DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: April 21, 2023

Exercise INIOCHOS-23

Tags: Defence International News

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, the air force of Greece.

An overview of the news

• The exercise will be conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece from 24 Apr 2023 to 4 May 2023. 

• The Indian Air Force will be participating with four Su-30 MKI and two C-17 aircraft.

• The exercise will be conducted in a realistic combat scenario involving a wide variety of air and surface assets.

• It will also enable participating parties to engage in professional interactions, providing valuable insight into each other's best practices.

Objective of Exercise INIOCHOS-23

• The exercise aims to enhance international cooperation, synergy and interoperability among the participating air forces.

About exercise INIOCHOS-23

• This exercise to be held at Greece's Andravida Air Base is considered to be Europe's biggest air exercise.

• Many countries like France, Italy are participating in this. The Indian Air Force will participate in this exercise for the first time.

• The exercise will see participation of air assets from countries like France, USA, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Jordan apart from India's Su-30MKIs.

PFC sanctions Rs 663 crore loan to Gensol Engineering for purchase of Electric Vehicles

Tags: Economy/Finance

Power Finance Corporation (PFC), a Maharatna company and NBFC in the Indian power sector has sanctioned a loan of Rs 633 crore to Gensol Engineering, for the purchase of 5000 passenger Electric Vehicles (EVs) and 1000 cargo EVs.

An overview of the news

• The passenger EVs will be leased to Blusmart Mobility Pvt Ltd (BMPL) to expand its fleet of ride-hailing cabs.

• The first tranche of the loan has been disbursed, and the first lot of EV cabs has hit the roads of Delhi.

• 5000 Passenger E4W (Electric Four-Wheelers) funded by PFC are being deployed in Delhi and will result in CO2 emission reduction.

• With a view to accelerate India's net-zero target, PFC is exploring opportunities in debt financing of EVs (OEMs and Fleet Acquisition), battery OEMs and EV charging infrastructure, apart from large scale renewable energy financing.

Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC)

• It plays an important role in the power sector and is responsible for electricity management.

• Established -in 1986

• It falls under the ownership of the Ministry of Power and has achieved the status of Maharatna from Navratna on 12th October 2021.

Wing Commander Deepika Misra becomes 1st woman IAF officer to get Gallantry Award

Tags: Awards

Wing Commander Deepika Mishra became the first woman officer of the Indian Air Force to receive a gallantry award on 20 April.

An overview of the news

• Wing Commander Mishra, a Rajasthan-based helicopter pilot, has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for "extraordinary courage" displayed during a flood relief operation in Madhya Pradesh.

• IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhary presented the Yudh Seva Medal at Vayu Sena Auditorium Subroto Park New Delhi.

• Two IAF officers were awarded Yudh Seva Medal, 13 officers, and air warriors received Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 13 officers Vayu Sena Medal and 30 Vishisht Seva Medal.

• A total of 58 persons, 57 from the IAF and one from the Army, received gallantry awards.

Air Force Commanders' Conference

Tags: Defence Summits

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on 20th April attended the Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan) in New Delhi.

An overview of the news

• The theme of this year's three-day conference, which began on April 19, is 'Beyond Boundaries: Robust Foundations'.

• Held every year, this conference discusses the progress made in the past year and for the future.

• The CDS highlighted the need to create a clear path towards fleet maintenance while taking steps towards increasing indigenization.

• He also discussed the modalities for increasing the integration between the three services and the benefits that would accrue from it.

Chief of Defence Staff - General Anil Chauhan

Chief of Indian Air Force -V. R. Chaudhari

Chief of Indian Army - General Manoj Pande

Chief of Indian Navy - Admiral R Hari Kumar

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh sign agreement to settle boundary dispute

Tags: State News

The governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have signed an agreement for the settlement of an inter-state boundary dispute between the two States on 21 April.

An overview of the news

• This agreement was signed by the Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

• The agreement between the two states will end the dispute over 123 villages along the border.

• The settlement has been done keeping in mind the historical perspective, demographic profile, administrative convenience, proximity to the border and aspirations of the residents.

• Both the state governments have agreed that this settlement will be final in respect of these disputed villages and in future neither state will make any new claim related to any area or village.

• After the agreement, a detailed survey will be conducted by the Survey of India to determine the boundaries of the two states.

What is Assam and Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute?

• Assam shares an interstate border of 804.10 km with Arunachal Pradesh.

• The state of Arunachal Pradesh, created in 1987, claims that some of its residents' land has been given to Assam.

• Arunachal Pradesh has raised concerns from time to time that several forest areas in the plains that traditionally belonged to hill tribal communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam.

• A tripartite committee recommended that some areas be transferred from Assam to Arunachal.

• Assam contested this and the matter is in the Supreme Court.

Hurun's Global Unicorn Index 2023

Tags: Reports INDEX

Hurun's Global Unicorn Index 2023 released on 18th April.

India in the report

• According to the report India continues to be the world's third-largest country with the highest number of unicorns, following the US and China.

• Ed-tech BYJU'S worth  $22 billion topped the list of Indian Unicorns, followed by on-demand delivery start-up Swiggy and fantasy sports platform travel- stay finder Dream11 ($8 billion each).

• BYJU'S is the only Indian Unicorn among the list of the top 10 biggest rises in valuation since pre-Covid.

• As per reports the number of Indian unicorns established outside India is more than the number of unicorns based within India.

• India has a total of 138 unicorns, out of which 70 were established by Indian co-founders but have their headquarters located outside India, while 68 are based in India.

Global Status

• The United States of America topped the index with 666 unicorns, up 179 compared to 2022, followed byChina in 2nd position with 316 unicorns (up 15). 

• In terms of unicorn investors, Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, and SoftBank are the top three, having invested in 238, 179, and 168 unicorn startups, respectively.

Top 5 countries with most Unicorns

1. USA (666)

2. China (316)

3. India (68)

4. UK (49)

5. Germany (36)

Top 5 Cities with Most Unicorns

1. San Francisco (USA) - 181

2. New York (USA) - 126

3. Beijing (China) - 79

4. Shanghai (China) - 66

5. London (UK) - 42

Shaili Singh qualifies for Asian Games

Tags: Sports Sports News

Shaili Singh won the women's long jump event at the Indian Grand Prix-4 held in Bengaluru on 19 April.

An overview of the news

• Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has congratulated Shaili on her victory.

• With a personal best of 6.76m, she is now the second highest long jumper in the history of India and has qualified for the Asian Games.

• Shelly became the second highest female long jumper after her idol and mentor Anju Bobby George.

• Shelly's win in Indian Grand Prix IV is a huge milestone and will have a significant impact on the future of Indian sports.

• Athlete Shelly has been training hard at NCOE Bangalore under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme and her dedication and commitment towards the sport is truly inspiring.

CSIR and OIL sign MoU

Tags: National News

CSIR and Oil India Ltd. (OIL) signed an MoU to collaborate on research in advanced technologies for energy security.

An Overview of the News 

• The MoU was signed by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Dr. Ranjit Rath, CMD, OIL.

• The objective of the MoU is to establish a formal framework for collaboration between OIL and CSIR laboratories and conduct research in advanced technologies for energy security.

• Both CSIR and OIL will work towards capacity building through training and skill development.

• OIL will consider providing CSR funding support to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, Aspirational Districts, Rural Development, Government Missions/Initiatives etc.

About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Founder - Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar

Establishment - 26 September 1942

President - Prime Minister of India

Director General - Dr. N. Kalaiselvi

Motto - CSIR-The Innovation Engine of India

Parent Organization - Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India

About Oil India Limited (OIL)

Established - 18 February 1959

Headquarters - Duliajan (Registered Office & Field Headquarters) & Noida (Corporate Office)

Chairman & MD - Dr. Ranjit Rath

Rowan Wilson Appointed As New York's First Black Chief Justice

Tags: Person in news International News

Rowan Wilson was appointed as the first black Chief Justice of New York on April 18, 2023 by the State Senate.

An Overview of the News 

• Wilson has been an Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals since 2017.

• Wilson's confirmation as the state's first black chief justice followed the resignation of Judge Janet DiFiore in August.

• Wilson's appointment comes two months after the initial nomination of Governor Cathy Hochul for the position was rejected by lawmakers.

• In 2014, Kathy Hochul was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York, serving alongside Governor Andrew Cuomo.

• After Cuomo's resignation in August 2021, Hochul became the governor of New York and became the first woman in the state's history to hold the office.

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.

Mayor - Eric Adams

Capital - Albany

AIIB to open its first overseas office in Abu Dhabi

Tags: Economy/Finance International News

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) signed an agreement to set up its first overseas office in Abu Dhabi Global Market.

An Overview of the News 

• The AIIB is a multilateral development bank that prioritises financing infrastructure projects focused on sustainability.

• The new foreign office in Abu Dhabi will support the AIIB's development agenda by funding sustainable economic development projects, primarily in areas where it is most needed.

• The strategic location of the office in the Middle East will enable AIIB to make a global impact in achieving its goals.

• AIIB was established in 2016 with a mission to promote sustainable economic growth, create wealth and improve infrastructure connectivity in Asia by investing in productive sectors.

• It is headquartered in Beijing, China and has over 100 member countries, including major economies such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia.

About United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Location: It is located in Western Asia.

• Geographical Boundaries: It shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.

• Maritime Borders: It also has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf.

• Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in the UAE, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslim.

Capital - Abu Dhabi

Official language - Arabic

Government - Federal Islamic parliamentary elective semi-constitutional monarchy

President/Crown Prince - Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Prime Minister - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Vice President - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan

NMC approves Nagaland to set up its first medical college

Tags: State News

The National Medical Commission (NMC) approved the setting up of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, which will become the first medical college in the northeastern state of Nagaland.

An Overview of the News 

• The academic session of the medical college will start from 2023-24.

• The medical college will have a capacity of 100 seats for MBBS students and 85 seats will be reserved for Nagaland origin students, while the remaining 15 seats will be open for applicants from other states.

• Minister of Health and Family Welfare - P. Paiwang Konyak

• Health and Family Welfare Commissioner and Secretary - Y Kikheto Sema

About Nagaland

• Nagaland is a state located in Northeast India, bordering Myanmar.

• Formation - 1 December 1963

• Capital - Kohima (Executive Branch)

• Language - English

• River - Longleng, Peren, Varkha, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Phek, Zunheboto, Kohima, Mon, Tuensang

• Festivals - Hornbill Festival, The Motsu Mong Festival

• National Park - Intanki National Park

• Wildlife Sanctuaries - Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puli Baij Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Reserve Forest

Chief Minister - Neiphiu Rio

Governor - La Ganesan

Official Bird - Blyth's Tragopan

Official Animal - Gayal

Official Flower - Rhododendron Arboreum

Legislative Assembly - 60 seats

Rajya Sabha - 1 seat

Lok Sabha - 1 seat

Largest city - Dimapur

District - 16

Miguel Diaz-Canel re-elected as the President of the Republic of Cuba

Tags: Person in news International News

Miguel Díaz-Canel has been re-elected as President of the Republic of Cuba for a second five-year term on April 19, 2023 by the National Assembly of the People's Power.

An Overview of the News 

• Salvador Valdés Mesa has also been re-elected as Vice President.

• Díaz-Canel received 97.66% of the vote, while Valdés Mesa received 93.4%.

• The leadership body of the National Assembly was re-elected by parliamentarians.

• Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, Ana María Mari Machado and Homero Acosta Álvarez were re-elected as President, Vice President and Secretary of the National Assembly, respectively.

• The deputies also elected 18 members to the Council of State, including eight re-elections and ten new appointments.

About Cuba

President - Miguel Diaz-Canel

Capital - Havana

Currency - Cuban peso

Prime Minister - Manuel Marrero Cruz

Official language - Spanish

Construction of multi-purpose indoor stadium started in Shillong

Tags: Sports State News Sports News

Presently the construction of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo in Shillong started and it is the largest stadium of its kind in the North Eastern region.

An Overview of the News 

• It will be a multi-purpose indoor stadium which will provide state-of-the-art facilities for various disciplines such as basketball, squash, badminton, table tennis, volleyball and many more.

• The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo Ground in Shillong is being renovated, upgraded and expanded to include a football field with natural grass turf and a state-of-the-art facility to host track and field events.

• The stadium is being constructed to high-quality standards, ensuring it will be fit to host international sporting events.

About Meghalaya

• It is a state located in Northeast India.

• It was formed on January 21, 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.

• Shillong is the capital and largest city of Meghalaya.

• Meghalaya is home to several indigenous tribes including the Khasis, Garos and Jaintias, each with their own distinct culture, traditions and languages.

Governor - Fagu Chauhan

Chief Minister - Conrad Sangma (NPP)

Official language - English

Legislative Assembly - Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (60 seats)

Rajya Sabha - 1 seat

Lok Sabha - 2 seats

Lake - Umiam Lake

River - Kopili

Festival - Nongkrem Dance, Wangala Festival, Ahiya

National Parks - Balpakram National Park, Nokrek National Park

Wildlife Sanctuaries - Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Siju Bird Sanctuary

Civil Services Day: 21 April

Tags: Important Days

Every year, on 21st April, National Civil Services Day is celebrated in India as a mark of appreciation to all the officers engaged in various public departments of the country, who work tirelessly to run the administrative machinery of India.

An Overview of the News

• The theme of Civil Services Day for the year 2023 is Viksit Bharat aimed at 'Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile'.

• The theme underlines the resolve and unwavering commitment of the government to achieve a more equitable and prosperous India for all its citizens by engaging in inclusive growth.

• The purpose of Civil Services Day is to remind civil servants to work cooperatively and prioritise the welfare of citizens while managing government affairs.

• The Central Government of India uses this day to evaluate the performance of various civil service departments, to recognize and reward best performers and organisations, and to honour the efforts of civil service employees.

• On this day, the Indian Prime Minister honours civil servants of both the central and state governments for their outstanding contribution to public administration.

• The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions organises the event in association with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

• Civil Services Day is an occasion to reflect on the progress made by civil servants in shaping India's development.

History of National Civil Service Day

• The term "civil service" originated during the British era, and referred to employees of the British East India Company who held administrative positions.

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was the first Home Minister of India after independence, addressed the Administrative Service Officer Probationers on April 21, 1947 at Metcalfe House in Delhi. Hence, this date was chosen to celebrate Civil Services Day.

• The first event was organised on 21 April 2006 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi and since then 21 April is celebrated as National Civil Service Day.

Innovator Sonam Wangchuk conferred with prestigious Santokba Humanitarian Award

Tags: Awards

The prestigious Santokba Humanitarian Award was presented to Sonam Wangchuk, a notable engineer, innovator, educationist, sustainable development reformist, and founder-director of the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL).

An Overview of the news 

• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 crore and has been instituted in the memory of Late Santokba Dholakia, mother of SRK and SRKKF founder president Govind Dholakia.

• The award was presented to Wangchuk by the First Lady of Ladakh Mrs. Neelam Mishra and Mr. Rahul Dholakia, Entrepreneur- SRK.

• The award ceremony was held at Hotel Zen in Ladakh on April 10, 2023, the death anniversary of Santokba.

• Wangchuk is the inventor of the Ice Stupa technique which creates artificial glaciers used to store winter water in the form of cone-shaped ice piles and solve the water crisis in Ladakh.

• The SECMOL campus, designed by Wangchuk, runs on solar power and does not use fossil fuels for cooking, lighting or heating.

• Past award recipients include Ratan Tata, Kailash Satyarthi, A.S. Kiran Kumar, and Sudha Murthy.