Latest Current Affairs For Wednesday 5th April, 2023

इंस्टीट्यूट फॉर एनर्जी इकोनॉमिक्स एंड फाइनेंशियल एनालिसिस (IEEFA) और JMK रिसर्च एंड एनालिटिक्स की नई संयुक्त रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, भारत 2026 तक चीन के बाद दुनिया का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा सौर फोटोवोल्टिक निर्माता बन सकता है। भारत की संचयी मॉड्यूल निर्माण नेमप्लेट क

According to the new joint report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and JMK Research and Analytics, India could become the world’s second-largest solar photovoltaic manufacturer by 2026, after China.

India’s cumulative module manufacturing nameplate capacity more than doubled from 18GW in March 2022 to 38GW in March 2023.

In terms of upcoming PV manufacturing installations, Gujarat would be the leading state in India.

India, US to begin major air combat exercise in Kalaikunda, West Bengal

The Indian Air Force and the US Air Force started the joint exercise ' Cope India' at Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal from April 10 to 21, 2023.

This exercise will enhance operational capability and interoperability between the two air forces.

While Japan will also join as an “observer” in the exercise and witness “air combat and mobility elements” operating from multiple air bases like Kalaikunda, Panagarh, Agra, and Hindon.

Oscar-winning Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto passes away

Veteran composer and green activist Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away at the age of 71 due to cancer.

He was a Japanese composer, record producer, and actor who pursued a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO).

As a film-score composer, he won an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Grammy, and two Golden Globe Awards.

He won an Academy Award with his score for the 1987 period epic “The Last Emperor".

Sudha Shivkumar becomes 40th President of FICCI Ladies Organisation

Chennai-based Sudha Shivkumar has assumed the charge as the 40th president of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) at the 39th annual session.

FLO is the oldest women-led and women-centric business chamber in Southeast Asia.

She is a lawyer and investment banker by profession and presently serving as a director at auto ancillaries.

She was the Chairperson of the FLO Chennai Chapter in 2016-17.

FLO is the women's wing of the FICCI

World Bank: India's economy to slow in FY24, GDP growth seen at 6.3%

World Bank has predicted India's economy to slow in the current fiscal (2023-24) to 6.3% on the back of shrinkage in consumption due to slower income growth.

The report estimates India's inflation to moderate from 6.6% to 5.5% in the current fiscal.

The Current Account Deficit (CAD) is expected to be 5.2% in FY24.

The Economic Survey had projected a growth of 6.5% for the current fiscal while RBI's latest projection pegs growth for FY24 at 6.4%.

Max Verstappen wins F1 Australian Grand Prix

Red Bull's driver, Max Verstappen, won his first Australian Grand Prix 2023, held at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Australia.

While Seven-time world champion, L. Hamilton (Mercedes driver) finished second followed by F. Alonso (Aston Martin) and L. Stroll (Aston Martin).

The Australian Grand Prix is a motor race held annually in Australia since 1928.

The next F1 Azerbaijan GP will be held in Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan on April 30, 2023.

International Day Of Mine Awareness And Action 2023: 4th April

International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed every year on April 4 to raise awareness against explosive mines and gather assistance towards their eradication.

Theme 2023: Mine Action Cannot Wait

The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) leads the mine action community, which plays an important role in achieving the goals of mine action.

On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April to observe as this day.

Gregoria Tunjung won 2023 Spain Masters women's title

Gregoria Mariska Tunjung from Indonesia has clinched the Women's title in the 2023 Spain Masters, held in Madrid, Spain from 28 March-2 April 2023.

She defeated Indian Badminton player, PV Sindhu.

While Japanese badminton player, Kenta Nishimoto won the men's title.

Other winners:

Men's doubles: He Jiting and Zhou Haodong (China)

Women's doubles: Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning (China)

Mixed doubles: Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje (Denmark)

Bhutan king arrives in India for a two-day visit

Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrived in India for a two-day visit and was received by EAM S Jaishankar in New Delhi.

Both countries will discuss hydro-power cooperation, economic and trade partnership, space cooperation, scholarships, youth-centric and STEM-based initiatives, and establishing digital infrastructure matters.

The defense and security ties between the two countries have seen significant growth in the last few years.

Axis Bank launches business management solution for merchants

Axis Bank and VISA jointly launched a mobile application, 'Digital Dukaan' to empower merchants to accept payments through various digital modes.

It is designed to address business requirements such as accepting digital payments, inventory management, and billing.

This Android Smart POS application has an in-built camera with an LED flashlight to enable scanning of product barcodes and allow a tap-and-pay option for transactions up to Rs 5,000.

Public sector banks transfer ₹35,012 cr unclaimed deposits to RBI

The Public sector banks (PSBs) have transferred unclaimed deposits of ₹35,012 crore as of February 2023 to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

These deposits have not been operated for 10 years or more.

SBI tops the list with an unclaimed amount of ₹8,086 crore, while PNB has ₹5,340 crore and Canara Bank has ₹4,558 crore.

These unclaimed deposits belong to 10.24 crore accounts transferred to the RBI.

MoS for Finance Bhagwat Karad shared this information in Lok Sabha.

Bahrain launches Golden Licence to attract large-scale investment projects

Bahrain's government has launched a new initiative called 'Golden Licence' to incentivize investments and the creation of jobs.

It is designed to provide streamlined services and benefits to local and foreign businesses with large-scale investment projects in Bahrain.

Eligibility for the Licence: Companies with significant strategic projects and investments exceeding US$50 million or those creating more than 500 jobs in Bahrain.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch becomes the first woman to go around the moon

The American Space Agency, NASA has selected the first woman astronaut, Christina Koch for its Artemis II mission.

Other crew members: Victor Glover (First Black Astronaut) and Reid Wiseman of NASA, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

It will involve a fly-by of the moon and a 10-day journey back to Earth.

It is part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024.

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.