Latest Current Affairs For Tuesday 28th March, 2023

Minister Bhupender Yadav launched Aravali Green Wall Project

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav launched the Aravalli Green Wall Project, a major initiative to green the 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range in four states (Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi).

He also unveiled the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation Through Forestry Interventions and a FAQ on Agro-forestry published by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.

NIUA organized first Urban Climate Film Festival under U20 events

The first Urban Climate Film Festival under U20 engagement events was organized by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) from 24-26 March 2023.

A curated selection of 11 films from nine countries was showcased in the festival to create wider awareness of the impact of climate change on life in cities.

The festival was organized with support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the French Development Agency, and the European Union.

ICICI Lombard becomes first to offer 'Anywhere Cashless' feature

ICICI Lombard General Insurance launched the ‘Anywhere Cashless’ feature for health insurance policyholders to avail of cashless facilities at any hospital.

The feature will be subject to the hospital’s acceptance of the cashless facility.

Policyholders must inform the company 24 hours prior to the date of admission by giving basic information about the patient, policy details, hospital name, diagnosis, and treating doctor, among others.

Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain won gold at Women's Boxing Championships

Indian Women Boxer, Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain have managed to win a gold medal at the Women's World Championships 2023.

Nikhat Zareen won gold in the 50kg light flyweight division after defeating two-time Asian champion Nguyen Thi Tam of Vietnam by 5-0. 

Lovlina Borgohain has secured her first gold at the competition after settling for bronze in the 2018 and 2019 editions.

She defeated Australia's Caitlin Parker in the 75kg middle-weight category.

Actor Innocent Vareed Thekkethala passes away

Renowned Malayalam actor ‘Innocent’ Vareed Thekkethala passed away at 75.

He joined the film industry in 1972 with the movie 'Nrityashala' starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi.

He acted in over 700 films and was known for his comic roles.

He was also a former Lok Sabha MP.

He had won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate backed by the Left Democratic Front, from Chalakudy.

He also acted in a few Hindi films, notably 'Malamaal Weekly'.

Assam NGO wins Children’s Champion Award 2023

An NGO from Assam’s Pathsala, Students’ Welfare Mission, which has been working for special and autistic children, was conferred with the Children’s Champion Award 2023.

The Mission popularly known as Tapoban has been awarded in the health and nutrition category.

The founder president of the Mission, Kumud Kalita, received the award that carries Rs 75,000, a certificate and a plaque.

This award was instituted by the Delhi Commission for the Protection of Child Rights.

World Theatre Day 2023: 27th March

The international theatre community and ITI centers celebrate World Theatre Day on March 27th every year to raise awareness about their importance in entertainment and the changes they bring to society.

The theme for 2023 is "Theatre and a Culture of Peace."

The International Theatre Institute founded World Theatre Day in 1961.

ITI is a worldwide organization that promotes international exchange in theatre arts and promotes the values of UNESCO.

MGNREGS wage rates revised by up to 10% for 2023-24

The Centre has notified a hike in wage rates up to 10% under the rural job guarantee program, MGNREGS for 2023-24 with Haryana having the highest daily wage at ₹357 per day and Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh the lowest at ₹221.

The wage hikes, which range from ₹7 to ₹26, will come into effect from April 1, 2023.

It is a flagship program aimed at enhancing the livelihood security of households in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment.

ISRO successfully launches LVM 3 -M3 rocket with 36 satellites

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India's Launch Vehicle Mark (LVM) 3 -M3 satellite with 36 satellites of the One Web India-2 mission from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota.

With this launch, OneWeb will have 616 of its satellites in orbit.

The 43m-tall launch vehicle has successfully completed the three stages in the prescribed time limit including the involvement of the ignition of the cryogenic engine.

Mumbai Indians lift Women's Premier League trophy 2023 final

Mumbai Indians have won the inaugural Women's Premier League final, held at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai from 4-26 March 2023.

They defeated Delhi Capitals by 7 wickets.

Mumbai Indians captain: Harmanpreet Kaur

Awardees:

Most valuable player of the tournament: Hayley Matthews

Orange cap: Meg Lanning

Purple Cap: Hayley Matthews

Emerging Player of the season: Yastika Bhatia

Fairplay award: Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals

Catch of the season: Harmanpreet Kaur

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.