DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: March 20, 2023

SC asks to file counter-affidavit to plea to protect Western Ghats

Tags: National National News

The Supreme Court on March 18 directed the Environment Ministry to file its counter affidavit on the petition filed by minor M Kavya, a resident of Nilgiris.

An overview of the news

• The petition sought judicial intervention to save the Western Ghats from destruction.

• The petition is pending for the last two years after the apex court issued notice in 2020.

About Western Ghats

• The Western Ghats are also known as the Sahyadri Hills.

• It is a mountain range that covers an area of 160,000 km2.

• The entire range of hills from Tapi to Kanyakumari is known as the Western Ghats. 

• The Western Ghats is one of the four global biodiversity hotspots in India.

• The Western Ghats are made up of a range of mountains in the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

• It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Anamudi peak in Kerala is the highest peak in the Western Ghats.

• According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas.

Women and Men in India 2022 report

Tags: Reports

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the “Women and Men in India 2022” report on 15 March.

Findings of the Report

Sex Ratio

• The sex ratio at birth increased by three points from 904 in 2017-19 to 907 in 2018-20.

• India's sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) is expected to be 952 by 2036, up from 943 in 2011.

Population Growth

• Population growth, which fell from 2.2% in 1971 to 1.1% in 2021, is projected to decline to 0.58% in 2036.

Labor force Participation

• India's labor force participation rate for those over the age of 15 has been increasing since 2017–2018. Although women are far behind men.

• In 2021-22, the rate was 77.2 for men and 32.8 for women, with no improvement in this disparity.

Age of Sex Structure

• India's age and sex composition is expected to see a decline in the population under the age of 15 and an increase in the population over the age of 60 by 2036.

Fertility Rate

• The fertility rates for the age groups 20-24 years and 25-29 years declined from 135.4 and 166.0 to 113.6 and 139.6, respectively, between 2016 and 2020.

• This is likely due to economic independence from getting a proper education and securing a job.

• The same indicator for the 35-39 year age group increased from 32.7 in 2016 to 35.6 in 2020.

Luxor signs Virat Kohli as its new brand ambassador

Tags: Person in news

Stationery manufacturer Luxor Writing Instruments Pvt Ltd has appointed renowned cricketer Virat Kohli as its latest brand ambassador.

news overview

• Kohli will represent Luxor's stationery products and help the company increase its appeal among young writers, thereby enhancing its position as the leading writing instrument provider in the country.

• It is aimed specifically at establishing Luxor as a leading stationery brand in India and increasing the appeal of Luxor's stationery brand among the youth market.

• Indian stationery brand Luxor has partnered with Schneider Pens of Germany to introduce a premium range of creative writing instruments in India.

About Luxor International Private Limited

Establishment - 1963

Headquarters - Noida

Managing Director - Pooja Jain Gupta

About schneider pens

Establishment -1938

Founder -Christian Schneider

World Oral Health Day: 20 March

Tags: Important Days

World Oral Health Day is observed globally on 20 March every year to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

An Overview of the News

• It aims to encourage and sensitise individuals to adopt good oral hygiene practices, take care of their teeth and learn how to prevent dental problems.

• The theme of 2023 is 'Be Proud of Your Mouth', this theme has been used for the last three years and this campaign was started in 2021 by FDI.

• According to a WHO Global Oral Health report, 514 million children in the world suffer from caries in primary teeth and about 75% of the population suffers from permanent tooth decay.

About the World Dental Federation

• Establishment - 15 August 1900

• Chairman - Ihsen Ben Yahya

Global Conference on Digital Health organised by Government of India in New Delhi

Tags: National National News

The Government of India hosted a two-day Global Conference on Digital Health in New Delhi and it was chaired by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

An Overview of the News 

• The objective of the conference is to reach universal health coverage to the last citizen by taking advantage of India's chairmanship of G20 and collaboration with WHO South-East Asia Regional Office.

• The conference will bring together global leaders, health policy makers, digital health innovators and influencers, academics and other stakeholders to address issues to accelerate the implementation of connected digital health initiatives.

• The conference focuses on unlocking the potential to deliver and share digital health solutions in an ethical, safe, secure, reliable, equitable and sustainable manner.

• The conference is expected to make a significant contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, especially SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people at all ages.

About the G20

• It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.

• Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.

The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.

4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and Maldives held in Male

Tags: International Relations International News

India and Maldives held the 4th Defense Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) in Male on March 19, 2023.

An overview of the news

• The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Maldivian counterpart, Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal.

• During the talks, the ongoing bilateral defense cooperation activities were reviewed.

• The talks covered existing bilateral exercises, with both countries agreeing to increase the complexity of these exercises.

• There is bilateral cooperation between the armed forces of India and Maldives in a number of fields, a positive sign for the future of bilateral relations.

About Defense Cooperation Dialogue (DCD)

• The Defense Cooperation Dialogue is the highest institutionalized interactive mechanism between the two countries.

• The Dialogue is one of India’s policy-level frameworks that aim to strengthen long-standing and mutually beneficial bilateral defence ties.

• The first Defense Cooperation Dialogue was held in 2016 and the second in 2019.

• Since 1988, defense and security have been a major area of cooperation between India and Maldives.

• In 2016, the two countries signed a comprehensive action plan to strengthen defense partnership.

About Maldives

• It is also called Maldives Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.

• It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.

• Basis of economy -fisheries, tourism

• Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.

• Capital -Male

• President -Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

• Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)

• Official Religion - Islam

• Currency - Rufiyaa

UAE’s Emaar first overseas company to start a mega-mall project in Kashmir

Tags: Economy/Finance State News

Emaar, a Dubai-based real estate developer, has become the first foreign company to invest in a mega-mall spread over one million square feet in Srinagar.

An overview of the news

• Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on 19 March laid the foundation stone of the mega Mall of Srinagar to be built by Dubai’s Emaar Group at Sempora area of the city. 

• The project will have a transformative impact on the Union Territory and will boost infrastructure and employment generation.

• Emaar Group will invest a total of ₹500 crore, including ₹250 crore for the mega-mall and setting up IT towers in Jammu and Srinagar.

• This mega-mall is the first significant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Jammu and Kashmir.

• The mall, a joint venture between Emaar and Delhi-based real estate firm Magna Waves Buildtech, is likely to be operational by 2026.

Asia's largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar, J&K now open for public

Tags: State News

Asia's largest Tulip Garden opened for the public in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the inauguration ceremony of this garden.

An Overview of the News 

• There are 1.6 million tulip flowers in the garden and it is a mesmerising sight to behold.

• Last year, an unprecedented 3.60 lakh tourists visited the Tulip Garden.

• Tulip Garden is a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir and attracts tourists from all over the world.

About Jammu and Kashmir

• Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India until August 2019, which was bifurcated to form two union territories namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on 31 August 2019.

Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)

Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha

Legislative Council - 36 seats

Legislative Assembly - 89 seats

Nagpur hosts preparatory meeting for Civil 20 under India's G20 Presidency

Tags: National National News

The C-20 is an engagement group working under the G-20 Secretariat that provides a platform for civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations to air their concerns and brainstorm on various issues.

An Overview of the News 

• The two-day meeting was inaugurated at Radisson Blu Hotel in Nagpur under the chairmanship of Mata Amritanandamayi and in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

• In the Inception meeting, 14 different topics prepared for C-20 were discussed.

• Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari participated in the closing ceremony of the meeting on 21 March.

About C20

• Civil 20 (C20) is an engagement group of the G20 representing civil society organisations (CSOs).

• C20 aims to promote policies that promote social and economic justice, human rights and environmental sustainability.

• Key issues that the C20 focuses on include poverty alleviation, gender equality, climate change and global health.

• The C20 organises an annual summit that brings together CSO representatives from around the world to discuss key policy issues and present their recommendations to the G20 leaders.

About the G20

• The G20 is an international forum consisting of 19 countries and the European Union, with a focus on promoting international financial stability, sustainable economic growth and global cooperation on key issues.

• Originally established in 1999 as a forum for finance ministers and central bank governors, the G20 became a leaders' summit in 2008, with annual meetings to discuss a wide range of major global issues of state and government. participate in.

• The mission of the G20 is to focus on issues such as trade, investment, financial regulation, employment, energy, climate change, and global health.

Lalit Kumar Gupta appointed as CMD of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)

Tags: Person in news

Lalit Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Gupta as the CMD of CCI.

• CCI is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles.

• Gupta's tenure as CMD will be for five years or till his superannuation or until further orders, whichever comes first.

About Lalit Kumar Gupta

• He is currently holding the position of Director (Finance) in Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).

• Lalit Kumar Gupta is a Chartered Accountant (CA) certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

• He is also a member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).

About Cotton Corporation of India

Establishment - 1970

Headquarters -Mumbai

India ranks 13th in Global Terrorism Index and Afghanistan tops

Tags: INDEX

According to the 10th Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report, Afghanistan has remained the most affected country by terrorism for the fourth consecutive year while India is ranked 13th in this index.

An Overview of the News

• The GTI report lists India among countries with a "high" impact of terrorism.

• According to the report, India is among the 25 worst terrorism affected countries in the world.

• The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has been listed as the 12th deadliest terrorist group in the GTI reportfor the year 2022.

• The report surveyed 120 countries, of which 56 did not choose war and terror as the biggest threat to their daily security.

• The Global Terrorism Index is prepared by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

• The Global Terrorism Index ranks 163 countries on four indicators over five years and has four factors - the number of deaths caused by terrorists per year, the number of terrorist incidents per year, the number of injuries caused by terrorists per year, and Total property damage caused by terrorism per year.

• GTI is a report based on data collected from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD).

• The GTD is collected by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland.

International Day of Happiness: 20 March

Tags: Important Days

International Day of Happiness is celebrated as an annual festival on 20 March. It aims to emphasise the importance of happiness and the overall well-being of individuals.

An Overview of the News

• The theme for International Day of Happiness 2023 is “Be Mindful, Be Grateful, Be Kind”.

• The United Nations General Assembly, through its resolution 66/281 on 12 July 2012, declared 20 March as the International Day of Happiness.

• The United Nations started the event in 2013 as one way to mark the occasion is by sharing heartfelt greetings and quotes with loved ones, to inspire them to embrace happiness.

• The International Day of Happiness event had its first celebration in 2013 and has since served as a means to acknowledge the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.

About the United Nations General Assembly

President of the 77th session - H.E. saba korosi

Headquarters – New York, United States

Matua mela is being organised in West Bengal

Tags: Festivals State News

The Matua Mela is being organized in West Bengal to commemorate the 212th birth anniversary of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur, the founder of the Matua sect.

About Matua Maha Mela

• West Bengal is hosting the Matua Maha Mela 2023 from March 19 to March 25.

• This Mela is being organized by All India Matua Federation.

• It is being organized at Shridham Thakurnagar, Thakurbari in North 24 Parganas of West Bengal.

• The occasion offers the chance for the Matua community to get together, take part in religious rituals, and honour their spiritual elders.

• The occasion provides an important opportunity to this community to highlight their customs and cultural heritage.

Matua Community

• The Matua community has a sizeable population in both West Bengal and Bangladesh.

• The Matua sect was founded by Sri Sri Harichand Thakur in the nineteenth century.

• Over the years the Matua community has faced many hardships including marginalization and prejudice.

• The community has persevered in keeping alive its unique cultural heritage and traditions.

• After the formation of Bangladesh, their large population migrated to India.

• Many people of the community are yet to obtain Indian citizenship.

Women and Child Development Ministry to celebrate the 5th Poshan Pakhwada

Tags: National National News

The 5th Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development from March 20 to April 3, 2023, with several events across the country.

An overview of the news

• The 5th Poshan Pakhwada is being celebrated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to promote good eating habits and focus on the value of nutrition through mass movement and public participation.

• Thetheme of Poshan Pakhwada 2023 is -Nutrition for All: Together Towards a Healthy India.

• During Poshan Pakhwada, campaigns will be launched to raise awareness and popularize efficient Anganwadis with advanced infrastructure and facilities.

• This year, Poshan Pakhwada will concentrate on promoting "Shree Anna: the mother of all grains", as a useful tool to combat malnutrition, in light of the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

About Poshan Pakhwada

• Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated for 15 days in March.

• Similarly, the month of September is known as National Nutrition Month across the country.

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development will be the nodal ministry for organizing programs during Poshan Pakhwada.