DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: March 21, 2024

xAI releases Grok-1, AI chatbot as open source

Tags: Science and Technology

Grok-1 is an AI chatbot developed by xAI, a company founded by Elon Musk.

An Overview of the News

• xAI announced that Grok has been made open source, fulfilling a promise made by Musk.

• GROC-1, the base model, is a 314 billion parameter mixture-of-experts model trained from scratch.

• xAI released the base model weights and network architecture of Grok-1 on GitHub, promoting transparency and collaboration in AI development.

• Elon Musk aims to set an example by open-sourcing Grok.

• Open-sourcing Grok has a significant impact on the AI industry, encouraging knowledge sharing and fostering innovation.

• "Grok" was named for Robert A. Named after a word from Heinlein's science fiction novel "Stranger in a Strange Land", meaning to understand something deeply.

• Elon Musk, in addition to founding XAI, is known for his roles as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and his influence in the tech industry.

About Elon Reeve Musk

• Elon Reeve Musk, born on June 28, 1971, is a prominent businessman and investor.

• He holds various leadership positions in several high-profile companies:

  • Founder, chairman, CEO, and CTO of SpaceX.

  • Angel investor, CEO, product architect, and former chairman of Tesla, Inc.

  • Owner, executive chairman, and CTO of X Corp.

  • Founder of the Boring Company and xAI.

  • Co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI.

  • President of the Musk Foundation.

• Musk is recognized as one of the wealthiest individuals globally, with an estimated net worth of US$190 billion as of March 2024 according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and $195 billion according to Forbes.

• His wealth primarily stems from his ownership stakes in Tesla and SpaceX.

GRID-INDIA receives Miniratna Recognition

Tags: Economics/Business

Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) achieved Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) status.

An Overview of the News

• The Ministry of Power, Government of India grants Miniratna Category-I recognition to GRID-INDIA.

• This situation underlines the important role of GRID-INDIA in the country's power sector.

• This symbolizes GRID-INDIA's enhanced status as a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).

About GRID-INDIA

• Established in 2009, GRID-INDIA is tasked with overseeing the smooth functioning of the Indian power system.

• Its primary duties include ensuring efficient power transfer within and across regions, promoting international power exchanges, and emphasizing reliability, economy, and sustainability.

• GRID-INDIA also plays a role in promoting competitive and efficient wholesale electricity markets and administering settlement systems.

• It consists of five Regional Load Despatch Centers (RLDC) and a National Load Despatch Center (NLDC).

• GRID-INDIA manages the All India Synchronous Grid, one of the largest and most complex power systems in the world.

Knowledge-Driven Operation:

• GRID-INDIA functions as a knowledge-driven entity, committed to carrying out various functions mandated by the Government of India while adjusting to the emerging requirements of the power sector.

Principal Orders and Duties:

• GRID-INDIA's primary responsibilities include:

  • To oversee uninterrupted power system operations,

  • Facilitating efficient power transfer within and across regions,

  • enabling international electricity exchange,

  • Managing All India Synchronous Grid

  • Promoting competitive wholesale electricity markets

  • managing settlement systems

  • ensuring harmonious regional

  • National Electricity System Operation

Advanced Recognition:

• Receiving the Miniratna Category-I CPSE status from the Ministry of Power underlines the excellent performance, operational efficiency and strategic importance of GRID-INDIA in India's power landscape.

• This recognition empowers GRID-INDIA to further enhance operational autonomy, navigate emerging market dynamics and contribute significantly to India's energy security and sustainable development.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju takes charge as Food Processing Industries Minister

Tags: Person in news

President Draupadi Murmu on March 20 handed over the additional responsibility of Food Processing Industries Minister to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and this decision came after accepting the resignation of Pashupati Kumar Paras from the Union Council of Ministers.

An Overview of the News

• Pashupati Kumar Paras resigned after his party, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, was not included in the seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.

• The resignation was accepted under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution.

About Kiran Rijiju

• Kiren Rijiju, an Indian politician from Arunachal Pradesh, serves as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of India.

• He holds the portfolios of Earth Sciences and Food Processing Industries, assuming office in 2023 and 2024.

• Rijiju has represented the Arunachal West constituency in the Lok Sabha since 2014.

• Before his current tenure, he also served as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2009.

About Pashupati Kumar Paras

• Paras, an Indian politician, held the position of Minister of Food Processing Industries in the Government of India from 2021 until his resignation in 2024.

• He is currently serving as a Lok Sabha member representing Hajipur constituency since 2019.

• He previously served as the Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources in the Government of Bihar.

• Pashupati Kumar Paras is the younger brother of the late Ram Vilas Paswan.

• He also held the post of State President of Bihar unit of Lok Janshakti Party.

• In June 2021, he was elected as the national president of Lok Janshakti Party, replacing Chirag Kumar Paswan.

• Following factional disputes within the Lok Janshakti Party, he assumed the role of National President of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party in 2021.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - 21 March

Tags: Important Days

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed every year on 21 March.

An Overview of the News

• The theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2024 is "A Decade of Recognition, Justice and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent."

• The 2024 theme aligns with the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024), which recognizes the need to promote and protect the human rights of persons of African descent globally.

• Approximately 200 million people of African descent live in the Americas, with millions more living in other regions around the world.

Historical Background:

• The ritual originates from the tragic events of March 21, 1960, when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, shot 69 persons during a peaceful protest against the apartheid "pass laws".

• In 1979, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a program to combat racism and racial discrimination, instituting a week of solidarity with those fighting against racism, starting on March 21 every year.

International Legal Framework:

• The International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination serves as a global mechanism to combat racism, subject to near-universal ratification. However, additional efforts are necessary to eradicate racial discrimination around the world.

World Forestry Day - 21 March

Tags: Important Days

World Forestry Day is celebrated every year on 21 March to raise awareness about the vital role of forests and promote efforts for their conservation and sustainable management.

An Overview of the News

• The theme of World Forestry Day in 2024 is"Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World", which emphasizes the role of innovation and technology in forest conservation.

• The United Nations General Assembly established World Forestry Day in 2012 to highlight the importance of forests globally.

Important Functions of Forests:

• Forests perform various essential functions:

  • Soil stabilization, water retention, and environmental balance.

  • Provision of oxygen, medicinal resources, and biodiversity conservation.

Importance of Forests:

• Forests are important for:

  • Combating climate change as a carbon sink.

  • Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem health.

  • Providing clean air, water and supporting livelihoods globally.

Celebrating and Taking Action:

• Ways to participate and contribute include:

  • Supporting forest conservation organizations.

  • Reducing consumption of paper and wood products.

  • Engaging in tree planting activities.

  • To spread awareness about the importance and threats of forests.

Tamil Nadu Creates History with India's Second Privately Developed Rocket

Tags: Science and Technology

Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, one of Tamil Nadu's space companies, is preparing to launch its first rocket, Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD), from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

An Overview of the News

• Agnibaan SOrTeD marks India's inaugural launch from a private launchpad, marking a significant advancement in the country's space industry.

• The launch will also represent India's first rocket powered by a semi-cryogenic engine, showcasing advancements in propulsion technology.

Innovation with 3D Printed Engines:

• Agnikul Cosmos has achieved another milestone with the production of the world's first single-piece 3D-printed engine, highlighting indigenous innovation and engineering expertise.

Founders and Collaborative Efforts:

• Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM and Satya Chakraborty, Agnikul Cosmos Pvt Ltd became the first Indian company to collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under the IN-SPACe project.

• The partnership, launched in December 2020, provided Agnikul Cosmos with access to ISRO's resources and expertise, facilitating the development of Agnibaan.

Prior Achievements:

• India's journey into privately developed rockets began in 2022 with the launch of Vikram-S developed by Skyroot Aerospace Pvt Ltd.

• Vikram-S achieved a peak altitude of 89.5 kilometers during its initial mission, marking India's entry into the privately developed rocket market and boosting its aspirations in the private space sector.

About ISRO

Founder - Vikram Sarabhai

Headquarters - Bengaluru

Established - 15 August 1969

Chairman - Shridhar Somnath

Officeholder - S. Somnath 

Finland tops the happiness ranking for the seventh year, Afghanistan in last place

Tags: Reports INDEX

The World Happiness Report, conducted annually by the United Nations, rates countries based on a variety of factors including life satisfaction, GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption.

An Overview of the News

• Finland retained its title as the happiest country in 2024 for the seventh consecutive year, with other Nordic countries such as Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden also ranked in the top 10.

Situation in Afghanistan:

• Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country facing ongoing humanitarian crises since the resurgence of the Taliban in 2020.

Ranking changes:

• The United States and Germany fall out of the top 20 happiest countries, ranking 23rd and 24th, respectively, while Costa Rica and Kuwait enter the top 20.

India's ranking

• India has maintained its ranking at 126th in the happiness index.

Factors Contributing to Finland's Happiness:

• Finland's happiness is attributed to factors such as a strong connection to nature, a healthy work-life balance, an attainable sense of success, a strong welfare society, trust in state officials, low corruption levels, and accessible healthcare and education.

Top 10 happiest countries of 2024:

Election Commission Appoints Sanjay Mukherjee as new DGP of West Bengal

Tags: Person in news

The Election Commission of India appointed Sanjay Mukherjee as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, replacing Vivek Sahay.

An Overview of the News

• Mukherjee, a 1989 batch IPS officer, had earlier served as the chief of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) since November 2017.

• Before being promoted to the post of DGP, Mukherjee held the post of Director (Security) in the West Bengal Police, which was given the status of Additional Director General of Police (ADG).

Rajiv Kumar's reassignment:

• Rajeev Kumar took over the role of Director General of Police (DGP) in December last year.

• He has been re-appointed to the Information and Technology Department with changes in his responsibilities.

• Kumar's re-appointment follows his exclusion from active election management duties during previous electoral events, including the 2016 assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Election Commission's instructions:

• The Election Commission directed Chief Secretary BP Gopalika to transfer Rajiv Kumar to a role unrelated to elections.

• Kumar's reappointment coincided with the appointment of a junior officer as the temporary Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal.

Vaughan Gething elected the first black leader of a European country

Tags: Person in news International News

Vaughan Gething, the current Economic Minister of Wales, has been elected as the new leader of the Welsh Labor Party.

An Overview of the News

• Vaughan Gething has become the first black person to lead a European country.

Early Life :

• Gething was born in 1974 in Zambia.

• Despite relocating to England due to discrimination, he was educated at Aberystwyth and Cardiff universities.

• Gething worked as a trade union lawyer and became the first black president of both the Welsh Trades Union Congress and the Welsh National Union of Students.

Vaughan Gething's political journey:

• After joining the Welsh legislature in 2011, Gething became the first black minister in any of Britain's devolved countries in 2013.

• Notably, he served as Wales's Health Minister and later as its Economy Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Gething won a close election with 51.7% of the vote to become the new leader of Welsh Labour, following his recent tenure as Economy Minister.

About Wales:

• This country is a part of the United Kingdom.

• Located in the western part of Great Britain, Wales is bordered by:

  • Irish Sea to the north and west

  • England in the East

  • Bristol Channel to the south

  • Celtic Sea to the south-west

Capital - Cardiff

Official languages - Welsh, English

Currency - Pound Sterling

Poonawala Fincorp Appoints Arvind Kapil as New CEO

Tags: Person in news

Arvind Kapil has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Poonawalla Fincorp.

An Overview of the News

• Arvind Kapil has over 26 years of experience in the banking sector, most notably as the Country Head of Mortgage at HDFC Bank.

• Kapil holds a master's degree in management and engineering as well as advanced management programs from Harvard Business School and IIM Bangalore.

• Kapil's tenure as MD and CEO is effective for five years starting June 24, 2024, subject to shareholder approval.

• Current MD and CEO Abhay Bhutada will retire early from his post with effect from June 23, 2024. However, he will continue to be a non-executive director on the Poonawalla Fincorp board.

About Poonawala Fincorp

Parent Organization - Rising Sun Holdings Private Limited

Established - 1988

Headquarters - Pune

Chairman - Adar Poonawalla