DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Jan. 12, 2023

Central government extends term of RBI Deputy Governor Michael Patra for one year

Tags: Person in news

The Central Government has extended the tenure of Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra

The Central Government has extended the tenure of Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for one more year with effect from January 15, 2023.

An overview of the news

  • He took over as Deputy Governor of the RBI on 15 January 2020. Patra's three-year term ended on January 14. 

  • He was an Executive Director of India's central bank before being elevated to the post of Deputy Governor.

  • Patra oversees the monetary policy department in his capacity as deputy governor of the central bank and also serves as a member of the rate-setting monetary policy committee.

  • The six-member Monetary Policy Committee is headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

  • Apart from the Governor, RBI has four Deputy Governors. The three other deputy governors of the bank are MK Jain, M Rajeswara Rao and T Rabi Shankar.

  • As a Fellow of Harvard University, he did post-doctoral research in the area of financial stability, he has a PhD in Economics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.


Centre approved ₹2,600 crore as incentive for banks to promote digital payments

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

Centre approved ₹2,600 crore as incentive for banks to promote digital payments

The Union Cabinet on 11 January approved a ₹2,600 crore scheme for promoting RuPay debit cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions.

An overview of the news

  • Under the scheme, banks will be given financial incentives in the current financial year 2022-23 to promote 'Point of Sale' (PoS) i.e. payment machines and e-commerce transactions using RuPay and UPI.

  • The Cabinet has approved this incentive scheme to promote small amount transactions between individuals and merchants through RuPay Debit Cards and BHIM-UPI.

  • This will further strengthen India's progress in digital payments. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in the last budget, will continue to provide financial help to increase digital payments.

  • India has remained a cash-dependent economy since independence. India's Cash to GDP ratio is 13% while the global average is at most 8%.

Significance of the Incentive Scheme

  • The government had approved an incentive scheme in pursuance of the budget announcement for FY 2022 to promote digital transactions.

  • As a result, total digital payment transactions registered a year-on-year growth of 59 percent.

  • This increased from ₹5,554 crore in FY21 to ₹8,840 crore in FY22.

  • BHIM-UPI transactions registered a year-on-year growth of 106 per cent, from Rs 2,233 crore in FY21 to Rs 4,597 crore in FY22.

  • This incentive scheme will promote as a digital payment solution and enable further deepening of digital payments in the country.


Health Minister launches book titled 'Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story'

Tags: Books and Authors

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on 11 January, officially launched the book titled 'Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story' in New Delhi.

An overview of the news

  • The co-authors of the book are Ashish Chandorkar and Suraj Sudhir.

  • The release of the book follows the second anniversary of India's Covid-19 vaccination campaign in January 2021.

  • In this book, the inside story of India's fight against Corona and the challenges of making a vaccine in difficult circumstances is told.

  • The whole story from India's preparation to making it in the vaccine race has been told through words in this book.

  • India had established a Covid management model towards an exemplary vaccination with public participation.


Amit Shah released a book titled 'Revolutionaries - The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom'

Tags: Books and Authors

On 11 January 2023, Home Minister Amit Shah released a book titled 'Revolutionaries - The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom' at a function in New Delhi. This book contains the discussion of India's freedom struggle.

An Overview of the news

  • The author of this book is economist Sanjeev Sanyal, who is also a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.

  • Formerly a best selling author, Sanjeev Sanyal has served in the financial sector for almost two decades.

  • Sanjeev Sanyal has been the Global Strategic and Managing Director of Deutsche Bank till 2015.

Some popular books of 2022 and their authors

  • Fearless Governance - Kiran Bedi

  • Ambedkar: A Life Book - Shashi Tharoor

  • The Corbett Papers - Akshay Shah and Stephen Alter

  • Place Called Home - Preeti Shenoy

  • The Struggle for Police Reforms in India - Prakash Singh

  • Tomb And Sand - Geetanjali Shree

  • The Great Tech Game - Anirudh Suri


National road safety week

Tags: Important Days

National Road Safety Week is celebrated every year from 11 to 17 January by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

An overview of the news

  • The purpose of celebrating this week is to make people aware of road safety.

  • During National Road Safety Week, various organisations and groups come together to educate the public about the consequences of careless or reckless driving.

  • The National Road Safety Week was started in 1989.

  • The Central Government had approved the National Road Safety Policy on March 15, 2010, based on the recommendation of the Sundar Committee.

  • This year the theme of National Road Safety Week has not been announced. Last year its theme was 'Road Safety - Jeevan Raksha'.

Some initiatives taken by the Government of India for road safety

  • MoRTH participated in the '3rd High Level Global Conference on Road Safety to achieve the Global Goal 2030' held in Sweden in the year 2020 where a target was set to achieve zero road accident death in India by the year 2030.

  • The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 has been implemented under which penalties have been increased for traffic violations, faulty vehicles, juvenile driving etc.


National Youth Day

Tags: Important Days

National Youth Day

Every year January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day in India. The day is celebrated to mark the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.

An overview of the news

  • The theme of National Youth Day 2023 is "Developed Youth - Developed India".

  • The National Youth Festival was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12 in Hubli-Dharwad, Karnataka.

  • National Youth Festival is organised every year to inspire the talented youth of the country towards nation building as well as to provide the message of universal brotherhood of Indian culture at national and international level.

Background of the day

  • The announcement to celebrate National Youth Day was made by the Government of India in the year 1984.

  • The celebration of Youth Day in India was started in 1985.

International youth day

  • International Youth Day was started by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1999. For this, the United Nations General Assembly had passed resolution 54/120. 

  • International Youth Day was celebrated for the first time on August 12, 2000.

Swami Vivekananda

  • Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863 and his childhood name was Narendra Nath Dutt.

  • He was a chief disciple and monk of Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

  • He introduced the Indian philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world.

  • He earned global fame at the Chicago World Religion Conference in the year 1893 and it was only through this that Indian spirituality was propagated globally.

  • Vivekananda had established Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math.


CMPDIL Invents New Dust Control Technology

Tags: Environment Science and Technology

In order to minimize and control the fugitive dust in mining areas, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi has invented a “System and Method for Controlling Generation and Movement of Fugitive Dust ''.

An overview of the news

  • CMPDIL, Ranchi is a consultancy subsidiary of Coal India Limited.

  • It has obtained a patent for the invention in December, 2022 (Patent No. 416055).

  • This system can be used in mines, thermal power plants, railway sidings, ports, construction sites where coal or other mineral/fugitive material is stored under open sky.

About invention

  • The invention relates to the synchronized application of windbreak (WB) and vertical greenery system (VGS) for reducing generation and dispersion of fugitive dust. 

  • WB and VGS are positioned in the upwind and downwind directions with respect to the blown dust source, respectively.

  • WB reduces the speed of the oncoming wind towards the source and hence, reduces the intensity of the ambient air to pick up dust while it blows over the source.

  • The VGS acts as a filter and reduces the amount of residual dust moving towards the receptors in the downward direction along with the air.

  • Therefore, there is a significant reduction in the dust concentration in the ambient air at various receptors located in the down-wind direction.

What is Fugitive Dust?

  • Fugitive dust is a form of particulate matter that contributes to air pollution.

  • It refers to the dust particles which like to run in the air without a directed place.

  • It is produced from various sources that come in contact with the air.


Grand cultural program 'Sur Sarita-Symphony of Ganga' organised in Varanasi

Tags: National News

On the eve of the launch of the world's longest river cruise 'MV Ganga Vilas Cruise' on January 12, a grand cultural program 'Sur Sarita-Symphony of Ganga' was organised in Varanasi.

An overview of the news

  • Renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan led the grand concert being organised at the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

  • The nearly one-hour show ended with Shankar Mahadevan's rendition of 'Kartavya Ganga'.

  • During the concert, tourists and other dignitaries travelling on Ganga Vilas Cruise enjoyed the Sur Taranginis.

  • A grand cultural program 'Sur Sarita - Symphony of Ganga' was organized by the Ministry of Culture.

  • The world's longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13, in Varanasi.

  •  This luxury cruise over the coming 51 days will not only bring India's cruise tourism potential to the world but also showcase India's natural beauty, cultural heritage and spiritual splendour.

  • Ganga Vilas Cruise will cross Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bangladesh and Assam in a journey of 51 days.


Indian High Commission signs MoU to establish Hindi Chair at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Tags: International News

Indian High Commission signs MoU to establish Hindi Chair at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

After World Hindi Day, the Indian High Commission signed an MoU to establish a Hindi Chair at Sabaragamuwa University in Sri Lanka.

An overview of the news

  • High Commissioner Gopal Bagale and Vice-Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University Prof. Uday Ratnayake signed an MoU for establishment of Hindi Chair for cultural engagement through Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

  • The Hindi Chair will help to acquaint the students with India, its history and culture.

  • This will pave the way for popularising Hindi by appointing Indian faculties.

  • The Indian High Commissioner emphasised on sustainable use of resources by adopting innovative strategies in the event.

  • The Indian Mission will award a gold medal to the best-performing student of the Hindi Chair.

Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

  • It is a public university in Belihuloya, Balangoda, Sri Lanka.

  • It was established on 20 November 1991 and consists of nine faculties.


ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month for December 2022

Tags: Sports Sports News

On 11 January, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the ICC Player of the Month Awards for December 2022, with England's rising star batsman Harry Brook and Australia's Ashley Gardner winning the ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month awards respectively.

An Overview of the news

  • Two other contenders in the race for the Men's Player of the Month award for December 2022 were Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam and Australia's Travis Head, whom Brooke won the award.

Harry Brook's performance

  • The 23-year-old Brook scored 468 runs in three matches in the recently concluded Test series against Pakistan. England won the series 3–0 in which Brook made his important contribution.

Ashley Gardner's performance

  • Gardner won the award after his impressive individual performance in the series against India in December 2022. He received this award leaving behind Charlie Dean of England and Suzie Bates of New Zealand.

ICC Player of the Month' winners (October-December 2022)

Month        

Women's Winner

Men's Winner

October         

Nida Dar (Pakistan)

Virat Kohli (India)

November         

Sidra Amin (Pakistan)

Jos Buttler (England)

December         

Ashley Gardner (Aus)

Harry Brook (England)

ICC Awards of the Year:

The ICC Awards of the Year were started in the year 2004. In which the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year are given.


Tripura State Government launches "Saharsh" special education program

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Tripura State Government launches "Saharsh" special education program

The Tripura state government has launched "Saharsh" special education program to promote social and emotional learning.

An overview of the news

  • It was started as a pilot program in 40 schools in the state in August 2022, now it will be made available to all government and aided schools in the state.

  • Its objective is to enable children to study with joy and enthusiasm. 

  • As per the Performance Grading Index, Tripura currently comes under Grade-I group.

  • The state government has already trained 204 schools for the Saharsh curriculum while 200 more schools will be trained soon.

  • Thirty assistant principals from different districts of Tripura were also happily selected to act as implementation ambassadors.

About Tripura

  • Capital - Agartala

  • Governor - Satyadev Narayan Arya

  • Chief Minister - Manik Shah

  • State Bird - Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenia)

  • State Tree - Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis)

  • State Flower - Nageshwar (Mesua Feria)

  • Borders - Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam.


Kota tribe of the Nilgiris celebrated Aiyanoor Ammanoor festival

Tags: Festivals

'Ayyanur Ammanur' is a festival celebrated by the Kota tribe of the Nilgiris. It is celebrated for a week.

An overview of the news

  • During this festival, this tribe collects clay to make pottery. The pot-making ceremony is held once every two years.

  • After making an earthen pot, they open their temple and then prepare food in this earthen pot and serve it to the whole village.

  • After the worship in the temple is over, men and women in their traditional costumes perform different dances during the day and night.

Other major tribal festivals 

  • Medaram Jatra festival - It is the second largest fair in India celebrated for four days by the Koya tribe, the second largest tribal community of Telangana.

  • Bhagoria festival - This is a major tribal festival celebrated in Madhya Pradesh.

  • Mim Kut Festival - This festival is celebrated by the Kuki tribe of Mizoram.

  • Sarhul festival - This is the biggest nature festival celebrated by the tribal society. Which is celebrated in Jharkhand.


US to support restoration of Hyderabad's Paigah tombs

Tags: International News

Financial assistance of $250,000 (through the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation) will be provided by the US for the conservation and restoration of 6 Paigah tombs built in the 18th-19th centuries in Hyderabad.

An overview of the news

  • The project will be implemented by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

  • Paigah Tombs Complex is a protected complex of the Department of Archaeology, Government of Telangana. 

  • The Paigah Tomb (or Tomb Shams al-Umra) is a mausoleum belonging to the nobility of the Paigah family, who served the Nizam of Hyderabad (Asaf Jahi dynasty).

  • The construction of this mausoleum was started by Nawab Tegjung Bahadur in 1787 and later his son Amir-e-Kabir I helped in its construction.

  • It is also known for its architectural design. It is believed that the architectural style of the mausoleum is unique in the whole world.

  • The mausoleum is decorated with lime marble and shows a mixture of Greek, Persian, Mughal, Rajasthani, Asif Jahi and Deccani architecture.

  • The Paigahs were among the most influential and powerful families of Hyderabad in the 18th century. They were wealthier than most rulers, as well as responsible for the security and defence of the region.

  • The Paigahs claim to be descended from Hazrat Umar bin al-Khattab, the second Caliph of Islam.


Centre named new Integrated Food Security Scheme as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana

Tags: Government Schemes National News

The new integrated food security scheme has been named as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ((PMGKAY) to provide free food grains to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Primary Household (PHH) beneficiaries.

An overview of the news

  • Keeping in view the welfare of the beneficiaries and to maintain uniformity across states, all PHH and AAY beneficiaries will be provided free food grains under PMGKAY for 2023.

  • This integrated scheme will strengthen the provisions of NFSA, 2013 in terms of access, affordability and availability of food grains to the poor.

  • The implementation of this new scheme has started from January 1, 2023, which is benefiting more than 80 crore poor people.

  • The central government will spend over Rs 2 lakh crore in 2023 as food subsidy under NFSA and other welfare schemes to ease the financial burden of the poor.

PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ((PMGKAY)

  • It is a part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) to help the poor fight the battle against Covid-19.

  • Its nodal Ministry is the Ministry of Finance.

  • Under this scheme, the government provides additional free of cost 5 kg per person per month food-grains (rice/wheat) to around 80 crore beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (NFSA) including the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) beneficiaries. 

  • The PMGKAY has now been linked with One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan where migrant workers can get the benefit of the scheme through any ration shops in India.


13th India-US Trade Policy Forum

Tags: Economy/Finance International News

Piyush Goyal was on an official visit to New York and Washington DC from January 9-11 to participate in the India-US Trade Policy Forum.

An overview of the news

  • The 13th Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting was hosted by US Trade Representative Catherine Tai in Washington on 11 January.

  • Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the forum urged the US to expedite the issuance of business visas so that people can make short trips to pursue their trade and business interests.

  • After participating in the forum, he said that the issuance of business visas in India is taking a long time and needs to be expedited so that investments are not affected.

  • His visit included delegation-level talks and a meeting with US Trade Representative Ambassador Catherine Tai.

  • There is an increasing movement of professionals, students, skilled workers, investors and business travellers between the two countries.

  • According to the commerce ministry, in 2021-22, the bilateral trade between the US and India stood at USD 119.42 billion as against USD 80.51 billion in 2020-21.

About the India-US Trade Policy Forum

  • It is a platform for continued engagement between the two countries in the field of trade and to further enhance bilateral trade and investment ties.

  • The 12th TPF Ministerial Conference was held in New Delhi on 23 November 2021 after a gap of four years.


Global Tamil Angels Platform launched

Tags: Economics/Business

Global Tamil Angels Platform has been launched during the “Global Startup Investors Summit”.

  • The summit was co-organized by Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission and FeTNA International Tamil Entrepreneur Network.

  • Hosted by StartupTN, this platform allows Tamil Nadu based start-ups to connect with potential investors from the global Tamil diaspora.

  • How Global Tamil Angels Platform Works?

  • Start-ups can be started on the Global Tamil Angels platform by creating a profile and uploading basic information about the company, pitch deck, revenue model, traction goals.

  • After verification by StartupTN, the profiles will be published on the portal and visible to investors.

  • An American Tamil Fund (ATF) was also announced at the Global Startup Investors Summit. The ATF, which is made up of investors from the Tamil diaspora in the US, has pledged to invest Rs 16 crore (about $2.2 million) in Tamil Nadu start-ups before December 2023.

Please Rate this article, so that we can improve the quality for you -