Daily GK Update- 17th Apr, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. WPI inflation eases to a 29-month low of 1.34% in March 2023: According to the government data, India's annual Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation has declined to a 29-month low of 1.34% in March 2023, as input prices continued to moderate. This is the 10th straight month of decline in WPI-based inflation. The WPI inflation data was 3.85% in February, 4.73% in January 2023, and 14.63% in March 2022. While the food index inflation eased to 2.32% in March 2023 from 2.76% in February 2023.

 

2. Ministry of Panchayati Raj to Celebrate National Panchayat Awards Week: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is celebrating the National Panchayat Awards Week from 17th – 21st April 2023 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2.0. The ministry has conceptualized a series of Thematic Conferences for the National Panchayat Awards Week on the theme “Panchayaton ke Sankalpon ki Siddhi ka Utsav”. Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh has released a booklet on ‘Best Practices on Works of Awardee Panchayats’.

 

3. DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence inaugurated at IIT Hyderabad: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) has been inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology -Hyderabad. DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat inaugurated the facility at the campus of the IIT-Hyderabad at Sangareddy in Telangana. The government is taking up futuristic projects towards long-term directed research needed for DRDO. The DIA CoE IITH is the largest centre among all 15 CoEs in the country.

 

4. G20 MACS meeting in Varanasi to feature the MAHARISHI Initiative: A three-day Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) under India's G20 presidency has been started on April 17, 2023, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. They will discuss sustainable agriculture and food systems for healthy people and the planet, Agriculture research and development, including food security and nutrition, public-private partnership etc. The 'Millets And Other Ancient GRains International ReSearcH Initiative (MAHARISHI)' is also proposed.

 

5. Confederate of Indian Industry (CII) co-organizes Digital Health Summit 202: Confederate of Indian Industry (CII) has co-organized a Digital Health Summit 2023 with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on April 16, 2023. The theme of the event was ‘Building One Health Together – Improving Health Equity’. Objective: To bring together the policy makers, industry leaders, and global healthcare experts and thought leaders to deliberate upon key issues confronting the digital health space

 

6. India opens its 16th Visa application center in Kushtia: The High Commission of India opened its 16th Visa application center in Kushtia town of Southwestern Bangladesh. The inauguration of the new Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) was done by High Commissioner Pranya Verma. This IVAC will provide greater ease and convenience to the residents of Kushtia and its adjoining areas seeking visa services for visiting India. The new Centre will further strengthen the people-to-people contacts that bind the two countries and which are at the core of India-Bangladesh relations rooted in their shared sacrifices during the Liberation War of 1971. The new IVAC centre will serve as a new platform for promoting tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges between India and Bangladesh.

 

7. 2nd G20 Health Working Group Meeting commence in Goa: The 2nd Health Working Group meeting under G20 India Presidency begins in More than 180 delegates from 19 G20 member countries, 10 invited states, and 22 International Organizations will be participating in the meeting. The 2nd Health Working Group meeting of G20 will have discussions on the Priorities which include Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness and Response, Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with a focus on Access and Availability to safe, effective, quality, and Affordable Medical Countermeasures and Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery. The Health Track of the G20 India Presidency will comprise four Health Working Group (HWG) Meetings and one Health Ministerial Meeting (HMM).

 

8. 16 April – Save The Elephant Day: Save the Elephant Day is observed every year on 16 April. Objective -To promote awareness of the issues faced by elephants and inspire efforts to protect these majestic animals. Theme 2023 – Protecting Elephant Habitats for a Sustainable Tomorrow

The day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of elephants, the challenges they face and the actions that can be taken to protect their existence. The event was first celebrated on 16 April 2012 and is now celebrated every year.

 

9. 13 April 2023 – 39th Siachen Day: Every year on April 13, the Siachen Warriors celebrate Siachen Day. This year marks the 39th anniversary of Operation Meghdoot, launched by the Indian Army on April 13, 1984, to secure the Siachen Glacier, which was important from a strategic point of view since the glacier shares boundaries with Pakistan and China. The Siachen Warriors also felicitated the veterans, Veer Naris, and Civil Defence employees who made supreme sacrifices on this most challenging battlefield, fighting extreme weather conditions and tough terrain. More than 11,000 troops have made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty during the last 39 years, ever since the beginning of Operation Meghdoot.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. The US emerges as India's biggest trading partner in FY23: According to the provisional data, released by the commerce ministry, the bilateral trade between India and the US increased by 7.65% to USD 128.55 in 2022-23 as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. The US has emerged as India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23. During 2022-23, India's two-way commerce with China declined by about 1.5% to USD 113.83 billion. In 2022-23, the UAE (USD 76.16 billion) was the third largest trading partner, followed by Saudi Arabia.

2. Syria becomes world's largest 'narco-state': Syria has become the world's foremost narco-state, as its economic survival now depends heavily on the production and export of Captagon.

Captagon is a banned illicit drug recognized by the UNODC (2021) and is a synthetic stimulant that combines amphetamine and caffeine. According to the Collins Dictionary, "narco-state" refers to a nation where a significant portion of the economy is reliant on the illicit trade of narcotic drugs.

 

3. Global Conference on Compressed Biogas held in New Delhi: IFGE- CBG Producers Forum organize a two-day Global Conference on Compressed Biogas in New Delhi. The theme of the Conference is – Towards Progressive Policy Framework for a Robust CBG Foundation and Growth. The objective of this Conference is to apprise the industry regarding the initiatives taken by the Central Government for the development of the Compressed Biogas Industry and to identify the areas where policy modifications are required. India is dedicated to achieving a net zero target by 2070 and the Government has taken several initiatives to reduce emissions.

 

4. 17 April – World Hemophilia Day: World Hemophilia Day is observed on 17 April every year. Objective – To spread awareness about this rare blood disorder and other inherited bleeding disorders like the Von Willebrand disease. Theme 2023 – Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds as the Global Standard of Care World Hemophilia Day was established in 1989 after the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) chose April 17 to bring the community together in honour of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Russia’s Gazprombank deepens ties with Indian banks for bilateral trade: Russia’s Gazprombank has expanded its ties with banks in India to expedite trade between the two countries in national currencies, as Russia this year has become the biggest supplier of oil to India. It is the third-largest lender of Russia by assets and a key conduit of the Russian energy trade. In 2022, India implemented a broader framework to facilitate overseas trade in rupees, and since then many Russian institutions have opened vostro accounts with Indian banks.

 

2. Chennai Metro launched Singara Chennai Card with SBI: Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has collaborated with the State Bank of India for the National Common Mobility Card or Singara Chennai Card as part of the multimodal and ticket integration plan. The card, which can be used on metro trains now and on MTC buses and suburban trains later, can also be used in other metros. The card, which can be had for free on production of a government identity proof. It is available at metro stations at Koyambedu, Central, Airport, High Court, Alandur, Thirumangalam and Guindy, besides SBI branches. It can be preloaded with cash from 100 to 2,000, with a 1.8% commission charged by SBI. The option to link the card to an SBI bank account will be available soon.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Nandini Gupta of Rajasthan crowned Femina Miss India World 2023: Nandini Gupta (19) of Rajasthan has been crowned the 59th edition of the beauty pageant, Femina Miss India World 2023. Meanwhile, Shreya Poonja from Delhi and Thounaojam Strela Luwang from Manipur were announced as the first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively. She hails from Kota, Rajasthan, and holds a Business Management degree. Femina Miss India 2023 was held at Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak, Imphal, Manipur.

 

2. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari awarded the “Maharashtra Bhushan” for the year 2022: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has presented the “Maharashtra Bhushan” award for the year 2022 to Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at Raigarh, Maharashtra. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari is a famous social reformer. His father Nanasaheb was Dharmadhikari. In view of his work, Appasaheb was also honored with Padma Shri in 2017. The work of tree plantation was done by the Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Foundation keeping in view the effect of climate change and temperature. A total of 36,61,611 trees have been planted by the Foundation from 2015 to 2021.

 

3. Nandini Gupta wins Femina Miss India 2023: Nandini Gupta has won Femina Miss India World 2023 crown. The 19-year-old hails from Kota, Rajasthan. Along with Nandini, the country got its new beauty queens of the year including Shreya Poonja from Delhi became the first runner-up, and Manipur’s Thounaojam Strela Luwang as 2nd runner-up. The 59th edition of Femina Miss India was held in Manipur.

 

4. Raj Subramaniam presented with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: The Indian-American CEO of global transportation giant FedEx, Raj Subramaniam has been presented with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. It is the highest civilian award given by India to persons of Indian origin and Indian diaspora. Subramanian was presented with the award by India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu at a ceremony at the India House. Subramanian is the president and CEO of FedEx Corporation, one of the world’s largest transportation companies.