Current Affairs 26 April 2023

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM Dedicated Various Projects Worth Rs 3200 cr; Inaugurates India’s 1st Water Metro in Kochi & Kerala’s 1st Vande Bharat ExpressOn April 25, 2023, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various development projects worth more than Rs 3200 crores at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Key Points:
i.Kochi Water Metro is a Made in India project and the ports for the project were developed by the Cochin Shipyard.
ii.PM laid the foundation stone for the India’s first Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram which will give a boost to Digital India
iii.The total project outlay has been estimated at around Rs 1515 crore and the initial investment for Phase-1 of the project is around Rs 200 crore.
iv.Kerala’s Vande Bharat Express between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod will link North Kerala with South Kerala.
About Kerala:
Chief Minister- Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor- Arif Mohammed Khan
Airport- Trivandrum International Airport; Cochin International Airport
UNESCO heritage site- Western Ghats
>> Read Full News

Textile Minister Piyush Goyal dedicated Handloom & Handicraft Portal for Making Artisans & Weavers Self-ReliantOn April 24, 2023, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Textiles, launched a new virtual Indian store i.e. E-Commerce portal (Indiahandmade) for handicrafts and handloom industry from Gujarat. This platform will directly connect consumers with over 35 lakh handloom weavers and 27 lakh skilled handicraft artisans, thereby eliminating intermediaries.

• Handloom involves weaving fabric using a manually operated loom, while handicrafts are products crafted by skilled artisans using traditional methods.
• This portal aims at making artisans & weavers self-reliant. The portal will also offer an opportunity to around 62 lakh weavers and artisans to become e-entrepreneurs.

Key Points:
i.By eliminating intermediaries, the platform ensures fair remuneration for the artisans and higher profits for the sellers, with 0% commission.
ii.The portal offers a diverse range of products, including clothing, home decor, jewellery, and accessories, all handmade by skilled artisans using eco-friendly and sustainable materials.
iii.Authentic sellers, such as artisans, weavers, producer companies, SHGs (Self Help Groups), and cooperative societies, can register on the portal and receive free handholding from registration to order fulfilment, making it easy for them to do business.
iv.The platform also offers free shipping with return options and safe and secure multiple payment gateways for a smooth transaction experience.

28 States/UTs adopts National Generic Document Registration System for Land Records

The National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) for Land Records has been adopted by a total of 28 States and Union Territories (UT). According to the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), under the Ministry of Rural Development  (MoRD), eRegistration is taking place in these States/UTs, or they have started sharing data with the national portal of NGDRS via User Interface /Application Programming Interface (API).

• According to the latest data from the DoLR’s Land Resources Division, the (14- digit alpha-numeric unique ID) Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhar has been adopted by 26 States/UTs and pilot testing done in 7 more States /UTs.
• ULPIN is also used by some states in the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) portal.

As of 18 April 2023, computerization of the Record of Rights (RoRs) had been completed in 6,22,030 (94.62%) of the 6,57,403 villages.

• The DoLR is implementing the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) with effect from 1 April 2016 as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding by the Government of India (GoI).

BANKING & FINANCE

Canara Bank & RBIH Collaborates to Launch ‘Digitalised Submission of Form 15G/15H’

Canara Bank, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), announced the launch of a new customer-friendly service termed ‘Digitalised Submission of Form 15G/15H’.
What is Form 15G/15H?
Form 15G (Individual and HUF (Hindu Undivided Family)) and Form 15H (Individual-Senior Citizen) are self-declaration forms that an individual submits to the bank requesting not to deduct TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on interest income as their income is below the basic exemption limit.

• Submission of PAN (Permanent Account Number) is necessary for the form submission.

Key Points:
i.Some banks allow customers to submit these forms online through the bank’s website. But it is difficult for elderly people who are unaware of the latest online banking/mobile banking
ii.RBIH (Reserve Bank Innovation Hub) developed the ‘Digitalised Submission of Form 15G/15H’ solution to address the difficulties faced by the customers of banks especially elderly people while submitting tax waiver forms (Form 15G/15H).
iii.Under digitalised submission service, the customers could conveniently submit their Tax Waiver forms through SMS and Website (using their registered cellphone number), at any time and from any location.
iv.The service will be beneficial to senior citizens who are unfamiliar with Internet and mobile banking services and who used to make their 15G & 15H contributions to their banks at the start of each fiscal year (especially in the first few weeks of April.
About Reserve Bank Innovation Hub(RBIH):
It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) set up to promote and facilitate an environment that accelerates innovation across the financial sector.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Rajesh Bansal
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, actyv.ai Partners to offer Insurance Productactyv.ai, a Singapore-headquartered licensed corporate agency under IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), has announced a partnership with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to offer insurance products through their technology platform to MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) enterprises and the business partner ecosystem.
Key Points:
i.SaaS (Software as a service) platform of actyv.ai with embedded B2B (Business to Business) BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) and insurance will be used under the collaboration for providing affordable insurance products.
ii.Bajaj Allianz General Insurance will collaborate with actyv.ai to leverage the technology stack of the actyv.ai platform by offering innovative insurance products to champion the sustainability of suppliers, distributors, and retailers.
iii.Bajaj Allianz will offer commercial insurance products like Fire, and Burglary, along with health products like Personal Accident, Hospital Cash, Credit Linked Health Plan, and Group Health Plans.
About Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited:
It is a joint venture between Allianz SE, and Bajaj Finserv Limited.
MD & CEO – Tapan Singhel
Headquarters – Pune, Maharashtra

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Winners of Goldman Environmental Prize 2023 Announced

i.On April 24, 2023, winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize 2023 were announced at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California, the United States of America(USA).
ii.2023 marks the 34th anniversary of the Goldman Environmental Prize which honors one grassroots activist from each of the six inhabited continents.
iii.The award is also known as the “Green Nobel Prize”.
The Winners:
Alessandra Korap Munduruku of Brazil (South & Central America) Awarded for: Drilling & Mining.
Tero Mustonen from Finland (Europe), Awarded for: Climate & Energy.
Delima Silalahi from Indonesia (Islands & Island Nations), Awarded for: Forests.
Chilekwa Mumba from Zambia (Africa), Awarded for: Environmental Justice.
Zafer Kizilkaya of Turkey (Asia), Awarded for: Oceans & Coasts.
Diane Wilson from United States (North America), Awarded for: Pollution & Waste.
About Goldman Foundation:
Executive Director– Michael Sutton
Headquarters– San Francisco, California, United States of America.
>> Read Full News

Ratan Tata honoured with Order of Australia(AO), highest civil honour of AustraliaOn 22nd April 2023, Ratan Tata, Indian industrialist, philanthropist, and chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), Australia’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Australia particularly in trade, investment, and philanthropy.

• The announcement was made by the Australian Ambassador to India Mr. Barry O’ Farrell.
• In March 2023, Ratan Tata  was appointed as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

About Ratan Tata: 
i. He is the Chairman of Tata Trusts and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.
ii. He is regarded as the most respected and ethical businessmen of India.
iii. He received many awards including, the Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan(2008) for trade and industry,
Contribution of TATA group in Australia:
i.Since 1998, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been operating in Australia, and it presently employs about 17,000 staff and associates, making it the Indian company with the largest workforce in the country.
ii.Aside from its commercial activities, TCS is actively involved in supporting the Australian community through a remarkable pro-bono program. 
iii.The program offers free IT services to six not-for-profit organisations in Australia that focus on health and Indigenous leadership.
About the Order of Australia:
It is Australia’s highest civilian honour established in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II to recognize significant achievements and services of Australian citizens and others.
The Order has four levels of recognition:

• Companion of the Order of Australia(AC)
• Officer of the Order of Australia(AO)
• Member of the Order of Australia(AM) and
• Medal of the Order of Australia(OAM)

Appointments to the Order of Australia are made twice a year, on Australia Day (January 26th) and the Queen’s Birthday (in June).
Note:
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), is the second-highest level of recognition for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large.        

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS        

Government appoints Arun Sinha as Chairman of NTRO 

The Government has appointed Arun Kumar Sinha, a 1984 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Kerala cadre, as the appointed Chairman of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). Arun Sinha has been an advisor in NTRO for 2 years.

• Prior to the appointment as Chairman of NTRO, he was serving as an Acting Chairman of NTRO. He has been working as the chief of the Special Protection Group (SPG) since March 2016.
• Currently, the Border Security Force (BSF) is being looked after by the CRPF chief, Thaosen. He is serving as the director general (DG) of the CRPF, the government’s largest paramilitary force, and is also handling the additional charge of helming the BSF. The coast guard chief post is also lying vacant since January 31.  

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS     

Monetary Authority of Singapore clears merger of HDFC Investments with HDFCMonetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the central bank and financial regulatory authority of Singapore, approved the merger of HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited with parent Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Limited.
As a part of the composite scheme of amalgamation, MAS has also approved the acquisition of 20% or more stake in Griha Pte. Limited by HDFC Bank.
About Griha Pte:
Griha Pte, founded in 2012, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HDFC Investments Limited and a foreign step-down subsidiary of HDFC Limited.
It is a boutique private equity fund manager headquartered in Singapore and registered with MAS.
Key points:
i.This acquisition would result in acquiring or holding, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the issued share capital of Griha Pte by HDFC bank or controlling, directly or indirectly, 20 percent or more of Griha by HDFC Bank.
ii.The proposed amalgamation is subject to receipt of final approvals from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in respect of change in control of certain subsidiaries of HDFC Ltd.
iii.This will support to pay the way for the merger of HDFC into HDFC Bank, expected to be finalised by the third quarter of this financial year(July 2023).
Note: Previously, HDFC Bank received the permission from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to increase stake in HDFC Life and HDFC ERGO to more than 50%.
Hindujas Gets In-Principal Approval from RBI to Raise Stake in IndusInd Bank
Hinduja Group, the promoters of IndusInd Bank have received the in-principal approval from the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) to increase their stake in IndusInd Bank.
Background:
The promoters filled out the form to increase the stake and as per the RBI norms, the due diligence process takes about 90-180 days.
At present, IndusInd’s promoters currently hold 16.5% stake in IndusInd Bank.
In 2021, the RBI raised the cap on the stake promoters can hold in a bank to 26% from 15%.
Note: IndusInd International Holdings Ltd, an entity belonging to promoters Hinduja Group, have a 12.57% stake in the IndusInd Bank, while, IndusInd Ltd has a 3.93% stake.   

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO completes PMD operation of GSAT-12 satellite On March 23, 2023 the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed the post-mission disposal (PMD) operation of the communication satellite GSAT-12.

• GSAT-12 is the 23rd GEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbital) satellite to undergo PMD before decommissioning and it carried 12 extended C band transponders was launched on July 15, 2011 and served for more than a decade.
• After the launch of its replacement satellite CMS-01 (Communication satellite) in 2020, it was later relocated to 47.96° E longitude from 83° E longitude where it was located till March 2021.

Post-mission disposal operation:
i. The GEO regime is one of the most populated and highly utilised regions, with internationally accepted space debris mitigation guidelines by the UN and IADC recommend disposing of an object away from the GEO region at its end-of-life.
ii. The recommended practice is to re-orbit the object to a nearly circular “graveyard” orbit above the GEO region so that the orbit would not decay back into the GEO-protected zone under the influence of perturbation forces within another 100 years.
iii. For GSAT-12, the required minimum raise in perigee altitude was estimated to be 261 km. As a result of meticulous operations management by the Master Control Facility (MCF) in Hassan, Karnataka, the available fuel of GSAT-12 was more than sufficient to meet this goal.
iv. A series of seven maneuvers were carried out to raise the orbit above the GEO altitude of 35,786 km. The first maneuver on March 16, 2023, was a shorter burn to circularize the orbit, followed by another six burns of typically 150 seconds duration.

• After completing the seventh burn on 19th March 2023, the satellite reached a super-synchronous circular orbit of nearly 400 km above the GEO altitude.

v. On March 23 2023, the final passivation maneuver was carried out to vent out the remaining fuel by firing the oppositely mounted thrusters, cancelling the net thrust without affecting the orbit.
vi. As part of electrical passivation, all rotating mechanisms such as the momentum wheels, reaction wheels, and gyros were turned off, batteries were disconnected from the solar panels and discharged. Finally, the transmitters were switched off to avoid any potential RF (Radio Frequency) interference.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman– S. Somanath
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka

OBITUARY

Pakistani-Canadian journalist Tarek Fatah Passes Away 

On 24th April 2023, a renowned Pakistan-born Canadian columnist and famous journalist, Tarek Fatah, a self-described “Midnight’s Child”, passed away in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 73. He was born on November 20, 1949 in Karachi, Pakistan.
He was known for his criticisms of Islamic extremism and the Pakistani establishment, and was a celebrated advocate of LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights.

• Tarek Fatah began his career in 1970 in Karachi Sun media as a reporter and later became an investigative reporter with Pakistan’s state-broadcaster Pakistan Television.
• In 1977, the Zia-ul-Haq administration charged him with sedition, and he fled to Saudi Arabia and  later settled in Canada in 1987.
• He became a broadcaster for Toronto radio station CFRB Newstalk 1010 and became a columnist for the Toronto Sun after several stints across Canada’s media landscape.

He has authored two books: “Chasing a Mirage”, a critique of modern Islam, and “The Jew is not my enemy”, a history of the relationship between the Muslim and Jewish communities.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Tennis legend Jaidip Mukerjea launches his Autobiography “Crosscourt”

On 21st April 2023, Jaidip Mukerjea, a retired professional tennis player from India, launched his autobiography titled “Crosscourt” at a function in the presence of prominent Indian tennis players like Ramesh Krishnan and Somdev Devvaraman.
“Crosscourt” is co-authored by Papri Sen Sri Raman, a journalist-writer and translator, and published by Vitasta Publishing Private Limited.

• The book brings out the journey of Jaidip Mukerjea, widely recognised as one of India’s top tennis players.
• The book is a compilation of memories of a life and gives an insight into the life of Jaidip Mukerjea.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Malaria Day 2023 – April 25 World Malaria Day is annually observed across the world on 25th April to create awareness about the importance of investment and commitment toward the prevention and control of Malaria.

• The day also highlights the importance to educate and offer a better understanding of Malaria, a preventable and curable disease.

The annual observance of World Malaria Day is led by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The theme of World Malaria Day 2023 is  “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.
Background:
i.During the World Health Assembly of 2007, the Member States of WHO instituted World Malaria Day and proclaimed the 24th of April of every year as World Malaria Day.
ii.The first-ever World Malaria Day was observed on 25th April 2008. 
About World Health Organisation (WHO):
Director-General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
>> Read Full News

International Delegate’s Day 2023 – April 25 United Nations (UN)’s International Delegate’s Day is annually observed across the globe on April 25 to create awareness about the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations.

• The day commemorates the 1st day of the San Francisco Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organisations held on 25th April 1945.
• 25th April 2023 marks the observance of the 4th International Delegate’s Day.

The day recognises the role of the delegates in fulfilling the UN’s goals like maintaining international peace, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/73/286 on 2nd April 2019 and proclaimed April 25 of every year as International Delegate’s Day.
ii. The 1st ever International Delegate’s Day was observed on 25th April 2020.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General- António Guterres
Headquarters- New York, USA
Establishment- 1945
>> Read Full News

World Penguin Day 2023 – April 25World Penguin Day is annually celebrated on 25th April to celebrate penguins, an educative initiative that encourages people to learn more about these flightless birds and their environment, how important they are to our ecosystems and the threats they face.

• According to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition(ASOC), a global coalition of environmental non-governmental organizations, 25th April coincides with the annual northern migration of Adélie penguins, a species of penguin that is native to Antarctica.

Background: The annual celebration of penguins was created at McMurdo Station, an American research center on Ross Island, Antarctica, where researchers discovered that Adélie penguins begin their annual migration around this date.
Penguin Awareness Day – January 20:
Penguins are celebrated around the world twice a year i.e. the 20th of January is annually observed as the Penguin Awareness Day to raise awareness to the conservation of Penguin Habitats globally.
Legal Protection for Penguins:
i. Currently all 18 species of penguins are legally protected from hunting and egg collecting.
ii. The Antarctic Treaty was signed by 12 nations in 1959 and reauthorized in 1991 to protect Antarctica and preserve its living resources. The Treaty makes it illegal to harm, or in any way interfere with, a penguin or its eggs.

• Every penguin specimen collected with a permit must be approved by and reported to the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR).

iii. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty developed in 1973 to regulate trade in certain wildlife species, including penguins.
Threats to penguins: Climate change, Overfishing, Predators and invasive disease, Destruction of habitat.
Preventive measures for the threats: Designate marine reserves, Establish responsible fisheries management, Protect habitat and improve monitoring.
Note – There are currently 18 recognized species of penguins in the world and, sadly, 10 of these species are listed by IUCN Redlist as Threatened, meaning they are either Vulnerable or Endangered of becoming extinct. Although penguins do not fly through the air, they use their flippers to ‘fly’ through water.

UN Spanish Language Day 2023 – April 23The United Nations (UN)s Spanish Language Day is observed annually on 23 April, to promote and appreciate multi-linguism and the significance of Spanish culture in the world, as well as to promote the use of Spanish language, one of the six official languages among the staff of the UN.
Background:
i. In 2010, the United Nations Department of Global Communications established 6 language days (including Spanish) to celebrate the 6 official languages of the UN.
ii. The UN Spanish Language Day was originally observed on October 12, coinciding with the National Day of Spain, which commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival to the Americas tracing the beginning of the spread of the Spanish language and culture.
iii. Later, the day was changed to 23 April, to pay tribute to Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, who died on 22 April 1616.
About United Nation (UN):
Secretary-General- António Guterres
Headquarters– New York, United States of America
Established in: 1945
>> Read Full News

World Day for Laboratory Animals 2023 – April 24World Day for Laboratory Animals (WDLA) also known as World Lab Animal Day is annually observed across the globe on April 24 to commemorate the suffering of animals in laboratories.

• WDLA has been a focal point for educating the public and legislators about animal tests and alternatives for over 40 years.

World Day for Laboratory Animals 2023 was observed on 24th April 2023.
Background:
The World Day for Laboratory Animals was instituted in 1979 by Animal Defenders International (ADI)’s campaign partner in the United Kingdom (UK), the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS).
Why April 24?
The day April 24 was chosen to honour the birth anniversary of Hugh Dowding, a British Air Chief Marshal and the former President of NAVS, who was devoted to anti-vivisection.

• Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding was born on 24 April 1882.

Replacing the Use of Animals in Research:
i. The use of animals in research can be replaced one-to-one or by a mix of advanced techniques such as epidemiological studies of human populations, human genetics research, stem cell research, and other human tissue use.
ii. Many non-animal techniques are currently being employed in place of animal studies, although regulations still require them.
About the Animal Defenders International (ADI):
Animal Defenders International (ADI), founded in 1990, is an education and public awareness campaign to protect animals in captivity and wild animals and their environments.

• ADI ‘s campaigns focus on animals used in entertainment, sport, clothing; illegal wildlife trade; and the replacement of animals used in research and testing.

About the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS):
i. The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), founded in 1875, is the world’s 1st body to challenge the use of animals in research and continues to lead the campaign today.
ii. NAVS established Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research (LDF) in 1973 to support and fund advanced non-animal methods of scientific and medical research.
President- Michael B. Mann
Headquarters– Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

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