DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: April 14, 2023

IAF to participate in multilateral international air exercise ORION in France

Tags: Defence

• 
  
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) arrived at the Air Force Base Station of the French Air and Space Force (FASF) in Mont de Marsan, France to participate in the Orion exercise.

An Overview of the News:

• The ORION exercise program is being conducted from 17 April to 05 May 2023.
• The IAF contingent for the exercise includes four Rafale aircraft, two C-17 and two ll-78 aircraft and 165 airmen.
• This will be the first overseas exercise for the Rafale aircraft inducted into the IAF.

Participant countries in the Orion exercise:

• Apart from IAF and French Air and Space Force, air forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and USA are also participating in the exercise.
• The participation during this exercise will further enrich the working style of IAF with air forces of other countries.
• The exercise is the largest ever multinational exercise of the French Defense Forces, involving their Army, Navy and Air Force along with their main partner countries.

France:

• Capital: Paris
• Currency: Euro
• President: Emmanuel Macron

132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar: 14 April

Tags: Person in news

The 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is observed as Ambedkar Jayanti in India on April 14, 2023.

An Overview of the News

• Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist and social reformer.
• He was the first Law and Justice Minister of independent India and the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
• He was born in 1891 in a Dalit family.
• He received several degrees, including a PhD in economics, from Columbia University in New York City.
• She dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of oppressed and marginalised communities, including Dalits, women and labourers.
• Ambedkar played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution and was a strong advocate of social justice, equality and democracy.
• Dr. Ambedkar passed away in 1956.

Some of his notable books:

• Annihilation of Caste
• Buddha and his Dhamma
• Who were the Shudras?
• Reflections on Linguistic States
• Partition of Pakistan or India
• Castes in India: Their System, Origin and Development
• Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India
• Riddles in Hinduism
• Untouchables: Who were they and why did they become untouchables?

Baisakhi and Bohag Bihu harvest festival: 14 April

Tags: Festivals

Baisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated in the Punjab and Haryana regions of India and Bohag Bihu is a harvest festival of Assam.

An Overview of the News

Baisakhi:

• It marks the harvest season and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.
• Baisakhi also commemorates the formation of the Khalsa sect of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
• The festival holds great religious significance for the Sikh community, who celebrate the day with great enthusiasm and devotion.
• Sikhs visit Gurdwaras, offer prayers and participate in processions.

Bohag Bihu:

• Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu, is a harvest festival of Assam.
• Celebrated in mid-April, it marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
• The festival is celebrated with cultural programmes, traditional dances and feasts.

Other Harvest or New Year Festivals in India:

• Pohela Boishakh - West Bengal
• Pana Sankranti - in Odisha
• Puthandu - Tamil Nadu
• Vishu - Kerala

IMF/World Bank high-level meeting on Sri Lankan debt issue

Tags: Summits

The Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 14 April 2023 in Washington D.C. Participated in a high-level meeting on the Sri Lankan debt issue during the Spring Conferences of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank.

An Overview of the News:

• The meeting was attended by Japanese Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi, French Treasury Department Director General Emmanuel Molin and Sri Lankan Minister of State for Finance Shehan Semasingha.
• Sri Lankan President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesingha participated in the meeting through virtual medium.
• Objective of the meeting: To bring multilateral cooperation regarding the debt restructuring process in respect of the debtor countries including Sri Lanka.
• In this meeting, the ministers announced the launch of Sri Lanka's debt restructuring negotiation process.
• Three countries India, Japan and France have been made co-chairs to lead the coordination of debt restructuring in Sri Lanka.

International Monetary Fund (IMF):

• Establishment: 1944 (Formally came into existence in December 1945)
• Members: 190 (India joined the IMF on December 27, 1945)
• Headquarters: Washington DC

World Bank:

• Establishment: 1944 (Founded as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) together with the IMF, later the IBRD became the World Bank).
• Headquarters: Washington DC
• Members: 189

SCO Millets Food Festival 2023 organized in Mumbai

Tags: Festivals

The Union Ministry of Tourism is organizing the fourth and final event of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Millets Food Festival at Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai from 13 to 19 April 2023.

An Overview of the News:

• In this Millets Food Festival, chefs from SCO member countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia) will participate in the nine-day event.
• The Taj Mahal Palace will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Millets Food Festival to mark the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023).
• The SCO Millets Food Festival will be open to the public for lunch and dinner from April 14 to 19 at Shamiana Restaurant, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai.
• India is chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the year 2023.

SCO Tourism Mart:

• The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has successfully completed the organization of SCO Tourism Mart from 9th to 11th February 2023.
• SCO Expert Level Tourism Working Group meeting and SCO Tourism Ministers meeting held from 13 to 18 March 2023 in Kashi (Varanasi).

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

• It is an intergovernmental organization consisting of eight member states, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, four observer states, and fourteen "dialogue partner" states.

New York City Appoints Its First "Rat Czar"

Tags: Person in news

New York City appointed Kathleen Corradi as its inaugural "Rat Czar" to tackle the city's serious rodent issue.

An Overview of the News

• Koradi was given the responsibility of reducing the rat population and creating a clean environment for the residents.
• The Adams administration is dedicating $3.5 million to the Harlem Rat Mitigation Zone, a new initiative to ramp up rat control measures throughout Harlem.

About New York

• It is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the state of New York and it is the most populous city in the United States.
• The city is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.
• The city is divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, each with its own unique character and charm.

Kumar Mangalam Birla honoured with 'Business Leader of the Decade'

Tags: Awards

Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla was honoured with the 'Business Leader of the Decade Award' at the 13th Management India Awards ceremony organised by the All India Management Association (AIMA).

An Overview of the News

• The award was presented to him in recognition of his contribution to Indian industry, especially in strengthening the operations of the Aditya Birla Group, and his leadership over the last ten years.
• Tata's T Viren was also presented with the Workman- J Worker Partnership Award at the ceremony and ABB India won the 'MNC in India of the Year' award.
• Rahul Kanwal, News Director of India Today and Aaj Tak and Executive Director of Business Today, received the 'Outstanding Contribution to Media' award at the same event.
• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which operates the retail payment and settlement system in India, was awarded the 'Outstanding PSU of the Year' award.

About AIMA

• It is a non-profit organisation that focuses on improving management skills and practices in India.
• The organisation provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing and career development for professionals in the field of management.
• AIMA conducts research, training and consultancy services to enhance the quality of management education and practices in the country.
• The organisation was established in 1957 and since then it has become one of the leading management associations in India.
• AIMA's initiatives include conducting management events, publishing a management journal and offering certification programs for management professionals.
• AIMA collaborates with various national and international organisations to exchange ideas and promote best practices in the field of management.

Two-day SCO Young Writers' Conference concludes in New Delhi

Tags: Summits

A two-day (April 12-13) Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Young Writers' Conference on the theme "Civilizational Dialogue among SCO Member States" with representatives of SCO member states concluded on April 13, 2023 at The Leela Palace, New Delhi.

An Overview of the News:

• Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, presided as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the SCO Young Writers' Conference on 13 April.
• It was organized by the Ministry of Education at The Leela Palace, New Delhi with National Book Trust as the implementing agency.

Theme:

• "Civilizational Dialogue among SCO Member States".

Main Session of SCO Youth Summit:

• The SCO Youth Conference was organized in six sessions focusing on history and philosophy, economy, religion, culture, literature and science and medicine respectively.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO):

• Establishment: 2001
• Official languages: Russian and Chinese.
• Secretariat: Beijing.
• Executive Committee of the regional anti-terrorist structure in Tashkent.
• Chairmanship: It is done after one year through rotation by the member countries.
• Origin: Prior to the formation of the SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.
• Members: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. 

Piyush Goyal's two-day visit to Italy

Tags: International Relations

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was visiting Rome on 12 April 2023 on a two-day visit to Italy.

An Overview of the News:

• Shri Goyal met Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Italy to review all aspects of bilateral trade and economic relations.
• Both the Ministers exchanged views on leveraging the India-Italy trade and economic partnership for development in various sectors.
• After the state visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to India on 2 March 2023, efforts were made to elevate the bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.

Suggestion for formation of Joint Working Group:

• Tajani suggested setting up of a joint working group in strategic areas such as space, technology, defence, agriculture etc. to keep abreast of important developments in these areas.

Bilateral trade with Italy:

• Bilateral trade between India and Italy to be around US$ 16 billion in 2022.
• Shri Goyal briefed about the progress made in India-EU FTA negotiations. Both the Ministers underlined the importance of a free, balanced and fair Free Trade Agreement and hoped that it would be concluded soon.

Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) in Rome:

• The two leaders also agreed to hold the next session of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) in Rome in the last week of September 2023.

Italy:

• Capital: Rome
• Currency: Euro
• President: Sergio Mattarella
• Prime Minister: Georgia Meloni

World Chagas Disease Day: 14 April

Tags: Important Days

World Chagas Disease Day is observed every year on 14 April to raise awareness about the deadly disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite.

An Overview of the News

• The theme for World Chagas Disease Day 2023 is "Time to integrate Chagas disease into primary health care" to encourage universal care and surveillance at the most decentralised level of the health system.
• The disease is commonly known as American trypanosomiasis, the silent disease and mainly affects people living in rural areas with poor sanitary conditions, especially those who are poor.
• In humans, the disease is transmitted by the triatomine bug, commonly known as the kissing bug.
• Without treatment, Chagas disease can cause severe heart and digestive changes and can be fatal.
• Chagas disease can be transmitted to humans through various means such as consumption of contaminated food, blood transfusions, or contact with infected wild animals.

Aman Sehrawat won gold medal in Asian Wrestling Championship 2023

Tags: State News

On 13 April, Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat won the gold medal in the men's 57 kg freestyle category at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2023 held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

An Overview of the News

• Sehrawat won the gold medal by defeating Almaz Samanbekov of Kyrgyzstan with a score of 9-4.
• India got its first gold medal in the Asian Wrestling Championship 2023.
• It was Aman Sehrawat's second podium finish of the year. He had earlier won the gold medal in the Under-23 World Championship held in Spain last year.
• India won 13 medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2023 with two freestyle medals, four Greco-Roman medals and seven women's wrestling medals.
• The Asian Wrestling Championships is an annual wrestling competition organised by the Asian Wrestling Federation (AWF).
• The championships consist of men's freestyle, men's Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling events.
• The first Asian Wrestling Championship was held in 1979 in Tehran, Iran.

About Kazakhstan:

• It is a Central Asian country that was once a part of the Soviet Union. It became an independent nation in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• The country is the ninth largest country in the world by land area, stretching from the Caspian Sea in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east.
• The capital of Kazakhstan is Nur-Sultan, which was renamed from Astana in 2019. It is a modern city known for its futuristic architecture.
• Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and an important cultural and economic centre. It was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997 when the government was moved to Astana.

Indian wrestler Nisha Dahiya won silver medal in Asian Wrestling Championship

Tags: Sports News

Indian wrestler Nisha Dahiya won the silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships on April 13, 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan. 

An Overview of the News

• In the women's 68 kg category, Nisha lost the final match to Japan's Ami Ishii by a scoreline of 10-0.
• Nisha defeated Feng Zhou of China by a score of 7-6 in the semi-finals.
• Indian wrestler, Priya Malik won the bronze medal in the 76 kg category of the tournament against Japan's Mizuki Nagashima in the repechage round.
• The Asian Wrestling Championships is an annual wrestling competition organised by the Asian Wrestling Federation (AWF).
• The championships consist of men's freestyle, men's Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling events.
• The first Asian Wrestling Championship was held in 1979 in Tehran, Iran.

About Kazakhstan: 

• It is a Central Asian country that was once a part of the Soviet Union. It became an independent nation in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• The country is the ninth largest country in the world by land area, stretching from the Caspian Sea in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east.
• The capital of Kazakhstan is Nur-Sultan, which was renamed from Astana in 2019. It is a modern city known for its futuristic architecture.
• Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and an important cultural and economic centre. It was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997 when the government was moved to Astana.