Latest Current Affairs For Tuesday 21st March, 2023

Virat Kohli named Luxor's brand ambassador

Luxor Writing Instruments Private Limited has signed cricketer Virat Kohli as its new brand ambassador.

He will represent Luxor’s stationery products and help the company increase its appeal among young writers.

He will also help to enhance the market position in the country.

Luxor International Private Limited is a well-known Indian stationery manufacturer.

Managing Director of Luxor: Pooja Jain Gupta. 

India, WFP sign MoU during Global Millet Conference

The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry has signed an MoU with the World Food Programme (WFP) during the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference.

The MoU between WFP and the Government of India for cooperation between 2023-2027 was signed in the presence of Agriculture Minister Tomar.

The WFP is working towards promoting food self-sufficiency and supporting governmental and global efforts to ensure long-term solutions to the challenge of hunger.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance launches ‘ICICI Pru Gold'

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched ICICI Pru Gold.

It is an innovative long-term savings product designed to enable customers to create an additional income stream to meet their diverse income requirements.

Besides receiving guaranteed lifelong income, the life cover component in the product provides financial security to the family.

This product is available in three variants i.e. Immediate Income, Immediate Income with Booster, and Deferred Income.

World Oral Health Day 2023: 20th March

World Oral Health Day is observed globally on March 20 every year with the primary aim of creating awareness about the importance of oral health.

The theme for 2023 is 'Be Proud of Your Mouth,' which is the same theme used for the past three years.

World Oral Health Day was celebrated first on September 12, 2007, by the World Dental Federation (FDI).

It is the birth date of Dr. Charles Godon (founder of FDI).

India on track to achieve energy independence by 2047

According to the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, India can achieve energy independence by its 100th year of independence in 2047.

Study title: Pathways to Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

It has been suggested that achieving this goal would result in significant economic, environmental, and energy benefits for India, including USD 2.5 trillion in consumer savings by 2047.

It also reduces fossil fuel import expenditure by 90% ($240 billion) annually.

LG Manoj Sinha laid foundation stone for a ₹250-crore mall in Srinagar

J&K LG, Manoj Sinha laid the foundation stone for a ₹250-crore mega shopping mall at Srinagar’s Sempora area.

This shopping mall will be constructed by Dubai-based Emaar Group.

It is the first “foreign direct investment” in the Union territory.

It will be constructed over an area of 10 lakh sq. ft. and is expected to be completed by 2026.

Later, he also participated in the India-UAE investor meet at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre.

International Day of Happiness 2023: 20 March

The International Day of Happiness (World Happiness Day) is celebrated every year on March 20 to create a kinder and happier world by urging people to adopt simple, daily practices to be happy.

Theme 2023: Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind. 

On 12th July 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 20 as the International Day of Happiness in its resolution 66/281.

This day was first celebrates in 2013.

ISRO to conduct young scientist programme in Bengaluru

The Indian Space Research Organisation is organizing a young scientist program named Yuva VIgyani Karyakram (YUVIKA).

Aim: To impart basic knowledge on space technology, space science, and space applications to students of Class IX.

Registration for the program has been started on March 20, 2023.

The YUVIKA program will be conducted between May 15 and 26 at seven centers.

Interested students studying in Class 9 as on 1 January 2023 within India are eligible to apply.

5th Poshan Pakhwada celebrations begins

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has organized the fifth Poshan Pakhwada from 20th March to 3rd April 2023 with various activities nationwide.

Theme 2023: "Nutrition for All: Together Towards a Healthy India". 

Aim: To raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits through Jan Andolan and Jan Bhagidari. 

Poshan Abhiyaan was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 8th March 2018 to improve nutritional outcomes in a holistic manner.

Africa-India field training exercise, AFINDEX-23 to be held in Pune, India

The 10-day Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX 2023) will be organized in Pune, India from March 21-30, 2023 to strengthen the military ties between the countries.

The India-Africa Army Chiefs Conclave will be held in Pune from March 28-29, 2023.

The exercise will promote the idea of Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity (AMRUT).

A comprehensive validation exercise on the theme “Humanitarian Mine Actions and Peace Keeping Operations”.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.