Current Affairs in English – March 20, 21 2023

March 20-21, 2023

National Events:

L20:

• Labour20 (L20) engagement group’s inception meet, as part of India’s G20 presidency began deliberations in Amritsar in March 2023.
• Key issues included issues concerning the global workforce to provide direction to the G20 nations and institutions to focus on development reaching to the last person. L20 event had delegates from previous presidency, Indonesia, and next presidency, Brazil.

India & Japan:

• Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio arrived in New Delhi on 20 March 2023 for a two-day visit to India. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• During the meeting, both sides will discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. The visiting dignitary will give the 41st Sapru House Lecture. Japan is the fifth largest investor in India.

J & K:

• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on 19 March 2023 laid the foundation stone for a 250-cr mega shopping mall at Srinagar’s Sempora area. It will be constructed by Dubai-based Emaar Group.
• It is the first “foreign direct investment” in the Union territory. It will be constructed over an area of 10 lakh (1 million) square feet and is expected to be completed by 2026.

B20:

• The B20 Conference, held in Gangtok, Sikkim under India’s G20 presidency, focused on exploring business opportunities in tourism, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and organic farming. The event brought together delegations from 22 countries and over 100 Indian delegations to showcase Sikkim’s potential in these sectors.
• This meeting will provide a unique opportunity to promote startups in North East India. The conference also presented an opportunity for India to address global challenges and showcase its leadership on the international stage.

“Veterinary and Ayurveda”:

• The Rishikul campus of Ayurvedic University in Haridwar recently hosted the International Ayurvet conclave with a theme on “Veterinary and Ayurveda”. The event, which began on March 17, was inaugurated by Sanjiv Baliyan, the Union Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries.
• During his address, Baliyan highlighted the historical use of Ayurveda in animal treatment and shared that the government is working towards validating its use. He also expressed interest in including the subject in the curricula of various universities. The seminar concluded on March 19.

Sagar Parikrama program:

• The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying announced that the fourth phase of the Sagar Parikrama program began on March 18 and concluded on March 19.
• The program covered three coastal districts of Karnataka – Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada. Purushottam Rupala, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with state ministers and stakeholders, were present at the event.
• During the program, progressive fishermen were recognized for their achievements related to various schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and State Scheme.
• Sagar Parikrama is an initiative to organize a sea voyage across all coastal states and union territories to support fishermen, fish farmers, and other stakeholders. It aims to address their concerns and facilitate their economic development by implementing various fisheries schemes and programs like PMMSY.

FSIB:

• The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has suggested that Ashwani Kumar, an executive director at Indian Bank, be appointed as the managing director of UCO Bank.
• Kumar has previously held positions at several other public sector banks, including Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, and Punjab National Bank (PNB).
• The FSIB interviewed 11 candidates from various PSBs for the role of MD & CEO. The final decision on the appointment will be made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Lalit Kumar Gupta:

• Lalit Kumar Gupta has been approved as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). CCI is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Textile.
• An order from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has been issued, stating that Gupta will assume the role of CMD of CCI with immediate effect, for a period of five years or until his superannuation, or until further orders, whichever comes first.
• Gupta was suggested by the PESB panel for the position of CMD of CCI, and he currently holds the position of Director (Finnane) within the same organisation.

TCPL:

• After Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) withdrew from acquiring Bisleri International, Ramesh Chauhan, the chairman of the company, announced that his daughter Jayanti Chauhan will now lead the bottled water company.
• He also stated that he has no intention of selling the business and is not currently in talks with any parties about doing so. Jayanti Chauhan is currently the vice chairperson of Bisleri and has been involved with the business for several years.
• She has been driving innovation and overseeing sales and marketing teams, with a focus on market penetration and brand value. TCPL confirmed that it has ceased negotiations with Bisleri and has not entered into any agreements for the acquisition.

N S Kannan:

• The current MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, N S Kannan, is set to retire from his position in June 2023 upon completion of his term.
• His successor, Anup Bagchi, who is an Executive Director at ICICI Bank, will take over as the MD & CEO for a five-year term from June 19, 2023, subject to approval from the insurance regulator.
• To ensure a smooth transition, Bagchi has been appointed as the Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, effective from May 1, 2023, subject to necessary approvals.
• The announcement was made by ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, which stated that the board of directors approved Bagchi’s appointment based on the recommendation of the board nomination and remuneration committee.

 “Human Factors Engineering in Military Platforms”:

• A two-day workshop on “Human Factors Engineering in Military Platforms” was inaugurated by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on March 15 in New Delhi.
• The workshop is being organized by the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), which is a Delhi-based laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The objective of the workshop is to establish a policy framework and practices that ensure the scientific implementation of Human Factors Engineering (HFE) in the defence sector, thus contributing to the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
• HFE is a science that focuses on designing tools and systems that take into account human capabilities and limitations, enabling their safe and effective use.

Green Hydrogen:

• NTPC REL has signed an MoU with Indian Army for setting up Green Hydrogen Projects in its establishments on Build, Own and Operate model. The intent is to reduce complex logistics, dependence on fossil fuels and to accelerate de-carbonization.
• A joint identification of potential sites would be undertaken for setting up of green hydrogen projects for supplying electricity, in a phased manner.

MGNREGS:

• The Union Rural Development Ministry has decided to withhold the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) funds for West Bengal for the financial year 2023-24.
• West Bengal is the only State in the country against whom this Section was invoked. The Centre had first invoked the rule in December 2021 based on ground surveys.

Delhi’s per capita income:

• Delhi’s per capita income is estimated to have grown by 7.54%, from 2.52 lakh in 2021-22 to 2.72 lakh in the current fiscal (2022-23), according to the Economic Survey of Delhi 2022-23.
• The per capita income of Delhi has been around 2.6 times higher than the national average. It’s outstanding debt increased by 39.8% from €29,608.27 crore in 2011-12 to 41,481.50 crore as on March 31, 2022.

IOCL:

• NGEL, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has signed a Joint Venture Agreement with IOCL for setting up of renewable energy projects to meet power requirement of IOCL Refineries.
• NGEL, has set an ambitious target of building a renewable generation portfolio of 60 GW over the next decade. The signing of agreement will enable to meet the Government of India’s clean energy targets.

Tamil Nadu Events:

Budget for the financial year 2023-24:

• The budget for the financial year 2023-24 was tabled in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. This was filed by Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan.
• Highlights of Tamil Nadu Budget: 1000 stipend for qualified heads of households from September 15, Schools of sectors including SC/ST now under School Education Department, New Pannokub Unit at Stanley Hospital, Rs 120 Crore Innovation Initiatives in Ambattur, Skill Training Centre, ‘Father Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary’ in Erode District, Rs 1000 crore includes the Ayodhya Pandit Housing Development Project etc.

 ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam’:

• The ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam’ program jointly organized by the Central Government and the State Government of Gujarat was held in Guindy, Chennai. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the ‘logo’ and website saurashtra.nitt.edu during the event.
• This time the administration of Trichy NIT is making arrangements for the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam event in Gujarat.

Bombay Jayashri:

• Renowned Carnatic vocalist and musician Bombay Jayashri has been chosen for the coveted Sangita Kalanidhi award of the prestigious Music Academy, Chennai.
• The Music Academy also declared names for Nritya Kalanidhi, Sangita Kala Acharya, TTK, and Musicologist awards for the year 2023. The awards will be presented to the winners on January 1 and 3 2024.

International Events:

Corona virus:

• An international team of experts has found evidence suggesting that coronavirus might have spread from infected raccoon dogs being illegally sold at a seafood market in China’s Wuhan.
• The analysis was led by three prominent researchers namely Kristian Andersen, Michael Worobey, and Edward Holmes. The genetic data was posted by Chinese researchers on GISAID, an open-access genomic database.

‘BNS Sheikh Hasina’:

• Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first submarine base of Bangladesh ‘BNS Sheikh Hasina’ at Pekua in Cox’s Bazar, in March 2023. Bangladesh government has been working on ‘Forces Goal 2030’ to transform its military force into a modern organisation.
• The Government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with China in September 2019 for the construction of the submarine base.

First country in Asia:

• Sri Lanka will be the first country in Asia to undergo a governance diagnostic exercise by the International Monetary Fund. It will assess corruption and governance vulnerabilities in the debt-trapped country.
• IMF’s Executive Board has approved a 48-month extended arrangement under its Extended Fund Facility with an amount of SDR 2.286 billion to help Sri Lanka overcome its economic crisis.

Khalistani Protestors:

• Khalistani Protestors take Down Tricolour at High Commission In London. The Centre summoned the British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott.
• The protesters, who were demonstrating against a crackdown by security forces in Punjab on the Waaris Punjab De (WPD) group, shouted Khalistani slogans, while one protester climbed up to the Indian High Commission balcony overlooking the street and brought down the national Tricolour.

UBS Group AG:

• UBS Group AG, Switzerland’s largest banking group, has agreed to acquire the crisis-hit Credit Suisse Group AG in a historic, government-brokered deal, news agency Bloomberg has reported. UBS is paying more than $2 billion to buy its rival, citing sources who are privy to the matter.

Seylan Bank:

• Sri Lanka’s Seylan Bank has opened an Indian rupee-denominated Nostro account in Indian Bank in Mumbai. The arrangement will help settle cross-border transactions using Indian rupee between the two nations.
• Sri Lanka’s banks have been opening Nostro accounts in India-based banks. Banks from the Indian side have maintained similar accounts in Sri Lanka for a reciprocal arrangement.

World Oral Health Day:

• World Oral Health Day is observed globally every year on March 20, with the primary objective of increasing awareness about the significance of oral health. The Oral Health day aims to encourage individuals to adopt good oral hygiene practices, take care of their teeth, and learn ways to prevent dental problems.
• According to a report by the WHO Global Oral Health, approximately 75% of the world’s population suffer from permanent teeth caries, while 514 million children experience caries in primary teeth. The theme for 2023 is ‘Be Proud of Your Mouth,’ which is the same theme used for the past three years. The campaign was launched by the FDI in 2021.

International Day of Happiness:

• The International Day of Happiness is an annual celebration that occurs on March 20. International Day of Happiness’s purpose is to emphasize the importance of happiness and the overall well-being of individuals.
• The United Nations initiated this event in 2013, following Bhutan’s advocacy for national happiness.
• Observing the International Day of Happiness prompts us to realize that happiness has a significant impact on our longevity and productivity.
• One way to mark the occasion is by sharing warm greetings and quotes with loved ones, inspiring them to embrace happiness. The theme of International Day of Happiness for this year has been kept as “Be Mindful, Be Grateful, Be Kind”.

World Poetry Day 2023:

• 21 March, 2023 is celebrated as World Poetry Day 2023. Every year on March 21, people throughout the world celebrate World Poetry Day to honour an expression of language with which they can all identify.
• Every country’s past contains poetry, which unites people through shared humanity and values. Even the most simple poems can spark conversation. The theme of World Poetry Day 2023 is “Always be a poet, even in prose”.

International Day of Forests:

• March 21st is observed as International Day of Forests or World Forestry Day worldwide to increase awareness about the importance of forests, woodlands, and trees in our lives.
• It is important to understand the value, significance, and contributions of the forests to balancing the life cycle on earth.
• An issue like deforestation is also addressed on this day. The International Day of Forests for 2023 has adopted the theme of “Forests and health” to emphasize the interdependence between the existence of forests and our well-being. Forests play a critical role in supporting the survival of all living creatures, including humans.

World down Syndrome Day:

• March 21 is observed as World Down Syndrome Day worldwide, aiming to increase public awareness and show support for individuals living with this genetic condition. The United Nations chose this date to highlight the link between Down syndrome and the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which makes it unique.
• The day serves as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about Down syndrome. This year’s World Down Syndrome Day theme is ‘With Us, Not For Us’, emphasizing that people with disabilities should be treated equally and have access to the same opportunities as others.

International Nowruz Day:

• 21 March 2023 is celebrated as International Nowruz Day 2023. Every year on March 21, the International Nowruz Day is a much-anticipated global New Year’s festival that marks the spring equinox, ushering in the season of rebirth and nature’s renewal.
• Almost 300 million people worldwide commemorate the international holiday that the United Nations proclaimed on March 21, also known as “Nauryz,” “Navruz,” or “Nowrouz,” which is translated as “new day” and has a history of at least 3,000 years.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:

• On October 26, 1966, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2142 (XXI) designating March 21st as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
• This day was chosen because, in 1960, 69 peaceful protesters were killed by police in Sharpeville, South Africa, while demonstrating against the apartheid “pass laws”.
• By establishing this day of commemoration, the General Assembly urged the global community to intensify its efforts to eradicate all types of racial discrimination, especially as it pertains to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

World Happiness Report 2023:

• The World Happiness Report 2023 has been released. According to the World Happiness Index for 2023, Finland is the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row.
• India has been ranked 125th out of 146 countries, which is an improvement of nine positions from its 2022 ranking.
• However, India’s ranking is lower than even war-torn countries like Russia and Ukraine. Furthermore, India’s neighboring countries such as Nepal, China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have a higher ranking than India.

Order of Australia:

• Ratan Tata, an Indian industrialist and philanthropist, has been named an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for his outstanding contributions to the Australia-India bilateral relationship, specifically in the areas of trade, investment, and philanthropy.
• The announcement was made by Australia’s Governor-General, following a recommendation by Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell.

Vera Mindy Chokalingam:

• The White House has announced that US President Joe Biden will bestow the 2021 National Humanities Medals upon several recipients, including Indian-American actress, comedian, and writer Mindy Kaling, also known as Vera Mindy Chokalingam.
• The National Medal of Arts is the most prestigious award granted by the US government to artists, arts advocates, and organizations.
• It recognizes individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in America and served as role models through their exceptional accomplishments, assistance, or sponsorship.

Singapore Changi Airport:

• Singapore Changi Airport has again topped Skytrax’s ranking of the world’s best airports, which was revealed at the 2023 World Airport Awards ceremony.
• This is the 12th time it has won the title, awarded annually by the UK-based airline and airport research firm. Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, ranked second and third, respectively.

CUMI & RCI:

• Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) has signed a licensing agreement for transfer of technology (LATOT) with DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) laboratory.
• It has been signed to manufacture ‘Ceramic Radomes (GELCAST Process) Technology’ used in missile systems. Ceramic radome technology is considered state-of-the-art missile technology around the world.

Sports Events:

Aasif Sheikh:

• Nepalese Wicketkeeper-batsman Aasif Sheikh has been declared the winner of the 2022 Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award. The Award is presented every year by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), UK in conjunction with the BBC.
• The Award was created in 2013 by MCC and the BBC in memory of former MCC President and BBC Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins.

ATP Masters 1000 title:

• Rohan Bopanna, a 43-year-old Indian tennis player, and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden have become the oldest duo to win an ATP Masters 1000 title.
• They won the men’s doubles final at the Indian Wells Masters 2023 tournament in California by defeating the top-seeded team of Wesley Koolhof and Neil Skupski. Bopanna and Ebden won the first set 6-3 but lost the second set 2-6. However, they managed to win the match by clinching the deciding tie-breaker 10-8.

International Shooting Sports Federation:

• International Shooting Sports Federation- ISSF World Cup Shooting Championship is being organised in Bhopal, MP from 20-27 March 2023.
• Around 325 shooters from 33 countries and more than 75 technical officials will participate in the World Cup Shooting Championship.
• It is the 8th World Cup organised in India and the first international shooting tournament to be held outside New Delhi.

SAFF Championship:

• The 2023 edition of the SAFF Championship, South Asia’s marquee international tournament, will be held in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 3, 2023. This was announced by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
• India will be hosting the tournament for the fourth time and first since the 2015 edition when it was held in Thiruvananthapuram.