen. 

• Mocha is a small, irregular-shaped coffee beans of plants grown in the mountainous regions of Yemen. 

RBI Announces Withdrawal of Rs 2000 Note from Circulation 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 banknotes from circulation, although these notes will continue to be legal tender, according to a statement released by the central bank. The withdrawal was announced on, 19^th  May, 2023. 

It is also advised to the banks to cease issuing the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes immediately. 

The central bank has asked people to deposit the Rs 2,000 notes into their accounts and/or exchange them into banknotes of other denominations at any bank branch. Banks are instructed to offer deposit and/or exchange facilities for Rs 2000 banknotes until September 30, 2023, allowing sufficient time for the public to complete the necessary transactions. 

World's Oldest Tree is Situated at – Chile 

A 5,000-year-old tree in Chile has been officially recognized as the world’s oldest. The tree, a Patagonian cypress, is located in the Alerce Costero National Park and is nicknamed “Great Grandfather”. It is estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,500 years old, making it the oldest living organism on Earth. 

The Great Grandfather tree is a massive specimen, measuring 28 meters tall and 4 meters (13 Feet) in diameter. It is believed to have survived several major climate changes over the centuries, including the Little Ice Age. The tree is also a popular tourist destination, with thousands of visitors coming to see it each year.  

The 5,000-year-old Great Grandfather tree will replace the current oldest tree, the Methuselah, which is 4,850 years old. While Methuselah is located in California, United States of America, the Great Grandfather tree is in Santiago, Chile, South America.