Latest Current Affairs For Saturday 25th March, 2023

Ashneer Grover launched cricket fantasy sports app ‘CrickPe’

BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover launched a cricket-focused fantasy sports app called CrickPe.

The launch comes ahead of the marquee Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament that is set to begin on March 31, 2023.

This sports app can be available on the Google Play store and Apple store.

He has raised about $4 million in seed funding for his venture Third Unicorn Pvt Ltd.

Notably, the cricket app has been launched to take on rivals like Dream11, MPL, and My11Circle.

Veteran journalist and Padma Shri awardee Abhay Chhajlani passes away

Veteran journalist and former editor-in-chief of popular Hindi daily Naidunia Abhay Chhajlani passed away at 88 due to health-related issues.

He entered the field of journalism in 1955 and graduated from the Thomson Foundation, Cardiff (UK).

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 for his outstanding contribution to journalism.

He also served as the president of the Indian Language Newspaper Association (ILNA) and Indian Newspaper Society (INS).

World Tuberculosis Day 2023: 24 March

World Tuberculosis Day is observed every year on March 24 to educate the world about the impact of tuberculosis, globally.

The theme for 2023 World Tuberculosis Day is "Yes! We can end TB!".

On March 24, 1882, Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.

The elimination of Tuberculosis is one of the sustainable development targets to be achieved by 2030 by the world.

PM Modi addressed the One World TB Summit held in Varanasi

PM Modi addressed the One World TB Summit 2023 at Rudrakash Convention Centre, Varanasi on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day (March 24).

Organized by: Health and Family Welfare Ministry and Stop TB Partnership. 

In March 2018, the PM called on India to achieve TB-related SDG targets by 2025.

The PM also awarded select States/UTs and districts for their progress toward ending TB.

State level: Karnataka and J&K. 

District level: Nilgiris, Pulwama, and Anantnag

Egypt officially becomes member of BRICS New Development Bank

Egypt joined the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) as an official member.

Egypt completed all the necessary procedures to become an eligible member on February 20, 2023.

About NDB:

BRICS' New Development bank was established in July 2014, after an intergovernmental agreement was signed by the partner nations at the sixth BRICS summit in Fortaleza.

NDB bank includes India, Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa as member countries.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches DigiClaim

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched a DigiClaim, under the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for claim disbursal through National Crop Insurance Portal.

With the DigiClaim Module, insurance claims of over 1,260 crore rupees have been disbursed to insured farmers of six states on March 23, 2023.

The states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.

Defence Ministry, BEL sign MoU to enhance operational capabilities of IAF

The Defence Ministry signed two separate contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at a total cost of over Rs 3,700 crore.

Reason: To enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF)

First contract: Worth over Rs 2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for the IAF.

Second contract: Worth over Rs 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR). 

Both projects are under Buy Indian- IDMM category.

India wins one silver and one bronze in ISSF World Cup championship 2023

India's world champions, Rudraksh Patil and R. Narmada Nitin secured the bronze in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the ISSF 2023, held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

While Varun Tomar and Rhythm Sangwan won silver in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Competition.

With these medals, India's medal tally to three including one gold, one silver, and one bronze.

China topped the medal tally with three gold and two bronze medals.

26% of world's population does not have safe drinking water

According to UN World Water Development Report 2023, about 26% of the world's population does not have safe drinking water and 46% lack access to safely managed sanitation.

Between 2-3 billion, people experience water shortages for at least 1 month per year.

This poses severe risks to livelihoods and access to electricity.

The global urban population facing water scarcity is projected to double from 930 million (2016) to 1.7 -2.4 billion (2050).

India wins both men's and women's Asian Kho Kho Championship title 2023

The host India clinched both men's and women's titles of the Asian Kho Kho Championship 2023 held at Tamulpur in Assam.

In the women's category, Indian Eves defeated Nepal by an inning and 33 points.

On the other hand, the men's team also defeated Nepal by an inning and six points.

India remained unbeaten in both categories throughout the tournament.

A total of nine countries participated in the event.

UIDAI, SETS join hands to conduct R&D in deep-tech

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) collaborated to do joint R&D leading for the development of tools and products in deep tech domains.

Both organizations will also conduct joint research on emerging tech areas like Cyber Security, IoT Security, etc.

Aim: To improve self-reliance on information and cyber security and to reduce dependence on tools developed outside the country.

India, UK hold joint maritime exercise 'Konkan' in Arabian Sea

A joint maritime exercise, Konkan 2023 was conducted between the Royal Navy of Britain and the Indian Navy from 20-22 March has concluded in the Arabian Sea.

It is a joint drill by the two navies to demonstrate operational readiness, enhancing interoperability and improving the ability to conduct joint operations.

INS Trishul, a guided missile frigate, and HMS Lancaster participated.

It covered all domains of maritime operations, air, surface, and subsurface.

FSIB shortlisted Siddhartha Mohanty as new Chairman of LIC

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has selected Siddhartha Mohanty as the new chairman of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

As per the guidelines, the chairman is selected from the four managing directors of the company.

At present, he is an MD of LIC and was earlier given interim charge as chairman for a period of three months, effective from March 14, 2023.

The final decision will be taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.