Daily Current Affairs January 07 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Ghaziabad-Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhya section becomes India’s longest rail track with automatic signalling system:

• Indian Railway’s Ghaziabad-Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay section has become the nation’s longest fully Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) section.
• The 762 km long route has been fully automated.
• With its implementation, the increase in line capacity to run more train services will become possible.
• The Railways have planned to implement the project on existing high-density train routes.
• The railways have adopted the ‘Electronic Interlocking’ to derive benefits of digital and modern technologies in train operation and to enhance safety.
• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has linked reforms in the Indian Railways with the development of the country.
• In this regard, the government has also increased the budget allocation to the Railways.
• In FY 2022-23, the highest-ever budget allocated was Rs 2,45,800 crores.
• In 2020-21, Rs 1,55,181 crore was allocated in the budget while between 2014-19, about Rs 99,178 crore was allocated to Railways.

About Automatic Block Signalling

• Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) helps control the trains’ movement the automatic stop signals.
• These signals are operated automatically by the passage of trains into and out of the automatic signalling sections.
• The system helps to increase the line capacity without the construction of any additional stations.
• The Indian Railways has rolled out the ‘Automatic Block Signalling’ on a mission mode.
• The ABS is a cost-effective solution.

Cabinet approves over Rs 2,500-cr scheme for upgrading infra of DD, AIR:

• In a bid to upgrade Prasar Bharati’s broadcast infrastructure and network, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a scheme worth more than Rs 2,500 crore for Doordarshan and All India Radio.
• Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur announced the Central Sector Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)’ scheme with an outlay of Rs 2,539.61 crore up to 2025-26, which was approved by the CCEA.
• Prasar Bharati, as the country’s public broadcaster, is the most important vehicle of information, education, entertainment, and engagement for the people, especially in the remote areas of the country through Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR).
• The BIND scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE (Left Wing Extremism), border, and strategic areas, and provide high-quality content to the viewers.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates National Genome Editing & Training Centre in Punjab:

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh inaugurated “National Genome Editing & Training Centre” at National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) Mohali, Punjab.
• The Minister also, at the same time, inaugurated a 4-day International Conference on Food and Nutritional Security 2023: – iFANS.
• National Genome Editing & Training Centre” (NGETC) inaugurated today is a one-roof state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a national platform to cater to the regional needs to adapt different genome editing methods, including CRISPR-Cas mediated genome modification.
• The International Conference on Food and Nutritional Security (iFANS-2023) will be jointly organized by the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Centre for Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB), National Institute of Plant Biotechnology (NIPB), and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) at NABI, Mohali.
• The 4-day conference will brainstorm how genome editing could enhance the country’s food and nutritional security under changing climate in the country.
• The conference will have multiple sessions with as many speakers from 15 different countries.
• They will share their experience through their contribution to plant sciences in the frontier areas of their research.
• The conference will bring on new challenges and new ideas and will also work as a stage for fostering new research collaborations between laboratories in different countries.

1st All India Annual States’ Ministers Conference on “Water Vision@2047” Begins in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh:

• The 1st All India Annual States’ Ministers Conference on “Water Vision@2047” began in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• The two days conference began with the auspicious ‘Jal Kalash’ ceremony by the Chief Guest and Dignitaries.
• “Water Vision @ 2047 is an important dimension of the journey of Amrit Kaal for the next 25 years”, the Prime Minister remarked.
• The objective of the conference is to deliberate on Water Vision for India for the next 25 years i.e., till 2047 as part of the larger plan of India@2047 as envisioned by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
• The forum aims to bring together key policymakers for debating and deliberating on ways to optimally utilise water resources for holistic economic and human development in a sustainable manner.
• Highlighting the importance of the circular economy in the field of water conservation, the Prime Minister informed that the government has laid a lot of emphasis on the circular economy in this budget.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India takes over leadership of the Asian Pacific Postal Union

• India took over the leadership of the Asia Pacific Postal Union (APPU) in January 2023.
• Former Member (Personnel) of, the Postal Services Board, Vinaya Prakash Singh will take over the charge of Secretary General of the Union for a tenure of 4 years.
• This is the result of the elections during the 13th APPU Congress held in August-September 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Singh will succeed Mr.Lin Hongliang of China.
• This is the first time an Indian is leading an international organization in the postal sector.

About APPU :

• Founded: 1 July 1982
• Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand
• Secretary General : Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh
• Membership: 32 state members
• India has been a member of APPU since 1973.
• The APPU is the only Restricted Union of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in the region, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

Goal : 

• To extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services.
• The Secretary-General leads the activities of the Union and is also the Director of the Asian Pacific Postal College (APPC) which is the largest intergovernmental postal training institute in the region.
• The APPU is responsible for overseeing the technical and operational UPU projects in the region as the regional centre for several UPU activities, enabling the best possible integration of the region into the global postal network.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Manipur – Gaan Ngai festival of Zeliangrong community to be celebrated 

• In Manipur, the Gaan Ngai festival of the Zeliangrong community is to be celebrated.
• The festival is one of the major festivals of Manipur which is celebrated every year after harvesting.

About Gaan Ngai festival :

• The Gaan Ngai festival is celebrated for 5 days, usually in December or January.
• It is also known as the Chakan Gaan-Ngai or the festival of winter.
• During the festival, the Zeliarong community shows their gratitude by offering to the almighty a good harvest and praying for a better and more prosperous life in the coming year
• It also marks the end of the year when the farmers have stored their foodgrain.
• The festival is a celebration of culture, music, dance, and spiritual rituals that brings the community together in unity and joy.

About the Zeliarong community :

• Zeliangrong people are one of the major indigenous Naga communities living in the tri-junction of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland in India.
• The Zeliarong community in Manipur comprises Rongmei, Liangmei, and Zeme tribes.
• The word Zeliangrong was first coined on 15 February 1947 at Keishamthong Imphal.

About Manipur :

• Governor: La. Ganesan
• Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh
• Capital: Imphal

CM Mamata Banerjee launches new campaign ‘Didir Suraksha Kavach’

• West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) & Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief, Mamata Banerjee, has launched two initiatives ahead of the panchayat elections 2023– ‘Didir Suraksha Kawach’ and an app ‘Didir Doot’
• The program will be launched on January 11, 2023, & will continue with it for 60 days.
• It will focus on 15 state government schemes (Khadya Sathi, Banglar Awas Yojana, Nijo Griha Nijo Bhumi, Swasthya Sathi, Kanyashree, Sikshashree, Aikyashree, Student Credit Card, Lakshmir Bhandar, Krishak Bandhu, Samajik Suraksha Yojana, Manabik Pension, Jai Bangla Pension Scheme, Bidhaba Bhata)
• These schemes cover various sectors such as food, housing, health, education, social security, income, and

About Didir Suraksha Kawach : 

• Didir Suraksha Kawach’ (Didi Protection Shield)‘  about5 lakh volunteers of the Trinamool Congress will reach out to all 2 crore households of the State in 60 days.

Aim : 

• To be a welfare umbrella for the people of West Bengal.

About Didir Doot : 

• The app has been developed for people to register their problems.
• The app will be used in conjunction with the ‘Didir Suraksha Kawach’ program, with booth workers encouraging people to download it and register their issues

About West Bengal : 

• Governor: C. V. Ananda Bose
• Capital: Kolkata
• Chief minister: Mamata Banerjee
• National Park: Sundarban National Park, Jaldapara National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tiger Reserve: Buxa Tiger Reserve

Granules India Partners with Greenko Group for ‘green’ pharma zones 

• Hyderabad-based drug maker Granules India has entered into a strategic partnership with Greenko Group to develop a first-of-its-kind Integrated Green Pharmaceutical Zones (GPZ) starting with Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

Aim : 

• To develop and promote carbon-free green molecule solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and consolidate its position in sustainability and circular economy initiatives.
• The estimated cost of the project will be approximately INR 2,000 Crore over 5 years.

Key Highlights :

• This is significant as the pharmaceutical industry typically uses chemicals, which are linked to high carbon emissions, and bulk drug makers are considered to be a polluting industry.
• Granules will build a green field facility based on sustainability principles for large-scale manufacturing of key starting materials (KSMs), Intermediates, APIs, and fermentation-based products.
• The facility spread across 100 acres, will be commissioned in a phase-wise manner.
• Greenko ZeroC will supply Carbon Free Energy and enable Green Hydrogen along with its various chemical derivatives.

About Granules India :

• Founded: 1984
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
• Chairman & Managing Director: Krishna Prasad Chigurupati
• Granules are one of the world’s largest producers of paracetamol and metformin molecules.

About Greenko :

• MD & CEO : Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Siyom bridge in Arunachal Pradesh                                              

• Union Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated to the nation 28 infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), worth 724 crores during an event organized at Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh.
• It will expand infrastructure along India’s border, especially from Ladakh to Arunachal, along with

About Siyom Bridge :

• Siyom Bridge is a state-of-the-art 100 m long, Class 70 steel arch superstructure Siyom Bridge over the Siyom River in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Siyom Bridge on the Alang-Yinkiong road will facilitate the movement of army vehicles and weapons to the Upper Siang District, Tuting, and Yinkiong regions along the Line of Actual Control.

About 28 infrastructure projects of BRO :

• The projects comprise 22 bridges, including the Siyom bridge; 3 roads, and 3 other projects in 7 border States/Union Territories of Northern & North-Eastern regions.
• 8 of these projects are in Ladakh; 5 in Arunachal Pradesh; 4 in Jammu & Kashmir; 3 each in Sikkim, Punjab & Uttarakhand and 2 in Rajasthan.
• In addition, 3 telemedicine nodes – 2 in Ladakh & 1 in Mizoram were inaugurated.
• These 3 telemedicine nodes would connect Service hospitals via VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communications.
• It will provide prompt medical intervention for emergencies through Telemedicine consultation with specialists at Service hospitals using SATCOM VSAT communication.
• With the inauguration of these 28 projects, a total of 103 infrastructure projects of BRO were dedicated to the nation during 2022 at a total cost of Rs 2,897 crore

About BRO :

• Founded: 7 May 1960
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Director General: Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhary

About Arunachal Pradesh :

• Governor: B. D. Mishra
• Chief Minister : Pema Khandu
• Capital: Itanagar

Government of Himachal Pradesh launches CM’s Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh

• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched CM’s Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh for the destitute with an outlay of Rs 101 crore.

Aim : 

• To provide the facility of higher education to needy children and destitute women.
• All Congress MLAs have decided to contribute their first payment for Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh.
• He announced that the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment will directly transfer assistance to the beneficiary’s account on a simple application.

Key Highlights :

• The state government will bear the expenditure on skill development education, higher education, and vocational training of such children in engineering colleges, IIIT, NIT, IIM, IT, polytechnic institutes, etc.
• No income certificate would be taken from needy children and destitute women.
• Under the scheme, children living in childcare institutions, all children being benefited under foster care, destitute women living in Nari Seva Sadan, Shakti Sadan, and residents of old age homes would get benefits.
• Also, If any other orphan child is identified by the District Child Protection Unit, he will get benefits under the scheme.
• The state government has issued a notification to provide a festival grant of Rs 500 to the residents of Child Care Institutions, Nari Seva Sadan, Shakti Sadan, and Old Age Homes to celebrate the festivals.

About HP :

• Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
• Chief Minister : Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
• Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter)
• National Park: Great Himalayan National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

ADB & GoI sign USD 300 million loans to improve connectivity in Assam

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India (GoI) signed a $300 million loan to upgrade over 300 kilometers of state highways and major district roads (MDRs) in

Signatories :

• Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and Nilaya Mitash, Officer-in-Charge, India Resident Mission, ADB, have signed the agreement of the Assam South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Corridor Connectivity Improvement project.

Key Highlights : 

• The project supports the government of Assam’s flagship Asom Mala road improvement program to enhance the quality and service of priority sections of state highway and MDR networks and fill critical infrastructure gaps.
• The roads to be upgraded under the project, including 6 road sections in the state’s western, central and southern regions, are connected to SASEC corridors linking India with Bhutan and Bangladesh and are expected to boost cross-border trade and transport.
• The project will expand state highways and major district roads from single-lane to two-lanes and introduce new climate– and disaster-resilient structures.
• Community schools, water, health, and sanitation facilities, and heritage and tourism sites will be restored in affected indigenous peoples’ villages.
• To protect wildlife and habitats in project areas, viaduct structures will be constructed to avoidhuman–elephant conflict in the elephant habitats.

About ADB :

• Established: 19 December 1966
• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.
• President: Masatsugu Asakawa
• Membership: 68 countries.
• The ADB is a regional development bank.

 About Assam :

• Governor : Jagdish Mukhi
• Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Capital: Dispur
• National Park: Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Raimona National Park, Nameri National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary, Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary

YES BANK partners with BaaS startup Falcon to tap the embedded finance market

• Yes, Bank has partnered with banking-as-a-service startup Falcon to tap into the embedded finance market.
• Embedded finance enables the integration of a non-financial service with a financial service.

About the Partnership :

• The partnership will enable YES BANK to provide customers with tailor-made financial solutions by leveraging Falcon’s wide suite of products, backed by state-of-the-art technological infrastructure.
• In addition to this, the bank has also partnered with Microsoft Corp for a mobile application.
• The bank will leverage Microsoft’s Azure stack to create the app which will offer customers a host of services such as online payments, shopping, rewards, and offers as well as customized dashboards, in addition to traditional banking functions.

About Yes Bank :

• Founded: 2004
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• CEO: Prashant Kumar.
• Tagline: Experience Our Expertise

ADB & GoI sign US$350 million loan to improve the connectivity of the metro rail system in Chennai

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India (GoI) signed a US$350 million loan to build new lines and improve the connectivity of the metro rail system in Chennai with the city’s existing public transport system.

Key Highlights :

• The tranche 1 loan is part of the US$780 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the project approved by ADB on 8th December 2022 to develop 3 new metro lines in Chennai, TN.
• The investment project supports the development of 3 new metro lines – 3, 4, and
• For Line 3, the project will construct1 kilometers (km) of the elevated section between Sholinganallur to the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu-2, including 9 metro stations and system components
• Multimodal interchanges and facilities will be established along metro rail corridors to improve commuters’ experience such as drop-off and pick-up areas, sheltered waiting areas, bicycle facilities, and passenger information.
• An additional $1 million ADB technical assistance (TA) grant will help the Chennai Metro Rail Limited with the planning and management of the metro system’s multimodal integration.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Microsoft to boost Indian space tech startups signs MoU with ISRO:

• Microsoft will work closely with the startups identified by ISRO and will onboard those companies to its Startup Founders hub platform to support them at every stage.
• Tech giant Microsoft is all set to fuel space tech startups in India.
• At the future-ready technology summit 2023, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella showcased several cloud-based and AI-powered projects and also revealed its plans to foster Indian startups in the space tech domain.
• The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to fuel space tech startups using technology tools and platforms.
• With this partnership, Microsoft will help ISRO to strengthen its vision towards getting the most out of space tech startups in the country.
• Microsoft will work closely with the startups identified by ISRO and will onboard those companies to its Startup Founders Hub platform to support them at every stage.
• These startups will also get free access to various tech tools and resources which includes technical support to build and scale their product on Azure.
• On top of that, they will also get to use GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio Enterprise, and Microsoft 365 tools.
• Microsoft will also mentor space tech entrepreneurs in terms of cloud tech, product, design, fundraising, and sales and marketing aspects.
• The company will also collaborate with ISRO to organize knowledge-sharing and thought leadership sessions across the country.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

US Vice-President Ms. Kamala Harris names Indian-American Mr. Rajeev Badyal to National Space Council Advisory Group

• The American Vice President Ms. Kamala Harris has named Indian American Mr.  Rajeev Badyal to the National Space Council’s Users Advisory Group (UAG)

Roles & Responsibilities :

• He will be responsible to maintain a robust and responsible US space enterprise and preserve space for current and future generations.
• Harris had named US Air Force Rtd General Lester Lyles as chair of the UAG.
• The UAG will provide the National Space Council advice and recommendations on matters related to space policy and strategy, government policies, laws, regulations, treaties, international instruments, programs, and practices across the civil, commercial, international, and national security space sectors.

About Rajeev Badyal :

• He served as the vice president of satellites at SpaceX.
• Presently, he is serving as the vice president of Project Kuiper of Amazon.

About Project Kuiper : 

• Project Kuiper is a long-term initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.

About Ms. Kamala Harris :

• Kamala Devi Harris is the 49th and current vice president of the United States.
• She is the first woman to be elected as the Vice-President of the United States.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Belinda Clark: Former Australia captain becomes first female cricketer to have statue:

• Former Australia captain and World Cup winner Belinda Clark has become the first female cricketer to be honoured with a sculpture in the world.
• Cricket Australia unveiled a statue of Clark in the Sydney Cricket Ground precinct, joining fellow Australian greats in Richie Benaud, Steve Waugh, Stan McCabe, and Fred Spofforth.
• Clark was the captain of Australia for 12 years and won two ICC Women’s World Cup trophies, amassing 15 Test matches and scoring 919 runs at an average of 45.95.
• The Australian is also a member of the ICC Hall of Fame and also has the award for Australian Female Cricketer of the Year named after her.
• Clark retired from the sport in 2005 having also captained the side in 101 ODIs, by the end of which she was her nation’s top scorer in the format.
• The 52-year-old, who became the first person to score an ODI double century with 229 against Denmark in 1997, has since been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame as well as serving as chief executive of Women’s Cricket Australia.

Pranesh becomes India’s 79th chess Grandmaster:

• Pranesh clinched the Rilton Cup title here to become India’s 79th Chess Grandmaster.
• The Rilton Cup is the first tournament of the FIDE circuit.
• The 16-year-old Pranesh crossed the 2500-rating threshold and became a GM, having completed his three norms before the Rilton Cup.
• To become a GM, a player has to secure three GM norms and cross the live rating of 2,500 Elo points.
• The Indian made a clean sweep of the field in Stockholm, winning eight games and finishing a full point ahead of IM Kaan Kucuksari (Sweden) and GM Nikita Meshkovs (Latvia) as the tournament concluded.
• He topped the standings with eight points.
• The one who accumulates the most points by the end of the year qualifies for the 2024 FIDE Candidates.
• Nineteen-year-old Koustav Chatterjee had recently become the country’s 78th Grandmaster during the National Senior Chess Championship.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR

Homeopathic Physician & teacher Dr. AK Dwivedi’s book ‘Human Anatomy’ released by the Governor of MP:

• The third convocation ceremony of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University Bhopal was held in the state capital.
• On the occasion of the convocation, a Medical book ‘Human Anatomy’ in Hindi Manav Sharir Rachna Vigyan was released by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh Shri Mangubhai Patel at the function which is a very useful book for the Medical students of all courses related to medical education written by Dr. AK Dwivedi, Homeopathic Doctor of Indore Professor & HOD Physiology SKRP Gujarati Homeopathic Medical College Indore and member of Scientific Advisory Board in the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH (Govt. of India).
• This book has been published by Madhya Pradesh Hindi Granth Academy.
• On this occasion, Mohan Yadav, Minister of Higher Education in MP Government, Atul Kothari, National Secretary of Education and Culture Utthan Nyas, New Delhi, Vice Chancellor of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University, Prof. Khem Singh Daheria, and Registrar Yashwant Singh Patel and other dignitaries were present.

Gujarat’s first woman chief secretary Manjula Subramaniam Passed away                                                  

• The first woman chief secretary of Gujarat, Dr. Manjula Subramaniam passed away at the age of 74 in Vadodara, Gujarat.

About Dr Manjula Subramaniam :   

• Dr. Manjula Subramaniam, a 1972 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Gujarat cadre
• She had served as the first woman chief secretary of Gujarat during Modi’s tenure as the state’s chief minister in 2007 and retired in 2008.

• She had also served as the chief vigilance commissioner and principal secretary of the Energy and Petrochemicals Department. 
• She was appointed as the additional director on the Board of Directors of Gujarat Gas Limited in August 2020 for a tenure of 5 years.
• She was part of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation.
• She was also the director of Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited (GIPCL)

Daily CA on January 7:

• Indian Railway’s Ghaziabad-Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay section has become the nation’s longest fully Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) section.
• In a bid to upgrade Prasar Bharati’s broadcast infrastructure and network, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a scheme worth more than Rs 2,500 crore for Doordarshan and All India Radio.
• Jitendra Singh inaugurated the “National Genome Editing & Training Centre” at National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) Mohali, Punjab.
• The 1st All India Annual States’ Ministers Conference on “Water Vision@2047” began today in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• Microsoft will work closely with the startups identified by ISRO and will onboard those companies to its Startup Founders hub platform to support them at every stage.
• Former Australia captain and World Cup winner Belinda Clark has become the first female cricketer to be honored with a sculpture in the world.
• Pranesh clinched the Rilton Cup title here to become India’s 79th Chess Grandmaster.
• The third convocation ceremony of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University Bhopal was held in the state capital.
• India took over the leadership of the Asia Pacific Postal Union (APPU) in January 2023 & former Member (Personnel) of, the Postal Services Board, Vinaya Prakash Singh will take over the charge of Secretary General of the Union for the tenure of 4 years.
• In Manipur, the Gaan Ngai festival of the Zeliangrong community is to be celebrated.
• West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) & Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief, Mamata Banerjee, has launched two initiatives ahead of the panchayat elections 2023– ‘Didir Suraksha Kawach’ and an app ‘Didir Doot’
• Hyderabad-based drug maker Granules India has entered into a strategic partnership with Greenko Group to develop a first-of-its-kind Integrated Green Pharmaceutical Zones (GPZ) starting with Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• Union Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated to the nation 28 infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), worth 724 crores during an event organized at Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched CM’s Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh for the destitute with an outlay of Rs 101 crore.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India (GoI) signed a $300 million loan to upgrade over 300 kilometers of state highways and major district roads (MDRs) in
• Yes, Bank has partnered with banking-as-a-service startup Falcon to tap into the embedded finance market.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India (GoI) signed a US$350 million loan to build new lines and improve the connectivity of the metro rail system in Chennai with the city’s existing public transport system.
• The American Vice President Ms. Kamala Harris has named Indian American Mr.  Rajeev Badyal to the National Space Council’s Users Advisory Group (UAG)
• The first woman chief secretary of Gujarat, Dr. Manjula Subramaniam passed away at the age of 74 in Vadodara, Gujarat.