Current Affairs in English – March 29, 30 2023

March 29-30, 2023

National Events:

Ram Navami:

• Ram Navami is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, who is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra month (usually in March or April).
• For 2023, it fell on 30 March. Lord Ram was the eldest son of King Dasaratha and his first wife Kausalya of Ayodhya. He was born in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

NDTV:

• NDTV announced to the stock exchanges that Upendra Kumar Sinha, the former chairman of Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has been appointed as the non-executive chairperson and independent director of the NDTV board of directors.
• Additionally, Dipali Goenka, the CEO of Welspun India, has also been appointed as an independent director on the NDTV board.

Inaugural joint conference:

• The inaugural joint conference between the Indian and African army chiefs is scheduled to take place in Pune, with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh as the guest of honor and Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pandey in attendance.
• This marks the first-ever conference of its kind between these nations, with 10 army chiefs and 31 representatives from African countries in attendance. Additionally, an exhibition under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative will be held to showcase defense products and target the African market.

Union minister Rajnath Singh:

• India is set to become a major exporter of defense equipment and materials, with exports projected to be worth Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore by 2026.
• The announcement was made by Union minister Rajnath Singh during a speech at Symbiosis International University, where he emphasized the importance of self-reliance and creating an ecosystem that fosters self-confidence.Since adopting the Indianization program, India’s defense exports have increased from Rs 900 crore in 2014 to Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 16,000 crore today. Singh expressed his pride in the country’s defense forces, which are now meeting 80% of their needs through indigenous procurement.

SJVN Ltd:

• SJVN Ltd, a state-owned company, has secured Rs 915 crore in ‘GREEN’ financing from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to support its 90 MW Omkareshwar floating solar project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda solar project in Gujarat.
• The ‘Facility Agreement’ was signed virtually between SJVN and JBIC under the Global Action for Reconciling Economic Growth and Environmental Preservation (GREEN) program of JBIC.
• The purpose of this debt is to fund the 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh and 100 MW Raghanesda Solar Power Project in Gujarat, which have a combined estimated cost of Rs 1,288.35 crore.

SCO:

• The National Security Advisers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will convene in New Delhi, with China and Pakistan expected to attend virtually. Ajit Doval, the Indian National Security Adviser, will give the opening remarks, followed by discussions between SCO national security advisers and top officials.
• As the current president of the eight-nation SCO, India is hosting a range of events, including a chief justices’ conference and a meeting of energy ministers, which Pakistan has attended through video conferencing, except for one event where they were not allowed due to a map controversy.

G20:

• Over 100 delegates from various countries attended the first meeting of the G20 Trade and Investment Working Group in Mumbai. The participants engaged in two-panel discussions and visited the Bharat Diamond Bourse to learn about India’s gem and jewelry industry.
• The delegates also took part in a Heritage Walk at the Gateway of India. The panel discussions centered on accelerating global trade and investments. The panelists emphasized that trade plays a crucial role in promoting prosperity for everyone.
• They also recommended involving institutions such as multilateral development banks and Export Credit Agencies to bridge the current two trillion dollars traditional trade finance gap. The panel also suggested that digitalizing international trade could be an effective solution for reducing trade and trade finance costs.

Statehood day of Rajasthan:

• March 30 is celebrated as the statehood day of Rajasthan. On this day in 1949, four states, namely Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer, joined with the United State of Rajasthan, and the region came to be known as Greater Rajasthan.
• Rajasthan is the largest state of the country. Its total area is 3 lakh 42 thousand 239 square kilometers.

Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022:

• The Lok Sabha on 29 March 2023, passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 for stricter compliance. It empowers the antitrust regulator to impose penalties on global turnovers of erring firms.
• It also includes expanding the scope of penalties to entities collaborating in cartelization. On August 16, 2022, it was referred to the parliamentary committee on finance.

BDL:

• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) successfully field-fired a fire-and-forget man-portable anti-tank guided missile, Amogha-III on March 26, 2023. The missile has a minimum and maximum effective range of 2500 metres.
• The man portable missile has a Tandem warhead that can penetrate Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) to over 650 millimetres. This model has a Dual Mode Imaging Infra Red (IIR) Seeker.

First 7.2 meter high-rise train:

• The world’s first 7.2 meter high-rise train was set on trial in Delhi-Jaipur. The Vande Bharat Express train has been modified for the Delhi-Jaipur route.
• The semi-high-speed train on this route can be the 11th route for the advanced train in India. As per an earlier announcement, the train is expected to begin operations on the route on April 10, 2023 following the completion of trials.

‘Project Akashteer’:

• The Defence Ministry, on 29 Mar 2023, signed three contracts worth Rs 5,400 crore to bolster the defense capabilities of the country.
• The first contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is for the procurement of an Automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System, ‘Project Akashteer’. The 2nd contract with BEL is for the acquisition of Sarang Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems.

SAR:

• The Indian Coast Guard conducted Regional Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise during 28-29 March 2023 at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
• The aim of the exercise was to simulate a real time maritime distress scenario and highlight the functioning of Search and Rescue (SAR) organisation for a mass rescue operation. Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Kakinada coordinated with ICG during the exercise.

Telangana:

• The Ministry of Municipal Administration and Urban Development of the Telangana Government has launched a programme to rejuvenate and develop 50 water bodies in and around Hyderabad.
• Minister K Taraka Rama Rao inaugurated the ‘Lakes Development Programme’ at Khajaguda Lake on March 28, 2023. Of the 50 lakes, 25 are in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

National Rabies Control Programme:

• The Central Government has launched a program called the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), which seeks to prevent and manage cases of Rabies.
• The objectives of the NRCP include providing rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin through free national drug initiatives, conducting training on appropriate animal bite management, prevention and control of rabies, surveillance, and intersectoral coordination, enhancing the surveillance of animal bites and reporting of rabies deaths, and raising awareness about rabies prevention.

Kangra tea:

• Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra tea awarded the European Geographical Indicator (GI) tag on 29 March 2023. The tag will help Kangra tea to get an opportunity to enter the European market. Kangra tea received the Indian Gl tag in 2005.
• Since 1999, the cultivation and development of tea have improved constantly in the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh.

Children’s Champion Award 2023:

• Tapoban, an NGO based in Pathsala, Assam, which focuses on supporting children with special needs and autism, has been honored with the prestigious Children’s Champion Award 2023 in the health and nutrition category.
• This award is presented by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and acknowledges individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the welfare of children in various areas such as education, justice, health, nutrition, sports, and creative arts.

Ajay Singh:

• Ajay Singh, the chief of SpiceJet, has become the new President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
• He has replaced Sumant Sinha, who completed his tenure as Managing Director of Renew Power. Sanjay Nayar, the Founder and Chairman of Sorin Investment Fund, has been appointed as the new Senior Vice-President of ASSOCHAM.

363 million:

• The World Bank has granted a loan of USD 363 million to the state of Karnataka in India, which will help to provide clean drinking water to two million rural households.
• The initiative aims to establish piped water connections in households throughout the state, including the construction of a drinking water distribution network and the installation of water meters.
• The project is set to benefit around 10 million people across all 31 districts in the state. The loan is part of the Karnataka Sustainable Rural Water Supply Program, which seeks to introduce policies and initiatives that will improve the operational efficiency of rural water supply services.

Mobility Scores:

• According to the latest update from the Passport Index, India’s Mobility Scores have decreased, resulting in the country experiencing the largest global drop on the Index this year.
• Prior to the pandemic in 2019, India had a mobility score of 71, which increased to 73 in 2022 as the post-pandemic wave of increasing mobility took effect.
• However, as of March 2023, its mobility score has dropped to 70. This decline has occurred despite record increases in mobility as the global and national economies re-opened after the pandemic. India’s ranking has fallen by six places in 2023, resulting in an individual ranking of 144 compared to 138 in 2022.

Great Indian Bustard:

• In order to conserve and protect the Great Indian Bustard, which is considered one of the largest flying birds in the world, the Government of India is implementing various measures throughout the country.
• However, apart from certain regions in Rajasthan and Gujarat, the bird has disappeared from 90% of its original habitat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the species as “critically endangered”.

 “Spring Fiesta”:

• To commemorate the 69th anniversary of its official inauguration by Vice President Dr. S Radhakrishnan on March 29, 1954, the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi will host its first-ever “Spring Fiesta” in 2023.
• Through this event, individuals will have a platform to showcase their work while also increasing exposure and generating interest in locally made, handcrafted, and curated products.

RE Power:

• NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd has signed Term Sheet with Greenko ZeroC Pvt Ltd (A Greenko Group Company). It has been signed to supply 1300 MW Round the Clock RE Power for powering Greenko’s upcoming Green Ammonia Plant at Kakinada, India.
• The agreement between the two companies is one of the world’s single largest contract for supply of round-the-clock renewable supply for an industrial client.

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi:

• The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi has announced the fellowships, awards, and Gurupuja Puraskaram of the year 2022.
• Theatre person Gopinath Kozhikode, music director P.S. Vidyadharan, and Chenda/Edakka artist Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan have been selected for the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi fellowships for their contribution to the respective fields.

Defence cooperation:

• Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Romanian counterpart Simona Cojocaru on 28 March 2023 held a bilateral meeting on defence cooperation in New Delhi.
• Military to military cooperation, military training and courses, defence co-development and co-production and capacity building were discussed in the meeting. Both the countries have signed an agreement on Defence Cooperation.

Nagaland Municipal Act 2001:

• The member of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously resolved to repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 with immediate effect on 28 Mar 2023.
• The repeal of the Act was necessitated following the strong protest from the various tribal groups and civil societies demanding a total review of the act. The house also resolved that the law on urban local bodies be enacted expeditiously.

NPCI:

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued a circular in which it suggested “Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI)” fees on merchant transactions on Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• The PPI fees would be levied on transactions above 2,000 on UPI. It will result in an interchange at 1.1% of the transaction value.

Tamil Nadu Events:

District Export Centres:

• Chief Minister M. K. Stalin inaugurated export promotion centers set up in districts for small and medium industries and newly constructed buildings worth Rs.15 crore. Many unique products are produced in each district of Tamil Nadu.
• To market these globally, ‘District Export Centres’ have been created in every district. Following this, Trade Development Officers have been appointed in every district and training on export promotion has been provided.

International Events:

Israel:

• Israel has decided to close all its embassies across the world, including in New Delhi over the protests of PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reforms.
• Israel is witnessing the most intense social unrest where thousands of people have taken to the streets after PM Netanyahu sacked the Defence Minister for questioning the judicial reform. PM Netanyahu is on trial for corruption in 3 cases.

Pakistan:

• Pakistan declined the invitation to attend The Democracy Summit hosted by the United States on 28 March 2023. The USA has invited 120 global leaders to the summit being held in Washington on 29-30 March 2023.
• It will be co-hosted by the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia. Pakistan was also not part of the Democracy Summit held in December 2021.

10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche:

• Dalai Lama named an eight-year-old Mongolian boy born in the United States the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche – the third highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism on 28 March 2023.
• He is the son of a university professor and the grandson of a former Mongolian member of parliament. The Panchen Lama is the second most important spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism.

NASA:

• This summer, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing four individuals to live on Mars on June 2023. The four “Martians” will be a part of NASA’s human exploration trip on Mars, even though the American space agency has long sought to send humans to the neighbouring planet.
• Also, NASA has sending satellites, the InSight lander, a rover mission with the Perseverance rover, the Ingenuity small robotic helicopter, and related delivery systems, all of which are intended to provide the Red Planet with its first comprehensive examination.
• The four volunteers are a part of a 12-month project to get people ready for visiting Mars. When humans eventually land on Mars, they will do so in a habitat that replicates the circumstances there.

Day of Zero Waste:

• On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly acknowledged the significance of zero-waste programs and announced that March 30 would be celebrated as the International Day of Zero Waste every year starting from 2023 International Day of Zero Waste will encourage sustainable consumption and production practices and enhance understanding of the ways zero-waste efforts help to achieve the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
• The International Day of Zero Waste, observed annually on March 30, is significant because it highlights the importance of reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• The day encourages people to adopt practices that minimize waste, reuse and recycle materials, and reduce the amount of waste generated.

Lifetime achievement award:

• Naveen Jindal has been awarded a lifetime achievement award by the University of Texas at Dallas for his accomplishments in industry, politics, and education. Jindal, who graduated from the University in 1992, received the award in a ceremony.
• This award is the highest recognition given to an alumnus by the University of Texas, Dallas and is presented to those whose contributions have positively impacted society. Aziz Sancar, a Nobel Laureate, was the first person to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Texas at Dallas.

UAE:

• The UAE has launched its National Genome Strategy. It aims to provide a comprehensive legislative and governance framework to support the development and implementation of genomic programs.
• The strategy will last ten years and will focus on delivering public health priorities. The Emirates Genome Council, which was established in 2021, will oversee the National Genome Strategy.

Sports Events:

Hockey India Junior Men Zonal Championships 2023:

• The first Hockey India Junior Men Zonal Championships 2023 concluded in the North, South, East, and West Zones on 28 March 2023.
• The Hockey Punjab, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, Hockey Jharkhand, and Hockey Madhya Pradesh were crowned as Champions in their respective zones. Hockey Punjab defeated Uttar Pradesh Hockey 3-2 in the North Zone Final.

Ranveer Singh:

• The Walt Disney Company India-owned channel Star Sports has signed Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador. As per the company, this association makes him the first actor to be associated with Star Sports.
• Star Sports and Ranveer Singh’s journey as partners starts with the opening weekend of IPL. It also entails other sporting events coming up including World Test Championship Final.

IPL:

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has signed nutrition company Herbalife Nutrition Limited as its partner for the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) for its current season, 2023.
• The IPL 2023 is scheduled to be played in the country starting this month, from March 31 to May 26, 2023. Herbalife sponsors more than 150 world-class athletes which include Virat Kohli, Mary Kom, etc.

Sir Alex Ferguson & Arsene Wenger:

• On March 29, the Premier League inducted former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger into its Hall of Fame. This is the first time that managers have been included in this prestigious list.
• The two managers had a fierce rivalry during the 1990s, with a combined 16 English top-flight titles to their names.
• Ferguson led Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles during his 26-year reign, while Wenger won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups with Arsenal during his 22-year tenure. The Premier League Hall of Fame was launched in 2021 to honour players who have made an exceptional contribution to the league.