DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Feb. 8, 2023

'NISAR' satellite made by ISRO-NASA to be launched from India in September

Tags: Science and Technology

An Earth-observation satellite jointly developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and ISRO will be sent to India in late February 2023 for a possible launch in September.

An overview of the news

• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman S Somnath recently visited NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California to oversee the final power test of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite before it is sent to India.

• The mission will help study Earth's land and ice surfaces in greater detail than ever before.

• This SUV-sized payload will be carried in a special cargo container for the 14,000 km flight to the UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru.

About 'NISAR' satellite

• ISRO and NASA had tied up in 2014 to build a satellite weighing 2,800 kg.

• In March 2021, ISRO sent its S-band SAR payload developed in India to NASA for integration with the L-band payload manufactured by JPL.

• This is an important step in better understanding the Earth and the changing climate.

• It will provide important information on the Earth's crust, ice sheets and ecosystems.

• The NISAR spacecraft will be integrated into the satellite bus at the UR Rao Satellite Center for launch.

NTPC bags ‘ATD Best Awards 2023’ for 6th consecutive year

Tags: Awards

Country's largest power generation company NTPC Limited has been conferred with 'ATD Best Awards 2023' by Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA.

An overview of the news

• NTPC Limited has won this award for the sixth time for showcasing enterprise success in the area of talent development.

• The foundation of NTPC's culture has always been employee involvement through creative techniques.

• This award is a testimony to the contemporary HR practices of NTPC.

About the awards

• The ATD Best Awards recognize organisations that demonstrate talent development across the enterprise.

• NTPC has been successful in creating an ecosystem, which empowers the employees to enhance their skills.

• The award includes small and large private, public and non-profit organizations from around the world.

• Association for Talent Development, USA is the world's largest association in the field of talent development and ATD's Best of Award is considered the most prestigious award in learning and development.

About NTPC

• The NTPC which was earlier known as National Thermal Power Corporation of India is owned by the Government of India. It was set up in 1975.

• The Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station in the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh, with an installed capacity of 4,760MW, is currently the biggest thermal power plant in India. 

• It is a coal-based power plant owned and operated by NTPC.

• The total installed commercial capacity of the company was 69454 MW before the JPL deal.

• Headquarters: New Delhi

• Chairman and Managing Director: Gurdeep Singh

Nearly 600 sea lions die due to bird flu outbreak in Peru

Tags: International News

In Peru, about 585 sea lions and 55,000 wild birds have died in recent weeks due to the H5N1 bird flu virus.

An overview of the news

• According to the Sarnap Natural Area Conservation Agency, after discovering 55,000 dead birds in eight protected coastal areas, rangers found that all of them died due to bird flu.

• Along with this, 585 sea lions have also died in 7 protected marine areas.

• Dead birds include pelicans, different types of gulls and penguins.

• H5N1 has also been confirmed in dead sea lions in laboratory tests. After this the authorities announced the Biological Vigilance Protocol.

• Peru's National Forest and Wildlife Service has urged people and their pets to avoid and stay away from sea lions and seabirds at the beach.

Avian Influenza (H5N1)

• Bird flu, also known as avian influenza (AI), is a highly contagious viral disease that affects species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as domesticated birds and wild animals.

• Avian influenza virus subtypes are A(H5N1), A(H7N9), A(H9N2) and A(H10N3).

• Types B and C mostly infect humans and usually cause mild illness.

About Peru

• Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina.

• President: Dina Boluarte

• Capital: Lima

• Currency : Nuevo Sol

• Major Mountain Ranges: Andes

• Major Rivers: Amazon, Ucayali, Madre de Dios

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Department of Integrative Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital

Tags: National News

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya jointly inaugurated the Department of Integrated Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi on 7 February.

An overview of the news

• This Department of Integrated Medicine will further the collaboration between traditional and modern systems of medicine to provide better service to the citizens.

• These centers will treat patients using both Ayurveda and modern medicine.

• Integrative medicine aims to harness the potential of India's rich heritage and medical knowledge, along with using modern advances in allopathy.

• The government will also set up a Department of Integrated Medicine in AIIMS Delhi.

• The Central Government has decided to open Integrated Medical Centers in all government medical establishments, especially all AIIMS in the country.

Integrative Medicine

• Integration of AYUSH with Modern Medicine for Holistic Health is Integrative Medicine.

• The Ministry of AYUSH was set up on the 9 November 2014 to revive  the knowledge of traditional Indian systems of medicine. 

• AYUSH focuses on education and research in the fields of Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. 

Reserve Bank increased the repo rate by 0.25 percent to 6.5 percent

Tags: Economy/Finance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the policy repo rate by 0.25 percent in the bi-monthly monetary policy review with the aim of bringing inflation under control.

An overview of the news:

• After which the new repo rate has increased to 6.50 percent.

• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the current financial year 2022-23 has been increased by RBI from 6.8 percent to 7 percent.

• At the same time, in the next financial year 2023-24, the growth rate in gross domestic product (GDP) has been estimated to be 6.4 percent.

• RBI has estimated retail inflation to be 6.5 per cent in the current financial year and 5.3 per cent in the next financial year.

• In order to bring inflation under control, the repo rate has been increased by 2.50 percent in total six times since May this year.

Repo rate:

• Repo rate is the interest rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the central bank to meet their immediate needs.

• An increase in this means that borrowing from banks and financial institutions will be costlier and the monthly instalment (EMI) of existing loans will increase.

Reliance introduces India's first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) truck

Tags: Science and Technology National News

India's first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) truck was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 'India Energy Week' in Bengaluru.

An overview of the news:

• The ICE in the H2-ICE stands for Internal Combustion Engine.

• It is developed by Reliance Industries (RIL) in association with Ashok Leyland.

• The H2-ICE truck is the first of its kind in India to be powered by hydrogen.

• The truck uses hydrogen instead of conventional diesel fuel or liquefied natural gas (LNG), reducing carbon emissions to almost zero.

• Hydrogen is considered the cleanest fuel. This emits only water and oxygen.

• It is quieter compared to conventional diesel trucks while delivering the same performance. Its operating cost is also less.

The combustion principle in H2-ICE is as follows:

• 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O

• Two hydrogen atoms combine with one oxygen atom to form water. The heat energy released during this reaction is used to ignite the spark plug.

• The first H2-ICE was developed by Francois Isaac de Rivaz in the year 1806. It ran on a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

India ranks first with 24 percent contribution to global milk production

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

India is the world's largest milk producer, contributing 24 per cent to global milk production in the year 2021-22, according to production data from the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistics Database (FAOSTAT).

An overview of the news

• India's milk production has registered a growth of 51 per cent during the last eight years - 2014-15 and 2021-22 and has increased to 220 million tonnes in the year 2021-22.

• The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying runs various schemes to benefit the economically weaker farmers in the dairy sector.

• The National Program for Dairy Development aims to enhance the quality of milk and milk products and increase the share of organised procurement, processing, value addition and marketing.

National Programme for Dairy Development

• It was launched in February 2014 by merging three existing schemes- Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production and Assistance to Cooperatives.

• In July 2021, it was restructured with the objective of enhancing the quality of milk and milk products and increasing the share of organised procurement, processing, value addition and marketing for implementation of the program from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Government Initiatives to the Dairy sector

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission - launched in December 2014 with an outlay of Rs 2025 crore for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding.

• National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) - It is a flagship scheme launched in September 2019 for control of Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population.

• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development - It has been approved for incentivizing investments by entrepreneurs, private companies, MSME, Farmers Producers Organizations for Dairy sector.

Indian Dairy Sector

• India ranks first in milk production and contributes 24% to global milk production.

• The top 5 milk-producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).

• Dairy is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5% of the national economy, witnessing 6.4% in the past 5 years.

• About 80 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.

Indian-American student named as 'World's Brightest' student for second time

Tags: Awards Person in news

Indian-American schoolgirl Natasha Periyanayagam has been named in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth's list of "world's most talented" students for the second year in a row.

Who is Natasha Perianayagam?

• Natasha Periyanayagam is 13 years old and studying at Florence M Gaudiner Middle School in New Jersey, United States.

• She took the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) exam in 2021. At that time she was a fifth grader.

• Natasha's performance in the Verbal and Quantitative Aptitude Test was equivalent to achieving a 90 percentile in grade eight, earning her a place on that year's honours list.

• The list is compiled based on the results of upper-grade-level tests of more than 15,000 students from 76 countries.

• CTY uses grade level testing to identify advanced students around the world and present a clear picture of their academic abilities.

• Natatha's parents are from Chennai, she loves doodling and reading JRR Tolkien novels in her spare time.

108 Buddhist Pilgrims from Republic of Korea on 43-day walking tour

Tags: International News

A 43-day walking tour of sacred Buddhist sites in India and Nepal is being organised by the Sangwol Society of the Republic of Korea from February 9 to March 23, 2023.

An overview of the news:

• 108 Buddhist pilgrims from the Republic of Korea will travel over 1,100 kilometres in 43 days as part of the pilgrimage on foot.

• The aim of the pilgrimage is to enhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

• Pilgrims will pay obeisance at eight major Buddhist holy sites during the journey.

During the pilgrimage, Buddhist followers will visit the following sites:

• Bodh Gaya: Here Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

• Nalanda University: Nalanda University is one of the ancient universities. It was founded by the Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I.

• Mahaparinirvan Temple: The Mahaparinirvan Temple, located in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, is considered one of the most sacred temples of Buddhism in the whole world. In this temple, a 6.1 metre high idol of Lord Buddha is kept in the lying posture.

• It is believed to be the death place of Lord Buddha.

• Rajgir: Rajgir is located in the Nalanda district of Bihar. It is a pilgrimage centre for Jains, Buddhists and Hindus.

• Rambhar Stupa: Lord Buddha was cremated at this place in 483 BC. This stupa was built by the Malla king

• Lumbini: Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha. It is located in Nepal.

Satyanarayana Raju appointed as the new MD & CEO of Canara Bank

Tags: Person in news

The Central Government has appointed K Satyanarayana Raju as the new Managing Director and CEO of the state-owned Canara Bank.

An overview of the news:

• He will replace LV Prabhakar, who resigned from his post on December 31, 2022.

• He was working as Executive Director in Canara Bank since March, 2021.

• Satyanarayana Raju has vast experience in Branch Banking, Corporate Credit, Retail Credit etc.

Canara Bank:

• It is a leading commercial bank of India.

• It was established in 1906, by Sri Ammembal Subba Rao Pai.

• Syndicate Bank was merged with Canara Bank on 1 April 2020. After this merger, Canara Bank has become the fourth largest bank in the country.

• Headquarters Bangalore, India

India received highest ever foreign inward remittances in a single year of $89,127 million in FY 2021-22

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

During the financial year 2021-22, India received foreign inward remittance of $89,127 million which is the highest ever inward remittance received in a single year.

An overview of the news

• Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chowdhary said this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on 7 February.

Data for the past five years on inward remittances

Share of different countries in inward remittances, 2020-21

Indore becomes the first civic body in the country to launch green bonds

Tags: National News

Indore Municipal Corporation has become the first civic body in the country to issue green bonds.

An overview of the news:

• The corporation plans to raise Rs 244 crore through green bonds.

• This amount will be used to set up a 60 MW solar plant at Juladh Pumping Station in Hum Samraj and Ashukhedi villages on the banks of river Narmada falling in Khargone district with an investment of about Rs 305 crore.

• Indore Municipal Corporation pumps water from Juladh Pumping Station for drinking water supply in the city. For this, 25 crore rupees are spent on electricity bill every month. After the commissioning of this plant, the cost of electricity will be reduced by five to six crore rupees annually.

• This bond of Indore Municipal Corporation will open between 10-14 February 2023. And later it will be listed on the National Stock Exchange.

What is Green Bond?

• Green bonds are a means of obtaining debt through which funds are raised for 'green' projects, mainly related to renewable energy, clean transportation, sustainable water management, etc.

• A green bond is issued by an organisation for the purpose of financing or refinancing projects that make a positive contribution to the environment and/or climate.

• Green bonds were first announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the budget for the financial year 2022-23.

Google introduces AI chatbot 'Bard'

Tags: Science and Technology

Recently, Google has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered chatbot named "Google Bard"to compete with ChatGPT.

An overview of the news:

• Bard is built on Google's existing language model LaMDA, the language model for the firm's Dialog Application System.

• According to Google, it will be used by a group of testers first, after which Bard will be introduced to the general public.

• Bard has been developed to compete with the currently fastest growing user application, ChatGPT, which has overtaken platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram.

• Through Bard, users can access complex information in simple language as before, not only that, but also get fresh, high-quality and accurate information from Google's chatbot.

What is Chatbot?

• A chatbot is a software application used to conduct on-line chat conversations via text or text-to-speech in lieu of providing direct interaction with a live human agent.

• Chatbot in simple language means talking robot.

There are 2 types of chatbots -

• rule-based chatbot

• AI-based chatbot

AI-based chatbot

• AI-based chatbots do not have any pre-saved questions and answers in their database, rather they answer with their intelligence. You can ask any question from them and get your answer.

• It learns according to user behaviour and questions asked by them and keeps on evolving itself very fast.

Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Tags: Sports Person in news

Recently Pakistan's wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

An overview of the news:

• Kamran Akmal decided to retire after being made a part of the national selection committee by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

• Akmal was recently appointed as the batting consultant for the Babar Azam-led side Peshawar Zalmi for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

International career:

• Akmal made his Test match debut against Zimbabwe in November 2002 and he also made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in November 2002.

• Akmal featured in 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20 Internationals for Pakistan.

• In Test matches, he has 2648 runs at an average of 30.79, including six centuries and 12 half-centuries.

• He has scored 3236 runs in ODIs at an average of 26.1 including five centuries and 10 half-centuries.

• He has 987 runs in T20 at a strike rate of 119.64.