April 22- Earth Day is being observed every year to build support for environmental

protection around world. It aims to raise awareness that humans have a collective responsibility
to promote harmony with nature and to balance the economic, social and environmental needs of
present and future generations. The theme for 2018 Earth Day is ‘End Plastic Pollution’
2. April 23- World Book and Copyright Day was observed across the world to highlight the
power of books and to promote UNESCO’s vision of knowledge societies that are
inclusive, pluralistic, equitable, open and participatory for all citizens. The World Book and
Copyright Day pay tribute to books and authors by encouraging everyone to discover the
pleasure of reading. This year, UNESCO designated Athens, Greece as the World
Book Capital for 2018. The city of Athens was chosen for its efforts in making
books available to the city’s entire population including migrants and refugees.

Tamil Nadu:
1. The Madras High Court became first court in south India and overall eighth in the country
to introduce e-court fee payment facility. It will pave way for easier and secured way of paying
stamp duty. It will also help to tackle sale of counterfeit judicial stamps. The e-stamps can be
purchased online through web site of Stock Holding Corporation after simple registration process.
Payments for it can be made through net banking or debit cards and so on. The new system will
enable litigants who file cases in High Court to pay judicial stamp duty to government through e-
stamps, which can be purchased both online and offline. It was jointly launched by Chief Minister
Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Chief Justice Indira Banerjee at the principal seat of the High Court
in Chennai.